Senmet

Senmet is a greater mummy and the main villain of the adventure module Touch of Death (ToD). Senmet also receives a detailed NPC writeup in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II. Finally, Senmet is also an important background feature for the werejackal Abu al Mir, though Senmet does not make an appearance in Abu's adventure in Children of the Night: Werebeasts.

Unlike most greater mummies, Senmet cannot cast spells, having sacrificed his spellcasting abilities in order to execute his machinations in ToD. However, he is knowledgeable of the creation of mummies and desert zombies. He makes particular use of the latter, sending them to attack in waves during the events of ToD. Senmet's ultimate goal was (and may still remain) to usurp the power Anhktepot has over the domain of Har'Akir. Over the course of ToD, Senmet conspires with Isu Rehkotep, the woman whom made him one of the undead, to achieve power over Har'Akir. Though Isu thinks Senmet to be her minion, he actually manipulates her for his own purposes.

Background

Before Anhktepot's fall from grace, Senmet was already a corrupt priest. He rebelled against Anhktepot and sought to claim power over the then prime material plane Har'Akir for himself. However, Anhktepot discovered Senmet's schemes and ordered his secret abduction, after which he was mummified and entombed alive. In order to keep his realm secure, Anhktepot covered up Senmet's treachery and murder by casting him as a martyr and a hero.

Centuries later, Senmet was awakened from his slumber of death and bound into service by Isu Rehkotep through the use of a potent magical scroll. It contained nothing less than Anhktepot's own recipe for the creation of the Children of Anhktepot. As a young priest of Osiris, Isu had found and attempted to destroy the scroll, but this proved to be beyond her capacities. Her initial exposure to the scroll planted a seed of desire for dark power that ultimately corrupted her and brought her into the secret service of Set. Isu foolishly believed Senmet was under her complete control, but Senmet was fact only minimally bound by Isu Rehkotep. In truth, she could only hold power over him for but a few brief moments in any one day. Senmet bids his time, gathering power for an attempt to usurp Ankhtepot's power.

Senmet implemented several ideas in preparation for his scheme. In 738 BC, Senmet visited the werejackal priests of the secret Temple of Anubis seeking an alliance against Anhktepot. Before the werejackals could be of much use, a horrible fire consumed all those inside, save for the young Abu, whom fled into the Mists.

Senmet's other preparations perhaps seemed more successful, albeit highly costly, for a time. Through some unknown means, Senmet relinquished his spellcasting abilities for the ability to create desert zombies and a limited mastery over Har'Akir. Senmet's scheme hinged on the acquisition of worshipers, both in Muhar and beyond. Their faith] would allow him to accrue enough power to challenge Anhktepot without awakening him prematurely. To this end, Senmet used his partial control over Har'Akir to draw in new potential worshipers and keep the borders closed to escape attempts. He also manipulated Isu into subverting the faith of the Muhar villagers. Although she wished to slowly indoctrinate them into the Cult of Set, Senmet wished to make himself their (false) deity. In preparation for his attempted coup attempt, Senmet conceived of, and raised, many desert zombies, a lingering gift that the people of Har'Akir could have lived without.

The above developments bring the start of Touch of Death. Although individual details are not spelled out, the fulfillment of the 3rd Verse of Hyskosa's Hexad happened in in 738 BC (and the continued existence of Anktepot as darklord) demonstrates Senmet's plan ultimately failed. Indeed, his defeat is called out in ToD itself.

Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II leaves Senmet's exact fate uncertain, handing it over to the player characters and Dungeon Master to decide, though some suggestions are made should he survive. Although left entirely open in MCI&II, Senmet still lives and wanders the deserts of Har'Akir according to Domains of Dread

Role in Touch of Death

Ironically, Senmet's call of outlanders into Har'Akir is what brings the player characters and Dulcimae's Family into Har'Akir at the start of the module. As Senmet discovers the player characters and their Vistani allies are more trouble alive than dead, he conspires with Isu Rehkotep for their demise. Senmet orders his multitude of desert zombies to kill the PCs.

Senmet also particularly wishes the capture of Dulcimae, for her abilities as a seer represent a threat to his plans. The desert zombies eventually capture Dulcimae. Senmet transforms her into a standard mummy, though her unquiet spirit reveals Isu's corruption to the PCs in retaliation. At this point, Senmet removes his protection from her and leaves her to her fate.

As the module winds to a close, the player characters are harried by attacks from both Muhar's villagers and Senmet's zombies. By default, the module ends with a massive confrontation between Senmet and Anhktepot at Anhktepot's Tomb.

Current Sketch

Provided Senmet still lives, he still wishes to rule a nation of his own. His ambition may eventually take him to other lands such as Sebua or Kalidnay, or the Dark Powers may award him with a domain (and curse) of his very own.

Chronology

725 In Har’Akir, Isu Rehkotep (a young priestess of Osiris) discovers a hidden, ancient scroll which details the foul rites to animate one of the Children of Anhktepot. Horrified, she attempts to destroy the scroll, but it will not burn. She hides it away, but the knowledge of its existence slowly corrupts her.

738 Isu Rehkotep, now converted to the worship of Set, raises the traitorous priest Senmet as one of the living dead. Together, they begin a plot to take control of Har’Akir.

738 Senmet recruits the werejackal priests of Anubis to aid him in his plans to usurp control of Har’Akir. However, that very night, a mysterious fire wipes out the entire priesthood, except for the young Abu al Mir. Abu flees, and the Mists transport him to Nova Vaasa.

738 Senmet’s plot to overthrow Anhktepot is foiled; Ankhtepot’s 7th awakening. The third verse of Hyskosa’s Hexad is fulfilled. Senmet survives the failure and flees into the Mists.

739 In the wake of Isu’s defeat during Senmet’s coup attempt, another woman takes Isu’s place as high priestess of Osiris: Snefru. Like Isu, Snefru is secretly truly a servant of Set.

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

		Monsterous Compendium I & II - pp106-107 Monsterous Compendium II - "Mummy, Greater (Senmet)" Touch of Death Download Now!
		Monsterous Compendium I & II - pp106-107 Monsterous Compendium II - "Mummy, Greater (Senmet), cover" Touch of Death - cover Download Now!
		Monsterous Compendium I & II - pp106-107 Monsterous Compendium II - "Mummy, Greater (Senmet)" Touch of Death - pp29-30 Download Now!
		Monsterous Compendium I & II - pp106-107 Monsterous Compendium II - "Mummy, Greater (Senmet)" Touch of Death - various Download Now! Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - p38 Domains of Dread - p103