Barrow Mounds: Mummy, the Return.

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Moriartus looks up from studying the staff to view Fydmar's discovery. "Nicely done, Mr. Fydmar. Please be careful removing the emerald. As for the staff here ..." He looks up its length to gaze upon the carved jackal head. "It appears to grant the bearer understanding of canine based languages, like kobold and gnoll."

"I suggest we leave after collecting the remaining treasure. Those vultures we drove off may return tonight ... and with harpies."

[gurusql]

Cadeweed

Cadeweed and Meatloaf the Gnome work to collect the filigree thread looping it around elbow and thumb as one loops a rope - the two of them collect 17 yards worth.

Got a little help from the GM behind the scenes

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Will examine the skull for any sort of trap before reaching in to pry the emerald loose. If needed: skill check [1d100]=12
We've got quite a haul here. I also suggest we return to Helix.

[Spearmint]

The Mummy Mound antechamber.

Fydmar pries the large emerald free, holding it up to the lantern light to catch the twinkles of light that glint from finely cut facets. A quality cut gem that might fetch a fine bounty of several hundred gold at least. He pouches it along with the larger golden Ankh.

Cadeweed spools a thread of gold filigree into a loop which miner Meatloaf sacks up.

Moriartus bares the staff, Dalin has the smaller Ankh, Dougal wards with his bow but at his feet are the gilded shawl and headdress. Durgo finishes binding the statue. Two-Birds and Plantie finish their inspections.

All seems hunky-dory but as ever you learn, nothing is free in this realm. Gathering goodies to leave you hear a loud "chink" and a chittering noise, like an insect or cricket. Looking around you see a large jet black scarab scuttle from the plinth. It is about the size of a house brick, chiselled in angular shapes but soon shivers and morphs into a recognizable coleopteran.

It is soon followed by another ... "clink"

then another "clink", then a score more ... "clink, ding, thud." sounds of angry chittering.

To your horror and fascination, the Set statue is dissolving into numerous beetles, egg sized marble critters made of the splintering jackal.

actions and initiative please.

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Initiative: [1d6]=6

"Retreat to the other room and shut the doors!" Moriartus implores the group as he hastily shuffles back towards the mummy chamber.

Don't forget to pick up the loot!

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo grabs anything he things of value and runs to the doorway to assist in closing it and keeping it closed.

"Guys these things may be able to burrow through/under stuff Perhaps there is something they are trained/controlled/commanded to make sure stays in the room.

[gurusql]

Cadeweed

Cadeweed thinking along with Moriartus wants to get to the outside (ssuming that the Gnome already grabbed the gold string) and get the door shut.

Initiative [1d6]=6

[Karaunios]

Dougal grabs the treasure at his feet and runs to the other room in order to put it on the cart. If he can help, after leaving it on the cart, he will help close the door. If it's already been closed by those companions not carrying any treasure, he will guard the miners while they get the cart out.

I thought he had already made taken the treasure to the cart, as it was the action I said he was doing in the post before the last. Since you said he was standing with his bow, I assumed he had already done it and then posted he was standing guard.

Dougal

Dougal is focused on lifting and carrying the jewels to the cart. He appears to repeat the world "gold", singing to himself. He only stops to look at Durgo and then at the statue. "That's a guid idea!"

He won't disturb the threads, leaving Cadeweed and his expertise to it.

[Spearmint]

I thought he had already made taken the treasure to the cart, as it was the action I said he was doing in the post before the last. Since you said he was standing with his bow, I assumed he had already done it and then posted he was standing guard.

Dougal is focused on lifting and carrying the jewels to the cart.

Ah ok. I wondered what jewels you meant when you wrote this as no jewels had yet been found. There would have been a very high probability taking the Statue trove from the room would have triggered the scarab attack sooner before you were able to strip any filigree or open the plinth niche.

[Spearmint]

Just to add to variables as the tomb Raiders run from the scarab swarm with the trove, I have posed this question in each person's private forum.

Running away from the scarabs, does your character go through the guard room to get to the above chamber (the one on your left as you exit the antechamber) or the store room on the other side? (The one on the east side).

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Everyone out of the mound. He flees. Large gold ankh & emerald added to inventory.
Figured you didn't want it here, so answered room direction in private forum.

[Spearmint]

The Mummy Mound

Fight or flight? Against the impending swarm the characters leg it, picking up trove and kit and running out of the bronze doors. Some go right, some left, each wants to get out of reach, not necessarily outrunning the scarab swarm but outrunning a comrade behind.

Going through the store room, the mage surprisingly shows a clean pair of heels, Fydmar, Cadeweed follow but Durgo and Plantie are both caught among the scuttling critters. Each take -2hp as numerous stone beetles bite ankles, run up legs, pinch torsos, attempting to overwhelm the raiders.

Those caught are slowed and still in the lower passages, those who managed to flee make it upstairs.

The other half of the group tack left, going back through the familiar Guardroom. Dougal bears the gilded ephod and headdress. Best way to carry them while running with a bow is to throw them over your head. While Dalin heads upstairs, Two-Birds -4hp and Meatloaf -1hp are caught in the scarab stream. The cleric trips.

As the ranger stops to aid the stricken cleric, the eight figures jerk and spasm. They awkwardly move as though coming from a long stasis, an eternal watch where nothing happened. Now it has, 'the Master' has come by and seems to be on a hurried parade. Each figure breaks of the stake keeping him upright, they click heels in unison and raise weapons in a salute. They seem to be looking at the ranger with curiosity and expectation.

Storeroom or Guardroom : TB, Me, Lem [1d2]=2[1d2]=2[1d2]=1Beetlejuice vs Mori, Dou, Dur, Dal [1d20]=5[1d20]=1[1d20]=14[1d20]=1 Beetlejuice vs Cad, Fyd, TB, Gn, Pl[1d20]=7 [1d20]=6[1d20]=13[1d20]=16 [1d20]=13Scarab swarm bites: Durgo, TB, Gn, Pl [1d4]=2[1d4]=4[1d4]=1[1d4]=2

Venwynn and the two remaining miners hurry to the stairs to see the commotion. They wield weapons and spades ready to bludgeon any critters that come up the stairs after you.

next actions please.

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Exits the mound. Once out, he will see if the beetles follow. If not, he will stop and ready his X-bow.
(to Fenwynn & miners guarding the entrance): Ware! A swarm of scarab beetles are right behind us.

[gurusql]

Cadeweed

Cadeweed likes to think he is aware of his surroundings, but truth be told when you are under 3 feet tall you have to be aware of others especially in a fight or flight situation. With Moriartus and Fydmar in front of him and Durgo and Plantie behind him, if there is a door he will pause to slam it (after Durgo and Plantie have come through of course) otherwise he will push to get outside. Being little he is more likely to be stepped on and on more likely to be pulled down by the beetles and there is not enough beetles to take him down out in the world.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin likewise follows Fydmar in exiting the mound and readies his crossbow.

[Spearmint]

remember entering the mound required a Dexterity check or cause a tunnel collapse. The miners lessened the chance of a tunnel collapse but a possiblity still exists.

All those exiting the mound need to roll a 3d6 vs Dex to wriggle through in haste successfully.

[gurusql]

Cadeweed

Requested DEX Roll
3d6 Check against DEX (17) - [_3d6]=(3+6+1)=10

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo keeps moving sheathing his sword and tries to swat the beetles off of him as he tries to exit the mound, "Ahhhgg they are biting me.

Dex Roll (13)

[3d6]=17 fail

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Moriartus stops to cast a Protection from Evil spell on himself before cautiously moving back downstairs to check on the stragglers.

Spell Retention (17): [4d6+1]=15+1=16

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin
Dex 17 [3d6]=12