JD's Abomination Vaults

Game Master Jack Daniels

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

@GM is the party up for actions?

No, Jon, ghouls are still up.

The ghoul cultists cast Phantom Pain at Mac and Garidan. Since both were successful on their saves, you each take 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6 damage only and no persistent damage. That was the ghoul cultists' turn.

Round 5: Tattooed ghoul attacks Garidan
◆Stride 30' next to Garidan
◆Bite with Jaws: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28 --- hit
Damage: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (7, 7) + 7 = 21
Garidan must make DC 22 Fortitude save.
Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 --- hit but immune to paralysis.
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6) + 7 = 17
Garidan goes unconscious to Dying 1, as his weapon clangs to the ground.

The elder ghoul smiles at the party, "One down, 4 to go before we feast!"

Party is up!

Hi guys, you're making the same mistake I did in the graveyard in town. Let's not move forward uncoordinated.

Penflower sees his friend fall and rushes to meet the ghoul. He strides forward and raises his shield.

Stride x2, Raise shield

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Recovery DC 10: 1d20 ⇒ 2

that guy's damage is crazy

Jon jogs◆ forward behind Pen and fires◆ his remaining barrel at the tattooed ghoul.

+1 Double-Barreled Pistol (rng. 30'): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 :P
P/Concussive + Precision Damage: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (1) = 2

Then he cracks his whip◆ at the ghoul, reloading one of his barrels with aberration bane ammo.

Whip -5 MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 5 = 18 :P I'm really on fire today
S Damage, nonlethal: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 5: Mac
An area heal would be nice as I am hurt and Garidan is down.

Mac steps to get into range.
Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Damage}: 1d10 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (1) = 10
Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

I can’t get everyone in the range this round as I am too far away. I can area heal next round.

Hagrym moves 20’ closer to the fray and uses his vitality lash spell to try and damage the monster ghoul.

if you’d please move me, GM, I can just get him in a 30’ range by my math. Thanks!

Fort save versus DC 19 and take 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 damage. If fail save, enfeebled for one round.

Summary of Round 5:
Pen moved twice and raised shield
Garidan is at Dying 2.
Jon missed both of his attacks
Mac hit once for 10 damage.
Fort save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 --- whoa, he fails! Hagrym's spell inflicts 9 damage.
Total damage on Ghoul tattoo artist: 37.

Round 6: Ghouls
The green cultist strides toward Mac and misses twice with its bite and claw attacks!
Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The orange cultist strides and readies a spell once the ghoul tattoo artist moves.

Round 6: Ghoul tattoo artist
Seeing the party start to close in on him, the ghoul steadies himself and swift leaps out of harm's way 15' north before anyone can react. No Reaction strikes.

When he does so, the orange cultist's spell, Grim Tendrils, goes off, as tendrils of darkness erupt from the cultist's hand and strike both Pen and Jon in a line.
Pen and Jon must make DC 20 Fortitude saves.

The tattoo artist ghoul snarls at Hagrym for his vitality damage and strides toward him. With his last action, he attacks the cleric with his claw, drawing blood. "That'll teach you to cast yer bloody spells at me!"

Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 --- hits, not a crit.
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 = 12
Hagrym must make a DC 22 Fortitude save or be paralyzed.

After the requested saves from Hagrym, Jon, and Pen, the party is up. Remember that you each have 1 Hero Point to reroll. You may think about using them, if necessary, as you don't want to have a TPK and an unused Hero Point.

I use my Hero Point for Heroic Recovery

Good, Garidan. Hagrym, please take -1 damage, so only 11 damage. I forgot about enfeebled condition.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 1 away dang. Since I haven't taken any damage since the last time I was healed to full I'll hang onto my hero point to avoid death later if need be.

Jon takes 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 void damage and 1 persistent bleed damage at the end of each of your turns. Pen will take same damage if he fails the save.

Fort save 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Hero point reroll

Fort save 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Succcess, Hagrym, you are not affected.

Hagrym delays, hoping the others could come beat this ghoul off of him before his action.

Waiting for Pen's save, and the actions for Pen, Jon, and Mac, since Hagrum is delaying to the end of the round. Ball is in the players' court.

Jon steps◆ up to flank the ghoul with Hagrym, then fire◆ at the ghoul.

+1 Double-Barreled Pistol (rng. 30'): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
P/Concussive + Precision Damage: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4

Then he makes a reloading strike◆ against his off-guard foe, loading an acid round into the chamber.

Whip -5 MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 5 = 9 :P

Then the persistent bleed damage hits him for 1 hp.

DC 15 Flat Check vs Ending Persistent Damage: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Fort save with Arcane Cascade: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Penflower is too slow to catch the ghoul jumping up and down. He says "Dammit" and runs after him.

Stride, Strike, Recharge Spellstrike. Not raising shield as I expect Mirror Image to do some defensive work.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Mirror Image copies: 3

Round 6: Mac
Mac rushes to save his cousin.

◆Mac strides to step in front of Jon for the ghoul to get the off-guard penalty to AC.
◆◆Intimidating Strike: Your blow not only wounds creatures but also shatters their confidence. Make a melee Strike. If you hit and deal damage, the target is frightened 1, or frightened 2 on a critical hit.
Intimidating Strike: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
If critical: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 times 2 plus 1d12 ⇒ 2
If no critical, 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Saddest rolls ever!!!!!!!!!!
Frightened 1 or 2.
AC: 20

Harry swings his hammer at the ghoul in front of him.

Attack with Flanking and bless 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 25

Damage 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Pen, take off 4 void damage and 1 persistent damage at the end of your turn for a total of 6 damage.

Summary:
Jon inflicted 4 damage.
Pen missed.
Mac hit, missed the crit by 1, and inflicted 1d4 ⇒ 4 from infuse vitality for a total of 9 damage.
Hagrym's hammer lands, inflicting 4 damage.
Total damage to tattoo artist ghoul: 17 for total damage of 54.

Round 7: Ghoul Cultists
The green cultist strides and readies a spell, yelling "Master Rosk, move out of the way!"

The orange cultist strides and flanks Pen, who is now off-guard.
Bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 --- hit
Chance to hit 1 in 4: 1d4 ⇒ 2 --- miss, 2 images remain
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 --- miss but not critical fail, destroys image, 1 image left.

Round 7: Master Rosk
The tattoo artist ghoul, currently frightened 1, claws Hagrym. "Always hated you holy champions!"
◆Claw: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 15 - 1 = 26 --- hit
Damage to Hagrym: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 1) + 7 = 13
Hagrym must roll Fort Save DC 22.
◆Swift Leap to leap next to Pen.
◆The ghoul pulls out a piece of tattooed flesh and eats it, healing 4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 5) = 14 hit points. "That flesh tasted delicious, but not as good as the feast I will enjoy on your corpses." Upon eating the flesh, he becomes Quickened 1 and makes an immediate bite on Pen.
◆Bite: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 1 = 22 --- hit
1 in 3 chance of hitting: 1d6 ⇒ 3 --- hits, 1 image still remaining
Damage to Pen: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 4) + 7 = 19
At the end of his Round, Master Rosk loses the Frightened condition.

Round 7: Green Ghoul's readied action goes off when Master Rosk leaps away. Similar to his orange counterpart, the green cultist also casts Grim Tendrils down a 30' line, striking Jon, Mac, and Hagrym.
DC 20 Fort save. Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 and 1 persistent bleed damage. Jon, the persistent bleed damage does not stack.

After Hagrym's 2 saves and the saves for Mac and Jon, the party is up.

I had only 1 image, so it was 1 out of 2. Let's keep the damage, though. Total of 20 damage, I reckon? 19 - 5 (shield block) + 6?

Penflower takes the damage and screams in pain. He angrily lets go of his shield and swings a fiery sword at the boss. Then he casts a shield spell.

Spellstrike with Ignition, shield

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Fire damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4) = 13

Mirror image left: 1

Fort save DC 22 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Fort save DC 20 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Uh oh…

Fort Save vs. Grim Tendrils: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20…if success, becomes critical success due to my Death Warden Dwarf racial trait.

Round 7: Mac
Frustrated by Master Rosk, Mac moves around to flank the elder ghoul with Pen. ”Enough is enough!”
Attack vs. Off-guard: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31…that has to be critical!
Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + (2) = 13 x2 + 1d12 ⇒ 10 for fatal trait = 36! Ghoul had 40 points of damage on him after his last heal for a total of 76 damage!

If Rosk is still up, direct next attack to him. If not, direct to orange ghoul.
2nd Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (4) = 12

Summary:
Hagrym failed his save and is paralyzed. You can attempt a new save at end of each of your turns. Since he made the save vs. spell, he only takes 4 void damage and no bleed.
Mac's successful save, upgraded to a critical success by Death Warden, means no damage.
Pen, you took 19 damage from bite and 5 void damage from 1st Grim tendrils after you failed the save with Persistent bleed 1 damage for 2 rounds. Since you have not rolled flat checks to stop the bleeding the last 2 rounds, as Jon has done, you continue to take 1 hp of damage. I will let you retroactively roll the DC 15 flat saves to earn yourself 2 less hps of damage. Either 24 or 26 damage taken so far.
Pen's attack misses Master Rosk.
Mac's attack lands. Master Rosk has 22 AC, reduced to 20 with off-guard so the 31 does indeed crit! Mac's calculations are correct: 76 total damage. Since Master Rosk has only 75 hps...

Mac's warpick pierces the ghoul's skull, shattering its overconfidence, as he slumps to the ground, never to rise again! Mac then shifts his focus and impales the orange ghoul for 12 damage. The ghoul cultists are in shock that their leader has been taken out.

Jon's saves and action as well as Hagrym's save and Pen's bleed saves are pending this Round.

DC 20 Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 :P

Jon activates◆ the acid round in his pistol, then fires◆ at the green ghoul.

+1 Double-Barreled Pistol (rng. 30'): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
P/Concussive + Precision Damage + 1 acid damage: 1d4 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (2) + 1 = 4

The ghoul also takes 1 persistent acid damage on a hit.

Then Jon whips them with a reloading strike◆, loading a cold round to fill the empty barrel. (I'll switch to the orange if the pistol strike killed the green ghoul.)

Whip -5 MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 5 = 14 My whip is really off target lately :P

The bleeding once again saps Jon of a little of his strength.

DC 15 flat check vs persistent bleed: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Flat check 1: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Flat check 2: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Fort save 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

The dwarf was unable to shake off the magic of the accursed undead.

Orange Ghoul has 12 damage.
Green ghoul suffers a critical from Jon for 20 damage.
Pen makes bleed save so only 24 damage so far.
Hagrym is still paralyzed.

Round 8: Ghouls
Getting over their shock, the ghoul cultists decide to avenge their leader.

The orange ghoul attacks Mac since he killed Master Rosk.
◆Bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 --- miss
◆Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 --- miss
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 --- miss.

The green ghoul attacks Jon for his critical strike.
◆Step
◆Bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 --- hits
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Jon has to make DC 20 Fortitude save.
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 --- miss.

Party is up.

Round 8: Mac
He focuses his attacks on the orange cultist.
Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (4) = 9
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 --- assume that is a miss
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + (3) = 15

The orange cultist suffers 2 hits and collapses! Only the wounded green cultist remains.

The green ghoul also took 1 persistent acid damage due to my acid round, so they'll need to roll a flat check to see if it continues.

DC 20 Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 (I succeeded, but if that was for paralysis, I'm half-elf so I should be immune anyway)

Jon steps◆ away from the vicious ghoul, then activates◆ and fires◆ the cold round in his barrel.

+1 Double-Barreled Pistol (rng. 30'): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Ouch. That'll miss. If that wasn't a crit failure, the cultist will at least take 1 cold splash damage from the round.

Penflower is impressed with Mac's combat prowess. He repositions himself to attack the last ghoul and swings his sword before raising his shield.

Stride, Strike, Raise shield

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Fort save 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

”Argh, that was awful,” Hagrym rages at no one in particular, hoping never to become paralyzed again. He then casts a second level Heal spell in a burst, healing all his allies and possibly harming the undead.

Heal 2d8 ⇒ (2, 7) = 9

Ghoull has to make a DC 19 Fort or take the above damage.

Okay, several comments:
Ghoul Fort save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 - fails
Thanks for the reminder, Jon, the ghoul acid takes 1 and 1 cold splash damage, not critical failure.
Total damage: 22
Jon, the Fort save was for ghoul fever from the bite, not paralysis. You were successful.
Pen misses his attack.
Unfortunately, Hagrym, your paralyzation save comes at the end of your turn, so you cannot heal this round.

Round 9: Ghoul
Realizing that he is outnumbered, the green ghoul takes off south, usijg 3 actions to stride, which take him to the southern door in the next room, still within line of sight. He looks purposeful in his flights, like he is looking for help.

Penflower says "Last time we chased a ghoul, we ended up in a bad tactical spot. I suggest we gather our strength here and fortify this position."

"Last time, the ghoul went for reinforcements, just like this one is trying to. He's wounded so if we can stop him from fleeing this area...aren't you a spellcaster, Pen? Can't you zap him with something? My short dwarven legs were not made for chasing."

Pen, have you hit anything in these 9 rounds? Not b@%%*ing, just marveling at your poor die rolls.

"I'll try to get off one last shot at him, at least," Jon says and double-strides◆◆, then fires the remaining bullet in his pistol.

+1 Double-Barreled Pistol (Target 40' away = 2nd range increment): 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 2 = 28
P/Concussive + Precision Damage: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + (1) = 3

Here's hoping that was a crit, otherwise that was pathetic damage lol

DC 15 Flat Check vs Bleed damage: 1d20 ⇒ 3

That was a crit! Jon’s bullet rips through the ghoul cultist’s skull, killing it before it can summon help. Combat over! 1 Hero Point for everyone. Nicely done!

"I guess, we won? Because I haven't been eaten, I believe?" Garidan pads his body checking all parts for existing.

”I think we need to retreat, get everyone patched up and then come back in and clear out more of these undead bastards!”

"Could someone patch me up first, please? I appear to be bleeding," Jon says, indicating the bleeding wound where the tendrils pierced him.

Once his bleeding is stopped, he'll stow his whip and reload with an aberration bane round and his final acid round.

@Mac: The dice are holding out for a more epic fight, I must assume.

Penflower says "Retreating is a good idea. I need to see to my shield. However, I want to inspect this ghoul first." He proceeds to see if any of the ghouls had anything useful on them. Then he does the same in the smarter ghoul's tattoo parlor.

You discover the following information:
You find no treasure on the tattoo artist or cultist ghouls.
You find a secret door in the western wall of this reading room besides the southern exit.
If you go back to the original room where you met the tattoo artist, you find 2 bulks worth of books on tattoos that would be of interest to Morbilint. You need to find 10 bulks' worth to complete the quest,
There are 2 side rooms from the tattoo artist's room: one leads to a butcher's shop, where you find +1 silver hand axe, and the other leads to a food storage room, where you find the bodies of 4 dead morlocks haging on hooks, which the ghouls most likely use to snack.
Finally, Hagrym is pretty certain that Garidan has been infected with ghoul fever.

Esoteric Lore: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 2 = 17 Garidan, while gathering his things, thinks about any potential consequences of this encounter. Unsure, he addresses the cleric who seems to know a lot about the undead.
"Is it possible, that I... that I contracted something?" Shaking, he pulls out the Antiplague vial from his backpack.

Penflower tries not too look at Garidan too much, and takes as many books as he can, asking the others to take some as well. He says "Oh, man, Morlibint will kill me if I don't bring these back to him."

”Welp, I’ve heard of something called ghoul fever and you might have a bit of it, I’m afraid. We should probably get you back to town and work of clearing it up. It could be bad if you can’t cure it…”

I don’t know what ghoul fever does in 2e or how to cure it. I’m just throwing going back to town in for flavor since I don’t know if it would be beneficial or not.

Vandy Banderdash previously told you about ghouls:
Their bites can cause ghoul fever, a disease which will slowly turn you into a ghoul in a span of 3-4 days.
The antiplague vial will help with the save for 24 hours.
Hagrym can treat disease for 8 hours and that will help the save as well.
You need Cure Disease magic for an immediate cure.
Let me know if you return to town and recuperate.