Mummy's Mask

Game Master Samy

Quickly throwing out a question and sounding very interested, Like the violent and over grown bugs! Or flying heads.

"I'll do what I can," Aleris sighs. "Let's just hope that they'll at least be able to understand that this isn't our fault and that we're happy to try and work with them so everyone gets what they're looking for."

"I really don't want to fight over this though...the things we've found so far have been amazing in some cases but nothing worth dying or losing friends over," she continues in a low voice. "But if they make it a fight, I..."

Without even realizing it, she's already drawn her glaive. She glances down at it and then tightens her grip as she looks back up at Harmose and the others. "I'll make sure they regret trying to hurt my friends."

The priests have no useful information about the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye -- as far as they know, it's lain undisturbed since the Plague of Madness ravaged Wati two millennia ago. The only thing they can give you is its location, marked number 17 on the Wati map on Google Drive. It's in the northwestern quarter of the Necropolis, same as the Tomb of Akhentepi was, but not quite as far.

You make whatever preparations are necessary, fetch your adventuring equipment, prepare your spells and so on, and then you are on your way once more into the Necropolis. It's around 7-8 AM, so early in the morning still. You may make Perception checks to notice anything unusual while making your way through the Necropolis.

Also, posting an explicit out-loud (bold text) remembrance of some interaction or detail about the Scorched Hand allows you to make an Intelligence or Wisdom check (your choice) to remember a useful tidbit about the Scorched Hand. The remembrance must be about something that actually happened, not something you make up, and you may naturally refer back to earlier posts in the thread to find something. Maximum of one remembrance per character, and each attempt must be based on a different detail. (So you can't all have a line of dialogue about Velriana's hat and then make a roll, it has to be unique.)

You are so damn adorable Aleris!

Raising an eyebrow at Aleris and the a broad smile breaks out at Aleris's possessive display. I will not hug her.. yet. Once the group leave the temple though Deseri latches on to Aleris in a tight hug. You are one of the sweetest people I know!

I do not think Deseri has had any interaction with that group.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 2 = 10 Includes +2 for a bird on her shoulder

To my knowledge, Kito has never directly interacted with any of the Scorched Hand. She was amused by their complaint about getting a brothel to search.

Returning to the inn, Kito settles down in her room to meditate with Thera. What little she knew of the group consisted of complaints about locations visited and how horrible the priests of Pharasma were -- neither of which she agreed with.

Lacking any specifics, she decided to select a wide variety of spells so that she would hopefully have something of use when the time came. Although she had suggested trying to talk with them, she found herself doubting they would see reason.

Her preparations done, she rejoined the others for the trip into the necropolis.

Watching Des flirt with Aleris always amuses Harmose, even when he's in a dark mood. He looks at Aleris and the others. "I've had so many interactions with the Scorched Hand, but do you know what I remember most? I remember the night that their cleric, Khelru, approached me because he was lonely. I don't know if you know Khelru. He's a tall man, dark and handsome, and he seems to have some sort of relationship going with the group's teenaged wizard, Azaz."

Harmose pauses a moment, considering that odd pair. "Maybe they're together only out of convenience. Or maybe opposites attract. But it honestly surprised me when he reached out to me." Harmose takes Aleris's hand. "Before I met you, I would have likely assuaged my own loneliness and taken what comfort I could. But all I was thinking was... how do I turn him down gently? Because there is only one person that I wanted to be with that night, and it sure as heck was not Khelru."

Int Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Turel strokes his forehead as he tries to recall the few times he interacted with the mysterious group. "I have little to offer to this, though I do recall speaking with Bal Themm on their behalf when they objected to the Church's assignment of their exploration site."

Wis Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

To my knowledge, Kito has never directly interacted with any of the Scorched Hand. She was amused by their complaint about getting a brothel to search.

If you remember it, state it aloud and post it and make that check!

"Really? I...didn't know," Aleris responds, looking genuinely surprised and also - perhaps even more surprisingly to some - a bit sad. "He must not be very happy with Aziz then if he felt that he needed companionship from someone else. That must be awful to feel obligated to stay with someone that doesn't make you happy..."

Realizing that the conversation, and her thoughts, were taking a sad turn she shakes her head and smiles. "But I'm glad that we've been luckier than that. And even if their boss is a harpy I hope Khelru and Aziz have a chance to be happy too, whether with each other or with other people."

"Er...anyway, they're certainly an odd group compared to most of the others that are here. I remember that they didn't seem the least bit impressed by Harmose's floating glass trick he pulled the first time he, Regina, and I went to say hello to them. You'd have thought they would've at least acknowledged the effort..."

Wisdom Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Kito the Scholar wrote:

To my knowledge, Kito has never directly interacted with any of the Scorched Hand. She was amused by their complaint about getting a brothel to search.

If you remember it, state it aloud and post it and make that check!

I thought it had to link back to something I specifically said. Oh, well, guess Samy will let us know.

"I was amused that they complained an ancient brothel was a bad site. Seems like a lack of imagination on their part, especially if there were any records remaining. At least they knew what happens in such a place."

Int: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Nothing you specifically said, but something your character would be aware of and could reminisce about, so that for example is perfectly okay!

While you are making your way through the Necropolis and comparing notes about the Scorched Hand, your reminiscing is suddenly interrupted by an ambush! Humans in padded armor suddenly pop up from the ruins all around you.

Map uploaded here

The buildings depicted on the map are 15 feet high. Squares containing rubble are considered difficult terrain.

If you did not already roll Perception, do so now to determine whether you participate in the surprise round. If you already did, that was intended for this, so it counts.

Attacker Stealth to beat: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Apparently these are not the stealthiest people in the world. If you beat 9, you can act in the surprise round.

Also, roll your Initiatives.

Attacker Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Surprise Round -- single Standard Action for those who beat enemy Stealth

The closest thug tosses a net at Ra-Khefer from the rooftop... Ranged Touch vs Ra-Khefer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 ...and misses.

The other five fire longbows at your group. Turel, Polux and Ra-Khefer are on the front line so they bear the brunt.

Longbow vs Turel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Longbow vs Turel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Miss
Longbow vs Polux: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Longbow vs Ra-Khefer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Longbow vs Ra-Khefer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Miss

Polux's damage is conditional on whether he's flatfooted or not, so if he beats the attackers' Stealth to act in the surprise round, *and* their Initiative so he's not flatfooted when they fire the arrows, then the damage against him is negated.

Totally did not mean it as flirting but whatever works. Deseri just likes to hug people. No ulterior motives here. No sir ;)

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Inititve: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Once she is able to do something she will call her spirit shield up and draw her cross bow.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Surprise Round

As the group works their way through the Necropolis towards their third site, she catches the barest hint of movement on the periphery of her vision. Turning her head to the left, her eyes widen as she spots multiple figures on the nearby roofs - their bows aimed at the group.

"Look out, on the roofs!" she cries as she raises her bow and fires off a shot at the closest figure she can see.

Attack (MW Longbow): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Aleris is aiming at the guy on building C2! Also, based on the teamwork feat Lookout Aleris should be able to take a move action if one of her adjacent allies (which is currently everyone but Deseri and Ra-Khefer) also ends up acting in the surprise round. If that ends up being the case, she'll move to take cover around the nearest corner.

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Qari fires a cold ray at the closest enemy to the south.

RTA with PBS 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17

Damage 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 + 1 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27<- Not flat footed - Aleris GO! :P
Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Polux dashes immediately to his left (Building C2 on the right of the map), trying to find any means to get up at one of their attackers - "Bastards"

Samy, not sure how far I can move, or waht I find around the corner - is there an obvious way to get up there?

I am assuming the ones in... C3 are all at ground level?

Also... Why haven't I bought a bow? :P

Perception: 10
Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Surprise round

Between Aleris's alert and Thera pointing ahead with her beak, Kito realizes what is happening.

She immediately brings up her protections.

Cast Mage Armor on self.

The C3s are ground level.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

SURPRISE ROUND

Harmose casts Bless on the entire party. "විශිෂ්ට වහන්තරාවක් ... සමහර වහල මත නොව, ඔවුන් බිත්ති පිටුපසින් සැඟවී බලන්න යන්නේ?"

Since his initiative is the current boss, he casts it on the entire team before they all run off in different directions.
+1 to everyone's attack rolls

___

ROUND ONE

He's not in range for most of his spells, so he hits Turel with a quick cure and takes cover behind a wall.

CLW on Turel: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Turel automatically succeeds with his Perception check.
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Turel sees the men surrounding them and thinks, They are not here for a social call... The arrow thudding into his side only confirms his suspicions. As Harmose calls out in the strange tongue, he pauses for a few seconds until Harmose has healed him of the arrow wound (Current HP 23/25) before he sprints to the thug hiding in the ruined building south of the party, lashing out at the thug with a crippling leg kick.

"Take a prisoner!" He barks out.

Surprise Round: Delay.
Round 1:
Move: Move to position on map.
Standard: Unarmed Strike, Scorpion Style: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
damage, nonlethal: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 The target's base land speed is reduced to 5 feet for 3 rounds unless he makes a DC 14 Fortitude saving throw.

Aleris' arrow and Qari's cold blast hit the nearest enemy (on the rooftop at C2 on the right side of the map) and it falls. The fallen enemy is indicated with a red box. Only one other is at rooftop level -- the C2 on the left side of the map (boxed in green for clarity's sake). All other enemies are at ground level.

Polux, in a surprise round you can move one time your normal movement, so 20' or 30' depending. There are no obvious ways to get up to the rooftops, but the buildings are ruins so they are full of all sorts of handholds, making their Climb DC only 10. The roofs are 15' high and climbing up them is by normal Climb rate rules.

Turel, I assume that consumes your Round 1 action? The scorpion strike is a hit for damage, Fort DC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 but the guy isn't slowed.

Surprise Round
27 Harmose - bless
26 Aleris - longbow, hit
18 Enemies - arrows
17 Kito - mage armor
13 Qari - cold blast, hit and defeat
10 Turel - delay
07 Polux - move
xx Ra-Khefer ??
xx Deseri does not take part

Round 1
27 Harmose - heal Turel
27 Turel - move + attack, hit for 4hp nonlethal
26 Aleris ??
18 Enemies - coming up

Harmose and Aleris may post Round 1 actions before I resolve Round 1 enemies. Ra-Khefer may post surprise round actions retroactively if he makes the Perception check.

Harmose already did his round 1 action, healing Turel

Thanks for the catch! Edited! Just Aleris and Ra-Khefer at turn then!

Earlier recollections about dealings with the Scorched Hand. Not sure the below is unique enough to get a roll or not. I'll wait for Samy's rule before effort into.

"All I recall from briefly asking to assist them was that they certainly were no fans of the church of Pharasma. The called them bureaucratic, inflexible fools. I don't know if it's enough to give us an edge when speaking to them, but that's what I recall."

Okay, moved Aleris over one square to indicate her movement during the surprise round.

Round 1

As she now realizes that there's only one other foe actually up on the rooftops, Aleris steps out from behind her cover and fires off another shot from her bow.

Attack vs. Green (MW Longbow; Bless): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

"Who are you and what do you want!?"

5 foot step to current position and shooting again.

Surprise round
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Initiative: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Grunting at being shot, Ra spotted one of the archers in the West. He started moving 20 ft towards him. He started swinging the spiked adamantine ball of his heavy flail around in a menacing promise of pain...

Ra-Khefer moves and Aleris fires her arrow, which *just* misses.

Surprise Round
27 Harmose - bless
26 Aleris - longbow, hit
18 Enemies - arrows
17 Kito - mage armor
13 Qari - cold blast, hit and defeat
10 Turel - delay
10 Ra-Khefer - move
07 Polux - move
xx Deseri does not take part

Round 1
27 Harmose - heal Turel
27 Turel - move + attack, hit for 4hp nonlethal
26 Aleris - longbow, miss

Enemy turn

Two northernmost archers fire at Ra-Khefer. The one at melee range with Turel drops its longbow and takes out a khopesh instead, swinging it at the monk. The remaining two southern thugs fire their arrows at Aleris and Qari.

Longbow vs Ra-Khefer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Longbow vs Ra-Khefer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Khopesh vs Turel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Longbow vs Aleris: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Longbow vs Qari: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

"We want your money and your stuff! Drop everything you have and we'll let you run away!"

Everyone's turn.

Polux begins climbing the wall up to their assailant.

Climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Aleris' Round 2

"How about you drop your weapons and we'll let the rest of you live?" Aleris retorts as she once again takes aim at the other assailant on the roof. "We'd rather not fight but we won't be pushed around, either!"

Attack vs. Green (MW Longbow; Bless): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

She quickly fires off a shot and then ducks back around the corner, mindful of the arrows continuing to whizz through the air.

Shoot and then back around the corner she goes. Btw not sure if Polux would've seen it, but I think the enemy you're going after is downed. The rooftop might offer a good vantage point if you've got a missile weapon and want to return the favor against the other goons though!

Qari moves south west, closing the distance on the enemy directly south of her. Moved myself already. She fires a cold ray at the same closest enemy directly to the south.

RTA with PBS 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

Damage 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 + 1 = 12

I assume the one who spoke is green

Kito moves forward to take cover behind the remains of the well.

Looking at the one who spoke, she says "I want you to have a very bad day." She then focuses her powers on him, causing a dark cloud to appear over it's head

Misfortune hex DC 16 Will

Round 2:

Turel does not waste his breath with an empty retort, instead concentrating on dropping his foe as quickly as possible.

Flurry of Blows #1: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6;
Damage, Non-lethal: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Flurry of Blows #2: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 = 21;
Damage, Non-lethal: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Round 1: (AC14 this round)

"Thieves! Think us easy prey? HAVE AT THEE!" Shouted Ra as he charged to attack.
adamantine heavy flail charge attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16 for a possible 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 bludgeoning piercing adamantine damage.

So you can put her in the proper order Deseri's init was 17. I rolled it Wednesday at 04:56 am. Dumb thing will not let me copy it.

Round 2

Taking a few quick steps and just past Harmose and shoots.
+1 lt crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Wow I am so much fail today. Samy I have a question about mage hand. It is a hand and so long as I stay in range could I take Mr. Greens arrows and drop them on the ground? One hand should be able to grab them.

Not a bad idea at all. I'll allow it to work.

Yay! That is my plan for round 3

ROUND TWO

With no one in close range, and having no idea what the thug and Aleris said to each other, Harmose casts guidance on Aleris.

That's an extra +1 to hit next round, dearest.

Round 1
17 Deseri - call spirit shield
17 Kito - misfortune hex on green
13 Qari - hit someone for 11hp
10 Turel - hit blue for 4hp
10 Ra-Khefer - hit blue for 8hp
07 Polux - climb

Round 2
27 Harmose - cast guidance
26 Aleris - longbow green for 5hp
18 Enemies - coming up
17 Deseri - crossbow, miss

Will vs Kito's Misfortune: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

Qari I'm gonna say you don't have line of sight to the one directly south of you (the one Turel is fighting) because of the walls between. You may redirect your hit at any of the others (just let me know which) but since they're further away you don't get point blank bonus.

Enemy turn.

Green longbow vs Kito, misfortune: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Green longbow vs Kito, misfortune: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Blue khopesh vs Turel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Crit?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 No
Damage vs Turel: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Blue khopesh vs Ra-Khefer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage vs Ra-Khefer: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Blue longbow vs Qari: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage vs Qari: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Blue longbow vs Qari: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Everybody but Deseri's turn. (Deseri already proactively fired her crossbow.)

Qari would fire at green enemy then. And likely miss.

Aleris' Round 3

Dismayed at the accuracy that the thugs have with their bows, Aleris pops back out from cover and once more attempts to take the remaining rooftop sniper down.

Attack vs. Green (MW Longbow; Bless, Guidance): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Hoping that her presence might draw some of the fire away from the others, she draws on her latent affinity for the air to shield herself with a swirling wind.

5 foot step to current position, standard to shoot, then using the racial ability Breeze-Kissed as a swift action. Aleris' AC vs. non-magical ranged attacks should now be 19.

Samy, did I reach the top? If so:

As he gets to the top, and since they surely would like to interrogate one of their attackers, Polux moves in with his fists only, throwing a punch at the archer - "You should surrender, or you will regret it" - he growls.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage if it hits (non-lethal): 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

I don't have Improved Unarmed Strike, but I am assuming he is not entitled an AoO (apart from the abilities which would allow it, like if he had UAS :D) - if I am reading the rules wrong let me know?

Polux, you reach the top and now have an unconscious captive.

Kito starts giggling. Well, you think it is a giggle. It has a rather high pitch and there is a strange rhythm to it. Rather than the gentle sound of good humor this has a somewhat maniacal edge to it.

The dark cloud continues to float above green archer's head. It seems to be moving in time to Kito's strange laughter.

She then bestows her small blessing on herself.

Move action: Cackle to extend the misfortune. Standard action: Cast Guidance on self.

Round 2:
Ra just snarled at the robber as he was hit and whirled the ball and chain around again.
adamantine heavy flail attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 for a possible 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 bludgeoning piercing adamantine damage.

Kito calls out "කෙනෙකු හරිත දුනුවායෙක් කාලයේ ක්රමයෙන් පුළුල් අවසන් කරුණාකර හැකිද?" as she continues to cower behind the cover of the well.

Ah yes, Qari, you're right. Your hit was so close that losing the PBS turns it into a miss.

Ra-Khefer downs his opponent.

Round 2
17 Deseri - crossbow, miss
17 Kito - cast guidance
13 Qari - ??
10 Turel - ??
10 Ra-Khefer - hit blue for 12hp, defeated
07 Polux - capture unconscious enemy

Round 3
27 Harmose - ??
26 Aleris - longbow green for 5hp
18 Enemies - coming up

Qari, Turel and Harmose still to go before enemies' next turn

Samy: Turel already posted his Round 2 actions HERE.

Round 2:

Turel does not waste his breath with an empty retort, instead concentrating on dropping his foe as quickly as possible.

[dice=Flurry of Blows #1]1d20+2+1;
[dice=Damage, Non-lethal]1d6+2
[dice=Flurry of Blows #2]1d20+2+1;
[dice=Damage, Non-lethal]1d6+2

ROUND 3

"සතුටින්!" Harmose steps forward and casts grease on the Green Archer's bow.

Green needs to make two reflex saves at DC 17, and take the worse, or drop the bow.