Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

Anyone who is not completely mad flees from the crocodile and, now that the crocodile has spent its sprint, they are able to do so. Fortunately, there are plenty of mad people around. Four slaves start to attack the crocodile. One has the good sense to use a shovel. He does 1 point of damage. The crocodile is entitled to AoO against the unarmed slaves.

The bat's blindsight is limited to 40 ft. On its first round it does not spot the Sand Sage.

"Ok, here's my plan. I turn invisible and sprint to the edge of the dig site, to that point right there." and he points out a suitable location where he can be easily hidden but still see most of the camp site.

As Korian is hidden as well as invisible, he's entitled to a stealth check to avoid being seen by creatures that can see invisible creatures.

DM and Sykala

** spoiler omitted **

Refina will begin to fall back to Korians rough position

Ovirid's response in Dwarven earlier was intended for the Message reply Korian asked for; sorry I wasn't more clear.

Ixius whispers to Korian.

"We are in the airship. Esteban is the pilot."

Ovirid's response in Dwarven earlier was intended for the Message reply Korian asked for; sorry I wasn't more clear.

** spoiler omitted **

The Mithral Scarab says to Ovirid, and then, I guess this is relayed to everyone, "I don't know what's going on. Hoffenburrow arrived and met with Examplar Khymrasa, the Sand Sage, and Master Soan yesterday. They talked for a long time and he gave her some parchments. They met again this morning and then retreated to Khymrasa's palanquin. He's been in there for a couple of hours. Until a few moments ago, I hadn't seen any sign of him."

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Korian, surprised, angry and confused, whispers back 'Estaban?? You've got to joking! Or maybe I shouldn't be surprised, he's like a bad penny. But what the hell is going on! How is Hoffenburrow in league with Khymrasa?? Something doesn't feel right to me. Ovirid, ask The Scarab how well she knows Hoffenburrow, if he could have turned against the Society and if she would be with us if we go against him. Also, I want to know how the hell he got that ship and exactly what it is. Sykala, don't kill Estaban. At least not yet. Also, Refina and everyone, look sharp. The Sand Sage is airborne and invisible and probably very, very angry."

The crocodile defends itself with it's tail against the slave who hurt it, but still continues after those it's summoner considers his enemies.
SA-Tail slap & Damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d12 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
MA-Continues chasing nearest guards or slave masters
If they're running from the croc at least should keep them busy from looking for us

Hissing vilely, the Dretch does its best to try and escape.
Escape Artist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
I'm sure it wouldn't have made a difference, but you know the Dretch's CMD is 14, not 12, right?

As for the Bat, I'm not sure how to indicate its actions while still being fair. Any suggestions anyone?

For his turn, Korian uses a cantrip to cause the sound of someone hitting their foot and cursing quietly to emanate from the balcony of Kyhmsara's palanquin.
Cast: Ghost Sound

Ovirid continues to draw in the sand, speaking to the woman without looking at her.

I assume this conversation is going fairly quickly and it's not time to leave yet...

Ovirid stops to look up at the sky for a moment as though he's considering something, then returns to his hierarchical doodling. He's stopping to look for anyone paying too much attention to himself and the Scarab.

Of course its up to Tarren, but by my reckoning, only 3 or 4 rounds have passed so far. We have 6 or 7 min on the protection from evil

Ovirid continues to draw in the sand, speaking to the woman without looking at her.

** spoiler omitted **

I assume this conversation is going fairly quickly and it's not time to leave yet...

Ovirid stops to look up at the sky for a moment as though he's considering something, then returns to his hierarchical doodling. He's stopping to look for anyone paying too much attention to himself and the Scarab.

Ovirid relays the question to Korian.

Yes, not much time has passed.

The slave masters keep moving, but a four of them prepare their crossbows while they do. They attract the croc's attention and will fire on him in the next round if he emerges from the group of slaves that surround him.

Within the palanquin, the man Khymrasa called Hoffenburrow continues to choke and cough on the stench as does Khymrasa.

Master Soan carries the dretch out of the palanquin. He emerges onto the balcony of the palanquin with the little bugger.

Regarding how to find the invisible Sand Sage, choose one of the following directions: left, right, forward, back, or up (down is not an option as that would be within 40' and the bat would be able to use his blindsense). I'm sure we could make this more complicated, but there's no need to.

The little elemental seems to just hover around the cabin as the initial shock of meeting yet again, the burr under her fur, Esteban wears off and Ixius' talks with him. To Ixius the small windy form just seems to shrug at Korian's request.

Sounds fair. Ok, last round, the bat moved in whichever direction is towards the Palanquin, then this round, up.

Round 5 (I think?)

The Croc continues to head towards the guards (he moved 20' last round too). The Dretch continues to struggle. Escape artist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Korian whispers "Ixius, find out everything you can about Hoffenburrow and what he's doing here. Estaban probably knows a whole lot more about this than we do. And the Bastard owes us his life, a few times! Remind him of that if you need to. Ovirid, tell her that our mission was rather vague. We were just supposed to help her delay the dig until Hoffenburrow got here. I gathered that we were also then supposed to help him get whatever he's after, which I think is the Pact Stone. But if he's now working with Khymsara and Cheliax I'll be dead before I let any of them get a hand on anything in that temple if I can help it!"

Getting an idea, Korian telepathically tells the Dretch to send a telepathic message to Hoffenburrow 'Hoffenburrow! What the bloody hell are you doing! Why are you working with Khymsara! She's the enemy! If you've betrayed the Society I'll kill you myself!'

In between doing all of this, Korian quickly casts another spell, this time summoning a giant spider right in the path of the crosbow wielding guards. As soon as it appears, the big arachnid spins out a big web to trap it's fleeing prey.
From the description, I'm not 100% clear on whether the web targets one person or more than one. The DC to escape it though is 14

"Oh?! Not your society? My mistake. I was given to understand that you were here to go slogging through ruins for no personal reward all so that the society can put some old statues of bird-headed gods over their mantle. If you're here for the money, I apologize for impuning your reasonable character."

"Never mind that Esrteban, what does Hoffenburrow have you doing with this thing anyways? Just flying him around? I imagine there is lots of gold involved if you're here."

Esteban wrote:

"Oh?! Not your society? My mistake. I was given to understand that you were here to go slogging through ruins for no personal reward all so that the society can put some old statues of bird-headed gods over their mantle. If you're here for the money, I apologize for impuning your reasonable character."

"Never mind that Esrteban, what does Hoffenburrow have you doing with this thing anyways? Just flying him around? I imagine there is lots of gold involved if you're here."

"Oh, don't worry about me. I have my own reasons for being here," says Esteban with a mischievous grin. "If, however, you're interested in working together again ... I'm sure that pyramid could hold my interest."

Getting an idea, Korian telepathically tells the Dretch to send a telepathic message to Hoffenburrow 'Hoffenburrow! What the bloody hell are you doing! Why are you working with Khymsara! She's the enemy! If you've betrayed the Society I'll kill you myself!'

The dretch relays Hoffenburrow's response as being one of outrage. It's not clear whether the vulgarity is the dretch's interpretation or a word for word account of what was said, but Hoffenburrow's response boils down to surprise that a Pathfinder is interfering with his negotiations and insistence that you cease this interference immediately. The dretch does not convey to you the difficulty Hoffenburrow has in forming these thoughts well nauseated.

Ixius wrote:

Esteban wrote:

"Oh?! Not your society? My mistake. I was given to understand that you were here to go slogging through ruins for no personal reward all so that the society can put some old statues of bird-headed gods over their mantle. If you're here for the money, I apologize for impuning your reasonable character."

"Never mind that Esrteban, what does Hoffenburrow have you doing with this thing anyways? Just flying him around? I imagine there is lots of gold involved if you're here."

"Oh, don't worry about me. I have my own reasons for being here," says Esteban with a mischievous grin. "If, however, you're interested in working together again ... I'm sure that pyramid could hold my interest."

"Do you know what Hoffenburrow's plans are? What does he intend to do with this thing?"

Esteban looks confused, "It's his ship. He intends to live in it. To fly it out of here. ... Think of the time we would have saved if we had one of these at Bloodcove? Instead of following that damned river!"

Refina's spiritual ally continues to head towards the tent or if it is in Range charges the bald man holding the dretch

Attack

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Damage

1d10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Refina herself continues to fall back to where Korian currently is

Easily just as outraged, Korian replies through the dretch that Cheliax is the enemy and that if he, Hoffenburrow, is in league with them, then he is now the enemy of the Society and of him (Korian).

Then whispering to Ovirid and the others "My loyalty is to the Osirion People, and the Society, in that order. This Hoffenburrow says he is in 'negotiations' with the Chelaxians. I refuse to believe he does this with the blessings of the Society. Which in my book means he is betraying us and is now the enemy too. Not matter what, even if the Society, I will never let the damnable Chelaxians get their hands on the relics of my people. I hope that you all are still with me. Ovirid, ask the Scarab if she is with us. Ixius, ask Estaban if he would like to be not just the captain, but the Owner of that ship."

To be honest, I really have no idea what's going on or what we're really supposed to do. But Korian hates Chelaxias and he is seriously willing to die before allowing those devil worshipping infidels to get their hands on Osirion relics. So I'm just going by what he would do. But if you all want to try some other track, I'm willing to try and convince our fiery tempered young mage

@Tarren: The dretch will continue to try and escape (1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10) but I'm not sure where we are with the Croc, Bat and Spider?

Korian would be aware that the Pathfinder Society has had a rocky history with Cheliax and that dislike for Cheliax is common with in the society. However, the Society has had dealings with Cheliax and many explorers from Cheliax are Society members.

The dretch replies that Hoffenburrow assures Korian that Exemplar Khymrasa is "absolutely delightful" and, though they only met yesterday, she is certain to be an important ally of the Society professionally and of him personally for years to come.

"Hold on" Refina interjects "Before we possibly end up going go to war with the entire Society perhaps we should find out fully what is going on."

Lol, this is why Sykala likes Korian. He's so primal underneath all that civility.

Unbeknownst to Ixius and Esteban Sykala is carefully examining the inside of the airship to determine just how much of it is made of wood...

Tarren, what is it made out of and how much of it is wood?

Just how high ranking in the society is someone like Hoffenburrow? Also would his word carry much weight in the society. Need to know since this may influence the next few things Refina does.

I was waiting to get people's reactions. There's no way I'm going to try to keep track of rounds when the party is attacking a village with PCs in four different locations and summoned creatures adding another four locations. We'll just fake it.

The bat glides up and then swoops suddenly back down straight towards Refina who is heading towards Korian.

Four slave masters attack the crocodile with crossbows, two hitting. 7 points of damage.

Master Soan drops the dretch off the side of the balcony giving him a kick as he does. This would have hurt a bit without damage reduction but the dretch merely provides a little comic relief. It was a really good kick.

Lol, this is why Sykala likes Korian. He's so primal underneath all that civility.

Unbeknownst to Ixius and Esteban Sykala is carefully examining the inside of the airship to determine just how much of it is made of wood...

Tarren, what is it made out of and how much of it is wood?

There's wood inside, but the outside is more like the husk of a seedpod. It's not wood, per se but it is plant matter. Sykala has seen seedpods, but never anything this size.

Who summoned the bat again?

Just how high ranking in the society is someone like Hoffenburrow? Also would his word carry much weight in the society. Need to know since this may influence the next few things Refina does.

He is more of a researcher than an explorer, which marginalizes him somewhat, but he has consulted for the Decemvirate, so his word would carry weight.

Who summoned the bat again?

Korian.

"Ixius, ask Estaban if he would like to be not just the captain, but the Owner of that ship."[/i]

If Ixius does this, Esteban will answer.

To be honest, I really have no idea what's going on or what we're really supposed to do.

Your original mission was to cause a delay until Hoffenburrow could get there.

She is secretly very very intrigued by the flying ship. It soars up in the air after all. Now that is is made out of a giant seedpod she is even more excited. How about the controls, are they wood?

Just to be clear: I have no problem with the course of action you are taking (other than the management problem of four PCs attacking a village). You are deviating from the mission suggested by the lodge, but you are welcome to do that.

Not really paying attention to the bat Refina continues

"The task we agreed to was to keep the Chelexians busy till Hoffenburrow arived here. Did it not occur to you that he might try to negotiate?"

She is secretly very very intrigued by the flying ship. It soars up in the air after all. Now that is is made out of a giant seedpod she is even more excited. How about the controls, are they wood?

The last time I told Sykala about the amount of wood in a magical fantasy ship Esteban captained, she used warp wood and sank it.

The controls are mostly a copper material.

The last time I told Sykala about the amount of wood in a magical fantasy ship Esteban captained, she used warp wood and sank it.

Heehee, I am sure there is a completely innocent reason she wants to know about the wood...your right, I don't believe it either.

The dretch replies that Hoffenburrow assures Korian that Exemplar Khymrasa is "absolutely delightful" and, though they only met yesterday, she is certain to be an important ally of the Society professionally and of him personally for years to come.

Korian doesn't reply to this, but now he knows for sure that Hoffenburrow is up to no good. He says as much in the message "That's it! Now I'm sure of it! Hoffenburrow is in this for himself and has allied with Khymsara and the Chelaxians, the bastard! Refina, I don't know for sure what the Society intended us to do after Hoffenburrow got here, but I am sure that whatever it was, it wasn't allying ourselves with the damned Chelaxians! I understand if you feel you can't join me in this, but I aim to stop them if I can."

Korian would be aware that the Pathfinder Society has had a rocky history with Cheliax and that dislike for Cheliax is common with in the society. However, the Society has had dealings with Cheliax and many explorers from Cheliax are Society members.

That's all well and good, but Korian still hates the SOB's anyway and wouldn't trust one any further than he could spit him.

Just to be clear: I have no problem with the course of action you are taking (other than the management problem of four PCs attacking a village). You are deviating from the mission suggested by the lodge, but you are welcome to do that.

Just so I'm being clear, I do know what our mission was, well, as much as possible anyway. What I meant was that I have no idea what we're supposed to do as far as the adventure path is concerned. I don't know if we were supposed to go along and end up helping Khymsara/Hoffenburrow et al in looting the pyramid or we're going way off path here or what. But I do know that both Korian and I smell a rat somewhere. As a Player, I am not against any of you convincing me that we should make peace and play nice with them, but I'll tell you honestly, it won't be anywhere near easy to convince Korian of that. Please do feel free to try though. Really. A good, logical, argument could possibly win him over. Right now he's acting mostly on emotion and instinct.

@Refina: Oh, also I forget, is Refina a Society member herself?

Wow, y'all been busy!

I was waiting to get people's reactions. There's no way I'm going to try to keep track of rounds when the party is attacking a village with PCs in four different locations and summoned creatures adding another four locations. We'll just fake it.

OK, Cool.

The bat glides up and then swoops suddenly back down straight towards Refina who is heading towards Korian.

Four slave masters attack the crocodile with crossbows, two hitting. 7 points of damage.

Master Soan drops the dretch off the side of the balcony giving him a kick as he does. This would have hurt a bit without damage reduction but the dretch merely provides a little comic relief. It was a really good kick. Go Go Damage Resistance!

Hey just thought of something. The sand sage got a good chuck torn out of him. Would that enable any of us to get a Perception check to see blood falling on the sand? Or does that kind of thing not happen?

If the bat has seen something man sized and flying it attacks it, also smiting it.
Bat Bite and Damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 +4 Damage if Evil

With the giant spider blocking the guards path, the croc barrels into them and does it's thing.

Celestial Crocodile bite attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Plus free Grab/Grapple: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
If successful auto death-roll damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 and foe gains Grappled & Prone condition
Plus Tail slap attack (vs Prone?): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Did one or any of the guards get caught in the spiders web last round?

The giant Spider reaches down at bite at one of the guards (preferably one caught in it's web)
Spider Bite & Damage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 +3 Damage if Evil
Plus Poison, Fort DC16; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 ⇒ 2 Strength damage; cure 1 save

The Dretch, unable to get back onto the Palanquin, heads over to the besieged group of guards and tears into them as well.
Bite attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Claw 1 attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Claw 2 attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Bite Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Claw 1 Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Claw 2 Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

How has Refina's Spiritual Ally been doing against Master Soan?

Lol, this is why Sykala likes Korian. He's so primal underneath all that civility.

lol, yup! There a reason the two get along (usually ; ). What can I say? Underneath all the smarts and surface civility, he's really still just a young, savage-ish, desert nomad at heart.

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

I was waiting to get people's reactions. There's no way I'm going to try to keep track of rounds when the party is attacking a village with PCs in four different locations and summoned creatures adding another four locations. We'll just fake it.

OK, Cool.

The bat glides up and then swoops suddenly back down straight towards Refina who is heading towards Korian.

Four slave masters attack the crocodile with crossbows, two hitting. 7 points of damage.

Master Soan drops the dretch off the side of the balcony giving him a kick as he does. This would have hurt a bit without damage reduction but the dretch merely provides a little comic relief. It was a really good kick. Go Go Damage Resistance!

Hey just thought of something. The sand sage got a good chuck torn out of him. Would that enable any of us to get a Perception check to see blood falling on the sand? Or does that kind of thing not happen?

If the bat has seen something man sized and flying it attacks it, also smiting it.
Bat Bite and Damage: 1d20+7; 1d8+7 +4 Damage if Evil

With the giant spider blocking the guards path, the croc barrels into them and does it's thing.

Celestial Crocodile bite attack: 1d20+7 Damage: 1d8+6
Plus free Grab/Grapple: 1d20+13
If successful auto death-roll damage: 1d8+9 and foe gains Grappled & Prone condition
Plus Tail slap attack (vs Prone?): 1d20+2 Damage: 1d12+3

Did one or any of the guards get caught in the spiders web last round?

The giant Spider reaches down at bite at one of the guards (preferably one caught in it's web)
Spider Bite & Damage: 1d20+4; 1d6+2 +3 Damage if Evil
Plus Poison, Fort DC16; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 Strength damage; cure 1 save

The Dretch, unable to get back onto the Palanquin, heads over to the...

You do not see any blood falling on the ground.

You do see a burst of lightning coming from the sky in front of the bat. The bolt of lightning is aimed directly at Refina. She was visible to him. 10d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 2, 1, 6, 6, 4, 1, 6) = 35. DC 18 for half damage.

If the dretch is leaving the palanquin alone, Master Soan will look for other threats. He finds it in Ovirid. The monk leaps from the ledge of the palanquin and rushes toward Ovirid. Roll for initiative, Ovirid. Beat 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 to act before Master Soan does.

BTW, now that you see him up close, he is not covered in scales, but scars. His whole body is scarred from head to foot.

The bat catches up with the invisible creature in the sky. Yes, he's still invisible. With blindsense, there is still a 50% miss chance due to total concealment. Do you want to roll it?

Tired of the conversation, Sykala reacts immediately to the lightning outside disappearing back down the hallway and out the hatch in a rush of wind leaving Ixius to continue his chat with that demon Esteban. Once outside she stops to take stock of the situation and try to find where the lightning had come from.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Um, Metagaming away here. 10d6? Yikes! Considering that just one of our enemies is a 10th level mage, that argument to convince Korian to play nice may have just got a whole lot easier....sigh, who am I kidding, no it didn't. Hmmm, so what character will I want to play next? A peace-loving, flower-child druid? A Cleric sworn against violence and devoted to Healing the Hearts of others?

After recieving Korian's message, Ixius ays to Esteban:

"Join us and you can have your share of whatever we find in the pyramid and this ship too."

Does Ixius have any rounds of flight left?

"How do you see out of this thing?"

Actually, I just checked the speed on the fly spell. The bat does not catch the Sand Sage. The Sand Sage is faster. Also, lightning bolts top out at 10d6.