GM Dak - Mummy's Mask

Game Master Dakcenturi

Aliva will set the torch she is carrying now in one of the wall Sconces, fixing the others in her bag so she can just pull them out as needed.

"It seems that Akhentepi's family suffered some tragedy, and he lost his wife. The family will be buried elsewhere, as this tomb was built later in his life."

"As for the direction, I don't see anything to indicate one or the other..."

Aliva will set the torch she is carrying now in one of the wall Sconces, fixing the others in her bag so she can just pull them out as needed.

No problem, the torch should burn for around an hour. Obvious exits are north and south, just let me know what you choose. If you guys haven't chosen by morning I'll just roll a 1d2 and let the dice choose for you, lol.

I'll roll a dice then. Even = south, odd = north
Way: 1d4 ⇒ 4

She nods after hearing Selassie and turns to the group again.

"We're going south, then. We can aways come back to explore the other way."

She aproaches the southern door and opens it carefully.

The south door opens without difficulty onto a short stairway that descends to an additional set of doors.

I will just start rolling Perception for everyone upon entering a room to save time. You can still choose to make active perception checks in regard to particular things. Please let me know if the bonuses for these checks are ever off.

There does not seem to be any danger in on the stairs, and the doors seem unsecured and untrapped. Upon opening the second set of doors, the party finds itself in another chamber.

A massive mirror stretches across the southern wall of this chamber, flanked by two statues. The statue to the east depicts a tall, gaunt woman in a flowing, hooded gown, holding an hourglass. The figure to the west is that of a jackal-headed man carrying a scepter or staff in his hand. Based on Selassie's earlier insights, the statues clearly are of Pharasma and Anubis respectively. Stone double doors, standing slightly ajar, lead to the east and west. Torch holders sculpted in the shape of bird skulls are built in each corner, and a thin layer of dust covers every surface.

Chamber of Reflection

Obvious exits are east and west. Let me know if you want to spend any time looking more closely at anything in particular in this room.

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 19

"I see some tracks there.", she points to the dust. "Maybie it can point us the way or warns of danger."

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Irakelesh is awestruck by the rooms as they walk deeper into the tomb. "This is great. I would have never expected things to be so well preserved. Look at this statue of Pharasma. Beautiful!" Irakelesh takes a step towards the other statue. "And Anubis. Would you have ever imagined that this would last so well here?"

When Ai'sha indicates the tracks in the dust Irakelesh looks carefully. "Are you sure Ai'sha?" he teases. [b]"You were always seeing things back at home. Are you sure you're really seeing tracks. It looks like just random dust to me." His smile gives away that he really does believe her.

"And I wonder what this mirror is for." He centers himself in front of the mirror. He notices that his hair is a bit disheveled so he tries to pat it down a little bit. "Any ideas?"

"And I wonder what this mirror is for." He centers himself in front of the mirror. He notices that his hair is a bit disheveled so he tries to pat it down a little bit. "Any ideas?"

Irakelesh gazes into the mirror, and sees himself and his party members reflected in it. But he also sees another figure, a human in his 40s with bronzed skin, wearing white ceremonial robes. This appears to be the same person whose likeness is depicted elsewhere in the tomb: Akhentepi. He has a stern and disapproving look on his face as he stares back at Irakelesh and the rest of Pharasma's Seekers.

Anyone who gazes into the mirror will see Akhentepi, but if you look around the room he is not actually there. Anyone who stares into the mirror also needs to make the following saving throw:

"Whoa! What?" Irakelesh points at the mirror. "Do you guys see that?"

FortSave: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Ooh wha.... Ow!" Fitliss rushes over to see, and a brand becomes seared on his forehead.

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

As he watches himself in the mirror Irakelesh sees a brand burn into his forehead. He reaches up to touch it. "It says 'thief'. Interesting." He notices the same brand appear on Fitless's forehead. "Must be because we looked in the mirror."

Aliva will avoid looking into the mirror after seeing what happened to Fits and Ira.

"The tracks just show us that someone walked between the two doors, I guess we could follow the way they went and see if someone is still alive down here?"

"Hey, I don't think that trap had been set off before we came through. No arrows lying around and ten volleys. I bet whoever made those tracks knows what they are doing! We should follow them!"

"I know what i saw!", she answers Irakelesh, upset. "Look, its right here!"

So focused on tracks, Ai'sha doesn't notice the mirror until Irakelesh and Fitliss are branded.

"Are you two alright?", she asks, before nodding at the suggestion to follow the tracks.

Investigating the tracks, A'isha can see that they appear to travel back and forth between the east and west doors, which are both slightly ajar.

Obvious exits are east and west, or back north, up the stairs and through the northern doors in the foyer (the room with the tapestry, labeled A5). For all intents and purposes this is another coin-toss for which way to go, I'd say, between east and west.

Irakelesh grins at Ai'sha's outburst. "Are you sure? Remember, you've made mistakes before. I seem to remember you telling me about the time you lead a group in circles in the desert for a few hours... that was you, wasn't it?" Irakelesh can barely keep the smile off his face while continuing to tease her.

I vote "go west"

Laroisael was distracted by minor details, but comes back to her senses. She remains quiet, trying to take in everything.

Sorry, again things have been hectic. I vote for west.

I will vote for west as well.

A'isha and Fitliss open the western doors fully, and reveal a flight of steps that gradually descends to the west down this passage. Halfway down the stairs, small holes and burrowed tunnels riddle what remains of the passage's southern wall. Earth and sand have spilled over the collapsed masonry, covering the stairs with dirt and rubble. Stone doors engraved with a golden scarab, its wings open beneath a golden sun, stand at the western end of the stairs.

Everything in this room with the exception of the 5 by 10 foot area in front of each set of doors is considered difficult terrain.

Irakelesh Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
A'isha Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Aliva Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Fitliss Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Selassie Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Laroisael Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
?: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Broken Stairs

Aliva, Selassie, Fitliss, and Laroisael notice something moving in the sand towards the center of the stairs. Whatever is moving seems to notice the adventurers as well. The pile of sand begins to coalesce into a serpentine form as it rises up. A slit seems to function as the creature's mouth.

Irakelesh Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
A'isha Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Aliva Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Fitliss Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Selassie Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Laroisael Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Sandmonster: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

And we are in our first combat!

Aliva, Selassie, Fitliss, Laroisael, and the creature, whatever it may be, get a surprise round, so they can take a move or standard action before the others get to act. On your turn (including your surprise round) you can make a Knowledge (planes) check as a free action to identify the monster if you are trained in the skill.

The turn order is as follows:

Surprise Round: Aliva, Fitliss, Laroisael, Selassie, Sandmonster.

First Round: A'isha, Aliva, Fitliss, Laroisael, Irakelesh, Selassie, Sandmoster.

Sand Monster Attack!

I used "K" to represent Aliva, using her surname; everyone else it should be the first initial. The big X is obviously the monster.

Sand Monster

I couldn't find an actual drawing of this creature, but this is a photo of a miniature of one.

Are you using block-based initiative or strict initiative?

Are you using block-based initiative or strict initiative?

I"m not familiar with the former. Elucidate me.

You segment up the initiatives into blocks like this (based on initiative rolls):

party member 1
party member 2
bad guy 1
party member 3
bad guy 2
party member 4
party member 5
party member 6

then you tell members 1, 2 go, in any order. Then you do bad guy 1, then member 3, then bad guy 2, then, 4,5,6,1(round+1),2(round+1) (any order).

The idea is that players can go in any order in their "block". This keeps combat moving instead of waiting for strict order like we would do sitting at a table.

Make sense?

Aliva will whip her bow up, drawing the arrow back and staring the creature down.

K. Planes, +2 from Inquis bonus: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Special attacks, damage immunities, resistances

Aliva's bow will let out a twang as the arrow flies towards the sand creature.

Attack with Point Blank Shot: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Aliva will then take a 5 foot move on the angle towards the stairs allowing those who specialize in melee move up.

Aliva will whip her bow up, drawing the arrow back and staring the creature down.

K. Planes, +2 from Inquis bonus: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Special attacks, damage immunities, resistances

Aliva's bow will let out a twang as the arrow flies towards the sand creature.

Attack with Point Blank Shot: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Aliva takes care to shoot past her allies, and manages to send an arrow into the sandling's amorphous body. Chunks of sand and earth fly away, although it appears that her arrow should have done more damage than it did.

Even with the sandling benefiting from soft cover, you hit its flat-footed AC. However, it appears that only 2 points of damage went through.

Aliva will then take a 5 foot move on the angle towards the stairs allowing those who specialize in melee move up.

Current map

Let me know if I put Aliva in the wrong place. When specifying movement try to use a format something like the following if you don't mind (let's assume based on the current map that Laroisael wanted to where A'isha currently is):

Always assume up on the map is north unless otherwise specified. This will also help determine when attacks of opportunity will go off in certain combats.

You segment up the initiatives into blocks like this (based on initiative rolls):

party member 1
party member 2
bad guy 1
party member 3
bad guy 2
party member 4
party member 5
party member 6

then you tell members 1, 2 go, in any order. Then you do bad guy 1, then member 3, then bad guy 2, then, 4,5,6,1(round+1),2(round+1) (any order).

The idea is that players can go in any order in their "block". This keeps combat moving instead of waiting for strict order like we would do sitting at a table.

Make sense?

Yes, that does make sense. For this encounter (or at least this round) I will stick to strict initiative, but I may consider that for future combats or even rounds of this combat. I will think on it.

you got her in the right spot, so the creature has DR?

you got her in the right spot, so the creature has DR?

So it would seem.

Wibbletoggles! I forgot to link!

Fitliss touches Ai'sha and initiates a life link with her.

You segment up the initiatives into blocks

After thinking about it some more, I do like it. I will be kind of flexible with it though, in ways that make the most sense to keep the flow going. So, here is my revised initiative order:

So in other words either Selassie or Laroisael can go next on the surprise round, whoever posts first. Also during combat I will be strictly enforcing the 24 hour post requirement, so if you miss your turn it will be taken for you, usually doing what you would have been doing (making another melee attack for example if you have been attacking) or taking a full defense if not. Or you might just get dropped to the next 'block' so to speak.

Selassie places a hand on Lariosal's shoulder and calls upon her goddess's power as mistress of fate to grant good fortune. casting Guidance on Lariosael, for the next minute she can have a +1 bonus on an attack roll, skill check or saving throw of her choice. Must be applied before roll is made..

I believe Laroisael has until about noon to post, or I will take her turn. What I plan to do is have her ready an action to attack using guidance when the sandling approaches (which it is about to do on its own surprise round). Then we can keep moving. In any of these situations where I have to take someone's turn, you guys can feel free to provide input or ideas as to what the absent player should do.

Laroisael prepares to attack with her short bow as soon as the monster moves nearer. And so it does. The sandling lurches forward with a whooshing sound like the wind over a sand-swept beach.

Laroisael, ranged attack w/ guidance: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 4 = 4

Laroisale wildly fires as the creature approaches, but is unable to make significant contact with its silicate mass.

Current map

Edit: Mixed up A'isha and Laroisael, having her pop off a bow-shot instead. Since everyone goes before the sandling, and the battlefield is unlikely to change before the sandling goes again, you can take your turns in any order as soon as you see this post.

It takes a moment for Irakelesh to react when the sand monster first appears but then he grabs his shortbow and takes a quick shot at the monster.

Shortbow,melee,point-blank: 1d20 + 1 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 4 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 if it hits...

Fitliss shifts on the battlefield, drawing his long spear and attacking.

5-foot step into the rocky square if it isn't difficult terrain, otherwise behind Ai'sha. Draw the long spear as a move action, and attack.

Longspear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

I hope it isn't a big deal, but I think I have been playing as if I had a Strength of 16, even though my Strength is 14. Sorry!

Edit: Irakelesh, did you mean you were shooting into melee? Because you aren't in melee range with it.

Just a few seconds ago, Ai'sha was thanking her veil for covering the red on her face after Irakelesh's teasing. So focused on thinking about what to say back, she doesn't notice the sand creature aproaching untill some of her companions have already taken shots at the monster.

"Let me show what kinds of mistakes i made!", she grunts, drawing her scimitar, the weapon faintly glowing as she imbues it with magical power. Her feet test the surface below her before she advances with what is part footwork, part dance, and delivers a elbow powered slash to the sandling.

Draw weapon(move)+Arcane strike(swift)+Attack(standard)
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage(+Arcane Strike): 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Irakelesh sends a misguided arrow flying past the sandling that clatters against the western door. Meanwhile Fitliss steps behind A'isha, drives the point of his longspear into the sand-beast's throat, and rips it loose, sending sand flying in all directions. A'isha follows with a slash of her scimitar which takes off what might have been the top of the creature's head, had it any truly discernible anatomy. However, both attacks do not seem to do as much damage as they might have.

The creature's AC is 14. Irakelesh only missed due to the partial cover provided by Fitliss. Fitliss and A'isha both hit it.

At this point I think it is fair to reveal the creature's damage reduction as well: DR 5/bludgeoning. So you guys have actually dealt 5 damage to it so far. Also even though Aliva made her Knowledge (planes) check you guys can still make more checks to ask other questions. This thing does have a weakness. After a round or so I will usually give up the monster's AC and any obvious resistances or DR that you would have figured out just from observation, so to speak.

I hope it isn't a big deal, but I think I have been playing as if I had a Strength of 16, even though my Strength is 14. Sorry!

No problem, I think mostly you've just used to it fail strength checks to open doors so far...just giving you a hard time, lol. Use the correct one moving forward.

Current Map

Aliva will knock another arrow, tilting her head a little to the left to see the creature more clearly. She will draw the bow string back to her cheek and let the arrow fly past Ai'Sha's right shoulder into the Sandling.

Point-Blank Shot: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"My arrows just aren't cutting it, we need to try something else."

Aliva finds it difficult to target the creature with her allies between her and it, and her arrow whizzes past to no effect.

I'm going to go ahead and act for Selassie and Laroisael.

Selassie once again calls upon Pharasma, casting an orison, and touches Fitliss.

Selassie casts guidance on Fitliss.

Laroisael knocks another arrow, and fires her shortbow once more.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 4 = 13

Shortbow damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

The arrow flies uselessly past.

The sandling lunges forward and attempts to bite A'isha.

Melee attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Bite damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The sandy form crunches down on A'isha's shoulder, severely injuring her. However some of her wounds suddenly heal, and Fitliss is seen clutching his own shoulder.

A'isha takes 7 damage, but is healed for 5 that transfers to Fitliss. The map should still be current. That brings up the top of the order, so any of you can now take your action.

Map

I have precise shot as well, I don't take the -4

I have precise shot as well, I don't take the -4

You don't take a -4 for firing into melee, but the sandling is provided soft cover by A'isha and Fitliss. You would need Improved Precise Shot or a weapon with the seeking property to ignore cover. Or line up your shot in such a way that you can draw a line from your square to the enemy square without passing through a square occupied by a creature or object. I also usually give the benefit of the doubt with small-sized creatures that they only provide partial cover (+2 AC instead of +4 AC).

Also I will probably have Selassie use a channel energy to heal up the party this round if she doesn't come back with a better idea, just so you guys know.

I'm back, and do not have a better idea so...

Seeing several of her companions seriously injured, Selassie opts to call upon healing powers.

channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2.

She then draws her mace. "Cutting doesn't seem to bother the creature much, let's see if smashing it will do the job..."

Ai'sha can feel her blade cutting trough the sand with ease, so much that she lowers guard thinking the creature can't possibly fight back after that. The surprise quickly turns into pain as her shoulder bleeds, and she retreats a step, scimitar in high guard, the blade protecting the place where she received her wound.

Full Defense

"My...My magic doesn't seem to do much either.", she says, reluctant. "Maybie we could blow it away with wind, or turn it into mud with water...Assuming any of us can do something like that."

Going full-Pokémon here, lets hope Pathfinder follows a similar logic :p

The elf pulls out her shortbow, reading herself for...whatever it is to get close to her to get a proper shot. She allows her fortune to flow through her.

Activating archaeologist's luck

I'm back, and do not have a better idea so...

Seeing several of her companions seriously injured, Selassie opts to call upon healing powers.

channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2.

She then draws her mace. "Cutting doesn't seem to bother the creature much, let's see if smashing it will do the job..."

One thing I just noticed (I misread Improved Channel in your feats for Selective Channel) is that currently where you stand you would heal the monster as well. If you wanted, instead of drawing your weapon you could move 20 feet north first, and then I believe you would hit the entire party with hitting the sandling. I'll definitely let you revise your action if you would like, because it was kind of my fault for suggesting it. Its up to you.

"Maybie we could blow it away with wind, or turn it into mud with water...Assuming any of us can do something like that."

Going full-Pokémon here, lets hope Pathfinder follows a similar logic :p

You're on the right track. Although the first thing that comes to mind for me is when Spider-man would fight the Sandman.

The elf pulls out her shortbow, reading herself for...whatever it is to get close to her to get a proper shot. She allows her fortune to flow through her.

Activating archaeologist's luck

Archaeologist's Luck is a swift action, so you can still attack if you like. Or are you taking a readied action?

Map (Selassie is 5 ft. north of the arrow)

Right, okay, I will do that

Ok, Fitliss, Aliva, or Irakelesh are free to take their turns. Everyone in the party is healed for 2 from the channel. A'isha has full defense up, so she gets a +4 to AC. Fitliss has guidance from Selassie. Laroisael has archaelogist's luck active. I believe the only injured party member is currently Fitliss with 3 damage taken. The sandling has taken 5 damage.

Fitliss shifts towards the creature and punches it in the face!

Chainmail comes with a gauntlet!
Gauntlet: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4