Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

Inferno
Message
Author
User avatar
Yrkoon
Ranger Knight
Ranger Knight
Posts: 1342
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:30 pm
Location: Japan

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#21 Post by Yrkoon »

Cruloc

"Torix!" he calls down from the top of the tower to the climbing Pict. "Do not leave Amethu unguarded!"

"Verulian! The harpy mother may return! Plug your ears!"
User avatar
jemmus
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7506
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 7:38 pm
Location: Long Island, NY, USA

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#22 Post by jemmus »

Torix nods and begins rapidly descending the rope.
PCs
PCs
Big Shiny Island (AD&D 1E) - Theo, unappealing human ranger
Horror at Briargate (AD&D 1E) - Faron, droll human thief
Lost City of Eternity (AD&D 1E) - Torix, proud Pictish barbarian
Ghostal (Dungeon Goons) - Delx, canny musical wanderer
User avatar
hedgeknight
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 9129
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 11:03 am
Location: NC
Contact:

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#23 Post by hedgeknight »

Yrkoon wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 1:38 am The screeching claws at his senses, and his practised hands respond by thrusting the moss and wax mixture into his ears. He tosses the leftovers to the wide-eyed man. "You. Brood mother. Seal your ears if you value your mind!"
Watching the two men, Asterion does likewise, stuffing his ears with the moss/wax mixture, unsure how this is supposed to help the situation.
"Now what?" he asks...rather loudly, his hearing muffled.
Winter is coming...
User avatar
ChubbyPixie
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 6331
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:07 am

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#24 Post by ChubbyPixie »

"It stops the harpy song," Kiri says to Asterion while pointing to his own ears.

Ignoring the babies for a moment, he glances warily skyward as he makes his way to the trap door. Is it locked? He doubts it is trapped, as a harpy nest seems trap enough. At any rate, he doesn't know what to look for, anyway. He attempts to pull it open just enough to peek inside.
ravenn4544
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8466
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#25 Post by ravenn4544 »

Amethu continues his guard duty but can’t help notice Torix rapidly descending the tower….
User avatar
jemmus
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7506
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 7:38 pm
Location: Long Island, NY, USA

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#26 Post by jemmus »

Torix thinks about the group divided into two and recalls a Pictish proverb: "The dog that chases two hares catches neither." He hopes the group will be reunited before long. He joins Amethu in guarding the base of the tower.
PCs
PCs
Big Shiny Island (AD&D 1E) - Theo, unappealing human ranger
Horror at Briargate (AD&D 1E) - Faron, droll human thief
Lost City of Eternity (AD&D 1E) - Torix, proud Pictish barbarian
Ghostal (Dungeon Goons) - Delx, canny musical wanderer
User avatar
Inferno
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 22754
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:05 pm
Location: 1977

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#27 Post by Inferno »

The Ancient Marble Tower, 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




Atop the marble tower, dazzling white in the midday sun, Asterion leaps up into a crouch, spear at the ready!

The stranger exchanges curt greetings with his rescuers, Cruloc and Kiri, and before long all three have deafened their ears against the coming storm.

Kiri sees the trap door has no visible padlock and, as he moves toward it, he glances watchfully skyward.

Suddenly, soundlessly, a pair of filthy, monstrous vulture women plunges down from the skies and lands on the roof between the nest of their abominable hatchlings and the three invaders!




Actions?!


Map:
Image
Each PC marker on the map signifies an area of about 5' x 5'.



Seventy feet away, Torix rides the rope down to the ground where waits Amethu!

Suddenly, three unnatural things skulk into distant view from the ruins to the east!

Image

The creatures are unlike anything they have ever seen before! Two have the heads of goats and one has the head of a ram!

Then a memory stirs within Amethu, of when he first came to the lost city:
Inferno wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:47 pm
Learned Amethu carefully studies the ravaged murals that speak of an older world than recorded history knows.

Image

The scholarly sorcerer-priest of Uthoth traces aloud a tragedy for the ages.

One fragment portrays a legendary war between Atlantis and Valusia, the prehuman civilization of serpent men out of Earth's distant past. Triumphant Atlantis built the colony of Thracia upon the ashes of the serpent man capital. A memory stirs within Grigor of the words of Andronicus of Aquilonia.

Another remnant depicts the gods cursing the hubris of the Thracians. Plagues of bestial monsters befall the city-state but are defeated and enslaved.

A passage reveals the fabled Library at Thracia lies in vaults beneath the temple, in whose ruin they now stand!

The final expanse is of a different style; cruder, more brutal. It shows the destruction of proud Atlantis, swallowed by the seas and the wrath of jealous gods. Inland, Thracia survived though tremors brought low her mighty towers. Atlantis no more, the spirit of Thracia was broken and they descended into nihilism, death worship and chaos.


Image
These heinous animal men seem like the depictions of the bestial monsters that befell Thracia and were defeated and enslaved!

And they can see Amethu and Torix!


Actions?!


Area Map:
Image
X = Adventurers' position. A = Cliff face trail where the Harpies attacked. B = Ruined temple lair of the giant Cyclops and the unleashed Hydra. C = The Tower of the Ancients. D = The Beast Men.

City Map:
Image

Behind the DM Screen:


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
Asterion: Argosian Atlantean Ranger 4: Move: 6", AC: 4, HP: 34/34, Deafened
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 48/54, Deafened
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 24/25, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl, Deafened
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 38/38

PC Magic:
Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 51 rounds

Player Resources:

DM:
Current Games:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery

Completed Games:
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.
User avatar
hedgeknight
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 9129
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 11:03 am
Location: NC
Contact:

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#28 Post by hedgeknight »

Asterion

Crouched for battle, the ranger does not know what to expect, but he sure as hell is not expecting the appearance of the two hideous figures. The smell of the creatures causes the bile to rise in his throat and he finds himself snarling in response. With a grunt of effort, Asterion hurls his spear at the creature on the left, and growls in frustration as its barbed tip misses by at least a foot!

Spear: [1d20+2]=4+2=6 [1d6+3]=1+3=4 [1d8+3]=4+3=7
Winter is coming...
ravenn4544
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8466
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#29 Post by ravenn4544 »

Amethu stares at history come to life. Secrets buried in sculpture that now come to life. Secrets with blades ready to kill. He stands still and lets Torix deicde their next move.

He keeps a spell ready to capture them in magical bonds should the decision be to hold their ground.
User avatar
jemmus
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7506
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 7:38 pm
Location: Long Island, NY, USA

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#30 Post by jemmus »

Torix
Amethu, I think foolish we two fight three. We climb the rope quick and pull it up, eh? I go after you. He prepares to scale the wall again.
Last edited by jemmus on Thu Dec 05, 2024 5:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PCs
PCs
Big Shiny Island (AD&D 1E) - Theo, unappealing human ranger
Horror at Briargate (AD&D 1E) - Faron, droll human thief
Lost City of Eternity (AD&D 1E) - Torix, proud Pictish barbarian
Ghostal (Dungeon Goons) - Delx, canny musical wanderer
User avatar
Yrkoon
Ranger Knight
Ranger Knight
Posts: 1342
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:30 pm
Location: Japan

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#31 Post by Yrkoon »

Cruloc

Cruloc's thews power him across the roof and hurl him at a harpy (H2). A blunt declaration of death, his graceless strike is devoid of subtlety but rife with intent to separate limb from body.

HRAAAHH!
+2 Sword of Xuthalhotep (+2 to hit, +1 Cimmerian w/sword, +1 STR adj, +2 charge) [1d20+6]=18+6=24
+2 Sword of Xuthalhotep vs S/M [1d8+5]=6+5=11 vs L [1d12+5]=3+5=8

The savage Northman imagines it is no chant of black sorcery that tears from the harpy’s throat, but a shrill lament of pain, jagged as broken glass. A smile crosses his lips, for he hears it not.
User avatar
jemmus
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7506
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 7:38 pm
Location: Long Island, NY, USA

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#32 Post by jemmus »

Torix's post above was revised after a GM clarification.
PCs
PCs
Big Shiny Island (AD&D 1E) - Theo, unappealing human ranger
Horror at Briargate (AD&D 1E) - Faron, droll human thief
Lost City of Eternity (AD&D 1E) - Torix, proud Pictish barbarian
Ghostal (Dungeon Goons) - Delx, canny musical wanderer
ravenn4544
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8466
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#33 Post by ravenn4544 »

Amethu agrees and does his best to climb the rope using whatever hand and foot holds on the building he can find.
User avatar
Inferno
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 22754
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:05 pm
Location: 1977

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#35 Post by Inferno »

The Ancient Marble Tower, 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




Image

Shocked at what they see, Amethu and Torix quickly pull themselves up the rope to ascend the white tower, with Torix bringing up the rope behind him!

The unnatural beastmen lope forth, that their prey should not escape!

Then, impossibly, one goat headed creature speaks in Ancient Atlantean and Amethu understands its growlings! "That shouting you heard, it was these escaped slaves!"

Amethu and Torix quickly climb beyond the reach of their axes!

"They're getting away!" the goat thing barks.

The ram-headed monstrosity snarls, "No..."

Image

"...There is no escape for them inside that tower. Those humans are as good as dead."

The beast men's voices fade and Amethu and Torix reach the midpoint of their climb. High above them, a ferocious battle erupts!

On the roof, the heinous brood mothers will fight to the death to defend their vile spawn!

Image

The grotesque harridans weave a beautiful, beguiling melody that falls on deaf ears as the three warriors leap into battle!

Asterion's spear sails wide! Kiri's trident stabs only empty air! But Cruloc's mythic blade nearly kills a harpy in one stroke!

Image

The winged carrion-hag of the ancient world is almost rent asunder! But whether by unnatural strength or the hateful desire for revenge, it yet lives; shrieking with silent malevolence!


Actions?!


Map:
Image
Each PC marker on the map signifies an area of about 5' x 5'.

Behind the DM Screen:


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
Asterion: Argosian Atlantean Ranger 4: Move: 6", AC: 4, HP: 34/34, Deafened
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 48/54, Deafened
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 24/25, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl, Deafened
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 38/38

PC Magic:
Unseen Servant (Kiri): Duration: 50 rounds

Player Resources:

DM:
Current Games:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery

Completed Games:
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.
User avatar
hedgeknight
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 9129
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 11:03 am
Location: NC
Contact:

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#36 Post by hedgeknight »

Asterion

Seeing these hideous beasts can be hurt, Asterion draws steel and wades in, driving his blade home in the reeking flesh of one of the creatures.
Broad sword: [1d20]=17 [2d8+1]=5+1=6 Attack on H1

Damage correction: :oops:
Damage correction: [2d4+1]=4+1=5
Last edited by hedgeknight on Sat Dec 07, 2024 3:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Winter is coming...
User avatar
Yrkoon
Ranger Knight
Ranger Knight
Posts: 1342
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:30 pm
Location: Japan

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#38 Post by Yrkoon »

Cruloc

+2 Sword of Xuthalhotep (+2 to hit, +1 Cimmerian w/sword, +1 STR adj) [1d20+4]=3+4=7

Having maladroitly cut the air beside the howling bitch-bird, the incensed Cimmerian gives tongue to a lurid curse sufficient to curl the toes of Set himself! By the providence of crude plugs of pine wax and moss, his companions are spared a verbal inferno to sear their souls!
ravenn4544
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 8466
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#39 Post by ravenn4544 »

Amethu continues to climb with a warning to share about the tower with his comrades above.
User avatar
jemmus
Rider of Rohan
Rider of Rohan
Posts: 7506
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 7:38 pm
Location: Long Island, NY, USA

Re: Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

#40 Post by jemmus »

Torix continues to follow Amethu up the rope as fast as he can.
PCs
PCs
Big Shiny Island (AD&D 1E) - Theo, unappealing human ranger
Horror at Briargate (AD&D 1E) - Faron, droll human thief
Lost City of Eternity (AD&D 1E) - Torix, proud Pictish barbarian
Ghostal (Dungeon Goons) - Delx, canny musical wanderer
Post Reply

Return to “The Lost City of Eternity (1e)”