The Lazarus Expedition: Episode 16

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==Synopsis==
The party continues their trials for the Scroll of Resurrection in the holy pyramid of Heatstroke. In this finale The Lazarus Expedition reaches its conclusion, ending in a way no one could have predicted.
==Recap==
===The Trials Continue===
The party is inside the great and holy pyramid of Heatstroke, working on passing the Sphinx’s trial to receive the scroll of resurrection. Of the four rooms on the first floor they choose only to ignore what they believe to be Malkis. The traps in the hallway before his room spooked them, and despite being God of Humans, he is also God of Chaos, so the party decide to continue to the rooms upstairs. 
The chamber upstairs is nearly identical, and as the party head towards a door the Sphinx tells them he has more questions for them. He explains that the questions on the 1st floor pertained to each member’s worthiness and intent for the scroll, and this floor will have different questions. He opens with his first question, 
=== 2nd Floor Question #1 “If the scroll leaves this temple it may fall into hands other than yours. How will you protect this greatest of powers? ===
Cypher: “With my life”
Styrmir: “We will keep our success private, there are many bad actors here and in Solum”
Cassian: “I would destroy the scroll in my last act if my party is doomed”
Drolvrazorz: “The gods will decide the fate of the scroll, as is their right”
==== Party Enters Door of Felumbra ====
As they approach the door their fallen allies, Roy Waystar and Vasher Talat suddenly appear before the party seemingly alive and well once more. Cassian cannot believe his eyes and grasps at Roy, who does have a physical form, before bursting into tears of happiness. Vasher and Roy are just as shocked to have returned; Roy checks on Vika and Vasher admonishes the party for allying with monsters. Styrmir pulls Cassian aside into the hallway, explaining that it is unnatural for them to return. He thinks they will have to agree to let them pass on if they want to complete Felumbra’s trial. All six party members head into the room. 
Styrmir asks the Felumbra cleric the purpose of this sick joke, their allies are meant to be dead. The cleric says that the party failed them, and they should air their grievances with each other now that they have reconvened. Innocent Roy doesn’t blame the party, he apologizes for not being strong enough which brings Cassian to tears. The cleric explains that if they get the scroll they will have to deal with those they’ve failed to protect, and warns death may change them. With sadness in their voices, Styrmir and Cassian demand the cleric returns their souls to Felumbra, they do not belong here anymore. Roy is devastated he must leave and cries, and Vasher reminds them to save Scamp, before the fallen members vanish from existence once more. 
The cleric then asks their own question, “When these trials are done, when you have raised those who need raising, who will you be?”Cypher: “Who I am destined to be, only Julia knows for sure”
Styrmir: “I would like to retire and relax if I survive, I am old and worn out…”
Cassian: “I will continue to serve King Arnold in any way I can”
Drolvrazorz: “I will be the strongest Hobgoblin wizard”The cleric is satisfied and grants the party approval, despite some lingering apprehension. They return to the Sphinx for their next question. Cassian asks the Sphinx’s name, which is revealed to be Raymos. 
=== 2nd Floor Question #2 “What enemies do you have, that may want the power of this scroll?” ===
Cypher: “We have met many along the way, any could turn against us…”
Styrmir: “The powerhouses in Scalesvale, the Bandit Queen, and maybe Julia…”
Cassian: “The people in our hometown, the very assassins that killed Arnold…”
Drolvrazorz: “The scales of power tip easily with power, the enemy to fear is those you trust…”
==== Party Enters Door of Illumis ====
The corridor is filled with burning hot coals, the party would take damage passing both ways if they proceed.  Cassian tanks the damage and proceeds as normal. Drolvrazorz casts Absorb Elements to take half damage and then proceeds. Styrmir burns his final create water spell to put out half of the coals, and he and Cypher jump over what remains. The Illumis cleric explains that if they desire power that can return life, they must be willing to sacrifice life. One of the party members must be sacrificed to the burning coals if they wish to pass his trial. Not wanting to lose their friends they leave to see their options with the remaining 2 clerics.
=== 2nd Floor Question #3 “What would happen if the scroll falls into the wrong hands? Is it safe to bring it away from here? ===
Cypher: “I am here to make sure only those who deserve it get the scroll”
Styrmir: “It may be used to revive an evil dragon, or a litch, there’s no telling…”
Cassian: “It won’t.”
Drolvrazorz: “At that point we would all be dead and have no control…”
==== Party Enters Door of Tempos ====
There is a note carved into the door that reads, “Each hex shall stab your soul like a knife, each hex shall drain a year of your life.” Along the hallway floor there are magic runes inlayed, they can see four of them but there may be more further in. Styrmir’s old knees buckle at the thought of aging eight or more years. They decide to once again turn away and explore other options first, returning to Raymos for another question. 
=== 2nd Floor Question #4 “Is there not a more noble cause for which the scroll can be used? Surely in the whole of the world, in all time that has passed, there is someone more worthy. Why not seek out a more worthy person to use the scroll on?” ===
Cypher: “He must be the most worthy, for Julia has foreseen it…”
Styrmir: “If he was not a deserving man we would not be here today”
Cassian: “His soul was stayed by Voraci herself… We don’t have hundreds of years to research and look for someone else”
Drolvrazorz: “He is the most worthy man who’s soul is still tied to this world…”
==== Party Enters Final Door, of Nadinis ====
This cleric is not behind their counter, and proclaims to the party, “I know for why you are here and I must say the dead should stay dead. It is unnatural… Your wish should never be done. Let me show you why.” Casting a Quest spell, the cleric raises from the dead four mummies and five zombies within the room. 
=== Combat Start ===
Round 1
* Everyone except Styrmir is paralyzed with fear at the Horrifying Visage of the mummies.
* Irongrip is paralyzed, he closes his eyes
* Mummy #1 fails to grab Cassian, but he loses 1 con from its Toxic Breath. It multi attacks for 15 damage infecting him with Mummy Rot
* Cassian is paralyzed
* Mummy #2 closes in on Styrmir
* Mummy #3 climbs over the table towards Cypher
* Mummy #4 smashes Cassian for 16 damage and grapples him
* Styrmir casts Turn Undead. 3 mummies are turned, 3 zombies are obliterated
* Cypher slashes at a mummy 3 times for 10 total damage, discovering non-magical weapons deal half damage
* Zombie #1 holds it’s ground
* Zombie #2 moves up
* Nadinis cleric casts Guiding Bolt searing Styrmir for 17 damage
Round 2
* Drolvrazorz casts Hold Person on the cleric, who fails their save but they have Freedom of Movement cast on them preventing the effect. He flees into the hallway
* Mummy #3 is turned and flees
* Cassian is no longer held, he charges the cleric cleaving her for 17 damage
* Mummy #2 grabs Styrmir, and smashes him for 14 knocking him unconscious
* Cypher grabs Styrmir's body and flees, taking an opportunity attack for 8 and gets Rot
* Zombie #1 grabs Cassian
* Zombie #2 bonks Cassian for 7 damage
* Nadinis cleric casts Sacred Flame on Cypher for 10 damage, and casts Sanctuary on themself
Round 3
* Drolvrazorz reveals his true nature, downing Cassian with Magic Missiles before retreating
* Mummy #2 grabs Drolvrazorz, draining 1 con and infects him with Rot
* Styrmir dies
* Zombies #1 and #2 kill Cassian, eating his brains
* Nadnis cleric is pleased
* Mummy #2 smashes Drolvrazorz for 9
* Cypher drags Styrmir away
Round 4
* Mummy #2 bashes Drolvrazorz for 22 damage, and drains 2 more con
* Cypher comes back to help
Round 5
* Drolvrazorz breaks the mummy’s grip and flees, using Shield to stop it’s OA
* Mummy #2 closes with Cypher, draining 3 con
* Cypher disengages and flees
Round 6
* The monsters disengage and flee down the pyramid
As they flee, they find the four clerics from the 1st floor are all together chatting amongst themselves. The Malkis cleric pulls an enchanted short sword from his cloak, but puts it back when he learns the humans are already dead. The clerics don’t interfere as the mummy arrives and chases the monsters out of the pyramid. They are infected with Rot and have no water to escape the desert. 
The campaign comes to an end on a somewhat sour note, the expedition has failed right on the cusp of its completion. 
Category:The Lazarus Expedition Episodes
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