Florence draws and loads her light crossbow. Zilchus delays, skipping his round, as he waits for Augustus to kill it, or fall. Augustus slashes his blade down upon the small beast, nearly cutting it in twain, yet it continues on. Nidhi takes a shot down the hall and hits! Sadly, she does not confirm the critical and so the creature remains unharmed. Benedictus draws and loads his crossbow as well.
The cobra rises up and attacks Augustus again!
and DC 11 Fort save or take Con damage.
Sadly, it cannot pierce the warriors thick armor.
Nidhi is the last to act in Round 2.
Standard Action: Nidhi shoots off another arrow.
Free Action: Nidhi blows at a loose strand of hair covering her face. She states sharply and quickly: "This is ridiculous. Why are we fighting in this hallway?" Perhaps Nidhi's voice echos a bit within the hallway.
Move Action: Nidhi will attempt to move out of the hallway and into the previous room. (5 squares and passing Florence and Benedicus' squares unless they've moved.)
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Yes, Cover is a bit complex. Here's the link to the rule.
To summarize, with your bow, you draw four lines from one of your corners to each of the target creature's corners. If any of those lines are blocked by something, that creature has cover from you.
In rare cases, when you can only barely see your opponent, the DM may rule it has improved cover. That doubles all the penalties!
In this case though, it's only normal cover (technically 'soft' cover), caused by the folks in the hallway between you and the cobra.
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“Augustus, put it down!” Ben shouts, perfectly aware that his group’s chances of victory depend on its melee combatants. Anyway, even though knowing that he’ll likely miss the target, Benedictus fires a bolt at the iron cobra. “Florence, please borrow me one of those devil’s bloo…ehm, I mean, alchemist’s fires we found before. They should work against the cobra”. If Florence agrees, Benedictus tries to take the alchemical weapon from Florence.
_________________________
Conditions – none
Wizard spells prepared (CL 1st, concentration +5)
1st level ()― color spray (DC 15),
Cantrips ()― dancing lights, detect magic, prestidigitation
Round 2, Init 7+
Zilchus looks for a way forward, hoping to help Augustus. He has no good ranged options...especially not through the back of Augustus' head.
[ dice]1d20+4+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]2d4+4+2[/dice] slashing damage.
HP: 12/12
AC: 18 (6 armor, 2 dex) + 4 TD = 22
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not used
Rage: maybe later
(For the previous Round)
Round 2
Init 7
"Damn snake! You'll regret biting me!"
Augustus attempts to take a 5 foot step diagonally into the room before taking a more precise swing at the snake creature.
AC: 18 (7 armor, 1 dex)
Conditions: None
Challenge 1/1
You can move diagonally in a 5' step normally, unless you are facing 'hard corners' in which case there is no room to move. It's a DM call. Generally, unless there's a setback of some kind, doorways especially will always be hard corners.
This is a hard corner, so you cannot move without an acrobatics vs CMD to try and tumble through.
However...
Augustus leans in with his sword, and criticals! He ends the small cobra's reign of terror almost before it began as the mechanical creatures collapses in the dust, destroyed by a vicious overhand chop.
"What a terrible place to fight." Nidhi eyes the hallway wearily. "Anything of interest inside that room? It looks pretty cramped." Nidhi is not a fan of small spaces.
"Florence, are you going to examine that snake-thing for poison or whatever?"
"Ah! Yeah! Augustus!" Zilchus moves into the room to deliver his own blow to the already-dead snake, just in case.
to hit;
slashing damage.
"I just knew it! I knew it! I knew we'd find the real body," Zilchus seems very happy after entering the room, which he then surveys for trouble/trap/loot. Zilchus puts away his falchion and undoes his weapon cord.
Perception
"The real body?" Nidhi echos Zilchus' announcement. Nidhi cranes her neck, trying to look past the others within the cramped hallway without much luck. "That's great! Anything else in there of interest?" The hallway looks congested so Nidhi contents herself with standing at the other end.
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Augustus nods at Florence in appreciation as she heals his wounds again with the wand. At this point he was getting used to feel of the healing magic.
"Poison? I've never found a poison that's stronger than my body!" He boasts as Florence checks up on him and Ben.
He moves inside the room so that the others can fit through the hallway and into the real burial chamber.
"So... is this actually something important we found?"
"Woah! C'mon Augustus! Well done! Woohoo!" Benedictus exults like a child at seeing the iron cobra being crashed by Augustus. When Florence walks up to him and pokes him with her wand, Benedictus smiles warmly at the girl. "Thank you very much, Florence. We should thank Abdur for this wand, it has literally saved our life!"
Benedictus then pulls out his journal from his backpack and uses his scrivener's kit to meticolously catalogue everything the group finds in the room wherein the iron snake was. The scholar also helps Zilchus in searching the room.
________________________
And what a find it is!
The sarcophagus is covered in gold leaf, but unless you strip it of the gold, or try to carry it out of here, it has no monetary value though it is quite beautiful.
Inside the sarcophagus however, Akhentepi’s mummified corpse grins up at you, wearing an exquisitely crafted gold funerary mask worth 500 gp.
One of the chests contains Akhentepi’s armor a magic suit of padded that he wore in life.
The other chest holds a disintegrating cloth sack filled with 500 gp, as well as a small, well-preserved darkwood coffer worth 50 gp.
Inside the small coffer are two magical potions, an ornate lapis and carnelian pendant worth 70 gp, and an assortment of carnelian, lapis lazuli, and turquoise semiprecious stones worth a total of 55 gp.
"Ah, this is good. This is very good," Zilchus says with his not-so-good smile. "Abdur will be pleased, I think. This is good."
Zilchus moves to examine the chest that contains the armor. Then he squats over the disintegrated sack, wondering how to get this all outside.
"I think we're done now, right? Let's take notes, room by room? And when we're done noting the rooms, Professor, we'll (referring to Augustus and Zilch) take the stuff out to the surface. We'll need someone on the surface to watch our stuff and Max," Zilchus offers a plan, hoping either Nidhi or Florence will be willing to stand guard at the entrance.
Zilchus pauses to look at the corpse.
"Are we supposed to bring that with us?" Zilchus asks the Professor.
Benedictus steps closer to Zilchus and pats him on the shoulder. "Oh, I think we're not yet. You and Florence found two secret doors, isn't it? There's still a secret door waiting for us in the room where the animated coffin attacked us". With that said, the scholar quickly completes his notes and sits down on the floor. "Please guys, can you put everything we found in this room in front of me? I want to discover their magic properties, if any."
Once the group places the items found in the room in front of him, Benedictus pronounces a simple formula, closes his eyes and spends a few minutes in concentration.
---
After his magic inquiry, Benedictus stands up, wipes some dust off his clothes and takes Zilchus' second question into account. "Well, I think we can and should leave the corpse here. It has no archaeological value, nor a monetary one. Perhaps it can have a historical value, but the whole crypt does, and no one of us would suggest the idea of dismantling the crypt and take it with us". Realizing that his explanation is turning pretty specialistic, Benedictus simply smiles. "In short, I'd leave the corpse here."
---
After addressing the corpse issue, Benedictus tries to encourage the others to push on. "Come on, another secret door awaits us. Who knows what treasures might be concealed beyond? Let's go!"
"What? *Another* secret door!?" Zilchus will go and open that door when others are ready and after examining it. He follows the Professor to it.
I had such a good plan, too.
Perception
Nidhi follows Zilchus and Benedictus into the fake burial chamber to examine another secret door.
"So did you guys loot the real burial chamber or just look at what's there?" Nidhi never entered the room so she has no idea what's there.
The armor eludes Benedictus, taunting him with its complexity (DC 22). The potions are more impressive than expected. One is Darkvision and the other Lesser Restoration.
The next chamber is rather small, trap free, and is filled with a dozen human-shaped bundles wrapped in linen. Each wears a small medallion around its neck. The medallions around their necks are small wooden holy symbols marked with Pharasma’s spiral. They have no intrinsic value, but might be worth something to a collector if you’re lucky.
- - -
"Bodies?"
"Finally! Treasure! Glad i didn't nearly die multiple times for nothing..." He sighs and sheathes his sword. "So there's another secret door?"
Augustus follows the others to the secret door making sure to be on the lookout for any danger, though he's not doing a good job as he starts working on how to tell the stories of his amazing adventure in the tombs once they get back.
Zilchus repeats his plan now that the final room is examined and found safe.
"I think we're done now, right? Let's take notes, room by room? And when we're done noting the rooms, Professor, we'll (referring to Augustus and Zilch) take the stuff out to the surface. We'll need someone on the surface to watch our stuff and Max," Zilchus offers a plan, hoping either Nidhi or Florence will be willing to stand guard at the entrance.
"Now, let's get moving. We get on this, we can get to lunch or dinner...or whatever. It seems like I've lost all track of time. But we gotta finish here before we can eat, right?"
Zilchus gets to work.
As soon as he enters the new room, Benedictus can't hold back a sigh. "These are likely the slaves who constructed the complex. They were killed and then buried here with full funerary rights to ensure their souls also travelled to the afterlife to receive their rewards. Strange way of rewarding their work, I know, but it was a pretty common habit at the time."
After his explanation, Benedictus takes a look at the room's contents and then focuses on what to do next. "Let's get to work then. I'll check everything we found against my catalogue, so that we are sure not to leave anything behind."
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"These are likely the slaves who constructed the complex. They were killed and then buried here with full funerary rights to ensure their souls also travelled to the afterlife to receive their rewards. "
Zilch snorts.
"After hearing that, anyone still think those cat urns weren't similar tributes?" Zilchus digs up an old argument, unwilling (and unable) to let things go.
He reaches down to scritch Binx.
"Don't worry Binx, I got your back, buddy..." Though Zilchus is scratching Binx' back, he really means his spiritual back.
Well, I don't like dwelling on minutia - I don't need to know who's carrying what of the 'party loot' for example. I figure you can sort that out as you go and we don't need to carefully track it. I do need to know what you're taking and what you're leaving. I've made some assumptions on the treasure sheet, but they're just assumptions and may be incorrect.
Generally keep in mind the load you might have, that trapped chest is an example as Nidhi suggests.
You don't know what Abdur is going to want per se. He plans to examine what you've brought back, and pick one or two items - but he'll certainly take whatever you wish to sell now. Remember there's an auction at the end, where you'll get marginally better value for the goods. But that requires patience. ;)
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"Just tell me what we can take without angering any church or god." Augustus stands ready to help carry anything and everything back to Maximus and the surface.
"Though I will say... if we are taking the masks we found in one of the earlier chambers I'd like to hold on to the Abadar one... it reminds me of my mother..." Augustus says this with some hesitation, not used to sharing such personal stories and feelings with other non-horse companions.
"Though I will say... if we are taking the masks we found in one of the earlier chambers I'd like to hold on to the Abadar one... it reminds me of my mother..."
Nidhi nods. "Plus there is an interesting trapped chest."
"Then there's the weapons and the coin, it'd probably be okay to take those. And the potions might be handy to keep for the next site. Hauling the entire chest back up the shaft is going to be pretty hard to do though, same for the chariot unless we take it apart first. We could probably do it, it'd just take time and maybe some more rope."
"Did you all not take anything from the real tomb?" Nidhi asks. "What about that other passageway? I think we missed an area." Nidhi walks towards the passageway she's talking about. "This one here. What is this way?"
Will you try to untrap the chest?
Nidhi, the hallway you're examining was a dig that didn't get finished. The group did search that area I think, at least lightly. Nothing there.
Oh, time wise, It's probably just around lunch!
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to hurry up and get out of here. It would be fantastic if we don't have to return here again." Nidhi places a hand on her hip. "Are you sure taking detailed notes on everything here is the best idea? It could take a while... maybe even days." Nidhi pauses for a moment in thought. "Aren't they planning on resealing the tombs in a week? Maybe a brief sketch of the tomb's layout will suffice while we cart the smaller stuff up." Nidhi's drawing ability is limited to stick figures so she doesn't offer.
Seeing that her companions are determined to make a thorough sweep of the tomb, Nidhi makes a suggestion. "Perhaps we should start from the back of the tomb and move our way to the front? Perhaps starting with the burial room and ending in the chariot room?"
Nidhi starts to walk slowly into the previous area and into the narrow hallway.
------------
"I think we should take anything and everything that we think might have any value...because I'm pretty sure there will be a horde of other delvers just waiting to clean out what we missed. If we think someone else will take it, we probably should," Zilchus opines.
"That mirror too. We should find a way to get that back to Abdur. Might be that Augustus and Max take a load out and bring back some mules or a few stout backs. That mirror, though it is somewhat accursed, is quite interesting. I bet it will earn quite a bit in the auction...what with the hilarity it offers."
Zilchus glances at the marks on the foreheads of others.
Zilchus will start in the back and work forward, moving things up to the roped area and then getting more loot. When it's all near the drop, he'll work to bring it out. The only thing he leaves (for now) is the mirror, knowing that it will need to. Be wrapped and packed so it doesn't break.
"I agree that we should take anything with monetary value as long as it isn't a corpse. Corpses should stay in the Necropolis where they belong... And I think taking the mirror would be hilarious. We should do it."
"I think we should take anything and everything that we think might have any value...because I'm pretty sure there will be a horde of other delvers just waiting to clean out what we missed. If we think someone else will take it, we probably should"
"I agree, Benedictus nods, "As I said, I've put together a list with everything with any value we have found down here. Let's see if we have gathered everything...".
The scholar then starts checking each item against is list, drawing a check mark next to each item the group has gathered in the loot pile. "I think nothing is amiss. Now, how do we carry it out of this place?"
The group examines the mirror and quickly comes to the conclusion that it will be nigh impossible to remove. You're not really clear how it's affixed to the wall, and it's size makes it extremely unwieldy. It's very likely to shatter on removal.
Everything else can be hauled up the shaft, even the unopened chest, and out. The mighty warhorse remains just inside the tomb where it's cooler.
You load up the fine steed and make your way carefully back out of the Necropolis and into the city! Where do you head first - the church of Pharasma, or Abdur?
Zilchus looks this way and that, pondering which way to go.
"It's too bad we could not get that mirror off the wall. Seems to me that that was the prize of that tomb...and I'm am sad that The Professor's wardoll on a stick doesn't work anymore. Perhaps we will invite Abdur down to see both work and whether he wants to see about getting that mirror back. He might like it."
As far as the church of Pharasma goes, you are technically on this journey at their behest and with their approval. Before you can accept your next mission, you need to get your assignment. They also, clearly, have some interest in what you have found, and will likely want to catalog things for their own records.
Abdur is not permitted in the Necropolis unfortunately. You have been given permission, but he is not a part of your group, merely its sponsor. You might be able to get some sort of special dispensation, but you're not sure.
Zilchus, as if remembering something from the past, decides to lead the party to the Chuch of Pharasma.
"We should check in there first. We can get our next assignment before we speak to Abdur. Yes, this is the right thing to do."
Zilchus marches on foot, his left hand on his falchion, but his weapon cord unattached. He leads Augustus' horse when necessary, but doesn't expect too much trouble.
"Professor, you've kept good notes, right? I look forward to reading your recount of this day. I might even pay for a copy of them when we finish here next week. If the rest of our explorations go as well, we should be rich enough."
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Benedictus shows his proudest smile to Zilchus. "Yes, I did. My journal is filled with detailed notes, sketches, and even a rough map of the crypt. I've catalogued the items we found, the room we explored, the creatures we fought and the history we uncovered". His thoughts completely absorbed by what his group just accomplished, Benedictus walks through the streets of Wati as a drunk, and more than once his companions need to stop him to stumble into a foul-smelling bucket, a hole in the floor or even a well. "I will arrange my notes, compare them with the studies I know, and then write an article about it. I plan to publish a book containing all of our three explorations in Wati. We'll rewrite the history of Osirionology, I can feel it! And don't worry, Zilchus. You'll be my first reader, and your copy will be completely free."
The scholar, still overly excited, jogs along Florence. She's so beautiful...I wonder if a woman will ever see something in me. Perhaps not. I wish I was like Zilchus and Augustus...They're so...What's the word I'm looking for...Well, manly, I would say! Something which I'm not at all. They must be full of admirers... Even Florence's simple gesture of adjusting her hair in order to conceal the mark, the same mark he bears on his forehead, reminds Benedicuts that there are things more important than history and archaeology in life, like the love of a woman. Well...I suppose it can wait! After all, I kept love waiting for my entire life...Why should I change that now that I'm finally touching my dreams with my very hands? Benedictus sighs, but it is not a sigh of sorrow. For the first time in years, he smiles radiantly, and he feels like the radiance of his smile could well obfuscate the sun itself.
"We've been awesome! I mean, we explored a sealed crypt and managed to come out of it alive, with a lot of notes and a good amount of treasure, just like in the adventuring tales! I...I'm just SO happy right now!" In the euphoria of the moment, Benedictus hugs his companions one after the other, his shyness suddenly going away in front of joy. In this moment, Ben is not so different from a child who has just received the gift he had longed for for years and feels the need to hug his parents, who gave him the present. Because his companions just gave him a huge present, helping him in exploring the Tomb of Akhentepi.
---
Benedictus eventually manages to calm himself down, and now that is mind is at work again, he considers their next destination with the needed seriousness. "I think we should report to the Church of Pharasma as well, so that we can know our next destination beforehand."
Zilchus, as if remembering something from the past, decides to lead the party to the Chuch of Pharasma.
"We should check in there first. We can get our next assignment before we speak to Abdur. Yes, this is the right thing to do."
Nidhi follows, agreeing with Zilchus' plan.
"We've been awesome! I mean, we explored a sealed crypt and managed to come out of it alive, with a lot of notes and a good amount of treasure, just like in the adventuring tales! I...I'm just SO happy right now!" In the euphoria of the moment, Benedictus hugs his companions one after the other, his shyness suddenly going away in front of joy. In this moment, Ben is not so different from a child who has just received the gift he had longed for for years and feels the need to hug his parents, who gave him the present. Because his companions just gave him a huge present, helping him in exploring the Tomb of Akhentepi.
Nidhi gives a genuine laugh of surprise and hugs Benedictus back. Then she goes any attempts to hug all the other members of the party - Florence, Augustus, and even Zilchus. You can't just hug one person, Nidhi thinks superstitiously.
"We did do a pretty good job today, didn't we? I'm sure the next site will go more smoothly, too - though we don't need to get too cocky, of course!"
Nidhi nods in agreement, her eyes sparkling. "So many relics! I'm excited to tell grandmother about them!" Nidhi clasps her hand together behind her back and leans forward a little while walking. It feels wonderful to be outside again and feel the sun on my skin! Nidhi lifts her head skyward for a moment, enjoying the heat from the blazing star above. Nidhi loves the expanse of the outdoors and the physical freedom it presents.
When the group arrives at the church of Pharasma, Nidhi makes a perception check of the area. She's curious to know how many of the other groups are back already (and if any have befallen trouble.)
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"We did better than good! We did great! Everyone will be talking about my... our adventures for years to come!" Augustus shouts from atop Maximus, clearly happy to be out of the tomb and reunited with his friend.
"If you think we should we should head to the Church of Parasmia... or whatever then lets go!" He spurs Maximus on which just causes the horse to snort in annoyance.
Noticing Florence cover the mark on her forehead Augustus makes sure his hair is covering his as well.
No need for anyone to see or hear that part of the story... especially if we run into Lirgala....
The group wends their way, following their map, out of the Necropolis. The guards at the gate let you through easily enough, though they note your loot piled high on Maximus. Under different circumstances there might be a gate tax… but not today.
You stop at the Grand Mausoleum where a pair of young priests come out to meet you and discuss your experiences. One takes careful notes. The priests at the temple ask you about your general impressions of the site and whether you feel you explored it fully. This questioning is not accusatory or judgmental, nor does it appear to be some sort of test. They are just frankly interested.
The Pharasmins are keen to know who was actually interred (or even lived) at the site, and are eager to learn any historical information you were able to glean, which they will add to their own records and maps of the necropolis.
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Nidhi smiles at the young priests and nods her head, "We were very thorough and found a treasure trove of knowledge! Traps galore, secret rooms, dangerous enchanted creatures - Akhentepi's tomb is not for the inexperienced!" Nidhi carries her head high, confident and proud of their accomplishments. Wati will remember my family name for this. "I shall compose a bardic tale of our daring feats once I have more time," Nidhi declares. Then, Nidhi looks at Benedictus since he has detailed notes about the tomb.
Nidhi stands politely while her other companions take turns speaking to the young priests (if they choose to.)
Smiling slightly, Nidhi stares at the young priests expectantly. "Do you need anything else from us?" She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear while she waits, observing the area around her. I guess we're the first ones back?
Zilchus lets Nidhi and the Professor handle the discussions with the Pharasmooks. It's not that he hates the Pharasmooks, but he certainly doesn't appreciate their occasional political opposition to the Ruby Prince.
The good professor details the tomb, showing the Pharasmins his notes and drawings. They copy them carefully, especially the maps, and thank you profusely for your efforts. Assuming you’re ready for the next task, they pull your next location from the bin.
The second site is a walled, two story mansion with surrounding grounds, which the Pharasmins believe belonged to some minor nobility of the city a man named Pentheru (area 10 on your map). As before, you are given a sketched map detailing the site’s location in the necropolis and advised not to stray from the path.
Do you head to Abdur next? Also, feel free to make Knowledge History* checks for Pentheru.