Where do dead bodies go?

Corpse Delivery Chamber (#7/31; #188/365)

"This is a wide cavern, open at one end into an endless black chasm. Perched on the ceiling, uttering high-pitched squeaks, is a gigantic black bat with red eyes and festooned with riding gear and a large carrying trunk. In front of it, a heavily armed Skeleton Man in black armour appears to be bargaining with several other Skeleton Men over a pile of corpses. On your entrance, he raises a steady hand holding a hand crossbow pointed in your direction. 'State your business quickly, or die!' he growls."

Contents: This is the chamber where the corpse-dealer Skapulet, a powerful Skeleton Man mercenary, flies his Nycterin steed in, along with a cargo of corpses for Arvakaten's growing army of undead troops. Skapulet initially started off small, raiding the tombs of Grx for consignments to re-sell to Grx scientists, and has branched out into a broad range of grave-robbing spanning both the Down Below, and the surface world settlements of Pellod and Dust Town, all centered on supplying Arvakaten with fresh(ish) material. In fact, business is so good he's looking for partners to help out with the demand, preferably with their own flying steeds...

At the moment he is selling a consignment of 5 corpses (various races) from the Dust Town outskirts, and haggling with two of Arvakaten's flunkies over a final price. If the Heroes are rude or attack, one Skeleton Man will flee to get support while the other will attack alongside Skapulet and his bat steed.

Stats:

2 SKELETON MEN, SKILL 9, STAMINA 7, Sword, Breastplate.

Each Skeleton Man has 1-6 GP in a pouch at their belt. 

SKAPULET THE CORPSE COLLECTOR, SKILL 10, STAMINA 15, Sword, Hand Crossbow, Breastplate, Large Shield. Crossbow bolts are tipped with Xhoss poison. This is made from a type of upland desert cacti, and can be smeared onto a bladed or pointed weapon. Anyone wounded by such a weapon must immediately Test their LUCK or be rendered unconscious for 10-60 minutes. It lasts for one battle only.

Skapulet has 3 Purple Puffballs, 4d6 GP, and a lead-lined water bottle full of Orc Ale.

NYCTERIN, SKILL 9, STAMINA 15, 2 Attacks, Large Claw and Bite. Enemy spellcasters must deduct 4 points of MAGIC for the duration of the battle.

Corpse Preparation Room (#8/31; #189/365)

"The stench in this room is abominable, a sickly-sweet odor of decay and scented embalming fluids. By one door is are several fresh corpses, and by the other door are corpses that appear to have been treated and sealed, appearing like weird wax dummies. In the centre of the room are several stone slabs, on which rest several other corpses, being covered with weird fluids by a couple of Skeleton Men attendants."

Contents: This is the chamber where the corpses purchased from Skapulet begin their conversion process into Mummies. First, their bodies are sealed and embalmed with two magical ointments, stored in two large brass pots, one next to each slab.

1. Balm for Sealing: This causes all wounds, injuries, and blemishes to vanish - if taken by a live ingestant it will restore their STAMINA to its Initial level.
   
2. Balm for Curing: This toughens the skin making it strong and inflexible. A living ingestant who takes it can increase their Initial STAMINA by 3 points but must reduce their Initial SKILL by 2 points. These effects can be cancelled by a Potion of Strength or a Potion of Fortune; however these potions will have no other effects other than removing the effect of the Curing Balm.
   

The Skeleton Men will of course defend themselves if attacked, but are mainly concerned with preparing their quote of corpses properly, especially since they know Skapulet has just brought in a fresh batch.

Stats:

2 SKELETON MEN, SKILL 9, STAMINA 7, Sword, Breastplate.

Each Skeleton Man has 1-6 GP in a pouch at their belt.