Chapter 21: The Caverns of Thracia

[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







In the gigantic caverns beneath the dead city, darkness reclaims the eastern regions as Kiri summons his torch northward.

In the pitch black, Zahra growls as Amethu continues to interrogate their calmly defiant prisoner. "How many of your brethren remain in these halls?"

The Thracian's cold voice emanates from the dark, "My brothers are the dead, and they are without number."

In their minds, Amethu and Zahra can still see his eyes.



To the north, Dahinna and Iago loot the dead. The pirate claims a charm of Death from around a dead man's neck.

Cruloc pours an ensorcelled elixir down Grigor's throat and the gypsy awakens with a sputter! (+9hp) Gnasher stops baying and licks his master's face.

Kiri walks a magnificent columned hall that is heavy with the lost grandeur of Thracia. The towering corridor ranges west to a great platform that opens onto a vast cavern above and below. (23)



No eyes return Kiri's questing gaze. Upon that jutting precipice are a cascade of arid soil, monolithic pillars, and a stone altar carved with the runes of lost Atlantis.


Actions?!


Map:

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

Behind the DM Screen:

Two doses of potion for Grigor: [2d8]=9

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
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 14/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 9/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 24/32, Torch
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: 54 rounds, Torch, near Kiri

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 rogue pockets the other weird charm of Death, agreeing it may come in handy. She looks toward Kiri and to the rest of her companions. "We're spread thin," she hisses to Iago. "If the Thracians were to attack now...we need to get everyone together."
The double doors at the "T" of the corridor, pique her interest. She examines them cautiously for ancient traps set to waylay the foolhardy.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu stares down at the man. He knows there is no information to be gained. He looks over his shoulder, "Zahra, come help me show this man to his Reward. I suggest the chasm just there...."

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Splutters blood and curses, gagging in his healing elixir. He gives his thanks to the group and his many named gods. Gathering his stuff he also collects from the Thracian dead some of their equipment: a helm, a shield and a spear.

He walks, Gnasher at heel to the area that Kiri investigates and is drawn to the altar and runes.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

"A blow well struck," Cruloc commends Dahinna. "Your fighting prowess is matched only by your wisdom. Verily, mustering and advancing as a unit is imperative."

The barbarian maintains his position until either Kiri or the Verulians to the east return. He lifts the captain's sword, assessing its weight and balance. A low whistle escapes his pursed lips. "Superb. These Thracians shall regret forging you - I swear it by Crom." The battered and nicked yard of Cimmerian steel he plunged into the heart of the immortal demon-god he raises one last time above his head and tosses into the void below the bridge. "None shall ever wield you again. May you forevermore torment Zargoth in the abyss!"

[Paladin]

Iago Velazquez de Quesada

Iago nods at the wisdom of Dahinna's suggestion and looks back across the bridge to where his companions are interrogating (or murdering) their prisoner. "Come along, children," he cajoles and turns back to gaze into the impressive pillared hall stretching out before them.

"How far these ancient ones have fallen," he whispers. He remains on alert for a second wave of enemies, sword and dagger in hand as he prowls between Dahinna and Kiri.

[Urson]

Zahra
I'll be glad to... Despite her posturing, Zahra is hesitant to kill a bound prisoner. She lifts him easily and steps closer to the edge. Will you tell us anything? Or shall I teach you to fly?

[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







"How far these ancient ones have fallen," Iago whispers as he walks within the ruined splendor of a civilization lost.

Dahinna urges that they regroup before the Thracians rally and find them vulnerable and exposed. Then they spread themselves thinner still. The little rogue examines the looming double doors and detects no deathtraps lying in wait.

Cruloc takes up a Thracian blade and casts his old one into the bottomless pit. "None shall ever wield you again. May you forevermore torment Zargoth in the abyss!"

Grigor follows Kiri and then moves past the astonished giant, beneath towering columns, toward the rune-carved altar of stone at the precipice of the dizzying chasm. There, the gypsy cannot decipher the timeless cuneiforms of lost Atlantis.

Suddenly, from the vertiginous heights above, a great swarm of gigantic bats silently descend upon him! (B3-B15)



Elsewhere, in the pitch darkness to the east, at Amethu's suggestion, Zahra heaves up their bound prisoner and drags him to the edge. "Will you tell us anything? Or shall I teach you to fly?"

A calm voice answers in the blackness. "I am telling you, but you have not the wisdom to listen. Thanatos will avenge me, and here in His Underworld, you shall suffer torments beyond imagining."


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible, all else is from memory. X = Dead or Unconscious. B = Bound.





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
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 14/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 9/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 24/32, Torch
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: 53 rounds, Torch, near Kiri

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)

[ravenn4544]

Amethu listens as the death loving cultist falls to his final reward. With that necessity done, he moves with Zahra back to the rest of the group to lend aid where he can.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Quick, Grigor, back to the hall," says Kiri with an eye on the bats, the very reason he didn't venture out into the open space himself.

If the bats seem disinclined to enter the colonnaded hall, he'll remain where he is, covering Grigor's escape and striking if a bat comes too close.

Attack with Two-Handed Sword (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+3]=13+3=16 Damage vs. s/m: [1d10+6]=5+6=11, vs. Lg: [3d6+6]=14+6=20

[Bluetongue]

Grigor will retreat to the tunnel.

[Paladin]

Iago Velazquez de Quesada

Iago retreats to the tunnel, his brow furrowing when he realizes his comrades are still dallying with the Thracian. "Kill the bastard and be done," he calls. "Let him make his cryptic decrees at the bottom of yon chasm. Shall we gather here and decide upon our next move before we scatter to the four winds?"

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Dahinna holds her position, hearing the bats as they descend upon Grigor..."who is too damn stupid not to wander off alone!" she hollers down the hallway.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

The commotion to the northwest attracts the barbarian's attention, and he sprints northward to stand beside the Zamoran thief.

"Lure them to within our reach, and their leathery wings shall beat no more!" Cruloc shouts while brandishing the dead captain's sword.

[Urson]

Zahra Sorry- a little behind the curve here.

I am listening. Unfortunately, I think you're full of night soil. Zahra makes no move to drop the man until the bats turn up. Then, she drops him over the edge and draws her sword, stepping back to cover Amenthu.

[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







In the absolute blackness of the Thracian Underworld, Zahra can still remember her captive's dead calm eyes. Their gaze pierces her mind and she wonders what nature of man is this.

In a voice darker than their surroundings, he says in the language of lost Atlantis: "A curse is now upon you. None can escape the vengeance of the God of Death. Remember me in your agony. "

Suddenly, a commotion bursts from the north! Zahra heaves her bound prisoner over the edge and he plunges down into the great black gulfs below without a sound.

Torchless, the two masked Verulians will need to traverse the wooden slats of the rope bridge in blinding darkness.

Meanwhile, at the rune-carved altar above a vast abyss, gigantic bats descend upon Grigor and Gnasher! And with them come their countless, natural-sized kin! (B's



Seconds before the maelstrom of wings and fangs can rip them apart, the gypsy and his faithful hound lunge back into the great colonnade!

The swarming cloud of natural and unnatural bats does not follow them. But one bloodthirsty giant ventures too close and Kiri cuts it from the air with the silver arc of his great sword! It crashes down dead in a crumpled heap of broken wings.

Further back, Iago asks sardonically, "Shall we gather here and decide upon our next move before we scatter to the four winds?"


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible, all else is from memory. X = Dead or Unconscious. B = Bound.

Behind the DM Screen:

PCs Surprised by Bats? (1-2): [1d6]=4 No.
Initiative: Party: [1d6]=4, Monsters: [1d6]=2 Party wins.
Grigor retreats before the bats can attack.

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
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 14/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 9/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 24/32, Torch
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: 52 rounds, Torch, near Kiri

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

Glad that Grigor is out of danger...for now, the rogue snorts at Iago's question. "The only way we survive this is to stay together. We were lucky to not be overcome while we were scattered on the bridges. Now we know what lies west; what say we look north and east before moving on?"

[ChubbyPixie]

"We could secure the doors and rest here?" suggests Kiri. "I'm not confident we'll last another battle in our state."

[Paladin]

Iago Velazquez de Quesada

"A rest would do us good...if we can make it happen," he agrees. "Rest assured, the Thracians will return in greater numbers and with revenge in mind. I feel sure they know secret paths and safe corridors and will come upon us when we least expect it. Blood-mad brutes," he grumbles.

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

"Resting and healing would be good. But here in the tunnel is not suitable. Would light, as in a magical invocation of illumination disperse the bats to enable us to explore beyond the pillared area? I have a fear we should go that way but the swarm would overwhelm us if they cannot be held at bay.

Not really in a state to flight or fight.

Did we search the bodies? Any of them have possessions that might be useful? Lanterns, keys, maps? How do they see in the dark?"

He moans a few suggestions and goes to search the bodies in the tunnel.