Chapter 23: The Grave of Empire

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

"Bless the Lord, it is raining coins." he says.

"Coins in the coffer or the cavities. All get searched when we make it back to town."

When ready to move out, he follows down the corridor, stepping around that shape at the junction of the passage and carrying on towards the north.

[jemmus]

Torix is not sure if what he just saw is what he thinks he just saw. He wonders how Hyborians punish for theft. Cimmerians too, for that matter. But he decides to intervene, should things get ugly between the Cimmerian and the Zamoran. Even though it is not at all his place to.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna returns her hand to her side and ten gold coins fall from her sleeve and clatter on the stone floor.
Ten fingers worth of gold by Cruloc's reckoning.

"Well shit, look what you made me do?" Dahinna says with a sheepish shrug and a smile, hoping Cruloc was too busy investigating the "sound" near the southern exit.

Grigor
"Bless the Lord, it is raining coins." he says.
"Coins in the coffer or the cavities. All get searched when we make it back to town."

Dahinna busts out a giggle and can't stop, even as she stoops and picks up the coins, returning them to the pile. The rogue stands there playing with her fingers and asks innocently (between giggles), "So...who wants to help me carry the coins?"

[Urson]

Zahra
I have already said I would. If you two are done with your nonsense.

[jemmus]

Torix goes over, lays down his tanned elk hide shoulder sling, and pushes old, old gold and silver coins into it. My one of seven. The bearded Pict with the spiraling pattern tattoos on his chest stands and beams to the war party. Thank you. I take my share. Everybody take their share. Let's go!

He goes back to the dark hallway, now guttering torch in one hand, short bow with arrow lightly nocked in the other. "Cimmerians and Zamoran woman warriors Thieves. I should just go back the way I came and deliver this to the village. And get killed or not driving back the next Aquilonian assault."

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri is momentarily confused by the arguing over the latest found treasure, then just shrugs and goes about his business. After all, he himself still carried several platinum pieces and red gems that they had agreed would be divided amongst themselves upon completion of their task. Perhaps they had all forgotten? No matter, the treasure would be divided at the appropriate time all the same.

"We have the artifact," he says, "Shall we press on?" He holds out the torch and releases it to hover once again before them.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu nods. "Indeed, let us move on. And let us pray the oracle has guided us wisely with this artifact." He cinches up his pack and with his might staff in hand shines the light forward into darkness.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Still facing the southern door, Cruloc's shoulders stiffen, then visibly sag at the sound of more coins tinkling to the stone floor.

He sighs, slowly turns to face the party, his habitual scowl newly carved into his rugged features.

[hedgeknight]

Zahra
I have already said I would. If you two are done with your nonsense.

Dahinna shrugs. "You must have grown up rich, because where I'm from this many coins is anything but nonsense. But, yes, thanks for your help."
The rogue and the amazon begin scooping up the coins to be divided later. At Cruloc's scowl, Dahinna smiles back and nods. "We're coming."

[Inferno]

The Caverns of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twelve. Morning? 22nd day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Having witnessed the larcenous conduct of the "civilized," Torix the Pict wonders for a moment if he would be better off at home, amongst the honest savages of his tribe.

With a carefree laugh, Dahinna the thief deftly wields her considerable charm to smooth things over.

Kiri assumes he bears all the treasure from the reliquary of Thanatos. Surely this was Dahinna's first and only attempt to steal from her friends.

The antique coins are split and the explorers continue onward, single file, through the eerie silence of the catacomb.



As ever, the darkness here presses unnaturally against their beleaguered light. Careful not to set foot within the sacred geometry etched into the floor, they reach the northernmost door; a singular twin to the double door of the Oracle's skull-forged rotunda.


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: 17/17, Spells: 7/8 1st lvl, 5/5 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
Grigor: Zamoran Nomad Cleric/Fighter 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 21/29, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Glowing Scimitar
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Torch
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 28/28, Unsettled
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 24/29, Unsettled, Candle
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 63 rounds.
Protection From Evil (Grigor): Target: self. Duration: 3 rounds

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)

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc listens at the door. If nothing can be heard, he'll try to open it.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra holds her candle up to share the light, chafing at her position in the middle of the group.

Treasue is never nonsense. But you two squabbling about shares is.

[hedgeknight]

Zahra
Zahra holds her candle up to share the light, chafing at her position in the middle of the group.
Treasue is never nonsense. But you two squabbling about shares is.

Dahinna sighs rather loudly and then digs a torch from her backpack and holds the end to Zahra's candle. With the extra light she feels a little better in the cramped tunnel.
(Marked off a torch; only 1 left.)

[ravenn4544]

Amethu focuses on the next obstacle. "Let us back up and spread out slightly before opening this portal. Danger lurks everywhere."

[ChubbyPixie]

Amethu focuses on the next obstacle. "Let us back up and spread out slightly before opening this portal. Danger lurks everywhere."

Kiri nods at Amethu's wisdom and moves to comply, assuming the others do as well.

[jemmus]

Torix stands behind the Cimmerian at the door, spear ready. He doesn't like this single-file arrangement, he'd like to get into a more open space and spread out.

[Bluetongue]

Grigor

Watches the area for any tricks and traps.

[Inferno]

The Caverns of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twelve. Late Morning? 22nd day of the month of Qrot, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







In the black, crypt-like warren, the explorers of lost Thracia come before the northernmost door.

Dahinna gets a torch alight to combat the hungry, looming shadows, and her fear.

They all stand back as Cruloc the barbarian presses his ear against the door. No sound emanates from the other side.

The Cimmerian pulls the door and there is a quick whisper of air. How many centuries have passed since this door was last opened? The portal's fleeting gasp bears the faint scent of incense.

Just past the threshold is the back of a great black tapestry, extending left, right and upward into darkness.

All is silent.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet.





PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 17/17, Spells: 7/8 1st lvl, 5/5 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: 21/29, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, Glowing Scimitar
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Torch
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 28/28, Unsettled
Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 1, HP: 24/29, Unsettled, Candle
Gnasher: Grigor's Hound: Move: 12", AC: 5, HD: 2+2, HP: 11/11, AT: 1, D: 1-4

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 62 rounds.
Protection From Evil (Grigor): Target: self. Duration: 2 rounds

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

Hushes the hound, figuring the fragrance if incense might indicate an ongoing ritual beyond the curtain. No doubt more death cultist Thracians. Maybe dead ones still living?

The gypsy priest clutches his new wand and sheathes his sword lest the glow give away our presence.

[Urson]

Zahra
Zahra watches from her spot, looking over the shoulders of the front ranks.