Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

"You dwarves really like to eat that?"

Ixius sits down with them and eats his own food. "You want some Esteban?"

Esteban gets up from the seat beneath the giant telescope and joins you, exaggerating his wounds and limping as he does.

Ixius wrote:

"You dwarves really like to eat that?"

Ixius sits down with them and eats his own food. "You want some Esteban?"

Esteban gets up from the seat beneath the giant telescope and joins you, exaggerating his wounds and limping as he does.

Through a mouthful of ration, "So, Stee-bon, ye were 'n 't fer gold 'n nearly died 'ere fer 't. 'r ye sure 'at gold 's wort' yer life? D'ye know what th' Par-count was after?" He only sprays a little of it in Esteban's direction, grinning at Hrokon when he realizes it.

Asim takes a little of the food and goes to stand guard while the others eat and talk, although he does help them move the bodies together in the corner before doing so.

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Ixius wrote:

"You dwarves really like to eat that?"

Ixius sits down with them and eats his own food. "You want some Esteban?"

Esteban gets up from the seat beneath the giant telescope and joins you, exaggerating his wounds and limping as he does.

Through a mouthful of ration, "So, Stee-bon, ye were 'n 't fer gold 'n nearly died 'ere fer 't. 'r ye sure 'at gold 's wort' yer life? D'ye know what th' Par-count was after?" He only sprays a little of it in Esteban's direction, grinning at Hrokon when he realizes it.

"Well, the location of the other pyramid. The one that serves as a gate of some sort. Cheliax was going to bring someone or something here from Aucturn. He was trying to find out where."

With only half an ear to the conversations going on around him, Korian continues to investigate the room and writings with all the tools at his disposal. Eventually he makes his way over the the telñescope and takes a look at and through it.

Not sure what I need to say or do to indicate Korian is trying to figure out all he can about the runes and writings? In the process comparing and compiling it with everything else they have discovered both inside and outside the pyramid.... Also, Ovirid, did you catch Korian's mentioning the spellbook?

With only half an ear to the conversations going on around him, Korian continues to investigate the room and writings with all the tools at his disposal. Eventually he makes his way over the the telñescope and takes a look at and through it.

Not sure what I need to say or do to indicate Korian is trying to figure out all he can about the runes and writings? In the process comparing and compiling it with everything else they have discovered both inside and outside the pyramid.... Also, Ovirid, did you catch Korian's mentioning the spellbook?

You indicated that clearly. The information you're able to glean from them is limited without utilizing other resources. Did you guys buy the star charts at the auction? In any case, getting out of the pyramid comes before finding the other pyramid.

The Paracount begins to scribble notes as soon as he gets into the room. As far as Korian can tell, the numbers locate a geographic place but they do so in the most complicated way possible ... as if trying to get there from another planet taking the shortest possible route. It calculates the place on Golarion that will be the shortest distance from the planet Aucturn (the 11th planet from the sun) by calculating their revolutions around the sun and looking for an alignment. (I used Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Geography).

Korian can see the night sky through the telescope but it is out of focus. Several knobs and dials may help to get it into focus.

Looks like Korian did buy the star charts as a payment for Neferet/Lonicera. I'm not sure who ended up with them but if it was her, they'd be here on her corpse.

With the star charts and combined with the information from the wall, you believe you'll be able to calculate the location of the 'gate' on Golarion given a couple of hours to do the math.

You can have that location but it will take time. Do you take it?

You can have that location but it will take time. Do you take it?

We may as well. Sykala is out of action so we may as well call this our daily rest and setup camp for the day/night

Agreed. Once the break was done, Ovirid's intent is to be studying and trying to apply what he's learning to what he's heard before.

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 +6 for checks regarding the pharoahs

He would certainly be willing to see if he could get the telescope into focus. Don't know what skill would apply, but his Disable Device is +16 and his craft (trapmaking) is +14, so I think he should have a healthy chance at figuring out the gadget.

Ixius will spend some time looking at all the scrolls and trying to identify the items that have magical auras.

[plug]My entry in Kobold Quarterly's fight club got in. Here it is.[/plug]

Ditto what Asim, Ovirid and Ixus said. : ) Also, since his Dwarf buddy hasn't said anything else about it, Korian checks out the mini-spellbook as well. DM, can we have a complete loot-list please? Between Ixus and Korian I'm sure we can identify everything, yes?

Korian, I'll have to get to that. It's an awfully long list. 3 rounds to determine properties of a magic item? That's crazy short. Takes me longer to type the name of the item.

In the meantime, I understand the dwarf is using the telescope?

Sorry, Korian, forgot about your question. "Aye, if'n ye put 'n th' wee glasses 'n th' locket, ye c'n see 'n read th' tiny book 'nside wit' 'em."

Yes, the dwarf is attempting to use the telescope.

Sorry, Korian, forgot about your question. "Aye, if'n ye put 'n th' wee glasses 'n th' locket, ye c'n see 'n read th' tiny book 'nside wit' 'em."

Yes, the dwarf is attempting to use the telescope.

Tarren:

"I'm seein' a bright red planet Ah'm fer guessin' mus' be Aucturn. 'n etched 'n th' lens is one o' th' runes - dinnae be fer using the telescope, lads..."

Tarren:

** spoiler omitted **

"I'm seein' a bright red planet Ah'm fer guessin' mus' be Aucturn. 'n etched 'n th' lens is one o' th' runes - dinnae be fer using the telescope, lads..."

Tarren:

At the Dwarf's statement Korian looks up sharply with a very concerned look on his face "Another Rune? How many is that you have seen thus far my friend? For you remember the old blind man's story do you not? Upon seeing the forth rune, you turn into one of the living dead!"

At the Dwarf's statement Korian looks up sharply with a very concerned look on his face "Another Rune? How many is that you have seen thus far my friend? For you remember the old blind man's story do you not? Upon seeing the forth rune, you turn into one of the living dead!"

"It be three Ah've seen, lad. Ah dinnae 'ear th' blind man's tale -- Ah was 'n th' street wit' th' girl, remember?"

I compiled a list of the lood from the sarcophagus, Scepter and the Paracount in the OOC thread.

Korian gives Orivid a look combining both confusion, embarasement and genuine fear and concern for his friend. "Ah, my Dwarven friend, you may be in grave danger! The reason the blind man was blind was because after seeing what had become of his companions after they saw all four symbols, upon his seeing the third himself he bound his own eyes, choosing to remain forever blind lest he inadvertantly see another symbol! Until we find some way to block or remove the curse, it may be safer for you to remain blindfolded as well from here on out. Think back, where and when did you see all three symbols so we can make sure none of the rest of us view them as well."

And turning to the others he asks "and the rest of you, how many have you seen?"

Tarren, have you been keeping track of this? Cuz I am not sure at all how many for Korian. My guess would be 1 or 2...

Tsk, tsk, you were supposed to be putting it in your character sheet...

"Ah 'ave seen four, but th' third one Ah saw was the same as th' first. Either the blind man 's wrong, 'r there be a fourth different rune. As fer where Ah saw 'em -- one 's on th' ring 'at Icshus got outta th' pickle barrel, one 's 'n th' telescope, 'n one was 'n th' weight ye pulled outta th' Radiant Pharoah's wall... Ah'm not rememberin' where Ah saw th' other one."

Actually, I have a vague recollection that it was among a large block of text he attempted to study, but I've spent to much time looking to confirm where the first three were...

A somewhat worried dwarf says, "D'ye really think Ah need t' put 'n a blindfold? Ah'm not likin' th' sound o' that much."

Form the sarcophagus:

black marble scorpion -- 50 gp
ankh (magic) -- attaches to a weapon and animates that weapon when you fall in combat, weapon defends your body
4 feathers (magic) -- feather tokens -- boats (one bigger than the others)
scarab (magic) -- scarab of golembane
black candle (magic) -- candle of truth
large bead covered in numbers (magic) -- bead of force
jet-black stone carving of a devil -- 100 gp
topaz ring -- 500 gp
56 gp (ancient mintage) -- 112 gp

Scepter:

pearl (magic?) -- pearl of power I
several scrolls -- dispel magic, enlarge person (2), erase, fog cloud, haste, magic weapon, web
several wands -- acid splash (22 charges), ray of frost (48 charges), scorching ray (10 charges)
special hat -- hat of disguise
damaged wandrifle -- gives a bonus to ranged attacks for wands within it (when working) -- carries a very small Pathfinder insignia on the trigger

The Paracount:

collection of divine scrolls -- command, comprehend languages, death knell, detect secret doors (2), detect undead, hide from undead (2), protection from evil, sanctuary, scroll of divination, scroll of stone shape
armor (magic) -- +2 leather
amulet (magic?) -- periapt of wisdom +2
rods -- steel rod with continual flame cast on it
jade mantis -- (figurine of wondrous power) transforms into a giant jade mantis, 3 times per week
wracking rod -- CLW 5 times per day but hurts like hell and requires DC 16 Fort save or be sickened 2d4 rounds (used for torture)
steel devil headed key -- it's a key

Korian gives Orivid a look combining both confusion, embarasement and genuine fear and concern for his friend. "Ah, my Dwarven friend, you may be in grave danger! The reason the blind man was blind was because after seeing what had become of his companions after they saw all four symbols, upon his seeing the third himself he bound his own eyes, choosing to remain forever blind lest he inadvertantly see another symbol! Until we find some way to block or remove the curse, it may be safer for you to remain blindfolded as well from here on out. Think back, where and when did you see all three symbols so we can make sure none of the rest of us view them as well."

And turning to the others he asks "and the rest of you, how many have you seen?"

Tarren, have you been keeping track of this? Cuz I am not sure at all how many for Korian. My guess would be 1 or 2...

I'm not sure which ones Korian has seen. There have been a bunch. Some none of you saw.

There was an encircled rune of subjugation on the ring in the organ jar; an encircled rune of fealty on the weight in The Radiant Pharoah's game; ... I'm not remembering where the other one was either.

Korian Allande wrote:

Korian gives Orivid a look combining both confusion, embarasement and genuine fear and concern for his friend. "Ah, my Dwarven friend, you may be in grave danger! The reason the blind man was blind was because after seeing what had become of his companions after they saw all four symbols, upon his seeing the third himself he bound his own eyes, choosing to remain forever blind lest he inadvertantly see another symbol! Until we find some way to block or remove the curse, it may be safer for you to remain blindfolded as well from here on out. Think back, where and when did you see all three symbols so we can make sure none of the rest of us view them as well."

And turning to the others he asks "and the rest of you, how many have you seen?"

Tarren, have you been keeping track of this? Cuz I am not sure at all how many for Korian. My guess would be 1 or 2...

I'm not sure which ones Korian has seen. There have been a bunch. Some none of you saw.

There was an encircled rune of subjugation on the ring in the organ jar; an encircled rune of fealty on the weight in The Radiant Pharoah's game; ... I'm not remembering where the other one was either.

Just remembered where it was. I'm not telling. Korian hasn't seen it yet.

Just remembered where it was. I'm not telling. Korian hasn't seen it yet.

Well, I've been looking back in the thread -- it's a bugger to find. Still no luck.

From the sarcophagus:

ankh (magic) -- attaches to a weapon and animates that weapon when you fall in combat, weapon defends your body

The Paracount:
jade mantis -- (figurine of wondrous power) transforms into a giant jade mantis, 3 times per week

I wouldn't mind either/both of these.

Also, Asim has only seen one Rune, which was the Rune of Fealty in the weight room.

in the weight room.[/ooc]

The weight room. hehe. Makes it sound like you guys have a workout spot in the pyramid.

You guys are dividing up the loot, right? You can figure out how you want to do it. You'll also have to deal fairly with Hrokon and Esteban as they have this silly idea that they're part of your party now.

Shall we take the loot discussion to the OOC thread?

Well, I find myself in a bit of a moral/metagaming quandry here ; ) For I too remember, as a Player, where Orived saw the 4th(3rd) rune. And yes, Korian hasn't seen it...yet, but if Orivid doesn't tell him about it, he will. Soooo, do I go by what Orivid's Player remembers? Or assume that the Character would remember where (as it wasn't too long ago) and tell Korian so he can take steps to avoid seeing it? As for how many Korian has seen, for sure the one in the Weight room (lol Tarren) and I seem to remember something about one when we first entered the tomb...but don't know if he saw it or not. And same thing with one being in some text they were translating maybe?? Sorry I¿d look myself but with no net at home atm, I'm paying by the min here and don't have the time...

Hey I thought your bodokin were very cool and Very original! I'll vote!

And to your earlier reply Tarren...Yup! ; )

Form the sarcophagus:

black marble scorpion -- 50 gp
ankh (magic) -- attaches to a weapon and animates that weapon when you fall in combat, weapon defends your body
4 feathers (magic) -- feather tokens -- boats (one bigger than the others)
scarab (magic) -- scarab of golembane
black candle (magic) -- candle of truth
large bead covered in numbers (magic) -- bead of force
jet-black stone carving of a devil -- 100 gp
topaz ring -- 500 gp
56 gp (ancient mintage) -- 112 gp

Scepter:

pearl (magic?) -- pearl of power I
several scrolls -- dispel magic, enlarge person (2), erase, fog cloud, haste, magic weapon, web
several wands -- acid splash (22 charges), ray of frost (48 charges), scorching ray (10 charges)
special hat -- hat of disguise
damaged wandrifle -- gives a bonus to ranged attacks for wands within it (when working) -- carries a very small Pathfinder insignia on the trigger

The Paracount:

collection of divine scrolls -- command, comprehend languages, death knell, detect secret doors (2), detect undead, hide from undead (2), protection from evil, sanctuary, scroll of divination, scroll of stone shape
armor (magic) -- +2 leather
amulet (magic?) -- periapt of wisdom +2
rods -- steel rod with continual flame cast on it
jade mantis -- (figurine of wondrous power) transforms into a giant jade mantis, 3 times per week
wracking rod -- CLW 5 times per day but hurts like hell and requires DC 16 Fort save or be sickened 2d4 rounds (used for torture)
steel devil headed key -- it's a key

As for loot.. Korian is interested in

Obviously willing to fairly share the arcane scrolls and wands Ixus and I am not married to the wand rifle for him

And wasn't there also loot from the Radiant Pharoah? Coins and other stuff maybe??

Well, I find myself in a bit of a moral/metagaming quandry here ; ) For I too remember, as a Player, where Orived saw the 4th(3rd) rune. And yes, Korian hasn't seen it...yet, but if Orivid doesn't tell him about it, he will. Soooo, do I go by what Orivid's Player remembers? Or assume that the Character would remember where (as it wasn't too long ago) and tell Korian so he can take steps to avoid seeing it? As for how many Korian has seen, for sure the one in the Weight room (lol Tarren) and I seem to remember something about one when we first entered the tomb...but don't know if he saw it or not. And same thing with one being in some text they were translating maybe?? Sorry I¿d look myself but with no net at home atm, I'm paying by the min here and don't have the time...

Are you sure that Ovirid didn't tell the party when he saw the rune? He's been doing that for the others. I just don't remember that particular instance, so I don't know where to go back and check. As for other runes, the first rune that I'm aware we encountered -- that was real, for there were fakes courtesy of our competition -- was the one on the ring that Ixius picked up.

Yeah, OK, I remembered where it was (on my own!) and I was remiss in that case -- no warning was given.

With a start, Ovirid grabs the locket out of the young mage's hands. "Ye say th' runes 'r bad, eh? Ah'd better be 'oldin' on t' this until we find a way t' make it safe. There be one 'n th' cover o' th' wee book!"

Ixius is most interested in the +2 leather armor, but will also take any of the wands or arcane scrolls.

Also I'm pretty sure the Rune of Subjugation is the only one he's seen.

Please pardon the commercial interruption of your most awesome PBP.

If you haven't already gone to Koboldquarterly.com to vote in the Monster design competition (say for Tarren's outstanding finalist entry, the Broodiken!) please consider doing so - today is the last day I think.

Also, the real reason I post is that I could no longer resist jumping in to mention that I have been reading this PBP periodically for some time and some of the player characters in this game are really a cut above with very distinct personalities. I love what you guys have done here - please keep it going.

There was probably a more appropriate thread to put this post it, but I couldn't find it - as you were.

-Ask

P.S. "56"

You talked me into voting :) Go Broodiken! Glad you like the game as much as we do. Tarren runs a great game and I feel privileged to be playing with such distinguished players. Now, just to get Sykala back into the action :)

P.S. Feel free to talk to us as much as you want to here: Discussion Thread

Couldn't agree with Ask and Sykala more. This is by far one of my fav games in all forums I'm in. Stellar cast and masterful direction. two thumbs up!

Korian's eyes widen slightly in surprise and fear as the locket is snatched out of his hands. He had just been about to open it as well...

His voice is a bit shakey at first as he wipes his hand on his clothes and says "Thank you my friend, I am in your debt. And as for the blindfold..yes, unfortunatly I do feel it necessary. The choice of course is yours, but consider how unexpectedly we have come upon the runes seen so far. They could be, and likely are, in the places we least expect. There are enough of us here to help guide you safely and it seems there are no more direct dangers in the tomb. I suggest we finish up our tasks in this room and rest. Once we are all refreshed we can bind your eyes and trace our way back outside the pyramind. Once we leave and are a good distance away it should be safe to remove your blindfold then. I only make these suggestions out of concern my friend, for I would hate to lose your company and wise advice..although I suppose I could do without your choice of foodstuffs" Korian smiles this last, pretending to turn up his nose at the Dwarfs meal in an attempt to lighten an otherwise serious discussion.

After hearing Orivid's reply, suddenly Korian's eyes light up as an idea comes to him, going through the Paracount's item again he says "yes!" as he holds up a scroll. "Something was bothering me about these rooms and it just came to me what it was as I was considering Orivid's problem. Since the way we came in seems to be blocked, there must be another way out, and perhaps this scroll of Detect Secret Doors, will help us find it. If no one minds...?" and if there is no dissent, Korian will concretrate to try and cast the Divine spell.
Use Magic Device:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
"Success!" he shouts as a blue light temporarily settles over his eyes. Not wasting any time, Korian immediately proceeds to sweep his now magical gaze over every nook and cranny in this room, then along the hallway and into the next room where the Radiant Pharoah died. Then, if the spell's duration permits, he will decend the ladder into the weight room and as far as he can before the spell expires.

Ovirid's assent to being blindfolded is accompanied by a lot of grumbling, but the concern is obvious in the dwarf's eyes. "Ah'm not fer wantin' anyone else t' 'ave t' see th' rune 'n th' 'scope. If'n we need t' be lookin' 'n 't, Ah'll do 't, but Ah'll wear yer blinders oth'wise. F'r enough?"

Please pardon the commercial interruption of your most awesome PBP.

If you haven't already gone to Koboldquarterly.com to vote in the Monster design competition (say for Tarren's outstanding finalist entry, the Broodiken!) please consider doing so - today is the last day I think.

Also, the real reason I post is that I could no longer resist jumping in to mention that I have been reading this PBP periodically for some time and some of the player characters in this game are really a cut above with very distinct personalities. I love what you guys have done here - please keep it going.

There was probably a more appropriate thread to put this post it, but I couldn't find it - as you were.

-Ask

P.S. "56"

@Ask a Shoanti. 56, indeed. Thanks for popping into the thread. It always gives me a kick to know others read these things. I agree, we've got some real characters in this one. And, I'm gonna love the way this ends. hehehe

"Aye, th' bag o' 'oldin' 's somethin' Ah c'n be fer usin'. 'n th' wee glasses 'r useful, 's well. Ah'll put 'n a request fer those two items if'n it be 'l right wit' th' rest o' th' party."

" Of course my friend, maybe those glasses will finally make a thief out of you yet" Korian says accompanied by a big grin "That is as long as you don't mind my borrowing them once in a while to be able to see that tiny spellbook. Once we figure out how to render the rune ineffective that is. Speaking of, where was the rune exactly? For if it's on the cover, perhaps it can just be ripped off or covered up?"

Tarren, is there any kind of roll we can make to know how to render the runes harmless? As for the loot, I'm all good. Can anyone who hasn't already done so please head to the OOC and claim whatever loot you want so we can move on? And DM, are you waiting for that until you give the results of Korian's magic-aided Dectect Secret Doors search?

"Speaking of, where was the rune exactly? For if it's on the cover, perhaps it can just be ripped off or covered up?"

"Ah 'aven't looked 'n th' book s' far -- th' rune Ah saw was 'n th' cover. 'ere might be more 'nside, but Ah'm guessin' 't'd no' be s' good fer me t' be checkin'..."

Ovirid Thorvirson wrote:

"Aye, th' bag o' 'oldin' 's somethin' Ah c'n be fer usin'. 'n th' wee glasses 'r useful, 's well. Ah'll put 'n a request fer those two items if'n it be 'l right wit' th' rest o' th' party."

" Of course my friend, maybe those glasses will finally make a thief out of you yet" Korian says accompanied by a big grin "That is as long as you don't mind my borrowing them once in a while to be able to see that tiny spellbook. Once we figure out how to render the rune ineffective that is. Speaking of, where was the rune exactly? For if it's on the cover, perhaps it can just be ripped off or covered up?"

Tarren, is there any kind of roll we can make to know how to render the runes harmless? As for the loot, I'm all good. Can anyone who hasn't already done so please head to the OOC and claim whatever loot you want so we can move on? And DM, are you waiting for that until you give the results of Korian's magic-aided Dectect Secret Doors search?

Korian does not detect any secret doors on this level.

As for rendering the runes harmless, I'd have to check. You could try a Knowledge (arcana) roll to find out what I find out.

I believe disabling runes such as a Symbol of Pain is possible though at a higher DC than a mundane trap. If that applies, 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36 for Disable Device vs traps.

EDIT: For what it's worth, p. 95 of the Core Rulebook says:

I believe disabling runes such as a Symbol of Pain is possible though at a higher DC than a mundane trap. If that applies, 1d20 + 18 for Disable Device vs traps.

EDIT: For what it's worth, p. 95 of the Core Rulebook says:

** spoiler omitted **

I think that will work for disarming runes that have already been spotted and had their effect. Undoing the damage of the wounds however will probably take something like remove curse

Knowledge Arcana:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
PS I know that in another game I'm in, the Inquisitor has been able to render runes ineffective by scratching or crossing them out...

I think that will work for disarming runes that have already been spotted and had their effect. Undoing the damage of the wounds however will probably take something like remove curse

Well, then. Ovirid will extract the tiny glasses and place them on his nose before taking out the tiny spellbook and trying to use one of his picks to alter or deface the rune on the cover.

Having already been affected, it should be safe (and prudent) for him to take 20 for a total of 38, yes?

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

I think that will work for disarming runes that have already been spotted and had their effect. Undoing the damage of the wounds however will probably take something like remove curse

Well, then. Ovirid will extract the tiny glasses and place them on his nose before taking out the tiny spellbook and trying to use one of his picks to alter or deface the rune on the cover.

Having already been affected, it should be safe (and prudent) for him to take 20 for a total of 38, yes?

Yes. I'd say so. I'm not sure about simply scratching them out. I'll treat it as requiring a disarm to eliminate the power of the rune. Of course, in most cases, the easiest thing to do will be to tell the others not to look at it.