Dungeon Master S's "Abomination Vaults" AP

Game Master Chris Marsh

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Carrufikus hoped for more, but his spell does shake the shadow, pulling it apart just a bit.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: DI
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Go
Shadow: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

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

Elena weaves a spell, glowing white arcane sigils appearing in the air before her. Completing the spell, a brief glimpse of the future fills her mind.
Cast True Strike

She uses that knowledge to weave evocation magic. Moments later she holds a ball of flame, which she hurls angrily at the shade.
Produce Flame vs Shadow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
OR
Produce Flame vs Shadow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage (Fire): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Elena's spell strikes, but even that seems completely muted! The shadow lashes out to strike not at Bibi, but at her shadow!

ATK: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 for DOUBLE: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 = 11 and it nearly drops her! The shadow then tries to tear the halfling's shadow completely away from her! It starts to pull away Bibi is Enfeebled 1

Round 2:
Carrufikus: DI
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Hit, no damage
Shadow: ATK
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Go
Elena: Go
Shadow: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

That's bad, right? Noroc says. That's bad?

Without waiting for an answer, he reaches instinctively for his walking stick before remembering his own weakness. Instead, he summons up a sudden PULSE of moonlight, washing over the room and bathing it with a cool, healing energy — one that he hopes will both soothe the wounds of his companions while harming the undead spirit.

◈◈◈ heal: 1d8 ⇒ 1 haha, of course. Well, DC 18 Fort save, 30 ft emanation should get everyone, anyway. For all the good it'll do.

FORT: 1d20 ⇒ 16 The shadow darkens as it completely resists the spell.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: DI
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Hit, no damage
Shadow: ATK
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Woh-woh
Peldur: Go

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Go
Elena: Go
Shadow: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

Clutching his fist around the fabric of the sling, Peldur drops down into a crouch and dashes around the southern perimeter of the room to stand next to Bibi. He then lashes out at the shadow, hoping to distract it from the halfling.

Tiger Stance, Stride, Flurry of Blows

Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Bibi screams in pain and shock as the shadow plunges its...claws?...into Bibi's shadow's heart, and she feels her own stop for a couple beats. Knowing she'll never survive a second hit, she takes a single swipe at the monster then backs away.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Peldur takes his best shot, but both of his punches are juked by the shadow. Bibi, however, scores a light hit before she backs away!

Round 2:
Carrufikus: DI
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Hit, no damage
Shadow: ATK
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Woh-woh
Peldur: Miss

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Go
Shadow: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

Free: Drain Bonded Item
Action 1-3: Magic Missile

She slams the butt of her staff on the ground, causing a surge of stored arcane power to flow into her. She then works through the arcane words and gestures to create more evocation magic. This time three darts of force appear, streaking out to strike the shadow!
Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) + 3 = 12

Tal draws his enchanted morningstar and tries to overwhelm the shadow's meager connection to the physical world.

Morningstar +1:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16, Damage on Hit:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Morningstar +1:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21, Damage on Hit:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Elena's missiles seem to work just fine, and Talborel's second arrow also tears a bit of the shadow creature!

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Magic Missile
Shadow: TBD
Talborel: TBD
Noroc: TBD
Peldur: TBD

"Foul Beast, Go away! Desna does not want you here any longer! This is what she thinks of you!"

Carrufikus casts a three action Heal. A burst of butterflies flows out like an instant spring bloom and the light they give off fills everyone with healing except for one foul creature in the room.

Heal: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Everyone is healed 7 hit points, but the shadow may DC 18 Basic Fortitude Save for the positive damage from the heal.

FORT: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Carrufikus keeps the field suffused with positive energy. The shadow resists some, but not all of it!

The shadow stays put though, trying to cascade its inky darkness over the Talborel's magical morningstar.

Tendril: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Tendril: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Tendril: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 for Negative Energy: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12

It finally connects, and whispers a curse in Necril.

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Magic Missile
Shadow: Hit
Talborel: Go
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

Tal swings the morningstar...

Morningstar +1:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20, Damage on Hit:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Morningstar +1:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21, Damage on Hit:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

And then steps back shouting, Come on!

He prepares to AID Peldur... When Peldur is ready to strike, Tal will seemingly drop his defenses and, "swoon", a little. HOping to give Peldur a bonus to his attack.

Both of Talborel's swings connect with the shadow creature. The creature shudders, eeking out some sibilant words in the tongue of death. It doesn't dissolve, but the party can sense victory....

ound 3:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Magic Missile
Shadow: Hit
Talborel: Hits!
Noroc: Go
Peldur: Go

Seeing the opening that Tal... opens in the creature's defense, Peldur strikes!

claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

claw: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Peldur's strikes are both hit and miss, but unfortunately the hits aren't hard enough to affect the shadow!

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi: Hit
Elena: Magic Missile
Shadow: Hit
Talborel: Hits!
Noroc: Go
Peldur: No damage

Frustrated by his ineffectiveness against — against whatever this is, Noroc tries his divine lance spell again, sending a blast of positive energy toward it.

spell attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
good: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Verbal & somatic components for divine lance, Step.

Action 1-2: Electric Arc
Action 3: Interact

Elena once more weaves an evocation spell, creating an arc of electricity that makes a jagged line towards the shadow!
Electric Arc vs Shadow, DC 18 basic Reflex: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

She then snatches a scroll from her bandoleer, one that will allow her to summon help if needed.

Noroc's spell misses, but then Elena comes back with an arc of purple electricity. Sparks fly off the two dimensional foe as it melts into the ambient light. The shadow is no more.

And for the victory, each hero earns 80 XP.

"Well done, my friends! I don't like seeing undead like that roaming around. Is everybody okay? Can I tend to any of your wounds?"

Bibi lets out a chuff of air as she drops to her knee, one hand still on her chest. Some of the color has returned to her face, but she's still pale & wan-looking. She shakily raises her other hand, with a weak smile, as Carrufikus mentions healing.

Missed and corrected. For reaching accord with the fiendish Zozzlarin each hero earns 60 XP.

"Bibi, you cannot let yourself get this hurt."

Carrufikus casts heal on Bibi.

Heal: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"I know you told me to keep myself safe, but I need you to keep yourself safe as well."

She smiles. Thing just got lucky. i'm used to dodging stuff that attacks ME, not my shadow!!

Noroc grins at Bibi's cavalier attitude while he Searches the room.

Search (Perception: expert): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Bibi's personality is the brightest thing in this macabre room. Noroc looks around thoroughly and discovers nothing new.

"I'm not sure how much further we should explore today, but I am sorry to tell you that I have exhausted all of my heal spells. If you think any further will bring us into danger, then perhaps we should rest first."

"I'm not sure how much further we should explore today, but I am sorry to tell you that I have exhausted all of my heal spells. If you think any further will bring us into danger, then perhaps we should rest first."

I still have a tad, Noroc says helpfully. Though, mine don't have the punch of yours.

"That shade was incredibly dangerous. I do still have some magic at my disposal, but I would probably need about twenty minutes to study my spellbook to prepare. If we can take some time to bandage wounds I will take the time to be productive."

If there are no objections, Elena will take 20 minutes to use Spell Substitution, swapping Grease and Unseen Servant for Magic Missile and Summon Animal. She will also stow her staff and hold onto her Summon Animal scroll

Well, Uncle Bofus always said "you listen to your healer!!" If we're not in any rush, maybe it's best to find a safe place to rest. Besides, I do need to remember to look over that boat topside, while there's still light...

Well, Uncle Bofus always said "you listen to your healer!!" If we're not in any rush, maybe it's best to find a safe place to rest. Besides, I do need to remember to look over that boat topside, while there's still light...

For the excellent reference to Rule #32, Bibi gains 1 Hero Point.

Noroc considers Bibi's words. So...back up, then? he asks, looking at Elena with a raised eyebrow.

The party, in agreement, trucks back to Otari. Once in town, each go their separate ways. The plan to return is up to you.

The morning of Calistrial 5, 4721 is partly cloudy.

It really is up to you. Downtime or adventure, the call is yours. To get some momentum going, I'll go with the first plan to be seconded.

Bibi wanted to check the boat before we left the lighthouse. Noroc, at the least, will accompany her.

The party takes a detour to the boat on the way back. The boat looks like it's in good condition, and you can use it to navigate the waters around the ruins. Searching the rowboat, you find two things. The first is a stash of pastries—smoked salmon in a fish-shaped doughy exterior. Society Check The second is a carving of a flying bird decorating the inside of the boat near the bow. Society Check

Bibi picks up the patsies and sniffs them with a quizzical look.

society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

She also looks closely at the carving.

society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Elena never passes on a chance to learn or see things in this fascinating place, accompanying Bibi.

Society w/Dubious Knowledge: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Society w/Dubious Knowledge: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Carrufikus follows Elena and Bibi.

"Ladies, please don't go wandering off too far. We should never split the party, you know."

The gnome then looks at the boat.

Society: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Next, the flying bird.

Society: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Elena recognizes the “fishcakes” as those sold at the Crook’s Nook.

"I recognize those fishcakes! Someone else from town has been here."

Can anyone look for tracks? I think the missing folks used this boat.

No one finds any tracks, and the boat looks like it's been here for at least a few days. There does seem to be an opening under the dock to which it's tied.
Just under the water line is a cave opening that retreats back under the ruins.

"That cave... is where I think the mitflit king said there was a drake or dragon of some sort. I'm not saying that we should not explore the cave, but it is something we should consider with care."

Oooohhh...sexy!! Yeah, let's go back to town to rest, and think on what we've done.

Upon sunrise the next day, you reconvene after breakfast. Peldur smells like he slept in some moss.

"Good morning." Carrufikus greets his companions. "Are you ready to take out some more evil? I'm curious, do you think a drake is a real dragon?"

Bibi swishes her breakfast tankard, staring thoughtfully into the brew. Hmmmm...Iiiiidunno. I mean, real dragons lay waste to countrysides and eat virgins and steal gold, right? Having one THAT close to Otari, I'd think it'd be all the scuttlebutt. I'm guessing it's some lesser creature that looks dragon-ish. What does our scholar think?

After giving Elena a chance to weigh in, and taking a long draught, Bibi burps a bit. 'Scuse me. Folks, may I make a suggestion? We prioritize trying to find the missing people I was trigged to. The longer they're missing, the less chance they're still alive, savvy? Can we try to search that underwater cave--assuming we can swim down there & there's an air pocket or something?

Noroc stops shoveling pastries into his mouth long enough to speak. Eyef hurd dere's magic can let us breef under watur, he volunteers through masticated baked dough.

"Yes, there are lesser beasts that could easily be mistaken for a dragon," Elena agrees with Bibi. She takes a sip of her own drink while Noroc mentions water breathing magic. "I don't know the magic necessary to breathe water, but there are short-term ways that I could master fairly quickly. But it's not something I could cast for everyone. That said, if you give me a bit I will acquire a scroll and see to scribing it."

If no one minds I will buy an Air Bubble scroll and scribe it. Won't take long to do. Assuming folks don't mind...
Learn a Spell: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Crit success. Cost is 1gp to scribe, plus the purchase price of the scroll. It takes 30 minutes to scribe, and 10 minutes to use Spell Substitution to prepare it