If it matters, the wand rifle is presently loaded with the wand of dispel magic and the wand of scorching ray.-
But Moonpate can load any two wands into the rifle he likes.The problem is, use of the wand rifle requires an exotic weapon proficiency, so he's probably better off not using it until he picks up some training.
The advantage it provides is you can cycle between the two wands as a free action, and it gives a +1 bonus to ranged touch attacks.
It also has a masterwork bayonet for close-quarter stabbing.
plus whatever she should get for Brew potion and master Alchemist feats.
With a visual inspection, Xerissa determines that Hurgah's fang potion flask currently contains a potion of greater magic fang +3
"OK kiddies! Listen up!"
"It's kinda important that none of you die, right now."
"So I need you to all to learn to follow Xaven's Rules for pyramid survival. . ."
"Rule number 1: if it's shiny, don't touch it. If it's dull don't touch it. And if it moves, don't %&$^ touch it. In fact, if you have pockets, you might want to stuff your chubby hands in there for the duration. I'll let you know when you're needed to hit something."
With a visual inspection, Xerissa determines that Hurgah's fang potion flask currently contains a potion of greater magic fang +3
"OK kiddies! Listen up!"
"It's kinda important that none of you die, right now."
"So I need you to all to learn to follow Xaven's Rules for pyramid survival. . ."
"Rule number 1: if it's shiny, don't touch it. If it's dull don't touch it. And if it moves, don't %&$^ touch it. In fact, if you have pockets, you might want to stuff your chubby hands in there for the duration. I'll let you know when you're needed to hit something."
Moonpate arches what previously used to be a nice bushy eyebrow and addresses our newest group "addition".
"Sir Knave, your association with this justifiably dead assassin does not color you in a favorable light, and in fact makes your words as gratifying to hear as an air elemental's flatulence. Nonetheless, our fates seem bound together for the nonce, and as such we must work together. Specifically, that means you will do what we say, to our mutual benefit and profit. Such boons being defined as you leaving this place with your life. Cross us further and you will guarantee a similar fate as your despicable former colleague. We will value your stated expertise and gladly have you lead the way in investigating these side passages. Should you prove useful and honorable hence forth, and we are lucky enough to survive this thrice cursed pyramid, you might even gain profit beyond the retention of your hide. Such is my opinion. Others may differ and I will gladly hear their statements regarding what to do with you."
Gandel pokes at Hurgah who is distracted by his new toys. "Well?"
"Master Moonpate is correct Xaven. Your suggestions are welcome but you nor your Half-Orc ally are in control here. Deal fairly with us and we will deal fairly with you. Now, time runs short. We must find a way to draw our foe out before the Khyrasma sends in more fodder for his bloody count".
"Witnessing your clear inability to follow rule number one, is why I have trusty rule number two:"
"Keep the clerics close at hand."
"Master Moonpate is correct Xaven. Your suggestions are welcome but you nor your Half-Orc ally are in control here. Deal fairly with us and we will deal fairly with you. Now, time runs short. We must find a way to draw our foe out before the Khyrasma sends in more fodder for his bloody count".
"For that," says the chatty little man, "It looks like we have an ally in the Sand Sage. I don't know why yet, but he's working awful hard to keep Khymrasa from sending people in."
"The turban's up to something..."
But the Dune Squad isn't actually going to have Xaven choose where to go next is it?
(There's still a groovy map that shows all the unexplored passages, if that helps.)
. . . We will value your stated expertise and gladly have you lead the way in investigating these side passages. Should you prove useful and honorable hence forth, and we are lucky enough to survive this thrice cursed pyramid, you might even gain profit beyond the retention of your hide. Such is my opinion. Others may differ and I will gladly hear their statements regarding what to do with you."
-
"Well he is supposed to be an expert trapsmith."
"Not to beat a dead (but regenerating) Tarasque, but this is a terrible idea. Neversword is not to be trusted."
Then suddenly pensive Donkor adds, "Though I suppose no one is any more."
Karek will put his precious potion back in his bag, then motion to Gandel to resume the front line. He's going back to the room we were about to examine - the northern arch.
(In case it assists, I am setting out a copy of what transpired the last time Gandel and Karek were at the north archway.)
Gandel and Karek approach the northern arch. But to Gandel’s disappointment the pictograms that adorn the arch, are not iconographic – that is to say, they do not match any known symbols that Gandel is aware of, or any of those found inside his collection.
The professor, of course, is quite an expert in this field, so if he is at a loss, that’s saying something.However, his disappointment turns to delight when he realizes that what he is instead looking at is quite possibly just a straight up illustration. It doesn’t mean anything linguistically because it might just be a true picture.
On the arch is a depiction of four well adorned Osiriani aristocrats, three men, one female. They are standing inside what looks to be a large ring. Each has their empty hands pointing skyward, while their gaze is likewise drawn upwards.
He also makes one other observation. The bottom of the picture suggests it wraps around from the front of the arch – on the side you cannot see. You might be looking at the tail-end of something that begins on the other side.
Do Gandel and Karek dare to venture across the threshold of the arch? Beyond appears to be a corridor heading north which also eventually reaches a flight of stairs heading upwards.
-
Does this mean the rest of the party follows in default marching order? And does it mean someone is crossing underneath the arch? (Who? Everyone?)
As the group approaches the archway, Hurgah signals a hold. Pointing through the arch, he turns to Xaven and asks "All right, Champ. What do your tomb raider instincts tell you about this?"
Gandel joins Karek looking irritably at Hurgah for even showing Xaven the archway.
As the group approaches the archway, Hurgah signals a hold. Pointing through the arch, he turns to Xaven and asks "All right, Champ. What do your tomb raider instincts tell you about this?"
Needless to say, Hurgah is watching out for his buddy Moonpate.
As the group approaches the archway, Hurgah signals a hold. Pointing through the arch, he turns to Xaven and asks "All right, Champ. What do your tomb raider instincts tell you about this?"
The diminutive Xaven takes Hurgah's invitation as an opportunity to muscle himself to the front alongside Gandel.
"I believe this is what we call the front door. We're already inside. You turkeys came in through the back. Nice job."
"We should assume this pact magic stuff was meant to be a pretty closely guarded secret by just four people." He points to the artwork on the archway to show exactly just who he means. “They don’t want just anybody turning themselves into an un-killable collective. It's a private affair."
"On the other hand, If they were going to be that thorough, they would have trapped the back door as well, no? You all wouldn't have been able to follow me into this chamber when I was in gaseous form."
"This rooms gotta be defended, but my gut tells me it's not the archway."
He makes a military-like guesture with his hand and says,
"Clear!"
[Xaven] makes a military-like guesture with his hand and says,
"Clear!"
-
Hrokon rolls his eyes at his partner's dubious theatrics. While the rest of the party has formed a line, he takes a position off to the left (west) side, keeping his distance
-
Just so I don't repeat the mistake I recently made with Moonpate's ring, I should alert you:True strike is a "personal" spell, meaning a caster can only cast it on him or herself.
Gandel will again cast Dancing Lights and send them in the area towards where he saw runes on the ceiling and walls.
Well if they have to be here, I had might as well do what I came here to do.
"I'm not detecting any magic on the archway at all, if that helps."
"But the magic in this place has proven to be so powerful, I wouldn't be surprised if the builders could mask their magic beyond my detection."
"Or maybe the magic on the stone is so strong, it simply overwhelms all other auras."
Gandel will again cast Dancing Lights and send them in the area towards where he saw runes on the ceiling and walls.
Well if they have to be here, I had might as well do what I came here to do.
-
I've got Gandel and Karek (and now Xaven) standing at the threshold of the archway. Looking through it, even with danging lights, from where you are now, you can't see much more than a corridor running north. It leads to stairs that go up, and eventually there's an opening on the east wall.Am I reading your post to mean Gandel crosses over so he can read whatever is on the other side of the arch? If not, there are no new hieroglyphs to report.
-
Check! Just let me know how close you want Halstadt to be.The half-orc either doesn't notice Morgrym's approach, or pretends not to notice.
Gandel does not cross over just yet. He turns to Moonpate, "Master Moonpate, perhaps we can summon an Ally to explore this area before we proceed?"
Karek groans. I'm sure ids vine, Drabsbringer. He steps through the portal.
Gandel sighs and follows the tough Dwarf through squinting in anticipation of something happening.
Karek groans. I'm sure ids vine, Drabsbringer. He steps through the portal.
-
. . . and he was never seen again.Until the rest the rest of the party stopped blinking.
Nothing happens to Karek, other than he is swiftly joined by Gandel, and then Xaven.
Once on the other side, Gandel is able to complete his deciphering of the pictograms on the wall.
It appears to be a dire warning:
The arch instructs that none are to pass through without the assent of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension.
Anyone who steps through who has not been gifted with the ‘protection of the pharaohs’* will suffer consequences most dire.
All in all, Gandel might summarize the glyphs as “Do Not Enter”.
(A warning that comes perhaps a little late)
Karek, Gandel and Xaven are at the base of a short flight of stairs heading north. A spacious corridor continues north. At about the 40 foot mark, there is an opening in the east wall. Shortly thereafter, the corridor abruptly turns left (west).
-----
*There is a lack of clarity as to what this "protection" is. It could be translated as a mystic spell. Or it might even mean, if transcribed into classical Ancient Osiriani, literally mean the soles of ones feet, which doesn’t make a lot of sense.
-
A good point to clarify. Let's have Hrokon 20 feet off to the west which will put Hal 10 feet west.
-
When I can, I'll re-post the default marching order (hopefully later today) to remind everyone where they are.What I propose to do is rotate Lydia so that she's in second to last rank. That way Breach can guard the rear and be glued to Lydia at the same time.
But if you guys prefer to keep her in the middle, that's fine too.
I'll need to work in Hrokon and Xaven too. I'll make sure Hal is close to Hrokon.
As always, you guys can make any changes you want - it's your order.
"It seems we should not have entered the chamber without the protection and assent of the Four Pharaohs. Seems a bit late for that warning now though it would seem that for once the effect was more beneficial than harmful. I guess the next question is North or East?"
Current Marching Order of the Dune Squad
.
.
.
.
KK GT < --- Karek & Gandel
XN HA < --- Xaven and Hrokon
DS*HM < --- Donkor and Halstadt
XA < --- Xerissa
MS MP < --- Lydia & Moonpate
BS HR < --- Breach and Hurgah
"I'm going to guess that warning sign is a bluff by the pharaohs to keep people away from the secret to their pact magic. Something this powerful they wanted all to themselves. I'm starting to get why Kimrassa wants a piece of it."
I guess the next question is North or East?"
-
"I guess that depends on what we're trying to do now. I came here to keep the Pactstone out of the hands of Khymrassa and her devil monk allies, but now that I think we've found it, I'm not sure how to do that.""Maybe the question we should be asking now is: 'how do we get out of here'?"
"My limited experience is that it is only when one tries to leave a pyramid of the Four Pharaohs that they become truly dangerous. Wouldn't you agree Xaven?"
". . . Yeah, I suppose I would."
He thinks.
"Maybe the half-elf girl's words are bad karma."
Then he thinks some more.
"But if it's all the same to you death priest, I'm still gonna find us a way out of here. You can thank me later."
"Either way, the answer requires us to resume our search."
"Gandel, I say we continue to check every nook and cranny until we find what we're looking for--whatever that may be."
"OUT!? No, we have a mission here and we are going to finish it. The Demon must be slain and it has become quite clear that this pactstone must not fall into the wrong hands".
Hal turns to look at the room which contains the white stone and hefts his axe. He heads back into the room and swings his axe at the floor to see what sort of damage he can do...
Gandel nods to Donkor, "Agreed, it is likely that we will come upon something which will explain how this phenomenon took place".
Gandel winces at Hal's outburst.
He continues, "Which leads us back to our last question, North or East..."
Gandel pauses once he hears Hal's axe strike the floor.
Halstadt versus the Pacstone
Hal turns to look at the room which contains the white stone and hefts his axe. He heads back into the room and swings his axe at the floor to see what sort of damage he can do...
-
The answer to that depends on what Hal has as a damage roll.It is an unattended object with a Hardness score.
He'll also need a hit roll. Not because he can actually miss in these conditions (AC 0), but because on a roll of 1 he could damage his axe.
(You could roll initiative too, if you'd like, but I think the stone is just going to go on delay.)
Roll away!