GM Dak - Mummy's Mask

Game Master Dakcenturi

Wait a minute... by the time it attacks me, it would be inside the reach of my spear! Uhhh... Fitliss readies to grab the creature if it appears within reach

Readied Grapple: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

+3 Strength, +1 BAB, -1 Size. My character sheet isn’t loading for some reason, so I can’t confirm that that bonus is right.

Yeah, his CMB is +2, not +3, so that was a 21, doubt it matters either way though.

G'nock readies his bow and new arrow for attack, directed generally where the voice is coming from, but hesitates.
readied longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The creature invisibly flies forward, but acting on instinct or some divine intervention, Fitliss jumps slightly and grabs hold of the creature, grappling it and holding on tightly. Able to see the outline of the creature, roughly, based on the gnome's stance, his fellow party members attack, but despite the grapple none are able to make contact.

The creature struggles as Irakelesh takes a shot, and is initially unable to get free (though it does become visible), but soon after it escapes the grapple.

All those are misses, though thanks to the grapple the creature's AC was down to 20 from 22. On the bright side you keep the weapon blanch on your weapons, and even the arrow that G'nock shot didn't break and can be recovered. The div is now visible after trying and eventually breaking out of the grapple, in Fitliss's square. Irakelesh gets his surprise round and another full round of action, and everyone else gets a full round of action.

Aliva growls a bit but bites down on her frustation and swings again.

Morning Star: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

we need a strong melee character with a good atk roll

"Ugh why do you have to be so small!", Ai'sha misses another swing.

Attack(Arcane Strike): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

”Darnitholdstill!” Fitliss spews in agitation, trying to grab the div once more.

Grapple: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Getting closer! I had not remembered you quite so ugly, monster, even my arrows avoid you. We brought you a tasty dinner of iron, if you'll hold still ... though perhaps you'll live, if you run away.

"Aha! There you are." Irakelesh raises his bow with a blanched arrow and then realizes his too close to shoot. He steps back and then shoots.

shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Provoked attack of opportunity when I moved

"Get out of my house!" yells the creature, as it bites, first at Irakelesh, then at Fitliss, though both are reckless attempts that amount to nothing.

You guys are back up. G'nock's arrow broke, but Irakelesh's did not.

Aliva swings agin, hoping this run of bad luck cannot hold.

Morning Star: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"This guys is harder to hit than I would have imagined." Irakelesh nocks another arrow and tries to fling an arrow at the creature.

shortbow,into melee: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -1

G'nock sights along the arrow's shaft, then pauses to exhale and lets his third arrow fly.
longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Whose house was that again, monster?
Three arrows left. Of the ones used, one fired and broken, one fired but intact, one tba.

"Third time is the charm, isn't it?", Ai'sha strikes once more.

Attack(AS): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"Maybe not."

”Hey, this is kind of fun!” Fitliss shouts as he makes another grab for the div.

Grapple: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

I am giong to roll a head

Morning Star: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Once again Fitliss manages to put some wrestling moves on the tiny outsider. Once he is grappled, G'nock sends a pinpoint arrow shot that skins the creature's chin, in a wound that does not automatically heal. Finally you are hurting this beast. It struggles to break free, but Fitliss holds fast.

Ai’sha, G’nock, Fitliss, and Irakelesh are up.

"Great job Fitliss. Now, hold it still." Irakelesh aims another arrow at it.

shortbow,into melee: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 4 = 7

Attack(AS): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

"HAH! I bet this one hurt!"

Grapple: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 5 = 16

Fitliss wrestles the squirming head to the ground in a pin. Doru is pinned, and that +5 was the bonus for continuing a grapple.

G'nock takes aim, but hesitates ... he doesn't want to hit Fitliss ... and in his wavering, he misses ...
longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9
Or just maybe I've done something to annoy the dice?

“You hurt me! Once I get free of this filthy kobold I’m going to tear you limb from limb!” the creature shouts, its voice strained. It struggles wildly, and manages to lurch free of Fitliss's clutches, flying toward Ai'sha.

The creature moves into Ai'sha's square, provoking attacks of opportunity from Ai'sha, Aliva, and Fitliss if he has a melee weapon out (which I don't think he does). Both Irakelesh's and G'nocks arrows break. Aliva, Ai’sha, G’nock, Fitliss, and Irakelesh are up.
Aliva and Ai'sha, don't forget to roll two attacks including the AoO.

AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

"Oh, the ugly batling is angry now!", Ai'sha steps back and gets into a defensive stance.

5-foot step away from the doru, then Total defense

This is so overly frustrating, G'nock has the highest BAB at +6, so needs to roll a 14 to hit it, basically a 75% chance to miss each time

AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Aliva swings again

”Kobold?” Fitliss asks, clearly confused, after a moment though, he brightens. ”Guys! I think I found its weakness! It’s got bad eyesight!” he shouts happily. He then proceeds to snatch up his yet-unused spear and drive it forward at the doru.

Cold Iron-Blanched Longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 101d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

There’s a similar character in RotRL, except it’s a different type of outsider. One maybe, but having an encounter like this in two entirely separate adventures seems cruel.

"Somehow I just keep missing. I'm sure it's these fancy arrows. But I guess I'll keep trying." Irakelesh pulls another of the blanched arrows from his quiver and shoots at the creature.

shortbow,into melee: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 4 = 10

G'nock pauses for a heartbeat, putting himself back on the quiet target range. He exhales, then looses an arrow at his target.
longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
I think that one stuck.

G'nock's aim is true, and he sends an arrow right into the eye of the creature. It drops to the floor in a dead pile of nastiness.

Finally! Victory at last. I think it's time for a celebration, and we'll start that with you guys leveling up. There is a bit more to explore at this manor, but I see no reason not to give you the level after defeating the main boss of the area, so to speak. Go ahead and get your characters leveled, and let me know where you want to go next.

"I did it!", Ai'sha runs around the room high-fiving everyone. "Did you see his face when my scimitar hit him and actually injured him? Priceless! Hah!"

Aliva looks at the creature, then at her own set of weapons.

"We must get better at this if we are to survive our places to investigate.

Irakelesh gives Ai'sha a high five back. "I think, Ai'sha, that you need to have a healer work on your eyes," he says with a grin. "I'm pretty sure it was G'nock's arrow that finished that thing off. But, well, you know, I don't want to upset your fragile ego or anything. So we'll just say that you did it." Irakelesh winks at Ai'sha then turns to Aliva.

"Yeah, we need to do better at this. But really, I think it's just a matter of knowledge. And good weapons. And skill and talent. Fortunately, I have all of those, so I think we're in good shape. Well, sorta."

Fitliss absentmindedly reaches over to pat Aliva, and jumps slightly when a new cut appears on his arm. ”Thank you Iomedae for this gift,” he murmurs once he realizes what has happened. ”I guess I can do three life links now,” he announces, before wiping the blanch from his spear tip on the doru’s corpse. Fitliss glances around the room for a few moments, a frown on his face, before he lets out an exclamation. ”Hey, wait a minute!” There were multiple magical auras in here! Let me check and see if any remain!”

Spellcraft (Detect Magic): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Aliva is healed of the single point of damage on her.

"THank you Fits, so now we can explore more of this place?" Aliva says while scanning the room

All leveled up and ready to go.

"Yeah, let's explore more. Just thinking about the history here, and all of the amazing people who used to live here. Wow. And, you know, it reminds me of my palace back home. Just ancient and mysterious. Well, except it's more like a summer home. Kind of small." Irakelesh paces around the room examining the stone walls. "So we're ready?"

Fitliss still detects faint abjuration and enchantment magic coming from the hornet's nest in the corner. Before the battle Aliva had noticed a piece of cloth hanging from the nest, and upon closer inspection you find that it is a magical headband of some kind: a taut black band, clipped with a black metal skull.

There is also still a locked chest that Irakelesh search for traps and found none. However, it looks like the bronze key that Aliva found would fit this chest.

You've finished exploring this floor. I believe the only places you haven't been are B4 (the mausoleum), B10 (the pantry), B14 (the privy), and B19 (the kitchen). You also know there is a swarm of scarabs in B9 (the granary), and a giant whiptail centipede in B3 (the garden). The swarm could be ignored, but the centipede will likely need to be dealt with to access the mausoleum. I'm putting a numbered map up on the Google Slides to help out the decision.

I can’t manage to identify this headband. It’s magical, but I can’t tell what it does. Anybody else want to try?”

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"It is a dead mans headband, but be weary as it is Cursed." Aliva says while putting the head band into a bag and closing it tightly.

Of course I roll that well when not in combat

”Cursed?! How?! Does it turn your toes purple?! Ooh, I bet it makes your toes fall off each day you wear it!” Fitliss babbles, gazing with great interest at the headband as Aliva puts it away.

"It reanimates you if you die and you become a beheaded" Aliva tells Fitliss in stern tone.

"Lets move on downward and clear this mansion out and be done with this place."

Irakelesh's lip curls up. "Well that sounds awful. Let's just keep that in a safe little bag and maybe we will find someone in town who wants it for research purposes." Irakelesh walks around the room again then heads towards the door. "Yes, Aliva is right. Let's finish this mansion."

As he starts down the hallway he comments back to the group. "There's that mausoleum downstairs, right? That certainly seems worth checking out."

”Ooh! We should check out the mausoleum! There’s probably something dangerous down there if that head wanted me to go down, and we should deal with it so that no one can be hurt by accident!” Fitliss pauses for a while, clearly trying to remember something. It isn’t until they are almost out the doors that he exclaims: ”That’s right! I forgot about the giant centipede!”

"Well like Fitliss says we should go and clear that out, there may be something more down there that we can sell to further prepare for tomorrow." Aliva says leading the way.

The group makes its way downstairs and out into the garden. The western side of the estate forms an L-shaped yard mostly given to sand, sun-dried earth, and the ancient husks of dead trees. Stone benches line the walls of the yard, and a large tiled pool sits in the southwest corner, dried and partially filled with sand. A short fight of steps leads between a pair of pillars to a set of stone doors in the west side of the house. At the north end of the yard stands a squat stone building with columns at every corner.

Almost immediately, you hear a clicking and a hissing, as the monstrous centipede emerges from it's hiding place in the pool.

You guys win the initiative. Aliva, Irakelesh, Fitliss, A'isha, and G'nock can act.

"Hear that? It sounds like a giant bug." Irakelesh barely gets the words out when the centipede appears. "Aha! See? I told you." He moves quickly towards the center of the courtyard and pulls out his bow. "Let's make quick work of this thing."

shortbow@centipede: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

What knowledge?

Knowledge(nature),free inspiration: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 4 + (1) = 22

"Oh yeah, don't let this thing bite you cause then it will poison you."

"Shot it till it comes close then we take it down faster!" Aliva instructs.

Readied action swing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

”I don’t have a bow, so I will just prepare for the fight,” Fitliss declares, castig divine favor +2 attack and damage on himself for 1 minute

"If you don't have a bow or something, you should move along the sides so that when it comes up here we can more easily surround it. I'll try to attract its attention." Irakelesh begins waving his hands in order to draw the creature toward him.

Irakelesh's shot misses, while the rest of the party either prepares themselves or is crippled with inaction. The massive centipede moves forward, and attacks from a range that protects it from Aliva's potential readied swing. It snaps its mandibles at Irakelesh, and rips into him with a terrible blow.

Irakelesh takes 17 points of damage and needs to make a DC 17 Fortitude save or take 3 Dex damage. Ouch. Aliva, Ai'sha, and G'nock can act (allowing Aliva's readied action to turn into a delay instead).