Mummy's Mask - Shifting Sands [IC]

[Farmerbink]

Turi continues his mad dash into the fray, using everything he knows about acrobatics and all the willpower he can muster to close the gap with the unearthly hound. He rounds the corner, lilting oddly to take advantage of the sloped floor, and dashes down the ramp while slipping his blades from their sheathes.

Spoiler: Turi, round like forever +1

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Spoiler: stats

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Turi
Male N Human Fighter 1 / URogue 6 (Knife master), Level 7, Init +5, HP 73/73, Speed 30
AC 22, Touch 16, Flat-footed 17, CMD 21, Fort 6, Ref 9, Will 4, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 4
+1 Kukri x2 +12 or +10/+10 (1d4+6, 18-20, x2)
Cold iron dagger +10 (1d4, 19-20, x2)
Silver dagger +10 (1d4-1, 19-20, x2)
Trip attempt +16 (assuming +1 kukri)
Mistmail (mist form- 20% concealment), Amulet of natural armor, Ring of protection (+5 Armor, +5 Dex, +1 Nat, +1 Def)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 8
Condition +1 dmg when flanking
+1 AC (23) vs attack with light blades
sneak stab: 3d8/3d4
Endurance, die hard // Resiliency: 1/1
Vanish: 2/2 (CL 6)
-2 skill checks after failure
ignore first 5' of difficult terrain
poisons, potions
Escape artist R's edge

As I recall, Turi can't fail the acrobatics check, even with a +5 mod for moving at full speed. In case I recall in error: (1d20+12)[23]

He's *just* under one movement action away from melee, though he'll be attacking vs partial cover, I think? Still, better to attack than just not, so:
(1d20+12)[13] (not counting flanking)
(1d20+12)[31] CC (30+, x2)
(1d4+6)[7] dmg
(1d4+6)[7] crit bonus
if Lehasti can position herself to allow flanking: (3d8)[16] sneak stab

[JWallyR]

Lehasti's eyes flit over to the reappearance of Turi and Vershab's effort to hamper the last of the hounds, and then back to the mastiff itself with a gleam of grim satisfaction. Sidling to cut off any route of escape, the paladin shouts, "And now- back to the foul abyss from whence you came!" while twisting her torso to throw the whole of her weight and strength into a sweeping strike of her falchion!

Azkin, emboldened by the presence of his allies and the mastiff's attention shifting away from him, drops his spear and hastily draws his scimitar, swinging it (somewhat clumsily from his seated position) at the shadowy creature before him!

Spoiler: Actions

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Spoiler: Stats

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Spoiler: Lehasti

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Lehasti Gesmeha
F LG Human Paladin, Level 7, Init 1, HP 85/85, Speed 20
AC 21, Touch 13, Flat-footed 20, CMD 25, Fort 13, Ref 8, Will 9, CMB +12, Base Attack Bonus 7
+1/Flaming/Flaming Burst, Continual Flame Flaming Puzzle Falchion +1 +14 (2d4+7, 18-20, x2)
Flail, Heavy +11 (1d10+6, 19-20, x2)
Spiked Gauntlet +11 (1d4+4, )
Breastplate +1 (+7 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 16
Condition Falchion is Flaming (1d6 fire damage) today.
Protection from Evil: +2 Deflection, Saves, prevents summoned contact, 46 rds

Spoiler: Azkin

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Azkin
M NG Human Cleric, Level 5, Init 2, HP 24/49, Speed 30
AC 13, Touch 8, Flat-footed 11, CMD 13, Fort 8, Ref 5, Will 9, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 3
Longspear 5 (1d8+3, x3)
Dagger +1 6 (1d4+3, 19-20, x2)
Scimitar 5 (1d6+2, 18-20, x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect, -4 Misc)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10
Condition Prone: -4 atk, +/-4 AC vs ranged/melee

Lehasti takes a 5-ft step to M15 and begins a Full-Round (Power) Attack. Rolls do not include any flanking bonus from Turi at (I assume) K13.

Attack 1: (1d20+12)[14]; (1d100)[81] against concealment (51+ hits)
CC: (1d20+12)[15]for x2 on 30+
Damage: (2d4+14)[17] slashing plus (1d6)[2] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[18] slashing damage

Attack 2: (1d20+7)[10]; (1d100)[97] against concealment (51+ hits)
CC: (1d20+7)[27]for x2 on 25+
Damage: (2d4+14)[19] slashing plus (1d6)[2] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[18] slashing damage

Spoiler: AoO, if applicable

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Attack: (1d20+12)[18]; (1d100)[93] against concealment (51+ hits)
CC: (1d20+12)[25]for x2 on 30+
Damage: (2d4+14)[17] slashing plus (1d6)[1] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[19] slashing damage

Azkin's attack:
Attack: (1d20+1)[13]; (1d100)[44] vs concealment (hit on 51+)
CC:(1d20+1)[15] for x2 on 19+
Damage: (1d6+2)[7]
Crit damage: (1d6+2)[4]

[Gwynfrid]

Turi joins the fray now, and the Relic Knights surround the mastiff from all sides. But its furious movements blend with the creeping shadows all around them, and all of their blows are wide - except for a swift motion of Vershab's hand, which doesn't seem to hurt the hound, but causes it to recoil, startled. Baying for blood, it turns back to attack Lehasti, and its sweeping tail lashes at Vershab, but it seems to hesitate, and while the arcanist takes a blow to his face, the paladin's armor deflects the monster's snapping jaws.

Spoiler

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@ Vershab and Turi, pls don't forget the 50% miss chance when rolling.

Miss chance for Vershab this turn (1d100)[80] (if 51+, he hits and the mastiff is shaken) - made it

Mastiff attacks
Bite vs Lehasti (1d20+10)[22] damage (1d8+6)[11] ; cc(30) (1d20+10)[21] cd (1d8+6)[13]; if hit, trip (1d20+10)[15] (-2 if shaken) - missed, thanks to the shaken condition
Tail slap vs Vershab (1d20+5)[22] damage (1d6+3)[4] ; cc(25) (1d20+5)[23] damage (1d6+3)[6] (-2 if shaken) - hit

Vershab takes 4 damage.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Vershab' Status, Round 6

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Vershab Fethi
Male True Neutral Human Blood Arcanist, Level 7, Init 12, HP 47/51, DR 5/- (vs. Nonlethal), Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, [B]Ref[/B 4, Will 6, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 3
Mage Armor (Extended, 14 Hours)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 21, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition 2/9 Arcane Reservoir Available
2/5 Grave Touch Used
Draak 25/25 HPs

Vershab strikes out at the mastiff again, the glow reappearing as he tries to touch the extra-planar beast. "Lehasti, they are not demons and thus wouldn't return to the Abyss. Based upon their appearance I would guess them to be from the Shadowfell, or the Plane of Shadow..." he says as he steps back out of melee.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Attempt to connect with Grave Touch again.

Grave Touch (touch attack) (1d20+2)[5] to hit touch AC (no save to resist), it will become frightened for one round if it has less than seven hit dice
Vs. concealment (1d100)[37]

After attacking, hit or miss, he will take a 5-ft step out of melee.

[Farmerbink]

"Wherever it's from-" Turi begins, speaking between sudden lunges and feints. "He needs to go home!" He notes Vershab's subtle step back, and shifts his stance to take his place, opening the shadowy hound up for a more direct assault.

Spoiler: Turi, round.. 6?

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Spoiler: stats

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Turi
Male N Human Fighter 1 / URogue 6 (Knife master), Level 7, Init +5, HP 73/73, Speed 30
AC 22, Touch 16, Flat-footed 17, CMD 21, Fort 6, Ref 9, Will 4, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 4
+1 Kukri x2 +12 or +10/+10 (1d4+6, 18-20, x2)
Cold iron dagger +10 (1d4, 19-20, x2)
Silver dagger +10 (1d4-1, 19-20, x2)
Trip attempt +16 (assuming +1 kukri)
Mistmail (mist form- 20% concealment), Amulet of natural armor, Ring of protection (+5 Armor, +5 Dex, +1 Nat, +1 Def)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 8
Condition +1 dmg when flanking
+1 AC (23) vs attack with light blades
sneak stab: 3d8/3d4
Endurance, die hard // Resiliency: 1/1
Vanish: 2/2 (CL 6)
-2 skill checks after failure
ignore first 5' of difficult terrain
poisons, potions
Escape artist R's edge

5-foot step to V's old spot
full attack!
(1d20+12)[17] (counting flanking)
(1d100)[79] concealment (51+ hits?)
(1d20+12)[28] CC (30+, x2)
(1d4+7)[10] dmg
(1d4+7)[9] crit bonus
(3d8)[10] sneak stab

(1d20+12)[24] (counting flanking)
(1d100)[34] concealment (51+ hits)
(1d20+12)[27] CC (30+, x2)
(1d4+7)[10] dmg
(1d4+7)[11] crit bonus
(3d8)[16] sneak stab

[JWallyR]

Between sweeping strikes of her falchion, Lehasti huffs out "It's a... turn of phrase!" exasperatedly.

Spoiler: Actions

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Spoiler: Stats

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Spoiler: Lehasti

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Lehasti Gesmeha
F LG Human Paladin, Level 7, Init 1, HP 85/85, Speed 20
AC 21, Touch 13, Flat-footed 20, CMD 25, Fort 13, Ref 8, Will 9, CMB +12, Base Attack Bonus 7
+1/Flaming/Flaming Burst, Continual Flame Flaming Puzzle Falchion +1 +14 (2d4+7, 18-20, x2)
Flail, Heavy +11 (1d10+6, 19-20, x2)
Spiked Gauntlet +11 (1d4+4, )
Breastplate +1 (+7 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 16
Condition Falchion is Flaming (1d6 fire damage) today.
Protection from Evil: +2 Deflection, Saves, prevents summoned contact, 45 rds

Spoiler: Azkin

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Azkin
M NG Human Cleric, Level 5, Init 2, HP 24/49, Speed 30
AC 13, Touch 8, Flat-footed 11, CMD 13, Fort 8, Ref 5, Will 9, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 3
Longspear 5 (1d8+3, x3)
Dagger +1 6 (1d4+3, 19-20, x2)
Scimitar 5 (1d6+2, 18-20, x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect, -4 Misc)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10
Condition Prone: -4 atk, +/-4 AC vs ranged/melee

Azkin attacks from his prone position:
Attack: (1d20+1)[2], (1d100)[92] vs concealment (51+ hits)
Crit: (1d20+1)[14] for x2 on 19+
Damage: (1d6+2)[3] slashing
Crit damage: (1d6+2)[3] slashing

Spoiler: Azkin's AoO, if applicable

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Attack: (1d20+1)[19], (1d100)[28] vs concealment (51+ hits)
Crit: (1d20+1)[8] for x2 on 19+
Damage: (1d6+2)[8] slashing
Crit damage: (1d6+2)[4] slashing

If possible, Lehasti takes a 5ft step to ensure flanking. Rolls do not include flanking bonus.

Lehasti's full-round, power attack:
Attack 1: (1d20+12)[23], (1d100)[49] vs concealment (51+ hits)
CC: (1d20+12)[19] for x2 on 30+
Damage: (2d4+14)[17] slashing plus (1d6)[4] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[20] slashing

Attack 2: (1d20+7)[19], (1d100)[6] vs concealment (51+ hits)
CC: (1d20+7)[12] for x2 on 25+
Damage: (2d4+14)[18] slashing plus (1d6)[5] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[18] slashing

Spoiler: Lehasti's AoO, if applicable

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Attack: (1d20+12)[31], (1d100)[73] vs concealment (51+ hits)
CC: (1d20+12)[15] for x2 on 30+
Damage: (2d4+14)[20] slashing plus (1d6)[2] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[19] slashing

[Gwynfrid]

The companions have a hard time discerning their enemy from the dancing shadows all around them: All their strikes hit only air. The remaining mastiff, however, doesn't suffer from any such difficulty. But it still appears to be hesitant, shying away from Vershab's extended hand. Instead, it concentrates its attacks on Lehasti, but the paladin's shining armor deflects every one of its blows.

Spoiler

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I'm not sure what the round count is either, but I think it doesn't matter much at this point.

Mastiff attacks including shaken effect
Bite vs Lehasti (1d20+8)[15] damage (1d8+6)[11] ; cc(28) (1d20+8)[23] cd (1d8+6)[9] ; if hit, trip (1d20+8)[25]
Tail slap vs Vershab (1d20+3)[17] damage (1d6+3)[8]; cc(23) (1d20+3)[6] cd (1d6+3)[7]

Miss, and miss

[JWallyR]

With a silent grimace of anger, Lehasti continues to assault the beast with her flaming blade.

Spoiler: Actions

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Spoiler: Stats

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Spoiler: Lehasti

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Lehasti Gesmeha
F LG Human Paladin, Level 7, Init 1, HP 85/85, Speed 20
AC 21, Touch 13, Flat-footed 20, CMD 25, Fort 13, Ref 8, Will 9, CMB +12, Base Attack Bonus 7
+1/Flaming/Flaming Burst, Continual Flame Flaming Puzzle Falchion +1 +14 (2d4+7, 18-20, x2)
Flail, Heavy +11 (1d10+6, 19-20, x2)
Spiked Gauntlet +11 (1d4+4, )
Breastplate +1 (+7 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 16
Condition Falchion is Flaming (1d6 fire damage) today.
Protection from Evil: +2 Deflection, Saves, prevents summoned contact, 44 rds

Spoiler: Azkin

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Azkin
M NG Human Cleric, Level 5, Init 2, HP 24/49, Speed 30
AC 13, Touch 8, Flat-footed 11, CMD 13, Fort 8, Ref 5, Will 9, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 3
Longspear 5 (1d8+3, x3)
Dagger +1 6 (1d4+3, 19-20, x2)
Scimitar 5 (1d6+2, 18-20, x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect, -4 Misc)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10
Condition Prone: -4 atk, +/-4 AC vs ranged/melee

No rolls include flanking

Azkin attacks:
Attack: (1d20+1)[16], (1d100)[88] vs concealment
CC: (1d20+1)[8] for x2 on 19+
Damage: (1d6+2)[3] slashing
Crit damage: (1d6+2)[5] slashing

Spoiler: Azkin AoO

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Attack: (1d20+1)[7], (1d100)[96] vs concealment
CC: (1d20+1)[21] for x2 on 19+
Damage: (1d6+2)[8] slashing
Crit damage: (1d6+2)[8] slashing

Lehasti will 5ft step if required to maintain flanking.

Lehasti's full-round, power attacks:
Attack1: (1d20+12)[27], (1d100)[91] vs concealment
CC: (1d20+12)[27] for x2 on 30+
Damage: (2d4+14)[20] slashing plus (1d6)[5] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[21] slashing

Attack2: (1d20+7)[10], (1d100)[95] vs concealment
CC: (1d20+7)[18] for x2 on 25+
Damage: (2d4+14)[19] slashing plus (1d6)[4] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[19] slashing

Spoiler: Lehasti's AoO

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Attack: (1d20+12)[26], (1d100)[27] vs concealment
CC: (1d20+12)[31] for x2 on 30+
Damage: (2d4+14)[17] slashing plus (1d6)[5] fire damage
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[17] slashing

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Vershab' Status, Round 7

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Vershab Fethi
Male True Neutral Human Blood Arcanist, Level 7, Init 12, HP 47/51, DR 5/- (vs. Nonlethal), Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, [B]Ref[/B 4, Will 6, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 3
Mage Armor (Extended, 14 Hours)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 21, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition 2/9 Arcane Reservoir Available
2/5 Grave Touch Used
Draak 25/25 HPs

"Specifics matter, my friends. For instance, if we were to try and banish this creature magically it would not go to the Abyss. Its return would upset an entirely different set of extra-planar powers, which would likely be much better for us than to engage a Demon Lord..." Vershab lectures as he watches for a chance to strike the mastiff.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Move into position to attack with Grave Touch again.

Grave Touch (touch attack) (1d20+2)[21] to hit touch AC (no save to resist), it will become frightened for one round if it has less than seven hit dice
Vs. concealment (1d100)[31]

[Farmerbink]

"I still don't like it, here!" Turi grunts, frustrated with his own ineffective swipes and jabs. Once more, he dances around the umbral beast, looking for an opportunity to strike.

Spoiler: Turi, round. 7

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Spoiler: stats

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Turi
Male N Human Fighter 1 / URogue 6 (Knife master), Level 7, Init +5, HP 73/73, Speed 30
AC 22, Touch 16, Flat-footed 17, CMD 21, Fort 6, Ref 9, Will 4, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 4
+1 Kukri x2 +12 or +10/+10 (1d4+6, 18-20, x2)
Cold iron dagger +10 (1d4, 19-20, x2)
Silver dagger +10 (1d4-1, 19-20, x2)
Trip attempt +16 (assuming +1 kukri)
Mistmail (mist form- 20% concealment), Amulet of natural armor, Ring of protection (+5 Armor, +5 Dex, +1 Nat, +1 Def)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 8
Condition +1 dmg when flanking
+1 AC (23) vs attack with light blades
sneak stab: 3d8/3d4
Endurance, die hard // Resiliency: 1/1
Vanish: 2/2 (CL 6)
-2 skill checks after failure
ignore first 5' of difficult terrain
poisons, potions
Escape artist R's edge

5-foot step as needed to maintain a flank?
full attack!
(1d20+12)[15] (counting flanking)
(1d100)[63] concealment (51+ hits?)
(1d20+12)[30] CC (30+, x2)
(1d4+7)[9] dmg
(1d4+7)[10] crit bonus
(3d8)[16] sneak stab

(1d20+12)[19] (counting flanking)
(1d100)[80] concealment (51+ hits?)
(1d20+12)[17] CC (30+, x2)
(1d4+7)[9] dmg
(1d4+7)[11] crit bonus
(3d8)[18] sneak stab

[Gwynfrid]

Another solid blow from Lehasti, followed by a precisely calculated strike of Turi's magical kukri finally overwhelm the mastiff, which dissipates from view and merges with the now still shadows of the Dark Depository.

Now free to explore the shelves at leisure, the companions find that they form a sort of labyrinth of books.

Spoiler

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I edited out a note about scrolls, when I realized you have found those in the earlier room.

[JWallyR]

Lehasti breathes a sigh of relief as the shadowy creature seems to dissipate into nothingness. "Indeed, Turi- I care not about where it goes, but merely that it does not remain," the paladin grunts as she extends one gauntleted hand to Azkin. "Dawnflower be praised, may her light forever endure!" says the paladin, the fervency of her tone attesting to her concern for the young man.

Azkin, having rested his head on the cool stone of the floor from his desperate exertions, reaches one hand up gratefully to meet that of his mistress. "May her flames be never extinguished." he murmurs in response, his other hand using the butt of his spear to support him on the way up.

After seeing to the party's health, the Dawnflower devotees make the rounds of the chamber, looking for any potential source of danger.

Spoiler: Actions

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Azkin is 25 HP shy of full, but Lehasti is at full life. Vershab could use some healing, right? Turi took some fall damage? Before officially moving on, I want to suggest that Azkin might Channel if it will heal all 3 of them, but if it's just the two, then I want to consider use of wands, etc. before the party goes on to provoke more retaliation.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab shrugs as the others discuss how they feel their ignorance is acceptable without overtly expressing his disagreement. As he walks about the stacks of books he scans everything for signs of magic before beginning to pull books from the shelves and starting his research, sitting in relative comfort on the floor near the door as he reads...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Vershab has 47/51 HPs, so he doesn't need much healing but won't decline any either. I approve of focused healing applied to Azkin in the most efficient manner.

Use Detect Magic, focusing and trying to learn anything he can about any auras found (+15 modifier on Knowledge (Arcana) checks).

Knowledge (Religon) (1d20+18)[23] for the Sky Pharoah, etc...
Intelligence Check for progress (1d20+5)[17]

Upon the conclusion of the day he recommends another night camping nearby with the sort of defenses in place they used the previous evening.

[Gwynfrid]

While the group recovers from the fight, Vershab combs the shelves for additional information. It takes him hours to go through the unreliable classification methods and the multiple cross-referencing systems of the ancients archivists who left their life's work in this place. He finally extracts a bunch of cumbersome rolls - the Scrolls of Inquiry. Another hour is spent going through records of many criminal interrogations, the importance of which has long been lost to time. Then, at last, his eyes fall on the transcript he was looking for:

Inquisitor: Why did the Sacrosanct Order enter Hakotep's tomb?
Prisoner: Mercy! May the gods pity me!
Inquisitor: Why did the Sacrosanct Order enter Hakotep's tomb?
Prisoner: To take the Pharaoh’s heart and death mask.
Inquisitor: Why?
Prisoner: I cannot! Death is better than the punishment I'll receive.
Prisoner subjected to further flaying for approximately one hour, and subsequently revived after passing out.
Inquisitor: Why did the Sacrosanct Order steal the Pharaoh's heart and mask?
Prisoner: [unintelligible] Please, no more!
Inquisitor: Why? Answer!
Prisoner: It was believed the Pharaoh's soul, his ib and ka, were contained within them. Please, gods have mercy!
Inquisitor: Why did the order want the Pharaoh's ib and ka?
Prisoner: No, I cannot!
Inquisitor: Why did they divide his soul?
Prisoner: No more! Have pity!
Prisoner subjected to the Trial of Seventy-Seven Scarabs.
Questioning resumed.
Inquisitor: Why did the order steal the Pharaoh's ib and ka?
Prisoner: We hoped to learn the secrets of the Shory from his soul.
Inquisitor: Did you succeed?
Prisoner: No, no! May the gods pity us for our hubris!
Inquisitor: Where is the Pharaoh's heart? Where is the mask?
Prisoner: No, no, please! I'll tell you! The heart was taken to Sothis, hidden beneath Azghaad's Spire.
Inquisitor: And the mask?
Prisoner: A shrine. A shrine to Nethys in Wati, where none would ever find it. No more, I beg you!
Questioning continued for three more days without further confessions until subject expired. Subject interred for future questioning, if needed.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab first reads the scroll silently, and at its conclusion takes several long moments to collect his thoughts. "Friends, what I have found is as disturbing as anything I have ever seen - please gather around and listen as I read..." he says, waiting for the company to assemble. He then reads the scroll, translating into the modern tongue, as plainly as possible, his normally emotionless voice choking several times as he struggles to finish. At the conclussion he breathes heavily for several seconds before lowering his eyes and whispering, "If only I could forget that such deeds were ever done to a human soul..."

Looking up he says, somewhat more steadily, "I think we know what happened to one of the pieces of the Sky Pharoah's soul - I carry it with me in his mask. Now, what are we to do with the knowledge of the second piece? Do we travel to Azghaad's Spire in Sothis or do we attempt to bury this knowledge even deeper? In any case, we cannot leave this scroll here - were someone else to find it and thus continue the search for the Pharoah's heart they could do unbelieveable damage. What do you all think?"

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: OOC: Re, healing:

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Turi took only 3 points of non-lethal falling damage. I don't know that I even tracked it, but will edit it into the most recent status.

The youngster paces impatiently for several hours, unable to be of meaningful help, and increasingly uncomfortable in their subterranean study hall. He gathers dutifully, with an unsure expression as he attempts to compose himself for such a disturbing entry. His face, as Vershab reads, becomes increasingly downcast, revealing that despite a rough upbringing, the two urchins are fairly innocent when it comes to the true depths of human cruelty and vice. He shakes his head, trying to focus only on the information, and not the methods obtained. For not the first time, he's relieved to be unfamiliar with some of the terms, though his imagination nonetheless runs amok with the idea of seventy-seven scarabs.....

"We beat them to its, obviously. The mask was never to be found, yet here it is. Why should we believe this... 'heart' to be any safer?"

[JWallyR]

Lehasti's face first blanches at the clinical description of the torture being endured by the poor soul being questioned, and then begins to redden with anger in time with a silent snarl at the cruelty of the interrogators. Azkin eyes his typically warm and congenial mistress with a mixture of confusion and apprehension, his own pallor at the described events increasing all the while.

"We beat them to its, obviously. The mask was never to be found, yet here it is. Why should we believe this... 'heart' to be any safer?"

Lehasti finally explodes into speech, "Safer? From the clutching grasp of the monsters who performed these hideous acts, informed by their torturous methods? I very much doubt that." Pacing the room with a set jaw and clenched fists, the paladin growls out, "No, we cannot bury this knowledge and hope for the best!" She turns to face the others and very nearly shouts, her raised tone contrasting against the dusty silence of the secret library. "If only to keep such power out of the hands of such fiends, we must get our hands on such an artifact before fiends like those. I can only assume that the gods brought us together for such a purpose at this time. Let us not tarry long, we should make plans to leave as quickly as possible."

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab nods as he takes the scroll and tucks it into a case he carries. "I will keep this record safe until we can ensure the knowledge therein will not be used. Something concerns me, however - they mention interring the subject in case of further questioning. There are relatively simple spells that allow one to speak with the deceased, which could allow others to discover the location of the Sky Pharoah's heart for themselves. I too think we must plan to travel to Sothis and find the heart ourselves, if only to keep it from those who would use its power to do something worse than the plague that we stopped in Wati," he says. As he stands he looks around the room with something akin to regret before climbing to the center of the cross-room. "With what we have learned here I think we should look behind the last door. Shall we inspect it and attempt to bypass its defenses now, or wait until we have rested?" he asks, looking to the "sad" door.

[Farmerbink]

Turi grabs his blades with an eager expression. "I'm ready, if you are."

[Farmerbink]

With his companion's implicit approval, Turi approaches the door with a sad facade. He takes his time searching the surface and nooks for telltale signs of traps or alarms, before applying his fingers to the task. Ultimately, confident he's found any threats, he reports his findings.

Spoiler: OOC

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I think we should be good for taking 20, for 32.
If for some reason not: (1d20+12)[30] perception
Further, if applicable to a non-magical trap: (1d20+8)[12] disable device

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab follows Turi, giving him enough space to work without crowding him and scanning the face for indications of magical auras (Detect Magic).

[Gwynfrid]

Through careful research, Turi discovers a few things. First, the sad face can pivot, but there is a trap that will trigger if he does so - and Vershab reports the presence of abjuration and evocation magic. Then, there are secret doors, both to the left and right of the sad face. He manages to pry the one on the right open, but the mechanism for the one on the left remains a mystery to him.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"There is some sort of energy ward on the middle door - I think we should consider skirting around it and seeing if these secret doors will take us where we want to go. Shall we?" Vershab asks, as he gestures woodenly towards the right side of the face.

[Gwynfrid]

On the right side, the secret door opens into a cramped, closet-like chamber filled with what appears to be refuse: torn books, dirty work clothing, broken tools and shelving parts.

[Farmerbink]

Turi looks around the small chamber with a confused expression. "Why bother to disguise a door to a storage closet? That doesn't make any sense. Vershab, can you detect anything magical in here?" Not waiting for an answer, he sets to work with more mundane methods, prying his fingers into any crevice that will take them to try and find something more.... logical.

Spoiler: Perception

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(1d20+12)[31] or take 20, if we're not brutally slaughtered XD

[Gwynfrid]

Turi combs through the discarded stuff, and with Vershab's guidance, he unearths a magical object - an ornate silver headband. Everything else in this room is broken, worn, or otherwise useless.

Turi turns to the secret door on the north side, but try as he may, he's unable to figure out how to open it.

[Farmerbink]

The youngster exhales heavily through his nose, the results of a mixture of exertion and irritation. "Well I'm fresh out of ideas. You want to smack it with something heavy until it breaks, Lehasti?" He glances at the more obvious, magically-warded door. "Or... well.. I don't have an answer there either, really..."

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab looks at the trapped door with an intense expression of concentration as he obviously thinks about their options. "I can attempt to dispel the wards, but that won't address the mechanical trap. Alternatively, I could summon a creature to spring the trap for us - as the creature is extraplanar the body formed in our universe will be reduced to ectoplasm, but the creature itself will be unharmed in its original plan upon the expiration of either the spell or the energy holding its physical form together here. However, both spells are some of the most difficult and taxing I can cast, so I will be less able to help with my most powerful incantations if we need them later...I don't want to recommend Lehasti deliberately expose herself to harm when a summoned ally could do that without actually being harmed itself, though," he says, muttering just loud enough to be heard by everyone as he muses over the options.

With a shrug he turns and gently takes the silver headband from Turi. "I cannot wear this, since I wear the Mask in its disguised form, but I could attempt to identify the magic enchanting it. May I?"

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Detect Magic along with Spellcraft (?) to identify the magic item: (1d20+15)[27]

I am 90% sure I have the modifiers and process right, but am at work right now - if this is incorrect I apologize and will try to correct it when I can access the rules and my character sheet.

[Gwynfrid]

The headband is dusty, but definitely magical. If appears to be a device to enhance one's intellect.

Spoiler

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Headband of Vast Intelligence +4

[DarkOne-Rob]

"This is quite the treasure, though perhaps less for the warrior or rogue than the scholar..." muses Vershab. "However, it will grant the wearer significant mastery of a number of skills, often in fields of research. Wearing it might aid one of you in understanding the material we study..."

Turning to the trapped door he says, "I think the most efficient option is to use a summoned creature. Stand back, everyone - and Lehasti, please disregard the abyssal nature of the summoned demon. I need a creature that will understand and follow directions, and though I would prefer to summon an angelic creature the magic I know is only capable of summoning archons who lack, well, hands..." He then refers to his spellbook before beginning an incantation.

A moment later a foul-smelling, bloated form appears in front of the door. In a foul tongue Vershab directs it towards the door in a commanding voice unlike his usual tone.

Spoiler: Abyssal

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Demon! Open this door and shield us from the effects of the trap. If there are hostiles on the other side, defend us from them. Go!