Days of the Scorching Sun 2/5

Having freed the statuette of Shar from the clutches of the Cult of Set, the weary adventurers—Anton, Camroan, Kali, Kaz, and Laurence—found respite in the desecrated temple. The weight of their mission bore heavily upon them, yet the long rest within those dark, sacred walls renewed their strength. Abu, the ever-watchful albino monkey, guided them onward as the unsetting sun continued its relentless reign over the desert.

The Journey Begins Anew

Setting off into the burning dunes, the adventurers braved the oppressive heat once more. Hours into their trek, vultures began circling above, their shadows slicing across the golden sands. With a sudden screech, the carrion birds dove, their talons aimed at the adventurers’ precious water skins. Blades flashed and arrows flew, driving most of the scavengers away. Yet one daring vulture snatched a water skin from Laurence. Undeterred, he took aim with his longbow and shot the creature down, reclaiming the vital water before it could be lost to the sands.

The Jackals of the Dunes

As the sun continued its merciless vigil, a new threat emerged. A large pack of jackals materialized from the shifting dunes, their hungry eyes fixed not on the adventurers but on Abu, who clung tightly to Kali. Snarling and snapping, they encircled the group, poised to snatch the small guide. But the adventurers were ready. Kaz’s blade cut through their ranks like a desert wind, while Camroan’s divine light scattered the pack. Kali unleashed a torrent of magic, and the jackals were swiftly dispatched, their bodies vanishing into the sands as if consumed by the desert itself.

The Cultists’ Last Stand

At last, the shimmering mirage of an oasis appeared on the horizon. But as the adventurers drew near, five cultists of Set emerged, mounted on camels, their dark robes billowing in the scorching wind. Intent on blocking the adventurers’ path, they spread out in a formation to surround the group.

Quick-thinking Anton, disguised in the stolen robes of a cultist, rode ahead and feigned allegiance to the group. His convincing performance lured the cultists into a false sense of security—until he cast a sleeping spell, which felled four of the five riders. The lone remaining cultist barely had time to react before the adventurers dispatched him with precision.

Binding the four unconscious cultists, the group interrogated two separately. Their questioning revealed that the cultists had been sent to prevent the adventurers from reaching the Sunken Temple of the Oasis, where Set’s power continued to fester. Among their belongings, Laurence uncovered a mysterious document inscribed with arcane symbols. Though unintelligible to all but a High Priest, Kali managed to glean fragments of its meaning, hinting at dark rituals and a deeper connection to the curse.

Descent Into the Depths

With the parchments of Water Breathing taken from the cultists, the adventurers prepared to descend into the waters of the oasis. Abu, trembling, refused to follow, instead clutching Kali’s robes and pointing anxiously toward the shimmering depths.

Beneath the surface, the adventurers discovered the ancient Sunken Temple, its halls dark and foreboding. There, they faced the temple’s guardians: an ancient crocodile and a nest of venomous water snakes. Teeth flashed and spells rippled through the water as the party battled fiercely, emerging victorious despite the peril.

Treasures of the Temple

Exploring the temple’s flooded halls, Kaz discovered a broken statuette of Shar, which he carefully mended with magic and stored safely in his satchel. Kali, ever the scholar, uncovered a spellbook containing the magic of Earth Tremor, along with a Serpent Dagger—a finely crafted blade blessed with the Bane of Set, a perfect weapon against their foes. Camroan, drawn by the faint glow of divine light, claimed a Bracer of Enduring Light, further deepening his connection to his divine mission.

The Crocodile God’s Chamber

Venturing deeper, the adventurers came upon a massive statue of a man with the head of a crocodile—an imposing figure of Set’s dominion. Behind the statue, they discovered a hidden cache overflowing with gold, glinting even in the dim, aquatic light. But as they reached for the treasure, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the temple:

“Return my gold.”

The ground trembled, and the temple began to collapse. Stone pillars crumbled, water rushed in, and the adventurers made a desperate dash for the surface. With seconds to spare, they burst free of the temple and swam to safety, gasping for air as the temple sank into darkness behind them.

A Glimmer of Progress

Rejoining Abu at the edge of the oasis, the adventurers noticed a subtle but unmistakable change in the sky. For the first time since the curse began, the sun had shifted ever so slightly from its zenith. It was a small victory, but a vital one, proving that their efforts had weakened the curse.

The group stood in silence for a moment, watching the oasis water ripple in the unnatural sunlight. With renewed determination, they gathered their belongings and prepared for the trials yet to come, knowing the journey would only grow more perilous.

The sun may not have set, but for the first time, hope began to rise.