Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

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Inferno
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Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#1 Post by Inferno »

Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

Realm of the Sons of Osorus (9), Second Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Civilization of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Morning. 14th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia




Bejeweled Verulia of Old, contemporary of fabled Atlantis, was now a desert.

Image

Where once was the mighty kingdom of Verulia, where once gleamed the glorious city of Khemsa, now dwelt the surviving descendants of the enlightened ancients. Fractured, drugged, dreaming, under the yoke of the demon god Zargoth, the Verulians inhabit the eerie ruins of their long dead civilization, far beneath the sunlit world of Hyboria.

Into this strange land venture outlanders from afar. They are treated as guests by the Sons of Osorus.

Image

After a sleep plagued by eldritch nightmares, the strangers eat their fill and provision themselves as they prepare to disembark to pyramid tiers below. Loche is brought oil and a belt embellished with hieroglyphics. Once ready, Ghorom and Horuk lead them south from their night chambers, down a spectacular, towering hall.

Image

At the end of the dizzying corridor stands a gigantic stone hawk, representing Osorus (at the star).
The hawk-helmed fighters bow before it.

Image

They move west and enter a spartan smithy forge for arms and armor (12).
Golden hawk soldiers gently heave the cold anvil aside, revealing a trap door in the floor (f).

Image

By torchlight, they all descend a ladder 100 feet down to the third tier of the Great Pyramid.

At the bottom (c), a secret passage (s) ushers them into a vast, exalted temple to Osorus (24). Ghorom, Horuk and the golden warriors reverently bow again.

Image

Ghorom leads the adventurers to a massive, bronze double door, their departure point. The soldiers unbar its triple barricade as Horuk says, "As thou knoweth, every tier of the Pyramid is larger than the one above it.
"Anon, thou shalt find a button set into the wall. Press it. The ancient engines of The Architects yet work, and likely shall forever. Fare well."


Ghorom shakes their hands and says, "Recall, noble friends of Osorus, thou art always welcome here. Return whenever ye hath need of rest and hospitality. May Osorus watch over thee in thy quest. Fare thee well, my friends."


Replies? Actions? and Marching Order, please.


Map:
Image
The adventurers and the Sons of Osorus are at X.



Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 12/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 12/12
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
    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: 7/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 6/6, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 23/23
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
    Healing Mists of Osorus (All): All lost hit points are recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping for less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 hit point per hour. Duration: "months."
PC Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Sat Oct 26, 2019 8:34 pm, edited 3 times 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.

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ChubbyPixie
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#2 Post by ChubbyPixie »

"Thank you for your hospitality," says Kiri, bowing slightly to Ghorum and the hawk warriors. He bows slightly more deeply towards the statue of Osorus out of respect for their new friends. He then turns to the others in the party and smiles. "Let's get going, right? We beat the demon, maybe the desert changes back to fertile land and we can leave." He assumes his place in the marching order and leans on his trident, waiting for the others to be ready. His grandfather amulet seems to be in a good mood today - a good sign.

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DadsAngry
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#3 Post by DadsAngry »

Mako:

Mako thanks Ghorum
"Thank you for the food and supplies." and bows in respect before taking his place in the middle of the line.

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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#4 Post by Zhym »

Arthfael takes his position and waits quietly for the group to move out.

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#5 Post by hedgeknight »

Grumbling about being placed at the rear, Roan, Son of Rune, strikes flint and lights a torch, illuminating the back of the line. In his free hand, he carries his spear.
Winter is coming...

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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#6 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Gronda does not bow. She has no mind for it.

She slaps son of Rune hard on his ass as she moves out with the others.

"Whats the matter big man? You don't like fighting in back with the girls?"

She has become a little more comfortable with this group now that she has spent several nights with them and hasn't had to kill one of them for trying to take her.

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tkrexx
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#7 Post by tkrexx »

Atilla

The nomad bows his head slightly, obliged to adhere to local customs.
Recall, noble friends of Osorus, thou art always welcome here. Return whenever ye hath need of rest and hospitality. May Osorus watch over thee in thy quest.
I will remember that, He replies, and is ready to go forward.

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Jernau35
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#8 Post by Jernau35 »

Loche

As he shakes Ghorum’s hand, Loche claps his other hand on his shoulder. "You ur a guid fella Ghorum. Ah hawp we'll mak' it back 'ere tae see ye again, 'n' bring ye some guid speirins."
"You are a good fellow Ghorum. I hope we make it back here to see you again and bring you some good news."
Then he moves to the front of the group and takes his 10’ pole in both hands, ready to search for tracks and traps as they advance. One thing bothers him and he calls out “Can we nae git some mair light doon 'ere at th' front? Ah dinnae wantae fin' ilka bloody trap in this pyramid by stepping oan thaim in th' dark!"
"Can we not get some more light down here at the front? I don't want to find every bloody trap in this pyramid by stepping on them in the dark!"
Chance of being Suprised: 33%

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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#9 Post by Inferno »

Third Tier of the Great Pyramid, Lost City of Khemsa
Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Morning. 14th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia




After hearty farewells with the Sons of Osorus, the explorers of the Great Pyramid set out on their desperate quest to find the fabled Treasure of Xuthalhotep. They plan to capture entombed artifacts of occult power from a forgotten age and wield them to overthrow the demon god Zargoth, ending his cruel tyranny over the broken, dreaming remains of lost Verulia.

Behind them, the adventurers hear heavy bronze doors shut and the triple barricade lock tight into place. Ahead, yellow torchlight sets their shadows jumping and writhing across the intricately carved pillars of the cyclopean stone labyrinth.

Image

As they trod the pathways of the ancients, the psychic weight of Time could be felt by all. Vestigial memories of eternities unnumbered haunt these eerie catacombs and all who dwell in them.

Loche the Pict uses a long pole to test and prod for more diabolical traps devised by the cunning architects of the Great Pyramid. No pits suddenly open to swallow the adventurers, and they slowly come to a large door set at a strange angle into a dead end.

An immense stone slab encrusted with hieroglyphs sits to the right of the stone portal.

Image


One of the ancient cuneiforms is framed and raised; the button of which Horuk spoke?


Actions?


Map:
Image
X marks the adventurers.



Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 12/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 12/12
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
    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: 7/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, Torch
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 6/6, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 23/23, Torch
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
    Healing Mists of Osorus (All): All lost hit points are recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping for less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 hit point per hour. Duration: "months."
PC Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Sat Oct 26, 2019 8:38 pm, edited 3 times 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.

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#10 Post by hedgeknight »

OGRE MAGE wrote:She slaps son of Rune hard on his ass as she moves out with the others.
"Whats the matter big man? You don't like fighting in back with the girls?"
Ass cheeks still stinging from Gronda's slap, the Vanir barbarian chuckles at her boldness. "Shield maidens from my tribe fight in the front...just like their men. And after the fight, when their blood is still up, they like a good fuck...just like their men. Is that how things work in your homeland? Or do you just walk around slapping each other on the ass?"

Roan leans to the side and looks at Gronda and smiles, before turning back to the corridor behind, making sure no on is following them.
Winter is coming...

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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#11 Post by Zhym »

Arthfael rolls his eyes and hopes for something to attack soon.

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Jernau35
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#12 Post by Jernau35 »

Loche

Loche eyes the raised button suspiciously. "I reckon this micht be th' fastener, bit tis a bawherr bit ah kent that awreedy fur mah liking".
"I reckon this might be the button, but it's a little bit obvious for my liking"
.

He cautiously inspects the button for any sign it might be a trap, and takes a good look at the walls and ceiling in the area. He suspects the walls will shoot poison darts, or the ceiling will come crashing down to crush the fool who presses it.

"Take a keek aroond 'n' see if ye kin fin' anither yin lik' this" he barks at his fellows, as he prods at the raised button with his wire and pick.
"Take a look around and see if you can find another one like this"
.
Chance of being Suprised: 33%

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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#13 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Gronda looks back when the barricade closes loudly behind them.

"Maybe we should have asked if there is a secret knock?"

In the hallway, she follows the Picts lead, taking a look all around the place as he suggests. She smiles a wry grin at Roan after his words.

"My past is filled with slapping and fucking, but seldom was it the positive way that you speak of, large friend."

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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#14 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Kiri will also look around for buttons, knobs, switches, levers or whatever - this is not really his area of expertise. He's heard of magic that can detect such things, but has never witnessed its working personally. Then again, until now he hadn't spent much time in cyclopean underground labyrinths. He tries to hold the torch in such a way as to make the search easier for those used to such things.

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DadsAngry
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#15 Post by DadsAngry »

Mako:

"If only Bilbo was here. He could help shed some light on the carvings on the wall. Surely they can tell us how to open these doors."
Mako turns his attention to the stone slab encrusted with hieroglyphs and looks for any symbols that resemble a door or something walking through them.
He also looks for the symbol branded on his hand.

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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#16 Post by Zhym »

"If the button we seek were hidden, Horok would have said so. If this one is trapped, Ghorom is not the friend he seemed to be."

Arthfael reaches out and pushes the button. If it kills him, at least he will be spared any more of Roan and Gronda's ceaseless flirting.

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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#17 Post by Mant72 »

Garrin is visibly uncomfortable with the boorish banter between Gronda and Roan and quietly distances himself from the pair.

The holy knight waits on edge as Arthfael presses the ominous button.

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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#18 Post by Inferno »

Third Tier of the Great Pyramid, Lost City of Khemsa
Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Morning. 14th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia




Absolute darkness gives way before the explorers' cautious advance. The strangers to Khemsa wonder how much time has passed since torchlight last illuminated these ageless halls.

They soon come to a monolithic stone door.

Image

Suspicious, Loche sets aside his pole and examines the nearby button for traps and finds none. Mako tries to decipher the hieroglyphics of the ancients. The Khitan conjurer finds a symbol like the one branded upon his flesh, but none representing a door. He recognizes the symbol on the raised button... a sarcophagus? Death?

Before Mako can say anything, Arthfael proves his trust for Ghorom by pressing the button. Suddenly there is a deep bass rumble that is felt more than heard, vibrating from the stone floor below. The words of Horuk echo in their minds: "The ancient engines of The Architects yet work, and likely shall forever."

The massive portal slowly slides to the left, into the wall, and the low rumble ceases. Kiri holds his torch high. The opened door reveals a 50 long corridor, inset with statues of Verulians of Old.

Image

The hallway leads to another open portal, and beyond.

Just past the first doorway, mounted on the right hand wall, is a large bronze replica of the carved tablet of cuneiforms (T).

Image

But here, eight pictoglyphs are framed and raised in buttons.

Mako recognizes them all:
    • The Serpent
    • The Cat
    • The Spear
    • The Ankh
    • The Hawk
    • The All-Seeing Eye
    • The Ibis
    • The Sarcophagus
He informs his companions.

A second, identical bronze tablet (T) appears to be mounted by the far door as well, 50 feet away. Beyond that lies another corridor that turns past the reach of their torchlight and is swallowed up by absolute darkness.

Image


Actions?


Map:
Image
X marks the front rank of the adventurers. T = the twin bronze tablets.



Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 12/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 12/12
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
    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: 7/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, Torch
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 6/6, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 23/23, Torch
PC Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
    Healing Mists of Osorus (All): All lost hit points are recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping for less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 hit point per hour. Duration: "months."
PC Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Sat Oct 26, 2019 11:09 pm, edited 2 times 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.

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tkrexx
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#19 Post by tkrexx »

At the rumbling of the floor Atilla's bow comes up, ready to fire at any sudden onrushes. Throw a torch down there, he speaks as his drawn bow points the way into the darkness beyond.

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Jernau35
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Re: Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

#20 Post by Jernau35 »

Loche gestures at the pictoglyphs. "Do ye think we hae tae push they buttons in th' richt order tae travel safely doon this hall?"
I don't think that one's too hard to work out :)
Chance of being Suprised: 33%

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