Dungeon Master S's "Abomination Vaults" AP

Game Master Chris Marsh

Carrufikus moves his hands in somatic gestures and casts Electric Arc on the misty creature.

Electricity Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
DC 18 Basic Reflex Save

REF: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 The mist easily dodges Carrufikus's spell.

A wheel of tendrils emerge from the mist, Noroc, Talborel, and Bibi all find them reaching for their necks.

V. Noroc: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 for Slashing: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8 you take 1d6 Persistent Bleed AND a FORT save
V. Talborel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 MISS
V. Bibi: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 MISS

Noroc's blade strikes, and seems to wound the mist, but barely. Bibi lands a direct hit, though her guess at anatomy doesn't seem to help Can be flanked, but no sneak attack.

Round 2
Bibi: Hit
Carrufikus: EA
Red mist thing: ATK
Elena: Go
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

Action 1: True Strike
Action 2-3: Produce Flame

Elena weaves a sliver of magic, divining and potential path that the future may hold. She then once more conjures and small ball of flame in her hand and hurls it at the mist.
Produce Flame vs Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Or
Produce Flame vs Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage (Fire): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Elena gives herself a bit of good fortune, then hurls some flame at the mist, which instantly burns a noticeable amount of it away.

Round 2
Bibi: Hit
Carrufikus: EA
Red mist thing: ATK
Elena: Hit
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

Noroc swings at the misty apparition desperately.

chop: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

chop: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 5 = 5
slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

chop: 1d20 + 6 - 10 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 10 = -2
slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

A bit too desperately, it seems.

Strike x3.

Noroc's attacks miss, but he escapes the worst of the mist's attack still take 1d6 ⇒ 2 bleed damage, but then it stops. His toughness is a boon as the mist cannot power itself via the man's spilt blood!

Round 2
Bibi: Hit
Carrufikus: EA
Red mist thing: ATK
Elena: Hit
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Miss
Peldur: Go

Round 3
Bibi: Go
Carrufikus: Go
Red mist thing: TBD
Elena: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

Tal pulls his main-gauche and prepares to parry (Interact to draw, interact to parry, +1 AC for the round)

He waits a moment, and with the creature's attention on Noroc and Bibi, he lifts the morningstar and brings in down in a heavy, overhead smash, hoping the rune on the weapon will damage the abomination.

Morningstar +1:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20, Damage on Hit:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Vs. Flank

The thief continues to slash and stab, trying to find some purchase.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Attack: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

If the crit succeeds...
Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Talborel prepares for a practiced defense, and scores a light hit!

Round 2
Peldur: Go

Round 3
Bibi: Pending
Carrufikus: Go
Red mist thing: TBD
Elena: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

Peldur rushes in, throwing several kicks at the mist, then retreats.

Step 10', Flurry of Blows, Step 10'

Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Peldur's flurry isn't very effective. He strikes it once, but his fist doesn't get enough purchase to matter.

Fortunately, Bibi is right there. She sinks her blade to the hilt! The mist shudders a bit from the blow.

Round 3
Bibi: Crit
Carrufikus: Go
Red mist thing: TBD
Elena: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

First, Carrufikus quickly casts a two action heal on Peldur.

Two Action Heal on Peldur: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Carrufikus then follows up by treating Noroc's wounds with amazing speed by using battle medicine.

Medicine DC 15 to Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Critical Success Treat Wounds: 4d8 ⇒ (5, 8, 4, 5) = 22

◈◈ Heal
◈ Battle Medicine

Spurred on by the dream winds of Desna, Carrufikus patches the party together. Noroc looks positively pristine!

The mist, it's last gasp of animus on the line, again tries to open as many wounds as possible.

V. Bibi: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 for Slashing: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8 I need a DC 20 FORT Save, AND you take d6 Persistent Bleed on your turn.
V. Noroc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 MISS
V. Talborel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 for Slashing: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3 I need a DC 20 FORT Save, AND you take d6 Persistent Bleed on your turn.

Round 3
Bibi: Crit
Carrufikus: Heal
Vampiric Mist: ATK
Elena: Go
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

Action 1-2: Produce Flame
Action 3: Shield

Elena repeats her cantrip from before, conjuring a ball of flame that she hurls at the mist!
Produce Flame vs Mist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage (Fire): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The ball flies wide, causing Elena to curse like a good Ulfen would. She works through another cantrip, creating a temporary shield of force to protect herself.

fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

The blood flies forth from Bibi. The mist, nearly destroyed, absorbs it, and looks a bit more solid. Bibi, you're drained 1

Round 3
Bibi: Crit
Carrufikus: Heal
Vampiric Mist: ATK
Elena: Go
Talborel: Fort + Go + Flat Check
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

Talborel's parry is strangely no additional help. His focus and wits alone won't save him.

Fortitude Save:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Flat Check:1d20 ⇒ 3

I'm taking suggestions on which of these to burn a Hero Point on.

The Fort save is a crit fail, so that's the one to reroll.

HERO POINT THE FORT SAVE SIR YES SIR:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Ha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...*bawl*

Per Slack, Hero Point to on the spell attack
Produce Flame vs Mist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

With a grateful nod to Carrufikus, Noroc interposes himself protectively between the ghost and Elena, then takes a couple more hacks at the blood-draining thing.
chop: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

chop: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 5 = 6
slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

His flailing is unsuccessful.

Step, Strike x2.

EDIT: Yeah, "random", amirite?

Tal will take a swing, as he... Bleeds.

Bleed Damage:1d6 ⇒ 5

Tal, falls to his knees, eyes filled with blood, and blood pouring from his eyes and ears.

That all you got?

Morningstar +1:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24, Damage on hit:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Bashing Damage. He follows it up with a slice from the dagger... 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18, Damage on Hit:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

He then doesn't whip the dagger about to parry because his wits are already parry enough for him.

(I'll drop it... One day)

He'll step away with Action 3.

Elena's spell misses by a bit.

Talborel connects, but doesn't hit it hard enough. Additionally the mist sucks his blood and adds it to the mist, now glowing an intense red, full of power and fury. Talborel is now Drained 2

Noroc too continues to struggle with connecting.

Round 3
Bibi: Crit
Carrufikus: Heal
Vampiric Mist: ATK
Elena: Miss
Talborel: Hit too light
Noroc: Miss
Peldur: Go

Round 4
Bibi: Go
Carrufikus: Go
Vampiric Mist: TBD
Elena: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

Anyone have any torches???

Bibi continues to stab, but starts eyeing the doorway out.

DRAINED 1

bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 <--hah! rolling deadly damage below damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
DEADLY: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Attack: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

As the creature focuses on the others, Peldur rushes in with a quick one-two combo, then rolls away to safety.

Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Step 10', Flurry of Blows, Step 10'

Peldur loads his hips for a one-two combination. The first strike is powerful. Mist sprays across the walls. His second is devastating.

Most of the mist now exists only as droplets on the wall and floor. When Bibi steps up, there's but a small tendril keeping it together. She easily severs it with her blade!

Round 4
Bibi: Kill
Carrufikus: Go
Elena: Go
Talborel: Go (1d6 Persistent Bleed)
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

The threat is gone, but the wounds are still gushing!

Peldur gains 1 Hero Point for his 1-2 combo crit. The party earns 60 XP for surviving the haunted pool of blood, and another 60 XP for defeating the vampiric mist.

Noroc gives Talborel a heal spell, a gentle beam of moonlight washing over the elf and bestowing cool, healing energy.

heal ◈◈: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Tal swoons a little and slips down to a cross-legged sitting position. He starts taking out salves and bandages and trying to treat his own wounds...

Which... Because he's not a combat medic yet (right?) He can't do IN initiative. So he takes...

1d6 ⇒ 2 Bleed...

Flat Check to end the bleed... 1d20 ⇒ 7

Down 8 HP

BUT...

With the Heal spell from Noroc, Tal's strength is recovered and he is no longer bleeding.

Once we're out of init, Tal will Treat Wounds.

Medicine:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6... But he chooses the wrong salve and he coughs up a bunch of blood.

Damage:1d8 ⇒ 2

I need rest

Bibi holds her bleeding neck with one hand, and raises the other. Um...where does the line for healing start? I'd like to get in it, please thank you.

Carrufikus starts by casting a three action Heal spell upon the party.

Heal: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Everyone is healed 7 hp

Exhausted, but out of danger, Carrufikus tends to the party. The moon provides a bit of light in the room, about as much as the muted and pale light from the lighthouse itself.

It's been a long day. The desire for revelry has become as dim as the light. Bed calls.

Tal examines The Gauntlight. Given all that they've seen and done, can he determine anything about how or why the Gauntlight fired and summoned creatures? The Haunt was an image of the woman they've seen.

Recall Knowledge? Suss out the function of the beacon?

Bibi notices Tal's reverie and joins him, making a close examination of the beacon. She gives pointers for things she's noticing, hoping they can "compare notes" for a better outcome

Search, take 20 for 26

So Take 10 and 20 are gone, and I think this is NOT an improvement. There's Assurance, but regardless of the balance, I think it's less fun.

Bibi looks around, but the room is really empty beyond the light itself. Talborel studies it, but it becomes quickly apparent that he does not have the training to suss out the magics at play here....

Can we just smash it? It can clearly be used for no good. And if someone actually needs it as an actual lighthouse, they can put in a normal lantern later.

Bibi gives Peldur an appraising look, then nods in agreement with the "that seems reasonable" affect.

So Take 10 and 20 are gone, and I think this is NOT an improvement. There's Assurance, but regardless of the balance, I think it's less fun.

Bibi looks around, but the room is really empty beyond the light itself. Talborel studies it, but it becomes quickly apparent that he does not have the training to suss out the magics at play here....

None of my skills apply? Is it a Level of training required? (expert or whatever?) I got a lot of skills.

It's level of skill, as you are trained in the right skill. You need better than Trained to have a clue here.

Not being able to figure it out, Tal remembers the battle of Bayard Swamp some... Nine Hells... 300 years?

Can we break it, Elena?

Elena is also at a loss. This is beyond her too. Maybe? Maybe not?

Same boat.

While the others are searching, Carrufikus tends to the wounds of his companions. He takes out his healer's kit and using ointments and bandages and a little luck, he starts trying to mend his companions.

Treat Wounds on Talborel DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Heal Hit Points: 4d8 ⇒ (8, 3, 4, 2) = 17

"You should feel better after this!"

Treat Wounds on Bibi DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Heal Hit Points: 4d8 ⇒ (3, 7, 7, 1) = 18

"You were very brave to find the way you did against that creature. Now stay still while I clean out this wound."

"I don't know that we can break it, or that doing so won't trigger some kind of magical backlash," Elena says to Talborel. "This will take a lot more study. I may need to get a letter out to my teachers. But that won't get us a quick answer unfortunately, as Korvosa is not close."

With the party tended to, Elena sits down to study her spellbook. "I can prepare a magical alarm on the area around this magical item. It can warn me should anyone come close to it. I will need about 20 minutes to prepare and cast the spell. From there we should be able to rest."

Proposing casting Alarm.

Thanks, Carrufikus. Your poultices stink, but they do get the job done!

With the party tended to, Elena sits down to study her spellbook. "I can prepare a magical alarm on the area around this magical item. It can warn me should anyone come close to it. I will need about 20 minutes to prepare and cast the spell. From there we should be able to rest."

Should we go back to town to catch some rest, after you set that up? If it was any farther, I'd suggest finding the lee of some broken wall--there are plenty!--to sleep against, but a short walk for a bed sure does seem nice

After a bit more discussion On Slack the party waits for Elena to cast her spell. Despite the exhaustion, rest is mildly elusive. Still, the day was a victory and Desna eventually visits everyone...

The morning of 4 Calistril 4721 AR is overcast, but the rain holds back.

Talborel is now Drained 1, but they rise early and await the others with a cup of black coffee and a novel that looks beat to The Nine. It's possible that this is not their first cup, as they need to beat back the fatigue that comes from blood loss.

Whenever you maidens are ready.

Bibi, finishing a hearty breakfast, drains her tankard and scowls.

Heeeeeyyy...who YOU callin' *buuuuuurp* maiden?!?!

"Certainly not you," Elena says with a smile to the belching rogue. "So I guess that just leaves me. Unless you want to join the maidens, Noroc?"

She wipes her mouth with a cloth, then closes the spellbook she had been consulting. Beside it rests an envelope, sealed with wax. "I wrote a letter for one of my teachers. Hopefully it is enough to pique their interest enough to come to Otari. I'm not saying we are out of our depth here, but the magic we've seen is... powerful. I want a second opinion."

Elena retrieves a couple coins from her pouch. With a look to Peldur she adds, "Can you take it to be sent?"