[Gameplay] Part 1: The Lottery & Tomb of Akhentepi

The priest shakes his head sadly. "This is no summer romp for a librarian, sir. If you are uncertain what you may face, you should leave now. The dead walk, all manner of serpents and vermin slither and skitter, magical traps set centuries ago, gangs of tomb robbing murderers, and rumors even of a dragon. This is no place for the innocent. Come, we will escort you back."

Aug 1, 2021 3:59 pm

Presuming that none of you take their advice, you soon arrive at the Tomb.

A rectangular stone mausoleum sits alone in what appears to have once been an actual cemetery. The trunks of a few dead trees poke out of the sand around the tomb, and a hot breeze whistles through their desiccated branches. A set of massive stone double doors is affixed to the northern side of the structure, beneath a facade bearing the likeness of an Osirian man. Windblown sand is heaped around the crypt, partially burying the doors that lead within.

LightOfMidnight

Aug 1, 2021 4:16 pm

'Please forgive my friend. He is smart is some areas, but sometimes the heat gets to him. We will be fine. I wish you well, and I hope no-one decides to cause any trouble in this scared place.' Khadi nods her head even as she shoots Bernard a confused look. He should know it was voices not eyes.

As they finally reach their destination her excitement is even more noticeable. 'So who wants to to the honours? I would volunteer but..?' She gives a grin as she flexes a very unimpressive arm.'

Iseret

WhtKnt

Aug 1, 2021 5:59 pm

"I'll just make sure that it's safe," Iseret says, stepping towards the doors. She carefully examines the doors and doorframe for any irregularities or deadfalls/hidden triggers.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+4)

Engineering (if needed) - (1d20+8)

Aug 1, 2021 6:53 pm

Rizzoxiii Inactive forever!

The name of the individual interred within the tomb, Akhentepi, is engraved upon the doors in Osiriani, along with the dates of his birth and death, indicating that the deceased was born in 2416 ar and died in 2488 ar, 11 years before the Plague of Madness decimated most of the city.

Iseret is able to discern only that the doors are 10 feet tall and made of solid stone. There are also telltale traces of mortar along the seams and jamb that has since crumbled or been chipped away, indicating that the doors were meant to be sealed permanently and not intended to be opened again.

She is unsure how they might be intended to open.

Gethean Jael

Aug 1, 2021 8:37 pm

Gethean continues to look around while the others focus on the door. He looks at the size of the tomb, and decides to take a look around the sides of the tomb to make sure the area is clear. When satisfied he returns to the main entrance.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20)

(19) = 19

Aug 1, 2021 9:43 pm

chunky04 Inactive forever!

Gethean finds nothing of concern on the outside of the tomb, but does notice that doors appear to swing outwards to open. As such the sand in front of the doors will need to be cleared and then you'll somehow need to get purchase on the smooth stone to pull them open.

Bernard the Admirable

Aug 1, 2021 10:20 pm

"Thankyou, I think I should be OK against most of those with my companions here - the dragon I would likely try and run, hide or negotiate depending on how we cross paths." he says to the Priest, the last with a soft chuckle.

Looking at the Tomb of Ahkentepi, Bernard has a good look around and tries to puzzle out how to open it with as little damage as possible, perhaps even being able to seal it back up on the way out.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+7)

(3) + 7 = 10

Knowledge Engineering - (1d20+9)

(3) + 9 = 12

Aug 1, 2021 10:24 pm

chunky04 Inactive forever!

Bernard gets the same conclusion as Gethean, but it is is engineering knowledge that tells him that the doors are on concealed hinges and swing outwards to open. As such the sand in front of the doors will need to be cleared and then you'll somehow need to get purchase on the smooth stone to pull them open.

Bernard the Admirable

Aug 1, 2021 10:26 pm

"Ah yes, the doors open outward. You will need to clear the sand from the front, and we should then be able to swing them open."

It is pretty clear the old man is not intending to do the digging.

LightOfMidnight

Aug 2, 2021 9:54 pm

I would suggest Bernard and I scout around while you all do the digging, but I fear even we are no match if this supposed dragon' Khadi jokes as she looks at the piles of sand. Everyone would know that the two of them alone was asking for them to be picked off.

'Come on old man. If we work together we might be able to match one of Esmae's muscles.' She rolls up some imaginary sleeves.

Iseret

WhtKnt

Aug 3, 2021 2:46 am

Iseret sighs and begins the arduous task of removing sand.

Aug 4, 2021 4:47 am

It takes about an hour of hard work for you together to clear the sand. When you're done, the doors stand there looking difficult. How might you open it?

You can try a Strength check but the DC is quite high so you'll need to work together, unless one of you has a tool.

LightOfMidnight

Aug 4, 2021 11:15 am

Rizzoxiii Inactive forever!

'So...uh who remembered to bring a crowbar?' Khadi as she runs a hand down the door, hoping to find a hidden handle of something, however unlikely.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+3)

(11) + 3 = 14

Gethean Jael

Aug 4, 2021 11:35 pm

SurferofSaragar Inactive forever!

Gethean examines the door, injecting the mortar between the seam and the jambs. He uses his dagger to test the integrity of what remains, seeing if anything shows in the spots where it is crumbling and if any more can be removed.

"Iseret, you wouldn't happen to have anything useful for the situation at hand would you? Bernard, perhaps a spell of some sort?

Last edited August 4, 2021 11:46 pm

Rolls

Perception - (1d20)

(7) = 7

Jaware Clepati

Aug 5, 2021 12:31 am

Jaware lets the professional trappers and archwatch, looking for any sign of enemies or dangers.eologists do their work as he keeps

Last edited August 5, 2021 12:32 am

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+4)

(12) + 4 = 16

Aug 5, 2021 1:57 am

chunky04 Inactive forever!

Your perceptions are for naught, revealing neither a way in, nor identifying any foes, although for the latter, you are not attacked during the digging so perhaps your perception was adequate and the enemies, sensing your vigilance, chose to find more unaware prey, so good job, perhaps?

The door remains closed.

Bernard the Admirable

Aug 5, 2021 3:31 am

"Though I know of many spells that could achieve this, in my current withered state I am afraid I am not capable of casting them. I fear I would also be of disbenefit in terms of trying combine our physical strengths, but if you all can combine, I have seen something before that may be of assistance that I have always wanted to try."

When the party begin trying to push the door open, Bernard will start to sing, as though he were a bard attempting a bardic performance. His voice is surprisingly good.

OOC:

Bernard literally provides a -2 strength modifier. He doesn’t actually have bardic performance, I just thought it was funny. Now I need to take Perform Singing as a background skill next level up. Maybe Bernard saw himself as a bard in those old adventure stories.

Last edited August 5, 2021 3:34 am

Aug 5, 2021 3:43 am

OOC:

Help actions in Pathfinder are as follows. Each helper makes a DC 10 check, and if they succeed, the main actor gains a +2. Given the size of the door, only 5 can act or help at a time.

[ +- ] Aid Another

Iseret

WhtKnt

Aug 5, 2021 3:53 am