Arik creeps back to his companions.
"The is a city down there: A pyramid surrounded by clay and mud huts. There are mummies moving around and the scream came from an Aradinan woman. They're sacrificing her. From where I was I couldn't tell if she was dead or not. My honor compells me to do something, but i will comply with thegorup's decision."
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"I am compelled to do the same, but I wish not to put the group in danger for my code. What do you all say?" He looks at everyone, "I am thinking if we take out this evil from the land we might have some pull with the locals, Arik did you see any symbols on these mummies or the buildings?" After he says that he looks towards the tunnel and tries to imagine what his friend saw.
"If you wish to end these creatures, I will lend my arm" Hopefully the wench will be wealthy and able to offer recompense.
It's a pyramid. Those are built to protect the wealth of their owners. Often magical wealth. LET'S GO!
You all get ready and make for the pyramid. You will be able to set yourselves up for a surprise charge as these mummies don't seem terribly perceptive. Now I need your initiatives and your surprise round actions and first round actions. The mummies also have a pretty poor initiative too so most of your are likely to go before them. Samal is joining you in this fight.
As Pavok see's the vile creatures, he draws his flachion and charges the same mummy as Arik.
Pavok attacks the closes mummy to him.
Before they attack, Mus'ad puts a hand to Al Gasreed's neck - shaking his head as though saying that he must fight alone this time. He also sees that the other camel are secured by rope to Al Gasreed so that they will not be prone to wandering off.
Surprise Round:
Mus'ad bursts silently from cover, bringing his blade around in a brutal side-swipe on his target.
Curve Blade Charge: for
Round 1:
Following up on his first attack, Mus'ad's second is a upward slash across the belly of one of the mummies. Elegant as it passes through the air and carves a ruinous path
Curve Blade: for
Crit Conf: for extra
Surprise Round
Jen raises her hand in an incantation and casts web, making a 40 ft diameter "circle" of web, trapping as many of the mummies as possible without affecting the other PCs. (DC 16 Reflex save or become grappled)
Watch out!
Round 1
Jen casts spark on the web, lighting the entire thing on fire and consuming the mummies in flame. Each trapped in the webbing takes 2d4 damage and potentially catches on fire (since, they are wrapped in flammable cloth and resin).
Usually rules on fire are that they must make a DC 15 reflex save every round. Each time they fail, they get 1d6 damage. If they succeed, the fire goes out (but perhaps the fire nearby is still raging and could catch em on fire again).
Mindless mummies have reflexes? Not mine that's for sure. Lumbering and braindead these guys are better for giving you disease as opposed to any real harm.....oops I've said too much.
Okay, Jen and Mus'ad forgot Initiatives. I'm gonna roll for you guys but the next time you forget them, I'm just going to assume you go last okies?
Now Surprise Round and Round 1 results
Mummies Initiative: -3 hehe I rolled bad for them, lucky you guys.
You all charge in
Mus'ad is first
Samal is second
Jen is third
Pavok is fourth
Arik is fifth
Mhkyir and Faznir are staying back with the camels. They're scared of mummies.
Mus'ad not wanting to be embarrassed by his camel anymore charges in on foot and with two good swings takes down a mummy.
Samal charges in and attacks a mummie with two claw attacks doing....not so much damage(Dumb DR)
Jen throws her web net and Samal pulls back just in time as Jen's net ensnares seven of the 20 present mummies. She then sets the web a flame roasting the poor defenseless mummies.
Pavok races in and with a mighty swing puts down another unarmed foe. His second attack also scores a hit. The mummy staggers back clearly effected.
Arik charges in and is beating on a mummy but doesn't seem to be doing much damage....if any.
The mummys are now staggering around panicking and flailing their arms about screaming obscene noises. None make a single attempt to attack any of you.
Round 3
Jen uses sleep, putting to sleep 4HD of mummies
Round 4
Jen uses sleep again, hopefully finishing off the rest
Round 3
Jen uses sleep, putting to sleep 4HD of mummies
Round 4
Jen uses sleep again, hopefully finishing off the rest
Mummies don't sleep. Sorry
Round 2:
Confused that the mummies don't seem to be fighting back, Mus'ad takes a step back and pauses - eyes scanning for any other threat.
Round 2
Jen throws some sort of small flammable object towards one of the mummies and casts spark on the object in mid air, hopefully lighting the object on fire and later the mummy.
Ranged Touch:
Puzzled why they aren't attacking back Pavok holds back his next attack and studies the creatures with his detect evil.
Arik ceases his attack and draws his staff.
"Why won't they attack!?"
The mummies are running about like chickens with their heads cut off. The ones under the web of flame Jen cast falls and burn to "death" The remaining unharmed mummies flee into their "homes" and soon all is quiet. The woman is still on the alter but all the mummies have retreated. You guys managed to put down half of them. There is no sign of any other threats.
I have a hard time determining what is evil for this game. I am not sure what aura should show when you detect evil on undead. Undead are suppose to be evil but what does that even mean? I don't know how to resolve the detect evil in this case.
Pavok stabs the flachion into the ground around the fallen mummies and says a small prayer, "With this blade I forged in battle I bless this land and give a beacon so the souls long forgotten in this area can find there way to your forge." He gives a moment then looks to the group, "Let's get up and save that women before anything else bad happens. I have a feeling they are fleeing for another reason besides us." Pavok will start moving towards the alter ,but will wait for the others to follow him.
Mus'ad moves cautiously towards the woman on the altar, eyes open for any threat.
Perception:
With Mus'ad's keen elven eyes covering him, Arik swiftly makes for the injured woman and checks for signs of life. If any are present he'll pick her up and rush back up the tunnel to decide what to do next.
The woman is still alive just fainted. She seems unharmed but has a wicked looking necklace on.
You notice that the mummies haven't completely disappeared. They are watching from their homes and peering out windows. They look undead. Wrapped in bandages and mostly decayed. Not to mention the smell. Yet they seem non hostile.
As you keep watch, you will notice when Arik is taking the woman off the alter, the entrance to the pyramid opens and it seems someone is stepping out. The individual wears pristine bronze armor elaborately decorated in an Egyptian fashion(Visual reference only) He has a large bronze falchion on his back and an expensive looking staff. He has mummy bandages on him as well and he looks semi decayed. Definitely undead. He seems pissed.
As you all watch Arik take the woman off the alter, you hear a booming voice echo around the underground chamber.
"How dare you steal my offering and kill my subjects! You heathens have but one chance to explain yourselves!" The voice demands
The voice is coming from the guy at the top of the pyramid stairs at its entrance. He is more than 60 feet away.
Jen stands back, letting the dashing heroes in her party heroically saving their damsel in distress. She stays on her toes, especially with the mummies still nearby.
Pavok moves alongside Arik as they get to the women, seeing that she's still breathing Pavok looks around for that voice.
As he looks around franticaly for the voice Pavok's hands rest on his weapons. He whispers to Arik, "Let's start moving back to the tunnel. I would rather fight with our backs not being exposed." Pavok moves slowly down the stairs and responds to the voice, Pavok says with a demanding inflection that only a paladin could do.
Arik will back down the pyramid as quickly as it is safe to do so with the woman in his arms. He aims to get her safely behind th group, then he will turn to face this new threat with Pavok and whomever else stands to fight.
Mus'ad sets his steely gaze upon the newcomer in bronze armor. Hidden below his tagelmust, a look of glee settles upon his face. Striding forward and calling out to the mummy "You have heard the words of my companions, they wish you ended. But it is the taste of my steel that you will feel first."
When able, Mus'ad will charge at the man screaming "For Ketephys!"
Curve Blade: for
Crit Confirm: for
We've just killed half of his flock without breaking a sweat, so we've been given no IC reason to suspect that he's going to be any more difficult...
We've just killed half of his flock without breaking a sweat, so we've been given no IC reason to suspect that he's going to be any more difficult...
The rest of you notice the Mummy walking down the pyramid stairs towards you. Mus'ad charges the monster and scores a beautiful hit. However, when he looks at the amount of damage done Terror fills Mus'ad's heart The Mummy hisses and grabs Mus'ad by the head Mus'ad's body stiffens and he goes down. Mus'ad's limp body appears to be dead as it tumbles all the way down the stairs to the base of the pyramid his sword clattering just behind him. The mummy snarls as he proceeds to make his way down the stairs as if Mus'ad had only made it madder. "This is my domain! I do not answer to outsiders! You will return my offering to me or you will all suffer the consequences! The Mummy is now standing over Mus'ad's body. Anyone else care to take a swing?"
You are not dead just permanently paralyzed :P. It can be cured. You also took 6 damage too. I also want to tell you that tomorrow I will be posting new PBP gameplay rules in the discussion thread. One of those rules says for expediencies sake, I get to roll Saves for you all from now on. You will be resposible for your actions when you get them but things like perception, saves, and a few others skills and abilities I will go over later are now my responsibility. That is simply to help move this along quicker. Your not going to die, don't worry....you just can't move for awhile.
Arik gently lays the woman down beside Al Gasreed. He stands slowly:fists clenched in barely controlled rage. A cold sweat beads on his forehead as he strides to stand opposite the mummy lord.
"I am Arik Brynn. I have been a slave, and once, I was meant to be an offering. I know how that feels, and I will not suffer anyone to go through that. In return for Mus'ad's life and for the life of this young woman. You can have me. However, you are to allow them to leave this realm unharmed and unmolested. Do you understand?"
"If you refuse, I will, as Torag, the Father of Iron, witnesses, reduce your great pyramid to dust before you touch any of these people."
Wait, what is necessary in a subject to be considered a good offering?
Pavok grits his teeth in anger and disgust as the vile mummy lord throws his friend down like a piece of trash. Seeing how the creature so easily dispatched Mus'ad, Pavok figures this man is too strong for them ,but he will not leave his new friend here to become a servant of his. As Arik makes an offer to this evil creature, Pavok stops himself from shouting a retort to him, realizing that he could use him as a distraction while he gets in closer to rescue Mus'ad while he's moves towards the fallen elf, he makes a vow to Torag that he won't let any of his friends be taken by this creature.
As the Paladin gets closer to the creature he pulls out a vial of holy water and holds on to it just in case.
The mummy lord is practically standing on Mus'ad at the point. Arik and Jen throw their offers at the mummy. He smiles and points at Jen. "She is a unique specimen to these parts and far more desirable than you short man. I wonder why it is I have begun to see more dwarves in these lands lately. You resemble one I have seen before. Regardless. Leave one of the two women and I will return the fool on the ground to you. But you must leave and never return. I have chosen mercy today as I have no interest in killing you. I would punish you but no one would learn. Better to let the you live with the memory of my power in your minds. The Anubites and their feral leaders will be the death of you all anyways. Now make your choice. The devilwoman or the Aradina woman. Chose swiftly!." Pavok as you attempt to "Sneak", if you can call it that. Up to where Mus'ad is, at the Mummy's feet, he stares at you. The aura of fear he produces is 60feet. Dread comes over you and you find it hard to approach the mummy as your fear of him is too much to overcome.
Okay, then do you walk up to it as it stares at you? I must tell you again. Musa'd is at its feet. Meaning, the square in front of the Mummy. You would be hard to miss, especially with that roll. Do you proceed?
Pavok stands within the Mummy Lords powerful aura and locks in a stare with the powerful monster. "And you don't fear the Anubites coming here and destorying all you have built. Indeed your powerful ,but even the most powerful can't stand up to the vast numbers of these creatures they are like a plauge that eats away everything in Aridia. This is an enemy that you cannot ignore, I know you have already forsaken my dwarven brothers offer but I have one that you will not refuse...."
"...."
I am charmed by your offer, but unfortunately I am already spoken for. Whiskers has killed countless anubites, and he is only one of the many soldiers that the supreme masters of the underworld commands.
Although I would have to say, one servant of a dark lord to another, wouldn't acting in favor of that dark lord be better than making a sacrifice? The anubites are an unnatural scourge on this land. It is clear that my path is to help end this enemy. If my lord has decided to end this threat and pushed me through fate, then wouldn't your lord, who is probably has more good than mine, support the same?
I may not actively serve my lord, but the gods control fate and fate controls the web of all things. Perhaps the reason I am destined to be here is to help gain a powerful ally against the anubite scourge, you.
"You will have no sacrifice so long as I stand, you rotting ponce! You take me, or you get nothing!"
The mummy nods at Pavok. "Take him." He pushes Mus'ad's body a bit with his foot towards Pavok.
The mummy approaches Arik. About 15 feet from Arik he stops. "Taking the girl will have repercussions. Many lives depend on the sacrifice she has made. A maiden is needed. No other offer will do. You are useless to me. If you insist on taking the girl then I will let you go. Return again and I will kill you.I will return to my throne now. Leave her at the altar or take her. The choice is yours." With a wave of his hand the mummy teleports. Mus'ads paralysis ends. You are now alone in the quiet chamber with the girl still unconscious.
Arik stands dumbfounded...sacrifice she made? was this her choice? What lives?
"Friends! My wisdom is lacking and I do not know what to do!"
Arik slumps to the ground, feeling helpless.
There are still many things that we cannot understand. In such circumstances, we should not try to pretend that we understand, but let things run their natural course. Such is the way of the arcanist, to allow the ebb and flow of magic itself and only weave what can be understood. As in the example of Nethys, understanding the enigmatic side of magic can cause great harm.
We don't understand the situation. We cannot blindly interfere.