Mummy's Mask ala Fabian (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

Turn 21 is up!

Akhmose looked away from the mirror on Azghaad's warning. He wasn't sure what he saw, but he was glad for the man's arcane abilities. He might be a stout warrior wielding the power of his gods, but he was not much use against an enchanted trap. This was certainly a capable team the gods had led him to.

Akhomse considered the meaning of the two gods. He began to agree with Shalina when she saw the tracks. He wasn't worried at first, having dealt with ancient curses and animated soldiers already. But upon hearing Azghaad's comments about losing a team, he began to take note. His shield and weapon were already prepared when the massive spiders scuttled out from behind the altar.

mwk khopesh: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 round 1
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

He moved to attack the nearest spider, shield held high, and swung the khopesh in a wide arc, aiming for the spider's head. The giant vermin stepped sideways, however, and he only managed to slash its foreleg.

mwk khopesh: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 round 2

His second attack was a desperate strike as the thing lunged at him, and he hit it harmlessly with the flat of the blade. He realized he would have to adapt his fighting technique with this new weapon.

equipment change

Already made those changes on your character sheet which is where I look when rolling combat at home. You may want to update your sheet on the boards when you get a chance.

Game on!

“Don’t look at the mirror! Look away!”

Azghaad continues in a much quieter voice

Resuming his normal tone he explains
"I can't confirm this, but I believe the purpose of the strange reflections is to lure people into looking into the mirror. A secondary spell then marks them somehow. Possibly with the hieroglyphs for 'Tomb Robber' or 'Thief'. It's an elegant little trap. I'm not sure how sensitive it is going to be now I've activated it, so please try not to look at all."
"Seems I owe you an apology, Akhmose. Harder not to touch these things than I thought."

RE Actions 2:
Do Pillars block movement? Was thinking of moving to B4 and using Flame Jet. It's an Su ability, so no AoO... on the other hand, no extra hp! Most importantly it doesn't just set the whole room on fire and should get all three critters

RE Actions 2:

Do Pillars block movement? Was thinking of moving to B4 and using Flame Jet. It's an Su ability, so no AoO... on the other hand, no extra hp! Most importantly it doesn't just set the whole room on fire and should get all three critters

You could move to B4; it's the bigger pillars that will prohibit movement. You'll have to remind me about those extra hps pf yours because I had forgotten about them. :(

I like the different points of view taken by Azghaad and Rubani (and Naomi) in the burial discussion. They kinda reflect the characters' primary stats, Intelligence and Wisdom respectively.

The tomb that had presumably stood quiet for some 2000 years continued to act host for the party's lively discussion. They were now moving onto Osirion's politics, how much the country was spending, and, yes, funerary rites. Azghaad brought up some fair, and very practical, points that Rubani was about to engage when the wizard suddenly spoke up in an urgent voice.

"Don't look at the mirror! Look away!"

Recognizing the seriousness of his tone Rubani immediately decided to take an interest in the room's ceiling. Seconds later he felt the same hot sensation in his forehead as the rest of the party, but it quickly faded. With the danger passed the cleric listened to Azghaad's deductions about the trapped mirror.

"Sigh. And here I thought that the only thing the mirror could hurt was one's conscience. Nicely done, Mr Glyphstele."

Having blocked the western doors and gone through the eastern, the party found themselves in a room most likely intended for the mummification process. Fully expecting some sort of vermin they were not disappointed.

Ten legs? You are the most inept spiders I've ever seen.

Not sure if this is provokes an opportunity attack, but I'll take the chance. I'm moving up to D3 for round 1.

The cleric felt that he was a little too close to the action and moved over to Naomi. He might not be a front-line fighter, but that didn't mean he couldn't help those that were.

"If you'll pardon me, Miss Zeitoun," he said as he yet again put a hand on the warpriest's shoulder and started chanting a blessing from their shared goddess.

Hope you don't have a deflection bonus already, Naomi, 'cuz ya got one now. Rubani uses Shield of Faith.

The cleric pulled further back from the room and conjured up his familiar icicle while doing so. Having found a target, he let the projectile fly.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

In round 2 Rubani moves over to D2 if available and aims for any scorpispider not engaged in melee. If they're all trying to munch on Akhmose and Naomi, he just goes for the one that appears the most wounded.

Well, the 3 dice burning hands used on the dolls would give 3 temporary HP for an hour. I know we spent a while investigating the room, so not sure if they'd still be there
Round 1: Move to B4, Standard: Flame Jet. Su ability does not provoke. I think the enemy in E6 might have cover. If possible identify the vermin and announce anything good (like weaknesses!)
Azghaad slips past Naomi, settling in between a larger and smaller pillar, but with a good glimpse of their vermin victims. Lining up, he opens a small gate to the plane of Elemental Fire, letting it play over the ten legged horrors.
His anger at the Scorpions and Spider resonated with the gate. Feeling it start to rip, he let it go and calmed himself.

Round 2
If the enemy is fireproof, he'll move to the back of the room (withdraw action)
If he's been attacked, lost more than 3 HP, and could be again, he'll withdraw.
If he's been attacked, but the enemy is dead, he'll use Burning Hands in preference to Flame Jet to get as many as possible (and will move to get them, and not his friends, if necessary)
If he's not been attacked, he'll use Flame Jet to get as many as possible (and will move to get them, and not his friends, if necessary)
Obviously only one of the following will apply
Doing his best to turn a shriek into a manly grunt, Azghaad realises he's not ready for this fight. Swinging wildly with his staff to fend off the monsters he slips past the front line and then quickly makes his way to the back of the room.
Smiling in grim satisfaction as he gets his emotions back under control Azghaad calls upon his tie with Fire once more to burn these annoying creatures.

"Sigh. And here I thought that the only thing the mirror could hurt was one's conscience. Nicely done, Mr Glyphstele."

"You are too kind. I should have treated it with more caution. 'Curiosity ever was the bane of Wizards'", he quotes.

"In fact, I'm hoping once we are past this you can confirm I was in time to save my own forehead. It would be... embarrassing."

Action 1:

Ref: “Don’t look at the mirror! Look away!”

In that moment, Shalina was grateful for her mistrust of the mirror. She had been expecting the mirror to trigger something and so had been studying the rest of the room with her back to the mirror. The problem was that now Azghaad had specifically told her not to look, she really wanted to look and had to fight the urge not to. Believing that the wizard had reason for his warning, Shalina heeded his words and kept her back to the accursed mirror.

Action 2:

Trusting the reactions of the group to the tracks she had found, Shalina readied her crossbow just in case they met the vermin who had disturbed the dust. As they entered the new room, she listened to Akhmose describe what it had been used for as she looked around for anything of archaeological interest. The altar seemed like a promising place to start. As she began moving further into the room, the arachnids made themselves known by spilling out from behind the altar. Wasting little time, Shalina raised her weapon and released the bolt towards her closest threat.

Round 1:

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The bolt buried itself deep into the body of one of the solefugid and dark ichor began dripping onto the floor. It chittered in anger but slowed its approach being wary of those who had caused it pain.

As soon as the bolt left her crossbow, Shalina was quickly reloading her weapon and preparing her next shot. It didn’t even register whether she had hit her target or not until she heard the sound of what she assumed was pain. All she was focused on was impaling the creepy crawly with as many bolts as possible before it reached any of them.

Round 2:

Bolstered by her initial success, Shalina aimed her next bolt at the same creature and let it fly.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Over confidence proved to be her downfall as Shalina's grip faltered and her weapon began to fall. Her bolt hit the floor and skidded along, carving a path in the dust.

wasn't sure if something more dreadful would happen with rolling a 1. Feel free to modify

Just wanted to pipe in here briefly to let you all know that I like how you guys took to the combat turns. I'm getting lots of options which makes my life easier when it comes time to roll dice and move your PCs around.

Don't be afraid to get tactical on me either (i.e., flank if possible, move such that opponents are lined up, hit the most injured, etc.)

I'll try my best to execute those orders and I always err on the side of the players.

So, keep things up as far as I'm concerned.

Are you guys liking the way combat is being 'played'?
Any issues on your side of the table?

I keep screwing up my tenses! Sorry... Should I repost something where I do that and don't notice until later?

I keep screwing up my tenses! Sorry... Should I repost something where I do that and don't notice until later?

don't worry about it now. Try to remember for next time.

Just wanted to pipe in here briefly to let you all know that I like how you guys took to the combat turns. I'm getting lots of options which makes my life easier when it comes time to roll dice and move your PCs around.

Don't be afraid to get tactical on me either (i.e., flank if possible, move such that opponents are lined up, hit the most injured, etc.)

It helps move it along to do two turns at a time. Hopefully I will remember to look at the map next time. Are those 10' squares?

Fabian Benavente wrote:

Just wanted to pipe in here briefly to let you all know that I like how you guys took to the combat turns. I'm getting lots of options which makes my life easier when it comes time to roll dice and move your PCs around.

Don't be afraid to get tactical on me either (i.e., flank if possible, move such that opponents are lined up, hit the most injured, etc.)

It helps move it along to do two turns at a time. Hopefully I will remember to look at the map next time. Are those 10' squares?

Yeah, combat is always accompanied by some sort of map (some better than others) so look for them.

These are 5' squares.

I really like the map. Small, simple, easy to use, still looks good.

I like the two turns at a time, but as an area blaster you're going to have to move Azghaad around a little. Not too bas once lines form, as people tend not to move after that.

I'm a little worried that it seems Azghaad's every combat move is either "move and blast" or "stand still and blast". I'm trying to flavour it up a bit, but I'm not as good at it as my companions!

I'm a little worried that it seems Azghaad's every combat move is either "move and blast" or "stand still and blast". I'm trying to flavour it up a bit, but I'm not as good at it as my companions!

I think you're doing just fine.

One thing I try to do is to 'write with my senses'. What is seen, heard, felt, smelled, tasted(?) when certain events take place.

Also bring in internal dialogue which is also excellent for setting the mood. Use verbs that convey 'action'.

I'm no expert and am as guilty as anyone but 'his chest heaved up and down as he gulped in air' is much more descriptive than 'he took a deep breath'. Try to 'show' instead of 'tell'. However, this is no creative writing class so don't make it into a chore. It still must be fun.

"Good thing we spiked those doors so their friends don't come in behind us. Let's see if they are tougher than those scorpions." With a smooth and familiar motion, Naomi reached behind her back to free her scythe.
Round 1
"I've got the one on the left!" she cried. "I'll slide toward the wall so once we get their numbers down, we can surround the last ones." The priestess moved left, but swung her scythe back hard to the left and was rewarded with the sounds crunching exoskeleton and pieces of shell dropping to the chamber floor.
Attack (scythe): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11

Round 2
OOC: If that attack finished her first target, she'll move to see if she can catch the next one between her and Ahkmose (and get a flank bonus). If the first target is still up, she'll attack it again.
Naomi turned back toward the center of the room, taking a step left to begin to surround the insectoid creatures. Below her feet, she could feel the broken bits of the creatures shell. Finding it more difficult to plant her feet properly, she took a slightly off-balance swing.
Attack (scythe): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11
That will hit if she can get a flank, but miss if she cannot, so...
Fortunately it didn't matter. Ahkmose's own attack caught the creature off guard and it dropped its defenses just enough for Naomi's scythe to descend lethally once more. It didn't penetrate as deep as her first strike, but the weight of the scythe still managed to cause a huge crack in the shell and she was sure that she had managed to cause deeper damage.

or

With a sharp cry of surprise, Naomi felt her foot slip out as it skidded forward on a piece of the creature's shell. Her scythe arced forward, but the blade rattled harmlessly off the surface and she nearly fell to the ground.

This is everyone so I'll roll some dice and recap later tonight.

Game on!

You can insert this in my combat description. I keep forgetting Naomi is a warpriest and I was surprised how much damage she laid out.

He moved to attack the nearest spider, shield held high, and swung the khopesh in a wide arc, aiming for the spider's head. The giant vermin stepped sideways, however, and he only managed to slash its foreleg. Hearing a crunch of bone, he glanced over to see Naomi finish cleaving a spider open with her scythe. It was surprising how much force the small priestess exerted. A reminder, he told himself, to never underestimate someone's prowess.

You can insert this in my combat description. I keep forgetting Naomi is a warpriest and I was surprised how much damage she laid out.

Yeah, man. In this game, martial power does come in 'short' packages. :)

OOC: Ha, yes. She is supposed to be exactly that. The improbably devastating tiny warpriestess. And she didn't pop divine favor this time. Still waiting for that lovely x4 crit to land though :) If not for that nerf that took away the full BAB progression for the warpriest's focus weapon, she'd be giving any fighter a run for their money. As it is, you can expect she'll fall back as Ahkmose's full BAB kicks him ahead, but should still be a lot of fun with the rapid buff-fight combo she gets via fervor and some beefier spellcasting.

I had a 5th-level human pirate warpriest in a short-lived game, based on the playtest version. He was a lot of fun to fight with. He was a two-weapon fighter with light picks as a focus weapon so I got the damage upgrade.

Rubani: can you cast a spell and use the ray power in one turn? Just wondering how you do that.

Rubani: can you cast a spell and use the ray power in one turn? Just wondering how you do that.

He's casting the spell in round 1 and then stepping back and casting icicle in round 2.

That is indeed what I was aiming for, although now that I look back on my post the formatting makes it a tad too ambiguous. I'll try to correct that in the future.

Turn 22 is up!

Naomi looked quickly to the other side of the room to see if any more of the giant insects live and nodded approvingly. "Nice quick work everyone. Seems we're learning to work well together. Looks like that's all of them unless we find more behind our spiked door."

Relaxing slightly, she took a few moments to look around the rest of the room. "So this is where they prepared Akhentepi's body for burial for mummification?" She voiced a prayer to Pharasma and slowly scanned the room, looking for more magic. "Shall we have a look around to see if there is more here to document about Akhentepi?"
OOC: Take 20 to search the room once we're satisfied there is no immediate danger.

"We're all alright?" he asked, concerned, and apparently oblivious to the blood seeping out of his own small cut. "Was that the end of them?" He asked again.
Nose wrinkling and eyes blinking he spat, and swore "Faugh! That smell! I'm out of water, can anyone stop these cursed things taking vengeance on us from beyond the grave?" Immediately after the end of that outbreak his face flushed dark in embarrassment.
"I suggest we examine another room, and give this one a chance to air out?"

OOC: Take 20 to search the room once we're satisfied there is no immediate danger.

You find ancient embalming tools and jars; they look to be masterwork items.

The torch-holders are also 'removable'.

Akhmose looks around, surprised to see all the spiders dead. He tries to wave away the smoke but doesn't succeed, and ends up in a coughing fit. He heads toward the door as quickly as possible to try to get away from the burning arachnids.

You don't mean literally getting smaller, I hope?

Shalina couldn’t help but cough as the smell of burning arachnids filled the air. “How did they get in?” Shalina mused. “And how do they survive? There is no food source down here and they cannot climb up the shaft that we descended. It is puzzling indeed. Maybe there is another way out of this tomb where the vermin are getting in.” As she spoke, the archaeologist walked the perimeter of the room looking for anything that may suggest another entrance.

When Shalina got to the torch holders, she noticed that they were not affixed. She moved each one in turn, secretly hoping that a door in the wall would open as she did so. “These may be items that we can take to give to the Pharasmin to show we have explored the tomb. That along with the embalming tools that Naomi found would be acceptable – unless one of you had designs on them.”

Tag everyone
Fabian, does moving the torch-holders do anything?

"I suggest we examine another room, and give this one a chance to air out?"

Shalina shrugged. "Either that or we call it a day and return with the items we have already discovered. We still need to discuss what to do with what we have found."

tag everyone

ooc: the room 'seemed' to be getting smaller; you guys are OK. :)

Moving the torch holders does not do anything.

I won't recap until tomorrow night at the earliest but, from what I'm hearing, the group wants to continue exploring.

Game on!

"Time for a rest soon enough Shalina. I think we can continue further as long as we're careful. I think we should see if there are more of these bugs behind the door we spiked."

"Faugh! That smell! I'm out of water, can anyone stop these cursed things taking vengeance on us from beyond the grave?"

*splash*

The sound of water striking stone was heard as the cleric went from one smoldering insect corpse to another, conjuring orbs of water over them that then fell onto the carcasses, extinguishing them like oversized raindrops.

"I'll do my level best," Rubani answered, stopping to cough. "Cremation is a respectable enough method to part with our dearly beloved, but there's a reason it is typically performed in enclosed furnaces. I remember one particularly eventful funeral I attended... Gods, the smell. If any of you ever find yourselves arranging an open-air cremation be mindful of what direction the wind is blowing. Heh."

The party spent some time going over the room, finding some ancient embalming tools in the process. The cleric, having some experience as a mortician, was immediately taken with them.

“How did they get in? And how do they survive? There is no food source down here and they cannot climb up the shaft that we descended. It is puzzling indeed. Maybe there is another way out of this tomb where the vermin are getting in.”

"That... is an excellent question," answered Rubani, eyes still on a sharp instrument whose purpose he couldn't determine. "Observant as ever, Miss Sekh-at. I suspect you are right. Perhaps they tunneled upon the tomb by accident. Their entrance could be further ahead. Did the tracks you found earlier come from the western doors?"

“These may be items that we can take to give to the Pharasmin to show we have explored the tomb. That along with the embalming tools that Naomi found would be acceptable – unless one of you had designs on them.”

The cleric gave up the tools willingly, having no intent on mummifying anyone for the time being. As for whether or not the party should continue further into the tomb he agreed with Naomi and Azghaad. They should keep exploring for as long as they had the resources to do so. While Rubani wanted to keep his party members safe, he also wanted all of this done with as soon as possible.

Speaking of resources, Rubani is going to burn another Channel Energy, seeing as everyone but Shalina is wounded. That leaves us with two more Channels, Akhmose's Lay on Hands, and some three Cure Light Wounds. I'm thinking that we can take another fight no problem.

Channel Positive Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Fabian, could Shalina tell which direction the tracks were going when she initially studied them?
Shalina also has a Cure light spell so that is another one.

"Time for a rest soon enough Shalina. I think we can continue further as long as we're careful. I think we should see if there are more of these bugs behind the door we spiked."

I am quite enjoying myself and am eager to continue. I was just pointing out our options and not suggesting I wanted to stop."

Shalina looked around the room one last time, "It seems like we have seen all there is to see here. Let us continue to the west. Maybe we will discover more vermin as well as how they are getting in. It may make it easier to remove items when we are done."

Fabian, could Shalina tell which direction the tracks were going when she initially studied them?

Shalina also has a Cure light spell so that is another one.

The tracks went back and forth between the room you are currently in and the room whose door you 'blocked'.

reply to Shalina

"I agree, let us see what is in that other room. There may be a nest of them, and it's better if we surprise them than the other way round. Did anyone identify what sort of spider they were? I've never seen of one with 10 legs, let alone one that big." After getting his breath, Akhmose returns and pokes at a spider corpse, trying to see where they are softest.

Naomi looks closer now that the fires are out. "I have no idea. Some sort of giant bugs. Never seen anything like them before in Wati, but this is my first time in the Necropolis."

Turn 23 is up!

Questions. comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Er, is it possible for Azghaad to identify what this thing is? I imagine actions might well vary based on that.
I'm happy to spend the first round backing away and thinking hard, if that helps.
It's a very cool monster! The description leaves me a bit worried we've bit off more than we can chew
Additionally: you've said "1 more spell?" for Azghaad. I had that as Magic Missile. I only just saw it now because I was thinking of using it.

Er, is it possible for Azghaad to identify what this thing is? I imagine actions might well vary based on that.

I'm happy to spend the first round backing away and thinking hard, if that helps.
It's a very cool monster! The description leaves me a bit worried we've bit off more than we can chew
Additionally: you've said "1 more spell?" for Azghaad. I had that as Magic Missile. I only just saw it now because I was thinking of using it.

k.planes DC 12: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22, learn 3 'things'

I'll fix the magic missile spell.

More questions?

OOC: I'm going to take my action assuming Azghaad lets us know about that DR 5/bludgeoning

Round 1
Shocked to see the sand itself come to life, Naomi is caught off-guard for a moment. The sharp pain of obsidian teeth crushing through her side, puncturing flesh and breaking ribs brings her quickly into action. For a moment, she reached for her familiar scythe before Azghaad's warning echoed down the tunnel. "Hammer. Got it!" Her hand moved quickly to the other side as she freed a strap that dropped her gigantic hammer into her hands. Feeling her broken ribs grind against one another, she knew she had better make her attacks count. "Not this year sand beast! Pharasma, lend me strength!"
Use one use of fervor (1/3 remain) to cast divine favor (1/3 remain) as a swift action
Attack (Earth breaker): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage (Earth breaker): 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 5) + 8 = 16 bludgeoning
Swinging the hammer with all of her might, Naomi's feet even momentarily left the steps before she brought the maul down on the creature's neck. Sand sprayed everywhere with the force of the blow driving the sandling's head down and tearing bits of armor and flesh with it as the blow released the warpriestess from its grip.
If that kills it...
Bracing herself for another attack, Naomi is relieved to see the sandling sink back into the steps. Knowing she has just dodged another death blow, the priestess drops to one knee to catch her breath and utters thanks to Pharasma.

Round 2
If the sandling drops her...
"You take and I take back creature!" Naomi hisses at the sandling. But it seemed to rise to the challenge and again, her defenses are not up to the violence of its attack. For a second time, the sandling delivers a crushing bite and this time it is too much. Pharasma's warrior falls to the steps and a shadow seems to fall over her limp body.
But, if she fights on...
Feeling her strength ebb, Naomi knew she had to make what would probably be her last attack count. She pulled the hammer back around for another blow thinking Head has to be its weak point, doesn't it. and like she was trying to ring the bell at a carnival, she brought the hammer straight down on the sandling's head, pummeling it into the hard stone of the steps and sending its shiny black teeth scattering all over the sand and steps.
Attack (Earth breaker): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage (Earth breaker): 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 8 = 13 bludgeoning
If that kills it...
This time, the sandling didn't come back. Instead of reforming and coming at her again, the sand scattered and everything returned to a quiet calm. The priestess drops to one knee to catch her breath and utters thanks to Pharasma.

"A Sand elemental, I think! Looks like a class II semi-sentient para-living spontaneous elemental embodiment in Warlockswalk's taxonomy! We need to disrupt the Aetheric pattern!" Pausing for a second to realise not everyone will have read Warlockswalk's classic series, he quickly continues "It can feel what happens on the ground and can move through the sand quickly. No vital organs, you just need to knock enough sand out of it. Use large, blunt weapons - like a hammer!"

"A Sand elemental, I think! Looks like a class II semi-sentient para-living spontaneous elemental embodiment in Warlockswalk's taxonomy! We need to disrupt the Aetheric pattern!" Pausing for a second to realise not everyone will have read Warlockswalk's classic series, he quickly continues "It can feel what happens on the ground and can move through the sand quickly. No vital organs, you just need to knock enough sand out of it. Use large, blunt weapons - like a hammer!"

LOL, well done, Azghaad. :)

BTW, if there are any Dark Sun fans among you, I'm starting a game and can use another player. So drop me a line if you are interested.

Game on!

Sorry about the delay. I'm trying to think of something clever to do that isn't just Flame Jet...

OOC: Level 1 characters Azghaad. We're limited now, but you're going to have a wealth of things to do before long. EDIT: Oops, Level 2.

Sorry about the delay. I'm trying to think of something clever to do that isn't just Flame Jet...

Also get creative with the descriptions. Maybe your wizard learned to ignite people just by thinking about it or he has a flaming whip or fire shoots from his eyes. As long as the mechanics are the same, let your imagination soar.

"A Sand elemental, I think! Looks like a class II semi-sentient para-living spontaneous elemental embodiment in Warlockswalk's taxonomy! We need to disrupt the Aetheric pattern!" he paused for a second as he realised not everyone would have read Warlockswalk's seminal series, then quickly summarised "It can feel what happens on the ground and can move through the sand quickly. No vital organs, you just need to knock enough sand out of it. Use large, blunt weapons - like a hammer!"

Round 1
Tactic: Living flanking bonus! Try to provide flanking for Akhmose and Naomi.
Move 5 ft to B5. Concentrate for defensive recast of Dancing Lights as glowing humanoid form in square D6.
Azghaad speaks Ignan, and knows about Fire Elementals. Possibly a Bluff or Disguise (both terrible) is in order?
Now, as I recall my Warlockswalk, Elementals have a tendency to territoriality. Another Elemental should nicely distract this one from attacking Naomi. Pity I don't have one... I could pass as a... no. Very no. Still, if I recast the illumination spell and overlap the areas correctly...
Azghaad waved his staff wildly to fend off the sand-snake and buy time to think. After a second he nodded convulsively and moved closer to Naomi, then cast. For a split second the dancing lights from earlier vanished, and then all illumination came from an eerie, glowing, vaguely humanoid form.

Round 2
Tactic: in too deep!
Defensive Two weapon fighting with quarterstaff. I figure he's only going to hit on a Nat 20... +1 base, +2 flanking, -4 defensive, -4/-8 for TWF. I'm not sure you can combine TWF and Defensive, in which case he'll do defensive... and might actually hit.
Realising that he had trapped in close proximity to a writhing sandsnake, with nowhere to run, and too tightly packed to use magic effectively Azghaad cursed. He switched from trying to be clever into simply keeping the damnable monster away, throwing wild blow after wild blow at it.

is it too late to aid another with Azghaad's knowledge check? Shalina may be able to remember more info if he gets the ball rolling which may give us more info as to how to fight this thing.

Struggling with what Shalina could do as an attack other than toss alchemist's fire at it and the quarters may be a little too close for that, don't want to get anyone in the splash area.

is it too late to aid another with Azghaad's knowledge check? Shalina may be able to remember more info if he gets the ball rolling which may give us more info as to how to fight this thing.

Struggling with what Shalina could do as an attack other than toss alchemist's fire at it and the quarters may be a little too close for that, don't want to get anyone in the splash area.

The information gained is it. Sometimes you just have to sit it out and cheer others on. :)