Everyone, I'm truly sorry for the prolonged radio silence. This has been a Springtime of chaos: multiple illnesses in the family (but we're all doing better now, thankfully!), plus we're in the process of changing jobs, selling our house, buying a house in another state, and moving between now and mid-June. I thought things were beginning to get under control a couple of weeks ago, but that hasn't been the case. And trying to catch up now that I'm over 350 posts behind seems quite daunting to say the least. Needless to say, I'm going to have to drop out of this PbP.
Again, my apologies. This game has been an extremely enjoyable and wild ride, Master Beetle! Good luck and best regards to everyone!
EDIT: Oh, and congratulations to Jace on the upcoming birth! You're in for much joy and excitement (but stock-up on all the sleep you can get now)!
Hal turns to his comrades, "I suppose the we must simply move forward, the mystery of that strange figure will hopefully reveal itself as we move further into the Pyramid. Gandel any hieroglyphs that you can see that may help us unlock some of the puzzles in this place?"
"That strange encounter is rather unsettling. Wandering old men, who are probably not of this world, that bestow gifts inside pyramids of doom do not instill one with a sense of safety..."
"I'll keep an eye out for more hieroglyphs," Gandel replies in a distracted tone as he keeps staring at the spot from which the old man disappeared. He glances toward Moonpate and nods in wide-eyed agreement when the wizard states that the disappearing old man was probably not of this world.
Pact Stone GM wrote:
Bathed in the pale lavender light of Anyo 3.0, Karek can see that inside the compartment is a small jade statuette. It is not altogether unlike the tiny jade statuettes the Dune Squad spent last night staring at in the chamber with the dais and weight scales.
This particular one though depicts a slave pushing a large stone block. On closer inspection, Karek can see that the miniature stone block contains an inscription in hieroglyphic characters.
The inscription reads:
"A loan to Anuchro Het"
Gandel chuckles with genuine delight as he translates the inscription on the jade statue for his companions. "Well there you have it! Looks like we found number twenty-four!"
Thanks, guys! I didn't know ribs could dislocate either - some things you have to find out the hard way, I guess. Unfortunately I'm afraid my injuries aren't due to anything fun, but from struggling to adequately secure my young daughter's child-safety seat in her grandmother's tiny car. Getting old sucks. But the doctor seems to have gotten me on the road to recovery - at least it's becoming easier to breathe without sharp pain now.
Sorry for the extended absence everyone. I made it back from my trip with a dislocated rib and a messed up back. Needless to say, sitting in front of a computer for very long is kind of uncomfortable (actually, everything right now is kind of uncomfortable). But I'm working to catch up.
Apologies, all. Dealing with the wife's out-of-town travel for job hunting while I'm home balancing full-time job and managing our three kids... I've still got to find time for my level-up post...
Halstadt Morgrym wrote:
"Is the number 56 significant for us here? It would not appear so there are 23 figures and five scales. I don’t see how 56 fits into this riddle. "
"Well, 23 is half of 56, but I can't see how that has any significance here..." Gandel muses.
Halstadt Morgrym wrote:
"Well assuming that none of those visions will help us here the suggestion from this morning was to balance the figures in a pattern of 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2. That would equal the total number of figures 23... Would the Pharaoh believe that rounding was the most favorable solution? Would he simply state that all of the slaves were his property as the heirs could not agree? Assuming this array is even correct, on which scales do we balance them? How do we on which scale a certain number can be placed? "
"The numbers previously suggested - 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2 - perfectly match the fractions in the riddle - 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, and 1/12 - if the original number were 24... Funny how if you take those individual portions of the number 24, they total 23... You're right, though; I doubt someone called the Pharaoh of Numbers would accept sloppy math. 'Anuchro Het entreated the Pharaoh of Numbers to resolve the dispute and all agreed that the pharaoh's solution was wise.' The only way I could see to make everything work out evenly is if someone gave or loaned Anuchro Het another slave to make the division by fractions work out - start with 24 slaves: one third would be 8, one quarter would be 6, one sixth would be 4, one eighth would be 3, and one twelfth would be 2; add them together you get the 23 original slaves, and then give back the twenty-fourth loaned slave," Gandel suggests with a shrug.
"As for how to place them on the scales, maybe we should wait for the others to return, and then have five of us place the proper number of statues on the scales at the same time?"
My apologies if I've been holding things up. This has been a crazy-busy week. I hope to have Gandel leveled-up tomorrow evening. Taking next level in Bard, by the way.
Hal mumbles in his sleep as exhaustion takes him over (prior to falling asleep the dawrven priest strips himself of his armor to get as good a nights rest as is possible).
-
The long awaited rest session is finally upon us? Everyone's going to sleep then?
"Gentlemen and Lady! Please refrain from touching ANYTHING in this chamber until I've had a chance to thoroughly check for unpleasant surprises," Gandel warns his companions as he continues to examine the room and its contents. "In fact, might I suggest that we all get some rest before we try to solve the riddle."
An irregular shaped room approximately 30 x 30 feet in size. It has a circular dais surrounded by five scales, hanging from the ceiling. The scales look like the kind a merchant might have used. Small green stones rest on the dais. The room contains hieroglyphs on each wall . There is though no exit to this chamber.
Five scales hang from the ceiling. Behind them, twenty-three tiny jade statuettes of various men and woman hard at work have been carefully arranged on a raised dais. Hieroglyphs line the walls in vertical columns.
Gandel carefully searches the chamber for any indications of hidden exits as he studies the hieroglyphs. Take 20 on search for secret doors for total Perception check of 32.
"I agree. As you suggested, Hal, let's try the largest room. I believe it was the one with the circular dais surrounded by five scales hanging from the ceiling," Gandel suggests.
So, where is the fifth chamber? The one Corundus called a 'cavity that is an orb, with a shallow pool of not-water'?" Gandel muses. "It should've been behind the northernmost point in the wall..."
Gandel moves to stand in front of the glowing portal and watches with fascination as Breach moves about in the small chamber beyond.
"BREACH! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" the halfling scholar shouts at the top of his lungs, curious as to whether sound can pass through the magical portal as easily as flesh.
"Thank you, Corundus," Gandel says to the earth elemental as it sinks into the chamber floor.
Gandel relays the elemental's information to those of his companions who do not speak Terran. Please feel free to read the spoilered information above.
The total duration of Gandel's summoning spell is 7 rounds, and this is Gandel's last 2nd level spell for the day. If there's enough time after Ro Ap Han is secured, Gandel will asks Corundus to quickly Earth Glide through the northern wall and report back the number(s) and placement(s) of chamber(s) before the spell expires.
"Alright, Trapspringer?! Now what?!" Breach asks, wondering if the halfling as any idea what to do next.
"The glowing vortex in Ro Ap Han's chest seems to get bigger when it's near the northern wall. Hal and Karek said there's hollow places - possibly chambers - somewhere deep behind the north wall. So hold the Ro Ap Han up against the northern wall and see what happens!" Gandel suggests, mentally offering a fervent prayer to Desna and Cayden for luck.
As Gandel sends out his mystical call for aid to the Realms Beyond, he quickly reviews the various details learned about the 'Door Guardian' during his companions' last battle with the creature.
"Let's see. In our initial meeting it referred to itself as 'the Ro Ap Han', which is unusual as that's more of a title like 'The Portalman' or 'Man of Doors'. It seems to be some type of construct; even though it moves more fluidly than any golem I've seen, it collapsed into rubble when Karek destroyed it the first time. According to Breach, a glowing hole appears in its chest when it moves along the north wall... a hole through which things not in this chamber can be seen. And Hal said he thought there might be hollow pockets of space somewhere deep behind the north wall... Karek said they might be other chambers. Hurgah's spirit companions were unable to affect it, and some of them appeared to be sucked through the shining vortex in the thing's chest. Then when Hal dispelled the vortex, the construct cried 'No! The portal! What have you done?' just before Karek destroyed it..."
"Don't destroy it!" Gandel shouts to his companions as realization finally dawns on him. "'The Ro Ap Han'... 'The Portalman'... He IS the portal to the rest of the pyramid!"
With these words, Gandel finally rises to his feet and retrieves a tanglefoot bag from his magical pack as a small, roughly humanoid-shaped stone creature with two glowing blue sapphire eyes explodes upward from the floor. The halfling scholar speaks to the creature in a low, rumbling language.
Terran:
"Corundus, my friend, please help the dwarf and the dragon-blood restrain the construct."
The stone creature nods its head in acknowledgement and disappears into the chamber floor, only to re-emerge in a stony octopoid shape next to Karek and Hurgah. The elemental's stony tentacles lash out at the grappled Ro Ap Han in an effort to help the dwarf and half-orc continue to restrain the construct.
Gandel: move action to stand; second move action to retrieve tanglefoot bag from handy haversack.
Corundus (small earth elemental): move action to move next to Karek and Hurgah via Earth Glide; standard action to Aid Another the grapple against Ro Ap Han.
Corundus' Aid Another Grapple check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Sorry for the delay gentleman, I just haven't been able to muster the motivation to get myself onto the Internet over the holidays with my son home and so many other things to do.
I hear ya! I've been struggling to get out of post-holiday PbP fatigue for a while now.
+1 to this and sincerest apologies for my absence as well. I plan to get a post for Gandel up this evening.
Oh, and great leveling post, Phrip - you've set the bar!
Invisible-Gandel replies to the guardian's protest in the same language.
Ancient Osiriani:
"Our apologies, Great One, but we cannot allow the Asmodeans to steal the secrets of the Four Pharaohs. Therefore, we must take matters into our own hands - even if you will not allow us to access the rest of the pyramid."
For this round, Gandel will take advantage of the free Extend Spell option of the Blessing of Fervor.
Gandel steps to the side of the entryway and utters a word of mystical power. The halfling scholar disappears from view and carefully studies the guardian, trying to identify its nature while also looking for signs of the golden light Breach mentioned.
Standard action to cast Vanish, Extended to a duration of 10 rounds (expires at the end of Round Ten). Using his daily Lore Master ability, Gandel will take 20 on the appropriate Knowledge check to attempt to identify the guardian for the purpose of using his Naturalist ability.
Gandel casts Expeditious Retreat on himself (+30 ft enhancement bonus to speed, does not stack with the speed boost option from Blessing of Fervor). Gandel's speed is now 50 ft; duration 7 minutes.
What would be the appropriate Knowledge skill to ID the guardian for Gandel to be able to use his Naturalist ability?
As much as I like the idea of a crazy, hare-brained scheme, I think I'm in agreement that the plan I've proposed is beyond our means to execute at this time. Let's get ready to rumble!
If we rested, would Xerissa be able to whip up a Potion of Glibness?
Plus, I like the image of the Pharaoh of Numbers looking like the Count from Sesame Street - I can envision him with one of those pharaoh headdresses and two scepters.
I'm assuming we're outside of the chamber where Ro Ap Han can't see us...
Breach Shattershield aka Javel wrote:
"Why can't we just kill it? If we kill it, we can move freely. It's just sittin' there, doin' nothin'. It only moves when we enter. It's only purpose is to sit there and... and... be a door? I say we kill it. Either that or we become a part of, 'the chosen few'," he shrugs.
Gandel's eyes widen as he considers the implications of Breach's statement. "Breach, that's brilliant!" the halfling scholar exclaims. "We can't kill the guardian because it's the only being we've encountered who might be able to tell us how to access the rest of the pyramid. That's discounting the possibility that the guardian's chamber is the sum total of all that's within the pyramid besides the long passageway through which we entered, of course, but I can't imagine that this is all that a pyramid of this size holds. Now if we could figure out a way to disguise ourselves - become a part of the 'chosen few' as Breach said - then perhaps we could trick the guardian into believing that we are the Four Pharaohs of Ascension and their four servants. If we could do that, then maybe we could convince the guardian to show us how to access the rest of the pyramid."
"But how would we disguise ourselves? The Four Pharaohs were Anok Fero the Cerulean Pharaoh, Hetshepsu the Fiend Pharaoh, Ankana the Radiant Pharaoh, and the Pharaoh of Numbers. For the Cerulean Pharaoh we could dress someone all in blue, I suppose; if someone knows the Prestidigitation cantrip then that could be used to alter the color of clothing of whoever is playing that role. Hurgah can look quite fiendish with his claws and fangs - especially when he's enlarged (no offense, Hurgah!) - maybe he could pass as the Fiend Pharaoh. And I'm not sure who would be best as the Radiant Pharaoh or the Pharaoh of numbers. At least one of the 'Pharaohs' would need to be someone who speaks Ancient Osiriani," Gandel adds, looking at Donkor.
After the group exits the chamber Gandel gives them a run-down of all that transpired with the mummified guardian. (Please feel free to read the spoilered conversation; Gandel will recite it word-for-word.)
Halstadt Morgrym wrote:
"We've no other way to go I think so if it is not around him then it has got to be through him I think."
"You're right, Hal. There was no other way out of that chamber," Gandel muses. "And his name was quite unusual. He called himself "THE Ro Ap Han" - which loosely translates into something like "The Portalman" or perhaps the "Man of Doors" or maybe even just a simple doorman." The halfling scholar's voice trails off as he considers the implications of the guardian's name.
Guess it's safe to assume that we're camping outside the chamber. We could always rest down in the creepy pit full of bodies...
Gandel bows again to the now agitated guardian and begins to back away, making shooing motions behind his back that only his companions can see as he addresses the figure one last time.
Ancient Osiriani:
"Please forgive our impertinence, mighty one. We have no desire to offend, only to serve and defend the interests of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension to the best of our ability - as you have so ably done for millenia. We thank you again for your mercy in allowing us to spend even these few moments in your presence and within the greatest achievement of the Four Pharaohs. May the God-Kings favor you in your impending battles against the Asmodean hordes, whose numbers are too great to count. We will take our leave now."
With these words Gandel continues to back out of the chamber, motioning for his companions to follow.
Gandel again bows low before the mummified guardian and addresses it in the ancient language.
Ancient Osiriani:
"Oh wise guardian! Truly your mercy is a reflection of the beneficence of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension - all honor and glory to their names! However, we must warn you that agents of the Devil-God Asmodeus seek to enter Ahn-Selota and steal the treasures contained herein or destroy what they cannot take - including the Pact Stone of the Four Pharaohs!"
"When we learned of the Asmodeans' foul plans we traveled here with all haste to try to thwart their designs. When we arrived we were quite disheartened to find the entire pyramid surrounded by their legions. We did what we could to prevent them from unearthing and opening the doorway into Ahn-Selota , but we were unable to cause them more than a minor hindrance. Once the Asmodeans opened the portal they were able to send two squadrons of their men into the pyramid before we were able to make our way past their forces. We found the remains of several of their men in the passageway without, and we are relieved to see that you dispatched any who managed to reach your chamber," Gandel pauses to indicate the two crumpled bodies near the throne.
"However, we are certain that they will soon send more of their forces into the pyramid. My companions and I have pledged our lives to defend the secrets of the Four Pharaohs contained within Ahn-Selota . We have blocked the entryway for now and have placed new traps, but we fear it is only a matter of time before they send ever-increasing numbers of their men and reach this chamber again. Unfortunately, we have severely depleted our strength in making our way past the Asmodean legions, and need to rest to replenish our resources so that we may help defend the pyramid. Is there a chamber in which we could rest safely? Or a position within the pyramid in which you feel we could provide the most aid in defending the secrets of the Four Pharaohs?"
Bluff check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22; augmented by Gallant Inspiration if needed: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5, for a total Bluff check of 27. Donkor, please feel free to Aid.
Gandel listens to his companions suggestions and frames a response to the mummified guardian. Bowing low, the halfling scholar speaks his reply in the ancient language.
Ancient Osiriani:
"Oh mighty guardian! We are but humble supplicants who wish to honor the power and wisdom of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension: Anok Fero the Cerulean Pharaoh, Hetshepsu the Fiend Pharaoh, Ankana the Radiant Pharaoh, and the Pharaoh of Numbers, whose true name must not be uttered. May we have your permission to pass?"
Diplomacy check (if needed): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14; if necessary, Gandel will augment the Diplomacy check using Gallant Inspiration to add 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5, for a total check of 19. Hopefully Donkor can Aid Another...
Before we move into the next chamber, I think we should divvy up the items found in the pit. I suggest that Donkor take the Sun-Beetle Disc, and that Moonpate take All-The-Eggs-In-One-Basket. Who wants to take the one-shot permanent Immovable Rod?
"I would be happy to investigate," Gandel replies to Hal. "I speak Ancient Osiriani in addition to modern Osiriani. If the mummy is some sort of guardian-spirit, I'll hopefully be able to communicate with it. If everyone is ready?"
With those words, the halfling scholar enters the chamber.
Gandel pulls on the rope to signal to those above to raise him out of the pit. Once safely back with the group, he shows them the items he found and explains their properties.
"As Uncle Dimble used to say: 'In for a penny, in for a pound, Gandel me boy!' Might as well take the plunge and see if these were worth the trouble of poking around down here," Gandel thinks to himself as he reaches out to gather up the magical items and examine them with his trained eye.
Once he reaches the bottom Gandel will examine the remains as he makes his way toward the location where he saw the magical auras, re-casting his Detect Magic cantrip as needed.
Gandel casts his own cantrip to perceive magical auras and notices the glows mentioned by Donkor. "I'll go check it out. Get ready to pull me back up, Hurgah," Gandel says before jumping off of the bridge and floating gently down to the pit-floor below.
