WR Mummy's Mask

Game Master wicked_raygun

Sorry for the delay.

"Ah, yes, Falto, leader of the Crypt-finders. Very unfortunate. Your band should be applauded for your handling of the situation."

Need anything else? Or do we go boldly go?

Oh, now's the time for last minute shopping.

Boldly go!

This half of Team Furry is ready. Oh wait, I was going to sell off that extra "r"...

The next morning, the Band of the Black Fire are making their way in the Necropolis on their way to the The Sanctum of the Erudite Eye.

The sun beats down on the lonely, silent streets of the necropolis. Dust and sand now cover the once-bustling streets, and buildings that were once homes and shops are gradually disintegrating into rubble after centuries of neglect. Scattered throughout the ruins is the occasional palm tree or shrub, kept alive by the broken remnants of a long-abandoned irrigation system.

Brimming with confidence thanks to weeks of focused training, Kwin strides through the ruins near the front of the pack for a change.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Suddenly, he halts and throws his arms out to stop the others. "Wait," he says quietly, jerking his head upward. "Ahead, on the rooftops. We have company."

Heh... I guess DiceBot figured screwing with me on a DC 7 would be a little too obvious!

Dicebot is just biding its time. Dicebot has it out for all of us.

Djehuti looks up at the roofs. "Why would anyone ambush us on the way in? We have yet to explore any sites today. It's extremely unlikely we would be carrying valuables into the Necropolis."

A bunch of ambushers lined up along a roof line is a pretty good setup for Flaming Sphere, though. ;)

"I've a mind to shoot first and speak with dead later. Thoughts?"

Is there a way we can get up there?

Djehuti shakes his head. "I am perfectly willing to show them the error of their ways."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 +2 FE, +8 scent, +2 desert(?)

Can Koshu smell who it is up there? He suspects the Scorched Hand. Can we tell how many there are?

I topped up the consumables that Izra used last time, but nothing new for now.

Izra nodded, deliberately not looking up. She knelt, swinging her pack off and onto the ground in front of her, and began making a show of trying to fix a strap. "Let's not give away that we know they're there. Put your hand down, Kwin. There are probably others. We can spring this trap and ambush the ambushers."

While she worked on her pack, she summoned the power of prophesy, and touched Djehuti with it. She also made sure that her shield was handy.

Cast Guidance on Djehuti. I don't imagine that we have a ton of time to sit here before they realize that we're on to them, but if possible, she'll Guidance as many as she can (starting with the archers). Not sure if we want to spring the trap, or make it obvious that we know there is a trap, and make them come to us.

Well, let's see how smart these guys are.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Turns out not very. You guys can have 2 rounds worth of preparation. The ambushers are about 10 feet up. Without a secured rope you're looking at a DC 15 climb check.

Djehuti nods at Izra. "It bothers me that we are so frequently ambushed yet hear nothing of other groups being attacked. Have we done something to offend someone?"

With prep, DJ could do a Silent Image of the group standing at their current location and an empty street then the party could move 30' down the street before attacking.

My current thought for him once we start the fight is to roll a Flaming Sphere down the row of ambushers.

With prep, DJ could do a Silent Image of the group standing at their current location and an empty street then the party could move 30' down the street before attacking.

My current thought for him once we start the fight is to roll a Flaming Sphere down the row of ambushers.

Looking at the map, I only see two ambushers, and they're on opposite sides of the street.

Guess I should look at the map. If there's only 2 of them, we don't really need elaborate prep. And they're idiots. But mostly that first thing.

Ahmed had seemed distracted ever since they'd met with Akar's family, and he has remained silent for the morning. It has not gone unnoticed, and Suri seems concerned, but since nothing has actually happened, she doesn't seem sure of how to broach the topic. She tells herself that he's probably coming up with a plan, but he doesn't seem that kind of distracted, and he keeps looking at her intently.

It isn't until they notice the bandits that he speaks.

Djehuti nods at Izra. "It bothers me that we are so frequently ambushed yet hear nothing of other groups being attacked. Have we done something to offend someone?"

"It may well be who we are." Ahmed replies, looking between them. "Even if they cannot decipher some of our origins, we are quite a varied and capable group. I dare say that a team of twice as many humans would not be able to do some of the things that we can. We have many advantages."

He frowns, "Of course, even we cannot fly."

Suri looks at the situation, quickly taking stock of their possessions, and smiles sideways at Djehuti, Koshu, and Torin. "You boys think you can take them from here? I can probably scale the building if it'll help."

"It bothers me that we are so frequently ambushed yet hear nothing of other groups being attacked. Have we done something to offend someone?"

"It may well be who we are." Ahmed replies, looking between them. "Even if they cannot decipher some of our origins, we are quite a varied and capable group. I dare say that a team of twice as many humans would not be able to do some of the things that we can. We have many advantages."

"Too, we've been successful," Kwin says while trying to study the situation without looking straight at the enemy. "I've not heard much about the other teams in that regard, either. Those who can, do; those who can't, steal from those who can."

He unships and readies his bow in what he hopes is a casual-seeming manner. "I don't know, Suri. The angle's bad, with the edge of the rooftop giving cover. And if they back away, line of sight's gone. But I can take a shot at putting an arrow through one or both of them."

Djehuti nods at Kwin and starts reaching for his bow, as well. "At the very least, if we make it clear they've been seen it might make them run away. They don't want to fight us face to face or they would not be on the rooftops."

Koshukhep stiffens as he smells 4 other scents in the air.

I added the other 4 to the map. You guys can't see them, but Koshukhep at least knows that they're there.

I knew it was too easy...

Koshu moved over as though to say something to Kwin, but he kept the corner of his eye on the alleys. "There are more ahead - at least four," he murmured to the others. "No doubt those on the rooftops are meant to drive us toward the alleys, where we will be set upon. It would be a pity to disappoint them. Shall we start this party early?" His dark claws flexed out of his paws as he casually turned back toward the street.

Koshu is ready to charge to the nearest alley (using Nimble Striker - no AC penalty) and catch some ambushers flat-footed. He'll do that if no one objects. It will have the added benefit of being out of sight of at least one archer for a moment.

Preemptive claw attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28
dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 Aww. Even flat-footed AC is probably better than that.
dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Wait," hissed Kwin, "what's the..."

He trailed off as Koshukhep dashed off.

"... plan?" he finished lamely to himself.

Readying to fire on el bandito at C2 (figuring that sight angle is better for Kwin, and the other one better for Djehuti). Condition is to synchronize with Djehuti's shot and/or when Kosh-caused commotion would clue in the rooftop guys. I'll go ahead and queue up the rolls:

Longbow => C2 Guy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1 Really? Really?!

Djehuti snorts as Koshu charges forward. "Wonderful plan." He turns, draws, and fires at the closest ambusher on the rooftop.

Bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Arrow: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Torin breaks off from the group, to spread out the team.

I'll just move during the surprise round.

Can't quite tell from the map, but if there's a shadowy place that Izra can get to, she'll move there (for the concealment bonus vs. attacks). If not, she'll just move to a spot that has cover from the archers.

Kwin and Djehuti unleash arrows, striking their targets but not downing them. Koshukhep dives around the corner unleashing a vicious strike on the first enemy he finds.

Round 1

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Thugs: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Trappers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Djehuti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Torin is up.

Sorry folks, didn't realize everyone was waiting on me

Torin will fire a couple of arrows at the thugs:

Pew: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10
Pew: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 1 = 10

If he doesn't have line of sight on an enemy, he'll ready an attack and shoot the first thug he sees (first roll only, don't think you can ready a full-round action)

Torin manages a nearly perfect shot, even from the awkward angle. The missile impales the man on the roof right through his head, the point piercing his skull and coming out the other end. The second arrow only misses because the dead man's head was violently rocked out of place.

The man who was attacked by Koshukhep, returns the favor with his Khopesh. A second thug tries to do the same, but misses.

Khopesh vs. Koshukhep: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21, Hit
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Khopesh vs. Koshukhep: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

And then two hidden thugs reveal themselves and fire arrows at Kwin. The first is wide, but the second lands.

Longbow vs. Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Longbow vs. Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19, Hit.
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Round 1, Cont.

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Thugs: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Trappers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Djehuti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Izra is up.

Just a reminder that Koshu asked to be botted this week due to business. Huh. Just realized busy-ness is business. Weird.

Izra frowned, raised her shield, walked forward, caught the eye of the closest bandit, and said, urgently, "He's going to kill you!"

Sorry for the delay, guys. Business trip went longer than expected. She'll move to where she can see a bad guy within 30' (I suspect the guy on the roof), and cast Murderous Command on him. DC is 15, I believe.

Just a note that, as of L3, as long as Kwin has Panache his initiative is +6 thanks to Swashbuckler Initiative. (It makes no difference in the order this round.) I'll let you know whenever he's panached-out, as that'll affect a number of his abilities.

Kwin hisses through his teeth as an arrow slices across the outside of one arm. He points at the newly-revealed threat menacingly. "Now that was a mistake."

Trapper Will Save DC 15: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

Welp...

An odd urge comes over the trapper on the roof. He suddenly realizes that his comrades must be stopped! He moves to the other side and drops a tanglefoot bag on one of the thugs.

tanglefoot bag vs. thug: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 18

The thug is caught completely unawares and is glued to the floor. The trapper shakes his head, as the spell fades, and is shocked over what he has done.

Round 1, Cont.

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Thugs: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Trappers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Djehuti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Bold is up. The fellow with the mark is glued.

Again; While it didn't matter this round, Kwin's Initiative is +6 as long as he has Panache.

Underscoring his comment, Kwin nocks another arrow and fires back at the thug that had wounded him.

Longbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Djehuti foregoes firing another arrow at the ambushers and instead pulls a scroll out of one of his scrollcases, then starts chanting out the words of power.

He'll cast Silent Image to fake a wall of purple fire erupting out of the ground. He just wants to block line of sight between the 2 ambushers standing together near C3 and the party but hopefully they'll believe it's real and stay away from it, not try to interact with it.

Poke. Still need actions from Koshukhep, and Ahmed/Suri. Will DMPC tomorrow if needed.

Seeing an opportunity, Koshu had no compunctions about taking it. He unleashed two sets of claws on the fellow glued to the floor, unable to escape.

I can't recall if there's a risk of sticking to someone who's stuck in a tanglefoot bag? If so, Koshu attacks the other guy instead.

claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
dmg 1: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
dmg 2: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

confirm 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
dmg 1: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

EVISCERATION! Fear the catfolk!

Don't see anything in the rules about an attacker getting stuck, so...

Koshukhep effortlessly rips open the jugular of the trapped man, eliminating him in a swift series of movements.

I'll go ahead and DMPC Ahmed/Suri.

Suri moves along the wall, looking for an opportunity to help Koshukhep. Ahmed, moves along right behind her.

Kwin fires an arrow, seriously wounding one of the thugs with longbows. And then Djehuti's spell goes off, and a wall of purple fire suddenly appears, blocking off the archers. The two thugs gape in astonishment.

Round 2

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Thugs: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Trappers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Djehuti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Torin is up. I really should have included him in the last stand, but I just sort of forgot.

Torin repositions to shoot at the enemy in the alley

Pew: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 = 18
Damage?: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Torin's arrow strikes the thug in the face, killing him instantly.

Meanwhile, the two thugs standing behind the wall of purple fire, stare at each other for a moment and then just run away. By Abadar, they weren't being paid enough for this.

Round 2, cont.

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Thugs: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Trappers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Djehuti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Izra is up. And only the man on the roof is left.

"Come down here of your own free will and surrender, and we will let you live," Izra called to the last man. "I would rather that than having to make you jump - the same way I made you attack your dead friend. Though, you could then apologize to him in the afterlife, if you prefer."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"Damn you to hell, woman!" the trapper growls. He then jumps down in front of Koshukhep...

Acrobatics DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

:: snicker ::

Falling Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

But lands awkwardly on his ankle, falling prone.

Round 2 to Round 3

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Trappers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Djehuti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Everyone is up, and this fool is screwed.

Koshukhep's tail lashed; anger or amusement were equally possible reasons. "The afterlife, then," he rumbled, and raised his claws.

claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
dmg 1: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
dmg 2: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

I hope no one wanted to question this guy...

"Oh, bad bad move, insulting that woman!" Kwin chided as he tore off in the direction the thug disappeared from view.

Double move to get as close as possible to a flanking position without taking AoO risks. He'll stash his bow and draw a sword as he runs. I suspect, however, that there won't be much left of the guy by the time Kwin gets there!

The wati thug has only a half-second to regret all the life choices that brought him to this moment, before he is ripped apart.

By the time Kwin arrives, the man is long dead.

Combat Over.

***

#Loot
- tanglefoot bag
- padded armor (x4)
- mwk scimitar (x2)
- net (x2)
- 50 feet of rope (x2)
- khopesh (x2)
- mwk longbow (x2)
- 20 arrows

Djehuti opens his mouth to caution Koshu and Kwin not to kill the man, but is too late. The elf doesn't seem particularly broken up about it.

"Let that be a lesson to him in the afterlife," Koshu said with satisfaction, oblivious to Djehuti's aborted warning. He bent to rifle through the bandit's belongings, stacking useful items to the side.

"No reason to bury him with goods for his journey. Let him make the trip the hard way," he opined, using a bit of cloth from the bandit's clothes to wipe away the blood on his paws. It seemed he intended to take what was left of the man, and his compatriots, back to the Pharasmans for burial, though he meant to do so on the way back from their actual target today.

It just occurred to me that I forgot his Favored Enemy bonuses. At least it didn't end up mattering.

The Band of the Black Fire recovers from their encounter and moves on to the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye. They see that a large dome over the apse tops a roof at the north end of the temple. The Sanctum is windowless, and the temple’s exterior walls are carved with likenesses of Nethys and other celestial figures.

This is the moment for last minute preparations. By the way, what will you guys be doing for light?

Djehuti considers the exterior of the Sanctum and starts sketching in his notebook again.

Djehuti has torches but doesn't usually memorize a light spell. Did we know the place might be lightless? If we did he would have prepped Dancing Lights.

If anyone feels like healing Koshu, he would appreciate it.

Koshu drew an already flaming torch from his pack. The fire didn't appear to be burning anything, including the torch itself.

"My lucky torch," he proclaimed, proud as if it were a major artifact in his possession.