Chapter 12: Time Out of Mind

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen spills the oil out upon the floor, just inside the secret door of the false tomb, making sure to leave one narrow strip without oil for the group to run across without slipping. He fills any small vessels or containers he can find laying around with the remaining oil and sets them near the main doors to feed the flames once the beast is burning.

Im thinking the puddle would cover the 15x15 area starting from 2’ west of the doorway. Those of us running into the room will just need to remember to keep all the way to the left side of the passage and doorway, moving around the oil puddle so we dont slip in it. Feel free to correct any of this if you see issues.

Once everyone is in position, he takes his place at the doorway to the real tomb, hoping they won’t need to fight the queen first again.

”Master Amethu, perhaps some of your rejuvenation magic would aid our spirited Amazon before she goes into battle?”

[ravenn4544]

Amethu nods in agreement. "Let us prepare our strengths.."

CLW on Zahra Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 1

CLW on Zahra Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 6

Cast Protection from Evil on Zahra

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri awakens and tries to push the nightmares from his thoughts. Calming his breathing, he settles into the study of his spells. His grandfather still glares at him. “We’ll get him this time, grandfather. Now, please, I must focus,” he says quietly to his amulet as he turns it over, face-down for a few minutes of peace.

[Urson]

Zahra

The Amazon stands, head bowed down in respect for the Gods, as she is healed and blessed. Thank you. We are at an all-or-nothing point here.

[Inferno]

The False Tomb, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Five. Early morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





The healing hands of Amethu bless Zahra the lion-masked amazon with ageless orisons that cure her many wounds. (+7hp)

The explorers make preparations and lay their trap in the false tomb, pouring out oil and waiting at the range of hurled weapons and spells.

It is here where they will make their stand.

Garrin hands his torch to Loche, else they fall into darkness. Then, fortified by prayer and spell, Garrin, Xorzen and Zahra advance through the sundered wall and down the secret passage.



Ancient shadows melt away before their flickering torchlight. Their every step is filled with dread and a nigh overpowering sense of deja vu.

Now, as then, they stand before the sealed tomb of Xuthalhotep, pharaoh of pharaohs. The stage is set. Knowing exactly what waits for them beyond this door, their breath quickens, their pulses race!



Actions?!


Map Detail:



Map:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.





PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/11, Spells: 4/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Torch
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 16/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/21, 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 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."
  Protection From Evil (Amethu): Target: Zahra, Duration: 9 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)

[SocraticLawyer]

"Ready?" asks Garrin. If so, he opens the door to the tomb. Before heading to the dread sarcophagus, Garrin makes sure that the way out of this room and the path to the false tomb is clear, and that he knows the way.

"Remember, once Xuthalhotep rises, avert your eyes and run!" he whispers to Xorzen and Zahra.

When they are all ready, Garrin approaches the sarcophagus and opens it. If the pharoah emerges, Garrin avoids looking at him and runs back to the false tomb.

[Urson]

Zahra

Zahra nods, her eyes burning with purpose. She helps Garrin open the sarcophagus and backs away, watching for any movement.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen stays in the doorway and awaits his friends return. "Run as fast as you can and remember to stay to the left of the oil once you reach the doorway to the false tomb."

After the lid is removed, he urges them back through the door as quickly as possible.

Once they have passed him at the door, he taunts the mummy if necessary, hoping it will follow all three of them into the next chamber.

Trying to keep in front of the things attacks, the masked monk uses his speed to keep a safe distance ahead of it, never actually looking at the beast fully, if he can help it.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri tightens the straps of his armor and helmet and readies his wicked two-handed sword. If he becomes certain that the King is in fact following the trio, he will read the ancient scroll in order to cast Shield on himself.

[ravenn4544]

Aemthu whispers a prayers to his ancient gods and readies his spell of fire (burning hands) to ignite the walking corpse...

[Scott308]

Loche

Holding the torch, he nervously waits.

[Inferno]

The False Tomb, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Five. Early morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Before the magnificently carved door depicting the eternal embrace of Xuthalhotep and Ankhara, Garrin, Xorzen and Zahra are seized by an alarming sense of time being out of joint, as if reliving a past life!

A dreamlike, unearthly premonition floods their minds. They have been here before, done this before! Assailed by strange echoing memories of a present that never existed, they open the tomb, just like they did before!

There is a rush of air as the chamber is unsealed after countless centuries. Garrin advances over the threshold, into the majestic tomb of Xuthalhotep and Ankhara! The walls themselves venerate their exalted names unto eternity.



The adventurers' see with eerie recognition the earthly splendor entombed with the royal couple; opulent goods for their everlasting lives in the worlds beyond this one. But no weapons, nor legendary artifacts of power, are visible.

In the northern alcove of the sumptuous crypt still lie a matched pair of massive golden sarcophagi, glimmering in the reflected torchlight.



Upon the wall above the magnificent sarcophagi is carved the hieroglyphic epitaph they already know will be there:

• • 'My name is Xuthalhotep, pharaoh of pharaohs!
    Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'

As Xorzen waits in the hall, weathering a maelstrom of remembrance, Garrin and Zahra creep to the second golden coffin and see themselves reflected in its shimmering surface again!

Knowing already it holds no traps, they move to open it when suddenly the lid flies off of its own volition once more, hurtling through the air and crashing to the floor behind Zahra, narrowly missing the amazon warrior!

In terror, all three of them avert their eyes. But in their minds, they know exactly what will happen!

Suddenly, the gold-clad figure within the open sarcophagus will rise to its feet, as if raised up by forces unseen and unnatural!



Xuthalhotep! Pharaoh of pharaohs! An eldritch thing, old beyond imagining, existing in an unholy condition beyond life and death, beyond Men and Gods!

The explorers' blood runs cold. They know the very presence of the ancient living horror threatens to render them stricken by a primal, paralyzing fear! They look away from his terrible majesty and flee! And in that moment, the fog of deja vu instantly lifts like a veil!

Garrin, Xorzen and Zahra hurtle down the secret passage, the echoes of their footfalls and armor all around them. They dare not look back to see if they are being followed!

Ahead of them, in the false tomb, the rest of the explorers, lying in wait, hear them coming, and see their torchlight growing brighter!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

Xuthalhotep's position is unknown!





PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/11, Spells: 4/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Torch
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 16/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/21, 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 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."
  Protection From Evil (Amethu): Target: Zahra, Duration: 7 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)

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako calls out to the one who is to light the puddle of oil "Whatever you see, just remember the spot where the puddle should be when you drop your torch. At first might not look like it's lit, but that's part of the illusion."
He keeps his eyes fixed to the spot on the ground where the puddle of oil lies. He stands motionless and doesn't let his eyes wander from the spot. He chants in his eastern dialect and obscures the fiery trap.

Cast: Phantasmal Force
- Technically since I can keep this up as long as I concentrate I would have cast this as the three went to open the tomb door. I missed a round of posts."

[Urson]

Zahra

Even though she can't look at the Pharoh, Zahra knows he's following. She shouts You are powerless! The Gods have abandoned you! Today will be your end! , hoping to goad the thing into hurrying after them. When she reaches the fire trap, she makes sure to avoid the oil as she sprints into the room, then turns to face the corridor.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu, eyes glued to the floor and watching the approaching feet, unleashes his fiery might when the Ancient One is in view!

cast burning hands when it's time!

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin runs into the false tomb, not looking behind him. When he makes it into the room, past the hidden pool of oil, only then does he turn and face the enemy, drawing his sword and offering a quick prayer to Mitra.

[OGRE MAGE]

Accidentally passing the others on his way to the next chamber, Xorxen stops at the oil puddle, alerting those inside and allowing Zahra and Garrin to pass him so they can get themselves into position to fight.

The masked monk tips his head forward and peers out of the tops of his eye holes, trying to determine if the beast has followed them or not.

If he spots the form coming around the corner to attack, he makes his way into the room, staying on the narrow path of dry floor. He moves to the doorway alcove to retrieve his oil filled missiles.

[ChubbyPixie]

Hearing the others returning at a full run, Kiri deems it time to cast his shielding spell. Unfurling the ancient scroll, he reads from it, then takes up his sword as a spinning disc of arcane energy springs to life, hovering in front of him. He also keeps his eyes lowered, watching for approaching feet.

[Inferno]

The False Tomb, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Five. Early morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





In their minds' eyes, the explorers of the Great Pyramid can clearly see that which they dare not behold! Just as prophecy had foretold, dread Xuthalhotep is risen, having survived the endless crawl of centuries uncounted!

As Garrin, Xorzen and Zahra race back from the unsealed tomb, the wizards sow their magicks in preparation. Mako the conjurer holds his gaze downward and summons arcane sorceries of deceit, rendering the pool of oil invisible to mortal eyes! Kiri also averts his eyes as he weaves a spell of protection to shield himself from earthly harm! Amethu of Uthoth waits until the moment is right, a spell on the tip of his tongue, watching for the deathless king who stalks these shadowed halls.

Suddenly, Zahra and Garrin burst into the false tomb and turn, steel bared, ready to face the unholy quarry they have flushed from the depths of eternity! But Xorzen stops at the sundered wall. Like mythical Orpheus escaping the black pit of Hades with his true love rescued, Xorzen looks back.

Xuthalhotep undying suddenly turns the corner and steps into the light and the four explorers' blood runs cold. The very presence of the living horror from the ancient world threatens to render them stricken by a primal, paralyzing fear! (Xorzen please Save vs Spells on 1d20+3 in order to take an action! Amethu, Garrin and Zahra please save on 1d20+5!)


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible, all else is from memory.

Map:






PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/11, Spells: 4/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 2/3/4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 18/18, Torch
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 16/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/21, 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 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."
  Protection From Evil (Amethu): Target: Zahra, Duration: 6 rounds
  Phantasmal Force (Mako): Duration: special
  Shield (Kiri): Target: self, Duration: 9 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)

[OGRE MAGE]

Almost as if he has seen all of this happen once before, Xorxen has no problem avoiding the frightful paralysis of the undead pharaoh.

Save vs. Spell (13) [1d20] = 20

The nimble monk rushes across the safe portion of the threshold and heads to the alcove at the main doors where his oil bombs are stashed.

As he runs, he hams it up for effect.

"RUN AWAY!!! RUN AWAY!!! THY BEAST DRAWS NIGH AND WEVE NO HOPE TO DEFEAT IT!!!

Once the monster gets to the oil, he tosses his candle into the puddle.