Nevitash steps back to gain the room to use his spear. He studies the second construct for a brief instant before striking!
Devin's flagging courage is bolstered both by Francis's holy energies and the brutal efficiency of Nevitash beside him. He lunges, trying to plant his longspear in the construct as well...
+5 bab +2 heroism +1 enhancement +2 inspire courage
+2 heroism +1 enhancement+2inspire courage
Sunday, the 20th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather clear and hot and with little to no wind.
One hour before sunset.
----------------------------------------------
Nevitash takes a step back and thrusts again with the longspear, this time driving it deep into the head of the construct (-5 DR = 28 damage)! The clockwork soldier spasms as horrific grinding sounds emanate from its torso, and then it falls backward, smashing to the ground like a felled tree made of metal. All is silent, and the party quickly glances at the smaller construct to see if it's up to anything nefarious, but it's still standing there as if frozen in time. Elliander rises unsteadily to his feet, assisted by Amenhep, and the duskblade groans softly as he tries to staunch the bleeding from some of his wounds that still seep - though at least he's no longer giving up pints like he'd been a few moments earlier.
Though the soldier automatons don't carry anything like loot, their halberds are of very fine quality. In fact, a quick detection for magic proves them to be enchanted (2 Magical Halberds +1)
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Amenhep 16/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 70 minutes; Bless (+1 morale bonus to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 1 minute]
Nevitash 71/71 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 70 minutes; Shield of Faith +2 Deflection bonus to AC) for 7 minutes; Bless (+1 morale bonus to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 1 minute]
Devin 53/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonuses on most d20 rolls) for 140 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 70 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 competence bonus to Perception checks) for 70 minutes; Bless (+1 morale bonus to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 1 minute]
Elliander 2/63 [Prone; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 4 (of 10) damage this day; Bless (+1 morale bonus to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 1 minute]
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 70 minutes; Bless (+1 morale bonus to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 1 minute]
With the battle over Francis breaks out a wand to save his spells and channeling for when it is needed more.
"That was ... nasty" comments Devin. He continues "Perhaps we should sweep for more active guardians like these things before we start researching. But let's finish healing up first."
"Clearing the area does seem prudent." Nevitash agrees with a nod as he looks over the constructs.
Again leaking blood everywhere, Elliander manages to crawl away and catch a breath once he’s conscious. Luckily, his allies quickly overcome the constructs without him. Then Francis turns to the duskblade whipping out his healing wand. Deciding to save his healing belt for next emergency, Elliander instead gratefully accepts the cleric´s healing and stands up, wiping away some blood. He walks over and picks up his dropped mace, attaching it to the belt.
Nevitash motions to Devin and then will follow him.
While Francis is tapping away with his wand, Devin will take advantage of the time to search the room we are in... (including using detect magic)
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 heroism
He will also have a look at the mechanisms of the wound down clockwork servant to see if he thinks he can fake a key to wind it...
7ranks+3 trained +3 Dex+1 trait+2 MW tools+2 heroism
While keeping an eye out for more constructs, Elliander helps Devin in their search. The duskblade uses his Detect Magic ability too and looks around.
Sunday, the 20th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather clear and hot and with little to no wind.
One hour before sunset.
----------------------------------------------
After Francis uses up one healing wand and then a few charges from another, the wounds of his companions are healed up entirely. Continuing to search around for valuables or the like, the party comes up with nothing of immediate interest. Devin feels as though the secrets of how to activate this construct is tantalizingly close, if only he could see what this 'key' might look like, and how it works... After a solid five minutes or so, the party decides that there's not much more to be done here, unless they want to take a few hours and pore through the mundane books and texts that line the shelves and niches. Otherwise, they figure it's about time to move on, but in which direction?
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes; Shield of Faith +2 Deflection bonus to AC) for 2 minutes]
Devin 59/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonuses on most d20 rolls) for 120 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 competence bonus to Perception checks) for 50 minutes]
Elliander 63/63 [Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 4 (of 10) damage this day; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes]
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes]
"Maybe we should check out the direction the fighting things came from?"
"Sounds good to me"
Devin slinks off where the constructs came from, with all the stealth he can muster and his eyes peeled for danger...
and a further +2 if dimdweller applies
7 ranks+3 trained +3 Dex+2 heroism
and a further +2 if dimdweller applies
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 heroism+2 tears to wine +2 heightened awareness
Nevitash tries to stealth along with Devin and aids in searching for traps.
Sunday, the 20th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather clear and hot and with little to no wind.
One hour before sunset.
----------------------------------------------
Backtracking in the general direction from which the soldier clockwork constructs had come, or at least so far as the party is able to determine, they find a hallway that extends some seventy feet to the south. About half that distance away is a wide corridor that intersects that one, and beyond it seems to take a natural bend to the east - just as does the hallway they're currently following. After another thirty feet or so, the corridor opens up into a twenty-foot square room absolutely devoid of furnishings. However, hanging from the east wall on a hook is a strange, slim metal object about twelve inches long, with a number of bumps, nubs, spikes and other protuberances. It almost looks like a torture implement of some kind...
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes; Shield of Faith +2 Deflection bonus to AC) for 2 minutes]
Devin 59/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonuses on most d20 rolls) for 120 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 competence bonus to Perception checks) for 50 minutes]
Elliander 63/63 [Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 4 (of 10) damage this day; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes]
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 50 minutes]
Devin hold up a hand to bring the party to a halt and uses his Sift cantrip repeatedly, sweeping the room...
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 dimdweller +2 tears to wine +2 heroism +2 Heightened Awareness -5 sift
The he follows up with Detect Magic.
Elliander points at the strange metal object on the wall. ”Could that be the key we’re looking for or is it too big?”
No magic is detected, nor does Devin find anything interesting, like a secret door or a hidden compartment. Elliander judges the object might very well fit in the groove they'd seen in the inert construct they'd seen in the library.
Francis watches the way back, just in case any more of the strange things come. This 'magic' is incomprehensible to him.
Devin begins to cautiously approach strange object (checking for traps as he does),
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 dimdweller +2 tears to wine +2 heroism +2 Heightened Awareness
No traps are found, and the object can easily be held in one hand. It is metallic, and could very well be a key, as Elliander suggested. There is nothing else of interest in this empty room.
After grabbing the object, Devin passes it to Francis to carry, commenting "Well, it's about the right size to fit in the construct thing we found... But let's keep on with our sweep"
Devin leads off again, stealthy and wary...
and a further +2 if dimdweller applies
7 ranks+3 trained +3 Dex+2 heroism
and a further +2 if dimdweller applies
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 heroism+2 tears to wine +2 heightened awareness
Elliander continues to trail after and help Devin. He uses his Detect Magic ability.
Francis stays at the rear of the group, keeping the Deathwatch ability active. He finds the view strange, especially the strange creatures. Not alive or dead or undead. They fought like they were alive. Some sort of new magic animating a built creature?
Nevitash nods and continues to aid in searching for traps as they go.
Sunday, the 20th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather clear and hot and with little to no wind.
One hour before sunset.
----------------------------------------------
Devin takes the metallic object, figuring it to be the key, and the party departs the otherwise empty room. Continuing along the broad hallway running east, a corridor branches north and the adventurers investigate. Just beyond a small foyer lies a circular chamber ringed with stone pillars and sporting a white domed ceiling. Along the perimeter of the rotunda, shelves crammed with crumbling papyrus scrolls and clay tablets. Otherwise, the large rotunda appears to be empty.
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 45 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 45 minutes]
Devin 59/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonuses on most d20 rolls) for 115 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 45 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 competence bonus to Perception checks) for 45 minutes]
Elliander 63/63 [Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 4 (of 10) damage this day]
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 45 minutes]
"We should just check for any dangers in here and then continue on." Nevitash says as he continues to move along with Devin and search for traps or other dangers.
"Agreed" replies Devin. He sweeps the room, using his Sift cantrip repeatedly...
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 dimdweller +2 tears to wine +2 heroism +2 Heightened Awareness -5 sift
Then he follows up with Detect Magic
Francis keeps Deathwatch active to scan for anything living or undead.
Devin's magical search reveals no traps in this large chamber, but the half-orc takes note of the ceiling - something seems... off. After a moment's study, he realizes that the angle of the slope where the dome meets the walls seems to sharply lessen after five or six feet. Almost as though there is a 'cap' of sorts that conceals the true ceiling. A hidden space, perhaps? But if so, how to access it? He sees no hidden door or the like in the ceiling, and it is about thirty feet up at its highest point.
"I see neither traps nor enemies here, although there may be a hidden compartment where the dome of the ceiling meets the wall... Shall we continue with our sweep?"
If no one objects, Devin leads off again, .
and a further +2 if dimdweller applies
7 ranks+3 trained +3 Dex+2 heroism
and a further +2 if dimdweller applies
7 ranks+3 trained +5 eyes of the eagle+2 heroism+2 tears to wine +2 heightened awareness
"We should finish the sweep, and then return to see what is in the dome. But ensuring that we are not attacked unaware again would be good." Nevitash says.
Sunday, the 20th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather clear and hot and with little to no wind.
One hour before sunset.
----------------------------------------------
Moving onwards, the party finds a small chamber - twin to the other on the far side of the rotunda - unadorned save for a key like the other one they found. Heading west, the corridor continues forward to where a bend would seem to lead them back to the entrance, and a shorter passage leads to the south, into a large, triangular room. Long racks of dusty papyrus scrolls line the walls, and in the center of the chamber stand a pair of creatures unlike anything the adventurers have seen. They appear crystalline and spherical, with four bandy limbs that each split at the elbow into three-fingered appendages. Two crystalline tentacles erupt from their bodies, slithering through the air like snakes as you all receive mental flashes of burning books and scrolls assailing your minds as they rush forward to attack! Elliander is the first to react to the danger...
By the way, the pic I found of the creature made me think of a certain song's lyrics "throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care" dating waaaay back from my teen years. I think this is the one, after a brief internet search... Enjoy!
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Elliander 63/63 [Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 4 (of 10) damage this day]
Creatures Red (Unwounded); Green (Unwounded)
Devin 59/59 [Heroism (+2 morale bonuses on most d20 rolls) for 110 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 competence bonus to Perception checks) for 40 minutes]
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes]
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes]
Nevitash knows that these are known as Aeons, specifically as Theletos Aeons. The half-orc inquisitor recalls from his studies that Aeons are beyond passion, beyond mercy, beyond reason, the faceless caretakers of reality toil without end, silently struggling to preserve the tenuous balance upon which all existence depends. These voiceless forces are the aeons, inscrutable shapers and eliminators of the multiverse. They exist beyond the understanding of most mortals, endlessly striving toward goals unfathomable even to many of the planes' eldest inhabitants. Aeons build order from the chaos of the Maelstrom, seed new life upon barren worlds, and halt the rampages of forces grown overbold. They rend nations to vapor, dismantle planets into cosmic dust, and pave the way for calamities. Their ways are at one moment beneficent and in the next utterly devastating, but always without ardor, compassion, or malice. Every aeon dispassionately but determinedly strives toward the same objective—an ever changing, amending, and readjusting pursuit of multiplanar equilibrium. United in this eternal and perhaps impossible pursuit, aeons embody the planes-spanning hand of a metaphorical omnipotent clockmaker, endlessly tuning and adjusting the myriad gears of reality in pursuit of ultimate perfection.
Beyond that, he knows that they are immune to cold and poison, resistant to electricity and fire (10 each) and that the images he saw were the Aeons' perception of future events that they seek to thwart. He also knows they are spellcasters, most often magic that affects the mind. The tentacles can cause those they touch to lose their resolve and spirit (i.e. CHA drain that causes penalty to all saves) and they are able to 'breathe' a blast of energy from its body (i.e. cone) that causes those affected to become overwhelmed by the knowledge of the myriad of fates that destiny has in store for them, for good or ill (i.e. most d20 rolls are made twice, taking the worst) until the curse is broken by magic.
7 ranks +3 Trained +3 Cha+3 Buffoonery +2 heroism
Elliander cast Grease down the corridor, not knowing really what type of creatures these are. He then backs away some to be out of the way from his allies.
Sunday, the 20th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather clear and hot and with little to no wind.
One hour before sunset.
----------------------------------------------
Elliander casts a spell that coats the corridor with grease, then backs away. One of the creatures slips in the grease momentarily, but then both of them rise up into the air, their movement ungainly and inelegant, but enough to avoid the patch of grease on the floor. They land on their splayed feet (hands) and immediately Elliander is assaulted by a vision that shows him running away from this building (Elliander, roll a Will save vs DC 15!) while the other lashes at Devin with its crystalline tentacles, catching the bard across his leg, and though the pain is minor, his mind is assaulted with terrible visions of his fate. (Devin, roll a Will save vs DC 17!)
vs DC 14 = Success!
vs DC 14 = Failure!
vs Devin's AC = Hit!
damage + Will Save (DC 17) or take CHA damage
Player Handout - Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh
Player Handout - Scrolls of Inquiry Excerpt
--------------------------------------------
Elliander 63/63 [Will Save vs DC 15 Pending; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 4 (of 10) damage this day]
Creatures Red (Unwounded); Green (Unwounded)
Devin 55/59 [Will Save vs DC 17 Pending; Heroism (+2 morale bonuses on most d20 rolls) for 110 minutes; Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes; Heightened Awareness (+2 competence bonus to Perception checks) for 40 minutes]
Amenhep 58/58 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes]
Francis 53/53 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes]
Nevitash 71/71 [Tears to Wine (+2 to INT & WIS skill checks) for 40 minutes]