Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

Inferno
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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#81 Post by Zhym »

Arthfael pokes his spear ineffectively at the spider from behind Gronda.

Spear (THAC0 20): [1d20+1] = 7+1 = 8 [1d6] = 1 (S/M) / [1d8] = 5 (L)

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Inferno
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#82 Post by Inferno »

The Second Tier of the Great Pyramid of the Lost City
Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day One. Evening. 13th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



Image


Image

In the shadow of the gigantic arachnid mother, dozens of baby spiderlings, each as large as a rat, crawl toward the bleeding form of Mako to sate their hunger upon his living flesh!

Loche rushes forward and drags Mako's body back to safety! The Pict starts binding the easterner's wounds.

Atilla the nomadic archer puts two more unerring arrows into the terrifying gargantula, each sinking to the feathers!

Gronda and Arthfael attack the beast with spears, and the savage Zembabwean huntress pierces another lidless eye. She drives the blade deep into the horror's brain, killing it instantly!

The crawling spider spawn hear their mother's bloodcurdling death shrieks. They turn and, without hesitation, devour her in a writhing, gruesome feast.

Image

Image


To the south, the last golden warrior (O3) pulls his sword arm free and works to plow his steel deep into the chest of the bestial savage! (N6)

The degenerate primitive sidesteps the murderous thrust and is only grazed. He clears a space for an instant with a devastating sweep of his dripping club, and casts a quick glance about for an avenue of escape.

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Alone, his primordial tribesmen massacred, he bolts for the door from which they came.

Garrin, Kiri and Roan intercept him and Garrin grimly buries his weapon to the hilt, disemboweling the white ape in a torrent of bright crimson.

Meanwhile, Stag and Wolf quietly slip unseen through that same door, stifling deranged chuckles.

His last savage enemy dead, the golden hawk warrior now notes the adventurers for the first time.

Image

Two more gleaming swordsmen appear behind him (O4, O5) and are likewise momentarily stricken by what their eyes behold.

"Strangers... in Khemsa!?! Who... who art ye?"


Actions?!


Map:
Image
One square = 10 feet. Monsters not currently in sight of a PC are depicted in their last known location.
Factions: PCs: brown. Neanderthal Morlocks: blue. Hawk-helmed Warriors: gold.



Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):
Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 5, Beastmen: [1d6] = 5, Hawks: [1d6] = 6, Spider: [1d6] = 2 Hawk first. Spider last.
O3 attacks N6: [1d20] = 16, damage: [1d8] = 1 Hits for 1hp.
Beastman Morale Check: 75% of forces slain: [1d100] = 23, Last man standing: [1d100] = 97 Leader slain: [1d100] = 87 Morale finally breaks.
Attila attacks Mother Spider with Bow: [1d20] = 12, [1d20] = 3, damage: [1d6] = 4, [1d6] = 6 Hits once for 4hp damage. I forgot his nomadic bonus of +1 with bow. So last round...
Attila attacks Mother Spider with Bow: [1d20] = 13, [1d20] = 12, damage: [1d6] = 4, [1d6] = 5
...he should have hit twice. Will add that damage now, for a total of 9hp damage now. Fyi, that 5hp wouldn't have killed the spider last round.
Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 7/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 2/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 3/12
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 2/18, Laying Hands: 0/1
    Gronda: Zembabweian Savage Ranger/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/17
    Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 3/7, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 15/18, Torch
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: -2/6, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 15/23, Torch
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
PC Resources:
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.

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#83 Post by hedgeknight »

Covered in blood and gore, bruised and battered, the Vanir barbarian takes a stern look at the gleaming warriors and says, "I am Roan, Son of Rune. These are my companions. You're welcome for saving yer asses from these ape-men. What with them and the albinos, and now you...this place is full of freaks. Khemsa you say? What realm is that? Never heard of it."
Winter is coming...

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#84 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Kiri waits patiently for the barbarian to finish. He then smiles widely and with a slight head nod of a bow says "I'm Kiri Khutan. I'm pleased to meet you. We came seeking shelter. I apologize - we ate your scorpion." Beaming, he casually wipes gore from his armor.

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#85 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Gronda knows how nature works. If even one of these baby spiders grows up as large and as dangerous as their mother......

She begins piercing the bodies of the smaller spiders as quickly as she can, trying to eliminate any chance of future threats that the group might run into later.

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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#86 Post by Zhym »

"Arthfael Griogarach," says the Cimmerian druid. "Who are you?"

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#87 Post by Mant72 »

Garrin fights through his grevious wounds, trying to maintain dignity and not show weakness. He extends his hand to shake with the nearest hawk-warrior. "I am Garrin of the House of Locke."

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Inferno
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#88 Post by Inferno »

The Second Tier of the Great Pyramid of the Lost City
Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day One. Evening. 13th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



Image


The maelstrom of chaos and murder ends as quickly as it erupted.

Atilla the nomadic barbarian performs first aid on Mako (+1hp). The brave, eastern conjurer is grotesquely swollen from the poison of the spider bite but he still draws breath.

Image

Gronda the savage stabs giant spiderlings with her spear. Then Atilla says, "Stand back, woman." The Hyrkanean pours oil on the writhing mound of cannibal spawn and touches it off. Ravenous flames consume all with a crackling roar that almost drowns out the hideous screechings of the younglings as they are burned alive.

Loche uses Atilla's javelin to retrieve his daggers from the flames. Then he carries unconscious Mako south to the others that he may be healed by them. Arthfael and Atilla go with him. Loche says, "The wee Easterner yet lives. But he's a' swollen up. Disgoostin'! ...um, did I look that bad? It canna..."

Loche suddenly stops at the sight of a trio of golden-mailed swordsmen equally stunned to see the adventurers.

Image

"Strangers... in Khemsa!?!" they gasp. "...Who... who art ye?"

The Vanir barbarian replies, "I am Roan, Son of Rune. These are my companions. You're welcome for saving yer asses from these ape-men. What's with them?"

The hawk warrior with the bloody sword slowly replies in an archaic dialect, "They... art the creatures of Zargoth. From the undercity. I know not how they came to prowl these chambers."

Roan says, "Khemsa you say? What realm is that? Never heard of it."

The hawk warrior answers distantly, "Khemsa is the greatest city of the realm of Verulia."

The adventurers remember that name. Biblo the Zamoran scholar had mentioned the Pre-Cataclysmic kingdom of Verulia while translating the hieroglyphics from the ancient stones.

Image

Verulia was said to have been destroyed 6,000 years ago, when Atlantis was swallowed by waves.

It was at that moment the explorers suddenly realized that they hadn't seen Biblo since the hall of the giant scarabs. He had imbibed a sorcerous concoction and disappeared!

Arthfael, Garrin and Kiri introduce themselves. The tattooed Cimmerian shaman adds, "Who are you?"

"I am Horuk, a son of Osorus." Biblo had said Osorus was the Falcon-headed Pharaoh of the Gods, ruler of the sun, the moon and the stars, of war, water, and life everlasting. The secret shrine of the oracle was sacred to Osorus.

Horuk removes his golden, winged helm.

Image

Like the other Men of the Great Pyramid, his flesh is as pale as a bleached skull. But unlike Stag and the others, his red eyes possess clarity and intelligence.

"Thou art strangers. I know not how thee came here. But were thee gods or demons, thou would know all the things thee ask of me. Hast thou somehow come from beyond the great desert?"

The warrior behind Horuk whispers, "Beyond the wastes? Impossible!"

The third avian-armored man hisses, "Look! They art barbarians. More servants of Zargoth? Hath they truly kill'd the scorpion?

Horuk responds to them, "They fought with bravery and skill, in mine own aid. These men need food and water and medicine."
Horuk turns back to the adventurers: "Thou hast slain my enemy. Thou must be parched and fill'd with the pangs of hunger. Allow me to repay thee with hospitality. We hath food and drink... a place to rest and recover from thy wounds."

The other two hawk soldiers carry away their dead through great, bronze doors. Beyond them, at the end of the embellished corridor stands a large statue of Osorus (5a) nearly as large as its twin, the towering colossus atop the Great Pyramid.

Image


Replies? Actions?


Map:
Image
One square = 10 feet. Monsters not currently in sight of a PC are depicted in their last known location.
Factions: PCs: brown. Neanderthal Morlocks: blue. Hawk-helmed Warriors: gold.



Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 7/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 2/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 3/12
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 2/18, Laying Hands: 0/1
    Gronda: Zembabweian Savage Ranger/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/17
    Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 3/7, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 15/18, Torch
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: -1/6, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 15/23, Torch
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
PC Resources:
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.

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#89 Post by hedgeknight »

Roan, Son of Rune

At the mention of food, the Vanir's belly grumbles and he realizes, like his companions, that they are ravenously hungry. "Me and my companions...we would be grateful for food and drink, and healing for our wounds. We did indeed slay the giant scorpion after we climbed the pyramid looking for food and water. You are right to assume we are not from this place. Who is this Zargoth you speak of?"
Winter is coming...

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#90 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Gronda keeps a sharp eye out from the rear as the others converse. She kicks around at the apemen bodies a little, wondering if they even bothered to collect valuables.

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#91 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Kiri smiles again. "Friends! In a pyramid. This is good. Also, water and food and medicine would be welcome," he says. He feels around for Biblio for a while and looks for signs of his passage, then finally gives up. Once again he's reminded of how dangerous magic can be, even when used judiciously. He glances at his amulet, his constant reminder. It glances back, a knowing look in its eye. He follows the hawk men when they depart.

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#92 Post by Mant72 »

Garrin graciously thanks the soldiers for their philanthropy. Before proceeding he displays the pale ankh tattooed on his hand. "Kind strangers, might you explain this?"

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Inferno
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#93 Post by Inferno »

The Second Tier of the Great Pyramid of the Lost City
Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day One. Night. 13th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



Image


Image

In the forgotten kingdom of Verulia, within the lost city of Khemsa, in the Great Pyramid of Xuthalhotep, strangers enter a strange land.

There, hawk-helmed sons of Osorus solemnly carry away their dead. Their stoic demeanor suggests a warrior culture well acquainted with violent death. But they stare at Gronda when they think she isn't looking. The Zembabwean huntress examines the bloody, broken corpses of the degenerate primitives and finds little of value: weapons, stone knives, and rope fashioned from a black vine. Yet, these tools signify a form of bestial intelligence among the simian animal-men. And perhaps a hideous kinship with Man.

Injured and hungry, Garrin, Kiri and Roan gratefully accept Horuk's offer of hospitality. Garrin, son of Atlantis, reveals the white blemish on the back of his hand. "Kind strangers, might you explain this?"

"The Mark of Osorus!" Horuk gasps. "How came thee by it?"
(Reply?)

After listening to the paladin's tale, Horuk confers privately with his men. Then he bid the newcomers follow him through the great bronze doors.
"Outlanders, welcome. This is Khemsa."

Image

Behind the bronze portal, the first chamber has long ago been re-purposed into a sentry station, armory and barricade (8). Beneath colossal stone guardians, pale gleaming guardians stare at the strangers and murmur. Some run ahead.

Carrying Mako, the newcomers pass through another heavy door and ascend steps into an exalted, towering hallway.

Image

The epic pageant of history continues to unfurl in the ancient hieroglyphs of these stone walls and pillars.

Horuk wordlessly leads the travelers to an empty, spartan barrack with beds, table and a latrine area. "Thou may rest here. Pray, be at home. Thou art our honoured guests."

Horuk and other masked warriors come and go as their guests settle in. There might be a half dozen of them but it is hard to tell from the masks. Mako is gently laid on a bed. Dust is wiped from the old wooden table; chairs set around it. Fresh water is brought, then hot wine and plates of a warm, thick porridge that is salty, sweet and filling.

Incense is burned and somehow its mist has a strange healing property. (+2hp, all) Mako's swelling has gone down and he awakens on a bunk.

Before breaking bread, Horuk quietly prays that Osorus accept the souls of his fallen brothers into the Land of the Dead.

Over the shared meal, Roan the barbarian asks his host, "Who is this Zargoth you speak of?"

Horuk frowns, "Zargoth is a demon who fancies himself a god. 'Tis he did shatter the kingdom of Khemsa long ago, curse his name. Those beasts thou did slay art among his wicked servants, hunting for human sacrifices... for Zargoth the Undying.
"With the scorpion dead, we shall see more of them,"
he adds without accusation.

Four pale young warriors join Horuk in dining with the strangers, removing golden masks of birds of prey. With them is an older man who is afforded much deference and respect.

Image

All grows quiet as he softly says, "I am Ghorom. Welcome. Thou honor us with thy presence.
"Pray, how did thee come here? We hath long believed the wastes impassable. Endless. That there was nothing left outside them. If it pleases thee, kindly tell us of thy journey, and of this World Beyond."



Replies?


Map: The PCs are in room 9.
Image


Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 9/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 2/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 5/12
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 4/18, Laying Hands: 0/1
    Gronda: Zembabweian Savage Ranger/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 16/17
    Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/7, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 17/18, Torch
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 1/6, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 17/23, Torch
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
PC Resources:
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.

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#94 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Kiri puts his palms together and bows respectfully to the elder gentleman. "I am grateful for your help. I don't know my friends very well yet - we met running from the ape-men. I cannot speak for them. But I am from a land beyond the land beyond. No sand - only lush greenery covering the hills. Still, there are demons there, in temples of stone not unlike this one. Luckily none have chosen to lay waste to the land. Or perhaps they are held in check. Have the good gods here forsaken you? Do they not protect you? This Osorus seems like a friendly one." He holds up his hand to show he also has a mark. "The voice in the fountain favored us with these. And answered our questions. An agreeable experience."

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#95 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Gronda is happy to partake with the others, but she says nothing to these odd men. She has seen looks like that before, men trying to get whatever they can from her. Things like that have never ended well for her in the past. She keeps her business to herself as she lets the others tell their tales.

It will take more than a little hospitality and calming words for her to fully trust these strangers. She makes as little eye contact as possible with them, trying not to raise their interest in her any further.

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#96 Post by DadsAngry »

Mako:

Mako opens his eyes to the same tan walls but an unfamiliar ornate room. He's startled at the creaking of the bunk as he starts to stir. The unfamiliar surroundings and his placement among them fill his gut with pang. It's his stomach he realizes. The scorpion was nourishing but not very filling. As his eyes adjust from the darkness to light, he makes out the group of stranded travelers sitting around a table with some newcomers. He spies an open chair and lazily makes his way towards it, hoping it's for him and not already occupied by Bilbo.

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#97 Post by hedgeknight »

Roan, Son of Rune

The barbarian tries not to eat too fast and yet, his stomach begs him to shovel the porridge in his mouth. He forces himself not to lick the bowl clean or to ask for more. He admires these golden warriors and nods in respect to their leader.

"Elder Ghorom, we came to this desert from the lands of Zamora, traveling with a caravan. I was hired as a guard as were some of my companions. As we crossed the Great Desert, a blinding sandstorm scattered men and animals, leaving just the few of us; we do not even know if others survived.
"As you can see, we are of different races, cultures. We serve our own gods and have our own customs and beliefs. Yet...we bound together, seeking food and water, and by the grace of the gods we found this structure in the middle of the desert. We have fought monstrous creatures, shedding our blood, all in a struggle to survive. We have even fought alongside your golden warriors, and drank the healing waters of your god. And now, we sit here as your guests. It is all...too much to understand."
Winter is coming...

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#98 Post by Mant72 »

Garrin eyes the pale tattoo imprinted on his hand with mistrust. "This truly must be the brand of some other 'god'," he thinks silently.

He politely thanks his hosts, prays before partaking of the meal, and adds, "My friends speak true. We are travelers lost. Guards of a carvan beset by the blasphemous sands."

He then turns to Horuk, "Brave warrior, I would know more of this marking. He indicates the ankh, "Please, do tell."

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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#99 Post by Inferno »

Realm of the Sons of Osorus (9)
Second Tier of the Great Pyramid, Lost City of Khemsa
Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day One. Night. 13th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



Image


Image

In the lost city of Khemsa, strangers dine with the Sons of Osorus as guests of honor. They converse into the night. (+1hp all, from mists)

When Garrin, Kiri and Roan allude to the healing waters of the font, Ghorom replies, “Voice of the fountain? Of what doth thee speak?” He listens intently to their tale of the shrine and replies, "That area of the Pyramid wast long ago abandoned. For generations, spiders hath woven their webs in that hall, barring passage."

Ghorom notes Gronda’s lowered head. “Prithee forgive us, young one. We hast never seen skin so dark, in all our lives. We meant not to give offense.” The pale warriors stop staring at her.

Mako joins them. Ghorom greets him, “Welcome, friend. Doth thou hail from distant Lemuria?”
Atilla slops porridge down his throat. Loche too, while he watches and listens with suspicious eyes.
Roan’s plate is refilled as he says, “Elder Ghorom, we came to this desert from the lands of Zamora.”

Ghorom replies gently, “Roan, son of Rune, this Zamora is unknown to me. What of mighty Atlantis? Thule? Lemuria? Pray, what hath become of them?”

Roan says, “We have fought monstrous creatures, shedding our blood, all in a struggle to survive.”

“And bravely, I am told. For that, we thank thee," Ghorom says with sincerity and humility.
“All manner of monstrous creature prowl the corridors of the Pyramid beyond our barricade. 'Tis is the presence of foul Zargoth that seems to spawn them and to violate nature itself, creating fantastic, gigantic, unnatural forms of life. And fell, unwholesome ones as well. But here, behind the barricade, remains a sanctuary of safety, and of sanity.”

Garrin asks Horuk, "Brave warrior, I would know more of this marking."

Horuk replies, "'Tis the ankh, the holy symbol of Osorus, of life. 'Tis an omen, a powerful sign, especially when thus borne by strangers." Horuk grows quiet in thought.

Kiri asks, “Have the good gods here forsaken you? Do they not protect you? This Osorus seems like a friendly one."

Ghorom does not return Kiri’s well-meaning smile. “Perhaps Osorus doth test us. And finds Khemsa wanting. In truth, other gods art worshiped in Khemsa now. None more so than Zargoth. Thou hast born witness to some of his subjects. Not the savage beasts, but the others, mad and lost.”

The explorers remember:

Image

Ghorom continues, “They worship Zargoth. And hath for generations."

"Whit? Worship a monster? How can thes be?" grunts Loche between spoonfuls.

Ghorum replies in sorrow, “Millennia ago, Khemsa wast the capital of the rich and fertile kingdom of Verulia. Upon the death of our greatest pharaoh, Xuthalhotep, this pyramid wast raised in his honor. The centuries-long fall of Khemsa doth began that day. Workers, delving deep to excavate the site of the future pyramid, unleashed a strange elder demon called Zargoth, the gigantic, horned, tentacled cyclopean horror from the darkest depths of Hell.

Image

“Zargoth kill'd most of the workers, then began hunting prey at night through the streets of Khemsa. The city guard wast unable to kill the monster. At last, the rulers began sending criminals from the jails for Zargoth to feed on. With tribute of incalculable riches. In time, a strange cult arose that worshiped the monster as a god. The cult did view the offerings of wealth and of victims as religious sacrifices. 'Tis said Zargoth now doth sit atop a horde of all the riches of Khemsa.

"The worship of the ancient gods of Verulia - Osorus, Sehkmet, Uthoth, Sutekh - wast forsaken in favor of worship of the monster Zargoth. Until finally, most of Khemsa worshiped it.

"Unable to come to grips with the horror of their new life, the worshipers of Zargoth withdrew, began to look for strange pleasures. They sought oblivion in rare wines and strange drugs. Workers no longer repaired irrigation ditches. Rich land turned to desert. The army lost its discipline. Barbarian raiders stormed over the walls and destroyed the city. The only survivors were those who hadst fled underground to the vast catacombs and caverns under the city. There they built a new city, led by the evil Priests of Zargoth."


Ghorum describes it.

Image

“Today, much of the time, the people lie in sleep. Their dream-life is as important, and as real to them, as their waking life. Their drugs doth induce dreams both gorgeous and fantastic. In these dreams, they doth spend most of their time. Their lives art vague, erratic, and without plan. They doth dream, wake, drink, love, eat and dream again.

"They know nothing else. For untold generations, Zargoth hath preyed on them. He hath reduced their number from thousands to hundreds. A few more generations and they shall be extinct, we shall be extinct, and then Zargoth must either fare forth into the World Beyond for new prey, or retire to the underworld whence he came so long ago.

“Alas, poor Khemsa. The untold promise of a civilization, squandered.”


Horuk still eyes the small white blemishes on the strangers hands, and looks up to Kiri. He says softly, “Perhaps we art not forsaken by the gods. Perhaps it is Osorus that hath sent thee to us?”


Replies?


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PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 10/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 2/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 6/12
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 5/18, Laying Hands: 0/1
    Gronda: Zembabweian Savage Ranger/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 17/17
    Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/7, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 2/6, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 18/23
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
PC Resources:
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.

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DadsAngry
Ranger Lord
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Re: Chapter 3: The Civilization That Time Forgot

#100 Post by DadsAngry »

Mako:

Mako waves his hand over the seat of the chair first, double checking that it's not occupied. With the seat all clear he sits down with the other at the table who are already in conversation with… He doesn't really know who these people are, put they are friendly. Maybe these are the animal people he helped save and this is their thanks.

Ghorom greets him, “Welcome, friend. Doth thou hail from distant Lemuria?”

Mako makes eye contact with the pale skinned man. He then looks at the others as they slop away at their bowls of porridge.
"Lemuria? Ah no I am from the east, Khitai. I'm Mako, master magician illusionist from the Village of Chosain in the northern providence."
Mako breaks eye contact once again and looks upon the quickly emptying bowls of his comrades.
"Ah do you think I can get a bowl ah…" turning his attention back to the pale one embarrassed asking of his host and not knowing his name. His words hang in hope that it will be soon be revealed.

Roan’s plate is refilled as he says, “Elder Ghorom, we came to this desert from the lands of Zamora.”

"Elder Ghorom" Mako quietly says not wanting to interrupt the conversation but wanting to practice the name when the conversation turns back around his way.
As he waits his turn, he listens and looks upon his branded hand as Elder Ghorom relays his people's story.

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