Dungeon Master S's "Shadows at Sundown" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

...I don't like just waiting, allowing this to do what it wants, call or prepare more death. What do you all think, should we move past it or something?

The entire situation just feels strange. Nothing moving, nothing speaking. The living rune just... waits.

Can you dispel something that's alive...? Black Dhougal wonders aloud.

Is the rune in a language anyone understands?

"Can we smash it?" Crowley is eager to smash the rune.

I'm willing to try dispelling it, but I'm not hopeful.

I think it' a creature and cannot be dispelled. However if that is not the case please disregard this post..

Sadlark nods to Crowley and performs a Dirge of Doom, reciting the idiosyncratic language-play of an old friend of his — the Mother Goose of Montparnasse. He hopes the living rune will utterly hate the strange repetition that breaks down meaning.

No sense in no sense a symbol of what of not and what of meaning. In no sense a symbol in no sense and what in meaning and not, in no sense a symbol in no sense no sense what, in no sense and meaning, and in no sense and meaning and not in no sense and meaning and not, no sense in no sense a symbol and meaning.

Lingering Composition Perform Check (DC 30), Greater Persona Mask: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 22 + 2 = 31 Lingers 3 rounds

Immediately after Sadlark breaks the stalemate, the voice returns, "A child's lullaby? You foolish insect. What is that compared to me? Your lifetime is but a brief moment. Even now you sing a song because you are too small, too afraid to enter. Enter and earn a warrior's death."

Sadlark whispers to his friends… Living runes cannot speak! Something else lurks in here in here.

With that, he steps into the room trusting his Blind Flighting abilities to protect him against invisible creatures.

Sadlark steps into the room.

Nothing happens.

Sadlark grinds his teeth. Does anyone have a way to see invisible creatures?

He decides on another approach, letting his performance falter. He Seeks again looking for traps or hidden creatures, focusing this time on the screaming sarcophagi. Perhpas omething is hiding inside them.

"Forgive my nonsense poem, I only hoped you enjoyed it. I have entered, just as you asked! We have been fighting horrible monsters down here and only want to understand what's doing on. I seems you are unwiling to fight, so perhaps we can come to some accord.

Sadlark's Diplomacy (M): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42

Esme whispers a prayer to Iomedae, allowing her to see anyone under the guise of magical invisibility. She then joins Sadlark, sword in hand and ready to defend the man.

Black Dhougal follows Esme's lead, casting see invisibility as well, then joins them a step or two back trying to leave room for Nakapan and Crowley. Moved where I think we are on the map, but not anyone who hasn't said they're moving up yet..

"Enter and earn a warrior's death."

"Enough of this nonsense." Crowley stomps forward prepared to smash the rune for it questioned his resolve and committment.

Power Attack +2 Striking Grievous Wounding Greatsword: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (6) + 25 = 31
Damage: 4d12 + 8 ⇒ (12, 4, 5, 3) + 8 = 32 +1d6 Persistent Bleed (1d12 on a crit)
On a crit target is FF until End of my next turn.

Nak will step into the room but doesn't want to leave Tully alone and unguarded. He stays behind unless Tully enters.

This is DEFINITELY one of those times that the table is easier. Crowley swinging triggers the encounter. I'm assuming the map is accurate, as the rune didn't stop Sadlark. Also, for Crowley's benefit, he can have all three actions. Sooooo....

The party pierces the veil of invisibility with spells, but reveals nothing. Finally, Crowley goes on offense.

Suddenly, the entire scene goes south.

Crowley isn't fast enough. A spray of rainbow colors erupts from the rune! It's overwhelming:
Crowley: 1d8 ⇒ 2 The orange light burns as acid eats Crowley's flesh DC 34 REF or take 60 Acid damage.

Black Dhougal: 1d8 ⇒ 3 The yellow light shocks as it overloads Black Dhougal's body DC 34 REF or take 70 Electricity damage.

Nakapan: 1d8 ⇒ 8Nakapan: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 7) = 8 Red light sets fire to Nakapan DC 34 REF or take 50 Fire damage. The violet beam washes over him too. Make a Will save, and use Hero points if you've got'em if you roll a one!

If that wasn't all, a strigoi unlike any you've seen enters this world from a realm beyond. With a wave of his clawed hand the shadows twist and coils of darkness and shadowy bats, rats, and wolves rise from the stones in the floor. They overrun Sadlark and Esme, taking their life force with them as they go. You each take Negative Energy: 7d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 3, 1, 1, 2) = 14 DC 31 basic Fortitude save.

******************************************
Round 1:
Rune: Most Excellent Prismatic Spray
Strigoi: WTF? Religion to ID
Sadlark (128/128): FORT + Go
Nakapan (175/175): REF + Go
Crowley: (209/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): REF + Go
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): FORT + Go
Tully (105/105): Go
Black Dhougal (116/116): REF + Go

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

Reflex DC 34: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

Crowley feels the burning sensation as the acid coats his body. Grinding his teeth together he pushes right through the stream of acid to try and kill the Strigoli before it has time to react.

Power Attack +2 Striking Grievous Wounding Greatsword: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45
Damage: 4d12 + 8 ⇒ (7, 3, 2, 6) + 8 = 26 +1d6 Persistent Bleed (1d12 on a crit)
On a crit target is FF until End of my next turn.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Power Attack

Sadlark recoils in horror as the vampire appears.

Fort (E): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

Sadlark performs a Dirge of Doom! Once again the frightening tune echoes throughout the chamber. using second and last focus

Lingering Composition Perform Check (DC 30), Greater Persona Mask: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 22 + 2 = 38 Lingers 3 rounds

The rune is a problem. Sadlark sees a opening and pins iot with an arrow.

+1 Striking Shortbow: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (14) + 22 = 36
P: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6) + 2 = 14
Precision: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) = 6

Strike it near the arrow, Napakan!

The plans you make include your allies as well as yourself. When you hit a creature with an attack on which you substituted your attack roll due to Devising a Stratagem, designate one ally. The creature you hit is flat-footed to that ally on the next attack the designated ally makes against that creature before the start of your next turn.

He then tries to recall knowledge about the Strigoi When Recall Knowledge with untrained skills, use Proficiency bonus equal to his own level instead of +0. So +12 religion (or +12 Strigoi lore if feeling generous :p)

Sadlark will use Suspect of Opportunity on the Strigoi to make it his second lead. +2 on the RK check for +15 total

Tully once again creates a spiral mimicking the glowing Pharasma symbol on his robes, and pushes the sparkling blessing to Crowley.

Crowley--for 3 rounds you get bonus (status) damage vs. undead = number of damage dice

Sadlark barely worries about the rats that presage the strigoi's arrival. His Dirge washes over the enemy, and then he drills the rune with an arrow! It seems to work just fine.

Crowley fights through the pain and delivers a telling blow. The wound is small than expected, but still massive. Unfortunately he can already see the vampire's flesh knitting itself back together even as it bleeds.

******************************************
Round 1:
Rune: Most Excellent Prismatic Spray
Strigoi: WTF? Religion to ID
Sadlark (115/128): Hit
Nakapan (175/175): REF + Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): CRIT
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): FORT + Go
Tully (105/105): Go
Black Dhougal (116/116): REF + Go[/b]

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

Sadlark remembers that vampires of this age lose their ability to turn to gas, and gain a myriad of spells in its place.

Reflex Save 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 23 + 1 = 25

Will Save 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 22 + 1 = 32

Hero Points

Relfex 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 23 + 1 = 29 balls!

It could have been worse Nak. A crit fail would have ended the campaign for you...

Tully gives a boon to Crowley, hoping the warrior can cut the vampire to ribbons. Meanwhile, Nakapan's reflexes slow Nakapan you're slow 1 (lose one action) for the next 10 rounds.

Sadlark barely worries about the rats that presage the strigoi's arrival. His Dirge washes over the enemy, and then he drills the rune with an arrow! It seems to work just fine.

Crowley fights through the pain and delivers a telling blow. The wound is small than expected, but still massive. Unfortunately he can already see the vampire's flesh knitting itself back together even as it bleeds.

******************************************
Round 1:
Rune: Most Excellent Prismatic Spray
Strigoi: WTF? [ooc]Religion to ID
Sadlark (115/128): Hit
Nakapan (125/175): Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): CRIT
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): FORT + Go
Tully (105/105): 1 Action
Black Dhougal (116/116): REF + Go

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

DC 34 Refl: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28

It could have been worse Nak. A crit fail would have ended the campaign for you...

Tully gives a boon to Crowley, hoping the warrior can cut the vampire to ribbons. Meanwhile, Nakapan's reflexes slow Nakapan you're slow 1 (lose one action) for the next 10 rounds.

Sadlark barely worries about the rats that presage the strigoi's arrival. His Dirge washes over the enemy, and then he drills the rune with an arrow! It seems to work just fine.

Crowley fights through the pain and delivers a telling blow. The wound is small than expected, but still massive. Unfortunately he can already see the vampire's flesh knitting itself back together even as it bleeds.

******************************************
Round 1:
Rune: Most Excellent Prismatic Spray
Strigoi: WTF? [ooc]Religion to ID
Sadlark (115/128): Hit
Nakapan (125/175): Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): CRIT
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): FORT + Go
Tully (105/105): 1 Action
Black Dhougal (46/116): REF + Go

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

LAST ACTION (no, this is not a prediction):

suspecting evil greater than they can yet comprehend, Tully calls upon his considerable knowledge on the subject to see if he can glean what...or WHO...the strigoi is

lore, Vampires: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37

failed saves above...

Round 1

Uncharacteristically, the monk falls prey to the prismatic sphere. He feels like he just had some kind of mushroom and his mind is moving low...
Luckily a shout from Sadlark gets him moving again. While Nak would normally move to attack the monster up the hall, he trusts his comrade. The monk moves to the strange rune and strikes near the arrow.

Mind Slow *
Stride *
Flurry *

Flurry 1 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 23 + 1 = 27
Dragon kick 2d10 + 7 + 1 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 7 + 1 + (5) + (5) = 24

Flurry 2 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 19 + 1 = 29
Dragon knee 2d10 + 7 + 1 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 9) + 7 + 1 + (5) + (1) = 24

Nakapan burns in the light, and it slows him down too. He makes a solid pair of strikes, but hits only the stone.

******************************************
Round 1:
Rune: Most Excellent Prismatic Spray
Strigoi: WTF? Religion to ID
Sadlark (115/128): Hit
Nakapan (125/175): Miss
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): CRIT
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): FORT + Go
Tully (105/105): Vamp
Black Dhougal (116/116): REF + Go

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

As the wizard studies the monster more closely, his narrowed eyes widen suddenly, and he gasps, whispering Progenitor!

In an uncharacteristically frantic fashion, he points at the strigoi. BRING HIM DOWN!! Quickly, or it won't happen at all!! Don't give him time to stop toying with us!!

He then adopts a slightly wider, balanced stance, hands in front of him in defensive claws, ready to concentrate on countering whatever magic he can from the powerful vampire.

Esme receives a vision of divine truth within her mind, a flash of insight to guide her aim. She then releases a ray of searing light to burn down the strigoi.
Cast True Strike and Searing Light
Searing Light vs Strigoi: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24 OR Searing Light vs Strigoi: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38
Damage (Fire): 5d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 5, 2) = 20 AND Damage (Good): 5d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 3, 2) = 10

Black Dhougal has a hard tome deciding which foe to focus on...so he declines to choose. Cast L6 scorching ray using two actions, one ray for each foe.

spell attack vs. Strigoi: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41 YAAS
fire: 12d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 2, 2, 4, 3, 3, 6, 1, 3, 6) = 43

spell attack vs. living rune: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38 Still pretty respectable
fire: 12d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 4, 1, 5, 4, 2, 5, 5, 4, 6) = 50

Esme's prep pays off. the light slams into the vampire, clearly wounding it!

Black Dhougal's spell is immense! Both rays strike true, one hitting the strigoi with extremely potent force! The vampire looks rocked by the spell, and suddenly looks afraid.

With a word in a language non understand the strigoi barks a command. The rune casts a spell: Counteract from Tully, AoO from Crowley, Nakapan, Sadlark and Esme.

******************************************
Round 2:
Rune: And AGAIN
Strigoi: TBD
Sadlark (115/128): Go
Nakapan (125/175): Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): Go
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): Go
Tully (105/105): Go
Black Dhougal (116/116): Go[/b]

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

Crowley swings at the living rune as the spell begins to formulate.

Attack of Opportunity +2 Striking Wounding Greatsword: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 40
Damage (Rage): 2d12 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 8) + 8 + 6 = 30
On a crit target is FF until end of my next turn.

Crowley hits the rune hard, but not enough to disrupt the spell!

Esme's prep pays off. the light slams into the vampire, clearly wounding it!

Black Dhougal's spell is immense! Both rays strike true, one hitting the strigoi with extremely potent force! The vampire looks rocked by the spell, and suddenly looks afraid.

With a word in a language non understand the strigoi barks a command. The rune casts a spell: AoO from Nakapan before advancing.

******************************************
Round 2:
Rune: And AGAIN
Strigoi: TBD
Sadlark (115/128): Go
Nakapan (125/175): Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): Go
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): Go
Tully (105/105): Go
Black Dhougal (116/116): Go[/b]

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

AoO 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 23 + 1 = 39
Dragon Kick 2d10 + 7 + 1 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 9) + 7 + 1 + (4) + (5) = 30

Nakapan also slams the run, cracking the stone under his heel, but it doesn't destroy the rune yet.

The rune's spell seems to have no effect, other than playing weird with the acustics in the hallway.

An instant later the strigoi casts a spell. A wall of blades made of pure force erupts in the hallway... Everyone but Sadlark and Crowley take Fore DMG: 7d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 2, 6, 6, 3) = 30 REF DC 33 for the damage.
******************************************
Round 2:
Rune: And AGAIN
Strigoi: Blade Barrier
Sadlark (115/128): Go
Nakapan (125/175): REF + Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): Go
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): REF + Go
Tully (105/105): REF + Go
Black Dhougal (116/116): REF + Go

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

Sadlark begs his muse for inspiration and Guidance. He closes his eyes and sings. "Let me listen to me and not to them."

He tries to hear just how and why the acoustics are different.

Sadlark's Performance (M), Guidance: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 22 + 1 = 34

Or Seek at +20 with a +2 circumstance if it applies as his Lead. I thought a performance check might be appropriate based on the GM's description of changing acoustics.

Guidance + Seek = 2 actions. Sadlark will Point out anything he finds (if applicable), or seek/perform again if he finds nothing. Barring anything to Point Out with his final action, he will Guidance Crowley.

Sadlark can't really hear anything to the west. It's muted.... like there's a wall between him and the others... Hero Point for creativity

Aww thanks!

Sadlark Points out the wall, pantomiming frantically so his friends can see through the blade barrier. This is big trouble.

Reflex 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 23 + 1 = 38 any success is crit success

Okay, herein lies the part I have NO idea how to arbitrate...

Nakapan easily dodges the whirling blades, but finds out the hard way what the living rune did. The monk bounces off of an invisible wall of force, and finds that he's still stuck in the whirling wall.

As per Slack, Tully DOES get a chance to counter the rune's spell...and since it happens before the wall of dicks, i'm doing that first

Couterspell: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30

hmm...searching to see whether I've used my hero point yet. Please stand by

Nope. Used it, this is final. *sigh*

Okay, so I'm going to go with those of you stuck in the blade barrier must do the following: REF as normal. Then choose which side of the barrier you're on as normal. THEN you must Balance while stuck between a wall or Wall of Force. If you CRIT fail, instead of falling, you accidentally touch the barrier. It is Difficult Terrain.

Nakapan immediately jumps to the side Need to pick which and escapes unscathed.

******************************************
Round 2:
Rune: And AGAIN
Strigoi: Blade Barrier
Sadlark (115/128): Go
Nakapan (125/175): Pick a side + Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): Go
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): REF + Go
Tully (105/105): REF + Go
Black Dhougal (116/116): REF + Go

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

DC 33 Refl: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34 success

Black Dhougal knows a wall of force when he sees one...or, well, rather doesn't see one. He opts to take care of it. Cast disintegrate.

just don't roll a 1..: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
The spell strikes the invisible wall and utterly destroys it!

Black Dhougal then focuses on the living rune, clinging to the stone on which it rests. His bloodline sings in his head, a fiery phoenix flapping its mighty wings in his mind's eye, and he blurs to all who see him for just a moment. Activate Quickened Casting ⟐ to cast shape stone, affecting up to 10 cubic feet stone, forming it into a hollow sphere with the rune on the inside.

Verbal & somatic components to Cast a Spell, Quickened Casting ⟐ to Cast a Spell.

Crowley smiles as the spinning and whirling blades fill the entirety of the hallway. "Now, this is fun!" He puts everything he has inot the Living Rune.

Power Attack +2 Striking Grievous Wounding Greatsword: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (14) + 25 = 39
Damage (Rage, Furious Focus): 4d12 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 5) + 8 + 6 = 29 +1d6 Persistent Bleed (1d12 on a crit)
On a crit target is FF until End of my next turn.

◆ Rage (+15 Temp HP, +6 Damage, and -1 AC, Darkvision, +10 Speed)
◆◆ Power Attack

Black Dhougal saves the party from what could have been a disgusting meat grinder. He then tries to capture the rune inside some stone: REF: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28. He manages to mostly enclose the shifting thing, but not completely. Ruling that the fail leaves it "prone", sucking up actions to get back into the fight. It takes a crit fail to get the worst in the description.

Crowley still sees a line of attack and takes it! He strikes the dimming rune.

******************************************
Round 2:
Rune: And AGAIN
Strigoi: Blade Barrier
Sadlark (115/128): Go
Nakapan (125/175): Pick a side + Go
Crowley: (149/209, Drained 1, Stupified 1): Hit
Esme (128/128, Drained 1, Stupified 1): REF + Go
Tully (105/105): REF + Go
Black Dhougal (101/116): Disintegrate

Location: ??????? ?? ????? - Tracker
Party Conditions: Nakapan: Cold Fe/Ag, Crowley: Resist Slash 3
Enemy Conditions: Rune is Frightened 1 through Round 2
Terrain: UNLIT
Tactical Map

Worth it.

Sadlark takes aim at his target…

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 2 Free action

Failing to find a discernable opening he punks an arrow at the vampire.

Plunk!: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25

Then he flings newly-exposed rubble at the beleaguered living rune:

Telekinetic Projectile vs Frightened: 1d20 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 20 - 5 = 31
B/: 6d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 1, 5, 3) + 4 = 26

Dirge lingering round 2 or 3 of 3 (feels like we're on round 3, not 2).