Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

The tight confines of the stairwell coil around Cruloc, hemming him between the pale Verulian and hulking Kambujan.

"By the hells, we might as well be food sliding down a serpent's throat!"

He holds ready an unlit torch and a flint should the other be snuffed out.

[jemmus]

Torix heeds the Argosian's and the Khambujan's counsel. He checks the door and doorframe for any apertures or odd-looking devices, then tries to open it as smoothly and quietly as possible.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu follows as quietly as possible.

[Inferno]

The Ancient Marble Tower, The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-four. Dawn. 3rd day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







At dawn, the raiders of antiquity descend into the marble tower!

As if entering the lion's den, Torix cautiously approaches and examines the door at the bottom of the steps.

Finding nothing suspicious, he dares try it and finds it locked tight.


Actions?! (Anyone attempting to break it down, please include a roll of 1d6 vs your chance to Open Doors. Thanks)


Map:





PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 17/17, Spells: 4/8 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl
Asterion: Argosian Atlantean Ranger 4: Move: 6", AC: 4, HP: 34/34, Torch
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 39/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/25, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 33/38

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)

[hedgeknight]

Asterion

"Perhaps it is merely stuck...a good shove maybe? Together?"
The ranger passes the torch to Amethu, shifts his spear, and leans his shoulder into the door. He nods at Torix. "When you're ready..."

Open Doors: [1d6]=6

[jemmus]

Torix, savage that he is, has the rather slight stature of the swarthy, dark-haired Picts. He attempts to force the locked door... to no avail.

Strength 15, opens doors with a 1-2. [1d6]=3

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

HRRAAAA-ungh!

Open doors 1-3 [1d6]=5

Still not feeling himself, Cruloc's recently separated shoulder bounces harmlessly off the stout portal.

[ChubbyPixie]

After the others have tried, Kiri politely asks to be allowed forward in the order. He eyes the edges of the door all around, then, after pressing Amethu back a step with his forearm for safety, abruptly front kicks it midway up its length with all his might...

...knocking it into an alternate universe, where it skids to a halt next to a fruit stand in a city square, causing pigeons to explode skyward in panic.

Open Doors (1-5) Open Locked, Barred or Magically Held (1-2): [1d6]=2

[Inferno]

The Ancient Marble Tower, The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-four. Dawn. 3rd day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







At the bottom of the winding stair, mighty Kiri finally kicks the door open after three failed attempts. It nearly flies off its hinges!

Beyond the gaping maw of the doorway is an empty stone chamber as large as the tower's diameter: 35 feet. Four windows provide light; the very apertures they climbed past when they first scaled the marble spire.



Directly ahead of Kiri, near the wall, is a large, crumpled scattering of pale parchments. To Kiri's left is a heap of detritus, including a large metal cylinder of some kind.


Actions?


Map:

Dark areas are not visible to Kiri. Tower diameter is 35 feet.




PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 17/17, Spells: 4/8 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl
Asterion: Argosian Atlantean Ranger 4: Move: 6", AC: 4, HP: 34/34, Torch
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 39/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/25, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 33/38

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)

[hedgeknight]

Asterion

"Glad we're not trying to be subtle," Asterion mumbles loud enough for everyone to hear.
When the ranger enters the room, he breaks off to his right, he holds his torch high to illuminate the darkened alcove...spear ready, just in case.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc, not used to guarding the rear, does his best. Making use of the glow from the Sword of Xuthalhotep, he tests the portal in the ceiling to be sure that it can be opened from the inside.

He comforts his ego with the thought that he loosened the door for Kiri.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu peers into the room and enters slowly.

[ChubbyPixie]

Kiri's interest is immediately sparked by the parchments.

"Amethu, shall we investigate these documents? This could be a classic "wizard's tower" for all we know. Perhaps there are new magics to be learned amongst them, or other information we might find useful." He approaches the pile with a normal amount of caution, considering what they've all been through as a group so far, trying to discern if they can be picked up safely, if anything hides beneath them, or if an obvious trap intervenes.

[jemmus]

Torix stays clear of sorcerous-looking items.

[Inferno]

The Ancient Marble Tower, The Ruins of Thracia, Pictland, the World of Hyboria
Day Twenty-four. Dawn. 3rd day of the month of Ublex, 1280th year of the Age of Aquilonia







In the mysterious tower of the ancients, Cruloc ascends the tightly winding stair and confirms their escape route is accessible. Suddenly, he hears his companions behind him, shouting in alarm!

Moments earlier, the explorers of the distant past crept into the tower chamber as if treading on razor blades. They find nothing amiss... at first.

Eager for sorcerous knowledge, Kiri approaches the tangled mound of crumpled parchment until he realizes it is not what it seems!



His eyes widen. It appears to be shedded snake skin but it can't be. It's much too immense.

Suddenly, gigantic living coils drop from the ornate stonework in the ceiling onto Amethu, Kiri and Torix!



Twin serpent horrors! One emerald, one bronze; each some 50 feet long with heads larger than that of a horse!

Flowing scaled coils, as thick as a man's torso, loop around Kiri and begin to squeeze the life from him, growing mercilessly tighter with every exhaled breath, crushing the air from his lungs and threatening to shatter his rib cage! (5hp damage)



Icily intelligent eyes regard Amethu and Kiri dispassionately. Forked tongues almost brush their cheeks as they dart in and out, and the fetid odor makes them reel with nausea. Suddenly the colossal serpents strike, biting at their prey's faces! (3hp damage to Amethu and an additional 1hp damage to Kiri)


Actions?!


Map:

Dark areas are not visible to the adventurers. Tower diameter is 35 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

No one checked the ceiling. The party is surprised.
Emerald serpent attacks Kiri: [1d20+2]=6+2=8, [1d20+2]=19+2=21, damage: [2d4]=5, [1d4]=1 Both attacks hit.
Bronze serpent attacks Amethu (1) or Torix (2)? [1d2]=1 Amethu.
Bronze serpent attacks Amethu: [1d20+2]=2+2=4, [1d20+2]=14+2=16, damage: [2d4]=8, [1d4]=3 Bite hits for 3hp damage.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/17, Spells: 4/8 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl
Asterion: Argosian Atlantean Ranger 4: Move: 6", AC: 4, HP: 34/34, Torch
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 39/54
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 19/25, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 33/38

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)

[jemmus]

Torix of the Jaguar clan of Picts of the forest is familiar with the powers of the sacred snake. To shed its skin, and be forever young and in its original color until death. To have strength all along the line of its spine, from head to tail. With no dispersion of power and coordination through slow joints to distant appendages. To glide along the surface of the Oerth, not needing to stand upright, step and stumble on two awkward legs.

But, a sacred snake is a predator, like any other. That, the Pict can quite understand. Only natural. The head and neck-- those are the weaknesses of the snake. He aims a blow of the ancient spear at the one aiming to make Kiri prey.

Atlantean Spear [1d20+3]=14+3=17 S-M [1d6+3]=6+3=9 L [1d8+3]=7+3=10

[ChubbyPixie]

If Kiri has an arm free and can attack, he will attempt to skewer the snake that has him with The Claw of Chobek:

Attack with Trident +1, Claw of Chobek (THAC0:17): To Hit: [1d20+4]=11+4=15 Damage vs. s/m: [1d6+8]=1+8=9, vs. Lg: [3d4+7]=8+7=15

If he's not able to do so, he will attempt to force his way out of the grapple:

STR Check (18/00): [1d20]=4

[ravenn4544]

Amethu struggles to land a blow in the tight confines.

To Hit (THACO 18): [1d20+2]=5+2=7

[hedgeknight]

Asterion

"Damn it all to hell! Why did it have to be snakes!!" the Ranger exclaims, picking a spot and driving his spear at the huge snake!

Spear: [1d20+2]=9+2=11 [1d8+3]=8+3=11

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc wheels and plunges down the spiral stairway, his heels drumming the worn steps. The hoarse cries of his companions ring in his ears, mingling with the thunder of his own boots, but beneath it all comes another sound—a whispering susurration, the unmistakable glide of scaled flesh over stone. His blood freezes at its implication. There is death in that sound, an ancient, slithering malice from a time before man first raised a torch against the dark.