DM-Camris' MUMMY'S MASK Part 1: The Half-Dead City (Inactive)

Game Master Camris

Inferis sips wine while suffering through Falto and the Velriana woman's comments.

As the Dogs make their offer, Inferis puts on a mischievous smile, "I'm sorry to hear about your companions. It saddens me to say that I am not adept with the scimitar. Perhaps we should have a drink instead?"

She leans over and whispers to Max, "Perhaps you should go have a few words with that Idorii while we distract this lot."

I thought Idorii had already left the building?

Idorii left with Velriana back to the rest of the rest of the Scorched Hand, their party.

my mistake. I thought they were hanging out somewhere around here.

I did also. Thought we were getting new assignments here or something.

well whenever you guys are ready you can fast track to getting the next dungeon. I won't bother making a big scene out of it like we did for the first one.

Either way, was enjoying all the new faces. Am ready to move on when you are Sigma. Your doing a great job breathing life into all the NPCs :)

seconded on the moving on and the nice job on the npcs. Should we just spend money on new equipment then or is there time before we head out?

Moving on is fine.

"While that is a fine sword and I will wish to own such a blade in this lifetime I am afraid I cannot pay you nearly what you would receive from any merchant. Therefore, I must decline. I am sorry about your friends, but take solace in the knowledge that I personally know souls to return to the mortal coil...If not always in the same form. May you have better fate in your future ventures here in Wati."

Ibrahim nods respectfully to the halfling.

I too am ready to move on

Thanks. I love the way I play Falto. Even in my other group I had Falto act the same way. There was a spellslinger in the party and Falto tried to steal his gun... didn't end well. There's actually one other group for you guys to meet, but they don't give any info on them other than "they're super mysterious and all are rouges except one magus." I felt i couldn't make that as enjoyable for you guys as I could the rest so i just nixed it. Be sure you're all level 2 now before we truly start the next dungeon in the morning. I should have everything ready by then.

"Well the offer still stands should any of you find the coin," the halfling said.

Around dinner time there's a large outdoor celebration in front of the temple to Pharisma where there is similar pomp and circumstance that you experienced before. When the Silver Serpents are called up to the stage you receive a map leading you towards your next site, a home called The House of Pentheru.

After the celebrations and sleep, the doors to the necropolis open and you are once again greeted by the towering black obelisk, Pharisma's Needle. It takes less than an hour to reach the home as it is much closer to the gate than the tomb you last visited. When you arrive, you see sandstone walls rising ten feet from the ground enclosing the estate, affording those who once lived inside some privacy. A two story stone house is visible beyond the walls, adjoining the rear wall of the property. In the center of the estate's southern wall stands a pair of tarnished bronze gates hanging partially open. A pair of statues flank the gate. Dusty hieroglyphs are carved into the wall at eye level to the left of the gate.

Since I know Inferis at least can read ancient Orisani, the hieroglyphs read House Pentheru and with a simple perception check, you find more at the base of the two statues. At the base of one reads "Pentheru the Elder" and the other reads "Pentheru the Younger." I'm gonna upload the map in the sec, uneditable at he moment, and then I'm off to bed as its currently midnight and I have work in the morning.

Max has learned Ancient Osiriani as well now.
Casting a cure on himself before sleeping.
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The halfling makes a walk of the perimeter, on the lookout for less obvious entrances. He then focuses his attention on the gates themselves.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"Magic?" he asks Inferis and Cerastes.

Cerastes reads Ancient Orisani also. He will Detect Magic at Max's request.

shesh, my bad. lol.

Max sees no breach in the wall and Cerastes detects no magic around the gate.

As Max gives the all-clear sign, Cerastes nods to Ra and puts his own shoulder into opening the gate.

"Let us see what remains of the house of Pentheru."

Ibrahim moves to assist Cerastes with the tarnished bronze gates.

The gate groans open, providing only slight resistance as it drags against the hard packed floor of the ground of the home's dust and sand covered courtyard. To the east and west stand pairs of columns, once brightly painted and now bleached front he sun, which support stone archways leading to other sections of the property. Tarnished bronze gates hang open under both arches. Tot he north, a small flight of steps leads up to a pair of ornate doors int he south wall of the house between another set of columns.

updated the map, I'll probably have a "room by room" map as well since your icons are way too tiny for the big map. I'll find a icon or something to represent what room you're in or something... i dunno...

"Shall we choose door number one, two or three?" asks Max.

"Superstion says one should always start to the east with the rising desert sun." replies Ibrahim

and now for something interesting...

Cerastis, Ibrahim, and Max all hear shouting in the distance coming from the streets. Angry shouting that appears to be coming closer until all can hear it. Suddenly a woman's voice cries out.

With her words a force seems to push out from the gate. They shake and rattle as if someone is striking them from the outside.

With the words and the force from the gate, Max feels an overwhelming sense of fear was over him for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds and a compulsive need to get away from the gates.

lol. I was wondering if anyone would fail the save. lets see what happens next.

Cerastes quickly brings up his shield and steps between the gates and the rest of the group, "Ra, you with me? Stay behind us."

the gate is barred and despite the violent shaking and jerking, there didn't seem to be anyone causing the movement.

Ninja'ed my edit ;)

Sigma: FYI, I can't move my token on the map like last time.

Right now its just an overview. I was going to use it for combat but everything's just so small and it would be crazy to make it large enough to be practical. So I'm gonna look for something that'll represent where you guys are in the dungeon and make room maps like i did last time. Unlike the tomb, this dungeon doesn't have a straight forward way to clear it so i figure having something to show you guys real quick where in the dungeon you are would be helpful. When you guys need a room map, I'll produce one. don't worry.

"She's right! They're coming for us!" Max exclaims in terror. The halfling rushes up the steps to the door and starts trying to get inside.

Ra nodded.
"Right with you milord." He replied.

The doors open easily for Max. Inside, Brightly colored columns stand in the four corners of the foyer. Hieroglyphs cover the walls and tiled floors, obscured in places by piles of dust and sand. Open archways lead north east and west towards other rooms.

Three skeletons stand in the room and immediately take attention of Max in the door way and raise their decrepit weapons to defend the house hold.

Initaiative!
Max
Ra
Skeles
Cerastes
Something Secret :I
Ibrahim
Inferis

You have no idea how happy you made me Max. though I will tell you could have run to a worst spot. Max and Ra, you're up first, then the skeletons, then Cerastes, then something else, and then Ibrahim and Inferis will finish the round. The something else will only be for the first round. and max, you still have to move farther away from the gate for two more turns.

Round 1___________________
"'Ware milord! Undead!"
Ra takes a 5' step left and 20' north.
He attacks skeleton Red.
dwarven waraxe +5: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 for a possible 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 slashing damage.

"We're Surrounded!" Max rushes off to the East.

Oi... I love you for doing that Max... but I hate you as well... hope i moved everyone back to their right spot.

When Max opens the door he sees an empty spacious yard, though he has a nagging feeling that there is more just around the corner.

Ra's blow hits the skeleton, but the lack of flesh makes it difficult for his axe to do much damage, however damage had been delt, he could tell that much.

With Ra inside the other guards turn their attention on him and begin to shamble towards him, raising their broken khopeshis and striking down upon him.

Red: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Green: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Blue: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Round 1
Max
Ra
Skeles
Cerastes
Something Secret :I
Ibrahim
Inferis

I did not have an action to open the other door yet. The benefits of having a 20' move speed.

oh... well ignore what i wrote then :I

"Hold the gat...Max! What are you doing?!" The big oracle follows Ra to attack the new threat. As Max scampers off again, "Where are you going now? Ra and I can handle this, you need not run." His distraction with the halfling causes his swing to go wide from its mark.

Warhammer smash: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Cerastes attempts to smash the the skeleton but misses. Once inside, however, the doors slam shut behind him. A woman's voice calls out in a dead language, the same as before. its followed by another.

When the voices die out the sound of woman screaming fills the air followed by the sounds of swords and shields clashing.

Cerastes Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Ra Will: 1d20 + 0 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 0 + 1 + 2 = 8

The overwhealming sounds of a seemingly unseen battle fills Ra with confusion as he tries to make sense of what's going on.

Ra, you're confused for a round. On you're next turn, roll a d100 and see what happens. Keep in mind that you guys outside have no idea what's going on inside.

isn't this fun guys? I'm taking the "something secret" off initiative now since its one time thing just triggered.

Round 1
Max
Ra
Skeles
Cerastes
Ibrahim
Inferis

"Maxelmish hold fast! You're libel to kill us all if you keep running amok setting off the House of Pentheru's defenses! There may be more enemies just behind that door. Focus on the enemies we know about!"

Ibrahim pulls his club out from where it was lashed to his belt behind his scimitar he charges the door and attempts to pull the door open to reach Ra and Cerastes inside.

The door doesn't budge no matter how much force you use.

"It won't open! A curse of the 9 hells upon this house!

With her friends in danger, she exclaims, "What do you mean the door won't open!?! Turning toward Max, "Max! Stop!!" Wishing she had magic to stop him, she resigns to protect herself, "Krack'koom"
cast mage armor on self. two hour duration. Then move over next to Max just in case.

Round 2
Max
Ra
Skeles
Cerastes
Ibrahim
Inferis

Seeing no obvious escape from the threat of the gates, Max ducks behind a statue to conceal himself.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Round 2_________________________
1d100 ⇒ 74
Confused, stumbles about and hurts self for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10.

After Cerastes entered the home, the skeletons immediatly took notice of him. As he was physically taller and therefor more imposing in their rudimentary mind, he was the larger target. (ba dum dum pish) As such, they focused their attacks on him, save one who was unable to reach him without provoking an attack from the dwarf.

red vs. Ra: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

blue vs. Cerastes: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6
crit confirm: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
extra: 1d8 ⇒ 2

green vs. Cerastes: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Round 2
Max
Ra
Skeles
Cerastes
Ibrahim
Inferis

"The doors, they have sealed us in....Ra! Are you well?" With an increasingly worried look the oracle brings his hammer around in a backhand smash on the skeleton.

Warhammer attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"We have to find another way inside the house of Pentheru. Maxelmish have you regained control of your..."

Perception to see Max: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Ibrahim spins around but despite the size of the small courtyard and his keen perception skills cannot find the frightened halfling. He speaks to Inferis as he crosses the courtyard to the eastern door.

"Where is Maxelmish? He didn't make it through this door did he? Is trapped on the other side of this gate as Cerastes and Ra-Khefer are trapped?"

Moves to the door and waits Inferis response before attempting to push open the eastern door.

perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Looking around, "I'm not sure where he went but the doors have not opened." Pulling out her wand, she nods at Ibrahim, "If we must go around, then I'll be ready."
move action: draw wand of magic missiles.
standard action: ready to fire wand at first hostile

Oh the joys of playing with something I know little about... Unfortunately I can't retcon as far back as Max getting scared but I can at least retcon this turn perhaps. Let's see. These checks happen before the doors slam shut.

Cerastes Percept: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Ra Percept: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

The two of you are both able to see the door closing on its own, though you sense some misdirected malevolence behind it.

I'm going to say you notice the same thing with the gates. So I'm gonna have people role some religion checks.

Cerastes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Inferis: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

lulz. Ok, you both are able to identify what's going on as Haunts, which are the products of terrible physical or mental trauma that happened to a living being at some point. Knowing the history of the Necropolis, and the voices you've heard, you can determine that they're products of the cult of lamashtu's madness curse thing all those years ago. You also know that haunts can be suppressed through positive energy, though to destroy one something must be done to calm the angered spirit which can sometimes be discovered by suppressing the spirit or other means of communicating or commanding the undead. I feel better now knowing that you guys have some kind of idea as to what the heck is going on.

last but not least, Cerastes, now knowing this information, will you most likely continue your attack against the skeletons or retcon your attack to attempt to suppress the haunt. Note, only Cerastes and Ra know for sure that the door is a haunt as they were the only ones in the haunt's affected area.

Will a cure light wounds spell have an effect or are we talking about channeling positive energy(which I cannot do)

Rules says positive energy so I'd assume its possitive energy in any form which Cure light counts as.

This rounds action will remain the same. The immediate threat is still the skeletons. He'll work on the door once some of them are smashed.

Throwing caution to the winds Ibrahim uses his final move action to push open the eastern doors.