Chapter 32: From Beyond

[jemmus]

Faron tries to raise a hand to feel the wound at his neck, but cannot. He panics for a moment at his helplessness. It's a terrible feeling, when one's own body will not obey.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Seeing Faron take a gruesome wound, the cleric steps forward, infusing healing magic into the unmoving thief.

Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=2

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur brings the newly lit torch to the south eastern corner of the room. If there is another wall sconce, he puts the torch there.

[Inferno]

The Accursed Mansion, Blackchapel, Hookhill, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Two. After Nightfall. Sunday, December 25th, 576 CY







Through the dark looking glass of Existence itself, depraved Almost Men and things formed from human carcasses recoil from Jerome's holy symbol, unable to escape!

Remembering the dwarfish saying, "A cornered rat will bite a cat," Telkis the gnome keeps back. "Now what?!"

Ingrid moves within an arm's length of the snarling, dead things to rescue Faron with holy orisons of healing (+2hp), and Faron's necromantic paralysis leaves him!

The ghostly torch moves south, and Arthur's cunning eyes see the splashing footfalls beneath it! No wall sconce awaits it there.

The grey druid tries to enchant Arthur (A) but the undead horror is immune to such beguilement! However, when Bo proposes that they come to some arrangement, the trapped thing hisses, "I'm listening, guv'nor."

Suddenly, Mouser hurls a sling stone at a living corpse (?6), cracking one of its skulls! And Jerome lowers his holy symbol to fire a merciless arrow into a cowering Almost Man! (?5)

Unable to flee and now attacked, the two execrable carrion (?5, ?6) have no choice but to fight through their terror and defend themselves! They lunge shrieking at Mouser and Jerome!



The horrific, spider-like amalgam of the dead brutally bludgeons Mouser! (5hp damage) And the fiendish Almost Man pounces upon Jerome but somehow the paladin's faith shields him from the feral attack!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=6, Monsters: [1d6]=6 Tied, except for the abominations that move last in a round.
?6 charges Mouser: [1d20+2]=16+2=18, [1d20+2]=12+2=14, damage: [1d6]=4, [1d6]=1 Hits twice for 5hp damage.
?5 charges Jerome: [1d20+2]=19+2=21, [1d20+2]=4+2=6, [1d20+2]=14+2=16 Would have hit twice.

PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 9/22, Glowing Sword
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 14/19, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Sickened
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 14/25, Spells: 0/5 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 4: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 10/23, Laying Hands: 0/1, Sickened
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 35/38, Spells: 3/6 1st lvl, 1/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl, Torch on steps, Sickened
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 27/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Invisible, Torch, Torch in sconce, Sickened

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)
Invisibility (Urdur): Target: self.

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[ChubbyPixie]

Startled, Telkis leaps forward to help Mouser.

Morningstar +2 (THAC0 17): To Hit:[1d20+2]=16+2=18, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+2]=4+2=6, vs L [1d6+3]=1+3=4

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Seeing multiple people near one of the monstrosities while Jerome alone faces the other, the cleric charges to the paladin's aid, smashing the foul creature with her holy mace!

Mace vs Undead (THAC0: 18): To Hit: [1d20+3]=17+3=20, damage: small [1d6+4]=4+4=8 / large [1d6+3]=2+3=5
Ingrid has never charged before! She's excited!

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome mutters something very un-paladin-like and attacks the creature. The darkness and the unsure footing betray him.
[1d20+1]=8+1=9 melee

[SocraticLawyer]

Between the torch and the muck at his feet, Urdur knows that he is effectively visible to everyone, including their enemies. So he might as well jump in the melee.

Seeing the abominations recoil from Jerome reminds the little gnome of the time when the demon almost dragged him to Hell. Jerome's faith, and the protection it offered to those near him, had saved Urdur's body and soul that day. Perhaps these abominations might also be kept at bay.

Staying close to Jerome, Urdur attacks the creature.

To hit with dagger [1d20]=9

Crap.

[OGRE MAGE]

Cursing his failed attempt to dominate the almost man, Bo tries the common tongue instead.

"See, I knew you were the sensible one. You could start by calling off your dogs. Don't be fooled by a weak attempt to cast you out. We did NOT enter this place to scare anyone away. My friends are nearly as bloodthirsty as you are, you see. Come out from behind your pile of filth and take a look for yourself."

As he speaks, he tries to help Telkis bring down the horror on Mouser.

Spear Attack [1d20]=2 Damage [1d6]=2

[ravenn4544]

Mouser starts to lunge but then - "Uggghh!" he is hammered by a fearsome onslaught!

Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20]=7, S/M/L Dam. [1d8]=2
Cat's Claw (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20]=10-2=8, S/M Dam. [1d4]=4, L Dam. [1d3]=1

[jemmus]

Faron runs his longsword through the abomination in front of him (?1).

THAC0 19 +1 Longsword [1d20+1]=14+1=15 S/M [1d8+1]=6+1=7 L [1d12+1]=5+1=6

[Inferno]

The Accursed Mansion, The Dreamlands
Day Two. After Nightfall. Sunday, December 25th, 576 CY







In a dark and terrible place known to Men as the Dreamlands, Mouser's flashing blades cannot find purchase in the writhing amalgam of corpses that descends upon him! (?6)

Long Bo joins the fray but his spear is beaten back by the countless flailing bones! Telkis too rushes to Mouser's aid and hammers the heinous abomination (?6), and it lashes back against them all, strangling Mouser without pity! (6hp damage)

Bo shouts above the harrowing din, parlaying with Arthur: "You could start by calling off your dogs!... Come out from behind your pile of filth!"

"In exchange for what, mate?" Arthur snarls back.

Nearby, Faron panics and stabs the nearest cowering, unspeakable horror (?1)!



The cornered atrocity defends itself and the results are devastating. (13hp damage)

Faron collapses; his lifeless form the latest addition to the ghastly corpse pile. Around him tremble sinister, appalling things, driven back by Jerome's piety. Among them is the Almost Man that ravaged Faron's throat (?4). It glares at Faron now with an insatiable hunger.

Elsewhere, Jerome is somehow shielded from the bewildered Almost Man that assails him (?5)!



But his blessed sword cannot run the monster through. Suddenly, Urdur appears out of nowhere to lend support, but his queasy dagger thrust cuts only air! Then Ingrid charges in with her holy mace and smites the debased charnel fiend dead!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=4, Monsters: [1d6]=1 Party wins.
?6 charges attacks Telkis or Bo? [1d2]=2, to hit: [1d20]=6, damage: [1d6]=2 Misses Bo.
?6 charges attacks Bo or Mouser? [1d2]=2, to hit: [1d20]=18, damage: [1d6]=6 Hits Mouser for 6hp damage.
?1 attacks Faron: [1d20]=20, [1d20]=12, damage: [1d6]=4, [1d6]=5 Hits twice, once critically, for 13 damage.

PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: -4/22, Glowing Sword
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/19, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Sickened
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 14/25, Spells: 0/5 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 4: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 10/23, Laying Hands: 0/1, Sickened
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 35/38, Spells: 3/6 1st lvl, 1/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl, Torch on steps, Sickened
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 27/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Torch, Torch in sconce, Sickened

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[ravenn4544]

Mouser struggles to strike as he is being strangled. His sabre flails at the thing but his dagger bites true!

Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20]=6, S/M/L Dam. [1d8]=6
Cat's Claw (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20]=20-2=18, S/M Dam. [1d4]=3, L Dam. [1d3]=3

[ChubbyPixie]

Foregoing fancy maneuvers, Telkis brings Cranach down in an overhead smash, aiming to dismantle the thing through brute force:
Morningstar +2 (THAC0 17): To Hit:[1d20+2]=18+2=20, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+2]=5+2=7, vs L [1d6+3]=5+3=8

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Seeing Faron go down under the onslaught of the foul creature but knowing she is too far away to heal him immediately, Ingrid moves into position to defend his body with force, striking the undead monstrosity with her blessed mace.

Attacking ?1
Mace vs Undead (THAC0: 18): To Hit: [1d20+3]=13+3=16, damage: small [1d6+4]=1+4=5 / large [1d6+3]=1+3=4

[OGRE MAGE]

Long Bo continues talking and attacking anything nearby.

Spear Attack [1d20]=12 Damage [1d6]=2

"Well, Arthur......what is it that you truly desire in life? Surely there must be something better out there for you than.....all of this? Would you like to leave this world of yours? Is there some way we can facilitate that for you?"

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome grins a warrior's hard grin as Bo attempts to negotiate with the Creature, Arthur. He charges- best speed, given the nasty floor- and attacks Arthur if he can.

[1d20+1]=7+1=8 melee

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur stays by Jerome, torch aloft. He waits for a response from Arthur.

[Inferno]

The Accursed Mansion, The Dreamlands
Day Two. After Nightfall. Sunday, December 25th, 576 CY







In the heinous chambers beneath the accursed mansion, Faron falls beneath a nightmarish monstrosity! (?1) Then the ghastly abhorrence cowers once more before the unwavering faith of Jerome and Ingrid!

Long Bo, Mouser and Telkis strike down the last abomination that assails the doomed heroes! (?6)

The stalemate returns. The graveyard horrors are driven back and cornered like rats. They will not attack unless attacked.

The grey druid continues negotiating with Arthur, "Would you like to leave this world of yours?"



Arthur laughs derisively, "I have been to your world, and slaughtered its women like lambs for my Master. Rest assured, mate, I will hunt there again."

Jerome has heard enough. He breaks the stalemate once more, charging Arthur (A) as Ingrid circles the cadaver pile the other way! The execrable, inhuman fiend lunges beneath the paladin's sword and seizes Faron's lifeless form.

His bloody claws at Faron's neck, Arthur snarls, "Get the hell back up the stairs now, all of you, or I'll kill him!"


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=3, Monsters: [1d6]=6 Almost Men win. The corpse amalgams strike last in a turn.

PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: -5/22, Glowing Sword
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 8/19, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Sickened
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 14/25, Spells: 0/5 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 4: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 10/23, Laying Hands: 0/1, Sickened
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 35/38, Spells: 3/6 1st lvl, 1/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl, Torch on steps, Sickened
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 27/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Torch, Torch in sconce, Sickened

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur hopes he can act fast enough to save Faron. The gnome weaves an incantation, and addresses Arthur.

Arthur, leave him be! You don't want to hurt any of us! We are your best friends!

Casts Hypnotism