Valjoen_GM |
In which direction Malthazir? Assume the top of the map is north. The inner tower rotated counter-clockwise when Niyut depressed the sigil.
Niyut & Gruskorb are looking at a new chamber.
Garidan, Truk'tosh & Malthazir are staring at the closed off passage with the 'primary' and 'secondary' sigils set into the wall.
Niyut |
Do Garidan and Truk'tosh still have the chance to leap into the shifting passage?
Gruskorb |
Yes, it seems Tacal will have to stay.
Gruskorb followed the expedient Niyut into the chamber before them. "That coffin would be a final resting place for valuables, maybe that staff." Yet as he spoke about the center of the room, Gruskorb slowly walked along the edge, feeling the jet black stone with his rough hands. Surely this isn't just and end to the chambers. Where's the tower's top?
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 +1 against traps.
Niyut |
"I cannot imagine that this won't be warded, trapped, or possibly a decoy."
Niyut moves into the chamber carefully, checking for tricks and intrusions from the world of the spirit. Detect Magic
Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24+2 From Auto Aid from Oseja
Once she is out of the hallway she will call upon a minor spirit to touch the glyph on this side to hopefully return the hallway to their companions. Mage Hand
Truk'tosh |
Truk'tosh tries to impress on the noble oxen the importance of staying put until the party returns.
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Then he darts across the trapped passage to join Gruskorb and his twin.
Valjoen_GM |
Garidan & Truk'tosh can certainly attempt a reflex save to get into the hallway, but neither has done so yet.
@Malthazir - the inner tower is solid stone. It can move through the stone, but won't be able to burrow and make a tunnel. The outer tower has earth below the stone tiles, and he can burrow in either direction.
With Niyut and Gruskorb...
The pair enter the chamber and immediately feel the cold air that lingers in this place. A stale, putrid smell comes from the sarcophagus. they search about the entrance and do not see any visible traps. They notice a single glyph just inside the chamber. It is the "secondary" sigil.
@Niyut - are you pressing the "secondary" glyph near your location or the "tertiary" glyph at the end of the trapped, inner hallway?
@Truk - Need a reflex save to enter the hallway.
Truk'tosh |
The musclebound orc tries to hustle down the hallway.
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Seriously. =(
Valjoen_GM |
Truk'tosh momentarily hesitates as he looks at Tacal and Malthazir. By the time he recovers, it is too late and he is unable to get into the hallway before it departs.
In the crypt, niyut sends a faint image of an ethereal hand to touch the glyph at the end of the hallway, yet nothing happens.
Truk'tosh |
So Truk didn't fall into the trap, he just didn't get through the doorway before it shifted?
Garidan Vissir |
Garidan watches as first Niyut and then Gruskorb carefully make their way across and into the momentarily revealed chamber beyond. He doesn't make any effort to join them, however, even as Truk'tosh's attempt to do so fails. His reasoning is explained a moment later as he carefully steps out on to what is now apparently a solid floor to pat the half-orc reassuringly on the shoulder. "Come, we'll wait out for them. They're both quite capable of handling themselves in there, but will surely need our help when that door opens up once more, which will likely reset this rigged floor." The lithe swashbuckler looks pointedly at his own lean frame, then at Truk'tosh's considerably bulkier body. "And let's be honest here, I'm not the best choice to hold that floor in place while folks may be attempting to hurry across it. That'll be up to you." With that, Garidan retreats back to the verifiably solid portion of the floor with almost indecent haste and no small amount of obvious relief.
Valjoen_GM |
@Truk - correct.
@Malthazir - could you indicate the starting point and direction that the elemental tunnels?
When Niyut touches the glyph, it illuminates briefly. With a low rumble, the inner tower begins to rotate clockwise, back into 'secondary' position. As it comes to a stop, a new hallway opens before Niyut.
Inner Tower in position #2
Truk'tosh |
"I know Niyut can take care of herself", Truk'tosh says with a glance at Garidan. "Truthfully, she has protected me through most of our youth. But that does not mean I stop trying."
"Did you have family before the cataclysm? A mate or children or brothers and sisters?"
Niyut |
"I was hoping it might return the passage to our friends. As for the coffin, I am waiting for you to open it. Of the two of us, you would have the most skill in disarming a trap, and I the most skill in healing you if you fail. I eagerly await to see the labor of your cunning fingers."
Gruskorb |
Women. Always waiting for you to do the dirty work - then yell at you for getting filthy after.
"Might need your help if it's too heavy." Gruskorb was not ashamed to admit his lack of herculean strength; it was more important to him the slab not be dropped and create a ruckus.
Making sure the container was not hostile to the best of his ability, he attempted to reveal its contents.
Removing the lid.
Garidan Vissir |
Giving Truk'tosh an understanding look, Garidan nods slightly, even as his eyes flick minutely in the direction of the hovering ioun torch. "Yes, a sister. And I think I know what point you are striving for. But there is limit to how much you can do in their support, no matter how much you might wish it otherwise." Fiddling with the string of his bow to occupy his hands, Garidan stares at the blank wall. "I think this is one of those times. But if you'd like, I'll do my best to keep up with Niyut on your behalf if we run into something where speed and agility is required to progress," he adds with a faint smile.
Valjoen_GM |
With a familiar rumble, the trapped hallway opens back up for Truk'tosh, Garidan and Malthazir.
With a Handle Animal DC15 check, I'll let you get Tacal into the hallway if you can trigger the glyph again. A PC, now knowing what to expect, can step into the hallway without issue once the glyph is pressed.
@Gruskorb - Please give me a strength check to remove the lid.
Truk'tosh |
"Thank you Garidan. When we were children I doubted there was anything that could threaten Niyut's cunning but this new world is... much harsher. With so few of us left, we owe it to each other to preserve what's left."
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Truk'tosh holds Tacal's lead and waits for the hallway to open up again. "Hurry, the way is opening."
Garidan Vissir |
Stepping along quickly, Garidan follows behind Truk'tosh and Tacal while casting wary glances at the floor beneath them. Only when he's all the way across does he finally relax somewhat. "This tower has far too many traps involving its structure for my liking," the swordsman mutters to no one in particular as he checks his gear. "Not too fond of the constructs running around either. I hate having to smack them with a weapon I'm not particularly comfortable with."
Valjoen_GM |
Truk, Garidan & Malthazir - Someone will need to get down the hallway to touch the glyph before the hallway will rotate back for you to meet up with Niyut and Gruskorb.
Valjoen_GM |
It's probably been a few minutes. I'd let you retcon a few rounds of tunneling if you'd like, but unlikely that he'll make it far enough in the right direction to find another way.
Garidan Vissir |
Hoping that floor isn't an issue while we try to cross, otherwise this is going to suck. But just in case, here's my Dexterity check.
Dexterity Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Thinking over Malthazair's offer for a moment, the swashbuckler shakes his head. "No, we have no way of knowing what other threats will present themselves in this place. Your summoned creatures might prove critical further on, so I think you should save your calls on their services for when they are most needed." Garidan then growls in annoyance as the the second rush down the hall is checked by the tower's quite frustrating rotation. Steeling his nerve, he darts across the floor and rapidly smacks the glyph with his hand, while waving Truk'tosh, Tacal, and Malthazir along. "Quickly, quickly, before this architectural abomination decides to unveil yet another wrinkle designed to kill us all!"
Valjoen_GM |
Need a strength check from Truk'tosh to balance the other side of the hallway as Garidan careens down it... Also, still need a strength check from Gruskorb to open the sarcophagus.
Truk'tosh |
It occurs to me that I could just be taking 10.
Strength: 10 + 5 = 15
Niyut |
Can we just assume Gruskorb takes 20 on that check? He doesn't seem to be in a hurry to roll those dice.
Gruskorb |
My apologies. The last few days have been hectic with conferences & a student death.
Testing his might on the lid, Gruskorb knew it was not his strongest suit.
Strength: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Winded though not easily emasculated, Gruskorb shoot his head to Niyut. "We might need some help with this."
He gave it another go a few moments later.
Niyut |
"I'm not very strong myself. My brother does all the heavy lifting between us."
Valjoen_GM |
Truk'tosh holds the floor in place as Garidan scampers down the hallway and depresses the third glyph. With a loud clank, the floor locks into place. Immediately, Malthazir and Truk'tosh, along with Tacal step into the hallway before it begins to rotate. After a long minute , the passage to the chamber holding Niyut and Gruskorb is revealed. The group steps out of the hallway into the large chamber with the sarcophagus.
A roll is required for moving the sarcophagus lid. Aides may be beneficial.
Truk'tosh |
Seeing Gruskorb and his twin struggling with something heavy, Truk'tosh offers Tacal's reins to Garidan and moves in to give a hand.
Strength: 10 + 5 = 15
Niyut |
While her brother and the other men wrestle with the lid, Niyut begins to search the room for any hidden doors.
There are far too many secrets in this place.
Search would be a Perception of 40 (inclusive of the familiar's AO).
Valjoen_GM |
Initiative
Garidan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 +6 with swashbuckler initiative
Gruskorb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Malthazir: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Niyut: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Truk'tosh: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
Truk'tosh: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1 Domain power use.
1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Truk'tosh grunts as he shifts the lid of the sarcophagus to the side. A wretched smell immediately envelopes everyone. The sickening smell of rotting flesh and pestilence nearly overcomes Truk'tosh as he staggers momentarily. A hand wrapped in cloth holding a short staff topped with a ram's skull emerges from the sarophagus as a ghastly moan echoes throughout the chamber. Something is emerging.
Although the map has a secret room marked, it is not actually present. I didn't redraw the dungeon after the final changes.
The Tower Crypt
Gruskorb <-- UP
Malthazir <-- UP
Niyut <-- UP
Garidan <-- UP
Corpse
Truk'tosh
Status:
Niyut |
Niyut recoils from the foul thing emerging from the tomb.
There is a reason why the dead should stay on the far side of the veil.
Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 Special Defenses, Attacks, and Qualities -- in that order
Words that wrench the ears tumble from her lips as she attempt to bind the creature in its sarcophagus with shadows. Shadow Trap: DC 19 (Will) or be entangled and unable to move more than 5' from its current location.
As shadows begin to coil around it, Niyut blurs into several, appearing to be in several locations at once. Swift Action: Mirror Image. Number of Images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Gruskorb |
Ah, maybe that's what we're here for!
Happy to perhaps see this mission at its end, the covetous Gruskorb wasted no time in attempting to remove the object from the hand's grasp. Unfurling his former slaver's lash, he focused his agility in sending the strand around the rod, then recoiling sharply.
Disarm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
He stepped toward the item, keen to get his hands on it before more spectral limbs appeared.
Garidan Vissir |
Garidan watches dubiously as Truk'tosh adds his strength to the effort to dislodge the lid. The swashbuckler is certain that it can't be as simple as th-... And what do you know, he was right. Bringing a hand to his face, Garidan sighs in resignation as the sarcophagus reveals that it is, in fact, occupied. And that said occupant is clearly in no mood to receive callers.
Dropping Tacal's reins to hang loosely, he casts a quick look over his shoulder at Malthazir. Pointing at the open container and what just crawled out of it, he says in a dry tone of voice. "What did I tell you? I knew this miserable pile of stone had more to throw at us." Then, hearing a familiar string of words from Niyut that indicate she's casting a spell he's grown quite fond of since she first used it, Garidan swiftly reaches up and taps his ioun torch with a finger and a soft mutter. "Dim it down, 'Ruza, so that spell can hold."
"Already on it, brother," his sister's spirit replies, the light's intensity dropping as needed--roughly equal to a candle now--to keep the undead in the shadowy border required for Niyut's magic to work properly. As the room darkens, Garidan draws his rapier and bursts into motion, swinging around the sarcophagus in an attempt to get in behind the undead creature and hopefully bring it down swiftly before it has the chance to do unto the party. With no hesitation, Garidan thrusts his rapier into the exposed back, putting a fair amount of force behind the attack.
Move action to move one square diagonally down-left, two squares down, then one square diagonally down-right. Standard action to attack with his rapier, with bane, Power Attack, and (passive) Precise Strike for extra damage. And if Truk'tosh would graciously take a 5-foot step one square right, Garidan grants and receives a flanking bonus too!
Rapier Attack: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 28
Rapier Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (3, 1) + 4 + 4 = 20
If the undead unloads with a spell that requires a Will or Fortitude save, Garidan will spend his immediate action and a daily use of Charmed Life to increase the save result by +3
-OR-
If the undead elects to strike at Garidan physically, he will spend one panache point and an AoO to parry. If the parry is successful, he will spend his immediate action to follow up with a riposte attempt. The riposte will be enhanced by his flaming riposte ability, bane, Power Attack, and Precise Strike. The riposte might get a flanking bonus (added in) if Truk'tosh coordinates with Garidan.
Rapier Attack (Parry): 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 2 = 22
Rapier Attack (Riposte): 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 16
Rapier Damage (Riposte): 1d8 + 5 + 1d8 + 2d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 + (5) + (5, 4) + 4 + 4 = 35
Valjoen_GM |
MummyWill: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Ga1, GR2, T3: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
The shadows about the sarcophagus created from Garidan's ioun torch gather and surround the creature binding it in place. No sooner had Niyut cast her incantation, Gruskorb scampered forward and lashed out at the creature's hand, grasping its wrist and causing the staff to drop from its grasp.
Garidan circles the creature and attacks from the rear, piercing its rotting flesh with a quick thrust of his rapier. Although he felt his rapier strike true, he could feel that the toughness of the creature's undead hide prevented his blade from penetrating as deep as he would have guessed. DR
As Malthazir begins chanting a familiar summoning spell, the creature rises to its full height. A sense of dread begins to well-up inside each person as they stare at the undead creature. Without hesitation, its swings its arm at Truk'tosh, slamming into the half-orc's chest. 16 damage
@Everyone - Will Save, DC16 or be paralyzed for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds.
@Truk'tosh - I need a Fort Save, DC16
The Tower Crypt - Round 1
Gruskorb <-- Disarmed
Malthazir <-- Began casting
Niyut (2 Mirror Images) <-- Cast
Garidan <-- Attacked
Corpse
Truk'tosh (31/47) <-- UP
Status:
Garidan Vissir |
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
So friggen' close... Could someone throw me an aid bone here?
Rolling my Will save, using my contingent immediate action to activate Charmed Life.
Will Save: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 3 = 20
As Garidan pulls the rapier free from the surprisingly resistant body, something about this, and the creature's overall appearance, tugs at his mind. But his thoughts are scattered before they can fully coalesce in the face a growing sense of fear that can only be the work of the creature before him. Shuddering violently as he fights his body's efforts to lock up, Garidan manages to draw upon some inner reserve of insane bravery to beat back the welling emotion. Releasing a shaky laugh, he addresses the creature directly. "N-n-nice t-t-try," he stutters, though his voice rapidly steadies as the shuddering fades. "But I've seen scarier things crawl out of the pot after my sister's attempts at cooking!" Over his head, the ioun torch flickers violently, though not so much as to disrupt the shadows anchoring Niyut's spell, and Garidan winces visibly.
@Valjoen: Okay, so Gruskorb's disarm worked--huzzah!--and the staff is, what? Dropped in the undead's space now? How much does the staff weigh?
Valjoen_GM |
The staff has fallen at its feet inside the sarcophagus. It appears to be a wooden staff with a ram's skull adorning its top. You could guess 5-10 lbs.
Niyut |
Don't forget that it has a -2 to attack due to entangled
Niyut |
Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Niyut is familiar with the tricks of spirits. This is indeed a fearsome foe, but the aura of terror that it exudes is a product of its powers not reason.
"Beware its touch! It can corrupt the spirit and the flesh."
Does it have any vulnerabilities?
Truk'tosh |
If that attack roll is not including the entangle penalty it would miss.
Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Truk'tosh grunts in surprise and pain as the dead thing rises and slams him in the chest with incredible strength.
Willing away the sense of rising dread, he grips his weapon with both hands and strikes twice in rapid succession.
Mainhand (flank, studied target): 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
Offhand: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Gruskorb |
Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Realizing the horror of what stood before him, Gruskorb was frozen in fear. His whip clattered to the ground as he gazed into the creature's undying visage.
Paralyzed.
Valjoen_GM |
@Truk'tosh - I did forget the entangled penalty but I have you at AC23 (correct?)which would hit.
While Malthazir and Gruskorb freeze in place seeing the horror of the mummy rise from the sarcophagus, Truk'tosh lands two solid blows of his axe to the creature.
The Tower Crypt - Round 2
Gruskorb (paralyze 1/3 rds)
Malthazir (paralyze 1/3 rds)
Niyut (2 Mirror Images) <-- UP
Garidan <-- UP
Corpse (-27, entangled)
Truk'tosh (31/47)
Status: