Chapter 21: The Caverns of Thracia

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

"We slept in the temple above. It is more defensible from attack, and the spiders are unlikely to return."

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will return to the group to decide on their next actions. Seeing Grigor's wounded state he uses his healing prayers upon him.

Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=7
Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=6

OOC: Amethu has 2 CLW remaining and will hold off un using those until we decide to rest or press on.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

"I just checked these doors (she indicates the set of doors in the middle of the T intersection), and found no traps on them. Doesn't mean there isn't any, but I couldn't find them. Perhaps there is a resting place inside?"

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra also rejoins the others. She proceeds cautiously.

I don't see any good choices. But we are wounded and tired. If we camp in this corridor, at the least we will cut our risks- only two directions enemies can come from. She indicates an area between the Eastern guardpost and the doors at the East end of the corridor.

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Better to find a location here.

He opens the doors that Dahinna checked over.

"Let's go this way."

[hedgeknight]

Grigor

Better to find a location here.

He opens the doors that Dahinna checked over.

"Let's go this way."

"If I knew it wouldn't kill you, I'd kick you in the balls! Don't go running off on your own! We need everybody to get through this. You hear, me kinsman?"

[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 pitch blackness of the eastern caverns, Amethu and Zahra slowly, painstakingly navigate the rope bridge above the bottomless pit, completely blind.

To the north, the rest of the invaders of the Underworld retreat further from the eerily silent vortex of wings and teeth and claws.



Cruloc suggests they fall back to the defiled temple and tempt again the wrath of the forsaken gods of Atlantis.

Iago agrees they should rest and recover from their injuries. Kiri suggests fortifying the colonnade.

Suddenly, the impetuous gypsy unilaterally advances once more. "Let's go this way," he suggests as he opens the great northern doors.

Dahinna wheels to rain hot words down upon Grigor when unexpectedly, two Thracians lying in wait behind the doors lunge forth with steel bared!



"NOW!" they cry in ancient Atlantean, and out of the darkness to the east comes the sound of more doors being thrown open and ferocious dogs barking!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Map:


Behind the DM Screen:

Grigor clearly isn't expecting this, and is Surprised.
Surprise round:
T9, T10 charge Grigor: [1d20+2]=4+2=6, [1d20+2]=4+2=6, damage: [1d8+1]=3+1=4, [1d8+1]=7+1=8 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
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: 51 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)

[Paladin]

Iago Velazquez de Quesada

Iago growls and retreats back the way they came, hoping to shed some light for their comrades in the dark. "I'm going for the others," he tells the group. I'd fall back to the tunnel and stifle their advance, lest we all be caught in the open."

"More Thracians were lying in wait to the north," he relays to Zahra and Amethu once he's within earshot. "Dogs barking from the east. I fear we're in for another round." He'll ensure they have sufficient light to cross and then turn back to the passage leading north.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu will follow along now that there is light to guide their way.

OOC: okay to shift the healing spell actions to now?

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna abd Jakwar

"Damnation!" swears the rogue, stepping back, sword in hand. She waits for a Thracian (or a dog) to come at her, then she attacks with her short sword.

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

"Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war!" he does little but waft a sword and hoplite shield at T9.

Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=2+2=4 damage [1d8+2]=1+2=3

[Bluetongue]

Gnasher

Barks back ferociously at the hounds.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Help me push the doors closed again and I will seal them," shouts Kiri as he steps forward and begins an incantation (Wizard Lock).

Can Kiri push the doors shut himself as he casts the spell? As in the pushing closed is part of the somatic component??? Because he's very good at pushing things. If this is allowed, here are some possibly appropriate rolls:
Open Doors (1-5) Open Locked, Barred or Magically Held (1-2): [1d6]=3
Save vs. STR (18/00): [1d20]=5
Bend Bars/Lift Gates (40%): [1d100]=66

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Still half in awe of the man-mountain from the east, Cruloc heeds Kiri's words and lunges forward to shoulder the doors shut.

"Secure these doors, and we'll pick off their alley curs here in the Great Hall!"

[Urson]

Zahra
That man needs a leash. Zahra growls as she continues moving toward the group. She can't hurry- at least until she reaches the lighted areas- but she will move as quickly as she can.

[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 ruins beneath the dead city, a lethal ambush is suddenly sprung!

Exhausted from battle, and gravely wounded, Grigor unexpectedly opens a door onto three Thracian swordsmen lying in wait! "NOW!" they cry in ancient Atlantean and out of the darkness comes the sound of more doors being thrown open and ferocious dogs barking!

Iago retreats as Cruloc and Kiri lunge forth with desperate shouts! They throw their shoulders against the great twin doors, pitting their strength against that of their foemen, and the thick oaken portal shuts!

His mighty hands pressed against them, Kiri of the mysterious East utters arcane syllables all but forgotten to Man, and the doors miraculously lock!



The battlefield shifting around him, Grigor is suddenly deprived a target for his scimitar!

By Iago's torchlight, Amethu and Zahra cross the rope bridge over the abyss and join their companions as war dogs burst from the shadows to the east in a fury of ravenous jaws!



Alone on their eastern front, Dahinna attacks with curse and blade, cutting one cur deep as its murderous fangs savage her flesh without mercy! (5hp damage)


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Map:


Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=6, Monsters: [1d6]=4 Party wins.
Kiri's roll: Save vs. STR (18/00): [1d20]=5
STR checks for Cruloc, T9, T10: [1d20]=5, [1d20]=5, [1d20]=11 All succeed, but both Cruloc and Kiri succeeded by a greater margin. So the doors shut!
D1 charges Dahinna: [1d20+2]=19+2=21, damage: [2d4]=5 Hits.

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: 9/19
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, 0/1 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: 50 rounds, Torch, near Kiri
Wizard Lock (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 hears yet another onslaught from the hallway beyond. He will follow the group as closely as possible to bring his healing prayers to bear.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra grumbles her frustration as she's again blocked from the fight. IF a gap opens, she'll slash at the dogs.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

The Zamoran cries out in pain as the hound's teeth tear into her. She steps back, butting up against a dead Thracian, but then jabs at the hound with her short sword, hoping to at least keep the beast off her.
Short Sword: [1d20+2]=7+2=9 Damage [1d6+2]=3+2=5

[ChubbyPixie]

Turning from the door and snapping out of the focus required for his locking spell, Kiri quickly surveys the situation. If possible before they close with the party, he'll loose his hand-axe from his belt and hurl it at a war dog not yet in melee. (D4)

Attack with Hand Axe --THROWN (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=16 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=5, vs. Lg: [1d4]=2