Tetsu no Kurage no Haka - Tomb of the Iron Medusa in Minkai (Inactive)

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

ok..sorry...use to other games where DM does that..lol

Potion of Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Jiro quaffs the potion quickly and can almost immediately feel its effects. His pale complexion begins to fade as colour rushes back into his cheeks.

Well that is better, now only down 2 Con, and back up Hp!

Question:

Urula passes right through the paladin and ends up beneath the surface of the ceiling, nearly twenty feet above.

She’s now merged and has to emerge to attack normally, or suffer a 50 % miss chance.

Should the foe not have provoked an attack of opportunity for either leaving a threatened square, entering my square, and if moving above me she would have had to enter and then leave yet another threatened square. Akiyoshi does not have combat reflexes, so he could only take one attack, but should he not have been able to take the attack? Some creatures have special abilities that allow them to avoid provoking, so if that is the case, that is all good, but otherwise, I want some spectral blood!

You're absolutely wight, I mean right! Please take a shot at it retroactively.

AoO/PA: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39
Damage: 1d8 + 26 + 1d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 26 + (4) + (3, 2) = 38
Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (4) + 26 = 30

Total damage is 68. That would be 34 if halved.

Akiyoshi flies over to be near his comrades, hovering so he is about half way between floor and ceiling. He then channels holy energy, planning to harm the creature within its hiding place.

Channel to Damage Undead: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 6, 5, 2, 1) = 24
Will DC 24 for half.

Don't know if it is allowed, but if possible, he would like to hold his swift action in order to declare his Smite on the chief baddy when she appears again.

Works for me. I'll update tonight.

Round 3 - The Tomb Raiders

As the undead flies away, Akiyoshi pivots and strike it one more time, his sword disturbing the ethereal fabric and eliciting an angry shriek from the creature.

After moving in closer to the others, Tihn draws for a potion, holding it out for Jiro to take from him.

Jiro quaffs the potion quickly and can almost immediately feel its effects. His pale complexion begins to fade as colour rushes back into his cheeks.

Akiyoshi flies over to be near his comrades, hovering so he is about half way between floor and ceiling. He then channels holy energy, planning to harm the creature within its hiding place.

Round 4 - Urula and her Sisters

Screaming, Urula flies out of the ceiling, aiming its anger at Akiyoshi, while her whirling cloud of sisters takes the paladin from behind.

Urula dives in the floor, leaving herself open as she flies away from the paladin.
She’s now merged and has to emerge to attack normally, or suffer a 50 % miss chance.

Status
5 Con drain to Jiro regained 3
10 Con drain to Akiyoshi
Ukyou dead at -19 hp
Divine Bond: Holy
Smite Evil

Map
The rest are up for round 4.

Seeing the grave damage his friend Akiyoshi has taken, Tihn pulls out a precious scroll and casts the spell on it. His words echo with a power that speaks of skill beyond his own. Even as the arcane blade shimmers into existence, it is already moving at and striking at Urula.

Ready and cast scroll of mage sword, CL 18.
To hit 1d20 + 18 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 18 + 7 + 3 = 33
Damage 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6, 6, 4) + 3 = 21

Tihn, sorry to be a pain, but she's in the floor right now. You can ready an action though.

Jiro readies his bow, pouring all his inner energy into the weapon in hopes of killing this creature.
Jiro will spend 1 ki to increase his arrow damage and use flurry of blows once the ghost reappears.

Any AoO this time?
1d20 + 22 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 22 + 7 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 2d6 + 26 ⇒ (6) + (4) + (2, 6) + 26 = 44

Miss anyway, in all likelihood...
Akiyoshi's ACs have increased due to Smite being active: Are now AC 33, Touch 23, FF 31.

Akiyoshi shoots his comrades a wary glance, the weight of his gaze enough to convey that the situation is dire. However, he moves to the site of the apparition's disappearance in order to stand ready. He lays a hand upon himself to help regain some of his lost strength, and then stands prepared in Judan Kamae; a high posure, with his blade held above his head and ready to sweep down on the monster when it appears.

Lay on hands: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6, 1, 3, 6, 3, 3) = 29

Readied Action:

Power Attack: 1d20 + 22 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 22 + 7 = 49
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 2d6 + 26 + 28 ⇒ (2) + (5) + (6, 6) + 26 + 28 = 73 Double Smite damage bonus included as the first strike against an undead target.
Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 22 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 22 + 7 = 34
Damage: 1d8 + 26 + 28 ⇒ (7) + 26 + 28 = 61

134 damage if the critical is confirmed, half of which would be 67. Damage for a non crit would be 73, halved for 36.

Jiro readies his bow, pouring all his inner energy into the weapon in hopes of killing this creature.

Jiro will spend 1 ki to increase his arrow damage and use flurry of blows once the ghost reappears.

I think you can either delay or ready an action. But if you're waiting for it to emerge, you have to ready an action, which will be a standard, so no flurry. You can roll now. It will make things easier to run.

Any AoO this time?

Yes, that's what I meant by my cryptic blurb at the end of the round summary. I'll be clearer.

Incorporeal subtypes are immune to critical hits (that would have been nice!).

Darn.

Addendum: Yup, we're going to die.

Yes, I want the sword ready to attack Urula, then. Thank you.

Round 4 - The Tomb Raiders

Akiyoshi’s follow up strike hits her and she shrieks with anger, but with a hint of despair as well!

Jiro: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 392d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 6) + 9 = 20

You all prepare to strike at Urula when she comes out, band she does not disappoint. As she emerges, arrow and swords all come down as one, and her evanescent shell is torn apart, leaving a soft echo of darkness rippling through the room.

For a moment, you wait, watching the whirlwind of sisters. It remains silent this time, then splits in four shapes that fly around you harmlessly.

Combat Over! Please update to level 15.

Sorry I was late...work!! Hurah!! We did not die!!

Sorry I was late...work!! Hurah!! We did not die!!

Well, most of us, anyway...

Just one :( Close call though, that could have turned quickly on the rest of you. Good job getting her at the end!

I hope we can somehow bring Ukyou back!!! (for some reason I just thought you were unconscious...not dead :-(

Nope, that combo of the Con drain and her attacks did me in. That Con drain takes big chunks of hp with it! We'll see how Tomb wants to handle things. I'm happy to watch or roll a new character if there isn't a sensible way to bring Ukyou back.

Well, as suggested, since we've levelled, I could take the Ultimate Mercy feat, and bring hi back that way, though since I don't have a diamond, it would give me a negative level, and Ukyou would be stuck with two of the same.

You haven't tried leaving. If yiu could reach a city, things would be easier.

"We should investigate this chamber, to ensure there is no way Urula and her sisters can regenerate. Also, perhaps the blade we seek is concealed here." Even as he says the practical course, Tihn cannot take his gaze away from the fallen Ukyou. Minutes pass before he is able to look away, and lethargically move to the task of searching.

Using detect magic to investigate the pillars, fountain and other features of the room. Any interesting writing or art?

An excellent point. I'm sure high level individuals like ourselves know people who can raise dead. I don't know that we actually leveled up, or if we are even close now. I do have teleport, so if we do know someone that can help, it would make it relatively easy to get there and back again.

The pillar shows no special aura beyond the one prevalent in the crypt. It is simply painted white, with no other feature but a small annotation carved at the base that reads: Urula, 4191–4222.

You have leveled up.

Akiyoshi moves to the side of his fallen comrade, checking for signs of life, and when finding none, cradling the small form in his lap.

"There is nothing; he has fallen."

A long, silent pause fills the room after the words.

After an interminable time the swordsman looks up again.

"What should we do? Return to the city have him returned to us? Try to raise him here? We was vibrant and full of life; I have no doubt that his desire would be to return to us..."

"I will pay whatever price is asked to return him to us, but let us first search this area, like Tihn suggested. I would hate to think Ukyou fell for nothing."

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

"Let us take him back to the city. Though he is a bright spark, I am concerned about this environment. With so much dark magic and malignant spirits, I fear he may not be what enters the mortal shell, or that he would return alone. I would feel more confident imposing the task on our dear friend who is so much better schooled in such things."

We will respectfully shroud Ukyou's remains, and then give the room a general examination.

Should we take 20 to search the room? With Jiro in the lead and the other assisting? If so, here's my assist rolls.

Tihn aid another perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Mikko aid another perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

That would be a total of +4, taking Jiro up to +27 with an autosuccess for Akiyoshi. +47 in all. Does that work for everyone?

Works for me.

The sarcophagus contains the mummified remains of a man. Likely the brother they were referring to. His hands grip the hilt of a flamboyant red nodachi with a large ruby set in the pommel. His once-handsome beard is ragged, but still shows its red coloring; his teeth are clenched in an uneven rictus. On his right hand is a ring that bears
the sigil of the howling medusa.

+2 cold iron nodachi (worth 3,800 gp with the ruby intact)
Ring of Evasion

Jiro easily finds a secret door near the sarcophagus. Beyond it is an octagonal chamber. Five
white marble pedestals, each four feet high, line the walls. A single mundane item sits atop each pedestal, identified by bronze plaques that read (north to south), “His Shaving Razor,” “His Comb,” “His Favorite Goblet,” “His Pipe,” and “His Gaming Dice.” The five items on the pedestals are all of exquisite manufacture—each is worth 100 gp.

A 3-foot-square metallic plate occupies the center of the chamber floor. Four locking devices of particularly cunning design secure the plate along its four edges.

"Though I am loath to touch anything of the dead's, I think I would make an exception here, given Ukyou fell to uncover the mysteries of this particular tomb. I do not think that this sword would be the one for which we seek."

"As for the creature, you think she might be able to return?"
Akiyoshi searches his mind for how such a creature might regenerate...
Knowedge: Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Akiyoshi has never heard of such creature.

"Let us away from this place and tend to our wounded. Unless one of us can defeat this locking mechanism?"

"Alas, our expert in such things must be restored first. Very well, Gather together. Akiyoshi, please take up our fallen friend."

Once everyone is ready, Tihn will cast teleport. He will take the entire group to somewhere nearby our divine friend. We will approach him/her about raising Ukyou, and make arrangements to trade some of the items we've found to cover the raise dead and restorations.

Not sure we're presently still on the material plane. The very first key transported us into that eternal night-version of the graveyard, and from what I recall it didn't look like it was attached to anything else (a pocket dimension?). Teleport may not work as a result. We may have to get out of the dungeon first, back to the real world, and then cast teleport to take us back to civilization.

In a blink, you appear at the intended destination. Use of coinage and proper etiquette ensure that Ukyou's remains are treated properly. His body is stripped and wrapped in scented oils and silver-coated silk. A great bronze bell is struck, disturbing the steady lines of rising smoke from the seven hundred and seventy-seven incense sticks aimed at the sky, as the drone chanting of Master Luizo reaches its end.

The body is left to rest. Ukyou's chest is waxing and waning slowly, though he still looks dead. Master Luizo leads you to a small chamber: "I am glad to be of some help. Things have soured greatly here in Kasai, and I fear I shall have to flee the capital in the coming days. Should you need to reach me, get in touch with my cousin Luinao."

You can ask questions if you wish, or simply head back. Ukyou, you can join at any time. You've awakened, recognized the place and heard voices in the other room.

"What is happening that you fear remaining here in the capital? I was aware of no such danger in Kasai."

"The Regent's power has growned tremendously since Emperor Shigure opted to remove himself from public life. The wave of assassination now hits influential courtiers. A lot of them have already fled to their estates."

Reminder: Akiyoshi had a vision in the necropolis.

Thanks for the reminder; I had forgotten.

Akiyoshi looks about gravely, his mind clouded with dark thoughts.

"While we were in the Tomb, I received a vision. It came unbidden, and I do not know the source, nor whether it can be trusted. I have told these others what ocurred therein, but I feel I should share it again here and now."

The carriage hearse barrels along a hard dirt road, drawn by four frothing, maddened horses driven forward by your frantic whipping. A quick glance over your shoulder tells you that your mounted pursuers are gaining ground in the hazy moonlight.

“Shizuru save us!” shouts a beardless old man sitting beside you as he desperately clings to the wooden seat.

“We no longer serve fools, Hasimo,” you growl with irritation. “Best get that through your thick skull.”

You glance behind again, this time to the bed of the hearse, where the fine silver coffin lurches dangerously, despite the five straps of stout leather securing it in place.

“Forgive me, sister,” you think. “It was I who was the true fool.”

You hear a dull thud as an arrow strikes the seatback. Another arrow sinks into Hasimo’s shoulder, knocking him from his seat to the hard ground below with a cry of pain. As a third projectile thuds into the carriage, you cry out to the starlit sky.

“Black Daimyo! Have you abandoned me?”

With the cry still in your throat, a strange shimmer surrounds the hearse and the scene about you flickers and fades. The dirt road is suddenly replaced by a paved walkway, and the surrounding woodland by a graveyard. Startled by the sudden change, the horses shriek and careen to the left. As the carriage leaves the road, the shimmering bubble of energy that encompasses it crushes the tombstones in its path.

Suddenly, the horses seem to smash into an invisible wall, and their cries of terror abruptly cease. You are propelled from your seat, hurtled through the air as you and the carriage crash to the ground. You feel bones break, and as your neck snaps with a nauseating crunch, you hear a sinister voice behind your ear, whispering with an intimacy that terrifies.

“No, my puppet. I never forget a bargain.”

"That is how it was, to the best of my recollection. I believe it represents the last moments of the carriage driver we found in the open green when we first arrived in the Tomb's own dimension, but what it signifies, or why I was given it...?"

Master Luizo shrugs as he caresses his grey mustache: "It appears the Hanados have shaken hands with the Black Daimyo. That can't be good for them. It explains perhaps how low they have fallen... Beyond that, I do not know."

I was referring to that one:

"When I cured your blindness, I had an impression, or perhaps a vision. A glow of jade and gold as a small bird flew away. Green and gold are the colors of the Higashiyama clan, who are of course the ruling imperial family. Their son, Shigure, is often called Fushō s*#$a tori: the injured bird, since his retreat into hiding and the start of the regency. I do not understand the significance of this yet; it bears pondering."

Link

"It appears that our quest to restore honor to one may have much broader reprecussions that I anticiptated. When Ukyou is ready to travel, we best return; perhaps there is more to be learned there that will be critical to our nation as a whole."

Akiyoshi relates that one too.

Whoops. Wrong vision.

Master Luizo nods: "Mmmh... Yes. I fear for Higashiyama Shigure. That vision does not bode well for the emperor. It could also indicate a relation between the Hanados and the Higashiyama. Visions are hard to decipher. I will ponder this further while you are away. May the Goddess light your path through darkness!"

Let's wait for Ukyou's return, then move to the necropolis.

No news from Ukyou... Moving on with him as NPC for now.

With Ukyou recuperating quickly, you are transported by Tihn back to the Necropolis. As you reach it though, you reappear in the middle of the day and above ground, instead of the night realm that you found.

It doesn't take long for you to figure that you must start again with the key set into the medusa's mouth, and make your way from the sarcophagus.

You quickly reach the spot where you fought the fierce undead creature. All seems calm and you move to the secret room where the plate locked in place by four complex locks is located.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (7) + 27 = 34
Disable Device: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (12) + 27 = 39
Disable Device: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (11) + 27 = 38
Disable Device: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 36

Ukyou makes short work of the locks, releasing the panel.

He goes for the panel, but stops, intrigued: "There is a clever trap here. Quite deadly from the look of it. I'm going to try to release it in the stone surrounding the panel..."

You see a blue radiation of electricity course through the stone, blackening it for five feet in every direction. "That would have fried most of us I think..." says Ukyou with a satisfied smile. "Now let's see what's underneath!"

Within are 12 ingots of platinum (worth 800 gp each) covered by a folded tapestry depicting a woodland scene of dancing cranes and kamis (8 feet by 12 feet when unfurled, worth 1,200 gp). Beneath the ingots is a thin, unlocked wooden box containing a portable hole, folded into quarters and wrapped in a blue silk kerchief.

"Is it safe to move these items?", Jiro asks as he looks at the treasure

"I think so, but let me check one more time to be sure. After all, it wouldn't do after you all so kindly returned me to this world to see the same happen to one of you...or me again." Ukyou checks things once more carefully and detects magic on the items other than the obvious portable hole.
Perception 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (17) + 28 = 45