Chapter 17: The Island of Death

[Urson]

Zahra
I just re-read my post and realized I hadn't actually linked the die roll! DUH!

[1d20] = 9+2
Zahra is lost in the horrors reflected in the lidless eye.

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin heads Mako's words.

My friends, join me here on the stairs. Let us regroup and gather our strength! Quickly now!

[Inferno]

The Island of Death, The Underground City, Beneath the Great Pyramid of Xuthalhotep
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Ten. Afternoon?, 23rd day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia






Under the sinister mesmerism of the alien eyes, Amethu, Cruloc, Loche and Zahra stand transfixed, like souls possessed!

Following the direction of Garrin's cries, Xorzen wrenches his javelin from Tjoruy's back and reaches the stone steps, averting his vision lest he fall once more beneath the sway of the malevolent oculi!

With mounting desperation, Tjoruy alone lashes out at an offending eye, smashing and hammering it to death with his iron mace! The defiant priest's holy battle cry is a gurgling spray of blood.

The baleful eye's gruesome demise releases none of Tjoruy's companions from under the insidious spell. The thralls descend upon the lone threat to their otherworldly masters: Tjoruy. Mako dares not approach them, lest he be accidentally cut to ribbons!

The mad prophet of the unseen sun valiantly staves off the swords of Cruloc and Loche. But then Amethu and Zahra brutally rend him asunder! (19hp damage)



The lost son of Verulia falls. An anguished cry dies in his throat. Tjoruy's prophecy of doom has come true.

Spattered in the blood of their dead friend, shock and horror snaps his killers out of their cruel beguilement. Mako sees his chance and quickly ushers the stunned Cruloc to the safety of the well. Then the heinous eyes exert their evil will once more!


Actions?! (Amethu, Loche and Zahra, please Save vs Spells on 1d20 to act. Wisdom modifiers apply. Garrin's +2 Protection From Evil does not.)


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet.


Behind the DM Screen:

No initiative roll. Except when surprising an opponent, the eyes always go last in a round.
Amethu and Tjoruy Save vs Spells: [1d20] = 3, [1d20] = 20 Amethu fails. Tjoruy saves.
Tjoruy attacks an Eye: [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22, damage: [1d6+3] = 5+3 = 8 Hits for 8hp damage.
1/8 of the eyes are killed. Are Amethu and Cruloc released? (13%): [1d100] = 25, [1d100] = 42 No.
1/8 of the eyes are killed. Are Loche and Zahra released? (13%): [1d100] = 58, [1d100] = 75 No.
Loche backstabs Tjoruy with magic longsword: [1d20+2] = 11+2 = 13, damage: [1d8+1] = 4+1 = 5 Misses.
Amethu charges Tjoruy: [1d20+4] = 18+4 = 22, damage: [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6 Hits for 6hp damage.
Zahra charges Tjoruy: [1d20+6] = 19+6 = 25, damage: [1d8+5] = 8+5 = 13 Hits for maximum damage.
Cruloc charges Tjoruy: [1d20+4] = 3+4 = 7, damage: [1d8+3] = 8+3 = 11 Misses.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/7 1st lvl, 1/3 2nd lvl, Lantern on ground
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 31/45
Garrin: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 3(1), HP: 14/26, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/25
Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 6(4), HP: 10/16
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/29, Light spell on javelin

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 (Garrin, Kiri, Loche, Mako and Xorzen have breathed of the mists): 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."
Invisibility (Mako): Target: self.
Slow Poison (Amethu): Target: none yet. Duration: 137 rounds.
Light (Mako): Target: Zahra's javelin. Duration: 33 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)

[Bluetongue]

Loche

Mesmerised in his living nightmare.

Loche looks death in the Eye. Spells vs 15 [1d20] = 13

[Urson]

Zahra Save vs Spells: 17

[1d20] = 3+2

Zahra stares blankly, blood dripping from her blade.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Guided by Mako away from the baleful spheres, a groggy Cruloc leans against the cold stone wall and shakes his head to clear the cobwebs. The confidence he had in his iron will is shaken, and he dares not turn around.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

"Move further up the steps so others can fit. I'm going to get Zahra this time. She looks to have stopped."
Mako moves softly to Zahra and gently places his hands on her. "The battle is won fair Zahra. Come with me to our next adventure up the stairs. May your light be a beacon for others to follow"

[ravenn4544]

Amethu keeps his eye down and tries to break free of the mind control and make his way to the group on the stairs.

Save vs Spells(12) [1d20+3] = 9+3 = 12

OOC: sorry for delay, weather was nice and went to the beach for a few days

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen does as instructed, moving further along the stairs, checking them for traps as he goes.

[Inferno]

The Island of Death, The Underground City, Beneath the Great Pyramid of Xuthalhotep
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Ten. Afternoon?, 23rd day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia






The minds of Loche and Zahra are overthrown. Crimson swords dripping with blood, they stand mesmerized over the dismembered ruin of their dear friend, Tjoruy.

Amethu resists the hypnotic glare and flees, joining those seeking sanctuary from the terrible living eyes. There, none dare look back. There, Xorzen descends the steps, finding no traps lying in wait for him. He reaches a smooth stone door without lock, knob or hinge.

Enslaved by the inhuman will of the malignant, sentient orbs, Loche and Zahra stand motionless a moment. Realizing nothing directly threatens the eyes, they quickly attend to those unearthly masters who were merely blinded and not killed.

In the sudden silence, the bloodcurdling sound of flesh being digested from the bones of the dead faceless Men by the vast protoplasmic horror beyond the door can be heard.



Unseen by any eye, Mako's invisible hands guide Zahra to the stone stair, and freedom!

Only Loche remains spellbound, in devoted servitude to the intelligent oculi.


Actions?! (Loche, please Save vs Spells on 1d20 to act. Wisdom modifiers apply. Garrin's +2 Protection From Evil does not.)


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet.

Map:



Behind the DM Screen:

No initiative roll. Except when surprising an opponent, the eyes always go last in a round.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/7 1st lvl, 1/3 2nd lvl, Lantern on ground
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 31/45
Garrin: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 3(1), HP: 14/26, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/25
Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 6(4), HP: 10/16
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/29, Light spell on javelin

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 (Garrin, Kiri, Loche, Mako and Xorzen have breathed of the mists): 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."
Invisibility (Mako): Target: self.
Slow Poison (Amethu): Target: none yet. Duration: 136 rounds.
Light (Mako): Target: Zahra's javelin. Duration: 32 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)

[Bluetongue]

Loche

Loche looks death in the Eye. Spells vs 15 [1d20] = 19

He begins to see light at the end of the tunnel,.visceral green, spectral and enticing, like looking at the world through a vinegary wine bottle. Or the hangover afterwards.

He shakes his head, beholding bloodied hands and a dead comrade.

If he can leave to join the others he will do so,

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra wipes her eyes, unintentionally smearing blood across her face. I.. We.. Uh- Thank you, Mako. What- what happened?

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen listens at the door.

If there is no sound from beyond, he looks for traps before attempting to push/pull it open slowly.

Likely more than one round worth of action, but you get the idea.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Zahra
Zahra wipes her eyes, unintentionally smearing blood across her face. I.. We.. Uh- Thank you, Mako. What- what happened?

"The eyes of Zargoth gazed upon you, mesmerizing you and the others. Keep your view forward and stand to the side to allow Loche a place on the steps."

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

The muscled Northman keeps his eyes down, grits his teeth, and waits for a way out from this chamber of dread.

"Give me a foe I can fight with a sword!" he mumbles to Crom.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra, still a little 'out of things', nods and does as Mako suggests.

[Inferno]

The Island of Death, The Underground City, Beneath the Great Pyramid of Xuthalhotep
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Ten. Afternoon?, 23rd day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia






Somehow, Loche resists the beguiling stare of the malevolent, living eyes and escapes a lifetime of servitude.

Racing across the scattered bones of the eyes' former servants, the Pict thief joins his companions at the stairwell. There, Xorzen hears nothing from the stone portal at the bottom of the steps and, discovering no telltale sign of deathtraps, pushes on the door. It slowly swings back on groaning hinges.



Beyond lies a burial chamber marked with the symbols of Zargoth.

By the ghoulish cast of the bioluminescent fungi that infests the Island of Death, the explorers see the low-ceilinged necropolis holds nine stone sarcophagi above the soggy floor. A door is set into the northern wall of the crypt's strange, unsettling architecture. On the south wall, an archway leads off into darkness. The monolithic slab atop the greatest stone coffin is slightly ajar.

Here the air is dank, cold and thick with the stench of death. All is quiet as the grave.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet.

Map:






PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/7 1st lvl, 1/3 2nd lvl, Lantern on ground
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 31/45
Garrin: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 3(1), HP: 14/26, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/25
Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 6(4), HP: 10/16
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/29, Light spell on javelin

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 (Garrin, Kiri, Loche, Mako and Xorzen have breathed of the mists): 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."
Invisibility (Mako): Target: self.
Slow Poison (Amethu): Target: none yet. Duration: 135 rounds.
Light (Mako): Target: Zahra's javelin. Duration: 31 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)

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra holds her glowing javelin high, to spread the light better in the room. Murderer's choice- do we ignore the sarcophagi to move on? Or do we look into them to be sure they don't have further enemies for us?

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin replies, We dare not ignore them. Every part of this island seeks our doom. Let us search them, carefully. Garrin helps search the sarcophagi, as carefully as he is able.

[Bluetongue]

Loche

Still disturbed by the impulsive to join in the slaying of Tijoury, the savage berates himself, cutting a line in his palm from the edge of his dagger. The self inflicted cut a mark of both remembrance and renewed commitment to deal with the Zargoth.

Assessing the room he would advise to 'let the dead lie' but understands the others caution.

He will approach the greater sarcophagus, standing at least an arms length away and poke the interior with his sword through the gap of the lid and casket.