With Darcon's mobile light they were able to get a much better view of the chamber down below. It was larger than the cell block that it had once been, the walls had collapsed in somewhat and left the edges of the chamber with a rough, cavernous look. Water seeped through here and there from the pond up above, as well as trickling in through the pit that our heroes clustered around. The water pooled in the center of the chamber. Twisted remains of the lift could still be seen, iron brackets bristling with rust and charred timbers little more than slimy lumps.

It was the work of a moment to tie a rope securely to a sturdy ring in the upper chamber and feed it down into the hole. Kendra bristled at the initial suggestion but eventually relented and agreed to stand watch above if the group decided to venture below. It would not do for some accident or malign spirit to cut the rope and leave them stranded down there.

---

---

It's a DC15 Climb check to descend the rope into the chamber below.

As the others tied a rope around a sturdy looking ring, Darcon reached under his cloak and produced a wand, murmuring a command word. A soft glow suffused him, vanishing as  instantly as it appeared.

The mage slid the wand back into his belt and glanced at the others, as if waiting for an answer to his trepidition over the spirit that had seemingly attached itself to him. It appeared none was forthcoming at the moment, maybe later on when they had time to think about it, such as on the climb down.

"Very well, I shall meet you all down below. Lady Kendra, take care and remain alert. If you need help do not hesitate to call for us, though we should not be gone too long," Darcon said, looking at Kendra with some concern.

With that the mage strode to the edge of the pit, staff in hand before stepping off the lip. He uttered a word of command, summoning the spirits of the air bound to him through years of rituals and conjurings and instantaneously they obeyed; a sudden rush of wind whipped his cloak around him as his fall was immediately halted and the mage was gently buoyed down towards the ground as if clutched by an unseen, benevolent force.

---

Garland grabbed hold of the rope with one hand while looking over the edge, making sure Darcon was all the way down and out of the way before he began his descent. Rather then make the descent with everything Garland tied his backpack to the end of the rope and lowered it slowly down for Darcon to secure it, he didnt want to chance a fall and crushing the fragile potions or other items inside. Once done he looked at Kendra one more time, speaking softly "Remember, if any trouble presents itself, run. Run back to town an enlist Father Grimburrow's help. We will find a way out on our own but I want you to put your safety first."

He set his feet firmly on the stone and turned around, holding the rope tightly as he whispered "Wish me luck!" he said before making his descent.

OOC: Of course he not just fails it but spectacularly so and its actually 3 less that that because I forgot to add armor check penalty

21:56, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 6 using 1d20.  climb check.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Sat 03 Aug 2019.

SCG considers the situation...

"If we are going to go down we should have you both secured at the waist and also let you climb down, that way if one falls he will be unlikely to hit the ground below."


Losing a friend to the bites or claws of a beast is one thing, losing a companion to a fall into an open pit was unacceptable.

Darcon's mastery of air made his descent a graceful affair, gliding softly downwards to touch the surface of the pool lightly, sending ripples emanating out into the darkness. The fetid pool of water was only ankle deep, not enough to be a hindrance to movement.

Garland and Constantine, on the other hand, endured a gross misadventure trying to navigate the dangling line. The first mishap came at the edge. It wasn't easy to lever oneself over without a wall to brace against, and Garland found himself in a precarious position. He was hanging on his chest, his legs dangling, one hand gripping the stones in front of him and the other gripping Constantine's forearm. But he found that, with the lip of his breastplate caught on the edge, he would have to shimmy himself free in order to descend the rope. He tried, he failed, and for a horrifying moment he hung suspended in the air as he slipped free, grasping in vain at the edge or the rope.

Constantine tried to grab his companion, overbalanced, and went tumbling down the hole after him.

"Garland! Constantine!" Kendra shrieked as they vanished down the pit.

There was a great clattering of armor as the two doughty adventurers landed in a heap on top of each other, crashing pile of tangled limbs and bruises. The rough square of light above them was punctuated by an anxious face as Kendra peered down at them.

But our heroes had time to do little else than untangle themselves and stand before the dull glow of Darcon's ghostly light began to intensify. No, his light wasn't growing. It was reflected by an unearthly glow that seemed to emanate from the walls, from the floor beneath the shallow pool.

Gooey ropes of slime seemed to squirt out of the walls and fountain from the floor. They wavered, pusating with necromantic energy before oozing into twin clots. They roiled, resolving themselves into two dripping, amorphous, barely human forms.

---

---

Garland recognized the forms as ectoplasmic creatures. They were not ghosts in truth. But in any area with a high concentration of necromantic activity the foul residue of ghosts and haunts, ectoplasm, tended to collect. Lesser spirits, too weak to manifest on their own, could use ectoplasm as a conduit to manifest in a more limited way.

The creatures oozed forwards towards Darcon and struck in unison, teriffic blows that seemed to belie their wavering, tremulous nature. They clawed ferociously, rending flesh, and the mage fell dead at their feet.

---

---

Darcon reaches the floor of the chamber without any trouble.
Garland fails a climb check and falls to the floor, taking 3 damage.

Constantine, I wrote the GM post as if you had climbed down as well. I rolled a climb check for you, which you failed. However, you never actually said that you were doing that, so if you would prefer you can start the combat up above the battle (the hole is the square above where you three start). If that's the case you need to make two DC15 climb checks to descend the rope. If you are okay with the GM post as written you take 6 damage from the fall.

At the start of combat the ectoplasmic creatures manifest and attack Darcon for 33 damage, killing him. Darcon, I've split you off into your own thread to discuss what we should do next.

---

EC1 - Ectoplasmic Creature - AC12, Touch 10, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1, DR5/Slashing
EC2 - Ectoplasmic Creature - AC12, Touch 10, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1, DR5/Slashing

DAR - Darcon - Dead
GAR - Garland - 3 damage
CON - Constantine - 6 damage

Immediate Action: Taken right as Darcon is attacked

Darcon's eyes widened in horror as the gooey abominations came at him with their green glowing claws. There was no time to run or cast a spell, and he was not sure his earlier conjured ward would protect against these abominations.

Gripping his staff in both hands he quickly uttered two words of power, secret words of his ancient order that were to be used only when all else had failed and death was imminent.

"Vaporem Corporis!"

---

This message was last edited by the player at 19:27, Mon 05 Aug 2019.

Garland see's the mage fall, and fall hard. He looks over at Constantine as he gets to his feet and pulls the healing kit form his back, laying it by the mages body. "Keep them busy! I will not let Pharasma have him so easily!" He stands by the mage looking down at him as he grips his holy symbol, maybe a sudden jolt of energy would bring him back. Even if it didnt it would bind the wounds of himself and Constantine.

"Feel Pharasma's healing light and know that is not yet time for your judgement!"

OOC: 19:50, Everyone recovers 6 health, including Darcon if Garland can make it in time

Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 6 using 2d6+2 ((3,1)).

Garland's wave of healing energy washed over the party, erasing the damage caused by the fall. It washed over Darcon's limp form as well...or was it so limp?

Beefore its seemed certain that the mage was dead. On second glance he was down but moving, his breast rising and falling, his limbs quaking. Suddenly spectral chains burst out around him, each one ended with a heavy weight impressed with a holy symbol. Those chains wrapped Darcon's form, constricting him with bone shattering force. His limp form began to convulse and writhe.

Heedless of the bound mage the ectoplasmic horrors lurched forward towards Garland and Constantine, reaching out with withered attacks that our heroes were fortunately able to fend off.

---

---

Darcon, who is not dead, falls down covered in ghostly chains.

The ectoplasmic creatures move forward to attack, but miss.

---

EC1 - Ectoplasmic Creature - AC12, Touch 10, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1, DR5/Slashing
EC2 - Ectoplasmic Creature - AC12, Touch 10, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1, DR5/Slashing

DAR - Darcon - Haunted
        - Ghostly Chains - Encircling Darcon, 7 damage
GAR - Garland
CON - Constantine
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:03, Wed 07 Aug 2019.

SCG grabbed the mage and laid healing upon him for 3 points before shifting to confront the creatures in front of him.

“Avaunt minions of evil!”

SCG swings at the nearest creature with his Morningstar
Attack roll 13; damage 7
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Tue 06 Aug 2019.

Garland looks at the chains, noting the odd looking holy symbols and symbolic ghostly light. His mind raced, knowing he had some spells to aid in this odd kind of possession but at the same time fearing the ectoplasmic ghosts would stop him from casting them. He pulled his morning star and attacked the one nearby, knowing there would be some time to destroy them before the possession of the mage took complete root.

"Begone spirits! It is time to make your trek to the boneyard for your final judgement!"

OOC: I guess it was a matter of time till I hit one but I didnt expect a crit with max damage, assuming theyre vunerable to crits

22:22, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 20 using 1d20.  attack roll.

22:22, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 19 using 1d20.  confirm crit roll.

22:23, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 8 using 1d8. 16 damage if vulnerable to crits

SCG attempted to catch the creature on a back swing but missed.

“I assume this deals with the cursed book of prayers, but more than that I cannot surmise.  Stand fast above and send arrows if you can, or free and aid our mage.  Guard yourselves!”

Constantine and Garland moved forward to fend the evil spirits away from their thrashing companion. Both struck true, Garland truer than Constantine.

The paladin's strike would have been devastating to a man of flesh and bone, a bone crunching blow to its body. Bone crunching turned to ooze-splattering though, and the creature's amorphous form absorbed a good portion of the blow.

Garland's strike was different, a lucky hammerblow directly to the creature's head. Here its ectoplasmic form worked against it, diaphanous cursed flash crumbling like a mound of jelly. Garland's mace splattered its head across the pond.

At their feet Darcon still writhed, slowly constricted by ghostly chains, although it seemed as if he were fighting with the haunt.

---

---

Constantine hits EC2 for 7 damage, but most of that gets absorbed by its DR.

Garland's hit is also affected by DR, but since they are in fact vulnerable to critical hits he manages to destroy it anyway.

The remaining ectoplasmic creature swings at Constantine but misses.

---

EC2 - Ectoplasmic Creature - AC12, Touch 10, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1, DR5/Slashing, 2 damage

DAR - Darcon - Haunted
        - Ghostly Chains - Encircling Darcon, 9 damage
GAR - Garland
CON - Constantine
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:01, Wed 07 Aug 2019.

With one of the creatues dispatched Garland turns and kneels down, placing his hand on Darcon's chest as he begins to channel divine energy once again. "Pharasma grant this soul your faithful protection, let him not be touched by Evil!"

OOC: Casting Protection from Evil on Darcon

Garland's protective magic settled over Darcon and he shuddered, his unconscious form straining against the haunted chains bearing down on him. Garland's magic gave the mage an extra chance to break free and bolstered his defenses, but whatever was happening to Darcon seemed to be overwhelming him.

Above them Constantine worked to fend off the remaining spirit, although it darted in under his defenses to gouge deep furrows in his flesh.

---

---

Garland casts Protection from Evil on Darcon, giving him both an additional save and +2 on all saves for the duration of the spell.

Whatever is happening, Darcon seems to be losing despite the assistance. He takes 4 damage from the haunt.

The ectoplasmic creature swings at Constantine for a hit, Constantine takes 7 damage.

Constantine, because you were skipped this round you get two standard actions next round.

---

EC2 - Ectoplasmic Creature - AC12, Touch 10, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1, DR5/Slashing, 2 damage

DAR - Darcon - Haunted, protection from evil, 4 damage
        - Ghostly Chains - Encircling Darcon, 9 damage
GAR - Garland
CON - Constantine, 7 damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:11, Thu 08 Aug 2019.

With the protection spell laid on the mage Garland stands and moves around him, coming at the flank of the apparition as he brings his morningstar down upon its back as he speaks plainly. "Take the abomination from both sides!" Once again landing a solid hit that throws ectoplasim in every direction and only grants minor damage

OOC: 12:24, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 6 using 1d8.  damage roll.

12:24, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 15 using 1d20.  attack roll.

SCG swings heavily through the creature connecting solidly, with very little substance to show for it....

Attack roll 22: damage 6 (minus 5)=1

“How can such a creature draw so deeply cutting into flesh?”

Garland and Constantine fanned out to draw the creatures attention, hammering blows onto it that its gooey form only absorbed. It lashed out as well, continuing its mindless assault on Constantine with little success.

From above Kendra, biting her lip and dashing about at the edge of the pit in indecision, suddenly dropped to all fours and reached down, something gleaming in her fist.

"Here, use this!" She called out. She waved her long dagger, the bread knife that she had appropriated from her kitchen, and dropped it handle first towards Constantine. It certainly wasn't the devastating weapon of war that his mace was, but its slashing damage would do a far better job of cleaving through the amorphous spirit.

At their feet Darcon writhed and gasped, the constricting chains digging into his flesh.

---

---

Garland hits the creature for 6 damage, 1 after DR.

Constantine his the creature for 6 damage, 1 after DR.

Kendra tosses her dagger to Constantine.

Darcon fails a save against the haunt and takes 2 damage.

The ectoplasmic creature misses Constantine.

---

EC2 - Ectoplasmic Creature - AC12, Touch 10, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1, DR5/Slashing, 4 damage

DAR - Darcon - Haunted, protection from evil, 6 damage
        - Ghostly Chains - Encircling Darcon, 9 damage
GAR - Garland
CON - Constantine, 7 damage

The ladies cries and offer gave a hint of recognition over SCG’s face as he dropped the Morningstar to the ground and drew his longsword.

“Taste my blade slime creature!”


Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 8 using 1d8+1.  Longsword damage. 15:25, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Longsword attack.

Garland stays calm, lashing out as the ghostly creature tries to dodge Constantines strike, though once again missing widely as the morningstar hits nothing but air.

OOC: 18:47, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 5 using 1d8.  damage roll.

18:47, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  attack roll.

The phantasmal creature surged again towards Constantine, but the paladin cut it down remorselessly even as his discarded morningstar splashed into the puddle at his feat. The specter groaned and collapsed into twin piles of ectoplasmic ooze, cloven in twain.

At their feet Darcon still thrashed. He seemed to be losing the battle with the haunt. Ghostly chains squeezed tighter and tighter around him. His breath came in fitful gasps.

---

Constantine attacks the slime creature for 8 damage, killing it.

Garland, because the creature died before your action was scheduled to go off your attack was interrupted. You can take an additional standard action next round.

Darcon fails a save against the haunt and takes 1 damage.

---

DAR - Darcon - Haunted, protection from evil, 7 damage
        - Ghostly Chains - Encircling Darcon, 9 damage
GAR - Garland
CON - Constantine, 7 damage

SCG took his knee over the trapped wizard and not knowing what the effect will be he lays on hands right where the spectral chain is twisting around the wizard's chest.


The positive energy flows through his hand and into his companion....

"I am here my friend you are not alone!"

Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 6 using 1d6 ((6))
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Mon 12 Aug 2019.

Once the final creature was put down Garland turns to Darcon and the chains wrapping around his body. He took a long look over it before he extending a free hand whispering a short prayer. "Pharasma, let your holy light destroy this abomination!"

As his hand was sheathed in brillaint white light he reached forward, touching the chains and filling them with positive energy.



OOC: Casting cure light wounds and turning it on the chains

21:52, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 4 using 1d8+3.

Dual shocks of holy power surged through Darcon, one to heal, and one to sear away the ghostly presence that held him captive. Still he thrashed, yet rather than tightening the chains seemed to loosen. In his sleep Darcon's teeth gritted, clamping down ferociously.

---

Constantine cures Darcon for 6 damage. In addition, it seems as if the surge of positive energy bolsters his defenses against the haunt.

Garland casts to damage, dealing 4 damage to the haunt directly.

Darcon passes a save against the effects of the haunt, the haunt takes 5 damage.

---

DAR - Darcon - Haunted, protection from evil, 1 damage
        - Ghostly Chains - Encircling Darcon, 18 damage
GAR - Garland
CON - Constantine, 7 damage

Garland looked over at Constantine "Let's focus, use your powers to heal him should he take more damage. I will focus on destroying the spirit." Assuming he agreed Garland reached forward again, this time using a more powerful spell as he turned it on the chains once again.

"Pharasma let my touch put this apparition to rest!"

OOC: 20:23, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 13 using 2d8+3.  Cure moderate wounds.

Darcon shuddered and arched, his heels and shoulders on the floor in the muck while the rest of his body bent like a bow taut with strain. His eyes stared wide as Garland's final spell surged through the haunted chains encircling him.

The chains burst in a splash of radiance, fading and falling away to leave nothing in their place but a quickly dissipating cloud of ghostly sparkles.

Darcon flopped back into the shallow pool, his features easy and still as consciousness slowly returned to him.

Kendra's wan face still showed peeping through the hole above them, a mask of worry. "What happened! Is everybody okay?" She called down.

---

The haunt saves against Garland's spell, but it's still enough damage to destroy it. Congratulations on defeating the second of Harrowstone's ghosts!

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:44, Wed 14 Aug 2019.