By Sinking Paths to Chambers of Silent Slumber

[xerxez]

All of you are waiting awake as darkness grows deep upon Jakalla the following night.

Ere long there is a soft tap at your chamber door-- opening it slightly you see the tattooed face of Karunaz.

He thrusts a bundle at you.

KARUNAZ: "Hi. The innkeeper is bribed, and a few guards along our route. Put these dark cloaks on-- we will have to remain invisible from the others. Quickly! Follow me."

The Livyani warrior is like a cat in the night, taking you down alley ways and sleeping streets.

He stops at a grate in the back of a dark alley and beckoning to Mi'kimu, Balesh and Mohammad he seeks their aid in lifting it up quietly.

Down you all go!

After everyone has dropped into the tunnel, water swirling around your feet, the grate is pulled back into place and you negotiate a maze of tunnels.

To your amazement, you emerge outside the walls of Jakalla! That small door is a portcullis but Karunaz has a key!

Leading you along the outer wall towards the spire of the Prison of Little Ease he soon brings you to a small skiff with a small cargo hold and a bed raggled looking Muugalvyani oarsman waiting. Vortumoi stands beside him, staring at you imperiously.

KARUNAZ: "Board quickly, get below, and be as silent as a D'nelu."

Soon you are in the arms of the River Mssimu, drifting through the night.

When the boat next hits shore, you exit upon a shore and by the two moons see an old ruined tower, a guard post once by the looks of it.

THE OARSMAN: "I return at dawn four days hence, then again two days later, and a final time two days later. If I do not see you in that time, may the Gods help you, for beyond this, I cannot."

As he departs, Karunaz turns and bows slightly toward Vortumoi.

VORTUMOI: "We make camp tonite in the old tower. Before first light we begin the trek.

The path is narrow- Karunaz will lead with one other.

I need two porters to lug that chest over there.

I will leave it to you to decide your marching order but I must be in the middle- without certain knowledge in my possession no one can breach the tomb."

WHAT IS YOUR MARCHING ORDER?

[makofan]

Balesh has hit points and combat ability, but only has a shield for protection. He is happy to lead, but may have to tactically withdraw sooner than he likes

[dtspurrier1]

Mahammad will like to go in the middle ranks

( OOC why did we sneak out of town? curfew? illegal?)

[flightcommander]

Mi'kímu will join Bálesh in the front rank, with Mi'kímu's spear-carrier in the second rank — Fi'ru is charged with defending the middle ranks before himself, and must never hurl the spear.

[xerxez]

Jun 6, 2023 9:39:14 GMT -6 dtspurrier1 said:

Mahammad will like to go in the middle ranks

( OOC why did we sneak out of town? curfew? illegal?)

Your mission appears to Mohammed as being of very secretive execution. He is sure to learn why eventually....

[xerxez]

Dawn approaches as you awake from slumber-- being from Nuroab the bugs and night noises scarcely bothered you but Vortumoi is another story.

It is obvious he is used to sleeping in finer places than a ruined tower in the jungle.

Karunaz had been awake already and looks as though he slept as soundly as all of you. Only now, the warrior wears a long hauberk of chainmail--real steel! He also carries a shield, no doubt items hidden in the tower in advance. He flashes a grin at each of you as you roll up your cloaks which served as sleeping mats.

VORTUMOI: "Dratted swamp gnats--I am eaten alive. Karunaz, have you the map ready? Good. The marsh path is treacherous- quicksand abounds. But this map was made by a flying H'laka scout- it uses a system of stone heads and votive stones that mark the safest way. At least there is some use for those three eyed air rats. Let us up and away."

By the time the sun is high and hot you have traveled for four hours, passing amid the palmettos the occasional ancient Bedjnallan statuary, the finer points of their chiseled features worn to roundness by time and overgrown with vines-- empty stone eyes that stare at you dreadfully as you pass them. Occasionally your party startles flocks of colorful birds that erupt into the air.

At one particularly choked trail you are all startled by the sound of people in the woods!

You can't see anyone but hear them giggling around you.

As you pause, on full alert, there is a skitter in the branches of some leafy brush and something leaps with lightening speed and lands upon Balesh!

BALESH: GM Note- I first made a random check among the party and the dice decreed you as the principal target in this encounter! I checked for Surprise and you were not surprised. I also rolled against your dexterity and you passed with flying colors- a 29, well below your DEX of 97.

Balesh looks down and sees a weird little creature he does not recognize clinging to his thigh and trying to bite the cords away at his coin purse (assuming it is upon him!).

The little weasel like thing is furry, has six legs and a tiny pair or arms/hands and a tiny monkey like face with a strangely human looking mouth curled in a smile under two bright green eyes!

As soon as the warrior feels and sees it, he swats at it and it leaps from him into a branch with a human like giggle, and then is gone!

Karunaz erupts into laughter.

KARUNAZ: "Quick reflexes, warrior!That Ku'ruku was after your purse. They are highly intelligent and he knew what was likely in it, but your gold would have become only shiny playthings to adorn its nest. If your combat defense is as quick, I'd say we have high prospect of coming through this mission."

After this brief encounter, you all again begin down the path.

You have barely gone an hour further when you come upon a scene of horror.

Coming to a flowing stream you see a three human beings torn limb from limb (so much for Vrimeshtu's talk about not meeting another soul!).

The attack is so fresh that the blood still flows into the stream where they were slain upon the rocks.

What tattered rags are upon them look like what were robes of green and purple.

Standing around them are four-legged, rubbery frog like humanoids about four feet tall each-- six in all!

Their squat heads are flat and skull like and they appear to be four leggers who can use their front legs interchangeably as arms-- they have mouths lined with rows of tiny needle like teeth of filthy yellow, and whatever eyes they have are so set back in their sockets as to be hidden in the shadows of their skull like brows.

Blood drips from their claws and mouths and they are panting. Upon seeing your party, these six creatures raise their barbed spears/axes and hiss at all of you!

GM Note: I checked for surprise, and neither party was surprised. I then rolled a d6 for each party, these boogers got a 2, and your party rolled a 5, giving the Jakallans and Outlanders the Initiative. Give me your actions! I did a quick doodle to show you what you face!

[flightcommander]

Amazing artwork!

[flightcommander]

Mi'kímu looks to Karunaz and Vortumoi for a moment to judge their concern at this turn of events — perhaps magic will be employed! In any case he punches Fi'ru in the chest (softly) to remind him of his duty ... and then slings a stone at the closest enemy!

[makofan]

First, I would like to say thanks to our GM for the explanatory notes, it is helping me anyway as we learn the system and the setting

Second, Bálesh decides charging all 6 may be suicidal, so readies his sword and shield, eager to attack any who may advance into range

[xerxez]

The party responds quickly.

Fi'ru nods at Mi'kimu's command, his fear obvious in his eyes but his stance demonstrating resolve and courage in his first real combat.

The porters instinctively close ranks near Fi'ru and you all note that while Karunaz advances a bit he yet stays near to Vortumoi for the moment. For his part, you see Vortumoi lift his hands before him and make arcane gestures as he begins muttering an incantation of some sort.

Charbok is also near the porters defensively, as are Mohammad and N'rasa.

The creatures give out what sounds like a shriek and croak all at once and five close on you, instinctively moving against the tougher looking combatants first.

One of the demons stands afar and unfurls a small weighted net it was wearing as a sash, preparing to cast it!

Mi'kimu manages to loose a stone from his sling but his target ducks and the stone flies over.

One engages Karunaz- the warrior misses his swing, and a small barbed spear grazes him. You hear a grunt and muttered oath.

Balesh stands and has not long to wait. A frog-beast comes within striking range and Balesh hefts his shield while swinging his blade.

There is a thrust from the creature at Balesh with spear but it misses and the warrior lands an amazing blow with his sword which splits the monster's skull to the teeth as it dies with a gurgling croak!

GM Notes: Forgot my own house rule about DEX ordered Melee so we will roll with this d6 Initiative order presently.

The creatures were not far off and but had to close to strike. Two leapt on their mighty back legs and landed near Karunaz and Balesh as the others move close by a quick run. Simultaneous combat takes place with the two who leapt.

My rolls:

Mi'kimu's sling: 6, even with his +3 to hit a miss!

Karunaz's sword: 4, a miss!
Creature's spear: 16, a hit for 3 points damage!

Balesh's sword: 20, followed by a 14! Double Damage! I rolled 2d6, got an 8 total pips, with Balesh's +4 to damage that's 12, one over the 11 hit points of the creature, resulting in its death!

Anytime you get a 20, you get a follow up roll and if you get a 19 or 20 on the second roll it is instant kill or subdue, player's choice. Otherwise it is double damage, as in this case.

As per EPT's simultaneous combat rule, the creature got a swing during the brawl but missed with a 6.

Thank you guys for your acknowledgements- I am a cartoonist and a doodler, that's about the extent of my art skills but I aim to add some art when I can.

I would be glad to use other's artwork if any of you wish to include some!

I haven't heard from tombowings so Charbok might be an NPC for now.

I do want to say I am going "ON CALL 24-7" at my work beginning Friday through next weekend and then I have a family guest for a week after that. So I will try to post as much as possible, hopefully On Call is slow and quiet, it seems like the winter months is the worst with it!

[scottenkainen]

N'Rasa had slept on her cloak, with her leather armor laying on top of her to shield her from the morning dew and gnats.

In the morning she followed up in the rear of the party, but asked those in front of her: "Did anyone think to bring provisions? Is there food?"

((Combat intentions may come later today, as I catch up.))

[dtspurrier1]

Mahammad will enter melee and attack one with his mace

[makofan]

OOC: I am also On-call 24/7 for the next week - I hear ya

Balesh keeps swinging

[xerxez]

The Priest of Qon steps forward and engages a frog-beast within striking range.

The frog-beast swings an axe and takes the first blood of your tribe, slicing Mohammad's arm, but fortunately doing only slight wounding.

But the Priest is to be victor-- one bash of his mace hits the little devil squarely between its eyes and his eyes actually appear as they bulge outward at the blow. It drops and Mohammad hits it again! It lies upon the ground, it's axe dropped, its limbs quivering like jelly.

Charbok, having equipped back in Jakalla, also melees with one, cutting an ugly gash in it's head. The beastie pokes at the Priest with a spear but misses.

Fi'ru jabs at the same one, and his first strike in his life lands true, drawing blood, but the creature still fights.

(MOHAMMAD: Does your second blow kill or incapacitate the creature? You decide.)

Meanwhile, to anyone paying attention, Vortumoi, N'rasa, and three porters vanish into thin air!

GM Rolls::

Mohammad's Mace 20, followed by a 19! Having scored a 20 he gets a 2nd roll and if 19 or 20 on second roll, it is an instant kill or, at players wish, complete subdual.

Frog-Beast Axe at Mohammad- 16, d6 for damage = 1 Point from Mohammad's hitpoints.

Charbok's Mace- 16, d6 roll = 4 points Damage

Fi'ru's Spear- 18! d6 roll, only 1 point Damage (STR: 48)

N'Rasa: Vortumoi has rendered himself, you and three porters invisible by a spell.


Hopefully no one is confused by this sequence but allow me to explain and I double checked this with some experienced EPT players.

Because each round is a "double round" with an attacker and defender phase, by EPT rules, in MELEE the defender is allowed a roll, regardless whether or not the first striker did killing damage, for a "dying blow" as the rules put it.

With this rule, its only missile throwers and spell-casters who gain any real benefit from 1st strike as anyone taken out by a spell or missiles cannot melee.

[xerxez]

Jun 7, 2023 9:56:26 GMT -6 scottenkainen said:

N'Rasa had slept on her cloak, with her leather armor laying on top of her to shield her from the morning dew and gnats.

In the morning she followed up in the rear of the party, but asked those in front of her: "Did anyone think to bring provisions? Is there food?"

((Combat intentions may come later today, as I catch up.))

(There is food and water unloaded from the skiff. I will leave this open tonight and tomorrow for you to reply before I begin Round Two. By the way, hopefully you read in the previous post that N'Rasa is currently invisible thanks to Vortumoi as is he and three porters- you are able to attack or cast spells while in this state and remain invisible )

[dtspurrier1]

Mohammad will kill the creature since there was no indication of prisoners

[scottenkainen]

Rd. 1: N'Rasa got within 5' and feinted with her dagger, gauging if she was really invisible to them by their lack of reaction to her.
Rd. 2: Rather than engage in melee, she opted to try distracting them with illusion. She tried making an illusion of a giant fly overhead to lure them away (we can say it failed that round).
Rd. 3: N'Rasa tried the same illusion trick again...

[xerxez]

Second Round of Combat With Frog-Beasts

The evil swamp humanoids rally and beset you with increased ferocity.

Two of them are fallen but the remaining four are enraged.

As N'rasa feints at one with her dagger and sees no reaction at all, she realizes Vortumoi has indeed made her invisible.

The dead frog-demon at Balesh's feet is stepped over by another as it swings it's axe, and lands a tremendous blow on the warrior, cutting a deep gash in his ribs.
Balesh returns a swing but misses.

The one fighting Fi'ru and Karunaz stabs and misses with its spear. Karunaz swings his blad in a sideways arc and lops the thing's head clean off, sending it into the stream in a torrent of blood.

Charbok and a frog-demon both attack each other but miss.

The frog-demon with the net hurls it as Mi'kimu, and alas, the warrior and his weapon are entangled! Mi'kimu struggles to break free but the net has him bound at the moment!

The net-caster now draws a spear from it's back and makes as if to advance, but then suddenly looks up and lets out a croak-shriek, it's eyes fixed on what no one else among you can see.

Net-Thrower begins assaulting the empty air above him as though stabbing an invisible creature, quite forgetting Mi'kimu for the moment.

Meanwhile, a gash appears in the head of the rog-demon fighting Charbok, but not by the Priest's hand! It is as though an invisible weapon struck him! But he does not die.....

GM Notes:

Initiative Roll: Frog-Demons, 4, Party 3.

Frog Demon Spear at Balesh - 17- D6 Damage to Balesh = 4 Points,
Balesh return blow- 7, miss.

Frog Demon Spear at Karunaz- 4, Miss
Karunaz return strike- 16- d6 Damage to Frog Demon = 3 Points, finishing him!

Frog Demon Axe at Charbok- 6, Miss
Charbok Mace- 8, Miss

Frog Demon Net-Hurler at Mi'kimu- 18, No Damage but entangled, no attack. Mi'kimu tries to slip free of the net with his 96 Dex but GM roll on his behalf is 99, no good! He is entangled this round and must try to get free next round again!

N'Rasa Illusion Spell: Three of the frog demons managed to disbelieve the shamaness' Illusion spell of a giant Fly by rolling over 40% on percentile- however, the Net-Hurler "sees" the Giant Fly and quite forgets Mi'kimu for the moment, devoting his efforts to the ugly bug!

Vortumoi, invisible, swings his mace at Charbok's assailant- 18, D6 Damage Against frog demon = 4 points!

[xerxez]

Round Three of Combat With Frog-Demons:

Three remain- one against Charbok, one against Balesh, one against some unseen threat in the air above it (N'Rasa's Illusion Spell.

I rolled Initiative and the enemy got a 1; Party, 6!

Making a new Dexterity Roll for Mi'kimu, he gets an 81%, below his DEX of 96-the warrior manages to cast off the net.

The party notes that no amount of bloodshed upon their ranks ebbs the will of the survivors to maintain their assault-- whatever they are (None of you save perhaps Mohammad and your guides know exactly) they seem never to lose morale.

What are your actions this round?

[flightcommander]

Welp, Mi'kímu tries to disentangle himself next round — and if he does so, he seeks immediate revenge for his trouble, laying into the closest "frog demon" with his axe and a cry of "what ho!"

[xerxez]

Jun 8, 2023 20:34:28 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

Welp, Mi'kímu tries to disentangle himself next round — and if he does so, he seeks immediate revenge for his trouble, laying into the closest "frog demon" with his axe and a cry of "what ho!"

Mi'kimu is closest to Bálesh, who is engaging a mean one!

(In case you missed my post on it, Mi'kimu did slip the net this round)

Mi'kimu swings and hacks the frog-demon solidly, nearly severing it's left arm.

It howls in pain! It turns from Bálesh and aims a return blow with it's good arm-

Mi'kimu is hit! Not a mortal blow but it sends forth Nuroabite blood!

GM Rolls:

Mi'kimu axe @ frog-demon d20= 19! Damage D6 +1 bonus = 7 points damage!

Frog-Demon return blow @ Mi'kimu d20= 15, hit, D6 Damage to Mi'kimu= 2 points.

As the frog-demon has turned to fight Mi'kimu after being hit by the same he will not get another blow in his defense and Bálesh may attack freely without fear of reprisal this round.

[makofan]

Balesh will fight, or die

[scottenkainen]

N'Rasa tried to lure the net-hurler away from the battle with the "fat, juicy giant fly."

[dtspurrier1]

Mahammad attacks the net wielder

[xerxez]

BATTLE'S END:

(I swear, I'm using my old Tekumel dice and I NEVER roll this good as a player...)

Balesh having a clear attack thrusts his sword through the frog-demon, which is attacking Mi'kimu; it falls shrieking and dies!

Mohammad closes on the Net-Hurler-- as he moves in he hears a hideous screech from the monster as if it has been wounded by an invisible foe!

Pressing in he swings his weapon and shatters the monster's skull- it dies twitching.

This leaves but one other- the creature assaulting Charbok.

There is a shimmer in the air near that frog-demon and another invisible thud-- as another gash is opened in its head from that blow, Charbok finishes it with a heavy blow of his mace.

All of you stand panting, adrenaline overlowing in you; aside from your breathing, there is suddenly no sound but the flowing stream as it courses over the dead priests and priestesses in the water.

Fi'ru seems dazed and suddenly paralyzed with the sight!

GM Rolls:

Balesh sword @ frog-demon d20= 20! Double Damage- d6= 4 Damage x 2, so 8 +STR bonus of 4, 12 Points Damage, no return blow.

Mohammad Mace @ frogdemon, d20 = 19, D6 Damage = 4 Points
Illusory Giant Fly Bite @ frog-demon, d20= 15, D6 Damage = 5 Points
Frog-Demon Return Blow at Giant Fly Illusion d20= 3, Miss.

(In EPT Rules, Damage From Illusion Creatures is real if the target believed the Illusion!)

Charbok Mace @ frog-demon d20= 16 + 3 (bonuses), Hit, Damage d6 = 6 + 3, 9 points Damage.

Vortumoi Mace @ frog-demon d20= 16, Damage d6 = 4 points.

Frog Demon Return Blow d20= 7, Miss.

The creatures all lie dead.

Suddenly an invisible Vortumoi, N'rasa, and 3 Porters re-appear.

The Hu'ru priest spits on a dead monster.

"Hlu'turgu! Swamp Frogs. Must be a raiding party so far from their Eastern haunts."

The fight is over-what do you do/say?

[flightcommander]

"Grim foes — I celebrate their death! If only my axe had bitten more, and deeper!"

Mi'kímu turns to Karunaz — "The raiment of these victims, do you recognize them? The colors signify nothing to me."

Later, he turns to Fi'ru to comfort the lad. "First blood! You have done well. I expect better next time, la! But steel yourself to these terrible sights, boy — our mission will present many more such horrors, and worse. Now, I need your help to bind this wound ..."

[xerxez]

Jun 9, 2023 21:16:15 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

"Grim foes — I celebrate their death! If only my axe had bitten more, and deeper!"

Mi'kímu turns to Karunaz — "The raiment of these victims, do you recognize them? The colors signify nothing to me."

Later, he turns to Fi'ru to comfort the lad. "First blood! You have done well. I expect better next time, la! But steel yourself to these terrible sights, boy — our mission will present many more such horrors, and worse. Now, I need your help to bind this wound ..."

Karunaz wipes the blood from his own wound, the sweat of battle in the jungle heat bathing his face.

KARUNAZ: "These were two priestesses and a priest of Hri'hyal, the Dancing Maiden of Temptation. The green and purple robes and the silver anklets upon what legs remain mark them as such.

Hri'Hyal is the Co-hort of Dla'melish, the Lady of Sins. Her's is a pleasure cult, dedicated only to the senses.

The city towards which we travel, N'gala, was built during the Bedjnallan period and the whole city was dedicated to Hri'Hyal. Some of the sunken idols we passed along our paths were representations of demons who guarded her precincts and even courted her.

The city fell in a great conflagration which some say was a punishment of the Dancing Maiden herself.

I should tell you now that although N'gala is a ruin, there are still active shrines and sanctuaries in the Underworld below it's rubble. Many rites take place there, and traffic of slaves bound for either bacchanal rites or sacrifice. No doubt these lost ones were on some errand to or from those shrines when the met these Hlu'turgu.

Vrimeshtu wishes no open conflict with Hri'Hyal's sect, hence the secrecy of our mission. The tomb we seek lies just outside their domain."


VORTUMOI: "Liv'yani! These outlanders know all they need to know of our quest, and they will be well paid for the task at hand-- political issues between clans and temples do not concern them.

KARUNAZ: "Aye, Master."

VORTUMOI: "I will grant you, outlanders, that you fought bravely and well. You are welcome to the trinkets upon these unfortunate pleasure-cultists. Well done, Shamaness, on the use of your magic... what did you conjure up-- a Flying Serpent? But we waste time."

Fi'ru sets his spear down and begins binding the wound of Mi'kimu, seeming to gather his will again.

FI'RU: "I shall do better next time, Master."

You may all declare actions at this point prior to departing the scene. At this point, Fi'ru is now a 1st Level Warrior and I will create a character sheet for him.

I will also compute XP for each of you.

[makofan]

Balesh says "I am sorely wounded. Have we the means to help reduce some of my pain?"

OOC: My guess is a first level party got attacked by six 2HD creatures? We are lucky to be alive

[xerxez]

Jun 10, 2023 10:11:19 GMT -6 makofan said:

Balesh says "I am sorely wounded. Have we the means to help reduce some of my pain?"

OOC: My guess is a first level party got attacked by six 2HD creatures? We are lucky to be alive

Vortumoi nods at the warrior.

The Priest reaches into sash and draws forth a strange object which none of you have ever seen before.

It is a small dully, orb shaped gem(think pinball sized)which he holds up towards Balesh as one might hold a coin they are about to flip.

A small, stylized eye is on it's front which he aims at the warrior.

VORTUMOI: "This is called the Ineluctable Eye of Healing, Outlander. One of the treasures of the Ancients, come from the Underworld. Do not fear it's beam- it will bathe you in a healing energy that you will feel bring new strength to you."

He appears to operate some button on the back with his thumb, holding the Eye in the crook of his index finger.

To the amazement of the Nuroabites, a glowing green cone of light shoots forth, it's tip emanating from from the Eye!

It begins at Balesh's head, goes down slowly to his feet, then up again. (Think of a laser scan as if a read took place then some kind of molecular reconstruction...).

To Balesh's astonishment, the wound to his ribs begins to heal instantly and is gone within seconds.

Vortumoi uses the Eye in Turn upon Karunaz, Mohammad and Mi'kimu, rendering the binding unnecessary.

Karunaz bows deeply.

KARUNAZ: "Many thanks, Honored Priest."

VORTUMOI: "There is further healing in the Eye but do not be reckless...the Ancients had some means of storing magic energy in the Eyes but not unlimited quantities. I have had this Eye for three years and only used it four times. I know it's remaining uses, and you must not rely on it overmuch. There are other kinds of Eyes, all powerful- if any of us find any of them, I caution everyone here to give not the slightest thought of keeping them. They belong to my Uncle and his Clan..."

GM Note: Karunaz and Vortumoi are both fifth level and Vortumoi has sorcery as you witnessed when he concealed N'Rasa and your other kinsmen with the Group II Spell of Invisibility. The spell lasts for 3 Turns, causes bonuses to Saving Throws and penalties on opponent attacks- it can make up to d6 beings invisible.

Although you are first level, you have very tough allies!

[makofan]

Balesh is amazed and stunned. He bows deeply, and says reverently "I feel unworthy for such a gift bestowed upon me. Truly this is a wonder"

ooc: BTW, Balesh will be looking at any corpses they happen upon for armor he can scavenge, as currently he has none