Chapter 26: Dominion of Ruin

[ravenn4544]

Amethu bides his seconds. When the foul thing is engaged, he utters whispers of continued hope for fallen Dahinna.

Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=8

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

"Dahinna!"

Cruloc feels his blood run cold. In one fatal second, he sees his companion lunged upon by a horror older than the ancient stones of the Lost City. He watches, rooted to the ground, as the hydra tears into the thief's torso, raking through cloth and skin until what had been a woman is little more than a red ruin.

Attack with short bow [1d20]=2
Attack with short bow [1d20]=6

Two more shafts are wasted, joining the impotent half dozen loosed by the equally questionable Pict archer scattered uselessly about the temple courtyard.

"Mitra's blood! Our aim wanders like the eye of a half-price whore!"

[Inferno]

Lair of the Cyclops, The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-two. Late Morning. 1st day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







From behind the crumbling marble wall, Amethu waits for the writhing leviathan to be distracted that he may save Dahinna's life with sorceries astonishing. But no distraction comes.

Another useless volley of impotent arrows breaks upon the colossal serpent's scales as it horrifically devours Dahinna alive!



Then the impossible thing out of ancient mythology roars and retreats into the ruined temple that was the cyclops' lair, leaving their sight.

Amethu narrowly keeps out of the fearsome behemoth's view, edging around the wall he shelters behind.

Stunned, the surviving explorers of Thracia realize that Dahinna is gone!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet. H? = where the Hydra might be. Cy = the Cyclops. Grey rubble slows movement, white rubble is impassable.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party: [1d6]=6, Monsters: [1d6]=2 Party wins.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 40/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 31/38

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 79 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)

[ravenn4544]

Amethu stares at how quickly Dahinna went from a vibrant comrade to oblivion. His thoughts quickly pivot to an objective thought, pondering if this sacrifice would somehow appease the spirits of Death that saturate this ancient city. Perhaps.

His thoughts return to the present, however, as the splash of blood and gore that was once Dahinna is directly before him. He scowls with some desire for vengeance. Perhaps Death would be even further appeased with the sacrifice of an ancient beast....

[jemmus]

Torix
The thing took Dahinna's body. We try to kill it? Our friend killed, we leave now is a waste? They are four and the thing's heads are nine. He wishes to offer his share of them-- two heads-- to Jhebbal Sag. In repayment of his debt to the god of beasts.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc bows his head in remembrance of the brave Zamoran.

"More pluck than luck," he growls.

If it is possible to collect spent arrows, he will do so.

[Inferno]

Lair of the Cyclops, The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-two. Late Morning. 1st day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia





The sudden silence threatens to deafen them. Where Dahinna had once stood is now a pool of blood and gore that dyes the pavers crimson.

First Iago. Then Grigor. Then Zahra. Now Dahinna. Half their number gone. How long before the remaining survivors meet the same grisly fate in this accursed dominion of ruin?

Cruloc is the first to move, recovering what arrows he may. (He can recover half of all fired arrows, at a rate of one every 2 rounds.)

His tasks brings him into sight of the monstrous hydra. Torix can see it too. The enormous beast hovers over the gigantic corpse of the cyclops, and resumes its gruesome feast. At times it stops to gnaw arrows from its flesh. And always, it keeps eyes on them.

Watching it, the barbarian outdoorsmen come to a sudden realization. For all its fantastic, unnatural appearance, the creature out of ancient mythology is actually an animal... a predator. And it behaves as such. Like a panther protecting its kill from jackals, it won't leave the fresh corpse of the cyclops. It made a show of force to drive off the scavengers that would steal its prize. And it killed one jackal that got too close. But it neither understands what arrows are, nor who is responsible for them. And it can't be taunted into leaving its spoils.


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. H = the Hydra. Cy = the Cyclops. Grey rubble slows movement, white rubble is impassable.



PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 40/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 31/38

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 69 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)

[jemmus]

Torix looked for his arrow while keeping an eye on the reptilian thing. "Nice to have many heads," he thought. "Some for watching while others are eating." He found three arrows and put them into the quick-access shooting quiver of the two slung from his shoulders. Twenty arrows left. Quite a few. But then again, not that many.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu whispers quietly, “what if we fill it with arrows from high ground. Somewhere it can’t reach us?” He peers around the ruined city for a place like that in the vicinity.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc collects four of the arrows he shot at the hydra, fingering their heads to test their sharpness.

"Dahinna fell with a warrior's heart," he rumbles. "She met death head-on, laughing in its face. Shall we shame her by cowering now? No, we shall see this serpent slain, with her name on our lips, and pry every last jewel from its hoard!"

The Cimmerian is heartened by Grandfather's evident agreement.
"What do you propose, Kambujan?" he asks Kiri.

[Inferno]

Lair of the Cyclops, The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-two. Late Morning. 1st day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







The immense writhing saurian watches the explorers with huge eyes, like those of a python only a thousand times larger. It stares unblinking at them as it feasts upon the gigantic cyclops cadaver.

Cruloc and Torix know if it's as snake-like as it appears, it won't sleep after eating.

The Pict and the Cimmerian cautiously recover arrows, as Amethu scans for higher ground for their use. (see second map below)

The masked sorcerer-priest spies a ruined tower some 450 feet to the southeast whose structural integrity he cannot judge at this distance. The looming cliff that surrounds the lost city ranges 500 feet to the west. It's uncertain whether either would provide a clear line of sight into the temple lair of the Hydra.

Bones cracking and blood being quaffed are the only sounds.


Actions?!


Area Map:

One square = 10 feet. H = the Hydra. Cy = the Cyclops. Grey rubble slows movement, white rubble is impassable.

Map:

A = Cliff face trail where the Harpies attacked. B = Ruined temple lair of the giant Cyclops and the unleashed Hydra.





PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 40/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 31/38

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 68 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

"By thunder and steel, it seems we either cleave this beast's skull or turn our backs for now. I favour the latter for the time being. Let us seek a sanctuary within this city where we may rest when the need is dire."

Cruloc replaces the spent arrows into the quiver slung across his brawny back, never taking his eyes off of the hydra.

"Dahinna' rest is eternal. Our patience need not wait so long."

He follows Amethu's gaze to the tower rising to the southeast.
“That stronghold might serve us better than open ground, if our lives are worth keeping.”

[jemmus]

Torix considers and says Umm. He eyes great feeding serpent, draws a retrieved arrow and draws the shortbow's string, and let's fly. The arrow flies true and strike solid against hard scales. And swiftly draws and looses again. The shaft passes between nine weaving necks, striking only empty air. Umm. Good, I think, Amethu's place. Let's go then. He turns his feet toward Amethu's site and takes off at a lope.

[1d20]=20[1d6]=1
[1d20]=4[1d6]=1

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri can’t think of a good reason to press the seemingly hopeless attack. He follows the others towards the tower.

“I can easily attain high ground where it cannot reach,” he says, “but I fear I haven’t enough arrows to bring it down, even if my aim never faltered.”

“What we need is something large to drop on it. We must defeat it with architecture.” He thinks for a moment. “Or we just avoid it.”

[ravenn4544]

Amethu agrees to head for the tower to secure it for future defense.

While the group is gathering quickly and making way, he does offer a bit of aide to freshen up - what remains - of the weary troupe.

"Perhaps we can use the proven sorcery of augmentation to crush the snake beast? Bring something down upon it - and make it bigger and more destructive?"

CLW on Cruloc Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=4

CLW on Cruloc Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=4

CLW on Torix Cure Light Wounds [1d8]=8

[Inferno]

The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-two. Midday. 1st day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Immense, blood smeared heads on undulating necks watch intently as the explorers of Thracia retreat from the ruined temple lair of the cyclops.

Torix fires two more arrows at the bloated coils of the reptilian monstrosity, to little effect, and then the company ventures south through silent streets of aching desolation.

Masked Amethu brings to bear holy sorceries with which to heal his barbaric companions. (+8hp each to Cruloc and Torix)

Before long they stand before an ancient tower of marble reaching some 70 feet into the bright sky.



It has but a single door.


Actions?!



Map:

X = Adventurers' position. A = Cliff face trail where the Harpies attacked. B = Ruined temple lair of the giant Cyclops and the unleashed Hydra. C = Ancient tower of marble.





PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/17, Spells: 3/8 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 48/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 38/38

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 60 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's first instinct is to flee when the Verulian healing magic begins to course through him, but his iron will quells the barbarian mistrust of enchantment bred into his kind.

"This has been a day beyond all reckoning: a one-eyed titan flings me across the courtyard like a rag in the wind, my companion vanishes into the maw of a hydra, and, thrice-damned, I find myself bound again to a conjurer's mercy before middles!"

Eyeing the tower dubiously, he motions the others back and places an ear to the door. If there is no sound, he stands to the side and gives the door a tentative shove.

[Inferno]

The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-two. Midday. 1st day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







Deep within the cadaver of a lost civilization, Cruloc motions the other explorers to step back from the lone door in the ancient tower.

Standing between twin columns of red marble, the barbarian listens at the bronze portal and hears nothing.

He presses one large hand against the verdigris-covered door and it does not budge.


Actions?!



Map:

X = Adventurers' position. A = Cliff face trail where the Harpies attacked. B = Ruined temple lair of the giant Cyclops and the unleashed Hydra. C = Ancient tower.





PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 15/17, Spells: 3/8 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 48/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 38/38

PC Magic:

Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 58 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)

[jemmus]

Torix
I help push, Cimmerian. Picts have strong backs and thick skulls.

[1d20]=1

[ravenn4544]

Amethu contemplates a shatter spell but refrains as he doesn’t think it will work against the ancient door.