Chapter 21: The Caverns of Thracia

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra snarls and yowls her battlecry. Her blade is deflected again.
att [1d20+4]=4+4=8

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri sees nothing but the Thracian in front of him, at the end of a tunnel, the walls ringed with bright light.

Glancing to the left, he sees Grandfather standing there, clear as day. He's never seen him so sharply, not since after he entered the amulet. The old man shrugs in exasperation and gestures towards the enemy as if to say, "Why are you looking at me? He's not going to stab himself."

The Magic Mountain nods and lunges at the warrior:

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=10+4=14 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=3+8=11, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=9+7=16

[Inferno]

Beneath the Forbidden City of the Dead, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Nine. Morning. 19th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Cursed by Thanatos to a harrowing death; all the adventurers' blades are beaten back by the inexorable tide of Thracian shields... all but one.

Kiri of the distant East raises his fearsome trident against a foe (T14) when suddenly, a razor sharp arrowhead explodes from his enemy's chest!



The Thracian's lung is pierced and he drowns to death in his own blood, writhing in agony on the fine, polished tiles of the ancients.

Beyond where the dead man once stood, Kiri can see the archer who killed him emerging from the shadows beyond the rope bridge!



It's a Pict savage! (Ps) But different from those they fought in Conajohara; instead of war paint, his fierce visage bears tribal tattoos. Nevertheless, he seems just as deadly with a bow.

Weak from blood loss, Kiri lurches west in search of an enemy and finds one. Amethu and a death-worshipping zealot (T16) are locked in a life and death struggle! Amethu makes way for Kiri and the Thracian is dead before he knows it. Impaled through the vitals by Kiri's trident, the warrior of Thanatos dies in a gruesome splatter of blood and shit.

Then Iago's throat is cut by Thracian steel. (9hp damage) He falls at Dahinna's feet, the "good luck charm" of the grim reaper still tied around his slashed neck. The privateer who came to Pictland to seek his fortune lies still, and his easy smile fades.

Cruloc hears his friend fall behind him and is momentarily distracted; long enough for a gash to be carved across his ribs. (5hp damage)

A shocked witness to her lover's demise, Dahinna doesn't see the sword coming. (7hp damage) It tears through her body and cuts to the bone almost as brutally as did Iago's death.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=4, Monsters: [1d6]=1 Party wins.
Iago attacks T10: [1d20+2]=5+2=7, damage: [1d8+2]=2+2=4 Misses.
T9, T11 attack Iago with swords: [1d20]=13, [1d20]=15, damage: [1d8+1]=1+1=2, [1d8+1]=8+1=9 T11 hits for 9hp damage.
T10 attacks Dahinna with sword: [1d20]=16, damage: [1d8+1]=6+1=7 Hits for 7hp damage.
T12 attacks Cruloc with sword: [1d20]=18, damage: [1d8+1]=4+1=5 Hits for 5hp damage.

Iago's dropped torch goes out? (1-3): [1d6]=1 Yes.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/15, Spells: 2/7 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 6/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: -8/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: -6/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 2/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 5/29

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 39 rounds, Torch, near Kiri

Player Resources:

The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will step forward as far as he can towards the remaining enemies and unleash a burning hands upon the remaining three cultists. He has the presence of mind to shout,"Quickly now! Attend to Grigor before he is beyond our grasp!"

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

The Thracian's blow tells on the barbarian. All breath is hammered out of his lungs, and black stars burst in his vision, but Cruloc clings to his sword and to consciousness with animal tenacity. Pain shoots jaggedly through his ribs. The Cimmerian’s response is a headlong attack of nigh berserk fury.

"GRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

Attack w/ longsword [1d20+3]=12+3=15
Thracian longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+4]=8+4=12

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

In shock, the Zamoran rogue watches her lover die as her own blood runs down her legs to drip on the gore-covered stones. She stabs weakly at the Thracian who just gutted her, but she staggers and her thrust is easily blocked. Short Sword: [1d20+2]=5+2=7 Damage [1d6+2]=6+2=8

Someone is yelling about Grigor and she looks around her feet and finds her fellow Zamoran, falls to his side, offering the back of her neck to the blade if it is her time. She attempts to find his bleeding wounds and staunch them.

[Urson]

Zahra
att [1d20+4]=3+4=7
Zahra tries to press the attack against (T12), but fails.

[ChubbyPixie]

Aware only of his immediate surroundings, Kiri turns and thrusts his trident at the nearest warrior in an effort to save his friends being cut down:
Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=11+4=15 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=3+8=11, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=8+7=15

[jemmus]

Torix
The tattooed savage is enraged by the sight of the cowardly armored soldiers. They aren't free warriors, they're armed servants who fight like despicable Aquilonians. He slings his short bow, picks up his flint-headed spear, and sprints down the stairs and hallway. He leaps onto the body of a gutted armored soldier (T14) and lunges at a soldier flanking one of the Cimmerian. Another a detested race, but at least they fight like warriors.T12

THAC0 20
[1d20]=13 [1d6]=5

[Inferno]

Beneath the Forbidden City of the Dead, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Nine. Morning. 19th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







The grand colonnade of venerable Thracia has become a slaughter house. With a whirl of swords, the murderous Thracians at the northern door press their advantage, advancing over Iago's lifeless form!

Kiri feels a blade bite deep and he falls hard. (8hp damage) Trident and torch clattering on the stones, the giant easterner joins Iago and Grigor among the splayed crimson corpses of their enemies.



Nearby, Dahinna the rogue still manages to hold her own against an armored fanatic (T10)! Blades clash in a spray of sparks when suddenly, a tattooed Pict takes Kiri's place beside Dahinna! With primitive ferocity, he drives his flint-headed spear deep into the Thracian madman's chest, killing him instantly!

On the Pict's left side, Amethu the masked sorcerer-priest of Uthoth utters forbidden words of power that were ancient before Man was born. And without warning or reason, a maniacal death-worshipper bursts into flames! (T9)



On the eastern front, Zahra's blade thunders against an iron hoplite!

Beside her, Cruloc is beset by merciless swords, front and back! Both plunge deep, one to the hilt! (10hp damage) In a wild fury, the barbarian retaliates, splintering a helm and shearing off half a face! (T12) The Thracian crashes nigh-headless to the floor!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=2, Monsters: [1d6]=6 Monsters win.
T9 charges Kiri with sword: [1d20+2]=20+2=22, damage: [1d8+1]=7+1=8 Hits for 8hp damage.
T10 attacks Dahinna with sword: [1d20]=11, damage: [1d8+1]=5+1=6 Misses.
T12 attacks Cruloc with sword: [1d20]=17, damage: [1d8+1]=6+1=7 Hits for 7hp.
T11 charges Cruloc's back with sword: [1d20+2]=9+2=11, damage: [1d8+1]=2+1=3 Hits for 3hp.
Cruloc: back protection? (15%): [1d100]=75 No.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/15, Spells: 1/7 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 22/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 6/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: -9/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: -7/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -6/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl, Torch on floor
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 5/29

PC Magic:

None currently.

Player Resources:

The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[ravenn4544]

Amethu unleashes the power of his staff on the remaining cultist within reach (T9). "I can't reach Grigor - it's now or never to stave off death!"

To Hit (THACO 20): [1d20+2]=20+2=22
Staff of Uthoth - Damage: = S/M/L: [1d6+2]=2+2=4

[jemmus]

Torix
The tattooed savage stamps on the chest of the armored man as he falls dead and pulls to dislodge his spear's flint head. He steps forward to drive the weapon into the flaming soldier.

[1d20]=2 [1d6]=5

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Someone is yelling about Grigor and she looks around her feet and finds her fellow Zamoran, falls to his side, offering the back of her neck to the blade if it is her time. She attempts to find his bleeding wounds and staunch them.
This per my last post and in the OOC thread.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc steps into the breach, blood-spattered longsword in hand, but loses his footing on the slick marble floor.

"Crom!"

Thracian longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+4]=4+4=8

[Urson]

Zahra
Seeing no targets, Zahra grabs for Grigor, intending to drag him to the East and bind his wounds.

[Inferno]

Beneath the Forbidden City of the Dead, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Nine. Morning. 19th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Cursed by the God of Death, there is no resisting their fate.

In the ruins of Thracia's lost grandeur, three accursed invaders of the Underworld have fallen by the inexorable will of Thanatos, joining the ghastly heap of dead men.

Dahinna labors to keep another from joining the wet, crimson pile. To no avail. She crouches and drags back Grigor's body and begins to tend his wounds. Suddenly, an advancing Thracian (T11) lunges into a breach hacked from flesh and bone, and drives his sword into Dahinna's back, adding her lifeless form to the heap! (7hp damage) The young rogue lands beside the corpse of her lover, Iago.

Over them, the flashfire on the burning Thracian (T9) subsides, but his aim is still affected.

The other invaders also struggle in vain against their certain doom. Torix the Pict wrenches his spear free from a dead man's rib cage and thrusts wide! Cruloc the barbarian wheels to join the northern front, but his savage swing is too early. Amethu's fabled staff crashes against a maniacal zealot (T9) who easily endures the bludgeoning strike!

The outcome seems inevitable, preordained.

But then Zahra plunges to the ground and staunches Grigor's bleeding in the nick of time, saving his life and defying the sacred will of the God of Death.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=4, Monsters: [1d6]=5 Monsters win.
T9 attacks Amethu? (1) or Torix? (2): [1d2]=1, To hit: [1d20]=6, damage: [1d8+1]=3+1=4 Misses Amethu.
T11 attacks Torix? (1) or Dahinna? (2): [1d2]=2, To hit: [1d20]=6, damage: [1d8+1]=6+1=7 Just hits her back, for 7hp damage.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/15, Spells: 1/7 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 22/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: -1/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: -9/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: -7/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 5/29

PC Magic:

None currently.

Player Resources:

The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[jemmus]

Torix's spear stabs at the armored soldier (t11) again, seeking a way into his vitals.

[1d20+1]=5+1=6 [1d6+1]=4+1=5

[ravenn4544]

Amethu continues his physical assault... (on T9)

To Hit (THACO 20): [1d20+2]=12+2=14
Staff of Uthoth - Damage: = S/M/L: [1d6+2]=3+2=5

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Seemingly abandoned by his uncaring god, Cruloc summons the strength to cleave through the hardy Thracian's shield, breastplate, and collarbone!

Thracian longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d20+4]=10+4=14
(Apologies: It should be 10+3=13.)
Thracian longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+4]=2+4=6

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

The rogue feels the agonizing pain in her back...and then slumps forward, arms limp, head upon the bloody floor. She blinks a few times and tries to focus on Iago's face...but she is so tired. Her eyes close and she rests...