Chapter 3: The Land That Time Forgot

[Inferno]

The Valley That Time Forgot, Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Two. Midday. March 26th, 912 CY
Hot, humid, partly cloudy







The immense, cold-blooded predator hisses again, showing rows and rows of deadly fangs within its huge, powerfully muscled jaws.

Without fear, or perhaps wisdom, young Chaka the ape-boy quietly circles around the monstrous reptile, unable to find shadows beneath the noon day sun. The voracious, bloodthirsty animal eagerly follows his every move.

Noting the thing's impregnable, thick, scaly hide, Tullia the ranger fits an arrow to her bowstring, and keeps her distance from those long, hungry teeth.

Suddenly, the rodent-like gnome shouts: "I shall cast an illusion of fire! Do not be fooled!" Maskelyn conjures up deceptions and falsehoods out of thin air and a great fire suddenly erupts between the adventurers and the gargantuan, prehistoric monster!



The flames leap and writhes without sound or heat but the ferocious beast is convinced and it slithers back, hissing in impotent rage.

Fiefo LeBratt slows his charge, not wishing to expose the gnome's cunning illusion.

His cleaver thwarted by craven sorcery, savage Ko-Nan feels deprived of what he imagines would have been a glorious kill:



The barbarian's violent reveries are short lived.

Suddenly a black shadow falls across the massive gator, dwarfing it!

A towering nightmare out of storybook legend, a dragon perhaps, rises from the trees and lumbers into view behind the gator.



The deafening roar of the colossal Reptile God (R) seemingly shakes the ground itself!

Switch the dwarf takes a step back as Arto Hobbs stifles a scream.

Then the unimaginable thunder lizard strikes, nearly swallowing its prey in one gruesome bite!



There is a sickening crunch of bones and a crimson deluge pours down from those gigantic, merciless jaws.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 5 feet.


Island map, to date:

X = The adventurers' current position.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):

The US dice roller is down, so I dusted off my brick and mortar dice. It was kind of cool to use them again!
Dice report:
The monstrous Gator's ambush fails to Surprise the party.
The party wins Initiative.
The T-Rex hits the giant gator for serious damage.

PC Status:

• Chaka: Ape-Boy Thief 3: Move: 12"(6"), AC: 6, HP: 14/17
  Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 18/20
  Jeojand: Cat-Man Magic-User 2: Move: 6", AC: 7, HP: 5/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/32
  L.L. Adrock: Half-Elf Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 6/6, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 9", AC: 8, HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Tullia Galena: Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/24

PC Magic:

• Phantasmal Force (Maskelyn): Flames

PC Resources:

• End of the World (game description)
  Strange New World (maps and realms)
  Memory Tapes (the story so far)
  Viewscreen (the story so far in images)

[ChubbyPixie]

”We should run while he’s busy with that thing...” says Fiefo, backing away. ”Wait... wasn’t there more than one before?”

[SpinwardMarch]

Tullia

There may be more, but staying here seems like a bad idea. Keeping away from the water may give us a better chance. She nods her head towards the jungle' edge, where there might be better cover.

[ravenn4544]

Ko-Nan backs away from the massive monsters. Indeed it is time to let these two mighty creatures work things out on their own. He moves south towards the trees keeping the fire between them.

[Urson]

Maskelyn

Maskelyn trembles, in fear of the great Beast- but holds his position so the Phantasmal fire doesn't disappear.

[OGRE MAGE]

Chaka leaps up and down with excitement when he sees the hunter become the prey.

”Big Teeth! Big Teeth!”

He sprints for the treeline to the east to find cover and keeps an eye on the behemoth as he tries to reunite with the others.

[Inferno]

The Valley That Time Forgot, Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Two. Midday. March 26th, 912 CY
Hot, humid, partly cloudy





The towering Reptile God reaps a gruesome harvest of blood and bone. And the massive gator monster is no more!



As the horrific meal was consumed, most of the explorers of the enigmatic island saw their chance and fled for cover beneath the lofty canopy of the alien flora! Tullia the ranger wisely led them away from the river, for fear a second inconceivable, terrifying Reptile God stalks nearby!

All the adventurers seek cover except Fiefo, who can only back away in disbelief, and Maskelyn, who fights the overpowering urge to flee so that the fraudulent veil of his illusion is held in place!

All the adventurers crane their necks and peer upward at the frightful, mountainous giant. It licks hot blood from its face, revealing red teeth longer than swords. Its claws are like spears. The scales of its hide, like interlocking shields. Each of its steps is like thunder. And its tail, an avalanche.

Its immense, inhuman eyes peer back and forth between the silent, raging fire and the trees to the south, behind which tremble explorers of the fantastic, timeless valley! There, Arto Hobbs whimpers involuntarily and Switch the dwarf clamps a thick hand over the hobbit's sniveling mouth.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 5 feet.


Island map, to date:

X = The adventurers' current position.





PC Status:

• Chaka: Ape-Boy Thief 3: Move: 12"(6"), AC: 6, HP: 14/17
  Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 18/20
  Jeojand: Cat-Man Magic-User 2: Move: 6", AC: 7, HP: 5/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/32
  L.L. Adrock: Half-Elf Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 6/6, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 9", AC: 8, HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Tullia Galena: Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/24

PC Magic:

• Phantasmal Force (Maskelyn): Flames

PC Resources:

• End of the World (game description)
  Strange New World (maps and realms)
  Memory Tapes (the story so far)
  Viewscreen (the story so far in images)

[Urson]

Maskelyn

The gnome sees the Reptile glance toward his friends. He concentrates, and the Illusory fire seems to spread, blocking the route between the beast and his allies.

[ravenn4544]

Ko-Nan looks down for a large rock or log he can throw to the north to distract the beast.

[SpinwardMarch]

Tullia

...looks over at Ko-Nan and nods approval of a distraction (throw the rock). She hopes it will be enough to get the large beast confused for a moment, while the group heads slightly deeper into the tree cover. And she also hopes that there isn't something else waiting there to catch them while they flee.

[ChubbyPixie]

Fiefo holds very still. It's not so much that he wouldn't abandon Maskelyn, because he very much would, if necessary, but somehow freezing in place seems the best option at the moment. Especially with the illusiory (Wait... is it real?) fire between him and the beast...

[OGRE MAGE]

Chaka stays as still and silent as possible, hoping that one of the others has a plan.

[Inferno]

The Valley That Time Forgot, Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Two. Midday. March 26th, 912 CY
Hot, humid, partly cloudy







In the shadow of the unimaginable, gigantic Reptile God, the explorers of the lost valley dare not move. They barely breath.
Save one. Only Ko-Nan the barbarian stirs; slowly, imperceptibly reaching for a large rock. Eyes never leaving the vast, voracious terror, he grips the stone.

Nearby, brow coated with sweat, Maskelyn the gnome conjurer maintains his concentration and his false flames spread like wildfire, shielding a path for his friends' escape.

The horrific, immense thunder lizard steps toward the heatless, soundless conflagration and the ground shakes beneath its enormous, clawed feet.
It sniffs at the air while its hungry, reptilian eyes stare unblinking, as if peering through the illusory flames!



"C-c-c-can it see us?!?" yelps Arto in alarm through Switch's fingers.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 5 feet.


Island map, to date:

X = The adventurers' current position.





PC Status:

• Chaka: Ape-Boy Thief 3: Move: 12"(6"), AC: 6, HP: 14/17
  Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 18/20
  Jeojand: Cat-Man Magic-User 2: Move: 6", AC: 7, HP: 5/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/32
  L.L. Adrock: Half-Elf Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 6/6, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 9", AC: 8, HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Tullia Galena: Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/24

PC Magic:

• Phantasmal Force (Maskelyn): Flames

PC Resources:

• End of the World (game description)
  Strange New World (maps and realms)
  Memory Tapes (the story so far)
  Viewscreen (the story so far in images)

[ravenn4544]

Ko-Nan hurls the stone north to distract the monster!

[Starbeard]

Jeojand remains as still as possible while quietly preparing his jump spell, ready to leap away to safety if this god of the thunder lizards tries to attack them.

Overnight healing roll:

Jeojand healing roll (20%): [1d100] = 41 (1hp healed overnight)

[Urson]

Maskelyn

Maskelyn watches the beast, pouring all his will into keeping the Phantom fire alive. He'll hold his ground until the thing steps through the flames- if it does.

[OGRE MAGE]

Chaka keeps silent as he watches the large human throw his rock.

He wants to shout out when the rock flies past his position, but he controls himself and stays as still as possible.

"Chaka be mad too with such tiny arms!" The ape-boy thinks to himself.

[ChubbyPixie]

Fiefo wil remain motionless, unless... if the monster passes through the flames he will sprint west, trying to put the others between himself and the beast, or if it turns to follow the rock Ko-Nan throws, he will sprint west in the same manner, trying to find a clump of bushes or a tree to hide behind.

[Inferno]

The Valley That Time Forgot, Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Two. Midday. March 26th, 912 CY
Hot, humid, partly cloudy







LL Adrock, wise priest and scholar of the unknowable past, is suddenly reminded of a solemn hymn out of the depths of timeless antiquity: "Oh no! There goes Tokyo! Go, go, Godzilla!"

Staring into the veil of false flames, the towering Reptile God draws nearer, nearer!

None dare move except Ko-Nan, who suddenly hurtles a large stone with all his savage strength! It zooms past the unimaginable thunder lizard and lands in the river to the north with a deep splash!

Instantly, the immense reptilian deity wheels! In two vast, tremor-inducing strides it descends upon the source of the sound! Finding nothing there, it opens its tremendous, sword-filled maw and a deafening roar explodes across the landscape!

With all his will, Maskelyn keeps his deceptive sorceries in place.

When the earth-shattering roar finally abates, another roar, somewhere to the east, responds!

At that, Fiefo is the first to break! The rat-man races west, eager to put the others between himself and the terrifying Lords of the lost valley. Arto and Switch quickly follow on his heels!


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 5 feet.


Island map, to date:

X = The adventurers' current position.





PC Status:

• Chaka: Ape-Boy Thief 3: Move: 12"(6"), AC: 6, HP: 14/17
  Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 18/20
  Jeojand: Cat-Man Magic-User 2: Move: 6", AC: 7, HP: 6/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/32
  L.L. Adrock: Half-Elf Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 6/6, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 9", AC: 8, HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Tullia Galena: Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/24

PC Magic:

• Phantasmal Force (Maskelyn): Flames

PC Resources:

• End of the World (game description)
  Strange New World (maps and realms)
  Memory Tapes (the story so far)
  Viewscreen (the story so far in images)

[OGRE MAGE]

Hearing the second roar coming from behind his position is enough to get Chaka to move his furry little ass.

He uses the pretend fire as cover and sprints towards the others moving west as fast as his little legs will carry him. He nods at the big human who throw the rock as he passes, wondering if he has any other good ideas.