Chapter 12: Time Out of Mind

[ravenn4544]

Amethu doesn't seem to hear Mako's request. He reflects further on the events unfolding. After some time he offers "Indeed, we should bring up and take stock of what offerings we have been blessed. I will attempt to help understand the powers of these blessings."

[ChubbyPixie]

“Hmmm. Yes.” says Kiri, agreeing they should divvy up the items in the way most beneficial to the party. Gathering some of the smaller items in the upturned shield, he’ll begin taking items upstairs for closer inspection.

[Urson]

Zahra

Yes, we should make sure the magic is used to best advantage, Zahra calls from her self-appointed guard post.

[Inferno]

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





The seven explorers of the Great Pyramid claim their reward: the Treasure of Xuthalhotep!

They carefully transfer the priceless artifacts and riches up from the vault to be examined and assessed.

Then Amethu calls upon his patron god of magic and knowledge, that he may be granted the wisdom to see. With the arcane sight of Uthoth, the masked sorcerer-priest identifies the following items from among the glimmering gold coins minted millennia ago:

The Eye of Verulia, a magnificent emerald (adds +1 to Intelligence of bearer)
Javelin of Men-khetu (+2 javelin)
Sword of Xuthalhotep, the golden blade that cut the Atlantean knot! (+2 long sword)
6 Arrows of Chisis (+2 arrows)
Shield of Osorus, depicting the hawk god's head (+1 shield)
Fang of Sehkmet (+1 dagger)
Armour of Osorus, that doesn't fit any of the explorers (+1 half-plate)
Helm of Uthoth (helm of comprehending languages and reading magic)
Staff of Uthoth (+2 staff)
Claw of Chobek, depicts a crocodile-headed god on its blade (+1 trident)
Sling of Sutehk (+2 sling)
Rod of Sutehk (+2 mace)
Bands of Osorus (bracers of defense AC 7)
Ring of Sekhmet (ring of free action)
Carved stone jar: (potion of extra healing)
Scroll: (Illusionist spells: Blindness, Non-detection)
Scroll: (Magic-User spell: Protection From Normal Missiles)
Scroll: (Cleric spell: Cure Serious Wounds)

The pale wizard shares with his fellow explorers that which his mystical vision has laid bare.


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: 0/7 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: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, 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: 2/16
  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."

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)

[Scott308]

Loche

Ooh! Ah will be happy tae tak' that sling if nobody else wants it!

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri’s eyes widen when the trident is uncovered - he’d somehow missed it in the jumble downstairs. “This is a fine specimen. Just look at the engraving. I could put this to good use...” he says hefting the ancient weapon.

I assume no one will object. Kiri would love the shield, too? But let’s see how the division of spoils shakes out. (Not sure who is eyeballing which items.)

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin attempts to try on the half-plate, hoping that the dweomer within may alter its shape to fit his body. He is not surprised when it fails to do so.

He tests the Sword of Xuthalhotep, taking a few practice swings, before setting the blade down again.

[Urson]

Zahra

Zahra tests the swing and balance of the mace, then sets it down and picks up the javelin.

I would like the mace, as well- but I don't want to be greedy.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako reaches for the illusionist scroll and the Eye of Verulia. "With these, I can increase my arcane repertoire" He then reaches for the Fang of Sehkmet "and this will giving me the time to scribe these into my spell book."

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen tentatively picks up the bracers of his sect and dons them if there are no objections. He admires their craftsmanship, saying a quick prayer to Osorus under his mask.

"These items will help us greatly in our quest to destroyeth the one who shall not be named."

If nobody claims the Ring of Sekhmet, the monk will not hesitate to take a closer look at this obviously powerful item.

"This too should be worn by one of us before we set out. I would suggest we have a foot race for it if more than one of us shows interest."

The masked monk doesn't joke often, so it is hard to tell if he is serious or not without being able to see his expression.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will take the staff and study it's legendary craftsmanship. He will also take the remaining two scrolls to use to aide the party. He will offer his shield (+1) should anyone find a better use for that.

[ChubbyPixie]

Tentatively yet eagerly removing them up from the pile, Kiri will practice a few maneuvers with the Claw of Chobek (trident +1) and the Shield of Osorus (+1) together. He is amazed at the balance of the two implements and at the way they never clank together crudely, but seem to repel and skim off of each other, producing a more fluid strike. It's weird and delightful.

He will also, after realizing no one else can make use of them, take the 6 Arrows of Chisis (+2 arrows) and replace some of his own mundane arrows with them, laying the normal ones neatly on the ground.

Out of curiosity, he dons the Helm of Uthoth and gazes around the room at the hieroglyphs. "Perhaps we can consider this helm to be group property, trading it amongst ourselves as the need arises - if you need it, just ask.... Ooooooo, so that's what that means..." he says, turning slowly.

[Inferno]

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





In the tomb above the secret vault, the victorious explorers survey the magnificent blessings of Xuthalhotep and Ankhara; priceless treasures of the ancient world bequeathed to them by the grateful departed.

Kiri dons The Helm of Uthoth (helm of comprehending languages and reading magic), forged of bronze and adamant.




With it, the wizardly warrior can suddenly decipher the Ancient Verulian hieroglyphs that cover the walls around them.




Kiri reads songs of veneration and praise for the deceased pharaoh and his queen. And he learns more about the riches entombed here including the noble Helm itself, which had once been the hereditary crown of Verulia.

He continues reading, discovering more ancient lore which he shares with his companions as they divide the treasures...

• Mako claims The Eye of Verulia (adds +1 to Intelligence of bearer). A lustrous cut emerald of peerless clarity, it was the prized family heirloom of Ankhara's royal bloodline for countless generations.
  
  Xorzen grips The Javelin of Men-khetu (+2 javelin). Named for the great champion of Verulia that wielded it, the deadly spear slew King Ulfang, chieftain of the barbaric horde that stormed the gates of Khemsa thousands of years ago.
  
  Zahra unsheathes The Sword of Xuthalhotep, the golden blade that cut the Atlantean knot (+2 long sword). It is beautifully made, in the classic Verulian style, with a central inlay of a platinum alloy along the blade and a hilt wrapped in gold leather. The guard is set with rubies at the end of each hilt guard. This was Xuthalhotep's personal weapon when he ruled Verulia as Pharaoh.
  
  Kiri secures the six Arrows of Chisis (+2 arrows). Given to Xuthalhotep as tribute from Farsun, one of the lost realms of the Thurian Age. Each shaft is hollow and they sound a low tone when fired.
  
  Kiri dons The Shield of Osorus (+1 shield). Borne into battle by Xuthalhotep, its hawk head device is surrounded by hieroglyphic prayers of protection and safeguarding.
  
  Mako holds The Fang of Sehkmet (+1 dagger), the personal weapon of Ankhara, queen of Verulia and former amazon of the sisterhood of Sekhmet. It is renowned for its ability to cut men easily.
  
  Garrin straps on the Breastplate from the Armor of Osorus (reduces AC by 1). Its golden surface, inlaid with intricate platinum wings and hieroglyphs, has shattered countless spears and arrows in battle.
  
  Amethu collects The Staff of Uthoth (+2 staff). The highly polished sycamore staff was the traditional symbol of authority for every pharaoh of Verulia for over 3000 years.
  
  Kiri tests The Claw of Chobek, which depicts a crocodile-headed god on its blade (+1 trident). Wielded by Jabari, brother of Ankhara and sea captain of Verulia's fleet, the shaft is set with pieces of abalone and mother-of-pearl.
  
  Loche nabs The Sling of Sutehk (+2 sling). The black weapon was taken from the king of a conquered people to the southeast of ancient Verulia. Nothing else is known about its origins.
  
  Zahra takes The Rod of Sutehk (+2 mace), a shaft of solid black wood whose stone head is the recovered remnant of a fallen star; a dark omen that heralded the fall of Verulia.
  
  Xorzen wears The Bands of Osorus (bracers of defense AC 7). The arm greaves' superb gold filigree decoration depicts all seeing eyes, ever watchful for enemies.
  
  Xorzen puts on his finger The Ring of Sekhmet (ring of free action). It is a heavy piece intended as a thumb ring, carved of gold and used as a signet ring by the Pharaoh. There were once thin hieroglyphs scratched inside the band, but they have been worn away with the turning of the ages.
  
  Garrin will carry the stone jar of The Elixir of Health (potion of extra healing), etched with hieroglyphs of eternal life.
  
  Mako caches The Scrolls of Sutekh (Illusionist spells: Blindness, Non-detection). Ebon pages scribed with ebon ink are furled within a bone scroll case.
  
  Amethu saves The Papyrus of Uthoth (Magic-User spell: Protection From Normal Missiles). Within a glimmering platinum scroll case, this page is brittle and dusty.
  
  Amethu also preserves The Word of Osorus (Cleric spell: Cure Serious Wounds). Unharmed by time immemorial, it is covered entirely with a thin sheet of gold leaf, marked with red ink and gold and black illuminations.

Against all odds, the triumphant heroes have successfully completed the first half of their impossible quest against Zargoth, the Demon God of the dreaming pyramid. But dire, ominous tasks lay before them still.


Actions?!


Map:

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





PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 10/14, Spells: 0/7 1st lvl, 0/3 2nd 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: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, 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: 2/16
  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."

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)

[Scott308]

Loche

Weel, noo that we've git a' oor fancy magic stuff, whaur dae we gang neist?

[ravenn4544]

Amethu surveys the group and offers that time spent in rest and recuperation before proceeding would be prudent.

[Urson]

Zahra

Zahra stretches like a big cat, joints popping and crackling. Agreed! We know of a way down to the Evil One. Let's rest and recover before we go that way.

[OGRE MAGE]

Badly in need of recuperation himself, Xorxen does not argue with getting more rest before descending the ladder out in the hallway.

He hops back down into the empty treasure vault to check around for any secret doors or compartments they may have initially missed.

[Scott308]

Loche

A'm gam fur a nap!

[Urson]

Zahra

If the treasure vault is large enough, it would be a good, defensible place for us to rest.

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin agrees, and helps prepare the room for the group to rest. Once it is secure, he Lays Hands on Amethu, praying for Mitra's healing energy.

Everyone except Amethu and Zahra should recover fully due to the mists, and Amethu needs healing a bit more.

The paladin offers to take first watch.