Chapter 21: Pact With The Devil

[Inferno]

The Strange Black Altar of the Haunted Wood, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Five. After midnight. Wednesday, November 16th, 576 CY
Cold, foggy, cloudy






"Someone, free me."

Rudolf cuts Brevos loose from the grasping, writhing vines and roots, as Ingrid frees a grateful Mouser. Then the hobbit rogue grimly advises, ”We have to finish this or get out of here!”

Telkis readies his bow, and Urdur a dagger, as the grey druid and the young priestess confer on how best to destroy the black altar of the haunted wood forever.

Then its hinged lid opens a crack.



The baleful dead eyes of two heinous abhorrent horrors (Z1, Z2) peer out at the living with a hunger that shall never cease.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet.





PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 2/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 7/22, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl and 2/4 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 4(3), HP: 20/30, Spells: 5/6 1st lvl, 0/3 2nd lvl and 1/2 3rd lvl
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 4/16
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 7/32
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 5/9, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl and 0/1 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• Audible Glamour (Urdur): Duration: 1 round
  Entangle (Bo): Duration: 3 rounds.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
  Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
  Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Lifting her holy symbol, the cleric of Tritherion requests his aid once more against the forces of evil. Get there back! We shall not suffer abominations!

Turn undead: [1d20] = 17, [1d12] = 2

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur keeps his dagger ready, hoping that Ingrid can hold the creatures at bay long enough for Bo to blow them to smithereens.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser still a bit farther away will fade into the shadows and move around to the rear of the vile things.

[wolfpack]

Brevos will jump on top of the lid to slam it shut before they get out

[ChubbyPixie]

"Fløøst!" curses Telkis in gnomish as he draws his short bow. If either of the things gets clear of the tomb he'll fire two arrows at it:
Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 16, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 4
Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 11, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 6

[rredmond]

Stopping for a beat Rudolph sees the eyes and let's out an involuntary whimper. He watches the ranger jump on the lid and looks to see no one else is close. Stowing his dagger, but keeping the cold glow of his magic sword at the ready, Rudolph takes out his last flask of oil. "Druid, please, stop talking and cast the spell, what would you wait for, we're likely dead as it is!!" If he can, if the lid is still open, the hobbit spills the oil on the inside of the altar - short term goal slow down the creatures a bit, long term goal kill them with fire. Whether or not he can use the oil, he adds his weight to the half-elf's by jumping on the lid to shut the creatures in, "I am an idiot" he thinks out loud. If he can tell that the priestess's turning works, then he he just yells "run!" to Brevos, and doesn't wait around to see if the ranger follows him as he hot foots it as far away as possible.

[OGRE MAGE]

Not sure what is going on at the altar anymore, Bo begins his long spell anyway, after the urging of the hobbit. He silently wishes there was someone nearby him to intercept the next horror that shows itself out here. For he believes that these evil bastards will will stop at nothing to prevent him from destroying this unholy place.

[Inferno]

The Strange Black Altar of the Haunted Wood, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Five. After midnight. Wednesday, November 16th, 576 CY
Cold, foggy, cloudy






Depraved feral atrocities begin to emerge from out of the black altar to sate their hunger on human flesh!

Mouser slips into the deep pitch shadows of the haunted woods and creeps around behind them as the two gnomes, Telkis and Urdur, ready arrow and dagger should the heinous terrors get free of their tomb-like lair!

Before they can, Rudolf impetuously lunges forward, running atop the writhing tendrils of enchanted living flora! Brevos readies to join him and then stops, knowing he'll be bound again by the noose of ensorcelled plantlife that Bo has conjured here!

When Rudolf reaches the altar alone, the fell stench of death overpowers the hobbit and he empties the contents of his stomach! Second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, supper; it all burns his throat as it leaves him. Then, with a weakened groan, he pulls out a flask of oil and douses the hateful malefactors inside the open altar!

Suddenly, Ingrid stands forth and commands the undead once more! "Get back! We shall not suffer abominations!"

The noxious horrors recoil in fear and hatred and the altar lid slams shut upon them!

Then the grey druid begins chanting his most powerful spell! Peals of thunder ripple across the heavens and light flashes in the distance, momentarily illuminating the roiling, shifting midnight sky!



For a second, Rudolf wants to climb back onto the sacrificial altar where he lay moments ago! Then he looks up and realizes he is standing where lightning shall soon strike. The hobbit flees for safety!

The altar doesn't open. Ingrid holds the frightful undead things at bay... for now. And the grey druid keeps chanting!


Actions?! (...for the next 3 rounds please!)


Map:

One square = 10 feet.


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 6, Monsters: [1d6] = 1 Party wins.
Ingrid's Turn Undead duration: [3d4] = 5 5 rounds.
Rudolf: Save vs Poison: [1d20] = 1 Failure means the stench of the undead is so overpowering, the PC gets a -2 to hit. This game has fumbles, so I'll rule Rudolf gets a -4 to hit.
Rudolf attacks with oil: [1d20-4] = 20-4 = 16 Ha. Hits anyway! A 1 and a 20. Critical hit means he douses both Z1 and Z2 in oil. Please mark off one oil flask.

Then Rudolf flees. This post covers two rounds.

Wolfpack, Brevos knows that to approach the altar will mean being entangled by Bo's spell again. So I had him hesitate. The failed saving throw lasts for the duration of the spell, as does the successful saving throw. At least he inspired Rudolf to action!

PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 2/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 7/22, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl and 2/4 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 4(3), HP: 20/30, Spells: 5/6 1st lvl, 0/3 2nd lvl and 0/2 3rd lvl
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 4/16
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 7/32
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 5/9, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl and 0/1 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• Entangle (Bo): Duration: 1 round.
  Turn Undead (Ingrid): Targets: Z1, Z2. Duration: 3 rounds
  Call Lightning (Bo): Casting time remaining: 8 rounds.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
  Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
  Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo's long grey hair and beard whip around in the wind as the electricity in the air slowly builds. He continues chanting, all alone in the woods, while he waits patiently for some protection.

"Anaal nathrakh uthvas bethud dochiel dienve!"

[rredmond]

Rudolph wheels around as he hears the druid's powerful words, he runs and yells, "To Long Bo! I have a feeling it'll be the safest place to be in a few minutes!" Whether or not anyone listens to him, Rudolph finds the quickest route to the druid that doesn't get him entangled or killed or worse.

[wolfpack]

Brevos draws Brood and moves to stand in front of Bo

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Ingrid heals Telkis

Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 1

before converging with the others near Long Bo.

She then converts a 2nd level spell slot into two spells of healing, which she then uses on Brevos

Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 5

and Rudolph

Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 6

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur joins the others by Long Bo's side. He pulls out a torch and lights it, then keeps a dagger ready is his other hand.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser steps back at hearing the Words of Power. He has his weapon drawn and will attack from the shadows should an hell witch show itself...

Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 1, S/M/L Dam. [1d8] = 2

if he needs a second attack:
Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 10, S/M/L Dam. [1d8] = 7

OOC: who was saying the curse of the die roller in this campaign had been lifted?!?!

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis will circle around to where Long Bo chants, stopping about ten feet away, eyes trained on the lid of the tomb. If anything comes out, he’ll fire two arrows at it:
Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 20, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 3
Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 6, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 5

[Inferno]

The Strange Black Altar of the Haunted Wood, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Five. The other side of midnight. Wednesday, November 16th, 576 CY
Cold, windy, storming






"Anaal nathrakh uthvas bethud dochiel dienve!"

At the witching hour, three desperate minutes crawl by as the grey druid keeps chanting, slowing summoning the unimaginable power of Nature to destroy the heinous black altar that blights the mountainside!

Beneath the threatening, tumultuous sky, the others take shelter at Bo's side, all except Mouser. Urdur gets a torch alight, flickering wildly in the mounting gale!

The venerable Ents, released from whatever unspeakable curse had afflicted their tortured souls, slowly creep away from the altar.

Her voice rising against the wind, Ingrid continues praying, healing Telkis, Brevos and Rudolf with what grace and mercy is given her by Trithereon! (+1, 5 and 6hp respectively)

The grasping, living plants around the altar fall back to their natural state and the phantom singing subsides!

Electricity is palpable in the air itself! The grey druid is halfway through casting his fearsome spell when suddenly the lid of the unholy altar opens again!



Cold dead hands reach out from beyond the grave, hungry for the living! (Z1, Z2)

Instantly, Telkis looses two arrows! The first impales one of the loathsome, shocking hellions through the left eye! (Z2) But the ghastly undead horror does not fall!

Perhaps trying to make amends and prove himself anew, Mouser bravely attacks from the shadows but his clammy hand loses its grip on his sword and it flies loose, landing at Bo's feet, almost disrupting his spell!

Suddenly, the fetid stench of death threatens to overwhelm Mouser! (Please Save vs Poison and post your action regardless of the result)


Actions?! ...for one round please!


Map:

One square = 10 feet.


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Please note: this post covered three rounds.
Mouser: Fumble result: [1d8] = 8 "Loose: Your weapon flies from your hand landing 1d6 squares/hexes away in a random direction."
Loose: distance: [1d6] = 5, direction (north is '1', then clockwise): [1d8] = 4 5 squares to the southeast.

PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 7/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 7/22, Spells: 0/5 1st lvl and 1/4 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 4(3), HP: 20/30, Spells: 5/6 1st lvl, 0/3 2nd lvl and 0/2 3rd lvl
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 10/16
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 8/32
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 5/9, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl and 0/1 2nd lvl, Torch

PC Magic:

• Call Lightning (Bo): Casting time remaining: 5 rounds.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
  Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
  Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[wolfpack]

Brevos steps forward in front of Bo and intercepts any that come that way so they don't interrupt the casting.

protect the druid at all costs!

[1d20+1] = 14+1 = 15
[1d8+1] = 7+1 = 8

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis takes a chance and fires two more arrows at the charnel horrors:
Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 7, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 3
Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 2, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 2
“Duck, Mouser!” he cries.

For a guy who was specifically designed to be great at ranged combat, Telkis kind of sucks at this...

[ravenn4544]

Mouser struggles at the vile stench of the undead filth - all to well a reminder of the dark depths his soul finds himself visiting more and more frequently.

Save vs Poison (13) [1d20] = 7


As the creatures struggle to break free of the stone prison, Mouser grasps at his magic to aide him in escape.

Cast Hold Portal on the tomb..