Chapter 21: The Caverns of Thracia

[Bluetongue]

Grigor gripes at T9

Grigor scimitar+2 in melee [1d20+2]=6+2=8 damage [1d8+2]=6+2=8

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc unsheathes his Thracian sword and unleashes hell!

"Your whimpering curs - if there be any left - will use your carcass for a plaything!"

Attack w/ longsword [1d20+3]=18+3=21
Longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+4]=5+4=9

OoC: He attacks the Thracian to the east.

[ChubbyPixie]

As the warrior issues his battle cry, Kiri uses the split second of opportunity to overhand slam the blades of his trident into his opponents neck:

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=19+4=23 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=1+8=9, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=7+7=14

Completely focused on this bridge, but hearing the pandemonium behind him, he wonders how the others are doing.

[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 desperation, the encircled adventurers lash out in every direction against their swarming foes!

To the east, Dahinna's blade misses a madman out of ancient history (T13), but Cruloc and Zahra wreak havoc with their swords, disemboweling him in a gruesome harvest of steaming entrails!



A ferocious kinsman (T12) instantly leaps into the dead man's place and Cruloc narrowly ducks beneath the singing arc of his blade!

On the western flank, Amethu crashes the Staff of Uthoth into the helm of a bloodthirsty marauder, denting it, and the skull behind it! The Thracian's aim is marred but he battles on!

To the south, Kiri's trident impales the left eye socket of a foeman, and drives deep into his brain! (T15) He's dead before he hits the floor. Another murderous Thracian bursts forth to take his position (T14) and his merciless sword tastes of Kiri's flesh! (5hp damage) The man-mountain of the East staggers beneath his many wounds.

On the northern front, the blades of Grigor and Iago are beaten back in a clash of steel! The piratical swashbuckler evades his enemy's thrust but the gypsy priest is cut down where he stands! (8hp damage) Grigor crashes to the floor and moves no further.


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]=2 Party wins.
Iago attacks T9: [1d20+1]=2+1=3, damage: [1d8]=5 Misses.
T16 attacks Amethu with sword: [1d20]=6, damage: [1d8+1]=8+1=9 Misses.
T9, T10 attack Iago and Grigor with swords: [1d20]=5, [1d20]=16, damage: [1d8+1]=2+1=3, [1d8+1]=7+1=8 Grigor is hit for 8hp damage.
T12 charges Cruloc? (1), Dahinna? (2) or Zahra? (3) with sword: [1d3]=1, attack: [1d20+2]=7+2=9, damage: [1d8+1]=2+1=3 Misses Cruloc.
T14 charges Kiri with sword: [1d20+2]=16+2=18, damage: [1d8+1]=4+1=5 Hits for 5hp damage.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/15, Spells: 2/7 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: 13/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: -5/29, 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: 5/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd 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: 6/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 42 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 presses his advantage and again smashes his staff into the head of his opponent.

To Hit (THACO 20): [1d20+2]=15+2=17
Staff of Uthoth - Damage: = S/M/L: [1d6+2]=3+2=5

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

"GRIGOR!" screams the Zamoran rogue as he falls down behind her. She wheels and sees his blood dripping from the blade of the Thracian, and with a guttural battle cry, Dahinna lunges and drives her short sword in deep!

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra wheels to attack (T14), and misses horribly.
att [1d20+4]=2+4=6

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

The barbarian's sword passes harmlessly over the Thracian's helmeted form!

Attack w/ longsword [1d20+3]=5+3=8

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri's breathing becomes ragged as he tries to keep it together. His vision narrows – he's only aware of the Thracian before him. Feinting high, he ducks under his shield and thrusts at his opponents thigh, just above the knee:

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=14+4=18 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=6+8=14, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=5+7=12

[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







"A curse is now upon you. None can escape the vengeance of the God of Death. Remember me in your agony. "

Mere minutes after the Bane of Thanatos had been placed upon their heads, a doom certain seemingly descends upon the invaders of the Underworld.

"GRIGOR!" screams Dahinna as the gypsy priest is cut down at the door he had opened. Before it is over, he may not be the only one to fall.

The mad, death-worshipping ancients press their advantage. Iago tries to leap into the breach in the front line but is met with Thracian steel. The ruthless onslaught of swords sows havoc upon the Zingaran privateer! (17hp damage)



Somehow, Iago lives. But he cannot muster an effective counterattack.

From around his throat, Iago's newfound lucky charm still glimmers through the blood.



As Zahra wheels to strike southward, a ruthless warrior (T12) plunges his hungry blade deep into the amazon's back (9hp damage), disrupting her offensive!

Beset on all sides, the adventurers are determined not to die without a fight. Dahinna vengefully drives her shortsword into an enemy, to the hilt (T10)! Cruloc's aim seems afflicted by the curse! Amethu's ancient staff lands another telling crash that wounds but does not kill (T16)! And Kiri's trident parries an attack and then almost slaughters a rampaging Thracian with one blow (T14)!


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]=4, Monsters: [1d6]=6 Monsters win.
T9, T10 attack Iago with swords: [1d20]=15, [1d20]=16, damage: [1d8+1]=6+1=7, [1d8+1]=4+1=5 Both hit.
T11 charges Iago with sword: [1d20+2]=15+2=17, damage: [1d8+1]=4+1=5 Hits.
T16 attacks Iago's back with sword: [1d20]=5, damage: [1d8+1]=7+1=8 Misses.
T14 attacks Kiri with sword: [1d20]=6, damage: [1d8+1]=6+1=7 Misses.
T12 attacks Zahra's back with sword: [1d20]=11, damage: [1d8+1]=8+1=9 Hits.
Iago attacks T10: [1d20+2]=2+2=4, damage: [1d8+2]=4+2=6 Misses.

Gnasher reaction? [2d6-2]=9-2=7 "uncertain."

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/15, Spells: 2/7 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: 13/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: -6/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 7/32, Torch
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 5/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 5/29
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: 41 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)

[Bluetongue]

Gnasher

Having been wounded by these Thracian spearmen and seen his master hacked down, with more bloodthirsty men slicing up the party in the fray, I think the Dalmatian hound would reasonable run from the scene.

Which means towards the west and open chamber with the pillars and hopefully, no bats.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Covered in the blood of her dogs, her enemies, and her companions, the Zamoran rogue calls once again up the evil god of the underworld: "Set take your souls!" And once again, she drives her blade as far as she can into the gut of the Thracian before her! (#10)
Short Sword: [1d20+2]=19+2=21 Damage [1d6+2]=6+2=8

[ravenn4544]

Amethu again relies on the power of his ancient staff. The cries and wounds of battle behind him indicates that only seconds remain to turn the tide of this battle.

To Hit (THACO 20): [1d20+2]=17+2=19
Staff of Uthoth - Damage: = S/M/L: [1d6+2]=2+2=4

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

The Cimmerian continues to toy with the Thracian, sweetening the pleasure of the impending kill.
Attack w/ longsword [1d20+3]=6+3=9

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra screams, more in fury than in pain. She returns (T12)'s attack.
att [1d20+4]=8+4=12
Sword vs sm, med [1d8+5]=7+5=12

[ChubbyPixie]

Nearly exhausted from loss of blood, Kiri attacks once more, but stumbles...

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=3+4=7 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=1+8=9, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=10+7=17

[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 invaders of the Underworld struggle to escape their doom.

As if their aim is cursed, Cruloc, Iago, Kiri and Zahra hit only hoplite shields in a deafening crash of steel!

In terror, Grigor's hound flees west into shadow!

But suddenly, two unlikely combatants, a thief and a sorcerer-priest, strike true! Dahinna's short blade carves another ghastly wound! Amethu delivers one more bone-crunching blow! But both their foes withstand the assault!

They join the other mad survivors of lost Thracia in their brutal war of attrition! Iago and Kiri are cut and hacked again! (4hp damage and 3hp damage respectively) Blood pools at their feet. Neither man seems long for this world.


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]=4 Party wins.
Iago attacks T10: [1d20+2]=4+2=6, damage: [1d8+2]=7+2=9 Misses.

T16 attacks Amethu with sword: [1d20]=9, damage: [1d8+1]=2+1=3 Misses.
T9, T11 attack Iago with swords: [1d20]=11, [1d20]=17, damage: [1d8+1]=6+1=7, [1d8+1]=3+1=4 One hits for 4hp damage.
T10 attacks Iago? (1) or Dahinna? (2) with sword: [1d2]=2, attack: [1d20]=3, damage: [1d8+1]=2+1=3 Misses Dahinna.
T12 attacks Cruloc? (1) or Zahra? (2) with sword: [1d2]=2, attack: [1d20]=5, damage: [1d8+1]=1+1=2 Misses Zahra.
T14 attacks Kiri with sword: [1d20]=15, damage: [1d8+1]=2+1=3 Hits for 3hp damage.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/15, Spells: 2/7 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: 13/19
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: -7/29, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Iago: Zingaran Southman Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 3/32, Torch
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 2/21, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 5/29

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 40 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

"We need to push them back into the room or we're gonna die in this hellhole!" the Zamoran rogue shouts between clashes of steel and splashes of blood on the floor. She is so tired and her arm feels numb; her next thrust is easily deflected.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Crom laughs at the hapless Cruloc.
Attack w/ longsword [1d20+3]=8+3=11

[ravenn4544]

Amethu is starting to tire at the relentless melee...

To Hit (THACO 20): [1d20+2]=6+2=8
Staff of Uthoth - Damage: = S/M/L: [1d6+2]=4+2=6