Coldwater's Abomination Vaults

Game Master Quentin Coldwater

Cherry slaps a frond to their head. "We forgot to get anti-ghost things didn't we? You'd figure she would be corporeal or something like that. Probably hard to command as a ghost."

You heal up the little splash damage inflicted by Lough and continue. There's a door to the south that looks interesting.

These massive double doors are made of black and green stone. An oxidized bronze lock has a keyhole but no handles.

Kvit tries to pick the door open with his thieves' tools, but gets nowhere. Looks like the lock is too complex for him. Lough tries bashing in the doors, but all he gets in return is a sore shoulder. The door don't even budge a millimetre.

You continue clockwise. You pass past the entrance to the creepy spider-thing's lair, and eerie click-clacking sounds of its legs and chomping and slurping sounds of its mouths emanate from within. Sounds like it is the one who recently took down the roper.

Further down is the slime cave.
Hanging streamers of mold dangle from the ceiling here. Several coins protrude from a shelf of stone to the north.

Kvit's spying eye went through here previously (as well as the spider-cave above), and found no real treasure inside. The coins are silver pieces, and are deeply embedded in the slime. You could get them out, but it seems like a lot of effort for only a handful of silver.

Further south is the cave to the dragon's lair. You're not sure if you want to get too close.

So, where are you gonna go? Your options are:
- The cauthooj and the lens.
- The trapped door near the cauthooj.
- The urdefhan camp.

I know I roughed you up in the first fight with the fish, but how are you on resources now? This could maybe still be a one-day dungeon level if you're not too drained, though I don't blame you if you want a rest somewhere in between.

Cherry has most of their spells, but the ones left are pretty specialized and is down to about half their healing reserves (and most of what's left there is low level.)

"We really do need to get the lens. How is everyone else feeling though? That encounter with Belcorra was kind of scary."

Kvit has very few spell slots left. I have a few uses of drain bonded item left, but I need to go back and double check what I've used there. I think I only have ranks 1,2,3 left for that. I have a few charges on the staff for rank 1/2 spells. Cantrips are more powerful at that point. Kvit can help, but he'll likely be relatively ineffective in a direct fight.

"After facing Belcorra again, and sending her back, again, facing a dumb bird seems less of a problem. Let's get to it. And hope the fish still is nursing its wounds."

"Fish for dinner, then"

Dorianna nods her head "I think I am ready...."

She has one spell slot of level 4: Heroism, Fear or winning streak, soothe and nothing much, but it seems that Aesephna is doing the damaging in fights, so she can pull out one more if it will not be very hard encounter

You hop back in the boats and paddle back to the cauthooj. The cauthooj is warbling nervously as you approach. It clearly doesn't trust you and is making ready to attack if you provoke it.

I'd like a Nature check and a Diplomacy check to know how to calm it down, and to actually do the calming. Doesn't have to be done by the same person.
Or other creative solutions, of course. But I'd like to see at least two different skills.

While it isn't the kind of creature Cherry is specialized in, they hope that their druidic training will still apply.

Nature: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

"Hey buddy. We don't want to bother you, much I guess. We just want one little thing, can we trade you for it?"

Cherry offers a few gold coins and points towards the lens.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40

Cherry Berry gently approaches the cauthooj. They use the glint of shiny coins to distract the bird so the others can approach.

You see that the cauthooj has stockpiled several bodies of drow, urdefhan, and caligni and thrown them onto a pile. As you get closer, you see why, as the bird is guarding two eggs. You think that if you manage to find the right buyer for these eggs, you could earn quite a bit of coin.

Cherry Berry keeps the bird occupied while the rest search the island. With Detect Magic, you find a brownish-orange glass disc buried underneath a lot of mud on the eastern shore of the island. You dig it out and quickly retreat back to your boats before the cauthooj has second thoughts about your presence.

After identifying it, you figure out it's an Ochre Fulcrum Lens.
Not using AoN because it lists all the lenses on the same page, and spoilers. :)

Cherry hums as they hear the results. "That sounds very useful. Do you think any of us should wield for now?"

Kvit inspects the lens as the boat is paddled away back to drier shores. He strokes his whiskers thoughtfully as he examines the qualities and potential uses of the lens. He seems to be half talking to himself. "Hmm, yes. Quite powerful indeed."

He looks up at Cherry as if only hearing part of what they said. "Hmm? Yes, I will be holding onto this. It's too dangerous to just pass around."

Goodness, it's 2 bulk?! When I added it to Pathbuilder, it says it's only 1 bulk though. Can I/we get clarification on that? Crimson Fulcrum lens on Demiplane says 1 bulk, so I'd expect them to be the same. Also if anyone OOC thinks it would go better to someone else, I'm up for it. It just seems to fit Kvit decently.

Lough strokes the Whispering Reeds in his breast pocket.

He watches the Ochre Fulcrum Lens with some envy...

Nope, 2 bulk is correct. Just checked, they all have different weight classes, from L to 3. Not sure why, but it seems intentional.

Dorianna looks at Cherry "Well, nicely done. I was thinkin gthat it would gonna attack us, but you changed it's mind completely"

Than she looks interested at the lens

Kvit seems a little distant or indifferent, ignoring Dorianna looking at the lens.

"We're, fortunately, running out of options of creatures to fight. Though there's an impenetrable fortress and a whole encampment to sort out."

He seems to consider a few things and takes stock of his resources.

"I may need to do some research to figure out the exploding building. And we should rest and come up with a plan if we plan on kicking the hornets' nest."

Not sure what else we want to try to accomplish before going topside. Maybe back to the building that we knocked and then left?

Without any other input, I'm going to assume you're going for a night's rest, either up top or in the drow encampment, and will start a new day tomorrow.

You go back to Otari to heal up and recover your spells. The next day, you go back down, and just as you leave the drow encampment, a whole horde of urdefhan come pouring out of their camp. They spot you, and make ready to attack!

"There they are! Lady Belcorra told us to kill them, so let's have some fun! You can eat whatever's left of them!"

Cherry Berry: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
Dorianna: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27
Kvit: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
Lough: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
Urdefhan troop: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

Cherry Berry 98/98
Dorianna 134/134
Urdefhan troop
Kvit 60/60
Lough 107/107

Cherry Berry and Dorianna are up!
Information about troops in the Discussion in a moment.

"Look kid, we are facing some decent troop here, try to blast them with energy, just like we prac..." says the Spirit looking at Dorianna

"Look kid, we are facing some decent troop here, try to blast them with energy, just like we prac..."

Dorianna only half listens and reaches for the magic, the darkest kind that she knows, and blasts them with sonic energy

[url=https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=1666&Redirected=1]Shadow balst[/urr] 15 ft burst, sonic damage Will or reflex save (your choice) DC27

Shadow blast, sonic: 6d8 ⇒ (5, 4, 3, 7, 4, 5) = 28

Than she protects Aesephna

"Go frowards!"

Botting Cherry Berry to keep things going.

Troop's Reflex save: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

Dorianna blasts the troop with shadow magic. Despite them being quite nimble, it catches them off-guard and they take quite a hit. Several individuals crumple, but there's still enough people standing to pick up the slack. Aesephna then strides forward.

Cherry Berry throws a beam of divine energy into the troop, but misses. They then cast Shield on themselves.
Best 30+ ft range cantrip attack they have available.

Divine Lance attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

The urdefhan remain at distance, draw their shortbows and javelins, and rain down a volley of pointy death at you. 10 ft burst catches everyone.

Everyone, please make me a basic DC 27 Reflex save or take 5d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 2, 1) = 13 piercing damage.

Cherry Berry 98/98
Dorianna 134/134
Urdefhan troop, 38 damage
Kvit 60/60
Lough 107/107

Everyone is up! Please make me a basic DC 27 Reflex save or take 13 piercing damage.

Aesephna Relfex, reinforce eidolon, DC27: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 17 + 1 = 19
Dorianna Relfex, DC27: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26 With eidolon it is roll twice take worse right? ;)

Aesephna is hit with all of the arrows that she could have ... and then some more "I will protect you! Hide behind me!" the spirit yells not connecitng that their bond make pain be felt on the child as well.

She walks forwards and punches some of the troops

Punch@troop: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Damage, b: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 7) + 6 = 21

But she misses...

Save, Tandeem Movement (both move 1 action), Attack

Dorianna yells in pain, feeling every arrow that hits Aesephna

"Bloody ghost! You can protect me from being hit! "

She moves forwards right after Aesephna and yells at the troops

Hunting Hymn, basic fort DC27, sonic: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 3, 3) = 11

Tandem Movement + Casting Hunting Hymn

Ah, should've specified. Aesephna was out of the burst, so only you needed to save. But I'm gonna be a hardass and say that I'll take the first roll, which is unfortunately the nat 1.
If I then transpose your attack to the 8, it's still a miss, sadly.

Forgot to mention, everyone gets a Hero Point!

Cherry gestures with their staff, creating a mintuere, but see through, version of Lough which attacks the troop.

Edit: I need to get closer◆Stride

◆◆Pernicious Poltergeist In Telekinetic Storm mode, making this a AOE. I should be able to hit three of the troops with it.

Force Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 2, 4, 8) = 20 Basic Reflex to resist

"Please consider what you are doing. We got down here so we are obviously very capable and Lady Belcorra does not have your pest interest in mind. To her, everyone is disposable."

↺ Interposing Earth, standard cover

reflex: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 2 = 34
Damage is also reduced by 2 and the barrier is destroyed.

As the arrows rain down, Kvit quickly gestures and seems to pull a sheet of rock and petrified mushrooms from the ground for cover.

Kvit then raises an extra arcane barrier of force and reaches out to speed Lough's movements.

↺ Interposing Earth ◆ shield ◆ ◆ haste

Cherry Berry, you don't need to move. Poltergeist has 60 foot reach, which you easily make.
BUT.
Bon Mot doesn't work, as it targets only a single person. And you wouldn't have been in range for that.

I'll keep the move anyway. Some of the other spells I may cast during this combat are shorter ranged.

Reflex vs 13 piercing (DC 27): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30 @ 6 damage

"Alright, bubs" Super-charged by Kvit's spell, Lough races in a whirlwind of claws and tears down several men at once!

◇) Shift Immanence
~) Hasted
☀️) Hands of the Wildling (Unarmed strikes +2 spirit Splash damage; Lough immune)
◆) Hasted Stride
◆) Strike
◆◆) Transcendence - Feral Swing (Basic Reflex vs Strike damage)
~) Feral Swing w/ Abandon (Lough AC 25 for Troop -2 Reflex Save)
☀️) Gaze Sharp as Steel (+1s Perception, +2 AC vs ranged)
↺) Reactive Strike

Slag Claw (cold iron slashing) vs Green Troop: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 282d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15
Splash Damage: 2 = 2
Feral Swing (blunt) w/ Splash (+2) w/ Abandon vs Green Troop (Troop -2 save vs DC 27 Basic Reflex): 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 + 2 = 19

Cherry Berry forgot their Reflex save. I'll use the 19 they rolled, which makes it a success.

Aesephna moves forward and attacks, but the troop manages to deflect it. Dorianna moves forward as well and casts a spell on them. They make it, but still take quite some damage.

Fort save: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35

Cherry Berry moves forward and summons a ghostly Lough to tear through the battalion. They manage to evade most of it, but several urdefhan die from the onslaught. One segment destroyed! 1d3 ⇒ 2

Reflex save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Kvit speeds up Lough's movements and protects himself.
Lough moves forward and lashes out, but just misses. Still, he grazes one urdefhan quite badly. The splash damage. It's also weird how Aesephna would get splash from this attack, so she's fine. Then he throws a flurry of slashes at the group. Once again, the troop dodges the onslaught, but several warriors still get nasty scratches.

Reflex save with -2: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 - 2 = 30

They're in pretty bad shape now, despite succeeding in most saves. But the weakness to splash/area damage adds up.

The troop huddles up and brace themselves, then form a stampede and rush through Aesephna, Dorianna, Lough, and Cherry Berry. The party gets battered by a whole group of blood-crazy urdefhan shoulder-charging them all at the same time!
Everyone except Kvit, please make me a basic DC 27 Reflex save or take 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (5, 6) + 12 = 23 bludgeoning damage.
Ran just out of movement to also take Kvit with me. Can't find anything about sharing space with a troop.

Cherry Berry 92/98
Dorianna 108/134
Urdefhan troop, 104 damage, bloodied
Kvit 56/60
Lough 101/107, Hasted

Everyone is up! Cherry Berry, Dorianna, Aesephna, and Lough need to make a basic DC 27 Reflex save or take 23 bludgeoning damage.
Lough's Reactive Strike misses, but if Aesephna has one, she can use it.

As the small horde of Urdefhan rush towards Kvit, he swings his staff in a wide arc spraying fire indiscriminately.

breathe fire: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 15ft cone area, DC27 basic reflex

Then uses that as cover to retreat.

◆◆ breathe fire from staff, -1 charge ◆ stride
almost minimum damage, cool, lol

Even with the troop now well and clear of the poltergeist, Cherry continues to maintain it in case they enter the area again.

In addition, the Leshies crown flares brightly and swarm of insects begin biting the troop.

◆Sustain

◆◆Animal Allies -- First time using the Druid Crown's spell

Piercing: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 4) = 9 -- DC 20 Basic Reflex Save, if you would please.

@Cherry also need to make a DC27 reflex save from the troop's attack

Reflex, DC 27: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

Reflex vs 23 blunt (DC 27): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 @ 11 damage

Reflex save vs Kvit: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
Reflex save vs Cherry Berry: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

Kvit suddenly expels a whole lot of fire. The flames aren't super hot, but they burn quite a lot of urdefhan. After that, Cherry Berry summons a bunch of insects from the ground and they feast on the freshly-burnt opponents. Another part of the group dies from their collective injuries. Save against Kvit, crit fail against Cherry Berry.
1d2 ⇒ 1

Cherry Berry 69/98
Dorianna 108/134
Urdefhan troop, 143 damage, bloodied
Kvit 56/60
Lough 90/107, Hasted

Dorianna and Lough may act! Dorianna and Aesephna still need to save vs the overrun, and Aesephna may use Reactive Strike/Dutiful Retaliation.

Lough concentrates to keep his spark inside his claws, and continues to go to town tearing down one soldier at a time, reckless and bloodlusted!

~) Hasted
☀️) Gaze Sharp as Steel (+1s Perception, +2 AC vs ranged)
◆) Shift Immanence
☀️) Hands of the Wildling (Unarmed strikes +2 spirit Splash damage; Lough immune)
◆) Hasted Stride
◆◆) Transcendence - Feral Swing (Basic Reflex vs Strike damage)
~) Feral Swing w/ Abandon (Lough AC 25 for Troop -2 Reflex Save)
☀️) Gaze Sharp as Steel (+1s Perception, +2 AC vs ranged)
↺) Reactive Strike

Feral Swing (blunt) w/ Splash (+2) w/ Abandon vs Green Troop (Troop -2 save vs DC 27 Basic Reflex): 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 2 = 13

Aesephna Relfex, DC27: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Dorianna Relfex, DC27: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22 With eidolon it is roll twice take worse right? ;) So another crit fail

Aesephna seems Dorianna getting punched as she lashes at the troop
"Leave her alone!" Reaction to strike

Punch@troop: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19
Damage, b: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 = 14

Than she moves after them and punches them with second hand

Punch@troop: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23
Damage, b: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 = 14

Dice are trying to kill me! 2 x one's for 4 rolls!

Dorianna feels like she got trampled by a pack of horses, bloodied and bruised she yells at the soldiers

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Hunting Hymn, basic fort DC27, sonic: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 7, 1) = 14

Casting Hunting Hymn

Lough keeps tearing into the troop. He doesn't manage to score a solid hit on them, but scratches them up badly enough that several collapse under their injuries.

Reflex save vs Lough: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 17 - 2 = 28

Dorianna feels like she's being run over by an entire football stadium. Sadly, Aesephna's attacks don't fare much better. She follows that up with a blast of noise that finally collapses the last remaining fighters.

Fort save vs Dorianna: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35

When the coast seems to be clear, you go through the bodies of the dead to see if they were carrying anything of use.

4 times the following:
+1 shauth blade, leather armor, moderate necrotic bomb (3)

9 times the following:
+1 striking shauth lash, chain shirt

12 times the following:
composite longbow (20 arrows), rhoka sword, studded leather armor

7 warhammers
One +1 striking kukri

The coast into the camp seems clear!

Kvit appraises the equipment, tossing the mundane things into one pile and the magical equipment into another. "I did say we should have purchased a spacious pouch while we were in town didn't I? We'll have to come back for most of it. I'm certainly not carrying it."

"I'll carry as much as I can, but I don't honestly have that much carrying strength left in me either."