Charles Plemons' Blog

Game summary for January 13, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Berwyn Flintbeard (dwarf fighter), Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), 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 cohort Tiberius Shortshanks (dwarf fighter).

Strange green mist began to rise from the ruins of Witherleaf to intermingle with the smoke rising from a dozen Varisian wagons. Burned, injured Varisians stumbled from the wreckage toward the party weeping and reaching for aid. Ghostly forms coalesced in the fog and screamed in eerie wails, causing Dario and Tiberius to bolt in terror. A veil dropped from the injured Varisians revealing staggering zombies! The team tore into the rotting meat sacks in a flurry. Sigbiorn, Berwyn, and Thrain began dropping zombies right and left. Gertie cast chain lightning and destroyed eight in one blast!

Dario recovered his senses and ran back to the battlefield. A trio of hags were spotted atop a barrow casting deadly spells! They dropped numerous fire storms on the team while they tangled with the zombies. Gertie rushed forward and got caught in a forcecage! She tried several clever tactics to escape but was unable. She was able to still use her evil eye hex to harass the hags! Dario made efficient use of holy smites while Thrain made things harder for the hags with a summoned earth elemental. The team climbed the barrow and engaged more closely. Soon, Dario killed the witchfires, and the team forced the night hag to flee into another plane!

Game summary for January 6, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gertie Foxglove (human witch), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), 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).

Brutus heard talking nearby as the team emerged from the linnorm cave again with their new companion, Sigbiorn. Gnok assumed gaseous form to investigate and found a camp of paladins and a woman staked to the ground with flaming eyes. The team went to introduce themselves, and Dario unleashed a dazzling display of diplomacy. Soon, they were chatting like old friends and learned the paladins were taking the woman to Vigil for an exorcism. The party examined her and determined they could not perform the rite themselves. As the team turned to leave, an advanced leukodaemon emerged from the woman in a blast of flame and flies! The swarm turned into a giant winged monstrosity that fired diseased arrows among the party.

With battle joined the team unleashed spell and arrow at the beast and found themselves completely outclassed. Nothing seemed to work. Spells dissipated and axes bounced off its hide. Gnok launched himself into the air to grapple the monster and was slammed into the campfire where he discovered the linnorm’s death curse! He had gained a vulnerability to fire and burst into flame! Bhagesh tried to leap up and hit the monster with no success, and Lucretia’s acid spells had no effect. Brutus had the genius idea of using his grappling hook to drag the creature toward the ground! Thrain agreed and tried to assist. The pair wrestled the beast down only to have it use greater teleport to escape after blasting them with a cloud of stinging, biting flies!

Dario hit the daemon with a spear of purity, Nyssa helped with good hope, Sigbiorn tried a fear spell, Gertie used maximized lightning bolt. Damage was dealt but the monster continued to harass the group. Finally, Bhagesh learned from Brutus and Thrain and grabbed hold of the daemon and dragged it to the ground. Brutus was able to slip in and smash its skull with his flaming hammer! It exploded in a cloud of fire and flies!

The team then spoke with the old woman who was no longer possessed. She told the team she had agreed to the possession in exchange for protection in the ravener’s territory! She begged them to return with her to Witherleaf to learn the fate of her caravan. The party set out on the trek knowing it led closer to Renchurch. The party arrived at the outskirts of the ruined town as the night stretched closer to morning.

Game summary for December 23, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Malthus Brightray (half-elf 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).

Lucretia utilized a scroll of teleport and suffered some kind of mishap. Nothing appeared to happen, but the spell did not go into effect. She attempted another scroll and ended up in a vertigo-inducing tumble through dimensions. The entire team fell through another witchgate, and many were sickened by the rough trip. Upon emerging, a crippled crag linnorm emerged from a cave! Its tail had been severed and was rotting and leaving a trail of ichor. Brutus taunted and mocked the dragon, and the enraged monster attacked!

The team charged in and found their weapons barely harmed the monster, and fire seemed to roll off it. The linnorm breathed forth a line of molten magma! It hit Malthus and Thrain and burnt them severely. Gnok, fortunately, evaded the attack. Tiberius bounced crossbow bolts off the beast’s scales and Lucretia discovered it had tremendous spell resistance, negating her scorching ray attack. Nyssa cast good hope while Gnok landed an energy draining blow! Dario was able to make use of harm but had to charge through the lava to deliver it. Malthus cast mass bull’s strength, and Thrain succeeded in landing a devastating critical hit with his pick! The dragon reeled beneath the onslaught!

Horribly injured but not out of the fight, the linnorm sank its poisoned fangs into Dario! The fiery poison caused his blood to boil and his internal organs to combust! He writhed in flame as the dragon tore open his flesh with its claws. He passed out from the agony and damage. Lucretia hit the dragon with an acidic energy burst, Brutus wailed away with his hammer, and Gnok was able to land a killing blow which triggered a death curse that settled over him!

Meanwhile, Dario’s unconscious form flopped and smoked from the insidious burning poison searing through his tissue. In moments he died from the venom. With the dragon also slain, Malthus ran forward and cast breath of life upon Dario as Nyssa cast delay poison. Malthus then followed with neutralize poison. Restored to life and stability, Dario cast restoration upon himself to recover from the horrible damage done to his organs. Finally, he cast heal upon himself.

Having barely survived, the team then moved into the linnorm’s cave to explore. They found a small fortune in coins and magic along with a bizarre tome. The book had the ability to give humanoid form to a normal animal and fill it with the spirit of a fallen warrior from ages past! After much debate, the group decided to use the book. Thrain was able to trap a grizzly bear, and Dario read the book! As they watched, the bear transformed and a new hero arose to join the party!

Game summary for December 2, 2014, 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), 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).

The party spent time shopping for various items useful for fighting undead such as holy water and oil of align weapon. They went to the church of Pharasma and got a letter stating their mission with the high priest’s seal in case they were to encounter any patrols from Lastwall. The group decided to use teleport to reach Renchurch and purchased five scrolls of teleport.

Once prepared, several of the party climbed down into the portable hole while Zedd used one of the scrolls. The teleport whisked the team across Ustalav, but something went wrong! The team emerged from a witchgate, a magical trap that diverted the group to an unknown location! The clearing in which they found themselves was surrounded by half-a-dozen hangman trees!

The carnivorous plants attacked and lassoed several of the team with their strangling vines! Radimir was quickly dragged into the maw of one and swallowed. Dario spread out the portable hole to release Lucretia, Leora, Gnok, and Nyssa. Bhagesh tore into one of the trees while Thrain and Tiberius unleashed a barrage of attacks. Zedd used several fireball spells and caught numerous hangman trees in the areas. Gnok jumped out of the hole and scaled one of the trees. Nyssa was able to bless the team. Leora scored several critical hits and chopped down one tree. Soon the party gained the upper hand and took down the rest of the trees after learning they are susceptible to electricity.

Now, the team must figure out where they are and how to continue toward Renchurch.

Game summary for November 25, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn 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 companion Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The group scrambled up to the second floor to investigate the coffin and try and kill Aisa but found the coffin empty. They went back downstairs and met a blood knight that believed Gnok was Hetna. He gave the knight an order, and it seemed to realize he was not the witch. It yelled and charged the party! It spewed forth gouts of caustic poisonous blood all over the party, and Nyssa began retching and screaming. Several of the party fell in the slippery blood or dropped weapons due to the slickness. It took several strong hits but the team took it down.

The group then ran into Halloran Idriss again, and surrendered his weapons and told them the location of Aisa’s coffin. He then went to the surface to greet the sun. The team followed his directions and triggered a symbol of fear that drove Nyssa screaming down the hall. After calming her down, the group continued on. They found a stone sarcophagus containing Aisa! The party staked her, cut off her head, and then dumped her body parts in the flowing river outside.

The team returned to Caliphas and the inn. The next evening they received a letter from Ramoska Arkminos giving them more information about the Whispering Way’s plans and telling them to head to the fearsome fortress of Renchurch!

Game summary for November 18, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Thrain (dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge) accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The witchfires cackled in delight and darted through the walls in search of Oothi’s spider swarms. The team decided to explore the lower level of the abbey and went back inside. They went down a flight of stairs and entered an ossuary where they encountered an armored vampire. With the seeming disguise and Dario’s bluff check, he left to speak with someone else. The team looked around and found several secret doors. One led into the well, which was a surprise. The found another passage leading into a wine cellar. The group then opened a door and found a huge room with burning candles and a bloody pentagram. Sitting on a throne was Aisa Dublesse!

The witch demanded the team (whom she perceived as a group of her own guards and two prisoners) approach. She ordered the guards to fetch her sister and was angry when they did not immediately respond. Then, she seemed to get a distracted look and started talking to herself or maybe through some kind of magic to Oothi. She raged and revealed her vampiric nature when learning her sister was dead and suddenly realized the guards were no longer charmed and under her control. She cast solid fog and flew to the ceiling.

The group slowly advanced through the fog while Nyssa used spells like good hope and bear’s endurance. Dario had used a wand of death ward after meeting the armored vampire moments earlier, so they were further protected. Dario also cast spells like searing light and spear of purity while Zedd used scorching ray. He then cast disrupting weapon on Thrain’s pick and launched the dwarf using telekinetic charge. Aisa successfully dominated Dario and forced him to attack his party with blade and flame strike. Then, he was forced to transform into hybrid werewolf form!

The vampire unleashed a cone of cold and traded lightning bolts with Zedd. Zedd flew up in the air using her broom of flying while Dario trapped Thrain behind a wall of iron. Nyssa then dispelled the witch’s flight and then used break enchantment to free Dario from the domination! The tides were suddenly turned on the witch, and she was quickly reduced to gaseous form and fled into the solid fog!

Game summary for November 11, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), and Thrain (dwarf slayer), accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The team was perplexed by the hag skeleton and decided their only recourse was to use the Face of Dagon to commune with the demon lord. Gnok asked him 13 questions. The team then went room to room and cleared the upper floor.

The team dropped back down to the first floor and found a workroom with a map. The map depicted the abbey and had several locations marked off in red. The team realized this map was a search for something, perhaps the skull of the hag. They looked at the map and decided to check out the well out back.

Vampiric Gnok spider climbed down fifteen feet to find water. He tied himself off to a rope and sunk down fifteen more feet to the submerged floor. Feeling around in the mud, he discovered the blackened skull of a hag! The team pulled Gnok up, and they pondered their find.

One of the team saw flickering green light from the winery, and the team investigated. They discovered a trio of cackling witchfires that went berserk when the party entered with the skull. They chattered and cackled and demanded the team give them the skull of Oothi! They claimed Oothi and her coven had murdered their coven, and they would have their revenge. They wanted to murder Aisa and Hetna and destroy the skull. Apparently, Oothi had escaped execution by using magic to collapse into spider swarms leaving her bones behind. She needs the bones to reform from the apparent dead! The party agreed they would like to take down Oothi’s coven and gave the witchfires the skull! The flaming undead quickly burned the skull into nothingness, cackling all the while!

Game summary for November 4, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn 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 Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The mind fog filled several of the team with a haze and apathy making them more susceptible to mental influence. A broom-riding witch materialized in the air as she uttered a mass suggestion of “Drop any weapons you are holding and touch no weapons until instructed otherwise by me.” All of the party warriors hurled their weapons to the ground, much to the witch’s delight! This didn’t bother Gnok, the vampire dwarf monk! He jumped straight up, landed on the broom, and dumped the witch onto the ground.

Several of the party closed in toward the witch intending to punch and kick the wicked caster. She unleashed a baleful polymorph and turned Zedd into a fluffy bunny! Zedd quickly hid under a table. Nyssa was able to use break enchantment spells to nullify the mass suggestion and baleful polymorph while Gnok swan dived off the broom and pinned the witch. His vampiric nature asserted control, and he ripped her throat out and gorged on the blood. She could not withstand the physical attacks of Gnok and Thrain, and she died in a spray of blood.

The group quickly ransacked the room. They found a cauldron with a half-completed batch of bloodbrew elixir. They also found a couple drops of sun orchid elixir! Another box was labeled “Youth Tonic.” The group put that in a bag and did not open it. Notes in the lab revealed an unnamed noble had commissioned the witches to create a means of artificially extending life. Other notes from another author (signed R.A.) discussed experiments in transforming an unwilling creature into undead through a potion or elixir. The work seemed incomplete but was picked up by the witches. Part of the notes regarding the bloodbrew elixir indicated it was made from vampire blood as well as the “blood of the knight.”

Zedd then cast seeming to make the party appear as the witch and several guards from the first floor. The group then began walking around exploring as if they owned the place. They found a library with a libram penned by Kaer Maga, a bloodbloat mage. Zedd took this for later study. They also discovered the headless blackened skeleton of an annis hag held together by string and held upright by a pole. The team pondered what in the world the witches wanted with such a thing.

Game summary for October 28, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Malthus Brightray (half-elf cleric), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), and Thrain (dwarf slayer), accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The team healed their wounds and picked the lock into the abbey proper. They discovered a store room full of fresh provisions. Several casks of wine held a mark they recognized as belonging to Countess Carmilla Caliphvaso. Through the next door they heard several men arguing over who was most loved by one or more women. Gnok used gaseous form to sneak in and discovered the men may be charmed. Alleric picked the lock, and Radimir went through and dropped greater dispel magic on the men. The charm was broken, and the men left the abbey.

The party then went into the bell tower and saw a swarm of thousands of spiders retreat up a level in an ordered manner. Perplexed, the team followed up two more levels. They found the floor was rotted, and the entire team plunged several floors in a crash of planks, debris, and blood. Gnok and Dario used spider climb to head back up the walls, and Malthus tried to climb the bell rope. Suddenly, the bell broke free and brought the entire fourth floor down on top of the party. Everyone survived but several were pretty injured.

The team then climbed up to the second floor and found a laboratory. A strange whooshing sound filled the air, and then Radimir heard spellcasting. A mind fog dropped down upon the characters!