In this session, the protagonists leave Kasir and enter the tomb, dismantling traps and facing a Guardian Demon. Ordinarily, I'm not much on heavy die rolling, but this sort of thing requires it. If the players come up with something clever, I let it work fairly well (usually), since that encourages them to come up with clever ideas.
(741) Ganse: The suns hang low in the sky, it's late afternoon.
(741) Ganse: You've gotten some travelling supplies, and now need to decide if you want to leave by the South Gate before sundown. Remember, Darandor told you the gates close at sundown.
(742) Merduk: (Yeah, I think we wanted to camp outside?)
(745) Laj: (Yes, camp outside.)
(741) Ganse: (You're heading for the gate then?)
(742) Merduk: (Yep. Getting our camping gear and stuff.)
** (742) Merduk feels uncomfortable sleeping in a nice comfortable inn. It's too nice. It gives him a "waiting for the other shoe to drop" feeling. **
** Merdmira packs her shovel and gear on her newly acquired graymane. **
** Merdmira pats the graymane affectionately before clambering up onto it. **
(741) Merdmira: (It's not a pretty sight. You can tell Merdmira isn't much of a rider.)
** (742) Merduk still has his elderly aht-ra. **
** (745) Laj frowns. "You'll learn. Going to be sore." **
** Merdmira shakes her head. "Dang crazy way to travel." **
(745) Laj: "Get used to it."
(745) Laj: "Weeks of it ahead."
(745) Laj: "Assuming we live to see tomorrow."
** Merdmira looks resolute. **
(745) Laj: "Time to rest."
(741) GM: The South Gate looks rather plain, but then almost all the Kasmiran archictecture is plain and purely functional.
(741) GM: The suns hang low in the sky, the greater sun already more than half gone. The lesser sun shines dominantly, giving a reddish cast to the sands.
(741) GM: The road leads southward through the shifting sand dunes, vegetation is sparse, and looks thirsty.
(745) Laj: "Glad we purchased extra equipment."
(741) Merdmira: "I'd forgotten how much I don't like the desert."
(741) GM: A few moments after you pass through the gate, you hear an enormous clang, like the ringing of a great brass bell. Behind you, the gate is now closed.
(741) GM: You are alone on the road.
(745) Laj: "Better."
(741) GM: A few miles on, when you are out of sight of the gate, a Cymrillian waits in the distance by a graymane.
(742) Merduk: "Those guys are paranoid."
(741) Merdmira: "That's the truth, brother."
(741) GM: As you approach, you see that it's Darandor. He's casually drinking water out of a skin, and notices your approach.
(741) GM: (You still in disguise, Laj?)
(745) Laj: (Yes, but I'll remove the disguise presently. It was just to get out of the city.)
(741) Darandor: "Hello, there. Where is the Yitek?"
** Merdmira looks at Laj, and back at Darandor, and says nothing. **
** (745) Laj removes the mask and robe. "Precaution." **
** (745) Laj folds the robe and stows it and the mask in a saddlebag. **
(741) Darandor: "I see, most clever around the Kasmiran."
(741) Darandor: "Shall we be off?"
** (742) Merduk and Merdmira turn to stone after seeing Laj's unmasked face. **
** Darandor mounts his graymane. "The tomb is further south, there's a narrow valley that is favored by the nobles." **
** (745) Laj is careful to keep his headdress on under the Djaffir mask. **
(742) Merduk: "Let's head out, I guess."
** (745) Laj looks around to see if anyone is around before heading off. **
(742) Merduk: (I didn't think the Yitek were that paranoid with their headdresses. I thought it was more a practical thing.)
** Darandor leads the way through the fading light. **
(745) Laj: "You lead, Darandor."
(745) Laj: (Just kidding you, Merduk.)
** (742) Merduk is really uncertain about this whole tomb raiding job. He wants to stick with Laj, but this little sidetrack doesn't seem overly necessary. Damn Yiteks and their graverobbing fetish. **
(741) GM: As the lesser sun slips under the horizon, you veer off the road, and shortly enter a narrow valley. It's mostly sandstone, and you see hardly any vegetation at all. The heat is considerable, as the wind doesn't dip down into the valley.
(741) Darandor: "Here we are, the tomb furthest south is the one we are looking for."
** Darandor leads the way. **
** (745) Laj prepares himself for the task ahead. All of his senses come alive, for this is what his people were born to do. **
(741) GM: If you didn't know it was a recent tomb, the tailings outside the entrance would have given it away, they are a slightly darker color than the surrounding sandstone.
(741) GM: The stone entrance bears an ominous bronze plaque with the following inscription:
(741) GM: Here lies the remains of His Royal Honor Aib bin Zanar, Satrap of Kasir, true servant of his native land of Kasmir. Thrice cursed be ye who disturbs his rest.
(741) GM: (You guys know what a Satrap is?)
(745) Laj: (Yes. Local/regional governor.)
(741) Darandor: "Lovely, isn't it?"
(741) Darandor: "Fortunately, I have a bit of help for us."
** Darandor produces a very expensive looking brass key. **
(741) Darandor: "But first, you should see if there's a trap we should be aware of."
(742) Merduk: "Thrice cursed? Great, as if I wasn't cursed enough."
(742) Merduk: "Well, let's not disturb him. We'll rob him quietly and try not to wake him up."
** (745) Laj shrugs and dismounts. "Should be." He examines the door (without touching it). **
(741) GM: (Traps roll, Laj)
(745) Laj: [1d20+9] -> [11,9] = (20)
(741) GM: The heavy stone door sports a brass keyhole. A close inspection of the keyhole shows several small holes, which contain needles. You expect these needles to have poison, as they are just under where a hand would be if it were inserting a key into the lock.
(745) Laj: "Trapped. Poison needle lock."
(741) Darandor: "And how shall we defeat it?"
(745) Laj: "You turn the key, Darandor. Ha ha ha."
** Darandor frowns. **
(742) Merduk: "How long do these poisons last, out of curiousity? Will it dry up? Are family members supposed to come out and replace it now and then?"
(745) Laj: "Don't know, Merduk. Don't want to be around to find out. Don't want to get poisoned either. Now, to defeat it."
(741) Darandor: "Depends. A peasant class citizen would not be able to afford much in the way of magical traps, and would rely on mundane poisons. This one may be a bit more potent, if it was magically charged."
** (745) Laj removes a long leather bag from Her Grace. It clanks as he sets it on the ground. It is covered in black symbols the meaning of which would probably drive you mad, mad I say! **
(742) Merduk: "What would happen if we just banged it with a hammer?"
** Darandor winces. **
** (745) Laj removes a pair of tongs. "Probably go off." **
(745) Laj: "Maybe fire out like a crossbow."
(745) Laj: "Key." Laj stretches out his hand to Darandor.
** Darandor hands the brass key to Laj. **
(741) GM: (Dex+Traps, Laj.)
(745) Laj: [1d20+12] -> [17,12] = (29) Disarm/workaround attempt.
(745) Laj: Using the tongs to hold the key at least 4' from his body, Laj instructs everyone to get back as he insertsthe key into the lock.
(741) GM: (I should be used to your fantastic luck by now, Laj...)
(741) GM: The needles spring as predicted, hitting the tongs and squirting a foul liquid. In addition, blades spring from the sides of the door, slicing the air where you would be standing if you were turning the key yourself.
(741) GM: The tongs begins steaming where the liquid touched them.
** (745) Laj is surprised but tries to hide it. **
** (745) Laj pokes the tongs into the sand, trying to wipe the liquid off. **
(741) GM: The tongs continue to smolder, and the heat travels up to the handles, quickly becoming too hot to hold.
** (745) Laj drops them and watches. **
** Merdmira watches with interest. **
(745) Laj: "That would have hurt."
(741) GM: Fortunately, as you were twisting the key, the tongs avoided most of the liquid. After they cool a bit, the tongs will be fine. Pitted, but still usable.
(741) GM: (Side effect of that obnoxiously high roll.)
** Merdmira shovels sand over the liquid. **
(745) Laj: "Thanks. Don't step there. Now for a peek inside."
(741) Darandor: "Indeed, painful looking. I fear it is just the tip of what is to come."
** (745) Laj examines the unlocked door and the crack that reveals the interior. (Remember that Yitek have excellent night vision, so he should be able to see something.) **
(741) GM: The door rolls sideways, groaning.
(741) GM: (Intelligence+Traps, Laj)
(745) Laj: "Death comes in many guises," says Laj.
** (745) Laj gets the hell out of the way of the opening door. "Guardian beast, maybe. Get back." **
(745) Laj: [1d20+11] -> [10,11] = (21)
(741) GM: You don't seek a guardian beast, but you do notice a pressure plate just behind the door.
(741) GM: (Intelligence + Linguistics, Laj...)
(745) Laj: (Linguistics for a pressure plate?) :)
(741) GM: (Not exactly...)
(745) Laj: [1d20+5)
(745) Laj: [1d20+5] -> [8,5] = (13)
(741) GM: You realize 'Thrice Cursed' must mean three traps.
(741) GM: The pressure plate is small enough to step over, if you are all careful.
(745) Laj: "Should have paid more attention to my grandfather before he died," mumbles the Yitek.
(741) Merdmira: "What did he die of?"
(745) Laj: "Three traps, three 'curses.' Now, was the door one or are there three more?"
(745) Laj: "Tomb roof collapsed. It happens sometimes."
** Merdmira looks worriedly at the tomb's roof. **
(742) Merduk: "Maybe the door lied. I could see a Kasmiran putting in an extra one, and then just advertising three, to get people to let down their guards."
(745) Laj: "Don't step. Too obvious."
(745) Laj: "My thinking, too, Merduk."
(741) GM: The key is still in the keyhole, and has small needles protruding from the handle.
(745) Laj: "Of course, it might have held if he hadn't removed the gold-plated support columns."
(741) Darandor: "Seems my contact may not have had my best interests at heart. See the key?"
(745) Laj: "Darandor. Take your key, carefully. Might need it again."
(741) Darandor: "May I use your tongs?"
** (745) Laj looks over the pressure plate carefully. He absentmindedly hands the tongs to Darandor. After looking over the plate, he examines the floor beyond, the walls, and the ceiling (in that order). **
(745) Laj: (Speaking of observing, is there anything besides the pressure plate in the first room?)
** Darandor takes the tongs and gingerly removes the key. **
(741) GM: The inside looks rather plain.
(741) GM: The room has several columns, and is lit by an unknown source above, probably magical. The smooth stone surfaces look unadorned.
(745) Laj: "Don't like this. Stand back."
** (745) Laj walks back from the entrance, finds a pebble, and tosses it into the room. **
(741) GM: (http://www.cyprusbyclick.com/CITY_GUIDE/IMG/cyprus-gallery/Tomb-of-the-Kings-Underground-Columns.jpg)
(741) GM: The pebble clinks off of one of the columns, and bounces on the floor.
(741) GM: (Everyone roll Perception+Observation)
(742) Merduk: [1d20+4] -> [2,4] = (6)
(742) Merduk: (Bleh, just a partial.)
(741) GM: Merduk, you hear the wind blowing in the tomb.
(745) Laj: (Observation has Perception in it already. Do you want the Per bonus doubled?)
(741) GM: (Nope, just the skill)
(745) Laj: (Ah.)
(745) Laj: [1d20+8] -> [3,8] = (11)
(741) GM: Laj, you hear what sounds like a sigh inside the tomb.
(742) Merduk: (Crap, we woke him up! :p )
** Merdmira makes a face. "Don't like that sound." **
(761) GM: You don't see any overt signs of traps in the immediate entrance.
(742) Merduk: (I assume that the tomb is a tad less sunny than the pic that is showing.)
(759) Laj: (Aside from the pressure plate.)
(761) GM: The ceiling appears to be magical, and the room is brightly lit. There are two suns painted on the high ceiling, emitting a great deal of light.
(761) GM: You get the feeling that the occupant loved the desert suns.
(759) Laj: (Noted.)
** (759) Laj picks up his Mighty Pry Bar of Filching and proceeds to do his job. **
** (759) Laj moves to the doorway and reaches inside with the pry bar. He gives the floor a gentle tap. **
(761) GM: You step easily over the pressure plate into the room. There's no sign of what caused the sigh. On the walls, painted recently, are murals depicting various scenes, a palatial estate with fountains and grasses, rooms with gold fixtures, and statues of warriors. The murals whet your appetite, Laj.
(761) GM: (Dang, back up a sec, sorry.)
(759) Laj: (Did you forget the part about "You die"?)
(759) Laj: (Ka-BLAM)
(742) Merduk: (Rocks fall. Everybody dies.)
(761) GM: The plate drops an eighth of an inch, hardly noticeable. Ten *thwacks* can be heard as the door jamb stones are peppered by darts.
(761) GM: (Speed attribute checks...)
(759) Laj: [1d20] -> [11] = (11)
(761) GM: Laj escapes unharmed.
(759) Laj: "Either curse one or curse two. Be careful. Get ready to fight. Something ahead."
(761) GM: (Merduk?)
** (759) Laj holds his trusty pry bar in one hand and his drawn scimitar in the other. **
(742) Merduk: [1d20+2] -> [9,2] = (11)
(761) GM: Merduk escapes unharmed.
(761) Merdmira: [1d20+4] -> [3,4] = (7)
** Merdmira cries out as shards of stone cut her. **
(761) Darandor: [1d20+6] -> [14,6] = (20)
** Darandor escapes unharmed. **
(742) Merduk: (Waaa!)
** (742) Merduk rushes to his sister's aid! **
(761) Merdmira: "Damn rocks."
(761) GM: The wound is superficial, her cry was more surprise than pain.
** (759) Laj tenses up, more from anticipation of what Merdmira's cry might bring than any injury she sustained. **
** Darandor pulls one of the darts out of the stone. Black liquid adorns its tip. **
(759) Laj: "She all right?" he mutters out of the side of his mouth.
(742) Merduk: "Looks like it."
(761) Merdmira: "I'm fine."
(759) Laj: "Poisoned."
(761) GM: Opposite of the entrance is a doorway, decorated by frescoes.
** (759) Laj advances to the other side of the room. **
(759) Laj: (Frescoes depicting what, may I ask?)
(761) GM: The frescoes are mostly stylized weapons, weapons that look more decorative than functional.
(759) Laj: "Don't like that. Kasmir aren't usually violent, unless you go for their money."
(759) Laj: "Bad omen."
** (759) Laj examines the fresco weapons. **
(761) Merdmira: "Symbols of protection, maybe?"
(761) GM: The frescoes depicting weapons suddenly don't worry you nearly as much as the guardian demon behind the doorway.
(759) Laj: "Possibly. Watch out!"
** (759) Laj goes into a defensive crouch. **
** Demon eyes you with a hungry look. **
(759) Laj: "Begone!"
** Demon draws a wicked looking red iron sword. **
** (742) Merduk readies his sword. **
** Demon grins when he sees your blades drawn. "Battle." **
(759) Laj: (Quick, are there any traps in the doorway that Laj can detect?)
(761) GM: (Perception + traps skill, Laj)
(759) Laj: [1d20+9] -> [9,9] = (18) Traps roll.
(742) Merduk: (Darn it. Why do we get attacked by savage demons when we could be seduced by sexy devil-chicks?)
(761) GM: You notice that some of the decorative weapons seem able to swivel. You expect walking through the door to trigger it.
(759) Laj: (Cuz it isn't THAT kind of campaign. We'd have to be playing RISUS to do that!)
** (759) Laj has a plan. **
(761) GM: (HAHAHAHA!)
(759) Laj: "Merduk, Darandor, form a defensive line and fall back!"
(742) Merduk: (Like the sexy half-devil ch1xx0r from the Midnight Realm!)
** (742) Merduk makes it so. **
** Darandor draws a black iron sword and stands ready. **
(759) Laj: (Hehehe, yeah...not happening here!)
** (759) Laj belatedly realizes that Darandor isn't much of a warrior, judging by his choice of weapons. **
** Darandor 's weapon appears worn in the grip, but the blade has been sharpened and oiled expertly. **
(759) Laj: "Begone, I say! My people have no quarrel with you. We only exercise our birthright, to plunder that which lies in the earth."
** (759) Laj backs away from the door at an angle. **
(759) Laj: (Never mind. Rule #369 of adventuring: Never belittle NPCs who are fighing on your side.)
(761) Demon: "Your people are known to me, Yitek. Roasted on a fire you are quite pleasant in taste. I shall enjoy using your entrails to predict how long I must guard this fool tomb."
** (759) Laj waits until the demon is about to cross the threshold. **
** Demon takes a step forward, one leg through the doorway. **
(759) Laj: "Not long, demon.
** Demon steps into the doorway, licking his lips. **
** (759) Laj hurls his prybar so it clatters through the doorway. **
(761) GM: The prybar strikes the threshold in the doorway, and several of the weapons swivel inward, piercing the demon.
** Demon yelps in surprise. **
(761) Demon: "You... have kilt me most dead..."
** Demon collapses. **
** Merdmira looks from the demon to Laj. **
** (759) Laj gives a short laugh. "No one eats Yitek. We're poisonous." **
** (759) Laj sheathes his scimitar. **
** Demon springs up, and laughs. "I am not kilt. Ready yourself for your end." **
** (742) Merduk attacks! **
(759) Laj: "Ah shit."
** (759) Laj draws his scimitar again. **
(761) GM: (Initiative rolls)
(759) Laj: [1d20] -> [20] = (20) Initiative
(742) Merduk: (That's Speed, right? [1d20+2] -> [16,2] = (18)
(759) Laj: (Whoa! Hot roll.)
(761) GM: (Man, the dicebot loves you, Laj!)
(761) Demon: [1d20+8] -> [9,8] = (17)
(761) Darandor: [1d20+4] -> [9,4] = (13)
(761) Merdmira: [1d20+4] -> [19,4] = (23)
(761) GM: (Well, looks like Merdmira goes first...)
(759) Laj: (Merdmira is FAST.)
(742) Merduk: (That's my big sister!)
** Merdmira cracks a turtle shell in half: Protection: [1d20+6] -> [3,6] = (9) **
(761) GM: (Bleh, not much protection. Your turn, Laj.)
** (759) Laj slashes at the demon with his scimitar, knowing that this will probably get ugly. [1d20+9] -> [15,9] = (24) **
(761) GM: (-8 for ability level, is 16, full success. What's the DR of the scimitar?)
(759) Laj: (8)
(761) GM: You slash at the demon, drawing black blood. You realize with sudden insight what the black foul liquid poison was.
(761) GM: (Merduk, your turn.)
** (759) Laj dances back out of the way. **
** (759) Laj wishes he hadn't left his shield with Her Grace. **
(742) Merduk: [1d20+12] -> [4,12] = (16) I don't know what other modifiers will be added.
(742) Merduk: (DR 8)
(761) GM: (Just -8 for the demon's skill, which takes you down to 8, partial success 4 damage.)
(761) GM: Merduk nicks the demon with his sword.
** Demon raises his hand, and casts a fiery bolt at Laj: [1d20+2] -> [2,2] = (4) **
(742) Merduk: (Demon multi-attacks and kills us all.)
(761) GM: The bolt of white fire misses you both, and hits a column.
(759) Laj: (Do I counter-roll?)
(761) GM: (If he had rolled a success, you could have tried to dodge, but he missed.)
** (759) Laj gets a very bad feeling that he'll share his grandfather's fate. **
** Darandor is too far away to hit with his sword, and too close to throw a dagger. He concentrates on not getting hit by the fire. **
(761) GM: (Next round, initiative rolls)
(759) Laj: [1d20] -> [19] = (19) Initiative
(742) Merduk: [1d20+2] -> [16,2] = (18)
(761) Demon: [1d20+8] -> [10,8] = (18)
(761) Darandor: [1d20+4] -> [20,4] = (24)
(761) Merdmira: [1d20+4] -> [9,4] = (13)
** Darandor moves into sword range and slashes at the demon: [1d20+6-8] -> [3,6,-8] = (1) **
** Darandor 's swing goes wide, narrowly missing Laj. **
(761) GM: (Laj, your turn)
** (759) Laj leans away from the erratic swing. He slashes at the demon [12d0+9] -> [1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,9] = (21). **
(759) Laj: (Let me try that again.)
** (759) Laj leans away from the erratic swing. He slashes at the demon [1d20+9] -> [17,9] = (26). **
(742) Merduk: (W00t!)
(761) GM: (-8 is 18, full hit of 8 points.)
(761) GM: Laj's swing slashes at the demon, earning another whelp of surprise.
(761) GM: (Merduk, ties go to PCs, your turn)
(742) Merduk: [1d20+12] -> [17,12] = (29)
(742) Merduk: (Huzzah!)
(761) GM: (-8 is 21, a critical hit!)
(759) Laj: (Ooh. Critical.)
(742) Merduk: (does happy dance)
(761) GM: Merduk slashes vehemently at the demon, drawing a stream of black blood that spills onto the sandstone floor.
** Demon 's eyes narrow at Merduk. **
** Demon slashes at Merduk: [1d20+8-12] -> [2,8,-12] = (-2) **
(761) GM: (Holy crap, a critical failure!)
(742) Merduk: (The demon somehow pokes himself in the eyes, three-stooges style!)
** (759) Laj hasn't seen a demon screw up before. **
** Demon 's anger apparently gets the better of him, and his blade slashes at Merduk, missing completely, and hits a column, and shatters. **
** Merdmira hefts her shovel and swings at the demon's head: [1d20+8-8] -> [15,8,-8] = (15) **
** Merdmira 's shovel clangs on the demon's horns, doing 6 points of concussive damage. **
(742) Merduk: (Nice!)
(761) GM: (Initiative rolls.)
(742) Merduk: [1d20+2] -> [5,2] = (7)
(742) Merduk: Darn it!
(761) GM: (Merduk feels sluggish suddenly.)
(759) Laj: [1d20] -> [8] = (8) Initiative
(759) Laj: (So does Laj.)
(761) Demon: [1d20+8] -> [13,8] = (21)
(761) Darandor: [1d20+4] -> [13,4] = (17)
(761) Merdmira: [1d20+4] -> [4,4] = (8)
** Demon angrily rakes his claws at Merduk: [1d20+8-12] -> [15,8,-12] = (11) **
(742) Merduk: (Crap!)
(761) GM: (Merduk, 5 points of damage from the claws. And they really burn!)
(742) Merduk: (Not as bad as I'd expected.)
** Darandor swings at the demon with his sword: [1d20+6-8] -> [4,6,-8] = (2) **
** Darandor misses again. **
(761) GM: (Laj, your turn.)
** (759) Laj slashes at the demon. [1d20+9] -> [6,9] = (15) **
(761) GM: Laj's cut draws more demon blood.
(759) Laj: (Seven. That's partial.)
** Merdmira takes aim with her shovel: [1d20+8-8] -> [19,8,-8] = (19) **
(761) Merdmira: CLANG! The demon's head rings again.
(761) GM: (Merduk, your turn)
(759) Laj: (Is that shovel +5 AND vorpal?)
(761) GM: (Seems that way tonight!)
(742) Merduk: [1d20+12] -> [20,12] = (32)
(761) GM: (Mother... of... god...)
(759) Laj: (Wow.)
(742) Merduk: (Aww, yeah! Seven or eight more hits like that, and the demon might start to worry!)
(759) Laj: (lol.)\
whispering to Merduk, This is a fatal blow, so you get to describe the effect, and the demon's death.
(759) Laj: ("LeeROY!")
** (742) Merduk slices through the demon's neck, sending the head bouncing off the wall. The head rolls entertainingly for a few seconds, then comes to a stop surprisingly close to the neck stump. :) **
** Darandor looks impressed at Merduk. **
** (759) Laj pauses, eyes the demon, and kicks it to make sure it's dead. Then he kicks it a few more times. **
(759) Laj: "Well done, my friend."
(761) GM: (Merduk, those clawmarks really burn, but you can feel a cool feeling from your amulet, and the burning fades.)
** Merdmira looks at her shovel. "Damn, dented." **
** (759) Laj gives the demon a final kick and heads to the doorway, stopping short of the "fresco" weapons. **
(742) Merduk: "Why couldn't I have pulled that off in a room with lots of beautiful women watching? Oh. Right. Because I'm me."
(759) Laj: "I'll get it fixed. Worth it's weight in pentacles."
(759) Laj: "Be glad you're alive to brag about it."
** (759) Laj examines the room where the demon lay in wait. **
(761) GM: (And that's where we'll leave it for tonight. Next game: Burial chamber.)