Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 074

Game summary for October 21, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), and Thrain (dwarf slayer), accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The team went to the Quarterfaux Archives and discovered a fresco of the first count of Grodlych, an excommunicated priest of Pharasma named Laudmeir Vandolmayne. The carving held a book with an imprint that fit the moribund key. The group used it to unlock a passage to a hidden lab obviously well-used and recently vacated. They discovered scraps of notes that indicated the Whispering Way had recently left this location.

Next, the team decided to investigate the Abbey of Sante-Lymirin just north of town. The team found the abbey is still being used and is in good repair. Thrain picked the lock on the carriage house, and the team went in. Within, they were accosted by an old man. Thrain mentioned they were looking for the Dublese sisters. The old man sighed and suddenly transformed into an eighteen-foot-tall glabrezu demon! Unphased, Thrain the slayer charged and landed a critical sneak attack that rocked the creature! It stepped back and summoned a vrock demon to block the entrance, and then the bleeding began.

The glabrezu ripped into Thrain and hurt him very badly. The vrock screamed and stunned most of the team and moved into the carriage house. Soon thereafter it unleashed horrid spores that burrowed into the flesh of the team and sprouted hideous vines! The glabrezu was then hit by a spear of purity from Dario and hurt badly. It activated a mirror image effect to protect from further attacks. The demon then advanced and laid waste around it with tooth, claw, and pincer. Blood flowed as the team struggled to overcome the monsters. Dario and Radimir attempted flame strikes on the glabrezu, but two failed to penetrate its spell resistance.

Suddenly, Alleric succeeded in slaying the vrock! The tables turned quickly when the party was no longer pinned between the two monstrosities. The glabrezu stepped back and offered to grant the party one wish in exchange for mercy! The party refused, and it teleported to some unknown location.

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 073

Game summary for October 14, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn 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 Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The team went to the Haraday Theater and were turned away for not having an invitation and wearing improper attire. They went back to the Nobleman’s Stitch and stole fine garments for the social occasion. After returning, Dario was able to talk the servant into speaking with Abraun Chalest to confirm their invitations. The team went inside and were presented with fine wine of which they partook. Nearly immediately, Gnok began to feel sick and nauseous. He shook it off, and the team began to mingle. They discovered that Count Lucinean Galdana was supposed to be present but had not been seen.

The group spoke with Edjureus Modd, a high ranking member of the order and aristocrat, and were able to appeal to his pride to convince him to give access to the vaults. They then talked to Abraun, and after the soiree, he took them to the basement vaults. They group did some research and discovered the Moribund Key would unlock various locations associated with the Whispering Way. Abraun was in shock when he recognized a gargoyle statue depicted in one of the books. There was a matching statue in the vault! The group ran to it and realized they still had their finery instead of weapons. They went and retrieved their gear and then activated the statue with the key!

An illusory compass appeared on the ground surrounded by four hideous liches. In unison they whispered, “What is the fifth catechism?” The group had no idea, and the liches whispered in unison, “Die!” Each illusion collapsed into a hell portal through which emerged a bone devil! The four osyluths immediately attacked. At first the team found them extremely difficult to harm, but they switched to spells and flanking attacks. Alleric suffered critical damage and collapsed, but the group turned the tide and began defeating the devils one after another.

After the last of the creatures was banished back to hell, an illusory map appeared over the floor and highlighted the Quarterfaux Archives as the Whispering Way stronghold! Again, Abraun was taken aback, for he is none other than the curator of the museum!

Harm Incorporated – Ruins of Undermountain – Game Session – 006

Game summary for October 3, 2014, Ruins of Undermountain campaign; PCs included Boran Gibbs (human cleric), Kalil Bakran (human sorcerer), Paddy Brandywine (halfling bard [archaeologist]), and Rumbald Shieldcracker (dwarf ranger [dungeon rover]).

The party found itself trapped in an arena by the evil wizard Agothon, who was angry because the team had killed one of his pets. He doomed them to a horrible death of their choosing in his arena. The wizard allowed them to choose which opponents they faced.

First up was a pair of scalding dragonnes! The elemental creatures pounced upon the party with superheated teeth and claws. One took the form of scaling vapor and burned Rumbald badly. Paddy’s frost sword and Kalil’s lightning bolt spells helped defeat them, however.

Next came a pair of diseased cyclopes! The infectious brutes spread instant-acting bubonic plague and mindfire among the party! The giants swung great axes but the team moved in to engage. Boran used righteous might to confront the monsters on their own terms. Rumbald bravely stood against one on his own as his pet slug, Flash, fell into a coma due to the effects of plague. Paddy darted among the creatures with his blade and magic missiles while Kalil unleashed a pair of fireballs. It did not take long for the beasts to die.

Finally, a greater fire elemental erupted onto the scene and immediately set Boran on fire. Moments later, it did the same to Rumbald. Paddy’s frost sword proved particularly effective against the elemental, and Kalil made it less aggressive with crushing despair. The team hammered it with blade and spell until finally it discorporated. Frustrated at the continued loss of his pets, Agothon released the team with some magical trinkets for their efforts.

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 072

Game summary for September 30, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric) and Thrain (dwarf slayer), accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The party chased Radvir into a room filled with empty coffins. They found in a stone sarcophagus levers to raise some secret doors. Behind one was an ornate sarcophagus containing the rejuvenating form of Radvir Giovanni. The team promptly staked him as well several of his allies in other coffins.

The group searched the basement and found Radvir’s journal which implicated him in all the murders. It also included notes about his relationship with Adivion Adrissant, a minor noble working with the Whispering Way. It also discussed working with Aisa and Hetna Dublesse, a pair of witches crafting bloodbrew elixir. According to a map within the journal, they are at the Abbey of Sante-Lymirin. The team then pulled the stakes out of some vampires they found captured by Radvir. The revived vampires led the team into the Vampire Underground for a meeting with Luvick where they presented all the information to him. Sentence was pronounced upon Radvir, and Desmond wrapped him in enchanted silver chains and left him in the sun to roast to death.

The group then freed Ramoska the nosferatu, whom they proved innocent. He indicated he may be able to track down the Whispering Way and would contact the team soon. The team the returned to the surface, rested, and got ready for the meeting with Abraun Chalest.

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 071

Game summary for September 16, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Emilian Sandulescu (human paladin/ranger), Gnok Thatek (dwarf monk), Malthus Brightray (half-elf cleric), 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 team used a combination of hide from undead and invisibility sphere to slip out of the tavern into the night away from the gathering vampires. They fled to the temple of Pharasma and paid for several restoration and cure critical wounds spells. Recovered, the party returned to the Nobleman’s Stitch shop and slipped back down into the basement where they encountered a trio of enslaved vampire spawn and Radvir Giovanni!

The vampires quickly dominated most of the party and turned them against the team. Malthus and Zeddicus unleashed a barrage of flame strike, searing light, fireball, and magic missile spells into the fray. Nyssa enhanced her allies with bless and numerous bear’s endurance spells while Gnok tried to close in with Radvir. The weaker vampires began to fall under the onslaught while Malthus summoned a medium fire elemental and a wall of fire. Dominated Brutus gave Malthus a lot of trouble before spinning about and slaying Emilian! Radvir beat Gnok unconscious and then pounced upon him, draining his life blood and killing him! Finally, Malthus was able to defeat the vampire with the channeled positive energy of Sarenrae! His misty form fled toward his coffin!

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 070

Game summary for September 9, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Emilian Sandulescu (human paladin/ranger), and Gnok Thatek (dwarf monk), accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

After defeating the vampire ambushers, the team went into the basement of the tailor’s shop where they were met by four hostile vampire enforcers! A devastating fight ensued as the hastened vampires swarmed in with blade and blow. Nyssa attempted to level the playing field with a haste spell of her own followed by a bless. Alleric and Quinley paired up to flank and sneak attack the enemies while Gnok and his ki-empowered strikes ripped into the undead. Emilian found himself being drained of level after level and soon had to flee. One of the vampires gave chase, and Gnok ran after. Soon, Gnok found himself nearly drained into oblivious by the vampire’s strikes. The team was able to converge and drive all the undead into mist form.

Terribly hurt, and with Dario off in were-form gallivanting through the city, the team was forced to retreat to the inn. Gnok noticed that vampires followed them! Now, the team sits inside eating garlic-flavored meals as the vampires are sending in dominated townsfolk to begin occupying the area. Just what are the bloodsuckers planning?

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 069

Game summary for September 2, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Dario Malavasi (human oracle), Emilian Sandulescu (human paladin/ranger), Malthus Brightray (half-elf cleric), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), 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 party decided to investigate the Nobleman’s Stitch. Figuring no one had seen them yet, Radimir and Zeddicus went into the shop. When asked what they could do for them, Radimir replied he would like a banner repaired. The tailor asked to see the banner. Since Radimir did not have a banner, he said it was outside in the cart. The tailor looked out into the empty street, puzzled. Radimir then claimed the banner was back at the church of Pharasma and that he would get his companions at the bakery next door to go get it. He then went to the bakery and then went all the way to the church and back to get a banner. Realizing there was nothing wrong with it, he had Emilian slash it with his sword. Out in the street. In full view of the tailor. He then walked back into the tailor shop as if everything were normal and asked for a quote on a repair. The perplexed tailor quoted 10 gp. Soon, Radimir’s companions came over and began behaving in a manner that made all the workers uncomfortable. One slipped out the back to find the city watch while Dario haggled over the price of a custom hat or scarf. He finally commissioned one for 30 gp. The group then went out into the evening streets as the sun set and the full moon rose. As the city watch approached, the moonlight fell upon Dario. He screamed in pain and rage as his dormant lycanthropy emerged! Astounded, the team watched Dario twist and transmogrify into a towering twelve-foot slavering carnivore! The city watch tripped all over themselves as Dario leapt into the air, scaled a building, and disappeared into the night! The watch quickly arrested the party after they announced they were friends with the beast. It took several hours to get released when the authorities determined they really knew nothing of Dario’s infection.

Now free on the street, the team realized they had no idea where Dario had gone. So, the group went back to the Nobleman’s Stitch to snoop around. The group tried to go in through the basement door but could neither pick the lock nor bust down the stone door. They then picked one of the first floor locks and entered the dark building. Within, they blazed three light spells to illuminate the shop. They went back to the dressing rooms and started going down the stairs when Zedd triggered an alarm spell. The team paused and debated their options while a trio of vampires, under the cover of invisibility, moved up and attacked.

The vampires drained energy from Malthus. Another dominated Alleric and forced him to attack Malthus as well. Radimir cast undeath to death and utterly destroyed two of the vampires! Emilian channeled positive energy and drove the vampire back while Brutus smashed it with his hammer. The vampire moved down the hallway and cast fireball! The flames harmed the team, but Malthus closed in and channeled positive energy, driving the vampire into mist form!

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 068

Game summary for August 26, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Dario Malavasi (human oracle), Emilian Sandulescu (human paladin/ranger), Gnok Thatek (dwarf monk), and Malthus Brightray (half-elf cleric), accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

Setting off into the dark tunnels toward the Vampire Underground, the team advanced cautiously with detect undead and death ward active. However after quite a while of travel and encountering nothing, their spells expired. After a bit, the team was suddenly surrounded by a pack of flushed vampires whom some of the team noticed had dilated eyes. After a few quick words, the group convinced them to take them to an audience with the eldest vampire, Luvick Siervage.

The team was escorted before the court of the ancient one and greeted as either brave men or fools. They discussed the vampire murders and entered into an agreement with Luvick. If they bring the murderer to him, he will tell all he knows about the Whispering Way. He gave them a signet ring and fairly free reign to roam his territory and speak with the other vampires.

The group first spoke with Luvick’s retainer and tailor, Radvir Giovanni. He revealed documents taken from the nobles of Caliphas showing contracts for the slaying of various vampires. It also included the mark of Ramoska Arkminos, a nosferatu currently imprisoned by Luvick. He also told them one of the slain vampires was an elder named Lucian.

Next, the team met Ramoska in his cell. The disturbing creature formed out of a pile of vermin to appear as a bald, gaunt, horrific humanoid. The bizarre monster told them it was being framed because of its connection to the Whispering Way. It claimed to have helped the Way with a potion that could transform a single individual, willing or otherwise, into a lich! He said the Way betrayed him and never paid, so if the party would clear his name with Luvick, he would tell them all about the Way including where they have gone after leaving Caliphas!

The team then moved to the parlor of Lady Evgenya Zunaida, a decadent vampire noble obsessed with nobility and pleasure. She insisted Gnok dance with her to prove the legendary grace and dexterity of the dwarves. He did his best version of a dance, much to her delight. Pleased, she told them all the victims were master vampires with enslaved thralls. She also indicated those released thralls were acting somewhat strange, seemed flushed, and acted almost as if they had a new master.

Desmond Kote was next on their list to visit. This powerful religious zealot is a servant of Zaebos, the infernal duke of arrogance, nobility, and perversion. He was in the middle of sparing with two other vampires and soundly thumbing them when the team arrived. Dario politely apologized for disturbing them, which seemed to infuriate Desmond. He demanded Dario step out of his shrine, but Dario stood his ground and stared down the great vampire. Soon the vampire laughed and appreciated the tenacity of the mortal in the face of certain death. He gave the team a furniture leg carved into a stake. He showed them others; the collected murder weapons! He tasked them with finding the source of the furniture legs in the city above.

The team went back to the surface, got breakfast, and they slept for eight hours. Next they got up, had lunch and started scouring the city for the right furniture maker. After some time, the located the craftsman. They spoke with the man and learned the tailor next door had purchased dozens of such furniture legs a couple of weeks earlier…

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 067

Game summary for August 19, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Brutus Bonesmasher (human fighter), Dario Malavasi (human oracle), Emilian Sandulescu (human paladin/ranger), Gnok Thatek (dwarf monk), Malthus Brightray (half-elf cleric), and Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), accompanied by NPC companions Alleric Swiftblade (half-elf rogue) and Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric).

The dropped down into the underground chamber and found two storage rooms filled with gardening tools. They then went down another tunnel and found a connection to the sewer. Crossing the bridge, the team discovered half a dozen vampire spawn! Brutus was dominated and forced to turn on his allies with his flaming hammer! The group moved in to engage, and several flame strike spells from Malthus and Dario burnt the vampires into mist form.

The team chased down the mist and found the vampires recovering in their coffins. They staked each through the heart and decapitated them, sending the foul undead into the afterlife. The group then discovered another door leading to the Vampire Underground! They decided, however, to investigate a room they left behind them.

Entering the room, they found three upright coffins, four large clay urns, and an ash tree growing underground in troughs of soil. Radimir used true seeing and discovered the tree was actually the vampire they fought in the greenhouse! They pieced together that she must be a druid! Instead of resting in a coffin, she takes a tree form. Nyssa used dispel magic to force her back into her humanoid form where the group promptly staked and decapitated her. They stole her treasure and headed back toward the Underground.

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 066

Game summary for August 7, 2014, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Ashes at Dawn adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human oracle), Emilian Sandulescu (human paladin/ranger), Gnok Thatek (dwarf monk), Radimir Dragomirov (human cleric), 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 exotic woman gazed intently at Emilian, and he felt her unholy touch reaching into his soul. He shook off her suggestive mental commands and drew forth his bow. Gnok charged in and found the vegetation razor sharp and entangling! As he struggled to close in the party cast enhancing spells such as haste and blessing of fervor. When Gnok finally closed in, he punched her in the face but discovered it was like hitting a granite statue! She backhanded him in the face, rattling his resolve! Dario unleashed flame strike while Radimir cast searing light, both to good effect. The vampire countered with spells of her own, ice storm and sirocco. All of these effects meant the team was pinned down and very limited in ability to close in with her. However, Gnok finally got her in a grapple to which she responded by turning into gaseous form. Radimir channeled positive energy as well. The vampire remained in gaseous form and disappeared down into a tunnel below the slain flytrap. Dario and Emilian cut away the plant material to reveal an underground chamber with two hallways leading away.