WR Mummy's Mask

Game Master wicked_raygun

No need for the spear. We can let the Church of Pharasma kill the guy. Let's go find the people who tomb robbed before we got the chance.

After Djehuti takes what he wants from the room, the Band of the Black fire are free to return to Wati's living half to enjoy some well-deserved rest at the Tooth and Hookah.

Djehuti roll me a craft check for your map.

This time High Priestess Sebti the Crocodile receives your report personally. She apologizes for the interference from the Scorched Hand.

She seems genuinely intrigued about the information you share regarding the mysterious item stolen from the Reliquary of the Thrice-Divided Soul and of the stone tablet in the library containing Pharaoh Djederet II’s decree, though she has no other information about those two items or the questions that they raise.

Predictably she reacts coldly to the news that Senenmerek was left undestroyed.

"We will send a contingent to bring this being peace in the morning. Lady Kayal, I would like your help as their guide through the Sanctum."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Ahmed seems distracted much of the walk back, and it's with a sense of gloom and apology that he responds to the High Priestess's plan. "It is not only the Undead Guardian," He begins, "There is also an Ahkhat there, an ancient and powerful elemental. I made a promise to it that we would leave its home undisturbed." He frowns. "I recognise that I may have spoken out of turn, but lives were on the line, and as we have brought back what we were sent to, I think it is a reasonable concession that the building now be... quarantined."

"Provided that the Ankhat can be reasoned with, it shall be left alone," Sebti assures.

Craft: Drawing: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Djehuti nods. "Serenmerek deserves the gift of eternal rest. He sacrificed much to keep watch through the long, lonely centuries. I am glad you will see to it, High Priestess. If there are any local priests of Nethys willing, I am sure their presence with your group would help to keep the Sanctum's many defenses from harming your people."

Did we find the akhat's keystone? If so, we should mention it so they don't have to destroy it.

At the priestess's request, Izra nodded deeply, almost bowing, as she relished the opportunity to make amends to her goddess for not having destroyed the abomination in the first place.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

I believe the keystone was in one of the final rooms we surveyed.

Forgot to do this earlier... Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Izra noted the tightness in the high priestess's eyes as the group told her of the stolen item, and of the tablet. Unless she missed her guess, Izra felt sure she saw well-concealed alarm. Which, of course, made Izra curious. But there was little to do about it now. Perhaps she would have a chance to investigate this further at a later time.

I did what I could, but I couldn't find any evidence of a current temple of Nethys in Wati.

The next morning Izra accompanies a contingent of clerics and inquisitors to the House of the Erudite Eye. They corner Senenmerek and destroy him unceremoniously. Izra takes the ashes of the undead champion and places them in an urn. Later she presents them to Koshukhep.

***

And here is where you guys hate me.

Burdened by magical trinkets, art objects and valuable information on Wati’s past, Bhe Band of the Black Fire are interested in exchanging their hard-won treasures for gold.

But this has become a difficult prospect when so many local vendors have been flooded with priceless relics recovered from the necropolis. In fact, the price of historical artifacts and art objects has dropped so sharply from their sudden availability that merchants in Wati are currently paying only 25% of the value of most items (instead of the normal 50%), and 75% of the value for trade goods and other valuable items (rather than the usual full value).

Feeling discouraged, they hear whispers of a grand auction, where they could buy and sell new magical items.

Haha. Yeah, that makes sense. That's what we get for flooding the market with loot.

Djehuti solemnly takes the urn and quietly meditates on the vagaries of fate and weight of duty for most of the rest of the morning. When he finally comes down from his room he is even more reserved than usual.

***
Djehuti sighs but nods when they hear about the market for selling items. "We should have expected this. It is a predictable result of putting too many formerly rare items on the market at once."

Ack! Djehuti urn-napped Senenmarek! D: ;)

Koshu muttered about the unlikely ancestry of the merchants, but didn't seem all too upset.

When the day was over, Koshukhep took the urn back to the Sanctum, and scattered Senenmarek's ashes in it. He felt that the old guardian would have appreciated it.

Koshukhep spent the greater part of his time for the next few days at the Grand Mausoleum, studying mysterious subjects with the priests there.

By night, he sniffed up more information about the rumored auction. When might it be held, and where?

Diplo as Gather Info: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Intimidate as Gather Info: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

D'oh! I don't know why I read that as presenting the urn to DJ. He wouldn't steal the urn of monster ashes! Sorry!

Take 10 on a Kn:Local check to see if he can think of a place where this auction might be gives DJ a 20.

Djehuti thought about the layout of the city and what he'd learned during his time here, trying to infer where the auction might be taking place.

Oh, no need to roll. The Grand Mausoleum loves you guys. And we're officially starting book 2 right now.

Since the Band of the Black Fire has operated with nothing but good faith with the Grand Mausoleum since the lottery, they receive a letter at the Tooth and Hookah. The letter states that they are cordially invited to the Canny Jackal, a prestigious auction house and art gallery located at the western edge of the Sunburst Market, to attend an auction where private collectors and other interested parties can bid on items recently brought out of the necropolis.

Make me a list in the discussion tab of the objects you want to sell in the auction. I also need everyone to list their bonuses to bluff and diplomacy. The one with the highest bonus will serve as your agent. And they will be the one trying to interest potential buyers thus increasing their sale value.

Also, if you would like something specific for yourself, list it as well and I can have the item pop up for you to bid on.

Forgot to mention this. Djehuti, for your detailed map you and the rest of the Band were given an extra 270 gp. I will be posting again momentarily.

The night of the auction finally arrives, and the Band of the Black Fire are ready to party -- and barter.

An evening at the Canny Jackal

The Canny Jackal often hosts many of Wati’s richest collectors and historians, from local nobles to representatives from An, Tephu, and even Sothis. Auctions traditionally begin an hour after sunset, with a complimentary reception beforehand for the attendees to mingle with one another and enjoy refreshments.

This evening, the Jackal is offering cheese-stuffed figs, hard-boiled peacock eggs, onion bread, onion-stuffed squid, fresh and dried fruit, spiced wine, and a sampling of 2,000-year-old honey recovered from one of the tombs. By the time the Band arrive, several noteworthy members of Wati society have already gathered, and more filter in as the night wears on.

***

I need a DC 10 Diplomacy check from each of you. If you succeed, roll a 1d6 and peek at the corresponding rumor below as you mingle.

Diplomacy Ahmed: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Diplomacy Suri: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The party is unlike those that Ahmed and Suri went to centuries ago. While there was some wine, it was far more... civilized. Or less fun, depending on where your sensibilities lay.

Something loud, with lots of music and dancing they maybe could have gotten behind, as they each wanted to forget some of the last few days. As it was there was some fun, but most everyone was staying at least conscious for the auction.

With Ahmed wrapped up in his own thoughts - likely involving Serenmerek and the Ankhat. Unsure of what word had spread about their fatal skirmish with the Scorched Hand, and equally unsure if they had allies, Suri spends much of the reception looking for, and expecting, ambushes.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Being a bit arrogant in his strength and size, Koshukhep tended to be of the "let them come" persuasion, and so did not worry about an ambush. He swaggered about, black mane resplendent, bare-chested but for his many charms, looking at whatever caught his interest, and looming over most of those he approached like a benign thundercloud. The food, however, definitely had his approval. He stuffed his face with everything that came within reach, his hunger like a bottomless well.

1d6 ⇒ 5

Despite Ahmed having trouble focusing, he still manages to hear some rumours about mummies.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (18) - 3 = 15 Torin is on fire tonight and chats up a storm.
1d6 ⇒ 6

Frowning at the thought of others looting when he was socializing, Torin tries to think of if he's heard of anyone wearing golden masks before.

Know(local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Izra showed up dressed somewhat differently than the others were used to seeing her. The black-and-grey armored uniform she almost always wore in public was gone, and for once, it hadn't been replaced by a black-and-grey un-armored uniform. Instead, she dazzled in a shimmery, silver-black dress that highlighted her pale skin, cut to accent her slim, graceful frame. The dress was chased in silver, and the whole ensemble matched very well with the onyx and silver symbol of Pharasma that glittered as it hung from her neck.

She smiled and chatted politely as she made her way around the Jackal, listening to stories, returning a few of her own. Her blue eyes narrowed dangerously, however, when she overheard one particular rumor.

Diplo: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Rumor: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Perform:Oratory: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

1) She's using Disguise Self to make her eyes look non-glowy. 2)She's using her Sleeves to add shimmer to the dress, but it's still a nice dress as-is (Ray, let me know how much a nice dress would cost her, and I'll remove it from her sheet - sorry, but I assumed she'd have the ability to find a dress at some point prior to the party). 3)
The Perform: Oratory check is mostly to add flavor to her stories. She's not really doing a full-on performance, but she IS trying to build some credibility for later bargaining. 4)Ray, does she get a look at the person spreading this rumor about the "shady lowlifes" who "ambushed" the Scorched Hand?

EDIT: Nevermind about the eyes. Disguise self has a 10 min/level duration, which isn't long enough to matter for the party. Her eyes are glowy blue as usual

DJ Diplo: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
Familiar's second bite at the apple: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (13) - 4 = 9
1d6 ⇒ 1

Djehuti mingles with the crowd, his esoteric historical knowledge right at home with the collectors. He nods at the rueful comment about fake artifacts, sharing a story of his own about a brooch he'd found in the marketplace that had appeared to be a period medal from the early days of the satrapy but had turned out to be a pin made only a few decades before in Kelesh.

Alright so a couple things are gonna happen. First, given the Band's good standing with the Mausoleum, and that you guys have consistently gone out of your way to make less money by not desecrating the sites you've gone into, you're going to get some bennies. Players shouldn't be punished for not being murder hobos.

First, for her clever thinking to dress up for the part, I'm gonna let Izra get a +2 bonus to all her diplomacy checks for the negotiations. We'll say that the Mausoleum loaned to her at no cost a stunning outfit complete with the appropriate jewelry.

Second, I have simplified the rules to the auction quite a bit. DC 15 is need to successfully sell the item at market value (50 magic items, weapons, etc. & 100% for trade goods).

Every number above 15 adds 5% to the sell price. So if a magic weapon is sold with a skill check of 18, it would sell for 65% rather than just 50%.

Gear and Magic Items

Mundane gear sold for 2,736 gp

Gear and Magic Items: Market Value 50%

Magic Items sold for 3,699.5 gp

Trade Goods: Starting Market Value 100%

Trade Goods Sold for 2,695.25 gp

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Spin the Wheel: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Kwin arrived -- in human alterform, naturally; don't spook the horses -- in his best finery... which in all honesty, wasn't that fine. Excepting the hat; a rich burgandy chapeau shot through with gold filament and complemented by a tall, fluffy sky-blue feather.

He mingled as best he could, but Kwin preferred more energetic gatherings, and so eventually found himself hovering around the buffet with Koshukhep. He didn't feel he was missing much; a complaint about counterfit artifacts was about the most exciting thing that had been discussed within earshot.

He dipped a cheese-stuffed fig in the millenia-old honey; he'd've preferred plain cheese for dipping, but he had to admit the figs added an interesting flavor twist. Or maybe it was the ancient honey.

He popped the morsel into his mouth, then took a sip of the mulled wine. It was quite good as well, though it was no pulque. Still, these people definitely knew how to set a spread.

If only they knew how to party...

• Scarab Shield (4,399 gp); Izra's Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26; Sold 105% = 4,618.95 gp

Be sure to add that to the pile. I want to do the buying tomorrow evening. So include stuff you want in the discussion tab.

Okay here are the rules for shopping at the auction. A single DC 25 intimidate check from Kwin will say whether you pay regular price of an item or 10%. For example a +1 longsword would be 2,315 gp regularly, or 2,546.5 gp with a failed check.

Kwin takes the party's paddle and prepares to do bidding battle...

If someone wants to shop here, roll 1d20+9 to hit the DC 25.

For himself, DJ would much rather use gold to make stuff, but if we can get magic weapons or armor for cheap that could be good.

Do we have to buy it if we fail the check? I.e., does the bidding stick? Can anyone Aid Another for Kwin?

You would be stuck with the +10% price if you failed the check. It is an auction after all.

...I'm not sure I see the advantage of bidding if we only manage to buy an item at its regular price if we succeed (unless it's something Djehuti can't make, and we can't get ahold of otherwise). Koshu will rely on Djehuti, I think.

Yeah, I think the only things worth buying here would be magic weapons, armor, or wands. DJ can make everything else for a lot less. Usually groups I've seen tend to rely on what they loot, but if we think we'll be buying a lot of magic weapons and armor, he can even take the feat at level 5.

Ok, unless someone wants to bid by tonight, I'll figure you all pass on getting new gear.  Will post then.

So that's a "No?" Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I'm a pass

The Band of the Black Fire are thrilled to have made a killing at the auction but are reluctant to partake themselves.

And as the auction winds down and the attendees mill about, paying for their purchases and gloating over their acquisitions, a frantic pounding comes from The Canny Jackal’s front door.

As a servant moves to open the door, it suddenly collapses, reduced to splinters, and a horde of zombies shamble in, hungry for the blood of the living. A half dozen of the monsters tear into the guests.

When the zombies first burst through the doors, two of the Canny Jackal’s servants were injured. They both lie on the floor in front of the door, unconscious and dying.

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Djehuti: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Kwin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Zombies: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Bold are up. Map coming soon.

Here is the map.

Djehuti stands his ground, calling out the words of power to summon a huge ball of flame right in front of the closest zombies.

Flaming Sphere, positioned 2 squares north of Koshu, adjacent to 2 zombies. Hopefully this isn't right on top of an unconscious servant; if it is I'll re-place the Sphere.

Heh, Plants vs Zombies. :)

Throwing his drink aside with a crash, Koshukhep barrelled toward the undead, as if to crash into them - but at the last moment, he leapt up and over them...

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

...flipping to land by the injured servants. He hoisted them both onto his shoulders, and snarled at the zombies, prepared to bull his way out if necessary.

Not sure where the servants are, so I took a bit of creative license. Obviously, he won't jump straight into Djehuti's flaming sphere.

Not sure where the servants are, so I took a bit of creative license. Obviously, he won't jump straight into Djehuti's flaming sphere.

No problem. Torin, Ahmed, Izra, and Kwin are still up.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

As Koshu moves in for the wounded servants, Ahmed moves to cover his escape with them. He slashes at one of the zombies, but it comes across as more of an attempt to hold them off, rather than an actual attack.

Zombies....The bane of archers everywhere.

Torin barks a cry of surprise, swings out his bow and fires a couple of arrows at one of the zombies.

Pew: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 9
Pew: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

He sinks a shaft to the fletchings, but the zombie doesn't seem to notice.

Izra cursed, as she realized that her lovely dress and jewels weren't going to give her much in the way of protection against the undead threat. Worse was the realization that most of her specialized gear was also out of reach. Most of it would not have gone well with her dress, and there weren't many places to hide those kinds of things in this outfit.

Still, she wasn't completely defenseless, nor was she without some ability to send the things back to their graves. But it wasn't going to be easy, either.

"Kwin, cut them!" She called out, while reaching to pull a wand from where she'd had it strapped to her inner thigh under the dress. At the same time, she silently called on her goddess. Izra's eyes flared a bright blue, as the shadows in the room, rather than be driven away by the light of her eyes, seemed to coalesce and converge upon her. In the space of a few breaths, Izra's form was replaced by a flickering shadow and two blue flames where her eyes once were.

Move Action to use Combat Advice and give Kwin +2 to attack. Standard to cast Protective Penumbra, and activate her 50% miss chance. If she can also pull out her wand of CLW, cool. If not (it is hidden, after all), that's fine, just fluff it up, and she'll draw it next round.

"My pleasure!" Kwin cried in response, thankful for having brought his best rapier because of its fancy hilt and pommel. He'd anticipated showing off; he hadn't expected to be fighting.

"Alright, you lot!" rang out over the shing! of his blade being hastily drawn. "That's a little too literal for 'party crashing!' "

He's going to leap up on the last chair because that's the swashbuckly thing to do. However, if he can spring onto the nearest one and leap from seat to seat to get there, all the better. Here are rolls for bouncing off the first two, and balancing on the third for the strike.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Rapier, Precise Strike: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 4 + 1 = 7 Bah!
Add if Crit: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Menacing Swordplay (Intimidate): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 I don't think Demoralize works on undead anyway?

Man, I wish there was some sort of timestamp showing what rolls were made when. The above makes it look like I burned the Acrobatics rolls to get to the 18 for a critical. :o(

On the other hand, for character consistency he only brought his rapier, which is a piercing weapon, so...

Also, of course Izra's +2 boost (thank you!) would go on a roll that's critical-range anyway. Sigh.

Torin fires into the undead horde. One of his arrows lands, but doesn't seem to do much damage.

Zombie Reflex DC 17: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16; Close, but no cigar.
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 3) = 10

Djehuti summons a flaming sphere that nearly consumes one of the zombies. Since we're using a grid, the 5-foot diameter spell can't hit two targets.

Ahmed moves forward and slashes at one of the zombies. But he just slightly misjudges the attack and can't quite land.

Izra covers herself in shadows and offers advice to Kwin. Need a move action to draw the wand. So next round.

Koshukhep launches himself forward to protect the injured servants. And then finally Kwin nearly decapitates one of the zombies.

The zombies shuffle along. One zombie moves out of the flaming sphere and approaches Djehuti. While two of them attack Kwin.

Slam vs. Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16; Hit!
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Slam vs. Kwin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19; Hit!
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The zombies slam their powerful fists into the swashbuckler.

Round 1

Torin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Djehuti: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Ahmed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Izra: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Koshukhep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Kwin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Zombies: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Suri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Suri is up first, then everyone else. Kwin is at HP 15/32.

Torin plunks a couple of more arrow in one of the damaged zombies:

Pew: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 14
Damage?: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 12

Pew: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 21
Damage?: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13

Koshukhep prepares to bull his way out of the crowd of zombies, carrying the injured servants.

Acrobatics?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21