Yeah, Jermlaines don't work in this context at all. They're an evil fey race with an affinity for rats first introduced, to my knowledge, in Monster Manual 2 for 3rd edition. While they are commonly found in underground caverns, and arguably tombs, I doubt a fey associated with rodents would be able to survive in a location dedicated to a feline goddess with living felines present. Feral Yowlers would work though. They are feline creatures so warped by necromantic magic that they are now immune not only to the effects of necromancy, but have the power to induce mindless terror into their victims. They kill, not just for food, but for fun and pleasure. Also they have a displacement effect much like a displacer beast. The full entry is in Monster Manual 3. I just think they'd work well as a replacement encounter. Plus their viciousness matches 'Tiyet's' nature quite well.
On werewolves being chaotic evil in D&D source materials...I don't play them that way. Lawful evil all the way whenever I use them in a campaign. Makes more sense. Debating about whether I want weredogs to be lawful good or lawful neutral. Leaning towards lawful good. Admittedly, I am in the habit of playing loose with D&D alignments when it comes to certain creatures. I keep modifying templates and monster entries...also I use the Exalted combat rules whenever I can get away with it. They flow much smoother. Plus I like the idea of rewarding my PCs creativity in combat by awarding stunt die for describing elaborate combat moves. I want my players to have at least as much fun as I am having.

The other Tiyet, of Sebua, is of course a pristine mummy. She actually looks alive, like you said.

I like how you point out that The Dark Powers don't force people to be evil, they might encourage, entice or seduce them as with Strahd, assuming Strahd was being honest about his deal with 'Death'. They might dangle the bait, but it's still up to the individual whether or not to take it. They become caught in their own webs, ones they've woven themselves. A tragic few have no choice due to external factors, such as any male descendants of Tristen can become possessed by Malken simply due to their bloodline. But most choose evil, even if they don't, or refuse to, recognize it as evil, like this Tiyet. The Dark Powers don't possess someone and make them do evil things. As in the real world, we have a choice in how we live our lives.

Even many of the more tragic Darklords, like Easan, brought their fate upon themselves. Easan was determined to make war with the demons of Luz (according to some references, others name a different demon) and paid the price for his arrogance and warlike ways. From there he slipped further and further into madness and cruel experimentation on other living, intelligent beings. He's pitifully insane, but he started the ball rolling himself.

What would be Maahes alignment?

I really enjoyed the story, it's my favorite so far.

; )

James...was the vessel...of a demigod/lesser deity...that is awesome. Also, awwwwwww... Mirri admitted how she feels about James out loud! Well, as close as she is able at least. That is adorable! That was an excellent conclusion. I doubt the wererat Dame Renier will be too thrilled about all the Bastet relics...on the other hand...there is potential for profit if she's careful about it.
You read Order of the Stick too? Its such a fun comic. Elan and Beltar are my favorites. They are just delightful. Don't get me wrong. I like the other members of the Order as well. I just like those two the most.

Awww! Extra fuzzy wuzzy wuv! I laughed through this entire chapter.

'I love your blood!'
'My femoral artery isn't going to start bleeding on it's own.'
"GET A COFFIN!'
'Okay, what sort of fairy-tale happy ending bull-**** is this?' That's so Mirri!

Mirri being relieved her 'blessed curse' was still intact. James rambling on about Bastet, Maahes and the various sects of the faith. And Mirri actually put up with it! She just can't say she loves him, so she loves his blood, and he loves her blood.

Sir Tristen taking a sleeping potion to prevent Malken from harming either Mirri or James. That was good of him.

And we finally learn a bit about Maahes! I wonder if it's for the better or the worst that James can't remember his time as Maahes' avatar?

Great story, scary at times, hilarious at others, you are a truly great writer!

I can't believe it. I was shocked that sweet little kitten used the 'F' word! I'd expect it from Cal or Mirri, but James? Our little innocent... We'll have to wash his mouth out with soap for that one.

His speech to Tiyet about feline/human history was wonderful, though it didn't sway her. Once again, she was given a chance to stop her evil ways, but she refused to see the truth. Too bad for her. I hadn't realized that she wanted to turn all cats into undead, that is definitely a violation of Bastet's most sacred tenets.

'The Lord of Slaughter'. Sounds friendly. Makes me think of Garagos or Selvetarm.

'Hey, some of us are perfectly happy with unlife!' That's the problem with adventurers, many undead actually don't mind their state, and don't want people destroying them. Like I said about mummies some time ago, mainly they sleep in their tombs and only come to in order to protect sacred objects or the tomb itself. (Tiyet, the other Tiyet and Senmet are a few examples of mummies who are actively evil and pose a threat to anyone nearby. They are exceptions, however.) Since I have a low opinion of grave robbers, I see nothing wrong with that.

James Maahes Firecat. My favorite little potty-mouthed kitten saved the day, for the moment, at least, though he may have 'cleansed' Mirri in the process. She will NOT be happy.

I think this is your best adventure yet, as James is the star, (along with Mirri, of course), the setting and characters reflect my interest in archaeology and Egyptology, and Tiyet is one frustrating, but fascinating, character.

That...was glorious. However, I have a slight concern: Tiyet has come back every other time she's been killed. What's to stop her from coming back from Mirri's beat down? Still...GO MIRRI!

Mirri was hilarious! Praying to Bastet for James, then thinking about all the selfish, fun things she could have prayed for. Her little discussion to Tiyet as to the reason for each blow she struck, her very brief consideration of conversion to Bastet when it started raining cats... And she started feeling sympathy for the cats! I guess her little red-haired kitten is seducing her to The Light Side (to a tiny degree). And she called the group 'my minions', I wonder what Alexander would say to that?

Tiyet made the same old mistake almost every villain makes, assured of victory she turned her back and started gloating without finishing Mirri off.

I guess she honestly believed that she was doing Bastet's will, alive and undead. Mirri called her delusional... As well as a lot of other things. She believed she was fighting for Bastet against Set or Apophis or whoever.

If Tiyet is destroyed, will Bastet's power return to the crypt? That could be dangerous for undead, being caught on suddenly holy ground.

It was a great chapter!

Lolth, the deity I hate most in all The Realms. It's probably because I'm a guy and the way she has her worshipers treat males makes me furious. It's one of my weaknesses, I hate Misandry. (the hatred and demeaning of males). Of course, sacrificing children and turning people into Driders and other abominations doesn't endear her much to me either.

The story! I love how Mirri is now on her own, furiously fighting to find her feisty feline friend. The others giving her gifts/loans to aid her, especially Flora's remarks about the nature of life, death and undeath, were kind of touching. It was also funny, Mirri explaining in great detail just how angry she was, the teleportation trap, etc...

And the cat fading away until only it's smile remained, a little 'Alice in Wonderland?'

So, even Mirri has a limit? Or was she just disgusted at how Tiyet bragged about her atrocities?

'Serpents fear me...' Set, I can't believe I didn't think of Set! It was obvious...

What...is he doing? Seriously. Tiyet has spent all this time trying to kill these guys, and he runs and jumps in her arms? What the bloody hell?! Also, nice timing with the cliffhanger. I actually like cliffhangers. they keep me interested...of course if the story I'm reading happens to be DISCONTINUED on a cliffhanger... I FREAKING HATE THAT! Free advice: if you ever feel the need to discontinue something please avoid doing it on a cliffhanger chapter. Get at least one more chapter in to resolve it THEN quit. Saves the reader much annoyance. Less angry reviews that way...

Good point about sucking the venom out, I don't know how that myth got started, but I'm willing to bet a lot of people have suffered for it.

Mirri is going to pissed now! Tiyet just whisked her kitten away, after he jumped into her arms! It was kind of touching when Maahes/James was looking at the tattered rug with the image of his mother, Bastet. He wants to help her, of course, but in The Domains of Dread no good deed goes unpunished, and the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. I have a feeling something else is at play, something far less benign than Bastet.

Ugh, zombie cats. Zombie anything is disgusting to me.

They left the shield outside, didn't they? The one that acts like catnip?

I really like this, the exploration of the ancient temple/tomb, the various cat-based riddles and ancient writing on the walls. It kind of reminds me of an Indiana Jones adventure, but with 'Monster' heroes. Even the hidden snake!

For some reason I thought Cal was the Omega of their little pack.

Great update, I liked the skeletons hiding just under the water, waiting for some poor soul to jump in. Once again Mirri rushes to the aid of her kitten! And got filthy water in her hair and clothes!

'Begone foul mockery of a once living beast... No offence, Miriam." That was funny.

I can't wait to see what all of this is about...

Right. Finally caught up...right before I go an another two week trip. Visiting family in Washington (the state) and am uncertain about internet. Still. A lot happened within just a few chapters. James got partially possessed, mummy girl was annoying, Mirri was Mirri, Devi was awesome, Cal had bad things happen to him again, Florence showed why you do not mess with druid-dryads again, and Alex was his normal badass self. Love these guys...

I wonder if Tiyet is even aware of the Dark Lady of the same name? I think Tiyet (of Sebua) worships/worshiped Apophis as her chief deity, but she would be familiar with Bastet and her sister, (Sehkmet, was it?), and vice versa. Then again, Tiyet may be a common name where they originally came from.

Cal does lean a little toward the side of Evil, namely Greed and Pride, with perhaps a bit of Envy thrown in when he sees other people's riches. But he also fights 'The Good Fight', albeit as an obnoxious jack-ass.

A lot of suspense in this one, the party being whisked away to different, bizarre traps...

The undead cats seemed to be helping Devi, and Tiyet saying that Mirri thought the cats were her/their 'ally'... Interesting.

When you mentioned James' ears being on top of his head, for some reason i pictured Inuyasha, but he's a half human, half Inu-Youkai, a dog 'demon'. But, they both have their ears on top of their heads... So do a lot of characters.

Was it James or Maahes reading the ancient text, or do they both know the language? His ancestors came from Har'Akir and his family worships Bastet, so James might be familiar with ancient writing. Of course, most Christians can't read ancient Hebrew or ancient Greek... It's just a thought.

Great chapter!

Tiyet, I thought she was pretty interesting, the Darklord, I mean. And they never did anything with her... Whoever this Tiyet is, she doesn't respect Maahes, apparently. He (Maahes) may be one of those who harmed her in the past... She may be an enemy of his mother. I'm just guessing here, as there are more than one cat goddess, and they have vastly different views.

So they found a use for The Holy Shield of Catnip.

Mirri thought James had run off to 'play with his staff'! I like how she immediately knew that if someone was in danger, James would rush to help. He's a sweet kitten.

Nice update. : )

Malken appears... He's lusting after Mirri and he wants James dead. Enough to kill the next guy with red hair he sees. I wonder how he'd feel if he knew James was currently hosting Maahes? I guess we'll have to wait to see what relationship, if any, Malken has with any feline deities.

James jumping on the shield and rubbing and purring against it, I didn't see that coming. The explanation about catnip was good, though. It's a good thing the shield is in the bag of holding, else every cat in Ravenloft would be chasing the group down.

Another undead shouting about 'serpents fear me, cats revere me!'

The symbolism for cats sounds about right when referring to actual cats.

It just keeps getting more interesting. : )