Treasure Hunt Diary Entries Typed Up

[Kazamxi]

Part of the big treasure hunt thats going on just now involves damaged pages from the Diary of a treasure hunter who was trying to enter the Necropolis with his team. Different sites are getting different diary entries. I will try to compile them all here.

It seems the US and EU versions of the diary are the same story.

Day 1 Done
Day 2 Done
Day 3 Done
Day 4 Done
Day 5 Done
Day 6 Done
Day 7 Done
Day 8 Done
Day 9 Done

[Kazamxi]

Day 1,

Twenty days at sea, 'n Reodle puked up his guts every single one of 'em. He's as pale as a sheet 'n will be next to useless unless we can get some meat on his bones. It doesn't so much matter, though. He's most grist for the will, you understand. He can take an arrow or a snake bite as well as any of the rest of 'em. I'll sleep better at night knowin' there's less chance of me bein' the one who gets shot or bit.

West through the valley 'n along the river should take us into the necropolis. Ain't none as have ever gone in 'n come back out alive, but I haven't told the lads that. Last thing I need is them gettin' sheepish just as things are startin' to look profitable. There's treasures in this place what folkes couldn't dream of, 'n soon it'll belong to me.

Later ...

Cursed lizards on the riverbank charged us. No geekos, these things. big, like scaly wolves hissin' like a boilin' kettle over the fire. Reodle, still weak from the crossin', ended up takin' a nasty bite while DIBiano 'n Falcont gave the beasts a taste of their steel. By the time the lizards was dead, Reodle had bled out. Wasn't much to do but leave him for the birds.

Speakin' of birds, I can see 'em circlin' about overhead. Big ones. The god only know if they're here for us, or for what's left of Reodle.

[Kazamxi]

Day 2

Found a tomb entrance in the cliff face as we skirted the river. The stone doors were ajar so we could squeeze in. All except for Falcone, that is. The fellow's like an Ox, 'n that big axe of his wouldn't be much use in a tomb. I told him to stay put 'n keep an eye on our rear while the rest of us went down.

Stairs 'n passages met us beyond the doors. Walls scratched with odd pictures, pain peelin' with age. Lots of traps too I figure. I says this to Tinari since he thinks he's some sort of theif. He said there ain't a trap invented what he couldn't beat.

Funny he says that, 'cause that's right when the door shut behind us 'n a swarm of beetles started pourin' into the hall. Mazza screamed like a tart 'n we all got to runnin'. Piccione caught his foot in a snare 'n yelled for help DIBiano started to go back for him, but stopped when he saw how many beetles there really were.

Any of us could've saved Piccione. But then again who's to say those bugs wouldn't have come out on top? When Piccione started screamin' it made me glad I didn't take the risk. I looked back at him, but all I could see was his arms wavin' madly, the rest of him hidden by that black beetle swarm.

No one was of a mind to stay. Tinari made good, though 'n found a hidden passage wot got us back to the river. that must've been trapped, too, 'cause the ceiling fell in just as the last of us was comin' out.

We walked back to the doors, which were now closed. Falcone was pickin' through our gear like a robber. He leapt to his feet when he saw us. The doors had slammed shut just a few moments before, he said, 'n he reckoned us for goners. Then he noticed Piccione was missin' 'n shut up,

[Kazamxi]

Day 3

Farinelli decided it'd be easier to climb the rocky crags than the desert sands. Why'd I listen to him? We left the river behind 'n have made our way up a twistin, path. It was hotter than a Bright Wizards piss pot, 'n those birds were flappin' around over our heads. The closer I got, the less I liked the look of 'em.

Phillippi, a bandit at heart, spotted a temple at the top of a nearby ridge. We doubled our pace. The land around the temple crawled with large beetles, so Venezia put in some target practice with his bow. The vermin were harmless enough, 'n we moved towards a nearby platform that crackled with fiery power.

There's nothin' to fear says Phillippi, rushin' towards the platform.

The ground in front of him exploded 'n a huge snake made of yellowed bones lashed out. Phillippi screamed 'n staggered backwards. The sound of his agony echoed around the canyon 'n the men stopped in their tracks with their jaws hangin' slack 'n stupid.

There must be simpler pickin's elsewhere. We'll search to the west tomorrow.

What was Phillippi's face streamed blood, with two holes were where his eyes used to be. He screamed again and the snake struck him from behind, pullin' his head off like a drunk pulls a cork from a wine bottle.

The others ran, 'n me with em. Stupid running into the temple, but I followed anyway. Best to be one target among many than to be alone. on seeing what was in the temple, we was soon running again. Least the creatures inside paid us little mind. All withered faces 'n the stink of ancient death. Cursin, Farinelli 'n the fallen Phillippi, we fled back to the rocky desert.

[Kazamxi]

Day 4

Someone's been diggin' out here. There's a pit what's been dug up 'n cut outta the rocks. Looks like a quarry. Scaffolds been build up in the centre of the area 'n it looks like somethin's been' build there. We're gonna move in 'n see if we can find out what they're diggin' up.

later ...

Bones! they're diggin' great big bones outta the ground!

When we went in, there wasn't a soul around. Somethin' has been buried there a long time ago, 'n we could see its bones in the walls. The rock face was chipped like workers had been takin' shovels to it. Not only that, but some bones were laid out like two big feet near the scaffolds.

The they came upon us! A dozen attackers. I'd heard tales of Khenrri's people, but I ain't never expected to see 'em. Without a sign between 'em they lunged. I give the lads credit, 'cawse they fought like true soldiers. The skeletons didn't tire, didn't sweat, didn't bleed. Not like us.

I heard a grunt of pain. DIBiano was clutchin' his chest. Bloody froth spouted from his mouth. The skeleton what hit him was going for another strike. I struck the with my heavy-bladed sword. The skeleton shattered to the ground in a dozen bits.

DIBiano didn't thank me, 'cause he was too busy tryin' to breathe. that little sword of his might've been fine for dulin' back home, but them skeletons wouldn've laughed at it if they'd had the lungs. I told Farinelli 'to carry DIBiano, then yelled at the rest of the lads to finish up an get outta there. Nothin' but bones in the place, nothn' worth dyin' for.

Course I won't be tellin' DIBiano that, on the off chance he don't pull through.

[Kazamxi]

Day 5

DIBiano, We couldn't sleep for the sound of his gurglin' cept for Bonfiglio, that is, whose snorin' was like an opera compared to DIBiano. We'll I[unreadable] the body. Try crossin' the river, might be her on the other side. The lads don't seem to [unreadable] one way or the other.

As to the river, I've got a bad feelin' about it. Mazza says he found a couple of rafts on our side, but we don't know if they'll float. That water ain't healthy, 'n I don't wannna find out what happens if we ends up takin' a swim.

later ...

The river nearly killed us. bloody rafts broke up. Nevermind the lizards swimmin' in the water. There was some splashin' 'n Venezia got a dose of wet across his left hand. His skin went black as death, peelin' away from his bones before our eyes. We've wrapped it, but I figure we'll need to hack it off soon. I don't know what good a one-handed archer will do for us.

Later ...

Blasted beetles! Not like the ones at the temple, either. Bigger 'n meaner. There's traps in the tombs, too. While the rest of us fought, Tinari ducked into one of the mastabas. Next thing I know, I hear screamin'. He comes staggerin' out bleedin' outta his ears.

Draggin' Tinari behind me, I see Farinelli gettin' pounced by four of them bugs. he's cursin' 'em as they're tearin' chunks out of his legs 'n groin. he died of course.

There's less of us now, 'n the ones what're left are lookin' a bit ragged. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

[Kazamxi]

Day 6

Northward we found a hall. Massive sculptures eyed us as we approached. past those, a courtyard flanked by kneelin' statues. Beyond the courtyard, a hall with a pool of water. Past that was another door what led to a longer hall, 'n plenty of doors. The lads spread out, lookin' for enemies 'n treasure. They didn't see either.

Tinari led to the right, claiming he could smell out gold the way a pig noses truffles. the hall he led us to had 4 statues on each side, with 2 at the very end. An altar had been put between 'em. 'n something gold glimmerin' on top if it.

Tinari waved us to stop, 'n crept to the altar. He looked at it for ages. Finally he reached out 'n picked up the shiny thing on the altar.

Then the two statues on either side of Tinari turned, their arms outstretched. Tinari was so busy with the gold in his hand that he didn't see 'em until it was too late. All we could do was stare as they grabbed him by his arms, one each, 'n then they pulled.

Tinari shrieked as his right arm was torn off. It was like they was breakin' a wishbone between 'em. The statue on the left whipped Tinari up into the air, then slammed him on the floor. Just as Tinari's screamin' stopped, the rest of the statues linin' the hall came alive.

What else could we do? We ran like the lords of Chaos were on our tails.

[Kazamxi]

Day 7

A sandstorm forced us to seek shelter in a cave. Once inside, it became clear that we'd made a mistake. This is no cave, but is instead a Nehekharan tomb. The memory of the last tomb 'n Piccione's screams are still with me. The horror, the horror...

Later ...

Those of us what are left decided to risk the storm rather than face Mazza's fate. I'm gettin' ahead of myself. Mazza's dead now, 'n I think I'll miss him more 'n the rest.

We'd been in the tomb an hour, maybe two. The storm outside was getting worse. Mazza started singin' to raise a smaile or two, 'but all he raised was the dead. All of a sudden, a woman's voice, smooth as silk but thick with menace, rang out around the tomb. Mazza stopped, dumbstruck, walked towards the voice. Me, Falcone 'n Bonfiglio tried to stop Mazza. He lashed out, knocking us down. Which truth to tell, is probably what saved us.

When I got up I saw Mazza starin' into the eyes of a corpse woman, ancient and linin wrapped. She smiled 'n gently touched his cheek. he grinned but the pleasure was all to brief. A burst of sand shot from the lady's palm 'n tore its way through Mazza's head.

The sand on the floor began to writh, 'n everywhere we stopped there was hungry scarabs. even Venezia was awakened by the commotion. We grabbed what we could 'n left Mazza behind.

[Kazamxi]

Day 8

Four of us remain, though Venezia hardly counts. After our escape into the storm last night, we took shelter in the shade of a rocky rise. All sence of direction was lost to us, 'n I've no idea where we are.

But Venezia, he's gone to sleep 'n I'll venture a guess he won't be wakin' up any time soon. He's feverish ut wracked with chills even in the desert heat. And the smell of him! I decided to look at his hand, so I peeled back the bandage crusted'n wet as it is with [unreadable] putrid humors he's been exudin'. His hand or whats left of it, is little better than a skeleton's. There's strips of what might be flesh 'n muscle hangin' from the bones, but they're black 'n festerin'.

Later ...

Falcone put his axe to Venezia. It was a well-placed blow, 'n any pain was mercifully brief.

I keep tellin' myself, "Three-way split, three-way split" but that don't mean much when all we're splittin' is our lives.

[Kazamxi]

Day 9

This mornin' we decided to return to the river. Falcone reckoned we could follow it back to the sea. It sounded good. After all, we wasn't goin' into the pyramid. The three of us tryin' somethin' like that would be suicide.

There's a courtyard aside the Pyramid's gate. Some of the cobbles looked marked, maybe they'd open the pyramid if used right. We could see skeletons patrolling, 'n some big beetles, like what ate Farinelli. Then there was something huge.

It saw us same as we saw it: a giant made from bone. The thing moved faster than I would've thought. Falcone had enough time to scream as the thing stomped him flat. Bonfiglio was next. The beetles 'n skeletons got him. It wasn't a quick death.

I ran to the sands and straight into the path of an ancient king. Might've been human once, but was now some withered undead monster. A smile split its fleshless lips, and it stared with those pitiless eyes. I knew then that I had [unreadable] this creature, with my quest to raid his gold. I also knew it had plans, plans for me and my journal. my his decree I was being allowed to live. To carry word of the horrors of this place to the civilized world... if I could survive the desert track.

I fled, chilled to the marrow.

Its been a few hours now. I am thirstier than I've a right to be. the river water's lookin' better 'n better. I keep remindin' myself of Venezia's hand, of what it'll do to me if I drink it. The longer I walk, though, the less I care.

[Kazamxi]

Oops reserved one too many.

[Eterninox]

Thanks a lot, I was just starting to realize that the reading might not be all that enjoyable while juggling the photos/scans and trying to decipher words off the crumpled papyrus...

[agentsvr]

Good reading. Thanks for typing it and posting it here. Sure is a lot more easy to read the entire story this way.