The Half Dead City (Mummy's Mask Part 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Chainmail

I do not allow taking of twenty on spellcraft to ID as it makes a level 1 spell useless.

After an hour and a half of searching, no more hidden things are found in the two rooms and the adjoining hallway.

"This being my first time here, I do not know where next we need to go, but let's do it deliberately, so as to not leave our rear unguarded. Also, right now there is an audience outside waiting for us to either fail or emerge victorious. I propose we let them stew in the sun for as long as possible."

@GM Tribute: Fair and reasonable. After all, their *is* a consequence for failure with Spellcraft (not being able to try to identify it again until the following day), so you shouldn't be able to 'take 20' (which assumes you fail before you succeed). Dusty and Umbryl can still roll to identify magical items, though.

Also, just confirming, but the bow, and the two light wooden shields are mundane, *not* masterwork? Also, does the bow have a strength rating? Finally, was there anything in any of the small chests in the 'Chucky' room?

Setesh nods.

"Agreed. We should be as methodical as possible. Let's try the door in the South-East corner, next."

Setesh then moves to the aforementioned door, and checks it for traps.

Perception 'Take 20' = 29.

If it is not trapped, he will open it.

@Dusty: As per the Spellcraft skill entry, you can only try to identify a magical item once per day - so theoretically, you *could* 'take 20' - it would just take you nearly three weeks ;-)

Determine Properties of Magic Item:

When using detect magic or identify to learn the properties of magic items, you can only attempt to ascertain the properties of an individual item once per day. Additional attempts reveal the same results.

actually, rereading the skill I discovered you can only discover the properties of an item once per day anyway. My mistake.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

well, it is magical, but I can't tell what it is. Anyone else know?

ah, setesh you ninjaed me. I was just typing that, and deleted the first post. You learn something new every day. I know some players in my table top game who are in for a surprise, cause we have never looked too closely at the skill.

Umbryl will cast detect magic then study the shield.
Spellcraft to identify shield: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
WOOT
My understanding was that the bow and shields were just mundane. Took the Osiriani shield cause of the Ancient moniker.... Also was examining the chests and urn. XD

After examining the light shield, Umbryl determines it protects the wielder from swarms. +1 light metal scarab shield

"One of you should use the shield."

Setesh nods.

"I would be happy to do so; I tend to have an arm free in combat, after all..."

" Unless Dusty would prefer it? Other than that I have no objection. I mostly nee a hand free to cast, so..."
If Dusty doesn't object, Umbryl hands the shield to Setesh.
" Now. About these chests..."

no, setesh can have it. I'll have the next one.

Dusty will cast guidance on setesh as needed for trap detection, trap removal and chest opening. +1 to your rolls, setesh. Every bit helps

Faisal, now a little more on edge since the latest attack, follows the others. . .one hand holding his sword, the other close to the pouches that holds his spell components.

Satisfied that the shield issue is resolved, Sabola looks to see what Setesh has done with the next door.

After opening the set of double doors...
This short hallway narrows sharply to the west, descending to set of stairs that abruptly ends at a rough rock wall.

The area at the foot of the stairs was never excavated, though a few small tunnels pockmark the stone.

I'll detect magic and give it a once over.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

I'm sure the others will search it more fully.

Setesh glances around the room...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22.

...and once satisifed that nothing appears to be attempting to kill him, settles down for a more thorough search.

Perception 'take 20' = 29.

A table displaying a three-dimensional diorama occupies much
of the north side of this room. Three shields with different
designs are displayed upon a rack against the east wall, while
various weapons hang from another rack along the south wall.
Arrayed around the room are five small chests and a clay urn.
With a sculpted landscape and tiny stone and wooden
statues, the diorama depicts an ancient battle between the
city of Wati and an unidentified enemy. The rack to the
east proudly displays three shields. The shield on the right
is a light wooden shield identical to the shields carried
by the soldiers in the diorama. It bears Ancient Osiriani
hieroglyphs that spell the name “Akhentepi,” marking
those soldiers as under the command of Akhentepi

Mentioned twice before, but would like to take care of this BEFORE moving on to a different room....My understanding was that these were in the room with the dolls, right?

Faisal joins Umbryl at the chests.

They contain a sack with a 100 gp and 42 sp, and several scroll tubes holding papyrus records, private memos, expense ledgers, speeches, and private correspondence. Among the papers are discussions regarding the unfinished tomb of Akhentepi’s mistress (the area to the west that I just opened on the map that is unfinished and the stairway ends in a wall). They clay urn is sealed in wax with a sweet smelling oil inside.

Appraise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25.

"There is little else of interest in the papers, but to a collector or Osirionologist, these documents would be worth 250 gp total if undamaged. The clay urn contains nard, an expensive, oily perfume, worth 75 gp."

Now, about this other room that we are searching... what is in it? ;-)

Scooping up the sack of coins, Umbryl leaves the rest.
"We should come back for those as we leave. No point in carrying them deeper, and maybe damaging them."
Of little interest? They can be worth gold. Makes 'em interesting to me...
Turning with a wink at Faisal, he follows the others down into the depths of the tomb.
As they get nearer the sarcophagus room, Umbryl twitches a little and is on edge. Holding his light mace aloft in his right hand, he casts light on it again.A pale green mist seems to swirl around his left hand.

"Agreed.

"Onward!"

Dusty renews her light spell on her shield. let us continue.

Sabola ponders the wisdom of different color schemes as camoflage in a desert environment.

Sabola concludes that fashion in the high desert is probably less important than function.

Map updated

After opening the western doors to the unfinished tomb for the mistress....

This short hallway narrows sharply to the west, descending to set of stairs that abruptly ends at a rough rock wall.

The area at the foot of the stairs was never excavated, though a few small tunnels pockmark the stone

As mentioned above, Setesh glanced into the room (scoring a 22 on Perception), and then moved in for a more thorough search (for a total of 29 on Perception).

And Sabola had cast detect magic and looked it over getting a 19 on Perception.

If there's nothing here, Sabola will follow Setesh to wherever the next unexplored area is.

If it matters, unlike all of the weak-eyed human and elf types here, Sabola does have darkvision.

Faisal follows closely to the orc, his sword in hand.

Dusty stays to the middle of the group, giving everyone light

INITIATIVE
Sabal1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Dusty1d20 ⇒ 4
Faisal1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Umbral1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Enemy 11d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

While exploring the unfinished tomb, two beetles with an eerie light appear to investigate your disturbance. The eerie lights they shine prevent true surprise, but they do get the jump on you.

attacking?: 1d5 ⇒ 2
Att vs Dusty ff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Two mining beetles bite Dusty with nasty mandibles.
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

Order
ROund 1
Mining Beetles
PARTY UP

With no one on the map, I had to wing it. Dusty is placed with two beetles. Gray is difficult terrain. Place where you would have been relative to her. Beetles crawl out of side tunnels.

I'm trying to place myself to the right of the one beetle which is above Dusty. 11 HP drops Dusty I'm thinking.

Sabola will do what he does best:

Falchion Hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Falchion Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

Update: I think I got myself placed on the map.

Faisal waves his fingers at the beetles. "Cigam-elssim!"

Magic Missle: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Well, I did say that I was exploring the room, and Dusty said that she was in the middle, so I guess that I will be in front of her.

Surprised by the sudden appearance of the beetles, and their rather lethal actions, Setesh nonetheless gamely slashes at one of them with his sickle!

Cold Iron Sickle: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 = 17, for 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (6) = 8 damage.

THe mining beetles fall quickly to the magic and arms. In less than five seconds they are turned into bleeding husks with a faint light.

Combat over

I think dusty is going to gain a phobia against arachnids and insects if this keeps up...lol
With a startled squeak, dusty collapses to the floor, unconscious.

Totally surprised by the attack, Umbryl watches as Dusty falls and his companions destroy her attackers.
Kneeling by her he tries to stop the bleeding.
untrained heal check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
" Guys help, I can't do healing magics..."

Acting quickly, Setesh pulls out one of the Potions of Cure Light Wounds retrieved earlier, and feeds it to Dusty...

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8.

...breathing a sigh of relief when her eyes flutter open.

"We thought we had almost lost you. I am glad to see that you are still with us!"

He then returns to searching the room.

'Take 20' = 29.

Sabola kneels down next to Dusty, "apologies Priestess, She has not blessed me with the gift of healing, but the strength of my arms are yours, either for wielding this blade, or for aiding you to your feet," and he extends his arm for her to grasp as he pulls her to her feet.

Did I see we have some scrolls of CLW? For future reference, Sabola can read those if required.

Dusty has two Scrolls of CLW listed as equipment. We also now have one potion of CLW left, as well.

Having defeated the beetles, a half hour of searching reveals a secret door to a passage that is not at all finished masonry, but a tunnel pockmarked with small holes. Moving single file through the tunnel, the point person encounters two similar beetles that defend their territory.

The leader can act in the surprise round with a DC 14 Perception check--Note the light source you are using to see.

SURPRISE ROUND for beetles and first in line

INITIATIVE
Sabal1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Setesh1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Dusty1d20 ⇒ 7
Faisal1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Umbral1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Enemy 11d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

before
Thank you Sabola, and you Setesh. For some reason I seem to attract dangerous vermin. Dusty gets up and brushes the dust off.

Now
More insects!

tribute, who do you mean by the leader

fIRST IN LINE = POINT PERSON

Umbryl casts light on his mace every so often to keep it lit, so he has a light source. Probably not the best point man as his perception is only +2 but will take the spot if no one else wants it.

Faisal would be more towards the middle/back of the pack. He would, however, not hesitate to move into the action. On his turn.

Faisal is surprised by the bugs, but reacts quickly to the threat. With a quick word, "Eralf", the wizard creates a burst of light in front of one of the beatles.