Chapter 19: Civilization's End

[Inferno]

The Pictish Wilderness, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Night. 12th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia
Partly cloudy, cool






In the darkness bursts a maelstrom of slaughter and arrows and cries of Pictish reinforcements on the river!

Those with lambent blades shield or sheathe them as the adventurers take cover! Eyes straining, they peer east into the black of night for the Picts that assail them without mercy! Cruloc pulls their arrows from his ravaged flesh and binds his wounds (+1hp). "There are others coming. From the river," Kiri whispers, almost to himself.

The arrows of the Picts hunger for their death. They wait patiently for a target to present itself. They don't wait long.

Grigor lays another plan and kneels before Amethu, exposing a sliver of his curving sword from its scabbard. By that glimmer of light, Amethu unfurls the brittle, dusty Papyrus of Uthoth from the platinum case found within the fabled Treasure of Xuthalhotep and reads aloud its arcane hieroglyphs!



When the incantation of warding is complete, Grigor feels no different. Trusting his life to the masked sorcerer, the gypsy draws his glowing scimitar and walks out from cover to certain death.

Arrows fly, descending upon him without mercy...



...and have no effect!

The adventurers witness the superstitious savages retreat in bewilderment and fear before the powerful magic of the intruders and flee toward the river!


Actions?!


Map:

The river is toward the bottom of the map.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=5, Monsters: [1d6]=5 Third tie in a row!
Movement segment comes before Fire Missile Weapon segment in a round.
So PCs shield or sheathe their weapons with Movement, before Picts can fire arrows upon them.
With no light to expose targets, the Picts wait a few segments for a target to present itself. That target ends up being Grigor.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 10/14, Spells: 6/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 20/29, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 8/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 15/19, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 16/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Protection From Normal Missiles (Amethu): Target: Grigor. Duration: Unknown.

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

The Zamoran closes her eyes, afraid to watch her companion become riddled with arrows.
But upon hearing the shafts deflect and shatter, she looks to see Grigor unharmed. Her mouth drops open slightly and then she hears the Picts running. "Let's move! Who knows how long we have until they figure out the rest of us are not as protected!"

[ChubbyPixie]

If the others run for the retreating Picts, Kiri will follow, shield before him. If he somehow makes contact with a straggler, he'll attack:

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=16+4=20 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=4+8=12, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=9+7=16

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Definitely believes he owes Amethu one.

If we run, we have to keep doing so. The savages are relentless hunters. Like wolves they will follow at a distance and just wear us down as we try to stay five minutes ahead of them. The only advantage we have is now when their morale is broken. We should drive them into the river.

"Form a phalanx behind me. We charge."The gypsy tries to whip up some bloodlust and gung-ho ness and if backed up, (more than just Gnasher), will run back down the trail to engage the Picts at the river.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc is running. By the dim moonlight which penetrates the overhead canopy of pine, he can see the fronds and long blades of grass twitch from the passing of the fleeing Picts. However, the hill-born barbarian is not in pursuit - rather, he too is in flight. His mind reels from the senses-shattering image of a man unaffected by a storm of arrows. Fear of the profane might of magic powers his hefty thews as they carry him toward the river.

He is a dozen paces or more from where he began before he realises that he is now leading a charge by his fellows whose intent is to down the remaining forest savages. Chronically susceptible to violent mood swings, Cruloc and his superstitious terror are vanquished by rage, panic surrenders to frenzy, and the red mist of battle rises again in his feral soul.

[Paladin]

Iago Vazquez de Quesada

The sun-browned Zingaran laughs heartily at the superstitious savages, and he wipes tears from his eyes. "Look at the fools! Now is our chance. Come! Let us flee while yet we may..." He trails off into silence when he sees at least two of his companions barreling toward the river. "Wait!" he cries. "You're going the wrong way! What--?"

He sighs, looks down at his sword and dagger and the blood streaming from his battered body, and shakes his head. "Well. In for a penny..."

The pirate steels himself, then voices a deep-throated war-cry and dives toward the river, pursuing the fleeing Picts--while keeping Cruloc's broad form in front of him, of course.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu trusts in the sorcerous defenses he has imparted onto the brave figther. He too follows behind using him as a magical shield!

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra leaps to her feet and follows the impromptu charge led by Cruloc. She goes at best speed, trying to join the barbarian in the lead.

[Inferno]

Black River, the Pictish Wilderness, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Night. 12th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia
Partly cloudy, cool






In the wake of Amethu's inexplicable miracle, the Picts flee into the dense forest to save their immortal souls from magic unnatural and foul!

Dahinna of Zamora urges flight. That counsel is taken, but not how she imagined. Led by Grigor, the rest of the adventurers plunge headlong into the darkness, through grasping, clutching branches and thick underbrush, toward the river!

The savages have a head start, are faster on foot, and have familiarity with this terrain. When they reach their canoes, they don't slow their pace, driving the longboats into the river and leaping aboard in one swift motion.

By the time their pursuers burst from the treeline at the river, the Picts are some dozen feet from land! The current pulls them west, and they paddle for their lives. (P5-8)

Further out is a long canoe holding three more Picts, wary and watchful. (P9-11)



Splayed on the beach are the bloody, scalped corpses of the Tauran scouts, Flavius and Julius. Nearby, the captured Aquilonian longboat that ferried the adventurers here is beached, abandoned in the Picts' mad flight.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet.





PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 10/14, Spells: 6/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 20/29, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 8/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 15/19, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 16/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Protection From Normal Missiles (Amethu): Target: Grigor. Duration: Unknown.

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

Reached the riverbank and sees the fleeing Picts. Paddling away they are not quite sitting ducks but close to it. "Cut them down!" he shouts and unshoulders his bow. He notches an arrow, looses and notches another. The second a better aim. He target P11.

Grigor shortbow attacks [1d20+3]=7+3=10 [1d6]=6 [1d20+3]=15+3=18 [1d6]=2

unarmoured opponents denied Dex bonus while paddling? Hoping for two hits.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Grunting and cursing under her breath, Dahinna follows her companions in a mad dash for the river. Upon seeing the canoes and the Picts paddling to get away, she curses again...some demonic Zamoran curse regarding shriveled anatomy. Grigor's shout jerks her back to her senses and she does the only thing she can do to help. Grabbing three darts from her bandolier, she hurls them at the back of the closest Pict paddler (P8, I think) as fast as she can!


(If she got any additional bonus for attacking from behind...she may have hit twice. Her are the damage rolls just in case )

[ravenn4544]

Amethu watches the boats glide quickly out of range of his fire spell. He turns to defense and lends aid to Iago.

Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=5

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra stops at the water's edge, not willing to lose a javelin to the river. She shakes a javelin overhead and shouts at the Picts Stay gone, you dust roaches!

[Paladin]

Iago Vazquez de Quesada

Iago will drop his blades at his feet and swiftly nock an arrow, sidestepping Cruloc to fire at the Picts on the water.

(We'll say P8)

[1d20+3]=10+3=13, [1d6]=1

If he can get off a second:

[1d20+3]=11+3=14, [1d6]=5

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

A fierce exultation sweeps through Cruloc when he bursts from the undergrowth and sees the retreating Picts. He drops his sword before reaching the water's edge, his pace increases, and he is a living thunderbolt hurtling across the widening gap between canoe and riverbank!

(seeking to upend canoe of P5 & P6)

"Flee, you simpering whores! Or pray to drown quickly!"

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri, knowing there was a reason he stocked up on arrows, grabs two from his hip quiver and lets fly at one of the picts in the stationary canoe, aiming for the back one, who he assumes is responsible for the steering (P11). He thinks he read that somewhere.

Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=20 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=3, vs. Lg: [1d6]=4
Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=16 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=3, vs. Lg: [1d6]=1

[Inferno]

Black River, the Pictish Wilderness, the World of Hyboria
Day Two. Night. 12th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia
Partly cloudy, cool






In the wilds of Pictland, where the trees give out and the river takes hold, the superstitious savages make good their escape!

Before their bloodthirsty pursuers can act, the Picts bursting from the shore (P5-8) paddle into a current that sweeps them away!

The savages in the distant longboat (P9-11) withdraw their oars...



... and ready merciless bows and arrows and fire as the river pulls them along! Two flint-headed arrows pierce Cruloc the barbarian and one Zahra the amazon! (5hp and 3hp damage respectively) A fourth missile shatters harmlessly off Grigor's left eye!

His target out of reach, Cruloc narrowly stops himself before he plunges headlong into the river! Vengeance denied makes a hellish mask of his face.

With orisons to Uthoth, Amethu miraculously mends some of Iago's many arrow wounds. (+5hp)

And the adventurers that days ago counseled mercy when the dead Picts were scalped on the trail are now out for blood. They cast aside the pretense of civilization and embrace the savagery of this untamed land with a ruthlessness that would make the Aquilonians of Fort Tuscelan proud.

Grigor and Kiri impale one retreating savage with three arrows and he slumps to the floor of his canoe! (P11)



Iago the pirate sinks two unerring arrows deep into a fleeing Pict's back but he does not fall! (P8)

Despite her wrath, the distance proves too far for Dahinna's darts. And Zahra curses the savages, her javelin shaking above her snow-crowned head!

In moments, the surviving Picts will escape to spread the word of the adventurers' supernatural might.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=2, Monsters: [1d6]=6 Monsters win.
Pict canoes move out of range of Cruloc'sleap, rendering his (pretty cool) proposed action moot.

P9, 10 and 11 fire arrows on Zahra, Cruloc and Grigor: [1d20]=11, [1d20]=15, [1d20]=20, [1d20]=16, [1d20]=17, [1d20]=2 One hits Zahra and Grigor. Two hit Cruloc.
Arrow damage to Zahra and Cruloc: [1d6]=3, [2d6]=5

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 10/14, Spells: 5/7 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 27/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 20/29, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 13/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 15/19, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 13/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Protection From Normal Missiles (Amethu): Target: Grigor. Duration: Unknown.

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

Continues to send a volley of arrows into the canoe opposite, targeting p10.

Grigor shortbow attacks [1d20+3]=3+3=6 [1d6]=1 [1d20+3]=10+3=13 [1d6]=5

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

"That’s it! Flee, you scum! In my native Cimmeria, we’d not trade a sickly two-legged goat for the lot of you!"

Cruloc is overcome by a frothing need to tear something apart. He rages at the departing Picts, throwing stones, branches, and clumps of mud at their furiously paddling forms. He pounds his chest emphatically like a crazed man-eating ape from the depths of the Black Kingdoms!

"Come back here and I'll rip out your guts, scrub them in river water, and shove them back inside you upside down!"

Two more arrows are yanked from his iron torso before healing river clay is assiduously applied to the bleeding wounds.

[ChubbyPixie]

If the Picts in the long boat remain, Kiri will send two-more arrows in their direction:

Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=6 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=4, vs. Lg: [1d6]=5
Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=5 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=4, vs. Lg: [1d6]=3
(When questioned later, he'll claim these were just "warning shots." )

If they flee without attacking, he'll hold.