Charles Plemons' Blog

Game summary for April 28, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Thrain (dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge), accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Leora Chontos (aasimar fighter) and Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer).

Gnok grappled one of the mohrg’s and used its tongue to paralyze two Renchurch novices! Zedd unleashed a fireball that hit several mohrgs, a novice, and Thrain! One of the novices then kicked Thrain’s legs out from under him and gave him some ground-and-pound. Dario unleashed fury with his disrupting weapon and slaughtered some of the mohrgs. Thrain got back to his feet and landed a critical hit with his pick! Leora and Zedd unleashed magic missile and arrows while Dario took out another novice. Lucretia was able to destroy the zombie of Tiberius, and finally Gnok and Lucretia feed on the paralyzed novices.

Gnok and Lucretia assumed gaseous form to spy ahead and discovered an alchemical lab with multiple golems and a lich within! The team debated how to proceed. They decided they needed additional strength and would need the Lazurite Focus. Gnok and Dario killed Thrain and Zedd and pulled the Lazurite Focus from the portable hole to expose them!

Game summary for April 21, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), and Thrain (dwarf slayer), accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer) and Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

The team tore into the mummies as they emerged, and a flame strike took out several! Radimir cast true seeing upon Gnok who realized the room also held invisible stalkers! Knowing how the mummies were released, they focused on this unseen foe and took them down. They then discovered a small fortune in ancient Osirian gold among the wrappings!

The group then headed down a flight of dark stairs into an old dormitory. Within, they are attacked by four mohrgs! The tongue-lashing undead were soon joined by half a dozen Renchurch novices! The fearsome group was hit by more flame strike magic and a barrage of Gnok’s attacks; however, one of the mohrg’s paralyzed Tiberius and then killed him! He quickly reanimated as an undead monster himself!

Pressed by the horde of monsters, the team fights to hold their position on the stairs!

Game summary for March 31, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Thrain (dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge) accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Leora Chontos (aasimar fighter), Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer), and Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

Zed used detect thoughts on Cleves, the man in the chair. They learned he is a cannibal trying to get turned into a ghast! The team discovered he had seen the missing Count recently! Then, Gnok and Lucretia fed on Cleves. They took the lazurite focus and placed it into their portable hole.

The group then proceeded into a reliquary where they found numerous ornate ceremonial headpieces, stoles, and old wands. After some examination, they realized they had seen these in old painting and statues… of Tar-Baphon himself! Dario destroyed all of it using a flame strike.

Next, the group entered a room wherein a low table was set for tea, but a desiccated cloth-wrapped arm lay next to it. Eight sarcophagi stood around the room. Dario opened one to find a mummy! It emerged and burst into blue flames! The group heard a couple clicks as other sarcophagi mysteriously opened while the others rocked back and forth. The team began hitting the mummies and learned the blue fire burned frigid cold.

The team killed three mummies pretty readily as a forth burst forth and hit Tiberius! The team regrouped and prepared for additional mummy attacks as the coffins continued to rock.

Game summary for March 24, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Malthus Brightray (half-elf cleric), and Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric) and Bhagesh (pavbagha).

The team opened a door and found several chairs with a black crystal in the middle. A naked man sat in one close to death. Five black-clad masked females, Renchurch novices, attacked the party. One aimed the crystal at the team and inflicted numerous negative levels! The team scrambled with death ward from Dario’s wand. Malthus unleashed fireball and wall of stone. Radimir got hit by numerous kicks and throwing stars, but he recovered with channel positive energy and heal.

Brutus began hammering the notices, Dario tripped one to the ground and tore in with his blade, and the clerics closed in for melee. At first, the novices stood strong and setup flanks, but they were unable to withstand the onslaught. Soon, only the man in the chair remained.

Game summary for March 17, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk) and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge) accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), Sigbiorn the Blue (magical beast skald), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Leora Chontos (aasimar fighter) and Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer).

The team moved down a hallway decorated with severed human heads mounted on plaques. As they progressed, the heads began to move as if suffocating, and all the air whooshed out of the room! The team ran down the hall to safety with Gnok carrying Nyssa out over his shoulder.

The group investigated a closed door and found themselves in a worn but fairly opulent room with a familiar vampire figure, one of the female nobles from the Vampire Underground in Caliphas! She was speaking with a shadowy spectre calling himself the Chamberlain. He warned them to leave and that the Gray Friar would be unhappy to find them within. Gnok demanded to speak with the friar, so the Chamberlain invited them to come in and sit and wait on him. The party did so. Surprised, the spectre ordered another four spectres hiding in the walls to kill the party!

The battle became complicated. The vampire woman cast a web spell that entangled Zedd and made much of the room difficult to traverse. The spectres were unable to harm Gnok, and Zedd had previously protected himself with death ward. The most prominent target the spectres could find was Sigbiorn. Leora began using her scimitar, enhanced with Zedd’s disrupting weapon spell, to devastate the enemy. Lucretia cast obscuring mist which proved a bit of a problem with four enemies incorporeal.

The spectres were able to find their way to Sigbiorn, and the poor creature was slain by their touch. Moments later he rose from the grave as a spectre as well! Gnok quickly destroy him, however. The battle shifted though, and the team quickly took down the rest of the foes after Leora disrupted the vampire!

Game summary for March 10, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), and Thrain (dwarf slayer) accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), Sigbiorn the Blue (magical beast skald), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohort Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

Radimir hit the meladaemon with a flame strike spell while Thrain cut down the last corpulent ghoul moments too late to save Sigbiorn from its claws. Dario and the meladaemon went toe-to-toe in a brutal battle. Dario’s blessed blade sliced neatly into the outsider’s emaciated flesh. The daemon’s diseased teeth tore hunks from the oracle and infected him with a wasting disease. In a surprise move, Dario tripped the meladaemon! Thrain was able to move up and slaughter the creature as it climbed to its feet!

The team then looked around the room. They explored a baptistery full of clear water. They looked at the smoking gray altar and then moved to investigate. Thrain’s mind filled with whispers, whispers from the Tyrant himself! The whispers compelled the dwarf to sit down at the table and begin feasting on the dead bodies! Dario smashed the altar while Nyssa broke the enchantment compelling Thrain.

The team then cast several cure spells and used raise dead on Sigbiorn.

Game summary for March 3, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Berwyn Flintbeard (dwarf fighter), Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Gertie Foxglove (human witch), and Thrain (dwarf slayer) accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), Sigbiorn the Blue (magical beast skald), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer) and Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

The team engaged in a brutal battle with the meladaemon and corpulent ghouls! They further enhanced their capabilities with spells like bear’s endurance and good hope. The meladaemon hit the party with a horrid wilting and started firing quickened magic missiles! Gnok found himself engaged with several ghouls with magic missiles hitting from time-to-time. Thrain and Berwyn rumbled with the ghouls and caused several to explode in gore all around them! Gertie unleashed a powerful lightning bolt into a ghoul and tried to afflict a retribution hex on the meladaemon with no success. Lucretia bounced a greater flaming sphere around the battlefield while Tiberius unleashed a barrage of crossbow bolts. Dario assumed dire werewolf hybrid form and anointed his blade with oil of align weapon in preparation to engage the meladaemon. The creature hovered near the party causing them to suffer from consumption, and Berwyn and Thrain found themselves most affected. Meanwhile, Gnok assumed gaseous form to try and close the distance.

Three of the ghouls were destroyed, and the fourth injured. However, it paralyzed Sigbiorn! The meladaemon peppered Gertie with magic missiles and unleashed waves of fatigue. Will the team succeed in defeating this horrendous outsider?

Game summary for February 24, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Berwyn Flintbeard (dwarf fighter), Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Gertie Foxglove (human witch), and Thrain (dwarf slayer) accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), Sigbiorn the Blue (magical beast skald), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer) and Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

The corpulent ghouls wasted no time in closing in as Berwyn rushed to meet them! Thrain, Gnok, and Berwyn engaged in melee as Gertie unleashed a chain lightning! Surprisingly, many of the ghouls evaded! Due to their size, the team was completely stunned by their agility. Nyssa blessed the party while Lucretia and Sigbiorn enhanced allies with spells like bull’s strength and cat’s grace. Dario cast flame strike as Berwyn fell victim to ghoul paralysis! Gertie hit one with a maximized lightning bolt as Gnok killed two with a flurry. Lucretia used scorching ray to drop another while Thrain and Tiberius hammered others. In a few moments, the team was victorious.

Dario hurled the light stone further into the abbey and revealed more incoming ghouls and a fearsome meladaemon!

Game summary for February 10, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), and Thrain (dwarf slayer) accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), Sigbiorn the Blue (magical beast skald), and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer) and Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

The team emerged from hiding and sneaked up to the front doors where they were attacked by quickwood trees! Thrain hit one with a series of critical sneak attacks with his pick and killed it! The other proved more resilient and slapped and bit several party members. Dario made it inside the narthex and found it occupied by an athach! The giant attacked viciously while whispers filled Dario’s head. Voices in numerous languages assaulted his mind, and suddenly got whipped about the room by an unknown force! He was able to shake it off and trap the giant behind a wall of iron. He then cast a second wall of iron to further seal the creature in.

Tiberius killed the second quickwood, and the team moved into the narthex as well. Thrain began vomiting flesh-eating beetles, but Radimir drove them back with repel vermin. They went deeper into the church and heard chomping, slurping, and sliding chairs. Dario cast light on a pebble and hurled it into the darkness. It revealed half a dozen corpulent ghouls!

Game summary for January 20, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), Thrain (dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge) accompanied by NPC companions Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric), Sigbiorn the Blue (magical beast skald) and Bhagesh (pavbagha) and cohorts Leora Chontos (aasimar fighter) and Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

For returning her to Witherleaf, the fortune-teller gave the team a reading. She handed them a gauntlet she dug out of the rubble and stated “deadly bars of iron and piercing shrieks await, striking cold the hearts of men.” The team then left the feeble old woman to dig eighteen graves for her slain kin.

Zedd then utilized another teleport scroll and found them pulled off course yet again. The team ended up in a ruined tower inside a metal cage. A moment later a ghostly banshee appeared and demanded the party tell her the fifth catechism. Dario told her to shove it, and she began to wail. Her keening stopped the hearts of Dario, Thrain, and Tiberius! Radimir and Zedd set about restoring life to their friends while Sigbiorn hit the banshee with a ghostbane dirge. Nyssa utilized good hope and haste. Leora hurled holy water at the banshee as Bhagesh used dimension door to get closer. The banshee terribly injured Bhagesh as Dario was restored to life. Radimir was able to hit the banshee with the Raven’s Head and disrupt her completely!

Dario restored life to Thrain and Tiberius and then used his new gauntlet of rust to destroy the lock. The team realized they had arrived in Renchurch! They explored some ruined buildings and found old servant quarters. Next the team explored some old foundations and triggered a haunt! The fiery spirits of monks rose from burned skeletons and scorched the party! As the fire lit up the night, the fled to another building and tried to avoid detection. The moved around behind the main abbey and down to a rather intact building. Inside they found another haunt! A leech-covered monk on a gurney appeared and exploded in a shower of blood and leeches! The team was weakened and injured and fled to another ruin.

Realizing they had suffered great injury and used many spells, the team decided to make a camp. The cast secure shelter inside one of the buildings and then cast mage’s private sanctum to try and hide it. Will the team make it through a night of rest?