Charles Plemons' Blog

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.

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!

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?

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!