Argosy of Blood, a Hyborian chronicle, Chapter 9

[Evilschemer]

Here's the synopsis of the first 3-1/2 sessions of my current Conan campaign: Argosy of Blood.

The characters:

Hessan, Zingaran Pirate
Valerius, Cornithian Soldier
Irem, Hyrkanian Archer (Borderer/Thief).
Athicus, Arcadian* Assassin (Thief).
Prospero, Brythunian Noble/Scholar
Beowulf Bloodbeard, Vanir Barbarian

*Arcadia is an extinct Hyborian tribe we made up for this campaign. Think of the Akkadians in Scorpion King.

Here's how I got them started:

Valerius is a mercenary travelling to Messantia looking for work. He finds Hessan, the Zingaran pirate, on the beach in the wreckage of a ship after a storm and helps him out. They get involved in a dispute with some other merchants over salvage of the wreckage. Chicanery ensues. They bond. They hook up with some other pirates led by Apollonia, the Pirate Princess.

Athicus, the Arcadian Thief, and Irem, the Hyrkanian Archer, were hired by the King of Kusan to find and kill the thief of the holy tablets of Wu and return the thief's head and the tablets to the king. They track the thief, who is the former guardian of the tablets named Xim, all the way to Messantia. Xim takes shelter in the Lazuli Tower of the Stygian Merchant Prince Amen. The pair make a deal with the priestess of Bel, Silesia. In exchange for delivering a message to Apollonia, Silesia will give them a map to the secret entrance into the tower.

They deliver the message, and the entire entourage returns to Messantia. Apollonia rides off on a mysterious mission by herself. The Arcadian, Hyrkanian, Zingaran, and Corinthian decide to join forces to infiltrate tower through the secret tunnels.

On the way, they meet the Brythunian Prospero, who is looking for a secret way into the tower so he can confront Amen about the fued between their two merchant families. He has hired Beowulf Bloodbeard, a Vanir, as a bodyguard and sword-arm. All six decide to join forces to infiltrate the tower. Two for Xim, Two for Amen, and Two for gold and loot.

They enter the tower and confront Xim and Amen. Xim reveals that the King of Kusan's son has betrayed and killed his father the king and that their mission to return the tablets is now moot. He offers to hire all six for the rest of his journey: to take the tablets to the lost Atlantean colony of Nyog far in the Western Ocean to perform a ritual to avert a coming cataclysm. He has hired two ships from Amen for the journey. Prospero finds Apollonia in the dungeon of Amen and frees her. Apollonia's secret mission was actually a trap set by Amen to capture her. (there's a whole big side-story going on with Apollonia, Amen, Prospero, the town of Messantia, and others, that I can't get into here).

The team decide to band together to form a formal mercenary company and work for Xim. They will accompany Xim's fleet of two ships on Apollonia's ship, the Helios. That way, if things turn on them, they can escape in their own ship.

(PHEW)

It took three-and-a-half sessions and lots of story twisting to get them together, but now they're together with no outstanding obligations. They can do whatever they want and go wherever they want. As soon as their first misson is complete, and they survive, that is.

 

[Jonathan]

It's that 'survive' part that might be the obstacle.

Part of the reason I'm so jonesing for a game of Conan in these parts (Northern Va/DC/Metro area, anyone?) is that I think the fact that too many games disavow discretion as the better part of valor. Too often, the PCs feel they MUST fight.

In a relatively lethal game like Conan, running is sometimes THE best option. And I want to play!

 

[Evilschemer]

I threw together a quick page of the cast of Argossy of Blood

http://www.mecha.com/~conkle/conan/cast.htm

 

[Jonathan]

Need I mention that Apollonia is HOT?

Looking forward to more summaries of your high adventures!

 

[Evilschemer]

I threw together a quick webpage last night to capture all my forthcoming goodies.

http://www.mecha.com/~conkle/conan

I'll add the synopses soon.

 

[villagereaver]

Might i point out to the almighty GM that Beowulff both has two "f"s and is actually a barbarian 3 and (now) Soldier 3.

/bonk

And Appilonia IS hot.

 

[Evilschemer]

Yeah, and Argossy has only one "s".

And Apollonia is defintely teh hawt!!11!!!!1!! (drool)

 

[Evilschemer]

Characters:
Athicus, Arcadian Assassin. Must kill Xim and return tablets to Kusan.
Irem, Hyrkanian Archer. Must kill Xim and return tablets to Kusan.
Prospero, Brythunian Merchant Prince and Scholar. Must interrogate Amen and find more knowledge.
Beowulff Bloodbeard, Vanir Barbarian. Sword-arm hired to Prospero.
Hessan, Zingaran Pirate. In search of loot/spoils/adventure.
Valerius, Corinthian Soldier. In search of loot/spoils/adventure.

Others:
Apollonia, Argossean Pirate and Rebel, daughter of deposed former Alderman Hero. Captain of the pirate ship Helios.
Benwa, Aquilonian pirate. First mate.
Rossus, Argossean pirate. Leads work crews.
Acrimonius, Argossean pirate. In charge of the ship's defense.
Romulo and Remulo, Argossean pirates. Twin brothers.

Silesia, priestess of Bel, the God of Thieves, and seer with sympathies towards Apollonia's cause.

Xim, Kusanese Scholar/Monk. Protector of the Sacred Golden Tablets of Wu until he made off with them, and a large helping of the King's coffers, and travelled across a continent. Staying in Lazuli Tower as guest of Amen.
Shadow-Guard, Xim's personal bodyguards.
Tai-Sen, Kusanese Noble. King of Kusan after killing his father when he refused to back Xim's journey.

Amen, Stygian Merchant Prince. Alderman of the Merchant Guild of Messantia. Wealthy and powerful. Essentially controls all the shipping and trade of half a continent, both along the west coast of Hyboria and all the rich nations up-river of Messantia. Lives in the opulent and hideously well-guarded Lazuli Tower.

Chapter 1: Valerius and Hessan slay an Ophirian merchant and his guards over a salvage dispute and discover the merchant was transporting Silver Lotus Powder, a powerful narcotic.
Chapter 2: Irem and Athicus track Xim to Messantia. They meet Valerius and Hessan and begin their covert entry into the Lazuli Tower. But first, they fight a giant albino crocodile in the undercity of Messantia.
Chapter 3: The party meet Prospero and Beowulff Bloodbeard in the undercity, also with plans of invading the Lazuli Tower. They team up, fight some rats, overcome some traps, gain entry into the top level of the tower via a secret escape route, and fight some Shadow-guard.
Chapter 4: The party fight their way down the tower looking for Xim and Amen. They eventually find them. They make a deal with Xim to work for him and free Apollonia. They will accompany Xim on his quest for the lost Island of Nyog on Apollonia's ship, the "Helios". Prospero organizes the party into a formal mercenary band.

Chapter 5: In the two preceeding their journey, the party takes a moment to rest, relax, and hone their skills.

On the evening of the first day, while relaxing in "Ye Olde Mermaide", the group is accosted by Rogar, an Aesir sent by King Hrothgar to retrieve Beowulff and return him to Asgaard to be punished for spoiling the princess' virtue, thus ruining a planned wedding/alliance with Prince Haakon of a neighboring kingdom. A brawl ensues between the party and Rogar, accompanied by a group of town guard. When the party waylays Rogar, the guard flee.

On the second day, the party visits the arena of Messantia to watch some gladitorial sport. Valerius decides to test his mettle and purchases a slot as a combatant vs. 3 comers. He defeats them handily, the third with a spectacular display of gore that showers the crowd with blood, enhancing his reputation as a killer. Beowulff also has a go against 3 opponents, and also dispatches all 3, but with a less spectacular finish.

Meanwhile, Irem and Athicus meet with Xim to discuss some particulars for the journey and mission ahead. Afterwards, they meet with Apollonia and make a deal with her to help restore her family's position within the heirarchy of the merchant guild of Messantia.

After the games, Prospero meets with Xim to discuss his particulars for the journey and the history of the tablets of Wu. He learns much. After the meeting, Prospero speaks with some other informants and does some all-night research in the libraries of Messantia.

The night before the journey, while Prospero is studying in the Libraries, the rest of the group carouses and/or sleeps.

They set sail at dawn!

To be continued!

 

[Evilschemer]

Characters:
Athicus, Arcadian Assassin. Must kill Xim and return tablets to Kusan.
Irem, Hyrkanian Archer. Must kill Xim and return tablets to Kusan.
Prospero, Brythunian Merchant Prince and Scholar. Must interrogate Amen and find more knowledge.
Beowulff Bloodbeard, Vanir Barbarian. Sword-arm hired to Prospero.
Hessan, Zingaran Pirate. In search of loot/spoils/adventure.
Valerius, Corinthian Soldier. In search of loot/spoils/adventure.
Others:
Apollonia, Argossean Pirate and Rebel, daughter of deposed former Alderman Hero. Captain of the pirate ship Helios.
Benwa, Aquilonian pirate. First mate.
Rossus, Argossean pirate. Leads work crews.
Acrimonius, Argossean pirate. In charge of the ship's defense.
Romulo and Remulo, Argossean pirates. Twin brothers.
Silesia, priestess of Bel, the God of Thieves, and seer with sympathies towards Apollonia's cause.
Xim, Kusanese Scholar/Monk. Protector of the Sacred Golden Tablets of Wu until he made off with them, and a large helping of the King's coffers, and travelled across a continent. Staying in Lazuli Tower as guest of Amen.
Shadow-Guard, Xim's personal bodyguards.
Tai-Sen, Kusanese Noble. King of Kusan after killing his father when he refused to back Xim's journey.
Amen, Stygian Merchant Prince. Alderman of the Merchant Guild of Messantia. Wealthy and powerful. Essentially controls all the shipping and trade of half a continent, both along the west coast of Hyboria and all the rich nations up-river of Messantia. Lives in the opulent and hideously well-guarded Lazuli Tower.

Chapter 1: Valerius and Hessan slay an Ophirian merchant and his guards over a salvage dispute and discover the merchant was transporting Silver Lotus Powder, a powerful narcotic.
Chapter 2: Irem and Athicus track Xim to Messantia. They meet Valerius and Hessan and begin their covert entry into the Lazuli Tower. But first, they fight a giant albino crocodile in the undercity of Messantia.
Chapter 3: The party meet Prospero and Beowulff Bloodbeard in the undercity, also with plans of invading the Lazuli Tower. They team up, fight some rats, overcome some traps, gain entry into the top level of the tower via a secret escape route, and fight some Shadow-guard.
Chapter 4: The party fight their way down the tower looking for Xim and Amen. They eventually find them. They make a deal with Xim to work for him and free Apollonia. They will accompany Xim on his quest for the lost Island of Nyog on Apollonia's ship, the "Helios". Prospero organizes the party into a formal mercenary band.
Chapter 5: In the two days preceeding their journey, the party takes a moment to rest, relax, and hone their skills.

Chapter 6: The night before their journey, the party scuttles Amen's war galley, Osiris.

On the afternoon before they set sail, Prospero meets with Xim to talk of matters of sorcerous import. Prospero learns many details of what is to come and gets to know Xim a little better. He also learns that Amen has hastily assigned the war galley Osiris to escort the mini-fleet, not trusting the pirate ship of his enemy, Apollonia, to the task.

Prospero later assigns Hessan and Beowulff Bloodbeard to the task of incapacitating the Osiris wile he goes to the library to study and prepare. On the way, Prospero starts some well-placed rumors that the Osiris is laden with gold and treasure, the taxes of the people of Messantia, and is making way tomorrow with tribute to the Witch-Kings of Stygia. He is hoping the fellonious attention of thieves and rogues will provide a distraction for Hessan's efforts.

Hessan and Beowulff, upon seeing the defenses of the naval arsenal of Messantia, declare a lost cause. They move on, looking for rumors of any treasure they might wish to appropriate on the night before they leave town.

(GM Note- I couldn't pass this golden opportunity up!)

Hessan learns that the Osiris is laden with gold and treasure and is bound for the Witch-Kings of Stygia on the morrow. Somehow forgetting that the Osiris was the ship he was assigned to disable and that he had already declared it a lost cause, Hessan decided to steal aboard the Osiris and liberate its gold and treasure. Hessan enlisted the aid of Athicus for the raid. Athicus was soon made aware by Apollonia that the Osiris planned to sail with the fleet at dawn. Athicus was momentarily confused, but soon figured the situation out and set Hessan straight. The group then used the secret entrance into the Noble's Quarter to find Prospero in the library. They needed his help.

Athicus happened to know of a secret way around the closed portcullises of the Noble Quarter that led onto the quay. The group then stealthily swam from the quay to the arsenal docks and snuck on board the Osiris, which was busy loading supplies for the morning's oceanic journey, silently dispatching the guards at the bow and stern. Hessan, on the bow, and Athicus, Beowulff, and Prospero on the stern, then snuck into the holds below the catapults where the jars of Kothian Fire were kept.

Hessan lit the wick on a Kothian Fire bomb and was the first to cast it down on the deck of the waist of the War Galley from the stern. Meanwhile, Prospero cast a glamour to make himself appear like a vengeful demon. He then levitated all the lit Kothian Fire bombs behind him. Turning to the now startled crew on the deck, he declared "Those who serve Amen will suffer for his sins!" (or something like that) and hurled the flaming Kothian Fire bombs onto the deck.

Prospero, Athicus, and Beowulff then leapt into the river to flee the explosion, where they appropriated a rowboat and began their escape. Hessan leapt from the stern, miscalculated his location, and fell with a slap onto the stone quay. Although he was soon surrounded by soldiers, he managed to jump into the river and swim under the burning war galley. The soldiers then took another rowboat and gave chase. They soon lost Hessan, but followed the other three to a pier on the far side of the river. Athicus and Beowulff hid and ambushed the soldiers on the pier, which were soon dispatched.

Prospero re-entered the noble quarter through the secret tunnel, changed into dry clothes, and returned to finish his studies in the library. The rest of the group sought rest.

Before dawn the next morning, Beowulff awoke to find a note written on silk attached to his bedsheets by a long straight-pin with a blackened tip. The note was unsigned, but was obviously a warning from Amen that, should the party ever return to Messantia, Beowulff's friends would be imprisioned, but Beowulff himself would provide rare treat for the torture artists. The needle was dipped in what was later identified as the venom of the Black Scorpion of Stygia. The un-said message was clear: Beowulff could have been assassinated then, but was left alive.

At dawn, the most unlikely fleet in history, the Acheron, the Styx, and the pirate ship Helios, met in the harbor of Messantia. The great chain that protects the harbor and controls all trade into and out of the river was uncharacteristically raised. Amen stood atop the tower guarding the harbor to observe the departure. He grimly considered the fleet, then personally ordered the lowering of the great chain to let the fleet exit.

The three ships sailed off towards the western horizon on a unprecedented voyage into the unknown.

To be continued.

 

[Evilschemer]

Characters:
Athicus, Arcadian Assassin. Must kill Xim and return tablets to Kusan.
Irem, Hyrkanian Archer. Must kill Xim and return tablets to Kusan.
Prospero, Brythunian Merchant Prince and Scholar. Must interrogate Amen and find more knowledge.
Beowulff Bloodbeard, Vanir Barbarian. Sword-arm hired to Prospero.
Hessan, Zingaran Pirate. In search of loot/spoils/adventure.
Valerius, Corinthian Soldier. In search of loot/spoils/adventure.

Others:
Apollonia, Argossean Pirate and Rebel, daughter of deposed former Alderman Hero. Captain of the pirate ship Helios, a xebec.
Benwa, Aquilonian pirate. First mate.
Rossus, Argossean pirate. Leads work crews.
Acrimonius, Argossean pirate. In charge of the ship's defense.
Romulo and Remulo, Argossean pirates. Twin brothers.

Xim, Kusanese Scholar/Monk. Protector of the Sacred Golden Tablets of Wu until he made off with them, and a large helping of the King's coffers, and travelled across a continent. Staying in Lazuli Tower as guest of Amen.
Shadow-Guard, Xim's personal bodyguards.
S'Chiba, Shadow-Master, leader of the Shadow-Guard.
Tai-Sen, Kusanese Noble. King of Kusan after killing his father when he refused to back Xim's journey.

Horan, captain of the Acheron, a cog, flagship of the expedition
Yamas, captain of the caravel Styx, a caravel.

Chapter 1: Valerius and Hessan slay an Ophirian merchant and his guards over a salvage dispute and discover the merchant was transporting Silver Lotus Powder, a powerful narcotic.
Chapter 2: Irem and Athicus track Xim to Messantia. They meet Valerius and Hessan and begin their covert entry into the Lazuli Tower. But first, they fight a giant albino crocodile in the undercity of Messantia.
Chapter 3: The party meet Prospero and Beowulff Bloodbeard in the undercity, also with plans of invading the Lazuli Tower. They team up, fight some rats, overcome some traps, gain entry into the top level of the tower via a secret escape route, and fight some Shadow-guard.
Chapter 4: The party fight their way down the tower looking for Xim and Amen. They eventually find them. They make a deal with Xim to work for him and free Apollonia. They will accompany Xim on his quest for the lost Island of Nyog on Apollonia's ship, the "Helios". Prospero organizes the party into a formal mercenary band.
Chapter 5: In the two days preceeding their journey, the party takes a moment to rest, relax, and hone their skills.
Chapter 6: The night before their journey, the party scuttles Amen's war galley, Osiris.

Chapter 7: They sail to Nyog'hdra, find a ruined colony of Atlantis, fight degenerate ape-men on a great wall, then head off through the jungle.

The sea journey to Nyog'hdra was long and mostly boring (my fault). The Helios encountered two storms and lost track of the other two ships twice. On the way, the party learned some rudiments of being a sailor: rigging, use of the catapult and ballista, winds, how to row, etc. Acrimonius transferred his hate of Valerius to Athicus. Eventually, the mini-fleet found its way to the lost island of Nyog'hdra. The Helios arrived at the island several hours after the other two ships.

The island of Nyog'hdra is sheer cliffs on all sides but one. The over-all profile of the island is that of a great right-triangle rising out of the water. The island is rougly 20 miles from end to end. The center of the island is cleft by a great ravine and waterfall. The far end of the island rises into a mountain range. The southern side of the island consists of sandy beaches around a sheltered cove, home to a half-submerged ruined city, remarkably well-preserved after thousands of years. The city is surrounded by a great wall, similar to the great wall of China, with one end submerged as well. The Helios docks at the wall where it sinks below the waves. The other two ships were anchored among the buildings of the half-submerged city. Great bat-winged monstrosities glide over the mountains at the far end of the island.

The crew of the Helios wait for any kind of word from the other two ships. Meanwhile, the party decides to explore the wall itself. They reach the first bastion tower along the wall, open the long-sealed Orichalcum doors, and find the tower empty. On the first level of the bastion, they find the leavings of a creature, apparently humanoid and carnivorous. A great clamour draws their attention, fighting has broken out in the center of the city. They return to the Helios to see sailors fleeing the island and returning to their ships. The party takes a rowboat to the Acheron to find out what happened.

Captain Horan is injured and seems shaken to the core. Xim explains that the fools did not want to wait. Tai Sen and the crew disembarked to the island in order to find the treasures promised to them before the pirates arrived. There they encountered beast-men, the remnants of the original colonists, long-since degenerated into grotesque animals. It began with a few disappearances, then those sent to investigate disappeared, then came the all-out attack. The beast-men killed most of the crew of the Acheron and the Styx and drove the survivors back to the row-boats and the ships.

Xim and 6 of his Shadow-Guard, including S'Chiba, the Shadow-Master, return with the party to the Helios. They prepare themselves for the overland journey to the temple at the base of the mountain on the other side of the island. They follow the wall around the city. Halfway to the great gate to the island, the Beast-Men charge out of the last bastion behind the party. During the charge, other Beast-men stealthily scale the side of the wall. Irem and three of the Shadow-Guard let loose arrows on the on-coming Beast-men, halting two in their charge. The others reach the top of the wall and a melee' ensues. Prospero is mauled and promptly falls down, pretending to be dead. Hessan is grabbed in a crushing hold and the life is choked out of him. Three of the Shadow-Guard are felled. Two waves of climbing Beast-Men and the survivors of the charge are eventually put down, their bodies thrown over the wall into the jungle below as a sign to the others.

The battle over, the party tends to its wounds, savings Hessan from certain death and binding the others. They reach the Great Gate Tower.

Inside the Great Gate Tower is a massive chain and wheel that opens the giant Orichalcum doors. Irem climbs to the top of the Gate Tower to survey the island. He sees a fallen tree traversing the ravine and stairs leading up a steep hill to the plateau on the north end. To the south, he sees caves in the mountains, surely the former mines of the Atlanteans, now home of the degenerate Beast-Men. The party opens the gate to the dreaded jungle beyond. As they leave the tower to pass through the gate, they see the Beast-Men hiding in the jungle-covered ruins behind them, wary of the open doors.

Several hours of marching through the rising slope of the jungle ahead of them pass. They eventually come across a great four-legged reptillian beast with great plates along its spine and a tail ending in nasty two-foot spikes. The beast notices the party and reacts defensively. The party wisely backs away and moves around the nervous beast.

Almost 5 hours and 4 miles of Jungle later, the party finds the ravine and the fallen tree. As they prepare to cross it, a great crashing comes from the jungle. A giant reptile monster emerges from the trees, its great body balanced on two powerful legs, it's massive head filled with hundreds of dagger-sized teeth. It sniffs the air with mighty lungs, then bellows a thunderous deafening roar, momentarily staggering the party as they stare dumbfounded.

TO BE CONTINUED![/b]

 

[Evilschemer]

Characters:
Athicus, Arcadian Assassin.
Irem, Hyrkanian Archer.
Prospero, Brythunian Merchant Prince and Scholar.
Beowulff Bloodbeard, Vanir Barbarian.
Hessan, Zingaran Pirate.
Valerius, Corinthian Soldier.

Others:
Xim, Kusanese Scholar/Monk. Protector of the Sacred Golden Tablets of Wu until he made off with them, and a large helping of the King's coffers, and travelled across a continent. Staying in Lazuli Tower as guest of Amen.
S'Chiba, Shadow-Master, leader of the Shadow-Guard.
Shadow-Guard, Xim's personal bodyguards.

Chapter 1: Valerius and Hessan slay an Ophirian merchant and his guards over a salvage dispute and discover the merchant was transporting Silver Lotus Powder, a powerful narcotic.
Chapter 2: Irem and Athicus track Xim to Messantia. They meet Valerius and Hessan and begin their covert entry into the Lazuli Tower. But first, they fight a giant albino crocodile in the undercity of Messantia.
Chapter 3: The party meet Prospero and Beowulff Bloodbeard in the undercity, also with plans of invading the Lazuli Tower. They team up, fight some rats, overcome some traps, gain entry into the top level of the tower via a secret escape route, and fight some Shadow-guard.
Chapter 4: The party fight their way down the tower looking for Xim and Amen. They eventually find them. They make a deal with Xim to work for him and free Apollonia. They will accompany Xim on his quest for the lost Island of Nyog on Apollonia's ship, the "Helios". Prospero organizes the party into a formal mercenary band.
Chapter 5: In the two days preceeding their journey, the party takes a moment to rest, relax, and hone their skills.
Chapter 6: The night before their journey, the party scuttles Amen's war galley, Osiris.
Chapter 7: They sail to Nyog'hdra, find a ruined colony of Atlantis, fight degenerate ape-men on a great wall, then head off through the jungle.

Chapter 8: The party continues across the island and encounter several great reptillian monsters!

Last week, the party found the deep gorge cleaving the jungle in twain, and the fallen tree that spans it. It was there that they were discovered by a giant two-legged reptillian horror searching for food.

Valerius ran out into the clearing around the fallen tree and got the beast's attention, drawing it away from the rest of the party hiding in the trees. The Shadow-Guard were shaken by the sight of the thunder lizard and were unable to react. Valerius was successful and the beast came towards him. As the beast passed, Athicus tied the end of his grappling line around his waist and ran behind the creature. Athicus threw his rope over the fallen tree so that it swung under it and around the other side, allowing Valerius to leap into the chasm and grab the rope just as the great beast lunged for his prey. The beast lost its balance, scrabbled at the edge of the ravine, and fell to the raging river 300 feet below!

Meanwhile, as Valerius dangled from the rope and Athicus and Hessan prepared to lift him back up, a giant winged reptile swooped down, almost plucking the tasty bait from the line. Still pulling, the monster looped around and made for Hessan, grabbing the pirate in his mouth and flying away, pulling the rope, Athicus, and Valerius with him. Valerius managed to attach the grappling hook to the tree trunk and the combined weight dragged the flying monster back down. The winged monstrosity let go of Hessan and flew away, only to be replaced by another winged reptile. This time, the reptile was peppered with arrows from Irem and the recovered Shadow-Guard. The monster was eventually brought down by Valerius hooking it with the grappling hook, which Athicus had re-tied to the roots of the up-turned tree.

The group crossed the tree and continued through the jungle towards the stairs in the hillside. Irem led the group astray in the jungle and missed the stairs. Athicus climbed the hillside to re-establish their location. They found the stairs and continued.

The stairs in the hillside were not for humans. Each stair was 4-foot tall by 1-foot deep and required much climbing. The other side of the ridge descended to a great lake fed by cascading waterfalls from the western mountain range on the island. The stairs descended to a small stone quay surrounded by shoreline bamboo. Hessan constructed a large raft out of bamboo and the the group set off across the lake.

A third of the way across the lake, a Shadow-Warrior was picked off the raft by a long-necked aquatic reptile. The group advanced quickly but on guard. Two-thirds of the way across, Hessan spotted the welling of water preceding the monster's attack. The great long neck darted forward but was thwarted by Hessan shoving a bamboo brace in its mouth, quickly followed up by two arrows from Irem's bow. The arrows pierced the monster's brain and it flailed backwards into thrashing death throes.

Reaching the other side of the lake, the group finds another small quay and more strange stairs ascending the 1000-foot cliffs to a ruined look-out tower on the ridge. It was within these ruins the group spent the night, S'Chiba and Irem exchanging mutual admiration while Xim and Prospero discussed matters of great astrological import.

The next morning revealed the wide grass-covered plateau on the other side of the ridge. Another ruined city, not Atlantean, lay on the plateau surrounding a great earthen mound in the shape of a coiled and undulating snake. The architecture matched the ruins of the look-out, featuring serpentine and ophidian symbolism of a distinctly disturbing aspect, and was covered in the grass and trees of aeons of neglect and disrepair. Several of the ruined structures could be identified as having once been a great stepped pyramid, a dome, and a palace. In the side of the mountain on the north-west of the plateau lay the great plaza and temple sought by Xim. The group descended the strange stairs to the plateau.

They crossed the grass-land with grass as high as their shoulders. Irem spotted movement in the grass ahead of them and loosed an arrow as a warning, sending whatever was lurking skittering. Suddenly, the grass all around the party was alive with movement, and the party was pounced upon by several man-sized bipedal lizards with large sickle-like claws on their feet. Two more of the shadow-guard were gutted by those horrible claws and dragged screaming into the tall grass. The rest of the party fought off the knife-clawed lizards and made their escape.

The group walked up the steps of the great plaza at noon. The plaza was a raised flag-stone-paved courtyard leading to the very face of the mountainside. Two rows of uncarved standing stones lined the long plaza. Grass grew between the flagstones and vines crept up the sides of the standing stones. A 60-foot tall burnished metal trapezoidal pylon stood in the front center of the plaza, untouched by age, rust, or wear. The mountain-face displayed an closed metal door, also seemingly untouched by decay, framed by a great carved snake-head, pocked and eroded by time, flanked by tall stone trapezoids engraved in strange serpentine characters. The entire entrance was, itself, framed by an even taller and larger engraved stone trapezoid.

To Be Continued...

 

[Evilschemer]

Argosy of Blood, Chapter 9
Chapter 1: Valerius and Hessan slay an Ophirian merchant and his guards over a salvage dispute and discover the merchant was transporting Silver Lotus Powder, a powerful narcotic.

Chapter 2: Irem and Athicus track Xim to Messantia. They meet Valerius and Hessan and begin their covert entry into the Lazuli Tower. But first, they fight a giant albino crocodile in the undercity of Messantia.

Chapter 3: The party meet Prospero and Beowulff Bloodbeard in the undercity, also with plans of invading the Lazuli Tower. They team up, fight some rats, overcome some traps, gain entry into the top level of the tower via a secret escape route, and fight some Shadow-guard.

Chapter 4: The party fight their way down the tower looking for Xim and Amen. They eventually find them. They make a deal with Xim to work for him and free Apollonia. They will accompany Xim on his quest for the lost Island of Nyog on Apollonia's ship, the "Helios". Prospero organizes the party into a formal mercenary band.

Chapter 5: In the two days preceeding their journey, the party takes a moment to rest, relax, and hone their skills.

Chapter 6: The night before their journey, the party scuttles Amen's war galley, Osiris.

Chapter 7: They sail to Nyog'hdra, find a ruined colony of Atlantis, fight degenerate ape-men on a great wall, then head off through the jungle.

Chapter 8: The party continues across the island and encounter several great reptillian monsters!

Chapter 9: After exploring the lost vaults of the Serpent Race of Nyog'hdra, the party finds the seal of the Gulf of N'Kai. Xim changes his mind about closing the seal and decides instead to become, himself, a god. He is defeated and the seal is closed.

The party arrives at the plaza leading into the Vaults. Since they cannot close the portal to the Black Gulf of N’Kai until midnight, when all seven Wandering Stars are directly overhead, they decide to wait until nightfall. Meanwhile, they prepare their equipment and themselves. Prospero ingests the powder of the Black Lotus while Xim meditates and performs Tai Chi exercises.

Prospero, examining the giant brass obelisk in the plaza is jolted with an electric shock, almost knocking him unconscious. He warns the others that the door into the Vault, made of the same material, will likely have the same effect. Upon studying the door, the group deduces that entrance is gained by turning a pyramid above the door 180-degrees. Within, they find three corridors, each identified by an undecipherable glyph.

They explore the corridor on the left, finding a steep stairway, too steep for human feet, leading down 64-steps. The walls of the corridor were painted with murals describing the life-cycle of the serpent race, growing younger the deeper they explored. At the bottom of the steep descent, they find an octagonal domed chamber, with an octagonal pit in the floor containing some whitish-grey roiling mist. The murals of the walls depict two serpentine Gods, one with a hood like a cobra, the other with a strange knobbly club on its tail, welcoming serpent-race hatchlings into the world. The party deduces that this room is a hatching chamber and leaves. On the way out of the chamber, Prosper realizes the identity of the two gods, “I SAW YIG!” he exclaims, later explaining the two gods’ identities: Yig, the father of the Western Serpents, unknown in Hyborian lands, and Set, the father of the Eastern Serpents.

They explore the corridor on the right, finding another steep stairway. The walls are adorned with murals depicting great technical, scientific, and magical feats of the serpent race. Serpent men are shown displaying golden triangular plates with curvilinear glyph writing upon them. Images of strange discoveries made, including the artifacts of alien winged creatures that once ruled the Earth through protoplasmic servitors. They find another chamber with a large table in the center and 5 corridors radiating from the room. Within one corridor are found hundreds of giant ophidian skulls placed in niches. Within the 3 middle corridors are found racks and racks of the triangular golden plates. The fifth corridor contained sealed alcoves and niches. Prospero examines one of the golden plates but leaves the rest alone.

The middle corridor was identical to the other two, save for the frescoes depicting the two serpent gods Yig and Set leading the Serpent Race towards glory. Farther in, frescoes tell of the exodus of the Serpent Race from the center of the Earth, led by their Serpentine Masters.

At the end of the corridor was another domed octagonal chamber. Prospero, Hessan, Valerius, Xim, and S’Chiba entered the chamber. Irem, Athicus, and Beowulff stayed behind to guard the corridor. This chamber contained an octagonal pit ringed by a metallic lip and seven recessed bars. Horrid moans and gaseous black tendrils emanated from the bottomless pit. On the far end was an altar with two wide recessed enclosures and a single large crystal hemisphere in the center. In the center of the roof of the chamber was a large crystal hemisphere. A pencil-thin beam of bluish starlight was slowly and silently tracing a path across the side of the altar. The seven wandering stars were nearly in alignment, the time was almost nigh!

Time was of the essence. Xim removed the two golden Tablets of Wu and placed them in the recessed enclosures on the altar. They fit perfectly. Each member of the party set to lifting the recessed bars and turning them, thus closing a triangular segment of the portal. Many of the segments were stuck and took several attempts to close.

When the beam struck the crystal hemisphere on the altar, Xim spoke the magic words. The words were alien, inhuman. Only Xim could utter the words, for his vocal cords were surgically altered to allow him to pronounce the alien syllables of Wu’tthoquan. The tablets began to glow, then melt, turning to a golden mercurial liquid. Xim, alarmed, shouted for a cub or goblet. Prosper provided his family goblet for the task, and the golden liquid ran down a groove in the altar and poured into the cup.

Once the cub was filled, Prospero shattered the altar so that the eighth and final lever would be uncovered and the last triangular segment could be closed. The eight triangular segments completely closed the portal, revealing an intricately carved eight-pointed magic star used for rituals of binding. The golden liquid would be poured into the carved star and allowed to cool, sealing the portal like wax seals an envelope.

Xim stood ready to pour the liquid, then hesitated, then drank the liquid!

Xim collapsed onto the floor, convulsing and choking, as his skin took on a golden metallic sheen. After a few moments, he steadied himself and rose to his feet, stretching his new golden body. He laughed and explained his intentions to the rest of the party.

He explained that according to the Kusanese philosophy. When one dies, one is reincarnated into a more perfect state, eventually reaching Nirvana. He had chosen to release the Elder Gods of the Earth loose to wipe the slate clean. Everyone would die. He, alone, would survive thanks to the ingestion of the golden liquid. Once the destruction had passed and the Elder Gods had once more returned to the bowels of the Earth, the world would be cleansed; everyone would be reincarnated and would be perfect. He alone would be the new God of the reincarnated souls of the survivors.

A battle ensued with Valerius pushing Xim onto the closed seal. No weapon could pierce Xim’s golden skin.Prospero’s magic proved as ineffective against Xim as Valerius and Hessan’s weapons. Valerius then gave Prospero the idea of using a mirror to reflect the beam of starlight at Xim, hoping to re-melt the magic gold. Prospero produced a mirror and aimed the beam at Xim. After a few attempts, he managed to place the beam on Xim, melting a bit of the gold on the shoulder. With this, the weapons had a small chance of injuring the Man-God.

Irem soon joined the fray, but too late to save Hessan, who was struck down by Xim’s Oriental Death Touch. Irem was also touched, but barely managed to survive. The battle was desperate, as the metal wedges of the seal began to bend and warp under the pressure of the Elder Gods trying to escape.

Prospero turned to S’Chiba, who was frozen with shock, confusion, and fear, and asked for his help. S’Chiba, calmed, agreed and asked what he might do. Prospero grasped S’Chiba and said “This!” and stabbed him in an attempt to drain S’Chiba’s life energy to help defeat Xim. S’Chiba stared back at Prospero in confusion and horror.

And just at that moment, Athicus burst into the room, leaping at the surprised Xim, and clove his Tulwar through the scholar, cleaving him in twain from right shoulder left rib, shattering the Tulwar in the process. Xim stared back, confused, before his torso fell to the floor in two great halves. His golden skin began to melt and mix with his blood, pooling into the engraved octa-gram on the seal, cooling into hardened gold and sealing the gods within forever.

The trapped Elder Gods of the Earth heaved in their frustration, causing the mountain to buckle and shudder. The party fled the mountain as fast as they could. The doors of the vaults sealing shut behind them and the rock face of the mountain collapsed to seal the entrance to the vault forever.

…

The next day, the group explored the ruins of the City of the Serpent Race, finding and exploring its tombs and appropriating their treasures. Afterwards, they began their trek back to the lost Atlantean colony and the Helios, waiting for their return. Eventually, they set sail east towards the Hyborian continent and home.

TO BE CONTINUED.