Chapter 26: Dominion of Ruin

[Inferno]

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







In the ruins of a temple in long lost Thracia, the explorers of the ancient past search the lair of the gigantic cyclops that they smote.

Their curiosity aroused by a towering pyramid of immense stone blocks stacked by the one-eyed behemoth, they lasso the apex stone and Amethu, Kiri and Torix pull the rope whist Cruloc the titan pushes with all his unnatural size and strength!



Dahinna stands watch as, with a mighty exertion and a low rumble of stone scraping on stone, the block is loosed and it tumbles down the pyramidal pile as Amethu, Kiri and Torix narrowly avoid its deadly, erratic path!

Straining upward, Cruloc can see a shadowed maw where the apex stone sat. The ten-foot tower is hollow!

Suddenly, the hole is filled with swirling, writhing shapes... and eyes!



Then they burst from out of the top of the pyramid!

Gigantic serpents without number! (at H) Arcing, writhing, hissing, shrieking, exploding upward like an erupting volcano of scales and fangs!




Actions?!


Map:

One square = 10 feet. Top of map is North. Grey rubble slows movement, white rubble is impassable to human-sized creatures.

Area Map:

X marks the adventurers' position.



PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 17/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 4/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 39/54
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 25/25
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 21/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 38/38

PC Magic:

Enlarge (Amethu): Target: Cruloc. Duration: 6 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

"Scales of Set!"

Cruloc staggers backwards, caught wholly off guard by the sudden appearance of the multi-headed monstrosity. Catching his balance, he leaps from the stone pyramid, landing and rolling on the ancient stones.

"This place breeds abominations like a Turanian breeds flies!"

Quickly, he retreats west, the echoes of his boots drowned out by the beast's ungodly shrieks.

[ravenn4544]

Amethu's eyes go wide beneath his mask! He staggers backward!

His intuition - right or wrong - flashes within his minds eye. A stone tower? A stone prison?!? Do we face our death or did we free a trapped creature of legend?!?

His hands up and temporarily protected by a stone pillar he casts ESP with the seconds he has available to assess how quickly death has come to greet them....

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Seeing Cruloc bolt is all the incentive the rogue needs > she dashes away, back toward the entrance of the courtyard (with the circular pattern and statue). And if the snakes pursue, she turns up the street and runs until she can't see them any longer.

[jemmus]

Torix has battled men, bears, wolves, apes and the undead. And now a one-eyed giant. But these giant serpents escaping from their prison is too much. He follows Amethu at a run.

[Inferno]

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







Gigantic serpents without number! Arcing, writhing, hissing, shrieking, exploding out of the top of the stone tower like an erupting volcano of scales and fangs!

Before the adventurers can escape, the enormous snakes pour screeching from the sundered pyramid's apex and slither down toward Kiri, Amethu and Torix, revealing their true, hideous nature to the disbelieving eyes that behold them!

They are but one horrific creature: a Hydra! A mythical multi-headed monstrosity of the ancient world whose frightful, serpentine heads strike cobra-like at its fleeing prey!

Ravenous jaws of razor-sharp teeth rip Kiri, Amethu and Torix without mercy! (2hp, 3hp and 8hp damage respectively!)



Amethu's telepathic spell is broken by the savage attack but the scholar believes this incredible beast possesses an animal intelligence!

The explorers of Thracia flee the ruined temple lair of the cyclops and race northward up the stone paved street until the shrieks die away and they are almost certain the colossal writhing horror is not giving chase!


Actions?!


Area Map:

X = the adventurers' position
A = Cliff face trail where the Harpies attacked
B = Ruined temple lair of the giant Cyclops and the unleashed Hydra

Map:


Behind the DM Screen:

Party Surprised? (1-2): [1d6]=4 No.
Initiative: Party: [1d6]=2, Monsters: [1d6]=5 Monsters win.
Monster attacks Kiri: [1d20]=7, [1d20]=5, damage: [1d10]=2, [1d10]=4 One hits for 2hp damage.
Monster attacks Amethu: [1d20]=5, [1d20]=14, damage: [1d10]=6, [1d10]=3 One hits for 3hp damage.
Monster attacks Torix: [1d20]=4, [1d20]=8, damage: [1d10]=2, [1d10]=8 One hits for 8hp damage.
Because PCs were fleeing before the melee broke out, they are not "fleeing a melee" for purposes of free attacks.

PC Status:

Amethu: Verulian Grand Magus Cleric/Magic-User 4/3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 14/17, Spells: 6/8 1st lvl, 3/5 2nd lvl
Cruloc: Cimmerian Northman Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 39/54
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 25/25
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 19/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 30/38

PC Magic:

Enlarge (Amethu): Target: Cruloc. Duration: 4 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]

After they've created a distance from the new horror, Kiri regards his new wound.

"Pile of blocks is not a crude lock box for treasure," he says with the hint of a smile. "You should never listen to my ideas. I've died the most of any of us."

He looks behind them warily for signs of pursuit, then examines their new surroundings. Finally he turns north.

"Perhaps we circumvent the city... carefully... by this way." His arm describes a clockwise circle starting at the corner north of them. "And scout out areas of interest to explore."

He pauses to see if anyone will take his advice when he's so recently warned them this is a bad idea.

[hedgeknight]

Dahinna

Heart pounding from the serpentine beast, she looks around in frantic fear, wondering if they are in even more danger where they stand. She tries to swallow, but her throat is dry. After a few sips of water, she manages, "As long as we don't have to go back there! Anywhere else has bound to be better...right?"

[ravenn4544]

Amethu allows the sudden onslaught of the creature to pass. He calms himself as the group gathers and contemplates their next move. "That was... unexpected." He catches his breath.

"Why would such a creature be caged like that? Correction - what would such a creature be guarding or sequestering caged like it was? It must have some way to thrive?" His thoughts trail off as he considers what secrets could lay in wait...

"Do we indeed leave that alone, or is it worth the investment to lure it away and explore what it hides? Or do we find a place to recover and venture forth back into the deep darkness? Either of these options I find compelling.."

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc's hands press ragged cloth to the fresh wounds of his comrades.

"Aye, rest we shall need, and soon. But the Verulian's plans holds some merit. Torix and I are fleet of foot. If we draw the beast from the temple, Dahinna may claim whatever it watches over while its back is turned."

[jemmus]

Torix rubs herb salve on the wounds of the monster's great teeth. Deep, but he doesn't feel the sting of venom. He considers Cruloc's suggestion. It seems dangerous for Dahinna. And the friends would be split and unable to communicate with each other. But he burns with shame at the ignominy of fleeing from the ancient thing. He'd had it in his mind to try to kill one of the serpents and offer it to Jhebbal Sag as way to fulfill his vow to the god. But it was not one several serpents, but one monster with the heads of many. Still, to flee, suffer wounds, and get nothing to show for it is not the way of a warrior.

I'll make the monster chase, if we decide to do that. We decide on a place for all to meet first. Bottom of the cliff where we came down?

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc grunts his agreement, knowing that there is nothing more dangerous than a Pict with a plan.

[Inferno]

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 silence of eternities is broken as the explorers of Thracia hurtle down the stone thoroughfare of the ancients.

When they believe they are no longer pursued by the multi-headed horror of a forgotten age, they pause to catch their breath and Cruloc and Torix staunch their bleeding. (+1hp to Amethu, Cruloc, Kiri and Torix)

Kiri suggests they circumvent the City of the Dead, following the canyon wall clockwise.

Dahinna gasps, "As long as we don't have to go back there! Anywhere else is bound to be better...right?"

Then Cruloc and Torix align on a plan that sends Dahinna right back there, into the lair of the ferocious Hydra.

Amethu considers those plans, or delving back into the Underworld. "Either of these options I find compelling."

But consensus is yet to be forged.


Actions?!


Area Map:

X = the adventurers' position
A = Cliff face trail where the Harpies attacked
B = Ruined temple lair of the giant Cyclops and the unleashed Hydra

Map:





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
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 25/25
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 31/38

PC Magic:

Enlarge (Amethu): Target: Cruloc. Duration: 1 round.

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]

In spite of himself, Kiri finds that he does want to know what the creature was guarding, if anything.

"Grandfather could help create a distraction, perhaps. We could dress him in light clothing to create a sort of decoy," he says. "He's already dead, so he won't mind. Might enjoy it. He's funny like that...

"He could at least allow us to test how quickly the thing moves."

[hedgeknight]

Amethu - "Why would such a creature be caged like that? Correction - what would such a creature be guarding or sequestering caged like it was? It must have some way to thrive?"

"Yeah, it eats foolish adventurers like us who go messing with it! Or maybe the cyclops thing was feeding it...with foolish adventurers!"

Cruloc - "Aye, rest we shall need, and soon. But the Verulian's plans holds some merit. Torix and I are fleet of foot. If we draw the beast from the temple, Dahinna may claim whatever it watches over while its back is turned."

Dahinna just rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "I knew we were going back. It's already riled up and will likely give chase. Better late than never."
Dahinna checks her gear and begins walking back in the direction of the hydra.

[Yrkoon]

Cruloc

Cruloc casts a glance at the phantom elder, eyes narrowing as they measure his response to Kiri's plan of action. The inscrutable smile etched on the spectre's lined face shimmers and broadens into an expression resembling pride in seeing his grandson's cunning bloom. No words pass - his silence is speaks louder than any shout.

"Play the decoy he will, and gladly at that. He takes joy in your wits, Kiri."

He surveys the city, assessing every crumbling wall and shadow. His words, slow and deliberate, come like the quiet drawing of a blade. "Facing the hydra head-on is folly, but we can break it - confuse it, like wolves snapping at the heels of a bull. Torix and I will harry it from two sides with arrows, and it won't know where to strike. Brave Grandfather will lure it out, and we shall see whether it flinches at fire. Kiri and Amethu - do what you deem best. We must all stay clear of its reach. If the beast forces us apart, don't waste time searching for each other. We regroup at the trailhead."

[ravenn4544]

Amethu nods at the plan and suggests he and Kiri stick close and that a silence spell placed upon them would keep them both quiet and undetected. They could sneak around and get a look inside the lair.

[jemmus]

Torix also nods, surveying the area for secure areas to loose arrows from. Well, comparatively secure. He wonders if the thing can climb. He looks at the arrows in the quiver at his waist and makes sure they're arranged for quick withdrawal, without looking. I'm ready to be hunted, he says.

[Inferno]

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







Curiosity and greed eclipse caution, luring the explorers of Thracia back to the jaws of the multi-headed serpentine horror they unleashed.

Suddenly, Amethu's astonishing sorceries expire and Cruloc diminishes to human size!

The adventurers softly tread back through the silent remains of mankind's greatest civilization, laid waste by hubris and the merciless ages.

They reach the ruined temple lair of the Cyclops and the Hydra alive. All is quiet.


Actions?!


Area Map:



Map:

X = Adventurers' position
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
Dahinna: Zamoran Southwoman Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 25/25
Kiri Khutan: Kambujan Easterner Fighter/Magic-User 3/3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 0/1 2nd lvl
Torix: Pict Savage Barbarian 4: Move: 12", AC: 2, HP: 31/38

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]

Dahinna

"Let me go take a look," the rogue whispers, heading off toward the last place they saw the hydra. She has her hands free, darts ready in the brace across her chest as she eases along, trying to not make any noises to alert her presence.