GM Euan's Mummy's Mask (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"Hey, what's this feeli...Wait, Zilchus, where are you going?" Ben follows Zilchus with his eyes, but finds himself too attracted from the cat to chase him. Probably he's just playing a trick on us. Zilchus fearing cats?! I don't buy that!

Benedictus focuses on the magical analysis of the properties of the mummified cat.

Spellcraft check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

“Mmmh, now everything is clear”, says Ben scratching his chin. “This cat is a mummified guardian. It has the function to protect and preserve the corpse of its master, and it does so instilling fear in those who would rob the corpse it is interred with, so that they run into traps and other dangers. Fortunately for us, Zilchus can’t run into any trap, right?”

Ben waits for the others to answer, then ensues. “This is worth a lot of money. We should take it. It won’t harm us, I can ensure it. ”

Will (DC 13): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Florence stares hard at the mummified cat for a moment...then closes her eyes and shudders as a brief feeling of dread passes over her. But thankfully the moment is fleeting and she opens her eyes just as Zilchus turns and runs screaming back the other way, with Bynx hot on his heels as well.

"Wh...Zilchus? Bynx!?" she gapes for a moment. "Hey wait, there's nothing here, it's okay!" she calls, to no avail. She heads after them, calling over her shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll make sure they're both okay!"

Is this what happened to me at the gate earlier, then?
__________

Edited this post slightly to adjust for Bynx's post below!

Will (DC 13): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

As the sarcophagus is opened, Bynx's fur stands on end and his eyes widen with fear. Just as Zilchus flees, so too does Bynx - uttering a chilling, "MAAAAAAOOOOOOWWWW!" as he goes.

Nidhi blinks in surprise and wordlessly follows Zilchus with her eyes as he makes his escape from the room. I wasn't expecting that.

“This cat is a mummified guardian. It has the function to protect and preserve the corpse of its master, and it does so instilling fear in those who would rob the corpse it is interred with, so that they run into traps and other dangers. Fortunately for us, Zilchus can’t run into any trap, right?”

Nidhi nods at Benedictus, "I'm glad I disabled the trap earlier."

"Wh...Zilchus? Bynx!?" she gapes for a moment. "Hey wait, there's nothing here, it's okay!" she calls, to no avail. She heads after them, calling over her shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll make sure they're both okay!"

Nidhi nods and smiles. She turns back to the mummified corpse and stares at it in interest.

Seeing a dreaded cat (Bynx) pursuing him, Zilchus runs away even faster, still screaming about cats coming to get him.

"NO! GAAAAHHAHAHAHAA!!! BYNX IS A MONSTER!!!!"

If he weren't so scared, Bynx would've found Zilchus' words positively insulting! A tiny, lucid voice in the back of his little cat mind makes a note to leave the head of his next kill in Zilchus' bed, if they all don't die a horrible death first...

Will (fear): 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 2 = 21

Cahal feels a sense of dread, quickly pushed away by one of wonder at the artefacts found in the sarcophagus.

"Should someone go after Zilch? Sending your cat after Zilch, knowing how scared he is of cats, was perhaps not the nicest thing to do, no? Still a funny prank. Poor Zilch..."

Her attention back to the treasure at hand, she adds: "What does this mean? We're rich now, no?"

Nidhi looks up from the mummy, turns to Cahal, and frowns. "Prank? That wasn't a prank. Bynx was terrified too," Nidhi says flatly. "I'd follow if I thought there was and danger, but I disabled the stair trap so Zilchus and Bynx will collect themselves before getting into any real danger... And I have faith in Florence," Nidhi ends thoughtfully.

Nidhi collects the semiprecious stones, scarab, and funerary mask. I wonder if Abdur will be interested in these items... Probably not. He might like the mummy cat but I'm afraid to remove it with Zilchus gone - plus it may have been a beloved pet - but screw that it could be worth a lot of money with that fear spell. She doesn't attempt to remove the gold trim from the coffin or the mummified cat. Nidhi stands by the door, "Ready to leave or is there anything else you would like to do?" Nidhi directs her question to Benedictus and Cahal, but Nidhi winks suggestively at Cahal. Feel free to feel uncomfortable.

Nidhi doesn't touch the mummified cat because she isn't sure what will happen if it's removed.

Cahal looks for a heartbeat at Nidhi, visibly not sure whether she should be uncomfortable or not.

"That's it? Should we not check the place more thoroughly? I mean, when I was a child, I used to love stories of tomb breakers. In those stories, there was always some secret passage..."

Ben takes the mummified guardian. "I'm going after Zilchus. Wait here", hastily says Benedictus before trying to retrace Zilchus' steps. "Zilchus? Everything's alright, it was...a magic effect, nothing more."

"GET THAT CAT AWAY FROM ME!!" Zilchus responds to Ben's calm query with a crazed demand of his own. His left hand itches his right arm. His eyes are still wide with fright and travel to Bynx with anxiety.

"Stories about tomb breakers? Were any of them family members of yours?" Nidhi takes another glance around the room (although she already rolled at Nat 20 for trap checking if the room.)

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"I think this place was being built when the plague broke out. Perhaps that's why this place is less impressive than yesterday's tomb. It's weird that the younger of the two brothers is buried here while the older one isn't." Nidhi places her free hand on her hip while her her other hand holds her everburning torch.

If Nidhi wasn't so interested in the place itself, she'd probably be more flirtatious with Cahal.

"Exactly, where is the older? And don't tell me it takes just a quick look around to find a secret doors. In the stories, these were always... Well, secret."

"I don't see any secret passages. ...Do you spot anything? This tomb looks unfinished - maybe because of the plague - perhaps there weren't enough healthy workers to finish this tomb?" Nidhi moves into the previous room and peers into one of the partially dug areas. See map. Any secret passages to check out?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

I wonder if Zilchus and Bynx have calmed down. Nidhi looks for Zilchus, Benedictus, Florence, and Bynx. Are you all at the stairs of the tomb?

If Nidhi doesn't find any secret passages, Nidhi will continue to make her way to the stairs. "We should regroup with the others. Florence? Benedictus? Zilchus?"

Cahal grumbles: "I'd prefer to make sure everyone is safe. You can all search, while I stay in the center and keep watch."

"I'm surprised the others are not back yet..."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

As suddenly as it had come over him, Bynx feels the odd fear begin to ebb and fade away. However there was still Zilchus screeching at him for some strange reason. He darts into a nearby corner and thinkers down defensively.

I didn't do anything! Why's he yelling at me!?
________

Going to go ahead and assume the fear fades/is fading at this point.

"Hey!" Florence huffs as she attempts to catch her breath. "Don't yell at him, you'll scare him! Look, there's nothing there, okay? It must've been the same thing that happened to me at the gate," she says, trying to calm her companion.

Yes, the fear subsided in three rounds. Just long enough to trigger the stair trap...

Nidhi and Cahal effectively search around the larger unfinished area, but they find nothing of further note. They are reasonably sure the area has been searched and there is nothing else to find.

Reasonably sure...

It is still early, perhaps 10 or 11 am.

Nidhi eventually catches up with the rest of her companions. "Cahal and I didn't find anything else in the larger unfinished area. Did you all want to take a look too or move on to the mansion?"

Expect my next post tomorrow (Monday) after 6pm EST. Bot Nidhi if needed.

Zilchus catches his breath and stops running now that the evil, scary cat has stopped chasing him. He pants with hands on knees, getting his thoughts in check.

"Hey! Don't yell at him, you'll scare him! Look, there's nothing there, okay? It must've been the same thing that happened to me at the gate," she says, trying to calm her companion.

"WHAT??" Zilchus startles at Nidhi's appearance. "Oh. OH! OH!!" Zilchus' face gets red. "Ah piddlespot...there was no danger, was there? Ah..."

Zilchus goes to sit on the edge of the dry pool, waiting for others and trying to regain some of his pride.

"Sorry, sorry..."

"Hey, it's okay. You didn't laugh or scold me when I ran earlier, so I'm not going to do that to you now," Florence says, giving Zilchus a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Let's take a second to catch our breath and then go make sure there's nothing left in that crypt."

Zilchus frowns, then looks at Nidhi and Florence.

"Maybe I'll stand guard out here while you guys take your time down there. I'm not feeling like going back down there just yet," Zilchus says, picking himself up and dusting off his hands.

"I'm sure you get it. I'm just not feeling it right now."

Zilchus paces the courtyard, still fuming and embarrassed.

After you guys take 20 (times whatever), what say we open up the doors to the manor?

During his pacings, Zilch will examine the double doors.

Take 20 Perception = 28.

The party spends a half hour or so, carefully investigating the more obvious areas carefully, and every area at least casually, and returns to Zilchus fairly confident that nothing was missed.

It is strange that the son (not brothers, father and son) is buried here while the father is not. Perhaps he is buried elsewhere for some other reason? Hard to know without some research.

Zilchus examines the doors very carefully as well, and finds nothing amiss or interesting. While he's in the courtyard though, he thinks perhaps something moved in an upstairs window. Maybe a large bat fluttering past.

Zilchus waits for others to be ready and at the door (on the map) and then opens it.

"The father is probably buried inside here...maybe on his favorite chair, probably."

"Let's find out..." says Cahal, getting in position behind Zilch, her spera reaching above the man's shoulder.

Nidhi stands wordlessly watching and listening Zilchus, Florence, and Cahal speak.

The unlocked door creaks open. Though it sounds very loud to you, it probably wasn't. You peer into a short hallway, with several chambers visible.

To the south you see pieces of broken wood and other debris and what looks like perhaps an ascending staircase. To the east you see a tiled walkway surrounding a square patch of earth and sand in this high atrium.

To the north you see a stone table and a strong fetid stench seems to come from the room. There’s also something on platters on the table, but you can’t quite make it out from the dim light of the door.

I've updated the map, and moved several of you. Remember to move your icon on the map when you make your post. If you're on a phone or the like and can't access the map, let me know and I'll move you - no problem.

Before anyone moves in, Zilchus does a quick look for tracks. He hopes that it will useful one day in figuring out what might be around.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 Perception
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 Survival

Once he has scanned for tracks/danger, he moves to his left to check the room on the left.

Zilchus itches his right arm where he was bit by the cats.

Zilchus checks the floor, and does find tracks in the sand and dust that remains. Fresh tracks...

Zilchus puts his fingers to his lips, looking at Cahal, then pointing to the ground.

He makes the tracky-tracky finger gesture, indicating things walking around within.

"There is definitely something in there, be wary." Zilchus whispers back.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Florence tenses as Zilchus indicates that they might have company somewhere in the house, gripping her spear tightly. She glances around nervously, trying to ignore the stench coming from the northern room...
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On mobile, please move Florence up as appropriate!

Cahal rolls her eyes. Zilch had first told her to keep quiet. He! Telling her! Wasn't she the one who had complained how loud they all were?!?

And then he waved his finger, looking at her like it meant something... But of course, she couldn't ask, because SHE had to keep quiet...

And then Zilch started talking... Because it was okay for HIM to speak, but SHE had to KEEP QUIET!

Turning a deep shade of crimson, Cahal glares at Zilch, then shrugs, keeping quiet...

He did mention danger at least, so, happy to be rid of his face, Cahal spins on her heels, back to back with Zilchus, and inspect the room for signs of movement.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Roll20 is giving a hard time...

Was going to wait for Ben, but gotta push on.

With others warned and ready, Zilch steps into the hallway, spinning to the north. His falchion is in his hands, his weapon cord attached.

Nidhi approaches to stand directly behind Zilchus. She peers around his shoulder and listens. Then, Nidhi concentrates to try to feel is the is anything magical nearby (besides the inventory of her companions.) Nidhi uses Detect Magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Nidhi watches Zilchus move to his left to glance around.

"There is definitely something in there, be wary." Zilchus whispers back.

Nidhi puts away her everburning torch and pulls out her bow. Are there windows in the building that provide light?

With others warned and ready, Zilch steps into the hallway, spinning to the north. His falchion is in his hands, his weapon cord attached.

Nidhi nods to Zilchus and Cahal, whispering "I'll follow, you lead."

The windows are, generally, high and somewhat small. Further they are currently filthy, and sand-clogged. There is also light coming in from the central area through some sort of skylight. However only that chamber is well lit. The others are considered dim light (20% miss chance) if the party provides none of its own light.

You may tuck the everburning torch in your belt for an increase in light around you, but remember it only shines brightly out to 20' and increases one step out to 40' (so you have full light out to 40' in this circumstance).

Zilchus leads the way, pushing into the northern room. An enormous stone table, the marble top polished and smooth, runs parallel to the west wall of this large room. A much smaller stone table stands in the east side of the room.

Splintered piles of dust and wood lie in the corners and along the walls - the only remains of chairs after untold years. A strong, fetid stench pervades the room. An open, sand-filled hallway lies to the south where you came in, while an open doorway leads east into what looks like another dining room - perhaps for servants?

Still, that's not what captures your attention! As Zilchus peers into the chamber, he sees that a half a dozen human skulls have been set upon the western table. Each skull is polished clean and balances atop a tarnished silver goblet standing on a tarnished silver dinner plate. The skulls are quivering with excitement.

The 'beheaded' rise off the table (image) silently hovering in midair for a moment. We're in a surprise round and Benedictus is up! (I've already gone, having risen up and hovered. I'm pretty sure that quivering, hovering skulls will bring you quickly to combat so I think we're OK. Of course, maybe they're harmless?)

-Round Surprise-
Benedictus - 30
- Round 1 -
Benedictus - 30
Zilchus - 22
Cahal - 16
Beheaded - 15
Florence - 8+
Nidhi - 8-

Next up - Benedictus in the surprise round, then Benedictus, Zilchus, and Cahal in round 1.

Round 1, Init 22

Unsure how close his companions are and unwilling to go alone in the room of skullery horror, Zilchus holds his place and readies to slice the first baddie to come with in reach.

If one gets close, he lets out a loud grunt as he swings:
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 to hit;
2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10 slashing damage.

Pot Crit:
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 to hit;
2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11 slashing damage.

Cahal walks into the room after Zilch and tries to keep calm, but a voice inside her head reminds her that someone had to take those heads away, transform them, then place them on a dinner table. The disturbing thought is enough to give her pause, and she stops beside Zilchus, waiting for the heads.

Readied Longspear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Confirm? and Additional damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 182d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 5) + 8 = 19

Confirm AoO3? and Additional damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 252d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 7) + 8 = 19

Benedictus DMPC moves up behind Zilchus in the surprise round and examines the foe. In round one, he loads and shoots his crossbow at the incoming skulls! Zilchus slashes at the first to close, dropping it from the sky. Cahal drops another with a ready, wings one with an AoO, and kills one with an AoO.

Benedictus Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Benedictus Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 4 = 7 (cover) damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

”They’re undead heads!” Benedictus cries out to the group. ”Unlike skeletons they have no damage reduction, so there’s that at least!”

His shot goes wide however, and the heads close and attack! Zilchus has an AoO as they must close into his square to attack.

Purple on Zilchus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Yellow on Zilchus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Pink on Cahal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

As the party fights on, they hear the sound of shifting armor coming from the south. Something is moving your way!

-Round 1-
Beheaded - 15
Pink - 15 (-6hp)
Florence - 8+
Nidhi - 8-
- Round 2 -
Benedictus - 30
Zilchus - 22
Cahal - 16

Next up - Florence and Nidhi to finish round one, then the everyone else in round two.

Sorry to sound greedy, but do I get an AoO also from the skull moving into my space with an unarmed strike?

Round 2, Init 22

AoO:
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 to hit;
2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10 slashing damage.

Zilchus swings, then steps back to swing again. Each swing is accompanied by closed eyes and a good solid, manly grunt of exertion.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 to hit;
2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9 slashing damage.

Cahal - not greedy, careful. ;) I think unless you have improved unarmed strike, you cannot make an AoO.

If you do - you may, and I think you do. But do you have enough Dex for the additional attack? Combat Reflexes only gets you so far...

Good thing I checked my sheet. I usually take Combat reflexes earlier than this, but in this case, I don't have it yet. It's planned for the next level. Sorry about that. Feel free to add a skull. I have improved unarmed strike, but now it doesn't matter so much.

Round 2 - Init 16

Cahal keeps her spear trained at the space around her, while she sends a kick at the skull flying in front of her.

Kick with PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 1 = 191d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Round 1, Init 8

"At least they seem to shatter pretty easily!" Florence calls out as she steps behind Zilchus and attempts to distract the next oncoming skull, so the proud warrior has a better chance of striking it down.

Aid Another (Attack): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"Whoops! Um...I think we need to coordinate better..."
__________

Florence moves to her current position and attempts to Aid Zilchus! It isn't very effective.

No worries Cahal. You’ll make level soon enough, and then you’ll have your extra attacks. ;)

Florence shifts a little and tries to help Zilchus, but has some trouble maneuvering around the man. Nidhi DMPC steps onto the stairs and threads an arrow onto the nearest skull. Benedictus DMPC launches his crossbow bolt again at another - hoping this time it’ll fly true! He nervously stands his ground, knowing they have no reach, but fearful of their closeness just the same. Zilchus finishes another with his earlier AoO, but cannot quite connect now. Cahal kicks his injured skull and it falls to the floor as well, shattering on the tiled masonry.

Nidhi Longbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Benedictus Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Sadly, their shots fly off foully.

The skulls continue their pursuit. Unfortunately, now they’re close, they’re able to 5’ ‘flap’ and keep close to their targets! Well, the one remaining skull anyway…
Purple on Zilchus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

To the south, around the corner, Florence makes out the house guard. A trio of skeletal figures wearing chain kilts and wielding kopesh swords come from the foyer where they had been presumably standing watch. They see the party, and advance, one of them shouting silent orders to the others as he did in life.
Skeletal Kopesh on Florence: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18 damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Skeletal Kopesh on Bynx: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15 damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

The new soldiers do better than the skulls as they close in and swing!

- Round 2 -
Beheaded - 15
Florence - 8+ (-4hp)
Bynx - 8+ (-1hp)
Nidhi - 8-
- Round 3 -
Benedictus - 30
Zilchus - 22
Cahal - 16

Next up - everyone.

Round 2, Init 8

Florence turns at the sound of movement behind her and then shrieks with pain as one of the skeletons leaves her with a nasty slice in her arm. "Behind us! Bynx, get out of here!" she cries as she turns and stabs at the skeleton attacking her defenseless companion.

Attack vs. Red Skeleton (Longspear): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
________

Florence does an about-face and stabs at the red skeleton!

Round 2, Init 8

Bynx yowls as the skeletons approach, one of them managing to nick his tail with a swing of its kopesh. This was way more than he'd bargained for and so he has no problem heeding Florence's call to get out of the fray. He turns and quickly darts between her legs and heads back down the front steps.

Noooooooope!
_________

Bynx will withdraw back outside!

Round 3, Init 22

Zilchus grunts happily as he slices a second head to pieces.

"Take that! That is what you get when the crocodile bites *you*!" Zilchus steps back to engage the skeleton, but slashes back at the final head (purple).

"Flo, switch!" Zilchus offers his spot for Flo to move to so she can use her reachy spear.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 to hit;
2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7 slashing damage.

Nidhi DMPC tries harder to pierce the skull with her bow. Benedictus DMPC continues to attack the beheaded with his crossbow even as he tries to identify the skeletons.

Benedictus Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

”Be aware, skeletons are best harmed by bludgeoning weapons. Other forms of piercing or slashing blades and bows will be considerably less effective against their skeletal structure.” he warns as he shoots the skull.

Nidhi Longbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Benedictus Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

As Benedictus wounds, so does Zilchus kill as the final Beheaded falls from the air.

Cahal is up!

So everyone knows, Nidhi pinged me yesterday and is struggling with illness. She hopes to rejoin us soon.

Round 3

After Benedictus, Zilchus, Cahal, and Florence; it’s Nidhi’s turn.

Finally, all the flying skulls are down...huh, MORE?! Nidhi turns to observe three armored skeletons approach.

Standard Action: Inspire Courage. Seeing the armor clad skeletons approach, Nidhi realizes the fight isn’t over yet. Nidhi straightens and opens her mouth:

”Bone is brittle without the flesh,
Only the framework; none of the rest.
Our enemies are prone, whittle their bone,
This is our fieldwork and we are the best.”

Free Action: –

Move Action: -

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I’m still super sick. Upper respiratory. My throat feels like it’s being jabbed with a hot poker and I don’t have a voice atm, (which is really inconvenient, lol.) I have other symptoms but my throat pain is the most annoying.