Tales from the City of Opal

Game Master Patrick Curtin

The room seems quiet, only the raised walkway and six pedestals evident. The small foot-tall statues glimmer in the light

Why do I suddenly get a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" vibe?

Dungeon Monkey wrote:

The room seems quiet, only the raised walkway and six pedestals evident. The small foot-tall statues glimmer in the light

Why do I suddenly get a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" vibe?

Ummm...ruined temple, gold statue, John Williams and the London Symphony playing in the background ....

Ummm...ruined temple, gold statue, John Williams and the London Symphony playing in the background ....

Sweet Music to my ears...

Joleesa looks at Vilya and raises the eyebrow over her good eye.
"Well I believe that would be the party's "Shiny", but OK..."

She motions the others forward and tells "Wheezy" to 'stay' in Greenspeak. Lumien however does what he wants and flies over to perch on her shoulder. She sighs but doesn't shoo him off.

Hear that Shiny, you belong to the Party now! ;)

Did anything radiate as magical?

San asks the two women, "See anything that makes you think these are trapped? I can try to use mage hand to lift one from a distance."

Did anything radiate as magical?

That's a big negatory Ghost Rider.

San asks the two women, "See anything that makes you think these are trapped? I can try to use mage hand to lift one from a distance."

"I can't see anything out of the ordinary, so go ahead and give it a try. Hopefully we can pick them off without even going near the pedestals if that's the case."

San concentrates, and tries using mage hand to lift one of the statues off the pedastal. just realizing, of course, that the max weight limit on that spell is 5lbs

Sanvoros' spell fails to move the heavy statue

Looking up the weight of gold I saw that an area equivalent to a 1-liter soda bottle (which is about what I imagine these statues are) is 20 kilos, or 40 lbs of gold

Playing along with low wisdom score in order to advance story...

Vilya tiptoes up to one of the statues and reaches up (yes, up), attempting to dislodge the idol without setting off any traps or crushing herself under its weight.

Stealth: 6 + 9 = 15; Strength: 9 + 1 = 10. I sense epic fail.

Hey at least you did something Vilya ..

Vilya manages to lift one of the heavy statues off its plinth. She staggers on her tiptoes as she tries not to drop the golden prize. Suddenly, the circular stand sinks into the floor. At the same time, a section of the wall rises.

A swarm of skeletons emerges from the darkness beyond the opened wall, each one's bones scrimshawed intricately and carrying odd swords that look to be chipped from black volcanic obsidian. The bones of the attacking skeletons look strange, almost stone-like in composition. The skeletons are not human: They are Sliss'pok. They are dressed in the rags of once fine-robes and the tatters of ceremonial headresses.

Roll me a group initiative! I'll post a new map soon...

Base Initiative: 1d20=8

Joleesa: 16
Izkrael: 12
Egan: 11
Vilya: 11
Tobias: 10
Sanvoros: 10
Seven Eagle: 10
Ten: 9

Initiatives Rd 1:
Joleesa: 16
Skeletons: 15
Izkrael: 12
Egan: 11
Vilya: 11
Sanvoros: 10
Seven Eagle: 10
Tobias:10
Ten: 9

OK, post actions, I'm working the map as we speak.

EDIT: NEEENJA'ed!

"Oh, for the love of the Feathered Serpent ..." San lashes out at the nearest skeleton with his greatsword, after spending a swift round to activate Arcane Strike (Pat, can we just assume I do that with each attack, unless I state otherwise? Just so I don't have to type out "activates Arcane Strike" every single attack ...)

greatsword (1d20+8=15, 2d6+7=17)

Joleesa spins around at the noise and rushes across to "Wheezy", pulling a small Mace from his saddle and striking out at the first Skeleton to come at her but swinging wildly after her quick spin.
Attack Skeletons with Light Mace. (1d20+6=7) That can't be good... Vilya, stop rubbing off on me! ;)
Confirm Critical Fumble. (1d20+6=20) But luckily (fingers crossed) that is mildly better.

>>UPDATED MAP<<

Letting out a gasp, grabs his mace and swings it at the skeleton wildly before stepping away from it.

Can't hit, and would do no damage, 5ft step to L16

Egan with a curse under his breath at the impulsive act that has put them all in danger, steps forward five feet to flank one of the beast and swings his Quarterstaff at its head.

Quarterstaff Attack (1d20+6=16)

Quarterstaff Damage (1d6+1=5)

"Keep that crap up, and I'll lead us indoors as well" he growls at the meddlesome rogue.

Seven Eagle fires a golden ray from his finger at one of the undead Casts disrupt undead
Hit=20; dmg=4.

Ten Foot (flat footed) continues to admire the far door, unaware of the hoard of skeletons until much later in the round.

"Nice door....."

Initiatives Rd 1:
Joleesa: 16 [fumblerama]
Skeletons: 15 [snicker snack]
Izkrael: 12 [pending]
Egan: 11 [quarterstaff miss]
Vilya: 11 [holding the Golden statue--pending]
Sanvoros: 10 [Greatsword miss]
Seven Eagle: 10 [disrupt undeaders]
Tobias:10 [Swing anna miss]
Ten: 9 [Flat feeted]

San, assuming Arcane Strike is fine, I can roll with that.

Jolessa attempts to smack a skeleton, but in her haste almost drops her mace

The ten intricately-carved skeletons spread out, their black glass swords spinning about

These obsidian swords function as keen weapons, but are very fragile. If they hit successfully on a touch attack but not on a regular attack on metal armor they'll have to save or shatter.

San: 1d20+1=19, 1d6+1=7, 1d20+1=18, 1d6+1=4, Vilya: 1d20+1=17, 1d6+1=2, 1d20+1=13, 1d6+1=7, Tobias: 1d20+1=2, 1d6+1=2, 1d20+1=13, 1d6+1=4, Jo: 1d20+1=13, 1d6+1=7, Egan: 1d20+1=12, 1d6+1=2, Iz: 1d20+1=21, 1d6+1=3, Seven: 1d20+1=3, 1d6+1=6

The two facing San strike home, their blades cutting the elf deeply. One skeleton brings its razor-sharp glass blade across Vilya, drawing blood. Tobias do you have Mage armor up?. One of Tobias' opponents misses and its black sword strikes the wall, shattering into a million shards. Jolessa eels around the probing weapon of her scrimshawed foe. Egan and Seven's opponents miss their mark. Iz is not so lucky. The glass blade whickers aross him painfully.

Egan's quarterstaff raps one of the bony guardians, but the stone-like skeleton shrugs it off.

Tobias swings wildly without result.

Vilya shrieks in anger as the skeleton's sword slashes her flesh.

"EEEAAAGH!"

With a mighty heave, she spins in a circle, swinging the golden idol in her hands outward, launching it towards the closest undead warrior. As she completes her revolution, Vilya crouches into a fighting stance while simultaneously drawing her mace and machete.

Ranged attack (improvised): 18 - 4 + 3 = 17. Anyone know damage stats for a forty-pound golden statue?

Ranged attack (improvised): 18 - 4 + 3 = 17. Anyone know damage stats for a forty-pound golden statue?

No need, you missed

The golden statue bounces off the skeleton's scapula without any noticable effect. The glimmering bust careens into the wall nearby, the blow deforming the delicate casting of the Sliss'pok face.

Are we fighting skeletons that are undead or are they constructs? Ten Foot will rack his brains to see if he knows if a turn will be useful.

Knowledge Religion on the skeletons. (1d20+6=22)

Regardless, this round Ten goes in for an attack.

Free action, drop my axe in this square Unless they are not undead, were I will keep the axe and use that to attack.
Move related action draw my morning star.
5 foot step towards K21
Attack with morning star on J20.

Attack with morning star on nearest Skeleton/Statue (Note extra 1d6 damage in case the skeletons are not undead and I am using my Axe.) (1d20+8=11, 2d6+9=12, 1d6+1=5)

A miss by miles My attacks have been dire on all my characters this week.

Are we fighting skeletons that are undead or are they constructs? Ten Foot will rack his brains to see if he knows if a turn will be useful.

Knowledge Religion on the skeletons. (1d20+6=22)

Ten can sense the necromantic evil that emanates from these skeletons. Whether treated bones or animated carvings, they are powered by undeath. His turning should work

Ten's morning star whirls and whizzes by a skeleton's head

San, wincing with pain, drops his greatsword to draw his morning star and attack one of the skeletons that struck him earlier.

morning star (1d20+7=17, 1d8+6=10)

Have I ever seen skeletons like this before?
knowledge religion (1d20+10=28)

Have I ever seen skeletons like this before?

knowledge religion (1d20+10=28)

San:

Gonna give Iz a chance to post, then I will advance the story if he hasn't chimed in by tomorrow aft..

"RAWRR!"

OK no Iz, so ..

Izkrael brings his sword across one of the carven foe

1d20+6=22, 1d8+3=6

The sword spins a small chip off the skelton's ribs

NEW ROUND! POST 'EM IF YA GOTTEM!

Izkrael swings at the nearest stony-skeleton, but glances off of it's hardened bones without any real effect.

Attack 13
Damage 9

Well, if it's been more than three hours since the first skeletons, Mage Armor has worn off (unless the duration was changed in Pathfinder. I never checked). If so...

Tobias intones words of power, and a glowing nimbus briefly appears around him. Mage Armor Spellcraft, just in case: 1d20+8=15

Is this round two or three?

Is this round two or three?

Rd 2 ...

Well, if it's been more than three hours since the first skeletons, Mage Armor has worn off (unless the duration was changed in Pathfinder. I never checked). If so...

Tobias intones words of power, and a glowing nimbus briefly appears around him. Mage Armor Spellcraft, just in case: 1d20+8=15

Yeah it was a haul through the forest and swamp. The non-fumble attack by the other skelli would have hit Tobias then for 4 HP

OK, then I've already posted my round 2 action. Got a bit ahead of myself and got confused ... On another note, I used my wand of mage armor when we were just outside the hillock in the swamp, so is it still active (1 hour)? Suppose I should have asked that first.

OK, then I've already posted my round 2 action. Got a bit ahead of myself and got confused ... On another note, I used my wand of mage armor when we were just outside the hillock in the swamp, so is it still active (1 hour)? Suppose I should have asked that first.

Yah, it's still on. You just fought the croc at the entrance, so it hasn't been that long

Egan remains in flanking position and swings his quarterstaff once again.

Quarterstaff Attack (1d20+6=10)

"Man these things have hard bones".

Initiatives Rd 2:
Joleesa: 16 [DMPCed-miss]
Skeletons: 15 [snicker snack]
Izkrael: 12 [swing anna miss]
Egan: 11 [miss-o-misso]
Vilya: 11 [pending--RAWRR]
Sanvoros: 10 [miss]
Seven Eagle: 10 [pending]
Tobias:10 [Mage Armor]
Ten: 9 [pending]

Jolessa's swing glances off her target, the mace shivering under her hand

Sanvoros also misses, as does Izkrael. The skeletons spin their obsidian weapons about in a blur

Jolessa:1d20+1=7, 1d6+1=2, 1d20+1=19, 1d6+1=2, Iz: 1d20+1=7, 1d6+1=5, 1d20+1=9, 1d6+1=4, Egan: 1d20+1=9, 1d6+1=4, Vilya: 1d20+1=2, 1d6+1=2, Sanvoros: 1d20+1=7, 1d6+1=3, Seven Eagle: 1d20+1=11, 1d6+1=4,Ten: 1d20+1=15, 1d6+1=6

One strikes Jolessa, the glass blade drawing blood. Iz parries the two facing him, his slim blade a blur of defensive moves as the two press forward on him. Egan's foe misses the quick ranger, the black blade sweeping over his head. Vilya's opponent misses the binder, its blade smashing into a glittering cloud of glass as it hits the wall. Seven Eagle and Ten avoid their foes' blades as well.

Tobias' skeleton attacks him with stony claws.

Tobias: 1d20+1=6, 1d4+1=2

The skeleton swipes and misses

Egan's quarterstaff raps off the stone skull of his foe

Seven Eagle fires a golden ray once more from his finger at one of the undead
Hit=10; dmg=3.
Back to the Earth's womb with your obsidion bones

"Last turn of the day!" roars Ten Foot, knowing full well that they will need more later on.

He touches his birthmark and burst forth a blast of low alcohol beer flavoured goodness.

Turning damage/healing (DC-12) (2d6=3)

"Oh?" he mutters as the power falters and comes over tasting very watered down.

IC has really got it in for me at the moment.

Vilya's usual lust for battle is quickly being replaced by frustration at the indestructibility of her new adversaries. Furious, she swings wildly, lashing out at the closest undead warrior.

Attack (short sword): 10 + 2 = 12
Attack (mace): natural 1. WHY? I think I've rolled more natural 1s for this character than for all of my other characters combined...

"Last turn of the day!" roars Ten Foot, knowing full well that they will need more later on.

He touches his birthmark and burst forth a blast of low alcohol beer flavoured goodness.

Turning damage/healing (DC-12) (2d6=3)

"Oh?" he mutters as the power falters and comes over tasting very watered down.

IC has really got it in for me at the moment.

Roll me a 1d4+CHA mod for duration of the turn Ten

Six of the skeletons head back into the room they had emerged from.

Seven Eagle's ray misses

Vilya slashes and strikes, but comes up bupkis. Her mace strikes a wall and Vilya feels something give in the shaft

The mace will have to be replaced soon, no penalty now, but another 1 on it and it's toast

The remaining four skeletons continue attacking singlemindedly.

Wow, you guy's rolls are sucking swamp water right now!

Sorry, shoulda said ...NEW ROUND!

EDIT: Flash I don;t know if you are posting again, but I'm gonna hold off on your action for a bit and see how things progress

If neccesarry, I advance upon the nearest skeleton, and attack it.

Attacking stony-bones 1d20+9=22
Damage 2d6+5=13)

Duration of turn. (1d4+1=3)

"They will be back soon, so lets finish these quickly!" Ten Foot yells over the sounds of battle.

DM, sorry to be a pain, but any chance of getting an updated map? I was thinking of unleashing some firey goodness, but I don't wanna char anyone who's still breathing ... :-)

DM, sorry to be a pain, but any chance of getting an updated map? I was thinking of unleashing some firey goodness, but I don't wanna char anyone who's still breathing ... :-)

No worries, I am off to work now, but I will rejigger the map and post it this evening :)

Oh and I haven't written the text yet, but Iz had the first kill! YAY!

Egan, seeing the odds turn in the party's favor. Swings with renewed enthusiasm.

Quarterstaff Attack (1d20+4=18) (20 if he can achieve flanking position.

Quarterstaff Damage (1d6+1=5)

>>UPDATED MAP<<