Saga of the Sages

Game Master Nathanael Love

Zarisha continues to slam into the sarcophagus with her ectoplasmic manifestations.

Form: Ectoplasmic (DR/5 slashing)

Pirro invests Penthesilea with more knowledge of the ancients before moving around the crypt towards Kenji.

Guidance on Penthesilea

Nadric stabs again with the rapier, trying to find that hinge that he hit the first time.

Attack, with flank?: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10
Piercing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

It proves elusive.

Round 3
Drea casts lead blades.

Zarisha hits, but does not do any damage. Yes, you can be flanking there.

Kenji swings forcefully, but misses!

Pirro casts guidance.

Penthesilea misses.

Dmitri criticals, but even then does very little damage. Again, yes, take flanking. . . and oof on those damage rolls!

Nardic misses, then the animated box strikes again, lasting out at Dmitri who hit it last. . .

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Bite Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

After a mighty bite drops Dmitri, the construct turns back to Nardic!

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Another successful strike- this animated coffin is not messing around!

Turn Order:
1. Drea 22
2. Zarisha 20
3. Kenji 18
4. Pirro 16
5. Penthesilea 11
6. Dmitri 8
7. Nardic 6
8. Sarcophagus 4

Dmitri- -4/15
Nardic- 5/17
Kenji- 18/26
Damage done to Sarcophagus 29

That brings up the party for round 4

"Oh my. The situation has grown more dire," Drea says as they step back into the fray, their blade crackling with silver energy.

Move five feet and attack.

Melee Attack, Lead Blades, Flank with Zarisha, Cold Iron: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 73d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 1, 1) + 5 = 12 ARRRRRRRGH.

Penthesilea's arms ached as she sent another pair of arrows rocketing at the damned sarcophagus.

"If you can get out of there safely, I can try to knock it down, Nardic!"

Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 9
Piercing: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 + 1 = 12
Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 16
Piercing: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 + 1 = 6

The bite of the iron sarcophagus is quite serious, dropping a mostly healthy Dmitri down to unconsciousness in one fell chomp.

The Rostlander was out before he hit the deck, blood flowing out all over the crypt floor.

Dmitri stabilize DC 10 CON: 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (11) - 6 = 5

Looks like Dmitri took 15 hp dmg, and since he already has 2hp down, he is at -6hp. Now -7 with the failed check. His CON is 10, so he may need help sooner than later.

”Stop hurting us!!!“

Greatsword, power attack : 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 1 = 8
Slashing, 2h Str 18 +6, pa +3: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 + 3 = 13

Pirro concentrates his gaze upon Dmitri and ties his spirit to his body. He then continues onward to stand behind Kenji.

Cast stabilize on Dmitri.

Zarisha wails as the swordlord falls, but she continues to pound against the stone sarcophagus.

If only I had acid instead of alchemist's fire.

Nadric suffers another painful blow and yelps. "Get out of here, you say? I think I can do that!" He waits for an opening and then backs carefully away, towards his ally Dmitri who is unconscious on the ground.

Full-round withdraw. If I move back and then around I should be able to avoid an AoO. Assuming it doesn't have reach.

Round 4
Drea misses.

Zarisha misses once, then hits.

Kenji misses.

Pirro stabilizes Dmitri.

Penthesilea misses once and hits once.

Dmitri is down and stable now.

Nardic withdraws.

The sarcophagus is looking very damaged now- all the small cracks and creases are adding up, you think one or two more good strikes could crush the whole thing, but first it lunges at Kenji!

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

But misses!

Turn Order:
1. Drea 22
2. Zarisha 20
3. Kenji 18
4. Pirro 16
5. Penthesilea 11
6. Dmitri 8
7. Nardic 6
8. Sarcophagus 4

Dmitri- -5/15
Nardic- 5/17
Kenji- 18/26
Damage done to Sarcophagus 32

That will ring up the party in round 5

Drea swings again, relying on Zarisha to provide a flank.

Melee Attack, Lead Blades, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 113d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) + 5 = 16

Not used to the heavy swing of their magically-enhanced blade, the sylph's attack clangs into the stone near the animate sarcophagus once more. Drea steps away for safety.

5 foot step away.

”Now I am agitated!!!!“

Greatsword, power attack : 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 1 = 15
Slashing, 2h Str 18 +6, pa +3: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 3 = 14

Since he can barely even put a scratch on that thing, Nadric turns his attention instead to aiding his stable but still unconscious ally. He lays a hand on Dmitri's shoulder and channels some healing energy into the man.

Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

First stabilized by Pirro, then healed by Nadric, the fallen Dmitri stirs, awakening again. Seeing his team still in combat with the sarcophgus, he reaches out to grab his blade, which lies somewhere nearby, but doesn't take any further action.

Move Action to grab blade, no other action. Prone. at 2hp, so not risking the AoO from standing at this point.

Pirro infuses Kenji with ancient wisdom.

Guidance on Kenji

The phantom of despair continues to pound upon the sarcophagus. "Either you shall crumble or my mortal allies will all die," she moans. "But it will end."

Penthesilea continues her rain of arrows, lamenting that this creature's stamina is so endless!

Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 14
Piercing: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2) + 2 + 1 = 11
Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 10
Piercing: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 + 1 = 5

Round 5
Drea misses.

Zarisha slams the object twice more, hitting both times- and the second strike cracks it, and it falls to the ground, motionless.

Assuming Nardic still uses the cure here despite combat ending.

Dmitri- 3/15
Nardic- 5/17
Kenji- 18/26

With the Sarcophagus dead, the two things left to examine are this chamber and the door to the north-- I will take two perceptions checks one for each.

Kenji seems truly relieved.

”Eventually we were able to overcome this obstacle! I am glad that I am part of your team! Let us continue to gain knowledge and try to hone our skills to become Masters ... “ he says with his hands on his holy symbol.

Drea exhales forcefully as the sarcophagus shatters.

"Infuriating. A worthy guardian, to be sure."

The sylph then moves to examine the remains of the chamber.

Perception Check on Chamber: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Perception Check on Northern Door: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Yes I would still use the cure spell after combat ends.

Nadric pants a little in the aftermath. "Alright, I admit, perhaps touching that sarcophagus was not a good idea. I'm still not sure why it suddenly came to life though."

He wanders over to search the other walls of the room, though he stays a good foot or two away so as not to even brush up against anything this time.

Perception on chamber: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Perception on door: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Barely upright, Dmitri thanks Nadric for his aid, and limps to stand next to the doors with the others.

We don't have any cure potions in the loot pile yet do we? At 2hp, which won't hold up very long if we get in another fight.

"Hold up a sec, Dmitri." Penthesilea fishes a wand from a loop on her belt and gives him a quick tap. "There, just about good as new."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

As you explore the Chamber, you come across a secret door to the east.

This leads into a small chamber where there are three mummies- household slaves.

Then, examining the door it seems to have a trap of some kind that will trigger if opened.

Dmitri bows low to the minstrel after she gives him a nice love-tap that mends most of his wounds. "Many thanks, my lady." He smiles his most rakish. "If its wounds i have to take to garner your tender affection, than lead me to the front line." He grins to show, he is mostly joking around, mostly. And helps the others as they find a secret room.

"Why bury the servants in a secret chamber when you leave all the loot out in the open," the swordsman asks to the experts.

"They are not worth displaying but are worth carrying into the afterlife," Pirro suggests to Dmitri.

The Usher concentrates upon the wrapped dead in the secret chamber for a moment before moving onward.

Cast detect magic.

"A trap. A trap, is it? We can't just leave it. We'll never know if there was something amazing behind the door. It may be nothing, but then again..." Nadric mutters privately for a few moments, and then he appears to convince himself and draws his own healing wand to mend his wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 That brings me up to 13.

He then rolls up his sleeves, brings out the tools, and carefully places his wand on the ground at his side. He makes eye contact with several of the others. "If something happens and it looks like I'm dying, use that, alright?" With that melodramatic statement out of the way, he sets to work on the trapped door.

Disable device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Drea concentrates on the trappings of the room, trying to discern the mysteries of historic import on display.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

You attempt to bypass the trap, unfortunately, it triggers!

Electricity Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

DC 15 half

After the lightning trap discharges the door opens and water begins to fill the room. . . This door leads to a upward slanting tunnel that cuts back to the surface.

Where is the water coming from? From the door and tunnel?

I'm playing it as the map has it: I'm in line of the trap's effects.

Drea hears the electric arc coming from the triggered door trap and tries to dive out of the way!

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 FAIL!

Drea zigs when they should have zagged, taking the full blast of electricity. Luckily enough, the blast seems to wash (partly) over the sylph, doing less damage than it should have.

Electricity resistance 5 takes part of the damage.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

ZAP! Nadric also takes the full blast of electricity as it arcs through him on the way to Drea. He pats himself down to make sure he's not dying, but then his eyes widen as the room starts to flood. He snatches up his wand before it can get washed away. "Sorry everyone, but- I think we need to get out of here!" He hastens into the passageway up to the surface.

yes, the water comes from the blue tunnel

"Back the way we came!" Pirro suggests with urgeancy.

Drea races out of the room.

"We can close the doors behind us! That might give us some protection from the rising water but you all need to move quickly!"

Drea waits at the doors through which they entered the chamber.

Kenji follows as he does not understand much.

Dmitri rushes with the others up the ramp back to the surface before the rising water can consume them.

Fortunately, the water only has enough to fill the Chamber immediately next to it to a depth of two feet- enough to get your boots soggy, but not enough to be dangerous.

You'll easily able to load your findings out of the tomb and back to the living city to find an inn.

Drea walks back into the room as it becomes obvious that the 'rising water' isn't rising any further.

"Of course. As I had thought. Alright everyone, let's get back to the surface with the valuables."

Notably leaving behind the gold leaf decorations on the sarcophagi.

Kenji nods.

”We learned a lot about the past. Valued knowledge that we can share with respect for the dead!“

"Knowledge, lucre, a few good tales, and an abundance of respect for the dead - that's the mark of a worthy delve!"

As you gather back in the inn, the Tooth and Hookah for the night, there are several other groups of fellow treasure hunters in the common room.

You see them milling about, telling stories of some of their conquests and captures from the day.

"Greetings, my boon companions and delvers of ancient tombs," Pirro says, entering the inn apparently alone. "That was quite the invigorating adventure. I was glad to see that there were no unquiet souls within the tomb despite prior intrusions."

Drea walks into the Tooth and Hookah alongside Pirro. Noting the other tomb raiders in attendance, the sylph moves to overhear some of the other groups' exploits.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

As you listen around the room you find several different groups.

The Cryptfinders: This group seems to be mixed of various Inner Sea residents- a Chelish cavalier, a Nexian summoner, a Qadiran cleric of Sarenrae, and their leader is a bravo named Falto from Absolom.

"We explored a tomb of an important official, and let me tell you- it was worth it! So worth it!" Falto brags.

the next group you listen in on is. . .

The Daughters of the Desert: This all female group is led by Sigrun Firehair, an Ulfen human from the Linnorn Kingdoms. She tells tales of being descended from a genie in a thick, but melodious accent. They also have a Rahadoumi cleric wearing the symbol of Iomedae, a barbarian dressed in Thuvian garb, and two veiled Osirian women who appear to be identical twins.
Sigrun talks about encountering some traps, but she is cagey and does not reveal what treasures they made have found.

"But tell me- what of your findings?" she seems very interested to learn your own exploits.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

Kenji eagerly shares ...

"Ahh, it so good to be in a tavern with like-minded knowledge-seekers. And of course that is what we gained ... I ... I just have such a bad memory. It was about a ruler ... yes ... and he had family too. And they were buried there as well. And I think there also was some treachery but ... ahh ... I cannot remember! But we had to fight a lot!" and he looks at his companions and his facial features cannot hide that he is seeking help to complete the story.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

"Well - there were a lot of bugs, for starters, but you see that shield Drea's got over there? General Akhentepi's himself!"

Kenji looks a little ashamed when Penthesilea has to cover for him.

"Yes, yes, exactly Penthesilea. It was General Akhentepi! And his family that we found and of course we were very respectful with the dead!" he says with a stern look that shows that he would have prevented anything that would have been against the rules.