How could it be explained, so near the entry of the under ruin, yet, at that exact time, given there activity, that the cries of the sister rang out in the closing of the day.

Was it meant to lure them away from entering, a delay to allow time for defense, was it an attempt to divide our numbers. Meeting the enemy under.. went against every instinct.

Yet...

The Zamoran had made claims, to knowledge, at the least intuition, about these matters. Mitra gives us aid in many forms, that Sissiah was here now, leading all into the maw... could her sense of this place be trusted?

What reason could there be to follow a carnal temptress into a disasterous tactical disadvantage.

Does not Mitra call all, each to his own purpose.

"The cry is distraction.

Now is only time to decide order. Marduke, Chang, then the rest as we came here.  I will be rear guard."

Tiberio draws his scimitar, adjusts his shield.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Fri 10 Apr 2020.

You descend into the earth as if into another world completely.  One of horror and death.  Around you the blessed light of the torch holds the terrifying darkness at bay...yet what it's light reveals is nearly enough to send you scrambling back the way you have come!

Bones.  Thousands and thousands of bones.  They line the tunnel walls; skulls, long bones, pelvises arranged to hug the sides or stacked into tottering towers.  Is this what became of Zuhal-Sar's residents?  Where once these tunnels were waterworks spanning the entire city were they in ancient times turned into a mausoleum for the city's doomed inhabitants?  How long must it have taken to fill these catacombs so?  What kind of beings would design the time to do so?

As you proceed the crunch underfoot shows you that the floor is also covered in bones.  The smaller ones of a body.  Vulture skulls are there too, the only non-human ones to be seen.  They form a grizzly carpet leading you further into the madness that was the fate of Zuhal-Sar.

As your minds and eyes attempt to adjust to the nightmare surrounding you, small movements catch your eye.  Khapra beetles, scurrying over and around, in search of the last dried bits of flesh.  Only carrion eaters and demons can survive here.

The unnatural chittering calls from ahead, its tone and timber unchanged.  Unaware as of yet.  But your noses are quickly, blissfully, overwhelmed by the stench and rendered numb.  Only your eyes and ears are left to strain to find any threat before it is upon you.

Further you walk, at times small shafts of light reach down to you from above.  You recognize that cracks or other small shafts reach the surface.  These must have been the sources of the carrion stench you noticed as you crept through the ruins above.

The unnatural terror of the tunnels (sight, sound and smell) functions as a mental transformation attack.

08:19, Today: Crom rolled 8 using 2d6 with rolls of 3,5.  Mental Transformation Attack - Insanity.
- Everyone takes 8 points.  Your Ego divided by 5 provides some defense.  Mental Defense may also reduce the damage point for point.  Keep whatever amount remains, this is cumulative.

Everyone please make the following:
2 PER rolls
2 Stealth rolls
Marduke and Chang, since you are in the lead please make 2 Tracking or INT rolls
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:26, Wed 15 Apr 2020.

Marduke's mind refuses to give in to fear as he takes comfort in the fire's presence. He continues on.

EGO/5 = 3 defense. 5 pts effect?


08:07, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 4 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,2,1.  Perception 13-.

08:07, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,1,4.  Perception 13-.

08:07, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,2,5.  Tracking 14-.

08:07, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,4,6.  Tracking 14-.

08:06, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,1.  Stealth 12-.

08:06, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,3,4.  Stealth 12-.

Niamh was less than pleased with continuing underground, but she was outvoted. To be fair, the only way they knew for sure to get to her was through these tunnels depending on just where in the ruins they might have come back up. That said, she imagined the labyrinth of horrors they settled into could lead them anywhere. Her fears of mulitple and unending passages leading in every direction foremost on her mind.

It would have been bad enough in just the darkness, but the stench at death that surrounded them was staggering. It was literally the opposite of everything she held dear. Nature. Life. Light. Those were her power.

This...this was the underworld on earth...

She was constantly flexing her hands around the torch and weapons she held. Her eyes jumping from each grizzly image to the next. Her ears ticking at each skitter and moan. Her nose wrinkled and nostrils flairing at each new assault on her senses. She could not get through this quickly enough.

Perception 12-
11:51, Today: Niamh rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,4,6.  Perception.
11:51, Today: Niamh rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,6.  Perception.
Stealth untrained
11:51, Today: Niamh rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,1,4.  Stealth.
11:51, Today: Niamh rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,4,1.  Stealth.

Discipline and horror wrestled for control over the senses. When discipline won, the Aquilonian moved forward and then looked back, his stance, one of guard. When horror crept in, it turned eyes to bones, turned ear to track sound so inaudible that only hounds could catch it.

As each of his fellow Red Pit refugees passed that was the last normal view he had to keep. After that the darkness, the stark shadows the would dance from the torches, would distort any face, and looming still the paint of madness that may be brushed across the canvas.

The horse master's position was rear guard. The closest to him, a Stygian with a sister that now may always be looking forward, desperate to find any sign.

As long as she held the flame.. they simply had to trust their own diminishing senses to guard them and those in front to make good decisions.

01:31, Today: Tiberio rolled 10,11,7,10 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6 with rolls of 6,1,3,4,5,2,1,4,2,4, 4,2.
PER 12-, 1 & 2 | 10, 11
Stealth 8-, 1 & 2 | 7, 10

This message was last edited by the player at 04:32, Sat 25 Apr 2020.

You recognize the drumbeat of your hearts, pounding, pounding, pounding a rhythm of increasing dread.  With gritted teeth you advance, the red-haired barbarian cautious in his lead.  At times he halts, a hand up in warning, his ears straining for threats ahead which his eyes are unable to identify in the Stygian blackness.  The flicker of torchlight give the empty sockets of passing skulls the illusion of wicked gazes, but of your companions you spy wide eyes searching for threats.  Neferet trembles but does not falter.  Only the Zamoran princess appears untouched by the horror of the tunnel, her dark eyes passing over the bones with little regard, the chain of her collar clicking softly now as she walks.

The tunnel winds and branches at times; side passages break off again and again.  It is a blessing in that it hides the light over your torch from any...thing...which might lie ahead yet it opens the increasing possibility of loosing the trail.  Yet Marduke is able to find the track of Amunet's sandaled feet in the bed of bones each time.   Hope that the damndable tunnel will end grows with each curve; uncertainty and dread what may be revealed vie against such positive emotions.

Is it minutes or hours when disaster strikes?  The terror of the tunnel makes it difficult to track the passage of time.  A simple misstep while passing one of the stacks of bones sends the pile clattering to the floor of the tunnel.  As skulls and rib cages, femurs and pelvises bounce about...the incessant cittering stops.

There are two side passages here, one ahead to the left, one just passed back to the right.  Marduke is certain that he can here the scraping of leathery skin, the shifting of bones beneath weight ahead...approaching.

You have rouses the denizens of these tunnels though as yet they may not know of your exact presence.

Will you meet them here with drawn steel?

Or will you choose to flee blindly down one of the side passageway?

There is little time to choose.

Marduke raises a hand to halt the procession. He motions towards the other tunnel, then turns to move into the other passage. He stands still with his back to the main passageway, blocking the light from his torch with his massive frame. He holds his pick ready for mayhem as he strains his ears for the creatures' arrival. He whispers

16:21, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,6,1.  Perception 13-.

16:21, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,5,2.  Stealth 12-.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Sun 19 Apr 2020.

This message was last edited by the player at 08:07, Tue 21 Apr 2020.

Niamh was less than pleased with their circumstances. An underground horror filled with greater horrors. Her nose was wrinkled from the stench, the sounds wearing at her, the sights disturbing, at best. She wanted this over and hoped that it would not end with their very souls torn from them and cast into whatever pit these things came from.

When the choice came to them, she glanced at the two who spoke...their tracker and the woman who seemed to know these demons intimately. "Point the way, Syssiah," she said quietly, and glanced at the rest of them.

As passageway turns and branches passed, Tiberio had a difficult time knowing how to approach them, stopping, looking quickly around as the torch light flickered some idea of it's shape, then running past to catch up, turn to keep an eye on where they had been, pausing and then moving back.

The constant change was helpful, yet always looming was the that constant pressure since entering this place.

Chang Jun was regretting going along with the others and entering the tunnels, he should have went with his gut and voted as Niamh had. But that was in the past and they could only keep moving even though the evil of the place was slowly and surely affecting some of them.

The barbarian leads the way, a short distance down the side tunnel, at his direction the group pushes past and tries to shield the light of the torches as best you are able.

Heartbeats pass.  You hold your breath, anticipating attack by some as yet unseen horror, straining so that even the sound of breath passing lips would not impede your ears to detect the sound of approach.

Are you safe?

Are you being stalked?

How close is death just beyond the light of your torches?

20:33, Today: Crom rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,3,3.  Stealth, 11-.
- beat by 2

Roll your PER.  Anyone who beats their PER roll by 2 will not be surprised and may act first.  Anyone who does not is considered surprised and will not be able to act in the initial phase.

Syssiah and..who else is carrying the torches?
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:37, Thu 23 Apr 2020.

Syssiah and..who else is carrying the torches?
Neferet

18:53, Today: Tiberio rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,1,1.
PER 12-, -2 = 10-, Not surprised



Changes?

Done
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:11, Tue 28 Apr 2020.

OOC : 04:00, Today: Syssiah rolled 11 (with 3 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Percpetion roll 12-.

Beat by one only.

And in case of, as a reminder for our ST :) 04:02, Today: Syssiah rolled 10 using 4d6 with rolls of 2,1,2,5.  Damsel in Distress Good Karma: Luck 4d6 (NCC).

Perfect time for Luck.  Didn't work out this time, no 6's, but keep reminding me in future when you think it might be appropriate.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:01, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

01:10, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,3.  Perception 13-.
Made it by 6.

Also, Marduke made his Stealth by 3. Did they realize HIS presence, or will that come as a surprise to them?


The flickering torchlight kind of outlines your body so yeah they know you're there
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:36, Thu 23 Apr 2020.

08:32, Today: Chang Jun rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,5,6.  Perception 11-, -2 = 9-.

Niamh had been incredibly tensed up since they entered the foul subterrainian tunnels. Threats felt like they were everywhere, and with the shift in sounds her attention was heightened to their very peak. Sadly, she had no supernatural powers of sight or sound or smell to let her know just when it would happen. But she was a warrior and shaman and she was ready for whatever came for them.

"Something's here...," she hissed, as she could feel the oppressive weight of something's presence upon them

20:03, Yesterday: Niamh rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,4.  Perception 12-.

As far as I know, Niamh had a torch in one hand, her spear in the other...

Everyone can feel it.  Some...thing approaches in the darkness.  Syssiah and Chang are certain that the doom that claimed the asshrui draws near.  But their companions are fortunate to recognize when it has arrived.

Tiberio and Marduke are able to discern soft footsteps following from the direction the group has just fled.  Meanwhile the Stygian princess' eyes widen, great white orbs in the torchlight, and Niamh feels the hair on the back of her neck stand as low, almost imperceptible clicking comes from the tunnel ahead. Very close.

The demons of Zuhal-Sar are upon you!

You are surrounded in the tunnel, from ahead and behind, but whatever approaches is unaware they have been detected.  There is no time for a warning, you must act now or give up your advantage.  Only those who made their PER roll by 2 or more act this phase.

The tunnel will restrict combat to no more than 2 abreast but a 3rd may also attack if they have a longer weapon such as a spear.

I've set characters in starting locations but feel free to request a swap if anyone feels it would be better.  Basically I just put those that will not be surprised on the outside to easily attack first.  Currently your attempt to hide the light of the torches has reduced the distance you can see but once everyone moves away and they are held high again their light will expand...to an extent.

The X's are the approximate location you believe the closest demons are.  You cannot be certain if there are more behind these or not.  To engage them with swords, picks will require moving 1 hex.  Spear's 2m of Reach would allow Naimh to attack from where she stands but see Darkness penalties below when 1 hex separates you from your opponent.

Syssiah has 1 torch.  Niamh, you may choose whether you or Neferet has the other.

Assume you have taken your initial Post-12.

Darkness penalties, will apply as soon as you attack.  The red X's will be within the torchlight immediately:
- no penalty if adjacent to opponent and they fall within the torchlight
- -1 OCV if 1 hex separates you from your opponent in torchlight
- -2 OCV if 2+ hexes separate you from your opponent in torchlight
- -4 OCV if opponent is out of torchlight


I don't believe anyone has Penalty Skill Levels vs Darkness but those would apply to counter the above OCV penalties.

Based on Satabus' descriptions you have some idea what you are about to face.  They lie just beyond the edge of the torchlight.  As soon as you turn and step to face them they should be revealed.

Steel yourselves.

Then fight for you lives if you wish to live!

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Tue 28 Apr 2020.

The sounds may be enough, the light may be enough, the advantage may be enough. Tiberio advances and brings his shield up to strike under and thrust his scimitar, not knowing the exact thing he is facing, or it's disposition of forces.

It was a probe and Mitra bless all to face the faceless enemy of madness and shadow.


T 1 Seg 4
HPh: Move 1 Hex, 2 o'clock
HPh: Defensive Strike  1/2 Ph, +1 OCV, +3 DCV, Strike

08:28, Today: Tiberio rolled 6,16,3 using d6+1,3d6,19-3d6 with rolls of 5,5,5,6,6,5,5.  Scimitar, Def Str, OCV 19

Hit DCV 3, Location Leg, 6 BODY, 12 STUN
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

Marduke turns suddenly,  hoping the flare from his torch causes temporary blindness to the monsters. His other arm sweeps in as he takes a step towards the first demon (R16). His pickhead pierces the chest of the unholy creature.

09:46, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10,12 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 2,3,5,6,4,2.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL. +2 CSLs available to OCV.


09:48, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10 using 18-3d6 with rolls of 3,3,2.  Pick attack OCV 7. Hits DCV 10

09:47, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 6 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 5,2.  HKA damage.

09:47, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 3,6.  Hit location . Chest.
Damage is 6 BODY, 18 STUN, ARMOR-PIERCING

DCV 6
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

Niamh could see movement, only having Satabius' description to fill in the image in her mind with only shadows to strike at. She was grateful Neferet had the torch at the moment as she lunged out toward one of them. "Get behind," she hissed, trying to get a little between her and the oncoming beasts.

15:51, Today: Niamh rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,5,2.  Tricks. (12-)
15:52, Today: Niamh rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,3.  Spear Attack. OCV 17? So hits DCV 10?
16:04, Today: Niamh rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,4,5.  Location.
Vitals...x4 Stun, x2 Body
16:10, Today: Niamh rolled 3 using d3+d6 with rolls of 2,1. Damange...because of course...

12 Stun and 6 Body.

Apologies, I hadn't done combat in this game in a while and was struggling through it a bit. I remembered the little formulas you had set up a little too late. And, of course, choked on the damn damange roll. Can't have too much luck in one go, can we...grrr...

Question, how is it that I can do more damage in HtH than I can with a Spear? Or is it that the spear offer lethal damage compared to only non-lethal with HtH?

No worries.
Punch = Normal Damage, target gets their PD+armor to reduce the BODY damage, they get bruised
Spear to the nethers = Killing Damage, target only gets their armor (or other Resistant Defense) to reduce BODY damage, they get gutted and bleed all over things
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:03, Mon 27 Apr 2020.

 

Shadows leap and swirl as parts members strike first.  But when finally the light shows the the...things...that hunt them it is nearly more than sane minds can withstand.

Segment 4
Niamh - The Pict lunges, drives her spear into the receding dark, too quick for thought, instinct alone guiding her.  She is rewarded with a the reassuring impact of her steel tip piercing...flesh?  The form before her resolved itself in the torchlight...the horror!  Beyond anything the prince could describe, for what can mortal minds do to fathom those nightmares which can only spawn by powers beyond this world?  They yawning, too long jaws, the sickly yellow eyes!

Yet the desiccated flesh parts and Niamh realized that her weapon pierces the creature completely.  With a horrible cackling the demon slumps to its knees and collapses; the Pict's spear sliding free now covered by an evil dark ichor.

Creature takes Impairing Wound to the vitals and dies.

The horror of the creature automatically attacks Naimh's senses:
18:51, Today: Crom rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,1,5.  EGO Attack vs Niamh, Horror, OMCV 5.
- hit

18:52, Today: Crom rolled 4 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,2.  Mental Transformation Attack - Insanity
- will not overcome Niamh's innate mental defense of 4 (EGO/5)

Niamh has faced her first demon of Zuhal-Sar and knows that they can bleed and die!

Marduke - Nearly simultaneously, the Vanir wheels and deadly arc of death.  The work pick hammers into the ragged form before him; rotted, ancient remnants of garments crumble from the impact.  It drives the nightmare into the tunnel wall, transfixes it, momentarily....only then does Marduke fully perceive the horror before him.  It's rotted jaws snap to reach the barbarian before growing slack, hanging open as its movements slow.

The Northman's mind reels!  It claws, it cries against such things which never should exist.

Another Impairing Wound, another dead gidim.
19:23, Today: Crom rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,4,1.  EGO Attack vs Marduke, Horror, OMCV 5
- hit

19:23, Today: Crom rolled 9 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,3.  Mental Transformation Attack - Insanity.
- Marduke takes another 6 (9-EGO/5 = 6) points of mental transformation towards insanity.   When it surpasses EGOx2 let me know...

Tiberio - Is it the sudden light, full upon its horrible face?  The horsemaster's blade bites into the shriveled flesh before the demon of Zuhal-Sar can react and cleaves a chunk of degenerate flesh from the limb.  A horrid cry from the is Tiberio's reward though its unnatural sounds makes his skin crawl and he locks eyes with the nightmare before him.

Gidim takes BODY.

20:57, Today: Crom rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,4,6.  EGO Attack vs Niamh Tiberio, Horror, OMCV 5
- Tiberio resists the unnatural horror of the creature


20:59, Today: Crom rolled 17 using 5d6 with rolls of 5,1,4,3,4.  PRE Attack vs Tiberio.
- Tiberio is affected by the creatures natural PRE

Neferet - Fear and desperation drive the Stygian princess as she ignores Niamh's command and leaps forward to meet the oncoming figure. Too soon, prince Satabus' blade passes bare inched from the cadaverous creature.  She reels in horror as the torchlight reveals the demon of Zuhal-Sar's true form.

21:05, Today: Crom rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,4,5.  EGO Attack vs Neferet, Horror, OMCV 5.
- hit

21:07, Today: Crom rolled 2 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,1.  Mental Transformation Attack - Insanity
- resisted by natural mental defense (EGO/5)

Syssiah - The Zamoran is unprepared with the attack comes, she starts, searches, watches as those around her strike first against the abominations which dwell here.  They are truly ghastly nearly beyond sanity but Syssiah has traded in things not of this earth and steels herself to join the fray.


21:09, Today: Crom rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,5.  EGO Attack vs Syssiah, Horror, OMCV 5
- Syssiah resists unnatural horror


21:14, Today: Crom rolled 18 using 5d6 with rolls of 2,4,4,4,4.  PRE Attack vs Syssiah.
- The Zamoran is unimpressed

Chang Jun - Chang goes into a fighting stance, ready to defend himself.  His eye strain at the sight of the demons, his skin crawling in revulsion.

21:17, Today: Crom rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,6,4.  EGO Attack vs Chang, Horror, OMCV 5
- hit

21:19, Today: Crom rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,1.  Mental Transformation Attack - Insanity
- 5 more points towards insanity (7-EGO/5)

Gidim - How many centuries have these degenerate creatures haunted this warren?  Driven below as the city above turned to ruins and was slowly reclaimed by the desert?  An occasional traveler has been their meals.  More often they have hunted one another.  But now something has changed.  Their master calls!  Outsiders have come in numbers and their god demands blood!  Even here in their very home these humans foolishly tread?  They will take them, gnaw the flesh from their bones and savor the taste of warm blood!  Unless..unless their god has other plans.

Gidim 2 vs Tibero - hit, Arm, 3 damage before defenses
Gidim 3 vs Marduke - miss
Gidim 4 vs Neferet - The sickly hand of the creature grabs hold of Neferet in a steel-like grip. Neferet is Grabbed
Gidim 6 vs Niamh - miss

Beings out of madness come from the dark to claim you.  There is nowhere to run.  Nowhere to hide.  Your only hope lies in the steel in your hands.

Use it well or you will never leave the ruins of Zuhal-Sar!
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 13:26, Thu 30 Apr 2020.

These were once men! Not demons, but the restless dead. But they could be stopped. She had brought one down with her spear and she could do so again. She must do so again.

Before she knew it she had another upon her, catching a glimpse of Neferet as she charged forward. "They can die, again. Stand strong," she hissed, trying to convince herself as well as her companions, understanding just how aberrant and abhorrent these creatures were.


PRE to bolster her allies?
21:25, Today: Niamh rolled 11,10,3 using 18-3d6,3d6,d6+d3 with rolls of 1,3,3,6,2,2,1,2. Spear Attack, Location, Damage.
Hits DCV 11!
Chest (x3 Stun, x1 Body)
3 Damage (Maybe a Critical? So 9?)
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:22, Tue 28 Apr 2020.