Chapter 12: Time Out of Mind

[Inferno]

The False Tomb, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Five. Late morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Swords bared, spears poised to strike, the explorers cautiously enter the Stygian crypt. "Be on our guard," urges Amethu.

Loche the damned expertly examines both golden sarcophagi and finds no devious deathtraps of the diabolical ancients lying in wait to kill them.

Kiri peers inside Xuthalhotep's golden coffin. It is empty. The sarcophagus itself is not built into the floor but would weigh more than one man could bear, even a man such as Kiri Khutan.

Suddenly, they are not alone here!

In the eastern alcove of the tomb stand Pharaoh Xuthalhotep and Queen Ankhara!



The two rulers of the greatest civilization in the history of the world are as real and certain as death. Motionless and erect, they bear the exact likenesses as before, except Queen Ankhara now wears her golden mask in the custom of ancient Verulia. And their glorious raiments are untouched by the harrowing ravages of Time.


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 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/11, Spells: 1/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 2/3/4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Torch, Cursed!
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 2/16
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/21, 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)

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin sheathes his sword and bows before the pharoah and his queen. "Mighty Xuthalhotep and Fair Ankhara!" he says. "We seek your aid, that we might slay the foul demon that lurks in the necropolis below. Will you grant us the help we need to destroy it?"

He really hopes that, being dead, the king and queen do not need an interpreter.

[Scott308]

Loche

Uh, sorry we murdurred ye, yer Pharoahness. Ye keek bonny guid fur dying again. The Pict holds up his cursed, ashen appendage. Ony chance ye kin fix mah arm? Efter a', ye wur th' yin wha cursed me.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu gasps beneath his mask at another incarnation of the pharohs of old. To him, though, he does not feel the vileness of undeath in their presence that recently suffocated this crypt. Instead, he feels compelled to drop to his knees in supplication to his Ancient Lords.

[Urson]

Zahra

Zahra bows, holding her javelin diagonally across her body. Hail to the Pharoh! Hail to the Queen!

[OGRE MAGE]

Unable to see the new additions in the room, Xorxen continues to keep an eye on their only escape passage.

Once he hears the comments from his friends, he pokes his head inside to see who they are prostrating to.

[Inferno]

The Tomb of Xuthalhotep and Ankhara, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Five. Late Morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





"Hail to the Pharoh! Hail to the Queen!" cries Zahra the lion-masked amazon as she bows before the vision of the long lost monarchs of ancient Verulia.

Garrin the son of Atlantis bows and requests their aid against the demon god of the underground necropolis.

The image of Xuthalhotep and Ankhara speak with regal serenity. The explorers hear their voices in their minds!

"Prithee arise, brave heroes. 'Tis we that art humbled by thy benevolent mercy. We give heartfelt thanks to thee, for thou hast freed us from a fate we feared everlasting," says the voice of Ankhara.

"The insidious presence of foul Zargoth corrupts the dead as well as the living. But thou hast saved us. We journey at last to the afterlife, because of thy kind grace. We leave thee our undying gratitude, and these gifts, sincere tokens of our ardent thankfulness. May they serve thee well," says the voice of Xuthalhotep.



"Avenge us upon evil Zargoth. Avenge all of poor, beloved Verulia!"

And then, as sudden as they appeared, the likenesses are gone! Were they ever there?

Loche notices the curse of withering is lifted from him!

Then two immense stone tiles on the floor slowly rumble open on hinges, like twin doors, revealing a shadowy vault below!


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 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/11, Spells: 1/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Torch
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 2/16
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/21, 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)

[Scott308]

Loche

The Pict lets out a low whistle as he examines his arm, returned to its natural state by the power of the Pharaoh. The weapons must be down there! he exclaims, barely able to control his impulse to rush headlong into the vault. Instead, he will progress slowly, checking for traps just to be safe.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen enters the room, smiling for the first time since he can remember.

"It was not the perfect plan, to be sure. And I will take the blame for that. But with the help of Amethu's magic vision, we were able to successfully navigate the first hurdle of our mission. Well done to everyone! Now, lets see what the dead have left for us."

The masked monk will move to the pit as well, checking things over before simply digging into the spoils, just to be sure.

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin says a quick prayer of thanks to Mitra for releasing the dead king and queen to their rest.

He waits for the others to clear the vault of traps before entering.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri puts his palms together and bows deeply, only to rise to an empty alcove. When the vault opens, he strides forward to the edge and peers down into it.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu gives quiet thanks for such an honor. As the minutes pass and the reality of dangers yet to come he prepares his thoughts on the next steps...

[Urson]

Zahra

A single tear rolls from Zahra's eye. She smiles slightly, then turns her attention to their surroundings. She's seen too many things to relax, even now- so she keeps watch while the others visit the vault.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako stands quietly in the hall waiting for the other to emerge or for the others outside to enter.

[Inferno]

The Tomb of Xuthalhotep and Ankhara, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Five. Morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



And suddenly, the explorers are alone again in the ancient crypt.

The words of Ghorum the Elder echo in the minds of those who had met him:
"The Treasure of Xuthalhotep, the fabled weapons, relics and artifacts entombed with the Pharaoh of Pharaohs, is legendary.
"Forged when the world wast young, they art born of the age of Ancient Khemsa at the height of her glory, in an unrivaled era of magic and myth.
"The sacred lore cites the Eye of Verulia, a magic emerald of properties unknown and perhaps unknowable. Xuthalhotep wast also said to be interred with his magical spear, sword, arrows, shield, dagger, armour, helm, ruling staff, ancient tomes and scrolls of magicks.
"With them, didst mighty Xuthalhotep smite his enemies, and rule an empire."

Loche and Xorzen resist the urge to rush in, and approach the yawning hole in the floor with caution. After they confirm it to be free of deathtraps, they lead the explorers down into the vault below as Zahra stands guard from the tomb, and Mako from the doorway.

There, they behold the fabled Treasure of Xuthalhotep.




Actions?





PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/11, Spells: 1/7 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 26/26, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 13/18, Torch
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl,
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 7, HP: 2/16
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 19/21, 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]

Kiri, being particularly interested in the shield and/or the helm, will approach the former for a closer look. He will take it up and heft it.

“I wonder what it does?” he says.

[Scott308]

Loche

The Pict heads back up the stairs, calling to the guards, Ye guys micht wantae heid doon thare 'n' git some o' th' magic loot.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

With a puzzled look on his face, he turns to Amethu "What did he (Loche) say? The echo from this large chamber makes his speech even harder to discern."

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen suggests bringing all of the loot up so it can be sorted and inspected by everyone involved.

"I will not claim any items until we've had a moment to go through them. I will not take an item that will benefit another more than I."

The masked monk begins handing things from the vault to be laid out on the floor for everyone to see.

"It might help if we can discern what each item does before we divide the spoils. Do we have means to identify such things?"

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin helps Xorxen haul the items up and sort them.