If everyone agrees, Elliander is ready to cast Bull’s Strength on himself.
He waits until the preparations are done and the others are hiding in place and then walks up to the undead and attacks it.
If everything is set up, then Initiative Rolls?
"You'll need to give us a shout or something when we're good to move" she reminds Elliander.
After completing her spells, Soumral finds an alcove and waits behind the curtain.
Elliander strikes out at the monster.
The Biter: (undead, prayer, bull, power of faith) plus +3 channeling bonus if enemy is wearing metal armor
Channeling Shocking Grasp
with Bane(Undead) and Arcane Strike
The Biter: ??
with Bane(Undead) and Arcane Strike
Amenhep holds his holy symbol in his hand and says, "Ra's light illuminates the darkness, and gives us strength against all blasphemy!"
Amenhep stabs twice at the undead monstrosity with his spear.
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
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The party takes their time in preparing for battle, well away from the eyes of the undead monster. The party moves back into the room after Francis casts his Prayer spell, the priest advising that it only lasts for a short while. Soumral hides in a curtained alcove as the others move in close to the crouching undead thing, which watches them with its empty sockets, revealing nothing of its thoughts but taking no other actions. At least, not until Elliander strikes out suddenly! The blow connects solidly (25 damage), but then the undead creature unfolds itself from its hunched position, standing quite tall as a terrible aura emanates from the Crypt Thing’s unholy gaze! Bony claws slash at Elliander (13 damage) and then it disappears in a blink! Suddenly Frances feels an overwhelming dread as he turns to face the thing, which is now right behind him in the darkened corridor!!
vs Elliander’s AC (22) = Hit!
vs Elliander’s AC (22) = Hit!
--------------------------------------------
Initiative Order / Combat Notes
Crypt Thing Wounded (25 damage taken)
Elliander 42/57 [Pending 1 Will Save & 2 Fort Saves!; Shield is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 6 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 6 minutes; Funereal Weapon (weapon glows, bypasses undead DR) for 6 minutes; Prayer (+1 luck bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage, saves and skill checks, foes take a –1 penalty to all) for 4 rounds, Power of Faith (+1 morale bonus to AC, attack rolls, damage rolls and saves vs fear) for 8 rounds; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 8 (of 10) damage this day]
Rediz 35/35 [+4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 10 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 40 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 40 minutes; Prayer (+1 luck bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage, saves and skill checks, foes take a –1 penalty to all) for 4 rounds, Power of Faith (+1 morale bonus to AC, attack rolls, damage rolls and saves vs fear) for 8 rounds]
Amenhep 51/51 [Pending 1 Will Save!; Spear is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 6 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 6 minutes; Prayer (+1 luck bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage, saves and skill checks, foes take a –1 penalty to all) for 4 rounds, Power of Faith (+1 morale bonus to AC, attack rolls, damage rolls and saves vs fear) for 8 rounds]
Soumral 45/45 [Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 40 minutes; Prayer (+1 luck bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage, saves and skill checks, foes take a –1 penalty to all) for 4 rounds]
Francis 44/47 [Pending 1 Will Save!; Prayer (+1 luck bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage, saves and skill checks, foes take a –1 penalty to all) for 4 rounds, Power of Faith (+1 morale bonus to AC, attack rolls, damage rolls and saves vs fear) for 8 rounds]
*Aura of Courage +4 (10 ft. from Amenhep) (Su) Allies in aura gain a morale bonus to saves vs. fear. Overides the +1 from Power of Faith?
*Prayer +1 (luck bonus)
*Protection from Evil +2 (resistance bonus), adds just +1 due to cloak?
Power of Faith, Prayer
Fort Save: Does Elliander feel some burning etc. from the two claw attacks, that can give him any info?
Elliander gets a good hit on the monster before it lets loose on him with its claws and teleports away. For a split second, the duskblade does not know where it went until he hears Francis sound of surprise.
Elliander waits long enough for Francis to move out of the way, before attacking again.
Delay until Francis is done and he has hopefully backed away from the crypt thing. Move then to attack it with the sword.
The Biter: (undead, prayer, bull, power of faith)
with Bane(Undead) and Arcane Strike
Surprised to see/hear the creature appear behind him Francis turns and stumbles back while calling on the power of Pharasma to smite the undead monster.
Elliander overcomes the attack and moves to back up Frances, striking the creature down easily!
The crypt keeper was no match for the prepared heroes, and the group is free to investigate the room fully. Besides the heavy, magically locked doors to the south, and the already-explored suite of rooms to the east, the western curtain reveals a long, straight staircase leading down into the depths, and without proceeding down the steps the party can only see that it descends at least thirty feet before the angle of the roof cuts off any further line of sight. You get the impression it goes quite deep, however.
The crypt thing goes down too, without much difficulty after its initial attack. Elliander stands there with his heart racing, full of adrenaline due to the enhancement spell. The duskblade makes sure it’s really dead by severing its head, then wiping off The Biter and sheathing the sword.
He uses the last charge from the belt to heal himself.
”I believe it was guarding this door. Something tells me we need to focus on passing this door rather than chasing down other corridors. We’re running out of spells and healing.”
He turns to Rediz: ”Can you open the door, or shall I try to break it down with my mace? What or whoever is on the other side, it’s probably aware we’re coming anyway.”
"The Pharaoh of the Heavens teaches that a relentless assault can be a foolish one. My divine power is nearly expended for the day, and I am sure that others of you need rest to regain your power as well. Whatever is locked behind that door will likely stay that way. Perhaps we return to the inn and rest for the night, so rejuvenated by the dawn's brilliance we can strike down our foes with all of the strength we can muster."
|
Before Elliander can activate his belt, Rediz stops him. Let me do this. your belt is better used in combat.
"Amenhep, I know what you mean, but I think we should end this now, before even more people are dying out there in the city. I am not sure the guards can hold the gate to the city of the dead another night."
While discussing with the others how best to proceed, he takes a look at the lock to see if he can handle it.
[ooc][/ooc] If we decide to go forward and the perception shows no reason not to try it:
"I can try dispelling the magic if it can't be opened by other means. I can't guarantee it would work though."
Soumral vigorously disagrees with stopping to rest rather than pressing on.
"Aside from the undead, the Pharasman fanatics are completely prepared to kill anyone and everyone by setting their own monsters loose to put the undead down. We would also have to reset the Elegiac Compasses if it turns out we still need them to precisely locate the mask."
"I've been keeping spells in reserve, using as few as possible so far, because I expected we'd be worn out by this point. You may not be able to go as hard against what's coming, but I can go much harder than before."
The Biter is enjoying itself and pushing Elliander hard. Elliander is eager to go after the mask anyway. He just pauses enough to let Rediz stop him from using up the last charge of the belt, and instead lets him heal the duskblade with the wand instead.
”I understand what you are saying, Amenhep. I believe we’ve succeeded this far because we’ve had surprise on our side. If we stop and rest now, who knows how many more monsters and cultists may be summoned. Even worse, the mask might get relocated and we’d have to start all over again looking for it. Going back to the inn is out of the question. Resting here will be difficult, and we’re not sure if we are blocking the only exit or the evil ones can escape some other way with the mask.” ”
He looks at the others for support.
"A fair point. Onwards then, into the darkness."
With the decision made Francis uses charges from his wand to fully heal Elliander.
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
Though there is a brief discussion about resting for the night, others suggest that the city might not hold until morning, based on what they saw outside of the necropolis. Too, there is the concern that withdrawing might allow whatever cultists still lurk here to better prepare for their return on the following day. Ultimately it is decided to press on, and as Francis provides some much-needed healing for Elliander, Rediz takes a hard look at the door. He soon determines there are no traps present (at least none that he can see) and then proceeds to work on the lock. But try as he might, the crypt breaker finds that the magic holding the door is thwarting his efforts. He is fairly certain that he could otherwise pick this lock...
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 57/57 [Shield is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes; Funereal Weapon (weapon glows, bypasses undead DR) for 5 minutes; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 8 (of 10) damage this day]
Rediz 35/35 [+4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 9 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 39 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Amenhep 51/51 [Spear is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes]
Soumral 45/45 [Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Francis 44/47
With the additional strength given by the spell soon leaving him, Elliander realizes that the heavy door will be a challenge to knock down; manageable, but it will take some time. He studies to see if he can see any weak spot, like visible hinges etc. He also tries to figure out if the if there is any heavy wooden beam or piece of stone from the benches, slabs, structures etc. in the rooms down here, they can use as a ram to break in the door.
Soumral sighs at the news from Rediz. She's hoped to hang on to the spell, which is useful for stripping away magical protections. She certain there will be a formidable spell caster or two behind the use of the mask. But when you need it, you need it.
Her other worry is the expectation that the caster of the magic holding the door was significantly more powerful than her and her attempt won't have any effect.
"Don't hold your breath, but here goes..."
Soumral casts the spell to dispel the door's magic.
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
Elliander estimates that breaking down the door would be incredibly difficult even without the magic that protects it - and with the magic, absolutely impossible for the party. Maybe if they had a storm giant with them... The door itself could probably eventually be destroyed with a heavy pick or the like, but it would surely take a very long time to do so. It doesn't take long for Soumral to realize that her magic is needed, and the elf makes the most of it, as her dispel magic spell does the trick. Rediz is confident now that he can pick the lock, given another minute or so of effort.
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 57/57 [Shield is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes; Funereal Weapon (weapon glows, bypasses undead DR) for 5 minutes; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 8 (of 10) damage this day]
Rediz 35/35[+4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 9 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 39 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Amenhep 51/51 [Spear is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes]
Soumral 45/45 [Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Francis 44/47
Elliander looks at the double door again. It’s a sturdy one, alright, but he knows he can break it down with the mace. It’s going to be some heavy work though.
He turns to Rediz. ”I can hit the door with my mace and eventually break it down. It’s a tough one, so it’s not going to be pretty, and it will cause a lot of noise.
Do you think you can try again opening it first? Take your time.”
|
|
In preparation of the upcoming fight, Rediz is drinkinng from a small flask, before drowning one of his potions. Just as you wonder what is up he spits the potion back into the bottle.
After wards he checks that he has all his bombs ready and works on opening that lock.
Having three scrolls that might come in handy, Elliander assumes that if he needs one of them in a hurry, it’s going to be the Stoneskin one, because there is a fight right up. He keeps that scroll in his belt for easy reach.
The duskblade will stand just behind Rediz. The alchemist is likely the sneakiest one to first look inside if they can open the door. They need to look out for traps and more enemies.
Soumral keeps her more powerful, nearly expended wand of Magic Missile ready in hand.
Rediz efficiently picks the lock, then glances back at the others, giving a nod that all is ready...
Amenhep stands behind Francis, ready to step forward and take his or Rediz' place in the line if needed.
"Then let us see what long-forgotten blasphemies lurk here, and drag them into the light."
Of course Soumral is in the back.
Elliander stands right behind Rediz. While time is ticking, he believes that they might be facing more obstacles, and wants to have a look inside the room first, before entering. The room might well be empty, as they have already overcome some traps and guardians, but there could well be more traps (like flying tiles or pits), more undead horrors or simply evil and corrupted humans/humanoids. He urges Rediz to check the floor just inside the opening if there is no more obvious danger inside.
With the door unlocked and the leaders of the group starting to open it to peek through Francis uses a charge from his wand of Bless. It might be wasted, or it might be needed faster than Francis could react....
Then he tucks the wand away while waiting to see what is beyond the door.
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
Soumral casts a spell to shield herself from physical attacks and to protect her from evil creatures as Rediz quaffs a potion... then spits it back into the vial. Francis uses his wand to invoke a blessing upon himself and the others, though it will be very short-lived, as the ratfolk eases open the door.
The chamber beyond the magically locked doors is deathly silent, its vaulted ceiling seeming to absorb all sound. A broad tiled walkway depicting a decorative geometric pattern leads through the room, which is flanked by deep pits that the party cannot glimpse the bottom of from their current position just outside the chamber. In the center of the room is a quietly bubbling fountain that appears to fill a raised basin with clear-looking water. At the far end of the chamber, just beyond the fountain, is a twelve-foot jackal-headed statue that those who are remotely familiar with the pantheon of Osirian gods will recognize as Anubis - armed with his favored weapon, a great flail. Beyond the statue is another set of double doors.
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 57/57 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 rounds; Shield is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes; Funereal Weapon (weapon glows, bypasses undead DR) for 5 minutes; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 8 (of 10) damage this day]
Rediz 35/35[Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 rounds; +4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 9 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 39 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Amenhep 51/51 [Spear is shedding Light (20’); Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 rounds; Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes]
Soumral 45/45 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 rounds; Shield (+4 shield bonus to AC, negates magic missiles) for 6 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 6 minutes; Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Francis 44/47 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 rounds]
Elliander looks at the narrow walk suspiciously. He renews his Light-spell and then uses the Detect Magic-spell to project into the next room.
A good place to set a trap, he thinks now when the room seems empty.
The duskblade nudges Rediz to start looking for traps just inside the door and advance slowly.
With shield ready, Elliander enters just after and behind Rediz when the ratfolk declares it safe from traps.
Before stepping in, Amenhep kneels at the threshold and says, ”Wise and vengeful Anubis, he who guides the dead, grant us your blessing and protection as we cleanse the unholiness from this place.”
Amenhep speaks a prayer to Anubis as Rediz looks for traps, finding nothing in the room - at least, not so far as he can discern. Elliander senses a magic aura just inside the door, however. The aura seems to encompass the entire staircase, from the floor to the ceiling some 20' up.
After focusing his attention, he determines it is abjuration magic, and he recognizes it an instant later as an Alarm spell. Passing through the area will magically alert someone of their presence. However, there doesn't appear to be a way around...
Finding the next room empty, is a bit surprising. Finding no traps, even more so, but then Elliander senses the Alarm spell set on the entry point. He can also see another set of doors on the other side of the room.
Sneaking in seems hard to do now and being invisible won’t help against the tripwire Alarm. Wasting any more Dispel spell just to overcome the Alarm (if Soumral even have more of that?), seems expensive, as they might need it if the next set of doors is magically locked too.
Feeling pressured to do something, Elliander speculates that triggering the Alarm might not necessarily be a bad thing. Maybe that will get the doors ahead opened and the cultists to come out to meet them. They will likely have to fight them anyway, he thinks as he senses they are getting closer to where the mask is.
Whether it’s The Biter that pushes him or not, Elliander draws and reads his scroll of Stoneskin, applying it to himself. Then he steps into the room, no longer caring if he triggers the alarm.
Hearing the details of the trap Francis follows immediately after Elliander. "Whatever is ahead will be warned, but so are we. Pharasma will assist us to get rid of the undead menace."
Still using his Detect Magic spell to probe ahead, Elliander moves towards the basin. He can see the large statue standing right in front of the doors, which doesn’t seem very practical, unless it’s guarding them. The duskblade pulls out his heavy mace.
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
Elliander uses a spell scroll to cause his skin to magically harden - nearly to the density of solid stone! The duskblade moves into the room, followed by the others and approaches the pool as he draws a heavy mace while everyone keeps an eye out for danger. Not surprisingly, it is the statue of Anubis that seems to stand guarding the doors on the far side of the chamber that attracts their immediate attention as it rattles the heavy flail clenched in its hand and begins to move toward the party soundlessly, raising its weapon high as though to strike! Only Amenhep and Francis didn't see the statue start to move until it was too late to react...
--------------------------------------------
Round 1 - Initiative Order & Combat Notes
Rediz 35/35[Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 8 rounds; +4 to WIS (Potion of Owl's Wisdom) for 28 rounds; +4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 9 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 39 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Soumral 45/45 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 8 rounds; Shield (+4 shield bonus to AC, negates magic missiles) for 6 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 6 minutes; Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 39 minutes]
Elliander 57/57 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 8 rounds; Shield is shedding Light (20’); Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes; Funereal Weapon (weapon glows, bypasses undead DR) for 5 minutes; Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine [70 damage remaining]) for 70 minutes (or until discharged); Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 8 (of 10) damage this day]
Anubis Statue Undamaged
Amenhep 51/51 [Spear is shedding Light (20’); Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 8 rounds; Bull’s STR (+4 to STR) for 5 minutes; Protection From Evil (+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistance bonus to saves) for 5 minutes]
Francis 44/47 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 8 rounds]
Elliander is starting to get tired of all these brainless guards that just seem to stand there waiting to attack them.
”Hey! We’re the good guys, don’t you know?!”
With a slight shake of his head, the duskblade takes a step forward and starts swinging the mace at the awoke statue.
5’-step forward
Adamantium Heavy Mace (M) +9/+4 melee attack \ 1d8 +3 damage \ [x2] critical \ bludgeoning damage
Bless, Bull
with Arcane Strike and weapon considered magical
with Arcane Strike