Before daring the next mask, Devin casts several spells on himself
Having previously used sift to sweep the area (how he found the secret doors), now up close and personal, he checks the secret door (Sa) for traps...
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 dimdweller +2 tears to wine +2 heroism +2 Heightened Awareness
7ranks+3 trained +3 Dex+1 trait+2 MW tools
Starday, the 19th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather outside is unknown.
Probably somewhere around sunset, but unknown for certain.
----------------------------------------------
With a good idea of where they're headed to learn more about the Forgotten Pharaoh - somewhere in the tomb of the architect of the Sky Pharaoh's tomb - the party decides to continue searching this place for treasure or other clues that might assist them in their explorations. Devin searches for a trap in the vicinity of the southern secret door next to the stone mask depicting a sorrowful expression and discovers a magical trap that would fill the corridor with divine fire! But the clever half-orc bard is able to disable the trap with a few careful strokes that renders the trigger inert and then opens the door by pivoting it clockwise.
Beyond the door is a small closet, and Devin smiles wryly as he notes there is another carved expression on the opposite side of the secret door - one of surprise. Apparently the architect thought it would be quite funny for the victim of the trap to see that just before being immolated by fire... The space he beholds is apparently filled with junk - broken weapons, half-destroyed armor, broken rods of wood that might have been wands but are now useless, and the like. Apparently this closet was used to store once-important or useful bits of equipment that became damaged or otherwise nonfunctional over time.
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Devin searches the junk closet, both to find if there is anything useful in there, and as this place is secret door happy, to see if there are more hidden rooms off of the closet...
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 dimdweller +2 tears to wine +2 heroism +2 Heightened Awareness
He moves on to closely investigate the Mask of Fear, where he had previously found yet another secret door using Sift...
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 dimdweller +2 tears to wine +2 heroism +2 Heightened Awareness
7ranks+3 trained +3 Dex+1 trait+2 MW tools
Nevitash scans for evil around the area as he waits to see what Devin locates.
Elliander will also let Devin do most of the searching, helping out when he can with some Detect Magic spells if anything looks promising or suspicious. Otherwise, he keeps watch too.
Since Detect Magic is already covered, Soumral gets in with Devin to get her hands dirty with the rummaging and searching.
Francis stays out of the way since the others are doing such a great job!
Those that cast Detect Magic do find something buried under all the junk - a headband that radiates magic...
Devin, meanwhile, hums a happy little ditty "Loot, Loot, Loot, makes the boys get up and shoot..."
Francis and Elliander gather to inspect the headband, the magical aura indicating to the both of them that it will greatly enhance the intelligence of the wearer [Headband of Vast Intelligence +4]. But even as they speak about somebody trying it on, Soumral detects something... not quite right about the magical headband. The elven wizard is certain it is not what it seems... cursed, in all likelihood...
Amenhep hangs around with Elliander as the more magically inclined party-members do their searching.
He leans over to his fellow warrior and says quietly, "I've got an old Osiriani joke for you. So a jackal walks into a bar and says, 'I can't see a thing! I shall open this one."
The man frowns slightly and scratches the back of his neck a bit sheepishly, "That...that does not translate well from Osiriani. It's hard to explain."
The situation is tense in the close-quarter corridors. Traps and undead monsters about that demands their attention. Suddenly, Amenhep leans over and starts speaking to Elliander. The duskblade immediately straightens up, thinking something’s amiss and it takes a while before the paladin’s words really sinks in.
”What? A jackal? Oh! Yes, the old texts can be hard to interpret.” It’s not like he doesn’t appreciate the man’s joke once he gets it, it’s just that it came so suddenly, he wasn’t really prepared for it. Trying not to appear totally stupid, Elliander struggles to come up with something himself. ”Is it like the one where a man comes into the inn saying : I saw a wolf outside and the innkeeper replies Where? and the first man answers No, a regular one.”
Elliander scratches his chin too. ”A bit stupid really. Are there any were-jackals, by-the-way? I mean around here?”
As the jokes fly, Soumral nods to herself as she identifies the magical item - it is a cursed headband of stupidity disguised as one that would make the wearer more intelligent. A nasty surprise, for one that would don the headband - and worse, they would not realize that their intelligence had even been drained, for they would feel no different.
Devin finds no secret doors, and moves on to inspect the mask of fear. The half-orc finds the door hinge will spring a trap when the slab is pivoted open, but he finds nothing more that might indicate what the trap will do. Perhaps something is triggered on the far side, where he cannot see? It is difficult to be certain.
Unfortunately no, you have no idea how to get to the trap to disable it. You just KNOW there's a trap there...
With their apparent hesitation Francis steps up to caution. "The other traps didn't seem this hard. If they put so much effort into this one, perhaps they also made it far more dangerous? A finger of death spell, or even something as foolish as summoning a demon. We have the information that we need to proceed don't we? Is any treasure worth such a gamble?"
The door pivots on a central axis, like the others, in a clockwise rotation.
"Francis may have a point. I don't see any way of disarming this trap on the hinge from this side... We can either leave it, or figure some way of opening the door from a safe distance; either with a rope run around the corner, or perhaps a summon could do it, again, while we wait around the corner."
Soumral has no difficulty determining the true, and vicious, nature of the enchanted headwear.
"Yes, it is indeed cursed. Quite a nasty little poisoned apple it is too. If one did not take extra care, it would seem to be intended to increase the wearer's intelligence. In fact, it does exactly the opposite. What's more, the wearer would not even realize its negative effect."
"Best I hang on to this until I can determine a safe way to destroy it. It's not the sort of thing that should be left laying around for some unfortunate to find. We can't sell it for the same reason, very irresponsible. Even if we carefully informed the buyer of its danger, the buyer couldn't be trusted to do the same when they sold it."
The elven woman does smile grimly for a moment as another use occurs to her.
"I'd like to think it would be handy to have the next time some wizard or arcanist challenges us. But, how to get it onto their head? Impractical."
As for the question of the trapped and potentially impossible to disarm mask of fear, Soumral does take some time to look at the installation as a whole, rather than just specifically the hinging. Maybe there's some clue to be found structurally that suggests a means of opening it without springing the trap.
"Does anyone have the Open cantrip? Opening from the other side of the hall with magic seems like the best option if someone can do it." Nevitash says.
They seem to be stuck and it frustrates Elliander. ”Can we go back and get that lid of the sarcophagus, or some other heavy object like a bench or something, and ram it through that door to make it swivel? Any trap might attack that object instead?”
"I don't have a pulley or something to swivel a heavy object into the door without having to hold it like a battering ram." Nevitash says.
"I could try the end of my spear. Might damage it a bit, but it is enchanted."
"I could summon a spiritual weapon to strike the door. It would likely set off the trap and show us what we need to guard against. I do think that if they felt the need to protect this area it is probably important." Nevitash says.
"The problem is a trap here may not be set as an attack against a single person in proximity to the door, like for example a poisoned needle to keep it simple. It could be an area effect of a size unknown to us. Imagine acid raining down upon everything with 40 feet of the door, that sort of thing, magic or mechanical in construction."
"Trigging it from a removed position might turn out to not be removed enough. I could use my ring to recall the magic needed to dispel a magical trap, but the attempt could fail, and I won't be able to try again today. Of course, a mechanical trap would be unaffected. If it were me, I'd go with a mechanical trap covering a large area, then place a permanent enchantment as well. Something simple and dirty like an illusion in a place where it can't be seen."
"If magic is detected, and then dispelled, the trap kills everyone nearby because they think they've disarmed it."
Soumral shrugs. "That's what I'd do if I were building this place and wanted to go with some real ugly s!@$ for countermeasures against intruders. Inexperienced intruders wouldn't be able to defeat the basic mechanics. Experienced intruders find the aura and fall for the misdirection."
Francis considers the options and warnings mentioned. "This trap could also be like the cursed headband. It's virtually impossible to figure out or disable. If we'd found it before getting the information that we need we would be certain that whatever it guarded must be very important. Then, if we survived we'd be expecting a great treasure, or at least all of the information that we'd need to progress to the next challenge. But we've found the information. Now we're just seeking treasure. Is it worth the risk? Raising the dead, recovering energy drains or regenerating lost limbs is likely much more costly than whatever is behind this trap."
"Ok, give me a minute to rig this up" says Devin, and he proceeds to do just that. He makes his anytool into something to grab onto the door, attaches a rope, and invites everyone to join him around the corner. Then he makes himself a human pulley, holding the rope away from the edge of the wall, with his elbow braced against the wall itself.
"Ok, Nev, will you do the honors..."
Starday, the 19th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather outside is unknown.
Probably somewhere around sunset, but unknown for certain.
----------------------------------------------
Devin spends several minutes easing open the door far enough to get the sharp hook into the gap. The half-orc feels sweat beading on his forehead and all over his body as he prepares for something... anything to happen... Deadly, poison-tipped darts that leave him writhing on the floor in agony until blessed death claims him? A fireball that turns him into a bit of charcoal after a few seconds of searing pain? A blast of electricity that vaporizes him in an instant? Scything blades that cut him into pieces? Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the bards sets the hooks and scampers away to the bend where the others are waiting. With a few terse words and a nod in return, Nevitash pulls on the rope, opening the door, and the party prepares for the worst... But nothing happens. The seconds tick past, a full minute, then another. Nothing...
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
PPlayer Handout - Scroll of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Soumral 51/51 [Wearing Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Magic Vestments (+1 enhancement bonus to armor) for 80 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Devin 59/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves and skill checks) for 130 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 to Perception) for 60 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Elliander 63/63 [Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 0 (of 10) damage this day; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Nevitash will move by Devin and peek around the corner.
Devin will tuck up close to Nev, without looking around the corner himself, ready to support him.
Soumral is content to wait around the corner until given a signal indicating the situation is resolved. Her curiosity doesn't extend indiscriminately into every little mundane detail of all things.
Starday, the 19th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather outside is unknown.
Probably somewhere around sunset, but unknown for certain.
----------------------------------------------
Nevitash and Devin peek around the corner, but pretty much all they can see is the 45 degree slope leading up to the door. They have a glimpse, thanks to their shared darkvision, of a room of some kind beyond the now-open door. Due to their angle, they can't see much more than the very tops of the walls, which appear to have shelves and cubbyholes that likely hold more scrolls and such, but again it's difficult to tell without climbing the steep, polished slope to get a closer look...
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Soumral 51/51 [Wearing Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Magic Vestments (+1 enhancement bonus to armor) for 80 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Devin 59/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves and skill checks) for 130 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 to Perception) for 60 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Elliander 63/63 [Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 0 (of 10) damage this day; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Rather than climb up the slope, Devin uses his sift cantrip to search from a distance...
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 dimdweller +2 tears to wine +2 heroism +2 Heightened Awareness-5 sift
Devin, you'll need line of sight, you can't see much of the room from where you're at - just the very top of the wall closest to the door. But yes, similar to the previous room you determine that the small section of wall you can see has scrolls, tablets, and the like jammed into shelves, cubbyholes, cabinets, etc.
Elliander moves up to the door opening. He’ll carry his shield on his back if needed to negotiate the slope. ()
Once there, he’ll send in some glowing orbs from his Dancing Light spell to light up what’s behind the door.
"Perhaps Devin should go forward first since he can now get to the trap." Nevitash says as sees Elliander move forward.
Starday, the 19th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather outside is unknown.
Probably somewhere around sunset, but unknown for certain.
----------------------------------------------
Elliander casts Dancing Lights to make his way past Nevitash and Devin, though the inquisitor speaks up just as the duskblade nears the top of the sloping passage, his gaze taking in a smallish room with walls seemingly filled with shelves, recesses, cabinets, and cubbyholes crammed with scrolls, stone slates and wax tablets. He can see four hallways entering into the room from the west, east and south. Elliander turns slightly to hear the half-orc and to see what Devin is doing, but at the same moment a flicker of shadow inside the chamber catches his eye and he starts to turn back - just as a chilling howl pierces his soul and those of his companions. It sounds as though a Hound of Hell has caught his scent and is going to charge him at any moment to drag his spirit toward an eternity of torment!
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Soumral 51/51 [Wearing Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Magic Vestments (+1 enhancement bonus to armor) for 80 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Devin 59/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves and skill checks) for 130 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 to Perception) for 60 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
Elliander 63/63 [Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 0 (of 10) damage this day; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT- and WIS-based skill checks) for 60 minutes]
+5 Bard +2 Luck +2 resistance+2 morale (heroism)
+3 Dex +4 Improved Init
7 ranks +3 Trained +3 Cha+3 Buffoonery+2 heroism