Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Sunset. 14th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia
The great civilization of Ancient Verulia is lost, forgotten and dying. Terrorized for millennia by the horrific demon god Zargoth, the majority of Verulia's surviving populace have withdrawn into drugs, decadence and madness. The rest, devout followers of the old gods, are bitterly divided into factions that have fallen to discord and deep mutual distrust.
Into the dreaming ruins of this fractured, doomed society enter outlanders from beyond the wastes. They ally with some in the lost city's ancient sects in a desperate gambit to locate a fabled magic treasure, entombed with the remains of Xuthalhotep, pharaoh of pharaohs. They intend to wield those sorcerous artifacts to destroy Zargoth and free the survivors of the Verulian race that suffer beneath his evil oppression.
Those adventurers have found a way down to the tier below - the tomb level - bringing them closer to their elusive goal.
Arthfael of Cimmeria lingers to examine the ancient bloodbath of summoners, and locates the last item identified by Amethu as bearing a magical aura.
The barbaric druid recovers a stone flask that feels half full of liquid.
Kiri Khutan humbly requests healing, perhaps speaking on behalf of many of the party who are badly injured.
The explorers slowly descend on the hinged, weighted ramp as it gently lowers to the fourth tier of the pyramid. Firelight flickers below, adding to their vigilance. Every precaution taken, they carefully reach the bottom of the ramp where more dried husks of massacred cultists are heaped.
The Verulians in the group wonder if any of the cult of Sutekh yet live. Has there been a complete genocide of one of the four ancient sects?!
The adventurers look north into a large hall venerating the entombed dead of the Great Pyramid.
Two 10' tall statues of Sutekh frame lit braziers and the chamber's only door.
Amethu's incredible mystic vision perceives that the statues, flames, door, and some of the possessions of the shriveled, skeletal cadavers sprawled at the bottom of the ramp are infused with sorcerous power. The grand magus of Uthoth softly utters his astonishing findings.
Actions?
Map Detail:
Map:
One square = 10 feet. Every pyramid tier is larger than the tier above it.
PC Status:
- Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/6, Spells: 2/5 1st lvl
Arthfael Griogarach: Cimmerian Northman Druid 2: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 5/12, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl and 2/3 2nd lvl
Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 11/18, Laying Hands: 1/1
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 3/7, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, Torch
Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 6/18
Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 4/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
Roan, Son of Rune: Vanir Northman Barbarian 2: Move: 15", AC: 4, HP: 17/23, Torch
Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 9, HP: 10/12
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 2: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 16/16
- 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."
Detect Magic (Amethu): Duration: 2 rounds.