Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

Ixius soon finds the the rivers of gold that fill the channels in the floor are quite deep, possibly over 12 feet, but if he walks through them, he will only sink to his waist. Esteban shrieks with delight at this.

Anyone else walking through the gold with Ixius?

Hmmm, not sure whether Sykala can earthwalk through the coins. She must be able to in the raw form I am guessing.

Hmmm, not sure whether Sykala can earthwalk through the coins. She must be able to in the raw form I am guessing.

Sykala can walk through the coins like the rest of the party. Earthwalking through them would certainly be uncomfortable even if it is possible.

Ovirid will maintain his blindfold, preferring to remain non-undead to seeing what a human believes to be a lot of gold. hehe

"He-rok-en, c'n ye tell me what ye see besides th' gold they 'r goin' on 'bout?"

Ovirid will not try to cross the rivers of gold at this point.

Ovirid will maintain his blindfold, preferring to remain non-undead to seeing what a human believes to be a lot of gold. hehe

"He-rok-en, c'n ye tell me what ye see besides th' gold they 'r goin' on 'bout?"

Ovirid will not try to cross the rivers of gold at this point.

"I'm just saying: I'm not carryin' more stuff. I've got all the supplies from one expedition. No way am I carrying that gold," responds Hrokon defensively. "There's also one of those coffins where nothin' in 'em stays dead and a bunch of lights like at an Absalomian tavern's garden, except blue not pink."

As the headband would have been of greatest benefit to her Korian certainly would have offered the headband to Sykala. He would have reminded everyone though that any final distribution of goods would be up to the society. And Tarren Esteban has me litterally LOLing most of the time, very well done :)

Korian decides to cast dectect magic first andd throughly scan the area around him. If he detects anythinng he calls it out, otherwise he then follows Ixus, still detecting for magic and looking very closely for any signs of danger.
Perception:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

oh PS I guess since Korian has the highest UMD he should take the divine scrolls, but if anyone else wants a crack at them just say the word.

Sykala's surprisingly heavy small stone form trudges deeply through the sea of coins following Ixius' lead. She inwardly shakes her head at all the work and labor that went into creating such a useless hoard of pretty metal, all because some man had declared it worth something.

Ok, she has the headband. She looked quizzically at Korian as he offered it to her, as she seems to have no idea why she should want it. The frown turns to on of surprise as she places it upon her head. After a few moments, "Make more sense. I keep." She gives him a rare smile.

Actually, Ixius' UMD is higher, but he doesn't want the divine scrolls :)

Ixius continues to slowly wade his way through the piles of gold toward the sarcophagus.

Perception (traps): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Ixius sees nothing unusual in the rivers of gold higher than his head other than RIVERS OF GOLD HIGHER THAN HIS HEAD!

He reaches the raised dias in the center of the room. It stands like an island amongst the gold.

Actually, Ixius' UMD is higher, but he doesn't want the divine scrolls :)

Well, by Set's hoary haversack, so it is! And here I was sure that I had checked on that before and even posted on it...sigh, the trials and tribulations of advancing..uh, something or other... Well, Korian will hold on to them for now then but Ixus is free to have access to them any time he wishes of course.

Ixius checks the sarcophagus for traps.

Perception (traps): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

nice roll Ix! Not that you likely need it but just in case Aid:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 And DM, anything from Korian's detect magic?

Ixius finds no sign of traps around the heavy stone lid on the sarchophagus. Korian just detect that the hieroglyphs are magical. They are in ancient Osirion.

Esteban remains standing in the river of gold with a big grin on his face while Korian and Ixius inspect the sarcophagus.

Hrokon looks at the sarcophagus suspiciously, "We haven't had much luck with those big coffins before. Why you wanna try another?"

Sykala looks over at the large half-orc and just shrugs to indicate she doesn't understand it either.

OK, I'm so sorry for my absence. I thought I got all of my PbPs when I posted that I would have little to sporadic net access a couple of weeks ago, but going back it seems that I missed this one and I am truly sorry if any of you thought that I had abandoned them.

In regards to the treasure split, I noticed that Korian left Asim off the list of what people were taking. The only things that Asim was interested in were the Ankh and the Jade Mantis, although if Sykala wants the Jade Mantis then she is welcome to it, just let me know Dark Arioch. :)

Hrokon looks less impressed. "That looks heavy. You know, I've already got a lot of s@@! to carry, right?"

Asim turns to Hrokon when he makes his comments about carrying the gold out and scowls at Esteban's greed. "This gold most certainly does not belong to you, it is the rightful property of The Ruby Prince. The Pathfinder Society will take a tithe for finding it of course, but the bulk will be claimed for Osirion."

Asim turns to Hrokon when he makes his comments about carrying the gold out and scowls at Esteban's greed. "This gold most certainly does not belong to you, it is the rightful property of The Ruby Prince. The Pathfinder Society will take a tithe for finding it of course, but the bulk will be claimed for Osirion."

"You just make up laws as you go along, don't you?" smiles Esteban. Asim's scowl does nothing to dampen Esteban's spirits.

"You just make up laws as you go along, don't you?" smiles Esteban. Asim's scowl does nothing to dampen Esteban's spirits.

"Why do I need to make up laws," he says as he looks at Esteban quizzically. "Laws are there to protect us and help us to determine and enforce what is right and wrong. And it would be wrong of me to invent my own laws. So..." he stops as he realizes that Esteban was making fun of him and the scowl once more returns to his face as he grips his Double Axe tighter.

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

"You just make up laws as you go along, don't you?" smiles Esteban. Asim's scowl does nothing to dampen Esteban's spirits.

"Why do I need to make up laws," he says as he looks at Esteban quizzically. "Laws are there to protect us and help us to determine and enforce what is right and wrong. And it would be wrong of me to invent my own laws. So..." he stops as he realizes that Esteban was making fun of him and the scowl once more returns to his face as he grips his Double Axe tighter.

Esteban continues to splish-splash around in the river of gold. If he's filling his pockets surreptitiously, Asim doesn't see it.

As far as the Jade Mantis is concerned, I think you have the Jade Mantis right now Asim. Her interest will be piqued when she sees it used. Right now it's just a pretty piece of worked art and she isn't an artsy girl.

Sykala's eyes clearly convey the message, I hope you drown in all that gold..., as she gives Esteban a predatory stare.

sorry about your families news Tarren, I hope it all works out for the best. Asim welcome back. Only left ya out cuz didn't know for sure what you wanted. But anything not spoken for is up for grabs so feel free. Finally, sorry but what check does Korian need to read ancient Osirion again? And can he take 20? Either wayn please feel free to roll for him. He also passes on that the heiroglyphs are magical

Reading Ancient Osirion requires a linguistics check.

Ovirid is not reading anything at the moment. I assume he can't "braille" his way through the text.

Korian begins moaning and walking around with his arms straight out mumblingh something about brains...then he chuckles and...

The young mage translates aloud the ancient Osirion. When finished he asks the group for their ideas on what it might exactly signify. Meanwhile he concentrates on his detect magic to try and determine exactly what kind on magic is on the runes.

Korian begins moaning and walking around with his arms straight out mumblingh something about brains...then he chuckles and...

The young mage translates aloud the ancient Osirion. When finished he asks the group for their ideas on what it might exactly signify. Meanwhile he concentrates on his detect magic to try and determine exactly what kind on magic is on the runes.

The magic on the runes is a rather playful illusion. With a little experimentation, Korian finds no matter what language he translates the texts into, it rhymes and pretty much says the same thing.

So, who is on the raised dias and who is in the river of gold?

The young mage translates aloud the ancient Osirion. When finished he asks the group for their ideas on what it might exactly signify.

Asim calls back to the young mage, "I am not usually one for solving riddles, but to me it sounds like if you enter the sea of gold and make it to his island, then prepare to die and serve this Pharaoh forever, which to me means as undead. I of course could be misinterpreting the meaning, it would not be the first time."

Perception Check on Esteban: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

So, who is on the raised dias and who is in the river of gold?

As far as I know, Ovirid, Hrokon and I are back at the doorway (and Esteban is close, but he is in the gold). Korian and Ixius at least are on the Dais and I think Sykala is in the sea of gold, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

Sounds right to me. Ixius is on the dais.

"Uh oh, that doesn't sound good."

"Aye, 'asim, Ah'd 'ave t' agree wit' yer translatin', there. 'ware, lads, 'e said somethin' 'bout 'cast an eye', so th' curse might be if'n yer lookin' at somethin' 'n perticular."

Ovirid did not enter or cross the river of gold.

Yup, sounds right to me too. Korian is on the Island as well

As he replies loud enough for all to hear frustration yet still not a little curiosity is evident in the young mage's voice. "I concour with your assements my friends, and so it seems we are left with a mystery and a choice. The mystery being what is the exact trigger of the curse" turning to give a serious look to Ixus "or if some of us may have already triggered it, and either way, how, if possible, to escape, disable or find a way around it. The question is, should we even try to?"

Taking a breath he continues " I have no doubt whatsoever that a being of such massive wealth would jhave the will and the means to devise an insidious and powerful curse. So one must wonder, do we have the means to defeat it?" And sweeping his arm about the ocean of gold "and do we have the motivation?"

DM, since our pc's lives may littertally depend on it, can you give us as much detail about ythe island as possible? We have a mystery here so the more info available the better. For some reason I keep coming back to the line "...cast an eye"...

No, Sykala will be on the dias with Ixius and Korian instead of sinking into the gold.

Not caring particularly for the river of gold or the strange writings Sykala just looks into the dark corners of the chamber waiting for something inevitably to pounce upon them.

Okay, so Sykala, Ixius and Korian are on the dias // Esteban is bathing in gold // Hrokon, Ovirid, and Asim are back by the door. Got it.

And, what do you do next?

"Shall I open it?" Ixius asks Korian and Sykala.

Sykala gives Ixius a swift shake of her head accompanied by a storm cloud look that he knows only to well.

"Shall I open it?" Ixius asks Korian and Sykala.

"Well," says Esteban, "We could fit a lot of gold in it ... but it does seem like it would add to the weight. Hrokon?"

"I'm. not. carrying it!" says Hrokon.

Korian looks to Sykala and nods seriously, then answers Ixus "This is not a matter I feel right to decide on my own, so we shall tally the choice of us all and proceed from there. For myself, despite the danger I feel my duty to The Society, and in truth my own curiosity, bids us open it. Sykala, I understand how you feel and take your opinion seriously. If we do decide to open it perhaps you might move into the elements of the rock beneath us while we do? Asim, Orivid, Ixus how feel you all? Finally if we do decide to open it I have the notion that perhaps I might be able to summon aid to help us do so more safely."

this is hard to look up on my blackberry but if anyone has the time I was thinking maybe I could summon something to open it, like an ape? And something to describe what it sees, like a lantern archon, while we all keep our eyes shut tught or turned away?

Korian looks to Sykala and nods seriously, then answers Ixus "This is not a matter I feel right to decide on my own, so we shall tally the choice of us all and proceed from there. For myself, despite the danger I feel my duty to The Society, and in truth my own curiosity, bids us open it. Sykala, I understand how you feel and take your opinion seriously. If we do decide to open it perhaps you might move into the elements of the rock beneath us while we do? Asim, Orivid, Ixus how feel you all? Finally if we do decide to open it I have the notion that perhaps I might be able to summon aid to help us do so more safely."

this is hard to look up on my blackberry but if anyone has the time I was thinking maybe I could summon something to open it, like an ape? And something to describe what it sees, like a lantern archon, while we all keep our eyes shut tught or turned away?

"Lad, Ah'm outta me element 'n Ah trust ye. Do 's ye will."

However, the dwarf is thinking hard to see if the poem might include a reference to something he's heard of before...

Knowledge (history) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 +6 re: the Pharoahs

"I want to open it. What else are we here for?" Ixius glances ay Sykala sheepishly.

Asim looks across the sea of gold to wards the rest of the party and calls out, "at some point the sarcophagus must be opened, so now is as good a time as any. Although after the last two Pharaoahs we faced I do feel it prudent that we be as raeady as we can be for a battle to occur."

Esteban wriggles deeper and deeper into the river of gold. When only his head is showing, he shifts his weight and pulls himself down even further so that only his face is visible. The reflection of blue light off of gold coins gives him a strange greenish pallor. Finally, he nods the go-ahead to Korian and says, "I'm ready."

Ixius prepares by casting mage armor on himself and magic weapon on his bow.

"You wanna come up here and open it then? I went so well for you the last time."

The druidess stamps her stony foot in frustration before sinking into the dias, just keeping enough of her face out to see what happens.

The druidess stamps her stony foot in frustration before sinking into the dias, just keeping enough of her face out to see what happens.

Nothing happens when Sykala sinks into the dias.

Ovirid's linguistics check strongly suggests that the middle stanza of the poem refers to the Curse of the Encircled Runes. Go ahead, "cast an eye, go your way and prepare to die".

"Korian, lad, ye know... 'at part 'bout th' 'castin' yer eye' 'n th' poem might be referrin' t' th' curse 'at's got me wearin' 'is blasted blindfold... Mebbe 'ere be no new curse 'n 'ere."

As his friends voice their various opinions, Korian finally nods and says "It is decided then, open it we shall. I also agree with Asim that it is mosty prudent to be as prepared as possible. Therefore..."

Ok, did the best I can with the bberry, took a while but I think I got it, so please bear with me. Not necessarily in this order, this is what Korian does: Mage Armor has already been cast with the wand when he woke, as is his custom, but he casts it again with his own spell to make ity harder to dispel, he casts protection from evil on himself and Ixus and hands Ixus a divine scroll of it to cast on Sykala (this brings K's AC to 18). He casts mirror image on himself and invisibility on himself and Ixus. We have 4 Hide from Undead scrolls, so that should be enough to do the whole party I believe but if not they should be focused on the 3 of us by the dias. K will use his Rod of Extend on his 3 summoning spells and will call a Lantern Archon and either an Ape or 1 or several Earth Elementals depending on what level the Pearl of Power is for. When all is ready he will have the Archon fly above and describe aloud all it sees and relay commands if necessary. The ape or elementals will open the sarcophagus. In his hand Korian will ready the wand of Scorching Ray. All his spells are shared with Jinx of course and obviously they are cast in the most logical order as well considering duration. Oh also he will hand the bead of force to Sykala explaing in use and function, telling her to use it should whatever appears be too terrible to face so we might flee if necessary. Also, whoever has the jade mantis, that may come in handy :) And Phew! I think that's it! When all is ready Korain says aloud...

"Ok now let us three back up to the edge of the dias, next all close their eyes and when ready I shall give the command for my creatures to open it. Now...Ready..."

Use Magic Device (for the scroll):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Holy crap, let's see if I have this right. Effects currently on Ixius:
mage armor
magic weapon on bow
protection from evil
invisibility
hide from undead

As his friends voice their various opinions, Korian finally nods and says "It is decided then, open it we shall. I also agree with Asim that it is mosty prudent to be as prepared as possible. Therefore..."

Ok, did the best I can with the bberry, took a while but I think I got it, so please bear with me. Not necessarily in this order, this is what Korian does: Mage Armor has already been cast with the wand when he woke, as is his custom, but he casts it again with his own spell to make ity harder to dispel, he casts protection from evil on himself and Ixus and hands Ixus a divine scroll of it to cast on Sykala (this brings K's AC to 18). He casts mirror image on himself and invisibility on himself and Ixus. We have 4 Hide from Undead scrolls, so that should be enough to do the whole party I believe but if not they should be focused on the 3 of us by the dias. K will use his Rod of Extend on his 3 summoning spells and will call a Lantern Archon and either an Ape or 1 or several Earth Elementals depending on what level the Pearl of Power is for. When all is ready he will have the Archon fly above and describe aloud all it sees and relay commands if necessary. The ape or elementals will open the sarcophagus. In his hand Korian will ready the wand of Scorching Ray. All his spells are shared with Jinx of course and obviously they are cast in the most logical order as well considering duration. Oh also he will hand the bead of force to Sykala explaing in use and function, telling her to use it should whatever appears be too terrible to face so we might flee if necessary. Also, whoever has the jade mantis, that may come in handy :) And Phew! I think that's it! When all is ready Korain says aloud...

"Ok now let us three back up to the edge of the dias, next all close their eyes and when ready I shall give the command for my creatures to open it. Now...Ready..."

I'll have to check what level the hide from undead scrolls were for. (I gave you those as treasure?). Also, I need to check the Pearl of Power. (My module is in the office.) In the meantime, however, I think I can safely do this ...

The lid on the sarcophagus slowly inches back. As the summoned creatures get some momentum, it pushes back further until it clears a full foot. The blue lights shine into the ancient tomb. At first you think you see swirling movement within, but then you realize it is the slowly spinning lights. The remains of the last pharoah lie perfectly still and long decayed.

Cautioning all to keep their eyes closed for the moment, Korian commands the Archon to fly down and describe all it sees. After them the young mage tells the tiny celestial to be particularily on the look out for anything which resembles the runes

Cautioning all to keep their eyes closed for the moment, Korian commands the Archon to fly down and describe all it sees. After them the young mage tells the tiny celestial to be particularily on the look out for anything which resembles the runes