Bah, stupid traps. Who just decides to build traps in a place like this. What is the purpose other than slowing down adventurers. I suppose you might catch the unobservant occasionally, but not a wily halfling like me.
With that, Pfilian moves over and begins to investigate the plate by the secret door.
Gotta make sure this one does not work so that you lummoxes do not step on it my mistake.
<-- not sure if someone has guidance or not
--> hope that did not set it off
Rakal is amazed at Pfilian's skill at trap removing. Being a lummox, he appreciates having all obstacles removed.
Pfilian tries to work on the second plate. He moves what turns out to be a second activation lever and sets off the trap!!
Oops, don't pull that lever.
Reflex: <-- if necessary, or you can use the 16 I rolled for the apparently unnecessary second roll.
As Pfilian activates the trap, a huge arc of electricity is seen between the pillars on the platform the sarcophagus is on.
Then the north door bursts open and water begins to gush in filling the room at an inch a second! This crypt must have access to the river nearby!! Massive bolts are heard to lock in the south and west doors after the south doors slam shut!!! Before you can react, you are standing in three inches of water and luckily the electricity is done arcing on the platform. You are happy no one was up there or stepped up there!!!
INITIATIVE
ORDER OF ACTION
ROUND 1
Pfilian
Asaran
Rakal
Party is up except Sunjeet!! Place yourself on the map. If you are by the south door, you may try a REFLEX DC 15 to jump back into the other room and leave your new friends in the crypt. Then those listed may take a full action--obviously time is important
Oops.
This is a lot of water for a desert city.
Ready action to attack anything that makes itself known.
Philian quickly moves back to his new companions.
Move to I23
Pfilian steps gracefully through the water to the south door as water continues to stream from the just opened north doors.
ORDER OF ACTION
ROUND 1
Pfilian
Asaran
Rakal
Asaran looks to Rakal for guidance and decides to do whatever he does.
Rakal will try and push the north door closed that is letting the water in, "How good is everyone at holding their breaths?"
|
At first the mage's eyes open wide then he forces himself calm. Fear will do nothing, logic and knowledge may solve this puzzle. "Pfilian, can you see if you can get the other doors open? This water will fill this room in mere moments and we will drown soon if we do not escape immediately. Let the rest of us deal with other threats.:
Not sure where the doors actually are, but Sunjeet would have been around I-25 as he was watching from the hallway.
Philian moves over and sees if he can open the south doors.
Perception:
Disable Device:
If I cannot open these, we better be ready to run north.
Pfilian moves to the south doors as they close and the locking bolt falls in to place leaving Sunjeet stranded in the hallway behind. Rakal and Asaran rush to the north door to stop the water.
To your horror, the coffin turn into a animated beast with the lid as a gaping, biting maw that rushes to grap someone!!
Advancing on the alert ranger it tries to bite him.
A light bite hurts the ranger (3hp), but he escapes the lid that tries to pin him to the body of the coffin.
Round 1
Sunjeet (on other side of door)
ROund2
Pfilian (trying to open door?)
Asaran
Rakal
Animated coffin
RECAP
As Pfilian returns with his finely made tools, he proves his proficiency by disarming the pressure plate to the pedestal. He attempts to get the pressure plate by the western secret door and trips the secondary trigger rather than the shutoff switch. As the machinery turns in the old crypt, Asaran and Rakal consider rushing to Pfilian's aid and jumping through the southern door, but their hesitation proves costly as it slams shut with a loud slam. A reinforced bolt is heard to slide through the stone doors in a center groove.
Asaran, Rakal and Sunjeet look at an amazingly sturdy door and hear the splash of water in the room. A scream erupts from the room.
Round 1
Sunjeet
Round 2
Pfilian (in 'peril')
Asaran
Rakal
Animated coffin
Escape Artist: <-- maybe?
CMB:
Acrobatics:
--> Is it 1/2 speed the whole move, or just through the threatened square. I would assume it is just through the threatened square sort of like moving through normal and difficult terrain. If so, I should be able to move 25', 20' normal and 5' and 1/2 speed.
Ok, then move the brave bard away.
Here is Philian's Theme Song. Hat is not quite right, but I think that the song is accurate.
As Pfilian deals with issues inside the room, the trio is stymied by a solid door and considers what to do.
All characters not named Pfilian UP
Rakal will search for a hidden switch or catch that may open the doors
+4 if stone
Asaran and Sunjeet aid the desperate search for a mechanism. With dwarven eyes and the learned vision of Sunjeet, you cannot find any trigger at all.
Round 2
Sunjeet
Round 3
Pfilian
Asaran
Rakal
Animated coffin
Not wanting to leave his companions, but knowing that with a big stone door in the way and a hungry coffin after him, Philian takes off toward the far, now open, doorway.
Action - Withdraw as far away as I can get from the carnivorous coffin. Heading toward the open north door.
Philian also keeps an eye out for anything that looks like a trigger to open the south door.
Perception:
Philian mutters:
Ah damn. I hate swimming. The water will ruin my hat.
Nonetheless, he heads for the north exit figuring that he might have a chance of surviving as opposed to getting eaten by a strange coffin.
Reflex:
Pfilian jumps through the door and avoids being knocked down. Unfortunately there is a grate ten feet behind the doors. As the water fills to two feet, the jets stop. An eery quiet descends.
Trapped against the grate, Pfilian watches helplessly as the coffin heads toward him tries to bite him. Once again the coffin misses him. Trapped in two feet of water Pfilian tries to determine how to defeat this mad wooden coffin.
Round 5
Pfilian
I am just going to see if Pfilian can get through the grate before getting snatched by the coffin. The grate behind Pfilian is somewhat small, but he may be able to squeeze through it to avoid the snapping coffin.
A skill point in escape artist would have done it. The other group is down two characters already--but appears we need another trapfinder. Pfilian is consumed by the mad coffin.
The doors to the room finally open after being closed for over two minutes. As they open, you see the room in the same condition it was in when you left it. The only exception is the sarcophagus trimmed with gold leaf seems very dented, especially the gold. This is somewhat suspicious.
As you prepare to go inside, an explorer late for the lottery has been sent by Sebti the Crocodile to help your group out.
Asaran loks into the room for Pfilian, then turns to the others, "Where's the halfling gone? I don't like that at all."
Confronted by the scary coffin with many scratches on it, the trio reassesses its options and look to see who is curious enough to explore an old tomb assigned to their group.
"We need to recruit a coffin killer. Think anyone specializes in that?"
Asaran shrugs, "I've not heard of such before, but who knows?"
|
|
"I have heard the properties of adamantite can be quite effective in the destruction of objects, but it is likely too expensive a resource for us at this time... Either way, considering the information we have on crypts such as this and the nature of traps within, it is highly unlikely that our companion will be rejoining us. The haberdasheries of the city will no doubt be greatly bereaved."
"Let's go around as discreetly as we can for someone who has some experience with the tricks and traps that these tombs have as well one that can hold their own in a fight."
Asaran looks tentative, but slowly nods as he sees no sign at all of his small companion... He finally sighs, "I wouldn't object to waiting a bit of time in the hopes the halfling returns or calls out... But after a decent wait, I think we'd best go back and ensure the paperwork is all in order. I believe Pfilian was listed as the lead for our team. Once we're sure there's no issues, then we'd be well-served to find someone good with traps... and, apparently, better than the halfling... to ensure whatever happened to Pfilian doesn't happen to all of us."
He then smiles and says, "That would work, I am sure, but then, so might acid... or even a sledge or a pick... all of which are likely easier to come by."
Having returned to the city, the party composition has changed a bit. A few words are said at the temple of Pharasma as Pfilian's body is laid to rest. A young priest from Pharasma is eager to join you. It appears this dwarf is ready to explore the ruins with you.
The dour dwarf is wearing a battered suit of chain mail and carrying a large shield. He is quite young for a dwarf, and his beard is short and neatly trimmed and he wears a hood of the darkest night with the symbol of Pharasma prominently displayed. He wears black hose, and carries a journal he plans to update.
He lets you know: "They call me Glumly, I study the walking dead. I put them to rest and preserve those who are interred so they can have an undisturbed slumber."
Before you return to the room Pfilian met his untimely demise, you explore around a little more. The dwarf is a stickler for mapping the area and writing detailed observations in his journal. You uncover some treasure you missed the first time.
The dwarf is extremely interested in using the masterwork spear as his primary weapon.
SCARAB SHIELD PRICE 4,399 GP SLOT shield CL 3rd WEIGHT 6 lbs. AURA faint conjuration This +1 light steel shield is fashioned in the shape of a scarab beetle—a creature that functions as a psychopomp for Pharasma, guiding the souls of the departed into the afterlife. Scarab shields are especially favored by archaeologists and tomb raiders for the protection they grant against guardians and vermin frequently found in ancient ruins and forgotten tombs. Once per day on command, a scarab shield grants its wielder a +2 sacred bonus on saving throws against fear and death effects for 3 minutes. At any time while this bonus is in effect, the wielder can end the effect as a swift action for a burst of healing energy. The wielder loses the saving throw bonus, but is healed of 1d8+3 points of damage. In addition, a scarab shield can protect its wielder from swarms. If a mindless swarm attempts to enter the wielder’s space, the swarm must attempt a DC 11 Will save. If the save succeeds, the swarm can enter the wielder’s space and attack the wielder normally. If the save fails, the swarm instinctively avoids the space occupied by the wielder, completely ignoring the wielder for 3 rounds. This effect ends if the wielder makes any attacks, but the wielder may use non-attack spells or otherwise act without ending the effect. This ability functions once per day. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 2,279 GP Craft Magic Arms and Armor, blessing of courage and lifeAPG, sanctuary
The dwarf points out you have a magic light shield, but he has no idea what it does.
Asaran says, "I have no issue with you using the spear, at least until we return to the city. Maybe Sunjeet would have better luck with the shield?"
"I could use the shield as well., though finding out all that it can do would be nice. I would not want it to be cursed!"
Sunjeet points out that the shield protects against swarms of creatures, making it harder for them to engulf the wielder.
You open the secret door from the room with the river trap..it heads west, then bends north leading to a nicely appointed room.
This room holds several neatly arrayed chests, boxes, and urns. The dust of centuries covers every surface. The only exit is a set of stone double doors to the south which you entered through.
Akhentepi’s grave goods were placed in this chamber, in keeping with the Osirian cultural belief that his soul would have access to those items in the Boneyard while he awaited final judgment. None of the chests and boxes in the room are locked, as the items within them were the most personal to Akhentepi, and his soul might want to have immediate access to them. Most of the goods in the chests, such as once-fine clothing and sealed jars of food, no longer have any value after the passage of centuries, but among the spoiled and ruined grave goods are several salvageable items of value, including two vials of silversheen, a masterwork longbow, 10 cold iron arrows, a gold scarab clasp, an onyx and silver holy symbol of Pharasma, a silver hand mirror, and a wax-sealed clay urn of nard .
a gold scarab clasp (worth 50 gp), an onyx and silver holy symbol of Pharasma (worth 100 gp), a silver hand mirror (worth 35 gp), and a wax-sealed clay urn of nard (worth 75 gp).