As understanding dawned on him, the mage smiled and focused his mind, murmuring the mystic chant he had used so many times in this dungeon before and making the seemingly casual yet formulaic pattern with his left hand.

As the spell was cast, crackling bolts of power streaked from his fingers towards the letters that were forming by the oppressive presence of the haunt. Immediately thereafter Darcon shouted a word of power and slammed his staff point down onto the ground at his feet, causing a flash of light and a peal of thunder to resound through out the chamber, followed immediately by the sharp smell of ozone.

---

Standard Action: Cast Magic Missile. 3 bolts, each directed at one of the letters making up GAR
Standard Action II: Use Lightning Flash from his current position, directed at the letters making up DA

Not bothering to roll damage as each spell/ability is auto hit.

Note: Darcon has cast Mage Armor from his wand on himself, Garland & Constantine earlier. Its an armor bonus so Garland and Constantine may not be able to get the full +4 from it due to their mundane armor, but Mage Armor's bonus is Force Armor so ethereal attacks will not be able to ignore this armor bonus like they can mundane armor. Yes I should have used this in our last fight, but I didn't think about it.

Garland pulled himself down besides Constantine, sifting through the layer of silt at the bottom of the pool for anything of value. Besides the scattered bones there was a small jumble of gear that looked as if it had been appropriated from a guard. Most was rusted or rotted from long submersion but several of the pieces gleamed as if new forged, likely magical. He was able to gather up the longsword and dagger, as well as a rotted pouch that held a softly glowing pearl.

Above the waterline Darcon thought quickly, sending a wave of magic out to splash against the forming letters. Blood and masonry sprayed from craters that replaced the ominous letters and immediately the mage felt the weight on his mind lifting, felt his sanity returning.

But his elation was short lived. The echoing cackle turned into a thundering shout of rage.

"You won't escape me so easily!" The voice boomed.

From the far wall the grotesque phantom of the Splatterman hoovered through the wall. The dread mage appeared, not as he had in life, but as a rotted corpse, desiccated and foul, his flesh peeling from ethereal bones.



He spoke a word of power in his rattling voice and waved his hands in complicated arcane gestures. Below in the pool Constantine and Garland were suddenly faced by a writhing mass of tentacles and squishy flesh.

The creature was a grasping, tentacled squid. It roiled and lashed out with its beak, biting a chunk out of Constantine's flesh.

---

---

Garland swims down and retrieves the items from the bottom of the pool.

Darcon destroys the letters and does 14 damage to the bleeding names haunt. He and Garland both recover their lost wisdom.

The Splatterman appears! He moves into the room and casts summon monster II to conjure a squid in the pool with Garland and Constantine.

The squid hits Constantine with its bite but misses with its tentacle. He takes 7 damage.

Constantine, because you were skipped this round you get an additional standard action next round.

SPL - The Splatterman, AC 14, Touch 10, Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +8, Ethereal
SQU - Squid, AC 13, touch 12, Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +2

GAR - Garland, Bless, Protection from Evil, 21 rounds of air
CON - Constantine, Bless, Magic Weapon, 23 rounds of air
DAR - Darcon, Bless, Protection from Evil
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:41, Sat 12 Oct 2019.

SCG had watched the dark skull floating to the surface he had thought perhaps it was tied to the splatterman in some way so he began the process of surfacing, the handaxe was not much of an impediment to trying to gain the surface.

As he breaks the surface the squid appears in the pool and he tries to arc overhanded and come dowm on the creature at least enough to make it go away...
Assuming I do not know it is a summoned creature....just a water predator



Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 6 using 1d6+2. Handaxe damage . 16:50, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 13 using 1d20+5. confirm critical hit. 16:50, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Attack on the squid with handaxe.


Looking to the shore he sees that he needs to get there as soon as he can.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Sat 12 Oct 2019.

"We do not intend to escape, evil thing. We come to send you to your final rest!," Darcon yelled back at the shade.

He watched with interest as the grotesque creature cast a spell using somewhat familiar gestures, it must have been a mage in life. That meant they needed to end this creature as swiftly as possible before it could bring more magics to bear.

Moving his hands in a circular pattern and chanting mystic words of his own while  slowly moving forward, Darcon beseeched aid from the spirits of the air. A cold wind howled throughout the chamber and coalesced into a dark thundercloud crackling with lightning right upon the floating shade.

---

Move Action: Move to E6.

"Step one done, now to ascend and bring him his final fate!" he thought before he set his feet firmly against the bottom of the pool before pushing off it and rocketing upwards toward the surface.


21:28, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 2 using 1d20-3.  swim check.

Constantine shot towards the surface, pulling powerfully through the water in an attempt to catch the bobbing black skull. The writhing mass of tentacles shot out after him, slapping and entangling him, wrapping him up in a crushing embrace. A stream of bubbles left his mouth as he lashed out. He struck true with his axe, severing the binding arms that held him. A pair of severed tentacles drifted down past Garland as he struggled to rise from the floor of the pool.

Above the Splatterman sneered at Darcon. "Pitiful mage, your feeble magics are nothing compared to mine."

Again he gestured, streaks of arcane force thundering through the water and streaking through the air towards our heroes.

---

---

Constantine double moves and then attacks the squid. You did confirm your crit so I rolled an extra 1d6+2 damage for you.

Darcon casts Aggressive Thundercloud and the Splatterman fails his save, taking 5 damage.

Garland tries to swim up but fails. Because you have the floor to push off against you'll get +4 to further swim checks to surface.

The squid Bites Garland but misses.
It Tentacles Constantine for a hit but fails to Grab. Constantine takes 2 damage.

The Splatterman moves to the edge of the pool where he can see everyone and casts empowered magic missile. Darcon takes 5 damage, Garland takes 3 damage, Constantine takes 7 damage.

---

SPL - The Splatterman, AC 14, Touch 10, Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +8, Ethereal, 5 damage
SQU - Squid, AC 13, touch 12, Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +2, 11 damage

THU - Darcon's Aggressive Thundercloud
GAR - Garland, Bless, Protection from Evil, 20 rounds of air, 3 damage
CON - Constantine, Bless, Magic Weapon, 20 rounds of air, 9 damage
DAR - Darcon, Bless, Protection from Evil, 5 damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:29, Mon 14 Oct 2019.

Darcon shuddered in pain as he was hit by the shade's sorcery. So that's how that feels, he thought ruefully as the burning pain subsided as swiftly as it had come. Grasping his staff with both hand he murmured, "Obice Mystici!"

The mages eyes glowed for a moment and there was a shimmering in the air in front of him that subsided as soon as it appeared. "Come then, try me shadespawn!" he countered the Splatterman's remarks, putting as much venom and spite into his words as he could muster.

As if to embellish his challenge he gestured with a hand and a mental command, and the angry thundercloud drifted over to envelop the Splatterman once more, crackling and sparking as it struck the shade with miniature lightning.

---

Weighed down in the heavy armor Garland attempts to move his full distance through the water hoping to break the surface and begin his ritual but the bulk of the armor and weight proves to much.

Garland's struggles were made all the more difficult by the writhing, pulsating cephalopod trying to clamp him in its chomping beak. The squid also tried to enwrap Constantine, reaching tentatively towards him with its elongated tentacles. The beast remembered his axe's bite though, and its half hearted attacks did little to hamper the paladin.

Above the water the Splatterman's ghost snorted in derision. He waved a hand dismissively and the magical shield that had sprung up around Darcon melted away as he reached out to pluck apart the arcane threads holding it together.

---

---

Darcon casts shield and moves his Aggressive Thundercloud, but the Splatterman passes his save.


Garland flounders.

The squid bites Garland and tentacles Constantine but misses both attacks.

The Splatterman casts dispel magic, dispelling Darcon's shield.

Constantine, because you were skipped last round you get an additional standard action this round.

---

SPL - The Splatterman, AC 14, Touch 10, Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +8, Ethereal, 5 damage
SQU - Squid, AC 13, touch 12, Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +2, 11 damage

THU - Darcon's Aggressive Thundercloud
GAR - Garland, Bless, Protection from Evil, 19 rounds of air, 3 damage
CON - Constantine, Bless, Magic Weapon, 19 rounds of air, 9 damage
DAR - Darcon, Bless, Protection from Evil, 5 damage
</quote>

Snarling in anger s the Shade easily dispelled his conjured ward, Darcon realized they faced a truly powerful foe. He furrowed his brow, keeping the miniature cloud of roiling thunder upon the Shade.

Luckily the magic of the storms and air were not the only elements he had learned to invoke and shape, and the mage now called upon the element of fire to burn his foes. Murmuring a harsh incantation and making a series of curt gestures with extended fingers Darcon then pointed all stiffened fingers of his left hand at the shade.

Fire blazed forth from his fingertips at his target, and he moved his hand slightly, causing the stream of flame to hit the water containing the conjured squid to try and burn the otherworldly creature.

---

Garland kicks away the squid and continues to rise through the water, the plan he had required concentration and he couldnt do that in the abyss.

SCG strikes at the squid a couple of times as he is primarily trying to exit the water to face the wraith....

“Away squishy sea beast, I have work to do.”

Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Attack roll on squid. 08:39, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Attack roll on squid

The scene above the water was a ghostly magical duel, fire and air levied against the ghostly force of the Splatterman as Darcon brought all of his magical resources to bear against the spirit, wracking him with energy and burning away his allies.

There was a great splash as Constantine broke through the surface. As he rose the murk above him blossomed in a wave of orange fire that flash boiled the water he swam through. He dragged himself out of the pool in a cloud of steam, scalded but alive, and cast about wildly for his foe. His strikes went wide and the Splatterman cackled as he drifted away.

This foe was no fool and he used his ethereal nature to best effect, retreating to part way within the wall. Only enough of his torso to see and to cast his magic remained exposed. He sent another wave of destructive magic streaking towards our heroes just as Garland broke the surface, sputtering and heaving his newfound items onto the floor in front of him.

---

---

Darcon casts Burning Arc, both the Splatterman and the squid pass their saves but it's enough damage to take out the squid anyway. The Splatterman fails his save against Aggressive Thundercloud. He takes 3 damage from burning arc and 7 from aggressive thundercloud.

Garland swims up from the floor of the pool. He's treading water and can climb out as a move action.

Constantine, since the squid went down before your turn I've had you use your move action to climb out of the pool and attack the ghost. You still miss both times though.

The Splatterman moves away and casts maximized Magic Missile on each of you, you each take 5 damage.

---

SPL - The Splatterman, AC 16, Touch 10, Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +8, Ethereal, Partial cover, 15 damage

THU - Darcon's Aggressive Thundercloud
GAR - Garland, Bless, Protection from Evil, 9 damage
CON - Constantine, Bless, Magic Weapon, 16 damage
DAR - Darcon, Bless, Protection from Evil, 10 damage

Garland steps up onto the surface and survey's himself and his companions for a moment before grabbing the holy symbol from his shoulder and holding it a loft. "Darcon get closer!" he shouted giving the mage a moment to get closer to them before he would channel Pharasma's holy light. Filling everyone with the healing energy

Doubled over in pain from the shade's sorcery, Darcon heard Garland's call and nodded, gritting his teeth against the burning in his chest and moving forward until he was next to Constantine. The pain subsided almost immediately but the weakness remained; it took an effort to stay on his feet and Darcon knew he could not take many more such attacks.

As the mage waited for the cleric to work his healing magics, he conjured his own crackling bolts of power, sending azure colored death streaking towards the Splatterman.

---

Move Action: move to F6. If that's not close enough for Garland then Darcon will move to where needed using his remaining movement allowance.
Standard Action: Cast Magic Missile (4 Missiles)@SPL; Damage: 12

Special: Darcon can't afford to spend an action to move Aggressive Thundercloud so it remains where it is. However it will run out at the end of this round (duration was 4 rounds)

SCG readies his bow and prepares to smite the leering creature across the distance.

“Face your doom foul sorcerer!”


Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 5 using 1d6+3.  Critical damage. 21:01, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 7 using 1d6+3.  Smite damage. 21:01, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Confirm critical. 21:00, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Smiting by bow
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Thu 17 Oct 2019.

The Splatterman let out a gritted tisk of displeasure as Garland climbed dripping from the foul pool and let loose a wave of healing energy over the party.

His grin widened when Darcon began to cast his spell, and he burst into peals of cruel laughter when the air mage's magic missiles impacted a transparent shield in front of him and stopped dead. Darcon was easily able to recognize the spell having just cast it himself: shield.

"Idiot. I've been watching you!" The Splatterman cackled, taunting. As if in counterpoint he unleashed his own spell, an empowered mirror of Darcon's. Magic missiles streaked from his hands to slam into our heroes.

Not to be outdone Constantine dropped his axe to the floor and quickly whipped out his bow. He roared his challenge and sent the shaft streaking towards the spirit. The arrow passed through him harmlessly and snapped against the stones, but the holy power of his smite reverberated through the ghost who shrieked in rage and retreated through the wall. Only the lapping of agitated water as the pond stilled broke the sudden silence in the chamber.

---

---

Darcon casts magic missile on The Splatterman but it's absorbed by his shield .

Garland climbs out and channels, healing everyone for 7.

Constantine shoots The Splatterman for 12 damage.

The Splatterman casts maximized Magic Missile on each of you, you each take 5 damage. He moves backwards through the wall and vanishes.

---

SPL - The Splatterman, AC 16, Touch 10, Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +8, Ethereal, Shield, 27 damage

GAR - Garland, Bless, Protection from Evil, 7 damage
CON - Constantine, Bless, Magic Weapon, 14 damage
DAR - Darcon, Bless, Protection from Evil, 8 damage

"Nice shot," Darcon remarked to Constantine, before turning to glance around the chamber for any sign of their foe.

"Be on your guard, it could appear out from anywhere," the mage said before murmuring a spell under his breath.

---

Standard Action: Cast Detect Magic. Trying to detect the direction of any emanations of magic.

Knowing that everyone is still injured Garland chooses to heal everyone again rather then focus on the ritual he had in mind. Once again he holds his holy symbol aloft, praying quietly to fill the area with Pharasma's healing light.

“Guess now he is still watching us.  I saw a black skull float up from the remains in the pool.  Is that important?”

Our heroes consolidated and re-grouped in the lull left by the Splatterman's disappearance, healing themselves and casting around for any magical clues to the specter's whereabouts. Was that a brush of cloth fading through the wall? A glimpse of a ghostly ankle phasing through one of the corners? Yes!

The Splatterman cackled as his torso re-emerged from the wall across the pool, deft hands working summoning magics. A squeaking, chattering racket filled the cell block as beady eyed rats popped into existence, hissing and biting and distracting our heroes from their spell casting and archery.

---

---

Darcon can detect the active spells in the area as well as the lingering spells recently cast, some conjuration magic, a couple of abjuration spells, and a whole lot of evocation. He doesn't detect anything that surprises him, or that he didn't also see cast with his own eyes. He also sees a general necromantic arua permeating the area (the same one he's seen any time he's cast detect magic in the area) and magical auras emanating from the longsword, dagger, and large pearl that Garland dredged up from the bottom of the pond.

Garland channels, healing everyone.

Constantine stands by.

The Splatterman re-emerges through the wall to the east and casts summon monster II to summon 3 dire rats.

The rats attack, one hits Garland for 6 damage.

---

SPL - The Splatterman, AC 16, Touch 10, Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +8, Ethereal, Shield, partial cover, 27 damage
RA1 - Dire Rat, AC 14, Touch 14, Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1
RA2 - Dire Rat, AC 14, Touch 14, Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1
RA3 - Dire Rat, AC 14, Touch 14, Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1

GAR - Garland, Bless, Protection from Evil, 6 damage
CON - Constantine, Bless, Magic Weapon, 7 damage
DAR - Darcon, Bless, Protection from Evil, 1 damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:21, Fri 18 Oct 2019.

Garland looks over at the splatterman for a moment and then at the two dire rats surrounding him. They were of less consequence then the spirit and Garland had already decided they needed to end this fast but the spirit wasnt making this easy. He turns to the rat between him and Constantine and brings down the morningstar slamming into the creature's skull.

SCG had been waiting for the fiend to reappear and he let fly another arrow filled with holy energy

“If you fall by bow or blade matters not to me fiend!”


:24, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Smite damage. 20:23, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  Attack arrow smiting evil.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Sat 19 Oct 2019.

Darcon quickly moved backwards as the large rat appeared and slammed his staff down upon the ground, causing causing soundless thunder and a bright flash of lightning to erupt when the staff made contact with the stony floor of the chamber.

---

Move to F5. Standard Action: Lightning Flash @ RA1. Damage: 07 & Dazzled (REF Save vs 16 or half damage and no Dazzle)

Even as the rat materialized Garland thumped downwards, battering the chittering little fiend away and leaving it little more than a bloody, pulverized lump. That lump still squeaked with all the animate fury of a ravenous vermin and scuttled right back towards him, all claws and yellow teeth. Garland held it at bay with a boot and the rat sunk its teeth into the leather, fortunately missing flesh.

At his side Constantine ignored these distractions and focused on the real threat, the Splatterman himself, loosing again and again in an attempt to bring him down. He was heedless of the rats surrounding him, ignoring them as they scuffled at his greaves.

Darcon's focus was more immediate, on the rat threatening him. It was but a moment of now practiced motions as he skipped back a step and sent out a blast of lightning that left it a charred husk.

Careless of his minion's woes the Splatterman unleashed magic missiles at last, again trying to spread the pain between as many targets as possible before vanishing from sight.

---

---

Garland mashes RA2 for 4 damage.

Constantine shoots The Splatterman for 4 damage, RA1 and RA2 take attacks of opportunity against him, but both miss.

Darcon's Lightning Flash fries RA1.

RA2 attacks Constantine and hits for 4 damage.

RA3 attacks Garland but misses.

The Splatterman casts Magic Missile and then retreats through the wall. You take 4, 3, and 4 damage respectively.

---

SPL - The Splatterman, AC 16, Touch 10, Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +8, Ethereal, Shield, partial cover, 31 damage
RA2 - Dire Rat, AC 14, Touch 14, Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1, 4 damage
RA3 - Dire Rat, AC 14, Touch 14, Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1

GAR - Garland, Bless, Protection from Evil, 10 damage
CON - Constantine, Bless, Magic Weapon, 14 damage
DAR - Darcon, Bless, Protection from Evil, 5 damage