Keeping a safe distance between himself and the snake construct, the elven mage continues to sling orbs of acid at it.
Realizing that his kukri will only be able to scratch the iron surface of the cobra, Myron bashes away with his sling staff.
Ahkenaten moved closer and did his best to distract the snake, threatening it with jabs from his crossbow in order to distract it from Pherenike, the real threat.
Sigh, 5' step back and Guidance on Pherenike.
Taking a better look at the metallic snake now that he is at a safe enough distance from it, Aerathiel searches his memory for whaever he might know of such creatures, if one could call it that.
"Most of these constructs are made of iron, thus are very resistant to injury," the mage shares with the rest of them. "Other than that, they have a poisonous bite, as Pherenike can probably attest to by now, and, as constructs, are immune to a variety of effects, since they are more object than living creature."
"Fascinating," he adds a little more softly.
|
"Hope it won't notch my blade," Pherenike mutters, imagining what her swordplay instructor would have to say about her using her weapon to cut through an iron pipe. She is so concerned about the falchion that she misses the snake entirely, striking the stone floor, which is undoubtedly much better for the steel.
Mus'ad and Pherenike miss the snake entirely, even with Kheled and Ahkenaten's assistance. Myron lands a blow, but the mechanical snake shrugs it off easily. Only Aerathiel is able to damage the metallic beast, burning it again with his acid.
The snake shot between Pherenike and Mus'ad and attempted to bite the only enemy able to harm it so far...
...but utterly failed in its attempt.
Kheled imparts Pharasma's Guidance on Pherenike again.
Maneuvering to a flanking position Mus'ad continues to rain down a warhammer driven assault upon the metallic snake...
Warhammer: for
The Professor reluctantly backed away from the construct, reloading his crossbow quickly and firing a bolt that hit the metal monster right in its eye; barely scratching it.
Moving next to Pherenike, Myron whacks the snake with his sling staff, not hard enough to hurt it, but enough to distract it.
His magic proves less than reliable this time as Aerathiel's cantrip misses the snake entirely.
Kheled will continue to cast Guidance until the opportunity comes up to do something more useful.
Warhammer: for
Warhammer: for
Warhammer: for
Warhammer: for
The iron cobra continued to elude and confound the party, darting and weaving with alarming speed and agility. Only Ahkenaten's bolt connected with the serpent, unfortunately resulting in barely noticeable damage from the projectile.
It did however get the snake's attention and it moved on the Professor lashing out in retaliation...
...biting the older man in the calf. The syringe like mechanics of the snake's fangs pumped another dose of venom into its latest victim which burned immediately within the dual puncture wound.
Kheled cast guidance once more upon Pherenike, hoping that she would finally be able to strike a telling blow.
Once again the elven wizard uses his simplest of magics against the small yet surprisingly resilient construct as an orb of magically conjurex acid leaves his hand and flies towards it.
The serpent continues its attack upon Aerathiel, catching the spell caster in the calf...
Myron continues to distract the artificial snake, hoping to help Pherenike land a solid blow. He ducks and weaves to get into position without leaving himself open.
Ahkenaten saw the pathetic impact his crossbow had, and noted his quiver was now half empty. He simply kept his weapon trained on the snake, expecting one of the heavy blows landing on the snake's tough metal exterior to eventually make an impressive impact.
The cobra continued to run amok as Kheled's spell was still not enough help to get Pherenike to land her heavy blade. Ahkenaten watched warily as Myron danced into position to distract the wily construct. Aerathiel's concern for his safety caused his spell to fizzle as he botched the gesture now corned as he was. Mus'ad moved opposite Myron but was still confounded by the serpent's speed as his hammer caught nothing but air.
For its part, the tomb defender slide away from Pherenike and the others to continue its assault upon Aerathiel...
...this time biting him in the chest, sending the elf tumbling to the floor senseless. For good measure the cobra injected another dose of venom into the fresh wound.
Pherenike was finally able to catch the slippery opponent, sending it skittering across the floor with a solid hit... right into the waiting hammer of Mus'ad who brought it down with a satisfying crunch upon the serpent's metallic body. The cobra turned as if to retaliate when it suddenly started to spasm uncontrollably. Flipping and twisting, writhing and jerking for a few seconds before suddenly falling completely still upon the dusty floor. The reds eyes dimmed before going out completely. Silence once more came to the tomb.
Grimacing and growling after the snake is finally dealth with, Mus'ad gives it a nudge with a toe to ensure that it is indeed fully defunct and unable to operate before stowing his warhammer. With no skill at healing he looks instead to the others to tend the elf as he watches where they had come from for any further constructed guardians.
Heal (Aid Another):
As his eyes look over the fallen Aerathiel Mus'ad furrows his brow "Best stick finger in bit that's bleeding, might stop it."
Kheled can take a 10 for a Heal check so he will do so. With no healing left he looks to the others, I have no ability left to help him at this point as I said earlier. If you want to continue someone will have to carry him.
Seeing the colour returning to the elf's cheeks Mus'ad shrugs "Give him few minute... be good" then moves back into the steel serpents lair and checks for foul trappings.
Mus'ad and Kheled are able to stabilize Aerathiel and bring him around. Resting for a few additional minutes the elf is able to get to his feet although he still bears a nasty bite mark which is already beginning to bruise.
Returning to the burial chamber, the group gets a good second look at the contents. A sarcophagus covered in gold leaf rests on a raised stone
platform in the center of this chamber. The casket’s cover is carved the likeness of an adult man with his arms crossed over his chest, and covered in thick coat of dust. Two ornate chests sit beyond the dais in the northeast and southeast corners, and between them stand two large funerary urns.
After checking the room for traps, Mus'ad motions that all is clear and the group sets to examining everything.
The urns are made of bronze and appear to have once contained leaves or incense, but now hold nothing more than ashes and dust.
One of the chests contains an exquisite and perfectly preserved suit of padded armor, assuredly one that Akhentepi himself wore in life.
The other chest holds a disintegrating cloth sack filled with 500 ancient gold coins, as well as a small, well-preserved darkwood coffer. Inside the coffer are a number of glass vials, an ornate lapis and carnelian pendant, and an assortment of carnelian, lapis lazuli, and turquoise semiprecious stones.
Having opened everything else in the room, all eyes turned to the gold leaf covered sarcophagus...
Frowning at the padded armor, Mus'ad is at least given some hope by the coins and stones. Turning to the sarcophagus he taps it a few times on the lid - before pressing his ear to the gold leaf and straining for signs of scrabbing claw. Mollified he stows his hammer again and stretches out ready to heave off the lid...
Myron stands by, ready to give a hand if one is needed.
Kheled places resistance and Guidance on Mus'ad before backing away and loading his crossbow.
Good luck! he says to the Dwarf. Put me outside of the room.
With a deep breath and a grunt, the lid is lifted aside to reveal a mummified corpse within. An exquisitely crafted gold funerary mask
covers the face of the remains.
Mus'ad pauses, and looks to Kheled.
Myron lets out a low whistle at the sight of the mummified corpse.
"Nice mask! That thing must be worth a fortune. If I remember the rules correctly, we are allowed to disturb the dead to recover any ancient artefacts, as long as we do so with respect. Kheled, you are familiar with the local customs regarding the dead. What do you say?"