Sheik Voodoo's Katapesh Nights (Inactive)

Game Master voodoo chili

After watching the monastery for a moment, I say over my shoulder.

Stranger things have been found in ruins, but usually you find death and monsters looking on creating more death. Frequently interspersed with traps also bent on maximizing the harm they can cause to interlopers.

Oh, and Faelar, it is unlikely that anything we meet in this monastery will have any interest in chatting with us or making friends. As I said stranger things have happened, but I imagine the odds are far worse than in the goblin gambling den in Katapesh.

"Hmmm ... So I shouldn't try to talk our way out of things, as that might get us into more trouble? Well if we come across more Pugwampi, I won't try to talk to them. The last one didn't seem talkative."

Laughingly - You can try to talk your way out of anything you want, just remember, the guy who looks like he would have prefer using your book to start a fire and charging at you with a great axe, is probably not going to respond politely. And, if they are living in a monastery like this, most likely the only reason they will be talking will be to size you up and determine the best way to kill you.

It is your choice, but I would prefer having you healthy on this quest, and not as part of Shank's necklace.

"I shall take that under advisement. I don't want to end up on his necklace either, so will try to stay back and support you all."

Quietly - Well Shank, any word of what currently resides in this rather dilapidated structure? More of the Pugwampis? Or something else?

.

Looking after the gnoll as he leave Amir frowns, What an ill tempered creature.

Closing his eyes for a second Amir touches the brim of his hat and changes his clothes to a collection of black clothing and mask to best hide his features and person. Think ninja but Arabic elements.

Well shall I blaze our trail and search for these potential traps Kzrira mentioned? What of light? Shall we each carry a source?

Karethas watches Shank leave with a smirk. "I find him amusing."

At Amir's questions Karethas pulls out his dagger and mumbles an arcane phrase as he waves his hand over the blade. The blade starts to glow with a soft white light. "I switched out a few spells, since we are now adventurers. I can cast it on any number of objects." He puts the dagger back in it's sheath and the light disappears. "I suggest you put it on something you can cover if you wish to able to dim or eliminate the light to be more stealthy."

If that is "Light" you have cast, you can only have 1 active at a time, sorry to disappoint.

"I also have a spell that can produce a fair amount of light, apart from mine can create 4 small spheres of light, which have to remain together. But it is another light source. Rather cold in here isn't it, but I can imagine what it looked like when it was still used. Maybe one day someone will restore it and if they do, I will definitely have to come and see it again."

EDIT : I cast Dancing Lights once I have finished speaking. The spheres are within 10 ft of each other and focused above my head about 10 ft above me.

Ack, I didn't know that. Then I cast it on Amir's dagger or another object if he wishes, so that he can hide the light and we can keep the Dancing Lights with us. I also cast Mage Armor right before we enter the monastery.

Lets keep quiet. Just so that we know for our tactics. What spells do you all have at your disposal? I can fight, but as we have discussed, I am much more effective eliminating threats from afar. So, lets keep as quiet as we can and find out what is in there.

I quietly follow behind Amir.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 <-- not sure whether the 19 I rolled earlier is still good.

are we sticking the old guy up front? ; ) Sounds like marching order is: Amir, Kzrira, Karethas and Faelar

Sunlight streams from the partially collapsed ceiling of the nave and stunted weeds and thorn scrub sprout in the rubble and push through the cracked tile floor. The large corridor is about 40 ft wide and ends about 100 feet to the west. To the east the corridor runs about 80 feet where it T's into the arms of the cross just before a wide set of steps ascend to the sanctuary.

All is chilly and still.

Yeh, we put the old guy first, figured he looks most like a zombie, so he should get a bonus on his disguise roll.

Quietly - Well all, the sanctuary, or the large corridor to the east. Any votes? I say we check the east first. And lets move slowly, if I can get shots off before those unlucky Pugs get to us, it would be preferable.

forgot to mention two standard doorways about 40 feet apart on the south wall opposite where you entered should it make any difference.
Can I get some sneaky checks from those who wish to sneak?

Sneaky: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Before we start moving out, in response to Kzrira's question about spells :

I answer quietly , "I can create these lights, locate magical aura's, whisper at long distances, make a noise elsewhere and move anything really light without touching it. These I can do infinitely. I can also heal your wounds, create an image of my choosing or put some creatures to sleep, but I can only cast the last three, a few times per day."

Now we are deciding where to go :

"Would it not be intelligent to make sure there is nothing in those arms, that could get the jump on us?"

I will not roll stealth, as the lights above my head will negate any roll I make.

Karethas also takes a few moments to explain his spell selection. Look at my profile you lazy sots :-). As he looks into the corridors he says quietly, "Faelar's suggestion seems sound, though I am no tactician."
Btw, I looked at your profile Amir and noticed your AC. I think you need to update it to reflect your Mithral shirt.

The Monastery is well lit as befits the Sun Goddess both by numerous windows and more recent damage to the ceiling. As you approach the wide stairs to the sanctuary, you can peer down the transept. Both the north and south passages end after maybe 40 feet in shrines with badly damaged bas relief sculpture.

need stealth and perception from Amir

Is this place light enough to see without me having to cast Dancing Lights? If so, then I wouldn't have cast it and would have tried sneaking along with everybody else.

Stealth (Just in case I didn't need to cast Dancing Lights) : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Is this place light enough to see without me having to cast Dancing Lights?

that's what I've been saying ; ) normal light levels.

It is mid-morning and we are mostly outside - or at least in the wrecked monastery of the goddess of fire, with a partially collapsed roof. I would think that it is plenty bright enough, I am sure the Sheik will tell us when it gets dark.

You guys are all ahead of me time zone wise, I wake up and there is a stack of posts to wade through ;p

Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Perception (+1 more vs. Traps) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

I can neither see nor BE seen!

If it works I'll have Karethas's light on the blade of my s.sword....don't want it on the dagger, its hidden up my sleeve ;-) Now that I have +1 BAB I can move an pull the blade so if it gets dark suddenly I should be good to go.

All is quiet as if something is waiting to spring, but you notice no immediate threat. To the left and right are the chambers with shrines, straight ahead is the sanctuary.

I say left first, unless someone else speaks up and disagrees before the Sheik posts in the morning.

left

Left it is since at best we will have a tie, and the girl gets to be the tie breaker.

Innocent grin.

not a major decision so let's go with it.

The ceiling is intact over this shrine, but the wooden altar has been smashed and the statues defaced by vandals. The broken bas-relief on the wall seems to depict a battle between men on winged horses and creatures of flame before Pale Mountain. In the foreground a bearded figure is struggling with a flaming creature that is half man and half snake. The bearded man has dropped his bow and thrusts a scimitar into the monster's neck, but in turn he is transfixed by the creature's spear.

Kzrira looks at the picture of the battle. Interesting, what do you think, some denizens of the lower planes? Hopefully we will not have to meet any of those fire snake people in the next few minutes.

Knowledge (Planes) : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Knowledge (History) : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Knowledge (Religion) : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Perfect time for good rolls, well for Faelar anyway.

I look up at the picture along with Kzrira, "When you say those snake people, do you mean the Salamander's? I wouldn't want to meet those or the Efreet beside them. But I may have to if I wish to go to the City of Brass as they both come from the Plane of Fire."

I rub my chin, "This is quite the mural, it shows the great Genie War that took place not far from here a few centuries ago, the result was a realm of chaos. The whole war was between the Efreet and the Janni; which are those human-like figures that are fighting the Efreet and Salamanders. The bearded man was a local saint of Sarenrae, what was his name ... it began with a V. Vincent, no, Vinne, no, Verrol, no?"

I turn my gaze over to the other side of the hall hoping to see into the other arm, but unable to see anything yet I look disappointed, "I hope there are more like this. I could learn a great deal from them and having information flood back to me is such a nice feeling, but what was his name?"

I look back to the others and after a moment a huge grin crosses my face, "VARDISHAL! How could I forget that?!"

Well, so they are not from this plane. But I suppose fire and air creatures are better than the option I was thinking of from the lower planes.

I begin to search the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Otherwise, we will check any door on the left. Without a map, I think that just proceeding from left to right is probably easiest so that we do not miss anything.

So go round in a clockwise order? Which would be the sanctuary next, if I read it correctly and if there are no doors in this section?

"They may not be from this plane; my dear, and may not be the options you were thinking of. But the fact that they were here, on our plane and fighting, rather than in their own planes is very confusing and intriguing. Don't you agree?"

Faelar would know that Genies have long inhabited the outlands of Katapesh. Many were summoned in the time of the Ancient Osirion and came south with the army that conquered the region.

yes, clockwise would take you to the sanctuary.

After Kzrira takes a moment to look through the debris and finds nothing of interest, the party continues to the Sanctuary. A short set of wide ceremonial steps leads down to a cavernous chapel where the monks would gather for worship in happier times. Now it is a dismal place with a tangible aura of despair and misfortune.

A wide walkway leads betwen rows of broken pews to the altar. The aisle is still covered with mildewy clumps of torn red carpeting. Broken stained glass windows let in light below the rafters and collapsing catwalks twenty feet overhead. A yellow and gold mosaic starburst above the shrine is now covered by a film of grime.

Perception : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Seeing the shrine, "That is no way to treat a holy shrine, that has to be cleaned!" I turn to face my friends, "Once we have a few minutes I will go and clean that grime covered shrine up. It is disrespectful and I cannot leave without it being cleaned. Such dishonour is brought to a holy place, when it is defiled! Shelyn help me this was probably a place of great beauty before."

I then speak quietly to myself, "Besides, there could be a book over there. There is usually one in a sanctuary and shrine, I won't be able to find it through all that grime though, so I will have to clean it."

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Seeing nothing of note when she enters, Kzrira begins to scan the ground for any tracks or other markings which might indicate whether there are inhabitants in this area.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Apparently she got some of the grime in her eye and cannot see much of anything.

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Amir nods as Falear reviews the mural. Many of our tales in Katapesh involve the genie. Apparently those tales are closer to true than many of us might believe...

Somewhat entranced by the elaborate stylings of the room and Faelar's history lesson, Amir proceeds on the agreed path but notices little of interest...

PERCEPTION CHECK: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
KNOWLEDGE HISTORY CHECK:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24(1 rank, +3 class skill, +4 Int)
KNOWLEDGE PLANES CHECK:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12(2 rank, +3 class skill, +4 Int)

Karethas looks slightly distracted for a moment. "There are those in Katapesh who know that genies are very really, and not to be taken lightly." He looks around at the bas relief, [/b]"Hmm...if this a saint of Sarenae, then perhaps this monastery was devoted to that saint in addition to Sarenae."[/b]

Pondering what the shrine might mean and the wretched condition of the sanctuary no one notices the faint stirrings in the rafters overhead until a pair of russet colored canines glide down. They look like large russet colored jackals except for the folds of skin along their sides that spread to slow their descent and the black boney tail that looks more like that of a scorpion than a canine.

As they glide down, you suddenly realize the ugly lump on the back of one is actually a blasted pugwampi as it releases an arrow at Kzrira, missing badly, but still giggling madly as the flying jackals land and charge Kzrira and Amir.

Fortunately, the jackals misjudge their landing and both miss. Your fortune is sure to change with pugwampis around though...

Round 1.
Pug-waffe
Faelar
Amir
Karethas
Kzrira
-and there goes the luck...

map.

Before anyone can respond to this unexpected sight, the jackal things lunge again and this time jagged ivory teeth tear into Kzrira's leg as the gremlin cavalier tumbles off its mount and staggers back up on its scrawny hind legs .
Kzrira-5 hp bite and DC 12 fort save and 1 hp acid damage and nauseated for 1 round.
remember all d20s are rolled twice and lower resuult used.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

__________
HP: 15/21 - nauseated

I don't feel so good guys.

No action due to nauseated condition.

Knowledge (Nature) : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Knowledge (Nature) : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Watch out for the canine things, the are known as Dhabba's and there bite is quite venomous."

I shall start to sing, this time doing a little battle chant.

Inspire Courage + 1 : Round 1 / 9 (+1 to Attack and Damage rolls. As well as +1 to saves against charm and fear effects.

"Kill the pugwampi first, it will be easier to take care of the Dhabba's then." Following his own advice, Karethas moves to the side and launches a ball of acid at the little creature.
Move to J8.
ACID DART (1 of 7/day) 30ft Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Acid Damage.
Doh! Another 1 ?!?

Hit Points 15 of 15
AC 16 Touch AC 12
F/R/W 0/2/4
Conditions: None

5 foot to the left at Kzriras JAckal/Pugwampis, pull short sword as part of the step. Feint as a move action. Swing as a standard? Heeeerreree puggywuggy puggywuggy

Bluff! 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Mebbe?

Attack! 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 OR NOT! (If its flat footed? I doubt that somehow but you never know...)

Damage; SA if applicable 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 41d6 ⇒ 3

Amir moves to close with the Puwampis, flourishing his blade in a manner meant to throw he insidious creature off balance. Beating about the gremlin Amir looks on at Kzrira out of thec

Damnable creatures! Kzrira are you allright?

Gotta roll those d20's twice Amir. Damnable creatures are damned unlucky for us.

Unlucky for us? I am the one nauseated and unable to act right now.

Sorry thought that was only for saves.

Bluff 2 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Attack 2 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

So my original roles stand as they were lower. Funny.

Faelar begins his inspirational battle chant over the sound of Kzrira gagging. Amir makes a clever feint, but a lose stone rolls under his foot and he misses his strike. Karethas follows with a spell, but misfortune strikes again as he catches his hand on his own sleeve and the acid dart goes astray.

Kzrira's dhabba nips at her but is blinded for a moment as she vomits in its face. The other catches Amir from behind tearing a chunk from the old rogue's buttocks. Amir-5 hp and DC 12 fort save or 3 hp acid and nauseated. Kzrira- 2nd DC 12 fort save or 2 dex damage.

The hideous little pugwampi takes a wild shot at Kzrira and misses. You hear scampering overhead as more gremlins join the fray peppering the floor below with tiny arrows. Fortunately, pugwampis are awful shots.

Round 2.
Pug-waffe
Faelar
Amir
Karethas
Kzrira

After casually providing the Pug with what my stomach really thinks about ugly unlucky fey, I manage to get my bearings back.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Since I have made the save, am I no longer nauseated?

In case I can attack:
Attack Pug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Attack Pug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

nausea is only for one round. so yes, you have recovered.

I take a step backwards while still singing (5 foot step to K12, Free action to maintain performance.) and begin to sing a selected group of incantations almost like I had turned the verbal components of the spell into my performance. While I am singing the incantation, I am performing some complex hand gestures.

(Casting sleep on square F6, so should hit both F8 and G8.)

Spell Resistance (if required): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Spell Resistance (if required): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

(Is everyone remembering the +1 to attack and damage due to my performance?)

EDIT - My damage should have been 5, forgot the +1 from the song. Also, add +1 to the attack rolls.

Round 2.
Pug-waffe x
Faelar x
Amir
Karethas
Kzrira x

Faelar's dhabba and pugwampi targets suddenly stop, yawn, and topple over under the effect of his spell.