Chapter 23: The Grave of Empire

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Satisfied that Grigor is well-guarded by the Pict, Cruloc sets about splintering the pews and fashioning torches from strips of cloth found in the chamber.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri searches the chapel for any ceremonial oils that may be used to saturate the home-made torches Cruloc has set about fashioning.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra pitches in with Cruloc, making torches.

[Inferno]

The Caverns of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twelve. Afternoon? 22nd day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







The explorers of the mysterious Underworld further defile the chapel of Death, breaking pews and stripping shrouds that had covered the dead, to fashion torches.

There is no consensus yet as to the next direction they will search. But Amethu, Cruloc and Kiri prefer the northern door, a portal of iron. Its hinges were hidden but a keyhole was visible.

While they decide, Grigor and Torix tread into the western tunnel. The gypsy priest probes the dead end and discovers it is actually a secret door!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.





PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 17/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/25, Torch
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 21/29, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Lantern
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 28/28, Unsettled
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 24/29, Unsettled
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 6/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

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)

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Now that her companions have returned from the sleep of the dead, the Zamoran rogue refuses to be left alone...but she also refuses to cross into the room beyond the tapestry with the silent dead. Instead, she follows Torix and Grigor, hurrying to catch up before her torch expires.
"Wait up! Wait for me!"

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc takes note of Grigor's discovery and grunts approvingly.

"The portal to the north requires a key. Do any of you have one? If no, let us scour this chamber."

[Urson]

Zahra
Once the torches are completed, Zahra joins the crew at the western corridor and secret passage.

[jemmus]

Torix is very thankful for the healing. He feels like he is becoming a war comrade with this group-- despite the presence of a Cimmerian. He missed the torch-making operation while standing guard in the western corridor. He stands behind Grigor at the secret door, arrow nocked.

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

I have no special key or lockpicks. Unless we found anything on a crumbling body. Not sure if we really searched the room that poisoned us.

Having found a secret door, I will at least try and open it someway. Levering my blade in the seams or pushing/pulling any obvious switches or latches my fingers run across.

[jemmus]

Torix
Be safe, Grigor! The Pict runs back and beckons to in those in the northern passage

[ravenn4544]

Amethu prepares what torches he can under the direction of those craftier then he. At the secret door he listens and asks for a moment to probe the way beyond with mysterious sorceries.

Cast ESP

[Inferno]

The Caverns of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twelve. Afternoon? 22nd day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







The invaders of antiquity fashion torches among the dead.

They have completed two brands when Amethu and Dahinna join Grigor and Torix at the western channel.

There, the masked magus weaves sorceries of ancient Verulia.



The all-seeing eye of Osorus reveals to Amethu that no sentience lurks beyond the secret door.

Grigor pushes against the door and, with some effort, it opens wide. Plaster that had concealed its other side falls away and through the dust, an unlit chamber is revealed, perhaps a hallway.

Neither cut from obsidian nor haunted by supernatural darkness, its smooth stonework evokes that of the subterranean territories southwest of here (areas 20 and 23); the masterful architecture of ancient Atlantis.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Map:






PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 17/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/25, Torch
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 21/29, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Lantern
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 28/28, Unsettled
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 24/29, Unsettled
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 6/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

ESP (Amethu): Duration: 2 rounds.

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)

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Unaccustomed to being at the vanguard, but time enough for him to take a share of scouting risks, he will step into the hallway in order to make room for others.

Checking it is all clear (which basically means waiting a minute in case something jumps on him as he probably can't see much), he will signal for others behind to join him and then go explore the room.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri starts to make his way to see what has been discovered in the western hall, when he suddenly stops and frowns.

"Wait. I do have keys," he says and digs through his pack.

From a Thracian at the entrance to this complex.

"Usually Grandfather reminds me of these things. Where has he gotten off to...?"

He'll wander back to the north door and see if one of the keys is a match.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

"Wait, Grigor. Kiri may have the keys to the iron door."

The Cimmerian tucks his new torches away and follows the hulking Khambujan.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

The rogue waits in line as Kiri passes her, headed toward the door. Her strength is drained and all she wants to do is lay down and go to sleep.

[jemmus]

Torix follows Grigor into the room and steps aside to clear the doorway. He waits for a torch to be brought up for some light.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra finishes a torch, gathers the material for a second, and joins the others. Beyond the secret door, she seems more relaxed.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will bend his magical awareness to the north door and beyond if he can concentrate on the spell for long enough.

[Inferno]

The Caverns of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twelve. Afternoon? 22nd day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







In the chapel of Death, Kiri borrows Dahinna's torch and moves toward the northern door. Amethu follows.

The key they had taken off the corpse of a death-worshipper unlocks the iron door! Amethu's mind's eye senses no intelligence lurking on the other side.



Meanwhile, Grigor, Torix and Zahra move west toward the secret door.

The gypsy priest no sooner crosses its threshold when he is suddenly besieged by forces unseen and unimaginable!

With a wet groan, a towering wave of transparent mass smashes into Grigor from the left side, numbing his extremities! (Please Save vs Paralyzation to act)

Gnasher barks frantically and Torix and Zahra cannot tell what is happening! By Grigor's lantern, they see the air beyond the secret door is rippling, and small objects swirl weightless in mid air!'


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.

Behind the DM Screen:

Wandering monster? (1): [1d6]=1 Yes.
Wandering monster table: [1d10]=5 The monster is not detectable by ESP.
PCs surprised? (1-3): [1d6]=3 Yes.
Monster preempts all actions and attacks first target out the door, surprising him.
Thing attacks Grigor's rear AC: [1d20]=18 Hits.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 17/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 1: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/25
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 21/29, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Lantern
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Torch
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 28/28, Unsettled
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 24/29, Unsettled
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 6/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

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)