Chapter 21: The Caverns of Thracia

[Urson]

Zahra
Seeing that there is no way to barricade the Eastern rope bridge, Zahra posts herself to guard that way, watching East to warn if anyone else comes from that way. She'll look to where her companions are fighting occasionally.
Should we fall back to where the others are fighting?

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

After the binding of her wounds, (thanks Yrkoon), the rogue hands the torch to Cruloc and slips up behind Grigor. When her fellow Zamoran attacks, she moves in his opposite direction and jabs at one of the Thracians, hoping for a gut punch!


If that only takes one round, she will follow up with another jab:

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

I think I am just going to stay there and hack and slash the opponents T2 & T6.

In case I need extra attacks I will post them here.

Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=3+2=5 damage [1d8+2]=5+2=7

and following round if he is still standing.

Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=18+2=20 damage [1d8+2]=7+2=9

[Inferno]

Beneath the Forbidden City of the Dead, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Nine. Morning. 19th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Kiri searches the bound, ensorcelled Thracian and finds two skeleton keys and a handful of silver coins from the depths of lost antiquity.

The hovering torch draws closer to the eastern mystic. Zahra's pale eyes watch the pathway eastward, the rope bridge extending into Stygian darkness. Behind her, near the suspended crossroads, Amethu and Iago stand vigil, peering north and south.

Cruloc tends to the spear-wounds of Dahinna and Gnasher (+1hp each). Then Dahinna hands him the torch and moves closer to the tooth and nail battle of attrition!

There, Grigor denounces the stepchildren of Atlantis for fighting to the death. For all their grasp of the common tongue, he might as well still be barking at them. The gyspy's scimitar harvests more blood!



Both his foes are near death. But still they stand, still they fight! One lacerates Grigor's neck with a sword blow intended to take his head! (2hp damage)


Actions?! (...for the next two rounds, please!)


Map:

One square = 10 feet. X = Dead. B = Bound.

Behind the DM Screen:

Round one:
Initiative: Party: [1d6]=6, Monsters: [1d6]=3 Party wins.
T2, T6 attack Grigor with swords: [1d20]=18, [1d20]=5, damage: [1d8+1]=1+1=2, [1d8+1]=2+1=3 One hits for 2hp damage.
Round two:
Initiative: Party: [1d6]=6, Monsters: [1d6]=1 Party wins.
T2, T6 attack Grigor with swords: [1d20]=11, [1d20]=13, damage: [1d8+1]=8+1=9, [1d8+1]=6+1=7 Both miss!

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 6/7 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 37/45, Torch
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 14/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 13/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 23/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 9/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 26/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 6/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 60 rounds, Torch
Hold Person (Amethu): Target: T8. Duration: 1 round.

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

Frustrated, the rogue just waits for an opening, but hoping Grigor does not fall.

[Bluetongue]

Grigor,

Grimaces,

Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=2+2=4 damage [1d8+2]=2+2=4Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=12+2=14 damage [1d8+2]=8+2=10

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Now third from the front, Cruloc looks at Amethu and motions as if to ask if he too wants a piece of the remaining Thracians.

He shrugs and taps his index finger against his temple. "These Zamorans are crazy."

Prudently staying off the rickety bridge, he calls to Iago and Kiri to come and have their wounds bound.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra holds her place, providing a guard against attackers from the East. She frets about the folks who are fighting, but can't think of any useful way to help.

[Paladin]

Iago Velazquez de Quesada

The Zingaran moves to stand beside Cruloc and have his wounds attended. If there is time afterward...

"Coming behind you," he tells those fighting the Thracians and, if there is a means of safely squeezing past, he stabs at the chest of the enemy on the right. (T6)

[1d20+1]=8+1=9, [1d8]=3, [1d20]=12, [1d4]=4

If that isn't possible, he's content to get bound up and wait.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu also waits. He wonders what answers the captured warrior to the east can provide....

[Inferno]

Beneath the Forbidden City of the Dead, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Nine. Morning. 19th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







"Death!" roar the death-worshippers in a long-dead tongue beneath the dead city.

Standing just beyond the harrowing battle in the northern tunnel, Dahinna supports Grigor with a hope that is almost palpable.

More pragmatic, Cruloc binds the wounds of Iago and Kiri (+1hp each) in case the gypsy falls and they are next to stand in single combat. Iago tries to press closer to the fight, but there's no room unless a companion leaves the tunnel.

Out of reach of Grigor's friends and yet agonizingly close, the death by a thousand cuts continues. Thacian steel rips the gypsy's flesh again! (5hp damage) Deep gashes cover his body now and his scimitar hilt is slippery with blood.

Desperate and panting, Grigor lunges forward with a terrible decapitating slash!



A Thracian's head flies from its shoulders on a stream of hot crimson. The headless body staggers for a few steps and crashes to the floor!


Actions?! (...for the next two rounds, please!)


Map:

One square = 10 feet. X = Dead. B = Bound.

Behind the DM Screen:

Round one:
Initiative: Party: [1d6]=2, Monsters: [1d6]=6 Monsters win.
T2, T6 attack Grigor with swords: [1d20]=12, [1d20]=20, damage: [1d8+1]=4+1=5, [1d8+1]=4+1=5 T6 hits for 5hp damage.

Round two:
Initiative: Party: [1d6]=2, Monsters: [1d6]=4 Monsters win.
T2, T6 attack Grigor with swords: [1d20]=1, [1d20]=1, damage: [1d8+1]=7+1=8, [1d8+1]=4+1=5 Both miss.
Who does Grigor hit? T2 (1), or T6 (2): [1d2]=1 T2.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 6/7 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 37/45, Torch
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 14/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 8/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 24/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 10/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 26/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 6/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 58 rounds, Torch

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

"Gnasher will lick up your blood and hump your still warm derriere you skirted @#£&"

He gets weary and inventive in curses as he gets another scar to wow the tavern wenches with.

Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=7+2=9 damage [1d8+2]=8+2=10Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=16+2=18 damage [1d8+2]=1+2=3

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

With the hallway no longer being painted by arterial spray, the barbarian takes a moment to contemplate and evaluate the Zamoran's in-combat trash talk.

Mention of ingesting blood in unmannered fashion: good
Threat of forced animal-human intercourse: standard - but still, a nice touch
Use of effete language to describe arse: counterproductive

[Paladin]

Iago Vazquez de Quesada

"Clearly, stabbing a man repeatedly sours his mood." Iago's eyes widen and he looks ahead to Dahinna. A grin tugs at his lips. "Might not want to stand so close to that savage beast once the humping begins," he offers. "I know I won't. Pretty as I am, he might get confused."

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

The rogue glances back at her lover and then returns her focus on her fellow Zamoran. I just hope he doesn't die without allowing the rest of us to help him!

[ravenn4544]

Amethu moves to the east to interrogate the prisoner of an ancient history...

[Urson]

Zahra EDIT
Zahra maintains her position, keeping most of her attention directed East.

[Inferno]

Beneath the Forbidden City of the Dead, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Nine. Morning. 19th day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







The bound and gagged worshipper of Death (B) meets the gaze of Amethu and Zahra with an eerie dead calm.

Meanwhile to the north, Grigor remains locked in a crucible of murder!

His curving blade seeks to take another head. The Thracian swordsman (T6) dodges the whistling cut and slashes beneath its deadly arc! There is a deafening crash of steel as the gypsy's armor is rent open! (8hp damage!)



Grigor's mouth, that had been filled with curses, suddenly fills with blood. He collapses to the ground, lifeless!

The brutal duel is ended. Regripping his crimson sword, the victorious Thracian looks up at the next in line...

Dahinna.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. X = Dead or Unconscious. B = Bound.

Behind the DM Screen:

Round one:
Initiative: Party: [1d6]=3, Monsters: [1d6]=4 Monsters wins.
T6 attacks Grigor with sword: [1d20]=20, damage: [1d8+1]=7+1=8 Hits for 8hp damage.
Grigor falls and there is no round two.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 6/7 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 37/45, Torch
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 14/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 0/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 24/32
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 10/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 26/29
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 6/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 57 rounds, Torch

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)

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc keeps an iron grip on Gnasher's collar lest the hound meet a fate similar to his master's. With torch in hand, he waits to see what Dahinna's next move is.

[Paladin]

Iago Velazquez de Quesada

"Grigor!" he calls, too late as the bold warrior falls in a pool of his own blood. "You miserable fucking son of a Thracian whore!" Iago curses the remaining foeman.

"We're no good crammed in here," he snarls. "Fall back and take the eastern bridge, so she can get out of there. I want the Thracian."

Iago moves back behind the turn to the eastern bridge, hoping the others will take advantage of the chance to disengage and allow him a clear path to the enemy.

If they remain in position, he will simmer and growl, shifting his weight from foot to foot and gripping his sword-hilt impatiently, awaiting the chance to strike.