A Push of the Fates.... Zakhara... You Jewel!

Game Master Insnare

Ibn Taaib puts the tax-book into his side-pack, and carries his medium horse lance. He nods at Paritosh, but is suspicious of the pile.

From a safe distance, at from behind the entrance of the room, he pokes the nearest pile of gold coins with his long weapon.

Sheikh saving throw 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 pass.

What happened?

The shiekh pokes a pile of gold coins and knocks on to the floor.

Frackit goes over with a pair of holding tweezers he picks up a piece of coinage and begins to inspect it.

What do I see?

Frackit saving throw 1d20 ⇒ 16

Give me an Appraisal check

Appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 9
I believe my Appraise is 14

I did warn them, but perhaps I was too specific?

I did warn them, but perhaps I was too specific?

Its why I used small tongs! LOL

Zairiah looks on, wondering if the coins are as dangerous as they seem.

The shiekh pokes a pile of gold coins and knocks on to the floor. The fact that there was impact was indicative of something, surely.

@DM: Sassy.

I did warn them, but perhaps I was too specific?

If there is anything I'm getting from AD&D, it is to be bold but cautious, and to not accept things as they first appear. I'm going to rely on Frackit from here on out.

Wasn't trying to be sassy. I am following the coins as they are described.

Frackit

Frackit looks to Zairiah"Zairiah, you said you are a merchant correct? Well This gold weighs more like Copper. I believe it is more like copper?" The gnome says as he holds up the coin in his tiny tongs.

"Food that isn't food, now gold that isn't gold," Nura mutters to herself. "This whole place reeks of djinn-magic."

Zairiah is relieved that the coins are proved to be fake.

Ah, copper, yes that makes sense. Not a pure illusion, but just a tweak to make copper look like gold. Still, I would avoid touching it in general. Copper isn't worth the risk.

Unless anyone else wants to try their luck, my character continues to the next unexplored area, as previously stated.

In front of what is written as 10a on the map, you see a large double doored portico with flowered tiles of blue and indigo the doors are large enough for an elephant to walk through, there are intricate crests and shapes and designs on the walls leading to this room but the doors are locked.

@DM: My mistake, I meant to ask if I felt something with the successful saving throw, not whether something physically happened.

Ibn Taaib observes the designs on the walls, still thinking of the false food and false gold.

"When I delivered Paritosh to the hakeem Mahala and told him of the dangers we faced, he quoted the Eleven Baneful Gates. Could it be that each threat in this palace is associated with one of the eleven gates to gain immortality?"

@Party: The ghul statue (1), skeletons (2), the imam (3), the mirrors (4), the statues (5), the banquet (6), the gold (7). Each of these seem to be traps or threats that might be linked to the wisdoms of the Loregiver.

@DM: Can I roll a religion check to identify the baleful gates?

You did not physically touch the coin with your hand but rather your lance, there is a chance you may have. It is hard with saving throws, is it like you are walking in a room and you hear someone sniffle and three days later you feel good and you are like man, I guess I rolled higher than whatever on my saving throw. You could look at the map too. You can totally roll vs Religion or History.

History (nonproficient): 1d20 ⇒ 18
Religion must roll under 14: 1d20 ⇒ 4

I'm not sure if I can roll if not proficient or if I suffer a penalty, but here is my history and religion.

That sounds possible, although... we'd still have to remain on guard even if we counted to 11, just in case. And what about the roses of forgetfulness? How do you decide what trap is associated with what gate?

Zairiah checks for traps, then attempts to unlock the door.

Find/Remove Traps (75%): 1d100 ⇒ 12
Find/Remove Traps (75%): 1d100 ⇒ 55 (in case one is there and I need to remove it first)
Open Locks (95%): 1d100 ⇒ 33

"I have tools to aid in protecting me from direct touch. Jewelers tools, Scout tools, Trap makers Tools, Lock picks. A few other things."Frackit says as he wipes the edge of his tongs off with a small cloth.

Sheikh

Zairiah checks for traps and finds none and then she is successful in unlocking the doors, Azaltin may have been extremely rich but ancient locks are no match for Zairiah's skill.

The doors open inwards and you are greeted by the smell of rosewood and jasmine. The walls are decked out with wooden carvings of the foundation of the Zakharan pantheon although in a bit more vulgar way than you would see in a modern mosque in say Muluk or Qadib. For those who follow Najm, in this incarnation Najm is represented as a woman not as a man. The walls do have some cracks from whatever caused the palace to collapse. Peculiarly, there is some dust present but not much. The floors are all sky blue marble and there is a stagnant fountain.

Lining the walls are cushions and divans. There is a door leading to the left and a door to the front.

Before Zairiah unlocks the door.

And what about the roses of forgetfulness? How do you decide what trap is associated with what gate?

Ibn Taaib thinks, having forgotten about the roses. Pun intended

He then recalls a wisdom taught to him by his muaalim [teacher] in the mosques of Kor nearly thirty years ago, finally understanding whom it referred to.

He speaks, "Wisdom eluded the great sultan. Told he was of the gates that clove the world of Flesh from the world of Spirit--Man from god, mortal from immortal. Gate after gate, each barring the way, holding away knowledge sacred and sacrigilous: Death comes first, the Lions the second, with Oblivion following behind. Gate of Piety purges the soul, as Vanity cloaks one reborn, and Gluttony is stripped next. The blood-gate of Violence opens after, and mortal Greed now fades away, leaving the mind to go free. Knowledge and Love Profane, then Sacred, are the last to overcome, and the passage is done."

He contemplates, and says, "The ghul's idol reeks of death, the soldiers are as a pride of lions," he considers. He asks to see the rod of Azaltin from Zairiah, and studies it, before declaring with a triumphant smile. "Lions are engraved upon the rod!
"The roses near the fountain form the Gate of Forgetfulness, the Gate of Piety is the dead imam. The broken mirrors are of Vanity, and Gluttony is the feast. The animated constructs are of Violence, and the room ere now was of Greed, and Knowledge we took from the library."

He pauses, and says, "That leaves Love Profane and Love Sacred, before the passage to immortality is complete."

After Zairiah unlocks the door
The door opens to the sweet scent of perfume and sacrigilous carvings of the Zakharan pantheon. Ibn Taaib narrows his eyes, and says, "And Love Profane lies before us...be wary."

Damn I'm good!
@DM: Does this look like a harem chamber?

"You people talk a lot." Paritosh considered, "on second thought, sometimes action gets one off to town a-camelback to be healed of poison." He smiled, "still, action is more fun than talk. Keep opening the doors Zairiah, we shall never end our task until all of the doors are open."

They are pre-enlightenment carvings. maybe. Do you continue in this room or go to the room to the room on the side or straight forward?

Zairiah checks the door to the left.

Find/Remove Traps (75%): 1d100 ⇒ 82

Zairiah opens the door to the left and inside is a beautiful room with mosaics showing all of the trees you have ever seen in a forest with oranges, pomegranates and flowers of all types. The rafters and beams seem to be gilded and there is a pool with cool water in the center where there are divans lining to the side.

And from one of the divans on the side, there is a loud yawn and you see a demure beautiful woman wearing the clothing of someone from before the Enlightenment and she speaks in Chun,

Zairiah doesn't understand what the woman is saying, but is absolutely convinced this is a bad thing. Perhaps another illusion? She raises her bow, but hesitates to shoot immediately. Instead she backs up, keeping her weapon up, and waits for someone to translate.

What is that? Do you recognize the words?

"I do not know what she speaks, but even if she was asking me to carry her off and marry her, I would not. She is likely as poison as the honey was."

Waiting to see if someone else wants to chime in, but if no one does, my character is going to go ahead and shoot her before she can get close enough to harm anyone.

She's just sitting right now, right? No effort to stand was implied or stated?

She is stretching as if she had awoken from a long slumber but still on the divan.

Reaction roll + groomed: 2d10 - 8 ⇒ (1, 2) - 8 = -5
Sounds like a great first impression!

Ibn Taaib raises his hand to lower Zairiah's bow. "She is no foe, but a victim as the skeletal soldiers. She is the sultana of Al-Anhwar, and she was asleep for four hundred years, cursed by Zeenab, the treacherous vizier."

The sheikh approaches and lowers his lance, putting his hand over his heart and lowering his eyes, addressing the woman in the ancient tongue of Chun, his bearing marking his Station as a clear leader of Men. "Greetings Sultana, I am Amr Ibn Taaib of Bani Ghurab, and I fear I bear thee tidings both glad and bad. Cursed was thee, though now freed, but four-hundred odd years have passed since Amakim launched his coup against thy husband, Sultan Azaltin. Awaken now to a new world, for Al-Anhwar is no more."

Zairiah steps back when the sheikh tries to touch her bow, keeping it raised and pointing at the woman. She thinks he is insane for trusting anything in this place, but she waits to see what happens.

But they are skeletal, and she is not. Surely she is not human.

When the sheikh advances, moving between her and the woman, she lowers her bow, but keeps it to hand, wondering what is going on.

Sheikh

The woman smiles sweetly and a little startled when the sheikh speaks and says in Chun

Sheikh

Ibn Taaib raises his eyes in alarm, recognizing the lies and the scent of sorcery.

“Wicked lies,” he spits in anger in the tongue of Chun. ”Ye were never a wife, foul temptress.
“Love profane is she,” he says in Medani. He turns to his party, unsheathing his sword. “Zairiah, strike true! She lies, and is another trial to test us!”

Ibn Taaib takes central position to defend the party and radiate his defensive aura, raising his shield in preparation for combat.

Combat it is, then. Great call, Zairiah!

Initiative: Party 1d10 ⇒ 1, Woman 1d10 ⇒ 5 she gets initiative

ROund 1
She switches to Midani and switches her attention to Paritosh, "Can't you see what is going on here, they are trying to attack me the Sultan's wife unprovoked."

She casts Suggestion, Saving throw 1d20 ⇒ 14, fail. And she hides behind Paritosh subtly petting his neck and whispering in his ear.

Party

Round 1 (attack rate 3/2)
The sheikh dashes forward, his riding boots heedlessly stamping over fine silken rugs and upon polished tiles, approaching the witch from the side behind Paritosh. He knows stories of witches and sorcerers who use their power for evil, bending the minds of people against their comrades, and that they feared not god nor man.

"Curse thee, foul sorceress!" he shouts in anger, swinging his scimitar in a hostile cut, striking to kill. "Paritosh, get away from her!"

Attack, THAC0 16 w/scimitar: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (4) = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

@Paritosh: Please don't turn evil.

Frackit will usher a prayer. As he does he speaks in the weird words of ancient gnome, power infusing his words as he presents his gold nugget forward. As he does he points his other hand at Ibn and finishes as he will then begin to fumble with is sling.

Cast Bless, Ibn gets +1 to attack rolls and to save v. fear

Nura draws her scimitar, going for the temptress.

Scimitar vs. Temptress: 14 - 1d20 ⇒ 14 - (7) = 7 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

My bad, I used a wrong formula and should’ve used 16-1d20. There is a 4-point (or 5 point after applying bless) difference to increase my accuracy

The formula is THAC0 - d20- whatever bonus you have on the weapon, so if your THAC0 is 16 and you have a plus 1 sword and then bless. 16-1d20-1-1.

Zairiah wishes she would have trusted herself and fired sooner, but she steps to the side so that she won't harm Paritosh, and shoots at whatever is pretending to be the Sultan's long-dead wife.

Attack (Shortbow): 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (2) = 14
Damage (Sheaf Arrow): 1d8 ⇒ 7

Paritosh and Fadilah

Paritosh's chest puffs up a bit, as his purpose becomes clear, "I shall protect you Sultana!" He stares at Sheikh, surprised that the man would make such an effort to harm such a woman as this.

"Your actions against the Sultana are unforgivable," he cries out, as he strikes at Sheikh, keeping his body between the Sultana and the party...

Khopesh Attack: 17 - 1d20 - 2 - 1 ⇒ 17 - (7) - 2 - 1 = 7 Factor: 9; 3/2
Khopesh Damage: 2d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 + 2 = 10 Type: S

Zairiah, the Sheikh and Paritosh miss their attacks.

Nura hits the woman with her sword who says, "Demon's blood, delicious...

Fadilah uses her Staff of the see with water blast hitting the women with two strikes of water 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4, 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 saving throw for Netari 1d20 ⇒ 4 fail.

Abdalla attacks the woman as well 13 - 1d20 ⇒ 13 - (1) = 12 with his scimitar critical failure, his scimitar slips out of his hand slides across the floor.

She says, "Do you believe it that woman blinded me." she puts her hands on Paritosh to steady her balance and slinks to his side away from Nura.

She then says,"If I am blind so shall you." the entire room is covered in darkness.

Initiative Party 1d10 ⇒ 3, Enemy 1d10 ⇒ 5

Round 2

She wipes her eyes 1d20 ⇒ 17

She then says, "Keep us safe, young man!"

It is pitch black in and around Paritosh and you have lost track of Netari
Party

Zairiah, still shooting from the side where she had moved in order to not hit Paritosh, aims at the source of Netari's voice who she can hear clearly.

Not sure how miss chance in 2e works if you are aiming at something you can hear and not see, or if there is a chance of hitting Paritosh instead, so you'll have to roll for those because I don't know what that roll would be.

Attack (Shortbow): 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (18) = -2
Damage (Sheaf Arrow): 1d8 ⇒ 8

The sheikh raises his shield to block the axe-like strike of Paritosh's khopesh, sending sparks flying. He grits his teeth in frustration as the fiend evaded his sword-strike.

"Devilry!" Ibn Taaib shouts as he takes a step back, as darkness bloomed as a black flower, covering the place in a shroud. Silence followed the blackness.

@DM: Can I use detect evil to sense where she is and attack her, seeing through the detect effect?

For the ranged attack there is a -4 to hit but due to the way she is on Paritosh, I will roll to see if it hits him anyways. 1 out of 2 hits Paritosh 1d2 ⇒ 2, misses Paritosh, @Sheikh you can use your sense evil thingy but that will take your round because it is a full round action because of concentration

Round 2 (attack rate 3/2)

Ibn Taaib whispers a prayer in the darkness, and slowly, a dark presence made itself apparent to his senses. He holds his shield close until he can fully sense the demon, and readies himself.
This attack takes place when he can make one, next round (or whenever he can make use of the 3/2 attacks).

Round 3 (attack rate 3/2)
16 - 1d20 - 1 ⇒ 16 - (20) - 1 = -5 Natural 20!
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

I think I can get off two attacks since 3/2, please ignore this roll if I need to make an attack each round.
16 - 1d20 - 1 ⇒ 16 - (10) - 1 = 5
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10