DMummy's Mask

Game Master Elmdorprime

Nicely done!

Awesome

Noonan picks upself up and hobbles over. QUick! Get that mask away from him so he doesn't slap it on again! Noonan kicks away the object.

Dwalindor is willing to try and sunder the mask properly this time (or just break it with damage and a big hammer!)

Hold it still!

”What? The mask is alive itself?”

You can roll to Sunder if you'd like.

Should Dwal try an attack roll or CMB to sunder or ?

Well, I ain't sure it is exactly alive. But having intelligence...maybe.

Ninja'd :)

Dwalindor works himself back into a rage and swings Amanda down hard as he can on the mask.

Sundering Blow! +4 Adm furious earthbreaker, rage, pa/FF : 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33
for damage,rage, pa: 2d6 + 28 ⇒ (2, 3) + 28 = 33 ignore hardness/15

”Uh, hope it doesn’t explode or something. Or like, tear a hole in inter-dimensional space or open a time rift. Maybe, uh, we should ask the wizard and cleric first!?”

Let me get my coppy of Book 2 so I can check item stats this afternoon!

Dwalindor brings his hammer down on the mask and a shuddering crash explodes through the room - his hammer hits a spectacular magical shield that was erected through the room. You hear a dry whispery voice behind you as someone clucks his tongue.

"Now, now there'sss...no need to be quite ssso hasssty my...friends. Were you to ssshatter...the mask you would only releassse the sssoul of the Pharaoh and risssk...bringing him back to life."

Ibrahim the Grey appears behind you in the room with a sudden aura of power surrounding him.

"I didn't pick you from the...detritusss of Wati only to have empower Hakotep'sss rebirth. No, you were chosssen to be my agentsss to ssstop him. Didn't at leassst one of you get my...messsage?"

Dwalindor spins around at the sound of the ever familiar raspy voice.

”YOU?????? “ he shouts fuming, clearly not out of his rage yet

”You were using us this whole time? “

Ibrahim chuckles.

"Usssing isss sssuch a...loaded word wouldn't you agree? Besssidesss, you are in my land and are therefore my sssubject."

He waves a finger and the mask flies into his hands.

"Hakotep wasss like ssso many of my...sssuccesssorsss. He thought of...himssself more than the people or the land. That is a poor quality in a Pharaoh. But even I did not think he would prepare hisss...ressssssurection in thisss manner. Most wizards sssimply prepare themssselves for lichdom but Hakotep refusssed to sssurrender...even the sssmallessst form of the pleasssuresss of the Middle Kingdom."

Ibrahim's dry raspy chuckle as he contemplate's Hakotep's vice echoes through the chamber.

"But let it not be sssaid that I am...uncharitable my friendsss. In return for thisss troublesssome...item, I am prepared to give you sssome powerful assssssissstance in return. I have been around for a very, very long...time and I have found many thingsss that sssuch brave sssoulss as you might utilize. Even now Hakotep isss gathering hisss...forcesss and I have need of your ssservicesss ssstill."

Noonan looks at Thorpe and Shad. Thorpe? Shad? Are both of you there? He jumps when Ibrahim appears and Dwal goes off.

Easy Dwal, I do believe it is more accurate we have been employed by this gentleman to locate this mask. Thorpe's impulsiveness really made things pear shaped but we have recovered our friend and the mask, thus achieving our goal. Who are we speaking to?

Ibrahim chuckles.

"Oh...my. I thought I'd been a bit more...obviousss but perhapsss only one of you sssaw my ssspectre lassst night."

For a moment his back straightens and his voice deepens.

"I am Azghaad, the All-Seeing, First and Greatest Pharaoh of Osirion."

His words echo, deafening in the small chamber as you would expect from a legendary king whose kingdom thrived when others remained devastated by Earthfall.

"As the land endures, I endure. As the land withers, so do I wither. As parasites drain the life of the people, so do they drain my life. That is why you were summoned. That is why you have risen as my chosen servants. Osirion needs no dead kings on false thrones, no undead pox on my land. My descendant reigns in Sothis and I mean to see his reign grow mighty and for the land to bloom once more, free from the yoke of tyrants and foreigners."

He looks at Shad and Thorrpe.

"No offense."

Dang, Noonan! Do you know what this means? Dwalidor looks to the cleric.

We finally found someone older than you!

After a moment grinning at the old cleric, Dwalindor turns back to the ancient one.

If all that blooming includes free ale and food, then you can count me in!

Noonan facepalms.

Tariq, Mini either of you want to chime in with something? And did anyone here want to ask the 8000 year old wizard king for a favor or item while he's offering?

Absolutely! Not sure what he is offering. Probably deathless armor or haste boots or something

Tariq was thinking this Ibrahim the Grey was one of those snake people by the way he was. Sssssslurring hisssssss Sssssssss’esss. His mind tried to recall what he knew about them.

Know Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Could he believe his eyes? Could this be Azghaad?

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22

He kinda looks like Noonan’s older brother, but where is his Regalia?

”If you are truly who you says you are and Gods’ forgive me if are, but Azghaad would not want his loyal subjects to turn over such an artifact so easily. Who was Queen Iownahchariot’s Second Chief Unick Advisor to the Washing Maidens? That should be an easy question for the All-Seeing One. An answer I know from reviewing, um, rediscovered papyrus in an obscure, um, inspection, of a tomb.”

Know Nobility: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Ibrahim looks at you amusedly.

"I presume you are referring to the Naga Pharaoh, Nepherti I, who was indeed fond of chariot racing. Her secondary chief advisor to household affairs was Yatif the Half-Ogre, who was not actually a eunuch but was quite fat due to his fondness for honey tarts."

Well Tariq, it looks like you could certainly get yourself a job in the history and diplomatic area if we survive all of this. He turns to the ancient Pharaoh. Your Eminence, what would be our next course of action be? I came to be with this group late due to a hurried exit from a unfortunate situation so some illumination would be most helpful.

"Now? Now you must head back to where it all began. Do you know why Hakotep was called the Sky Pharaoh?"

He pauses like an attentive school master.

"It was because he stole something from the Shory; specifically how their cities work. He did this so he could pull them down from the sky because he was irritated at them raiding Osirion, which you can hardly blame him for, but you can blame him for enslaving hundreds of thousands to build his artifacts and his own flying pyramids."

Ibrahim waves his hand and summons a gilded stool which he sits on.

"Now. Because he knew how to undo something, he also knows how to do it. Normally this would be meaningless because his soul was cut into three pieces. Unfortunately as soon as you broke poor Thorrpe here two of those pieces reunited and knowing the disreputable scoundrel, Hakotep will soon raise a pyramid and send it against a city. He will probably demand something specific and petty, such as your lives. Possibly your souls, he enjoys melodrama."

"Now, since he knows your here he could come here but that would be far too quiet and frankly the blue dragons in the desert aren't terribly fond of flying visitors. So my guess is that he will be assault Wati. So you will be returning to Wati, see his giant pyramid, bring it to the ground, then kill Hakotep once and for all."

Tariq stands there agape, actual tears welling up in his eyes.

”Yes! Yes, anything for you my Pharaoh. The First and Greatest!”

Tariq prostates himself in front of the living God-King.

”I have spent my life, oh Pharaoh, searching for the truth of my blood, to prove that I do in fact have some bit of Royal Blood. Your vision sent was the greatest of gifts. That sight led me here in your service. That my living eyes have laid upon you is greater still.”

”Tariq Ibn-Ziyad, is your humble devote and servant. If you wish me to be your agent I will do whatever it is you ask or wish.”

Blood of Pharaoh’s:
Long ago, one of your ancestors ruled over the lands of the Pharaohs. Although you are many generations removed and the line of descent is hard to prove, his or her blood still runs in your veins. Perhaps you may find some proof of your lineage in the tombs of the necropolis.

Benefit(s): You gain a +1 trait bonus on Will saves. You also gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (nobility) checks and that skill is always a class skill for you. In addition, you may choose an ancient language as one of your bonus languages.

Oof, what a weekend.

"Well, scion of Menedes, I have no doubt you will continue to do me the honor of being of service in this matter."

OK, give me your wish list guys. Azghaad is willing to consider something outrageous for each of you in return for the Forgotten Pharaoh's mask. Something really ridiculous but not epically gamebreaking so think hard.

Ok, Dwalindor has a pretty active imagination. So 1 item or possibly a mix of smaller items? Any price cap in mind? 10k, 50k, 500k :)

Heh! Good one, Ibrahim. I always thought Tariq acted like a total scion too! Finally, somebody gets it! the dwarf smirks, not sure he knows what that even means.

Dwalindor is still in it for the ale and chance to fight the dork that created the mask in the first place.

What would you recommend since you know so much about this Sky Pharaoh Hakotep guy?

In case you were wondering Tariq Menedes was the last legitimate pharaoh prior to Qadiran occupation.

Moving on then! Hope everyone had a great holiday if you're in the US or a great Thursday if not. I'm going to be honest, the next two books are basically huge dungeon crawls so just buckle up for that if you're willing to continue! Hopefully Roll20 will speed things up.

"If the pharaoh's lackeys have used Shory magic to animate their pyramids then your best option wouild be to enter them and disable the aeromantic focus. If you are lucky you will not have to activate the slave trenches."

Slave trenches? What are those? Are they dug by slaves or filled with slaves or made out of slaves? This is some off the wall stuff you are laying on us.

Dwalindor stands wondering what Ibrahim is talking about flying pyramids and slave trenches.

To disable it, do we need a key or just break it like the mask or what?

Ready whenever the others are

"If I knew what to do I would try to do it myself, even in my weakened condition. But that is the true wonder of hiring adventurers, they do these things for you. Go now, return to the beginning and prepare yourselves. Hakotep awaits."

Mist stretches out from Ibrahim and seems to seep into your weapons and armor, strengthening them for the trials ahead. Even Thorrpe's color returns a bit and he stirs fitfully in his sleep.

Book 5 commences, Tariq let me know what you're interested in besides a +1 weapon/+1 armor buff from Azghaad/Ibrahim. Mini you there?

Noonan searches his memory for more information.
Know-History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Indeed. Thank you for your aid, Your Eminence.

Dwalindor sees Noonan working on his memory, and decides to throw in his as well.

Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 on Trenches?
Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 on Hakotep
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21on Hakotep

Well, I sure ain't no scholar or nothing, but here's what I have heard about the events back then...

You have never heard of the Slave Trenches, they are lost to history. To be fair they were buried oh, several thousand years ago. There is a mummy of an architect before you who could answer questions if you can speak with the dead however.

Dwalindor often speaks to the dead (his victims), but they have yet to reply back to him...

Shad, Noonan, Tariq....what do you guys know?

Know-Nobility: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Know-Geography: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Hmmm...

Knowledge rolls will not help you - Hakotep and his tyrannical reign were deliberately wiped from history by his many enemies. You have to speak with the dead here; if you can't speak with the dead you can always ask Ibrahim for a favor.

If we wait a day, I can pray for miracles to allow us to speak with the dead. We just need to get some high ranking corpses together.

”Is there some sort of an item that will help with speaking to the dead or seeing through their eyes?”

Tariq clears his throat.

”My Eternal Master, I thank you for your revelation into the truth of my heritage. Could you give me a writ that proves to others my heritage or place some mark on me that I may not be denied or called a liar when I say that I spoke with your greatness in person?”

Ibrahim chuckles at Tariq's request and his voice becomes a little more normal.

"While I could certainly give you a letter, I highly doubt anyone would believe it's authenticity given that I've supposedly been dead for 8,000 years. However if you go to Sothis, Menedes' tomb is blood-locked to his kith and kin. Should you actually persaude Khemet to let you attempt to open the tomb to the offering chamber you could prove your lineage at once. Although lost cousins are not exactly rare, so aside from a minor sinecure you probably will not be rewarded for doing so."

He looks at Noonan and sighs.

"It is so hard to find good help these days."

He reaches out with his hands and black tendrils materialize, enshrouding the mummy that lies inside the tomb. The mummy screams horribly as the necromantic energy of the wizard-pharaoh animates the corpse, dragging its spirit back to inhabit the body.

The mummy turns and bows low to Ibrahim and looks at you all.

"Why have you called me back from the Deadlands?"

Dwalindor's grip on his hammer tightens, but he does not raise it, as the mummy screams and animates.

Looking from Noonan and back to Ibrahim, he mumbles.

If yer gonna be talkin' to this one, he may not have much to say, so make it quick. I ain't exactly getting the feeling it will be very helpful.

Dwalindor turns to Noonan.

You look stumped, Old man. How about allies? Do we get aid from the blue dragons? Or any other ancient pacts between prior pharoahs where we can call in aid to help defend Wati?
What is the Wati government, guards or army doing while we are doing our thing? What does it take to destroy the mask or soul or whatever of the Hakotep has going on? Is he allergic to anything, or need special metals to hurt him? What are the Shory and what is their story? Do we need any special trick to use or destroy that stuff?

How do we deal with Hakotep and send him off to The Boneyard?

"Yes, I remember Hakotep. The cursed man, who altered my pride and joy. The best way would be to get into his tomb...but to do so you must bring down the tomb since it has the Aeromantic Infandibulum inside to make it fly as the Shory cities did..."

Bring it down? How is that done? Dwalindor blurts out...

"The Khepsutanem. I built it to magnify the power of the Infandibulum so the tomb could fly but with more power it could pull the Shory down to earth."

How do we operate the Khepsutanem to bring the tomb down?

Find out tomorrow when the servers come back up! Sorry, headed to bed.

Nuts! I promised to post and didn't, sorry about that.

"The Khepsutanem is the key. You can use its magic to call back the tomb and bring it to the ground once again. If you can focus the
elemental energies of the Khepsutanem’s Sekrepheres on the Aeromantic Infandibulum within Hakotep’s pyramid, you can bring the tomb back down to earth!”

Anybody else know what he is talking about? I lost him right after Khetchup-nem and then something about elemental stuff. Dwalindor scratches his beard and realizes this is heady talk above his pay grade.