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19:20, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 1 - The Haunting of Harrowstone.

Posted by GMFor group 0
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 185 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Wed 14 Aug 2019
at 18:12
  • msg #504

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

SCG cleans off his longsword, places it in its sheath and picked up his morningstar.

“He ‘twas wrapped in ghostly chains, but the curse hast been broken.”

SCG turns his attention to warding his companions and searching the vicinity for additional dangers.
Darcon
player, 94 posts
Wed 14 Aug 2019
at 23:05
  • msg #505

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Darcon's eyes fluttered, and then snapped open as he jerked to wakefulness. He blinked as he gazed at his surroundings, the last image of the haunt vanishing screaming into the dark void from whence it had come still emblazoned in his minds eye.

The mage took deep breaths, his heart still thudding in his chest and he grasped at the ground in a bid to confirm if he was still yet alive. Seeing his companions around him he spoke, "That was...quite the ordeal. I must thank you both for saving me once more, first the cave in when I nearly perished, and now from this accursed haunt. I am indebted to you, truly."

Slowly the mage rose to his feet, grasping his staff gratefully and leaning upon it as he reoriented himself. Hearing Kendra call up from above he waved at her to show her that he was fine.

"Well, shall we investigate further? I believe I have it in me to slay another of these creatures, but I am not sure about the two of you,"
Darcon queried Constantine and Garland.
Garland Van Burke
player, 146 posts
Thu 15 Aug 2019
at 03:18
  • msg #506

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Garland, the ever dutiful healer, helped Darcon find a place to sit down for a moment and takes a look over him for any residual effects, stigmata, or physical ailments. Once hes gone through the pysical he presents his holy symbol, touching it to Darcon's skin and speaks softly "My lady grant me the power to see the ebb and flow of magic about us." and soon a blue hue would spread across his eyes as he looked over the mage once more. Darcon would most likely realize it was a detect magic spell to look over anything he couldnt see with his own eyes.

Only after he finishes his examination over the mage does he stand and brush himself off. "I still have my final two spirit fighting spells remaining as well as three more channels for the day. One more spirit is likely possible but I doubt all three is within our capability after that. That said, besides the ability to channel energy I have no more magical healing available."

OOC: Garland will examine Darcon in detail, both physically and magically before he's ready to move on.

20:14, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  heal check.
GM
GM, 375 posts
Thu 15 Aug 2019
at 18:10
  • msg #507

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

A quick examination of Darcon showed him not much the worse for the wear, although faint ligatures from the ghostly chains could still be seen under his robes. Garland's detect magic picked up one active abjuration aura and the fading remnants of a necromantic aura that quickly dissipated while he watched.

Kendra was mollified and settled back to guard the pit while our heroes moved deeper into the dungeon.

The next chamber was large and open, mostly empty except for the collapsed staircase that took up the center of the room. There were no creatures except for low mounds of bones, skeletons long rotted away by the moisture. Each of the adjoining hallways seemed to lead to dungeon cell blocks and each had a rusted plaque that could be faintly made out.

To the north lay "The Oubliette". West was "Reaper's Hold". South was "The Nevermore". And east, leading to the collapsed cell block that the party entered through, was "Hell's Basement".







1 - The Oubliette - unexplored
2 - Reaper's Hold - unexplored
3 - The Nevermore - unexplored
B1 - Hell's Basement
B2 - Central Chamber - You are here - I forgot to mark it on the map, but I'll up date that the next time I re-draw it.
Garland Van Burke
player, 148 posts
Thu 15 Aug 2019
at 19:05
  • msg #508

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Garland held out his holy symbol speaking softly "Holy Goddess bless us with your brilliant radiance." The room would be filled with brillaint light from the wooden symbol and brighten the area. Garland looked at the plaques one by one as he walked around the room. Trying to put each name to the spirits he had researched. "My research into Harrowstone did not reveal what any of these plagues mean. My guess would be cells specifically made to hold the most dangerous prisoners. Two of them seem straightforward but the one we must be the most concerned with is the Splatterman. He was known for traps that killed many women and I suspect we may find secret passages as well. From what we saw at the monument we know his psycosis still plagues him."

After a long look around the room he points west with his morningstar in hand. "Perhaps this way first."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Thu 15 Aug 2019.
Darcon
player, 96 posts
Fri 16 Aug 2019
at 09:06
  • msg #509

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

"That appears as good a way to go as any," Darcon replied to Garland, staring at the skeletons warily, as if he expected the bones to come to life and start attack at any moment.

The mage had a bad feeling about the haunt they called the Splatterman; alone among all the trapped and unquiet apparitions it had been able to possess a living man outside of the confines of the prison and engage in wickedness; even while possessing someone at a distance it had proven to be a difficult and dangerous foe. Darcon wondered how they would survive it when they faced it here, in the fullness of its power.

Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 187 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Fri 16 Aug 2019
at 14:47
  • msg #510

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

“Save your channel as I will hold a lay on hands in reserve.  My troll styltic is ready for me to use, when the need arises.”

SCG moves into the room
“Read the plaques and then we can decide which to clear first.”
GM
GM, 377 posts
Fri 16 Aug 2019
at 18:17
  • msg #511

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Garland's spell illuminated more bodies dotted along the short hallway as they advanced. The walls of the dungeon were close and damp, moisture beading on ancient soot that stained them as black as pitch. This section of the prison had held up far better than the collapsed area that our heroes had entered from, sturdy stonework and solid wood holding securely even against the ravages of time.

The short passage terminated in a lowered portcullis beyond which Garland's light showed narrow cells similar to the blocks above (2).

Two doors flanking the hallway hung in splinters, long ago battered down during the riot.

To the right was a small guard post (B3). Bunks and tables, most overturned or broken, and skeletons littered the room. A winch was set into the wall, the tough iron rusty but intact. It screeched and wailed when it was handled but it did look as if it would open the portcullis to the cell block.

The other door opened into an office with a large charred desk (B4). This room too held old skeletons. They weren't scattered, they were heaped in one corner in a jumble. Another skeleton was slumped in a sagging wooden chair in front of the desk. Atop the desk itself sat five bleached skulls, grinning out at the room. Each had been shattered and then partially reassembled, and a powdery pile of bone fragments sat heaped right before the skeleton that had died at the desk. Garland quickly noted that the squat bone structure marked the slumped over skeleton as a dwarf.

Even as they entered the room Darcon's keen senses detected a stirring, a shifting in the old bones, and a prickling ache at the base of his skull as if of an oncoming headache.








1 - The Oubliette - unexplored
2 - Reaper's Hold - unexplored
3 - The Nevermore - unexplored
B1 - Hell's Basement
B2 - Central Chamber
B3 - Guard Post
B4 - Guard Office - You are here



Darcon detects a haunt manifesting in B4, you have a round to act before it manifests fully.

Darcon, your mage armor is still active.

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:18, Fri 16 Aug 2019.
Garland Van Burke
player, 150 posts
Fri 16 Aug 2019
at 19:02
  • msg #512

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Garland backs out of the room using the doorway to block both line of sight and attacks from within the room. However he keeps his morningstar in hand, just in case. "I have devised a way we may put two of the prisoners to rest without a need for a fight. We will have to see who we are dealing with first."
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 189 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Sat 17 Aug 2019
at 02:36
  • msg #513

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

SCG looks at the desk
“Perhaps this is where the wardens badge was left.”
He points at the desk

He watches carefully for his friends reactions as they seem more in tune with the spirit realm
Darcon
player, 97 posts
Sat 17 Aug 2019
at 16:24
  • msg #514

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Darcon quickly moved back as well, raising his staff defensively with both hands in front of him  and coming to stand behind Garland, keeping both him and Constantine between himself and the manifesting haunt.

"Very well, go ahead, if your idea is a success it will be quite beneficial," he remarked to Garland. "We also still have an unused haunt siphon," he reminded the duo, in csae there would be need for it.
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 190 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Sun 18 Aug 2019
at 02:13
  • msg #515

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

SCG marches straight up to the desk to find the badge ...
“Watch my back.”


Searching the desk...
Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 22 using 1d20+2 ((20)).
GM
GM, 378 posts
Mon 19 Aug 2019
at 18:09
  • msg #516

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

As the group's casters backed away the paladin strode boldly forward, heedless of the grinning skulls as he began to turn out the desk's contents. Although his search was hasty it was surprisingly thorough. He looked through the desk's drawers, sifted through moldy papers, past rusted odds and ends, and turned up a large brass key with a flared head.

Just as his search finished the haunt in the room began to manifest.

A ghostly figure arose from the slumped body sitting at the desk, the hazy form resolving itself quickly into the wild eyed form of a dwarf. He was clad all in rags, a matted beard and tangled hair giving him a crazed, feral appearance. His eyes darted from Constantine, to Darcon, to Garland, and back. Quite the feat considering that both of the latter were out of his sight behind the wall. His gaze was drawn to them unerringly, as if it could pierce stone.

Over the spectral dwarf's shoulder floated a ghostly, transparent skull. It had been shattered and massive cracks and breaks spider webbed across it's dome. A large, blade shaped hole gaped in the skull's side where one shard was missing.







At the same time that the ghostly dwarf and skull rose from the body, the skulls on the table animated as well. These were not spirits, but animate undead. The skulls quickly rose into the air, swooping around Constantine and clacking their jaws wildly.

Two swooped through the air, darting past Constantine to snap at Garland and Darcon. Two bit at Constantine, although only one made contact with his flesh. The last opened its jaws and an unearthy shriek pierced the dungeon, freezing the marrow and sending clammy chills down our heroes' spines.

In concert with his skull minions the ghostly figure of the dwarf swooped towards Constantine, swinging his ghostly mallet at the paladins head. Fortunately the blow went wide.



1234567891011121314 
  +++++++     A
  +     +     B
  +     +     C
  +     +     D
+++ ++++++++++E
    SK5         F
   SK4GARDAR        G
+++ ++++++++++H
  +     +     I
  +SK1CONSK3  +     J
  +SK2MOS   +     K
  +++++++     L
              M
              N



The skulls move. SK4 and SK5 both provoke AoOs from Garland and Constantine, you can take both AoOs if you have Combat Reflexes.

Four of the skulls attack, one hits Constantine for 2 damage.

The fifth skull lets out a piercing shriek. Garland passes his save, Constantine and Darcon are Shaken.

The Mosswater Marauder swings his hammer at Constantine but misses.




SK1 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2
SK2 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2
SK3 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2
SK4 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2
SK5 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2

MOS - Mosswater Marauder - AC16, Touch 16, Fort +3, Ref+2, Will +2, Incorporeal


CON - Constantine, Shaken
GAR - Garland
DAR - Darcon, mage armor, 1 damage, Shaken

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:10, Mon 19 Aug 2019.
Garland Van Burke
player, 151 posts
Tue 20 Aug 2019
at 05:50
  • msg #517

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

As one of the skulls flies by him Garland takes a swing with his morningstar, missing wildly. Though he was distracted watching the spirit manifest he took another swing, again missing the skull by an even larger margin. He stayed focused, using his morningstar as a makeshift shield as he spoke aloud, having a plan for the ghostly dwarf.

"Ispin Onyxcudgel! We have come to help you! I know what happened! I know you killed your wife in a fit of rage! Your guilt has wracked your mind so long that you've taken to killing people and taking their skulls to bring her back. I can help you be with your wife again if you stop this assault. Please let us help you so you can absolve your sins and find happiness in her arms again!"
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 192 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Tue 20 Aug 2019
at 12:50
  • msg #518

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

SCG pockets the brass key and readies himself against the onslaught of evil...

He strikes at one of the skulls as it flies to bite him and finds himself swatting at a second skull.

08:51, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 8 using 1d8+1.  Morningstar damage . 08:51, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Morningstar attack.

“Take heed spirit redemption is at hand!   Maybe. It's not too late
To learn how to love, and forget how to hate; Mental wounds need healing
Life's a bitter shame time to forget blame.”

This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Tue 20 Aug 2019.
GM
GM, 379 posts
Tue 20 Aug 2019
at 18:11
  • msg #519

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

A morningstar, as it turns out, is the perfect instrument to shatter hoovering skulls. Constantine quickly smashed through one of the skulls as it rose into the air, and battered another aside as it swooped past him. It caromed off the wall with a hollow 'thunk' and shattered on the floor.

Garland's words had an immediate effect on the specter.

"NoooOOOooo!" It moaned, a ghastly rasp that seemed like the rumble of grave earth being moved.

"I can...fix...her..." The spirit seemed senseless, consumed by grief, and focused all of its attention on the target of it's rage.

The floating skulls, its thralls, immediately zoomed forward to to focus all of their attacks on the cleric. The Mosswater Mrauder drifted forward as well, its ethereal form passing through Constantine. It was like a sudden shower of ice, a deathly cold that seeped through the core wherever the specter touched him.

The Marauder came to a halt partially within the wall in front of Garland, looking oddly bisected as its ethereal form partially shifted through the stone. With a mighty swing the spirit bashed Garland over the head with its mallet.

Garland didn't feel the pain of a physical blow. Instead searing pain shot through his skull, a thousand times a headache, doubling his vision and addling him. A ghostly shard flew away from his head where he had been struck. That shard drifted slowly to the hoovering skull over the Marauder's shoulder, trying and failing to fit into the blade shaped hole.



1234567891011121314 
  +++++++     A
  +     +     B
  +     +     C
  +     +     D
+++ ++++++++++E
     SK5        F
   SK2GARDAR        G
+++SK3MOS+++++++++H
  +     +     I
  + CON   +     J
  +     +     K
  +++++++     L
              M
              N



Garland swings and misses.

Constantine hits twice and shatters both skulls that he attacked.

The remaining skulls swoop towards Garland, SK2 and SK3 both provoke AoOs from Constantine, SK2 provokes an AoO from Galrand.

One of the skulls hits for 2 damage.

The Mosswater Marauder moves up to Garland and attacks with his ghostly mallet. He provokes an AoO from Constantine. Garland takes 7 damage and fails a will save, you are currently staggered. Because the Marauder is partially inside a solid wall he gets a cover bonus to his AC. He can still be flanked though.

Darcon, because you didn't act this round you get an additional standard action next round.



SK2 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2
SK3 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2
SK5 - Flying Skull - AC14, Touch 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2

MOS - Mosswater Marauder - AC18, Touch 16, Fort +3, Ref+2, Will +2, Incorporeal, partial cover


CON - Constantine, Shaken (3)
GAR - Garland, 9 damage, staggered
DAR - Darcon, mage armor, 1 damage, Shaken (1)

Darcon
player, 98 posts
Tue 20 Aug 2019
at 21:44
  • msg #520

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Darcon cautiously moved back, staff held out defensively. His lips moved, forming a spell though the words were lost in the din of battle and shattering skulls. Ending his incantation he raised a palm and placed three stiffened fingers onto the left of his chest, then immediately whipped his arm forward and pointed them towards the specter.

A lance of white hot flame streamed from his fingers to strike the specter, outlining it in an ivory blaze before subsiding. Darcon touched his chest again then quickly pointed his fingers at one of the skulls menacing Garland, and again a lance of white fire surged, striking the skull.

Garland Van Burke
player, 152 posts
Wed 21 Aug 2019
at 02:51
  • msg #521

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Garland presents his morningstar as he takes a defensive stance and attacks one of the skulls, bashing it across the face as he turns toward Ispin, hoping beyond hope that Ispin could see reason and give up this mad pursuit.

"You don't have to fix her! She still waits for you in the afterlife! You can be with her again if you just let go of your quest and move beyond! Pharasma will show you mercy if you repent for your sins!." There's a pause as Garland looks into the spirits eyes, speaking softly. "Ispin, Would your wife want you to suffer like this? You can move beyond this existence and be with her again. Please show her you're sorry for your actions, if you do Im sure the two of you can be together again."

OOC: Garland fights defensively increasing his AC to 18 for this round

19:32, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 6 using 1d20.  AoO attack roll.

19:36, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 14 using 1d20-2.  attack roll.

19:36, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 4 using 1d8.
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 193 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Wed 21 Aug 2019
at 13:09
  • msg #522

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

“You speak madness getting the killing stroke the same as the one that killed your wife will not bring her back any more than burning more logs will enliven a felled tree.”

The AoO misses.
SCG swats another skull
Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 7 using 1d8+1.  Damage . 09:04, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Attack Morningstar

“Step away so he may not hide within the wall and continue to attack.”
This message was last edited by the player at 13:10, Wed 21 Aug 2019.
GM
GM, 380 posts
Wed 21 Aug 2019
at 18:35
  • msg #523

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Constantine and Garland lashed out, smashing the skulls threatening them and clearing the path for Darcon to step back and level a destructive spell against the undead. The skull was incinerated but the Marauder, engulfed in flame, only seemed partially affected by the spell. His intangible form only picked up some of the heat.

He shook his head, shaggy hair flying wildly, shying away from Garland's words of absolution and focusing instead on Constantine, the new target of his ire. His was a death of tortured self loathing, he could not accept what Garland offered. Instead he swung wildly at the paladin, his mallet describing a wild arc over Constantine's head.

"I wasn't...my fault!"
He screamed in anger and denial.



1234567891011121314 
  +++++++     A
  +     +     B
  +     +     C
  +     +     D
+++ ++++++++++E
       DAR      F
    GAR         G
+++ ++++++++++H
  +CONMOS   +     I
  +     +     J
  +     +     K
  +++++++     L
              M
              N



Darcon's spell hits the Mosswater Marauder, who takes 6 damage because he's ethereal, and SK5, which goes down.

Garland swings and takes out SK2.

Constantine steps up and takes out SK3.

The Marauder steps out of the wall to attack Constantine but misses.

Garland, you save against the Staggered condition and are no longer staggered.

Darcon, the duration on your Shaken condition has elapsed and you are no longer shaken.



MOS - Mosswater Marauder - AC16, Touch 16, Fort +3, Ref+2, Will +2, Incorporeal, 6 damage

CON - Constantine, Shaken (2)
GAR - Garland, 9 damage
DAR - Darcon, mage armor, 1 damage

This message was lightly edited by the GM at 18:35, Wed 21 Aug 2019.
Darcon
player, 99 posts
Wed 21 Aug 2019
at 21:04
  • msg #524

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Shaking off vestiges of the eldritch fear that had crawled over him by the shrieking of the skulls, Darcon moved to the side to get the shade in his sight. The words of his companions were having a powerful effect on the apparition, but Darcon wanted a form of vengeance on these creatures all his own, one denied to him by the haunt that had imprisoned him in his own mind.

"This creature needs more convincing to depart from this world, allow me to help!" he hissed through clenched teeth. The mage moved a hand with two fingers extended in a complex pattern, now likely somewhat familiar to his companions and chanted:

"Magica Altum Scintillis!"

Crackling bolts of azure power streaked forth, swirling in the air before slamming into the apparition.

Garland Van Burke
player, 153 posts
Thu 22 Aug 2019
at 02:49
  • msg #525

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Garland takes a step back and to the left, hoping to lure the spirit in to give Constantine and himself a better angle of attack. "It was your fault Ispin, you killed her in a fit of rage! You lost yourself and you're still lost! Thats what made you pursue this mad quest but it doesnt have to be this way! You can move on and find happiness again. I am a cleric fully ordained in Pharasma's church, I can help you absolve your guilt and be with her again!"

Garlands mind raced around what he knew about Ispin Onyxcudgel and unfortunately it wasnt a lot. "How can I get through to him?" he wondered as he planted his feet, remaining in the same defensive stance.

OOC: Moving to try to put an opening to Garland and Constantine can flank
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 194 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Thu 22 Aug 2019
at 14:57
  • msg #526

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

“He speaks true! Be absolved and reunited or be banished into the infinite layers of the abyss removed from every hope!”

“Redemption and hope are offered and within your hand; stop this and it will be given to you!”

Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 28 using 1d20+8.  Diplomacy
GM
GM, 381 posts
Thu 22 Aug 2019
at 19:09
  • msg #527

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

"NO! I can fix it! I can find it! I just have to...keep...looking!" The crazed dwarf bellowed a ghostly wail, starting forward towards garland with his mallet raised high.

Just as he was about to strike Darcon darted around the corner, cast out his hands, and sent a devastating wave of magical power thundering into the ghost. Magic Missiles pelted down on him, the nature of force magic punching thorough his ethereal form to devastating effect.

For one long moment he hung there, rage and grief and madness on his crazed face. And then he began to disappear to fade away like silvery mist.

Silence fell again through the dungeon, and in the reprieve our heroes were able to fan out and explore the guard office further. After a thorough search they found a wall safe cleverly concealed in the far wall. It was undisturbed, evidently in the chaos of the riot and the fire the prisoners had never discovered it before it was too late. The key that Constantine had found in the desk drawer fit the lock, and inside was a small cache of equipment.







A huge hit from Darcon is enough to finish off the ghost. Congratulations on finishing off the Mosswater Marauder!

In the hidden wall safe you find:

Masterwork Chain Shirt x2
Masterwork Studded Leather x2
Longsword x2
Heavy Mace x2
Heavy Crossbow x2
+1 Crossbow Bolts x10
Rope of Climbing

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Thu 22 Aug 2019.
Darcon
player, 100 posts
Thu 22 Aug 2019
at 22:01
  • msg #528

Re: Chapter 1 - Ashes to Ashes

Destroying the ghost brought some measure of satisfaction to Darcon, empty as it was. After thoroughly investigating the room and finding the safe and its contents, Darcon pursed his lips and said to his companions, "Well, no sign of the badge, though you might find this equipment useful. Now, should we continue our search deeper in this floor?"
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