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

Game Master Jacob Trier

Eh. It was worth a thought!

Absolutely, and other haunts might be more managable to cleanse. In general, destroying haunts often evolve into little mini-sidequests.

"Let's focus at the task at hand and then maybe return later with the proper tools to lay these spirits to rest," Indus says, eager to get their business done before the ghosts return.

"Agreed, I would certainly rather deal with foes that bleed."

So, how do you proceed?

As previously planned with Lueck ready with some positive energy?

Yeah, assuming Luek is on board.

The poor man's backup is for the CLW wand wielders to give it a try. If I'm right, the problem with that is you need to make a to hit roll, so channeling is probably better - plus it's a renewable resource, like solar.

I am onboard. I will prioritize any spookies that show up, with channels and/or CLWs as needed. Then I'll switch to juicies,

Great. I'll handwave the actual rolls to speed things up a bit.

Moving carefully, you enter the courtyard again, this time ready to respond if the haunt manifests again.

Almost immediately, you hear the same noise of the mob approaching and the frightened voices speaking in Ancient Osiriani. But before the supernatural fear can wash over you, Lueck invokes a quick prayer to his battle goddess and a wave of positive energy covers the entire courtyard like a comforting blanket, granting the restless spirits a brief respite of peace. Lueck, expend one use of channel energy

A quick glance through the western gate confirms that the giant centipede still has not noticed anything.

You are now free to set up and execute your previous plan.

Diorio draws his new rapier and mutters to the hilt, "Looks like we are about to get our first test. Be brave now."
He moves into position as soon as the rest of the team is ready.

Lueck readies his axe, but keeps an eye out for other supernatural threats that might emerge while they deal with the mundane.

Before I forget, props to Sobek for his plan to try to fix the gate. T'was a smart idea.

As always, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is a review of "the Plan":

Indus and Sobekhotep move in first to sweep the courtyard for (more) traps. Diorio and Seben follow behind.

Meanwhile, Lueck (hidden on the wall) and the Sacred Ibis are keeping tabs on the bug, in case the action breaks out early.

Once we're in position, Seben casts gravity bow and team "missile" readies actions to fire at the bug as soon as it comes over the lip.

Diorio then starts things off by moving into the front and starts hollering, taking on the role of the distraction and defensive anchor.

Once the bug appears over the lip, readied actions go off.

Assuming we get charged, Diorio will have his defensive actions and Lueck will ambush from his elevated position.

Then the plan goes to all heck and we go back to reacting based on what seems smart at the time.

That's a plan I can get behind!

Pun intended!

Operation "Waking up the Giant Bug

With the haunt neutralized, the Smokin' Bask Brigade return to their daring plan of pest control.

The team quickly moves into position and give Diorio the ready signal. Diorio, feel free to describe how you get the critter's attention.

After a few moments of loud noise, Diorio and Lueck can see movement in the sand-filled pool. Rising slowly, the giant centipede raises its head and looks around for the source of the distrubance.

As it spots Diorio, it emits an excited chitter and begins to scamper out of the pool towards him, seemingly eager to compensate for the interrupted nap with a quick snack.

All readied actions trigger. Roll the bones...

Yeeeeehaw!

"By the gods! It's huge!" Seben's eyes peel wide as the head of the beast emerges, with coil after coil of segmented body. "I was so wrong. This was a totally bad idea!"

Attempted shot with mwk longbow with gravity bow, Animal Focus (Tiger) and Precise Shot: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 21

Possible damage from gravitized arrow: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 1 = 7

There's a savage twang as the shaft streaks through the air...

"SQUAAAAAWK!"
.
The Sacred Ibis uses its standard action in the readied action to fly 30 feet and circle widely behind and over top of the centipede.

The goal is to get in a safe-ish position within 50 feet above and to the rear of the creature. The idea is he might, in a later round, dive bomb/charge. Hopefully that won't be necessary.

Diorio bangs on the ruined gate and whistles sharply to draw the horror's attention. He starts to bounce lightly on the balls of his feet, ready to move in any direction. At the sight of the enraged, ginormous evil-looking bug Diorio gulps in a moment of fear. He bites his lip in frustration to banish the fear and relaxes his tight grip on his hilt. Do not be afraid, be ready.

Swallowing hard at the sight of the gigantic insect, Sobekhotep grants Diorio the Guidance of Bes!

Seben’s arrow pierces the centipede’s exoskeleton and sinks deep into the soft flesh beneath, instantly transforming its mood from annoyed to furious.

Indus and Lueck may take their actions before I move us into real initiative.

"By the powers that be, that's a big bug!"

Indus fires his crossbow at the beast, hoping that luck will be with him.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

The bolt from Indus' crossbow slams into the giant critter with brutal force, causing it to writhe and roar in unbridled fury.

Lueck, any actions?

Lueck stays on the wall with his axe ready, watching in case the bug isn't alone, or in case the excitement draws something else. So, ready action to attack with axe if something gets within range.

Centipede showdown - round 1

Blind with fury and still groggy from the abrupt awakening, the centipede is slow to recover from the unexpected assault.

Initiative
Smokin' Bask Brigade
Centipede

The entire party is up

Indus inches closer while reloading his crossbow and then fires at the big critter while mumbling an arcane word over the bolt, hoping to injure or at least distract it. When the bolt sails high over the creature's head the arcane words are replaced by a series of curses.

Attack w/ Luck and Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Damage w/ Luck and Arcane Strike: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Seben tries to slow down and stop her heart from racing. She traces a bead on the beast, trying not to be distracted by the fact that the horror is coming ever closer.

She breathes. . .

Stills. . .

And releases. The shaft flies from her bow.

Attempted shot with mwk longbow with gravity bow, Animal Focus (Tiger) and Precise Shot: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8

Possible damage from gravitized arrow: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 1 = 8

And skitters as it bounces off the ground.

Aerial face palm.

This girl is hopeless.

(remaining 30 feet above the creature, following behind, if he's fast enough.)

Sobekhotep winces as he sees arrows and bolts fly everywhere, and helpfully steps forward, granting Bes' Guidance to Indus.

Lueck watches, axe in hand. Ha! They wait for the beast to close to do real battle! What true warriors Sekhmet has allied me with!

You are a class act, Lueck.

Diorio continues to yell at the creature in defiance and remains ready to receive the attack and then riposte: plan to use a panache point for Dodging Panache and stack that with a +2 Combat Expertise, which should give me an AC of 21 and still have the ability to make an attack of my own at +6 (+4 BAB with +1 magic sword and +1 Guidance bonus from Sobek).

Baited by the brave, but rather exposed swordsman, the huge carrion eater lumbers forward and lashes out with a fierce bite attack.

Only Diorio's superior reflexes and fencing training allows him to escape, as the powerful mandibles snap together a hairs width from his sword arm. Droplets of potent poison spray across his skin and leaves a burning sensation that is a clear warning of what the venom would do to his body if the bite had landed.

Attack barely missed. Diorio, if I'm reading your Panache ability correctly, the attacker must be within reach for you to be able to riposte. The centipede is currently 15 ft from you (and 10 ft from Lueck). It's also now considered in melee for anyone making ranged attacks.

Initiative - round 2
Smokin' Bask Brigade
Centipede

The party is up

Fearing to hit his friends, Indus drops his crossbow and unfurls his magic whip, moving agily to within striking range.

Although he has little hope of damaging the creature, he hopes to at least distract it enough so Diorio can land a solid blow ... eh stab.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 8

That is a nasty bite damage! Bad time for the dice to go cold. Let's try this again.

"C'mon... c'mon..."

Seben ignores the disdain of her avian mentor and notches another arrow. The beast makes the broad side of a barn look small. She just needs to find an angle to reach that softer underbelly where her arrow can actually pierce it.

Attempted shot with mwk longbow with gravity bow, Animal Focus (Tiger) and Precise Shot: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 24

Possible damage from gravitized arrow: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6

Move actions as needed to maintain that 30 feet of distance, ideally 30 feet vertically above. I repositioned the Sacred ibis on the map, but it's meant to represent that he's flying above the centipede.

Diorio rolls forward under the beast's attack, barely dodging the viscious bite and now in position for a bite of his own to what he hopes is a soft underside.

Acrobatics to avoid any potential AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Rapier thrust: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Divine Sekhmet, bless your servants who goes to battle in your name..."

Casting bless on them.

Lueck, reminder that you are within the centipede's reach. You need to cast defensively or trigger an AoO.

While Indus can barely keep his magic whip from tangling, Seben scores another hit with her arrow.

Meanwhile, Diorio executes a flawless roll to get close to the beast, but the maneuver brings him off balance and his thrust glances off the critter's tough exoskeleton.

While Indus can barely keep his magic whip from tangling, Seben scores another hit with her arrow.

Hey, even Indiana Jones failed the first time!

Cast defensively 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 3 = 12

Ugh. Maybe Sekhmet does not look favorably upon us now.

Clearly, Shekmet wants her chosen warrior to leap into battle like he said he would. Sobek-hotep is up, then Mr. Manylegs gets another turn.

Sobekhotep grimaces.

"Truly, the vermin around here have grown unconscionably large of late. I do not wish to dwell o'er long on what its main source of sustenance is likely to be..."

He then channels the power of the Old Gods again, providing Indus with Guidance.

Centipede bite attack vs Diorio: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Hit
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3) + 7 = 14

Pressed and injured, the giant centipede lashes out again. This time, Diorio's nimble moves are not enough to save him as the mandibles bite down hard on his thigh and send venom into the gruesome wound.

Diorio, I need you to roll a DC 17 Fort save or take Poison - Dex dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

At the same time, the twin tails snap out at Indus, but fail to knock him off balance.

Centipede tail slap vs Indus: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 miss
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3 nonlethal + trip - does not apply

Initiative - round 3
Smokin' Bask Brigade
Centipede

The party is up

Dex poison! That's the worst for us!

A scream of empathy rips from Seben's throat as she witnesses brave Diorio get struck in the leg by oversized vermin (yet again). Quickly she levels her bow, aiming for what she hopes will be the creature's sensory organs.

Attempted shot with mwk longbow with gravity bow, Animal Focus (Tiger) and Precise Shot: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 22

Possible damage from gravitized arrow: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 1 = 5

OK! Here's the plan. . . of sorts. The Sacred Ibis is going to try to bleed off the centipede's Attack of Opportunity, so the rest of the party doesn't need to worry about it. Only the numbers are not so great.

The Sacred Ibis does a fly by attack. The attack will be an Aid Another, which, if actually successful will go to Diorio or Lueck, whoever attempts to strike first. He will "fight defensively" for -4 to hit for +2 to AC. This will raise his AC from 15 (+1 for Animal Focus [Tiger]) to 17.

If the centipede's attack is equal or higher than 17, Seben uses an immediate action to activate the Bolster Companion skirmisher trick. This +4 bonus will up the Sacred Ibis' AC to 21, hopefully resulting in a miss. If it still hits. . . then we'll deal with that, ah, later.

With an avian battle cry, the Sacred Ibis plunges at the massive vermin, his claws glittering in the sun.

Aid Another attempt vs AC 10, with Animal Focus (tiger) and defensive fighting penalty: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 14

"Kiahhhhhhh"

P.S. The other flaw in this is he doesn't have enough movement left over to get out of range from a possible second non-AoO attack.

Hoping his luck has returned, Indus draws his sword, does an acrobatic roll to get past the reach of the centipede and slashes at its underbelly.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 6

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 23

Diorio screams in pain and attempts to stab his tormentor.

Fort save, using Charmed Life: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Rapier stab: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 11

damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 10

If the critter attacks him again and hits, Diorio will use a panache point for an Opportune Parry and Riposte.

oof

Ouch, Diorio. Let me act before you in the next round and I might be able to help with those poison saves.

Seben, if we were sitting around a real table, I'd have given you a careful look and asked "Are you SURE you want to do that?" in my best cautioning GM voice. But...here goes.

Seben scores another hit with her longbow, while her animal companion makes a heroic effort to distract the giant centipede. The wounded beast takes the bait and lashes out with more speed and accuracy than the brave bird could have anticipated.

Centipede bite AoO vs The Sacred Ibis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Hit
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6) + 7 = 17 Applies - ouch!

In a flash almost too fast for the human eye to see, the centipede catches the bird in mid-fight, chomps down and spits it out. The torn lump of flesh, feathers and blood that lands in the sand with a thump is barely recognizable.

I have the Sacred Ibis at -7 hp. With a CON score of 8, this means that it will be dead at the start of its next turn, unless it is healed or makes a stabilization check with a very hefty penalty.

Indus is able to use the distraction to score another hit, almost slaying the giant carrion eater....almost. Unfortunately, Diorio is too weakened by his own injury to finish the job.

Lueck and Sobekhotep left to act. The centipede looks very close to death, but it is still standing.

Gah!

Yeah, even with fighting defensively and the Bolster Companion skirmisher trick the math still left a 40% chance of getting hit - not much of an AC on that bird. Needed the bug to roll 1 point lower. Hard to do nothing, but I will learn patience from this.

Assuming, you will still permit Seben's immediate action, the second-half of the Bolster Companion will kick in and reduce the damage to half, or 9 points of damage. That puts our Sacred Ibis at 1 hp., better than -7 but still not good. Could be worse if he gets attacked at the end of the round.

Assuming, you will still permit Seben's immediate action, the second-half of the Bolster Companion will kick in and reduce the damage to half, or 9 points of damage. That puts our Sacred Ibis at 1 hp., better than -7 but still not good. Could be worse if he gets attacked at the end of the round.

You can absolutely use an immediate action in this situation. So, the bird's not dying after all and the centipede has spent its AoO for this round.