This PbP started with Entombed with the Pharaohs and continues with The Pact Stone Pyramid. Many of the characters travelled to Osirion after completing a PbP based on River into Darkness.
"Ah 'ave little coin t' put in th' kettle, lads. Ah 'ope we dinnae need much more 'n water 'n food."
Think quickly about what you need. No need to roleplay the shopping trip. You know that the Valley of the Pyramids is a two day journey. Do you have enough food? Water? Supplies for camping? Tomb-raiding equipment? You have one camel each, less one for Sykala. Do you need more?
Fer meself, Ah'll need t' be gettin' more waterskins if'n we're not goin' near a source o' water (two in hand), but Ah 'ave over a week's rations. Do Ah need a tent? Ah've never raided a tomb, but Ah've spent some time underground -- 'n Ah think Ah'm ready fer that environment.
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
As I've said, Korian has everything he needs, including a tent and a couple scrolls of Rope Trick. I don't know about Ixius, Asim or Sykala though. But if we want to make it simple we can just say that we buy enough food and water for everyone and the mounts, say for 5 days. And maybe another couple tents if no one else has one? If there are 1 or two more mounts available, Korian will try to get them as well. And then hurry to meet up with Asim (or if he comes back to get us we can just do it all at the caravanserai-which would obviously be much quicker and easier)
My input would be:
Water Skins
Rations
Tents
Shovel(s)
Map of the surrounding Desert Area
(in that order)
Plus another Camel for Sykala & maybe another for supplies.
Asim has about 50gp that he can contribute.
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Ah, yes, shovels (4?) and a map, forgot those. Many thanks Asim. Terran, can we speed things up and just say we pick all that up at the Caravenesi and you tell us how much?
Two more tents cost 20gp. Four shovels cost 8gp. Two camels will cost 60 gp. So, that's 88 gp.
To get back and forth from what you know is a two day trip each way, will require 2 gallons of water per day times four days each character. 16 half-gallon 1gp waterskins x 5 = 80gp. That's minimum.
Maps are useless as the dunes here are constantly shifting. Asim and Korian will know better than to be conned by anyone selling a map.
Don't roll for the saves yet, but keep in mind that you will be needing to make Fort. saving throws every hour for the eight hours you are travelling. The DC =15 + 1 for each previous save made, so DCs=15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Failed saves cost you 1d4 non-lethal damage.
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Ok great, thanks Tarren. So far we looking at 168gp, but did you include food and water for 5 camels in that?
And the Fort save is for the heat, right? Korian is protected by his Keffiyah of Cooling, but sorry, I forgot to scribe more Endure Elements for the rest of ya. He can do it though at 12.5gp and 2 hours work each. Or we can just buy 'em for 25gp each if the Caravenesi has them? Who needs/wants any?
Ok great, thanks Tarren. So far we looking at 168gp, but did you include food and water for 5 camels in that?
And the Fort save is for the heat, right? Korian is protected by his Keffiyah of Cooling, but sorry, I forgot to scribe more Endure Elements for the rest of ya. He can do it though at 12.5gp and 2 hours work each. Or we can just buy 'em for 25gp each if the Caravenesi has them? Who needs/wants any?
Camels need water? I thought they magically generated it. Nope. How much water does a camel need each day? Probably four times what a person does but allow them to drink heartily the first day. 200 gp for water and food? One of your camels will be carrying water, food, and that's about it.
The Fort save is for the heat. Sykala might be able to do something about the elements as well. We ended up ignoring it in I Swallowed a Bug only because the trip took weeks and it became a pain in the ass. This trip is two days. We'll pay attention to it here. Dying of the heat is a real possibility, but we won't do that. ;-)
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Water generating camels...now That would be a neat trick! I may get Korian thinking about it someday....heh heh but anyway, cool, that's 368gp total. The Dwarf is skint I believe but Asim's putting in 50gp, Korian can put in 150gp (plus he's carrying 50 of Sykala's, but we'll save that for emergencies)so if Ixius can fork over the remaining 168gp, we should be good to go. Tally ho!
Asim also has his Goblet of Quenching which will cover his water requirements for each day (it creates up to 2 gallons a day). But it can never hurt to have a little extra water, especially when going into the desert.
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Yup, Korian has one too, and 20 days rations, but for a little more gp figured the extra food and water wouldn't hurt, and we can always dump it if we need the extra space for LOOT! ;-)
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Perfect. Ok now hopefully one of us has kept their eye on Sykala or she has been circling back every now and then towards us...? And also, Tarren, after getting the supplies, approximately how far behind the Paracount do we estimate ourselves to be?
His impatience mounting by the minute, once the last of the supplies are loaded on the camels Korian shoos away the servants (slaves? laborers?) and growls "Ok! Enough of this! Asim, as I believe you are most familiar with the desert will you take the lead? And as these foul beasts seem to have bonded with me, I'll take the rear and make sure none of them go astray. Unless anyone has a better idea? If not then let us be away! Can anyone still see Sykala?"
And finishing tying the reins of the Sykala's camel and pack mount to his saddle, Korian begins to move off, his keen eyes searching the sky for their avian-formed friend. Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
I'm not sure if tying the reins to the saddle is something that would be done? Whatever the normal way is, Korian does that.
Perfect. Ok now hopefully one of us has kept their eye on Sykala or she has been circling back every now and then towards us...? And also, Tarren, after getting the supplies, approximately how far behind the Paracount do we estimate ourselves to be?
His impatience mounting by the minute, once the last of the supplies are loaded on the camels Korian shoos away the servants (slaves? laborers?) and growls "Ok! Enough of this! Asim, as I believe you are most familiar with the desert will you take the lead? And as these foul beasts seem to have bonded with me, I'll take the rear and make sure none of them go astray. Unless anyone has a better idea? If not then let us be away! Can anyone still see Sykala?"
And finishing tying the reins of the Sykala's camel and pack mount to his saddle, Korian begins to move off, his keen eyes searching the sky for their avian-formed friend. Perception: 1d20+10
I'm not sure if tying the reins to the saddle is something that would be done? Whatever the normal way is, Korian does that.
The Paracount has an hour head start on you. His lead is not so great that you will not be able to continue following his tracks, but gaining on him while doing so would be unlikely.
Following his tracks while moving at normal speed will only require a DC 7 Survival check. Asim should be able to make it easily. Sykala will make it automatically. No need to roll.
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
As they are leaving the Carvenesi, Korian says more quietly to Asim
"And if you can my friend, let's try and stay far enough away to be out of their sight, as we can rely on Sykala to guide us. If they don't know for sure that we're coming, our surprise attack will be all the more effective."
My home computer monitor is dead so I'm only able to log in from my office. Sorry for any slowness.
Moving away from the caravanserai, those who have travelled in the desert before feel the slight buzz of anticipation of the sense of timelessness, placelessness, and insignificance that is sure to come as you move without seeming to get anywhere and the places you've been become no different than the places you are or will be going.
The tracks are easy enough to follow for the first day.
Roll your fort saves and calculate any damage. You'll need to rest to heal the points back. The Paracount is only going to travel eight hours today, so if you travel further than that, you will catch up.
The eagle sails on thermals high in the sky following the camels and riders that resemble ants far below.
Tarren:
Spoiler:
Ok, a couple of things. Sykala is not currently protected with endure elements. However, she is away from the hot ground and can produce water over herself at will (she won't do this over the caravan just in case the water reaches the ground). That being said, her wildshape ability runs out after 6 hours of travel. She will continue to track the caravan on foot for the last two hours (again keeping herself cool with water). Once the caravan stops for the night she will back track until she meets the rest of the group.
Roll your fort saves and calculate any damage. You'll need to rest to heal the points back. The Paracount is only going to travel eight hours today, so if you travel further than that, you will catch up.
Assuming eight hours of travel and assuming you mean +1 to the DC for each previous save attempted (or is it for every previous save failed?):
DC 15 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 4 nonlethal damage
DC 16 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 4 nonlethal damage
DC 17 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 3 nonlethal damage
DC 18 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 3 nonlethal damage
DC 19 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 2 nonlethal damage
DC 20 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 4 nonlethal damage
DC 21 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 2 nonlethal damage
DC 22 Fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 2 nonlethal damage
EDIT: Ouch, Ovirid isn't looking too good. 16 nonlethal damage
Roll your fort saves and calculate any damage. You'll need to rest to heal the points back. The Paracount is only going to travel eight hours today, so if you travel further than that, you will catch up.
Assuming eight hours of travel and assuming you mean +1 to the DC for each previous save attempted (or is it for every previous save failed?):
DC 15 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
DC 16 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
DC 17 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
DC 18 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
DC 19 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
DC 20 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
DC 21 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
DC 22 Fort save 1d20 + 6
on failure, 1d4 nonlethal damage
EDIT: Ouch, Ovirid isn't looking too good. 16 nonlethal damage
The text just says "+1 for each previous check. Remember, you'll heal a point an hour with bedrest. With eight hours sleep, we won't have to worry about steaming dwarf-spew.
The text just says "+1 for each previous check. Remember, you'll heal a point an hour with bedrest. With eight hours sleep, we won't have to worry about steaming dwarf-spew.
Healing Nonlethal Damage: You heal nonlethal damage at the rate of 1 hit point per hour per character level. When a spell or ability cures hit point damage, it also removes an equal amount of nonlethal damage.
DC 15 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 2 non-lethal damage
DC 16 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 1 non-lethal damage
DC 17 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 4 non-lethal damage
DC 18 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 1 non-lethal damage
DC 19 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 1 non-lethal damage
DC 20 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 4 non-lethal damage
DC 21 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 1 non-lethal damage
DC 22 Fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
on failure, 1d4 ⇒ 1 non-lethal damage
So that's 3 non-lethal damage in total. Nice... all 3 failed Saves were 1's for damage. :)
"Ah'll be fine, but 'is day 'as 'ard fer some reason. Jus' let me rest 'n Ah'll take me watch at midnight."
Makes sense for him to be on duty when his darkvision does the most good, anyway, and three hours of rest should allow him to recover from the nonlethal damage he incurred.
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Sorry, didn't realize you were waiting for me. Unless I'm misunderstanding something, as I mentioned earlier, Korian's got a Keffiyah of cooling, which gives him permanent Endure Elements (but only from heat), if the Fort save is for something other than the heat, please let me know. Other than that though, maybe it's time to discuss our strategy for getting the mask back? Ideas anyone? Tarren, how long/far would we have to travel to catch up to them in the night?
Sorry, didn't realize you were waiting for me. Unless I'm misunderstanding something, as I mentioned earlier, Korian's got a Keffiyah of cooling, which gives him permanent Endure Elements (but only from heat), if the Fort save is for something other than the heat, please let me know. Other than that though, maybe it's time to discuss our strategy for getting the mask back? Ideas anyone? Tarren, how long/far would we have to travel to catch up to them in the night?
Right, the Keffiyah of cooling. I forgot about that.
They are only about an hour ahead of you at this point. You can easily catch up to them.
Ideas anyone? Tarren, how long/far would we have to travel to catch up to them in the night?
By midnight, Ovirid will be fully recovered from the heat of the day. Are we aware of the numbers we face? Perhaps a scouting mission to see what we are up against would be in order. If there are too many for us to handle, we might work up some night raid scenario, either to recover the mask or to wear down their number while exposing less of ours.
Ideas anyone? Tarren, how long/far would we have to travel to catch up to them in the night?
By midnight, Ovirid will be fully recovered from the heat of the day. Are we aware of the numbers we face? Perhaps a scouting mission to see what we are up against would be in order. If there are too many for us to handle, we might work up some night raid scenario, either to recover the mask or to wear down their number while exposing less of ours.
Sykala saw nine Chelish legionnaires and a six 'adventuring' types leave the inn. There were a dozen legionnaires but you took care of three of them. So, you're facing about 15 opponents if you go for a frontal assault on their camp.
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Exactly along my lines of thinking Ovirid. First we need to scout, to see exactly where the Paracount's tent is, then either a stealthy theft, and/or a surprise guerilla hit & run type job. Obviously with their greater numbers a frontal assault would likely be a bad idea. Tarren, approx what time is it right now for us and what time is daylight? Also, in her flight, might Sykala have seen anywhere that would serve as a good hideout or defensible position if/when we get away with the Mask?
Tarren, approx what time is it right now for us and what time is daylight?
Looking back at the thread, I don't see any place where we've had a sleep at any point. The hour would be ridiculously late and you would have started the trip into the desert at 8:00 or 9:00 pm. Technically, I guess it should be about 7:00 am now. Travelling through the desert at night is not impossible and would be a little cooler but we could just play with the time a bit.
Since the trip to the pyramids takes at least two days, let's say you finished off the crazy day of markets, snipers, and fireballs with a sleep. Sykala recovered here spells. The next day, you continued to pursue the Paracount's gang into the desert until they reached an area called "The Underdunes". This area contains many 'defensible positions' and hideouts. It is a catacomb of high dunes and winding valleys between them. Having the aerial advantage will certainly help here. The dwarf is fatigued though as is anyone else who suffered heat damage. You are weakened.
[At some point, I'm going to roll to see if the Paracount's gang has spotted Sykala flying after them and grown suspicious (a perception check followed by a Knowledge (nature) or Survival check).]
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Ok cool thanks. Korian has memorized his spells too, and swapped some of them up.
-Swaps 2 Endure Elements instead of M Missile and Feather Fall
(if Sykala can memorize a couple that should have taken care of the whole gang for this second day. So everyone should be fresh, yes?)
-Takes Mirror Image and Summon Swarm instead of Acid Arrow and Levitate
As for spotting Skyala, understandable, but my 2cp if it's ok? I would imagine that vultures are very common in the desert and telling one from an eagle at distance would have a high DC for K (nature)...for what it's worth IMHO :)
Actually, once in the desert and having her wildshapes restored she will be surprising everyone and taking the form of a small air elemental. She has been told that elementals frequent this area, thinks it will throw "Neferet" off (who has seen her eagle shape, I think), and will allow her to look for other elementals actively. With both her wildshapes available she can retain the shape for a full 12 hours each day. Was hoping to do it, as a surprise, through roleplaying but for clarity and plannings sake....
Sounds good. So, everyone is fresh and Sykala is scouting in 'air elemental' form for the other party.
Sykala sees:
Spoiler:
The Paracount and his troop are preparing to decamp. He gives calls over a group of five of his legionnaires and gives them some instructions. Somewhat angry, they pull some of their equipment to the side, stake down six camels, and begin to head up onto the sandy dunes where they can clearly see the underdunes in which both parties are forced to walk. Jungle cats plan their ambushes more casually and gracefully, but Sykala recognizes this for what it is.
EDIT: Spells updated and she now has Endure Elements going for both her and Ixius. Oh, and perception should be a 20 total because she has guidance going as she is watching.
Tarren:
Spoiler:
How long will it be before our band gets to the ambush site? I assume that they are fairly close and ready to disembark at dawn also.
EDIT: Spells updated and she now has Endure Elements going for both her and Ixius. Oh, and perception should be a 20 total because she has guidance going as she is watching.
Tarren:** spoiler omitted **
Sykala:
Spoiler:
I believe that the groups were an hour of travel time apart. Unless you closed the distance, I'd say an hour. These guys are operating under the assumption that your lot are going to try to track them and have set up an ambush on either side of the trail they left behind.
Ok, how quickly does she think she can catch back up with the paracount if she waits for the party? Her fly speed is 60'feet perfect and she can hustle for an hour without consequence. I am assuming it is fairly easy to track them in the sand and she can go at full speed. Hmmm, let me see if I can figure out the DC for tracking the paracount's group and see if you agree. DC 5 (very soft ground)+20 (moving at double speed)-1 (large creatures (camels))-7 (-1 for every 3 creatures (I am assuming they have at least 1 extra pack animal making it a minimum of 21 creatures))=DC 17 survival check. Have to roll a 2 to make that.
Male Human Trouble Maker 10, Child 2, Brother 1, Sports-Geek 99
Sykala wrote:
Tarren:** spoiler omitted **
Sykala:
Spoiler:
Posting under my son's account as he's logged in for the contest.
I think you'd even probably get some kind of circumstance bonus for having an aerial view. It really shouldn't be hard for you to track them. The question is, what are you going to do once you catch them?
[ooc]Ok, here's the plan then. Sykala will hover above the ambushers (or the largest group of them anyway) until the party comes into view. Then she will shift into whirlwind form and drop on them, The point being to give away their position, blind them in the sand storm she creates (her whirlwind is 20' feet tall so the sand storm is 10' feet in diameter), and negate their ability to shoot her companions by blinding them with sand. I am not sure if she can pick them up in her whirlwind because the power seems to read differently than the old 3.5 version. It says, "Creatures one or more size categories smaller than the whirlwind might take damage when caught in the whirlwind and may be lifted into the air." So the whirlwinds size is a heck of a lot bigger than the originating elementals size, so what do you think? Oh, the Reflex save DC is a 14 for her whirlwind.
When the morning comes, the party finds it more difficult than before to follow the tracks, but still manageable as there were many of them and they made no attempt to hide the tracks. Although you scan the skies, there is no sign of Sykala to help guide you. The party walks on the hard ground between two enormous sand dunes.
Asim and Korian know that this entire region of the desert is a series of constantly shifting dunes and the paths between them. (Poor but industrious children make a bit of extra coin selling "maps of the underdunes" to the foreign would-be expeditionaries, knowing that anyone foolish enough to buy a map of this region will probably not live to return to Sothis.)
You travel about an hour at a brisk pace hoping to close any distance between you and the other party.
Sykala:
Spoiler:
The ambushers are set up on either side of these dunes. There is a good 40' between the pair on the dune to the west and the pair on the dune to the east. ... Also, you failed a perception check. hehehe.
In answer to the whirlwind question, it sounds like her whirlwind would be 'large'.
Suddenly, on the dune to the west of you, a sudden explosion of sand gets your attention. You see a man's body rise up suddenly before being violently shaken and disappearing over the other side of the dunes in a flurry of fur and feathers. Screaming and swearing on either side of you alerts you to the presence of other people who seem equally surprised by whatever that was.
Nice description. Weren't there 5 guys that got left behind for the ambush? Or is that related to my failed perception, where DID that guy get off to? Anywho, I'm a bit curious about the "flurry of fur and feathers" or is that a reference to his arrow feathers and armor? Oh, and should we be rolling initiative now?
Male Human Rogue 1/ Wizard 6 (but Drained 2 levels)
Korian grabs on tightly to the reins of his camel and the leads for the extra two and back them all as far away as possible from the disturbance as he racks his brain to try and determine what's going on.
Knowledge(nature): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 (or any other roll that may be relevant, feel free to roll for me)
Yes, there were five guys. Now there are a pair on each side. The other disappeared over the far side of one of the dunes in a flurry of fur and feathers. You can go investigate if you want, or you could keep an eye on your friends and the ambush party. ;-)
Ohhh, I thought I caused the explosion of sand with my whirlwind. I haven't even done anything yet, have I? Yeah, I'll check it out because, well, it just did for me what I intended to do.
