Xabu paces again clacking, plates warping at random in obviously apparent frustration before stepping toward the looming sticky murder box and lunging with his stinger.
The mimic moved in an almost liquid way, avoiding Korim's axe with a grace that might have been considered beautiful if it wasn't horrifying.
Laknir strikes out again, now more focused on the undulating horror.
He tries to move over to flank with Korim instead after striking.
Know what? I'm gonna hang this on my wall.
Xabu paces again clacking, plates warping at random in obviously apparent frustration before stepping toward the looming sticky murder box and lunging with his stinger.
Sting: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d2 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2 So 1 non-lethal damage. Mimic also needs to make a DC11 fort save or be Sickened
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
EDIT: And Lo! the prophecy was fulfilled.
The mimic doesn't even notice the arachnid's presence, even as it dangles harmlessly from its stinger in the beast's flesh.
Knowledge(Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Didn't remember Mimics are aberrations!
Seeing his friend glued Korim tries to hit the monster sideways!
Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Aaand Reflex to prevent my axe to become part of the loot!Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Boojah! Bearded Mutant Ninja Dwarves!
Korim's blade cleaves through the beast in a vicious cut, blasting though it not flinging some gooey flesh across the room in the process.
Laknir strikes out again, now more focused on the undulating horror.
Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
He tries to move over to flank with Korim instead after striking.
Know what? I'm gonna hang this on my wall.Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Oh no! I hit the enemy!Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
I mean, yay! I hit the enemy!
The mimic notices Laknir’s approach, but is far too wounded to avoid his wrath. As cold steel penetrates the molten flesh, the mimic let's out a raspy approximation of a ahudder, then collapses into puddle on the ground. In the puddle lies a vaguely humanoid shaped mound of what looks like molded sand.
Laknir is the one who rushes over this time, trying to pry open the remains, assuming there's still screaming on the inside.
My lady? Are you still there?
Xabu runs forward standing on top of a larger mound of mimic and clacking its claws excitedly. It was clearly the star combatant in this combat after all.
Laknirs prodding reveal that there is in fact only an expanding puddle of mimic and the sand which seems surprisingly viscous and resistant to his attempts at prying. He is also in prime stabbing distance when the sand pile sits upward and retains an entirely humanoid countenance instead of acting like sand should.
" Oh ancestors note to self, taunting the mimic who is failing to eat you is a terrible idea. They have digestive acid. Frank the recently digested, won't that be a lovely nickname." The sand echos as the human-ish face of the pile turns in the direction of Laknir. Though it does not look directly at him.
"I don't know who you are but thank you. Xabu seemed to trust you enough to lead you to help so I can only assume you are not going to resume the mimics failed attempts at devouring me with more of your own." with that she seems to think for a moment.
" I don't have much to offer you all as a reward but if any of you were injured in your fighting of this monster I will gladly heal any injuries I can before departing this place. Pristine delta lilies or not I won't die for them."
This sand woman is lying about having little of value on her. She is also rahter obviously not looking at all of you and is only looking in Laknir's direction after he spoke. There is a good chance she has no form of dark vision and is blind in here.
Greetings, milady. My name is Ser Laknir Kii. Low Knight of the Order of the Eastern Star. I am pleased that you seem to be unharmed. We are no bandits I assure you, no need to deceive us. My dwarven friend had sprained his ankle before we stumbled across you. Could you check up on him? Braena? Are you injured? He looks over to the rest of the pile at his feet while retrieving the Wand of Cure Light Wounds he had bought some time ago.
Now how in Torags name am I going to hang this anywhere?
Pulling herself free from the quickly fading inescapable goo that was once the mimic, Braena listens to Fran's words with a combination of frustration and amusement. "Umm, yea missy, your pet sarcophagus tried to eat me as well, so as my draconic friend said... I could use a little assistance."
Looking down to the kobold then back to their new acquaintance, she chuckles. "Annnnnd... while we may not be bandits, we are.... explorers... per say... who have seemed to have misplaced their healer somewhere in these ruins. Perhaps you'd like the job, with his share of the pay... of course?"
Fran nods, seeming pleased that whoever she had met were not axe murderers or slavers.
This is also around the same time that Fran's transformation fails and she snaps back into being as a fairly average human female with dark desert robes and a fair complexion. The only spots of color on her being the bandanna holding her her back and a few of the vials on her belt.
Who then immediately begins swearing in multiple languages.
"Oh! oh! thats disgusting, curse that creature! Why does sand have to be ABSORPTIVE!" the human cries as she swiftly stands up and does a small shaking dance to try and get what she can off her.
Muttering angrily she snaps off a spell of magic and four off white and blue mystic torches appear.
She glances around the now revealed room, to Xabu and her other new "friends".
"Well anyway. I'm Fran K. Aster, traveling wise woman and healer. The clacking turkey over there is Xabu. Its a pleasure to meet you Laknir and your companions. I'd take you are adventurers if you are rooting around in a tomb? As t helping you all, well I suppose I could help you if there is coin in it for me. " The human states trying and failing to act as if such a bargain was a burden to her.
"Well lets see what work I have ahead of me."
The female says as she assesses the damage clicking her tongue and retrieving a wand of petrified wood that she begins using to heal all the wounds taken so far.
"As to your complaint Laknir consider taking the sand this creature is seeping into and hiring a potter or glass blower to turn it into something. Preferably something mundane and demeaning."
That's brilliant. Why didn't I think of that? I could have it turned into drinking glasses. Or a mirror. I'll have to come back for this. And you haven't started hitting me with a broom.
Fran looks up from what she was doing with a quirk of her brow.
"Why would I hit you with a broom of all things? I imagine you'd dodge it anyway. If you annoyed me I'd just summon water over your head like I do Xabu when hes getting underfoot." With that she looks behind Braena and frowns muttering a small string of arcane sounding words.
A small "sploosh" sound and the noises of an annoyed and wet scorpion became readily apparent.
"No trying to sneak up on new people just because you can. At least save it for people I don't like."
This chamber appears to be connected to another by a short hallway. You have difficulty making out the rooms features from your current position.
Broom, hammer, mug, , sling, sword, stakes, torches, scimitars, bayonets, scythes, pitchforks, a sickle with a sharpened edge, stool, both bar, and, well, you know. Usually humans just swing with whatever is handy when they see a Kobold in front of them. Fran, I must ask you remain in the center while we march if it would be agreeable to you. Turning his attention to the walls and the dwarf nearby, Laknir adds.
I bet crushing walls. But I think I prefer "none of the above," that mimic was plenty of trouble.
A black granite statue of a pharaoh stands on the polished alabaster floor in the center of this chamber beneath a vaulted limestone ceiling decorated with gilt stars. An engraved panel of granite stands against the western wall, carved to resemble a door. A flat granite slab lies on the floor in front of the false door.
"Fine by me. I'd prefer to not be eaten by anything else today. As to the trap de jour I'll say a horde of insects crawling out the walls." With that She looks over at Xabu and nods "Knew I forgot something. Stay still Xabu. The human states as she walks over to one of the walls and retrives her backpack along with her weapons. putting a hefty looking crossbow on her back and holding a longsepar in one hand.
With that the human pulls out a scroll and mutters a word as the paper consumes itself, leaving Xabu with a new and distinct shine over him. The woman then mutter another spell though nothing appears to happen.
" Hrmm I could make you even more difficult to hit as normal Xabu, what with your suicidal desire to attack things despite your size or I could use that on one of my new companions here." The wise woman says looking over at them. The scorpion managing to frown and look sheepish somehow. " I have a power to grant one person of my choice a somewhat potent protection. It defends against spells and deflects blades. Is there any one of you that would be best used on? I can only give it to one person sadly."
Fran prods at the ceiling with her spear eyes roving around the area. Wary for traps.
"Fine by me. I'd prefer to not be eaten by anything else today. As to the trap de jour I'll say a horde of insects crawling out the walls." With that She looks over at Xabu and nods "Knew I forgot something. Stay still Xabu. The human states as she walks over to one of the walls and retrives her backpack along with her weapons. putting a hefty looking crossbow on her back and holding a longsepar in one hand.
With that the human pulls out a scroll and mutters a word as the paper consumes itself, leaving Xabu with a new and distinct shine over him. The woman then mutter another spell though nothing appears to happen.
" Hrmm I could make you even more difficult to hit as normal Xabu, what with your suicidal desire to attack things despite your size or I could use that on one of my new companions here." The wise woman says looking over at them. The scorpion managing to frown and look sheepish somehow. " I have a power to grant one person of my choice a somewhat potent protection. It defends against spells and deflects blades. Is there any one of you that would be best used on? I can only give it to one person sadly."
Fran prods at the ceiling with her spear eyes roving around the area. Wary for traps.
[dice=Xabu helps?] 1d20+7
[dice=Perception] 1d20+3
Frank, you notice in the room where you fought the mimic, that one of the wall carvings masks a cleverly hidden switch. You look behind you and see the exact same carving on the opposite wall.
There do not appear to be any traps in either of these rooms.
Fran looks over at one of the Masks in the mimic room and nods.
"So is it just me or does that look like a switch?" The human asks as she directs one of her mystic torches to float next to object and highlight what she was gesturing to.
" That right there. Anyone feel like pushing it?"
Xabu clacks excitedly next to Fran's leg dancing back and fourth, the caster looking down. "You want to push it? How on earth would that work? I know as much as you do that you climb as well as I sing."
Certainly. I'll press it. If we're talking poor talents, would you believe I'm terrible at dancing? All the classical training in the world still won't help someone who trips on his own feet and the rug. And starts a fire.
Laknir moves the switch.
And cooking actually. And carpentry.
There's a sudden rumbling and disturbing of earth as the wall retreats ever so slightly backwards then grinds slowly to the side, revealing a secret pasageway.
"Well. You certainly did something. And it hardly matters all the things you can't do so long as the things you can are enough." Fran states blandly "To be honest I was expecting something more impressive than a hidden door though. Hidden double trap, spike pit/spider swarm combo perhaps. Having lived around here the stories you get about fiendish tomb traps make this a bit... I guess garden variety? Although I suppose much of those stories are the exaggeration each telling receives."
With that she gestures to Xabu, who seemed to be looking at the newly opened passage with interest
" Would any of you like to head off first or shall I send Xabu? I don't much understand why but he seems to love sticking his proverbial nose in things best left undisturbed."
The human then glancing to her floating torches and sighing
" And I suppose I ought to turn these off so as to avoid alerting any tomb guardians ahead of us. Well so long as you don't mind me bumping into you all and being generally useless in the dark. Though I have to say the third in your party surprised me. Pardon I don't believe I heard your name in the round of introductions. Dragon blood? Your eyes seem to have the right shape for it." The human continues turning to Braena and addressing her.
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"Mr. Little Sting can come with me, I'll scout fer traps to disarm and treasures to plunder. Ahoy, old saltdogs! Hahahahaha!" he grabs his belly and laughs, amused by his own pirate play "Ye all know I once possed as a pirate? Funny adventure, but too much skulls and shackles fer me... as fer yer glowing stones, ye can keep them on. I think whatever may lay ahead already knows of us."
Fran smirks at the dwarf and nods "Well Mr. pirate I can't imagine you've had a wonderful time so far then. Having encountered a pirates two most hated foes and all." Fran states as she pauses for a optimal joke positioning.
" A sunken chest and no booty." Fran then glances over to the mimic corpse sinking into the sand "Well sarcophagus but still."
She waves her hand in a "Well go on then" manner to Xabu who clacks excitedly and follows his new dwarf friend.
" Oh and if he starts rippling through colors and tries to rub up on your leg like a cat you might want to stop him. I'm not really sure how it works but he's not a terribly faithful familiar as he can maintain multiple links at the same time. Makes it easier for him to help whoever it is though. Lets him be more useful when helping in battles. However you also get a mental link to a sapient scorpion, and I can say with experience there are some days that isn't all that great."
Xabu looks at his master and very obviously flexes into a frown clacking at the caster.
"Oh please you've used that trick to mess with at least half a dozen people in various towns when I didn't ask you to. I'm certain you'd do it to one of these fine folk if you thought you could get away with it. Don't try and act offended."
The scorpion giving the arachnid equivalent of a shrug turning back to the task of scouting.
"Ye all know I once possed as a pirate? Funny adventure, but too much skulls and shackles fer me…
Two woven reed boats sit end-to-end in this chamber, covered in a thick layer of dust. Carvings on the walls depict naval expeditions and boats bearing tribute for the pharaoh. It seems that no other defenses were placed to keep out unwelcome guests, apart from the secret door.
Xabu dances from one side of the corridor to the other taking in all there was to see in the new room. The small scorpion casting a look around the room before moving about to prod the various objects inside it.
Fran on the other hand stood in the previous room waiting.
"So I'd guess there is some signal your dwarf friend is going to make to indicate an all clear Laknir?" The human asks as she examines the worn carvings and reliefs of the room she was in.
" Oh alright. Then I'll be bringing in my lights so I can properly see." As the woman walks into the room her glowing torches took up a diamond position in the room to radiate light over much of the room.
Signal? So far, we've just pointed Braena at traps When we see them. Does Xabu want us to throw her at it again? Metaphorically? Laknir jests.
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Korim doesn't see no traps at all and turns to the rest "I've seen no traps, but these walls... I think we can find something to bring back home here. Let's look for shinies!" he says before checking the walls for hidden treasures, and he checks both boats, waraze ready, to see if there is something inside.
I'd like to think of this more as a chance to admire the architecture, finally. Until it comes to life again.
" to be entirely honest I'd vastly prefer if it remained a still life. " The human comments as she walks into the hidden boat room banishing the darkness from the place.
The human specifically looking the room over for any roots, seeds or flowers she could identify as her new companions sought the gold.
"I'd suspect any trap designed to catch a humanoid thief isn't going to do much against a scorpion like Xabu. Trap checking is more for your benefit than his. Additionally my magics make actually hitting that frenetic creature a true pain. Though I suppose he could always drown."
Korim does not, in fact, find any traps. Instead he stumbles upon a roiling mass of black shelled insects occupying the western boat, which consequently hiss and converge on his location.
Laknir hears some kind of commotion coming from down the passageway.
Oh, no. Laknir starts running to see what the noise is.
That's it. I hate this place. I hate all of the things inside it too. Somethings going wrong!
Fran is given fair warning as a feeling of danger radiates off her familiar. The human looking at the Kobold as he speaks
"Join the club shortstuff. At least you haven't gotten eaten yet. Something is happening Xabu is telling me theres a threat in there."
Xabu clacks loudly and bravely cowers in his newly claimed boat from the advancing horde of bugs. He wasn't suicidal after all.
Round 1 Combat Order
11= Korim
9= Laknir
8= bugs
7= Braena and Frank
Remember, specify which round you're posting for. That way less people get confused.