Dungeon Master S's "Abomination Vaults" AP

Game Master Chris Marsh

Carrufikus finds his spell has absolutely no effect on the wooden foe.

Round 1:
Carrufikus: Arc
Bibi: Go
Augrael: Go
Peldur: Hit no DMG
Statue: (Arcana to ID)
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

Bibi's rapier simply bounces off the statue!

Augrael runs into the room, "My friends!" It then attacks the statue: ATK: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24, but he is also rebuffed!

The statue tries to pummel Peldur:
ATK 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18 MISS
ATK 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 for DMG: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 8) + 8 = 22
ATK 3: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 for DMG: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 6) + 8 = 20

The two hits nearly drop the brawler!

Round 1:
Carrufikus: Arc
Bibi: Miss
Augrael: ATK
Peldur (5/47): Hit no DMG
Statue: ATK (Arcana to ID)
Tal: Go
Elena: Go
Noroc: Go

Elena takes a moment to study and identify what it is they're fighting. Recall Knowledge please. Arcana +11, Crafting/Occultism +9, Nature/Religion +6

She then attempts to concentrate enough to cast a spell.
Flat check vs Stupefied: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Managing to keep it together, she conjures a ball of flame and hurls it at the wooden statue.
Produce Flame vs Statue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Damage (Fire): 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10

FIRE: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 1, 7, 2) = 16 Elena finds her spell to be far more effective than normal against the wood!

Round 1:
Carrufikus: Arc
Bibi: Miss
Augrael: ATK
Peldur (5/47): Hit no DMG
Statue: ATK (Arcana to ID)
Tal: Go
Elena: BURN
Noroc: Go

Noroc frantically checks his inventory — but he has no fire. No spells that work either. Except...

He scurries into the room, he raising his left palm at the wooden statue, and a shaft of light the color of the pale moon emits from it.

spell attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 I VOLUNTEER THIS HERO POINT AS TRIBUTE
spell attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
fire: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Stride, verbal & somatic components for moonbeam. Now enfeebled 1 with a –2 penalty to saves/DCs against Grapple/Shove/other forms of forced movement.

Noroc's spell isn't as straight forward as Elena's, but fire is fire:
True damage: 4d8 ⇒ (1, 5, 1, 5) = 12 At this point I don't mind sharing, ALL fire spells will deal 4d8 damage, so you can handle damage rolls on your turns.

Round 1:
Carrufikus: Arc
Bibi: Miss
Augrael: ATK
Peldur (5/47): Hit no DMG
Statue: ATK (Arcana to ID)
Tal: Go
Elena: BURN
Noroc: Moonbeam

Elena isn't sure what this is. It MIGHT be a wood golem. That may mean weapons that strike hard enough result in a deadly spray of splinters, or that plant-based spells are extra effective.

Elena issues both warning and advise to the group. "I think! I'd need more time to be sure!"

Somehow... I'm way the eff back there?! HA!

Stride, Stride then I'm cutting down this tree with my axe.

Retribution Axe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16, On hit Slashing Damage: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Tal's axe hit isn't nearly hard enough to do any damage.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Go
Augrael: Go
Peldur (5/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

Tal's axe hit isn't nearly hard enough to do any damage.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Go
Augrael: Go
Peldur (5/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

** spoiler omitted **

Meaning Damage Resistance of some kind? Or the material isn't hard enough? Or was the 16 a miss and this was a way to describe it narratively?

Because if I hit and Max Damage wasn't enough, I think I should know that.

Bibi continues to take a stab, not sure whether it will DO anything, but to at least cover Peldur's retreat.

Attack vs. flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (5) = 15

Attack vs. flank: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (2) = 12

Meaning Damage Resistance of some kind? Or the material isn't hard enough? Or was the 16 a miss and this was a way to describe it narratively?

Because if I hit and Max Damage wasn't enough, I think I should know that.

I missed on a 16, so presumably yours is a miss

It does have DR, but that was a narrative description of not meeting the AC.

Augrael: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 MISS
Augrael: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 for DMG: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Bibi struggles to make any headway, as does Augrael until his follow up. The bite tears a chunk of wood out, but:
Splinter: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30 for DMG: 2d4 + 8 ⇒ (4, 4) + 8 = 16 a splinter flies out and impales Augrael's face!

Round 2:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Miss
Augrael (34/48): Hit
Peldur (5/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

Peldur strikes out at the statue several more times, before slipping away and putting some distance between themselves.

Flurry of Blows, Step 10', Stride

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Is the DR to magic? Peldur's fists count as magic, if it matters to the previous hit

DR to something none of you have, though Augrael's attack made it more than 50% through.

Peldur's attacks are way off unfortunately.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Miss
Augrael (34/48): Hit
Peldur (5/47): Miss
Statue: TBD
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

Carrufikus casts a two action heal on Peldur!

“We need you my friend. May Desna bring you good fortune! Reinvigormend!”

Heal: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (7, 7) + 16 = 30

Carrufikus patches Peldur together! Surrounded the statue lashes out randomly. 3d3 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) = 8

ATK v. Augrael: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37 for DOUBLE Bludgeoning: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 = 15
ATK v. Augrael: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 MISS

ATK v. Peldur: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 MISS

Augrael alone takes a massive pounding as the morlock-ghoul nearly goes down, and will certainly if struck again.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi: Miss
Augrael (4/48): Hit
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK!
Tal: Go
Elena: Go
Noroc: Go

Retribution Axe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10, Slashing Damage On Hit: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Retribution Axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13, Slashing Damage On Hit: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

*sigh*

Hunt Prey. I'm done.

Despite the classic pairing of axe to bole, Tal struggles to land a blow of any kind.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi: Miss
Augrael (4/48): Hit
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK!
Tal: Miss
Elena: Go
Noroc: Go

Noroc moves over, his walking stick in hand, mostly to help Bibi, as the ashen pallor to his skin makes it readily apparent he will not be able to effectively use the weapon.

Instead, he gives Augrael a little bit of a boon. Cast forbidding ward.

Stride, verbal & somatic components to Cast a Spell. Enfeebled 1 with a –2 penalty to saves/DCs against Grapple/Shove/other forms of forced movement.

Noroc tries to protect the party's undead friend. The statue is clearly damaged, but there's no telling how much fight it's got left in it.

Round 2:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi: Miss
Augrael (4/48): Hit
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK!
Tal: Miss
Elena: Go
Noroc: Ward

"Augrael! Move back! We've got this!"

She then struggles to concentrate enough to cast a spell...
Flat check vs Stupefied: 1d20 ⇒ 10

... and gathers enough wits to once more hurl magical fire at the golem.
Produce Flame vs Golem: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 I'm certain that's a miss, so let's try a hero point.
Produce Flame vs Golem: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Sigh.

Elena curses as the magical flame flies wide.

Elena's spell goes REALLY wide.

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Go
Augrael (4/48): Go
Peldur (35/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

Having few options--and not having landed a hit yet, so whether the rapier will be effective is not really known--Bibi pumps her amr like a wee piston.

Listen to Elena, Augrael! BACK OFF!!

Attack, flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (2) = 7

Attack, flank: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (2) = 10

Attack, flank: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (1) = 10

Bibi continues to attack with her weapon, but simply cannot connect to damage the thing. Augrael looks like he'll follow her advice though...

Indeed, he steps away carefully and puts his back to the corner.

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi: Miss
Augrael (4/48): Retreat
Peldur (35/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

Carrufikus reaches over and casts Harm on Augrael.

Harm (2 Action): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"I don't have much of these spells, my friend, so don't be too forward in these battles."

Carrufikus also tries recall whatever knowledge he can on the statue.

Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Carrufikus brings some help to Augrael as the statue presses on!

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Harm
Bibi: Miss
Augrael (19/48): Retreat
Peldur (35/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal: TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc: TBD

Peldur gives Carrufikus a big grin and a thumbs up, before launching himself back into the fray.

Step 10', Flurry of Blows, Strike

Grapple(Athletics),DC Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

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

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 8 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 8 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Peldur's flurry misses each time. While his last attack was well executed, it came at an inopportune time and failed to connect.

Cracked and burned, the statue continues its mindless assault: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) = 8
Slam v. Bibi: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34 for DOUBLE DMG: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 7) + 8 = 16
Slam v. Peldur: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 MISS
Slam v. Noroc: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 for DMG: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 7) + 8 = 20

The statue continues to batter the party. Bibi nearly falls from the singular hit

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Harm
Bibi (1/33): Miss
Augrael (19/48): Retreat
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK
Tal: Go
Elena: Go
Noroc (15/35): Go

Flat check vs Stupefied: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Elena grits her teeth, still struggling through the effects of the failed ritual earlier. She manages to keep her wits enough to produce more flame.
Produce Flame: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Damage (Fire): 4d8 ⇒ (2, 8, 8, 4) = 22

She then tries to shield herself again with magic.
Flat check vs Stupefied: 1d20 ⇒ 3
But loses grasp of the spell at the last moment.

Quickly losing ground in the fight, Elena holds it together for a much needed fire spell, but her aim is a bit off. Then she flubs her defensive spell.

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Harm
Bibi (1/33): Miss
Augrael (19/48): Retreat
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK
Tal: Go
Elena: Miss
Noroc (15/35): Go

Hoping against hope that the wooden statue is not a living creature, Noroc summons up another six-second heal spell, bathing the room in moonlight with a cool, healing energy.

heal ◈◈◈: 2d8 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

The party continues to patch wounds, hoping for a lucky break with some fire. Noroc's spell is weak though. Thankfully the damage to Augrael is minimal FORT: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Round 3:
Carrufikus: Harm
Bibi (5/33): Miss
Augrael (15/48): Retreat
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK
Tal: Go
Elena: Miss
Noroc (19/35): GHeal

Tal continues his assault.

DIE TREE IMPOSTER!

Retribution: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24, Slashing on Hit: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Retribution: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23, Slashing on Hit: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7x2!

Tal's anger grows and it translates to his swing! The first swing splinters a chunk of the statue and Tal dodges the shrapnel

Instantly the axe head changes shape to look like the statue, and in so doing the blade grows sharper for a moment! Tal's follow up strikes extra hard, dealing even more damage to the thing!

The statue seems to be coming apart, but it's still clearly dangerous.

Round 4:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi (5/33): Go
Augrael (15/48): Go
Peldur (35/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal 39/39): TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc (19/35): TBD

Peldur continues to assault the tree-man.

Flurry of Blows, Strike, Step 10'

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 4 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Stunned 1, save Fortitued DC19, if either Flurry attacks hit

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 8 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 8 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Bibi takes one last desperate poke, then backs away from the fray

Attack vs flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (1) = 10

"Bibi, I am here. Stay with us!"

The gnome casts a two action heal on his friend.

Heal: 2d10 + 16 ⇒ (4, 5) + 16 = 25

"Stay nimble and keep dodging that which brings us harm."

Peldur comes super close, but neither he nor Bibi manage to damage the wooden statue. Peldur hit for 0 damage on second attack.

Carrufikus continues to try and plug his friends wounds, nearly healing all of Bibi's.

Augrael stays back like he's told. The statue swings and swings: 3d2 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) = 5
Fist v. Bibi: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27 for DMG: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 = 13
Fist v. Noroc: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 for DMG: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 5) + 8 = 17
Fist v. Noroc: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 MISS

Noroc nearly falls as the party slowly loses ground.

Round 4:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi (17/33): Miss
Augrael (15/48): Defense
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK
Tal 39/39): Go
Elena: Go
Noroc (12/35): Go

Retribution Axe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10, Slashing on Hit: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4Retribution Axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4, Slashing on Hit: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

For my third action... INTIMIDATING GLARE!!!

Intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The stat ignores Tal's attacks, and ignores his fierce mien too. It's not pretty.

Round 4:
Carrufikus: Heal
Bibi (17/33): Miss
Augrael (15/48): Defense
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: ATK
Tal 39/39): Miss
Elena: Go
Noroc (12/35): Go

Elena continues to conjure and throw fire.
Produce Flame vs Statue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Damage (Fire): 4d8 ⇒ (7, 3, 1, 7) = 18

And spends a moment to swear like an Ulfen sailor.

Noroc, normally amused by Elena's uncharacteristic profanity, finds himself a little distracted to fully appreciate it at the moment.

He maneuvers between Peldur and Augrael, pulling out a torch and lighting it. Here, Peldur, he says, try using this.

Elena burns the wall a bit as Noroc gives Peldur a little something to hopefully help out.

Round 5:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi (17/33): Go
Augrael (15/48): Go
Peldur (35/47): Go
Statue: TBD
Tal 39/39): TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc (12/35): TBD

Peldur rushes back in with a series of quick strikes.

Step 10', Flurry of Blows, Step 10'

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 4 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Peldur steps in, misses by a hair's breadth, then steps away!

Round 5:
Carrufikus: Go
Bibi (30/33): Go
Augrael (15/48): Go
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: TBD
Tal 39/39): TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc (12/35): TBD

Bibi tries to distract the statue to help Peldur strike true.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Carrufikus casts another spell against the golem, this trying in an attempt to burn it with cold!

Spell Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Ray of Frost: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10

Bibi's opening gambit fails. Meanwhile Carrufikus fires a ray of frost at the wooden statue. He doesn't find out if it would work, as he just barely misses.

Round 5:
Carrufikus: 1 Action
Bibi (30/33): 2 Actions
Augrael (15/48): Go
Peldur (35/47): Miss
Statue: TBD
Tal 39/39): TBD
Elena: TBD
Noroc (12/35): TBD