Risen from the Sands PbP (Inactive)

Game Master lucklesshero

Jamir finds nothing in the nearest boat but ancient dust. He deduces that the pictures are pretty and indeed these are ancient boats.

Jawhar smiles and chuckles nervously in relief.

"See nothing to worry about. Maybe there aren't any zombie rowers this time. Let's check the other boat."

He wants to press forward himself, but the memory of the animated statues makes him wait to not be the first one into the room.

Myth will cautiously enter the room, hugging the wall...he'll try to cover his companions as/if they enter the room...he'll nervously eye the second boat from a distance...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Sorry, forgot to move on the map - Jamir had already entered the room to look at the first boat.

Nodding to Mythryndyr, Jamir moves further into the room and peers into the second boat. If he doesn't see anything of interest, he crouches down and looks under both boats.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Torvald slips into the room, new batch of bombs secure in his bandolier. Retrieving one of them, he moves along the wall opposite Myth and Jamir, eyes peeled for dangers of a more mechanical variety.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Myth sees nothing wrong with the outside of second boat. Jamir inches closer and peeks inside to view the contents of the second boat. As he approaches and peeks over the side of the boat, he see's what look like a large amount of dead insect husk. The insects appear to be some kind of beetles. Jamir sighs in relief that, he's not suddenly swarmed....then they move!

Roll for initiative!

Note: Jamir and the swarm will get a surprise round because only they are aware of each other's presence. The rest of you are rolling for initiative for round 1.

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Woot!

"Ha!" Craggark laughs heartily as the swarm manifests. "I actually have the right weapon to harm this thing for once!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 "You and me both, Craggark!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Crud.

Analia int: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
The beetle like Swarm comes to life suddenly and startlingly. The armored little beetles taking flight and covering Jamir in almost an instant! Jamir begins to feel the painful bites and stings almost immediately!
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Jamir please make me two fort saves!

Surprise round
Swarm
Jamir

R 1
Myth
Craggark
Analia
Swarm
Torvald
Jamir
Jawhar

bold may act ( you may want to wait for Jamir to move out of the swarm before tossing fire..I'll assume that's what he does unless he states otherwise)

TWO???? Grrrr.

Fort save, Charmed Life: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 3 = 21

Fort save, Charmed Life: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 3 = 24

Jamir leaps away from the swarm, and shouts to Torvald and Lia. "Burn them all, my incendiary friends! Quickly!"

Craggark goes to move and then sees Jamir stuck in the swarm's effect.

"Get out of there first!" the frostkin yells.

Delay until after Jamir's action.

Craggark, no need to delay your round 1 action, that was my surprise round action - moving away from the swarm. I just forgot (again) to move my token on the map. I've done that now.

No delay then. Move into the room and let loose with HELL.

Ranged Attack, 1 range increment: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 2 = 71d6 ⇒ 3

"Booger," Craggark says as his alchemist's fire sails far and wide.

Craggark's misses the heart of the swarm but some of the alchemist fire still burns some of the insect like things.

R 1
Myth
Craggark
Analia
Swarm (-2hp)
Torvald
Jamir (-2hp)
Jawhar

bold may act

Myth will move 20', drawing an acid flask from his bandolier as he does so, and tosses it at the swarm...

Acid Flask: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 21

Acid Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Myth hears the Sizzle as some of the swarm burn in from the direct hit of the acid.

R 1
Myth
Craggark
Analia
Swarm (-6hp)
Torvald
Jamir (-2hp)
Jawhar

Analia's up

I actually don't want to bot Analia...because A. 'it seems her best choice to do damage involves using an expendable resource (burning-hands)...B. I don't know if any of her 'innate magic abilities' are area affect or targeted...C. if I do bot her..it's likely I'd move her right it to the path of the swarm and she may object to that... I'll PM her if we don't hear from her by tomorrow...

OK going to PM Ana...if she doesn't respond by tomorrow morning 10am my time I'll bot her...any suggestions what I should have her do?

Analia steps up to just behind Craggark...she readies a burning hands spell in case the swarm should approach within range..Sure enough..sensing multiple victims, the Swarm moves towards both Analia and Craggark. Analia's spell hits the swarm as it approaches flames washing through the Scarab Swarm. swarm reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 However, the swarm is quick...and many of the flying beetle things avoid the flames. burning hands dmg: 3d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 2 = 11 don't know if Varisian Tattoo and Pyromaniac stack...but, I'll assume they do. (11 x 50%=5 ..11+5=16...16 divided in 1/2=8 hp dmg to swarm.

The swarm then rolls over both Craggark and Analia.
Analia's fort save 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20Analia's fort save 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 Craggark need two fort saves from you as well
As the creatures swarm over the two hapless adventures and begin to bite, several of the distracting bugs, get caught in Analia's hair, clothes, and even mouth! She becomes, somewhat nauseous and starts to dry heave..unable to control her retching..she is totally grossed out by the filthy ancient insect like things. Analia is nauseated for one round. swarm dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

R 1
Myth
Craggark (-2hp)
Analia (-2hp)(nauseated)
Swarm (-14hp)
Torvald
Jamir (-2hp)
Jawhar

bold may act...need saves from Craggark

Fortitude Save #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Fortitude Save #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"Hey!" Craggark says in response to the gnome coming right up behind him. "You don't want to be in here if those things-----urrrrrrrrk!" The half-orc tries to close his mouth and eyes as the stinging musty bugs swarm over them, the flames of Lia's spell crackling and licking at their forms.

"Terrrrrverrrrrd! Gerrrrrrt therrrrrrrm!" the half-orc yells, trying to keep his mouth closed as he does so.

Torvald abruptly reverses direction, strafing around the boat to come to his friends' aid. "This should do the trick!" he calls, lobbing another of his bombs.

As always, Precise Bombs to spare my friends.
Bomb Throw!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Fire!: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 = 8

Jawhar moves forward and draws a vial of acid, while presenting himself as a closer target.

"Lia, move back into the hallway! The swarm will stop here and allow you to recover."

Jamir jogs forward 30 feet, drawing an alkali flask from his bandolier.

Readying the flask, he calls out, "Craggark! Analia! My friends, are these vermin bugging you as much as they do me? Fall back and let us put an end to this annoyance!"

Readied action to throw the flask into the swarm once Craggark and Analia are out of it, either because they move or the swarm does.

Jamir and Jawhar both draw academical weapons and move closer to the swarm. Torvald throws his bomb but comes up short. miss direction: 1d8 ⇒ 1 Jawhar and Analia need reflex saves.(for splash dmg) What's the DC Torvald? 6hp splash dmg save for half swarm reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 (swarm takes 9hp splash dmg)
Even though Torvald's throw misses...enough of the flames flash over the swarm to break it up and effectively finish it off. However,unfortunately, both Jawhar and Analia are also hit by the flames..Craggark and Jamir Crush the remaining scarab beetles under their boot heals.

Combat over Saves needed

Craggark (-2hp)
Analia (-2hp)(nauseated)(needs to make reflex save)
Swarm (-23hp) dead
Torvald
Jamir (-2hp)
Jawhar (needs to make reflex save)

Craggark begins gleefully crunching a few of the now dead bugs and turns to share the fun with Lia. Seeing the gnome's nauseated look, and surmising that it's not due to him, the half-orc has a bright idea.

"Here you go, my love!" Craggark says valiantly, producing his vial of alchemist's kindness with a flourish. "I keep this around just in case Jamir and I start carousing and...um.." He trails off, releasing his self-crimination. "Well we don't do that anymore, so I haven't USED it. ha HA!"

Don't know if it'll work for the nausea, but Craggark will happily donate it.

Jawhar moved to that position after Torvald's turn. He was a couple of spaces into the hallway

Once the horrific beetles are crushed, Jamir walks back over to the boat they erupted from and cautiously peers back in.

Jawhar moved to that position after Torvald's turn. He was a couple of spaces into the hallway

NP if Torvald was before you initiative...order no reason you should take dmg..agreed.. PS will wait till tomorrow then I'll bot Ana's save agian...anything else you guys want to do in the mean time?

Ref14 half, splash is 6dmg

Myth sighs in relief, peering 'bout for any further sign of a swarm...

"At least it wasn't a mummy..."

The Elf then helps Jamir search the boat and the rest of the room...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Craggark will join in and search the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Craggark finds an unusually sealed jar shaking it ...it feels like it's just full of sand. reflex Analia: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Analia appears a bit blistered from Torvald's bomb splash combined with several painful looking bites from the scarab swarm...she looks a little worse for wear. (Analia has take -8hp dmg) Analia says something sweet to Craggark and cast detect magic on the jar he's holding..indeed the contents are magic and radiate ..transmutation magic..

If any of you want to 'bot' Analia's spellcraft roll to identify ...feel free. I think we'll suspend game over weekend...If Analia isn't responding by Monday we'll move on without her..I'm sure there must be something going on it's not like her to suddenly not post. Hopes and prayers going out to you Huston! hope everything is O.K.

Two Out of Combat wand zap for Ana brings her to full. Marking it off.

"Sorry Analia," Torvald offers sheepishly while waiting for the jar Craggark found to be identified. "Maybe it's someone's guts! I hear they put folks' organs in jars when they're making mummies, could be you're shaking around somebody's kidneys, Craggark!"

Spellcraft bot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

I agree with delaying anything substantive for the weekend and then moving on. Analia seems to have disappeared from another game at about the same time as ours, and she had said RL had heated up a few days earlier. Hopefully, everything's ok and she's just too jammed to check in, and will be back soon.

Analia deduces the sand in the clay vessel is actually dust of dryness

"Well hey," Craggark says, "coming here wasn't a total loss! Now we have a magical item that lets us make everything dry! That'll come in mighty handy here in the....desert." he finishes sarcastically.

"I will be very happy to be proven wrong, but I think we can report to Señor Dreng that this tomb wasn't worth our time." Lia thumps him on the elbow. "Oh yeah, right, HISTORY." Craggark replies to the gnome's rap.

"Knowing that their tombs are filled with nothing but undead and beetles is valuable information. Now, nobody else will ever waste time on a quest like this."

OK guys...something has 'happened'(what I don't know) with Huston...We will roll play this a some sort of Foreboding Curse Where she has a premonition that, the boys tending the camels will be in danger if she isn't by their side while the rest of you explore. For now I'm dropping her from the scenario. It is more than 3/4 the way through so she'll still get an xp point and I'll consider her for both PP points should you guys complete all the task that, earn the prestige points. Should she 're-join' us before the completion of the scenario she may step in at any-time there is a non-combat situation...If she appears back in the thread during the midst of combat..she'll have to wait 5 rounds (from the beginning of combat not including a surprise round if any) before she 'shows-up' and can act. If that does happen...at the beginning of the 6th turn..I'll place her pawn at the most logical place to enter combat...(most likely the same door or hallway you guys came through). As for now...I'd like a brief role-play of the situation (everybody post once either a thought musing or a dialog with Analia..about her choice to join the boys...while you continue to explore. After your post about Analia, please (in character) indicate what direction you'd like the group to head next.

Jawhar is quite concerned when Analia expresses her concern for the boy's welfare. Having been instrumental in their inclusion on the quest in the first place, he feels responsible for their well being.

"Maybe we should all go. I take this premonition very seriously, especially considering the premonition I had in the Shadow Lodge.

We can set the boys up in the entryway to the temple so they are safe from the weather and one of us can stay with them to make sure they stay out of trouble."

Jawhar will be quite insistent about investigating the premonition. If the boys refuse to come inside of the temple or another structure, he will attempt to send them back to town.

Once the situation has been resolved, he will encourage everyone to return to the boat chamber and continue down the hallway.

Myth nods to Lia. "We'll miss you, m'lady, but hope to see you soon enough..."

"I think Jawhar's right, we brought 'em out here so they're our responsibility. We can bring them in out of the heat at least, and wandering dangers are less likely to notice them as well."

"We just checked on them..." Craggark manages to say to Lia as she leaves.

""Maybe we should all go. I take this premonition very seriously, especially considering the premonition I had in the Shadow Lodge. Let's return now and check on them. Perhaps there is a sandstorm coming? Gnomes are supposed to be closer to nature, aren't they? We can set the boys up in the entryway to the temple so they are safe from the weather and one of us can stay with them to make sure they stay out of trouble."

Craggark seems perturbed. "Is it 'Explore, Report, Babysit'?"

Grumbling, the half-orc will go along with whatever the group decides, though he'll fire off a few arrows about 'swaddling clothes' and 'lullabies' when the guides are out of earshot.

Lia run's back in at the last minute, grasping at Craggark's jerkin.

"I can't let you all go in there alone. Let's go to the boat room and continue our explorations from there. I am sure things will be alright as long we bring the boys inside out of the weather."

She looks to the others, smiling, her eyes wide as ever. She slowly blinks once before addressing the group.

"I am sorry for causing you to fret. I am better now, really. We will be fine. I am sure of it. Lead on my loves."

Great job on botting her and thanks for keeping it moving as long as you did. You guys are the best!

You move westward out of the boatroom about 30' in front of you you can see a T section with a passage pealing off to the north. Another 10' to the west your current path ends at plain unadorned stone doors. As you pass the western passage you realize, it is the same passage you discovered early with the hidden room containing the Anibus guardian statues. Deciding you can investigate the door in that room later...you concentrate on the door in front of you. Myth moves forward and checks for traps (speeding things along here guys cause we lost a little time and I know the door is not trapped.) He finds no traps and determines with little effort the doors can be opened.(ie. not locked)
OK what next?slide 14

Jawhar looks at the door suspiciously, and checks the straps on his armor.

"Something has been bothering me for the longest time, and I finally figured out what it is.

We haven't encountered any goblins yet. You don't suppose of tribe of goblins is waiting on the other side of that door, do you?"

Waiting for the frontliners to open the door, Jawhar keeps his attention behind the party, watching for someone attempting to sneak up behind them.

"I'm just grateful to found a place the little blighters haven't infested yet," Torvald retorts, rechecking his bombs and loading two in his wire-frame finned contraptions.