Chapter 11: Curse of the Pharaohs

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin helps open the lid on the second sarcophagus, after it has been cleared of traps.

[Inferno]

The Tomb of Xuthalhotep, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Four. Sunset, 16th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Zahra bows before the dead queen of her mothers, and her mothers' mothers. Then she asks after her death mask, trying to restore unto her majesty some semblance of dignity.

Xorzen searches inside the open sarcophagus. He finds naught but the mask and the ages-old desiccated corpse, preserved to weather the endless ravages of forever.

Mako whispers, "I don't know about you Amethu but I've seen enough in this place to heed its warning. I dare not step inside the tomb and be cursed further. I only pray the others' curse doesn't consume me as well."

Loche silently creeps to the second golden coffin and examines its shimmering surface with light, knowing fingers.



The Pict thief finds it clear of lurking dangers and steps back. "This one's clear too, lads," he whispers.

Kiri and Garrin move to open it when suddenly the lid flies off of its own volition, hurtling through the air and crashing to the floor behind Zahra, narrowly missing the amazon warrior!

Instantly, the gold-clad figure within the open sarcophagus rises to its feet, as if raised up by forces unseen and unnatural!



Xuthalhotep! Pharaoh of pharaohs!

An eldritch thing, old beyond imagining, existing in an unholy condition beyond life and death, beyond Men and Gods!

The explorers' blood runs cold. The very presence of the ancient living horror threatens to render them stricken by a primal, paralyzing fear!


Actions?! (Everyone please Save vs Spells on 1d20+3 in order to take an action!)


Map Detail:



Map:

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





PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/11, Spells: 4/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 13/26, Laying Hands: 0/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 10/14, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 11/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 11/21, 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 except Amethu and Zahra): 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."

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)

[ChubbyPixie]

Save vs Spells (12): [1d20+3] = 18+3 = 21 Whew!

In spite of all he's witnessed in this tomb, Kiri finds himself fighting off a gripping fear. Tensing up, he'll ready himself to strike out at the king with a blow from his trident, but only if any attempted negotiations fail and the king attacks them himself.

Here's an attack roll in case it's needed: Attack with Trident (THAC0:19): To Hit: [1d20+3] = 11+3 = 14 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+7] = 6+7 = 13, vs. Lg: [3d4+6] = 9+6 = 15

[Urson]

Zahra

The Amazon flinches and springs to the side as the sarcophagus lid flies past.

Vs. Spells: 17 [1d20] = 6+3

When she sees the mummy/thing, Zahra freezes- torn between the need to act and raw, blood-red fear.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen freezes initially...

Save vs. Spell (13) [1d20] = 10 +3=13

....but luckily shakes it off.

He steps to his right, positioning himself in between the pair in front of him. At the first sign of aggression, he lunges forward with his magical javelin.

Javalin Attack [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14 Damage [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin fights through the fear that runs through his veins:

Save vs Spell (14) [1d20+3] = 14+3 = 17

The paladin does not attack, at least not yet. "Pharoah Xuthalhotep!" he calls out. "Stay your mighty hand! We come to slay the foul demon that lurks in the undercity below. We seek your almighty aid!"

Garrin attacks only if Xuthalhotep becomes hostile.

If so: To Hit with +1 Long Sword: [1d20+1] = 19+1 = 20; Damage: sm - [1d8+1] = 1+1 = 2; lg - [1d12+1] = 8+1 = 9

[ravenn4544]

Amethu stands transfixed for a moment as the ancient form rises in the room ahead...

Save vs Spells (12): [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19 (I didn't add the magical adjustment due to wisdom but fortunately didn't need it!)

...but recovers enough to realize the truth of this ancient form. It is a thing of memory out of time. He holds high is holy symbol and calls out for the undead abomination to return to it's everlasting rest.

Turn Undead: [1d20] = 11

[Scott308]

Loche

When the pharaoh rises, Loche's becomes paralyzed with fear. Maybe if he doesn't move, he will not be noticed.

Save vs. Spell (14): [1d20+3] = 7+3 = 10

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Paralyzed the eastern watches in horror.

Save vs Spells (12): [1d20+3] = 3+3 = 6

[Inferno]

The Tomb of Xuthalhotep, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Four. Sunset, 16th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Xuthalhotep is risen, having survived the endless crawl of centuries uncounted. The expression upon his golden deathmask is as serene as his existence is startlingly frightful.

In the horrific presence of the immortal Pharaoh of Living Death, nearly half the explorers freeze in a terror absolute!
(Loche, Mako and Zahra: Please roll 1d4-1 to determine the number of rounds this fear-induced paralysis will last)

Amethu of Uthoth raises his holy symbol to drive back the unholy traveler of black abysses of time beyond imagining! But naught comes from his urgent pleas! The sorcerer-priest is powerless. Perhaps because Xuthalhotep was anointed by all the gods of ancient Verulia thousands of years before Amethu was born.



Garrin the Atlantean shouts, "Pharoah Xuthalhotep! Stay your mighty hand! We come to slay the foul demon that lurks in the undercity below. We seek your almighty aid!"

In answer, the undead king of kings tries to savagely smite Garrin with his bare hand! The son of Atlantis almost evades the entirety of the murderous, powerful blow! (-1hp)

Xorzen and Kiri miss the fearsome undying monarch with javelin and trident! And Garrin's enchanted longsword barely gashes the terrible countenance of the undead master of the ancient world.



Actions?!



Map Detail:



Map:

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


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 5, Monsters: [1d6] = 6 Monsters win.
Xuthalhotep attacks Garrin: [1d20] = 18 Hits...
Damage to Garrin: [1d12] = 1 for 1hp damage.

PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/11, Spells: 4/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 12/26, Laying Hands: 0/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 10/14, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 11/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 11/21, 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 except Amethu and Zahra): 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."

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

Fear paralysis: [1d4] = 2

Zahra trembles, desperately wanting to act- but betrayed by her own body. She watches as Fate plays itself out.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

The transfixed Eastern eyes water and tear at the site of the awoken god, while the pressure on his abdomen lessens as the warm liquid running down his legs puddles beneath him.

Fear paralysis: [1d4] = 4 -1 = 3 rounds

[SocraticLawyer]

Wincing from the blow, Garrin attempts to strike back at the mighty pharaoh. He fails.

To Hit with +1 Long Sword: [1d20+1] = 1+1 = 2; Damage: sm - [1d8+1] = 6+1 = 7; lg - [1d12+1] = 9+1 = 10

Ugh.

[OGRE MAGE]

Shocked and now very afraid that his last blow failed to harm the undead king, Xorxen starts to get worried that they wont survive this encounter.

He tries his luck again, in vain, hoping that he isn't the next one to be attacked by this powerful entity.

Javalin Attack [1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3 Damage [1d6+2] = 3+2 = 5

[Scott308]

Loche

Recovering quickly from the momentary fear, the Pict quickly draws his jewelled dagger, stabbing at the pharaoh. Awright, ye hackit, deid bas! How come dinnae ye pick oan someone yer ain age!

Fear: [1d4-1] = 1-1 = 0
Jeweled Dagger +1/ +2 vs. Undead: [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12; Damage: [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2; Damage, Large: [1d3+1] = 3+1 = 4 Not counting the extra +1 vs Undead

Hey, you ugly, dead bastard! Why don't you pick on someone your own age!

[ravenn4544]

Amethu watches the ancient king relentlessly attack and moves forward to lend what aid he can - and delaying any need to face the ancient one directly!

cast CLW on Garrin Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 1

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri tries again, crouching behind his shield and lashing out at the King with his trident.
Attack with Trident (THAC0:19): To Hit: [1d20+3] = 2+3 = 5 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+7] = 3+7 = 10, vs. Lg: [3d4+6] = 9+6 = 15
"It's just a dead King!" he yells. Seeing his companions frozen in fear, he hopes to keep this abomination occupied until they recover.

Yikes. We tend to all roll garbage together...

[Inferno]

The Tomb of Xuthalhotep, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Four. Sunset, 16th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





In the ancient unsealed crypt beneath the Great Pyramid, Mako and Zahra freeze in terror.

The immortal pharaoh of pharaohs, having walked the harrowing corridors of Time without end, is risen! And mighty Xuthalhotep smites those who dare defile his tomb!

His fell hand strikes the one Verulian that presumes to assail his person, hammering Xorzen with supernatural strength! (-6hp)

The masked monk senses something. Xuthalhotep's unholy touch has somehow affected him; altered him! Is it true? Does his deathly touch carry the Curse of the Pharaohs?!

Panicking, Loche hurls a sling bullet into the fray, striking Xorzen in the back of his skull! (-1hp)

Amethu moves behind Garrin that he may heal him, and that the Atlantean may shield him from harm.

And, no doubt due to the terrifying presence of Xuthalhotep, Xorzen, Kiri and Garrin are unable to strike his fearsome majesty with javelin, trident or sword!


Actions?! (Zahra's paralysis ends. She may now act.)



Map Detail:



Map:

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


Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 1, Monsters: [1d6] = 2 Monsters win.
Xuthal attacks Garrin? (1), Xorzen? (2), or Kiri? (3): [1d3] = 2 It attacks Xorzen.
Xuthal attacks Xorzen: [1d20] = 9, damage: [1d12] = 6 Hits for -6hp.
Loche hits: Xuthal? (1), Garrin? (2), Xorzen? (3), Kiri? (4): [1d4] = 3 Xorzen again.

PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/11, Spells: 4/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 12/26, Laying Hands: 0/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 10/14, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 4/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 11/21, 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 except Amethu and Zahra): 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."

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 shrieks a cat's fury and throws her lit torch at the undead Pharoh, rushing in with her mace.

(thrown torch) att [1d20+2] = 3+2 = 5

pecentile [1d100] = 25
For the possibility the torch 1) stays lit 2) and/or is in position to ignite the mummy

[OGRE MAGE]

Being attacked from the front as well as behind, Xorxen succumbs to his obvious fate. Certain he will be the next to fall in here, he doesn't retreat, but instead attacks the golden clad monster once again. And once again, his strike doesn't even come close.

Javalin Attack [1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3 Damage [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6