Tomba readily agrees nodding his head enthusiastically at Vixl's suggestion, now that he eyes the skeletons again.  "I think there is another way to get to the treasure, like maybe another room with a stop button.  The trap must have been set somehow."

"It would be on the other side of the wall, but, where is the access 'door'?" L says.

Rusk frowns as he looks down. ”If the treasure is genuine, then I would agree that there is probably a mechanism somewhere by which the trap can be disarmed without risk. If it is not, then there is likely no way to do so. Its only purpose is to entice intruders to their deaths.”

He shrugs. ”Perhaps if Amun-Re’s spirit is put to rest, many of the dangers in this place will cease to be threats and the treasure could then be claimed freely.”

"So, it sounds like this is left for another time," V said.

To the western door, with the treasure seekers searching it for traps.

Fodor reluctantly nods in agreement with Rusk and Víxl.

While some of the infidels fancied remaining in the observation dome while the odd man out tried his luck with the honeycomb, this idea was ultimately tabled, for no suitable means of identifying the odd man could be settled upon. Instead the outfit had chosen to try and test its fate with that western door and was all set to perform the customary safety checks when Rusk holds up his hand to forestall the efforts.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Tue 07 May.

”Beyond that door is an aura of evil. One of tremendous strength,” the former crusader said quietly.

Tomba bites his bottom lip, wondering what that could possibly mean.  "Big words in front of a word like strength give me the heebie jeebies." he admits to Rusk.  "and whatever an aura is, I don't think we need it, especially if it's evil.  Why don't you make your spooky power," he says dancing his fingers in the air and failing to grasp what a Paladin is all about, "look for a door that has shinies behind it?"  The last is framed as a serious question from the Halfling, as shinies after all, can be used for lots of good things, which the paladin should know.

"I can cast Bless before we enter if that helps us out any." l'Atreq casts Bless on the party before the door opens.

"Nah, let's just go back to the mists," V says.

Back to the concealed door in the 'x marks the spot' room, down the rope, out the door to the 10' area with the misty archways (msg #757), and taking the leftmost unexplored one (exit 2), continuing leftmost exits until something is encountered, backtracking when necessary.

Descending from the Halls of the Upper Priesthood, the outfit returns to the misty maze only to find that the mists have departed. Perhaps, the temple guardians' supply of dry ice had been exhausted. Perhaps, the mists had seen fit to seek out other playmates. Perhaps, there had been a subtle change in the requisite atmospheric conditions for a thriving population of mist. Perhaps, there are eldritch forces at play beyond the outfit's ken.

Whatever the reason, the infidels effortlessly track southwest, eventually arriving at a 10-foot square section of clear corridor with an archway at the north end and a heavy plank door at the other.

In an eerily similar manner, Rusk holds up his hand to forestall the customary safety efforts.

”There is the definite presence of evil beyond this doorway,” Rusk warns, ”It is not as strong as whatever lurked behind the door we left unopened, but we should still make ready before entering.”

Very pleased to see no mist, V moves through the tunnels. But she still marks the exits as they take them. There is so much they have already been through, that she does not have any desire to go back through it all again, even if it is mappable at this point.

At the door...
"Okay... let's prepare then," V says. "Orum and Tomba, if you could listen at the door and check it for traps or locks. After they have done that, l'Atreq- this would be a good place for a bless on everyone, and Tarrahn- please have a shillelagh ready and use barkskin on one of the front-line fighters since they'll be engaging and covering the spellcasters, if you would. Once we have that set, let's go in."

AFter performing the listen and check Orum will use the Helm to reach out beyond the door to see if he can pick up any thoughts.

"Oh mighty Ptah, please bless us all, your servants, and guide us in our endeavors!" l'Atreq prays.

Tarrahn nods to Vixl.  "I have both of them at my disposal.  Only one Barkskin but, I did take two of the Shillelagh type.  Hopefully, we won't be engaged that long in combat V but, I am prepared.  Who wants the Barkskin?"

I'm thinking that this will stack with armor worn?
The barkskin spell magically toughens a creature’s skin,
making it as strong as tree bark. The recipient of the spell
improves his or her armour class by one point and also
gains a +1 bonus on all saving throws, with the exception
of saving throws against Spells

Prep R#1: Tarrahn casts barkskin on Fodor. (+1 AC/Saves for 8 rounds)
l'Atreq casts bless. (+1 to attack for 6 rounds)
Prep R#2: Tarrahn casts Irish twig (d4+1, +1 to hit, for 4 rounds)

The heavy planked door opens onto a 30-square foot room with 10-foot tall walls rising to a flat ceiling. There is a door in the center of each wall. In the center of the ceiling is a 10-foot diameter hole. This is the bottom of what appears to be a circular shaft. A large pile of straw lies directly under the shaft. Two axe-wielding hulking shapes move towards you.

16:46, Today: The Lord of Divine Words rolled 5 using d6 (5).
The minotaurs win init.

Scuffing the stone floor with their hooves, they lower their horned heads and charge towards Fodor and Rusk.

16:48, Today: The Lord of Divine Words rolled 0,14 using d20-2,2d8.  M#2 vs Rusk.

Rusk lunges into the room and twists to the side, surprising the manbull who slams into the wall instead of the paladin. Sparks fly and chips of stone pelt the crusader.

16:48, Today: The Lord of Divine Words rolled 12,8 using d20-2,2d8.  M#1 vs Fodor.

Fodor squares himself to receive the lady manbull's charge, raising his shield to catch the underside of the beast's horns and direct them harmlessly over his head. The maneater's fetid breath, he can escape, and he nearly gags on the meatiness of it.

Beholding these two prime specimens of inspired breeding, a few of the infidels could be forgiven for thinking that those early masters of eugenics had gone down the wrong path. Sure, biped plus biped, one would think, couldn't be beat, but might there have been a better bet for the betterment of both human and beast? Two hooves, good, four hooves, better?

The minotaurs have an AC of 6 and are large creatures.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:25, Yesterday.

Eonwe can barely conceal a smile, having a real enemy to contend with after long months of misty emptiness. He lines up Fodor's minotaur and casts a spell, sending a glowing green missile slamming into the creature.

Casting Magic Missile on Fodor's Minotaur, doing 5hp damage.

09:13, Today: Eonwe rolled 5 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile on Fodor's Minotaur. – 5

Definitely not what she was expecting, but better than undead.

Minotaurs were too powerful for sleep spells, so she went into combat, wishing she had an enchanted sword or specialization.
But it was as it was. She targeted the one attacking Rusk- Fodor had better armor and seemed sturdier, so better to fell the one on the paladin first.

(ooc)
Roll to hit- 18 (with bless)
8 points of damage (large creature)

This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Yesterday.

l'Atreq goes for the one that ran into the wall with his heavy flail!

---

19:24, Today: l'Atreq rolled 7 using 2d4.  damage. – 7

19:24, Today: l'Atreq rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  to hit. – 13 - forgot to add the +1 when I rolled, it's added here. Hit AC4.

19:24, Today: l'Atreq rolled 4 using 1d6.  initiative. – 4
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Today.

Fodor swings at the female Minotaur that just went flying over him, but even with the benefit of the Bless spell, his magical longsword fails to land a convincing blow.

19:33, Today: Fodor rolled 10,13 using d20+3,d12+3.  Rnd 1: attack Minotaur (Bless included). – 10,13

Not wishing to cast into melee, Orum awaits an opportunity to move behind the minotaurs to bravely attack from behind.

Likewise Tomba remains small and insignificant looking to move sideways around behind the minotaurs as they charge his companions as more threatening targets.  If he can find himself behind one, he'll bravely move to swipe at a hamstring.

Not sure if this'll allow him an attack in the first round, but here's his throws for when he does find an opening.  Not sure if a backstab is possible, they would possibly be somewhat conscious that something small was moving around.  He will attack whichever minotaur is deemed closest to him.


Tomba Cotton rolled 67 to hide in shadows needing 40% or less. FAIL so a backstab attack is out of the question

Tomba Cotton rolled 20 to hit.<red> SUCCESS</red>

Tomba Cotton rolled 7 using 1d8.  Damage for short sword against large opponent.

Rusk sweeps his blade toward the flank of the minotaur that charged him.

07:47, Today: Rusk rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Attack - Two Handed Sword.

07:48, Today: Rusk rolled 5 using 1d10+2.  Damage.

Tarrahn will cast Summon Insects on the less injured Minotaur.

15:15, Today: Tarrahn rolled 54 using 1d100.  Type; 70% chance that the swarm will be composed of flying  insects, 30% chance that the insects will be ants or other non-airborne biting vermin.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:17, Today.