GM Dak - Mummy's Mask

Game Master Dakcenturi

"Just be weary of more sand demons? or whatever that other things was." Aliva looks at Irakelesh and nods

With encouragement from the others, Irakelesh turns the spigot.

What happens?

Irakelesh turns the spigot. For a moment, nothing happens, then a crystal clear stream of water pours forth.

Studied closely, you eventually deduce that this is a unique magical item that produces an unending stream of water of varying temperature. It is, unfortunately, firmly attached to a block of stone.

Aliva will put her hand in the water, tasting some.

"It does not taste terrible and I feel refreshed." Aliva pulls out her water skin and fills it.

Fitliss grins, and drinks from the pool himself. "That does taste good!" he exclaims, filling his own waterskins.

"Well, if you say so.", she will also fill her waterskin and take a few sips of water. "Wow! This is really good!"

"You know, I've got a good feeling about this place, lets see what else is here!"

Irakelesh watches the others with a small bit of amusement. Almost as if he is waiting to see them sprout rabbit ears or a donkey's tail. After nothing happens, Irakelesh takes a drink.

"Well. It is refreshing water but other than that, I don't see why it makes you guys feel so great." Irakelesh takes another drink then looks to see if anyone else wants some before he turns off the tap.

is there a map that we can see/I am missing?

G'nock drinks his fill from his own water-skin, then refills it from the endless tap ... if his compatriots have not come to harm by the next time he next requires water, he thinks, this should be safe enough ...

"Shall we leave this device to produce water? Perhaps we will, over time, make this desert bloom," he says, half-jokingly.

"Its worth trying, I guess.", she smiles. "Come on, we have other places to explore before the day ends, lets see what else is on this floor just so we don't have a sand Irakelesh appearing out of nowhere and making bad jokes at our backs."

Ai'sha will try to open the stone door to the east.

B17, did I get bingo?

"Yes we are short on time lets clear this manor and see what Relics we turn up." Aliva heads to the north western interior room.

Ai'sha opens the stone door to see a spacious yard down a short flight of stone steps. To the east, several small stone outbuildings have been built right into the compound’s outer wall. A well stands between two of these outbuildings, opposite a stone table and benches that sit in the shadow of the house. To the northwest, an open doorway leads into an extension of the house, next to a small structure with a domed roof.

Avila moves back through the entry foyer to the base of the staircase. Dust and debris cover this area, it's obvious nobody has tread these halls in many years. Looking north, Avila sees a marble dining table with shattered benches beneath it. There is also a smaller table ibarely visible in the shadows on the west wall. Several goblets sit on the smaller table, each one holding what appears to be a humanoid skull.

Not bingo, but you got 5 cup-skulls, that's 50 point Yahtzee!

Ai'sha walks towards the closest outbuilding and tries to see what is inside without entering.

"Hey, I found some other buildings here."

She'll cast light on a pebble and throw it inside the building if necessary.

Irakelesh watches Ai'sha open the doors on the east and then walk outside and then he sees Aliva head towards additional rooms on the west side of the manor. "Hey guys! We should all stay together," he says in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "I don't really care which way we go at first since I want to look everyone. But together? Maybe?"

After Aliva checks the room she comes back.

"Not much up there, some skulls in cups and nice marble tables. They would be worth a bit but nothing else that I noted." Aliva then follows the group out with Ai'Sha

"Skulls in cups?" Irakelesh raises an eyebrow at Aliva. "And you just left them there? They sound very, uh, interesting." Forgetting what he said about staying together just a moment before, Irakelesh starts to walk back in the direction that Aliva came from.

Fitliss grins. "Who puts skulls in cups?" he asks curiously, following Irakelesh into the room, and gazing in enrapturement at its contents.

Ai'sha walks across the courtyard toward the building directly ahead of her. B6 As she gets within 20 feet of the entrance, a low growl arrests her movement. The growl is joined by another one a moment later. Two sets of eyes open in the shadows of the building and look directly at her.

I didn't have you throw the stone since that seems a bit provocative given the circumstances. Let me know what you want to do.

-----

Irakelesh and Fitliss move toward the dining room. They move past the staircase until they can see the situation Aliva described - sure enough, there is a small table upon which five large goblet-style cups hold five humanoid skulls.

Moving forward slowly, Irakelesh gets as close as the double doors leading west before he sees the five skulls lift up out of the cups and turn to face him.

I figure Fitliss is within 10 feet of Irakelesh. Both of you, let me know what you want to do.

-----

I assume Aliva is close to the pool, as is G'nock. Both of you can see Ai'sha, and hear the growls coming from the building.

"Eh...G-guys?", Ai'sha steps back, cautiously. "...I might need help.", she slowly retreats in a defensive stance.

Full Defense

Aliva rushes out to Ai'sha's side, "What is it?"

"Hey guys, the skulls are moving!" Fitliss calls exuberantly up to the others. Turning his attention back to the skulls, the gnome studies them carefully. "What are these things?"

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 -1 if Spellcraft is more applicable.

Ai'sha and Aliva both watch as a mangy, two-headed canine slowly walks forward out of the building. Gross yellow saliva drips down its chin as it growls at you. Its black fur is covered in a mass of creeping worms. It is also as large as a horse.

Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"It is a death dog...Their bites carry a disease called wormpox, back in the temple of Sarenrae we had to treat some adventurers who were bitten by a dog like this once...I don't think it can be reasoned with, either."

Ai'sha will stay on a defensive stance.

Aliva drops her shield into a defensive posture holding her Morning Star high ready to strike at the dog if it comes to attack.

Swing batta: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

G'nock readies his bow, glad to have a ranged weapon. "Perhaps if we don't hem the creature in, it will be on its way," he says doubtfully.

Irakelesh points at the floating skulls and laughs. "Hah! They're floating now! That's amazing."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

"Uh, Irakelesh? Those things are called beheaded. They can have a few different abilities, we won't know until we see them, but they can barf energy, grab us, scream, set themselves on fire, or swarm. They aren't too dangerous without those abilities, the abilities are the nasty part," Fitliss finishes his description of the creatures, and steps forward to thrust his spear at the nearest head.

Longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 181d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The five skulls turn toward Irakelesh, and suddenly swoop down directly at him. Fitliss stabs one of the skulls, shattering it. Three of the remaining skulls attack without hitting, but the last one slams into Irakelesh's chest. 2 points of damage

On the other side of the estate, the dog's growl tuns into angered barking, and it charges into combat. Aliva slams the creature in the flank, but it's attack is undeterred. One head bites Aliva 6 points of damage and a DC 12 Fort save and the other bites Ai'sha 9 points of damage and a DC 12 Fort save.

Irakelesh, you get AoOs on the skulls as they enter your square. Other than that, it's the party's turn.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Ouch!", Ai'sha looks at her wound with a worried face. "Now you did it, stupid dog!", she enchants her scimitar, assumes a dancelike stance and strikes the dog.

Attack(Battle Dance): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Damage(Battle Dance, Arcane Strike): 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 10

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Aliva steps back, bringing her shield around and swinging at the dog again.

"Damn these two heads, hard to get a good angle."

Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 121d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Irakelesh is shocked when the skulls fly at him as if attacking. "Angry flying skulls!" he exclaims. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Fitliss destroy one relatively easy. As one gets close to Irakelesh, he swings with his morningstar hoping to hit it out of the air but the investigator's aim is no where near as good as the oracle.

morningstar@skull,AOO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
morningstar@skull,normal turn: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7 if hit

"Cave canem", G'nock whispers the ancient charm against evil. He looses an arrow at the foul canine.
longbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Did the skulls avoid an AoO from me, or was that my attack of opportunity?

Fitliss grins as the mace whistles over his low head, closer to him than the skulls, but otherwise makes no comment as he attacks another skull.

Longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
AoO (if applicable): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Irakelesh grins sheepishly. "Uh. Fitliss. You have to watch out."

Ai'sha and Aliva both swing at the death dog, but it nimbly avoids their attacks. It growls menacingly, then yips as an arrow from G'nock's bow slams into its flank.

Though wounded, the death dog continues its attack, each head biting at Ai'sha and Aliva, but the arrow in its side appears to have wounded it more than you thought - both attempts to bite you miss badly. The monster appears to be very injured.

Another skull is batted across the room to shatter against the far wall as Fitliss stabs at them as they fly past him.

The remaining skulls continue swarming around Irakelesh, but none are able to get off a good attack.

You were correct, Fitliss, I have used that AoO's narrative in this round.

It's the party's turn!

Fitliss laughs. ”You are fine Irakelesh, just please don’t kill me instead of the beheaded,” he requests, never breaking his rhythm in the fight.

Longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Ai'Sha circle to the other side, maybe we can confuse it if we go from both sides."

Aliva moves to her left trying to get to the left side of the dog. 5' step

Morning Star smash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"Right!", Ai'sha will step to the dog's other flank before making her attack.

Attack(Battle Dance): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21+2 Flank?
Damage(Arcane Strike): 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10

G'nock glances at his bow -- the shot seemed strangely effective. Time to worry about that later.
longbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

"Don't worry. I won't kill you. At least not on purpose." Irakelesh squits one eye and fixes his stare on one particular flying skull. He pulls his morning star back for a powerful swing. "This reminds me of a game we would play in the palace. Except instead of flying skulls, I would have one of the servants throw pomegranates and I would hit them out of the air with a stick." Irakelesh swings at the skull. "When I'd hit one of those things it made quite a mess. Red juice flying everywhere! It was hilarious."

morningstar@skull: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Fitliss and Irakelesh take out two more skulls, but the final two open their jaws wide and vomit forth burning slime at both of the heroes. The change in tactics surprises both Fitliss and Irakelesh, and each one is covered by the corrosive slime.

Fitliss gets 3 points of acid damage, Irakelesh gets 1 point of acid damage. And you're both covered in undead goo. :)

While the skulls changes tactics to focus on disgusting bodily functions, Ai'sha, Aliva, and G'nock are facing their own peril. Aliva quickly shifts to her right, yelling for Ai'sha to do the same in order to trap the death dog between them. The dog is ready for Aliva's blow, and it hops back to avoid being hit... which places it squarely in the path of Ai'sha's scimitar. With a wide swipe, she brings the blade down and severs one of the monster's heads. It rears up with a roar, only for G'nock to seize the opening and bury an arrow deep in it's chest.

With a wet gurgle, its eyes in the remaining head roll back, and the death dog slumps to the ground. dead!

Still have two skulls flying around inside the manor. Its your turn!

Ai'sha will stomp her way into the manor searching for Irakelesh and Fitliss.

"What the heck were you two doing when I ca-OOOAAHHH WHAT THE HECK THEY'RE FLYING!?", she reflexively strikes at one of the skulls with her scimitar.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage(Arcane Strike): 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Irakelesh stands there with goo dripping off of his face and beard. "This is disgusting!" he says. But strangely his is still smiling. "Nice of you to join us Ai'sha. As you can see, we saved some of these things for you." He watches her slice at one of the two remaining skulls with her scimitar. "Nice shot! Now watch this." He swings his morning star at the last skull.

morning star@skull: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Fitliss gives a short cry as the acid seeps into a joint in his armor, but doesn’t make a sound as moments later, more acid burns appear on his face seemingly out of nowhere. ”Yup, there is the elemental barf!” the oracle declares chipperly, the pain distracting him long enough to throw off his aim as he nearly runs Irakelesh through with a brutal thrust. ”Sorry!” he exclaims, ”On the plus side though, I think we are even now!”

Longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Fitliss absorbs the damage Irakelesh took from the heads at the start of the gnome’s turn via their persisting life link.

I’m kind of laughing that I rolled minimum to hit and max damage, good thing there aren’t friendly fire rules...

So did you take all of Irakelesh's damage?

At the start of my turn, I take 5 from each person I am linked to. Sorry, I doubt it helped that I forgot to update my health.

Aliva Rushes inside with Ai'sha and G'nock.

"They didn't do that when I was in here, did you touch them?"

Aliva tries to hit one of the skulls with her morning star.

Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 111d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

G'nock, is tempted to switch to a morningstar, but he is impressed with the way his new bow performed against the death dog, and looses an arrow at one of the remaining skulls

longbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

Ai'sha, Aliva, and G'nock rush across the manor to aid their comrades. As they turn the corner, Ai'sha is surprised to see a flying skull and bats it aside, sending it crashing into the large table in the center of the room and shattering it into hundreds of pieces.

Irakelesh manages to time his attack perfectly on the last skull, slamming it into the ground with a powerful blow from his morningstar.

Fight is over, congrats, that was 2 separate encounters that you defeated.

Treasure: the silver plates and goblets around the dining room are worth a total of 450 gp.

Where to next?

Irakelesh jumps in the air with a cheer. "Hah! Got you!" He smiles at the other three as they come running in. "You guys almost missed all of the fun." He looks down at his chest and arms all covered in slime then advances towards Ai'sha with a mischievous grin. "Hey. Don't you want a hug? I mean, we almost died and all that."

"Let's head over there." He nods in the direction of the doorway heading east.

Who's keeping track of the loot?