JD's Abomination Vaults

Game Master Jack Daniels

"Greetings, Augrael. I am Garidan Hemlock. If you tell us, how long you've been here, we may determine what you will consider news. What are you doing here and what topic is of particular interest for you?"

Make Impression: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Penflower is, yet again, surprised by a less aggressive ghoul. However, last time a ghoul started talking instead of attacking, he turned out to be a formidable opponent. He doesn't let his guard down this time, and looks around, looking for traps, as Garidan talks to him.

Secret check Perception +5 to find out any hidden dangers.

Hagrym listens, not wanting to muck up any progress Garidan is making towards befriending the monster.

Mac introduces himself, "I am Mac, pleasure to meet you Augrael. I see that you were a morlock in life. Were you part of Graulgust's clan on the upper level?"

Augrael scowls in disgust, ”That damn Graulgust exiled me when I became what I am, so I hate him like no other.” The morlock ghoul approaches Mac. ”Wait a minute! Isn’t that Graulgust’s club? He never let anyone touch that stupid thing! Does that mean that he is dead?’” The glee on the ghoul is impossible to hide.

”He didn’t just give it to us willingly, that’s for sure,” Hagrym grins as he responds to the ghoul.

Mac smiles, "You need not worry about him anymore. He is quite dead!"

Penflower is still somewhat suspicious of the morlock ghoul's good humor. He keeps on his guard and says "Are you going to attack us?" He realizes he sounds stupid, then just says "We've found a devil here that is guarding some door. Would you happen to know what's beyond it?"

Augrael howls in delight at hearing Mac's news. "Yay! Best news I have heard in a long time. That's #1 on my most hated list. If you're interested, maybe we can take out #2: Nhakazarin, the ghoul cult leader of the Culkt of the Canker. She's treated me awful since my transformation. She deserves to meet a just ending. Her base of operations is east of the library. What say ye? Do we join forces to go kill her?"

The morlock ghoul looks over at Pen, a little confused. "Attack you? Why? I don't particularly like the taste of your flesh. Too fresh...I've developed an affinity for the taste of ghoul flesh. Yum!" He pauses, as if trying to recall. "Devil? No, I have not met him. I don't travel much beyond this area, for fear for my safety. I tend to pick off a lone ghoul when I can to stay fed."

Penflower is surprised to hear Augrael's words. He says "Well then... That's... certainly refreshing. And I think it would be great to have allies in our fight ahead. Do you drink mead? Maybe after we can sit down and trade stories." The elf himself doesn't know whether he's joking.

"When it comes to fighting our enemies, the more allies, the merrier," Jon muses. "What can you tell us about her base of operations and the force awaiting us in there? The more you can tell us, the better we can plan."

”The Cult of the canker certainly sounds awful. We should eliminate her just based on the name of her followers alone,” the dwarf jokes.

The morlock ghoul laughs at Pen's suggestion. "Drink? Not anymore, but we can celebrate after Nhakazarin is no more."

"As for her base of operations, you can expect violent ghouls (about 6) and ghoul cultists (2) who cast magic. Nhakazarin is also a spellcaster so we should be ready for a vicious fight."

Augrael stretches his arms, revealing sharp claws and sharp teeth. "Ready when you are."

"I have two ghost charge bombs I can lob at any groups. They will temporarily enfeeble the primary target and splash any ghouls around it," Jon says.

I'll cast Mirror Image and Conductive Weapon prior to entering the boss room.

Penflower gets ready to fight the ghoul chief.

We could all use a party Bless before we rush in.

Mac welcomes the morlock ghoul to the party ranks, sliding behind him, with he striking pick in hand. "Cuz, care to lend me your shield, since I will be near the front line? You can stay back and burn the ghouls with your spells."

Hagrym hands the shield over. ”Try to not get it too scratched up, if you can help it,” he grins. Once the group approaches the area, he will cast the Bless spell his cousin requested.

"Thanks, Grym, will take good care of your shield." Mac smiles before steeling himself for the battle ahead.

Garidan, you can post your buffs later, if any, but will move it along.

The party makes its way east with Augrael and Pen in the lead, toward the east wing of the library, where Nhakazarin and her cult of ghouls reside. After casing your spells, you open the door, which creaks loudly, to reveal:

Rows of bookshelves run the length of this room, although in places they’ve been damaged or tipped over. The books that once sat on the ruined shelves appear to have been relocated to other shelves. Several doors lead out from this room, but the double door to the north is the most impressive: it’s made of stone, carved with a strange feminine shape rising from the ghost-laced mists of a cemetery of emptied graves.

Six armored ghouls wearing breastplates with bastard swords wander around the room, looking through the books and shelves. Two ghoul cultists, whom you have faced before, peruse shelves near the northern doors. All of the ghouls look toward the door when you open them.

Initiative:
Ghoul Canker Cultist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Ghoul Soldiers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Augrael: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Garidan: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Hagrym: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Jon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Mac: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24
Pen: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Order: Hagrym, Mac. Ghoul Cultists, Garidan, Pen, Augrael, Ghoul Soldiers, and Jon.

The dwarven cousins are up in Round 1!

All of the ghouls are color coded (orange, blue, purple, red, yellow, and green for the soldiers and gray and black for the cultists) so indicate a color when you attack.

Hagrym casts Bless on the collected group of heroes!

Hagrym, I apologize if I was not clear. Pen's conducive weapon and mirror image and your Bless were pre-bufs that you cast before opening the door (the round right before Round 1 so your Bless buff has 9 rounds left.)

Therefore, you can take your full round of actions in Round 1.

Hagrym, blast those ghouls! And sorry, Pen, in advance for breaking the "line" but need to start eliminating ghouls off the table.

Round 1: Mac
With magical pick in hand and buffed by his cousin's spell, Mac moves into the room, strikes the orange ghoul, and raises his borrowed shield.

◆Stride
◆Strike: Attack+Bless: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 1 = 28
Normal damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8
If critical with rune of striking: 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (10, 7) + 4 = 21...x2 =42 + 1d10 ⇒ 1 = 43!
◆Raise Shield: AC: 22

@Grym: You can Sustain the spell for one action (rather than casting for two actions) to increase the emanation by 10' from its initial 15' to 25', which would allow Mac to benefit from Bless this turn. In 2E Bless requires staying within the emanation the caster creates to keep the status bonus.

Into the Fray◇ (triggered on rolling initiative) Jon draws his pistol but leaves his other hand free for later bomb-related shenanigans.

Mac moves into the room and brings down the pick on the orange ghoul's head, piercing its and brain, destroying it instantly!

Jon, those are valid options. Will move on and Grym can retcon his Round 1 action.

Round 1: Ghoul Cultists
Cultist in Black:

"How dare you invade the territory of the Cult of the Canker?! We will offer your limbs to the Canker!" The cultist casts magic and a ray of green energy strikes Mac!

◆◆Ranged Spell attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28 --- hits
DC 20 Fort save Mac, please.

Gray Cultist:

This ghoul casts magic at Mac as well, trying to mess with the dwarf's mind!
DC 20 Will save Mac, please.

Garidan and Pen are up!

"Here we go!" Garidan ◆moves in and checks out the cultist. As he sees that he can't reach the cultists, he stops behind Mac and attacks the ghoul closest.

◆Exploit Vulnerability Cultist EV: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 vs standard DC for its level and vs Recall Knowledge DC (+1 from lantern)

◆Scorpion Whip, blue: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12

Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Penflower moves quickly towards one of the cultists. He swings his sword and raises his shield.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 241d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Electricity damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

If he's wearing metal armor, it's 1d12 electricity damage instead.

With one action, Hagrym increases the emanation of his Bless spell. With his remaining actions, he casts Vitality Lash at the closest opponent, probably blue.

Fort save versus DC 19 and take2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8 damage. If fail save, enfeebled for one round.

Garidan's EV check is successful for ghoul soldiers, but his whip misses.

The Ray of Enfeeblement fails to affect Mac. However, the Phantom Pain spell inflicts 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 mental damage and he is sickened 1.

The ghoul cultists are not wearing any armor, while the ghoul soldiers wear breastplate armor. The black ghoul cultist takes 15 damage.

Closest ghoul is the blue one. Fort save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 so it takes 4 damage.

Round 1: Augrael
The morlock ghoul moves into the room and attacks the purple ghoul soldier to the south, hungry for ghoul flesh.

Claw: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 1 = 17 --- hits
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Jaw: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10 --- miss

Round 1: Ghoul soldiers
Blue ghoul full attacks Mac with its bastard sword 2-handed!
◆Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 --- miss
◆Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 --- hit
Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
I assume Mac uses his reaction to shield block, taking 2 damage.
◆Swift Leap: Moves 10' toward Hagrym without provoking reactions.

Yellow Ghoul: It scrambles to protect the cultist.
◆Stride 25 feet
◆Stride 15 feet
◆Attacks Pen and his images: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 - not a critical fail, so Pen loses one of his images.

Purple Ghoul full-attacks Augrael:[/b]
"Freak, you dare to join our enemies?! Die with them!"
[ooc]◆Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 --- miss
◆Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 --- miss
◆Swift leap: to move into flanking position

Red Ghoul moves to flank Augrael!
◆Stride
◆Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 --- miss
◆Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 --- miss

The green ghoul strides 3x to end its turn adjacent to Mac.

Jon is up to end Round 1 and then Hagrym and Mac to start Round 2.

Jon draws◆ a ghost charge bomb and lobs◆ it at the blue ghoul.

Bomb (20' rng increment): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 :P
If by some miracle that is a success: Vitality Damage + Splash Damage + Enfeebled 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
On failure or better: Every creature within 5' of the target (and the target themselves) takes 1 vitality splash damage.

Then Jon draws◆ his second ghost charge bomb.

With one action, Hagrym again increases the emanation of his Bless spell. With his remaining actions, he continues to cast Vitality Lash at the blue hued opponent.

Fort save versus DC 19 and take 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 damage. If fail save, enfeebled for one round.

Round 2: Mac

Mac spends an action to end the sickened 1 condition: Fort save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Strike on Blue Ghoul: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12
Strike on Blue Ghoul: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6

Jon's ghost bomb charge misses but deals 1 point of damage to the blue and purple ghouls.
Save vs Hagrym spell: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 --- Blue takes 5 more damage
Mac ends the sickened condition and the persistent damage before it takes effect. Blue ghoul takes 18 more damage for a total of 28 damage, which is enough to destroy it!

Round 2: Black Ghoul cultist
The cultist sneers at Pen, "How dare you strike me?"
Swift Leap to flank Pen
◆Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 --- hits
1d3 ⇒ 2 --hits image, 1 left.
◆Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 --- misses, hits image. 0 images left.

Gray Cultist:
The cultist moves west to protect its fellow brother.
◆Stride: 25 feet
◆Claw on Pen: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 --- miss
◆Claw on Pen: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 --- miss

Garidan and Pen are up!

Garidan ◆steps up towards the cultist, he totally recognized a few seconds ago. "What does Canker even mean? Maybe he's just noisy and it's actually called Clanker?"

◆Bon Mot vs Will DC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Then he slashes at him and as with any undead, they really don't like holy water. So he will sprinkle a few drops of it on his new whip for that extra oomph.

◆Scorpion Whip vs cultist: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 11

@GM: I raised my shield last round, so my AC was 22. I think the attack misses. It still kills one of the images tho, so no it's all the same.

Penflower says "Die, creature".

He swings his sword, summoning his fire with it, then shifts his stance.

Spellstrike with Ignition, Arcane Cascade

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 131d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Electricity damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fire damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 2) = 9

The Black ghoul cultist is at -2 status penalty to Perception and Will saves due to Garidan's Bon Mot.
@Pen, I know your AC was 22 but if you see the map, you are flanked and off-guard so -2 AC for 20. This round your AC will be 18.

Round 2: Augrael
The morlock ghoul attacks the purple ghoul.
◆ Claw Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 --- hit
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Jaw attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 --- critical!
◆Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (7, 1) + 14 = 22 --- purple ghoul is destroyed!
◆Swift leap to move closer to Mac.

Round 2: Ghoul Soldiers
Yellow Ghoul:
It attacks the flanked Pen.
◆Bastard Sword Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 --- miss
◆Bastard Sword attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 --- hits
Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Pen uses reaction to block, shield takes 5 damage, Pen takes 3 damage.
◆Bastard Sword attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 --- miss

Green Ghoul:
The creature struggles between attaching Mac or Augrael and finally chooses the morlock.
◆Bastard Sword Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 --- critical!
Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (11, 11) + 6 = 28
◆Bastard Sword attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 --- miss
◆Bastard Sword attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 --- miss

Red Ghoul:
◆Stride next to Hagrym.
"Your holiness offends me!"
◆Bastard Sword Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 --- miss!
◆Bastard Sword attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 --- miss

Damage Summary:
Black Ghoul Cultist: 26 damage
Mac: 5 damage
Pen: 3 damage
Augrael: 28 damage
Rest of party and enemies at full hit points.

Jon is up to end Round 2, and Hargym and Mac to start Round 3.

"Back off!" Jon says as the red ghoul swings at Grym and shoots it◆ at point blank range with the (inactive) aberration bane ammo.

+1 Double-Barreled Pistol + Bless: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 1 = 32
P/Concussive + Precision Damage: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + (1) = 3

Then he swaps◆ his bomb with his whip and makes a reloading strike◆, loading an acid round.

+1 Whip -5 MAP + 1 Bless: 1d20 + 10 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 5 + 1 = 15 That'll miss.

Jon, that was a critical so 14 damage. Also, since it was off-guard, your 15 hit. They have 17 AC normally. Roll damage for the whip

S Damage, nonlethal: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Round 3: Mac

Mac risks the attack, as he strides toward his cousin, to flank the red ghoul. "Leave him alone!"

◆Rage
◆Stride
◆Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 1 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 + 2 = 18
AC: 19
6 temporary hit points

Harry delays to see if the red opponent is still standing.

Th green ghoul takes a swipe with its bastard sword at Mac, as he turns to leave.
Green Ghoul Reaction attack vs. Mac: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 --- critical
1d12 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 x2 = 14 damage
If Mac uses his reaction to block, the shield takes 5 damage and breaks.
The other 9 damage goes to Mac, using up his temp hps and inflicting 3 actual damage.

Mac's pick destroys the red ghoul.
Hagrym, back to you.

Hagrym uses one action to extend his Bless spell, keeping his group in the radius. He steps forward and casts a second level Heal spell on his cousin.

Heal 2d8 ⇒ (8, 2) = 10

Round 3: Ghoul Cultists: Black
It continues its full attack on the flanked elf.
Pen AC: 18 since he did not raise shield last round.
◆Jaw strike: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 --- critical
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9x2=18 damage
Assuming Pen uses his reaction to shield block, he and the shield take 13 damage, breaking the shield.
◆Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 --- miss
◆Consume Flesh: The ghoul cultist devours a chunk of flesh hanging from its necklace, healing 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 points of damage.

Pen, please make DC 20 Fortitude save or contract ghoul fever.

Gray Cultist:
The cultist casts Harm in a 30' radius, inflicting negative damage, healing all undead in the room and harming Pen and Garidan.

◆◆◆2d8 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9 negative damage
DC 20 Fortitude save to resist for Pen and Garidan.

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The one time I don't raise shield, it makes a difference and I take an extra 9 damage lol.

Fort save vs fever: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Fort save vs harm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

And this isn't even the boss yet!

Penflower takes a heavy beating, but he can't get out now. He throws away his shield and desperately strikes the cultist flanking him three times, the first with a special spell.

Shielding strike (shield spell), Strike MAPx2

Shielding strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 261d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Strike, MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 5 = 241d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Strike, MAP2: 1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 10 = 121d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Pen's first strike hits and then his second is a critical, for a total of 33 damage on the Black ghoul cultist.

Damage summary:
Black Ghoul Cultist: 42 damage (on its last legs)
Pen: 25 damage
Garidan: 18 damage (critically failed the save)
Augrael: 19 damage

Garidan and Augrael are up.

Garidan tries to finish the first cultist, but has a hard time at it, because of the pain he just endured.

◆Scorpion Whip vs cultist: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 = 18
Slashing Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 10
◆Scorpion Whip vs cultist: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 19
Slashing Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 10

if cultist is dead
Garidan jumps onto the table.