"Huh... interesting," Callaphe says, going back over to the lion. "I'll lead you all out... I want to recover what I can from this beast first. Never leave any of a kill behind."

Callaphe goes back and inspects the body of the monster they slew.  It is much larger and a bit different than any lion she had seen before. The others gather their stuff together and prepare to leave as Areus stores the mask with the other.

"I think that we are ready to leave, as soon as you have finished your task Callaphe." says Areus. The hoplite unsheathes his short sword and adjusts the position of his shield so that the torch does not give him issues should he had to fight again. 

Callaphe nods and goes about starting to remove the skin from the beast

Callaphe, roll survival please

Survival: 10

Callaphe is able to skin the lion.  This takes a couple of hours so the others (not Callaphe) can take a short rest.

Callaphe bundles up the lion's pelt, "I don't suppose the meat will be any good?" she asks outloud, "I mean... if this isn't really a beast."

Soren looks contemplative "Maybe as an exotic meat....but I doubt it."

"Oh well," Callaphe says, "the pelt will make an excellent offering to Nylea."

"I agree with Soren. We should not try to eat that creature's meat. Just take the pelt Callaphe."  says Areus standing up. "We should go now. The sooner the mask leaves the polis the better it is." the hoplite adjusts the grip on his shield and sword as he finishes to prepare himself. 

(OOC I will spend 1 hit dice to heal for 11 )

"Very well, sorry for the delay," Callaphe says, "I'll show you out then. I suppose you know where you're going to dispose of the mask."

"No apologies needed Callaphe." replies Areus, "As for disposing the mask, we were asked to take it out of the Polis. We have been promised 200 gold for it. Since you have helped us, you should come with us and get your fair share."

"Oh, are you sure?" Callaphe asks as she leads them out, "all I did was lead you here. I wasn't even all that sure what you were looking for."

"You lead us here and you fought with us that creature. For me it is enough." replies Areus

"Since you have helped us, you should come with us and get your fair share"

"And afterwards we could go to a wine shop and drink some of it - yes?" Tisto suggests

"Some people believe in saving money for less frivolous activities Tis. I count my lucky stars that I am not one of those people. Count me in." Soren says with a laugh.

You make your way back through the temple and into the passages.  Unsure you want to make explanations to the guards in the Hall of Justice you decide to head out the way came in.  Through the passages Callaphe leads the group till you eventually come out of the building that you started at.

As you come out you are assaulted by the sound of a thousand souls weeping.  Looking up you see that the moon above Meletis is eclipsed and a pillar of wailing specters are above the place you have come out.

Aleixo and an officer of the Reverent Army await you mere feet from the exit, but they are not alone. Above them are countless wailing, restless dead, screaming in pain in the black sky above Meletis. Melandra is there. She has the point of her sword to Aleixo’s throat, and she looks as comfortable and collected as if she was out for a summer stroll. “The Mask, if you please. Hand it over, now.” The threat to Aleixo’s life if you choose not to comply, is plain.

"Mask - what mask?" Tisto says "if we had it we'd certainly hand it over but as you can see" pointing to his obvious wounds "we ran into a bit of trouble down there and to cut a long story short didn't manage to retrieve the mask. Of course you and your friends" pointing to the wailing undead "are welcome to go and see if you fare any better!" {Persuasion roll = 19 

Melandra laughs, a sweet melodic sound that holds a hint of derision.  "You are a fool satyr.  You are no match for me and I will slay every one of you if need be and take the mask from your dead bodies. These restless spirits followed the path of the mask, above ground, and coalesce in the sky above where it emerged from the tunnels.  They appeared as soon as you took the mask from the temple.  I simply followed them to meet you here.  As did Aleixo it seems."  Her smile broadens "Playing both sides of the fence then eh?  Hoping for a better deal?  Give me the mask and I let you live.  That is the only deal left for you to take."  She glances around.  "Did you lose one of your swordsmen?  Your new friend is prettier than the Akroan was, but she will fair no better."