There may be times when an 'aid another' could be used. This pressure plate was big enough that I would have allowed that but a locked chest would not qualify for this. This, of course, means that the PC aiding is right next to the other PC and may also suffer consequences should anything go wrong. Remember that if the aiding character rolls a 10 higher on the skill check then the main character gets a +2 on the roll.
Alright, Turn 016 is up.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
After helping to open the doors, Naomi moved into the room, looking around cautiously for anything out of place. Satisfied that things were safe, on the surface at least, she walked forward to look at the tapestry and mused, "I wonder what happened to them all after he went to the Lady? The priests will want to know of this. Especially if their records are incomplete."
Later, once the decision to head north was confirmed, Naomi helped with the doors once more revealing the room with the chariot. "Well that is most impressive. I suppose we should see what this wooden chest holds."
Azghaad made a cursory examination of the room with his extranormal senses , then turned to the Tapestry.
"This tapestry is starting to fall apart. I think if we move it there would be irreparable damage. I'm going to try repairing it while you examine the room - if you are all okay with that?"
"Rubani, I'll make a record of the skins, if you can identify and enumerate them for me?"
Azghaad made a cursory examination of the room with his extranormal senses , then turned to the Tapestry.
"This tapestry is starting to fall apart. I think if we move it there would be irreparable damage. I'm going to try repairing it while you examine the room - if you are all okay with that?"
As the wizard started looking at the tapestry, he noticed several symbols and hieroglyphs that suggested that Akhentepi's family befell some tragedy, possibly murder or sickness, and that he was left widowed.
After a few minutes Azghaad reported to the others:
"No, it is too far gone. It would take an expert conservator to bring it back. If I patched it up I would risk ruining the historical value."
"The best I can do is sketch down these symbols and glyphs. Looks like Akhentepi's family were killed and left him widowed Naomi... but I can't see if it was murder or illness."
Action 1:
Once Naomi and Azghaad began discussing the tapestry, Shalina moved forward to take a look. She tried to determine if there were any indications about where the home of Akhentepi may have been. He most likely had lived in Wati and the bard looked for possible landmarks that looked familiar.
"The best I can do is sketch down these symbols and glyphs. Looks like Akhentepi's family were killed and left him widowed Naomi... but I can't see if it was murder or illness."
When the wizard pointed out the symbols, Shalina also took a look to see if she was familiar with the markings or if she could determine any more meaning to them.
Action 2:
"Well that is most impressive. I suppose we should see what this wooden chest holds."
The archaeologist dug for her tools, "I will take a look and let you know.
"But you, Akhmose; I understand that you worship gods a bit more... forgive me, older than my own. You must tell me more of your faith some time. I have long held a great interest in Ancient Osirion and its culture."
Akhmose continues discussing religion with Rubani as they examine the new room. "Some say the Ancient Osiriani gods were the First Gods. Who can say the truth? They were certainly the first gods known to my countrymen. The priests say they have grown distant with the passing ages, and most people have forgotten them, but they still have power, and my clan still honors the old ways."
"I would just like to say... having read of so much religious conflicts in the world, I am delighted to see that - at least in our little group - reasonable people acting reasonably. It makes me wonder how many of those conflicts simply used religion as an excuse."
"Well said, sir. We must each answer the gods in our own way."
for determining if trap present
for disabling trap if present
Akhmose congratulates Shalina on a job well done, and makes some sketches in each room. As a mason, he particularly notes the details of the stonework. "Too bad for these cats. Hopefully they were well treated in life. I believe the ancients held them in high esteem." He spent some time puzzling over the symbols in the tapestries.
As Shalima examines the chest, Akhmose looks on while she works. "I hope you don't mind if I watch, perhaps I can gain some better understanding of what kind of hidden mechanisms to look for."
Akhmose congratulates Shalina on a job well done, and makes some sketches in each room. As a mason, he particularly notes the details of the stonework. "Too bad for these cats. Hopefully they were well treated in life. I believe the ancients held them in high esteem." He spent some time puzzling over the symbols in the tapestries.
With the help of Shalina, Akhmose inferred that the family was probably interred somewhere else and that this tomb was prepared much later, after Akhentepi's continued successful military career.
[dice=perception]1d20+6 for determining if trap present
[dice=disable device]1d20+11 for disabling trap if present
Shalina expertly found a trap and quickly disabled it. It was a blade that would have sliced neatly into her hand; the blade was colored green at places, probably due to ancient poison.
After the trap was disabled, the chest, a beautiful piece in and of itself, was unlocked and Shalina showed everyone what was inside.
The chest contained two potions of cure light wounds and one potion of darkvision. Also inside the chest were two books with thin, gold-plated metal sheets for pages.
The whole situation was a bit surreal, if you asked Rubani. Here he was, a Pharasmin grave robber, in a utterly magnificent thousand-year old tomb, just waltzing around in very agreeable company, having pleasant discussion with Azghaad and Akhmose about religion, Ancient Osirion and other topics he rarely found partners for. And now he encountered proper mummies in the form of preserved cats.
The cleric had to stop to study and admire them.
Pharasma forgive me, am I having fun down here?
"Too bad for these cats. Hopefully they were well treated in life. I believe the ancients held them in high esteem."
"I may not know much, my friend," said Rubani as he circled the corpses. "but I do know bereavement, and I suspect you are right. The process of mummification is a fascinating one, not least for the thought process behind it. It is not wasted on those we do not respect and cherish. Rest assured that these felines were probably treated better in life than the average citizen at the time."
The group continued their exploration northward.
"I would just like to say... having read of so much religious conflicts in the world, I am delighted to see that - at least in our little group - reasonable people acting reasonably. It makes me wonder how many of those conflicts simply used religion as an excuse."
"Oh, I couldn't comment on that. You'd have to ask the Rahadoumi. I'm sure they didn't build an entire nation for nothing."
Having entered the chamber the half-elf helped Azghaad catalog the various animal skins hung by the canvas.
"Let's see... a one, two, three, four, fi... no, hang on this is just one crocodile skin. Bugger's so big I mistook him for two crocodiles. Heh. What ever did you feed on to grow so, my friend? On second thought I probably don't want to know..."
In the meantime it seemed that the wizard was finding some revelations about Akhentepi the man on the canvas.
"Looks like Akhentepi's family were killed and left him widowed Naomi... but I can't see if it was murder or illness."
Akhentepi lost his wife and children? I hope he found some peace in life before his death. Misfortune such as that can leave a man enraged at the world - and that rage can well live on beyond death. I would hate to encounter the undead remains of a man capable of taking down this crocodile.
Naomi nodded, "That is most interesting Azghaad. Something the priests will certainly want to hear all about. Its shame about the tapestry though. Perhaps we can find someone in Wati who would be able to restore it."
Sounds like you two guys know a lot more than I do about the subject. I'll be relaying on Akhmose; he's the expert. :)
Anyway, I'll be recapping tonight so let me know of any additional posts for these scenes.
You guys disappointed me. No one jumped at the opportunity of reading 2,000 years old books with gold-plated metal sheets for pages. :)
Game on!
"Ooh, that blade was cleverly hidden. They had good craftsmen, these old Osiriani."
Akhmose takes the gold book and marvels at it. "What secrets this must contain!" He looks it over and tries to read it.
Akhmose takes the gold book and marvels at it. "What secrets this must contain!" He looks it over and tries to read it.
Being very careful not to damage the books, the dwarf sat down to read. Shalina provided magical light and also perused the books. Each book was beautifully engraved and weighed approximately 25 lbs due to all the gold inlaid on the cover and the pages. The first was a brief biography of Akhentepi, and the second was a list and description of the various military campaigns conducted by the nation of Osirion between 2350 and 2450 AR.
--------------
Below is what I found out about Osirion
Osirion timeline
And with regards to religion:
"Despite the efforts of the Keleshite rulers, the worship of Osirion's native beast-headed gods has continued to the present."
More info here
Alright, Turn 017 is up.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
--------------
Below is what I found out about Osirion
Osirion timelineAnd with regards to religion:
"Despite the efforts of the Keleshite rulers, the worship of Osirion's native beast-headed gods has continued to the present."More info here
That helps. The area we are exploring dates from the Plague of Madness starting in 2499, right?
Akhmose paused at the gods' figures. "Osiris and Sekhmet, seems appropriate for the tomb of a warrior." He grasped his ankh and said a short prayer for the souls of the dead and the safety of the living.
Akhmose marvelled at the skill of the stonewrights. "I've rarely seen such detail. I wonder how they managed it working with this type of wood..." His musings were cut short as the small statues enlarged and came to life. He drew his dorn-dergar, the dwarven ball-and-chain weapon, and swung it in a figure-eight pattern, waiting for an opening to smash the wooden soldier.
Azghaad was intrigued by the books. Though he realistically expected they would hold no magical knowledge, had a Wizard's reverence for the written word - and the books might still have been of assistance with his genealogical research.
Still, wizardly etiquette forbade pouncing on books or reading over shoulders.
"I would like to... May I read look through that book when we get outside?"
Actions 1
Azghaad stopped at the masks, and desperately tried to place the two unknowns until Akhmose explained. Even after he stared entranced at Osiris. Myth held that when Nethys appeared to the Pharoah Azghaad he had violet skin. Was colour once held as a symbolic representation of some degree in the early days of the Empire? Were Nethys and this Osiris related in some manner?
Azghaad resolved to see if he could acquire this mask as part of his share of the treasure.
Actions 2
"Careful! This positioning looks exact!" Azghaad called as Akhmose reached down, and the Nethian mentally fixed the position in his mind.
---
"Constructs! Growing Constructs! Were they at full height now, or would they continue as time and space allowed? No time to find out!Still... better to reduce damage to the artefacts. Unless the table was enchanted, in which case they would fight a literal army of these things.
"Back away! I'm going to burn them!"
Hey guys, please go ahead and describe your intended actions (unintended as well if you feel up to it).
I mean go ahead and describe hitting a wooden construct with the metal ball and also the small constructs burning from your burning hands.
That way, I can just cut and paste once we figure out what really happened.
Look at Rubani and Naomi's post in page 2 (posts 72 and 77) for examples.
Game on!
Can someone point me to Fabian's site with the game info, and also to the current map (found it)?
GM: will update post later.
Thanks!
Azghaad spreads his fingers, carefully aiming away from his friends. Unwilling to fully commit to the hottest fires, Azghaad opens the gates to the Realm of Fire open only slightly.
The flames lick over the little figures, but leave the table untouched. Sadly when the flames vanish the warrior dolls are blackened but undamaged.
Azghaad summons a jet of fire, carefully aiming past the table and his friends.
His eyes glow, his chant deepens and a thin stream of fire emerges from his right hand.
The flames lick over the little warrior figures, and leave them blackened but undamaged.
Yes, sir. I can work with that.
If you're not sure about something, always assume what's most beneficial for the PCs; I do.
Game on!
Akhmose paused at the gods' figures. "Osiris and Sekhmet, seems appropriate for the tomb of a warrior." He grasped his ankh and said a short prayer for the souls of the dead and the safety of the living.
Akhmose marvelled at the skill of the stonewrights. "I've rarely seen such detail. I wonder how they managed it working with this type of wood..." His musings were cut short as the small statues enlarged and came to life. He drew his dorn-dergar, the dwarven ball-and-chain weapon, and swung it in a figure-eight pattern, waiting for an opening to smash the wooden soldier.[dice=rd.1 attack]d20+5
[dice=rd.2 attack]d20+5
[dice=damage]d10+2
(1) The tiny soldiers were too nimble for Akhmose's first attack. He studied their movements as he stepped out of Azghaad's way.
(2, if it hits) Akhmose felt the crunch as the ball of his dorn-dergar smashed into a wooden soldier, sending splinters of wood flying.
Rubani was still standing in the hallway, staring up at the masks whose significance Akhmose had explained. Osiris, god of the afterlife, huh?
So, hang on; what about that Anubis fellow? He's a death god. Ancient Osirion worshiped separate deities for death and what follows after it? Interesting. And yet my Lady is represented here too, side by side with the old gods, neither more nor less important than any other deity. So if death and afterlife were already covered what role did Pharasma play in Ancient Osirian worship?
"Hey, Akhmose," the cleric said as he turned. "Would you perhaps kno..." And then came to a full stop when he saw what was happening by the diorama.
"By all the saturnine souls of the spire, what are those?"
Whatever they were they were attacking his companions, and that just wouldn't do. Rubani raised his hand and felt the cold gathering around it as an icicle grew out of thin air, hovering by his palm. Then he let the projectile fly.
As Rubani felt the divine energy fueling his magic he spared a glance up to the masks depicting his goddess.
Always good to know you're still with me, my Lady. No, apologies; that goes the other way around, doesn't it?
I'll recap Saturday. I hope everything is fine with your dad. As a matter of fact, my dad has knee surgery tomorrow.
Game on!
I'll be recapping tomorrow...
Naomi?
Action 1:
Ref: The mask of Osiris, wrapped up like a mummy, but with green skin, in particular, stared everyone down in a way that gave shivers.
ic: Without even realizing it, Shalina had picked up her pace in order to get out of the hallway as quickly as possible. The masks gave her the creeps and she was not going to be one who would disturb their placements. She half listened as the others discussed the gods depicted but her focus was definitely putting as much distance between herself and that hallway as possible.
Action 2:
ic: This room was much more to Shalina’s liking. Her attention was immediately drawn to the chests scattered throughout the room, closely followed by the different items that had been pictured with Akhentepi. It was one thing to see tapestries and reliefs showing the items, it was quite another to see the authentic items displayed. Her uncle would be very interested in this room, indeed. After a brief discussion with Azghaad about the shields, the archaeologist again turned her attention to one of the chests. It was at this point that she heard surprised noises coming from Azghaad and Akhmose. Shalina’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw the diorama figurines grow before her eyes.
Round 1:
Reacting quickly, she unslung her crossbow and loaded a bolt. No sooner was it in the chamber that Shalina aimed and fired at one of the tiny warriors.
If she hits: The bolt made a thunking noise as it embedded itself in the construct. It didn’t bleed per se but she could tell that it had been hurt by its reaction.
If she misses: The constructs were not made of a material that was easily penetrable by Shalina’s bolts and it bounced off the outer layer.
Round 2:
Keeping as much distance as she could between herself and the diorama figurines, Shalina reloaded her crossbow and took another shot.
If she hits: Her bolt found its mark and penetrated the ‘skin’ of the warrior. It made no notice of the protruding bolt and continued to press its attack on those who had disturbed their peace.
If she misses: The warrior charged at Shalina as she shot her weapon. In attempting to dodge the oncoming assault, she shot went wide and skittered across the wall.
Of course Naomi recognized Pharasma, but she listened with interest to hear Ahkmose tell of the older Osirian gods. "Interesting. Quite a wide array of gods look over our general's tomb."
In the next room, Naomi's interest surged further. "The general's shields and weapons. Most interesting. There is that shield we've seen depicted with him. It is very different than any I've seen." But Ahkmose's interest in the diorama soon draws her attention and she moved closer to the table. "The detail here is amazing don't you think. No doubt some of Wati's historians would be fascinated to see this."
But the motion of the tiny warriors soon interrupted her study. "What are those?!" The hostile intent of the tiny figures was obvious as she heard the call from Azghaad. "Withdraw? You've got to be kidding. They are right in front of me!" With efficient motion, you saw her hand dart over her shoulder and free the giant scythe from her back. "I've got this one on the left. See what the rest of you can do with the others. Lady! Lend me your strength!" The scythe whistled through the air as Naomi attacked, replaced by a crunch as the blade sheared right through the lower half of the tiny warrior's shield and continued into its legs.
The scythe continued right through the warrior's legs as if a knife slicing through butter. With an explosion of splinters, the warrior's legs shatter and the remaining pieces of the statue fall clattering to the ground.
Naomi whirled to prepare herself for the next attack, but never having fought such tiny foes, she misjudged her second attack. Bringing the scythe around, she extended a little too far and the tip of the blade caught on the leg of the table. Instead of striking another warrior the blow cleaved through the leg of the table with a similar effect to the shield a moment before. Unfortunately, instead of striking a warrior the blade cut through empty air and the diorama rattled and swayed before the other three legs managed to keep it upright.
What about round 2?
I'll recap sometime today.
What about round 2?
I'll recap sometime today.
Was updating a piece at a time since the boards claimed my first attempt as a sacrifice!!
Alright Turn 018 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
INITIAIVES
ROUND 1
Shalina shots
, MISS
Rubani hits but no damage (hardness)
Naomi kills doll 1
Akhmose missed
Azghaad moves used fire jet and no damage
Round 2
Shalina shots
, MISS
Rubani shots
, MISS
Naomi misses
Akhmose hits bu no damage
Azghaad uses fire jet again
, vulnerability and hardness, 5 hp to dolls 2 and 3
The little warriors were more deadly than Naomi had imagined. Three times they had managed to bloody her and she only had eliminated one of her foes. Gritting her teeth to deal with the pain, she planted her feet on the blood-slick floor and swung again at the warrior right next to her. The blade of the scythe flashed with malice as it descended on the little warrior with the red spear. She exulted with a sharp "Ha!" as the scythe connected, smashing through the doll's defenses and landing a solid hit on its right shoulder.
The blow was even more deadly than she'd hoped. It carved a chunk from the doll's shoulder, but continued right into its neck, cutting deep into the wood until the warrior's head toppled off with the solid "THUNK" onto the floor.
Seeing that the odds now favored the explorers, Naomi took a more aggressive pose, sliding forward to seek a killing blow. But for the second time in the fight, she made a terrible mistake, this time failing to account for the slickness of the bloody floor. Nearly losing her footing, she managed an awkward blow at the wooden warrior, but her weak attack merely fluttered through the air over its head.
Naomi sagged and propped herself up with her scythe, bleeding from several wounds and trying to catch her breath. "I would have never imagined those little warriors would be so fierce. Do you know what they were Azghaad? I hope we don't encounter more."
Azghaad danced back, flapping his long - longer than before - sleeves at the dolls in a distracting flurry, trying to give Naomi a chance to regain her footing.
My more martial companions seem to have the situation... well, if not well in hand, then well enough I probably shouldn't be burning priceless relics. I wish we could capture one of them...
"Akhmose, do you think you could wrap one up in your chain? I'd love to see how they work..."
"Some form of animated constructs I think. I'm unsure if they were temporarily animated and grew, or were permanently animated, shrunk and waiting. Either way, a fascinating glimpse into archaic animation techniques."
Good catch, I'll fix that next turn.
It seems that you can throw the rope and make the opponent 'entangled' if they fail their reflex saving throw. But don't forget that the duration of the spell is 1 round/level.
Akhmose's weapon bit into the wooden construct, but it was solid enough that it seemed to be unharmed. He called out to the gods in the ancient tongue, and felt the strength of the earth flow through him, drawing upon the magical energy in the stones of the ground. He focused on the unharmed soldier and whipped the dorn-dergar at it.
Round 3:
Stonestrike
This time, the dwarf felt a satisfying crunch as the ball bit into the wooden soldier, sending splinters flying.
Round 4:
Hearing Aazghad's request, Akhomse tried to entangle the remaining soldier in the chain of his dorn-dergar, but the little construct was too elusive for him. He thinks, It would be good to figure out how they are animated, if our wizard can do that.
Stonestrike again.
He pressed the attack again, but this time, his timing was off, and the little soldier easily evaded the swing of the chain.
Round 3:
ic: Shalina quickly abandoned her crossbow as it obviously did no good against these foes. She briefly considered tossing one of the flasks of alchemist’s fire but the archaeologist in her railed against that idea. The thought of damaging any of the artifacts made her quickly change her mind. It was then that she heard Azghaad ask Akhmose if he could wrap one in his chain. He might not be able to do it with his chain but she could probably do it with her whip. As she uncoiled her whip she began to hum a tune that sounded similar to that one would hear in the market place where snake charmers were performing. She flicked her whip towards one of the warriors and the end moved on its own to entangle the figure.
Round 4:
If her whip entangles: Shalina moved forward to tie up the entangled warrior so that they could examine it further.
If her whip fails to entangle in round 3: Shalina knew she only had one more chance to entangle one of the remaining warriors and so she made the most of it by snapping her whip towards the warrior while continuing to hum.
Naomi suddenly felt a hand come down onto her shoulder, followed by a pleasant warm sensation that soon spread through her entire body as her wounds closed. The cleric pulled away his hand and looked at her, eyes filled with equal part worry and irritation.
"Please don't die here, Miss Zeitoun. I'll be very cross with you if you do. I don't like burying friends and acquaintances."
Something else that Rubani was fast growing to dislike were these dolls. They were both deadly and durable. Too durable. His icicles shattered upon impact and even Azghaad's fire didn't seem to bite. The only party members with the skill to damage them seemed to be Akhmose and Naomi. With this in mind the half-elf waded into the fray and prodded one of the dolls into the trajectory of either the warpriest's or paladin's attacks.
ooc: Guys, actually Azghaad flame did do quite a bit of damage since these things are vulnerable to fire. No need to change any posted actions but just FYI.
Everyone's posted (great) but I'm going to 'sweet some' tonight so I probably won't recap until tomorrow as scheduled but maybe...
Game on!