Chapter 21: The Caverns of Thracia

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc removes a scored flask of oil from his pack, lights it, and passes it to Iago.

"Aim for the curs in the back. Do not burn the woman."

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

"Ah, how about a true hellish barbarian, dominating this place with his own hellish resistance?"

I can cast Resist Fire upon a volunteer (Cruloc?), who can gain advantage of flame retardant magic and reduced damage from fire.

Just trying to think of ways to gain advantages to take fight to the foe.

[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






With moments to spare, Kiri magically seals the great northern doors and then the pack of murderous war dogs are upon them!

Cruloc lights a flask of oil and passes it to Iago who lobs it high into the pack's rear lines! The flaming missile sails wide and shatters on a majestic pillar in an explosion of flame that illuminates the towering colonnade and its shut eastern doors!



Kiri hurls his ax into the far canine ranks with all his formidable might! The axhead sinks deep into one snarling cur! (D4)

Amethu advances and offers orisons of miraculous healing to Grigor. (+2hp)

Nearby, Dahinna is alone on the frontline against the feral onslaught. Her shortsword slices above slavering fangs as she steps back over a wide-eyed, bloody corpse; dead hand still gripping its sword hilt.

Dahinna's retreat opens the line and Zahra pushes forward with the Sword of Xuthalhotep unsheathed! The fabled blade decapitates the wounded alpha dog in one fell stroke! (D1)



A ferocious packmate (D2) pounces over the headless body at the pale amazon but she evades its frenzied, snapping jaws!

Then from the northern doors comes shouting and a crash of iron and wood as the Thracians work to break it down!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=3, Monsters: [1d6]=1 Party wins.
Iago attacks with oil flask: [1d20]=4 Misses.
Amethu: CLW on Grigor: [1d8]=2
Zahra attacks D1 with sword: [1d20+4]=12+4=16, damage: [1d8+5]=4+5=9 Hits for 9hp.
D2 charges Zahra: [1d20+2]=6+2=8, damage: [2d4]=7 Misses.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 5/7 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: 49 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)

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra gives her snarling warcry and attacks (D2).
att [1d20+4]=13+4=17
Sword vs sm, med [1d8+5]=8+5=13

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

The rogue flinches only slightly as the hot blood from the decapitated dog splashes her face. She then jerks back as another hound leaps at Zahra and then again, she flinches from the spray of blood. With a wild yell, Dahinna crouches, holding her short sword at a level with her knees and jabs it at the next hound through the line!
Short Sword: [1d20+2]=9+2=11 Damage [1d6+2]=6+2=8

[ravenn4544]

Amethu again holds is magic in reserve as the front line goes toe to toe with these demon dogs of the underdark. He will peer over his shoulder to keep an eye on their rear in case of further unexpected attacks.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

YAARRGGH!
Attack w/ +1 longsword [1d20+3]=11+3=14
SHHKKK!
+1 Longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+4]=7+4=11

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Upon reflection his Chant spell takes a turn of vocal singing and rousing to advantage his comrades so he leaves that casting for another time. Instead he focuses on the dogs, and levels his spear ready to receive a charge and impale any leaping beast within reach.

Grigor melee with spear [1d20]=16[1d6]=2

[ChubbyPixie]

If Kiri is able to see an opening to shoot an arrow or two at the dogs in the rear he will do so:

Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=4 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=2, vs. Lg: [1d6]=1
Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=1 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=4, vs. Lg: [1d6]=1

...the humidity down here must be warping them, he thinks...

[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 a savage storm of fangs and fur, two bloodthirsty wardogs lunge to their deaths on the unforgiving swords of Zahra and Cruloc! (D2, D3)

Without hesitation, a fourth vicious cur clambers atop the gruesome mound of dog corpses and pounces at Zahra's neck, almost ripping her throat out! (5hp damage)

Kiri sends two arrows shattering into monolithic columns of stone! Amethu keeps vigil on the bottomless shadows to the west and south! Dahinna's shortsword is denied again! From the second rank, Grigor levels his spear, eager to join the harrowing fray!

And still, the Thracians work feverishly to break down the ensorcelled door!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=5, Monsters: [1d6]=3 Party wins.
War dogs Morale Check (9): [2d6]=2 Succeeds.
D4 charges Cruloc? (1), Dahinna? (2), or Zahra? (3): [1d3]=3. To hit: [1d20+2]=19+2=21, damage: [2d4]=5 Hits Zahra for 5hp damage.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 5/7 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: 21/29
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: 48 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 expends healing to Dahinna engaging on the front lines. The noise behind the door gets his attention, he whispers loud enough for those near to hear, "There must not be another way around that door - or they would have used it. We must pull back very soon to allow us to dispatch them from a distance!" He sounds frustrated that these obstacles should dare bar him from his quest...

Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=3

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra continues her attack, sounding like a Big Cat with her snarling warcries. She attacks (D4)
att [1d20+4]=15+4=19
Sword vs sm, med [1d8+5]=2+5=7

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

The Zamoran rogue feels a surge of divine healing flow through her and she uses it to lunge forward and bury her sword up to the hilt in one of the war hounds!

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Chaos serves the Cimmerian well.

Attack w/ +1 longsword [1d20+3]=13+3=16
+1 Longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+4]=2+4=6

With thrashing steel and guttural screams, the feral threat is quickly rent into scarlet scraps.

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Grigor melee with spear [1d20]=20[1d6]=4

Attacks a war dog if he can.

Gnasher barks.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri lets fly a few more arrows at the dog in the rear:

Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=14 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=3, vs. Lg: [1d6]=5
Attack with Short Bow (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20]=7 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6]=4, vs. Lg: [1d6]=6

then braces himself, draws his trident, raises his shield and faces the door.

[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







Fire, fangs, blood and steel, in the darkness of a night without ending!

Where enlightened ancients once walked, now rampages a scene of unbridled barbarism perpetrated by the savage descendants of that peerless civilization. Their war hounds continue the frenzied attack; snapping, biting, barking, baying!

The feral cur at Zahra's throat sinks its fangs deeper in a vise-like grip that opens her jugular! (6hp damage from D4!)

Dahinna's short blade slits the dog's throat to the spine! Its dead jaws release Zahra's neck and it collapses to the stones!

Another feral canine lunges in to take its place, lacerating Zahra's sword arm with hungry teeth! (6hp damage from D5!)

The swords of Cruloc and Zahra reap another cruel harvest of blood and gore, slaughtering the cur in an instant! (D5)



Grigor cannot reach the front line. Iago watches the rope bridge for a Thracian counterattack. Amethu heals Dahinna with another miracle of faith. (+3hp)

One war dog remains (D6). Kiri lands an arrow in its flank as it pounces, and its bloodthirsty fangs are beaten back by Zahra's shield!

The ferocious cacophony of hammering and hacking, and the splintering of wood, turn Kiri's attention to the northern doors. They yet hold, but Kiri can change all that with a whisper.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=1, Monsters: [1d6]=6 Monsters win.
D4 attacks Zahra: [1d20]=18, damage: [2d4]=6 Hits.
D5 charges Cruloc? (1), Dahinna? (2), or Zahra? (3): [1d3]=3. To hit: [1d20+2]=19+2=21, damage: [2d4]=6 Hits Zahra.
D6 charges Cruloc? (1), Dahinna? (2), or Zahra? (3): [1d3]=3. To hit: [1d20+2]=3+2=5, damage: [2d4]=5 Misses Zahra.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 4/7 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: 12/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 11/29, 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: 9/29
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: 47 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)

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Spattered by the blood of her companions as well as the curs from Hell, Dahinna lunges at the last war dog, trying to skewer it and end this threat.

[ChubbyPixie]

The moment he hears the last war dog die,* Kiri says, "Prepare yourselves," then releases the spell on the door, trying to time it to the moment before the next push in order to, hopefully, surprise the assailants with a sudden total lack of resistance.

When they come spilling through, he'll attack with his trident:

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=8+4=12 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=1+8=9, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=6+7=13

*

If the dog doesn't die, he'll wait and attack only if the soldiers break through on their own.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra defends, not wanting to risk another wound.