Risen From the Sands (Inactive)

Game Master P33J

Dusk
The Camel's Hump
Eto, Osirion

A faded wooden sign with a line drawing that can only be assumed to represent an old camel, hangs by a single chain over ruined door of The Camel's Hump. From the outside the tavern you've been asked to meet at looks like it's been out of business for several decades and abandoned to the rats.

Once inside, the impression remains. Most tables are covered in dust, haunted by the husks of pewter mugs who's spirits have long since faded away. Yet, the tavern is not entirely abandoned. A tall blonde figure, dressed in full plate stands behind the bar. He's set out five cups in front of the only five stools in the entire bar that seem to be capable of bearing a load. He motions for you to take a seat.

"You're in luck, I just tapped my latest batch of Mendevian Cream Ale. I think it really turned out well." The armored man says with an eager smile. He takes a swing from a frosted mug himself and swallows hard. Before coughing, "Smooth."

Those who don't wish to offend and drink the brew, find it thick, high in alcohol and cold. Good, however, would not be a phrase you'd use to describe it.

He waits until those who are going to try it take a drink before continuing.

"Thanks for meeting me. The name's Liam L'Outre, I'm a Venture Captain without a lodge. You all can just call me Liam," He says with a smile. "Ever sense Osirion opened its borders, we've been waiting for an opportunity like this to explore one of their newly uncovered Pyramids, and as luck would happen, a new one has just been made available to us. The five of you will take a team of Camel's I've acquired for you, 90 miles southeast of here. The journey will take about 4 days and I recommend you travel at night, resting during the day, unless you're used to this infernal heat. Take a look around, map out the pyramid, secure anything that seems rare or of interest to the Society and catalog the rest. I won't tell you it will be easy, because every time one of my Venture Captains told me that when I was coming up, it turned out to be a suicide mission. But we don't expect much in the way of outside interference. I've arranged for a few of the local merchants to open their doors to you tonight so you can purchase any supplies you might think you'll need outside of food, water and camels, which have been provided. Once you've completed your inventory, report back to me for debriefing. So unless any of you have questions, I won't delay you any longer."

Sad lumbers into the bar, his backpack banging against the side of the doorframe and his (new) dragonhide armor entangling his legs just a little bit, preventing a full stride. Sad seems mostly unaffected by the heat...mostly, one might suspect from the fact that rocks do not feel much heat, or, if they do, they are not affected by it very much.

Sad thumps up to the bar, unhitches his backpack, and accepts the offered drink.

"I Sad Rock. Sad good Packminder," Sad offers a fist to the Venture Captain, intending to complete a Lastwall fist bump. "Sad help explore pyramid. What Sad looking for? Why search?"

Sad will be purchasing some supplies. Mostly just a Pearl o' Power 1 or two. I'll put it in the discussion thread.

"Sadly, We're not really sure what's down there," The Venture-Captain tries to keep a straight face at his pun—and fails.

"It was the final resting place of the Pharaoh of Sphinxes. Which, outside of it's location, is about all we know of it."

Yakima enters the bar looking around before lowering her light head covering and shaking the dust out of her clothes. Sadly this accomplishes little in the dusty bar.

Greetings fellow seekers. It is well for all of us that my travels have lead me, Yakima Thule, here. I felt the call of the ancient knowledge and seek to bring it to the light. I'll gladly try your potable, Venture Captain. Hmm... a bit harsh to drink regularly, but I am sure I can think of some felicitous uses for it. She drinks half her mug and then decants the rest into a flask that she produces from her bandoleer.

Do any of the rest of you recognize this "Pharaoh of the Sphinxes" fellow, sadly my historical knowledge is somewhat lacking. No matter if none of us do, for that just means there is more for us to discover, and I look forward to that.

I'll want to gear up a bit for the travel and for the pyramid, I suggest you all look into acquiring some of the flowing robes they use around here, they are well suited for travel in the desert. I also plan on getting some fine rope for the pyramid, and for those of you who can't see well in the dark, I suggest Sun Rods and the like as there may be trapped gasses. Let me know if you have need of any Alchemical tools or the like and I'll see if I can't provide them for you, or failing them being in my personal supply can verify the puissance of any that you purchase.

Setting down his pack beside his stool, Dvalin eyed the mug of ale doubtfully before taking an enthusiastic swig and slamming the half empty cup down upon the bar. The heat didn't bother him nearly as much as the sand. Sand always seemed to get into places it had no right to be. Frowning, Dvalin listened to Liam's charge and carefully considered his new companions on this venture ... grumbling softly (for a dwarf) as the Venture Captain finished.

"Oh how I hate camels."

Dvalin scowled at the mug with an enlightened expression ...

"Aye ... that might explain it"

Dvalin started as Yakima spoke ... then replied

"I don't know much history lass; but I do have a bit of religious training that might help."

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 18

"As for equipment ...
I will have my fixer get me a second flask of Holy Water 25 gp.
I'd like to pick up a wand of burning hands #5-08 CL 3rd, 4 charges, 180 gp as well.
Aside from that ... I think I am ready ... barring a few spell changes that is."

"Yes ... lots to do still."

With a curt nod to Sad, Yakima and the rest, Dvalin heads for the door.

"Back in a few ...
... I wonder if this town has a good stout anywhere ..."

Keeping himself somewhat in the back of the group, the half-elf seems somewhat out of his element, his cloak having a ring of white fur around the neck. "Perhaps I should have packed for warmer weather."

"Pleasure to meet you, Liam. Dalligar Reldane, at your service."

Dalligar listens to the man's story with no questions. "Sounds like a plan. I'll check my gear, then see if I need to stock on anything. I'll be back later."

Dalligar meets up with the dwarf outside the bar, pulling his hood up to keep the sun out of his eyes. "Master Dwarf, I see you are a religious man. I have a few friends in the clergy. I also didn't get your name. Dalligar Reldane, at your service." Who's your Deity?

Dalligar extends his hand in greeting, realizing he's already sweating under his cloak. While he doesn't seem to be wearing any armor, you can hear the tinkling of metal rings when his shirt moves.

"I need proper clothing for the heat..."

[ooc]Just realized I don't have his money on his sheet....crap. Can we assume he has enough? Or do I need to calculate his gold?[ooc]

Sad offers a rocky smile to his fellow Pathfinders, holding his fist out to complete a Lastwall fist bump.

"Sad Rock *not* monster. Sad good Packminder," Sad says, reminding those who might be mistaken. "Sad help explore good."

It might be clear that Sad's first language is not the Common tongue and he often confuses words and syllables as he speaks. In addition, there are many words he does not know, potable? felicitous? pharaoh? puissance? Yakima, you're going to give poor Sad an aneurysm but he tries as best he can to follow along.

A soft-spoken human steps forward and says, "Greetings, Pathfinders. My name is Decka Polemistes. You may count on me."

He seems to have precious little equipment--a backpack, a holy symbol of The Dawnflower, a water skin, a whistle, a few vials of liquid, and a bow. He carries his bow with great care.

Liam fist bumps Sad Rock.

"Sorry didn't mean to leave you hanging."

Dvalin knows that the ancient Pharaohs of Osirion were buried in elaborate tombs called pyramids, with magical rites and religious rituals being performed over their body to preserve it for the Afterlife. However, nothing in his study has told him anything about the Pharaoh of the Sphinxes.

Dalligar, you're fine, especially for something as cheap as hot weather clothing.

"If there are no other questions, I'll send you on your way. If you're lucking, my Osirion Porter will be kegged by the time you get back."

If you're making purchases, just post what you wanted and we'll mark it on your chronicle if you survive.

You set out under the light of a full moon, heading south with a team of camels. Your pack leader doesn't say much, in fact he doesn't say anything at all, he just drives the camels forward.

The night air is cool, and full of life. As bats and birds of prey soar high above the sands searching for a morsel among the dunes. Occasionally, you hear the howls of jackals, but they never get closer than a few miles. As the night draws to a close, you notice the desert begins to grow quiet, and warmer. Your guide motions toward an oasis just to the west of the path and the camels follow him. He takes them to drink from the crystal blue pool and begins to bed them down in the shade for the day, covering each of their heads with a thick black hood so the sun does not keep them away.

He then sets up his tent in front of you, working slow to provide you with an example of the best way to prepare your own shelter, before he enters the tent and makes the first noise you've heard from him during the entire journey. A great snore.

You may prepare your spells for the day, and give me a fort save or a survival check for the heat.

fort save: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10

Yakima, as prepared as she was, is not yet acclimated to the heat.

She will prepare a dexterity mutagen. And leave her extract slots open for now except for one True Strike.

If you're making purchases, just post what you wanted and we'll mark it on your chronicle if you survive.

I would like to buy a Wand of Endure Elements, please. :-) Thanks!

"Sad Rock, would you mind using this wand on me? Please feel free to use it on yourself and our companions, too. Thank you." The monk bows low to the Oread.

Dvalin chuckled at Dalligar's reminder that he had failed to properly introduce himself at the bar. Shaking the offered hand, Dvalin grinned at the familiar metallic sounds.

"Aye ... I seemed to have skipped that part. I be Dvalin Stormforge, an Inquisitor of Gorum, Lord of the Battlefield."

Dvalin's gaze seemed to focus far away as he recited his bona fides of past conflicts with a wistful nostalgia. Introduction complete, Dvalin turned to continue on his way, speaking humorously over his shoulder as he retreated ...

"You're welcome to sit up front with the big boys if you like."

[...]

Long into the night ride, Dvalin watched the night skies nervously. He'd feel much better once they got under some cover. He knew well the dangers that an open sky presented. Once at the Oasis, Dvalin refilled his water skin and found what shade he could before he removed his armor and settled in to endure the coming Forge of Dawn.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21

"I got the graveyard shift ..."

... Dvalin began to doze and dream of combat. He'd be ready tomorrow. Something always comes up on 3rd watch.

Thanks to Decka's wand and Dvalin's fortitude, you all sleep comfortably during the day. As night falls, your silent servant prepares the caravan for travel.

The night passes like the one before, in fact, the next three nights do, all without incident.

Midway through the fifth night, you see the moonlight shining brightly, reflecting off an immense mountain on the horizon.

The caravan heads straight toward that mountain, as if drawn to it instinctively.

As you approach you see that it isn't a mountain, but rather a structure, and not just any structure but the Pyramid of the Pharaoh of the Sphinxes.

The pyramid rises out of the desert sands, a relic of an earlier age. Its limestone casing blocks are weathered from millennia of scouring sands, but the structure seems solid and intact. A stone wall, buttressed by drifts of sand, surrounds the entire structure. To the east stands a squat stone building,connected to the pyramid by a long, covered causeway. No visible entrances to the pyramid’s interior can be seen.

Is Dvalin relying on Fort saves for the entire trip? Or will he use wand charges? I ask so that I can accurately track the wand of endure elements. Without Dvalin, it sounds like we've got 4 players over 5 days. So I'll deduct 20 charges from the wand.

If it's OK. I guess I'll buy a wand of Cure Light Wounds, too.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Pathfinders, I think I see something that may be an entrance over yonder," Decka proffers.

"Sad Rock, would you mind using this wand on me? Please feel free to use it on yourself and our companions, too. Thank you." The monk bows low to the Oread.

Sad returns the bow, nearly bonking his head into the offered wand. He takes it in his stony hands and looks at the tip, then the bottom, his face a snarl of confusion.

"What command word, Pesh-a? Sad happy to help...Sad *not* monster. Sad good Packminder," Sad explains as if Decka might have forgotten.

Sad will cast his own Endure Elements as he has travelled through the sands before and knows their danger.

* * *
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Perception

Sad stands confused until Decka points out the right direction to go.

Don't worry about the Wand Decka, I misread the module, you only needed one save to "acclimate" so you're good.

OK, thanks! :-)

In addition to noticing the entrance, Decka realizes that the only way to reach the pyramid bases is through the small stone structure to the east. You make your way there easily enough.

The structure at a glance is a temple. Dvalin (based on your earlier knowledge Religion roll) recalls that the Pyramid of the Pharaoh of the Sphinxes was built with a strange deviation to the usual blueprint. The temple, which was typically housed within the Pyramid complex instead was housed outside the complex for this Pharaoh. As you get closer, you realize that the temple is pitch black inside and notice well worn hieroglyphs who's meaning have been lost to the sands of time.

I've posted a map in the Campaign Description, you should be able to edit it and place your icons (I chose your avatars from your aliases) in marching order. The first 5' feet is bright light. 10' feet in and we're dim light, everything else in the temple is dark.

I don't mind being in the front, middle or back of the marching order. I'm primarily a ranged combatant, so I don't want to get in the way of you melee types. :-) But I also have unarmed strike and Point Blank Master, so I don't care about being adjacent to an enemy; I don't provoke AoOs for firing my bow.

I have Point Blank and Precise, so I don't mind firing into melee. I would like to avoid situations where I need to fire past cover, however.

Dvalin pulls out his "Everburning torch" and approaches the doorway after casting detect poison.

"We may want to establish a protocol evaluating doors and other entrances while we are inside. I do not have as good an eye for stone as some of my brethren, but I ken take a peek at the doorway for any mischief."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Bah ... looks safe enough to me. I think Rocky and I should take point. Maybe keep our range support in the back?"

Dvalin looks questioningly at Decka for confirmation, noting the lack of armor and reasonable melee weapons in view.

"I am going to assume that Yakima and Dalligar can get out of your way if things get dicey up front; given the close quarters, we likely won't have much time before any attackers get up in our grill. If it's too tight for that, than there probably isn't enough room for a three man front anyway."

Barring any last minute objections, recommendations, etc., Dvalin is willing to enter the doorway either first or second depending on what Sad Rock cares to do. Feel free to write my actions in as desired.

The room lights up just fine.

The door seems to not be trapped and unlocked.

If you want to open it just let me know.

Sad nods at Dvalin, agreeing; not really being the 'leadery' type. If Sad had the mental capacity for such thoughts, Sad would realize that he's not any of the typical Pathfinder types...he's not smart nor dashing, quick nor adventurous, not gifted with powerful arcane magics, nor with any particular sort of drive or desire.

Sad has one quality that the Pathfinders like: he's a goon. And he follows orders. And that's good enough.

Sad draws his mighty club, makes sure his shield is attached to his left arm (you'd be surprised how often he'd find it used as a dinner plate or pillow), and enjoins Dvalin at the front.

He takes a look at the way through the structure for obvious traps, then tries to move through.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 Perception

Order: Dvalin, Sad, Dalligar, Yakima, Decka. We can happily reorder later.

No objections here. I'm amenable to whatever order the party prefers. :-)

"That seems reasonable, Dvalin."

Decka takes a step back, lets the others pass first, nocks an arrow in his bow, and follows.

I would suggest putting me up front. I got skills.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Fort Save from earlier: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15+5 for Hot-Weather gear if needed.

"I think I would be better off up front. I know a trap when I see one, and if we get ambushed," Dalligar shudders at the thought, "I can get behind our attacks and flank them for you."

Dalligar follows with his new companions, staying near the middle of the party, occasionally trying to slip up front.

I agree with the order as is, but please let Dalligar or I check out any doors or junctions before you head in. This place is bound to be trapped most prodigiously.

"Right ... it's show time."

Dvalin opens the door and leads the party in.

Feeling no special need to be in the front, Sad steps to the back, confident that Dvalin and the skilled Dalligar would be happier leading.

Dvalin, Dalligar, Yakima, Sad, Decka. Let's do this.

Dvalin opens the door to see the following.

A pair of carved and brightly painted granite columns support the ceiling of this darkened, roughly triangular chamber. To the east, stone statues of a regal man holding a crook and flail and wearing a striped cloth headdress stand on either side of the chamber, though the head of one of the two statues now lies cracked and broken on the alabaster floor. Two more stone statues depicting winged creatures with leonine bodies and falcons’ heads sit beyond. The smooth granite walls are decorated with hieroglyphs and faded murals that depict loyal subjects and slaves presenting offerings to a pharaoh who sits on a gilded throne, flanked by winged, falcon-headed lions.

Dawn is beginning to break and the sunlight pours in through the door to the north, making it difficult to see what lies beyond. But from your observations outside, you believe it is a bridge over a great ravine that encircles the temple and through the wall that framed it.

This is one of the problems with this module is that they neglect to mention descriptions like this until later in the module, so your first description is a big pyramid, but it neglects the ravine and wall surrounding it. I've read through the module a couple of times, but I had forgotten about how they did that until now, I'll be better on reading ahead a few pages before my posts to make sure the descriptions I'm sharing are complete, before posting.

Yeah, Sad Rock! :-D

No worries, P33J. :-) It's all good.

Dvalin approaches the bridge to carefully examine what he can without actually stepping on to it.
How far across does he estimate the bridge to be? Will his 100 ft rope make it across?

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

He whistled softly as he peers over the edge of the ravine ...

"I don't fancy the trip down. I recommend using a rope if we can. Maybe Dalligar could secure one end to the other side, then we can cross one by one. Any volunteers to be the last one across?"

I had forgotten to ask if there was any sign of other groups outside that may have gotten here before us. Something like a paddock full of camels that our camel tender went to put our camels in.

Why don't we have me or Dallgar go first across and secure one of our 100ft ropes on the other side? That way we could check for instability. I recommend Decka be the last to cross, with our friend Sad 2nd to last as I suspect he may be the heaviest of us.

I recommend Decka be the last to cross, with our friend Sad 2nd to last as I suspect he may be the heaviest of us.

Sad nearly steps forward to remind Yakima that he is *not* a monster despite his weight, but holds his flinty tongue.

Sad waits in the back for his chance to do something.

"Pesh-a, you know Sad *not* monster. Sad good Packminder," Sad whispers to Decka as they wait. "Sad fight Aphid Continuum inside frozen carpet," Sad says, making conversation. "What Pesh-a do?"

"Why is everyone suggesting I risk my neck!?" Taking a look over the side of the ravine, Dalligar sees why.

"Well if we're gonna do this, we'd better do this right. I've had some experience with climbing ropes in the past. We need an anchor point in case the rope goes slack." Looking at his companions, he tries to judge which would work best as an anchor for him.

"Big guy," he says to Sad as he pulls some rope out from his backpack, "tie this around your waist and around your shoulders good and tight. If I should fall, you're gonna keep me from hitting bottom."

Dalligar proceeds to tie the rope around himself as well, leaving his backpack with his gear on the ground. "Wish me luck guys."

Dalligar slowly starts to make his way across the bridge, keeping his arms out to help him keep his balance.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Keep me from becoming a red smear on the floor of that ravine, will you?

Sad takes the rope, nods, and ties it around his waist. He then take his time bracing himself against stone, rock, pillar, nook, cavity, cave, nob, hoodoo, and whatever other rocky formation he can to prevent himself from following Dalligar to splat.

"Sad got rope, Deli-car. Don't worry. Sad strong...but *not* monster. Sad good Packminder," Sad says in case Dalligar was worried.

Just as Dalligar approaches the bridge Dvalin grabs him by his cloak and yanks him back.

He points at the pressure plate the rogue nearly stepped on.

You have two options, you may attempt an acrobatics check to jump over the plate, as you have to pass over it to get on the bridge, or Dalligar can attempt to disable it.

Let me give you a hand with disabling that Dalligar.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 to assist Dalligar.

Just realized I had my Disable Device all wrong. I have a +18 instead of a +13.

Pulling out his thieves' tools, Dalligar gets to work disabling the pressure plate, thankful for Yakima's assistance.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 18 + 2 = 31

"And that should do it. How did I miss this thing in the first place?" In the future, I have the Trap Spotter Rogue Talent. Not sure if you knew or not, GM.

While others are disarming the trap, Sad, in his effort to find a good rocky spot upon which to hold the rope for Dalligar, crosses the bridge in his search.

When he finds a good spot, he will brace himself from the far side...waiting for the disarming to be completed.

He will wave at Dalligar when he is set, letting Dalligar know that he is braced for the man's crossing. Sad hold the rope in both hands, has it tied about himself, and braced on something.

The trap is thoroughly disabled.

Anyone have knowledge engineering before you cross the bridge?

Not I. :-)

I don't either

The only eering I have is dungeoneering. .

I'll try it untrained. I can only get up to a DC 10, but that might tell us something!

Untrained Knowledge Engineering: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

A 10 is good enough to tell you that the bridge is perfectly safe to cross.

Barring the Ancient Black Dragon of course. /sarcasm

Sad waits on the other side, rope braced, for Dalligar to cross.

Well let's all cross over and join Sad then.

Nobody moved their markers on the map, so I'm not really sure where you all are, but Decka will cross the bridge and then attempt a Perception check. Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Davlin moves across the bridge as well

Sad quietly begins cross ing the bridge, as he steps out into the sunlight he realizes the bridge is actually covered after the first few steps, though strategic use of glass and lsmall slots make the covered bridge as brightly lit as the dawn desert.

The walls are covered in ancient Osirion Heiroglyphics.

Know Historyr Know Nobility?