Ziggurat of Lost Souls: Mummy's Mask in the Burnt World of Athas

Game Master Thackery Baxter J Thorington

Darzus would like to manifest Entangling Debris but 1. I need to see more accurate positions for guards on the map and 2. is there enough stuff laying around on the ground for this to be possible? desert-y plans or completely barren and rocky? junk left-behind by the caravan goers?

so sorry!!! Map is updated now. there's enough garbage on the sands (rocks, broken equipment, scrub plants, bones, etc) to make for sufficient entangling debris.

np! I’ll look at the map and log my action shortly when I get home

Darzus watches as the guards approach. In his mind he starts to move random bits of flotsam around on the desert surface until it creeps up around the threatening guards. He maintains a continuous concentration to orchestration the movement of it all to entangle and slow their attackers. His ears twitch ever-so-slightly, mirroring the swirling and gathering of the objects.

Manifest entangling debris, Reflex DC 16 or entangled. Half-speed movement through. If entangled, DC 20 STR or acrobatics to break free and move half speed as a full-round action. Every round, attempt to re-entangle those in range (reflex save again). Duration, concentration, up to 1m (10 rounds).

Sienna stands, leaning on her spear, near the fire pit. She lazily sprinkles a few droplets of water around in a rough circle as the approach commences.

Leading off with bless for the usual +1 to attack rolls and saves vs. fear.

Round 1

Like a stampede, the treacherous guards round the crodlu, falchions raised and ready to strike. Bug stands still against the onslaught, weapons drawn and ready to defend herself should the need arise. But, its handler still has not give the order to strike, and, so, it waits.

Badr and Rilkus cut around the swaying thri-kreen, fists and sword ready. Badr cuts at a guard, but the warrior's chitin armor is too thick and knife scrapes along the guard's arm. But, as Badr ducks low for his strike, Rilkus jumps up and slams his fist into the guard's unprotected jaw. The mul feels the satisfying crunch of bone shattering, and the warrior's mouth swells and hangs at an odd angle. The man howls in pain clutching at his ruined mouth

At the rear, Darzus watches as the guards approach. In his mind he starts to move random bits of flotsam around on the desert surface until it creeps up around the threatening guards. He maintains a continuous concentration to orchestration the movement of it all to entangle and slow their attackers. His ears twitch ever-so-slightly, mirroring the swirling and gathering of the objects.

Darzus' mind grabs hold of the swirling mass of rubbish strewn about the sands, and they fly up, wrapping about the limbs and arms of the guards. One stays free and drags himself free of the teaming mass of ruin and starts running towards Darzus. But, the others are lost in the mire. The ruin is so thick and strange that even the guard who stands next to Badr and Rilkus cannot strike either with his blade!

End of Round 1. Start Round 2. EVERYONE UP.

Darzus continues his concentration on the chaotic orchestra of debris. Again it swells at the guards, threatening to keep them entangled and slowed.

concentrate to maintain, standard action

Unentangled guard is out of the area, so no effect there. The rest remain entangled. Rikus and Badr move slower in the area, but Darzus obviously won't have the debris entangle them.

As he maintains his hold on the writhing debris he starts gliding in the direction of Sienna, passes her and settles near Bug.

40', move action

As Darzus continues to orchestrate the entangling mess he realizes something must be done about the guard who wasn't detained in his telekinetic trap.

He looks down at bug, gently taps one of his claws, and once he has its attention slowly directs the tapping hand to point toward the loose guard.

In his best Kreen approximation he clicks the word for "Attack!", attempting to intonate urgency with the speed of the clicks.

Bug knew that word. Well, she knew a word that sounded like that one. It might be that the softskin was just making sounds and sometimes making words on accident like the other larger softskin.

Still, this didn't seem like a coincidence. They were being attacked, and the one with his leash was saying attack.

Why did he say that word? If he wants me to fight why am I still on the lead? Why did he not use the other word.

Not quite sure what to do, Bug moved ahead of Darzus to the extent of her leash.

Full Defense.

Badr moves away from the entangling debris and strikes at guard #2.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Seeing the guards become entangled, Rilkus stepped back and pulled a flask from his belt. He downed it, and shook as the alchemical properties went to work shooting adrenaline through his body.

5ft Step back, mutagen! +2 AC, +4 Dex. Ref is now +7, AC is 21

”CLICK!!!!”

Round 2

His foe started fora second, shocked to see such a brutish warrior with profound cunning. It's all the opening Badr needs, and he slips his blade deep inside the guard's side, past the chitinous plates of his armor. He is rewarded with the human's blood staining the sands red. The guard howls in savage fury and swings at the knife master. But, Ninshabur's slave is too quick , and he ducks beneath the blade with ease.

The free guard, seeing Darzus pull away, diverts course and charges Bug. But, the thri kreen is too quick, and easily sidesteps such a clumsy blow.

ENd of round 2. I'll update the map when i'm home. Stupid work and stupid Roll20 and stupid needing a job to provide money for home, food, and gaming. I don't care about the first two, but that last one is important!

As bug advances away from him, Darzus notices that the leash becomes taut. As soon as he notices he drops the leash!

Continue concentrating on entangling debris, standard action

Sienna moves up around behind Badr and closes in on the unfortunate guard, jabbing with her spear to support the knife-man.

Shortspear attack, bless: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Shortspear damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Map updated. I teleported characters to fit the actual places they're supposed to be.

As soon as the leash dropped Bug launched into a shocking display of violence.

5' adjust, full attack the guard in front of me

Claw 1, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (6) = 7

Claw 2, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (4) = 7

Claw 3, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (3) = 5

Claw 4, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Bonus crit damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Rilkus went to throw a punch...and stopped in mid Strike, staring at Bug in surprise, horror and respect.

Sneak Attack with 5x primary natural attacks is brutal!

Badr sneak attacks the guard.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2) = 4

Round 3]

Bug flies into action as the guard attacks it. Its claws glisten in the light of the campfire as she rakes them across the guards shocked face, and plunges one deep into his side. The guard howls in pain as one of his eyes bursts beneath the thri-kreen dagger-like finger while two others thrust deep into his side, nearly disemboweling him. Still, somehow, he remains standing, despite pieces of himself hanging from his open wounds. His cuts quickly in front of him, taking bug deep in the thorax. The thri-kreen's yellow-green blood flows freely on the sand, and Bug collapses, twitching and barely clinging to life.

Beside the thri-kreen, Badr and Sienna strike out at the guard, but their steps are slowed but he blood-slicked sands, and neither can land a solid blow against the guard's chitin armor.

Rilkus, as well finds his footing unsure, tossed about by the shifting sands and debris held tight by Darzus' will. Just in time, he dodges beneath a wicked slash, only to land a glancing blow against the guard's greaves that does little more than dull the chitin's finish.

Darzus stands firm in the back by the caravan, mind rigidly holding the guards in place with his will.

End of Round 3. Start Round 4. Everyone UP

Well that was quick.

Thri-Kreen do not fear death the way most softskins do. Their minds just aren't wired for it. They struggle with the concepts of selfishness or individualism. For the same reasons, they struggle with the idea of selflessness as well. Dying protecting a hive isn't an honor. It isn't glorious. It isn't admirable. It is just normal.

So when Bug gave what she expected to be her very last breath in another vicious attack, it wasn't special to her. It was just her nature.

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8 Plus DC 13 Fort save vs Poison (1d2 dex damage on failed save)

And now I'm at -1 and Bleeding.

Stablize DC 10: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 2 - 1 = 19

Bug is unconscious and stable.

Well, with four guards entangled it appears to be worth it to continue to slow them down while we get things under control.

Darzus watches in awe as bug eviscerates one of the guards. He's suddenly not so keen on ever taking the leash back...

He then returns his gaze to the guards caught in his "net." They appear to be relatively kept at bay for now, and he continues to concentrate on enclosing them and slowing their escape.

Maintain concentration, standard action.

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Finding his footing as Bug went down, Rilkus delivered a savage kick to the guard’s groin.

Shortspear attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 1 = 17
Shortspear damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

A bit more desperate, Sienna lunges forward and stabs at the guard again, though out of the corner of her eye she sees that the Bug has collapsed and she's already a bit worried.

Badr again sneak attacks the guard.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (7) = 12

Round 4

So when Bug gave what she expected to be her very last breath in another vicious attack, it wasn't special to her. It was just her nature. Her mandibles neatly hamstring the guard and he falls to the earth, his leg suddenly giving out on him. He looks up in time to see Sienna's spear from the left, and Badr's knife from the right, thrusting down on him, ending him quickly.

His useless corpse falls to the red sands, as Rilkus renews his attack against his own guard.

The mul gladiator's body has been honed to a deadly weapon through years of conflict and battling for his life on the sands. He favors his fists, but his feet are just as lethal. The gladiator pulls back and launches a powerful kick into the guard's groin. He feels a satisfying pop as he feels something burst beneath his foot. The guard clutches his ruined nethers and retches

At the far end of the melee, one of the guards rips his legs free of the writhing mass of sand and garbage.

End of round 4. Start Round 5. EVERYONE UP

Sienna kneels in the sand and taps the bug with two damp fingertips. Against an exoskeleton, it's barely noticeable - there's no pressure and no sensation of pain. A tiny hint of moisture, but not so much as to seep through the pores and cause mold to set in. Yet from that simple touch comes a welter of emotion. Flowing blood - ichor - the life that pumps inside of the thri-kreen. A sensation of restfulness, like a day when there is... simply nothing left to do; no way to be industrious for the hive. A feeling of caring, like the hive going across the battlefield at the end of a hunt and finding the wounded and carrying them back to the hive so that they can recover.

Bug's injuries are severe enough that the hive would normally leave her in the sands to be eroded and to die. Yet with one simple touch this human has lifted her up - with some kind of inner power. And in that motion, she says without words, your life has meaning to me.

Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Converted from shield of faith.

Bug's antennae twitched and her head snapped up. It was hard to tell what she was looking at or what she was thinking, but she faced Sienna for a moment and paused. She chirped, though what she meant was anyone's guess.

Then she was moving again. Her habit of going from stillness to frantic blitz with nothing in between was unnerving to watch.

Stand up. Move toward the next target. I'll adjust myself on the map once I'm not on my phone.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Surrender! One of you has already died at our hands, and the rest will follow if you continue to atack us." Rilkus yelled this out, loud and clear. If anyone wasn't aware of this brawl, they certainly were now.

Well...that probably didn't work...but at least now when the dwarf comes we have an extra reason to claim innocence in this.

[dice=Intimidate]1d20+4

"Surrender! One of you has already died at our hands, and the rest will follow if you continue to atack us." Rilkus yelled this out, loud and clear. If anyone wasn't aware of this brawl, they certainly were now.

Well...that probably didn't work...but at least now when the dwarf comes we have an extra reason to claim innocence in this.

probably not, but I like your approach. Someone else with ranks in this can try too :)

Darzus will continue concentrating, I'll post again for the round if I find a use for his move/swift action(s)

Gonna wait for Badr before updating tomorrow

Badr moves to attack the guard whom has broken free of the entanglement if he continues the fight. ”Surrender now, while you still can!”

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Yay! Posts! Ok, i'll update tonight @ home (danged 6 hour time difference and "work"

Round 5

As Darzus maintains his hold on the sands about the guards, Sienna kneels in the sand and taps the bug with two damp fingertips. Against an exoskeleton, it's barely noticeable - there's no pressure and no sensation of pain. A tiny hint of moisture, but not so much as to seep through the pores and cause mold to set in. Yet from that simple touch comes a welter of emotion. Flowing blood - ichor - the life that pumps inside of the thri-kreen. A sensation of restfulness, like a day when there is... simply nothing left to do; no way to be industrious for the hive. A feeling of caring, like the hive going across the battlefield at the end of a hunt and finding the wounded and carrying them back to the hive so that they can recover.

Bug's injuries are severe enough that the hive would normally leave her in the sands to be eroded and to die. Yet with one simple touch this human has lifted her up - with some kind of inner power. And in that motion, she says without words, your life has meaning to me.

Bug's antennae twitched and her head snapped up. It was hard to tell what she was looking at or what she was thinking, but she faced Sienna for a moment and paused. She chirped, though what she meant was anyone's guess.

Then she was moving again. Her habit of going from stillness to frantic blitz with nothing in between was unnerving to watch. Badr follows, flanking the guard with Bug. But, he strikes only sand.

Up in the fray, Rilkus continues the fight with the guards. "Surrender! One of you has already died at our hands, and the rest will follow if you continue to attack us." Rilkus yelled this out, loud and clear. If anyone wasn't aware of this brawl, they certainly were now. The guard laughs at Rilkus' boast and returns a blow himself. The blow strikes true, but it bounces off the mul's hardened skin.

Shortspear, blessed: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 15

Sienna advances on the guard surrounded by both Bug and Badr, and jabs with her spear in tandem with Badr's strikes.

Using my attack to Aid Badr, so he gets a +2 on his next attack roll.

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Narrowly avoiding being cut, Rilkus tried to respond with a punch...but the guard had the reach advantage and it was hard to close the gap lest he be entangled too.

Bug leaped on the the guard who had just dodged Badr's blade. Her claws were a blur.

Claw 1, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

Claw 2, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

Claw 3, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Claw 4, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5

Badr, thanks for being my flanking buddy in this fight.

Darzus watches in shock as bug jumps from nearly completely still to a blur of rapid, jagged motions that effectively slice and tear at his targeted guard.

Yet, he keeps it together and maintains his concentration.

This works so well I fear it's all I'll be doing in some battles :D

Darzus watches in shock as bug jumps from nearly completely still to a blur of rapid, jagged motions that effectively slice and tear at his targeted guard.

Yet, he keeps it together and maintains his concentration.

This works so well I fear it's all I'll be doing in some battles :D

Ya.. i'm really surprised at how effective it is.. it's almost OP for a 1st level thing. But, it also eats up your action each round, so it's balanced?

The guards are quite skilled, given they are +8 to hit. They are also 2d4+5 damage, average of 7. So just about any of us will go down in 2 hits. Given their accuracy and our relatively high ACs, they'll hit 1/2 of the time. If all 5 of them could swarm us, by my estimation we'd have a PC go out of action each round, especially with the 18-20 crit range.

Darzus has managed to keep these guards pinned down, so we only need to fight 2 at a time. That's huge for us, as it is given us a fighting chance of either killing or driving off these guards.

Long story short? Darzus is the MVP so far. However, everyone is pulling their weight with their respective party roles. Rilkus is tanking one of the guards fairly well. Badr and Bug are flanking buddies, doing an insane amount of DPS. Sienna is keeping us alive. All in all? I'd say that this is a tense situation, but it's working out well...for now.

Thanks for the analysis! Balancing DS is a bit challenging. You're all the equivalent of 3rd level starting out... (or at least, CR 3 monsters) but you've only got 1 hit die. So, it's a fine line between KILL YOU DEAD and you curbstomp through things. I'm still fine-tuning things, but i think i'll have it right in a combat or 2.

But, I totally agree, everyone is vital to these fights. kudos!

Lol, deleted that post because I was moving it to the discussion thread. And based on my number crunching, I was going to guess that we were fighting lvl 3 fighters. Glad to see that I was on the mark!

[ooc]I'll update when I get Badr, so I'm not leaving him behind. Tomorrow at the latest (i hope)]/ooc]

When Sienna distracts the guard Badr lunges for the kill.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (5) = 9

When Sienna distracts the guard Badr lunges for the kill.

[dice=Attack] 1d20 + 4 + 2 +2
[dice=Damage] 1d4 + 1 + 1d8

So far Rilkus has found that kicking them between the legs seems to be fatal. Now that we've discovered their weak spot, sneak attack them!

Round 6

Darzus watches in shock as bug jumps from nearly completely still to a blur of rapid, jagged motions that effectively slice and tear at his targeted guard.

Yet, he keeps it together and maintains his concentration. His efforts pay off, despite the strain, and Rilkus feels the crunch of more bones beneath his fists. The guard's eyes flutter, and he knows the man is not long for this world.

The thri-kreen spins, claws and mandibles flashing in the light from the torches. Badr's knife sings as it cuts through the air. Just ahead of him, Sienna thrust with her spear, distracting the guard long enough to create an opening. They strike with ease, parting flesh and drawing blood beneath the guard's chitin armor. He howls in pain, nearly falling to the sands. Still, he struggles to his feet to take a swipe at Badr, that he easily dodges.

Bug was relentless. She continued her flurry of brutality with no thought given to offering surrender.

Claw 1, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (6) = 9

Claw 2, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (6) = 9

Claw 3, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (5) = 8

Claw 4, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Bite, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (1) = 4

If he falls during an earlier attack, Bug doesn't stop. Every attack goes to this guy even if he drops.

If he does go down, bug 5' adjusts toward the next closest target.

Bug was relentless. She continued her flurry of brutality with no thought given to offering surrender.

[dice=Claw 1, flanking]1d20+6+2
[dice=Damage]1d3+1d6

[dice=Claw 2, flanking]1d20+6+2
[dice=Damage]1d3+1d6

[dice=Claw 3, flanking]1d20+6+2
[dice=Damage]1d3+1d6

[dice=Claw 4, flanking]1d20+6+2
[dice=Damage]1d3+1d6

[dice=Bite, flanking]1d20+6+2
[dice=Damage]1d3+1d6

If he falls during an earlier attack, Bug doesn't stop. Every attack goes to this guy even if he drops.

If he does go down, bug 5' adjusts toward the next closest target.

Did a quick check, Bug's action will kill the guard.

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Rilkus barely avoided being impaled by a javelin, ducked beneath the blade, and jabbed his fist up at the man’s jaw. This was a life or death situation, and he was barely hanging on due to adrenaline, luck, and perhaps fate.

The guards continue to struggle in the thriving mess, as Darzus keeps the whole area in his mind at once. A guard breaks his hand free, and the elf activates a separate nearby vine to simply entrap it again. He continues this endless sequence to frustrate the three guards.

Darzus takes a step closer to bug and Sienna while continuing to concentrate on entangling the guards.

It ends after round 10

Given the holiday, i'll wait until tomorrow for Badr and Sienna's actions