[DnD] The Haunting of Hargast (GFF D&D Adventure 3)

9 Dice Rolls Soggy's initiative

"Well, it's not so much that I've enthralled old Hargastus; it's more that neither of us has successfully managed to drive the other out, putting us in a position of temporary detente until such a time as one of us gets the other hand. Certainly, he does his best to murder everyone that enters my sanctuary here, but this is motivated entirely by his being an absolute lunatic rather than by any real desire to aid me. It's quite convenient, really; every citizen of Hargast, as it turns out, is bound to serve him by an ancestral compact. The only service they can really carry out after they die, of course, is wanton slaughter... and whatever the original intent of the agree, Ethelred seems pretty content with slaughtering in general these days. I can only really take credit for Melissa here, who had the good fortune to still be clinging to life when I took a prybar to her casket. Some people will drink most anything you give them when they've been in a box for three days."

He chuckles.

"Oh, but you're only pandering to my ego, now. You were supposed to be begging for your life and here I am babbling on about shop talk. I'm dreadfully sorry, but while I do appreciate your admiration, dear Melissa is the only apprentice I have the resources for right now. Gareth, engage operation... what was it."

He puts his palm to his golden forehead and sighs.

"Operation Big Big Sheep."

Visibly delighted by the prospect of big big sheep, Gareth excitedly claps his hands and hurries over to the tapestry on the west side of the wall. Brushing it aside, he leans against a protruding stone and gives it a mighty shove.

Suddenly, the wall to the party's left begins to rumble, and a rusty iron ram's head bursts through (followed in short order by a hulking tree trunk). The one-time pedestal of the brain is smashed instantly to bits as the ram's head smashes into the facing wall with a thud. The Horde's retreat is cut off completely.

"Well, that worked a bit better than I had hoped for. Gentlemen, you've all been so very polite that I almost hate to do this, but if I were to let you go you'd just come back with an army. No, no. No witnesses. I'm sure you understand."

He nods curtly in Lissa's direction, and she smiles as she pulls out her crossbow and takes aim.

Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa, Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt

Von Versteckt: AC 24; Fortitude 20, Reflex 17, Will 18
Lissa: AC 22; Fortitude 18, Reflex 21, Will 17
Gareth: AC 23; Fortitude 19, Reflex 21, Will 17
Hargastus: AC 20; Fortitude 19, Reflex 18, Will 20

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

2 Dice Rolls *bastion damage

Motsognir is stuck between a gay pirate and an enormous iron ram, so he doesn't do anything. He is not used to being this prepared at the start of a fight, in any case.

come on people get out of the way

Motsognir, constantly underestimating his own ability, takes a moment to reconsider his position before barreling his way past his companion's legs to Von Versteckt, planting a hand firmly on his woman's shapely behindpancake ass as he passed. Breaking past Argumentus, he raises his axe, and plants it squarely into the masked man.

Bastion of Defense

16 + 3 is 19 damage

I was speaking idiomatically.

3 Dice Rolls Hit Gareth

As I had feared, it was a practical demonstration we were in line for.

Hoping to slow the lumbering zombie and distract the vampire enough for him to miss with whatever vile spell he was about to throw at me, I sent a blisteringly cold beam streaking towards each of them before running into the room and taking up a defensive position in the corner.

Icy Rays on Von Versteckt and Gareth. Push past Arg and move to south eastern doorway.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

4 Dice Rolls *Splintering Shot damage

Barreling through the ranks, Soggy cleaves into the vampire's legs with a mighty shout.

Bastion of Defense: 19 damage to Von Versteckt. 5 temporary HP to all allies (everyone but Soggy) +1 to all defenses to all allies (everyone but Soggy).

Bob fires off a frigid blast, leaving the vampire trapped in place with his legs firmly frozen to the altar.

Icy Rays: 11 damage to Von Versteckt (immobilized)

Irritated by the insolence of a dwarf daring to raise his voice in the presence of royalty, Hargastus effortlessly picks up Motsognir in a great spectral hand and flings him across the room. Soggy slams painfully into the far wall, his bones thoroughly rattled.

Kinetic Claw: 16 damage to Motsognir. Motsognir slides 5 spaces west and is restrained (save ends).

Lissa circles the statue to get a better angle on the group and takes careful aim, firing off a bolt that buries itself deep in Argumentus' weapon hand. It hurts less than you might expect, but it does make his pick somewhat more awkward to wield.

Splintering Shot: 7 damage to Argumentus; Arg takes -1 to attack rolls for the encounter

Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt, Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa

Sorry for the massive holdup

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3 Dice Rolls Frost Weapon

A pretty mask which covers the face. Surely something, Argumentus felt, that would make the perfect gift for Gabe.

move to G15
Sure Strike on Von Versteckt
Hit!
Though Argumentus effectively clips a fingernail, the slight contact chills Von Versteckt's already sufficiently chilled dead heart. Because it's cold, you see.
Von Versteckt slowed

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

2 Dice Rolls *claw damage

Seeing the efficacy of giving the vampire a chilly reception, Argumentus plays it cool by

—nope, can't do it

Sure Strike: 12 damage to Von Versteckt; slowed

Gareth rushes into melee against Motsognir, swinging his ragged, filthy claws.

10 damage to Motsognir; bloodied and uh immobilized even more

Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt, Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa, Argumentus, Gareth

Jam it back in, in the dark.

If I can get up on that thing, E15 with radiant smite on VV. If I can't, then F16 and the same thing

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5 Dice Rolls Desecrated Ground damage

Gabriel charges into the fray, his axe glowing with the radiant power of his god. But the vampire sidesteps at the last moment, and the paladin stumbles and his axe cleaves nothing but the air.

Garrmondo steps into the room to find Motsognir already in dire straits. Unable to reach him, he does what he can to distract the hulking ghoul away from the battered dwarf. Gareth turns his attention to Garrmondo, irritated with the interruption.

Although a little battered, the cleric of the Black Hand makes no move to retreat.

"You stand against the Iron General, my fragile ones. Do you think he tolerates you here, in this sanctum I have claimed for him?"

He gestures at the floor beneath Argumentus' feet, and the stones begin to pulse with a sickly energy. Rippling vines of tarry black ichor begin to seep out of the floor, lashing at the Horde.

Von Versteckt regenerates 5 HP
Desecrated Ground: 4 damage to Argumentus (slowed)

Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa, Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Second Wind
Speak Inspiring Words To My Own Damn Self
Viper's Strike to Gareth

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

2 Dice Rolls Damage

The undead monstrosity was all over the clever dwarf and I had to do something to save him. Hoping to weaken the creature enough to stop it hurting him, I pointed my staff and unleashed my debilitating ray spell at the creature.

Ray of enfeeblement on Gareth

I was speaking idiomatically.

6 Dice Rolls Desecated Ground effect: Arg

Soggy peels himself off the wall and shakes off the cobwebs. While the newcomer's arrow landed a little close for comfort, at least it bought Soggy a chance to fight back.

Second Wind: Motsognir's HP +10 (Second Wind Defense Bonus)
Inspiring Word: Motsognir's HP +16
Viper's Strike: miss

While Bob's necrotic ray strikes Gareth squarely, the rotting farmer does not seem to find the power of decay overly discomfiting.

Ray of Enfeeblement: 1 damage to Gareth (weakened)
Immobilization of Von Versteckt expires

Cackling madly, the ghost of Lord Hargastus floats closer to the melee in which Von Versteckt is embroiled. Tired of being ignored, he taps Gabriel on the shoulder with an icy finger.

Gabe marked by Hargastus

Seeing one of her enemies armed with a ranged weapon as well, Lissa takes a wild shot before ducking for cover.

Nimble Strike vs Garr: miss

Start of Arg's turn: 4 damage from Desecrated Ground

Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt, Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa

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2 Dice Rolls RAAAAAAAGH!

Argumentus laughed at such simple means of combat as base wizardry. The black waves which buried his feet did no more than tickle. If the vampire thought to bind him to the earth, then Argumentus would see to it that he'd bring Von Versteckt down with him.

Shift to F14
Brute Strike on Von Versteckt

The energy had some effect on him yet, and Argumentus swings short, tearing off the edge of the short stairs. Argumentus refused to let up, however. He raises his pick up from the ground aiming for Von Versteckt's nether regions, putting all of his back into it.

Argumentus spends an action point
Brute Strike on Von Versteckt

Only to once again whiff the air. How embarrassing. :blush:

FELIPE NO

5 Dice Rolls desecated vs Gabe

The vampire chuckles, dodging with ease as Argumentus heaves the pick around wildly.

Slow on Von Versteckt expires

Forgetting completely about the dwarf that had only moments ago been at his mercy, Gareth turns and charges at Garrmondo in a rage. The fighter fends off the ghoul as best he can, but his longbow is a poor substitute for a shield.

Claw: 5 damage to Garrmondo (immobilized; save ends)

Beginning of Gabriel's turn: 4 damage from Desecrated Ground
Beginning of Garrmondo's turn: 6 damage from Desecrated Ground

Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt, Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa, Argumentus, Gareth

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Shift to G17. Dire radiance on vamp. Divine challenge on vamp.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

4 Dice Rolls dominating gaze vs Gabe

Standing in an apparent temble to an evil god, Gabe finds himself a little unimpressed. This is the best they can do? If you're going to build your god an earthly house, you have to have a significant budget. "Hole in the ground that I stole from some dead chump" isn't going to cut it. Bane must be hurting for priests if he found this shoddy mess acceptable. If you tried to pass this crap off to Kord he'd smite you in a heartbeat.

Von Versteckt appears distracted too; it takes a great deal of Shiny to draw his attention.

Dire Radiance: miss
Von Versteckt marked

His legs paralyzed by a combination of ghoulish toxins and the tendrils underfoot, Garrmondo does his best to fight off the slavering ex-farmhand.

Well, not his best. I mean, he's done better. Like the best he could do at that particular moment, you know? It wasn't a great moment but I think he did all right, considering. So it was his best in that sense.

It was pretty crappy from an objective view, though.

You already used your Defensive Stance in the brain fight, Garr

"You want my attention, stout one?" the vampire murmurs. "Not a problem."

He steps down from the dais, clapping Gabriel on the shoulder before the paladin can react.

"We're not so different, Kordson, you and I. Bane smiles on the strong, just as Kord does. Your only failure is that you are... misguided. Your arm is strong, but by yourself you can do little but destroy. But with a dozen such as you — oh, think of the things you could build!"

The golden mask seems to swim before Gabriel's very eyes, twisting into a wicked smile. It all seems to make sense, somehow.

Von Versteckt regenerates 5 HP
Dominating Gaze: Gabriel is dominated/dazed (save ends)

Start of Motsognir's turn: Second Wind Defense Bonus expires

Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa, Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe (DOM), Garrmondo, Von Versteckt

There's nowhere I can't reach.

3 Dice Rolls *dddamage

Motsognir tries to Shake It Off

No longer immobilized, Motsognir's misogynistic tendencies overwhelm him and he rushes towards the undead woman, axe held over his head.

move to b12
warlord's favor
bonus to Arg if he wants to come hit a woman


10 damage I suppose

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

2 Dice Rolls Hit this time?

What had started as a relatively straight forward rush-the-boss-and-the-others-will-run-away classic speartip combat formation had rapidly degenerated into the kind of random, swirling melee the Horde were so fond of. I sighed deeply, wishing that my own powers of necromancy had gifted me with some slightly more tactically astute companions.

There was no time for regrets now however. The battle was joined and the ugly dwarf had the look in his eyes of one who has turned to the dark side. Sadly, I had already used my best spells (Except the acid arrow but there were a few too many bystanders to use that safely) so I resorted to old faithful, a blast of ice to the face.

Ray of frost at vampire
Elven accuracy

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

6 Dice Rolls crossbow dmg

I'll fluff this up later, I got zombies to kill

Hurl Away: 12 damage to Argumentus (pushed 3 squares)
Lissa uses Weave Through The Fray


Crossbow: 8 damage to Arg (bloodied)

Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt, Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa

I was speaking idiomatically.

3 Dice Rolls Critical Roll

Being launched 3 spaces was kinda fun, but no creature could sway Argumentus from getting that sweet gift for old Gabriel.

In a surge of adrenaline, Argumentus rushes the raised platform behind Von Versteckt and sinks his pick into the undead's shoulder.

Move to E16
Argumentus is Unstoppable
Brute Strike on Von Versteckt
NATURAL 20!
32 Damage to Von Versteckt =I
Unstoppability grants 11 temporary HP
Von Versteckt's shit: WRECKED
Insult to Injury: 2 damage from critical bonus
34 total damage to Von Versteckt

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

5 Dice Rolls brrooch re-attempt

Though his sluggish legs resist him, Argumentus lunges across the room to embed his weapon in the vampiric mastermind. Von Versteckt roars in pain.

With Garrmondo's legs still firmly rooted in place, Gareth takes the opportunity to clamp down on the fighter's arm for a tasty bite. The mindless undead never really understand the whole idea of "armor", and the ghoul gnaws away at Garrmondo's scale mail harmlessly.

Confused and muttering, Gabriel wanders in Bob's direction.

Garrmondo, Von Versteckt, Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa, Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe (DOM)

FELIPE NO

The ugly dwarf was edging towards me, muttering under his breath and a murderous look in his eyes. I screamed like a girl and raised my hands to cover my head, clutching for the religious symbol I had looted off the body on the altar in the previous room. Instead, my fingers found the brooch (That I had looted from the dead halfling) which began to glow with a strange light which shone over the dwarf, causing him to shake his head and look confused, now freed from the mind-domination of the vampire.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

4 Dice Rolls mace vs arg

Garrmondo wrenches his arm free, smashing the farmer's jaw with the hilt of his sword. The deader's teeth rattle in his brainbox like a homemade maraca. Garrmondo's heard sweeter music, but as fight songs go he could do a lot worse.

Start of Garrmondo's turn: 8 damage from Desecrated Ground
Crushing Surge: 7 damage to Gareth, +1 temp. HP to Garrmondo
Save vs immobilization successful

"You want to brawl, ox? Have it your way." The vampire's spiked mace smashes into the side of Argumentus' head, but the big lummox doesn't even flinch. Astonished, Von Versteckt backpedals away.

VV regenerates 5 HP
Gabe's Mark on VV expires

Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa, Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt

Jam it back in, in the dark.

3 Dice Rolls second strike

Motsognir, finding himself alone, runs to the aid of the newcomer.

move to G12
Viper's Strike to Gareth

9 damage

It felt so nice, he did it twice.

Action Point
Viper's Strike again

And the second time he missed.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

1 Die Roll Hit?

With the danger from my dwarven ally seemingly averted, I returned to throwing bolts of ice at the vampire.

Ray of frost at the vamp

How ya doing, buddy?

7 Dice Rolls crossbow vs Arg

Still largely ignored by everyone, Hargastus returns to harassing Gabe. Garrmondo swipes at the ghost in passing, but it's difficult in these situalions to say whether you've done any real damage. Do ghosts even object to being stabbed?

The poltergeist floats over to the paladin, slashing at Gabriel's face with his ghostly claws. No wounds appear, but Gabriel is suddenly struck with massive sinus congestion. Ye gods, the pressure is unbearable!

Garr's AoO vs Hargastus: 5 damage
Spirit Touch vs Gabe: 10 damage

Lissa darts back to the north end of the room, firing off a bolt in Arg's direction. It bounces harmlessly off the silver bowl atop the dais.

"Damn you, woman!" shouts Von Versteckt. "Be careful with that thing!"

Argumentus, Gareth, Gabe, Garrmondo, Von Versteckt, Motsognir, Bob, Hargastus, Lissa

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