Chapter 26: Dominion of Ruin

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc agrees with Torix's plan.

"Two strong backs and two thick skulls ought to suffice for the task!"

[ChubbyPixie]

"It surely opens outward," says Kiri.

Stepping back he looks up to see if he can locate an open window anywhere on this side of the tower. If not, he circles around to inspect the rest.

[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







The barbarians are at the gate. As Amethu watches, Cruloc and Torix hurl their shoulders against it and rebound against its might.

The strongest of their number says, "It surely opens outward," and circles the tower looking for windows. Kiri finds four, each near the spire's 70-foot apex.




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.

Behind the DM Screen:

Cruloc, Torix: Open Doors: [1d6]=4, [1d6]=6 Both fail.

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: 56 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)

[ChubbyPixie]

"Let us combine our rope," says Kiri, eyeing the windows above. He sets down his pack and takes out his own 50 foot length with grapnel. "If I prove correct about the door, I can climb the tower and gain us entrance from the top. The rest can climb or be hoisted up." As he waits for agreement, he glances back up the monolith.

"What do you think is in there...?"

Grandfather scoffs and shakes his head.

As far as you know...

[jemmus]

Savage Torix thinks he or even the Cimmerian might be a better climber than Kiri. I go instead, if you want. He hands his 50-foot rawhide rope to Kiri.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Sensing the skepticism in the Pict's eyes and tone, Cruloc warns him. "If you had seen what I have seen, you would not doubt the Kambujan. He is a man of endless surprises, unbound by mortal limits, by Crom."

"The only course of action before us more foolish than entering this tower is wasting time prattling about what might lie inside," the Cimmerian growls, his eyes scanning the pale tower's age-worn walls.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu stands out of their way and keeps an eye and ear out for unwanted visitors.

[ChubbyPixie]

"The only course of action before us more foolish than entering this tower is wasting time prattling about what might lie inside," the Cimmerian growls, his eyes scanning the pale tower's age-worn walls.

The briefest smile crosses Kiri's visage. Delighted as usual by the Cimmerean's brutal directness, he knots Torix's rope to his own and then fastens the grapnel end onto his chest armor. He then removes his footwear, winks at Torix, eats a live spider and skitters up the side of the tower.

Casts Spider Climb

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc's lips curl into a faint sneer as he studies the white spire thrusting upward. "Inside this gleaming shell," he mutters, "some silk-swaddled lordling, fat with gold and softer than a slug, sat lazy atop a mountain of gold, oblivious to the carrion stench of his dying kingdom."

He smiles a greedy smile at Torix and Amethu. "It's a ripe fruit for the plucking."

[Inferno]

The adventure continues in... Chapter 27: The Tower of the Ancients