Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

The expeditionary took any rope they needed with them. Climbing this is going to be a pain. Lugging Smiley up maybe even more so.

ok, wait, I guess i need a more detailed explanation of what we see/what's going on? Cuz, climbing What, exactly? Are there any pics or maps available? But anyway, MacGi...Korian already had Two silk ropes in his Haversack anyway, so There! ;-). Ps Korian's not hauling Nobody! We can just gag for now and only tie (& hobble?) Smiley once we're actually inside the pyramid

ok, wait, I guess i need a more detailed explanation of what we see/what's going on? Cuz, climbing What, exactly? Are there any pics or maps available? But anyway, MacGi...Korian already had Two silk ropes in his Haversack anyway, so There! ;-). Ps Korian's not hauling Nobody! We can just gag for now and only tie (& hobble?) Smiley once we're actually inside the pyramid

It's a pyramid. The entry shaft is 300' up. The pyramid is smooth as glass. If you have two ropes, that's 100'. How much rope do you have all total.

It's a pyramid. The entry shaft is 300' up. The pyramid is smooth as glass. If you have two ropes, that's 100'. How much rope do you have all total.

So far, 250' of rope has been listed (Asim has one 50', Ovirid has two, Korian has two). I believe everyone but Ixius has spoken up. Korian, do you have Spider Climb available, perchance?

Not memorized, no. Have 2 scrolls of Rope Trick and Fly, but would rather not use them unless necessary. Is there any other rope on the camels? Or alternatively, is Sykala capable of grabbing onto an end of rope in her current form?

Pulling his sword, again, with an angry and no-nonsense look on his face, Korian approaches the guard and demands "How did your precious Paracount and his cronies get up there? indicating the entrance.

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

It's a pyramid. The entry shaft is 300' up. The pyramid is smooth as glass. If you have two ropes, that's 100'. How much rope do you have all total.

So far, 250' of rope has been listed (Asim has one 50', Ovirid has two, Korian has two). I believe everyone but Ixius has spoken up. Korian, do you have Spider Climb available, perchance?

250' of rope is quite useful.

Not memorized, no. Have 2 scrolls of Rope Trick and Fly, but would rather not use them unless necessary. Is there any other rope on the camels? Or alternatively, is Sykala capable of grabbing onto an end of rope in her current form?

Pulling his sword, again, with an angry and no-nonsense look on his face, Korian approaches the guard and demands "How did your precious Paracount and his cronies get up there? indicating the entrance.

"They climbed," he says with a grin. "They were quite well prepared."

No rope, unfortunately. But if we could fix the 250', then we only need to climb 50. Would that make the Climb DC lower?

"I 'ave a 'ook fer th' rope. If'n one c'n get up there, 'e - 'r she - could set th' 'ook, maybe, fer th' rest."

No rope, unfortunately. But if we could fix the 250', then we only need to climb 50. Would that make the Climb DC lower?

The module is a bit weird here. It reads "but a requires DC 25 Climb checks to reach the entrance." Not sure why the 'a' is there. In any case, rules say, "Each move action that includes any climbing requires a separate Climb check." As you climb at half speed, most of you would require two DC 25 climb checks to reach the 250' length of rope.

The Chelish legionnaire smiles indulgently. Camels bray impatiently.

"It's a tough one, isn't it," he asks. "Yep. It's a stumper. Need any help with this puzzle?"

Personally, I think he's asking for it.

Sykala can take the rope up there in elemental form Tarren? Yes? No? I think he's avoiding the question :p Not to worry, if that doesn't work I have another solution.

Smiley's got a secret.

To Korian, Ovirid asks, "Wouldja be able t' check fer magic? Mayhap the way up is easier but less obvious..."

Sykala can take the rope up there in elemental form Tarren? Yes? No? I think he's avoiding the question :p Not to worry, if that doesn't work I have another solution.

I see nothing that says Sykala can't carry things in air elemental form.

Smiley's got a secret.

To Korian, Ovirid asks, "Wouldja be able t' check fer magic? Mayhap the way up is easier but less obvious..."

Smiley shrugs with a grin, "I'd give you a hand, but you'd only cut if off."

The cloudlike bird form grasps one end of the pile of rope with it's ethereal claws and launches into the sky. It stop to sllow each of the ropes to be tied together in its ascent.

Ok, that may be the easy part. Whats to secure it to up at the entrance?

The cloudlike bird form grasps one end of the pile of rope with it's ethereal claws and launches into the sky. It stop to sllow each of the ropes to be tied together in its ascent.

Ok, that may be the easy part. Whats to secure it to up at the entrance?

The aforementioned hook, which Ovirid will attach to the rope and let the elemental remove from his grasp.

The aforementioned hook, which Ovirid will attach to the rope and let the elemental remove from his grasp.

Ah, sounds good. We got it all figured out, what could go possibly wrong now? :)

Ovirid Thorvirson wrote:

The aforementioned hook, which Ovirid will attach to the rope and let the elemental remove from his grasp.

Ah, sounds good. We got it all figured out, what could go possibly wrong now? :)

Other than being 50' short of rope? I'll be happy with two successful DC 25 climb checks to reach the rope.

"We could 'ave th' better climbers go first 'n form a chain from th' bottom o' th' rope so th' others dinnae 'ave t' go s' far."

Is climb speed still half walking speed? I'm thinking it is a check per move action, so it would be five checks for the dwarf.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 No progress
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 No progress
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 10'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 20'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 ?

Which lead to the question - how far do I slide if I fail by more than five? All the way to the bottom? More attempts follow:

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 +10'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 ?
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 +10'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 No progress
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 +10'

Puff, puff. Can Sykala give a guy a push? ;-)

Nodding at Ovirid's wise suggestion, Korian casts Detect Magic and carefully scans the pyramid and surrounding area. Before he does so though he places Jinx on smiley's shoulder saying "Jinx, if he speaks again without being spoken to, eat his eyes out." to which the rodent chitters happily. His tummy even grumbles a bit as he stares hungrily at the two juicy globes so near his pointy little face.

"We could 'ave th' better climbers go first 'n form a chain from th' bottom o' th' rope so th' others dinnae 'ave t' go s' far."

Is climb speed still half walking speed? I'm thinking it is a check per move action, so it would be five checks for the dwarf.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 No progress
Climb: 1d20 + 10 No progress
Climb: 1d20 + 10 10'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 20'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ?

Which lead to the question - how far do I slide if I fail by more than five? All the way to the bottom? More attempts follow:

Climb: 1d20 + 10 +10'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 ?
Climb: 1d20 + 10 +10'
Climb: 1d20 + 10 No progress
Climb: 1d20 + 10 +10'

Puff, puff. Can Sykala give a guy a push? ;-)

I did say that I would accept two successful climb checks. If you want to go by the rules, then keep climbing but all I asked for was two. Failing by five or more results in a fall to the bottom. So, a 20 will result in damage. The climb checks once you have the rope become much easier (DC 10) and you can just take 10 on it.

Nodding at Ovirid's wise suggestion, Korian casts Detect Magic and carefully scans the pyramid and surrounding area. Before he does so though he places Jinx on smiley's shoulder saying "Jinx, if he speaks again without being spoken to, eat his eyes out." to which the rodent chitters happily. His tummy even grumbles a bit as he stares hungrily at the two juicy globes so near his pointy little face.

Smiley smiles at Jinx but says nothing. The camels bleat and pull at their stakes when the dwarf makes his second run at the pyramid only to come back down. Third times the charm.

Asim watches Ovirid try to climb up the Pyramid with no success and his eyebrows furrow. "This is ridiculous," he says loud enough for everyone to hear. "I amonly an average climber, there is no way that I am going to be able to make it up that slope, even if it is only 50 feet. Surely, there must be another way inside down here at ground level somewhere."

OK here's the deal. Asim has a +4 on Climb Checks, which means that he pretty much needs to roll a 20 three times in a row to make the rope. Not many Characters are going to have a Climb Skill high enough to consistently make a DC25 Check at this level, hence there has to be another way in.

Asim's camel looks bored and begins to chew at the rope tying it to the long thin stake.

Asim's camel looks bored and begins to chew at the rope tying it to the long thin stake.

Yes I did think of that, but then how do we get back with no Camels? hmmm... although there are an overabundance now with the Expeditionary's Camels. Maybe we could use the ropes from theirs?

I gratefully accept our DM's generosity.

From his heightened position, Ovirid looks at the ground around the pyramid, realizing they should have looked for the Paracount's tracks...

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

"Yer right, 'asim, 'ere's no way, even wit' th' stall, 'at 'ey 'ad time t' climb 'n entire party up 'ere afore we arrived. Ah'll be seein' what 'ere is t' be seein' -- ye search down 'ere."

Tarren:

Um, no result from Korian's Detect Magic then? PS Dwarf tossing? =D

I gratefully accept our DM's generosity.

From his heightened position, Ovirid looks at the ground around the pyramid, realizing they should have looked for the Paracount's tracks...

Perception 1d20 + 11

"Yer right, 'asim, 'ere's no way, even wit' th' stall, 'at 'ey 'ad time t' climb 'n entire party up 'ere afore we arrived. Ah'll be seein' what 'ere is t' be seein' -- ye search down 'ere."

Tarren:
** spoiler omitted **

It occurs to Ovirid that the entrance to this pyramid may be in one of the other pyramids or it could be buried under the sand or it could be accessed only by those wearing the mask or it could be cleverly hidden on the other side of the pyramid (you haven't walked around it) or it could be 250' above him.

Ovirid sees several sets of footprints heading out in either direction. He can't investigate right now as he is hanging from a rope.

Um, no result from Korian's Detect Magic then? PS Dwarf tossing? =D

No result for detect magic

And sorry if I missed it, but no extra rope was found in the camles saddle bags. Hmmm, how many camel lead ropes would we need to sacrifice to get another 45'? And how many camels are there in total now? We had 10 plus...?

It occurs to Ovirid that the entrance to this pyramid may be in one of the other pyramids or it could be buried under the sand or it could be accessed only by those wearing the mask or it could be cleverly hidden on the other side of the pyramid (you haven't walked around it) or it could be 250' above him.

Ovirid sees several sets of footprints heading out in either direction. He can't investigate right now as he is hanging from a rope.

Yeah, but he can relay what he sees to the guys on the ground.

And sorry if I missed it, but no extra rope was found in the camles saddle bags. Hmmm, how many camel lead ropes would we need to sacrifice to get another 45'? And how many camels are there in total now? We had 10 plus...?

There are about 30 camels altogether. All of them tied by 10' ropes to each other or to stakes.

It occurs to Ovirid that the entrance to this pyramid may be in one of the other pyramids or it could be buried under the sand or it could be accessed only by those wearing the mask or it could be cleverly hidden on the other side of the pyramid (you haven't walked around it) or it could be 250' above him.

Well, we now have more than enough rope, at the possible expense of 5 camels, but Tarren, I don't think that's exactly correct as I believe Sykala flew around the pyramid's when we first got here. Also, if she attached the rope, she should now be 250' up and should be able to pretty much see the whole pyramid from there, no?

Korian cuts and splices together 50' of rope from 5 camels, making sure to remove all their saddles and baggage first in case they decide to leave. Then he tosses one end up to Orivid. (will use a weight or whatever as necessary)

Then, placing his sword tip against smiley's jugular, he asks again Now then, How exactly did you say they got in the pyramid?"
(aha! :P) Sense Motive:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damn it! Anyone else?

but Tarren, I don't think that's exactly correct as I believe Sykala flew around the pyramid's when we first got here. Also, if she attached the rope, she should now be 250' up and should be able to pretty much see the whole pyramid from there, no?

You are correct Korian, that is exactly what Sykala did when we arrived. I just assumed that there was nothing to see so Tarren stayed quiet. After all he did answer one of the things I was looking for. No other elementals in the area.

Korian Allande wrote:

but Tarren, I don't think that's exactly correct as I believe Sykala flew around the pyramid's when we first got here. Also, if she attached the rope, she should now be 250' up and should be able to pretty much see the whole pyramid from there, no?

You are correct Korian, that is exactly what Sykala did when we arrived. I just assumed that there was nothing to see so Tarren stayed quiet. After all he did answer one of the things I was looking for. No other elementals in the area.

Sykala did not see any entrances on the other side but she isn't exactly holding conversations right now with you guys, so you don't know what she knows. Ovirid sees footprints running along the base. Sykala knows that they do not lead to another entrance. The entrance is 250' to 300' above you guys. At 300' up, she cannot see the whole pyramid. The entry shaft is not at the peak.

Then, placing his sword tip against smiley's jugular, he asks again Now then, How exactly did you say they got in the pyramid?"
(aha! :P) Sense Motive:1d20+6
Damn it! Anyone else?

"Through the entrance up there," Smiley smiles. "They used a rope. They came prepared, they did."

As far as Korian can tell, he's being completely honest.

"How did they gut the rope up there is the first place?"

Sense Motive; 1d20 ⇒ 20

"How did they gut the rope up there is the first place?"

Sense Motive; 1d20

"Scepter walked up," says Smiley. "He walked up like it was the flattest of roads. Not sure how he did that, but they're a powerful lot, my masters. Still, your flying rope trick was pretty neat. Never met anyone who could summon the wind before."

Satisfied himself but also checking Ixius' reaction, Korian finally shrugs saying "Hmpf" and thinking dark thoughts about the enemy caster, this 'Scepter'. Turning away he adds "Jinx, eyeballs."

He then continues trying to get his end of the extra 50' of rope to Ovirid. If for whatever reason this is proving difficult, he will ask Asim for his assistance.

Can we assume this gets done? Or do you need rolls? Also, while Korian is doing this, maybe one of the others could check out the tracks?

Satisfied himself but also checking Ixius' reaction, Korian finally shrugs saying "Hmpf" and thinking dark thoughts about the enemy caster, this 'Scepter'. Turning away he adds "Jinx, eyeballs."

He then continues trying to get his end of the extra 50' of rope to Ovirid. If for whatever reason this is proving difficult, he will ask Asim for his assistance.

Can we assume this gets done? Or do you need rolls? Also, while Korian is doing this, maybe one of the others could check out the tracks?

Sure. This gets done. You can all climb to the entrance shaft safely. More details on the shaft to follow. Does Jinx attack the guys eyes or does he believe Korian is kidding?

Oh Jinx knows very well that Korian is Not kidding. But he may send a questioning thought just before he does gobble them up just to make sure. For the climb up though, Korian transfers Jinx back to his own shoulder where the weasel burrows inside the Keffiyah for safety

I assume you leave the blinded Smiley down below?

The party, having finally climbed the pyramid, the party finds themselves at the beginning of a corridor that bores into the pyramid for as far as they can see. It is a wide entry shaft and easy to access. Tiny hieroglyphs cover the walls of both sides in tight vertical columns.

Read Osirion:

Those with darkvision:

Sykala unable to see further into the structure hovers just outside the entrance shifting back and forth as though agitated.

"'ere's somethin' 'r some'un 'unched down a'ead. 'bout as fer as Ah c'n see. Cannae tell what it be jes' yet. Korian, d'ye know what 'ese walls say?"

Huh? When did he get blinded? Smiley didn't speak when he wasn't supposed to as far as I saw, and as I said, Jinx would have asked for permission first. But whatever, Korian wouldn't care much one way or the other. He Wouldn't leave him down there Unblinded though ;-)

"They seem to be names..." Korian answers the Dwarf while trying to think if he can recognize any of them.
K History?:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 (plus whatever bonus' the auction items give us? +6 I believe?)

Turning from his study he adds "Hmmm, well let's light up that situation down there then shall we? Be ready!" Korian then casts Dancing Lights and then casts Ghost Sound(DC15) on them, making a sound like a group of humanoids trying unsuccessfully to be quiet. He then sends the lights and sound heading towards the unknown mound.

HEY! I Just remembered too! Whatever happened to our 2 Mask Guards?? lol

Huh? When did he get blinded? Smiley didn't speak when he wasn't supposed to as far as I saw, and as I said, Jinx would have asked for permission first. But whatever, Korian wouldn't care much one way or the other. He Wouldn't leave him down there Unblinded though ;-)

Looking back at your post, it sure looks like you ordered your familiar to eat his eyeballs. Tarren even asked for confirmation

HEY! I Just remembered too! Whatever happened to our 2 Mask Guards?? lol

Good question about the guards - haven't heard of them in quite a while.

HEY! I Just remembered too! Whatever happened to our 2 Mask Guards?? lol

"Umm, ... Hi. We're here."

Damn forgettable red-shirt NPCs.

None of the names seem familiar. They are older names, some of them being uncommon in the present day. There are thousands upon thousands of them. Reading them all would be very time consuming.

The mound does not stand or react in any way. With the extra light shining on it, it appears very much like a very large coil of rope. There's note on it.

Yes he did, to which I replied
"Oh Jinx knows very well that Korian is Not kidding. But he may send a questioning thought just before he does gobble them up just to make sure" but anyway, like I said, it's not something Korian, and therefore I, will be losing any sleep over. : P

"Umm, ... Hi. We're here."

Damn forgettable red-shirt NPCs.

LMAO! 'pop!'

Wow, that must be hell on eardrums, popping in like that. Did they bring more rope from wherever they've been hiding? LOL