Coldwater's Abomination Vaults

Game Master Quentin Coldwater

So, do you actually give Lough the gem?

Regardless of what happens to the gem, you continue. Kka inspects the door to the south, detects no traps, and opens it.

A small desk covered in the stubs of burned candles stands against the east wall. The west wall has severed hands from more than a dozen creatures nailed to it, each badly withered and displayed palm outward.

Inside the desk drawer are two scrolls of Dream Message.

You then check out the southeastern door. Again, no traps.

A filthy silk pillow rests at the center of this room, surrounded by several unlit candles. Several charcoal depictions drawn directly on the stone walls feature the same teenage girl. A small wooden box sits in the corner of the room with a few more candles inside.

The wooden box contain candles with rare waxes and perfumes. They'll sell for about 50 gold pieces.

Kvit failed his original roll, and he knows whatever happens won't be immediate, and he'd rather not have the argument 10 floors down in the vaults here.

Kvit gives Lough the side eye, but doesn't argue the point. He takes a turn inspecting the room. It's clear this is the room the denizen had been using as their meditation and dream contact room.

"Well, not much of a lair to show for all that effort. It makes sense he was looking for a side gig. Hope we don't run into him again."

"Of course, I will visit my workshop once we have cleared this floor"

Thinking he had gotten away with it, Lough changes subject. Even as his thoughts dwell on the gem.

He opens the door before him.

If Lough wants to muck around with the gem, Kka isn't going to stand in his way.

Kka pockets the scrolls, rare waxes and perfumes for later resale. She looks over the depictions of the teenage girl and tries to identify her. Whoever the girl is, Kka hopes that Ysondkhelir's destruction provides her some respite from whatever evil the denizen was doing to her.

Are they of Dorianna?

Once Ysondkhelir's quarters have been thoroughly searched, Kka says, "Not much of a haul for a denizen of Leng, but at least he won't be plaguing any more residents of Otaari for a while."

Examining her mental map of the level, she adds, "I reeeeally don't feel like crawling through a creepy tight tunnel right now. How about we go baack and check the other double doors we saw in the main hallway?" She starts heading that way.

I've moved Kka's token to the doors in question. She'll check them for locks and traps.

Activity: Search with (Perception +16) - SECRET

Kvit shrugs and follows behind Kka. "You're the one picking the locks, I'll follow you."

good question Kka, I just assumed they were of her.

Yeah, it's Dorianna.
Lough wants to go one way, but two people want to go a different way. Sorry Lough, you're outvoted.

Hero Point for everyone! First of this level proper, I think.

Fifteen transparent pillars fill the center of this 30-foot-high room. A bright light shines down into the center of each chamber. A catwalk 10 feet above the ground circles around the edge of the room without handrail or banister; at the western side, each stops at a staircase leading down.

Almost all of the pillars hold a creature in suspended animation. You can't clearly make them out from over here, but it's clear that they're frozen in time, held in unnatural positions, such as a claw raised in the air or standing mid-stride.

The northwest pillar is heavily soot-stained. You'll have to go real close to look through it.

“Does anyone in this dungeon really care about community?” Cherry sighs.

Lough wants to go one way, but two people want to go a different way. Sorry Lough, you're outvoted.

Shoot! I both missed that door and the fact that Lough wanted to go through it. Sorry. Doesn't look like it really matters though.

Intrigued, Kka enters the room and goes up to inspect the soot-stained pillar more closely.

The pillars seem to be made of glass, though you see no method of opening them. It looks like something within the soot-stained pillar caught on fire, as the soot comes from the inside, and some blackened bones and a pile of ash lie on the floor, as well as a fancy-looking pair of bracers and a slightly smudged leather bag that miraculously seem to have survived the fire.

Kvit enters and looks around the room with caution. At best this is some kind of disturbing collection. At worst, they might be released as guardians or the group could find themselves stuck in one.

"I'm not positive what this is all about. But, I think prisoners, collection, or more experiments"

Kvit, you'd need to be in the room to identify the things.

Kvit identifies the containers. They're just display cases with an internal Light spell to illuminate the subject.

Top to bottom, left to right, Kvit identifies the following creatures:

Kvit has no idea what the lizard-dinosaur-looking creatures are. There are three of them in total here.

The three-legged clawed tentacle-thing is a Chuul. They're amphibious crustaceans with claws that can grab and paralyse you with their venom. They are intelligent and you can converse with them, though they're rarely in the mood for that.

The two-legged red frog-like thing is a Gibtanius. They're bigger, meaner versions of the bouncy Gibtas from a few levels earlier. They can jump in the air and land on someone, crushing them underfoot. They can also spew a long line of acid, and stink like hell.

The flesh-pile is a Gibbering Mouther. You've fought one of these before. You're much stronger than an average mouther, so they shouldn't pose much of a challenge anymore. Still, they can spit acid and confuse people with their incessant wails and screaming.

There's also a Drider, which you've seen previous level. A drow fused with a spider.

There's two more creatures you haven't identified yet: a very long-legged, multi-mouthed spider-like creature, and two humanoids with bifurcated arms and a head that splits open vertically.
All Occultism.

Kka looks inside the soot-stained pillar and immediately notices the bracers and leather bag. "Looks like whoever or whaatever was in this one didn't make it. They left behind some goodies though." Her beady red eyes gleam in avarice at the potential loot.

She examines the pillar for traps and locks, and assuming she doesn't find any, pokes at it with one of her swords to try and crack it open.

Activity: Search with (Perception +16) - SECRET

Action: Strike (+1 Striking Shortsword) with Thief Racket and Weapon Specialization vs column.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 1 = 31
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + (1) + 4 + 2 = 8 piercing damage

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 = 26
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + (5) + 4 + 2 = 17 piercing damage

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 1 = 29
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + (3) + 4 + 2 = 10 piercing damage

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 1 = 36
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 4 + 2 = 13 piercing damage

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 = 25
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + (6) + 4 + 2 = 15 piercing damage

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 = 35
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + (5) + 4 + 2 = 16 piercing damage

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 1 = 21
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + (1) + 4 + 2 = 8 piercing damage

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 1 = 29
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + (1) + 4 + 2 = 12 piercing damage

Moved people into the room. I put you in somewhat logical spots. Kvit is more to the south so he can identify the creatures properly.

Kvit thought these were just glass display cases, but it takes a surprising amount of violence to crack them open. Eventually though, the glass shatters and Kka can pick up the items.

As soon as she does, though, pale green flecks of fire start to appear close by, and Kka gets a telepathic vision of Belcorra burning a woman alive in the pillar. You get a +1 on saves versus this creature. Suddenly, a pale green silhouette of a burning woman appears, screeches furiously, and attacks Kka!

Cherry Berry: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
Kka: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
Kvit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Lough: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Green Ghost: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36

The ghost moves to a more advantageous position, then unleashes a wail of anguish and despair, washing over the party.
Everyone has to make a DC 28 Will save versus Wave of Despair! Kka has a +1 bonus on this.

Green Ghost
Kka 83/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost
Kvit 48/48
Cherry Berry 78/78
Lough 92/92

Everyone is up! Don't forget the save versus Wave of Despair!
Identifying it would be a DC 28 Religion or Occultism.

Will save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
I'm going to spend that new hero point.
Will save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
At least it isn't a crit-fail anymore. If I read that correctly, Cherry cannot use reactions this turn and must save versus the Slow next turn.

Cherry begins to quietly cry.

◆Identify (Religion): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

◆◆Infuse Vitality
Targeting Kka and Lough's primary weapons. Granting you a 1d4 vitality damage bonus on your attacks.

Kvit, you'd need to be in the room to identify the things.

That's fine! I did say "Kvit enters and looks around the room with caution.", but I didn't move his token up.

dc28 will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

RK on ghost DC28: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

Kvit's eyes start to well up as he's stricken with a lot of emotions he's bottled up or thought he'd become numb to while exploring the horrors here. But he does recognize the type of ghost here...

He shakily draws his dagger and summons up a circle of protective runes around the ghost for Kka and Lough's protection.

◆RK ◆ draw dagger ◆ spell protection array

Does Kka's +1 bonus on saves vs the green ghost stack with the +1 status bonus of Kvit's Spell Protection Array?

Kka half expected the glass column to shatter on her first strike, but it ends up taking quite a few blows to finally crack it open. "Phew! These things are tougher thaan they look.... Whoa!" A vision of the original occupant being incinerated by Belcorra washes through her mind. "Ugh! Whaat a way to go. Thaat Belcorra haas a lot to answer for."

Kka turns to see the source of the furious screech that comes out of nowhere and sees the pale green silhouette of a burning woman launch itself at her. "Uh, oh!"

Will Save vs DC 28 with bonus: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 = 34

The wail of despair washes over Kka without leaving much of a mark. "Oh looky here! A ghost! A welcome change from all the fiends we've been dealing with recently."

She closes with the crazy lady ghost and uses her ghost fighting blade to slash at the spirit.

Can we assume that the area where the now destroyed sooty column stood is available to attack from?

Action 1 (◆): Stride (35 feet)

Being a ghost, I expect that it is immune to sneak/precision damage, but at least Kka is now putting the ghost Off-Guard to Lough with her Gang Up feat.

Not sure if the vitality/holy damage of Infuse Vitality will have any effect on the ghost, but I've included it just in case.

Action 2 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization and Infuse Vitality vs Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 1 = 18
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (6) + 4 + 2 = 14 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 vitality/holy damage

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization, Infuse Vitality and MAP1 vs Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 - 4 = 22
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (3) + 4 + 2 = 13 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 vitality/holy damage

People seem to be doing the Slowed condition wrong. You have to make a save when it's cast, and during this current turn as well. So Cherry Berry, Kvit, and Kka needed to make another save or be Slowed 1 this turn (and Kvit and Cherry Berry every turn afterwards, per the fail). It's a bit of a weird spell.
If you fail, feel free to state which action isn't happening.
This also goes for Lough: Make a save versus the initial cast, then as your turn starts against Slowed (unless you crit succeeded).

The bonus from the vision is a Circumstance bonus, so it would stack.
Let's say the remains of the pillar are difficult terrain, as broken glass/rubble remain.
And yes, it's immune to precision, but can still be caught off-guard.
Vitality would work, as it's an undead.

Green Ghost
Kka 83/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost
Kvit 48/48, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Cherry Berry 78/78, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Lough 92/92

Ah, I read that as the check versus the slow doesn't start until the next round. But really this first turn is when it starts.

will save v slow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Kvit's movements appear to slow unexpectedly as he reaches for the dagger...

Skipping the draw the dagger action. Still taking the RK and casting the spell protection array.

Cherry will remove the identity check, because kkas has already rolled with the spell's damage.

Cherry, you can still roll a will save to see whether you are actually slowed or not. I'll roll for you.

Will save Cherry Berry: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Nope, still slowed.

Cherry Berry infuses Lough and Kka's weapons with positive energy, perfect for hurting undead.

Kvit identifies the creature as a Witchfire. They typically form when a powerful witch or hag dies in agony or rage. They usually have several mind-affecting spells, but most importantly is the pale green fire that enshrouds them. They can attack with it at melee range or as a ranged attack, and when struck, you can get cursed with Witchflame. You're perpetually illuminated by these cold flames, which prevents you from hiding, but most importantly, you catch fire more easily, making you quite weak to fire-based attacks. This is a permanent effect until dispelled.

Witchfire
Kka 83/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost
Kvit 48/48, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Cherry Berry 78/78, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Lough 92/92

Lough may act! First, make a DC 28 Will save versus Wave of Despair, and depending on the result, a second check!

People seem to be doing the Slowed condition wrong. You have to make a save when it's cast, and during this current turn as well. So Cherry Berry, Kvit, and Kka needed to make another save or be Slowed 1 this turn (and Kvit and Cherry Berry every turn afterwards, per the fail).

Sorry. I didn't look up Wave of Despair. I assumed that a success was enough to ignore it.

As Kka moves to engage the ghost, it's despairing wail continues to beat at her...

Will Save vs DC 28 with bonus: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 1 = 33

...and she continue to ignore it.

That's it for Kka, right? On an initial Success, the effect only lasts for one round. Looks like on an initial Failure, it lasts 10 rounds.

Doh! Of course Vitality would work. I forgot that a ghost is also undead.

Will vs Despair w/ Called (+1 vs mental) vs DC 28: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 = 29
Will vs Slowed w/ Called (+1 vs mental) vs DC 28: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 = 33

Despair plagues Lough's sanity with a constant nag. That some creature attempts to reach into his tortured mind and pluck a string finds that each has already been unstrung! He presses against his pack, feels the Whispering Reeds against his back - he presses against his chest, feels the Ruby against his chest - these precious items a symptom of some deeper malefaction. His own superego managing impossible and irreconcilable patients. Lough, and... her... or maybe... him!

No matter. He is a brute. And batters his foe without mercy! NO. His mind races as he sublimates his rage to one of the spirit - he grabs the cursed tome and reads a passage!

"Wretches! ye loved her for her wealth and hated her for her pride,
"And when she fell in feeble health, ye blessed her--that she died!
"How shall the ritual, then, be read?--the requiem how be sung
"By you--by yours, the evil eye,--by yours, the slanderous tongue
"That did to death the innocent that died, and died so young?"

◆) Interact
◆◆) Read

Basic Will (DC 27) vs Positive (Vitality) Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 4, 5) = 22

Who is she... or he!?...

Yes, Kka is fine. If you succeed the first Will save, it only lasts for one round. Cherry Berry and Kvit will need to save each round for the rest of the combat.

Hero Point to Lough for cool RP!

Lough grabs the Whispering Reeds and reads a passage from it. With each word, it rends a hole in the Witchfire's being.

Witchfire Will save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

It resists the worst of the effect, but a sizeable chunk of the Witchfire is now missing.

The Witchfire retaliates, now seething with hatred. It casts a spell, and Lough gets a vision of himself being immolated in flames, reduced to nothing but ash.

Lough, make a DC 28 Will save versus Vision of Death!
Work blocks the website, but I can still link it. Hope I got the right link.
Potential Mental damage: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 3, 4, 1, 3, 6) = 29

It then lashes out at Kka.
Witchflame Caress: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37
That's a crit!
3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10 fire and 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 2) = 12 void damage.
Kka, please make me a DC 26 Will save or be cursed with Witchflame!
Kka resists some of the fire damage from her nephilim heritage.
Green flames jump over from the Witchfire to Kka and dance around her.

Witchfire, 11 damage
Kka 44/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost, DC Will save vs. Witchflame
Kvit 48/48, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Cherry Berry 78/78, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Lough 92/92, DC 28 Will save vs 29 Mental damage

Everyone is up!
Kka needs to make a Will save versus Witchflame, Lough needs to save versus Vision of Death, and Kvit and Cherry Berry need to save or be Slowed 1!

First person to attack the Witchfire with a melee attack:

1-2-3 Absolutely not it!.

Technically the witch gets the +1 to saves if they're in the circle, wasn't expecting Lough's great plan. Glad it didn't tip the scales to a worse result.

save v slow DC28: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Kvit wipes away tears, mad at himself He knows this isn't real, it's just the ghost's presence. Yet, the emotions are real enough.

Hydraulic Push: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
Bludgeoning: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) = 14
Additional Bludgeoning if crit: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) = 12

He funnels the tears into a casting of hydraulic push, supplementing his arcane casting with the situation at hand.

◆ ◆ Hydraulic Push
Spell Protection Array drops, not enough actions to sustain it.

Will Save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Not sure if I am slowed or not. This spell seems to be confusing me.

While still quietly crying, Cherry asks "Oh, what should I do?"

◆◆Spirit Link (lvl 2) on Kka which heals them for 4 and damages Cherry by same.

Given the lack of feedback on Kka's Strikes and no reduction in the ghost's hp, I'll presume that they both missed.

Kka tries to duck the Witchflame's Caress but ends up stepping into it instead. "Ouch! That burns baby." Fortunately, her fire resistant Nephilim skin reduces the damage a little, but there is a darkness about the fire that starts to eat into Kka's soul...

Will Save vs DC 26 with bonuses: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 32

...but she resists the effects with all her will.

She then feels a little healing coming her way and nods to Cherry in thanks.

Spirit Link means that Kka sucks 4 hp from Cherry at the start of every turn, starting with this one. Kka now at 48/83.

With a quick feint to throw the ghost off-guard, she keeps hacking at the creature.

Action 1 (◆): Feint with Ventriloquist's Ring vs Green Ghost

Deception (Feint): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 1 = 16 vs Green Ghost Perception DC

Action 2 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization and Infuse Vitality vs Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 = 26
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (4) + 4 + 2 = 14 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 vitality/holy damage

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization, Infuse Vitality and MAP1 vs Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 - 4 = 30
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + (6) + 4 + 2 = 15 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 vitality/holy damage

Will vs 29 mental Visions w/ Called (+1 vs mental) vs DC 28: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 1 = 31
14 damage + Frightened 1

Lough's mental rebuff remains strong - he advances and brutes!

◆) Stride
◆◆) Snagging Strike x2
~) Critical Specialization: Brawling (Fortitude save vs Class DC 22 or Slowed 1)
↺) Reactive Strike

Automatic Power Driver (blunt, magic, silver) w/ Bless (+1) vs Hand: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 18 + 1 = 352d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6) + 7 = 18
Living Hair (agile, magic, blunt) w/ Bless (+1) w/ MAP (-4) vs Hand (Off-guard from Snagging Strike?): 1d20 + 18 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 18 + 1 - 4 = 232d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11

Cherry Berry: You failed the initial save. That means you need to save every subsequent round or be Slowed 1 for that round. You saved, so you can use Guidance.

Kka: Sorry I missed that! Yeah, both attacks are a miss.

Lough: you seem to have forgotten to take Frighten into account. Also, there is no Bless, but you did get Guidance from Cherry Berry. Assuming you use Guidance on your first attack, it's effectively a 34. Which is still a hit, but I thought I'd mention it.

Also, I'm gonna cheat slightly for optimal rolls.

Cherry Berry creates a magical link between themselves and Kka, channeling their lifeforce into her, slightly healing Kka. Then they bless Lough with a minor boon.

Lough walks up to the ghost and punches it. Sadly it's not a crit due to the Frighten, sadly, otherwise the flank would've caused a crit, but it hurts the ghost. Though not as much as he would've if the ghost had a physical body. In fact, most of Lough's blow seems to be absorbed.
You forgot Cherry Berry's positive damage.
Positive damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Also, you trigger the Witchfire's reaction. Open the spoiler above to see what it does.
The Witchfire retaliates, and lashes back out at Lough, dealing quite a bit of damage to him in the process. Again, small bits of green fire jump over from the witchfire to Lough.
Lough, please make a DC 26 Will save versus the Witchflame curse!
Sadly, his second attack misses.

Kka tries to feint the enemy, but stumbles in the process and leaves herself off-guard in the process. She then hacks twice at the ghost, hitting twice because of the flank Lough provides. Kka's ghost touch knives cut through the witchfire's resistances easily.

Kvit delays until last, so his spell can push away the ghost from his allies. He starts sobbing and transforms his tears into a powerful jet of water that pushes the ghost away. Again, most of the water goes right through it, but it's still somewhat injured.

Kka has resisted the curse of the Witchflame, and several motes of fire die out, but a few still burn around her. That can't be good...

The witchfire repositions itself, as it was pushed away by Kvit's spell. Somehow, Kka's knives hurt like hell, so it hurls two balls of green flame at Kka from a distance.
Witchflame bolt: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29
Fire damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4 and Void damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

As soon as the bolt of fire hits her, the green embers around her intensify, causing extra fire damage. Withflame curse, even on a save, causes Weakness 5 to fire for a turn.

Witchflame bolt: 1d20 + 21 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 21 - 5 = 32
Fire damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 and Void damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

Again, the embers around Kka flash, burning right through her resistances.

I had to look this up, apparently weaknesses trigger before resistances. So even though Kka innately has fire resistance, she gets hurt first by the weakness caused by Witchflame, then her resistance kicks in. Effectively, they cancel each other out.

Kka, make two new DC 26 Will saves versus the Witchflame curse!

Witchfire, 58 damage
Kka 30/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost, 2 DC 26 Will saves vs Witchflame curse
Kvit 48/48, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Cherry Berry 70/78, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Lough 49/92, DC 26 Will save vs Witchflame curse

Everyone is up!
Cherry Berry's lifelink heals Kka for 4 and hurts them for 4 (already calculated)
Cherry Berry and Kvit need to make a DC 28 Will save or be Slowed 1 this turn.
Kka needs to make 2 Will saves, Lough needs to make 1 Will save.

DC28 will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Woo!

Kvit sees Kka struggling with witchfire even with natural resistance so knows Lough might struggle more. He runs up to Lough and taps him on the back.

◆ Stride ◆◆ resist energy fire 5 for Lough for 10 minutes. 4/6 charges left

Will Save w/ Called (+1 vs mental) vs Witchflame Curse: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 1 = 24

Wounded, Lough maintains tentative distance...

◆) Stride
◆◆) Telekinetic Projectile

Telekinetic Projectile (Pierce, 30-ft) vs Witchfire: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 235d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 4, 6) = 23

The Witchfire's bolts come in too fast for Kka to dodge and they slam full into her. "Owwww! Maan! Those are no fun at all." She mentally beats at the psychic flames to try and put them out before they burn any further into her soul...

Will Save vs DC 26 with bonus: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 = 34
Will Save vs DC 26 with bonus: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 = 32

...with some success. Looks like she's getting the hang of how to handle the Witchfire's flames.

Nevertheless, the Witchfire's attacks are taking a toll on her and she's not sure how much more she can take before going down.

One downside of a Dual-Weapon build that I hadn't anticipated, is that it doesn't leave a free hand with which to do Battle Medicine. Kka would happily drop her non-Ghost-Touch shortsword to free a hand for BM, except that it has the +1 Striking runes on it that are getting Doubled onto her Ghost Touch shortsword. Dropping that weapon will not only lose her the +1 Striking, but also the Ghost Touch effect due of the loss of the +1 potency rune. Dropping her Ghost-Touch shortsword means that the resistance 10 of the Witchfire comes into play reducing her damage potential to almost nil. The only way she can use BM and remain combat effective is to make sure she has an extra action to pick up her dropped sword after the BM, essentially turning it into a 2-action activity.

Seeing as Lough was not closing with the Witchfire, he wasn't going to need Kka to distract the ghost this time around. He was also conveniently next to her, so dropping her weapon momentarily, she quickly patches first Lough's and then her own wounds before pickup up her weapon once more and using the big man as a human shield against the coming onslaught.

Action (◇): Release: +1 Striking Wounding Shortsword.

Action 1 (◆): Battle Medicine (Medic Dedication & Assurance:Medicine) on Lough vs DC 20 (Expert)

Assurance: Medicine (Battle Medicine) expert vs DC 20: 10 + 13 = 23
Battle Medicine Healing vs DC 15: 2d8 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 10 + 5 = 19 hit points healed

Action 2 (◆): Battle Medicine (Medic Dedication & Assurance:Medicine) on Kka vs DC 20 (Expert)

Assurance: Medicine (Battle Medicine) expert vs DC 20: 10 + 13 = 23
Battle Medicine Healing vs DC 15: 2d8 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 10 + 5 = 24 hit points healed

Action 3 (◆): Interact - Pick up +1 Striking Wounding Shortsword.

Will Save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

Cherry moves to keep Kka and Lough within their healing range.
◆Stride

Does Cherry have line of effect to the ghost?

Cherry then quickly cast two short spells, one Guidance on Kka, and the other Shield on themselves.

◆Guidance

◆Shield

Kvit runs up to Lough and casts a spell on him to help him resist fire better.
Lough fails to resist the curse of Witchfire and the green flames keep floating around him. You now permanently have a Weakness to fire 5, until you remove the curse. Resist Energy and the weakness cancel each other out now. He keeps his distance from the Witchfire and hurls some debris at it, but he misses.
Kka heals up Lough and herself.
Cherry Berry moves closer to the fray and casts Guidance on Kka.

Cherry Berry: I believe line of effect is only blocked when there's a barrier completely between you and the target. There's now a pillar in the way, but the magic can go around it. So yes, you have line of effect.

The witchfire, content where it is right now, gleefully hurls more flames at Lough.
Witchflame bolt: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24
Witchflame bolt: 1d20 + 21 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 21 - 5 = 29
Fire damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 and Void damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9
You technically have to save again against a new application of the curse (you can crit fail), but I don't want to bother. Weakness 5 is bad enough.

Witchfire, 58 damage
Kka 58/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost
Kvit 48/48, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Cherry Berry 66/78, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Lough 49/92, Fire weakness 5, Resist fire 5

Everyone is up!
Cherry Berry siphons a bit of life from them to Kka.
Kvit and Cherry Berry need to save against Agonizing Despair or be slowed.

Shallinnis crawls out of Lough's mouth and begins stitching the witchwounds - Lough directs his psychic attacks once more.

◆) Life Boost (+8 HP @ start of turn ☑□□□)
◆◆) Telekinetic Projectile

Telekinetic Projectile (Pierce, 30-ft) vs Witchfire: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 275d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 2, 6) = 17

Kka is getting a little frustated with this ineffective long-distance battle. With her strength somewhat restored, she decides to take the fight directly to the Witchfire. She charges forward and cuts twice at the ghost.

Action 1 (◆): Stride (35 feet)

Action 2 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization, Infuse Vitality and Guidance vs Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 + 1 = 35
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + (2) + 4 + 2 = 14 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 vitality/holy damage

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization, Infuse Vitality and MAP1 vs Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 - 4 = 28
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (5) + 4 + 2 = 15 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 vitality/holy damage

Opening spoiler... Argh!

The Witchfire's reaction is swift and she lashes out with her flaming caress. Fortunately, Kka was half expecting something of the sort and nimbly dodges out of her reach.

How tall are the cases and is the witchfire floating at all? Can I target with a ranged attack through them?

DC28 will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Boo...

Kvit still struggling to keep from sobbing, which makes everything else difficult. He stumbles around the corner and tries to create a barrier of runes around Kka to keep them somewhat protected.

◆ Slowed ◆ stride ◆ spell protection array

The cases are 20 foot high, and the ceiling is 30 foot high. They would block a direct ranged attack (requiring an attack roll), but if I read lines of effect correctly, a spell can go "around" the cases.
The Witchfire is floating at ground level.

Lough starts healing himself, then throws more debris at the opponent, but misses.
Kka rushes up to the Witchfire and slashes twice, connecting both times. The Witchfire lashes out in retaliation, but she manages to dodge it.
Kvit moves closer to the combat and defends Kka with magic.

Botting Cherry Berry.
Will save Cherry Berry: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Wracked with sadness, all Cherry Berry can do is move up and get closer to their injured companions.

The Witchfire, heavily injured, once again moves away from her assailant. In fact, she moves through Kka in order to get to a good position. The flames feel oddly cold as they lick at Kka's feathers. Then, she casts a spell, and Kka suddenly gets a splitting headache.
Kka, please make a DC 28 Will save versus a third-rank Phantom Pain!
Mental damage: 6d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 2, 4, 4) = 19

Witchfire, 92 damage
Kka 62/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost, DC 28 Will save vs Phantom Pain
Kvit 48/48, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Cherry Berry 62/78, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Lough 57/92, Fire weakness 5, Resist fire 5, Life Boost 1/4

Everyone is up! The Witchfire looks very beaten up by now.
More life transfers from Cherry Berry to Kka, and Lough heals a little.

DC28 will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Dang, failed again. Needing two actions to do anything and needing to move to get LOS is making this a terrible game of chase.

Unable to help attack the ghost directly, Kvit continues trying to improve Lough's survival chances. He incants and his hands start to blur in front of him, he touches Lough and the effect transfers to Lough's entire body.

◆ slow ◆◆ Blur

A blur, and frustrated with his juvenile telekinetic abilities, Lough charges forward!

Automatic Power Driver (blunt, magic, silver) w/ Bless (+1) vs Hand: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 18 + 1 = 372d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10

☑□□□) Life Boost (+8 HP)
◆◆) Stride x2
◆) Snagging Strike
↺) Reactive Strike

GM - please roll a flat check for Lough's Blur effect against the Witchfire Caress!

Having successfully dodged the Witchfire's caress, Kka congratulates herself but then shivers as she feels the ghost pass through her. "Brrr! Thaat's cold" She turns to keep the ghost in sight and sees the Witchfire cast a spell at her. "Uh, oh"...

Will Save vs DC 28 with bonuses: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 = 34

Looks like a simple success still has Kka taking full initial damage but no more than that. Now at 43/83.

...but though her remarkably strong will throws off any lingering effects, Kka still groans as the pain of the initial mental attack slams into her. "Argh! You'll pay for thaat greeny!"

Moving to get within reach of the creature, she continues her attacks, though now with Lough's help distracting the ghost.

Action 1 (◆): Stride (35 feet)

Action 2 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization, Infuse Vitality and Gang Up vs Off-Guard Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 = 25 vs Off-Guard
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + (1) + 4 + 2 = 8 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 vitality/holy damage

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization, Infuse Vitality, Gang Up and MAP1 vs Off-Guard Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 1 - 4 = 15 vs Off-Guard
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + (2) + 4 + 2 = 14 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 vitality/holy damage

Oh well, she tried. Looks like Lough takes the reactive caress hit this time.

Kvit makes Lough's appearance blurry, hoping the witchifre's attacks will miss.
Lough moves up to the witchfire and claws at her. It's a savage attack, but she seems completely fine afterwards. Just one below a crit, and resistance 10. :(
DC 5 flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Lough takes a face full of witchflame and is pretty singed up afterwards.
Kka runs up and slashes the ghost, but misses twice. As said, AC 28, miss by 1.

Cherry Berry Will: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Cherry Berry moves closer and casts a two-action Heal on Lough.
Healing: 4d10 + 32 ⇒ (10, 3, 9, 7) + 32 = 61

The Witchfire does not like being flanked, so she focuses her gaze on Lough. The witchfire around him burns brighter in intensity, burning his flesh.
Lough, please make me a DC 28 basic Fortitude save to resist 5d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 4, 6) = 21 fire and 5d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 6, 4, 1) = 13 void damage! She then moves away provoking from Lough, to a corner where she hopefully can't be flanked.

Witchfire, 92 damage
Kka 47/83, +1 on saves vs Ghost
Kvit 48/48, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Cherry Berry 58/78, failed vs Agonizing Despair
Lough 94/92, Fire weakness 5, Resist fire 5, Life Boost 2/4, DC 28 Fortitude save vs witchflame kindling

Everyone is up! The Witchfire looks very beaten up by now.
More life transfers from Cherry Berry to Kka, and Lough heals a little. Lough is now at 94/92, but most likely will lose some from the attack. I'm just "overhealing" now so I don't forget later.

Basic Fortitude Save vs 21 fire and 13 void (DC 28): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Lough tears into the Witchfire, follows, and continues the onslaught!

"Where ya goin', bub?"

Reactive Slag Claw (slash, magic, cold iron) vs Witchfire: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 312d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19

"Not so fast!"

He starts foaming at the mouth, blind with rage, as he charges into the corner and grabs the witch by the fire!

↺) Reactive Strike
☑☑□□) Life Boost (+8 HP)
◆◆) Stride x2
◆) Snagging Strike
↺) Reactive Strike

Slag Claw (slash, magic, cold iron) vs Witchfire: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 332d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 4) + 7 = 12

Off-Guard to the Party!

Kka groans as the Witchfire takes off again. "Sheesh! Caan't you just staand still for just a second?"

She takes off in pursuit and takes a slash at the ghost when she finally catches up with her.

Action 1 (◆): Stride (35 feet)

Action 2 (◆): Stride (35 feet)

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+1 Striking Ghost Touch Shortsword) with Thief Racket, Weapon Specialization, Infuse Vitality and Gang Up vs Off-Guard Green Ghost.

Shortsword Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 = 32 vs Off-Guard
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (3) + 4 + 2 = 13 slashing Ghost Touch damage
Infuse Vitality Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 vitality/holy damage

I forgot Blur for Lough for targeting him with the Witchflame kindling.

Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 17

I just noticed Lough also forgot his vitality damage from Cherry Berry's spell. I count four instances of damage, including from his last post.
Vitality damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 2) = 10

Lough fails his save versus the intense flames. Luckily, after a moment, the flames die down again to just tiny embers again, but the damage has already been done.

When the witchfire flies away, Lough lashes out at her, which causes her to lash back out at him.
Witchflame caress: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 17
3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) = 9 fire damage, 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 7 void damage.
That's another crit for Lough. Lough's standing at 28 HP, if I count correctly.

Lough's attack connects, dealing substantial damage to the ghost.

Kka runs after her and catches her in the corner. She lashes out, connects, and deals exactly enough damage to snuff out her fire! The room goes dark, except for the tiny pale flames still dancing around Lough.

Damage report, just to show how everyone is doing:

Kka 47/83
Kvit 48/48
Cherry Berry 58/78
Lough 28/92, Fire weakness 5, Resist fire 5, Life Boost 2/4

Cherry Berry still transfers some of their life to Kka for a few seconds, and Lough heals a little more, but I'd say people are in pretty bad shape.

Now that you have time to identify the loot, you find out that the bracers are Bracers of Armor type 1, and the sack is much deeper than it first seems. It turns out to be a type 2 Bag of Holding, containing, bizarrely, a dozen cheap, broken clocks.

Kvit feels bad. For a few reasons. One, from remnants of the witchfire's curse. Two, from crying so much for seemingly no good reason. Three, from effectively failing to help at all during the fight with the witch. Four, it's apparent that he was the only one unscathed during the fight.

He despondently checks the the magic items the Bands of Force would certainly come in handy, perhaps for KKa. Or if not, himself... Though he immediately feels another wave of emotion and embarrassment from greed. The Spacious Pouch would make looting the entire ruins of the Guantlight a snap.

"Next time we try to open some sealed container, let's investigate it a little more closely..."

When Kka's sword tears apart the last of the green ghost, she raises her weapon and gives out a short yelp of victory. "Yeah! Now thaat's what I'm talking about. I told you you'd pay, greeny."

With the items from the broken cage identified, Kka lets out a whistle of approval. "Nice caatch. These should fetch a good price." She opens up the Spacious Pouch and looks at the broken clocks quizzically. After a moment she shrugs, then puts all the loot they've collected so far into it. "Boy! Thaat makes it a lot easier to caarry everything."

Loot sheet updated. Who wants to use the Bands of Force? The +1 to AC is of no use to any of us, but the +1 item to saving throws should still work. More than happy for Kka to wear them for the remainder of this level, but assuming that more than one of us wants to use it, we can get the GM to roll for us. Once we hit level 8 at the end of this level, we'll get access to Resilient runes and the Bracers will become totally useless.

Is it only Lough that picked up the permanent weakness 5 to fire? We'll need to get that curse removed once we get back to Otari.

Kka then gets down to treating everyone's wounds. She looks at the tiny flames dancing around Lough. "Sorry, Big Maan. Not much I caan do about the fire weakness curse you picked up there, but I can patch up your other wounds."

Once everyone is patched up, she does a careful search of the rest of the room and the cages, carefully making sure not to do anything that might release any of the creature's within. She's particularly interested in how the crawlway they saw earlier connects to the southwestern cage.

Activity: Search with (Perception +16) - SECRET

Yes, Lough is the only one who failed the save against the curse.

Kka inspects the cage the crawlspace should lead to. When you look inside, you see a trap door inside the display pillar. In fact, as you look inside, the pillar seems to shimmer before your eyes, and you realise the pillar is actually an illusion! You can just walk through it, if you wanted to. Kvit and Cherry Berry also don't detect any magic coming from it, so it's a totally normal trap door.

Kka finishes up her search. "Okaay, then! Looks like we're done here. I take it thaat no one here is interested in freeing any of these creepy crawlies. Pretty sure they'll just attack us on sight, so I vote we leave 'em where they are."

Kka look up at the catwalk and sees something on the northern wall. "Hold on. What's thaat all about?" She walks up the stairs to get a closer look at what seems to be a the strange room off the northern wall.

Activity: Search with (Perception +16) - SECRET

Ah, no, that's just part of this room. It's just an unfortunate side-effect of multiple levels on a 2D map. There's a catwalk around the room that appears to cut off part of the room, but doesn't. You can walk under the catwalk to reach it.

Lough shivers.

The world seems to him... a little colder...