Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

Inferno
Locked
Message
Author
User avatar
Inferno
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 21429
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:05 pm
Location: 1977

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#201 Post by Inferno »

Within the Hell Mouth, the Rushmoors, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Ten. Early Afternoon. Tuesday, October 25th, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, foggy








By the eerie green light of the phosphorescent fungi, the unseen heroes quietly confer. Then, believing they are safe for the moment, they emerge from out of Urdur's wondrous, illusory wall.

Brevos the ranger tracks the lone hooded figure east, and the others quietly follow him. Merciful Pelias drags the last surviving cultist behind him as they descend deeper into the hell mouth.

Their path follows the edge of the fetid, opaque water and the terrain becomes more rocky. The tunnel opens onto a small cavern with a hole in the floor. A thick, knotted rope, tied to an iron spike set into a stone wall, trails down into the dark, dank maw. The 5' diameter shaft winds beneath them, to the west, and out of view.

The dripping frigid water from the stalactites above does not relent. Neither does the alarm gong.


Actions?


Map:

One square = 10 feet. X = Dead or Unconscious. O = Oozing horror.
Black area to the west of the PCs is the cliff into the main shaft of the hell mouth.



Cutaway View:

West is left. East is right.
PCs' front rank is near the red "X." The oozing horror is at "O." The dead cultist is at "C."






PC Status:
  • Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 23/27
    Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC 5, HP 9/15, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
    Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 24/28
    Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 17/22, Spells: 2/5 1st lvl and 2/4 2nd lvl
    Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC 3, HP 11/12, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 6, HP: 23/30, Spells: 1/6 1st lvl, 2/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
    Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 3: Move: 6", AC: 2(0), HP: 29/30, Laying Hands: 0/1
    Pip, Human Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 9, HP: 11/12
    Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 21/28
    Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC 6, HP 9/9, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl and 0/1 2nd lvl, Torch
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
Player Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Sun Nov 17, 2019 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

User avatar
ChubbyPixie
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 6101
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:07 am

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#202 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Telkis gestures over his shoulder towards the hole. ”Shall we?” he says in a whisper, then turns to inspect the floor immediately around the hole, so that no one should slip and fall down unintentionally.

User avatar
AleBelly
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8987
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#203 Post by AleBelly »

"We shall" says Pelias confidently as he makes to proceed down the rope first. If he can do so with a villager over his shoulder, he will. If not, he'll try to secure him to his own body using the rope that binds the enchanted villager, then climb down the rope.

wolfpack
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8595
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:04 am

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#204 Post by wolfpack »

brevos will go down next

ravenn4544
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7967
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#205 Post by ravenn4544 »

Mouser waits quietly in the shadows of the cavern for his turn to descend. He keeps a watchful ear and eye to the main cavern and the probable return of the armed guards...

User avatar
DadsAngry
Ranger Lord
Ranger Lord
Posts: 2515
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:39 pm
Location: Lawrenceville, GA

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#206 Post by DadsAngry »

Hoom Feethos:

Hoom waits along side Mouser.

User avatar
SocraticLawyer
Ranger Lord
Ranger Lord
Posts: 2269
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:48 pm

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#207 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Urdur goes down the hole next, not wanting to be last.

Did Urdur manage to snag those extra daggers from the supply room?
How do we know you're not a donkey-brained man?

User avatar
Zhym
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 20556
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:14 am

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#208 Post by Zhym »

Grothnak spares a glance at the party's flank before climbing down the rope.

User avatar
drpete
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue May 28, 2013 2:40 am

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#209 Post by drpete »

Pip follows that group down the rope.

User avatar
Scott308
Guy Who Gamed With The Famous People
Posts: 7094
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 3:13 am
Location: Oregon, WI

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#210 Post by Scott308 »

Ingrid Esthof

The cleric climbs down the rope with the others.
Sometimes this summer I will most likely be participating in another 24 hour game of Dungeons & Dragons as part of Extra Life. This organization uses gaming to help raise money to donate to children's hospitals. I'm raising money for Marshfield Children's Hospital in Marshfield, WI, and all money I raise will go to that hospital. All donations are tax-deductible. Please take a moment to check out my donation page below. Thank you.

https://www.extra-life.org/participant/Scott Peterson

User avatar
OGRE MAGE
First Gentleman
First Gentleman
Posts: 37343
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2014 3:16 pm
Location: The Birthplace of RPG's

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#211 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Long Bo does not like the idea of leaving passages behind the group unchecked. As the others make their way down the rope, the druid takes the opportunity to have a closer look at the pool of water, trying to determine if anything has been dumped in there anywhere or if there are any signs of life below the surface.

He also has a quick look up the northern passage as he waits for his turn to descend last. If he finds nothing, he follows behind the group as they all climb down.

User avatar
Inferno
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 21429
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:05 pm
Location: 1977

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#212 Post by Inferno »

Within the Hell Mouth, the Rushmoors, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Ten. Afternoon. Tuesday, October 25th, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, foggy








In the subterranean tunnels beneath the accursed swamp, the heroes grip the knotted rope and descend into the torchlit hole in the rocky floor.

Long Bo leaves them awhile, moving off to examine the opaque black water. Standing at its stagnant edge, the grey druid of the Shalm takes a closer look and sees nothing rising from its surface, nor penetrating it, not even the green light of the weird fungi.

Suddenly, something explodes out of the fetid pool!



To the druid's astonished eyes, the ghastly, writhing horror appears to be some sort of giant blood leech, no doubt warped by the same sinister, supernatural force that has altered this region of the marsh, and the village of Briarsgate itself.

The hideous thing rears up, towering over the druid, and its mouth unfolds open to reveal rows and rows of tiny, razor sharp teeth!

Actions?!

Meanwhile, the other heroes have plunged deeper into the pit. Pelias was first to delve, carrying a bound, unconscious cultist; a burden almost as heavy as the paladin's guilt.

Brevos follows closely, then Grothnak, then Urdur as he secures his new daggers. Telkis and Ingrid next. Then Pip, then Hoom and Mouser.

The channel is tight, winding, steep, and lit by torches mounted to the rock walls. The glowing toadstools don't grow here. The thick rope descends to the bottom of the rocky shaft where an open, ramshackle door stands, beyond which more torchlight flickers.



Pelias, Brevos, Grothnak and Urdur are the first to cautiously enter the gaping door into a dank, tall cavern.

It is filled with dead men and women.

Image

Horrific, ripe carcasses, animated by the powers of Hell.

Unspeakable rituals and blasphemies have been cruelly performed upon some of their bodies.

Image

Whether these atrocities were perpetrated upon them while they still lived is unclear.

The grisly, tormented corpses are all facing the door. They must have heard the adventurers' descent. They watch. And then, as if awoken with a start, they suddenly lunge forward to attack the heroes with wanton savagery!


Actions?!


Cutaway View:

West is left. East is right.
PCs' front rank is near the red "X." Bo is at "B." The undead are at "U." The oozing horror is at "O." A dead cultist is at "C."


Upper Map:

One square = 10 feet. L1 = The Leech Monster. O = Oozing horror.
Black area to the west of the PCs is the cliff into the main shaft of the hell mouth.


Lower Map:
Image
One square = 10 feet. Z = the undead.





PC Status:
  • Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 23/27
    Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC 5, HP 9/15, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
    Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 24/28
    Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 17/22, Spells: 2/5 1st lvl and 2/4 2nd lvl
    Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC 3, HP 11/12, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 6, HP: 23/30, Spells: 1/6 1st lvl, 2/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
    Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 3: Move: 6", AC: 2(0), HP: 29/30, Laying Hands: 0/1
    Pip, Human Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 9, HP: 11/12
    Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 21/28
    Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC 6, HP 9/9, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl and 0/1 2nd lvl
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
Player Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Sun Nov 17, 2019 3:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

User avatar
AleBelly
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8987
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:46 am
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#213 Post by AleBelly »

Fury grows within Pelias as he imagines the horrors these corpses suffered. He gently sets down the fallen cultist and raises his shield towards the zombies, channeling the power of Heironeus to turn them away.

"Go" he says quietly.

Turn zombies (13) [1d20] = 2
Shit

ravenn4544
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7967
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#214 Post by ravenn4544 »

Mouser swallows at the horrors before him. With little room to melee he weaves magical assistance to buy the group some time.

cast push at Z1 in an attempt to topple him and trip up those that are following it.

User avatar
drpete
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue May 28, 2013 2:40 am

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#215 Post by drpete »

Pip makes his way down, space permitting. Unless he hears something of the troubles up above...?
Last edited by drpete on Sat Dec 02, 2017 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
OGRE MAGE
First Gentleman
First Gentleman
Posts: 37343
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2014 3:16 pm
Location: The Birthplace of RPG's

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#216 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Long Bo jumps back with his spear held out in front of him defensively once the giant slug pops out of the water. Knowing enough about such creatures, the druid finds himself in a perfect predicament to put his money where his oft used mouth is.

Hoping the possessed beast is confined to its watery area, and isn't exactly a quick mover, Bo assumes that the smartest approach to this dilemma is to simply flee the area and avoid combat all together. He immediately steps backwards, moving away from the monster as quickly as possible. If he can do so, he flees the area all together, watching behind him to see if the beast is able to follow.

If it does indeed follow him out of and away from the pool, Bo gets himself to the rope and joins the others. If it is not able to follow, the druid takes a quick look down the northern passage before descending into the hole.

wolfpack
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8595
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:04 am

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#217 Post by wolfpack »

Brevos spits at the sight of the twisted horrors.

None of this cult deserves to live

He lifts his shield and draws Brood from it's scabbard letting the warmth of the the soft blue light hum of the magical blade sooth him he stands shoulder to shoulder with the holy warrior striking down the first zombie that gets near them.

[1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6

ravenn4544
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7967
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#218 Post by ravenn4544 »

Mouser nods at Brevos and speaks definitively, "Next time I burn the rope."

User avatar
SocraticLawyer
Ranger Lord
Ranger Lord
Posts: 2269
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:48 pm

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#219 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Urdur lobs two of his newly acquired daggers at the nearest standing zombie.

Throw dagger at zombie [1d20+2] = 14+2 = 16

Throw dagger at zombie [1d20+2] = 11+2 = 13

Dagger damage [2d4] = 5
How do we know you're not a donkey-brained man?

User avatar
ChubbyPixie
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 6101
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:07 am

Re: Chapter 13: Hell Mouth of the Dark Mother

#220 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Unaware of Bo's predicament above, Telkis continues down the hole. Being no dummy, when he hears Pelias shout "Go." in a commanding voice, he assumes trouble ahead and scrabbles down to help. If he can get there in time and find room to do so, he'll attack whatever zombie he can reach:

Locked

Return to “The Horror at Briarsgate (1e)”