Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

Added a little to my previous post.

Sykala quickly answers feeling the urgency to leave this place pressing in, "Make you mist. Can fit then. Only do one."

"But, lass, Ah thought Korian said 'e dinna 'ave 'at spell ready t'day." He pauses, "Well, 'en, if'n we 'ave th' ability t' make one mist, make 't H'rokon. Ah've lived longer 'n 'e 'as 'n Ah think 'e might 'ave some errors t' make up fer before 'e 'eads t' th' Boneyard. Ah'm ready t' g' t' Torag's forge. Ah jus' dinnae think 't would be 'is way 'n weren't ready fer 't t' be so soon. But Ah've 'ad a good life. 'n Ah'm not sure Ah believe 'n 's curse, anyway..." Turning to Hrokon, he adds, "Lad, Ah'm not givin' ye me chance t' leave s' ye c'n go 'n skulkin' 'n scarin' people. Ye need t' be doin' somethin' good wit' yerself 'fore ye meet yer maker. 'n Ah expect a few toasts t' be made 'n me 'onor if'n Ah don' get outta 'ere. We clear?"

Ovirid has serious doubts about the blind man's tale of getting in and getting out without seeing the runes after the experience he's had here.

Lifting and taking off the dwarfs blindfold once again and she quietly says, "We miss you." Even before Hrokon can respond to Ovirid's statement Sykala immediately starts another prayer to Gozreh as the pyramid itself continues to fade. Stepping closer to the half-orc as she nears completion of the spell she reaches out to touch him...

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

....Whirling like a striking viper she instead grabs Ovirid's beard knowing he won't pull away for fear of damaging it. As she does so she completes the spell and he can begin to feel his body grow lighter and airier, "You go now! Is done!"

Casts Gaseous Form on Ovirid.

"Blast ye, lass! Ah told ye t' cast th' spell 'n th' 'alf-orc! 'at 'ave ye...," and he spits and sputters in frustration, unable to put his thoughts into words before his vocal cords become vaporous.

The cloud that is Ovirid's temporary form stays and looks at Hrokon for a long moment, putting up a hand in farewell before slipping toward the hole in the wall and disappearing.

So I guess my designs on becoming Saint Ovirid the Abandoned are all washed up, eh? Thanks, Sykala.

Ovirid has serious doubts about the blind man's tale of getting in and getting out without seeing the runes after the experience he's had here.

The blind man never looked at the entry rune. The trap only applies to those who saw the 'point of no return' rune. He was just at the back of the party (a teenage boy brought along to carry stuff). Consequently, when half the party became mummies, he was the only one to escape. Of course, he doesn't understand all that and neither does Ovirid.

Hrokon watches the last of you step beyond the barrier and then says, "How 'bout you let me look at that puzzle anyways. Maybe I can resist the effects. Worst thing 'at happens is I become undead instead of starvin' to death. No one seems to stay dead in this place anyways so I might as well take a looksee."

Ovirid Thorvirson wrote:

Ovirid has serious doubts about the blind man's tale of getting in and getting out without seeing the runes after the experience he's had here.

The blind man never looked at the entry rune. The trap only applies to those who saw the 'point of no return' rune. He was just at the back of the party (a teenage boy brought along to carry stuff). Consequently, when half the party became mummies, he was the only one to escape. Of course, he doesn't understand all that and neither does Ovirid.

Sounds logical. But Ovirid was desperate for a solution and the fact that the man escaped without seeing the exit rune was all he had...

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Ovirid Thorvirson wrote:

Ovirid has serious doubts about the blind man's tale of getting in and getting out without seeing the runes after the experience he's had here.

The blind man never looked at the entry rune. The trap only applies to those who saw the 'point of no return' rune. He was just at the back of the party (a teenage boy brought along to carry stuff). Consequently, when half the party became mummies, he was the only one to escape. Of course, he doesn't understand all that and neither does Ovirid.

Sounds logical. But Ovirid was desperate for a solution and the fact that the man escaped without seeing the exit rune was all he had...

Feel free to track the man down and question him. Of course, this guy is in the same position Ovirid is in and has spent the last 56 years with a blindfold on. Ovirid, the Masked Dwarf.

Feel free to track the man down and question him. Of course, this guy is in the same position Ovirid is in and has spent the last 56 years with a blindfold on. Ovirid, the Masked Dwarf.

Very funny. But I must point out, Ovirid is not in the same position as the blind man. Ovirid has Korian on his side and Sykala watching out for him. I'd much rather be Ovirid.

So I guess my designs on becoming Saint Ovirid the Abandoned are all washed up, eh? Thanks, Sykala.

lol, yeah she tends to do whatever she thinks is right.

She gives Korian and Ixius one last glance before disappearing from sight sliding down the outside of the pyramid.

Hey all, back, sort of. My Blackberry, which was the main way accessed the internet and checked and posted to all my PbP's, was stolen last night, right from the nightstand beside the bed where I was sleeping. I don't have any other regular net access at the moment, except or whenever I can make it to an internet cafe. So for the near future, my posting may be less frequent than normal. Anyway, Happy NEW Year all.
But back to the Game. Sykala & Ovirid, that was a brilliant last bit of RPing, thanks for that!

Smiling with great pleasure at the continued resoucefulness of the Druidess and the survival of his old Dwarven friend, Korian is still somewhat saddened by the fate of the half-orc, who didn't seem to be all that bad a sort after all. Knowing there is nothing he can do to aid him, Korian turns to him and says "You face your fate bravely warrior, it is a telling statement to your courage. Look at the ruin if you wish, I only ask though that you wait until we are a safe distance away...just in case. Other than that, do you have any last requests or anything you would have us do in your honour? Or with your share of the gold?"

Then, as an afterthought and feeling somewhat guilty about it, the practical minded mage adds "Oh yes, perhaps you should also pass over anything you were carrying for the Paracount as, well, you won't likely be needing it yourself"

Never having developed much of a connection with Hrokon, Ixus simply gives the half-orc a nod, and then exits the Pyramid without a backward glance

Heartless, Korian.

The rope is where you left it in the entry hall. You can descend whenever you wish.

The pyramid continues to fade, very, very slowly.

Hrokon, behind you, takes the puzzle/key and finds the courage to look but waits until you have all departed.

Ovirid exits the pyramid through the hole created by the druidess and flies up the slope the pyramid, both to get his bearings and to get an aerial view of the area while he can still fly.

Noting anything interesting in the area (other than now-you-see-them, now-you-don't pyramids) and in particular, looking for the camels, he descends down the face of the pyramid where the entrance is located and waits for the first of his companions to come out.

Seeing Sykala, he will follow her, unsure of how long the Gaseous Form lasts. Whenever he's not moving to keep up with her, his cloud will take the form of a surly dwarf, arms crossed, staring at her.

;-)

Any other dramatic exits?

Any other dramatic exits?

I don't know. What is Esteban doing?

Say, didn't we leave a pair of cowering and not-very-proficient guards for the mask in the entry chamber, too? I'm guessing they would have remembered to make sure we got the mask from Hrokon before exiting.

The camels have pulled up their stakes and wandered off, but they aren't far and Sykala can easily recover them. Esteban gets down from the pyramid and immediately starts looking around for the big pile of gold that the Lantern Archons were bringing out.

He finds Esteban's remains on top of a pile of sand. He looks apoplectic for a moment and then turns on Korian shouting, "Ha! These 'friends' of yours were good guys, I suppose. Well, they must have found a good use for your gold! At least I've still got ...". He pulls a pile of sand from his pocket and then begins to scream in terror. "My gold!!!"

Sykala shakes her head at Esteban's antics and goes off to find the camels.

After emptying his pockets -- including his hidden and secret pockets he thought you didn't know about -- Esteban discovers that every bit of gold taken from the river has become sand. Treasure taken from elsewhere in the pyramid still exists.

Hrokon appears at the pyramid entrance shouting, "Nothing happened. I looked at four and nothing happened. I saw that one twice and two other ones and nothing happened."

As he begins to climb down the side of the now quickly fading pyramid, you hear the roar of a long dead dragon. A burst of lightning comes from the mouth of the pyramid. The rope that Hrokon climbs down tears and Hrokon begins to fall just as the dragon explodes from the entrance.

At just that moment, the pyramid, dragon, and Hrokon, fade too much for you to see. Whereever they are, they are not here and neither is your gold. More importantly, neither is Esteban's gold.

Esteban kneels in the sand and begins to sob. Some of you have seen adventures with Esteban end this way before.

After emptying his pockets -- including his hidden and secret pockets he thought you didn't know about -- Esteban discovers that every bit of gold taken from the river has become sand. Treasure taken from elsewhere in the pyramid still exists.

Hrokon appears at the pyramid entrance shouting, "Nothing happened. I looked at four and nothing happened. I saw that one twice and two other ones and nothing happened."

As he begins to climb down the side of the now quickly fading pyramid, you hear the roar of a long dead dragon. A burst of lightning comes from the mouth of the pyramid. The rope that Hrokon climbs down tears and Hrokon begins to fall just as the dragon explodes from the entrance.

At just that moment, the pyramid, dragon, and Hrokon, fade too much for you to see. Whereever they are, they are not here and neither is your gold. More importantly, neither is Esteban's gold.

Esteban kneels in the sand and begins to sob. Some of you have seen adventures with Esteban end this way before.

Ha! And I'm heartless? Poor Hroken!...Of course the argument could be made that if Korian had let him look at the runes sooner...but oh well! He's gone now, so, more importantly, did he toss his backpack (the one likely containing the mask) out the entrance like Korian asked him too? Oh, and the "Paracount's remains"? The salve Korian put on him didn't stabalize him?/ooc]

Looking at the piles of sand the gold has become, Korian mentally and emotionally shrugs. Sure it could have been useful, but the important things were the artifacts, relics and information, most of which have been sucesfully recovered. Watching the half-orc and pyramid dissapear Korian wishes a silent prayer of luck to the unfortunete fighter. Then, once it has all vanished, the young mage completly ignores the sobbing man and begins to set about gathering their supplies and prparing things for the trip back to the city.

So, what now? Is it over? Are we RPing back to the city? On to the next module?? And out of all my many questions the one I keep wondering about the most is how things might have ended up if Lonicera hadn't been killed, what with all the clues pointing to her link with the Radiant Pharoh and all the rest...[/ooc]

EDIT: Oh, and just noticed...poor dumb Hrokon! None of us were clever enough to ask him if he had looked at three different runes...: (

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

After emptying his pockets -- including his hidden and secret pockets he thought you didn't know about -- Esteban discovers that every bit of gold taken from the river has become sand. Treasure taken from elsewhere in the pyramid still exists.

Hrokon appears at the pyramid entrance shouting, "Nothing happened. I looked at four and nothing happened. I saw that one twice and two other ones and nothing happened."

As he begins to climb down the side of the now quickly fading pyramid, you hear the roar of a long dead dragon. A burst of lightning comes from the mouth of the pyramid. The rope that Hrokon climbs down tears and Hrokon begins to fall just as the dragon explodes from the entrance.

At just that moment, the pyramid, dragon, and Hrokon, fade too much for you to see. Whereever they are, they are not here and neither is your gold. More importantly, neither is Esteban's gold.

Esteban kneels in the sand and begins to sob. Some of you have seen adventures with Esteban end this way before.

Ha! And I'm heartless? Poor Hroken!...Of course the argument could be made that if Korian had let him look at the runes sooner...but oh well! He's gone now, so, more importantly, did he toss his backpack (the one likely containing the mask) out the entrance like Korian asked him too? Oh, and the "Paracount's remains"? The salve Korian put on him didn't stabalize him?/ooc]

Looking at the piles of sand the gold has become, Korian mentally and emotionally shrugs. Sure it could have been useful, but the important things were the artifacts, relics and information, most of which have been sucesfully recovered. Watching the half-orc and pyramid dissapear Korian wishes a silent prayer of luck to the unfortunete fighter. Then, once it has all vanished, the young mage completly ignores the sobbing man and begins to set about gathering their supplies and prparing things for the trip back to the city.

So, what now? Is it over? Are we RPing back to the city?...

Did I say Paracount's remains? I meant, Asim's remains. As for my heartlessness regarding Hrokon's death, it shames me as a GM that you guys lived after stupidly walking back into the tomb. I had to take it out on an innocent NPC.

You have the backpack containing the mask. You can hear a cracking sound as the pyramid disappears. Looking inside, you will find the mask has been split into 11 pieces.

This is marks end of this adventure.

Did I say Paracount's remains? I meant, Asim's remains. As for my heartlessness regarding Hrokon's death, it shames me as a GM that you guys lived after stupidly walking back into the tomb. I had to take it out on an innocent NPC.

You have the backpack containing the mask. You can hear a cracking sound as the pyramid disappears. Looking inside, you will find the mask has been split into 11 pieces.

No, you actually typo'd "Esteban's remains". My stupidity for not realizing you obviously meant Asim's, especially considering that's exactly what I has asked the Archon's to do :/. And lol! Ya, that was pretty dumb of us, going back in, but I think the Paracount riding an undead dragon mount woulda been much worse! And besides, I think we did OK in there. Thank goodness for that bead of force and a crappy Reflex roll though!

Well, I'd just like to say Thank You from the bottom of my gamers heart Tarren, and All my fellow players, for a most wonderful adventure. Sincerely one of the best RP games, and groups, I've ever been involved in, anywhere, in any format. I would be more than happy to game again with any or all of you in any adventure. But if there's a continuation of this one, that would be especially great. : ) Cheers all!

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't think we would survive after walking back into the pyramid, either. I was pretty sure Hrokon hadn't seen three different runes yet, but I thought the DM was just being kind to my soon-to-be-abandoned dwarf by providing him with a fellow victim of the rune.

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't think we would survive after walking back into the pyramid, either. I was pretty sure Hrokon hadn't seen three different runes yet, but I thought the DM was just being kind to my soon-to-be-abandoned dwarf by providing him with a fellow victim of the rune.

Maybe Hrokon was just being a little less than evil. ... And the Paracount still wants an undead dragon to ride. What has been seen cannot be unseen.

This has been lots of fun but I haven't decided on any kind of follow-up or continuation.

I think my companions are being entirely too courteous and diplomatic by not asking the question that keeps them awake a nights: "Did we gain a level?!" <grin> I of course have had tremendous fun playing your exceptionally run games and know that Sykala has tried your patience on more then one occasion ;) I thank each and every one of the players who made this game so memorable and I guarantee my players will be seeing various incarnations of your brilliantly played characters show up in my games.

Sykala comes back across the dunes with the camels following along after her like she was one of them. Approaching the group she takes a bite out of a hand-sized scorpion she has apparently captured along the way before waving it at Esteban, "He go different way."

:-) I would think you've gained a level. I'll take some time to add up XP soon.

Finishing his task of making sure the Paracount is seceurely bound and gagged atop a camel back, and that he will live to make it back to hand over to The Society for judgement and punishment, Korian looks to the Druidess as she returns and makes her pronouncement.

Then turning to the depressed treasure hunter Korian shrugs and says "The lady has spoken. But i have it not in me to see you go without naught. Here, take what wealth was the Paracount's, as I would not have his filthy lucre about my person anyway. And we shall spare you one camel and enough food and water to get you back to the city, or wherever you decide to seek your fortunes next. May fate smile more favourably on you in the future."

Sykala stops munching for a second due to surprise and directs a question at Korian, "You want kill camel? He not know water from false-water here."

Ovirid's gaseous form lasted 12 minutes. Somewhere in there she playfully casts windwall to disrupt his scowling form.

Ixius follows Sykala out of the pyramid. When he finds Esteban pulling sand out of his pockets and crying he laughs at him.

"You didn't really think that much gold could be real did you? Look on the bright side, there is still all that gold buried in the jungle."

Awesome adventure everyone, and thanks again for running another great one Tarren.

Sykala stops munching for a second due to surprise and directs a question at Korian, "You want kill camel? He not know water from false-water here."

Ovirid's gaseous form lasted 12 minutes. Somewhere in there she playfully casts windwall to disrupt his scowling form.

The look of shock on his vaporous face is obvious as he is spread over several cubic yards of desert, eventually reforming on the other side of Sykala.

When he finally returns to normal form, he tries to maintain the scowl, but you can tell it's not heartfelt.

"I dinnae believe ye would yank me 'round by me beard, casting unwanted magicks 'n me -- 'n then ye 'ave t' go 'n spread me all over th' dunes! Harumph!"

Welcome back Rimrock. Hope my playing of Ixus was not too off? And makes me smile seeing I'm not the only one reluctant to let go of this game! ; )

Tiliting his head for a moment at the ever surprising wild woman, Korian replies "Hmmm, well no, of course not. But as he did aid us, sort of, in his own pitiful way I guess, I can't just condone leaving him here to die. How about if we make him follow a good distance behind us, say just within sight. Would that satisfy your need to have him no where near you my dear druidess?"

When Ixius mentions the gold in the jungle, Esteban sighs and nods. He looks southwest towards the Mwanggi and with a sad shrug falls in line behind the party.

Unless I've miscalculated the XP for this adventure comes to 14100. That should put you all up a level and a half. That's the total. If I already distributed XP half way through, deduct that from this amount.

I'm not starting a new PbP right now. I need to think about what to run. I'm looking at running Ruins Perilous, the dungeon that Jonathan and I are building one room at a time for Rite Publishing. That comes with really great maps. I haven't decided yet.

Sykala's anger at Ixius' remark is palpable and she says to Esteban, "You not go back jungle. You say not go back...you come with. You not say....then go....eat sand." She points off into the desert at this last statement.

Unless I've miscalculated the XP for this adventure comes to 14100. That should put you all up a level and a half. That's the total. If I already distributed XP half way through, deduct that from this amount.

I'm not starting a new PbP right now. I need to think about what to run. I'm looking at running Ruins Perilous, the dungeon that Jonathan and I are building one room at a time for Rite Publishing. That comes with really great maps. I haven't decided yet.

I have no record of receiving xp from you, and I'm usually pretty good about putting them in my profile. As for a new game, I'd be honored to be included in anything you decide to do. I'll even bring Ovirid if he fits the party dynamic.

Chuckling from atop his camel, the dwarf says, "I c'n only imagine what she's doin', but, lad, Ah'm thinkin' ye best be listenin' t' 'er. 'at sand, 't 's not t' fillin'."

Being quite used to being on Sykala's bad side, Esteban feels more comfortable, shrugs at her cryptic comments, smiles and nods to be polite, and starts making plans for how he's going to get that gold back ... maybe he can sell a map to this pyramid for enough to hire a few large men and a small boat...

She looks furious and stalks right up to Esteban pulling her dagger out as she closes, "You give hair....I give camel." She holds a lock of her own hair and makes a cutting motion with her blade and then hands him the handle of it.

Esteban looks a little shocked, then angry, then smart enough to know he can't get home without a camel ...

"Croc-girl ... You can't be serious ... It's taken me years to grow these lovely locks!"

She stares up at him defiantly apparently waiting for the lock of hair and not willing to budge until she gets it.

Shaking his head in rueful amusement at the interaction between the Druidess and her nemises, and what he knows will be a Long journey back, Korian, finally ready, clucks the reins of his camel, having it begin the first steps on thier journey home.

PS Tarren, do you havea full list of all the treasure we got? And also, what does a Rod of Writhing Do anyway?? ; )

PS Tarren, do you havea full list of all the treasure we got? And also, what does a Rod of Writhing Do anyway?? ; )

Good question. Are we splitting anything up I should list on Sykala's sheet. In other words are you bestowing anything upon her?

A rod of writhing turns into a swarm of snakes when thrown down.

I'm not sure that you even found any other treasure after the last time we made a list.

Oh, by the way, the other way out was ...

A rod of writhing turns into a swarm of snakes when thrown down.

Ohhhhhh nice, Sykala definitely would like that if it is offered.

Tarren: I am assuming that she eventually gets the lock of hair she is after. She plans to keep an eye on him now and then through scrying to make sure he doesn't head back to the jungle. If he doesn't cave now she'll just wait until she re-memorizes and she'll have to do it....the hard way ;)

Think I'll go peruse my copy of the adventure now to see what all we missed if that's ok? Let me know if it isn't, I'm in no rush.

Sykala is more than welcome to the rod and Korian would have felt that she more than deserved it. Of course, it has to be presented to The Society first, but he'll argue strongly if necessary that she get to keep it.

As for treasure, I'm pretty sure we picked up a bunch of silver from the Radiant Pharaoh, but I', not sure what else. Number Pharaoh had nothing in his tomb?

As for the other way out...

PS If Tarren doesn't mind and you feel like there's anything cool that we missed that you'd like to share in a spoiler Dark Arioch, please feel free!

Peruse away. I changed one of NPCs, obviously, ... I don't think you left any treasure lying around, so you should have everything listed as treasure. Sykala will get her lock of hair eventually. I'm still thinking of what to run next but considering what I'm working on, (30 Haunts for Ships) a sea voyage is likely.

So, anything Sykala?

Not really, skimming through it (all I have had time for) it mostly appears that we pretty much went everywhere and did everything. Not sure how we would EVER take out that dragon though. It had DR 5, 97 hp, AC 28, and did horrible amounts of damage. LOL, I don't think the author of the adventure ever took into consideration a druidess flowing through all the walls but then again who ever does? The weight trap was an example of that. The whole Aucturn Enigma thing seems kinda cool and has more background to it (none of which our lil Sykala had the least bit of interest in - something more for you intellectual types). Reading about the expeditionary, their motives and backgrounds was very interesting (I really like how Tarren brings his antagonists to life).

As far as loot went. I think Korian gave Sykala a bag of coins at some point, forgot to record it and can't seem to locate the post. She had a scroll of stone shape from the Paracount's equipment (that I totally forgot about - could have saved Hrokon). She is interested in the writhing staff (the description says it turns YOU into a swarm of snakes not summons one itself - not sure if Tarren changed that intentionally). She would use the Jade Mantis figurine (last seen on Asim?). She has the headband of wisdom from the Paracount. Did she get one of the swan boat feather tokens? (not sure, just asking since there were 4) I think that is it. Just wondering what to record on the character sheet.

P.S. If you had some specific questions I can answer those.

Hmm, I must have recorded the bag of gold because I have money listed (475 gp) and I am pretty sure I gave it all away to you guys during the auction.

So, in other words, all items found as treasure have already been listed? Yes, the rod of writhing turns YOU into a swarm of snakes. I really should stop posting from memory.