Episode 18: Little Lockford (Part 2)
The Adventure
Battle at the Power Station
The fight begins by Possessed Mal drawing his sword and decapitating the Badger and impaling the Ape killing them instantly. He then turns and heads back to the control panel to lower the bridges again, while uttering words of power which echo in Juan's ears deafening him. Juan approaches and tries to touch him wall casting Protection from evil and good. Immediately Mal is awakened in consciousness and become aware of some of what is happening around him but still not in control. Possessed Mal then grabs Juan spins him around and drops him off the platform. Juan then throws a Javelin at Possessed Mal which misses but throws him off balance, giving Juan the opportunity to throw a second Javelin which hits him in the shoulder. He then moves around to the bottom of the stairs. Possessed Mal flips all of the switches on the console to lower all of the bridges, before impaling the control panel ensuring no bridges can be raised until the panel is repaired. He then approaches Juan. Juan casts Shield of Faith on himself, steps forward and attacks Possessed Mal with his axes. He hits twice with his axes absolutely pummeling Posessed Mal who is still in a mad rage. Possessed Mal immediately responds by attacking Juan three times taking Juan to the brink of consciousness knocked prone. As Possessed Mal stands preparing to kill Juan, Mariotook drops down screaming "I knew you weren't to be trusted" attacking him from behind. Possessed Mal immediately turns on him slicing him in half from shoulder to hip. He then leaves the power station.
Meanwhile, Aginiars and Drūdlin
While this was happening Aginiars, Drūdlin and Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III having disabled the Automatons look around for anything of use, not finding anything they suggest that Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III use the fireworks as a distraction against the Shield Guardian outside the door. Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III dashes out the door, sliding between the Shield Guardians legs, setting off a burst of fireworks and runs towards the central island with the Shield Guardian in hot pursuit.
With the way now clear, Aginiars and Drūdlin make their way to the Power Station.
The party reunited
On arriving at the power station Aginiars and Drūdlin are met with the corpses of the animals, Mariotook and an unconscious Juan. Drūdlin uses hands of healing on Juan restoring him to awareness, as Juan laments the death of Mariotook, Drūdlin administers a Potion to Juan for a little more health.
Juan advises what Possessed Mal has done. And Drūdlin searches Mariotook's body. Finding the following equipment.
| Item | Amount | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Arrows | 20 | 1 |
| Clothes | 1 | 3lb |
| Dagger | 2 | 1lb |
| Leather Armor | 1 | 10lb |
| Iron Pot | 1 | 10lb |
| Shortbow | 1 | 2lb |
| Shortsword | 1 | 2lb |
| Thieves' Tools | 1 | |
| Weaver's Tools | 1 | 5lb |
| Ball Bearings | 650 | 2lb |
| Candle | 5 | 0.05lb |
| Crowbar | 1 | 5lb |
| Hammer | 1 | 3lb |
| Hooded Lantern | 1 | 2lb |
| Oil Flask | 2 | 2lb |
| Rations | 5 | 10lb |
| Hempen Rope (50ft) | 1 | 10lb |
| Tinderbox | 1 | 0.5lbs |
| Waterskin | 1 | 5lbs |
| Gold Pieces | 20 |
After taking everything of value, Juan carried Mariotook's body to the edge of the island, casting it into the lava below. It hits with a thud on the molten rock before catching fire. And sinking into the rock. He then touches himself casting hand of healing on himself.
The Overlook
The party now assembled they agree that they need to join up with Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III to get his help to catch Posessed Mal and head towards the Overlook on the central island. The arrive on the island to and see the Shield guardian trying to get through one of the many doors into the central chamber. The party assume that this is where Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III is. They enter another door and are met with Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III engaged with Tixie Tockworth. After Tixie Tockworth tries to exclaim that they are villains not heroes, she attacks Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III with jets of steam. Then using the jetpack she is wearing she flies up to the ceiling.
Drūdlin attacks with her darts, missing one then hitting the second. Tixie Tockworth, now aware of them recalculates tactics. Juan then throws a couple of Javelins at Tixie Tockworth having difficulty to gauge her jerky mechanical movements, missing one and hitting the second. Aginiars then casts eldritch blast against Tixie Tockworth missing as she flies past, laughing at them all missing her, then a second blast hits her full against the ceiling of the dome, before the jetpack explodes barely missing Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III as he dives out of the way under a table. Meanwhile they hear from outside what sounds like the Shield Guardian slinking away to the caverns of the underdark.
With the area now clear they started heading out of the town, are met by Braithe Broadfoot who advises them that Mal left a while ago and gives them the promised rewards for their assistance.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Ruby Ring | 5000gp |
| Boots of Striding and Springing | |
| Driftglobe | |
| Key |
The Chase of Posessed Mal
Posessed Mal is trying to get to the surface, and knows that the rest of the party will be in pursuit, so in an attempt to delay them he tries to destroy the signs on the way to the surface. Mal with the awareness granted him tries to deflect the blows causing The Spirit of Varnal not to notice that as he is destroying the signs he is destroying them and leaving the pieces of the signs as breadcrumbs on the path that he is taking.
Aginiars, Juan and Drūdlin head up the path, and discover the broken signs, Drūdlin and Juan identify the path and follow the correct direction.
Mal starting to get some vision back through his Posessed eyes, as it emerges to the dark of the night, and heads back to Atalasta very directly as if it knows where it needs to go.
The party in pursuit also head towards Atalasta, and on arriving in the town they head towards the Guild Hall, where they encounter a cleric passing through who takes them back to the temple and begins some ministering.
Mal becomes aware of being in a dark store talking with a shopkeeper, giving a list of items and saying
The time is now, we must take him while he is weak, you know the equipment I need, I will give you what you want.
The party have been introduced to the Abbot of the temple, who advises them that in order to save Mal they need to kill him while he holds the sword, in order to drive the spirit back into the sword. Then they will make a sanctified salve which will restore Mal to life. Then they should bring the Sword of Varnal back to the temple for safe keeping. Before creating the salve, and advising them how to find Mal.
Mal sees the items purchased and watches as he trades basically he has to receive them being left with
- Sword of Varnal
- Potion of Hill Giant Strength
- Clothes
- Alchemist's Fire
- Backpack
- Bag of Holding
- Bazrar's Business Card
- Box of the Golden Vault (can't sell)
- Rope
In exchange for everything Possessed Mal obtains
- Spellguard Shield
- Mantle of Spell Resistance
- Armor of Necrotic Resistance
- Potion of Healing (Supreme)
- Potion of Invulnerability
- Potion of Healing (Superior)
- Potion of Healing (Greater) x2
- Potion of Healing x5
The party then in preparation for the chase take a short rest before heading off on the chase.
Mal persuades the Spirit of Varnal to take a short rest to allow the party time to catch up.
The party beseech Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III to help them find Mal who takes them to a Tavern frequented by seafarers, and learns that it seems that Mal is likely still in the old quarter. Doing this earns Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III disrepute from the others. However after a rousing song, [2:14] the crew return to their admiration and are joined by A Pirate Captain, a Pirate Bosun, A Deck Wizard and a First Mate.
Mal sees that Spirit of Varnal is ready to leave, but Mal is able to cloud his judgement and get him lost in the wasren of the Old Quarter.
Battle of the Old Quarter (Part 1)
The party with Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III and crew arrive in the Old Quarter and one of the crew sees that Possessed Mal is in an alleyway. They catch up with him and Juan throws a javelin which flies by his head and into a wall, Possessed Mal turns back to the party as the Deck Wizard attacks casting a spell sending flaming arrows at Possessed Mal but misses. Aginiars then follows up by casting Bear Kings Fury, before sending beams of Eldritch energy at him, dealing some damage. And despite this being a terrifying spectacle Possessed Mal appears to not show a single iota of fear. Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III then encourages the party granting them 5 temporary HP and advantage on wisdom saving throws, and gets advantage on their next attack until the temporary Hit Points are gone.
Possessed Mal then attacks the Pirate Bosun dealing major damage, then Casts Divine Word which Aginiars attempts to counter, but is overwhelmed by the strength of the magic. Resulting from this, The First Mate dies, the Pirate Bosun is blinded deafened and stunned, the Pirate Captain is deafened, and the Deck Wizard is blinded and deafened. Posessed Mal then charges in to attacking distance. Juan lashes out with his axes, hitting him twice before casting Sanctuary on Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III. Possessed Mal then react with an attack on Juan. The Pirate Captain shoots Possessed Mal with his crossbow, before charging in and attacking with his sword. Possessed Mal reacts with an attack back on the Pirate Captain. Drūdlin attacks multiple times culminating in a hand of harm which the necrotic damage doesn't have the impact she would expect.
The Deck Wizard fumbles through his spellbook and recalls a spell and generates a ball of fog centered on himself obscuring him and those around him in fog.
Aginiars casts Hex, giving Possessed Mal disadvantage on strength checks, as well as adding extra necrotic damage to each attack. He then follows up with two Eldritch Blasts straight into his chest.
Possessed Mal pulls two potions out of his bag, and drinks them, one a Potion of Healing (supreme) and a Potion of Invulnerability. He then casts Call Lightning dealing major damage to essentially everyone.
Juan attacks Possessed Mal with his axes landing solid blows. But the damage that appears to have been done seems to be much less than it should have.
The Pirate Captain attacks with his sword, and Possessed Mal retaliates by slashing the Pirate Captains chest. Drūdlin then attacks with her sword twice, following up with a flurry of blows making solid contact with all attacks. Yet again the damage does not seem to be as much damage inflicted as there should be.
Possessed Mal then reacts to Drūdlin attacking her with his sword. The Pirate Captain attacks Possessed Mal, then Aginiars sends two more bolts of Eldritch Energy at Possessed Mal.
Possessed Mal then attacks the Pirate Captain decapitating him. Before entering a fit of rage, launching himself at Aginiars attacking him.
Juan casts Shield of Faith on Aginiars and throws a Javelin at Possessed Mal. Drūdlin attacks with her sword doing a critical hit, but still doing less damage than it should, following up with another sword strike doing less damage. She follows up with a flurry of blows, with Hand of Harm, The Hand of harm appeared to do essentially nothing. He retaliated back at Drūdlin.
Aginiars Eldritch Blasts Possessed Mal resulting in a little blood coming from his nose. Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III Shouts "Once more into the breech my friends" And attempts to attack Possessed Mal, missing, and then cries "I may have missed my friends, but you shall not!" and grants Juan Bardic Inspiration.
Possessed Mal begins to cast finger of death on Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III due to the bloodied state of him, Mal finds himself potentially able to influence his actions, tries to redirect the attack to the Pirate Bosun, but he is not able to steer this successfully, so Possessed Mal casts finger of Death on Captain Perciville McGinty Esquire III, who miraculously doesn't die. He then turns to Drūdlin and goes to attack with the sword, Mal tries to disrupt his rage, but finds himself still too restricted. The attack lands and knocks Drūdlin unconscious.
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