Mummy's Mask - Shifting Sands [IC]

[Gwynfrid]

Spoiler: oops

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I forgot to post actions for Tetisurah and Natala. Fixed below.

The gecko runs straight into the pit, easily running along its vertical walls, until it arrives on top of Lehasti. With a strange series of shrieks, it extends a slimy paw to touch Lehasti's bleeding leg, and the paladin instantly feels the effect of healing power.

Meanwhile, Natala calls upon the ancient gods of Osirion, summoning forth a semi-transparent being, resembling a human female with the head of a crocodile, armed with a kopesh. The ally joins the fray into an increasingly crowded pit...

Spoiler: end of round 4

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The gecko climbs down and casts Cure Moderate Wounds on Lehasti (2d8+6)[16]
Natala's spiritual ally flies down and attacks (1d20+11)[30] damage (1d10+2)[5] force damage (bypasses DR); cc(31) (1d20+11)[16] cd (1d10+2)[4]

This round, Lehasti took 37 damage, offset by 16 healing for a net 21 damage.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab Fethi Male True Neutral Human Blood Arcanist, Level 8, Init 12, HP 57/57, DR 5/- (vs. Nonlethal), Speed 30 ft. AC 11, Touch 11, Flat-footed 10, CMD 14, Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 7, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 4 Mage Armor (Extended, 16 Hours), Shield (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 9, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 22, Wis 10, Cha 14 Condition 4/11 Arcane Reservoir Available 0/5 Grave Touch Used Draak 25/25 HPs Lantern Archon 2/8 rounds x2 Lantern Archons 1/8 rounds

"Indeed, just like that, honored ally," says Vershab. "Let me summon more fishers for the barrel..." he finishes his spell, bringing two more lantern archons into being above the combined pits. "Lantern archons, from the highest heavens, the construct attacking our paladin needs to be disabled! In a moment you will all experience magical speed to aid you..."

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Two more lantern archon summoned (see OOC). All three use both light ray attacks on the golem: Ray 1 (1d20+3)[4] to hit Touch AC, (1d20+3)[20] (20/x2), (1d6)[5] damage (pierces all DR), (1d6)[2] critical strike damage.
Ray 2 (1d20+3)[18] to hit Touch AC, (1d20+3)[16] (20/x2), (1d6)[6] damage (pierces all DR), (1d6)[3] critical strike damage.
Ray 3 (1d20+3)[13] to hit Touch AC, (1d20+3)[21] (20/x2), (1d6)[1] damage (pierces all DR), (1d6)[5] critical strike damage.
Ray 4 (1d20+3)[12] to hit Touch AC, (1d20+3)[13] (20/x2), (1d6)[2] damage (pierces all DR), (1d6)[5] critical strike damage.
Ray 5 (1d20+3)[17] to hit Touch AC, (1d20+3)[11] (20/x2), (1d6)[6] damage (pierces all DR), (1d6)[4] critical strike damage.
Ray 6 (1d20+3)[15] to hit Touch AC, (1d20+3)[4] (20/x2), (1d6)[3] damage (pierces all DR), (1d6)[2] critical strike damage.

They will all hover close enough to avoid range penalties. Otherwise they stay out of reach of the golem.

Vershab will then begin casting Haste.

Turi gets a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks and combat maneuver checks made to escape a grapple, and to his CMD to avoid being grappled again.

[SanguinePenguin]

Vlarga watches with some satisfaction as her chakram lops a chuck off the mechanical thing. She almost falls into the pit for her amusement too. She lines up another shot and hurls it down, watching just long enough to see before stepping away.

Spoiler: Vlarga, Round 5

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Draw chakram
Attack bonus from blessings of fervor
Attack: (1d20+12)[26] Damage: (1d10+9)[19] CC: (1d20+12)[16] Damage: (1d10+9)[19]
Step back from pit

Spoiler: Vlarga status, Round 5

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Vlarga al-Lamashten
F TN Gnoll Bloodrager, Level 8, Init 2, HP124/100, DR 1/-, Speed 30 (40)
AC 22, Touch 13, Flat-footed 26, CMD 26, Fort 14, Ref 6, Will 6, CMB +12, Base Attack Bonus 8/3
PA included Falchion +1 +17/+9 (2d6+23, 18-20/x2)
Breastplate +3 (+9 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural)
Abilities Str 28, Dex 12, Con 22, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 16
Bloodrage 18/21, Spells: 1st 2/2, 2nd 1/2
Condition
Rage 18/21
Bull’s Strength: Lots +4 to str
Bless: lots

[Farmerbink]

With nowhere near enough room for comfort, Turi struggles to find critical joins in the machinery, driving his blades into the clockwork golem as fast as he can!

Spoiler: Turi, round 5

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Turi Masakhet
Male N Human Fighter 1 / URogue 7 (Knife master), Level 8, Init 5, HP 45/88, Speed 30
AC 22, Touch 16, Flat-footed 17, CMD 22, Fort 9, Ref 11, Will 7, CMB +6/+1, Base Attack Bonus 6/1
+1 Kukri x2 +13 or +11/+11/+6 (1d4+6, 18-20, x2)
Cold iron dagger +11 (1d4, 19-20, x2)
Silver dagger +11 (1d4-1, 19-20, x2)
mist form- 20% concealment Mistmail, Amulet of natural armor (+5 Armor, +5 Dex, +1 Natural, +1 Deflect, +0 Misc)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 8
Condition +1 dmg when flanking
sneak stab: 4d8/4d4, DEBILITATING ATTACK
+2 AC (24) vs attack with light blades
Endurance, die hard // Resiliency: 1/1
Mage hand 1/3 (CL 7)
Vanish: 2/2 (CL 6)
-2 skill checks after failure
ignore first 5' of difficult terrain
poisons, potions
Escape artist R's edge
Headband of Unshakeable Resolve: 3/3

Not sure on the math here, but I think both Turi and the golem are squeezing now? That should put the -4 to attacks and -4 AC at awash, but I'll let you sort it out.

Poke poke!
(1d20+9)[18] (both kukri, with flanking, includes -4 from squeezing and +2 from heroism)
(1d20+9)[21] CC (27+)
(1d4+6)[7] damage
(1d4+6)[9] crit bonus
(4d8)[19] sneak stab
Debilitating strike will apply -2 to AC (-4 vs Turi's attacks)

round 2:
(1d20+9)[15] attack
(1d20+9)[14] CC (27+)
(1d4+6)[8] damage
(1d4+6)[8] crit bonus
(4d8)[16] sneak stab

round 2.5:
(1d20+4)[24] kukri
(1d20+4)[12] CC (22+)
(1d4+6)[8] damage
(1d4+6)[7] crit bonus
(4d8)[18] sneak stab

[JWallyR]

Azkin creeps cautiously toward the sloped edge of the pit to peer down at the furious melee. With a sudden, desperate cry, he calls out, "Everlight, let your favor rest upon your faithful!"

An almost imperceptible wave bursts forth from the young cleric, washing over the scene. Suddenly the members of the party feel a hint of increased confidence about the battle's outcome...

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: Azkin steps to the edge of the pit. <grimace> Ref save vs falling: (1d20+9)[19]
Standard: Cast Prayer, granting friendlies +1 Luck bonus on attacks, weapon damage, saves, and skill checks, while enemies suffer -1 to the same. 6 rds

Spoiler: Stats

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Azkin
M NG Human Cleric, Level 6, Init 2, HP 57/57, Speed 30
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 18, Fort 10, Ref 9, Will 11, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 4
Keen Scimitar +1 7 (1d6+4, 15-20, x2)
Dagger +1 6 (1d4+4, 19-20, x2)
Longspear 7 (1d8+1, x3)
Chain Shirt, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+4 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect, +0 Misc)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10
Condition Bless: +1 (morale) atk, saves vs fear. ~6min
Prayer: +1 (luck) atk, dmg, saves, skills, 7 rds remaining

Lehasti gasps in pain. With the briefest flicker of grim determination, the paladin masters her expression and bashes furiously at the golem!

Spoiler: Actions

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Swift: Lay On Hands for (4d6)[10] healing.
BoF: Extra attack

First attack: (1d20+10)[21], CC: [roll] 1d20+10[/roll], damage: (1d6+13)[14]
BoF attack: (1d20+10)[26], CC: [roll] 1d20+10[/roll], damage: (1d6+13)[18]
Second attack: (1d20+5)[6], CC: [roll] 1d20+5[/roll], damage: (1d6+13)[17]

Spoiler: Stats

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Lehasti Gesmeha
F LG Human Paladin, Level 8, Init -3, HP 41/98, Speed 20
AC 16, Touch 8, Flat-footed 16, CMD 24, Fort 14, Ref 4, Will 10, CMB +12, Base Attack Bonus 8
+1/Flaming/Flaming Burst, Continual Flame Flaming Puzzle Falchion +1 +12 (2d6+20, 18-20, x2)
Flail, Heavy +10 (2d8+19, 19-20, x2)
Spiked Gauntlet +10 (1d6+13, )
Breastplate +1 (+7 Armor, -3 Dex, -1 Size, +2 Natural, +1 Deflect, +0 Misc)
Abilities Str 22, Dex 4, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 17
Condition Falchion is +1 today
Enlarge Person: L size (-1 atk/AC), +2 str/-2 Dex. ~8 min
Bless: +1 atk, saves vs fear. ~6min
Prayer: +1 (luck) atk, dmg, saves, skills, 7 rds remaining
Blessings of Fervor: various options, 4 rds remaining
Power Attack: -3 atk, +6 dmg
Grappled: -4 dex, no mv, -2 atk
BoF: Extra attack

[Gwynfrid]

From the bottom of the pit comes a terrifying chaos of noise, grinding gears, cries of pain, clashes of metal against metal! In an utterly confusing melee, the mechanical enemy is beset by a rogue perched on top of it, a paladin fighting for her life, a giant gecko, a ghostly spirit of Sobek's avatar, while chakrams and rays of light rain from above. But Azkin's prayer to Sarenrae curries enough of the goddess' favor that, in the end, Turi manages to find an opening inside the murderous mechanism and decisively jam a master cog. The golem's inner energy continues to power its rotation with tremendous force against the block... The whole engine shakes, and finally explodes in a burst of torn metal pieces!

Spoiler: BOOM!

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The explosion causes (12d6)[47] of slashing damage. The Reflex save for half is DC18, but I'm going to increase it to DC20 due to the totally crampled conditions making it nearly impossible to escape the blast.

(Rolls include a +1 luck bonus due to Prayer)
Lehasti (1d20+5)[8]
Turi (1d20+12)[24]
Tetisurah (1d20+11)[27]

Lehasti takes 47 damage, Tetisurah takes 23, and Turi evades!

[SanguinePenguin]

Seeing the threat ended, Vlarga begins to shrink in size. Exhausted and looking down into the pit, she sees Lehasti in a bad way. She reaches into her bag of holding and retrieves a long rope. She turns to Azkin and asks him bluntly, “are you prepared to go save her?” Even as she asks, she starts to knot the rope around his torso.

[Farmerbink]

"I've got her!" Turi calls out, climbing out from under the finally inanimate golem. Dashing to Lehasti's side, he pulls a potion out of his pack and lifts her head. He leverages his knee under her enlarged head and neck to protect her airway and gently pours it into the crease of her mouth.

Spoiler: OOC

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Better than nothing? (1d8+1)[5] CLW potion XD

"It'll probably take more than that to get her on her feet again," the youngster calls to his allies, "but at least she won't die before the pit spell ends!"

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab Fethi Male True Neutral Human Blood Arcanist, Level 8, Init 12, HP 57/57, DR 5/- (vs. Nonlethal), Speed 30 ft. AC 11, Touch 11, Flat-footed 10, CMD 14, Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 7, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 4 Mage Armor (Extended, 16 Hours), Shield (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 9, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 22, Wis 10, Cha 14 Condition 4/11 Arcane Reservoir Available 0/5 Grave Touch Used Draak 25/25 HPs

With a respectful nod of his head Vershab asks the archons, "Can you all aid the paladin? She needs healing, which I know you cannot truly provide, but if you can return her to consciousness she can heal herself..." Then he steps back and makes a mental note to research an alternate pit spell for future use. "Poorly designed - it needs to be dismissible!" he mutters, nearly sounding angry to anyone nearby.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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The three lantern archons can each use Aid at will. I think they will stack, for a total of (3d8+9)[23] temporary HPs total.

Once the angels return to their home planes and Lehasti recovers her senses Vershab takes a deep breath and begins looking around the room, intent on discovering what all they can find in the secret treasure trove.

[JWallyR]

Azkin blinks a few times at Vlarga, as though struggling to parse the latter's statement, but discarding his weaponry (away from the pit) he lifts his hands to ease the gnoll's tying before virtually diving into the pit after his brother and his mistress. As Vlarga lowers him toward the pair, Azkin grips the ankh he carries as a symbol of his deity, and a burst of healing energy washes over the area...

Spoiler: Actions

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Azkin will Channel Energy for (3d6)[9] healing. I think Turi and Lehasti both need some...

Alighting upon the pit's floor, He fishes within his pack for a wand of curative energies. "Lehasti, can you hear me??" he shouts, in the sudden stillness of the golem's failure.

Lehasti releases a breathy groan. "I suspect I could have heard your cries from Nirvana, had the Dawnflower called me home, my young friend." The still-enlarged paladin pushes herself up from the floor, resting heavily upon one elbow to eye the cleric with one eyebrow wryly raised. With a heavy sigh, she begins to clamber to her feet, shoving now-immobile bits of golem out of her way. "I see your brother remains among the living as well, so it appears the battle is won. We might be well-advised to consider more carefully the foes against whom we send him alone...

Now, having gotten that bit of unpleasantness over with, good gods willing we can salvage the rest of honored Chisisek's belongings, and put them to use in recovering his remains. Shall we?"

[Gwynfrid]

The companions rush to their fallen comrade's, relieved to find that the hard battle will leave no lasting consequences. After a few moments, Vershab's magic fades, and the bulk of the group rises up with the pit floor to stand in the room, knee-deep in a mass of metal parts and bits. At last, they're free to explore the contents of Chisisek's funeral treasure. In a series of small chests made of sandstone, they find a sizeable pile of gold coins, precious objects including a platinum comb, a crocodile mask with obsidian eyes, a magnificent gold funerary mask set with jade, an impressive model of a galley crewed by ivory, jade, and onyx figurines, a gold shepherd’s staff, three mummified cats, a collection of wax-sealed urns containing human ashes, an assortment of coins, and a good number of objects with magical auras...

Spoiler: Loot!

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Listing only the magical loot here:
- Belt of thunderous charging
- Ring of transposition
- Shoes of the lightning leaper
- Pliant gloves
- Spellguard bracers
- Effigy of Anubis
Price 6900 GP, slot none, CL 13th, weight 1 lb., aura strong necromancy
This figurine stands several inches tall and is carved of black stone with gold highlights, resembling a man with the head of a jackal. With a successful DC 20 Knowledge (religion) check, a character identifies the figure as Anubis, the Ancient Osirian god of burial, funeral rites, mummification, and a protector of the dead and their tombs. Once per week, an effigy of Anubis enables its possessor to use speak with dead and ask up to six questions. The effigy must be placed within the rib cage of a corpse, and the corpse’s answers come through the effigy - the jackal’s mouth moves with the words. The corpse must still be mostly intact and have a mouth for the spell to work. In addition, an effigy of Anubis can be used to bring a dead creature back to life, though Anubis, as god of the dead, is willing to grant only a temporary reprieve from oblivion. Breaking the figurine reveals a hollow interior filled with diamond dust. If this diamond dust is sprinkled on a corpse that has been dead for less than 48 hours, the creature comes back to life as with temporary resurrection. This effect lasts for 24 hours, at which point the creature dies again. Once used in this way, an effigy of Anubis loses all of its magic and is destroyed.
- Scarab of mummy defense
Price 12000 GP, slot neck, CL 5th, weight -, aura faint abjuration
This gold amulet is fashioned in the shape of a winged scarab beetle holding a large ruby that represents the solar disk. The scarab grants its wearer a +4 bonus on saving throws against fear effects, and enables its wearer to detect any mummy within 60 feet, although he must concentrate as a standard action to use this ability. In addition, anytime the wearer would be affected by a curse or disease effect, the scarab of mummy defense can absorb the effect with no harm to the wearer. Upon absorbing 12 such effects, the scarab turns to dust and is destroyed. An effect that’s both a curse and a disease, such as mummy rot, is considered a single effect for these purposes.
- Spellbook
Level 3: burrow, communal darkvision, deathwine, resize item, shifting sand, vampiric touch
Level 4: conversing wind, earsend, enervation, greater false life, greater make whole
Level 5: magic jar, object possession, rapid repair, transmute mud to rock, transmute rock to mud

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab Fethi Male True Neutral Human Blood Arcanist, Level 9, Init 12, HP 63/63, DR 10/- (vs. Nonlethal), Speed 30 ft. AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 8, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 4 Mage Armor (Extended, 16 Hours), Shield Spell (+1 Dex) Abilities Str 9, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 22, Wis 10, Cha 14 Condition 2/12 Arcane Reservoir Available 0/5 Grave Touch Used Draak 31/31 HPs Extended Mage Armor Dimensional Slide (80 out of 90 ft used today)

"...And unless someone else has taken an interest in the arcane while I wasn't paying attention - unlikely - I will take this spellbook for study. Unless our hostess," Vershab looks to the sphynx meaningfully, "has a reason to leave something here, I think the magical items are obviously valuable to our quest and would argue the treasures will help us to restore Chisisek to his proper, respected burial place by finding a museum or temple that will compensate us for their delivery. What say you, noble one?"

Spoiler: OoC

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Vershab is ready for review. I haven't worked out the new spells yet, but that will follow. I will roll in the OoC thread and note things there, rather than bore everyone with his studies in the IC thread.