Chapter 4: Verulia in Darkness

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri lunges across the floor and attacks the spell casting shadow (S11):

Attack with Trident (THAC0:20): To Hit: [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+7] = 4+7 = 11, vs. Lg: [3d4+6] = 5+6 = 11

[Zhym]

Arthfael uses the opening created by Kiri and Mako to join the fray.

Scimitar (THAC0 20): [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6 [1d8] = 3

Ineffectually.

[hedgeknight]

Roan attacks with his spear.

Spear attack: [1d20+1] = 12+1 = 13, [1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5

[Inferno]

Hall of the Slain (13), Third Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Midmorning. 14th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



In Sutekh's Hall of the Slain…




…shadows of the dead come to life, seeking bloodthirsty revenge.




But Mako of Khitai boldly advances, quarterstaff high, to engulf the restless dead within his sphere of mystic radiance. The shadow spirits grow pale before the light, waning in strength and vitality. And thus are robbed of their homicidal vengeance.

The adventurers seize the advantage in an ebon bloodbath.

Attila the barbarian sends arrows sizzling past Mako's right ear, at a newly faded archer (S9). One strikes through the neck, severing both its head and its tenuous connection to this world.

Loche the Pict hurls a bone dagger at a doomed specter (S10), sheathing the white blade deep in its left eye, extinguishing its existence.

Roan's ferocious spear thrust carries the full strength of his body. He savagely punctures a rib cage in a gush of black blood, and another dark wraith evaporates. (S5).

Kiri Khutan lunges forward and murderously sinks his trident deep into the silhouette of a tall, gaunt wizard (S11), impaling it through the gut before it vanishes into black vapor.



One haunted shadow remains standing, the largest one (S2). The scimitar of Arthfael of Cimmeria hums over its head as it defiantly repels Garrin's sword with a great shadow blade. Suddenly, the lone dusk shape unexpectedly slashes at Roan's neck but is deflected in the nick of time.

As the gigantic, last silhouette fearlessly squares off against three foes, Garrin of Argos recognizes him now:

Thogg, a Cimmerian. The mighty barbarian was slain by the adventurers in the sands outside the Great Pyramid.

Nearby, the shadow arrows that had riddled Gronda's body disappear with their archers. But the grievous wounds remain, and the savage scout's lifeblood slowly empties out of her. (-1hp)




Actions?!


Map Detail:



PCs are the first two letters of their name, in white. Shadow specters are red S's.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading)

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 5, Monsters: [1d6] = 3 Party wins.
S2 attacks Roan: [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7, damage: [2d4+3] = 3+3 = 6/2 Misses.

PC Status:

• Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 10/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 10/12
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Gronda: Zembabweian Savage Ranger/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: -5/17
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, Torch
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 11/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 6/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Light spell
  Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 23/23, 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): 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."
  Light (Mako): Duration: 77 rounds

PC 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)
  Men of the Hyborian Age (races of men)

[Jernau35]

Loche

With the immediate threat vanquished, Loche turns and kneels beside Gronda. He begins to bind the terrible wounds, tearing strips off his cloak to do so.

[hedgeknight]

Roan, Son of Rune

Torn between battling a dead man and saving a companion, the Vanir barbarian makes the wiser choice. "Kill him again, for me, Garrin!" Roan says before dashing to Gronda's side and helping Loche bind her wounds.
The barbarian assesses her wounds and begins performing first aid.

Inferno:

The barbarian can also bind wounds to prevent further loss in hit points of other characters. Such “first aid” restores 1, hit point immediately, and then increases hit-point recovery by 1000/0 if the barbarian continues to administer aid and cures.

[Zhym]

As others see to Gronda, Arthfael continues battling the shadow.

Scimitar (THAC0 20): [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16 [1d8] = 3

[tkrexx]

Atilla will not risk shooting with his party members engaged in melee. He'll again bring his javelin to bear and go for the gouge.

If he's able this round, if not next if needed.
Javelin thrust (ThAC0 20) [1d20+1] = 7+1 = 8, [1d6] = 6

[ChubbyPixie]

Confident the other warriors can deal with the remaining shadow, Kiri will nonetheless stride over and take a thrust at it with his trident, knowing how even a simple battle can turn unexpectedly and not wanting to risk another companion going down.

Attack with Trident (THAC0:20): To Hit: [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+7] = 6+7 = 13, vs. Lg: [3d4+6] = 6+6 = 12

"Shadows that fight. I've never heard of such a thing. It's kind of freaking me out," he says evenly, then smiles broadly. Looking in Gronda's direction he adds, "We can always take her back to heal her up in the mists, if necessary."

[Mant72]

"By Mitra, be gone!" Garrin, the Argosian knight, exclaims as he again wields his blade in a deadly arc.

To Hit with +1 Long Sword: [1d20+1] = 10+1 = 11; Damage: sm - [1d8+1] = 1+1 = 2; lg - [1d12+1] = 4+1 = 5

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako breaths a sigh of relief and holds his position to keep illumiating the room.

[Inferno]

Hall of the Slain (13), Third Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Midmorning. 14th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



In the venerated Hall of the Slain...




...the final spirit of vengeance (S2) fearlessly makes its last stand.





The fierce shadow-soul of Thogg of Cimmeria brazenly seizes an opportunity in Roan's move to save Gronda! The doomed spirit whirls its shadow sword in a blur of ebon that is sharply punctuated by the crimson gush of Roan's blood (-5hp).





Arthfael, Attila, Garrin and Kiri bring steel to bear, and complete the slaughter of the shadows.





Thogg's ghost dies as he lived, sword in hand. Only the grey limbo of uncaring Crom awaits him now.

Roan the barbarian, skilled in the ways of healing, joins Loche the Pict in binding Gronda's wounds and saving her life (+1hp).

The otherworldly phantom shadows have been vanquished. Atop the ceremonial altar glimmers the victors' prize.





Actions?!


Map Detail:



PCs are the first two letters of their name, in white.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading)

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 6, Monsters: [1d6] = 2 Party wins.
S2 opportunity attack on Roan: [1d20+2] = 14+2 = 16, damage: [2d4+3] = 6+3 = 9/2 Opportunity attack on a foe leaving melee hits for 5hp.

PC Status:

• Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 10/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Attila: Hyrkanean Nomad Barbarian 1: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 10/12
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Gronda: Zembabweian Savage Ranger/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: -4/17
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 5/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, Torch
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 11/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 6/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, Light spell
  Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 18/23, 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): 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."
  Light (Mako): Duration: 76 rounds

PC 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)
  Men of the Hyborian Age (races of men)

[hedgeknight]

Roan, Son of Rune

Wincing from the pain in his back, Roan finishes up with Gronda and then directs the Pict to tend to his wound. He spits in the direction of Thogg's shadow. "Burn in hell, fucker," he hisses.

[Zhym]

Arthfael glares at the space where the shadows were. "How many more times we have to kill them?" he asks.

He looks suspiciously at the shinies on the altar, not yet ready to believe that they are simply there for the taking.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako, the self appointed torch bearer, keeps his position lighting the room. He turns to view the items on the alter and wonders who will be the first to investigate them.

[Jernau35]

Loche

Loche cleans and tends to Roan's wound, before turning around to survey the treasure upon the altar. "Well noo, ah stairted this by rushing in tae git tae that gowd. Noo that we've paid th' cost ah suppose a'd better finish th' job".

He moves over towards the altar and, very cautiously, begins to check it for traps. He does not, at this point, touch any of the treasure on top.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

As Mako stands he is reminded of the waterskin that lay at his side. The waters contained in are from the water of the mystical font in which healed his wounds once. He grabs a hold of it and holds it outward. "Pict! Pict! Feed these waters to Gronda. They are from the sacred shrine of Osorus. The water should help her body heal."

[ChubbyPixie]

"Well, that could have gone worse... for some of us," says Kiri, standing up straight and glancing in Gronda's direction. "You think that's the fabled helmet we were told of? Somehow I thought it would be harder to find..." He wonders if the treasure is some sort of illusion meant to lure them to their deaths. He looks away, then looks back quickly, squinting.

[tkrexx]

Atilla will grab a fistful of coins, examine them briefly, then replace them. Somebody bag these, he speaks matter-of-factly, then uses his skills to aid the wounded.

[Mant72]

Garrin tends to any wounded in need then turns his attention to the altar. Without touching the ancient stone, he scrutinizes and scans for any distinguishing marks, cracks, or crevices.