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

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Anakh-Ka retreats behind his brother's protective shield, and throws another bomb at the scarab swarm.
Bomb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 72d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 = 9 *1.5=13 fire damage
Where?: 1d8 ⇒ 7 Splash is 3 damage, Ref DC 13 halves.

Despite clumsy throws, both exploding projectiles end up blowing up in the midst of the swarm, scattering it!

End combat.

The granary holds three fleshless human skeletons and an adamantine heavy flail. The weapon is filthy but perfectly usable.

"More bodies for the grave." cynically comments Anakh-Ka as he grasps the adamantine flail.

The flail is truly a marvel to behold - or rather it would be if it weren't for all the much covering it.

(B8) The room to the east proves to be a very basic one. Nothing of interest is left here, save the dried skeletons of two house cats... and three human skeletons that attack you!

Undead Servants - round 1
1. Ka
2. Skeletons
3. Ib

"Time to use that flail. Bones shatter, here I come!" chuckles the warrior, smashing one skeleton before retreating.
Adamantine Heavy Flail, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 181d10 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 12

The skeletons is completely shattered. Its two companions (relatives, perhaps?) come out of their lurking places to attack Anakh-Ka.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 201d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Undead Servants - round 2
1. Ib, Ka
2. Skeletons

Khal-Ib addresses a prayer to Pharasma for the rest of these poor lost souls as he swings his axe.
Mwk Cold Iron Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The Pahmet looks impressed by the flail. "That worked well. Let's try again."
Adamantine Heavy Flail, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 281d10 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 20
Confirmation, ruthless: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 201d10 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 15

"I do not agree - this works wonderfully!"

Anakh-Ka's quarry finds eternal rest as its bones are shattered and dispersed. Gathering them will be yet another menial task.

The last skeleton attacks Khal-Ib mindlessly, clawing at him.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 111d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Undead Servants - round 3
1. Ib, Ka
2. Skeletons

"Rest in peace, servant of Pentheru", solemnly announces Khal-Ib as he swings his waraxe.

Mwk Cold Iron Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

As Khal-Ib brings rest to the last skeleton, Anakh-Ka cannot help but admire his new "bringer of death".

End combat. There is another room on this floor you haven't explored so far, next to the kitchen.

(B10) After dealing with the remains of these servants as they did before, the twins venture into the pantry, the sole room they haven't explored yet on the first floor. This small room is empty save for dust, debris, and empty shelves built into the walls. There is nothing here of any value, yet another denizen expects you: it looks exactly like the strange spider-like creatures you encountered in the Tomb of Akhentepi.

It drops from the ceiling directly on Anakh-Ka!
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 121d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 111d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Luckily for the Pahmet, his stoneplate armor protects him well.

Creeping spider - round 1
1. Spiderlike creature
2. Ka, Ib

Anakh-Ka, having to fight in close quarters, prefers dropping the heavy flail and work with a blade he knows well, his falchion. He attempts to slice the spider in two.
Mwk cold iron Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 212d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 15

Anakh-Ka's trust in his blade seems well-placed. One single, swift hit and the spiderlike creature lies dead at the dwarf's feet, cleft in two.

End combat. Up the stairs we go.

(B20) The two brothers finally climb the stairs leading to the second floor, and land on a balcony. This balcony wraps around a twenty-foot-square opening in the floor, overlooking the inner courtyard below and connecting the rooms of the second floor. Above, a square skylight in the ceiling provides natural light to the ground floor and ventilation for the entire building. To the southwest, two small staircases ascend from a landing on the grand staircase between floors. Six different sets of doors lead off of this balcony.

The Pahmet fighter leads the way. Feeling that few rooms are left to be explored, he downs his second extract of shield, then opens the double door next to the stairs.

(B25) This spacious room has entrances in the southern and eastern walls. The aged remains of dressers, a large bed, and a divan lie in ruins. The husk of large hornet’s nest, gray, papery, and devoid of life, occupies one corner of the ceiling. The spaces in the northeast and northwest corners appear to be closets. Their wooden doors have all but fallen off their hinges, and heaps of disintegrated fabric mingle on the floor. Between the closets stands a single lacquered dresser covered in dust.

Near the bed, a bare-chested dwarven monk is kneeling, lost in meditation. He opens his eyes and motions for Khal-Ib to come to him. In your heads, you hear his voice. Why don't you come to me, servant of Irori, so that we may pray and meditate together? And you, why don't you stand guard at the entrance of the house, lest we should be disturbed.

Will DC 15: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 16
The Pahmet ponders the request for a moment, then shakes his head. "Unless you give me a better reason, I won't leave my brother alone with you. Why am I hearing your voice in my head, by the way?"

The dwarven monk remains stoic and calm. He doesn't move at all now, merely gazing at you. Ignoring your question, he turns to Khal-Ib. Once again, the voice can be heard in your head. Please, ask your brother to leave. We have so much to talk about.

Will DC 13: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Khal-Ib agrees with the dwarf monk. "You're right, we need to talk. Brother, why can't you leave us talk for a while? I'll come and get you when we are finished."

Spellcraft DC 17: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 1 = 15
Will DC 14: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 24
"No way I'm leaving you alone, Khal. Remember what I told you about brotherly love? I can't leave you. Beside, that dwarf is as real as a mirage in the desert - it's an illusion. Wake up!"

That should allow a Will save with the +4 bonus, I think.

Will DC 14: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 4 = 30
Khal-Ib looks surprised as he inspects the meditating dwarf more closely. "You're right, and a good one at that. Who's controlling it? Show yourself!"

The dwarf's image quickly dissolves into nothingness. You feel that something or someone is here, yet you cannot see it with your eyes.

Surprise round
Suddenly a flying head appears and tries to bite Khal-Ib. However the dwarf's armor proves too resilient for the creature to tear through.
Bite vs FF: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 = 191d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 DC 13 Fort save against Poison, failure yields 1d2 ⇒ 2 Wis damage.

Mind Tricks - round 1
1. Ka
2. Flying head Knowledge (planes) DC 13 to ID.
3. Ib

Anakh-Ka circles around the head and swings his blade at it, yet he fails miserably.
Mwk cold iron Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen, flanking: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 122d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 15

Concentration DC 19: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 *fizzle*
The flying head tried to cast a spell, but failed!

Mind Tricks - round 2
1. Ib, Ka
2. Flying head

Khal-Ib reacts by smiting the head with a stonestrike!
Mwk Cold Iron Dwarven Waraxe, flanking, stonestrike: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 141d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Spellcraft DC 17: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 1 = 17
"It's trying to turn invisible again!"

Anakh-Ka then focuses his thoughts and becomes one with his blade, arcing through the air until it cleaves the flying head's from horn to chin.
Mwk cold iron Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen, flanking: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 312d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 17
Confirmation, ruthless: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 312d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 15

Khal-Ib pains to strike the head, missing it by inches because of its tiny size. Anakh-Ka then proves he's a seasoned fighter by slaying the creature in one blow! It falls to your feet, dead and gone.

Not the end of the combat!
Init, V: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
At the same moment, two other flying heads of a lesser kind enter the room from the southern door to attack you. One of them unleashes a particularly horrid shriek as the other one attacks Khal-Ib.

Shriek: DC 12 Fort save or be paralysed for 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 rounds.

Bite @Ib: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d4 ⇒ 3 DC 12 Fort save vs Poison. Upon failure, the damage inflicted by its bite attack cannot be healed by mundane or magical means you have currently at your disposal.
Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d4 ⇒ 4
The flying head's bite proves deadly! Its teeth tear through flesh and stone.

Mind Tricks - round 3
1. Flying head
2. Ib, Ka

25% Fortification: 1d100 ⇒ 79
Fort DC 12 vs Shriek: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Fort DC 12 vs Poison: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Khal-Ib grins with pain, but resists both of the flying heads' attacks. Tightening his grasp on his waraxe's handle, he aims a swing at the foul creature that attacked him, empowered with stonestrike.
Mwk Cold Iron Dwarven Waraxe, stonestrike: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 221d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Fort DC 12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Likewise, Anakh-Ka resists the shriek and attempts to slice the shrieking head in two.
Mwk cold iron Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 122d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 16

The creatures seem to be well-coordinated, since they switch their tactics. The head that bit Khal-Ib releases a shriek, while the other one attacks Anakh-Ka.

Shriek: DC 12 Fort save or be paralysed for 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 rounds.

Bite @Ka: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d4 ⇒ 3 DC 12 Fort save vs Poison. Upon failure, the damage inflicted by its bite attack cannot be healed by mundane or magical means you have currently at your disposal.

Mind Tricks - round 4
1. Flying heads (12;0)
2. Ib, Ka

Fort DC 12 vs Shriek: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Khal-Ib regains some self-confidence after the blow he just inflicted, and strikes again.
Mwk Cold Iron Dwarven Waraxe, stonestrike: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 151d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Fort DC 12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Anakh-Ka strikes again the head that attempted to bite him.
Mwk cold iron Falchion, PA, Str Mutagen: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 172d4 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 15

While Khal-Ib's blow is enough to finish off his enemy, Anakh-Ka's opponent proves resilient enough not to go down on the first strike. He retaliates, trying to bite the fighter.
Bite @Ka: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d4 ⇒ 2 DC 12 Fort save vs Poison. Upon failure, the damage inflicted by its bite attack cannot be healed by mundane or magical means you have currently at your disposal.

Mind Tricks - round 5
1. Flying head (15)
2. Ib, Ka

"Time to finish this." concludes Khal-Ib as he strikes the last remaining head.
Mwk Cold Iron Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

The last flying head finally goes down with Khal-Ib's blow, returning the House of Pentheru to silence.

End combat.

Khal-Ib searches the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Likewise, his brother performs a quick search of the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"Look there! That dresser is a fake. Push here... and here... That's it. What, a hidden chest? Let me see more closely." marvels the Pahmet with glee.
Take 20 Perception on the bronze chest, final result with guidance is 29.

While he's inspecting the chest, he mentions to his brother. "You should check the hornet nest while I'm at it, I think I saw something shiny there."

Khal-Ib finds a golden circlet, which proves magical upon closer inspection.

As for Anakh-Ka, he notices that the chest has not only one, but two locks. The first one, found at the place they usually are, probably allows to unlock the chest. The second one is places under the chest - a key can probably be inserted to avoid a trap integrated in the chest itself. Of course, the trap could be disabled through conventional means.

"A golden circlet. It looks like it's magical, you should examine it tomorrow with a proper identification spell." suggests Khal-Ib. "So, anything of interest in the chest?"

I'll Take 20 on the disabling of the lock, and remove my armor before attempting to disarm the trap.

"Nothing yet. Patience, brother. Ah, there's a trap. Will you help me remove my armor? I'll need nimble fingers if I want to do this properly."
Disable Device Take 10: 10 + 11 - 1 = 20
If that fails by 4 or less:
Disable Device Take 10: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 1 = 22

Upon Anakh-Ka's first attempt, the dwarf opens the chest by mistake and sets off the trap. A poisoned arrow is shot at him.
Arrow vs FF: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 321d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 & Fort DC 11. Failure yields 1d2 ⇒ 1 Con damage.

The 2 damage are transferred to Khal-Ib.

Fort DC 11: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22
Anakh-Ka curses under his breath for his failure, and isn't quick enough to dodge the incoming poisoned arrow. While the missile only grazes the dwarf's arm and the wound quickly disappears, Anakh-Ka's body resists to the nasty poison on it.

The chest contains 20 small gold ingots, each bearing a seal.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 1 = 6
The dwarf shrugs, not knowing anything about this seal.

Knowledge (history) DC 20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"I don't know what they are either. Better take them and ask at the Grand Mausoleum. They might even want to buy them."

(B21) Dust blankets this room. The walls, once brightly painted to depict life in ancient Wati, are now faded. A smaller room or
alcove takes up the northeast section of the room; it was once closed off by a wooden door that since has rotted away, leaving only its hinges in the doorframe. A strong, cloying odor of decay pervades the room.

The scenes painted on the walls depict the arrival of a Keleshite sultana in Wati by royal barge, a ceremony or possibly a party where a young woman is being anointed and crowned while a gathering of onlookers observe, and another where three young women swim in a river while armed guards with spears watch from beneath the shade of a tree.

Buried amid the debris in the room is a large darkwood box worth 100 gp. Inside is a white silk Osirian wedding robe.

The chest also contains several pieces of inexpensive jewelry worth 35 gp in total, and a strand of freshwater pearls worth 200 gp. A small sealed tube contains five applications of kohl of uncanny discernment.

Finally, a long scroll tube holds a rolled-up papyrus painting, accompanied by a signature in Ancient Osiriani: Ariseti. The painting has been protected from air for many years and can be safely handled without damaging it. It is worth 80 gp to a collector.

Perception DC 13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Careful with that robe, the slightest touch could make is disintegrate. Can you do anything about it? Magic perhaps?" suggests Anakh-Ka.

Khal-Ib nods. "Let me try this." he says with a confident voice, before casting mending several times on the robe. Then he tries to remove the robe carefully to see if it holds.

The wedding robe, restored through Khal-Ib's magic, is a true splendor to look upon. The two brothers then explore the rest of the second floor, which proves to be cleansed of the presence of agressive creatures.

(B22) Most of the contents of this room have fallen apart or otherwise been reduced to dust from the dry desert air. A foul, cloying smell fills the room. A few minutes searching the room turns up a small rusted dagger, a handful of marbles, and a small lacquered wooden box. The lacquered box is an ancient board game whose rules have been forgotten over time. Inside the box are several small, carved stone playing pieces. The box functions as the game board. To an Osirionologist, the game is worth 50 gp as a rare antiquity.

(B23) A large lacquered desk, now in poor condition, sits in the center of this room. Bookcases stand along the eastern and southwestern walls, sagging as if ready to collapse at any moment. Their shelves have fallen out, and the piles of dust at their bases are all that remains of books and scrolls that failed to survive the long years. The lacquered wooden frames of what might once have been divans stretch along the north and south walls, but their upholstery has disintegrated. Searching among the ruins turns up a few items of small interest but no great value, such as a broken set of scales, the Pentheru family seal, and scattered pieces from a marble chess set (no board is present and half the pieces are missing). With a careful search you'll find a brass key opening the chest you found earlier in the master's bedroom.

(B24) The walls of this room are decorated with a scenic vista of a river valley running through a desert, resplendent with verdant life and greenery near the shores. Only a few pieces of lacquered furniture remain in the chamber. A faint, musty odor of decomposed wood and fabric lingers in the air. A set of doors stands in the western wall. The body of a human man lies on its back in the small alcove to the east. Unlike most of the remains in the house, the body is only a year old, and its flesh is in a state of advanced decomposition. The head is missing.

The body carries no valuables except for a simple gold wedding ring worth 50 gp. An inscription in Osiriani inside the band of the ring reads, “To Akar from Panhet, Love Eternal.”

Heal, guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"How interesting. This more recent body's head seems to have been pulled off - there's no sign of decapitation. And look there, clumps of hair. Did one of the heads we fought here belong to him?" wonders the dwarf.