Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

Ah! I didn't realize that! But assuming that Korian would, can we change our action to heading through the inn with Asim and Ixius if that is much faster? And don't know about the others, but as Korian was preparing a spell, he's only single moving.

Korian would easily be able to judge the size of the inn from where he is standing, so, yes.

Tarren:

Korian:

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Ixius points his finger at one off the Legionnaires and shoots off a ray of fire:

Scorching ray ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Fire damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 2) = 14

Ok, so assuming Ovirid is on board...?

Instantly realizing that going around the Inn would take to long, Korian quickly changes tack shouting "Through the Inn!" and follows along right behind Ixius

On his Initiative he will finish casting his spell and have the fiendish wolf appear behind one of the legionaries. He will then continue to move into the courtyard, but stay well away from the combat. (or that order may have to be reversed, depending of how far he needs to go to exit the inn again)

Wolf's Attack & Damage:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
+2 for Flank? Not included
Trip Attempt: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Fiendish Wolf Stats

@Sykala: Cool : )

On board, but busy.

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Ovirid will be hustling to keep up with the others, drawing his shield and a throwing axe as he runs. If he can only draw one, he will ready the shield this round.

My posting will become erratic over the holidays. I'm off tomorrow on a road trip and might be offline for a couple of days.

I hope this is a good place to pause the adventure. Your Chelish rivals are escaping by camel with the key to the pyramids leaving behind a few Chelish legionnaires to slow you down. You've got the advantage of an eye in the sky but the disadvantage of being on foot. I see a lot of quick thinking and fast talking in your near future.

Merry Christmas!

Pause

Merry Christmas:

Back ...

The blast of lightning scorches one of the guards and a ray of fire burns another to a crisp. Korian summons a wolf to bring a third to the ground. The lightning scorched guard, still standing, runs through the far end of the courtyard and slips behind a pillar.

Back ...

The blast of lightning scorches one of the guards and a ray of fire burns another to a crisp. Korian summons a wolf to bring a third to the ground. The lightning scorched guard, still standing, runs through the far end of the courtyard and slips behind a pillar.

The dwarf will continue to double move until he's in a position to engage someone in melee, readying his shield and a throwing axe as he moves. If he was in the inn in time to see Sparky ;-) run away, that's who he will concentrate on.

Tarren:

Tarren:

** spoiler omitted **

Sorry, Sykala, I've had my head out of the game during the holidays. I haven't even taken your second round of lightning into account yet. As the lightning scorched guard split, would you like your second blast to take out the legionaire Korian's summoned wolf took down?

Ovirid can run across the courtyard to pursue sparky. Since the only legionnaire in the courtyard has been tripped he's not able to intercept you. Perception check please, Ovirid.

Ovirid can run across the courtyard to pursue sparky. Since the only legionnaire in the courtyard has been tripped he's not able to intercept you. Perception check please, Ovirid.

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 +2 vs traps

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Ovirid can run across the courtyard to pursue sparky. Since the only legionnaire in the courtyard has been tripped he's not able to intercept you. Perception check please, Ovirid.

Perception 1d20 + 11 +2 vs traps

Sparky was attempting to scale the column and climb onto the beams that support the roof. He's not quick enough and you spot him before he can get the drop on you.

Ovirid Thorvirson wrote:

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Ovirid can run across the courtyard to pursue sparky. Since the only legionnaire in the courtyard has been tripped he's not able to intercept you. Perception check please, Ovirid.

Perception 1d20 + 11 +2 vs traps

Sparky was attempting to scale the column and climb onto the beams that support the roof. He's not quick enough and you spot him before he can get the drop on you.

Does climbing still mean he's currently without his dexterity bonus to AC? And he's within 30 feet?

As Ovirid's heavy tread comes around the pillar, he sees the fleeing soldier climbing up. He draws back his axe and lets fly at the still-smoldering man. "Didja na 'ear? 'ere's na smokin' 'ere! n' we're fer takin' 'r rules serious, man, s' 'ere's what yer gettin'!"

Throwing axe
Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 10' range
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Sneak Attack 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

* THUD *

The man continues to smoke as he lies prone on the ground, an axe head pushed even more deeply between his shoulders.

People are starting to stare.

Tarren, Korian doesn't have any ranks in Survival, but he does have +9 in Nature and Geography. Would he, or maybe Asim, have any idea of what our chances would be of surviving in the desert if we were to just take off now, without proper supplies? Also, are there any more remaining mounts present?

Basically I see our choices being either to try and pursue now, and take a risk on surviving without proper supplies. Or take the time to get properly supplied, but risk getting too far behind the mask. What are your thoughts everyone?

Tarren, Korian doesn't have any ranks in Survival, but he does have +9 in Nature and Geography. Would he, or maybe Asim, have any idea of what our chances would be of surviving in the desert if we were to just take off now, without proper supplies? Also, are there any more remaining mounts present?

Basically I see our choices being either to try and pursue now, and take a risk on surviving without proper supplies. Or take the time to get properly supplied, but risk getting too far behind the mask. What are your thoughts everyone?

Korian knows that the desert can be trusted only to betray you. There are always few camels around but some boys have been left to watch them. (The boys are currently watching a very dangerous dwarf right now but they are quite close to the camels.)

Tarren:

Sorry, Sykala, I've had my head out of the game during the holidays. I haven't even taken your second round of lightning into account yet. As the lightning scorched guard split, would you like your second blast to take out the legionaire Korian's summoned wolf took down?

No problem, she will not use the lightning because it very well may hit the wolf too. She'll just pursue the fleeing Paracount.

Ixius runs out the back of the courtyard, trying to spot the the guy with the mask or Sykala.

* THUD *

The man continues to smoke as he lies prone on the ground, an axe head pushed even more deeply between his shoulders.

People are starting to stare.

"'n 'at's what yer gettin' fer stealin' from me!" Ovirid rolls the man over to retrieve his axe, cleans it on the man's cloak, and stands, "realizing" that he's being watched. "M' apologies fer th' intrusion. Ah mean n' 'arm t' any o' ye. 'ave a fine day!" With that, he follows the sorcerer's lead out the back of the courtyard.

That might be the most success my poor dwarf has ever had with that axe!

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Tarren:

Sorry, Sykala, I've had my head out of the game during the holidays. I haven't even taken your second round of lightning into account yet. As the lightning scorched guard split, would you like your second blast to take out the legionaire Korian's summoned wolf took down?

No problem, she will not use the lightning because it very well may hit the wolf too. She'll just pursue the fleeing Paracount.

Sykala is able to follow them at a speed the others can't keep up with. She sees them heading north as fast as they can convince the camels to carry them.

Ixius runs out the back of the courtyard, trying to spot the the guy with the mask or Sykala.

Ixius sees Sykala flapping in a northerly direction.

Ixius goes back into the coutyard.

I think Sykala is following the mask. Come on!"

Tossing several gp (50gp) towards the camel boys, Korian shouts "We'll never catch them afoot! Try and pick mounts with supplies!" and putting action to word again he quickly looks for the best supplied camels and mounts up as fast as he can and hoves off following Sykala's lead in the sky.
You need any rolls?

Meanwhile the wolf finishes off any remaining guard then runs off after it's temporary master.

Tossing several gp (50gp) towards the camel boys, Korian shouts "We'll never catch them afoot! Try and pick mounts with supplies!" and putting action to word again he quickly looks for the best supplied camels and mounts up as fast as he can and hoves off following Sykala's lead in the sky.

You need any rolls?

Meanwhile the wolf finishes off any remaining guard then runs off after it's temporary master.

The camel boys take the gold and scatter. They wouldn't make that in three months. (It wouldn't buy you a camel but starving boys are worth less than camels.) I'll need a ride check if you want to get a camel moving.

Ride: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Hey just out of curiosity DM, what DC are we aiming for, cuz the Paizo SRD says "Check: Typical riding actions don't require checks. You can saddle, mount, ride, and dismount from a mount without a problem."
Hope you don't mind my askin'? Anyway, sure hope someone has a better roll! Maybe Korian can catch up later...:P

Ixius also tries to get on a camel

Ride check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Oh, pooh. Whoops again. I meant a handle animal check. What I've heard from my Saudi students about camels is that they are much more hornery than horses and harder to get moving. ... I can't believe my 4-year-old can read this as fast as I type. ... If it was a camel you were familiar with, I would agree with the Paizo SRD but you're trying to get a camel to accept you as its rider ... I think a handle animal check is called for. If any of you have experience stealing camels, I'll take your word that it is not. ;-)

What I've heard from my Saudi students about camels is that they are much more hornery than horses and harder to get moving. ...

All:

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

What I've heard from my Saudi students about camels is that they are much more hornery than horses and harder to get moving. ...

All:** spoiler omitted **

All:

Wiping tears of laughter from my eyes...

And then there's the grin resulting from the idea of my anti-charismatic dwarf attempting an untrained Handle Animal check on a hornery camel (I'll take definition #1, thanks).

Ovirid comes to a stop, looking incredulously at the mage. "Ye're outta yer mind if'n ye think Ah'm gettin' on one o' these man-eatin' beasts! Can ye not fly us after 'em?"

He'll grab the supplies off of one and follow on foot, if he has to, but he's obviously not keen on being that high in the air on a "ship of the desert."

Korian, busy trying to handle his own camel (HA:1d20 ⇒ 20 OMG!lol ) looks in exasperation at the Dwarf and then looks to the large warrior saying "Asim? A little help with our Dwarven friend?"

Korian, busy trying to handle his own camel (HA:1d20 OMG!lol ) looks in exasperation at the Dwarf and then looks to the large warrior saying "Asim? A little help with our Dwarven friend?"

Korian's camel leads the others out of the enclosure and in pursuit of the Paracount's men.

No other handle animal checks are needed. Camels, although ornery, will follow the leader.

Korian Allande wrote:

Korian, busy trying to handle his own camel (HA:1d20 OMG!lol ) looks in exasperation at the Dwarf and then looks to the large warrior saying "Asim? A little help with our Dwarven friend?"

Korian's camel leads the others out of the enclosure and in pursuit of the Paracount's men.

No other handle animal checks are needed. Camels, although ornery, will follow the leader.

If Asim can get one of the beasts to kneel on the ground, this nervous dwarf will straddle it and cling for dear life. "Korian, ye'd better be right. If'n Ah'm not fer needin' t' be ridin' this beast, ye're gonna 'ave t' be fer answerin' t' me, d'ye 'ear me?"

Kneel?? I was hoping for some good old-fashioned-fun Dwarf Tossing! =D

Looking over his shoulder for a moment at the comical scene of a Dwarf trying to ride camel, Korian holds in his laughter for the sake of his
desperate friend and only shakes his head. Then, turning forward again, the young mage keeps a close eye on the airborne form a Sykala and tries to urge the camel to even more speed.

lol, I can just imagine Asim trying to toss Ovirid up onto the camel. :)

Asimscans the courtyard quickly while Korian is readying the camels, grinning as he spots Ovirid trying to mount his. Once everyone is mounted and he is sure that there are no more enemies present, he puts his axe away on his back and swings himself onto the remaining camel, taking off after the others with a jolt.
His eyebrows furrow in concentration, for even though he is used to riding camels from his days plundering tombs, he has never really gotten the hang of (nor taken a liking to) the smelly beasts.

The camels lurch away in the direction Korian steers his lead camel. Sykala is barely visible in the sky ahead as the Paracount's men head for the edge of Sothis. Perhaps, they'll slow down once you've left town, but for now, they're assuming that they're being pursued.

I'd let you gain close the distance in a significant way if you won on some opposed ride checks. Pick your best rider and have him/her make three opposed ride checks. My worst rider will do the same. Each one you win reduces your disadvantage.

Asim is the only one with a Ride mod, so his +2 is our best. ..Unless one of the mask guards??

Asim is the only one with a Ride mod, so his +2 is our best. ..Unless one of the mask guards??

The guards have +5 but I'd rather one of you guys make the roll. Roll the checks for the Sothis guardsmen?

Asim is the only one with a Ride mod, so his +2 is our best. ..Unless one of the mask guards??

If it can be untrained, which I believe it can, Ovirid's +3 beats Asim's trained +2, but it's pretty clear that the guardsmen would put us both to shame. Go ahead and roll for them, Korian.

You coulda done it Ovirid, but in the interest of saving time : )
Ride check:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Yuck! Looks like you Shoulda done it -_-

Okay, my guys lowest ride check:
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Wow! That bites.

Following Sykala to the edge of Sothis, you manage to avoid the various stalls that the Paracount's men seem to have stumbled into. Perhaps the citizens of Sothis are quicker to move out of your way after the Paracount's men managed to crash right into them. Perhaps those construction workers with the giant mirror have the good sense to hurry when crossing the street after the Paracount's men crashed through the first one.

Just outside of Sothis, you manage to spot the Paracount's men. They have waited near a small cluster of houses and a large caravanserai. This is the first stop for those riding into Sothis from the desert and the last stop for those riding out. Many caravan's buy supplies here. The woman you know as Neferet is riding at a breakneck speed from the east to join them. There are at least fifteen of the Paracount's men here, including the Paracount.

How would you like to proceed?

Tarren:

Excellent question! How Should we proceed?? Thoughts everyone? Also, Tarren, how many 'civilians' or those not our enemies are also in the area?

Tarren:** spoiler omitted **

Sykala:

Asim calls to the others to wait as he spots the number of enemies ahead. Once the others have slowed down suffuciently, he says, "there are quite a few of them there, possibly more than we can safely handle and at least enough to make sure that the one with the Mask can make good his escape. We need to think about our approach before we just go rushing in there. Anybody have any suggetions?"

Just so you guys know, I am going camping later today for (hopefully) a week. I'll be around until this afternoon, so I can comment on anything before that. Have fun and don't kill them all without me! ;)
Tarren feel free to DMPC Asim while I'm away if you need to.

"I agree there are too many. Maybe we should try to follow them and wait for a better opportunity to get the mask back?"

Relatively speaking, where are we compared to the other players in this scenario?

[plug]I have an entry in the King of the Monsters Contest over at Kobold Quarterly. So far, there are a lot of great monsters in that contest. Pop on over and show Wolfgang that the contest does draw visitors to the site and is worth running again in the future./plug]