Chapter 10: The Crypt of Everlasting Life

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen stares down the passage behind himself.

"Where art thine others? They were right behindeth us a moment ago. And that atrocious singing has stopped. What do you maketh of it, friends?"

[Monsieur Rose]

Soruk

Soruk feels the thing lash out and strikes him as he is trying to escape. A moment of fear washes over him but quickly passes.

Save Vs. Paralysis (10): [1d20] = 18

He watches in horror as it moves slowly into the hallway, immediately dropping the floor a good ten feet.

Dex check (9): [1d20] = 12

Soruk stumbles as the floor falls out from under him. He yells as loud as he can: "HELP! WHAT IS THIS THING?!?"

Soruk will try to hammer his last iron spike somewhere to try to have a handhold. Dex Check (9): [1d20] = 7

[SocraticLawyer]

Xorxen stares down the passage behind himself.

"Where art thine others? They were right behindeth us a moment ago. And that atrocious singing has stopped. What do you maketh of it, friends?"

"You are correct, my friend," says Garrin. "I hope no evil has befallen them. Wait here while I check on them." Garrin hurries back down the corridor in search of the rest of his companions.

[wordoftheoracle]

Loche, unaware of the goings on behind him, proceeds to open the door carefully.

[Inferno]

Tombs of the Ancients, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Four. Late Morning, 16th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia







"Tekeli-li! Tekeli-li!"

The raiders of the pyramid tombs watch in terror as the vast, protoplasmic Shoggoth from an elder age slithers onto the balance trap!

Its inconceivable mass sends the floor violently reeling!!



The eastern half's wild plunge only accelerates further, rapidly listing into a 45 degree angle!!

The five explorers remaining on the floor (all failed their Dex checks and...) helplessly slide 30 feet eastward!

The towering, writhing, translucent horror drops off the plummeting, eastern edge of the balance floor along with Soruk of Osorus and Arthfael of Cimmeria!! Swallowed up by the yawning black maw of the deathtrap, they fall into darkness and their echoing cries fade into silence! Arthfael, savage shaman of Cimmeria, succumbs to that which he had dedicated his life: The Balance.

(Next round...)

With Arthfael's lantern gone, the tilting trap corridor is immediately plunged into absolute darkness!
Without knowing it, Amethu and Mako slip perilously close to the precipice of certain doom!



Suddenly, with the tremendous weight of the Shoggoth gone from the balance trap, the floor swings back riotously, like a pendulum, catapulting the eastern end high above ground level!

Amethu and Kiri (fail their Dex checks again and...) tumble backwards 15 feet to the west! Agile Mako keeps his balance and feels his way through the impenetrable pitch to the safety of the secret door and leaps through it, escaping the killing floor with his life!

Serendipitously, Kiri and Amethu's random, new positions in relation to the deathtrap's fulcrum strangely restore the tilting floor's precarious equilibrium!

Mako sees torchlight blossoming in the secret passage to the north. Garrin the Atlantean is returning to check on the welfare of his friends and hears their shouts of alarm.

Far behind Garrin, Loche the Pict pushes open the stone door into a new, magnificently decorated corridor out of distant antiquity.



When shut, this side of the door is completely concealed. Zahra the amazon gets her torch alight and it reveals the hallway stops in a dead end to the north, and extends to the south into ancient shadows.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Map:



Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Last round: Anyone on the balance floor who failed their Dex check cannot act and slides 30 feet (half the length of the floor) to the east.
Falling damage and pit spikes: [6d6] = 16

This round: Anyone on the balance floor who fails their Dex check cannot act and slides 15 feet (one quarter the length of the floor) to the west.
This round's Dex checks for Kiri and Mako: [1d20] = 14, [1d20] = 11 Only Mako makes his Dex check, and escapes.

PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/10, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 18/18, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 12/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 8, HP: 11/12, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 2: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 10/16, Torch

PC Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
  Healing Mists of Osorus (All except Amethu and Zahra): All lost HP recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 HP per hour. Duration: "months."

Player Resources:

• The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
  Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
  Hieroglyphs (the story so far, in images)
  An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[ChubbyPixie]

"Careful, now Amethu," says Kiri, softly. He's nearly in a state of shock, not allowing himself to dwell on the loss of two party members so suddenly, one of whom he'd just been singing with. "Now, on the count of three, you go for the door, while I step to the center. From there, someone can throw me a rope for assistance before I attempt it myself." He looks to Amethu for assent to his plan.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu looks on in stunned silence at how easily the world opened up and devoured his comrades. He hears Kiri's call for assistance and slowly nods. "I've no rope exactly.." but he extends his staff out as far as it will reach to aide Kiri into the tunnel.

[wordoftheoracle]

Loche cautiously makes his way North to the dead end. He searched the walls for traps or hidden goodies.

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako stops where he is at and cast light upon his quaterstaff so the other can find their way to the passageway safe.

Casts Light

[SocraticLawyer]

Turning the corner, Garrin sees the dire straits of his companions. He digs in his pack for his rope and grapple, throwing the heavy end towards his companions on the other side of the door.

[Urson]

Zahra

Zahra hesitates a second, wondering if they should go back to find their companions. Then, she follows the little Pict, making sure he has enough light for his work.

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen studies the artwork on the back side of the door, hoping it will reveal clues to any traps or to what this passage was initially used for.

He waits till the Pict is done searching at the dead end before moving there himself for a second opinion.

He cant shake the feeling that something terrible has just occurred. A unexplainable single tear rolls down his dirty, masked face.

[Inferno]

Tombs of the Ancients, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Four. Late Morning, 16th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia







In darkness as black as the hopes they hold out for their fallen friends, Amethu and Kiri stand motionless on the balance floor, whispering to each other.

One false move and they could join their companions below.

Slowly, blindly, they creep toward each other and the fulcrum...

• • ...feeling their way in the dark...
    • • ...hoping their unseen double is somehow keeping the identical pace...

The floor lists beneath them, queasily dropping on its eastern end.

Suddenly, Mako of distant Khitan conjures a simulacra of false sunlight that bursts to life atop his staff!



It bathes the balance floor in bright light, illuminating it for those survivors that walk it still!

No longer forced to navigate the deadly trap in blindness, Amethu quickly crawls into the secret passage as Kiri straddles the center of the now-level floor.

Garrin the Atlantean turns the corner to the north and quickly throws a rope to the last man standing on the deathtrap floor.

Kiri holds tight and escapes into the safety of the secret passage! Then Garrin is struck by the sudden awareness that where five friends once stood, now only three remain!





Meanwhile, over 200 feet away, Loche the Pict searches the northern dead end with nimble, expert fingers. Zahra the fierce, pale amazon stands behind him, lighting his work with her torch held aloft.

Loche finds what appears to be a hidden hand hold cunningly woven into the designs of cul-de-sac, as if to allow one to pull open a door. He detects no mechanical deathtraps lurking in the dead end.

Behind him, to the south, Xorzen is suddenly overcome with an inexplicable premonition of death. The masked monk shakes it off and deciphers the ancient Verulian hieroglyphs near the hidden door from the secret passage.



Like the rest of this majestic hall, the timeless cuneiforms venerate Xuthalhotep, chosen of the gods. They make no oblique allusions to the secret portal upon which they are inscribed. Further scrutiny of the concealed door reveals that it may only open in one direction, from east to west. To avoid being trapped here, Xorzen holds the door ajar, awaiting the imminent arrival of his friends.

Yet still, they do not follow.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Map:






PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/10, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 18/18, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 12/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Light spell
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 8, HP: 11/12, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 2: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 10/16, Torch

PC Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
  Healing Mists of Osorus (All except Amethu and Zahra): All lost HP recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 HP per hour. Duration: "months."
  Light (Mako): Duration: 89 rounds.

Player Resources:

• The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
  Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
  Hieroglyphs (the story so far, in images)
  An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[DadsAngry]

Mako:

Mako looks passed the trio with a worried look on his face. "Soruk? Arthfael? How many more souls will this cursed place claim?"

[ChubbyPixie]

“It was as a good plan...” says Kiri, woodenly, “I think it would have worked if...” He trails off. He stares into the deadly corridor a moment longer, then says “We should go.”

[OGRE MAGE]

Xorxen remains in place, holding the door for the others, hoping they show up soon. All of them.

[SocraticLawyer]

Garrin leads the others to the newly-discovered door, his expression filled with sadness at the loss of two more of his companions.

[wordoftheoracle]

Loche uses the handholds to open the hidden door!!!

[Inferno]

Tombs of the Ancients, Fourth Tier of the Great Pyramid
Lost City of Khemsa, Forgotten Kingdom of Verulia, Great Eastern Desert, the World of Hyboria
Day Four. Late Morning, 16th day of the month of Yuluk, 1279th year of the Age of Aquilonia





Loche the Pict pulls open the secret door, unveiling a wondrous hall of splendor undimmed by the passage of countless centuries untold. (Room 26)



Its ageless magnificence is illuminated by eternal flames and lined with stone statues of great Xuthalhotep and his noble queen Ankhara taking their rightful place alongside the ancient gods of lost Verulia.

In the eastern wall, there is a strange, 2’ high opening at floor level that extends into darkness.

Behind Loche, the pale Verulians Xorzen and Zahra hear something. When the secret door opened, the change in air pressure in this corridor caused a soft tap of stone in the floor between them.

Meanwhile, Garrin leads Amethu, Kiri and Mako through the sharp descent and steep ascent of the cramped secret passage.



They reach the door held open by Xorzen. The masked monk sees no sign of Arthfael of Cimmeria nor Soruk his sect brother.


Actions?!


Map Detail:

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

Map:






PC Status:

• Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 2/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 7/10, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl
  Garrin Locke: Argosian Atlantean Paladin 2: Move: 12", AC: 4(2), HP: 18/18, Laying Hands: 1/1, Torch
  Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Loche: Pict Savage Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 12/18
  Mako: Khitan Easterner Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 7(5), HP: 10/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl, Light spell
  Xorzen: Verulian Osoran Monk 2: Move: 16", AC: 8, HP: 11/12, Candle
  Zahra: Verulian Amazon Fighter 2: Move: 12", AC: 3, HP: 10/16, Torch

PC Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Garrin): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Garrin.
  Healing Mists of Osorus (All except Amethu and Zahra): All lost HP recovered with 8 hours of sleep. Wakeful rest, or sleeping less than 8 hours, enables recovery of 1 HP per hour. Duration: "months."
  Light (Mako): Duration: 88 rounds.

Player Resources:

• The Struggle To Survive (the story so far)
  Mysteries Strange and Deadly (player clues and notes)
  Hieroglyphs (the story so far, in images)
  An Age Undreamed Of (maps and realms of the World of Hyboria)

[Urson]

Zahra

Zahra turns to look toward the source of the sound, sparing only a glance at the statues in this chamber. She holds her torch high, hoping to shed more light in case of trouble.