GM Lithrac's Mummy's Mask Challenge (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

"I know the Master would be mad at me for expressing what I feel, but... IT HURTS!" Khal-Ib protests before healing himself.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 9

"Nothing of value here? Let's try the other door."

(A11) A flight of steps gradually descends to the west down this passage. Halfway down the stairs, small holes and burrowed tunnels riddle what remains of the passage’s southern wall. Earth and sand have spilled over the collapsed masonry, covering the stairs with dirt and rubble. Stone doors engraved with a golden scarab, its wings open beneath a golden sun, stand at either end of the stairs. One of the eastern doors is slightly ajar.

As you are walking down the stairs, Anakh-Ka notices a small crack in the ground, filled with sands. Upon closer inspection, it looks like a creature of some sort. Once it has been discovered, it springs to life and takes the shape of a sand elemental.

Sand cracks - round 1
1. Ka, Ib
2. Elemental Knowledge (planes) to identify.

Anakh-Ka revels in a fight with a decent-sized adversary for once, and slashes at the mass of sand with his oversized blade.
Falchion, PA: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 1 = 102d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 + 3 = 9

Khal-Ib closes the distance with a single step forward, forming a united front against the creature.

"We shall pass! Begone, earthspawn!" he yells in Terran.

Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Khal-Ib barely manages to pierce through the sand armor, inflicting quite a bit of damage to the elemental. Angered by this attack, it retaliates.
Bite, PA: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 1 = 131d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 = 15

"You will find that you shall not pass."

Sand cracks - round 2
1. Ka, Ib
2. Elemental (5)

Anakh-Ka strikes again at the elemental, but he fumbles and his blade nearly hits his own brother in the back!
Falchion, PA: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 42d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 + 3 = 12

Khal-Ib seeks protection from the elemental with his shield, and manages to deflect the mighty blow. It is only out of sheer luck that he also dodges his own brother's blow.

"Watch it! He's the enemy - I'm not!"

Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Neither of the dwarves manage to damage the elemental more, their unluck instead sowing doubt and confusion in their own minds.
Bite, PA: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 1 = 131d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 = 15

Sand cracks - round 3
1. Ka, Ib
2. Elemental (5)

The fighter aims another blow, focusing his thoughts so that his skill doesn't fail him again.
Falchion, PA: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 1 = 142d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 + 3 = 15

Steeling his mind and axe, Khal-Ib avoids the elemental's powerful but imprecise attack once more, then strikes back.
Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Both dwarves regained enough confidence in their own abilities to strike true this time, vaporizing the elemental.

End combat.

Nothing remains of him, and you can reach the next room unimpeded.

(A12) A tapestry hangs from a frame against the south wall of this large chamber; it depicts an otherworldly vista where the souls of the dead, shepherded by strange beings, enter an ethereal river ambling through space toward a landscape dominated by an impossibly tall spire. Columns sculpted in the shape of Osirian warriors wielding khopeshes stand in all four corners of the room. The floor is tiled in a white spiral pattern on a black background, and this spiral pattern is repeated on the stone double doors to the north, east, and west.

The northern and western doors appear to be locked, but not trapped, as far as you can tell.

"Time to let some fresh air in!" comments the dwarf as he downs his mutagen in order to bash the western door open.

T20 on Strength check, with guidance and aid, will result in a 28.

(A13) The door's lock finally gives in to Anakh-Ka's formidable display of strength. Beyond, a short hallway narrows sharply to the west, descending to set of stairs that abruptly ends at a rough rock wall. As you step into the hallway, two beetles emerge from cracks in the walls to defend their territory.

They both attack Anakh-Ka, furious that he disturbed their rest.
Bite @Ka: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Bite @Ka: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 61d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Beetles in the Dark - round 1
1. Beetles
2. Ka, Ib

The dwarf grunts as the first beetles gnaws at his unprotected arm, leaving a deep wound. He strikes back with unbridled strengh!
Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 72d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 13

The wound immediately transfers to Khal-Ib, who prefers to suffer in his brother's stead. Despite his anger and suffering, the stonelord does his best to cast these feelings aside and strike with the discipline of the Iroran disciples.

Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Neither manage to hit the beetles, whose mandibles try and gnaw some more off the dwarves' flesh.

Bite @Ka: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Bite @Ib: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Beetles in the Dark - round 2
1. Beetles
2. Ka, Ib

This time, Anakh-Ka is prepared to dodge the beetle's bite and ducks in time.
Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 122d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 17

Khal-Ib interposes his shield, then strikes with his axe.
Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Khal-Ib feels inspired, for his mighty waraxe utterly crushes the beetle, eliminating the threat in one blow!

Bite @Ka: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Beetles in the Dark - round 3
1. Beetle
2. Ka, Ib

"Well done, brother! Now let's finish off the other one."

Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 212d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 17

Anakh-Ka's fury resounds through his weapon as the falchion cuts the other beetle in two.

End combat.

From what the scrolls you found earlier told, this unfinished wing would have been the final resting place of Akhentepi's mistress, whom he intended to marry. However, it was not finished due to the master's unexpectedly early demise and the lack of provisional funds.

Anakh-Ka inspects his surroundings...
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 +2 unusual stonework

Khal-Ib imitates him.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Nothing out of the ordinary springs to mind here. The two brothers make their way back to the previous room, and use the same method they've used beforehand to break the lock and open the stone door. Behind, a volley of stairs, along with multiple doors, eventually lead to a larger room.

About five minutes elapsed since Anakh-Ka downed his mutagen.

(A15) The center of this large octagonal room is a raised square platform a few inches above the floor, with a stone pillar at each corner. A gold-trimmed sarcophagus sits in the center of the platform, flanked by two statues of humanoid beings with canine heads, each of which holds an ankh in one of its crossed arms. Stone double doors exit the room to the north and south. Moreover, you see the same statues of gods as you did before, but you're still unable to say who they are - apart from Pharasma of course.

"The burial chamber, at last!" enthusiastically says Anakh-Ka. "Let's exercise caution, there must be guardians or traps around. This will take some time and you may end up bored, but I'll bet you a fresh beer this room is trapped."

No matter the time it takes (the mutagen won't last forever anyway), Anakh-Ka will look for traps, first on the outer ring and the northern door, then the stairs, then the sarcophagus and the platform is lies upon. Perception check amounts to 27.

"Bet accepted!" grins his brother. "In the meantime, I shall pray to Irori for our safe return... so that I may enjoy your beer eventually!"

Khal-Ib then kneels on the stone floor, and starts chanting endless meditative litanies.

After a period of time that seemingly lasted for ages, Anakh-Ka discovers that the platform upon which the sarcophagus lies is in fact another pressure plate that is linked to a trap. He also finds out a switch that should allow him to bypass the trap. As for the sarcophagus or the northern door, they don't appear to be trapped.

"There! Told you! You owe me a beer, brother. And the good stuff, not that Avistani piss they call beer!" proudly announces Anakh-Ka as he activates the bypass switch, then opens the sarcophagus.

The moment you try to open the age-old sarcophagus, it springs to life and attempts to bite you!

The Sarcophagus is alive! - round 1
1. Ka
2. Sarcophagus
3. Ib

The dwarf lets out an unmanly yelp in surprise, then immediately comes to his senses. He draws his blade and strikes.
Falchion, PA: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 = 162d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 + 3 = 11

Anakh-Ka's blade strike true. However, the blow is less mighty than it might have looked at first sight.

The sarcophagus animates to try and swallow the pahmet!
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 61d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The Sarcophagus is alive! - round 2
1. Ib, Ka
2. Sarcophagus (6)

Ib immediately stands up, draws his axe, and joins his brother on the platform to face the arisen danger alongside him.

"Ah, there you are! I thought you had fallen asleep or something." taunts the dwarf as he attacks once more.
Falchion, PA: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 1 = 212d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 3 = 11

Anakh-Ka is able to chip some more stone off the sarcophagus, but not enough to prevent the resting place from assaulting him once more.
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The Sarcophagus is alive! - round 3
1. Ib, Ka
2. Sarcophagus (12)

Khal-Ib grumbles. "Holy prayer should not be mocked, brother. You know Irori watches over us."
Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The pahmet dodges the attacks coming to him, and steps around the sarcophagus to flank it.
Falchion, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 92d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 + 3 = 10

This time, both Anakh-Ka and Khal-Ib are unable to strike the sarcophagus on a weak spot. It attempts to eat Khal-Ib this time.
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The Sarcophagus is alive! - round 4
1. Ib, Ka
2. Sarcophagus (12)

That's a very unlucky sarcophagus there!

Khal-Ib steels his thoughts, now focusing solely on the fight and ignoring his brother's banter.
Dwarven Waraxe, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 181d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Anakh-Ka strikes once more, his massive blade swinging back and forth.
Falchion, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 222d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + 3 = 12

The brother's patience and discipline finally pays off, as they both strike true at the same time. The sarcophagus tries to swallow Ib.
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Grab: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

The Sarcophagus is alive! - round 5
1. Ib, Ka
2. Sarcophagus (26)

Khal-Ib struggles to keep his shield up to protect him. The sarcophagus's lid closes on him, inflicting a serious wound. Luckily, the pahmet offers quite a fight and avoid being drawn into the sarcophagus.
Dwarven Waraxe, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 81d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Anakh-Ka swings his falchion again.
Falchion, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 162d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + 3 = 12

While Khal-Ib focuses on staying alive, his brother inflicts a large amout of punishment on the resting place. It strikes back at Anakh-Ka.
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Grab: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

The sarcophagus swallows Anakh-Ka completely! It doesn't constrict the dwarf, but there seems to be a limited amount of air inside.

The Sarcophagus is alive! - round 6
1. Ib, Ka
2. Sarcophagus (33)

Ending Life Link as an immediate action.

Khal-Ib swiftly considers his options, and chooses to step back in order to heal himself.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 5

Anakh-Ka, trapped inside the sarcophagus, can't use his massive blades. Steeling himself, he restorts to bombs to force the sarcophagus to release him!
Bomb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

I'll consider that Ka and his target are on the same spot, so no attack roll required, but Ka will take the same direct hit damage.

The sarcophagus breaks open from the inside, and explodes! Although Anakh-Ka was at point-blank range from the explosion, he emerges from the debris physically scarred, but alive.

End combat. Level up (2)!

In the aftermath of combat, both brothers consider a severe disappointment: the sarcophagus was empty, as Anakh-Ka experienced firsthand.

Anakh-Ka can't suppress a hacking cough. as he clears the dust and charred debris from his skin.

"Was that a false tomb? Or merely a safe sarcophagus? We should explorer further just to make sure, but I guess it'll have to wait until tomorrow. We need healing and rest."

On the way out, Anakh-Ka makes sure to pick up the chest they left in the room with the chariot, and haul it with the rope to the surface.

"A good thing we retreat too, I thought you were a goner, brother." Khal-Ib sighs in relief, tending to his brother's wound to make sure his state doesn't agravate.

Anakh-Ka and Khal-Ib return to the tomb two days later, fully refreshed and geared much more adequately. While returning to the point where they left off doesn't prove much of a challenge, another door is in the way of their progression. After much work, it finally gives in, revealing only a barred grate leading to a waterway. The way is shut, however, and there's no way to continue in that direction.

The dwarf grunts. "I'm sure there's more to it. There must be secret doors somewhere, let's find them."

Take 20 on Perception checks to check walls, then ground, then ceiling if need be - result is 28.