Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

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Inferno
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Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#1 Post by Inferno »

Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

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



Image


The male explorers of the Great Pyramid leave the portal Gronda disappeared behind and move back through the revolving corridor. They continue west through the corridors of the antiquity and find a monolithic door embellished with the image of Uthoth, ancient Verulian god of knowledge.

Image

The door is ajar.

Kiri moves closer to peer in when suddenly Roan the barbarian pushes the door wide open to the sound of grinding stone.

Beyond it lies a grand chamber filled with over a dozen masked figures. (U1-13)

Image

These are the first masks the explorers have encountered in the lost city that don't depict animals.

Beneath murals venerating Uthoth, and soaring tapestries of complex constellations, the eerie gathering partakes of food and wine laid upon a star shaped table.

One of the masked figures says in antique Common, "Welcome. Won't you come in? We would be honoured if you would join us."


Replies?


Map:
Image
The revolving corridor is motionless and its door are open.


Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 5/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 19/21
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
    Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, Torch
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/18
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 5/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Light spell
    Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 18/23, 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 HP recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 HP per hour. Duration: "months."
    Light (Mako): Duration: 53 rounds
PC Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:00 am, 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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ChubbyPixie
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#2 Post by ChubbyPixie »

"Um... hello," says Kiri, extinguishing his torch. He places his hands together and bows slightly towards the masked figures. "We seem to have interrupted your ceremony. Our apologies. Or perhaps you wear the masks at all times? I understand you are seekers of knowledge? Perhaps we could aid one another. We seek ancient artifacts to defeat the evil that has laid waste to this land."

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wordoftheoracle
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#3 Post by wordoftheoracle »

Loche observes the scene before him and decides that this will be either amazing or terrible. He speaks up to a few of the masks:

How come urr ye celebrating 'ere? is thare ale? dae ye bide 'ere? whit aboot mead? how come urr ye sportin' they masks? ony heavy wull dae pure, if ye hae. How come did ye lea th' door open?

Translation: Why are you celebrating here? Is there ale? Do you live here? What about mead? Why are you wearing those masks? Any beer will do really, if you have. Why did you leave the door open?

He cautiously keeps his distance but is excited but skeptical at the potential for a feast. Things go wrong. They always go wrong.
PC History:

Ioriston Erudleaf - Level Three Elven Wizard, Hedge's Adventures in the Realms (5e)
Loche - Level Three Pict Thief, The Lost City of the Pharaohs (1e)

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DadsAngry
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#4 Post by DadsAngry »

Mako:

Mako peeks into the room.
"What a strange place to have a party."

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#5 Post by hedgeknight »

Roan, Son of Rune

At first, the Vanir is taken aback by the appearance of the masked figures, insomuch that he barely understands their words of welcome. He looks around the room, trying to find any signs of threat, and more importantly, any doors that might allow hidden guards to spring upon the group.

Cautiously, Roan steps into the room. Keeping his torch in one hand and his spear in the other, he bows his head slightly (more like a quick nod) and says,"I am Roan, Son of Rune. We are strangers in these lands. Food and drink would be welcome."

The barbarian glances at those seated > are they indeed eating and drinking? If so...

Roan walks over to the table and looks for a place to sit; he will leave his torch by the wall to burn out (unless there is water or another means to extinguish it). If offered, he will sniff the wine and food before partaking.
Winter is coming...

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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#6 Post by Zhym »

Arthfael eyes the masked figures with suspicion but without hostility. He wonders how creatures in the middle of a desert manage to get food and wine.

"You are in a desert," he says. "How do you get food and wine?"

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SocraticLawyer
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#7 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Garrin sheathes his sword. "My thanks," he says to the masked men. "We come in peace. If your intentions are peaceful as well, we welcome the opportunity to join you."

Assuming Garrin observes a masked man or two eating and drinking, Garrin joins the table and tentatively eats a bite.
How do we know you're not a donkey-brained man?

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Inferno
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#8 Post by Inferno »

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



Image


"Welcome. Won't you come in? We would be honoured if you would join us."

Image

"What brings you to dreaming Khemsa?" comes a woman's voice from behind a mask.

Kiri Khutan introduces himself and says, "We seek ancient artifacts to defeat the evil that has laid waste to this land."

Another figures replies, "You seek... the treasure of Xuthalhotep?... With which to make war upon Zargoth?! How marvelous."

"To your health, sir!" says another masked figure as he hands Loche an exquisite glass of yellow wine in answer to the savage Pict's request. Incredulous, Loche asks, "How come urr ye celebrating 'ere?"

"We celebrate your war upon Zargoth," answers another. "And wish you well!"

"You are in a desert," Arthfael says. "How do you get food and wine?"

One figure slowly turns to face the Cimmerian druid until his mask regards him directly.

Image

"Shh!... It's a secret... But I will tell you anyway... Come closer..."

Then he whispers in Arthfael's left ear with grave earnesty, "It's magic!"

Roan the barbarian finds no chairs. He approaches the table and smells the food, not unlike a wolf. Nothing seems amiss. He and Garrin of Argos see food and drink disappearing behind masks, so they partake of a curious meat sweetened with honey. It's delicious.

"Yes. That's it. Please do come in," says the masked figure that has said the most. "Don't be shy," he adds as he slowly removes his surreal mask.

Image

Beneath the false face, his skin and hair are as white as a sun bleached skull. "That's right. You see? No need to fear. We are human..." he smiles languidly.

"...Just like you."

As the outland explorers enter this bizarre scene, the smell of hot food and incense is pleasant and sweet in their nostrils.


Replies? Everyone, please Save vs Poison. If you succeed, you notice nothing wrong; please post freely.
If you fail, please post only your linked roll in a Spoiler, until I PM you back. Thanks.



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PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 5/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 19/21
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
    Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/18
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 5/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Light spell
    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.
    Healing Mists of Osorus (All): All lost HP recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 HP per hour. Duration: "months."
    Light (Mako): Duration: 52 rounds
PC Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:27 am, 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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DadsAngry
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#9 Post by DadsAngry »

Mako:

"Well I don't want to be rude." Mako makes his way over to the buffet and starts to consume drink and the hot food.
"Too bad Gronda is not here. I wonder if she too is having a feast."
Mako introduces himself to the host.
"I'm Mako, Manipulator of the Arcane Arts. Do you know the women across the way?" He gestures toward the door and beyond.

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wordoftheoracle
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#10 Post by wordoftheoracle »

Loche gratefully guzzles the wine and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

Weel, that's guid enough fur me. Ye'r human. A'm human. Dae ye ken anythin' aboot th' ither fowk living in this pyramid? fur an ancient steid, thir's a lot o' fowk living 'ere.

Translation: Well, that's good enough for me. You're human. I'm human. Do you know anything about the other people living in this pyramid? For an ancient place, there's a lot of people living here.
PC History:

Ioriston Erudleaf - Level Three Elven Wizard, Hedge's Adventures in the Realms (5e)
Loche - Level Three Pict Thief, The Lost City of the Pharaohs (1e)


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SocraticLawyer
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#12 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Save v poison (12) [1d20] = 19
Garrin is off-put by the strange responses of the masked men. He chews slowly and drinks no more wine.
"I am called Garrin. What are your names?"
How do we know you're not a donkey-brained man?

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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#13 Post by Zhym »

Inferno wrote:Beneath the false face, his skin and hair are as white as a sun bleached skull. "That's right. You see? No need to fear. We are human..." he smiles languidly.

"...Just like you."
Arthfael, his dark skin tattooed head to toe, chuckles at the pale man's words. "Human," he says, nodding in agreement. "Not sure about same."

He sits and sniffs the magical food and wine skeptically. "Is magic food and wine any good?" he asks. He refrains from eating or drinking. His recent meal of human flesh may have been taboo, but at least he knows where it came from.

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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#14 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Kiri leans his trident and shield against the wall near the door. "It's nice to meet some fellow magic users down here. You might not guess it by the look of me, but I practice a bit of the art as well. You gentlemen are much more accommodating than your neighbors down the hall," he says, gesturing towards the door. He walks to the table and helps himself to a bit of an exotic looking dish. "Mmmm. Do you have many problems with the monkey infestation? Why does everyone wear masks down here?" he adds, chattily.

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tkrexx
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#15 Post by tkrexx »

Atilla, still perceiving deceit, but horribly hungry, grabs the nearest meat with his bare hand and gnaws it from bone, his wary eyes bouncing from mask to mask.
[1d20] = 3
Oh, shit!

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#16 Post by hedgeknight »

Roan, Son of Rune

The barbarian's stomach growls at the taste of honeyed meat and he gladly helps himself to more, washing it down with the golden wine. "Many thanks for the food and drink. What think you of the women warriors across the way?"

Save vs. Poison (14): [1d20+4] = 17+4 = 21
Winter is coming...

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Inferno
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#17 Post by Inferno »

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



Image


Image

The macabre assemblage slowly revolves en masse around the chamber in a leisurely maelstrom of conversation.

Garrin, son of Atlantis, introduces himself and asks for the gathering's names.

"I am Usemhotep," answers the unmasked one with flesh like a ghost. "We are the Grand Magi of Uthoth."

Image

Mako of the distant East says, "I'm Mako, Manipulator of the Arcane Arts."

"Welcome, esteemed prestidigitator!" comes a voice from behind a passing mask. It pivots to face Mako's glowing staff. "I knew you were among the enlightened!"

Mako and Roan ask about the amazons across the revolving corridor.

A female voice beneath another roaming face replies, "Those bitter, joyless harridans are as devoid of imagination and humour as their male counterparts upstairs! Wouldn't you agree?"

Loche wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and asks, "Dae ye ken anythin' aboot th' ither fowk living in this pyramid? fur an ancient steid, thir's a lot o' fowk living 'ere."

"We know everything about the people of the dreaming city," answers Usemhotep with sardonic serenity, "...those many survivors in Verulia's rotting husk. Our civilization is lost forever. But we, the doomed undying, go on. In the forgotten remains of our culture, we remain, forgotten. The gods have shown no mercy upon us. Nor pity. Of course, they are right to do so; we are truly deserving of neither. Have another drink!"

Arthfael inspects the repast with skepticism. "Is magic food and wine any good?"

A wandering mask replies, "Peerless! The vintage was two millennia ago." Then it is gone again in the languid whirlwind of veiled faces.

Kiri Khutan identifies himself as a wizard.

"Welcome, brother thaumaturge!" exclaims another surreal facade.

Kiri partakes of the banquet and says, "Mmmm. Do you have many problems with the monkey infestation?"

"Not at all," answers a drifting visage. "They are delicious! Don't you think?"

Kiri asks, "Why does everyone wear masks down here?"

"To hide our shame," replies a passing mask. "And our joy."

The pageant of the concealed continues their sluggish whirlwind. Attila the barbarian and Kiri the giant look up from their food at the vast wall tapestry where the colors writhe and pulsate pleasantly for their eyes alone.

Image


Replies?


Image


PC Status:
  • Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 5/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
    Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 19/21
    Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
    Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
    Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/18
    Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 5/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Light spell
    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.
    Healing Mists of Osorus (All): All lost HP recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 HP per hour. Duration: "months."
    Light (Mako): Duration: 51 rounds
PC Resources:
Last edited by Inferno on Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:31 am, 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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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#18 Post by hedgeknight »

Roan, Son of Rune, continues to eat and drink, but something stands out in his mind, even though it is somewhat muddled.
"You call yourselves the doomed undying. What the hell does that mean? Are you immortal? Are you gods?"
Winter is coming...

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tkrexx
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#19 Post by tkrexx »

Atilla ... Smiles.

The food is delicious and plentiful! He grabs a beaker of wine and drains it near empty. The voices behind the masks, some of them are Women! It has been such a long time. The tapestry, it sings! In the voice of a Woman in his native tongue. How he yearns to meet her!

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Zhym
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Re: Chapter 6: The Conjurers of Oblivion

#20 Post by Zhym »

Arthfael sits quietly. He does not trust these overly friendly masked magi.

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