GM JaceDK's Mummy's Mask: The Half-Dead City

Game Master Jacob Trier

So how do folks want to handle this?

We could keep it nice and simple, sneak to the water tanks and then try to murder them all like a SEAL team. Perhaps, where possible, with missile weapons, to avoid the aura. I imagine peeps are ready to get their combat dice rolling.

If we wanted to get fancier, we could try to release the goat herd and see if it can cause a mini-stampede or a distraction and use that as the basis for an ambush.

Any other ideas?

Or... LEE-ROY... JEN... KINS!!!

So how do folks want to handle this?

We could keep it nice and simple, sneak to the water tanks and then try to murder them all like a SEAL team. Perhaps, where possible, with missile weapons, to avoid the aura. I imagine peeps are ready to get their combat dice rolling.

If we wanted to get fancier, we could try to release the goat herd and see if it can cause a mini-stampede or a distraction and use that as the basis for an ambush.

Any other ideas?

Or... LEE-ROY... JEN... KINS!!!

As much as I love the idea of a JENKINS style assault for comedic effect, sneak attacks are probably more prudent. I wonder if we could somehow use those nets Indus spotted to contain some or most. I could be used as distraction/running/taunting bait until the net team is in position.

Oh yes! The nets! Great idea, Phrip! you rock, man.

Bruno (Indus) is already thinking about animate rope and I think the spell description covers 'rope-like objects' which sounds perfecto.

There's also mage hand if anyone has the cantrip.

What's the details? Diorio positions himself so that the nets are between the puggies and himself? That way they have to walk underneath them (or overtop them) to close with him while he busts out some Monty Python-style taunts... and zap!

This is some A-Team worthy stuff right here.

I'm taking a stab at updating the proposed marching order based on the feedback above - not carved in stone here, guys, so keep those thoughts coming.

Marching Order: Single-File - "Search Mode"

Sobek (+ Neith*)
Indus
Diorio
Seben
Sacred Ibis
Luek

*Can Neith share a square with Sobek, or does she need her own?

Marching Order: Single-File - "Combat Mode"

Diorio
Luek
Indus
Soebek (+ Neith)
Seben
Sacred Ibis

Marching Order: Double-File - "Search Mode"

Indus - Sobek (+ Neith)
Luek - Diorio
Seben - Sacred Ibis

Marching Order: Double-File - "Combat Mode"

Luek - Diorio
Indus - Sobek (+ Neith)
Seben - Sacred Ibis

I gotta say, being old school, I'm certainly not used to this concept of putting the wizard in front. But don't worry, I can get behind it! (Pun intended...)

If Jacob allows, animating a net could be a good way of temporarily taking an enemy out of action. And I do have Mage Hand. If he doesn't, I can still try to entangle a single enemy with one of the ropes or maybe make a trip line.

I also have Sleep, but there's the risk they will resist (unlike animate rope).

Totally meta-gamey, but I'm not afraid of getting into melee with them, as Archaeologist's Luck makes me immune to their main ability.

I'll allow it - A net is hereby ruled suitably "ropelike" for animate rope to affect it (referring again the the Big Two rules). Mage hand can't be used to make an entangle or trip attack with a net or rope, but can be used to move it closer to a pugwampi.

I have added a battle map (and a slide with the default marching order) to the campaign slide deck. You can all move tokens about. The map shows the last known positon of the pugwampi

There are three coils of rope on the ground besides the building, and the nets can be seen hanging several places around the yard. Let me know if you need anything explained.

Not sure what direction we are approaching the map. Either way, I can get as close as possible quiet like, and then take a pot shot at the wumpy on the roof (or any suitable target). Brandish my blades and start taunting, jumping about, and making a suitable fool of myself and them, keeping all of them engaged on me between the water tanks and the house. Using me as this distraction could enable everyone else to get into position near the nets. When ready I can then lead them on a merry chase towards the trap, and VOILÀ. Nets, arrows and more if necessary. Or, we could certainly go for a simpler plan.

I am rusty on how some of the mechanics of combat work. Basically, I intend to make myself as hard a target as possible using Combat Expertise and/or fighting defensively, acrobating my way around until I get the signal. I also need to figure out how Panache and Deeds work, so this will be a good test of that. On a side note, I am traveling today to England and will probably be unavailable for posting until maybe tonight, most likely not available tomorrow (Saturday) at all, returning home Sunday. Jacob, feel free to run my character if needed to move things along

Yeah, it was only meant to move it closer :)

Are we approaching from the south?

Your current approach is from the north west (upper left corner, by the water tanks).

If you want to approach from another direction, you can spend some time circling around. There is ample cover to get close from multiple directions.

I am rusty on how some of the mechanics of combat work. Basically, I intend to make myself as hard a target as possible using Combat Expertise and/or fighting defensively, acrobating my way around until I get the signal. I also need to figure out how Panache and Deeds work, so this will be a good test of that. On a side note, I am traveling today to England and will probably be unavailable for posting until maybe tonight, most likely not available tomorrow (Saturday) at all, returning home Sunday. Jacob, feel free to run my character if needed to move things along

Thanks for the heads up. I'm good with waiting for you. As mentioned, this is intended as a way to test our your various abilities and how you can use them working as a team. One thing to keep in mind is that your Opportune Parry and Riposte ability requires you to declare the use of the ability after the creature's attack is announced, but before its attack roll is made. That timing gets tricky in PbP, so I think the most practical solution will be for you to write down some default conditions in which you want this to trigger. It will probably also be good to have a written reminder about how you regain panache (crits and kills with your rapier or other one-handed weapon)

I know the bonuses wouldn't stack on a single roll. So he couldn't get a +2 on a stealth roll. But could he get a +1 on a stealth roll then +1 on a perception roll, for example?

I'm good. Indus has a cocked crossbow in one hand and is ready to cast Animate Rope on one of the nets.

Regarding two Guidance spells, the magic chapter has the following to say:

Same Effect with Differing Results

The same spell can sometimes produce varying effects if applied to the same recipient more than once. Usually the last spell in the series trumps the others. None of the previous spells are actually removed or dispelled, but their effects become irrelevant while the final spell in the series lasts.

Still, if you could spam cast a cantrip to have 4-5 waiting +1 bonuses, it might be a little broken.

Regarding two Guidance spells, the magic chapter has the following to say:

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/ wrote:

Same Effect with Differing Results

The same spell can sometimes produce varying effects if applied to the same recipient more than once. Usually the last spell in the series trumps the others. None of the previous spells are actually removed or dispelled, but their effects become irrelevant while the final spell in the series lasts.

Still, if you could spam cast a cantrip to have 4-5 waiting +1 bonuses, it might be a little broken.

Pretty much this. It's a cantrip. Enjoy your +1 but don't get greedy :-)

Mark, did you note my permission and encouragement to have Lueck prepare divine favor? That is going to make a much more significant difference than the guidance, as it negates the Unluck aura.

And Luke, any prep or prebuffs from Sobekhotep and Neith?

Not really. Until 3rd level, all I am good for is skill checks, out-of-combat healing for serious injuries, and Guidance... which two other members of the party are already casting :-P

Alright, I should have time to get things moving tomorrow evening.

Until then, my understanding of the plan is this:

1. The party collectivly sneaks closer to the farm.

2. When they reach the spot where Indus made his observations, Diorio circles North of the farm while the rest of the group proceeds to take cover by the water tanks (upper left corner of the map). At his point, you cast pre-combat buffs, including guidance for everyone.

3. Once in position, Diorio reveals himself, hoping to draw the pugwampi to a postion between the water tanks and the house, right next to the hanging nets and rope coils on the ground (note that the three rope coils can be moved on the map, in case you use mage hand to do so).

4. The rest of the party stand by, with Indus up front to cast animate rope on the nets, hoping to trap as many pugwampi as possible. This can be done as part of the surprise round, unless the pugwampi spot you. At this point, I expect we will enter regular initative.

Feel free to add to the above.

Mark, did you note my permission and encouragement to have Lueck prepare divine favor? That is going to make a much more significant difference than the guidance, as it negates the Unluck aura.

And Luke, any prep or prebuffs from Sobekhotep and Neith?

Thank you. I swapped out Liberating Command for Divine Favor.

I have updated the editing rights for the battlemap. Everyone should be able to move tokens now.

I can confirm it works ;)

Also, with Lingering Performance and Archies' Luck. Unless I specify otherwise, I will always stop maintaining the ability after the first round, so as to save on the number of uses in a day.

I can confirm it works ;)

Also, with Lingering Performance and Archies' Luck. Unless I specify otherwise, I will always stop maintaining the ability after the first round, so as to save on the number of uses in a day.

Noted.

At some point in the near future, we'll have a conversation about the rules mechanics involved with animal companions and skirmisher's tricks. I'm not sure I agree with what seems to be the general interpertation in various forum threads, but I need to study the rules a bit more first.

In this case, I'll allow it with reference to the Rule of Cool. Also, the pug would likely have triggered an AoO, resulting in the same outcome.

OK! I'll cool it with the skirmisher tricks for now and you can let me know later if I'm misusing them or if the nerf bats coming out.

I wasn't aware of the controversy or the threads, but I wonder if the people posting are taking into account that you can actually only use the skirmisher tricks once per day per level.

The Sacred Ibis has a ton of skirmisher tricks courtesy of its high INT score, but that just gives him flexibility. He can still only actually use two of them in total per day.

If people are using them like regular tricks then, yeah, I can see the problem.

P.S. We can always retcon the use of the skirmisher trick too if you'd like. The Sacred Ibis is always happy to kill that pug all over again in round 2 with a standard action...

It’s not controversial as such, there is just a lot going on with a hybrid class referencing most of its class abilities from other classes and granting animal companions the use of tricks intended for player characters. For example, who needs to use the swift action to activate Sic ‘em - Seben or the Ibis?

So, what is likely to happen is that I attempt to break the relevant rules down to their main components and then discuss how they fit together and apply to specific situations. I have never played a Hunter or any class with an animal companion before, so I just want to wrap my head around the mechanics.

And as stated, the kill on the pugwampi is fine. It would have tried to bolt on its turn anyway and have gotten hit by an AoO. So same result.

That's a good point, I just assumed it was the action of the companion, but it's not at all clear.

Actually reading stuff--it's been a while--I see I've probably made a lot of assumptions.

One turned out to be that the Fly By Attack feat negates Attacks of Opportunity like Spring Attack. It doesn't. Meaning it has no practical use for a melee attacker without reach.

Having never used it, I don't suppose I'm not too late to retrain that?

P.S. Gah! He doesn't have the Strength to qualify for Power Attack. I'll think of something.

I'm fine with letting you retrain Fly By Attack to another feat, Beetle.

When I hear about a bird "painting a target" a different image comes to mind. But they say it is good luck when a bird poops on you.

Hmmmmm, you're right. Maybe the Sacred Ibis is a ranged attacker after all...

So... you are going to give it a projectile vomit attack, right? Right? :-P

Projectile bowel movement attack :)

Feat option: Improved Natural Attack (Defecate)

Looks like everyone just wants this game to dissolve into a total shitshow. Might as well get started on the custom feats and spells.

Speaking feats, thanks for the do-over. I'll just keep Flyby Attack for this encounter for continuity (but continue to not use it) and then re-train into something once there is downtime. That will hopefully minimize any discontinuity.

I’ve been sick the last couple of days. Expect to update the combat tomorrow.

Speaking feats, thanks for the do-over. I'll just keep Flyby Attack for this encounter for continuity (but continue to not use it) and then re-train into something once there is downtime. That will hopefully minimize any discontinuity.

That’s fine, Beetle.

You may want to give Flyby Attack some more thought. Even with the AoO can mean you don’t have to stick around your opponent and wait for a full attack. Try combining in with Vital Strike.

Good point.

Like say it was a troll with multi-attack and rend. Far far better to just take the Attack of Opportunity.

But on the other hand if it was say, an ogre or some other single attacker, if the Sacred Ibis bases it (or ideally lands behind it), it can at least take the attack and take away its ability to strike another player that round.

It looks like the Flyby Attack feat is tailor-made for dragons, who could most awesomely actually use it to fire a breath weapon and seek cover in a single turn.

I'm mostly just feeling guilty because I vaguely recall years ago as a GM inflicting this feat on a party in which I was combining it with a gargoyle. When the beast swooped down to attack, the melee types did not get AoO - which as I now appreciate was not correct. It was a tough encounter as the party had to bring it down with missile fire and the DR made that hard. It turns out that battle should have been a lot easier on the party. Urp!

Speaking of fierce beasts, Seben and the Sacred Ibis are going to kinda hold their actions, at least long enough to give Luek a chance to catch that puggie. I feel like he might be itching to give his axe a test swing.

I’ve been sick the last couple of days. Expect to update the combat tomorrow.

Get well, oh esteemed one.

Someone also failed a Fort save in our house, and now the oldest daughter has the seasonal puking sickness - hopefully I'll stay clear, as I have a nasty habit of fainting when I throw up ...

Hope y'all feeling better soon!

Thanks, just a round of common winter cold. Already on the mend. It’s making it’s way through the rest of the family.

Shop's open for character build tweaks

With this little intermezzo more or less wrapped up, I'll officially open the floor for minor tweaks and adjustment to your build (including animal buddies).

Part of the point of this encounter was precisely to give you a chance to test how your character abilities perform in action before we get too wrapped up in the main story.

Please post any changes you're making, just so I can keep track. Once everyone are good to go, I'll round out the farmhouse fun and get us back to the main story.

Thanks.

I'll remove the Sacred Ibis' 'Fly By Attack' and substitute 'Piranha Strike'.

Too bad there's not a version of Fencing Grace for natural attacks!

Then I will remove Seben's 'Spirit's Gift' and substitute 'Favored Animal Focus'.

I don't have to make that last change, if that's too much. I just came across the feat in my search, realized she qualifies for it, and it's likely superior. Spirit's Gift isn't causing any problems and I'd probably even re-select it at a future opportunity.

By the way, I recently became a late band wagoner on the Vox Machina hype train that seems to be going round.

This caused me to wonder if there might be a Latin solution to our team name challenge.

Using the words smoke and teeth, one gets:

"Fumo Dente"

Which is, I think: Foo-mo, Dent-ay. Has a decent ring...

I also tried Arabic and got:

Dukhan Al'asnan (But I am sure any pronunciation by me would be a wild guess...)

Thanks.

I'll remove the Sacred Ibis' 'Fly By Attack' and substitute 'Piranha Strike'.

Too bad there's not a version of Fencing Grace for natural attacks!

Then I will remove Seben's 'Spirit's Gift' and substitute 'Favored Animal Focus'.

I don't have to make that last change, if that's too much. I just came across the feat in my search, realized she qualifies for it, and it's likely superior. Spirit's Gift isn't causing any problems and I'd probably even re-select it at a future opportunity.

All good.

Heh. We had better warn Rashid about the water. We would not want him to be surprised when it disappears after 24 hours :-P

Good point. The disappearance doesn't seem to apply to water that is consumed though, and hopefully that's what the plants are doing. Sort of the same way after 24-hours it doesn't evaporate out of your blood stream (yech!).

I don't know how often he runs through his tanks in the desert though--the map makes it look like it runs through a sprinkler of kind of modern-day mister and sprays over the plants. For that matter, I wonder how he gets his water to begin with. Maybe he pitches a couple coins to a local level 1 cleric. The whole fantasy desert farm thing is kinda cool.

It makes sense for the water to count as “consumed” if it is used to water the plants before leaving the farm.

In ancient egypt, irrigation was mainly done with water from the Nile, so we could argue that the tanks are connected to some communal irrigation system that distributes water from the River Sphinx. In any case, its a side note. The plants you saw were thriving, so drought is not on Rashid’s list of problems, just the pugwampi.

I’ll let you describe your return to the city and the Tooth & Hookah.

Thanks Jacob, for the info re: Swashbucklers. Very helpful in helping me fine-tune the flavor that I was initially going for. Re-skinned Diorio as an Inspired Blade archetype, taking Fencing Grace and Combat Reflexes instead of Dodge and Combat Expertise. He should be much more effective now as a front-line dealer of damage and derring-do.

Nice! That is one classy-looking stab-machine.

P.S. I am going to be away for the holidays from the 23rd to 30, and uncertain as to my ability to log in.

Hopefully I'll still be spamming you guys as usual. But if not, a Merry X-Mas and a Happy New Year to you all.

May your Egyptian-deity of choice bring you XP and gold in the New Year.

Thanks for the heads up, Beetle. I expect we'll keep the game on the low burn over the holidays and New Year, but anyone with free time are welcome to get a bit of RP in.

I'll hold off on major plot developments until we hit January.

The Bask Tooth Brigade sounds good to me. The only thing I can think of is to modify this one a bit to The Smokin' Bask Brigade

I think this was the last post with name suggestions that enjoyed a general consensus.

You’ll also need to nominate an official spokesperson to represent you in dealing with the church of Pharasma, so might as well include that in the discussion.

If possible, Seben bows out on spokesperson, on account that she's a young'n and knows nothing, and totally not because she has unresolved issues with the gods sentencing her to millennia of living in a sarcophagus under the hot desert sand.

Also, I can get behind 'The Smokin' Bask Brigade'. Though Seben might occasionally shorten it to "The Bask".