Chapter 19: Civilization's End

[Inferno]

Chapter 19: Civilization's End

The Pictish Frontier, Aquilonia, the World of Hyboria
Day One. Afternoon, 11th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







"Know, O prince, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars - Nemedia, Ophir, Brythunia, Hyperborea, Zamora with its dark-haired women and towers of spider-haunted mystery, Zingara with its chivalry, Koth that bordered on the pastoral lands of Shem, Stygia with its shadow-guarded tombs, Hyrkania whose riders wore steel and silk and gold. But the proudest kingdom of the world was Aquilonia, reigning supreme in the dreaming west."

Hither came the heroes of this tale; those from the Great Pyramid:

Amethu: Sorcerer-priest, wise, ibis-masked and pale

Cruloc the Cruel: Savage Cimmerian barbarian

Kiri: Mountainous mystic warrior of the mysterious East

Zahra: Lioness-masked, pale, fierce amazon

And those new companions they met in their far-reaching journeys:

Dahinna: Zamoran thief, dark, cunning and fair

Grigor: Nomadic gypsy warrior-priest

Iago: Dashing swashbuckling Zingaran buccaneer

Through adventures across the Hyborian continent, the band now shares a close bond they've not yet bothered to sunder. The three newcomers have heard their friends' wild tales of lost Atlantis and only half believe them. But half a promise of such riches has so far proven enough.

Midsummer draws near. Having slowly emptied their fat purses in the great cities of the world, their search for lost Atlantis has brought them to the very end of civilization.




At the western border of Aquilonia, in a newly settled province forged of land recently wrested from the savage, indigenous Picts and tenuously held by an Aquilonian fort that was still some miles before them, the adventurers follow a fresh cut trail through forests thick, quiet and primeval.




The shadows deepen and lengthen in this untamed wilderness past the Westernmarck and across the Thunder River. They hope to make the Black River fort tonight, and strike out west from there into the wilds of Pictland for the fabled ruins of an Atlantean colony called Thracia.

Suddenly, from somewhere ahead, deep within the green dark walls that flank them on both sides, the sound of a twig snapping underfoot!


Introductory Posts and Actions!




PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 7/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 45/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 29/29, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 5, HP: 32/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 19/19, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 29/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

None currently.

Player Resources:

The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

The gypsy treks the trail. By his heel a large rangy Dalmation with liver brown spots and a permanent wet nose lollops an easy gait, sniffing at interesting smells, marking his passing on various trees and pouncing on an occasional squirrel or spiny hedgehog.

The gypsy himself walks with his companions, usually vocal. If not in conversation then in quiet song or meditative verse. Something more than natural sound arises a sudden freeze in him as hackles rise on both his and the dog's neck at the snapping of the twig. He gives a little whistle to call the hound and steadily nocks an arrow in his bow as he scans the forest for unseen threats.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

This is a long walk to find a lost civilization.
Thinks the Zamoran thief for likely the one hundredth time. Throwing in with this lot has certainly been an adventure. At least more than she ever dreamed of while picking apples in her grandfather's orchards in southern Zamora. Oh, she imagined being rich and having a bath more often than she did as a child. Wearing fancy clothes, plenty of food to eat, and a slave...No!...a dozen slaves to wait on her every need.
Like right now she needs someone to rub the knots out of her feet and legs! These people never know when to take a rest!
Dahinna is just about to grab the dog's tail...again...when a snap in the underbrush halts her mid-step.
Instead, she grabs one of her darts, running her fingers along its fletching. Her eyes scan the brush, looking for any movement.

[Paladin]

Iago Vazquez de Quesada

Iago Vazquez de Quesada, the recently-landlocked sailor, occupies himself during their trek with a mental performance of a dimly-remembered ballad from a drunken revel in a Zingaran tavern. The risque love song brings a rogue's smile to his handsome face and he--

"Hssst!" Iago issues a quick warning at the sudden noise and nods toward the wall of green before them, then produces a pair of arrows. One he stabs into the ground at his feet and the other he brings to half-draw, his horn and yew bow crackling.

He flicks a glance to either side, then turns to check their back-trail. Finally, he scans the treetops.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Months of debauchery at scattered taverns and leagues of hard travel separate Cruloc from the unspeakable events at the Pyramid, but even at this remove, its memory holds power over him. Drink bought with heavy purses of desert gold could neither erase the horror from his mind nor slake his thirst for more adventure. Shuddering, unreasoning fear mixed with apoplectic bloodlust was a heady brew, and the barbarian craved more.

An instant after the crackle from the brush, he is off the path, crouched, sword drawn, senses alert.

"Picts!" he whispers to himself. "They water their knives with my people's blood. By Crom, I'll fill their craven bellies with a foot of steel!"

[ravenn4544]

Amethu, mostly quiet and reflective as usual, is eager to be on such a journey after the madness of the temple of Zargoth. An intriguing place that, his sorcerous side would no doubt admit. However, the world is better rid of such an ancient and twisted evil. His mask, the liken image of a god, hides his excitement at a quest to see the ancient and uncountable tombs of ancient Atlantis.

His reflection of the hidden mysteries is interrupted by the present. He remains quiet, his Staff raised to defend himself once more...

[Urson]

Zahra
Even after all these months, Zahra has never completely adjusted to The Outside. Having grown up in the corridors and chambers of the Great Pyramid, she still struggles with occasional bouts of fear- the feeling that the huge, wide Sky will drop on her like a bootheel on an insect.
The close-growing trees and shrubs help, feeling almost- but not quite- like protective walls. The Amazon albino paces like a hunting cat, moving silently along the trail. She carries her bow, with an arrow nocked, in one hand. When the others react to the noise, she drops to one knee and aims the bow, not yet drawing it.

[ChubbyPixie]

Upon hearing the sound, Kiri, casually reaches for his short bow ands steps to the side of the trail, crouching along with the others in the underbrush. He has found that life after the pyramid has seemed somehow less than real, like a story in which they are merely characters, a feeling he has discussed at length with Grandfather, who even now glares up at him from the cord on witch he dangles. A few months ago, Kiri himself dangled from where he had impaled the eye of a demon with his trident. It would take something remarkable indeed on the trail ahead to strike fear in his heart now.

[Inferno]

The Pictish Frontier, Between Thunder River and Black River
Aquilonia, the World of Hyboria
Day One. Afternoon, 11th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Far beyond civilization, deep within an ancient forest so dense that no gaze can penetrate the leafy tangle for more than a few feet on either side, peril suddenly looms.

The sound of a twig snapping underfoot breaks the primeval silence!

Cruloc and Kiri dart to the sides, off the path, through the green walls and suddenly find themselves over the steep precipices of deep, stone ravines! Their attackers chose the ambush site well. (Please roll an Ability Check vs Dex on 1d20 or fall next round!)

The rest of the adventurers scan ahead and to the sides for the source of the sound! Only Iago looks back, but not in time to see the ambush spring!



Fierce, bold, thickly-muscled savages, adorned in war paint and necklaces of animal fangs and human teeth, burst from the brush behind them! (P1-4)

More like panthers in human skin than men, they wreak havoc among the adventurer's rear ranks, feathering them with cruel, unerring arrows!



One missile sinks to the feathers in Grigor's back! (5hp damage) Another pierces the gypsy's hound! (2hp damage)

And three more impale Iago like a martyred saint. One almost tears open his throat as he turns. Another stone arrowhead sinks deep into his lower back and bursts out his stomach in a spout of crimson! (10hp damage!)



The Picts grimly fit more arrows to bowstrings and pull the fletching back to their ruthless, fiery eyes.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 20 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

Party surprised by Picts? (1-4): [1d6]=2 Yes, but not Cruloc, due to his Class abilities. The Picts preempt all other intended actions.
Initiative: Cruloc: [1d6]=4, Picts: [1d6]=4 Tied.
Arrows at Grigor: [1d20]=7, [1d20]=8, [1d20]=10 One hits him unawares in the back!
Damage to Grigor: [1d6]=5
Arrows at Iago: [1d20]=11, [1d20]=13, [1d20]=12 All three strike him unawares in the back!
Damage to Iago: [3d6]=10
Arrows at Dahinna and Gnasher: [1d20]=6, [1d20]=17 Gnasher is hit.
Damage to Gnasher: [1d6]=2

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/14, Spells: 7/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 45/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 24/29, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 22/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 19/19, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 29/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 9/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

None currently.

Player Resources:

The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Stumbles from the shaft in the shoulder. He moves to get some cover by a tree trunk and releases a reciprocal volley of arrows at the pict bowmen.

Grigor shortbow attacks [1d20+3]=5+3=8 [1d6]=5 [1d20+3]=11+3=14 [1d6]=3

He whistles to Gnasher who howls and dashes into cover nearby.

[Paladin]

Iago Vazquez de Quesada

The pirate snarls an oath and drops his bow beside him, then whips his long saber and wickedly-sharp dagger free as he lunges at the painted savages. "On them, amigos! Force them to hand grips!"

He dashes like a madman toward the nearest Pict (P1), approaching from the man's left side with the woodline at his back. He whips his saber forward to stab at the man's ribs, then slices across with his dagger.

[1d20+1]=7+1=8, [1d8]=5, [1d20]=13, [1d4]=3

Hits AC 10 and AC 5, respectively. I didn't think about it before I rolled, but since he's charging, can he forego his AC bonus to any attacks which come before his initiative this round and get +2 to each attack? If that's the case, he'll hit AC 8 and AC 3 there. I've handwaved so many rules for so many years that I'm having to remind myself and relearn some!

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Dexterity check (13 or lower) [1d20]=3

The Cimmerian, himself a hill-born savage, is unsurprised by the cunning of the Picts. The air currents and sounds of the forest had alerted him to the presence of the escarpment abutting the path on both sides, and he stops well short of the brink.

He grins. "Crafty devils. They'll soon regret having caught a wolf in their trap!"

Cruloc dashes through the brush to the right of the forest path, dodging, never presenting a clear shot to the wildmen archers. The great muscles of his right arm swell in anticipation of murderous blows. Moments later, the undergrowth parts, spewing forth broad-bladed death!

"Go on! Fumble with your bow, cur! I’ll burst your guts with my heel before you nock another!"

Attack vs P4
Charging attack w/ longsword [1d20+4]=19+4=23
Longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+3]=3+3=6

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will quickly scan the forest canopy above the assailants. Scanning for a sizeable branch, he will cast enlarge upon it so as to hopefully have it break and fall upon them or at east distract them enough for the party to engage.

[Urson]

Zahra
Caught on the far side of the group, Zahra dodges between her companions to get a clear shot at the strangers. As she moves, she gives her snarling battle cry.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri falls...

DEX Check (12): [1d20]=19

Quickly interlacing his fingers in a hurried arcane gesture, he casts Feather Fall on himself. Grandfather regards him critically.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

As the arrows whistle around her, Dahinna ducks and moves, attempting to blend into the shadows under the canopy, moving as quickly and as quietly as she can toward the attacking Picts. If I can only get behind them...
Hide in Shadows: [1d100]=48
Move Silently: [1d100]=9

[Inferno]

The Pictish Frontier, Between Thunder River and Black River
Aquilonia, the World of Hyboria
Day One. Afternoon, 11th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Suddenly the silence of the ancient forest is broken by the eruption of mayhem and murder!

Ambushed, the adventurers desperately work to save their lives! Grigor returns fire and one whistling gypsy-arrow pierces a painted chest! (P4)

Unexpectedly plummeting into a deep stone ravine, Kiri utters a secret word and impossibly, his deadly plunge halts! He grabs hold the rock wall and, glancing down, sees the shattered wreck of a merchant caravan wagon...



...scattered with gruesome skeletons still shot through with Pict-arrows!

Above him, in the teeth of the ambush, Amethu cries words that were old when Atlantis was young and suddenly a deep thunderous crack echoes through the primeval wood! A great looming branch breaks free from the forest canopy and comes crashing down, smashing a fierce warrior to death in a sickening snap of bones! (P3)

Ridden with stonehead arrows, Iago joins Dahinna and Zahra in a charge through the onslaught of arrows toward the fearsome Pict warriors! The dark woman moves with stealth, the pale one howling a bloodcurdling battle cry as she bares Verulian steel! And Iago the Zingaran lunges at a brutal Pict! (P1) His saber cuts only air but his dagger carves along the slope of a skull and hacks away an ear!

Hidden, Cruloc the barbarian races along the stone ridge that runs aside the trail...



..and suddenly bursts from its green wall! His cruel sword disembowels a surprised Pict in a grisly ruin of blood and entrails!

Without hesitation, the two surviving savages (P1, P2) ready ax and knives and pounce at Iago and Zahra in a deadly hand to hand battle!

Stone axeheads sink deep into Iago (5hp damage) and graze Zahra's cheek (1hp damage) as Dahinna slinks behind the murderous fray!

And then the rest of ambush is sprung!




From out of the woods where the twig-snap first came, four silent wolves in warpaint move in to complete the slaughter! (P5-8)





Their bows rain arrows down upon the adventurers' new rear flank, impaling Amethu and Grigor in the back without mercy! (5hp and 12hp damage!)


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 20 feet. X = Dead.


Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=6, Monsters: [1d6]=3 Party wins.
Grigor's arrow strikes who? [1d4]=4 P4.
How many Picts can broken branch encompass? [1d4]=4 All four!
Picts evade falling branch? (50%): [1d100]=39, [1d100]=10, [1d100]=69, [1d100]=21 Three evade it.
Damage to P3: [3d6]=16
P1 charges Iago: [1d20+2]=18+2=20, [1d20]=7, damage: [1d8]=5, [1d4]=1 Ax hits for 5hp.
P2 charges Zahra: [1d20+2]=16+2=18, [1d20]=11, damage: [1d8]=1, [1d4]=1 Ax hits for 1hp.
Grigor and Amethu surprised? (1-4): [1d6]=3 Yes.
Arrows at Grigor: [1d20]=10, [1d20]=1, [1d20]=12, [1d20]=7 2 arrows hit Grigor in the back, unawares.
Arrows at Amethu: [1d20]=2, [1d20]=5, [1d20]=2, [1d20]=11 Only 1 arrow hits Amethu. It doesn't disrupt his spell because Party won initiative.
Arrow damage: Grigor: [2d6]=12, Amethu: [1d6]=5

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/14, Spells: 6/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 45/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 12/29, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 17/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 28/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 9/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

None currently.

Player Resources:

The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Emerging from the shadows, Dahinna rushes up behind the first Pict warrior she sees and with a grunt, drives her sword in deep.
Short Sword: [1d20+2]=15+2=17 Damage [1d6+2]=3+2=5
Backstab: [2d6]=4

[ravenn4544]

Amethu staggers at the impact and tries to quickly recover. His arm flies out and two fingers extend to point at the closest warrior (P8). A magical phrase can be heard quickly uttered (charm person). "Defend me from the warriors behind you!"

[Paladin]

Iago Vazquez de Quesada

The blood-spattered Zingaran bares his teeth in a wicked grin and hacks down with his sabre while stabbing sharply with his dagger. "I'll paint you red as an old whore hiding her wrinkles," he growls through the pain of fresh wounds.

[1d20+1]=17+1=18, [1d8]=7, [1d20]=12, [1d4]=2
His AC 0 and AC 6.