Chapter 8: Necropolis of Eternity

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorzen nods his masked head.

He stands up again, growing impatient with simply waiting around. He searches the side of the boulder facing their hallway for anything out of the ordinary.

He then searches the area where the boulder touches the floor, trying to determine if there is enough room between the square portion of the corridor floor and the roundness of the boulder for him to try to crawl through to the other side.

"I feel helpless just sitting here!"

[Monsieur Rose]

Soruk

Like the lone wanderer in a graveyard, Soruk is without companion yet not alone. Facing the full brunt of the now emerged thing, Soruk prepares himself for some tentacle groping.

Paralysis (10): [1d20] = 10

"I hath did step on bigger bugs than thee!"

The tentacles wriggle around his legs and rear, causing Soruk to squirm.

Paralysis (10): [1d20] = 17

"Enough foreplay! Anon we fight."

He brings his sword around to slice at the tentacles and...

Bastard Sword (15) = [1d20] = 10 2h Damage = [2d4+7] = 6+7 = 13 sm [2d8+7] = 10+7 = 17 L

[Zhym]

"I feel helpless just sitting here!"

"Indeed. And so we often are, we tiny creatures who scuttle across the surface of a brutal, ancient, and indifferent world. The stones care not for our troubles." He nods his head, as if speaking a holy truism. "But even the stones fade. Wind and water defeat them, ever patient, wear down even the hardest stone over time. We have been here only a few minutes. Patience."

"If we are still stuck here tomorrow, I may be able to coax the stones into widening a small path forward."

[OGRE MAGE]

The mentally trained monk contemplates the words of the learned druid as he speaks.

Right up until the last sentence.

"TOMORROW"?

He continues on with his search.

[Zhym]

The druid allows a rare laugh. "Yes, tomorrow. The rocks formed over thousands of millennia. We cannot wait a day?"

OOC: We might be able to use Stone Shape to widen an opening we can crawl through. But Arthfael didn't memorize that today. Arthfael can shape six cubic feet of stone, which may or may not be enough. Of course, it's probably a moot point because the Enlarge spell will expire well before then. But Arthfael doesn't know that, so he's thinking Stone Shape.

[Inferno]

Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Three. Midday. 15th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Xorzen's sudden premonition of dread sends him searching for a way around the boulder. He finds none.

The monolithic rock is wedged tight, damaging the walls at its equator. He wonders how it got into this position; it seems larger than the corridor now.

Meanwhile, beyond the boulder...



Six of the explorers can only watch as Mighty Soruk resists the effects of the insidious toxins again!

Locked in an epic, life-and-death struggle with the gigantic, scuttling larvae creature, the fearless warrior's aim is spoiled as venomous tentacles slither around his sword arm!

(Soruk: please Save vs Paralysis once in order to act. Good luck!)


Actions?!


Map Detail:

Green "X" on a PC signifies paralysis.
Lit areas are visible. All else is from memory.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 5, Monster: [1d6] = 1 Soruk wins.
X1 attacks Soruk: [1d20] = 9, [1d20] = 7, [1d20] = 6, [1d20] = 1 All miss!
X1 attacks Soruk: [1d20] = 17, [1d20] = 14, [1d20] = 14, [1d20] = 9 Three hit.

PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/10, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl, Paralyzed.
  Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 3: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 11/17, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl and 1/2 3rd lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 15/18, Laying Hands: 0/1, Paralyzed.
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/7, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Paralyzed.
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Paralyzed.
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 6/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Light spell, Paralyzed.
  Soruk: Verulian Osoran Cleric/Fighter 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 9/9, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 8, HP: 12/12
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 2: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 13/16, Paralyzed.

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 except Amethu and Zahra): 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."
  Enlarge (Amethu): Target: The gigantic boulder. Duration: 5 rounds

Player Resources:

• The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
  Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
  Hieroglyphs (the story so far, in images)
  An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[Monsieur Rose]

Soruk

Paralysis (10): [1d20] = 17

"I doth not go down as apace as thee expecteth, doth I?

He briefly thinks of luring the beast out into the hallway, but his blade demands another chance.

Bastard Sword (15): [1d20] = 12
Two Handed Damage: [2d4+7] = 7+7 = 14 sm [2d8+7] = 11+7 = 18 L

[Inferno]

Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Three. Midday. 15th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Seemingly immune to the venom of the gargantuan, shrieking larvae, Soruk wields his great sword in a devastating arc, decapitating the loathsome horror in a gruesome burst of viscous green blood!



The headless body writhes and thrashes and eventually goes still. Soruk checks his friends and finds them alive but still stricken in the grip of paralysis. Nothing else wriggles out of the dark ceiling hole, yet.

Then the Verulian warrior-priest hears the deep rumble of the massive boulder. The thundering roar grows louder until it hurtles past the open doorway, shaking the floor as it passes into the shadows to the south, from which soon comes a deafening crash.

Then all goes quiet again.

Freed, Arthfael and Xorzen appear in the doorway of the violated crypt, momentarily stunned at the seeming massacre of the party and of a monstrous centipedal horror.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

Green "X" = paralysis. Red "X" = dead.
Lit areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Map:



Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 4, Monsters: [1d6] = 3 Party wins.

PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/10, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl, Paralyzed.
  Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 3: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 11/17, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl and 1/2 3rd lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 15/18, Laying Hands: 0/1, Paralyzed.
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/7, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Paralyzed.
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Paralyzed.
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 6/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Light spell, Paralyzed.
  Soruk: Verulian Osoran Cleric/Fighter 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 6(5), HP: 9/9, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 8, HP: 12/12
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 2: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 13/16, Paralyzed.

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 except Amethu and Zahra): 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."

Player Resources:

• The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
  Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
  Hieroglyphs (the story so far, in images)
  An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri remains motionless, but he smiles mentally. He thinks he could get to like this newcomer, Soruk. Strong guy. Good with a two-handed sword.

He hopes he can move soon. His eyes feel like they're starting to dry out...

I thought that might be it for us and the only 18/00 character I'm ever likely to roll! Thanks for rolling non-suckily, M. Rose.

[Zhym]

Arthfael nods smugly when the boulder shrinks and rolls away. "See?" he says. "Patience."

[Urson]

Zahra

The albino waits, still paralyzed and getting more furious with every heartbeat.

[Monsieur Rose]

Soruk

Welcomes the two wayward companions with a wry laugh. "There wast a little problem here. Doth not worry, those gents art alive."

Coming down off a serious adrenaline rush, Soruk decides to kneel down on his sword for a moment. "Doth not mind me. I shall just sitteth here for a moment."

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Unable to move Mako just looks on in relief that he didn't become the creature's dinner.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorzen is glad to see the boulder move again, hoping the others are not still in its path.

Once he sees that Soruk is the only one still standing in the small room, he rushes to the sides of the others to see if there is anything he can do for them.

"Thow always were a strange one Brother Soruk! But thoust are usually great to have around in a fight! Take all the time you need brethren!"

He keeps a sharp lookout at the hole in the ceiling, assuming that is where the creature came from and hoping it was the only one up there.

[Inferno]

Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Three. Midday. 15th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Xorzen confirms that all the fallen explorers yet draw breath. He, Arthfael and Soruk close the door and patiently stand guard over the helpless victims of the monstrous grub's venom until they recover.

Arthfael the barbaric druid can't help but notice yet another altered natural animal; another gigantic insect or arachnid spawned within the otherworldly ecology of the Great Pyramid.

They had encountered an immense scorpion.




Huge scarab beetles.





A gargantuan tarantula with her hideous young.





And now this scuttling horror.




After nearly an hour, the stricken explorers are free from the nerve-deadening paralysis. But not before Mako's wondrous enchantment of illumination dims.

The hole in the ceiling remains dark and silent.

The explorers are on their feet again and able to venture forth once more into the forbidden crypts of Xuthalhotep.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

Red "X" = dead. Lit areas are visible. All else is from memory.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):

Turns of paralysis: [2d4] = 5

PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/10, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl
  Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 3: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 11/17, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl and 1/2 3rd lvl, Lantern
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 15/18, Laying Hands: 0/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/7, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 6/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Soruk: Verulian Osoran Cleric/Fighter 1/1: Move: 12", AC: 6(5), HP: 9/9, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 8, HP: 12/12
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 2: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 13/16

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 except Amethu and Zahra): 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."

Player Resources:

• The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
  Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
  Hieroglyphs (the story so far, in images)
  An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[wordoftheoracle]

Loche is tired of these beasties. If he has to fight them, he at least would like to stab them in the back fair and square. He defers to the wisdom of his saviors in what to do next.

[Monsieur Rose]

Soruk

After resting a bit, his curiosity gets the best of him. He examines the creature inside and out.

Once everyone is able to move again, he helps them to their feet. "I am most joyous that nobody wast hurt. Taketh a moment to receiveth yourself, then we checketh this door? Or perhaps yond hole up there?" Soruk motions to the large gaping hole in the ceiling.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu, now able to move and act, points to the hole above "Should we not check that and ensure that it is free from further enemies? I suggest we burn the eggs we see here. Perhaps it is time for us all to rest and provide time for magical study?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorzen grows impatient during the long wait and exits the room alone with a lit candle. He checks the very northern end of the passage where the boulder trap was initially set, hoping to find anything that might have been hidden there, under or behind the huge rock.

He is tempted to go see where the boulder ended up, but thinks better of doing that all alone.

Once his mates arise, he is ready for more action.

"This place seems to be full of gigantic insects like this one. It is as if the pyramid itself is spawning them to try to prevent our exploration. Could this be the work of the dreaded Zargoth himself?"

The monk carefully examines the unopened door in the room to see if it hides any dangerous secrets.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

"My mystic powers of illumination has been extinguished. If we rest here, I can recharge my mind with the spirit of the light and illuminate the way once more."