GM Euan's Mummy's Mask (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

Round 7, Init 17

Zilchus moves up to check on Ptemenib, casting a CLW to see if the man is dead or only mostly dead.

1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 CLW - Convert Air Bubble.

He looks at what Ptemenib might be carrying...something that might be of use in this fight.

Ptemenib is certainly dead. The spell washes over the corpse without even a flicker. A quick search of the body reveals a handful of scrolls which may be useful, and a MW light crossbow with a quiver of cold iron with silver salt bolts.

The scrolls are cure moderate wounds, resist energy, sound burst, and sanctuary.

Round 5, Initiative 8

Florence circles around the obsidian floor in order to get closer to the masked maniac and then raises her wand and activates the command word!

Ear-Piercing Scream (Sonic): 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
I believe the Fort DC is 11; 49 charges remaining.

"I just bought this thing fully loaded, so I can do this all day you bastard!" she hisses up at the flying man.

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

He shakes his head clear of the last scream, and laughs at this one, "So can I... so can I..."

Nebta-Khufre is still standing, right?

Round 6, Initiative 7:

Nidhi moves West ten feet as she sings. See map. 11/17 Inspire Courage What is Zilchus doing?

Nidhi fires another Dard Iron arrow towards the enemy. 17/20

To hit: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
Bard 6th level +4, Dex +2, Point-Blank Shot +1, Masterwork Weapon/Magical Bonus (doesn’t stack) +1) (+2 Inspire Courage)

Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
(Str +1, Masterwork Weapon +1, Magical Bonus +1, Point-Blank Shot +1 (30ft)), Critical x3, Range 100ft, Piercing, 1 ½ lbs (Darkwood) (+2 Inspire Courage)

Back from vacation! Thanks for the botting GM! Now I've just had my round, and I'm still stuck, right?

Yes Nidhi, Nebta-Khufre is still standing.

Cahal, you are correct, but in honor of your triumphant return, I'll free you from the entanglement. You may act normally next round - though note you do have Mummy Rot (disease). Sorry I didn't make that save for you.

Benedictus still to go.

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND 6 ⁞⁞⁞⁞

‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖ • Initiative: 19 • ‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖

While the air elementals at his command keep attacking, Benedictus is forced to stay back and hope for the best: all of his useful spells for combat have been used already, or are useless in the current situation.

Air elemental #1 slam attack (+2 flanking, +2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 12
Air elemental #1 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

Air elemental #2 slam attack (+2 flanking, +2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 25
Air elemental #2 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

Air elemental #3 slam attack (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Air elemental #3 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

_________________________

Florence screams through the wand at Nebta-Khufre, but he resists. Nidhi, through cover, connects again, but fails to pierce through to the skin (DR). Cahal DMPC cannot get her feet free, and so remains stuck for the round, but she comes free by the end and is now free! Benedictus’ elementals pick away at the shield protecting Nebta-Khufre, while he sits back. Zilchus searches Ptemenib, and determines he is in fact dead.

Nebta-Khufre, redirects the lightning balls to again cover Cahal and Benedictus (Reflex DC 19 or 3d6 electrical damage). He then casts another scorching ray, this time targeting Nidhi, the only party member with a bow. This time he shoots both rays, now that he remembers he can. He then 5' flaps out of flank with the elementals, at least temporarily.

Nidhi Scorching Ray (touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 1) = 12
Nidhi Scorching Ray (touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 2) = 16

- Round 6 -
Good Folks - 10
Nebta-Khufre - 10 (-29hp, -42hp absorbed)
Florence - 8
Nidhi - 7 (-16hp)
Cahal - 3 (-34hp, mummy rot)
- Round 7 -
Benedictus -19 (-9hp)
Zilchus - 17 (-14hp)

Next up - everyone!

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND 7 ⁞⁞⁞⁞

‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖ • Initiative: 19 • ‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖

Reflex save: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 4 = 21

Benedictus dodges the lighting ball, and takes a few steps into the room. Once inside, and while his elementals keep attacking, Ben encourages his companions while he pulls out his crossbow from his backpack.

“Come on guys! Come on!”

Air elemental #1 slam attack (+2 flanking, +2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 22
Air elemental #1 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

Air elemental #2 slam attack (+2 flanking, +2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 13
Air elemental #2 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

Air elemental #3 slam attack (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24
Air elemental #3 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

_________________________

Round 7, Init 17

Huh? What kind of jackass flies away from me? That ain’t fair.

Intending to take Ptemenib’s crossbow next round, Zilchus undoes his weapon cord and sheathes his falchion. In a few more rounds, he might contribute to this fight. Maybe.

Cahal takes in the situation. She is badly injured, and that flying idiot seems to know what he's doing, with all his nasty combinations of spells, though Ben seems to have a handle on that as well with his flying fighting clouds!

Finally free from the glass, she rushes out of the glassy area with her longspear raised to reach at the caster.

Not sure if haste is still on, or if I have enough reach with my longspear to reach the flying caster.

I think this is the last round of haste, and you do not have your long spear - you dropped it in fear some time ago when facing the mummies... I think your Acrobatics DC is 20, so you just make it and grapple the wizard!

Wizards don't like to be grappled...

Florence and Nidhi are up prior to the grapple.

Nice!

Cahal jumps off and catches the wizard's dangling legs. She holds on to his robe and tries to climb further up and grab something else to hold on to!

Round 6, Initiative 8

Not to be deterred, Florence aims her wand yet again at the flying wizard and speaks the command word.

Ear-Piercing Scream (CL 4th): 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6
DC 11 Fort; 48 charges remaining.

"You can't hold out forever! Stand down and we'll give you a quick death!"

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

...and the wizard says nothing...

Nidhi to go!

We're in Round 7 right?

Round 7, Initiative 7:

Nidhi continues to inspire her companions as she reaches for another arrow in her quiver. 12/17 Inspire Courage Ahh! Cahal! Nidhi steps back and fourth in her square, craning her neck trying to see around Cahal's form. Can't. Quite. See.

Not noticing the effect of her previous arrow, Nidhi prays to the gods as she sends another arrow singing towards Nebta-Khufre. 16/20 Arrows

To hit: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27

Damage (Longbow): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Florence screams at the wizard, dazing him and doing a little damage. Nidhi though she’s having trouble seeing - is having no trouble hitting. Her arrows don’t seem to raise so much as a blood blister, but she’s chipping away at something. Cahal leaps into the air, and grapples the wizard! Benedictus grabs for his crossbow as his elementals do a little damage to Nebta-Khufre’s shield. Zilchus too prepares himself for ranged combat, with a borrowed weapon.

Nebta-Khufre, dazed, does nothing as he tries to get his bearings. Cahal’s weight though causes the pair of them to sink to the ground still in their grapple.

- Round 7 -
Good Folks - 10
Nebta-Khufre - 10 (-35hp, -50hp absorbed, grappled)
Florence - 8
Nidhi - 7 (-16hp)
Cahal - 3 (-34hp, mummy rot, grappled)
- Round 8 -
Benedictus -19 (-9hp)
Zilchus - 17 (-14hp)

Next up - everyone!

Round 8

Zilchus, who totally might consider helping more this fight, takes the crossbow and bolts from Ptemenib. He 5’ steps closer to the foe.

”Ben! Get me a clear shot!” Zilchus says, eying the swirling elementals in the way.

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND 6 ⁞⁞⁞⁞

‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖ • Initiative: 19 • ‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖

Ben allows two out of his three air elementals to attack.

Air elemental #2 slam attack (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25
Air elemental #2 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

Air elemental #3 slam attack (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23
Air elemental #3 slam damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

After the attacks, Ben orders his elemental to spread out. Then the scholar attacks with his crossbow. "That's your chance, Zil!"

Crossbow ranged attack (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12
Crossbow damage (+2 inspire courage): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
_________________________

Zilchus, you cannot take a 5' step in difficult terrain.

Benedictus, the elementals were 10' up and so needed to close to attack, and so can't move after the attack. Please place them around the wizard - but with a fast movement and no AoO's (I'm grappled) you can pretty much put 'em on the far sides so they're not in the way. :)

Cahal whirls like a snake around the wizard, her body twisting around his legs and arms to immobilize him.

MvA: Use Martial flex to gain two feats: Improved Grapple and Greater Grapple. StA: Maintaining the grapple (+5 on the roll) to give the pinned condition to the wizard.

Grapple with IC, Imp Grapple, and Gr Grapple: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 = 40

Round 7, Initiative 8

Although she's pretty sure that Nebta-Khufre won't be going anywhere with the wrestling hold Cahal has him in, Florence decides to make extra sure of it by trying to nullify whatever magics are granting him flight!

Dispel Magic (CL Check): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Seriously? -_-

Round 8, Initiative 7:

Nidhi stops singing and moves South one square. See map.

Eyes focused on Cahal pinning Nebta-Khufre, Nidhi raises her bow up and down and (quietly at first) chants: "Coup de grâce, coup de grâce, coup de grâce." Her voice grows steadily louder: "Coup de grâce, coup de grâce."

Intimidate (scare Nebta-Khufre): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Florence tries a dispel magic, but fails to nullify his magics. Nidhi makes her desires known as she moves up (can’t 5’ step, but you can move 5’ - you’re in difficult terrain)(also, you can coupe de grace with a bow you know, but you do need to be adjacent). Cahal doubles down on her skills, writhes across his body, and pins the wizard. Benedictus has only two elementals attack, though they both hit. He then takes a pot-shot with his crossbow which misses. Zilchus takes Ptemenib’s crossbow and bolts and readies to do battle.

Nebta-Khufre, trapped by Cahal, responds violently though he barely moves a muscle in his condition. He turns his head slightly and the ball lightning flies to effect Cahal and Benedictus(Reflex DC 19 or 3d6 electrical damage). At the end of the round, both balls snuff out and cease to exist (though Nidhi and Benedictus still need to make their saves vs the damage this round).

He reaches up, and tries to break the grapple, more with the force of his will then any strength he possesses…. Hey, he could crit!

1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 = 13 (shaken)

- Round 8 -
Good Folks - 10
Nebta-Khufre - 10 (-35hp, -58hp absorbed, pinned, shaken (1/2r)
Florence - 8
Nidhi - 7 (-16hp)
Cahal - 3 (-34hp, mummy rot, grappled)
- Round 9 -
Benedictus -19 (-9hp)
Zilchus - 17 (-14hp)

Next up - everyone!

Round 9, Init 17

Zilchus double moves toward Cahal, readying his new crossbow for combat...or his sword as necessary.

"I'm coming! I'll get there," Zilchus announces obviously to those who are actually contributing this battle.

Reflex DC19: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Electrical Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) = 13

Round 9, Initiative 7:

Nidhi casts Cure Moderate Wounds on herself.

Cure Moderate Wounds (Self): 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 = 13

"Coup de grâce, coup de grâce." Nidhi continues her chant, staring down the pinned Nebta-Khufre. "Coup de grâce, coup de grâce." Strands of Nidhi's hair stick every which way from the electricity, giving her a crazed look. She watches in anticipation as Zilchus approaches Cahal. Her muscles look so nice.

31 -16 -13 +13 = 15HP
2/2 2nd level spells used

Round 8, Initiative 8

Florence tenses up as Zilchus makes his way over to where Cahal has Nebta-Khufre well and truly pinned. It wasn't that she disagreed with Nidhi's chant, but it still wasn't something she felt that she'd relish watching. But she couldn't just stand around and not do something as things inched toward an inevitable conclusion. Seeing Nidhi still quite hurt from the balls of lightning, she moves forward and allows healing energy to flow from her hand into her friend.

Healing Hex (Nidhi): 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 2) + 6 = 16

Reflex, grappled; damage: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 2 = 93d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 12

The ball of lightning catches Cahal completely unaware. She howls in pain as the electricty courses through her. "You son..." she curses as she squeezes the life out of the wizard.

Greater grapple allows me to make a grapple check as a move action, so I can perform twice per round. I'm assuming that the pinned condition stays. Otherwise, I'll use the first action to maintain the pin.

Maintain Grapple and damage: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 = 301d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Maintain Grapple and damage: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 = 291d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Someone hand me some rope!"

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND 9 ⁞⁞⁞⁞

‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖ • Initiative: 19 • ‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖

“Hey Zilchus, what…” Ben seems a little confused by Zilchus’ choices and decides to focus on how he can contribute to the fight. Seeing that Cahal has pinned the foe, the scholar opts for not doing anything apart from ensuring his elementals do not hinder his friends.

Florence moves to fully heal Nidhi. Nidhi blasted by lightning, stops to heal herself as she continues to chant. Cahal takes an electrical hit, and turns back on Nebta-Khufre, hurting him twice - but still largely just affecting his protection while he remains less harmed (DR). He does keep the pinned condition so long as you make the first roll. Benedictus sits back and watches events unfold. Zilchus double moves to get into position.

Nebta-Khufre, running out of options and spell power, tries one last time to get Cahal off him. He casts Magic Missile… or tries to.
1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 2 = 27 (shaken) vs DC 21

Cahal damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 1) + 4 = 11

The obsidian floor magically dissipates - no more difficult terrain!

I think Cahal is at 0hp, which means I don't get free on my initiative and remained pinned rather than flying away. However, if Cahal maintains the pin, she'll drop 1hp and fall unconscious breaking the hold. We'll see what Florence and Nidhi do prior to that event...

- Round 9 -
Good Folks - 10
Nebta-Khufre - 10 (-36hp, -77hp absorbed, pinned, shaken (2/2r)
Florence - 8
Nidhi - 7
Cahal - 3 (-57hp, mummy rot, grappled)
- Round 10 -
Benedictus -19 (-9hp)
Zilchus - 17 (-14hp)

Next up - everyone!

Round 10, Init 17

Zilchus offers the masked jerk the end of a crossbow and fires.

Coup de jerk de crossbeau:
2d8 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + 6 = 15 damage.

The magic missile does not go off as the wizard strains against his bonds.

Everyone but Zilchus still to go, and as Zilchus is last, I need to hear from the lot of you. Zilchus' roll won't kill him, and my save is pretty good, so let's see what else happens in the round before I roll it.

Cahal keeps on squeezing, knowing that the wizard will surely kill her if she gives him the chance: "That's for putting your granny's head in a box!" she says, though she's not sure this is the guy...

Maintain Grapple and damage: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 = 321d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Maintain Grapple and damage: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 = 271d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Round 9, Initiative 8

Florence gapes, astounded at just how strong and resilient Nebta-Khufre is proving. "What sort of monster are you?" she asks, a mixture of awe and fear in her tone. She raises her wand once more and points it at the pinned man.

Ear-Piercing Scream (CL 4th): 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
DC 11 Fort; 47 charges remaining.

Round 10, Initiative 7:

"That's for putting your granny's head in a box!" she says, though she's not sure this is the guy...

Yeah, what a jerk! ...If this is the guy.

Suddenly silent, Nidhi moves diagonal and down (2 squares) to stand next to Zilchus. She reaches down to pull off Nebta-Khufre's mask. (Can Nidhi do that? If map placement is an issue feel free to move Nidhi.) If the mask is heavy, Nidhi places a foot on Nebta-Khufre's chest or shoulder to get more force behind the pull.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Jinkies! It was old man Jenkins all along!

Ben moves closer and loads his crossbow.

Florence screams at the wizard, trying to stun him again. Nidhi attempts to rip off his mask, but it’s well attached so she unbuckles it (you can remove it next round - it’s a two round job). Cahal beats the poor mans head against the stone floor, and there’s a fizzle and pop as one of his protections is overcome! Benedictus moves closer and prepares his crossbow just in case. Zilchus coupe de jerk does some damage, and it all seems to go through which helps.

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 vs DC 11 or dazed and 4hp damage
Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 vs DC 25 or die

Nebta-Khufre, having survived all the damage dealt, succumbs to the coupe de grace as the shot pierces his heart, which grew two sizes today, and he perishes there on the cold stone floor.

- Round 10 -
Good Folks - 10
Nebta-Khufre - 10 (-78hp, pinned)
Florence - 8
Nidhi - 7
Cahal - 3 (-46hp, mummy rot, grappled)
- Round 11 -
Benedictus -19 (-9hp)
Zilchus - 17 (-14hp)

We are out of initiative!

Nidhi pries off his mask at last, and a somewhat ordinary man looks up at you - his eyes glazed over in death. The room is quiet save for your own heavy breathing.

Zilchus will take his wand of CMW and use some charges on the hurt (but not the be-masked dead).

2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9 CMW - Zilchus
2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 8) + 3 = 12 CMW - Cahal
2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10 CMW - Cahal
2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 7) + 3 = 15 CMW - Cahal

”Ptemenib chose to die here, as fitting, defending his faith. I applaud him...at least, in this case, this Pharasmook actually did the right thing and died working for his god. I can only hope that more Pharasmooks will learn from his lesson. Might be that they will finally take responsibility for their failure in all this,” Zilchus says, offering the kindest words he’s ever spoken about any known Pharasmin.

He pauses to re-attach his weapon cord to his wrist and then begins to look around with Detect Magic.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 Perception

Cahal takes a moment to herself. She feels like she is going to be sick. Killing is one thing, but grasping at a moment so tightly then feeling the life escape from him was another...

As the healing proffered by Zilchus courses through her, it also chases the sickness away from her guts.

She breathes deeply, then pushes the wizard's body to the side and gets up. Slowly, she takes in the scene and nods at Zilchus's words: "May his goddess receive Ptemenib in Her Boneyard, and may the Old gods let him go in peace..."

She turns to the wizard: "Is this the one we've been chasing? Is this the mask?"

The mummy’s have nothing of value in their wrappings, but Nebta-Khufre had one or two items of note. Firstly, he had a spellbook of some substance, containing alarm, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield, bear’s endurance, command undead, false life, glitter dust, scorching ray, communal resist energy, fly, haste, ray of exhaustion, ball lighting, fear, obsidian flow, and stoneskin. It also contains animate dead, arcane lock, chill touch, enervation, gentle repose, ghoul touch, invisibility, knock, stinking cloud, and vampiric touch. The spellbook is worth say 600gp all told and is a ‘Tephu’ spellbook, made with special strengthened papyrus from Tephu (hardness 2, DC 24 to tear). He also had a ring of sustenance (2,500gp), Bracers of Armor +6 (36,000gp), 500gp worth of diamond dust, 500gp in assorted onyxes, silver holy symbols to Anubis and Pharasma (25gp ea) and an unholy symbol to Urgathoa (also 25gp).

Oh… and the Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh of course. There is that…

Carved from gold and inlaid with cobalt, lapis lazuli, and onyx, this elaborate funerary mask (image) takes up both the head and headband slots. It provides +4 to one mental ability score (chosen by the wearer, but once selected, it cannot be changed for that person). If Intelligence is selected, you learn the skills Knowledge Nobility and Knowledge History. The mask provides the wearer with a permanent Deathwatch ability as per the spell. Further, the wearer is protected as if by a Nondetection spell. Finally, once attuned (24hrs), the mask has additional powers depending on alignment (neutral chooses).

Evil characters double the number of undead they can control by any given method, and the wearer may Animate Dead and Create Undead once per day as a free action. Worn by a good character, you are protected from all disease, including supernatural diseases, and you may cast Death Ward, Finger of Death, and Speak with Dead each once per day as a free action.

Finally, legends hint at unspeakable ritual that can use the Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh to create a “ka pulse,” channeling the energy of Hakotep’s fractured soul to animate huge numbers of undead creatures in a wide area. Benedictus tells you that doing so is rumored to destroy the wearer’s own ka, thereby denying the wearer access to the afterlife and enslaving his will to that of the Forgotten Pharaoh.

As an artifact, the mask is priceless.

"He died because of us..." bitterly comments Benedictus, walking to Ptemenib's lifeless body. "If only we came here yesterday, instead of letting him come..."

The scholar shakes his head. His expression is full of grief. He sighs, and wipes a tear from the corner of his eye. "At least we managed to avenge you...," he wisper to the brave Pharasmin.

***

"We should definitely bring back his body to the Church of Pharasma. He deserves a proper burial rite," suggests Ben after a few minutes spent trying to grieve.

***

Only after giving the right importance to the loss of a precious ally, Ben finds the mental energies to analyze the magic items found on Nebta-Khufre. The scholar patiently notes each item along with its properties. When his task is complete, Benedictus separates the spellbook, the diamond dust, the onyxes and the braces of armor.

"With everyone's permission, I would like to claim these items for me. The bracers are indeed very expensive, and perhaps we should sell them. I think we should think carefully about what to do with them. In any case, before a decision is reached, I would like to keep them, or even better...I think Florence should keep them."

Benedictus smiles at Florence and clumsily offers the bracers to her. Something into his eyes betrays the irrational fear he has about anything bad possibly happening to Florence.

"As for the artifact...it has incredible powers, and could make me very powerful indeed...But at the same time I fear its terrible effects. What do you guys think we should be doing with it?"

Florence gapes at Zilchus, unsure whether to be amazed at the apparently genuine praise or angry that he still deems the Pharasmins responsible for the entire mess. "I still don't see how this was all their fault. And I'm sure knowing he died bravely will be a great compensation to any loved ones he might have," she finally manages. Holding up a hand, she quickly adds, "And yeah, it was his decision to come down here right away - but only because we...wouldn't...couldn't finish what we started earlier. And we could've joined forces and come down here together. He might still be alive if we had. But now the temple has one less priest to help them finish cleaning up the remains of this a@*+!@~$'s," she points at Nebta-Khufre's body, "delusions of grandeur."

She turns away.

"Ptemenib's death is on our hands, at least partly. And I mean myself just as much as anyone else that's here."

Ninja'd by Ben! More below.
_______

After spending a few moments of her own in a quiet corner of the room to calm down, Florence rejoins the rest of the group as they take inventory of Nebta-Khufre's personal effects. She still seems rather distracted however, until Ben proposes that she take the magical bracers.

"Wh-me? Are you sure?" she asks, looking quite surprised as she gazes around at the rest of the group. "They're not something that Zilchus or Cahal might want?"

"And as for the mask, I think we need to take it to someone that might be able to tell us more about it. Maybe Sebti the Crocodile?" Florence continues, giving the mask a wary look.

Florence's words about Ptemenib's death cut like a knife through Ben's heart, increasing his own sense of guilty for the death of their precious ally. Barely holding tears in his eyes, the Osirionologist puts a hand on Florence's shoulder. This time, his hand is not shaking. Pain and sorrow are usually said to overcome even tenderer feelings.

"At least his dead was not in vain...," Ben whispers to Florence.

Every inch of me would agree to take on her pain and make her feel better, if that only was possible...

Inconsolable, Ben slowly retreats his hand and sighs.

We are all together. We are still together. And we have experienced all this together, he thinks to himself while looking at his friends. Regardless of what Zilchus says or thinks, this is now up to us.

"He died because of us..." bitterly comments Benedictus, walking to Ptemenib's lifeless body. "If only we came here yesterday, instead of letting him come..."

Zilchus gives a glare to Benedictus, flashes of anger.

"Don't you DARE dishonor his sacrifice by saying anything so stupid again, Ben. He died because he thought he believed in his God. He died valiantly for his own cause. Don't you DARE take that away from him. This was his choice, his sacrifice, and his glory to attain," Zilchus resists further comments, but is sure that Ben doesn't understand the nature of faith or commitment to one's god, no matter how foolish (like that to Pharasma).

Zilchus takes a more measured tone after a moment of breath.

"He died because he knew the Pharasmooks failed in all this. He died for what he believed in. This was not on us. This was his sacrifice and we shall honor it."

* * *

"They're not something that Zilchus or Cahal might want?"

Zilchus shakes his head. The only thing that he would want is the Mask. But it probably shouldn't go to him, but he would love it.

"And as for the mask, I think we need to take it to someone that might be able to tell us more about it. Maybe Sebti the Crocodile?" Florence continues, giving the mask a wary look.

Zilchus tries to contain a scoff.

"Can we trust to know of the Mask to Sebti? It sounds powerful indeed," Zilchus holds the Mask and considers donning it, but eventually decides against it. "She might try to claim it as her own. Or take it by force. This item is clearly powerful...I worry to even wear it in public, lest others see it. Might be best to be worn by someone who can disguise its appearance, if we're going to wear it at all."

Zilchus hands the Mask off.

"Might be that we should destroy it so that it never again plagues the land."

On the mask:
Nidhi holds the mask up to her face (without putting it on) and peers through the eye holes. Who’d want to hide their face with this ugly thing? ...I suppose if your face is already ugly...

Benedictus tells you that doing so is rumored to destroy the wearer’s own ka, thereby denying the wearer access to the afterlife and enslaving his will to that of the Forgotten Pharaoh.

Nidhi’s eyes bulge and she immediately drops the mask, letting it clank on the stone floor. ”Pharasma, protect my soul.” Nidhi whispers. She makes some religious gesture with her hands before wrapping the mask in one of the dirty pillowcases she’s plundered. (Maybe we should conceal the mask to not freak out the locals?)

Nidhi is not interested in any of the loot.

On Ptemenib’s: death:
Nidhi tries to comfort Ben (and herself.) ”It must have been Ptemenib’s fate to die this way. He would have wanted to die protecting Wati, I think.” Nidhi feels a kinship with the deceased Ptemenib. I’m sorry your dead but this is one of the more favorable ways to go. "We should carry his body back with us."

”I agree with Florence: we should visit Sebti the Crocodile. It seems like a waste to destroy an artifact like this. I think we should donate the mask to the Church of Pharasma in honor of Ptemenib’s sacrifice.” Nidhi is holding the pillowcase containing the mask at arm’s length, as if being too close to it will curse her. The mask still emanates a necromantic aura, right? "I don't want to carry this thing. One of you should do it." Nidhi attempts to hand the mask back to Zilchus.

"I understand your reasons, Zilchus. But I do not agree with them. We have different points of depart. Your argument is based on faith and revelation, mine on pure reason. I believe that Ptemenib did not come here with the intent of sacrificing himself and his team. I believe, instead, that he came here with the intent of solving the problem. Something he failed to accomplish, because we were not with him and his team was no match for the wizard. Therefore his death is not a sacrifice, in the strict sense of the term. But it has to be honored nonetheless, because it is a sign of his courage, his fervant dedition to his ideals and his strong adherence to his faith. If he felt compelled to come here, it was not because he had decided to sacrifice himself, but because he wanted to act accordingly to his faith. But of course this is a good thing, that shows that Ptemenib had also a sharp mind. No one would willingly embrace sacrifice, when there is a chance to avoid it. That would be stupidity, as Themas Aquinus defines an unnecessary sacrifice, adding on the top of that that every unnecessary sacrifice is a sign of pride, meaning the vice associated with it. A sacrifice without the need for it it's a dumb thing to do. And he would not have done it. Ptemenib came here because he thought he could handle the situation. In any case, he played a key role in this story and so his death was not vain."

Ben's explanation had the effect of relaxing his nerve. Rationalizing things always helps him accept them.

Cahal shrugs and turns away from her companions. Things were done. No point in looking back.

She kneels beside Ptemenib and starts preparing him to be transported back. Carefully, she uses whatever cloth and rope she can find to bring as much dignity to the body as she can.

Then she moves to the dead wizard and does the same, but more out of duty than out of respect.

Finally, as the argument calms, she will say: "The mask was hidden. I suggest we honour that part and hide the mask again. It's location would die with us. Unless we can use the mask to reverse the infection. You think that can be done?"

"I understand your reasons, Zilchus. But I do not agree with them. We have different points of depart. Your argument is based on faith and revelation, mine on pure reason."

Zilchus nearly bursts with rage, but contains himself. If anyone should understand zealotry, it would be Zilchus...

"That's exactly the point, Ben. It's what *HE* chose to do. It wasn't based on logic, it was based on faith. *YOU* don't to decide why he came in here...because we know it was faith. And bless him for that. He died as he lived."

Zilchus walks away from Ben to go wrap the body of Ptemenib up for return to Sebti. He takes a moment to tie Ptemenib's hands behind his back in case the man awakes as undead as he wraps the body with care, returning the crossbow and bolts to the man.

He picks up Ptemenib's body and is ready to return.

"Cahal, unless you want to lug this, I suggest you take point. Hard for me to fight while carrying this body."