August 16
Entering the deepest part of the temple you descend a huge (40’ tall; 20’ wide tapering to 5’ at the peak) hallway into the lower level that is covered with tiny figures of defeated enemies, each represented by a tiny individually carved shape no larger than 1” tall in row upon row of defeated individuals. All sides of each block is covered, meaning the actual number of slain enemies is significantly higher than the estimated 2 million visible shapes.
In the main area there is a great pit before a raised dais that contains thousands of skulls of defeated enemies are piled up in a pit before the ceremonial pulpit. They have masks of the dead sketched on the inside or outside of each skull.
The outside masks were used in a ritual to create an undead shade, shadow, spook etc. in service to the Carkade priests, however the inside masks were an attempt to spiritually destroy the victim.
An undead Vision dwells in the dark of the sacrificial chamber. Ophion and Heian were shown visions of ancient Carkade, complete with pyramids of corpses, the skies alight with towering flames and death rapidly approaching from beyond. Houtl-het herself appears as she did when she was alive revelling in the slaughter but terrified of the approaching sickly green light causing all to wilt before it.
You find 600cp, 500sp, 900gp, Potion Supreme Healing, Potion Fire Giant Strength, Scroll - 6th (Create Undead, Insect Plague); Gong (made of gold), 3 white enamel statues 2”, 2 golden ribbed canoes with crocodile skin, chain of silver bells, 3 platinum platters decreasing size & several intact glazed blue bowls
Also 2 very heavy gold and platinum scroll cases capped in mastodon ivory covered in images of skeletal Carkade beasts – the magic from the scroll cases and the scrolls within are necromantic + summoning + abjuration in nature and are at least 9th level or higher in potency
You got into a fight with slinking shades and went down a great hall with polished brass panels on the walls, 6ft tall fireplaces built into walls every 20 feet; many alcoves with clay statues (each one a different individual to any other) - Professor Rubens is physically carried while still making notes to escape a deadly threat at one time
A fight in the private sanctuary dedicated to Ammutseba with Houtl-het, her 4 guard mummies and the little girl (that Ophion killed when he shredded the skin off her arms, neck and face)
Houtl-het redirected all damage at her guards; she also kept demanding to know why am I here? while trying to destroy you – also was much “fleshier” than the other mummies
She also asked where is the Wyrding? Where is the Argentweald? Where is Panthalessu?
She had reconstructed a transportation Circle which she used to escape in with the little girl, you all dived in and followed her far far far far far far far across the ocean; getting me out of a continent (Faerun) I have only marginal interest in understanding
