GM WhtKnt's Darkness Within: A Carrion Crown Adventure Path

Game Master WhtKnt

WHile the others introduced each other, Judah stepped away to keep an eye towards the stairs.

I don't think these two are ready to see you the way you usually are, and we need to go upstairs for this fight. Back at the alchemical lab, you had a different shape. Do you have any more? Something less... awful looking? Judah asked mentally.

Yes the thing replied in Judah's head.

Great, switch to that. Join us when you're ready. Judah said in his head, breathing a sigh of relief.

"The troll is up these stairs," Judah said quietly. "Usually I scout ahead until I find trouble, and then these two move in first. The Doc and I provide ranged support. You two look like you know how to handle yourselves. How are you at being sneaky? Do you think we can get close enough to rush the troll?"

As Judah spoke, another Judah approached behind him and stood quietly at his shoulder. They looked identical, save for that he yellow marking around the new Judah's eye glowed on the opposite side.

"I'm light on my feet but not necessarily sneaky. I'll hang back if you wish to scout." Alistair offers.

"Not yet. We've learned our lesson about charging in with half a plan. These two are barely on their feet, and we don't know how you two operate. That troll doesn't know we're here, so lets take a little time to catch our breath."

"Other than the obvious weapons, what else do you two do? Any particular specialties? Do we need to give you space to throw bombs or spells? Do you, uh, summon things unexpectedly, or need us to leave you charging lanes?" Judah said, ticking points off on his fingers as he spoke.

Behind him, his silent duplicate mirrored Judah's movements imperfectly, it's eyes locked on him. It's face was impassive at first, focusing on the broad movements at first, but soon it started mimicking his expressions as well.

"My sword and my wit, my good man, with an occasional musket ball." Alistair replies. "I typically like space so I can move about but I can deal with tight quarters in a pinch. What about you and your... other self?"

Judah blinked. "My other... that is not how I'd-" He suddenly looked very nervous. "Waitaminute. How do you know about that?"

Behind him, his duplicate did it's best to imitate Judah's rapidly shifting emotions, but when Judah's expression turned to fear the double eyed Alistair with naked malice.

"It just seems to be trying to look like you, that's all. Looks like you may need to keep it on a leash. We should talk once we resolve this issue. Maybe I could help you find some people to help with your friend." Alistair says returning the glare of the double.

"What?" Judah asked, completely perplexed. He followed Alistair's gaze, turned around, and promptly backpedaled and fell on his ass.

"What the f*+#!" he squeaked, then noticed the glowing mark on it's eye. "WHA-" he managed to clamp his own hand over his mouth before shouting. He glanced worriedly towards the stairs for a moment, then picked himself up and rounded on his double again. "Are you serious? Are you capable of doing anything that doesn't creep me the f%*+ out?"

His double stopped mimicking and simply watched Judah's tirade. Then tilted his head in thought.

"M̸̤͎̠̗͙͙̓͐̂͌͆̽̿̀ą̶̻͚̙̯̱̯͉͑̋̄̽̑̀̾̚ỵ̴̩̤̦̝̰͍̠͋b̵̭̂̔̕e̴̲̳͑̎̿̂̋̄͐͝."

It's voice was like Judah's only in that it was understandable speech. Other than that, they sounded nothing alike. It sounded more like someone very far away forcing a wet bagpipe to approximate the sound of a word.

Judah ran his hands over his face. "Oh you talk now? Out loud and everything. Just when I think this nightmare can't get worse."

He rubbed his temples and turned back to the newcomers. "You're right. He does need a leash."

After a long breath to steady himself he said "Look, this isn't how I wanted you two to find out about him, but the cat's out of the bag now. He's a monster, I'm stuck with him, I'd rather if you didn't kill me over it."

Pffff, as if I would ever adopt a different shape! I am perfect the way I look! Dylans phantom looks at the conversation of obviously has opinions

She doesnt exactly sound human, and she clearly isnt, but she is well, normal in a way the gate is just not.

Dylan shrugs and keeps poking himself with a wand of cure light wounds he found somewhere.

Putting a leash on me? Nah. Like, not my kink, and I would prefer holding the leash anyway.

The *other dude* fights pretty well and can hold trolls so we can wail on them. Fairly useful. She says

The phantom's interjection turned Judah's expression to incredulity. His deadpan stare went from the phantom to Dylan and back again. "That explains a lot, and raises questions I do not ever want answers to."

"Can we just go fight a troll, please? At this point I feel like that would be the preferable scenario."

He started towards the stairs, stopped for a moment as his new double started following him, then continued on, glowering and muttering something under his breath.

Heading up the stairs.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

As Judah's double headed up the stairs after him, it began mimicking his movements again. It seemed to be much better at copying movements than expressions and speech. In the darkness of the stairwell it became darker and translucent, like a shadow.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

The alchemist shakes his head in agreement, then drinks his mutagen. His appearance gets a lot more bestial than before; a pair of weird, improperly shaped bat wings grow on his back, fangs stretch from his mouth, hands deform into claws, and immense animalistic spikes cover his body.

"No need to say it twice. It's time to properly address our situation." - says Daqas, before pulling his long dark coat and hat to follow, flapping his wings to fly silently. His voice tone is still formal, but it's clear he's struggling to keep it this way... As if "something else" was trying to take control of him.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 Another +2 if dim light

Mutagen lasts for one hour, more details on the profile

Alistair allows those skilled in stealth to precede him and then falls in about ten feet behind Daqas, moving as quietly as he is able.

stealth: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 = 16

Inexplicably, the troll is completely absorbed in what he is doing and does not hear the approach of the heroes. His back is turned to you, and it seems to be using a spyglass to observe the manor house. Unfortunately, the trollhound at his feet is more alert and hears you coming up the stairs. The hound emits a low growl, and the troll spins about! The troll wears a bandolier of mummified hands, and several needles pierce his flesh.

No one specifically said they were healing Lorant, and Dylan did not roll to see how much healing he received, but I'm going to assume that Dylan was brought up to full. Since Lorant only benefits from half-healing, he is at half his full total.

Lorant and Daqas are up!

STATUS
Troll: AC 20/13/16, unharmed
Trollhound: AC 15/11/14, unharmed

Judah: AC 15, 33/33 hp
Lorant: AC 18, 19/39 hp
Dylan: AC 22, 49/49 hp
Phantom: AC 19, 42/42 hp
Gate: AC 17, 25/33 hp
Elemental: AC 16, 13/13 hp

INITIATVE
Lorant
Daqas
Trollhound
Troll
Judah
Dylan
Gate
Alika

Troll Perception: 1d20 + 13 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 5 = 9
Trollhound Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Troll Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Trollhound Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Judah Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Gate Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Alistair Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Daqas Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Dylan Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Alika Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Lorant Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Sorry, GM, I may be missing the map itself (not sure if we're simply going theater of the mind on this one) but assuming Daqas is close enough to the troll and the hound

The flying monstrosity that passes as an alchemist flies up to the ceiling, concocts a bomb quickly, and throws the item against the troll, hoping to spit at its hound as well.

Bomb: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 Touch
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) + 4 = 16 Fire

Hopefully it should splash to the hound, I can exclude up to 4 squares from the splash if it'd hit my companions or things like important papers, other flammable objects, etc.

I've been forgotten. Say it's not so.

Corrections: Lorant is up!

INITIATIVE
Lorant
Daqas
Trollhound
Troll
Alastair
Judah
Dylan
Gate
Alika

STATUS
Troll: AC 20/13/16, unharmed
Trollhound: AC 15/11/14, unharmed

Judah: AC 15, 33/33 hp
Daqas: AC 21, 51/51 hp
Lorant: AC 18, 19/39 hp
Alastair: AC 23, 52/52 hp
Dylan: AC 22, 49/49 hp
Alika: AC 19, 42/42 hp
Gate: AC 18, 25/33 hp (50% concealment except in bright light)

Lorant chants and conjures a shield of faith to protect himself.

As this is a small space, I'm not going to post a map. You should all be able to surround the opponents.

The troll and the hound are dashed with the fiery substance, and both howl in pain as their flesh melts! This does not deter them, however. The hound launches an attack against Lorant, snapping at the dhampir. The attack is brutal, but clumsy, and Lorant is missed. The troll lifts its heavy crossbow and fires at the flying Daqas. The bolt slams home into the flying figure. (Daqas takes 8 points of damage!)

Everyone is up!

STATUS
Spell Effects: shield of faith (6 minutes)

Troll: AC 20/13/16, 31 hp damage (fire)
Trollhound: AC 15/11/14, 16 hp damage (fire)

Judah: AC 15, 33/33 hp
Lorant: AC 20, 19/39 hp
Daqas: AC 21, 51/51 hp
Dylan: AC 22, 49/49 hp
Phantom: AC 19, 42/42 hp
Gate: AC 17, 25/33 hp
Elemental: AC 16, 13/13 hp

INITIATVE
Lorant
Daqas
Trollhound
Troll
Judah
Dylan
Gate
Alika

Trollhound vs. Lorant: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Troll vs. Daqas: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Hi GM! I didn't see the result of the bomb that Daqas threw; did it hit? Did the splash hit? Also, Daqas AC while mutated (flying, etc.) is 26 (notice the "Mutagen" spoiler in my signature). Can I assume the crossbow actually misses?

The troll and the hound are dashed with the fiery substance, and both howl in pain as their flesh melts!

And yes, if your AC is 26, then the crossbow did indeed miss.

GM, can we get a map update?

"Uh, sic 'em, shadow me," Judah said, pointing his guardian into the frey. "Don't hurt my allies."

Then he took a shot at the hound and ducked out of sight behind the doorway.

Crossbow vs Trollhound: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Judah's shadowy double rushed in like it was half-animal, moving to harry the troll opposite Lorant, swinging it's hand like a claw.

Moving to flank, if possible

Claw, flanking? power attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 2 = 27 +2 if I can flank
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 = 19 +2 if I can flank
Bonus Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12

This form's attacks only deal half damage to corporeal creatures.

Bleed Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 I think Trolls are immune, but just in case...

GM, can we get a map update?

Sure, let me see what I can do.

Looking at the map, the space is much more confined than I figured. Looks like only two of you will be able to get in there (unless you have flight or incorporealness).

Judah launches a bolt at the trollhound, but it bounces off the creature's tough hide. His double flanks the troll with Daqas and unleashes an attack of its own, brutalizing the monster.

Dylan and Alika are up, if they can get in there.

STATUS
Spell Effects:
Shield of faith (6 minutes)

Troll: AC 20/13/16, 55 hp damage (fire)
Trollhound: AC 15/11/14, 16 hp damage (fire)

Judah: AC 15, 33/33 hp
Lorant: AC 20, 19/39 hp
Daqas: AC 26, 51/51 hp
Dylan: AC 22, 49/49 hp
Phantom: AC 19, 42/42 hp
Gate: AC 17, 25/33 hp

Dylan, Alika? Are you able to get in there?

Turn incoming, i just now get the "someone posted" thing.

Dylans phantom turns incorporeal and moves through the area, to get past the troll (if possible).

Dylan himself applies his long armed bardiche

attack: 1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 3 + 1 - 2 = 22
damage: 1d10 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 6 = 12

Alika can slip around the troll by remaining incorporeal. Dylan strikes at the troll with his bardiche, cutting a swath across its midsection.

Lorant and Daqas are up, if Lorant can somehow find an opening. The tower is full!

STATUS
Spell Effects:
Shield of faith (6 minutes)

Troll: AC 20/13/16, 43 hp damage (fire)
Trollhound: AC 15/11/14, 16 hp damage (fire)

Judah: AC 15, 33/33 hp
Lorant: AC 20, 19/39 hp
Daqas: AC 26, 51/51 hp
Dylan: AC 22, 49/49 hp
Alika: AC 19, 42/42 hp
Gate: AC 17, 25/33 hp