Prof. Benedictus Dickens's page

Dear friends,
my real-life schedule has changed a lot in the last few months, and I have been struggling to keep up with the pace of our Mummy's Mask game. Unfortunately, this has turned out to be harder than I imagined, due to a mix of factors such as the increasing difficulty of combats and my rather spotty access to laptops during the day. I have tried as hard as I could to set some rules for myself and follow them, but in the end I just have to admit that it is impossible for me to continue. I just don't have the time to read all the posts from others, think about what to do, check rules and spells, move my token on Roll20, and especially write the post. Being a non-native speaker, writing a post and reading posts from others takes me some time and energies: that's definitely not something I can do right after waking up or before going to bed. I need to be well-rested and in a good mental state, and it takes me approximately 45 minutes to write a decent combat post. Sometimes I have this time available, but sometimes I don't. And I am starting to feel bad for not posting consistently, or at least as consistently as it is expected and I had accepted to post. Unfortunately, that's not something I can improve, not with my current job and family situation. I am starting to feel the pressure of creating problems to the game with my repeated lack of daily posts and my poor tactics caused by lack of time, so I am bowing out of the game in order to make it more enjoyable for you all. As a PbP player, I hated when someone kept holding the group back with his lack of consistency, and I only find it coherent to do the same in a time when I cannot ensure my own posting reliability.
I would like to thank each of you . as I have already done with our wonderful GM, for this year spent playing together. I had a lot of fun and you taught me a lot of things on how to be a good PbP player. Just so you know, I still consider this game to be the best, and indeed I am withdrawing from PbP completely, not just leaving this game (which was my only campaign anyway).

A special note for Florence: I am so sorry to interrupt what we have created throughout this year. It had potential, and it was one of the best roleplaying experiences I ever had. I am sorry for having to let it die, and I have no words to thank you enough for gifting me with such intense and roleplayingly great moments.

I wish you luck, guys. It hurts to leave, but it's in the interest of everyone. Good gaming!

Wow, I feel so sad right now...

"Dammit!" Ben curses under his breath as the cultist manifests his intention to go fetch more guards.

We have not technically rested yet, right? This of course impacts my spell availability for this encounter.

If we have rested
Ben casts invisibility on himself and stealthily follows the cultist.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 + 40 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 40 = 45

If we have not rested
Ben cannot cast invisibility, so he decides to move to the entrance to the room the party is currently in and scribe one potent rune on the floor, activating his scroll of symbol of pain in the process. He will exclude all the party from the effects of the spell, and set "step on the rune" as its trigger.

Ben nods to Stelle's story, and tries to calmly explain the presence of the dead bodies around the party. "Yes, and the bodies, hum, we found them here. It was a mystery for us too, but all we wanted was to rest. You can come give them a look if you want."

Bluff (aid Stelle): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

I will be operative again starting from tomorrow.

Hi guys, due to a sudden change in my schedule, I had to work much more than expected in the last few days, hence the lack of posting. Please bot Ben as necessary, because this situation will last until the week-end.

Knowledge (arcana) check: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

Ben is about to give the party another lesson in history, when Florence speaks first. The scholar cannot help but smile sweetly at his beloved companion, proud of her knowledge. "As Flo said," he confirms, when the others look at him. "Not that I find this to be particularly good for us..."

Before delving deeper into the dungeon, Benedictus insists on resting. "Let's set up a camp here, or somewhere close. Nidhi, Stelle, would this be a good place? I really need to rest!"

Ben appears and flies down, taking place close to his companions. "Very well done." He smiles, and nods at the scorpionfolk with a little bow of respect. Before entering, however, he approaches his friends and whispers to them: "I need to rest. I used many resources in the assault, and I need to get back my powers. Let's get in and find a place where to rest for a few hours, please."

Benedictus turns invisible, waiting to see how the anticipated negotiation unfolds. He would have preferred to wait until the next morning, but as soon as he realizes that there is nothing he can do to stop his friends, the scholar decides to wait and watch from afar.

Being too far away to discern the details of what is going on, Ben sends Ptolemy (who becomes invisible) to get a better sense of the battlefield. Through the telepathic bond with his familiar, Ben will then use the information obtained to decide a course of action. In particular, Ben is interested in how many survivors are left, and where the (if any) the biggest group of them currently is.

Before the attack, Ben casts fly on himself and thelepathic bond on the group. Then he flies up about 30 feet, moves into spell range (100 feet) and casts his spells...

First off, a dazing stone call (DC 19).

Stone call (no save allowd): 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

Creatures damaged by Ben's spell (every enemy in the area, since there is no save against the spell) are dazed for 2 rounds.

The Ben quickly follows up with a...

Fireball (Reflex DC 19): 10d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 6, 4, 5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4) = 42

"A good idea would be to open this up with a fireball...which I can do. To keep things moving, then I could cause some black tenctacles to sprout from the ground..."

"Ayep. I ain't looking forward to dancing with them scorpo-giants. What did you call them, Ben?"

Taking his cue, Ben puts on his best professorish tone and explains "they are called girtabib...Hm, sorry, my mouth is dry." Ben takes a sip from his canteen and tries again, pretending to be as confident as possible. "It's girtablibl...I mean, girtlabi...Dammit, to hell with it! Let's just call them scorpionfolk."

Ben can't help but burst in a silent laughter. Once he regains his composure, he goes on to expound in his professorish tone. "Regardless of how they are called, it would be advisable to share what we know about them. As far as I am concerned, I know what follows..."

Knowledge (local) check: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23 alignment, special abilities, languages, tactics

When Stelle and Florence propose to reason with the girtablilus, Benedictus shakes his head. "Don't forget that there are cultists not far from the Sightless Sphinx. They probably are in league with the scorpionfolk, and vice versa. And if that's so, they will attack us on sight or simply sneak behind us and catch us unaware while we delve into the Sphinx's interior. No, I believe the only way to attempt diplomacy with the girtablilus is to deal with the cultists first. Perhaps once we dispatch them, the scorpionfolk will be open to negotiation. But I would rather not risk betrayal before fighting off the cultists."

Ben scratches the back of his head and ponders. "The cultists seemed pretty unattentive. Perhaps we can surprise them, at night. A quick assault, we kill them and we retreat. Then we get back here in the morning, and attempt to negotiate with the girtablilus. Sounds like a good plan? In any case, I would leave the tactics of the assault to Zilchus and Stelle. You know my powers, and I will use them according to your orders, in case you decide to put them to use in the assault."

Thanks you for the clarification. All these feet and yards confuse me, since I am used to the metrical system! I have moved my eye on the map. 7 minutes will do, I would rather not risk detection at this moment.

Ben grins at Zilchus. "Mh, let me guess who you are thinking about..." When Florence confirms his thought, Ben shrugs. "I guess I could do it, but it would cost me perhaps too many resources. I would rather preserve my energies. After all, we know that this is the base for the Cultists of the Forgotten Pharaoh. Consequently, a clash is very likely, and I would rather have all my arcane arsenal at my disposal, if the need arises."

After giving his explanation, Benedictus takes a sip from his canteen, his eyes looking at the Sightless Sphinx. "I could also send Ptolemy, but again, this would be risky. He is very sneaky, that's true, but there's still the risk that they could catch him. And he is not very resistant to direct attacks. Even worse, I would be far from him, and unable to protect him. I don't want to risk that much."

Ben takes another sip and secures the canteen to his hip. "This leaves us with only one option. I will resort to one my divinations, creating a magical sensor that will scout the area for us. It will last about 10 minutes, but considering that it can cover 300 feet in a minute, we should be fine. I will need a few minutes to cast the spell, though. In the meantime, why don't we get a little closer, so that my arcane eye has less distance to travel? Oh, and Flo...where did you put that bat fur again? Last time I borrowed it to you for that concoction."

Ben casts arcane eye and sends it forward to scout one of the smaller sphinxes, preferably the closest to the group. He suggests to get closer before he casts the spell, but not close enough that the group would risk being spotted.

Before heading toward the Sightless Sphinx, Benedictus casts mage armor on himself.

GM, would it be possible to quickly recap why we are here and what we are supposed to find/search here?

"Don't worry, I never said I need it now. I just wanted to let you know that I need one. I want to see through this matter, sooner or later. As of now, I'm good with continuing our exploration," Ben explains. "Let's keep going."

Ben follows to where Zilchus decides, his thoughts still focused on the archaeologist. "I need a mirror, my friends. And an expensive one, at that. I need it to be made in silver, and be very, very high-priced."

"Very good. I'll go. But we will meet again, I promise."

Ben turns on his heels and leaves as demanded.

Ben becomes visible, arms folded across his chest, as he looks with disappointment at the old man who has just threatened to slay him and Nidhi. Ben shakes his head, then shrugs. "We didn't treat you like an enemy. We just want to make sure you are not one of them, and in order to do that we have to see what's inside the temple. Listen, I trust you, you are a fellow archaeologist. But there is no reason to deny us, or at least me, a quick visit inside. I promise I won't steal your work, and on the contrary, you could gain a quotation in the book I am working on myself, being credited for your research. Just take me on a quick tour inside, I ask nothing else."

Diplomacy (+2 good hope): 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 2 = 30

"It's...It's not that easy, Zil. I'm not someone who "takes" from others. In this case, the fact is that the old man has arisen my suspicions by insisting that we don't get in. Otherwise," he says, glancing at Stelle, "I would also be pressing the group forward at this moment. But I have this strange feeling that the old man is holding something potentially useful for us inside...You know what? If Nidhi's plan fails, I have another option in mind. Nidhi," Ben continues, looking at Nidhi now, "would you mind to take a body part from him, if all else fails? A lock of hair, or even a bit of nail would do. Can you do this for me?"

***

Ben casts invisibility on himself, and commands Ptolomy to stay behind for the moment. While Nidhi negotiates, he keeps himself within 30 feet of his friend, watching from a distance the outcomes of her attempt.

With the party gathered away from the old man, Ben speaks in conspirational tone.

"I don't like the idea of someone preventing me from seeing something, just because he considers that thing his own. As a matter of fact, that temple is not his own. I would like to take a glance inside, to be honest."

Ben is too busy studying the self-proclaimed archaeologist to chime in the conversation. He takes note of everything the old man says, and of what he answers to his friends' questions, but still he does not intervente until the opportunity presents itself.

"Hm-Hhhm"

Ben clears his throat and extends his hand, offering it to the man to shake.

"Benedictus West Dickens, Osirionologist. It's a pleasure to make your acquiantance, Mister Faad. We are colleagues, to a certain extent, so I will tell you that we were not intentionally looking for this place. I understand your reasons: you don't want us to invade your research space, and that's legitimate. I would ask the same. But you cannot really demand that. We could accept your request, and leave the temple unspoiled and unexplored, but that would be an act of kindness on our part. Perhaps you can give us something back? Do you happen to know the location of the Sightless Sphinx?"

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

Sorry about the silence guys, I have spent the weekend away from home and although I thought there would be time available for me to post, I ended up doing family stuff for the whole time. I'll post tomorrow morning.

I have marked the three hexes Ben would propose to the group on the map on Roll20.

"The Sphinx is our priority. Although it could interesting to see where the tracks lead us, I vote for focusing on our actual goal, which is to find the sphinx," comments Benedictus, nodding at Florence.

"Let's go wherever you prefer. I do not have anything to add," says Benedictus, a bit uncomfortable with Zilchus's gross humour. He refrains from commenting, urging instead his companions to gather the treasures and move on.

Knowledge (religion) check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Knowledge (nature) check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Rolling in advance, I will post later.

Fearing that the undead could act as a spy, Ben orders the bralani to keep firing his bow.

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 4 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 14 - 4 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Ben orders his bralani to keep firing at the undead as it tries to fly away.

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Bralani Fort save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

The azata only takes partial damage from the arrow due to his natural damage reduction, then quickly retaliates.

Still standing behind his summoned ally, Benedictus directs his friends' attacks with his prescience.

Foretell (Su) At 8th level, you can utter a prediction of the immediate future. While your foretelling is in effect, you emit a 30-foot aura of fortune that aids your allies or hinders your enemies, as chosen by you at the time of prediction. If you choose to aid, you and your allies gain a +2 luck bonus on ability checks, attack rolls, caster level checks, saving throws, and skill checks. If you choose to hinder, your enemies take a –2 penalty on those rolls instead. You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to your wizard level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.

Composite longbow +1 (+2 foretell): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 2 = 25
Damage (+2 good hope): 1d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17

Composite longbow +1 (+2 foretell): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16
Damage (+2 good hope): 1d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 = 14

SUMMONED CREATURES STATUS
Bralani, Azata
hp 76/80
Conditions none

Benedictus summons 1 bralani azata and tells him to attack the undead while he double moves toward the enemy.

Composite longbow +1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Composite longbow +1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Cannot access Roll20 today.

It's a bit too late to post here, but I understand everyone would be waiting on me , so, if needed, Benedictus will act as follows: summon a herd of bisons and send them to trample forward, while he double moves forward.

"Yes, I was born in Westcrown," Ben confirms, his eyes staring at the void horizon. "Life was good, there. I didn't have any friends, except for my father, but as a traveling merchant, he was rarely at home. I only had another friend, and it was Milo, my halfling servant. I never considered him as such. He was tasked with looking to my needs, and keep me safe, but we became fast friends. Oh, if I enjoyd his tales!"

Ben smiles at Stelle. "Well, I hope I have found another halfing friend in you, Stelle!"

***

Concerning the camels, Ben praises both Zilchus and Stelle for coming up with a much more sensed idea than his, and quickly agrees to take them to drink and then leave them to the desert, their natural environment.

***

Knowledge (religion) check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 Questions: SR, special abilities, DR, other
Knowledge (local ?) check to identify the half-man half-scorpion: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 Other Knowledge skills and their modifiers: Arcana +18, Dungeoneering +11, Nature +13, Planes +19, Religion +16.

"It's a baykok. An evil undead. It can't be reasoned with," Ben whispers to his friends before starting to speak the words needed to begin his summoning ritual, his eyes glowing with arcane energy for a moment as he concentrates on the spell he will get to cast in the next round.

+1 Initiative (+16 total)
+1 Perception (+14/16 total)
+1 Will save (+10 total)
+1 5th level spell/day
+1 4th level spell/day
+2 new 5th level spells added to the spellbook: lesser planar binding, wall of stone
Wizard's bonus feat: Quicken Spell

Ben stares, mouth agape, at Nidhi's proposal. "Wait...what did you just say? Camel snack? This...This is mean, Nidhi!" Horrified, Ben instinctively puts his hand on one of the camels. "Do you think it would be impossible to take them with us? They are in their natural environment, after all, and they should not slow us down...Isn't it?" Been looks to Zilchus and Stelle for confirm.

***

Ben studies the territory for a few minutes, hoping that someone will propose a good plan for the travel. As it seems, however, no one in the group is sure about the itinerary to follow, thus Ben takes the stage. "Why don't we start with north-east and then we move north-west from there? It seems like a reasonable solution to me, at least for today."

I have marked the two hexes on the map with a red "X."

Ben uses the afternoon off to write down a scroll of dimension door and then, in the morning, he summons the chariot as planned. He keeps mostly to himself, but when and if he has the opportunity, he will conversate with Stelle in order to improve their relationship.

"Stelle, can you tell me something more about the status of halflings in Osirion? In Cheliax, unfortunately, many members of your race are house servants or worst...Is that any different here?"

Ben is about to explain the difference between sightless and siteless to Zilchus, but Stelle precedes him. The scholar just shrugs and smiles at Zilchus. "I would have explained with a lot of complex words, but yes. What she said. And so we are going north."
_______________
As for the bath, Ben will only accept if it is too late to depart or very early in the day, otherwise he will push the group to leave.

"Let's leave it be, I agree," Ben replies to Florence concerning the key and the inactive construct. "No reason to run some risks without knowing what we would gain."

Benedictus spends all the hours needed to identify the magic items and read the books found in the tomb. He also tries to identify the hieroglyphs on the walls and urns.

Ben scans the tunnel and the door with detect magic, and if he detects no troubles, he gestures his companions to go ahead and open the next door. Otherwise, he gives a halt gesture and tries to learn more.

Spellcraft check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

"Nidhi, Stelle, come over here!" he whispers, looking back over his shoulders.

After healing has been administered, Ben pushes the group to open the secret door. "But be careful..."

Will save (Ben): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Will save (Ptolomy): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Will save (LA1): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Will save (LA2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Will save (LA3): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Will save (LA4): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

With the golem on the ground, Benedictus dissolves the grease in order to allow Stelle to charge past the construct. The spell had the effect desidered. In the meantime, the archons continue to fire beams of light at the golem.

"Wait until it stands up!"

Orders Ben using the Celestial language.

If the golem does not stand up, Ben gives the command to attack anyway.

LA1 light ray (+2 inspire courage, -1 slow): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
CRIT CONFIRM: 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 22
CRIT DAMAGE: 1d6 ⇒ 6
LA1 light ray (+2 inspire courage, -1 slow): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

LA2 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
LA2 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

LA3 light ray (+2 inspire courage, -1 slow): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
LA3 light ray (+2 inspire courage, -1 slow): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

LA4 light ray (+2 inspire courage, -1 slow): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
LA4 light ray (+2 inspire courage, -1 slow): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

With no space available for his land creatures, Benedictus decides to summon a group of lantern archons up above the head of Zilchus and Stelle.

Summon monster IV (+1 Augment Summoning): 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The light ray is a ranged touch attack that overcomes damage reduction of any type. Each lantern archon (LA) can fire two.

LA1 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
LA1 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

LA2 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
LA2 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

LA3 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
LA3 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

LA4 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
LA4 light ray (+2 inspire courage): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

As for Ben himself, he is pretty satisfied with the attacks of his summoned creatures, but he tries to contribute even more to the fight by creating a layer of grease right below the golem.

The golem has to make a DC 18 Reflex save or it falls prone.

Yes, Ben is delaying until Flo can act, and then performing all of his actions for the turn. Ptolomy will move accordingly.

As soon as he spots the golem, Benedictus starts speaking the ritual words of a summoning spell, his eyes closed in concentration.

"Hold on! Reinforcements are coming! Give me some space guys!"

Before beginning his spell, Benedictus tries to make Florence swap position with him.

Ptolomy, in the meantime, flies at about 20 feet over his master's shoulder, his wand ready to be activated at Ben's command.

"Very well. I accept the job," although you, as a sphinx, have greatly disappointed me, reasoning just like a human patron..., "and be sure that we will be respectful to its contents."

"Let me decide what is the best strategy to use my spells, Nidhi. Unfortunately, I do not know much about stone golems, but from what I know, the attacks of mundane creatures won't be very effective. I am thinking about summoning creatures with supernatural abilities to that end, but first I need to know where the golem precisely is. If it is right beyond the door, I can start summoning now, so that I can send my creatures forward. But if it is further inside the corridor, or in some other room, then I would be wasting a good spell, because its duration is very limited. Let me check this out with a spell of mine, please."

Before entering the tomb, Benedictus casts mage armor on himself. And if there is a breach in the tomb, he will cast arcane eye and send the sensor into the tomb, looking around and gaining information on its surroundings.

*** SPELL PREPARATION ***

Wizard spells prepared (CL 9th, concentration +15)
5th (1+1+1/day)― dazing stone call, summon monster V, telepathic bond
4th (2+1+1/day)― arcane eye, black tentacles, summon monster IV (x2)
3rd (3+1+1/day)― fireball (x2), fly , haste, summon monster III
2nd (4+2+1/day)― glitterdust (DC 19), invisibility, locate object, scorching ray (x2), stone call, web (DC 19)
1st (4+2+1/day)― burning hands (DC 17), grease (DC 18), ear-piercing scream (DC 17), mage armor, magic missile (x2), true strike
Cantrips (at will)― dancing lights, detect magic, mage hand, prestidigitation
Arcane school: divination; Subschool: foresight; Opposition schools: enchantment, necromancy

"Yes, stone, stone of course," Ben corrects himself.

I need to prepare new spells for Ben if we have rested. Florence, did you share your knowledge on stone golems with us?

"Yes, we have reasons to believe that an iron golem stands beyond that door...," confirms Ben to the sphinx with a simple nod. "And to that end, I am inclined to take it slow, and plan our actions carefully. As far as I am concerned, I have consumed many resources in our battle with the cultists, and I am not ready to face another deadly fight. I still have some spells left, but they might prove not so effective."

Ben paces around nervously, pondering the options. "I suggest we rest before getting in. I don't want to sound excessively cautious, but it is very likely that the tomb extends far beyond the breach with the golem, so it would be wise to be well rested before we get in."

***

If the party agrees to his plan, Ben will cast arcane eye before resting and send the sensor into the tomb, in order to get a few information about what lies beyond.

"The tombs have already been disturbed by the cultists. Fly high enough, and you will see with you own eyes. Search for the hole, and you will see the breach they have opened," Benedictus replies to the sphinx, now slowly starting to get back to more mundane concerns.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Is there any test we could make in order to gain your permission to get into the pyramid? Perhaps a riddle, or something?," Ben asks, remembering the sphinxes of legend from his readings.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27