Nuno and the Crypt of the Dark Kiss Part Two

Way, way, back on the 18th of December, I blogged my final five takeaways of 2018. Then, I concluded my 12 Blog Posts of December on the 31st by blogging Nuno and the Crypt of the Dark Kiss Part One. While I had written game session reports before, I had never included any photos from the action at the D&D gaming table before. Not the first time I've provided play-by-play of my gaming experience, while using photos to enhance my writing. Had done so as recently as when I played the board game Fury of Dracula for the first time.


However, I quickly realized while writing about Nuno and the Crypt of the Dark Kiss (yes, I am writing from my PC's perspective) was that all photos meant the writing the post would consume time.


More time than usual.


So, I decided to split it into parts. Three parts to be precise.


When we last left off, our intrepid band of adventurers were exploring the remnants of a dwarven mine in order to destroy any undead (especially vampires!) and discover the true nature of an earring discovered during a previous module in the trilogy. The firbolg nature cleric Dancer withdrew/became withdrawn (player had to leave the session), while battling some dwarven skeletons working forges. The skeletons were destroyed; and everyone returns to the room with three doors and the four muck-covered statues. During the battle, Grog overcome by his battle-lust failed didn't notice a door. Meanwhile, Nuno had forgotten all about the door during the heat of the battle.


If either had considered the door further, they may have pondered whether or not it was a side entrance to the chamber laying behind double doors...


Once back inside the original chamber...



Cast of Characters 

Vladis Warlock/Wizard 10th
Grog Half- Orc Champion 6th
Striker dwarf 7th
Nuno Tortle Monk Way of Shadow 5th

We proceed to double doors with crossed battle axes emblazoned upon them. Grog's eyes light up with appreciation at the sight of the axes inscribed upon the doors. He grips his axe and proceeds to hack at the door. Meanwhile, Vladis peers over shoulder and notices the keyhole contains a lock of a quality he has never seen!


In-between swings of Grog's axe,  Striker casts Knock.


There's the pop of an arcane lock being suppressed.


Needless to say, Grog continues pounding away - eventually wrecking the door.


Grog turns to Striker 'I am smart no matter what people say'.


The hacked open double doors are swung open to reveal a room full of sarcophogi. Peering across the room both Grog and Nuno note a door on the opposite end from which the forge room could be reached!


Both in unison: 'Oops!'


Seeing sarcophagi the wily Striker casts Bless on the party. The party enters room with Grog and Nuno in front. Striker and Vladis bring up the rear. No sooner do they enter when three vampire spawn, a shadow mastiff, and vampiric mist pop out from the sarcophagi!

Grog steps forward and swings twice at the vampire spawn who crawled out of the sarcophagus nearest him. His axe bites into the vampire twice! Nuno warily eyes the fearsome foes right in front of him and steps between both the vampire spawn and vampiric mist. Stabs twice with a silver dagger and only hits once. Then centering himself, he expends Qi to disengage from them moving back to casters. Striker breathing a sigh of relief once Nuno is out of the area casts Fireball on baddies!

Vladis upcasts Quickened Conjure Minor Elemental spell to summon four magmen!

 Then, Vladis Eldritch Blasts the vampiric mist after his owl familiar distracts it. To our chagrin, the vampire spawn regenerate. Grog's vampire spawn claws Grog but fails to hold him within its grip! A spawn destroys a magmen ( #4)  Grog saves to avoid some of the fire from the magman's explosion! Another spawn closes with Striker. The far back vampire spawn hits magman #2. Dog misses magmen#1then goes invisible. Mist floats to envelop Grog triggering Opportunity Attacks from the Magmen. Their fiery blows burn the mist away!. Grog crits spawn! Hits a second time! Then Grog action surges to hit again. The vampire spawn is destroyed! Nuno closes with spawn near Striker. After landing multiple blows, Nuno is disheartened when his Stunning strike fails. Number 1 & 3 magmen miss the dog. Magman #2 hits the vampire spawn near it. Starts aflame. Striker moves away from vampire on him provoking an opportunity attack, casting Shield to thwart a grapple attempt. The dwarf proceeds to cast lightning bolt on both the shadow mastiff and vampire spawn. There's collateral damage as  #2 magman blows up from the crossfire. However, the shadow mastiff dies. We are alarmed when we notice that vampire spawn takes minor damage from the fiery explosion.

Vladis casts Phantasmal Force on the worrisome vampire spawn in response. Nuno is clawed and grappled. Bite misses. Other spawn grapples and bites Grog!

Grog strikes and crits! 22 dmg! Strikes again. Miss. Nuno misses then focuses his Qi to disengage away to move next to the casters.  Magmen attack Grog's spawn. One hits.

Striker moves back and around.

Casts Lightning Bolt. A weak 17 damage. The phantasmal forced Grog-grappling vampire spawn dies. Grog isn't badly hurt by the bolt. Vladis quickens a Scorching Ray then Eldritch Blasts the remaining spawn. Spawn closes with Grog. Misses. Grog hits once. Nuno hits spawn all of his attack, twice with silver dagger and once with a kick. 


Finally, the two remaining Magmen swarm the vampire spawn and both their blows slay it!


We catch our breaths and rifle through our defeated foes discovering a magical ring on the finger of the vampire spawn who was strangely resistant to fire... A Ring of Fire Resistance perhaps?


To Be Continued....