Chapter 13: Underground City of the Demon God

[Inferno]

The Vast Subterranean Caverns Beneath the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Six. Afternoon?, 18th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia






The explorers have strayed into a netherworld more Hell-like than their dreams.

A broken span halts their progress into Pandemonium. High above the river of fire, at the edge of a sundered bridge, Zahra the amazon's red eyes scan the roof of the vast cavern and find a field of stalactites like an inverted city of endless jagged steeples.

Kiri readies his rope and grappling hook.


Actions?





PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 11/14, Spells: 7/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 3(1), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, 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: 6, HP: 16/16
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, 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)

[ravenn4544]

Amethu considers the suggestion for spanning the gap. "Indeed that bit of spellcraft is useful. A good suggestion. However, I do not have the ability to grow a pebble to such a size. It would need to be a considerably sized rock to fill that gap I am afraid.."

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen nods at the huge easterner, hoping he is quick with his magic if need be.

He ties the rope around his waste, moves back for a long running start with his superior speed, and attempts to leap the expanse.

Dex check (15) [1d20] = 13

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako covers his eyes as Xorxen runs towards the edge of the bridge.

[Inferno]

DM:



Unencumbered by material possessions, Xorzen the disciple of Osorus hurtles through the air, high above the blistering stream of molten lava. He lands safely on the other side of the sundered bridge, rope still tied around his waist.

[OGRE MAGE]

As if nothing has happened at all, the masked monk looks around on this side of the bridge for a spot to secure the rope so the others can use it to get across. If he finds a suitable hold, he ties off the rope tightly.

[Inferno]

DM:

Xorzen coolly secures the rope to a broken piece of wall among the stone rubble of the riven bridge.

[Urson]

Zahra

No! Wait! The Amazon is too slow to speak. She lets out a very un-Zahra-like whine, very shrill, as the monk makes the jump, and haves a big sigh when he lands safely.
She takes off her armor and packs it away, hoping to make herself more flexible for the crossing.

[Scott308]

Loche

The Pict begins warming up- some light stretching, some wind sprints- before attempting to leap the gap.

Dexterity check (16): [1d20] = 11

[Inferno]

DM:



Loche foregoes the rope that now spans the gap high above the infernal tributary. Instead, the lightly armored thief takes a running leap of faith over the river of fire and narrowly lands on his feet on the other side of the ruptured bridge.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri waits on this side with his spell ready until the others have made the jump. He intends to go last.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu watches the others and contemplates any other dignified way to make the leap but can't think of any. He'll wait his turn with the rope.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Opening his eyes too much his surprise, two of his party has successfully crossed the span and an alternative to jumping is now available. No one seeming to make the rush across Mako takes hold of the rope and shimmies across to the other side while chanting a mantra to keep his anxiety of death by the molten death at bay.

[SocraticLawyer]

Is the rope secured on our side? If so, Garrin waits for all except Kiri before taking his turn on the rope.

[Inferno]

The Vast Subterranean Caverns Beneath the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Six. Afternoon?, 18th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia






Limned by the light of the river of fire, Zahra the pale amazon removes her armor.

Amethu traverses the rope pulled taut above the sizzling lava. He makes it safely to the other side.

Mako goes next and is halfway across.

Then all Hell breaks loose.




Suddenly, the beast men of Zargoth trigger their ambush! Pale degenerate creatures that had once been Men roar forth from the cave maw beyond the shorn bridge, some of them riding gigantic albino bats as flying steeds! (B1-13)





Among the savage surge are figures that appear more human, but no less unsettling. They wear masks in the Verulian style but instead of visages of men or beasts, their frightful masks depict things unknown and unnatural! (P1-3)




Armed with clubs, spears and a savagery no longer human, the pallid debased monsters lunge toward the surprised explorers with bloodthirsty abandon!


Actions?!



Map:

One square = 5 feet.


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Does Amethu cross before Mako? (1): [1d2] = 1 Yes.
Party surprised? (1-2): [1d6] = 1 Yes. Monsters use their free round of action to close with the Party.

PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 11/14, Spells: 7/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 3(1), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, 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: 6, HP: 16/16
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 20/21, 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)

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra snarls a string of curses that should chip the stones of the bridge. She snatches up the Black javelin and throws it at the lead Flyer (B6)- targeting the rider, not the bat.

Init [1d10] = 3
att [1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21
javelin [1d6+3] = 1+3 = 4

[Scott308]

Loche

Urr ye pumpin' kidding me? yells the Pict as he sees the enemy coming toward him. Taking a step to his right to allow people to cross the bridge, he quickly sends a sling bullet sailing toward one of the beastmen (B5). Tak' that, ye hackit bas! A dinnae ken whilk looks worse- yer bahookies or Xorzen's face! Hauld yer horses- strike that! Reverse it!

Sling of Sutehk (20): [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19 Bullet Damage S/M: [1d4+3] = 1+3 = 4; Dam L: [1d6+3] = 3+3 = 6

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen curses under his mask for not watching the far end of the bridge a little closer. He contemplates simply jumping back across, but when he sees the resolve of his comrades, he stands firm.

Keeping close to Amethu to protect the spell slinger, he hopes the man has something devastating in store for this oncoming mob. He too tries to keep the rope landing clear so the others can cross as he pulls out his magic javelin (+1) and throws it into the nearest threat. (B5/B6?)

Javalin Attack [1d20+1] = 16+1 = 17 Damage [1d6+2] = 5+2 = 7

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako picks up the pace as he shimmies across the rope. His chant increases in volume and tempo as he hurries to reach solid ground.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu, grateful for the protection from this unforeseen ambush, lends aid to Xorxen...

cast protection form evil on Xorxen