Chapter 12: Time Out of Mind

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri is pleasantly astonished at the dramatic and sudden demise of the king. "I guess we live to press on," he says to his amulet. Carefully setting down the container of oil, well away from the flames, he awaits with curiosity the results of what he assumes is a curative prayer on Xorzen. Afterwards he says: "The tomb lies open to us. The artifacts must be in there somewhere. I'm guessing we'll find a clue in the king's sarcophagus. Still, we should be careful."

[ravenn4544]

Amethu remains still as the noise of battle subsides to a quiet stillness as the last flames burn away the legacy of the Ancient One. He kneels and prays to the Gods to finally welcome him to perpetual sleep.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

"Thank the Gods. We're alive!"

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen hangs hid head in shame, looking through the ashes where the mummy once stood as the fires die down, hoping to find some way to cure himself and his friend from their awful infliction.

When he feels the healing powers of Garrin trying to help him, he looks up hopeful and thankful to have such a friend at his side.

[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. Morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Zahra the amazon lets out a triumphant warcry as the funeral pyre of the Last Pharaoh burns.

Armed with the foresight of mystical prophecy, the explorers of the Great Pyramid were victorious. The unholy mockery of life that great Xuthalhotep had become was vanquished from this earth. Mako thanks the gods that their lives were spared as Amethu silently prays in gratitude.

Garrin the Atlantean watches the flames, hand on hilt. Only when they subside does he sheathe his blade and give thanks to Mitra. Then the holy warrior lays his hands upon the afflicted, twice-doomed Xorzen and prays with reverent orisons that the monk of Osorus be cured. Garrin's prayers are answered and the ruinous blight of wasting is lifted before Xorzen's disbelieving eyes! Loche the Pict, however, is still damned by the Curse of the Pharaohs.

After speaking with his ancestors, Kiri humbly suggests that they return to the dread crypt of Xuthalhotep and Ankhara.


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)

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri smiles just perceptibly when Xorzen is healed, the only outward sign of the relief he feels. “See, Loche? It’s going to be ok. You are not destined to dry up into a husk like that one,” he says, gesturing towards the blackened pile of soot that so recently was the ruler of this tomb.

[SocraticLawyer]

"Indeed," says Garrin to Loche. "Although you may have to live with your ... condition ... for a few days at least. Mitra grants me such aid only sparingly.

"Let us return to Xuthalhotep's tomb." If the others agree, Garrin leads them back. He keeps his sword ready, just in case.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako agrees to the party returning to Xuthalhotep's tomb.

[Scott308]

Loche

If ah hae tae deal wi' it a few days, ah kin dae that, ah jalouse. Dinnae pure hae ony ither option tae`, anyway. Noo that auld deid 'n' hackit is na mair, let's gang see whit treasure he wis protecting!

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will wait for the tomb to be considered free of peril before entering. He will try and find some time to reflect and meditate on what has transpired, loosing himself in his studies with time permitting.

[Urson]

Zahra

Zahra leads the way to the real crypt, whispering prayers of thanks as she does. She walks quickly, but not blindly- and she doesn't leave the others behind.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen sees his ailment cured right before his eyes and thanks the holy warrior profusely.

"Thank you Garrin. Thank you for saving my life. If ever there is a way for me to repay this noble deed to you, I will, without hesitation."

The tired and still badly injured monk lets the others lead the way back to the crypt, hoping all of the dangerous surprises are behind them now.

[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. Morning?, 17th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia



Exultant in victory, the triumphant explorers move through the broken hole in the false wall, and down the secret passage beneath tons of ancient stone blocks.



The door to the true tomb still stands open, its devious traps still deactivated. Garrin and Zahra lead the way in, flickering torchlight illuminating the final resting place of Pharaoh Xuthalhotep and his bride Ankhara.





Twin golden sarcophagi glimmer in the firelight.





One is thrown open, the other still shut. From the mystical foresight of oracular prophecy, they know the sealed coffin still holds the lifeless remains of she who was once the most beautiful woman in the entire world:




Ankhara, queen of Verulia.


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)

[ravenn4544]

Amethu urges caution,"How do we know the Mighty Queen of Old will not rise from the crypt as well? Be on our guard....."

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri Rubs his chin. “If I were trapping a tomb, I’d put one right on the biggest sarcophagus...” he says. Assuming someone more capable of such things checks it out first, he’ll inspect the sarcophagus for any telltale signs it might be pushed or moved to reveal a hidden compartment, providing the legendary items aren’t simply conveniently arranged inside.

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin waits for the more stealthy members of the party to check for traps before searching the pharoah's tomb. He keeps his sword ready, in case anything else unpleasant attacks the group.

[Scott308]

Loche

Step aside, wee jimmies 'n' girls, 'n' let me git tae wirk. The cursed Pict pushes his way into the room where he begins his professional examination of the sarcophagi.

[Urson]

Zahra

The Amazon stands guard, poised to throw the Black javelin at the Undead Queen if she rises to attack.

[OGRE MAGE]

In his own near undead condition, Xorxen stays by the door to guard the rear of the group as they search.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako waits outside of the tomb while the others check the tomb for traps. He stands close to Xorxen but not to close to the Osoran. He's not sure if Xorxen is contiguous or not and doesn't take any chances.