Tomb of Khitros

* Artwork
* Map

Umbrek

Wren

The Tomb of Khitros is a small temple within the eastern aspect of the Shifting Dunes, located just south of the Remnant Hills.

## Description

Shaped from large sandstone bricks, this construction is otherwise featureless beyond the cool alcove covering its entrance. Four pillars eaten and warped by the sandstorms stand nearly thirty feet tall and taper towards a central archway set with a large crystalline disc. When the concentrated beam of light is aligned properly with the relief carved on the western facing wall, the doorways open to grant entry.

## Notable Features

### Upper Sanctum

* The Main Atrium - Flanked by six sandstone pillars featureless and smooth, the primary feature of the main atrium is the detailed stone-working on the far wall. The masonry depicts a valley through which a road winds, flanked by skeletal figures wasting into dust. As the figures continue down the valley, they grow healthier, than rotund and obese. At their head it a final individual, hands raised high to grasp at a circular gemstone that is set slightly more heavily into the sandstone. There is a relief around his neck where an object is missing. When an expedition party arrived during Halla-Greencrown of 3 WD, there were three desiccated bodies of long-dead acolytes in this chamber, adorned heavily with bronze bands and one with a golden necklace. When this Amulet of Khitros was placed into position, the entrance way opened wider, allowing for the aligning the second and third lens (their compartments in the floor near the entrance and upon the ceiling respectively) will reflect the light around the chamber to meet with this point. With the light aligned, the pathway to the Lower Sanctum would open.
* The Fealty Chamber - The southwest alcove of the temple is guarded by means of a spear trap. Beyond a few crates that once housed the belongings of the acolytes tending to the tomb, the room was empty, although the walls were heavily adorned with further stone carvings. Centrepiece amongst these were three figures bowing before another - cloaked and pierced through with a dozen hooked blades. Each of the servants offered up a different item, one a circlet, another a ring and the third a jar of sorts.
* The Disciple Chamber - The northwest alcove of the temple was untrapped and seemingly well-frequented by the acolytes of the temple before their demise. Within Umbrek discovered the second lens, clutched tight within the hands of one of the dead devotees.
* The Trapped Halls - Originally built to dissuade those that might attempt to break into the Tomb through means that the main entrance, the remaining two alcoves from the Main Atrium were protected by means of pressure-plate triggered traps that filled the room with sand and snakes respectively. Beyond was an adjoining corridor that served as a further storage location and the hiding place of the third lens. Dust Mephits and Scorpions had made the urns in this section their homes.

### Lower Sanctum

* Entrance Chamber - Connected to the Main Atrium by means of a staircase carved into the sandstone, the Entrance Chamber of the Lower Sanctum was filled with crates and barrels of food, wine and perfumed oils scented with lily, myrrh, cassia and cinnamon. All of the contents had spoiled many years previously.
* Khitros' Hall - Unlike those in the Main Atrium, the four supporting pillars of Khitros' Hall are deeply ornate and depict scenes of sandstorms ravaging cities, the tempest winds striking down armies and a rain of curved blades tearing apart any that remained standing. Set before the throne was the body of an aurochs, still complete with its saddle. The backwall of the chamber had been carved to depict a river scene. Reeds twist from the corners, painted fancifully in pigments of blue and green, obscuring a pair of crocodiles that lie in wait, hidden away in one corner. At the centre a flat-bottomed skiff coming out of the wall with a cloth pavillion had been shaped, and set before it is a large stone chair, upon which Khitros rested, arms bound tight to his chest. Bronze bands hung loosely on withered wrists, rotten leather holding a polished brown-gold set of spaulders upon an atrophied form. A twisting solid bronze band rested atop a head slumped forwards, the metal tapering forwards and upwards into a flaired serpent, ready to strike. At one side of this throne, another figure rests, shrunken fingers grasping tightly a fanciful fan on a long wooden pole.
* Offerings Vault - Joined to Khitros' Hall was a modest vault containing further treasures with which the Dustlord had been buried. Amongst it were gold, silver and copper coins, gemstones, fine clothes, some historical parchments and a spellbook containing the incantations necessary to cast Earth Tremor, Cause Fear, Unseen Servant and Witch Bolt.