Chapter 15: Empire Under the Earth

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra flexes her hand on the hilt of her sword. Still weak, she is ready to do what she can.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen stands at the ready, waiting to see if all this effort will be worth their while, or a complete waste of their already dwindling resources.

He silently ponders what Osorus might think of their efforts so far behind his own decorative hawk mask.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri backs away. "I hope this works," he says, physically and mentally preparing to relieve Tjoruy of his affliction with a quick cut of his two-handed sword if the spell doesn't.

[Inferno]

Giant Ant Colony, Beneath the Desecrated Temple of Osorus, The Underground City
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Eight. Morning?, 21st day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia




In his mind's eye, Amethu sees Tjoruy's dark fate with revolting clarity:



Like a parasitized insect, the doomed priest is now a thrall of the colony... until he is eaten alive by its festering spawn!

Gripped by an inhuman and bloodthirsty madness, Tjoruy writhes and struggles furiously against his bonds in order to murder his friends!

As the adventurers watch with swords held in grim readiness of that which must be done, Amethu produces an ancient papyrus scroll from lost Verulia and recites from it the magic hieroglyphs inscribed therein.



Then he places a serene hand upon Tjoruy's flailing head as the demented prophet wrestles like a man possessed; foam flecked lips biting, spitting, gnashing, shrieking!

Suddenly, by the power of Amethu's words, Tjoruy is instantly stricken! Wracked and dumbstruck, the wretched host of eggs falls silent!

All is still for what seems like an eternity.

Then Tjoruy slowly lifts his head and smiles with joy.



Miraculously, he is cured! Tjoruy is himself once more! "The vessel hath been emptied! That it may be filled once more with Light!" The ramshackle priest bows his head solemnly to Amethu. "Thou hast saved and delivered my very soul! Thank thee, brother! Thank thee!"


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Map:






PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 2/14, Spells: 2/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl, Lantern
  Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 6/35, Torch on ground
  Garrin: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 3(1), HP: 6/26, Laying Hands: 0/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 6/14, Spells: 0/3 1st lvl Torch, hovering
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 10/25
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl, Torch planted
  Tjoruy: Verulian Osoran Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 2/31, Spells: 2/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 6(4), HP: 6/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 1/21

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 (Garrin, Kiri, Loche, Mako and Xorzen have breathed of the mists): 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."
  Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 31 rounds
  Invisibility (Mako): Target: self

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 begins removing Tjoruy's bindings as he admonishes those quick to give up on the elderly priest. Ta, Amethu! Ah knew 'twas tae soon tae burn him! We cannae gie up oan ilk ither 'til thare is hee haw left we kin huv a go. We're a' we hae, 'n' if we hawp tae end this evil 'n' git hame safely, we'll need ilk 'n' ilka yin o' us!

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Relief evident on his customarily stern visage, Cruloc strides forth and claps the gaunt Tjoruy on the shoulder, threatening to dislocate it.

"Ha! You misbegotten mudspawn! You’ll never die. You’re too ugly for Heaven, and too pretty for Hell!"

The barbarian coils his hempen rope and sits down to rest.

[ChubbyPixie]

“Tjuroy, it is good to have you back. I nearly can’t believe we succeeded,” says Kiri, finding a space against a wall.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu is pleased and proud that the powers of Verulian are able to be of use. He'll carefully roll up the scroll and return it safely to his pack. Looking over the group, he reiterates, "We must all find rest soon. It is likely that dangers remain"

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen is shocked beyond words to see his new friend being revived, even if he is still a little weird.

As the others say their peace, the masked monk looks to the most grievously injured in their party, pointing out their many ailments to their disheveled healer.

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin sheathes his sword, and gives Tjuroy a hearty slap on the back. It is good to have you back, my friend.

Perhaps this room could be make defensible while we rest? We cannot continue in our current state.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

"Bless it be. One less body to bury today."

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra smiles and relaxes, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She circles the room, trying to determine if it can be made secure.

[Inferno]

Hatching Chamber, Giant Ant Colony, Beneath the Underground City
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Eight. Midday?, 21st day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia






In joy and relief, the explorers embrace their lost friend whom they thought they might never see again. Tjoruy dries his eyes and expresses his gratitude to the explorers who saved his life from a fate worse than death. Then he turns his blazing gaze upward, "This vessel doth endure in light and spaciousness! Ever filled! Ever blessed!"

Their rescue mission an astonishing success, the adventurers are slowly overcome by a great exhaustion.

Garrin and Zahra walk among the bloody corpses and giant ant eggs, noting two tunnels from this low sandy chamber. The gigantic ants of the doomed colony were last seen to be confused and demoralized; they would pose no immediate threat. And the mad, dreaming subjects of the demon god Zargoth, somewhere above them in the Underground City, cannot reach them here, deep in the ant warren.

The explorers lower their swords, staves and shields at the welcome prospect of rest.


Actions?!


Map:

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





PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 2/14, Spells: 2/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl, Lantern
  Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 6/35, Torch on ground
  Garrin: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 3(1), HP: 6/26, Laying Hands: 0/1
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 6/14, Spells: 0/3 1st lvl Torch, hovering
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 10/25
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl, Torch planted
  Tjoruy: Verulian Osoran Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 2/31, Spells: 2/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 3: Move: 17", AC: 6(4), HP: 6/16, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 3: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 1/21

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 (Garrin, Kiri, Loche, Mako and Xorzen have breathed of the mists): 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."
  Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 30 rounds
  Invisibility (Mako): Target: self

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
The longer she keeps moving, the more the Amazon slumps.

I do not think we are in any danger here, sis...friends. Let us rest while we can. She sits against a wall.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc rests, gathering the strength necessary to weather the next storm. Hard years in the north taught him that there are no periods of ease or idleness, only brief respites in the endless struggle for survival.

He provides watchful medical attention to himself and the others throughout this all-to-brief downtime so as to maximise healing.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will take rest as best he can if it is indeed safe to do so.

[Scott308]

Loche

The Pict is happy to take a (much needed) rest.

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin takes first watch as the group finds what respite can be found.

This new blade is superior to my former one, enchanted though it is. Does anyone if this company desire to wield my old one?

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri does not answer Garrin, but says only sleepily, “Wake me up for the last watch, please. Grandfather, you should get some rest as well, it’s been a long day,” upon which, though nothing visibly changes, an extra emptiness is suddenly sensed rather than observed in the room.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen helps his recovered Osoran brother any way he can before finding a soft spot to rest for a while.

He will take a watch shift whenever it is necessary.