Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#161 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Long Bo nods solemnly at the others, watching where Mouser ends up so he can see when he starts casting his spells.

"Good luck friends. May the gods of good favor us in this endeavor. Once we see how they react to the ruse, I will likely be dousing that fire, which should cause a fairly large diversion for the rest of you."

With that, he slinks off closer to the fiery spectacle, hiding behind some rocks and preparing to call forth some insects once Mouser puts his plan into action.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#162 Post by ravenn4544 »

Mouser looks around at the group that has endured so much - physically and spiritually. He nods quietly.

He slinks around to the left flank (I think that's the opposite of Telkis' direction) quiet as quiet can be. Finding some cover close enough (50-60') to begin the enchantment - he begins...

His first incantation (dancing lights) is done quietly in a whisper, calling forth the shape and form of a figure of fire. He concentrates such that the effect is one of a human shaped figure stepping out of the fire itself! He sets it in motion to walk towards mouser shortly then to lumber around the fire in a circular path.

Once the figure is set in motion, he begins his second incantation (ventriloquism)... a split second, first, to push down the clawing tendrils of insanity as the sounds of the words he will utter appear in his minds eye. He sets the spell in motion... He thinks, Let this be enough to give us a chance.... He focuses the effect on the fire figure. He throws his voice to have the figure utter the phrase over and over, as loud and as horrendous as he can manage.

Ai! 'Ai! Shub-Niggurath!

Ai! 'Ai! Shub-Niggurath!

Ai! 'Ai! Shub-Niggurath!

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#163 Post by Inferno »

Beyond the Wolfpack's Lair, The Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-three. Midnight. Wednesday, December 14th, 576 CY
Freezing cold, clear






Image

Grimly resolved, the heroes move through the overgrown, primal forest toward the ageless megalithic circle and the horror that writhes within.

It is the witching hour and blasphemous black magic imbues the icy air with mystery and power.

Image


Ecstatic shrieks, bestial roars and agonizing laughter fill their ears, like the cries of Hell's own damned.


Image

Then they see with their own eyes what their scouts tried to describe. Amid ghastly human sacrifices, lunging flames and dancing shadows of heinous devil worshippers, the child whom they seek to rescue cavorts among great feral wolves on all fours and backwards, barking, laughing, screaming, crying.




A sickly blight of cold moonlight begins to infect the horizon! The climactic end of the unspeakable rite looms near!


Image

Suddenly a woman bursts from the wood, from the direction of the caves, breathlessly shouting, "Help! We are invaded!"

At that instant, Mouser summons forth the likeness of a demon born of Perdition's flame!



Queasy with dreadful memory, Mouser makes it cry the obscenities from his darkest nightmares!

"Ai! 'Ai! Shub-Niggurath! Ai! 'Ai! Shub-Niggurath! Ai! 'Ai! Shub-Niggurath!"

All mad eyes are upon the fiery hellspawn! Daemonic, frenzied revelers welcome it to join in their atrocity as others heed the alarm!

Then, at the grey druid's command, a plague of insects erupts from the frozen ground and engulfs the thing that was once Amity Mantle!


Actions?!


Map:
Image
Smallest square = 10 feet. Wolves are W1-6. Amity Mantle is AM. The Damned Woman who raised the alarm is the D northwest of the fire.

Map Detail:
Image


Behind the DM Screen:
This post covers two rounds of the PCs' ambush:
1. Mouser casts Dancing Lights.
2. Mouser casts Ventriloquism and Bo casts Insect Plague.
Summon Insects: flying insects? (70%): [1d100] = 90 No.





PC Status:
Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 36/36
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 25/25, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 38/38, Spells: 2/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:
Invisibility (Urdur): Target: self.
Dancing Lights (Mouser): Duration: 4 rounds.
Ventriloquism (Mouser): Duration: 4 rounds.
Summon Insects (Bo): Target: Amity Mantle. Duration: 4 rounds.

Player Resources:
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#164 Post by Urson »

Jerome
Jerome charges the Damned woman, hoping to stop the alarm before it can ruin the attack. IF he can reach her, he attacks mecilessly.
[1d20+1] = 16+1 = 17 melee Longsword s/m [1d8+1] = 3+1 = 4

His intent is to put her down as quickly as possible, then head for Demon Amity.
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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#165 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Bo tries to remember if he warned the others not to look directly at the fireworks he is about to summon. Too late to think about that now, unfortunately.

As he fitfully watches their paladin rush out from hiding to attack another mind altered innocent, the druid immediately starts casting again, ready to put out those flames before their evil séance can be completed.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#166 Post by ravenn4544 »

Mouser curses at the unexpected woman's alarm. He fires his sling to try and silence her screaming!

Sling (THACO 20) [1d20+2] = 9+2 = 11, damage [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#167 Post by Scott308 »

Ingrid Esthof

When the woman bursts forth shouting, Ingrid will take a few steps (10 feet) toward her before pulling a coin from her purse and casting Silence upon it. She then throws the coin in the general direction of the woman.
Sometimes this summer I will most likely be participating in another 24 hour game of Dungeons & Dragons as part of Extra Life. This organization uses gaming to help raise money to donate to children's hospitals. I'm raising money for Marshfield Children's Hospital in Marshfield, WI, and all money I raise will go to that hospital. All donations are tax-deductible. Please take a moment to check out my donation page below. Thank you.

https://www.extra-life.org/participant/Scott Peterson

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#168 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Invisible Urdur rushes towards the figure of Amity, hoping to grab her from the ritual in the confusion of insects, noise, and fire.
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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#169 Post by Inferno »

Megalithic Summoning Circle, The Haunted Wood, The Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-three. Midnight. Wednesday, December 14th, 576 CY
Freezing cold, clear






Image

Memory cannot hold nor words describe all that transpired next.

With sickening dread, Telkis and Urdur recall the rantings of the lunatic at the defiled church in Vicar's Head who murdered them:

"The Old Ones were, the Old Ones are, and the Old Ones shall be. Not in the spaces we know, but between them, They walk serene and primal, undimensioned and to us unseen!"

Suddenly, within the great fire at the center of the writhing, chanting maelstrom of worshippers, a terrible shape slowly grows; inconceivable in form and meaning!

Image

A hideous miasma of inhuman eyes emerges from the flames! The abysmal entity from beyond the thin veil of reality can see them!

The madman's prophetic warning echoes in the gnomes' minds. "They walk in foul in lonely places where the Words have been spoken and the Rites howled through at their Seasons! The Old Ones have broken through of old, and They shall break through again!"

To the hellish chorus of the faithful blasphemers, the startling, unimaginable and half-realized phantom steadily looms into horrifying existence with their every forbidden utterance!

Through it, the heroes see beyond the bounds of infinity and the distant, nameless stars.

Image

With a shudder, Jerome remembers those fathomless black gulfs of eternity.

"Man rules now where They ruled once; They shall soon rule where man rules now. After summer is winter, and after winter summer. They wait patient and potent, for here shall They reign again!"

A shadow strides from world to world to sow death and madness. And now at last, it is come!



The stars are right! The Dark Mother is unleashed to wreak havoc and horror across the Oerth! All is lost!

Suddenly, the great blazing pyre explodes in a shower of white, burning light!

Image

The druid's miracle blinds the mad worshippers! And their devil chants become a cacophony of chaos and rage!

Urdur sees his chance! The invisible gnome races to Amity who is alive with crawling pestilence; shrieking, raging, seething, biting, thrashing like a frenzied daemonic thing.

Image

Brevos and Telkis burst from the woods, weapons bared, ready to defend Ingrid or rush toward the possessed child!

The rest of the doomed heroes descend upon the woman who has raised the alarm! Ingrid smothers her voice with a sacred prayer and Jerome and Mouser kill her without mercy, by sword and by stone! The young, grey-haired paladin is deafened, engulfed by an eerie sonic void!

Bo's dazzling spell of fire and light dies, plunging everything into deepest shadow! No longer blind, the profane congregation wheel in fury, distracted by Mouser's flaming apparition!

By its flickering glow, the heroes see the unspeakable rite is broken! The horrific thing at the threshold of worlds, the Dark Mother itself, is no more! Mercifully, its frightful memory fades!

Then a cold light pierces the darkness. A lost wind moans among the black trees and the moon begins to rise! And all the children of the Dark Mother start to scream.


Actions?!


Map:
Image
One square = 10 feet.

Map Detail:






PC Status:
Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 36/36
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 25/25, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1, Deafened
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 38/38, Spells: 2/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 0/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:
Invisibility (Urdur): Target: self.
Dancing Lights (Mouser): Duration: 3 rounds.
Ventriloquism (Mouser): Duration: 3 rounds.
Summon Insects (Bo): Target: Amity Mantle. Duration: 3 rounds.
Silence, 15' Radius (Ingrid): Target: coin. Duration: 9 rounds.

Player Resources:
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#170 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Knowing they can’t fight so many and succeed, Telkis hopes to take advantage of the confusion. While the infected mass is transforming, he will rush to try to grab Amity, to restrain her and drag her away, unaware that Urdur is already there.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#171 Post by Urson »

Jerome
Jerome falters for one second, shaken by his memories of The Void. He joins Telkis, running to capture Amity.
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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#172 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Invisible Urdur coordinates with Telkis and Jerome. Grab her hands! I've got the feet. Watch her head! They move Amity as best as they are able.
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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#173 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Bo stays hidden while he can, but lays down an Entangle spell centered on the pair of wolves closest to his friends, (W1/W2) making sure his allies aren’t also caught in the effect, leaving them room to escape back to the north or west.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#174 Post by ravenn4544 »

Mouser, if he is yet able, sets the firey form to move to the south to distract the flight of his comrades. He then also follows the group away from this unholy site.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#175 Post by Inferno »

Megalithic Summoning Circle, The Haunted Wood, The Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-three. Midnight. Wednesday, December 14th, 576 CY
Freezing cold, clear






Image

The unspeakable rite is broken! In the wake of the sanity-shattering Dark Mother, the full moon rises.

And her faithful damned start to scream. Their agonizing howls transform as they do into things no longer remotely human!

Image


Men warp, distend and rupture into ravenous feral wolves consumed wholly by evil! (Ds)


Image


And the wolves that the doomed heroes can see in the darkness (W1-4) rise up and become terrifying abominations not of this world; bloodthirsty, monstrous and depraved!


Image

As the blasphemous servants of the Dark Mother undergo their frightful, harrowing becoming, the heroes flee for their lives!

Urdur is suddenly revealed as he lays hands upon the possessed, insect-plagued child! He, Jerome and Telkis bear Amity away, flailing, writhing, twisting, shrieking!

Mouser sends his burning apparition in the opposite direction as he, Brevos and Ingrid join the retreat, back the way they came!

But the grey druid stands his ground, summoning the power of Nature to aid their desperate flight! At his command, roots burst out from the snow covered earth, grasping at two of the spine-tingling horrors!

Image

The writhing tentacles resurrect a chilling memory as the horrific howling fills the night!


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter circle is the area of Entangling.

Map Detail:
Image






PC Status:
Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 36/36
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 25/25, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 38/38, Spells: 1/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:
Dancing Lights (Mouser): Duration: 2 rounds.
Ventriloquism (Mouser): Duration: 2 rounds.
Summon Insects (Bo): Target: Amity Mantle. Duration: 2 rounds.
Silence, 15' Radius (Ingrid): Target: coin. Duration: 8 rounds.
Entangle (Bo): Duration: 9 rounds

Player Resources:
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#176 Post by Scott308 »

Ingrid Esthof

The cleric will wait for those carrying Amity then join them in their flight away from the congregation of the damned, grabbing her silenced coin on the way.
Last edited by Scott308 on Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sometimes this summer I will most likely be participating in another 24 hour game of Dungeons & Dragons as part of Extra Life. This organization uses gaming to help raise money to donate to children's hospitals. I'm raising money for Marshfield Children's Hospital in Marshfield, WI, and all money I raise will go to that hospital. All donations are tax-deductible. Please take a moment to check out my donation page below. Thank you.

https://www.extra-life.org/participant/Scott Peterson

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#177 Post by Urson »

Jerome
Jerome flips Amity up onto his shoulder, since he's the best choice to carry the squirming bundle of fury. He'll hold her in a fireman's carry, making the best speed he can manage. He'll take his share of bites and stings, gritting his teeth.
He prays aloud as he runs, spitting out bugs. Saint Cuthbert, strong right arm of The Law. We ask your help and guidance! Allow us to rescue this poor child, stricken by the contamination of the demon! Bless our endeavor, protect us in our hour of need!
Expect Nothing, Appreciate Everything.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#178 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Unhindered by the thick undergrowth, Bo sprints cross country at an angle to catch up with the others again, watching behind him to see if the wolves are following.

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#179 Post by ravenn4544 »

Mouser follows as quietly as he can with the group. He thinks about what to do when all the wolves come charging after them. "Should we think about oil and a fire???"

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Re: Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

#180 Post by SocraticLawyer »

Urdur runs along with the group. He shrugs at Mouser's suggestion, not having any oil anyways.
How do we know you're not a donkey-brained man?

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