Marduke grins savagely in the moonlight as he continues up the stairs. He tries to listen for Chang, who must be somewhere above him.


09:58, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,3.  Perception
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:34, Thu 16 July 2020.

The horsemaster adjusts his shield, looking forward.

The Vanir stalked ahead, Tiberio turns to look back, concerned.

Moving ahead and with a quick look up, he stepped quickly to provide support to the barbarian. The scimitar in his right hand brought back in a low and waiting position, using his legs as a barrier against reflection from the moonlight.

The chanting was a distraction, yet it served their purposes.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Thu 16 July 2020.

Ducking down and right Chang Jun strikes out at one of the remaining two demons.

08:24, Today: Chang Jun rolled 6,12,9 using d6+1,3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 5,5,6,1,4,2,1.  T1 S6 Attack.

Hit DCV 9-, Location Stomach, 6 Body 24 Stun
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:34, Thu 16 July 2020.

Stairs
The four on the lower stairs move forward, reaching the small tower where three staircases become one before ascending as a single set of steps up unto the entrance of the ziggurat above.  There is no sign of their Khitai companion, though as short climb up the main staircase should bring you to the level he had ascended to

Chang Jun
The 3rd abomination crumples as its entrails spill out upon the black stone.  Its lone remaining companion lashes out with a sweep of its clawed arm but slices only air.
Impairing wound to the stomach, dead Gidim.  Last one missed badly
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:22, Sat 18 July 2020.

Marduke ascends to the next level, his breathing starting to even out (I figure a recovery of End while waiting for the others to catch up)
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:09, Sat 18 July 2020.

Moving up the stairs, staying on the Vanir's heels, Tiberio crouches, going to one knee, staying alert and knowing that a quiet walk on stone is as difficulty a thing to hear for the demons, as it would be for them.

Whether Chang is successful or not, would be determined only when the next figure appears on that level, approaching them.

Syssiah was quieter now, more withdrawn. That seemed to bode ill, if her mind was elsewhere, mistakes could be made.

Tiberio looked about and up to see where they might go next that lead into this open maw of a temple.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 13:09, Sat 18 July 2020.

With just the one left Chang Jun was confident he could easily deal with it. But as he stepped to the side and swung he foot slipped in a pools of black blood and the sword missed its target as he stumbled back.

14:56, Today: Chang Jun rolled 2,6,1 using d6+1,3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 1,2,1,3,4,5,6.  T1 S6 Attack.

Marduke climbs to the level of their companion and looks both directions for more of the demons.


14:13, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,4,1.  Perception 13-.

14:13, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,5,4.  Stealth 12-.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:13, Sun 19 July 2020.

Chang Jun
Chang's slip sends him back two steps before he can right himself, barely out of the path of the demon as it lunges with both arms outstretched where he had just stood.  The clicking of the nightmare is unending but the Khitai feels certain it has taken on a deeper, menacing tone.
Demon missed Grab barely

Everyone Else
Reaching the top of the 1st step of the ziggurat the moonlight illuminates Chang's deadly dance with the lone remaining abomination.  As you watch it draws an ancient blade from its waist and prepares to meet the next attack.

You stand close to the entrance to this ancient structure, only a short distance further up the main staircase.  One lone demon yet remains aware of your brazen assault on their most holy of locations.  Marduke and Tiberio recognize the size of the creature, it stands nearly a head taller than Chang.
Chang on Segment 3, rest on Segment 4, no need for full SPD chart....I don't think

Marduke moves as silent as Death as he comes up behind the demon. His pick briefly flashes as Marduke buries it in the Demon's arm.


06:07, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,3,2.  Stealth 12-.

06:08, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11,8 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 2,5,4,3,4,1.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL. Both CSLs to Damage.


06:09, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 1,3,4.  Attack OCV 5 DCV 6.

06:09, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9,7 using 2d6+1,2d6 with rolls of 5,3,3,4.  Hit Location, HKA damage.

Marduke hits a DCV of 8.
His pick hits the Shoulder, and it does 7 BODY 21 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING

Tiberio looks around for cover, staying on one knee, shifting, straining to keep aware and be ready.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:01, Thu 23 July 2020.

Chang holds the creatures attention, offering Marduke a surprise attack from the rear.  The Vanir's weapon deposits the nightmare's blade upon the floor of the ziggurat with its hand and arm still clutching the hilt.  The demon is stricken from the assault, momentarily dazed, before succumbing to its injury and collapsing with its slain kin.

Together once more the group proceeds to upward.  As you near the top the remains of a giant carved figure lays off to the right of the staircase.  It is difficult to make out the features clearly in the moonlight.  Whatever king or god it was built to revere has been forgotten and rejected by the city's inhabitants.

The din of the chanting within has grown in volume as you crest the top of the ziggurat.  The doorway before you lies unguarded and you can spy light within, though whether cast by braziers or torches you cannot yet say for certain.  No groups of monstrosities appear to congregate upon this tier...at least none upon this side of the structure.

Your destination is at hand.  How will you proceed?

Marduke motions for quiet, and creeps forward, eyes and ears alert. He needed to see the layout before any plans could be made. To charge in without a plan would just get them in a bind worse than the tunnels.

01:22, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,6,4.  Perception 13-.

01:22, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,5,4.  Stealth 12-.

You can see shapes and shadows in the firelight within, you don't see any guards or nearby demons in the shadows of this entrance.

When everyone agrees they are ready you should be able to creep inside and observer what foul rites transpire...
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:57, Fri 24 July 2020.

A short hallway leads to a large chamber.  Once it must have been grand, likely the seat of power of whatever king or queen ruled this ancient land for a throne is found here.  But that was long before the demons claimed it for their own.

And claim it they have.

It is difficult to see, so thick does the smoke from the braziers fill the air; burning with a ghastly yellow-green glow.  You can tell that the opulence of this room now lies beneath filth and rot.  Piles of bones are scatter about, the largest near the ancient throne on the opposite side of the chamber from you.  Rotted clothing and other castoffs from the creature's multitude of victims can be seen nearby.  And perhaps from its current victims.

In the center lies the pit.  What it original purpose was is lost to the ages, but as you secret yourself in the shadows to observe you see several ashuri and Khorajan solders held by demons near it's edge...briefly...then flung into the black depths.  They make no sound, gods willing they were already dead.

In witness upon the throne sits the largest demon you have yet beheld, easily two heads taller than the strongest you have faced on your climb up the ziggurat.  This can only be the creature Prince Satabus spoke of which cast him aside with a swat of its mighty club when Amunet was claimed.  This king of demon's eyes glow....no, all of the nightmares glow in this hellish light.  The light, the chanting, the smoke, the sacrifices.  It is the stuff of nightmares.

And then the giant's head turns, and into this nightmare you see four new demons enter from your left.  Each pair bear a bier - a funeral bed - made of gigantic bones lashed together and latticed with strips of leather.  Upon each lies the still body of a woman.  One you know, Neferet.  The other bears a clear resemblance to the Stygian; you assume this must be her sister Amunet.  The giant rises as Amunet is born to the maw of the pit where her bier is stood upright, the princess still cradled within it.  The chanting reaches a pitch while the Goliath urges them into greater frenzy.

Then at once, they stop.

Now at the climax, whether by chance or the sudden quiet, both women seem to stir.  Neferet calls weakly to her sister, her voice growing stronger, desperate, but helpless.  Amunet opens her eyes confused only to meet the inhuman, soulless gaze of the great demon towering over her.  Her breath quickens, her mouth moves silently in panic, until the scream seems to claw its way from her throat, desperate to flee from such a horrible fate.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:38, Tue 28 July 2020.

From his position, Marduke points at Tiberio and Chang, and then at Neferit on the side, indicating they attempt a rescue. He motions to Niamh to join him creeping up while Syssiah remain hidden in shadows. He then quietly makes his way to T-14, trying to use the distraction to get closer.


10:31, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,1,3.  Stealth 12-.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Tue 28 July 2020.

Nodding to the signal and adjusting his shield, the Aquilonian moves carefully, with increasing pace, down the edge and then straight into the back of one of the demons, using his shield to maximize impact and shove the demon into the other that holds their prisoner.

T 0 Surprise

FPh: Mv 10m Y5 > X4 > W3 > U3 > S3, Mv Thr -1 OCV, -3 DCV

15:38, Today: Tiberio rolled 3 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 4,3,6.  Mv Thr Gidim 7,  into 8, 16 OCV.
15:39, Today: Tiberio rolled 30 using 8d6 with rolls of 6,6,3,6,2,2,1,4.  Move Through, + Shieldcraft Bash +3d6 = 8d6
15:56, Today: Tiberio rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,6,4.  Hit Locaion may matter.
Hit DCV 3, 10 BODY 30 STUN

08:34, Today: Tiberio rolled 27,9,0 using 8d6,3d6,14-3d6 with rolls of 3,4,5,3,1,2,5,4,1,5, 3,5,6,3.  Multi Attk G8 , Mv Thr, 14 OCV
Hit DCV 0, Location Shoulder, 7 BODY 27 STUN

Disabling is before or after Hit Location Multiple,
This message was last edited by the player at 01:37, Fri 31 July 2020.

Chng Jun nodded to the large barbarian and moved forward. He had intended to rush the demon as quietly as possible but the littered floor proved to be far less than accepting of his intentions.

Reaching the creature he lashed out with the sword.

08:51, Today: Chang Jun rolled 5,6,12 using d6+1,3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 4,3,2,1,1,2,1.  Attack on Demon #8.

Hit DCV 12- (Crit), Loc. Hands, Damage 3 Body 5 Stun

08:50, Today: Chang Jun rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,5.  Stealth 12-.

Segment 12
Marduke & Niamh - The pair of savages hug the shadows to reach the spot Marduke has selected to wait.  All wicked eyes remained focus on the occurrences at the pit's edge.

Chang Jun - Moving swiftly Chang is atop the far creature guarding Neferet before it's antediluvian senses are aware. The Khitai's blade severs the hand holding the bier to which Nefert is confined before sinking into the withered torso.  The body folds to an awkward angle as it collapses.
Crit to a surprised minion out of combat, dead

Tiberio - Before aught can recognize the attack a resounding crash heralds the horsemaster.  Shield held as a battering ram, Tiberio impacts into the second demon guarding Neferet and sends it hurtling over the corpse of the 1st.  It slides to the column a short distance beyond and does not stir.
x2 Stun when surprised out of combat, it won't a factor for the rest of this battle

Syssiah - For the moment the headstrong daughter of Zamora does as she is bid.  Remaining in the shadows of the entrance, Syssiah draws her dagger and prepares for what may come.

The king cries out as Tiberio and Chang dispatch the creatures aside Neferet.  All heads turn upon the pair of intruders and the ghastly clicking fills the air.  Neferet is near overcome with emotion at your arrival yet she ignores her bonds and cries, "But Amunet! What of Amunet!  Save her!"

The surprise is spent.  The anthill kicked and angered.  One prize is yet unclaimed and surrounded by danger.

Take it and quickly!
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:41, Fri 07 Aug 2020.

Silently, Marduke charges up behind Gidim#2. The mighty Marduke shoves the creature forward, hopefully across the pit to impact the bier and knock it backwards. Or to tumble into the pit itself.


16:23, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,5,3.  Shove, OCV 4 vs unaware foe. Hits DCV 5

28 Str used
Gidim is Shoved forward 5 1/2m.

Marduke DCV 4+2(shield)-1 = 5.

See my PM regarding this
This message was last edited by the player at 19:20, Sat 01 Aug 2020.

Moving along

Segment 3
Chang does not wait for the nightmares to come but charges them instead.  In a whirlwind he pivots the first over his shoulder and drops it over the edges of the abyss.  Then using the momentum he spins and grabs the 2nd demon and sends it after the 1st!
19:51, Today: Crom, on behalf of Chang Jun, rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,1,5.  Fighting Tricks:2 PSLs vs MultiAttack, 13-.
- 2 PLS vs MultiAttack penalty

19:52, Today: Crom, on behalf of Chang Jun, rolled 4,6 using 16-3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 6,2,4,4,4,2.  Multi-Attack 2 Gadim with Martial Throw, OCV 5-.

Chang at 3 DCV
Successfully threw Gadim 4 & 5 into pit


Segment 4
Syssiah - With the fight moving to the pit Syssiah sprints to Tiberio and Neferet.  "Go, I will free her!" she promises the horsemaster though there is no love in her eyes for the Stygian royalty.  Her dagger is in her hand, hopefully she means to use it on leather bindings alone...
Non-Combat to reach Tiberio

Namiah - Understanding Marduke's plan and will Chang holding the attention, the Pict runs up behind the nearest demon, turning her spear horizontal, and attempts to push it also into the pit.
20:08, Today: Crom rolled 11,5 using 3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 6,1,4,6,3,2.  Spear Tricks activate, Shove Demon into Pit.
Gadmim 1 is surprise, in combat, 1/2 DCV, Hit , push 2m into pit

Saadan - The giant cries in rage as his minions are toppled into the sacrificial portal.   However instead of leaping upon the Khitai is turns back to his bone covered throne and retrieves a monstrous club.
half move to throne, pick up club

Marduke - All has happened in a split second when the Vanir adds another to the chasm.  His mighty shove sends the hell-spawn nearly to the opposite side of the opening but it sinks low, rebounds from the wall of the well, and disappears into the darkness.
Gadim 2, surprised in combat, shoved, gone

Tiberio is next, then the remaining Gadim

It was one of those times where the impulse of combat was just maneuver. Tiberio ran to engage the monster where it was, 9, seeing the throne in hazy choking smoke.  Better to press the advantage and forsake the timidity of half measures, with the Princess so close to the edge, caution would not save her.

Crashing into one was foolish, leaving him open to attack, better to be on guard and strike closer to the throne.

T 1, Seg 4

FPh: Mv 10m Q3 > O3 > N4 > M5 > L6

This message was last edited by the player at 08:46, Tue 04 Aug 2020.

Toughened Gadim - The larger creature charges Chang in an apparent attempt to defend the sacrifice.  The swing is wicked downward chop with an ancient blade but somehow the Khitai bends his body out of the way in time.
07:09, Today: Crom rolled 3,9,9 using 1d6+1,3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 2,2,6,1,1,2,4.  Gadim 3 vs Chang, dmg, loc, hit OCV.
hit but no damage

Neferet - "The bonds, quickly!  I must help Amunet!" Neferet pleads with Syssiah to hurry.

Lesser Gadim - The pair round upon Tiberio and also attempt to block him from the sacrifice.  They strike as feral, savage beasts with tooth and claw but Tiberio blocks their every blow.
misses