Mbauers' Mummy's Mask

Game Master mbauers

Petra hurriedly draws a scroll from those rolled at her belt and reads from it-- the scroll turns to dust but Ibrahim perhaps feels the panic ebb...?

Casting remove fear from a scroll, targetting Ibrahim.

The General soars over the head of Ibrahim and throws the creature to the ground once more.

Petra, meanwhile, calms Ibrahim's fears. As the seeds of doubt wither in his mind, he is one again filled with resolve.

So, if you succeed at a DC 20 Sense Motive check you can discern that it is still alive, playing possum again (yeah, I don't like the execution of the mechanics of this thing, but I'm playing it by the rules written in its stat block). I don't consider it meta if you keep stabbing it while it's down despite the sense motive roll, because that makes sense. So hack away!

Next up: Ibrahim (not panicked), Mirri

Undead is prone

Around the corner from the foe, Mirri briefly collected her thoughts. Her difficulty breathing with cracked ribs told her she did not have the ability to fight close up. Therefore, she sheathed her knife and took out her sling, while folding into the shadows in hopes of springing a surprise attack in a few seconds.

Put away knife, draw sling, enter Stealth

Stealth 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

Aww yeah, Brahim back in the game! Thanks, Petra!

Bolstered by Petra's magics, Ibrahim picks up his sword and attacks the creature, determined to keep hacking until it is dead for good.

Scimitar, PA, Bless, Flank, vs Prone: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 20

Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

The corpse, hacked near to pieces, still rises, punching Ibrahim in the jaw. Its mangled fingers, many of them severed, can't grab hold of the swordsman. 5 damage to Ibrahim(unless you and Akhentepi's AoOs kill it)

Another Will Save vs the fear effect, then AoOs from Ibrahim and Akhentepi.

AoOs, then Party

Hang in there--it's almost dead (again)!

Will: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Frustrated by the corpse and its seemingly endless ability to rise again the General takes wing to chase down Say'ri.

For crying out loud...

I think I still don't have line of sight to the corpsey, but if I do:

Will, w bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24

Seeing that even Say'ri's feathered warrior spirit is fleeing now, Petra growls and hurries forward to stand beside Ibrahim-- dropping the other things in hand in favor of her flail. She tries to swing the chained end around despite the close quarters, and catch the abomination in its rotted skull to put it down for good.

Move forward, drawing flail; if I can actually attack from that square, I will, with whatever cover penalties apply on your end

Flail attack, bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
Damage, undead slayer: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Offering what may be literally her last best shot, Mirri darted out of the shadows while simultaneously launching a sling stone at the ever-returning foe.

Sneak Attack Sling shot, -4 penalty for cover 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Damage, if hits 1d2 ⇒ 1+2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

Crit Confirm 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Extra crit damage, if confirmed 1d2 ⇒ 2

Ibrahim's AoO with Bless, PA, Flank, Prone Enemy: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 4 = 31

Confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 4 = 29

Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 2) + 10 = 17

If the thing is still alive, Ibrahim will slash again. I'm not making a Will Save with him cause I think Remove fear will run longer than fear duration anyhow. I'm still under the panic effect, but it is suppressed.

Regular attack if still alive: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 - 1 + 2 = 20

Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Please tell me that kill it! This has to be the most annoying PbP monster I've ever run into!

Yep, that did it. And trust me, no one is happier about that crit than I am! ;-)

The corpse ignores Mirri's stone like a bee sting, but before it can fully rise Ibrahim (fueled with resolve by Anubis' divine intervention) cuts it down at the knees. This time it stays down for good but the magus, not leaving anything to chance, severs the corpse's arms, legs, and, finally, its head.

Combat Over! Hell yeah!

Say'ri shakes the fear clouding her mind and returns to find Mirri searching the alcove.

In it is an unlocked, untrapped chest containing the following: apprentice’s cheating gloves, a potion of bull’s strength, two potions of cure moderate wounds, 330 gp, and a pouch containing six rubies worth 25 gp each. So, I guess it was worth the annoyance?

What next?

I'm probably in the minority, but I don't mind the Coffer Corpse in principle. Cool new mechanics can be fun. That said, once a Knowledge Check ID's what the creature can do, there should be a sizable bonus to the Will save. Likewise, once you've saved you shouldn't have to save again. Just my 2 cents.

Mirri stared in stunned silence at the contents of the chest after opening it. We're rich! she finally said in an excited voice. Look at all this stuff! She then began scooping coins in her hands and tossing them in the air to fall back in the chest with a clatter. She then winced, her cracked ribs making themselves re-known. Gingerly she handed the gloves and potion bottles to the others for assessment, then look longingly at Petra for healing for the halfling's wounds.

How many wand charges do we have left?

Yeah, I don't mind the fear but the repetition's wacky, hehe.

"....I think it is really dead now," Petra says after Ibrahim hacks off the head. "Who is hurt?"

Down to 1 wand charge, haha, like it says on my profile. I do have some spells though.

Petra tsks at Mirri's injuries, coming over to lay a hand on her and beseech Anubis directly.

CLW, self-cast: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
CLW, self-cast: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"The Guardian of the Tombs keeps you alive for another day," she says with a sigh. "Perhaps you should carry one of these potions we have found as well-- you seem struck often, Mirri."

Some curative potions remaining (the 2 we just found, plus any anybody else has, I have a spare CLW), 1 wand charge, 2 of my own spells left. Looking at the map I kinda doubt we'll be able to explore everything here before a rest, but we might manage the alcoves of this room and maybe another chamber?

Mirri inhaled deeply with a wide grin as the healing waves swept over her, mending her broken ribs. Much better, she sighed. Looking ruefully at the Petra, Mirri sheepishly nodded in agreement and took one of the two curative potions found. Yeah, I know. But I get hit less that Say'ri at least. Everything beats up Say'ri! The halfling's eyes went wide as she saw the human woman, as if Mirri had forgotten her presence in the room. Sorry, just sayin'.... she trailed off before finishing the thought.

As if in part to change the subject, Mirri began a search of the three remaining single doors in the room. After assuring herself there were no locks or traps to address, the halfling turned back to the others. 'Kay, so these are all safe. Mebbe the north one first? She then lined up behind Say'ri awaiting the door to be opened.

I'd agree that we are reaching our logistical limits. Let's see how these three single doors treat us, and then make a decision about further exploration or rest. If we're good with checking the three single doors in the room, I'd say north, then NW then SW. Afterward Mirri will check the double doors for traps/locks

@GM: These are all Take 10 checks for Mirri. With her concealment bonus, her check is a 21.

There are no apparent traps, but there's no mechanism to open the doors. You'll have to bash them down if you want to see what lies beyond.

So, what would you all like to do?

Mirri inhaled deeply with a wide grin as the healing waves swept over her, mending her broken ribs. Much better, she sighed. Looking ruefully at the Petra, Mirri sheepishly nodded in agreement and took one of the two curative potions found. Yeah, I know. But I get hit less that Say'ri at least. Everything beats up Say'ri! The halfling's eyes went wide as she saw the human woman, as if Mirri had forgotten her presence in the room. Sorry, just sayin'.... she trailed off before finishing the thought.

Say'ri smiles, but you can all see that its a little tight. The most recent near-death experience, followed by the coffer corpse seems to have finally shaken the stoic woman. "Don't worry Mirri - it's true afterall. But when I put this team together I didn't think there would be quite so much harm inflicted. I feel like I'm sixty years old and its barely midday!"

Seeing Mirri unable to open the doors Say'ri hefts her flail. "I can break through but anything on the other side will hear us coming from some way off. We'll need to be on our guard."

If one other person agrees with breaking the doors Say'ri will start bashing! :)

Given her complete disinterest in history, religion, arcana and really anything else qualifying as knowledge, couple with her rather keen interest in wealth....Mirri votes yes.

Do it! Mirri beamed a smile at Say'ri and her "alternate method" of door opening.

Say'ri applies her flail as a key - attempting to minimise the damage as much as possible... You want rolls?

Say'ri makes short work of the door, bashing it in to reveal a sarcophagus that looks much like the others in the room that are not behind a sealed door.

Leaving Mirri to investigate the sarcophagus Say'ri heads to the other locked doors in order to provide them with a similar level of 'loving care and restoration'...

Mirri happily searches the areas Say'ri makes accessible.

Take 10's for 21 checks on Perception

Mirri finds nothing out of the ordinary.

So, each alcove contains a closed sarcophagus. Three of them are just hidden behind the previously sealed doors.

"So, nothing here. Do we want to continue on or not? I'm actually in fairly good shape." Say'ri says with a wry grin, "given what else we've been up to today. But if we've exhausted the wand we need to be very careful. Ben-Ali has given me a curative potion, but what other resources do we have if one of us is injured? No treasure is worth our lives simply because we didn't take the time to do it properly."

"I'm still good to go if you all are."

I gotta couple of these curing potions too, guess we can go on for a bit. Mirri's tone revealed both willingness and trepidation, but the halfling moved to search both sets of double doors leading back to the east as if the group's decision to go on had been made.

The healing wand has one charge left, so we are close to tapped out. I vote for the southern set of double doors for moving on.

"After you then Mirri." Say'ri responds. "Don't worry, I'm right behind you - and all the monsters want a bigger meal right?"

We've typically had Say'ri go first, with Mirri right behind so that her Trap-spotting would locate any traps before Say'ri walked into them. Any reason to do it different this time?

We've typically had Say'ri go first, with Mirri right behind so that her Trap-spotting would locate any traps before Say'ri walked into them. Any reason to do it different this time?

You have to open the door first right? Don't worry Mirri isn't becoming the meatshield...

Can do!

Mirri ensures that the southern double door is searched for traps and unlocked prior to hoping back behind Say'ri, her small knife at the ready.

...I thought I'd posted the other day. Apparently I'm now hallucinating. Sorry, guys.

Petra is somewhat pained by the destruction of the crypt doors but acknowledges the necessity of the task-- if any undead lurk behind them, then surely Anubis will understand the need to cleanse and purge even if it means some destruction of stonework.

With her wands retucked into position and her bow once more in hand, she takes up her usual position at the rear of the group, ready for whatever lurks beyond the next open doors.

"Anubis will protect us," she murmurs.

Sorry for the delay--I haven't had much computer access lately. Here we go!

Mirri finds that the doors are locked, but she is able to pick the lock easily enough.

A stone altar flanked by two bronze urns sits against the north wall of this chamber. To the south, three rows of stone pews face the altar. A lacquered wooden cabinet is bolted to the western wall at head level, and a long stone table runs parallel to the east wall. Stone double doors exit the room to the east and west.

Inside the room a skeleton stands guard, pointing his spear in your direction. His eyes glow with a strange blue energy, and, perhaps even more chilling, he speaks.

Go ahead and roll a Knowledge (Religion) for info.

Next up: Petra and Say'ri
Skelly
Party

"What transgressions are those guardian?" Say'ri responds. "We are duly consecrated by the Temple of Our Lady of the Graves to be here. In fact we pursue another group who have broken in without the Temple's sanction in order to plunder the temple for their own ends. We do not seek unnecessary violence."

Despite her conciliatory words Say'ri remains poised on the balls of her feet, ready to attack or defend at a moments notice.

Speak and delay action. If he turns down parlay then she'll close and attack him.

Kn Religion, monster lore: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 3 = 21

Petra looks startled at being addressed in the old tongue; she responds in the same language. "We may trespass, but you are falsely risen. Speak if you would speak; if not I shall see the will of Anubis carried out."

(Swift action to draw wand of bless; readied action: if the skeleton makes any hostile action she will cast Bless)

Petra knows the creature for what it is--a Skeletal Champion. It is a skeleton who retains its memories and intelligence, far more dangerous than its more common kin.

"What transgressions are those guardian?" Say'ri responds. "We are duly consecrated by the Temple of Our Lady of the Graves to be here. In fact we pursue another group who have broken in without the Temple's sanction in order to plunder the temple for their own ends. We do not seek unnecessary violence."

The Lady of Graves should know better--this sanctum is watched over by Nethys himself. We do not rob your barrows, you should not plunder our temple. The others bore the mark of Nethys' favor, so I thought they were welcome. But the necromancer, and now Pharasma sending agents here. I fear I am right about the secret held here. It must hold sway over life and death for Pharasma to set her gaze upon it...

Petra looks startled at being addressed in the old tongue; she responds in the same language. "We may trespass, but you are falsely risen. Speak if you would speak; if not I shall see the will of Anubis carried out."

Falsely risen? What do you know of duty, you who have lived scant centuries. For years I served the Lord of Magic faithfully, until my natural death. The High Priest himself called me back from the Boneyard to renew my vigil. For millenia I have stood guard here, while all around me has crumbled to dust. I sacrificed my own afterlife to serve Nethys, and you trespass here! If you work for Pharasma, perhaps you can send her a message on my behalf!

He seems poised to strike on his initiative, so we are back in combat rounds! Petra and Say'ri up.

Petra looks uncertain. She throws a glance at the back of Say'ri's head, but Say'ri is keeping her eyes on the enemy, as well she should.

"Tell us of this necromancer if you are willing. I am sworn to bring rest to those who walk when they should not," Petra says unhappily. It raises every hackle she has to not be seeking to destroy the pile of bones before her.

Anubis, Great Guardian, this creature speaks, do you will me to strike or shall I listen to its abominations? she thinks, though she does not truly expect an answer from the jackal-headed god. He is not one to hold the hands of his followers.

Mirri watched with bewilderment for a moment as her companions held a conversation with the glowing-eyed skeleton, a conversation she understood not one word of. She could intuit the tone however, and concluded this encounter could yet come to blows. She therefore attempted to use her small stature and the focus the creature might have on its verbal interlocutors to attempt to slide into the shadows and out of sight.

If allowed, Mirri will attempt to enter stealth and move to her current position on the map. I'm guessing this might be a Create Diversion attempt, using Bluff. In case it is, I'll roll that below along with the Stealth check.

Bluff to Create Diversion 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Stealth Attempt, if possible 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

(To clarify my post from earlier, I'll keep the same readied action-- bless if the skeleton attacks)

Say'ri holds, unwilling to strike first. She sends a querying thought to the General. Are these things common? And what does he speak of? What 'item' could he possibly be talking about... She makes no move to attack but she shifts her shield down to her wrist, ready to take a defensive stance at a moments notice.

Swift/Free: switch to shield/khopesh. Hold action - attack when it gets in range.

So I just looked at the Mauler Familiar archetype and it says the Mauler can't speak, even if it normally could. I don't want to retcon everything that we've done, so I think a good compromise would be to say that when he's in battle form he can't speak. Does that work for y'all? In either case, the empathic link would indicate that Akhentepi is tense and on "high alert".

Petra invokes the blessings of Anubis while Say'ri readies for a fight.

The skeleton snaps his head to the side when Mirri tries to sneak past, clearly aware of her presence. He advances swiftly, invoking a prayer of his own. The skeleton's spear glows with necrotic energy and he raises it high, stabbing Mirri in the chest. Make a DC 11 Will Save. If you succeed, you take a total of 22 damage. If you fail, you take a total of 27 damage.

Also, I just checked your tab and it says you're at 6/22 HP. I hope you just didn't update it. :-/ If you have more HP than that, could you please update the character tab?

Next up: Party

Will Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 add +4 if Fear effect

I had forgotten to update Mirri's hit points after the last batch of healing. She *was* at full hp's.....now, not so much. EDIT: save was successful, so Mirri is staggered at zero hp's.

One point of clarification: since it was the Create Diversion that failed, rather than the Stealth check itself, would Mirri have known before moving that she failed to create a successful diversion? If yes, she would not have moved.

"Mirri!" Say'ri yells, her anger echoed by Akhentepi's wordless roar. The two descend upon the skeleton, Say'ri regaining her grip on her flail as she runs.

Say'ri Charge: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 30 Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 29 Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Akhentepi Charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 28 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Striking from above and below, the pair make a fearsome team, landing mighty blows upon the skeletal champion that attacked Mirri.

Unable to see the fallen halfling from her current position and not wanting to block Ibrahim's ability to join the combat, Petra grits her teeth and snatches one of the blunted arrows for her quiver, the sort to use when smashing the bones of the skeletal.

Free action to drop wand, swift to declare judgment of destruction, standard to attack

PBS, bless, coordinated shot, cover: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 16
Damage, PBS, judgment, undead: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 7

Say'ri throws her sword and shield to the ground, charging in with reckless abandon. The skeletal guardian is ready for her, millenia of training paying of. He swings his spear low, and trips her. AoO trips Say'ri 10 ft from skeleton.

The general follows suit and launches himself at the skeleton, who brings his spearpoint up at the last second, impaling the majestic bird. AoO 22 damage to Akhentepi.

Petra's arrow bounces harmlessly off the ancient warrior's armor.

Still up: Mirri and Ibrahim

Grievously wounded and barely conscious, Mirri held her knife in front of her protectively as she warily inched back towards the safety of her comrades.

5ft step to current position on the map and full defense action for Ac 22

More brave than prudent, Ibrahim attempted to enter the fray, despite seeing the others receive a beating.

Std Action: Shocking Grasp with spellstrike

Move Action Acrobatics to get into position

Acro: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Alrighty, that's a whopper of a failure. When he provokes, he will use Opportune Parry and Riposte.

Opp. Parry and Riposte, Bless, Fencer, Metal Armor/Weapon: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 22

If this roll is greater than the attack roll, the attack is parried and discharges Shocking Grasp.

S.G.Dmg: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 1) = 10

Also if this is successful, Brahim can attack as an immediate action before his normal attack.

Riposte, Bless, PA: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 9

Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

If the parry fails, please apply the shocking grasp damage and +3 to attack to Ibrahims regular attack

Regular Attack, Bless, PA: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 23

Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Mirri, just to clarify--I don't want to retcon back, but going forward if you use Bluff to create a diversion I will let you know if the diversion succeeds or fails. Or at the very least I'll give you a sense motive check or something to see if the bluff fails. Good?

Ibrahim tries to duck under the lightning-fast spear, but he stumbles on Akhentepi's form. He tries to parry the attack but the stalwart soldier's moves have been honed over time and the swordsman finds himself thrown unceremoniously to the ground. Sorry, Ibrahim. You had a good idea, but I rolled a nat 20 on the AoO Trip attempt. You are prone in Akhentepi's square. :-/

The skeleton again charges his weapon with unholy fury, this time striking at Say'ri before retreating a step. 21 damage to Say'ri. If you succeed at a Will Save DC 11, the damage is 18 instead.

Next up: Party
(Ibrahim and Say'ri prone, Akhentepi unconscious/dying)

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Say'ri takes a strong blow to the ribs but fights through the pain and rises, withdrawing Ben's potion and swigging it. The fire in her chest numbs - although the sight of Akhentepi bleeding and broken on the floor nearly sends her mad.

Move to stand, standard to drink potion (I think I can draw it during the move since I have BAB +1??) CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

O___o yipes. That's a hard hitting skelly. Also, Say'ri, it's up to whatever Bauers allows, of course, but by the rules the +1 BaB to draw refers to weapons, not potions. Of course, standing and drinking are both going to provoke, as well, and it seems this thing has combat reflexes...