Tsuto escaped with Ameiko unscathed, party ambushed by every monster in the Catacombs of Wrath, near TPK

[UnboltedAKTION]

That long title sums up the last nights session pretty well. For me the DM it was a lot of fun, for the party it was one of the most intense and combat heavy sessions they've had in awhile.

But before I get to the nitty gritty I'll introduce you to the party:
Luca Fuji- Magus lv2
Ryoma Fuji- Dervish Dancer Bard lv2
Jenelle Black- Surgen Alchemist lv1
Marko Silverbeard- Knife-fighter Rogue lv1
Artemis Snow- Wizard lv1 (Plans to go Fighter and into Eldritch Knight)

Anyway the book has been going as planned everything has been running smoothly for the party. Goblins were slain, good times were had, heroes of the town they were. The party was milking their new fame for as much as it was worth until Alergast Barett died on their watch. And after that the very next day Ameiko turned up missing.

The Glassworks:

So they head to the glassworks, stealth to the forge see a group of Goblins and promptly jammed the two doors they say that lead to the forge. Not wanting to deal with the eight goblins they slipped around and explored the rest of the upper floor of the glassworks. After about ten minuted the goblins got bored in the forge and decided to go raid the pantry once more in the hopes of getting more food. However the party was in that area at the moment and combat ensued. It went very well; the party fell back behind cover, Artemis casted Obscuring Mist in the doorway and the party took out the goblins as the emerged. The last two after walking into a room with a pile of dead companions took of to Tsuto. However, the party decided not to chase them and inspect the forge where they found Lonjiku's preserved body. They explore the rest of the building and head down to the basement. The time it took for their inspection gave Tsuto enough time to gather up his sister and head toward Thistletop.

The Catacombs:

Continuing on the party found his journal found out about the Catacombs and went in, hoping to find some clue to Tsuto's hideout. The Catacombs are where things really went downhill. The party fought the first Sinspawn with ease and continued down the eastern hallways to B13 where they encountered Eryluim. She summoned her Sinspawn and initiative was rolled. The party fell back to B12 and prepared actions to attack them as the funneled through the door. However, it was for naught as the Sinspawn threw the door open Eryluim summoned a Lemure into B12. The party caught off guard by that was then rushed by the Sinspawn and the little witch. A few rounds and a few spells later and the Sinspawn and the Lemure are down. She cast a successful Fear on Marko who then flees the room, jamming doors behind him. Luca gives chase to Marko trying to keep him from getting too far from the party. The witch then hits Ryoma with a Ray of Enfeeblement that drains 10 points of Strength and flees to rally the rest of her Sinspawn and Koruvus.

The Brutal Battle:

With the party split; Marko unwilling to fight and Ryoma unable to things were looking pretty dire. Jenelle sat post at the hallway at the top of B12 ready to throw a bomb when a Dire Rat (summonsed by the witch) charged for her. She threw a bomb killing it instantly but it was followed by the other two Sinspawn the ran her down. Knocking Jenelle into the negatives. Artemis let loose some arrows from his bow while Ryoma finally got his strength back to fight. While the other two finally made their way back they encountered Koruvus and Eryluim. Luca ran into combat with the mutant goblin while Marko backed him up. At this point the Vargouille flies into the room with the two Sinspawn and began to attack Ryoma. Marko realizing that the party needed to stick together heads back to B12 while Luca decided to stay back in an attempt to take down Koruvus down (who at this point had taken a lot of damage but had missed all of his attacks). Luca now by himself succumbed to the witch's Sleep Hex. Now sound aseep on the ground Koruvus made a successful Coup De Grace and sent his longsword deep into Luca's chest. At this point the rest of the party overpowers the Varguille and the two Sinspawn and readies for the final push of Erylium and Koruvus both looking pretty good on HP because of their Fast Healing. Artemis enlarged Luca and Marko hides behind cover. Koruvus charges the enlarged Luca while he makes his AOO and misses the goblin completely. Who then confirms a critical attack and send Ryoma deep into the negatives. Luckily Artemis' and Marko's
ranged attacks put the goblin down and together are barely able to Eryluim in a successful grapple and tie her down.

The session ended with Marko at 2/9hp, Artemis at 9/9hp, Luca dead, Jenelle at -6/12Con, and Ryoma at -8/10Con

[Tangent101]

A coup de grace is a full-round action that causes Attacks of Opportunity. No one was on hand to stop it? Sounds like an epic battle though! (Personally, I'm not sure Tsuto would have dragged his unconscious sister with him with the PCs potentially in pursuit. But that's just me.)

[UnboltedAKTION]

Tangent101 wrote:

A coup de grace is a full-round action that causes Attacks of Opportunity. No one was on hand to stop it? Sounds like an epic battle though! (Personally, I'm not sure Tsuto would have dragged his unconscious sister with him with the PCs potentially in pursuit. But that's just me.)

Like I said, party split. It was just Luca, Korruvus, and that witch in room B3 while the rest of the party fought off the rest of the monsters in B12.

As far as Tsuto goes he might not have. But in his haste he left his journal behind which revealed the location of Thistletop and the rest of his (and his lover's) plan to burn down Sandpoint.

[Tangent101]

Better than what I had happen. Tsuto bluffed real well. I did a Random Die of Chance at the end, Tsuto tried to backstab/kidney punch the barbarian (missed by 1 even with his bonuses), and then after taking a few hits tried to run. Almost made it, and then a spell and a crossbow bolt to the back took him down.

Your method sounds more interesting... and adds incentive to immediately (or almost immediately) follow to rescue Ameiko. And have something of an idea of what's at Thistletop, too.

[UnboltedAKTION]

Def, I have a ton of ideas for Thistletop now that they know for sure the PC's are coming and probably ASAP I'm going to make a new thread today about my changes to the dungeon.