Free Action: Even though the centipede is obviously bigger than a boot heel, Nidhi calls out like a crybaby: ”Hurry up and squish it! SQUISH IT! Use your boot!” Nidhi’s wears a face of permanent revulsion for the creature. I'm glad I'm behind Zilchus. If he goes down I'm booking it.
Standard Action: Nidhi pulls another arrow out, nocks it, and shoots.
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"DIE!"
"Yeah! There you go! Just like me! Nice!" Zilchus cheers as Cahal and Nidhi begin to rain damage upon the many-legga-pede.
Benedictus begins to snore loudly. Cahal, with a mighty thrust of her spear, skewers the creature most deeply, but it does not fall. Florence hesitates while Nidhi weaves her arrows over Zilchus’ shoulder and connects! She fells the great beast where it stands…
Nidhi’s attack drops it, and it begins to bleed into the sand. We are out of initiative!
Zilchus smiles as the big bite on his arm heals slightly.
"I'll need another, but maybe you can make sure the Professor is alright?" Zilchus takes a moment to which the pede ichor from his blade.
He looks over at Cahal.
"That was a good fight. Good to see that you can use that spear a bit," Zilchus smiles, trying to ignore the weight of his injury. "I'll try to stay out of the way of that spear. Hawhaw."
As the Professor is healed, Zilchus will look about the yard until he is ready to be healed again.
Perception
CLW
CLW
Zilchus reaches down to help Ben up.
"You there, Ben? C'mon, buddy, back on your feet."
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Light strikes through Ben’s eyes as his body slowly heals its wounds. Sensations creep back again, and an acrid taste of sand fills Ben’s mouth. Then the scholar’s eyes slowly open, piercing his sight with sunbeam. A blazing feel of pain accompanies Ben’s awakening. As his eyes are finally flooded with light, the first thing Ben sees is Florence’s face. The scholar blushes and squeezes his eyes. Then he opens them again, and Florence isn’t there anymore. That saves Ben some embarrassment. The scholar gradually stands up, then wipes some dust off his clothes. “I…I don’t quite remember what happ…”
Ben’s eyes suddenly go wide at seeing the giant carcass of the centipede. Then, a striking insight crosses his mind. “Wait, Stingy! Where’s Stingy?!” Ben moves to his right too quickly, and stumbles, falling in the sand. He shakes his head. Always clumsy as usual Ben, well done!”
The scholar stands up again with difficulty, and this time he puts a hand on Zilchus’ shoulder, leaning on him as his eyes adapt to the sun. “I’m fine, I’m fine…” Remembering about Zilchus’ words on armor makes Ben feel a little guilty, but then his eyes start darting around in order to see where Stingy is.
“Come on, lad, back inside the satchel. And no, I won’t let you out again, this I promise!”, Ben affectionately says to his familiar as he lifts it up from his tail.
Ben takes in a deep breath and tries to get focused again on the party’s task. Exploring Pentheru’s House. “So, now…We run into a giant centipede, but although it was a close call, at least for me, it is not, in itself, a sign of something worst awaiting inside, so we should not feel more fear than before. We gathered no additional evidences about this place, except that a beast somehow got into the walls.” Analyzing the situation, and even certifying what was already obvious, had always helped Ben to focus. “Now, shall we take a look around?”
________________________________
Taking the advice of others, Zilchus takes it upon himself to explore the outside of the building before going inside.
He examines the garden shed (? Outhouse? In Law Unit?) before considering opening it.
Perception
“Now, shall we take a look around?
"That sounds like a good idea. I vote we leave this courtyard and explore a different part of this manor." Nidhi eyes the dead creature with disgust. So gross. I think I might puke. Nidhi retracts her steps back towards the entrance until the bug is out of her sight. "Perhaps this way?" Nidhi offers.
Nidhi does not want to look at the bug, she does not want to loot the bug, Nidhi wants nothing to do with the bug.
"Wait... Zilchus! There might be another one in there!" Nidhi doesn't offer to help with the shed in fear that there might be another centipede.
If the others join Zilchus by the shed, Nidhi will follow and take the long route around the pool full of sand to reach the shed.
Professor Benedictus finds Stingy nearby, hiding in a small sand dune and clearly displeased with all this excitement.
Zilchus examines the rectangular stone building siting in the northwest corner of the estate even as Nidhi suggests heading to the other side of the estate. At each corner stand columns carved to resemble men and women with their arms crossed over their chests. The men strongly resemble Pentheru the Elder and Pentheru the Younger while the women are presumably depictions of their wives.
A set of stone doors stands in the southern face of the building, carved with bas-relief faces of two men - again the Pentheru's. Hieroglyphs are carved into the doors just beneath the faces.
- - -
- - -
"Wait... Zilchus! There might be another one in there!"
Zilchus turns around, worried that Nidhi was offering a warning, only to relax when the intention is understood.
Zilchus nods in complete agreement.
"That's exactly why we need to go here first! If there is a nest of them in here, we need to deal with them first. I didn't see where that one came from, but I'll not have more coming at our backs."
He points towards the crypt.
"If there are more in here, let's kill them then move on." Having explained himself, he opens the doors when ready.
Perception
"That's exactly why we need to go here first! If there is a nest of them in here, we need to deal with them first. I didn't see where that one came from, but I'll not have more coming at our backs."
Nidhi kicks at the sand with her boot, disliking the idea of hunting for more colossal centipedes but Zilchus is right. Nidhi follows behind the group as they approach the shed. Nidhi takes the long route, walking between the sandstone wall and pool. She wants to stay as far away from their dead foe as possible.
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Nidhi listens to the conversation while she moves:
"You're right about that insect, but what about those voices we've heard? None of this would have been so bad if some of us hadn't start running in every direction... I felt something terrible inside me, and I'm sure I didn't invent those voices I heard!"
"I...I'm sorry, I'm not sure what came over me," Florence sighs as everyone regroups. "I heard those voices and...I just felt certain that I had to get away or else something terrible would happen. But I ran in here and stirred that overgrown bug up..." she blinks rapidly as her eyes begin filling with tears.
”Those voices – whatever they were – were unsettling. I wonder what or who caused them. Maybe another group is trying to sabotage our exploration! Nobody told anyone where we were going today right?” Nidhi looks around at her companions and notices tears in Florence’s eyes. Nidhi’s eyebrows knit together in concern, ”I’m sure if it’d happened to me, I’d be all the way back at Abdur’s tavern by now.” Nidhi laughs, trying to lighten the mood. ”I wouldn’t worry so much… and I consider that blow to Benedictus good practice for the real thing. Who knows when we might need some good old fashioned hand-to-hand.” Nidhi gives Benedictus a look over, "You're okay, right Ben? You're a survivor."
Nidhi would have made a questioning remark regarding the skill of Cahal’s hands but the threat of another possible bug and the ancient armor keeps Nidhi’s mouth shut. Nidhi looks at walls and places that provide shade for another possible foe. (Nidhi isn’t really looking at windows – there is no reason for her to.)
"How can you even tell?"
Zilchus just resists rolling his eyes. "It's like...it's written right there in carved stone: 'Crypt of the House of Pentheru' and 'May defilers be cursed by the gods until their day of judgment.' Zilchus translates as he points out the hieroglyphs.
"So that's how I know." His eyes flicker to the Professor to confirm.
Nidhi continues to move the long way around towards Zilchus and the others. She moves between the sandstone wall and sand-filled pool. "Yeah, I have no idea what caused that wailing. Let's just hope there isn't another one of those horrid creatures."
Zilchus flings open the doors once everyone has a chance to examine them. (please remember to check your spot on the map) The doors are somewhat stuck, and require some effort to open. Once they are however, you see a steep stairwell, descending deep into the cool earth. There seems to be some sort of open chamber at the foot of the staircase, but it's hard to see from here.
Ben concentrates and casts a few spells before entering the building. The first one is a protective spell, which creates a magic armor entirely made up of force to guard him against attacks; the second one is a spell Ben has casted a few times in the past already, creating a few orbs of light on his head.
Ben sighs, satisfacted, and steps into the building, moving his lights forward as to allow him and his companions to see what's inside and at the foot of the staircase.
__________________________
It's more an angle problem than a light problem. There is definitely a chamber there, but what it contains won't be revealed until you pretty much reach the bottom of the stairs. They're quite steep and the angle is making it hard to see.
"I think those sounds were just a trap...just a warning, not unlike what we've faced before," Zilchus opines.
Zilchus looks down into the angular not-dark, pausing.
"Wait! Lemme see something..." Zilchus uses the Professor's light to look down the way for tracks.
Survival -
Zilchus examines the interior for tracks, but finds none - or at least nothing recent. The sand has been disturbed, but it's hard to know when or by what. Humanoid maybe, in the last few weeks perhaps. The sand has sifted and settled since whatever passed made its mark.
Or maybe the shifting sands themselves give you hint of passage that isn't there. Either way, nothing recent that's for sure.
Zilchus explains what he sees, happy that there is not another nest of large many-leggy-pedes here.
"Hmm...I'm happy to go down or I'm happy to go examine the house first. What do you all think?"
Nidhi approaches the group from behind, coming to stand behind Zilchus. Nidhi crosses her arms over her chest for a moment, then promptly unfolds them. ”Looks like there is enough room for two people to go down at the same time. Perhaps Zilchus and Benedictus should both go.”
Nidhi eyes Cahal, looking the woman up and down. ”Do you want to carry up the rear with me? …In case something tries to attack us from behind? It might be helpful to have someone strong in the back.” Nidhi rummages around in her deep cloak pocket and pulls out her everburning torch. ”I’m ready to proceed as well,” Nidhi announces.
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Nidhi feels claustrophobic inside the small sharply descending space. Nidhi places her free hand on the wall to stable herself as the group descends. ”Kinda feels like yesterday, doesn’t it?” Nidhi remarks conversationally. Nidhi eyes Cahal again, ”How do you feel about tight spaces? Are you claustrophobic at all?” Nidhi herself feels a bit uncomfortable to be in such a confining space but being one of the closest to the surface helps alleviate her anxiety.
Nidhi does her best to take note of their surroundings even though the space is tight and vision is limited.
Zilchus turns around, trying to clarify.
"Maybe I haven't been clear...let me say again: 'I'm happy to go down or I'm happy to go examine the house first.' Are you sure you want to go this way first?" Zilchus looks at Cahal and Nidhi, wondering if their answer was really the answer.
Nidhi blinks for a few moments before seeming to comprehend Zilchus' words. "I'm fine with either, but I would prefer to examine this shed before entering the house. I don't want to come back here and see that... thing again unless I absolutely have to."
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"First, my name is Benedictus and I don't remember I ever allowed you to address me otherwise than Professor Benedictus West Dickens...", polemically answers Ben to Cahal, acting as snooty as he can, "second, I never professed any intention to lead the way. Did you know that a proper act of will, according to contemporary gnoseology, stems from a consent from the mind? This is why we say that final causation is first in intention, and efficient causation is first in execution. But no, probably you don't know this..."
Then, quite surprisingly, Ben bursts in a genuine and bright laugh. "You fell for it, don't you?!" Ben keeps giggling for a few seconds, before his faces turns much more serious. "All kidding aside, now...We should really cooperate and put the past behind us, as it should always be. To that end", Ben says while stretching out his hand to Cahal, "I forgive you for the poor way in which you treated me in the past. And I ask you to do the same with the little joke I played on you now. From now on, I will trust you, and I expect you to do the same with me.". Ben smiles at Cahal, "but please, try and avoid always remembering how much vulnerable I am from a physicial point of view. I may not be the strongest of men, and not either the toughest, or the nimblest, at that. But there's no need for you to remind it to me continuously. Otherwise one could take it as a lack of respect." Ben shakes his hand with Cahal, and ensues. "How would you feel if I told you how much ordinary is your mind? If I suggested that you should stay back because your limited intellect, if compared to mine, of course, wouldn't allow you to recognize the signs of danger? Perhaps you will laugh at it". Ben hunches. "But that only if I say it once. What if I kept saying it over and over again? Trust me, in the end you would feel insulted. And that shouldn't happen".
Ben nods to Cahal, signaling that the whole matter is now closed for him. "From now on, we should respect each other. I have my strong points and my weaknesses, just as you. If we cooperate, we will be unstoppable, because I will cover your weaknesses and you will cover mine."
Then, turning his attention to the current situation, Benedictus scratches his chin in meditation. "Hmm...Let's explore this place first, Zilchus. Otherwise, I fear we could leave it behind, or even forget about it once we enter the house. Come on", Ben says while putting himself at the rear of the group, "let's see what's inside."
The group, chattily working out their differences and finding common ground, carefully climbs down the steep stairs into the dark and cool tomb.
A stone altar with a wrapped mummy lying on top sits upon a raised stone platform in the center of the square room at the foot of the stairs. Caryatid columns carved in the likenesses of male and female figures with their arms crossed over their chests and khopeshes or ankhs in their hands stand at each corner of the platform. Empty torch holders are built in all four of the room’s corners. Two stairways exit the room - one climbs to the south from which you enter, while the other descends from this chamber to the north.
Benedictus, though on the stairwell he cannot fully see the room, feels uneasy as he often does in chambers such as these. Something is wrong.
Cahal
Benedictus (acts in surprise round)
Florence
Nidhi
Zilchus
Good Folk
Benedictus
Cahal
Florence
Nidhi
Zilchus
Good Folk
Feeling uneasy as he often does, Ben draws his scroll of grease. "Be careful", he whispers, a tad hesitant.
"It's an adherer! If you have to use your weapons, make sure to deal a ton of damage. He's resistant to ordinary weapons, and can reduce the damage caused by them!"
After informing his companions about what he knows about the creature they're facing, Ben concentrates and carefully considers his options. Given the tactical disposition of his allies, and their foe's resistance to the damage dealt by ordinary weapons, Ben decides to draw another scroll. He unrolls it using his left hand and reads its content aloud as he rubs it with his fingers.
___________________________
Florence prepares Cahal for battle. Benedictus tries to trip the creature, and does!
The creature stands back up again (provoking from Cahal and Zilchus, but remember you're flat footed, so without Combat Reflexes, no AoO I think) and rakes into , Zilchus, as it screams noiselessly with open mouth under the many wrappings. It’s claws are surprisingly sharp.
Cahal looks at Nidhi, exasperated, and replies: "I can tell you how I feel about talkative adventurers... Perhaps you wish to let everything down there know we're coming so they can prepare? May be you should go first then!?"
Oooh, Not what I assumed, but I guess it’s to be expected from a woman like her. Nidhi smiles in amusement at Cahal’s sharp tongue.
When Benedictus initially starts talking to Cahal, Nidhi has a ‘oh shet’ moment as she believes Benedictus is about to give Cahal a stren talking to. When Benedictus starts laughing, Nidhi finds her shoulders relaxing. That’s a relief. Maybe the professor has finally learned how to lighten up… or maybe he was never as serious as a thought in the first place? Then Nidhi hears words tumble off Benedictus’ lips that makes terribly clear sense:
"From now on, we should respect each other. I have my strong points and my weaknesses, just as you. If we cooperate, we will be unstoppable, because I will cover your weaknesses and you will cover mine."
Nidhi is disappointed Cahal is at the front of the group while Nidhi is near the back, but she feels pride in Benedictus’ words. Nidhi gently touches the professors shoulder. ”Very eloquent speech professor. Perhaps your best one yet!”
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"Okay, hold on a second," she sighs as the others ready themselves to head below. "I'm good to head down the stairs but let me see if I can solve a small problem first."
Taking her longspear she moves back to where the centipede lies motionless and with a bit of effort, pushes it into the empty, sandy pool. "There! Out of sight, out of mind - more or less, anyway."
As she moves back to join the others and take her position near the back of the group, her jaw drops at Ben's choice of words for Cahal and she glances nervously from the professor to the warrior woman and back again.
Nidhi watches Florence with interest. What is she… oh – eww! Oh, gross. She’s… moving… Nidhi narrows her eyes at the spear used to prod the giant creature into the sandy pool, making a mental note never to touch Florence’s spear – ever. (Even after a thorough cleaning.) Overall, Nidhi is grateful for Florence’s gesture.
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The mummy (image) rises up to greet you! It steps off the platform and closes with the party.
”Oh!” Nidhi comments in surprise, but also a little in awe. Not expecting a mummy to suddenly rise up, Nidhi uselessly stands still holding her everburning torch, doing nothing except staring at the object that surprised her. Nidhi superstitiously wishes she’d consumed more garlic this morning.
"It's an adherer! If you have to use your weapons, make sure to deal a ton of damage. He's resistant to ordinary weapons, and can reduce the damage caused by them!"
I wonder if he likes being wrapped in those bandages, Nidhi considers morbidly (but also with interest and awe.)
Round 1, Init 7
"Ow!! Son uva piddlespot!" Zilchus grunts as the 'mummy' tears into him despite the Professor's attempts at aid. Zilchus wants to thank the Professor for actually doing something this time, but also, he just got gashed and hurt and needs to focus.
He slices with his falchion, a loud shout announcing the slice.
to hit;
slashing damage.
In trying to pull out his blade, he yanks violently upon it to get it loose.
Reflex
Know (Religion)
"What is this thing!?"
[ dice]1d20+5+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]2d4+4[/dice] slashing damage.
HP: 12/19
AC: 18 (6 armor, 2 dex)
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not used
Rage: maybe later
Grunting: 1/4 used
Nidhi, yes, you were flatfooted during the surprise round, so no actions possible. However, it is now round one, so you have a full round of actions available to you.
Also, a knowledge religion 13 does get you something...
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Standard Action: Nidhi gathers herself and begins to Inspire Courage.
”A foe wrapped in bandages rises to defend his home,
But the heroes here today have been and seen the catacombs.
The experienced, fierce and fearless, prepared to undertake,
While the enemy fought here is known for wincing at daybreak.”
Move Action: Nidhi drops her Everburning Torch to pull out her shortbow.
"Come on, bring it down!" shouts Benedictus as a form of encouragement to his more melee-inclined allies. In the meantime, the Osirionologist puts his scroll of grease back into the scroll case at his hip, and draws his crossbow from behind his back, preparing to load it.
"Nice spell, Florence", he comments after seeing his ally directing a ball of packed ice and snow at their foe. "Remind me to ask you where did you learn it once we're done with this aberrant monstrosity!"