Chapter 22: Underworld

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

The rogue reluctantly follows, wishing her companions had chosen the relative safety of the round chamber. She has a torch in one hand, a short sword in the other; her new dagger is tucked into the front of her belt.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu listens to the plans and offers the way towards the bats as an option. "Perhaps that way is best, first, as we have a clue of what we face. At least a little. Be cautious opening the doors as we may face more cultists at every turn!"

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

With the majority now in favour of heading west, Cruloc nods and brings up the rear. His attention is on the yawning darkness and the broken doors to the east.

[jemmus]

Torix takes the front position, torch in his left hand and bow in his right. He knows the least of all of all of the group what to expect ahead. Other than possibly more bats. But he's rested, uninjured, and pretty hard to hit. By natural blades, fangs, or claws, at least. As for supernatural things-- he tries not to dwell on it.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri glances at the faces of the others who voice their preference for heading west towards the bats, trying to discern what they are thinking. There were so many bats, they couldn't possibly fight them all. Nevertheless, he moves with the group.

"I suggest avoiding the bats. Perhaps we should move as silently as possible," he says.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc looks at Kiri with resignation, tilts his head, and shrugs.

[Urson]

Zahra
Seeing how popular opinion is tending, Zahra moves to join the group heading toward the bats. She moves to a position near the front of the group, blade in hand.
The round room will be a good place to fall back to, if we need a safe haven to rest and heal.

[Inferno]

The Caverns of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Eleven. Late Morning. 21st day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Those who hadn't money enough to eat at Fort Tuscelan in Conajohara now had rubies and more. And all it took was risking their lives. Willing to seek more such barter, the pilgrims to the Underworld venture west through the ancient, soaring colonnade whose timeless pillars now stand scarred and blood spattered.

The flickering torchlight repels the pitch darkness, revealing a great majestic platform jutting out into a vast cavern that looms above and below. (area 23)



Empty of life, the precipice over the abyss still holds a cascade of arid soil and monolithic pillars. A stone bridge ranges north. But the altar carved with the runes of lost Atlantis is gone!

Suddenly, from the towering darkness above, a whirling swarm of immense bats descends upon them without a sound! (B's)




Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas are visible. All else is from memory.




PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 16/17, Spells: 3/8 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl, Lantern
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 5: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 19/25, Torch
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 19/29, Spells: 2/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 21/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 28/28, Torch
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 12/29, Torch
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 10/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

None currently.

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 makes a quick decision and shouts, "Cruloc - your savage blade will do well up front! The Amazonian will need quick assistance if the battle goes sour! Make way!"

[jemmus]

Torix draws his short bow to his ears and looses hard shoots at the flying things.

THAC0 20 [1d20]=5 [1d6]=4
[1d20]=10[1d6]=3
Sorry, I forgot the +2 to hit for dexterity. Bows get two shots per turn in 1E, correct?

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Prepared for such a vampiric flock to descend, aims his bow and lets fly two shafts at the giant bats.

Grigor shortbow attacks [1d20+3]=8+3=11 [1d6]=6 [1d20+3]=18+3=21 [1d6]=1

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Upon instinct, Dahinna crouches as the bats descend. Short sword in hand, she waits and watches...and when one ventures in for a nibble, she attacks!
Short Sword: [1d20+2]=16+2=18 Damage [1d6+2]=3+2=5

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

The barbarian fumes as those who chose this path stay near the back. He pushes past them.

Attack w/ +1 longsword [1d20+3]=16+3=19
Thracian longsword vs. S/M opponent [1d8+4]=4+4=8, vs L [1d12+4]=2+4=6

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra stands her ground, watching the bats. When one gets close enough, she attacks. att [1d20+4]=5+4=9 It misses, the bat making a crazy turn in the air.

[ChubbyPixie]

In the confusion of wings, Kiri jabs his Claw of Chobek wildly upwards and meets only air.

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:18): To Hit: [1d20+4]=1+4=5 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=3+8=11, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=4+7=11

[Inferno]

The Caverns of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Eleven. Late Morning. 21st day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







The explorers of time and history burst onto the bat-infested platform over the abyss! From the dizzying cavern rooves, a plague of normal sized chiroptera joins their unnatural, enormous kin.

The whirling vortex of wings and fangs lacerates Dahinna and Kiri! (1hp and 3hp damage respectively)



Then unerring arrows shrill through the bats, and unyielding steel carves a trail of crimson across the air!

Three gigantic creatures fall to the timeworn stones, cut to pieces by Cruloc, Dahinna and Torix. A fourth monster is grazed by Grigor's arrow.

The dense, winged cyclone flaps and screeches and wheels, all but blinding the adventurers!


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=1, Monsters: [1d6]=3 Monsters win.
Giant bats charge Cruloc, Dahinna, Kiri and Zahra: [1d20+2]=11+2=13, [1d20+2]=16+2=18, [1d20+2]=20+2=22, [1d20+2]=4+2=6 Dahinna and Kiri are hit. No critical hits in this game.
Damage to Dahinna and Kiri: [1d3]=1, [1d3]=3
Slaughtered bats trigger morale check:
Giant bats: Morale check (7): [2d6]=5 Succeeds.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 16/17, Spells: 3/8 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl, Lantern
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/45
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 5: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 18/25, Torch
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 19/29, Spells: 2/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 18/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 28/28, Torch on ground
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 12/29, Torch on ground
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 10/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

None currently.

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

Tries to thin the ranks of the bats, aiming at the giant sized critters than flit in the swirling flock.

Grigor shortbow attacks [1d20+3]=2+3=5 [1d6]=3 [1d20+3]=19+3=22 [1d6]=3

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Attack w/ +1 longsword [1d20+3]=2+3=5

The spinning maelstrom of leathery wings upsets not only his aim but the man himself.

"What is this blight that swirls out of the primordial blackness?! They screech louder than a shortchanged doxy!"

[jemmus]

Torix tracks a large bat with his short bow and quickly looses two arrows at it.

[1d20+2]=1+2=3 [1d6]=3 [1d20+2]=18+2=20 [1d6]=1

[ravenn4544]

Amethu keeps watch on the rear passage as the rest bring down the bats.