Quicklinks
Fungal Horror Surprise Round
Mutt helps direct the last piece of the makeshift barricade into place, his eyes flicking nervously between the door and his companions. With a quick toss, he throws his backpack with the Chardalyn shards into the wizard’s room, hoping it’s far enough from the runes to avoid another disastrous interaction.
He rushes over to the drawbridge lever, adjusting his crossbow with the petrification bolt still loaded. His smile, usually wide and confident, is now smaller, the wear and tear of the day’s events evident in the creases around his eyes.
“I know we’re all tired,” Mutt says, his voice steady but showing signs of strain. “I don’t know how much we all have left, but I know together we can get through this. No matter what happens, that thing can’t get out of here.” He swallows hard, his hand hovering over the lever. “When we get back to town, first round is on me!”
Suddenly, with a deafening crack, the wooden door splinters apart. Shards of wood explode outward, clattering against the stone walls as the fungal horror barrels through. Its grotesque form is covered in jagged black Chardalyn shards, twisted fungal growths spreading across its flesh. The creature’s glowing, lifeless eyes fix on the party, filled with a terrifying, ravenous hunger.
Just as the horror charges forward, Azalie’s frost trap activates. The blizzard bomb detonates with a powerful icy blast, sending freezing shards of frost flying toward the creature. The icy energy crashes against its body, momentarily obscuring it in a cloud of frost and steam. For a moment, it seems like the trap might have worked.
But as the frost settles, the Horror stands almost unaffected. The Chardalyn shards embedded in its body glow darkly, absorbing the energy from the icy blast. Despite the 22 damage dealt by the frost bomb, it seems to have little effect on the monster’s corrupted form. However, the blast does manage to slow it. The creature staggers, its movements hindered, as it struggles to regain its balance.
The party feels a brief sense of relief, knowing the trap at least bought them some time. But the creature’s glowing eyes still burn with hunger, and the sound of its ragged breathing fills the air. The Howlbears brace themselves as the fungal horror stumbles forward, slowed but still very much a threat.
The party prepares to execute a coordinated strike while they have a slight advantage!
Combat has begun
Fungal Horror
Save Throw (Blizzard Bomb): The Fungal Horror fails to resist the effects of the Blizzard Bomb, causing its movements to slow down as frost clings to its body.
Fizzbum Lilypad
Cast a Spell: Fearfully, Fizzbum shouts, "All right, you overgrown mushroom! Time to back it up a bit!" as he casts Thunderwave. A powerful shockwave crashes into the Fungal Horror, dealing 13 points of thunder damage. The blast slams the creature back, and for a brief moment, its fungal growths recoil, revealing a faint glow from its Chardalyn core before the fungus starts regenerating to cover the exposed area.
Move: Fizzbum moves 20 feet from T35 L35 to T15 L30 as he repositions himself.
Fungal Horror
Save Throw (Thunderwave): The Fungal Horror fails its saving throw against Thunderwave, sending it crashing into the wall. Cracks form in its Chardalyn shards, revealing the core beneath its corrupted flesh.
Mutt Bromwell
Ranged Attack: Excited, Mutt seizes the opportunity and takes aim at the Fungal Horror's exposed core with his crossbow. The bolt flies through the air, striking the Chardalyn core with a sharp crack, dealing 8 points of damage as the core shudders and cracks ripple across its surface.
Azalie
Cast a Bonus Spell: Nervously, Azalie whispers, "I hope this works," as she recasts Hunter's Mark on the Fungal Horror. A faint glowing aura surrounds the creature's exposed core, marking it as her prey and sharpening her focus for her next attack.
Ranged Attack: Calmly, Azalie draws her bow and a fire arrow, aligning her breath with the release. The arrow flies straight and true, striking the core directly. The Chardalyn core erupts in flames, dealing 24 points of fire damage, and the creature recoils in pain as the fire spreads across its crystalline structure.
Uptharr
Cast a Spell: Calmly, Uptharr places a steady hand on Dorf’s shoulder and invokes a prayer. "May the strength of the Light shield you, friend," he says, casting Resistance. A warm, protective aura envelops Dorf, fortifying him for the battle ahead.
Dorf Thimblerigger
Move: Without speaking, Dorf moves 20 feet from T30 L40 to T50 L40, closing the distance to the Fungal Horror.
Class Feature (Rage): With a furious roar, Dorf’s muscles tense as he taps into his primal rage, eyes locked on the Horror’s core. His body surges with raw power as he charges, ready to unleash his rage-fueled strike.
Melee Attack: Angrily gripping Precious, Dorf charges at the Fungal Horror's exposed core. "Let’s see how tough you are without that shiny rock!" he snarls, swinging his warpick recklessly. The weapon crashes into the core with a thunderous crack, dealing 17 points of damage. Dark energy pulses through the cracks, and the Horror emits a chilling roar as the core begins to fracture, but it remains intact... for now.
Duergar Thrall
Reanimation: The lifeless body of the Duergar, now covered in rapidly growing fungus, begins to twitch violently. Fungal tendrils spread across its flesh, weaving into its skin as the body shudders and jerks upright. Standing unnaturally, the Duergar Thrall locks its glowing, empty eyes onto Dorf, releasing a low, guttural snarl. The once-dead prisoner has now become a puppet of the Fungal Horror, driven by an unholy will.
1 minute has passed
Current Time: 3:39 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Combat
Fungal Horror - Defeated
Fizzbum Lilypad
Cast a Spell: Powerfully, Fizzbum conjures a flickering flame in his hand, casting Produce Flame. "Smells like mushroom soup a little bit!" he quips as he hurls the fireball toward the Fungal Horror. The flame strikes the exposed Chardalyn core with a sharp crack, shattering the crystal. A surge of sickly green energy pulses outward, and the fungal growths rapidly wither. The Fungal Horror lets out an unnatural screech before collapsing, its body breaking down into rotting clumps as the corruption is fully destroyed.
Dorf Thimblerigger
Save Throw (Chardalyn Corruption): Dorf stands firm as the corruptive energy from the Chardalyn crystals tries to take hold. With a success on his saving throw, the corruption fails to infect him. (Success)
Mutt Bromwell
Ranged Attack: Disgusted, Mutt exclaims, "Why can’t anything just stay dead?!" He takes aim at the newly risen Duergar Thrall with his crossbow, using his Adept Marksman skill. The bolt flies true, striking the creature with precision. It staggers as the bolt pierces its decaying flesh, taking 8 points of damage, but it remains standing, twitching unnaturally.
Duergar Fungal Thrall
Move: The Fungal Thrall moves 5 feet from T60 L40 to T55 L40, slowly closing the distance.
Melee Attack: The Duergar Thrall lunges at Dorf with its twisted claws, but its movement is clumsy. With a critical misstep, the creature loses its footing and crashes to the ground, falling prone at Dorf’s feet. It scrabbles desperately at his ankles, trying to regain control, but the halfling stands firm.
Azalie
Cast a Bonus Spell: Azalie focuses and shifts her Hunter's Mark to the Duergar Thrall as it scrambles at Dorf’s feet. A faint glow surrounds the Thrall, marking it as her prey and sharpening her senses.
Ranged Attack: Calmly, Azalie narrows her eyes and pulls back her bowstring, aiming at the prone Fungal Thrall. With a smirk, she mutters, “Stay down in the dirt where you belong,” and releases the fire arrow. The projectile strikes the Thrall with deadly precision. Flames erupt across the creature’s decaying form, quickly consuming the fungal infection. The Thrall lets out a final, gurgling hiss as it is engulfed in flames, taking 22 points of damage before collapsing into a smoldering heap, Killing it.
The Aftermath
the flames from Azalie’s fire arrow consume the fungal thrall, its grotesque body crackling and shriveling in the intense heat, Uptharr steps forward, his chest swelling with pride. He looks over the Howlbears, his eyes gleaming with admiration and excitement.
“Well done, my mighty companions!” Uptharr booms, his voice echoing in the chamber. “A strike as swift as the lightning, as fierce as a storm! You have shown valor beyond measure and fought with the precision of true champions!” He twirls his flail dramatically before slamming it into the stone floor with a loud clang. “By Helm’s light, none could have stood against us this day. You wielded your weapons and magic as if the very gods themselves were guiding your hands. Truly, this was a victory sung of in legends!”
His beaming grin spreads even wider, as he looks each of them in the eye. “Let it be known that the Howlbears do not merely survive battles—we conquer them!”
With the battle over, the room falls into a tense quiet. The body of the fungal horror lies motionless near the shattered door, black Chardalyn shards glinting dully against the stone floor. The burnt remains of the fungal thrall still smolder in the center of the chamber.
The other four cells remain eerily unchanged, the runes near them flickering faintly, holding the remaining horrors in their stasis. The room is still heavy with the tension of what could happen if those runes fail. The faint hum of containment magic still lingers in the air, keeping the twisted figures within their cells.
Uptharr, surveying the aftermath of the battle, takes a deep breath. His tone becomes more thoughtful as he addresses the party. “Our path is now unclear, but the decision lies with us. We have fought valiantly and slain these vile creatures, but there are still four horrors contained within those cells. Should we risk facing them now or form a plan to confront them another day?”
He looks toward the stairs leading deeper into the Duergar keep. “We could also descend those stairs, perhaps discovering the foul laboratory where these monsters were created. There may be more horrors below, or perhaps we can learn how to stop these creatures once and for all.”
He pauses, folding his arms across his chest. “And yet, we could also return to Caer-Konig. Rest, regroup, and come back with renewed strength and a more formidable strategy. The choice is ours, friends.”
Uptharr lets his gaze fall on each of the Howlbears, waiting for them to decide the next course of action.
Immediate Options:
Descend the stairs in the Fungal Horror cell room
Try and defeat or destroy the remaining Horrors
Regroup at Caer-Konig (head out of the keep)
Do something else (detail this in your post)
XP has been awarded
5 minutes have passed
Current Time: 3:44 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Exploration
Descent into Darkness
As the group catches their breath, Uptharr surveys the aftermath of the battle. His usual jovial demeanor gives way to something more somber, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Our path is now unclear,” he begins, his deep voice echoing in the cold stone room. “We have fought valiantly and slain these vile creatures, but there are still four horrors contained within those cells. Should we risk facing them now or form a plan to confront them another day?”
His gaze shifts to the darkened stairs leading deeper into the Duergar keep. “We could descend those stairs,” he continues, “perhaps discovering the foul laboratory where these monsters were created. There may be more horrors below, or perhaps we can learn how to stop them once and for all.”
Mutt, looking weary but determined, shakes his head. "We can't risk any of these things getting out. If they end up back in the village..." His voice trails off, but the concern is clear. He gestures toward the stairs. "If there's anyone else still here, they may be able to release more of these things. If we can stop that, I think we have to try."
Azalie, still riding the adrenaline of her victory over the fungal thrall, seems invigorated. “Did you see that?” she exclaims, her excitement barely contained. “Woohoo! My name is Dangerous!” But her enthusiasm fades as she catches sight of the remaining horrors in their cells, their dull, lifeless eyes staring back. Her face falls. “Mutt’s right,” she says quietly. “We have to stop this.”
Dorf nods, his chest swelling with pride from the group’s success. “Maybe we could rest up here, but... let’s finish this place off.” He gestures back toward Nildar’s chamber. “Let’s put the Chardalyn shards in the other room, so they don’t mess with the runes, and then check out what’s past those stairs.”
Fizzbum scratches his beard, glancing toward the stairs. “I want those skele-mosses destroyed for sure, but it don’t do us much good if we get turned into one ourselves. Let’s leave the crystals up here in Mr. Duergar’s desk and sneak past the cages. We’ll collect ‘em on the way out.”
Fizz pauses for a moment and walks over to the stone walls of the cavern. Running his hands over it for a minute, he gives it a gentle pat, and scratches his bright red hair. "I don't suppose we could collapse this tunnel on our way out could we? That would be a easier way to squish all those monsters at one time! You have any fancy stuff in your blacksmith kit that could break a tunnel Mr. Uptharr?"
Investigation (22) Fizzbum studies the walls and structure of the keep, running his hands along the cold stone, searching for weak points. After a thorough examination, he frowns and shakes his head. The room is solidly built, and collapsing it would require something far more powerful than they have—likely high-grade explosives or magic beyond their means. It's not going to be an easy feat.
Azalie gives Fizz a quick pat on the back. “Keep your cheeks ready, my friend. Those thunder farts are the only thing that will hurt them.”
Uptharr listens to their thoughts, then nods. “Aye, friends. Let’s stow away the Chardalyn and proceed cautiously. Whatever’s down there will be worse than what we’ve faced so far. Helm’s light guide us.”
The Duergar Lab
After leaving the Chardalyn shards safely behind, the Howlbears descend into the depths of the Duergar keep. The air grows colder, the silence more oppressive. Each step down the narrow stone staircase echoes ominously. As they reach the bottom, they are immediately hit by a foul stench—an overwhelming mixture of decay, fungus, and something acrid, like chemicals mixed with rot. The oppressive feeling of dark magic weighs heavily on their shoulders.
They step into a room far more sinister than anything they had seen before. The lab is small—only twenty feet by twenty feet—but every inch of it is filled with horror. Shelves along the walls are cluttered with vials of dark liquids, rusted surgical tools, and Chardalyn shards embedded in the flesh of victims. Some of the body parts still twitch, grotesquely animated by the fungal growths that pulse with unnatural life. The stench is overpowering.
In the center of the room stands something monstrous—a dragonborn abomination, its once-proud form twisted and corrupted by dark magic. Fungal growths cover its body, intertwining with black Chardalyn shards that pulse faintly with dark energy. The creature’s draconic features are still recognizable beneath the twisted growths, its scales warped and discolored by the corruption. A grotesque device is clamped around its jaw, forcing it shut, likely designed to contain whatever terrifying power lies within.
The abomination’s glowing eyes lock onto you as you enter, but it remains eerily still. There are no visible restraints holding it back, yet it stands motionless, its body occasionally twitching as though fighting some unseen force. The device clamped around its mouth groans faintly, straining under the beast’s raw strength. Whatever is keeping it subdued remains a mystery, leaving the unsettling question of what might happen if that force falters. The room is tense, thick with the sense that at any moment, the abomination might act.
The sight of the botched experiments on the nearby tables adds to the grotesque tableau. Chunks of flesh, in heaps—are piled on the tables like meat at a butchers shop, writhing occasionally as if still clinging to life. The Duergar’s work is laid bare in all its horrific detail: a process of corruption, turning living beings into monsters. The dark energy of the Chardalyn pulses through their veins, feeding the unnatural growths that cover their bodies.
The abomination lets out a low, guttural growl from behind the metal device clamping its jaw. Its eyes—glowing with a dull, malevolent light—lock onto the party, But it remains still, watching your movements.
Fizzbum, glancing nervously at the abomination, breaks the silence. “I’ve seen some nasty things, but this? This ain’t right...” He places a hand on the wall, shaking his head. “These creatures are twisted beyond anything I’ve seen.”
Uptharr steps forward, his eyes scanning the room. “We must tread carefully, friends. That creature,” he points to the dragonborn abomination, “could tear us apart if it gets loose. And these horrors on the tables… they’re not fully dead, not yet. But there is no honor in leaving this unfinished. We must find a way to stop this madness.”
The group notices four doors—two on the north wall and two on the south—each closed, with no indication of what lies behind them. A faint noise, like the scrape of metal, echoes from behind one of the doors, but it's impossible to tell exactly where it’s coming from.
The lab is deathly quiet, save for the occasional groaning of the containment device attached to the dragonborn abomination. The horrors strapped to the tables twitch unnervingly, as if fighting to cling to whatever miserable existence they have left. The stench of decay, chemicals, and fungus is nearly unbearable, pressing in on you with every breath. The room feels smaller than it is, suffocating in its silence and the darkness that clings to every corner.
The abomination stands in the center of the room, its glowing eyes fixed on you as though sizing you up. The metal device clamped around its draconic jaw rattles slightly, a strained sound that sets your nerves on edge. There are no chains holding the creature back, no obvious magical containment, but it remains eerily still, twitching from time to time as if something unseen is restraining it. Whatever is keeping it subdued, it feels fragile—like it could break at any moment.
You glance around and see shelves lined with gruesome vials and jars, their contents too horrific to examine closely. Chardalyn shards pulse with dark energy, embedded in body parts scattered around the room. The sight of half-formed fungal horrors on the nearby tables makes your stomach turn. Some are still writhing, corrupted by whatever dark magic the Duergar have been wielding here. These aren’t just experiments—they're something worse. Twisted remnants of people, turned into abominations.
A low growl comes from the abomination in the center of the room, muffled by the device locked around its jaw. Its glowing eyes never leave you, watching your every movement. You can feel the tension in the room rising, as if time is running out before something breaks.
Your Options:
Investigate the Containment Device: The contraption holding the dragonborn abomination’s jaw looks fragile, but you’d have to get closer to know more. Do you dare approach it? A careful Perception or Arcana check could reveal important details about how it’s restrained—or what might happen if the device fails.
Search the Experimentation Tables: The tables are filled with half-formed abominations and mutilated body parts, some still twitching grotesquely. You might find something useful among the remains, but the sight alone is enough to turn your stomach. A Medicine check could help you understand how the Duergar created these horrors, while an Investigation check could uncover any clues or hidden tools.
Check the Four Doors: The faint scraping sound grows louder, but the source remains elusive. Do you dare check what’s behind the doors? A Perception, Insight, or Investigation check could help you figure out which door the noise is coming from, or at least how to open them safely.
Examine the Lab for Supplies: This lab is full of tools, vials, and dark magic. There could be something useful hidden among the chaos—if you can stomach searching through the twisted remains. A Perception or Arcana check might reveal something to help you.
Plan an Escape: While the abomination is restrained for now, the containment device looks like it’s on the verge of failing. You might want to retreat and regroup, but the abomination’s eyes track your every movement. A Stealth or Perception check could help you move carefully and avoid disturbing it further.
Arcana Check: The Chardalyn shards pulse with dark energy, feeding into the fungal growths that cover the abominations. Someone with arcane knowledge might be able to figure out how to disrupt that connection—or perhaps disable the abominations entirely. A successful Arcana check could uncover a way to weaken the horrors without direct combat.
Nature Check: The fungal growths are unnatural, twisted by dark magic and Chardalyn. Someone with knowledge of the natural world might be able to identify how they work—and possibly how to stop them. A Nature check could reveal a weakness in the fungal abominations.
The Tension Builds:
The abomination lets out another low growl, the containment device rattling ominously as the creature's strength tests its limits. The scraping noise behind the doors grows louder, and the horrors on the tables twitch again. Whatever’s keeping the dragonborn abomination in check is straining under its power, and you can’t be sure how much longer it will last.
Whatever your next move is, it needs to be quick—and careful. One wrong step, and you could unleash something far worse than what you’ve already faced.
Make sure your next post includes a relevant skill check.
Make your choice carefully..
20 minutes have passed
Current Time: 4:04 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Exploration
The Duergar Chirurgeon
As you step cautiously into the lab, the oppressive smell of decay and chemicals hits you like a wall, forcing you to raise a hand over your nose and mouth. Fizzbum wrinkles his nose, whispering to Mutt over his shoulder,
Mutt stays near the entrance, his crossbow raised and aimed squarely at the Dragonborn abomination. "Aaaand it keeps getting worse," he mutters, eyes narrowing as he studies the Chardalyn shards.
"Oooo... he's scary." His eyes are wide as he watches the Dragonborn abomination—its once-draconic form now twisted and corrupted, standing motionless yet menacing in the center of the room.
Mutt's eyes narrow in agreement. “Yes, Fizz, scary is an appropriate word.” He follows Fizz’s lead, tearing a strip of cloth from his cloak and tying it around his mouth.
Azalie takes a tiny, hesitant breath and lets out a quiet gasp. “H, h, hello?” she whispers, her voice barely above a breath. She doesn’t know why she’s calling out—something in the oppressive atmosphere compels her, drawing her gaze to the Dragonborn. Its eyes flicker faintly, glowing in the darkness, and she swears they lock onto hers for a heartbeat. She rocks backward, fear tightening in her chest, but instead of retreating, she takes an involuntary step forward, almost as if entranced.
"Is he...breathing?" she murmurs, her voice trembling. The Dragonborn abomination twitches subtly with each ragged breath, the fungal growths covering its form shifting unnervingly. Her hand twitches as she instinctively reaches out but stops short, quickly withdrawing as she fights the impulse to touch it. A deep sense of dread settles over her. “Uh, maybe we should reconsider our position,” she mutters, unable to shake the feeling that something unseen is watching.
A metallic tapping echoes through the room, sending a chill down her spine. Azalie tears her gaze away from the Dragonborn to search the room, eyes darting across the shadows. “I feel like there’s something in here... more alive than this guy,” she says, her voice barely steady. Her senses go on high alert as she peers into the darkness, trying to make out any shapes. She beckons to Mellon, her blood hawk companion, hoping his sharper vision will reveal what she can’t see. “Mellon, do you see anything?” she asks in a hushed voice, glancing anxiously at the shadows near the doors. She wants to send him forward to scout, but something in her gut warns her to hold back.
She casts a nervous look back toward Uptharr, her voice trembling. “Uptharr, maybe we slowly back out. We are in a mess.” Her apprehension grows with every second—four horrors are trapped behind them, and now, this... thing stands before them, twitching as if waiting for something. The tapping noise grows louder, setting her on edge. “H, hello?” she calls out again, almost desperately. There’s no response—only the lingering sense of something lurking, ready to pounce.
Steeling herself, Azalie takes a cautious step closer to the Dragonborn abomination, determined to investigate, but careful not to get too close. The dim light catches something faint near its feet—a shimmer on the floor. She kneels down, her eyes narrowing as she makes out a faint rune, barely visible, half-buried beneath fungal growths. It pulses weakly, and she’s unsure if disturbing it would subdue or unleash the creature. She straightens slowly, her heart pounding. Whatever the tapping noise is, it’s getting closer, and she knows that every second counts.
Uptharr’s deep voice rumbles in agreement, his eyes fixed on the Dragonborn. “Aye, Azalie, a mess indeed. But a mess that must be cleansed!” His flail is ready in his hands, its metal head glinting ominously in the dim light. “Helm’s light shall guide us—no matter what darkness lies before us. I say we tread cautiously, but if we must strike, we strike with all our might!” He glances back at the rest of you, his expression determined. “Be ready, Howlbears.”
Fizzbum, trying to ignore the grotesque scene, pulls a strip of cloth from his pack and ties it around his mouth. “May not be good to breathe in all these spores, my friends. Put something over your mouth if you can!” He moves carefully around the twitching remains, examining the bodies with grim determination. "This corruption... it’s all coming from the Chardalyn," he mutters, tracing the dark veins of fungus back to the shards. His face darkens as he realizes that reversing this abomination is far beyond his current capabilities. The source of the corruption seems to pulse from a central cluster of Chardalyn embedded in the floor—a focal point for the Duergar’s vile experiments.
As he moves to investigate the network of arcane runes etched into the stone, Fizz’s eyes widen in realization. “Mutt! This... this whole lab is powered by that cluster!” he exclaims, pointing toward the faintly glowing shards in the center. “If we could disable it somehow... but it's risky—very risky.”
Mutt's sharp instincts pick out the pattern: the Chardalyn acts as a conduit, amplifying the Duergar’s dark magic, corrupting the very life essence of their victims.
“These crystals... they’re warping the magic inside them,” he says, his voice low and tense. “We can probably weaken it, but we need to be careful what kind of magic we use. Necrotic magic will likely strengthen it.
Dorf, meanwhile, has been scanning the room for anything that might be useful. But the overwhelming stench and the horror of what he’s witnessing make it difficult to focus. His gaze keeps darting nervously back to the abomination, and he misses any small details among the clutter of rusted tools and vials.
Suddenly....
As the Howlbears stand amidst the oppressive silence of the lab, the air thick with the stench of decay, the faint scrape of metal behind one of the northern doors suddenly halts. A tense second passes before the door bursts open with a deafening bang. There, framed in the doorway, stands a Duergar—a hunched and gaunt figure, half-lit by the dim light. Patches of fungal growth creep across his sallow skin, and his eyes gleam with a feverish light, burning with equal parts madness and malice.
His robes hang loosely from his skeletal frame, stained with dark ichor, and his fingers twitch with a barely contained mania. He holds a vial of glowing green liquid that swirls with a sickly luminescence.
A sinister grin spreads across his cracked lips as he steps into the room, his voice a rasping whisper, broken by sharp, disjointed laughter. “What... what have we here? New blood... fresh blood... warm blood!” he hisses, his eyes flitting over each of you with a predatory intensity. He takes a step closer, his jerky movements sending shivers down your spine. “How... how did you find your way down here, hmm? You shouldn’t be here... no, no, no... you shouldn’t.”
His gaze falls lovingly on the Dragonborn abomination in the center of the room, and a grotesque pride softens his face. “Ah... my precious... my masterpiece,” he murmurs, almost caressing the air in front of him as if to soothe the abomination. “They said it couldn’t be done... oh, but I showed them... yes, yes, I did. And now... now you come, wandering into my lair... like lambs to the slaughter.”
As he speaks, you catch a movement—his infected hand inching toward a lever embedded in the wall to his right. The lever is half-hidden beneath a patch of fungal growths, barely noticeable against the stone, but a cold shudder runs down your spine. Whatever that lever controls, it can't be good.
His tone shifts as he eyes you, half-contemptuous and half-fascinated. “You’ll make excellent additions to my collection,” he croons, his voice taking on a mocking sing-song quality. “No need to be afraid... I’ll strip you of all that makes you what you are, and you’ll become something... greater.”
His fingers creep closer to the lever, a twisted smile spreading across his face.
20 minutes have passed
Current Time: 4:24 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Exploration
Battle with the Chirurgeon - Round 1
The oppressive silence of the lab shatters as the Duergar chirurgeon steps out from the shadows, his fungal-ridden face twisted into a grin that reeks of madness and corruption. The Howlbears tense, their eyes darting to the lever he inches towards on the wall. Fizzbum’s reaction is immediate, and the gnome’s voice echoes with an anger that catches even his friends by surprise.
"Whoa there, Mr. Bad Mushroom," Fizzbum growls, raising his staff, which glows an ominous green at its tip. "I think you’ve hurt enough people for now. No more chopping, no more growing, and no more killing for you. This ends here!" His glare is one of righteous fury, the corruption before him twisting all his natural inclinations to nurture and grow into a primal need to protect and destroy.
The chirurgeon tilts his head at Fizzbum’s words, his smile widening into a grotesque parody of delight. “Oh? Little man’s brought a stick to the heart of the dark?” His voice is a raspy, broken whisper that oozes disdain. “You have no idea what I’ve seen… what I’ve done.”
Azalie's eyes widen as she watches the scene unfold, and her voice is a hushed exclamation. “Oh, shit,” she whispers, barely audible, her hand already reaching for her bow. The stench of corruption fills her senses, making her instinctively pull back.
Dorf, however, only grins, feeling a surge of adrenaline and excitement at the sight of their foe. “Bring it, you filthy scum!” he barks, gripping his war pick tightly.
Uptharr, undeterred by the madness before him, raises his mace high, his flail ready. His voice booms through the room, confident and unwavering. “You dare stand against the righteous might of the Howlbears? Know this, dark soul: your vile perversions and twisted experiments have no place here. We shall cleanse this blight with Helm’s blessing, or with our very lives!” His gaze hardens, and his stance speaks of unshakable resolve. “Stand down, or face the wrath of Helm himself, Duergar.”
The chirurgeon sneers at Uptharr’s defiance, his gaze flicking to the Dragonborn abomination as though admiring his work. “Wrath?” His voice oozes mockery, twisted and laced with malice. “You think your gods can reach this place, in the dark, so far beneath their sight? I am beyond them!” His eyes flicker, and he inches closer to the lever on the wall. “No one will save you from me. Soon, you’ll understand the beauty of decay.”
Mutt’s eyes widen as he sees the chirurgeon’s hand inching toward the lever. "Ah, shit!" he exclaims, his voice filled with urgency. “Don’t let him pull that lever! Someone grab him or get him away from it or something!”
The Howlbears know what’s at stake—trapped in this horrid lab, they have only one chance to stop the chirurgeon before he releases whatever horror lies in wait.
Room Description
The dim, foul-smelling chamber stretches a cramped 20 by 20 feet, every inch dominated by the horrors of the Duergar’s twisted experiments. The Three tables, placed close to each wall, are scattered with grotesque remains of half-finished abominations, their twisted bodies barely held together by fungal growths and pieces of dark Chardalyn. Each twitching mass of flesh and fungus seems to be caught in some horrid state between life and death, as though awaiting the next stage of corruption.
In the center of the room looms the corrupted Dragonborn horror, an unsettling figure locked in place, its fungal-ridden form rigid and unnatural. Directly beneath it, the floor is embedded with a cluster of black Chardalyn shards, their dark, reddish energy pulsing faintly with malicious intent. Just before the Chardalyn shards lies a faint rune etched into the floor, partially obscured by fungal growths, its flickering glow casting unsettling shadows on the creature’s feet.
The back wall is lined with shelves, each crowded with jars of murky liquids, strange organs, and unrecognizable parts suspended in brackish fluid. The shelves are coated in grime, but the glint of surgical instruments and other implements of dark purpose are evident among the twisted remains.
On both the north and south walls, two heavy doors lead to unknown chambers. The far door on the north wall is still slightly ajar from the Duergar’s dramatic entrance, its rusted hinges groaning.
Round 1 detail:
Fizzbum Lilypad
Move: Fizzbum moves 10 feet from T25 L20 to T25 L10, repositioning himself as the combat rages on.
Cast a Spell: Powerfully, Fizzbum shouts, "Take this, Fungus Face!" as he casts Thunderwave at the Duergar Chirurgeon. A wave of thunderous force blasts out, striking both the Dragonborn Horror and the Chirurgeon. Although they manage to brace themselves, they each take 6 points of thunder damage. Nearby glass jars shatter, spilling their murky contents across the floor, and the Chardalyn shards in the Horror’s body crack and dim, releasing their disrupted energy.
Use an Object: Fearfully, Fizzbum quips, "Yum! Tastes like lime and safety!" as he drinks a Potion of Absorb Elements.
Save Throw (Thunderwave): Fizzbum’s Thunderwave ripples outward, catching the Dragonborn Horror. Though the creature braces, cracks appear in the Chardalyn shards embedded in its body, and it shudders under the force of the blow. The Horror takes 6 points of damage and breaks free from its restraints, though its jaw remains clamped shut, turning its fierce gaze toward the party.
Save Throw (Thunderwave): Fizzbum’s Thunderwave also strikes the Duergar Chirurgeon, who fails to brace fully. A glass jar in his hands shatters, spilling eerie green liquid onto the floor, drawing the attention of nearby fungal growths that begin writhing and squirming toward it hungrily.
Mutt Bromwell
Move: Mutt moves 10 feet from T30 L20 to T20 L15, positioning himself to grapple the Chirurgeon.
Melee Attack: Nervously, Mutt lunges forward, grabbing the Duergar Chirurgeon with a firm grip. "Oh no, you don’t!" he exclaims as he wrestles the Chirurgeon away from the wall, successfully grappling him. The Dragonborn Horror seizes the chance, swiping at Mutt with its claws as he tries to pull the Chirurgeon out of range.
Dragonborn Fungal Horror
Melee Attack: The Dragonborn Horror swipes at Mutt with its fungal claws but narrowly misses as Mutt maneuvers the Chirurgeon. The creature snarls in frustration, its claws inches away from their target.
Uptharr
Melee Attack: Angrily, Uptharr raises his flail high. "By the Light, you shall fall!" he calls out as he swings at the Dragonborn Horror with all his strength. His attack glances off the Horror’s hardened Chardalyn scales, and Uptharr grits his teeth, preparing to strike again.
Cast a Bonus Spell: Calmly, Uptharr raises his flail, invoking Divine Favor. "Helm, bless this flail, let me smite my foes with your divine radiance!" he intones as a soft glow envelops his weapon, ready to add radiant power to his attacks.
Dorf Thimblerigger
Class Feature (Rage): Dorf’s eyes blaze with fury, letting out a primal roar as he fully embraces his rage. His muscles tense, and a wild energy surges through him, amplifying his strength as he locks onto his target.
Melee Attack: Dorf swings Precious with brutal force, the warpick’s edge slamming into the Duergar Chirurgeon`s back with a satisfying crunch. The blow deals 11 points of damage plus 2 for his rage for a total of 13 points of damage!, and the Chirurgeon lets out a pained grunt, his grip on Mutt momentarily weakening as the strike lands. Dorf stands ready, his rage fueling every movement.
Move: Dorf moves 5 feet from T20 L20 to T20 L15 to engage with the Chirurgeon.
Azalie
Melee Attack: Angrily, Azalie darts forward, her bronze dagger gleaming as she closes in on the grappling Chirurgeon. "You’re going to pay for what you’ve done!" she hisses, driving the blade into his back and dealing 5 points of damage. The Chirurgeon grunts in pain but maintains his grip on Mutt, his focus split between his attackers.
Move: Azalie moves 5 feet from T15 L20 to T20 L20, positioning herself to strike.
Off-Hand Melee Attack: Following up with her jade dagger, Azalie growls, “I hope you feel my steel pierce your heart,” as she strikes at the Chirurgeon. However, he dodges, and her blade swipes harmlessly past him.
Duergar Chirurgeon
Melee Attack: Delighted, the Duergar Chirurgeon sneers as he raises his scalpel, its edge glowing with a sickly green infusion. "Hold still, bard," he hisses. The scalpel slices into Mutt, dealing 12 points of slashing damage. Mutt must make a Constitution save against the poison’s full effect.
Mutt Save Throw vs. Poison: Success - Mutt steels himself, resisting the venomous effects of the Chirurgeon’s infused scalpel. Despite the initial sting of the wound, he manages to shake off the poison’s influence, suffering no additional damage. His focus sharpens as he braces himself for the next move.
Character Feature (Corrupted Gaze): Mockingly, the Chirurgeon’s eyes narrow, locking onto Mutt with a dark energy. Mutt feels a chill creep up his spine as the Chirurgeon’s sinister gaze fills him with dread. Mutt must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw to resist the fear.
Mutt Save vs Corrupted Gaze: Failure - As Mutt meets the Duergar Chirurgeon’s dark, malevolent gaze, an overwhelming chill grips him. His heart races, and an icy dread settles in, making it hard to think clearly or move without hesitation. The fear takes hold, and Mutt feels an instinctive urge to distance himself from the terrifying presence of the Chirurgeon.
Dragonborn Fungal Horror
Melee Attack: Snarling through its jaw clamp, the Dragonborn Horror swipes at Dorf but narrowly misses. Dorf stands firm, undeterred by the Horror’s failed attempt.
Extra Attack: Undeterred, the Dragonborn Horror lunges with another swipe, but once again misses as Dorf dodges, smirking as the creature’s attacks fail.
Writhing Fungal Mass
Melee Attack: A fungal mass lunges at Dorf with its toxic tendrils, but Dorf’s quick reflexes keep him ahead, and the tendrils grasp only empty air.
Melee Attack: Another fungal mass strikes at Fizzbum, wrapping around him and seeping toxins into his skin. Fizzbum takes 9 points of poison
damage, cut to just 5 points from his potion of absorb elements, as a cold sense of infection spreads through his veins.
Melee Attack: The third fungal mass lashes out at Mutt, its tendrils digging into his skin as poison seeps into his bloodstream. Mutt grits his teeth, taking 9 points of poison damage as he feels the onset of Fungal Infection.
Melee Attack: The final fungal mass strikes Fizzbum again, its toxic touch making him stumble. Fizzbum takes 6 more points of poison damage, cut to just 3 points from his potion of absorb elements. the infection growing stronger within him.
Save throws vs Fungal Corruption (CON DC 14)
Dorf: Success - Dorf takes a steadying breath, his resilience overpowering the corrupting spores lingering in the air. With a determined shake, he shrugs off the fungal corruption, resisting its insidious hold. His focus remains unbroken as he prepares to strike back.
1 Round has passed
Current Time: 4:26 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Combat
Battle with the Chirurgeon - Round 2
Mutt Bromwell
Save Throw (Fear): Mutt tries to shake off his fear, but fails to resist its grip, still feeling unsettled as he steadies himself to face the threats ahead.
Fizzbum Lilypad
Save Throw (Fungal Corruption): Fizzbum’s face pales as he inhales lingering spores. A sickening sensation creeps through his body, dizziness and queasiness setting in as the infection begins sapping his strength.
Use an Object (Potion of Fire Breathing): Excited, Fizzbum uncorks the potion, quipping, "That’s a SPICY meatball!" He feels a surge of warmth spreading through his chest, preparing him to unleash flames against his foes.
Breath Weapon (Fire Breath):
Save Throw vs (Fire Breath): The flames engulf the writhing fungal mass as it fails to evade the fiery onslaught. Darkened and shriveled, the tendrils crackle and sizzle, utterly consumed by the intense heat.
With fiery power surging in his throat, Fizzbum releases a stream of flames over a fungal mass, dealing 16 points of damage. The creature is utterly consumed, collapsing into ash and embers. Killing it!
Mutt Bromwell
Move: Shaken, Mutt moves 25 feet from T30 L20 to T25 L45, attempting to put distance between himself and the Duergar Chirurgeon.
Disengage: Gripped by fear, Mutt releases his hold on the Chirurgeon, taking a few steps back. With his heart racing, he steadies himself, seeking safety away from the melee.
Use an Object (Antitoxin): Mutt uncorks a vial and drinks the antitoxin. A warm, cleansing sensation spreads through him as the formula takes effect, purging the infection. Fungal growths on his skin shrivel up and fall away, leaving him renewed and free from corruption.
Uptharr
Melee Attack (Uptharr's Flail): With determination, Uptharr tightens his grip on his flail. "You have chosen a path of darkness. Let the light judge you now," he declares sternly. His flail crashes into the Duergar Chirurgeon, delivering 13 points of damage as radiant energy sears into the Duergar’s form. The Chirurgeon staggers under the impact.
Off-Hand Melee Attack (Bronze Mace): Angrily, Uptharr raises his bronze mace, channeling the might of Helm. "Vile corruption! You too will face Helm’s wrath!" he declares, bringing the weapon down with 3 points of bludgeoning damage and 13 points of divine energy. The holy light consumes the fungal mass, leaving only scorched remnants. Killing it!
Dorf Thimblerigger
Melee Attack (Precious): Enraged, Dorf screams, "Die scum!" as he charges the Chirurgeon. His warpick, Precious, flares with fiery energy, dealing 26 points of fire damage. The intense heat causes the fungal growths on the Chirurgeon to shrivel and blacken instantly. The Duergar staggers, shaken by the brutal strike.
Shield Bash: Seeing the Chirurgeon stumble, Dorf follows up with a fierce shield bash, dealing an additional 10 points of damage. The Duergar reels from the impact, barely managing to stay on his feet under Dorf’s relentless assault.
Azalie
Save Throw (Fungal Corruption): Azalie inhales the fungal spores, feeling a cold, crawling sensation as the infection begins to take root. The corruption leaves her slightly weakened as she steels herself to continue fighting.
Melee Attack (Bronze Dagger): Mockingly, Azalie snarls, "Keep your hands to yourself, troll!" as she strikes with her bronze dagger, dealing 8 points of damage. The Chirurgeon hisses in pain, his strength beginning to falter under the party’s relentless attacks.
Off-Hand Melee Attack (Jade Dagger): Azalie twists her jade dagger toward the Chirurgeon, but he shifts just in time, and her blade slices through empty air. She remains poised, ready for another strike.
Duergar Chirurgeon
Character Feature (Release the Corruption): With a twisted grin, the Chirurgeon injects himself with a small vial. Twisted fungal growths erupt across his body, forming pulsing armor of corruption that grants him temporary protection and emanates a toxic aura.
Melee Attack (Infused Scalpel): Ecstatically, the Chirurgeon taunts, "Oh, little one, I’ll carve you up like the others!" He lunges at Dorf, landing a brutal hit with 34 points of damage, halved by Dorf’s rage to 17. Dorf grits his teeth, enduring the pain, determined to press on.
Extra Attack (Infused Scalpel): The Chirurgeon then swings his scalpel at Azalie, sneering, "You’ll make a fine canvas for my work." But Azalie deftly sidesteps, evading the poisoned blade.
Dragonborn Fungal Horror
Character Feature (Fungal Spores): The Horror exhales a thick cloud of toxic spores, spreading in a 20-foot radius. The choking cloud engulfs Dorf, Azalie, Fizzbum, and Uptharr, who brace themselves against the poisonous mist.
Save Throw (Fungal Spores - Dorf): Dorf inhales the spores, feeling the poison seeping into his lungs. The toxic cloud deals 25 points of poison damage, but his rage halves the impact to 13. Coughing and grimacing, he stands ready to fight on.
Save Throw (Fungal Spores - Azalie): Azalie inhales the spores, feeling the poison burn through her system. She takes 25 points of damage, stumbling slightly before steadying herself with a determined glare.
Save Throw (Fungal Spores - Uptharr): Uptharr inhales sharply, the spores filling his lungs and dealing 25 points of damage. Despite the pain, his divine resilience shields him from infection, leaving him uninfected but weakened.
Save Throw (Fungal Spores - Fizzbum): Fizzbum braces as the spores swirl around him, successfully resisting most of the poison. He coughs as he takes 13 points of damage, but remains ready to continue the fight.
Writhing Fungal Mass
Melee Attack (Fizzbum): A fungal mass lashes out at Fizzbum, but the Absorb Elements spell reduces the impact, causing him to take only 2 points of damage. Steadying himself, Fizzbum readies to retaliate.
Melee Attack (Dorf): Another fungal mass lunges at Dorf, but he sidesteps, his rage undeterred as the tendrils grasp only empty air.
Current Stats:
Fizzbum - Infected (can't heal), Corrupted (disadvantage CON saves)
Mutt - Fear (vs the Chirurgeon)
Dorf - Infected (can't heal)
Azalie - Infected (can't heal), Corrupted (disadvantage CON saves)
2 Rounds have passed
Current Time: 4:26 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Combat
Battle with the Chirurgeon - Round 3
Fizzbum Lilypad
Cast a Spell (Thunderwave): Disgusted, Fizzbum shouts, "Gah! Didn’t you brush your teeth this morning! Take a step back, stinky!" as he releases a powerful Thunderwave. The force crashes into the Dragonborn Fungal Horror, peeling back its scales and Chardalyn shards to reveal the pulsing core in its chest, dealing 13 points of thunder damage. The wave also cracks a nearby Chardalyn cluster, which explodes in a radiant flash, instantly incinerating the writhing fungal masses and dealing 32 points of radiant damage to both the Dragonborn and the Duergar Chirurgeon. The Dragonborn is hurled backward through the doorway, landing prone as the clamp on its jaw shatters, leaving it free to snarl in fury.
Breath Weapon (Fire Breath): Powerfully, Fizzbum shouts, "Time to die, fungus-for-brains!" as he targets the Duergar Chirurgeon. The flames consume the Chirurgeon entirely, dealing 20 points of damage. The Duergar lets out a strangled gasp as his corrupted form collapses, reduced to ash under the relentless fire. The Chirurgeon is no more, ending his twisted experiments in a fiery demise. Killing Him!
Dragonborn Fungal Horror Save Throw vs. (Thunderwave): The Dragonborn Fungal Horror, unable to resist Fizzbum’s Thunderwave, takes the full brunt of the force, hurling it back 10 feet and leaving it sprawled prone. Scales and Chardalyn shards scatter from the impact, exposing its vulnerable core.
Chardalyn Cluster
Character Feature (Explosion): The shattered Chardalyn cluster erupts in a radiant flash, vaporizing the writhing fungal masses instantly. The masses shrivel and blacken, leaving only the remaining foes against the party.
Character Feature (Explosion): A second radiant explosion from the Chardalyn cluster obliterates the remaining fungal masses, clearing the battlefield slightly as the corruption is scoured away.
Character Feature (Core Explosion): The Chardalyn core, triggered by Fizzbum’s Thunderwave, releases a searing burst of radiant energy, dealing 32 points of radiant damage to the Duergar Chirurgeon, canceling his temporary hit points. The intense light visibly weakens him as he staggers from the blast.
Mutt Bromwell
Ready an Action (Vicious Mockery): Mutt readies himself to unleash Vicious Mockery on the Dragonborn Fungal Horror if it makes any aggressive move toward the party.
Move: Mutt moves 20 feet from T25 L45 to T25 L25, positioning himself closer to the action.
Uptharr
Move: Uptharr moves 10 feet from T25 L15 to T15 L10, adjusting his position to prepare for an attack.
Melee Attack (Uptharr’s Flail): Powerfully, Uptharr raises his flail and addresses his allies, "Friends, stay sharp! This beast was once a proud Dragonborn—keep your wits!" He then lunges forward, bringing his flail down onto the Dragonborn’s hide, dealing 12 points of damage. Despite the impact, the Dragonborn glares back at Uptharr as it struggles to rise.
Off-Hand Melee Attack (Bronze Mace): Playfully, Uptharr strikes again, shouting, "By Helm’s light!" However, his bronze mace glances off the Dragonborn’s thick hide, failing to deal further damage.
Dorf Thimblerigger
Melee Attack (Precious): With a fierce battle cry, Dorf nimbly leapfrogs over Uptharr and charges the prone Dragonborn Horror. He brings his pick, Precious, down onto the creature, narrowly missing its core but landing a solid blow on its scales, dealing 16 points of damage. The Dragonborn growls in pain under the impact.
Shield Bash: Dorf follows up with a swift shield bash, but the Dragonborn twists just in time, causing the shield to glance off its scales. Dorf grits his teeth, prepared for his next move.
Azalie
Range Attack (Azalie’s Bow): Excitedly, Azalie exclaims, "Wow, Fizz! That was incredible," as she readies her bow. Despite her careful aim, her arrow veers just wide of the Dragonborn, embedding harmlessly in the wall beyond.
Use an Object (Antitoxin): Angrily, Azalie watches her arrow miss. “Damnit. Mellon, get me the antitoxin. Can someone heal me?” she mutters. Mellon swoops in, retrieving the vial from Fizzbum’s pouch and delivering it to Azalie. She quickly drinks it, feeling the antitoxin’s purifying effects as it clears the fungal infection from her system.
Duergar Chirurgeon
Just as the party begins to breathe a sigh of relief, the Duergar Chirurgeon’s charred body twitches violently. Fungal tendrils within his corrupted flesh begin writhing and knitting together his wounds, restoring his twisted form. With a chilling, unnatural cackle, he rises to his feet, his movements jerky and disturbingly fast, his eyes gleaming with a renewed, dark malice.
Melee Attack (Infused Scalpel): Mockingly, the Chirurgeon cackles as he lunges at Fizzbum with his infused scalpel, attempting a deadly strike. But Fizzbum sidesteps, evading the blade. The Chirurgeon snarls in frustration.
Extra Attack (Infused Scalpel): Happily, the Chirurgeon sneers, "Did you think fire could cleanse me, little wizard?" as he swings at Fizzbum again. But once more, Fizzbum eludes the strike, leaving the Chirurgeon growling in anger.
Dragonborn Fungal Horror
Breath Weapon (Mindspore Exhalation): The Dragonborn Fungal Horror exhales a cloud of mind-warping spores in a 15-foot cone, surrounding Dorf and Uptharr in a hypnotic mist. The spores attempt to charm them, making them view the Horror as an ally and obey its commands.
Uptharr
Save Throw (Mindspore Exhalation): Uptharr braces himself as the mind-warping spores swirl around him, successfully resisting their effects.
Mutt Bromwell
Ready an Action (Vicious Mockery): You are casting Vicious Mockery at Dragonborn Fungal Horror
You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you (though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.
Dragonborn Fungal Horror save vs Vicious Mockery: Failure
The dragonborn fails to resist Mutt's onslaught of vicious words and takes 4 points of Psychic damage and suffers disadvantage on it's next save throw
4 Rounds have passed
Current Time: 4:26 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Combat
Battle with the Chirurgeon - Round 4
Dorf's Save Throw (Mindspore Exhalation): Dorf’s eyes glaze over as the Dragonborn Horror’s charm takes hold. He suddenly perceives the monstrous creature as an ally, readying himself to defend it against his companions. His stance shifts, now under the Horror’s control.
Fizzbum Lilypad
Breath Weapon (Fire Breath): Dumbfounded, Fizzbum exclaims, "You need to stay down!" and unleashes his final fiery breath on the Chirurgeon. The flames sear into the fungal-infested Duergar,
Save Throw (Fire Breath): The Chirurgeon twists to avoid Fizzbum’s fiery attack but still takes 10 points of damage as the flames scorch his fungal-covered body, leaving him seemingly lifeless once more.
Cast a Bonus Spell (Healing Word): Nervously, Fizzbum calls out, "Hang in there, Ms. Azzy! We’ll get out of this yet!" and casts Healing Word on Azalie. However, the Chardalyn’s corrupting influence twists the magic, converting the healing energy into necrotic energy. Instead of healing, the spell lashes out, dealing 4 points of necrotic damage to Azalie.
Save Throw (Chardalyn Corruption): Fizzbum attempts to resist the room’s corrupting energy but fails. The foul magic twists his healing spell, further demonstrating the Chardalyn’s insidious power.
Mutt Bromwell
Nervously
"This is going to hurt you more than it hurts me, but it`s for your own good!"
Mutt’s quick-thinking strike snaps Dorf back to reality. The blow connects, a solid but restrained hit that deals just 1 point of damage after Dorf’s rage reduces it. Dorf shakes his head, blinking away the haze as the charm effect breaks. He realizes he was under the influence of the Fungal Horror’s spores, his focus returning just in time to rejoin the fight with renewed clarity and anger.
Uptharr
Uptharr steps forward, his flail swinging with purpose as he moves into the fray beside Dorf. “By the light that guides, let this be the last breath you take, beast!” he shouts, his voice echoing with conviction as he brings the flail down, aiming to crush the Dragonborn Horror under the weight of his righteous fury. With a fierce glint in his eye, he adds, “You’ll not corrupt another soul while I stand!”
Melee Attack (Flail): Uptharr’s flail strikes true, the glowing weapon crashing into the Dragonborn Horror’s exposed Chardalyn core with a resounding crack. The impact sends a visible shockwave through the creature, dealing 10 points of damage as the core flickers and fractures further. The Dragonborn lets out a guttural roar, its form shuddering violently under the force of the divine blow.
Melee Attack (Bronze Mace): Uptharr swings his off hand mace with full force, but his foot catches on a piece of shattered Chardalyn on the ground. The misstep throws off his balance, and the flail arcs wildly, narrowly missing the Dragonborn Horror and slamming into the wall with a loud clang. The shock of the impact reverberates through Uptharr’s arm, and he stumbles slightly, leaving himself momentarily open to counterattack.
Dorf Thimblerigger
Melee Attack (Precious): Angrily, Dorf shouts, "Stop messing with my mind!" as he swings Precious at the Dragonborn Horror. The attack is reckless and fierce, but the Horror twists with unnatural speed, causing the blow to skid harmlessly off its armor. Precious strikes the stone floor, sending up sparks as Dorf growls in frustration.
Shield Bash: Undeterred, Dorf pivots and rams his shield into the Dragonborn Horror. The impact connects solidly with the creature’s torso, sending a sharp crack through the room. The blow deals 11 points of damage, causing a ripple through its corrupted flesh, though Dorf remains under the Horror’s charm.
Azalie
Range Attack (Azalie’s Bow): Nervously
Azalie sways as she receives a healing spell. "What? What is happening?" Azalie looks at the Dragonborn. Her focus changes from slaying this creature as mercy, to wanting to watch it writher and die. "I hope this one hurts." She releases her arrow wanting to hit him right in his ugly mouth.
Mellon
Use an Object (Uptharr’s Mace): Mellon, Azalie’s loyal Blood Hawk, swoops toward Uptharr to retrieve his weapon. Mellon swoops down and gets Uptharrs mace, returning it to him.
Duergar Chirurgeon
The Duergar Chirurgeon`s body twitches unnaturally, fungal tendrils weaving through his wounds as his regeneration surges to life once more. With a wet, sloshing sound, he rises to his feet, his empty eye sockets now glowing with a sickly green light. A ghastly grin spreads across his face as he locks eyes with Fizzbum. In a voice warped with madness, he rasps, "The spores will feast on your flesh, little gnome. You’ll serve better as mulch than a mage." With a flourish, he unsheathes his infused scalpel, the blade pulsating with vile energy, and advances with a deadly gleam in his reanimated form.
Melee Attack (Infused Scalpel): The Chirurgeon, delighting in his unholy regeneration, rasps, "The spores will feast on your flesh, little gnome," and lunges at Fizzbum with his infused scalpel. The blade carves into Fizzbum’s side, delivering 11 points of damage and spreading a chilling numbness.
Extra Attack (Infused Scalpel): Undeterred, the Chirurgeon slashes horizontally at Fizzbum again, but his fervor gets the better of him. The scalpel whistles harmlessly past the nimble gnome as Fizzbum ducks instinctively.
Dragonborn Fungal Horror
Attempt to Grapple: Roaring angrily, the Dragonborn Horror lunges at Dorf, attempting to ensnare him in a crushing grip. Dorf roars back defiantly, shoving the creature’s claws away with his shield. The Dragonborn snarls in frustration, its exposed Chardalyn core glinting with menace. Dorf fends off the grapple attempt, as Mutt uses Cutting words to distract the Dragonborn,
Melee Attack (Bite): The Dragonborn Horror snaps its corrupted jaws at Dorf, aiming for his shoulder. Dorf ducks just in time, the jaws clamping shut with a sickening crunch inches away. The Horror’s frustration grows, its Chardalyn core pulsing faintly with an angry light.
4 Rounds have passed
Current Time: 4:26 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Combat
Battle with the Chirurgeon - Round 5
Fizzbum Lilypad
Class Feature (Wild Shape): Fizzbum takes a deep breath, his gnomish form trembling with arcane energy as he summons his Wild Shape. Fur sprouts across his skin, and his hands twist into claws. Within moments, he transforms into a snarling wolverine, his muscles coiled with primal power. With a low growl, he prepares to unleash his fury, the tension in the room thick as the Dragonborn Horror hesitates briefly, sensing the wild danger.
Melee Attack (Grapple Claw): Fizzbum, in his wolverine form, lunges at the Chirurgeon with claws bared, aiming for a lethal strike. The Chirurgeon steps back with eerie grace, his fungal tendrils twitching. “You’ll have to do better than that, beast!” he sneers as Fizzbum readies himself for another attack.
Mutt Bromwell
Melee Attack (Rapier +1): With precision, Mutt thrusts his rapier into the Chirurgeon’s fungal torso. The corrupted Duergar gasps as the blade twists, his body collapsing as fungal tendrils writhe and falter. The Chirurgeon falls lifeless once again, taking 11 points of damage. Mutt flicks ichor from his blade, wary of another resurgence. Killing him!
Uptharr
Move: Uptharr strides forward, stepping beside Azalie as he moves into a better position.
Class Feature (Lay on Hands): Placing his gauntleted hand on Azalie’s shoulder, Uptharr channels Helm’s divine energy, a warm light radiating over her. The necrotic marks fade, and her breathing steadies as 15 hit points are restored. “Stand strong, Azalie,” he says firmly.
Dorf Thimblerigger
Melee Attack (Precious): With rage burning in his veins, Dorf swings Precious in a powerful arc at the Dragonborn Horror’s exposed core. The Horror shifts with unnatural speed, and the war pick narrowly misses its mark. Dorf snarls in frustration, his fury undeterred.
Shield Bash: With a roar of defiance, Dorf drives his shield upward into the Dragonborn Horror’s Chardalyn core. The blow lands with brutal force, cracking the core and sending shards flying. The Horror reels under the impact, taking 20 points of damage, as Dorf steps forward with blazing determination.
Azalie
Melee Attack (Bronze Dagger): Azalie growls in frustration, her instincts taking over. She crosses her daggers against the Chirurgeon’s neck, aiming to decapitate him. With a fierce growl, she presses forward, determined to finish the twisted Duergar, as her bronze dagger gleams faintly in the corrupted light of the room. As the Chirurgeon’s fungal body spasms weakly on the ground, she strides forward, her expression cold and resolute.
Without hesitation, she plunges the dagger into his neck and twists, severing flesh and corrupted fungus alike. With a final, decisive stroke, she decapitates the reanimated abomination. The Chirurgeon’s head rolls free, his twisted laughter finally silenced as his body collapses into lifeless stillness.
Azalie straightens, flicking ichor from her blade, and mutters, "Stay dead this time."
Throw Weapon (Jade Dagger): Twisting her body, Azalie flings her jade dagger at the Dragonborn Horror. “And to think I pitied you,” she mutters. “Mellon! Go for his eyes!” The dagger flies through the air. Azalie, wasting no time, draws her jade dagger and hurls it across the room in a swift, calculated motion. The blade arcs beautifully through the air, its green surface catching the faint light of the Chardalyn shards. But the Dragonborn Horror's erratic movements make it a difficult target, and the dagger veers just slightly off course, embedding itself with a solid thunk into the door frame nearby.
She narrows her eyes, frustration flashing across her face, but quickly refocuses, readying herself for her next move.
Mellon
Move: Mellon flutters across the battlefield, positioning herself for an attack on the Dragonborn Horror.
Melee Attack (Beak): With a piercing screech, Mellon dives, targeting the Dragonborn Horror’s eyes. Her beak strikes true, blinding the creature temporarily and dealing 6 points of critical damage. The Horror staggers, clawing at its face as dark ichor streams from the wounds. Mellon wheels away triumphantly.
Dragonborn Fungal Horror
Melee Attack (Bite): Blinded and enraged, the Horror snaps its massive jaws at Dorf. Sparks fly as its fangs meet Dorf’s shield, unable to breach his defense. The halfling holds firm, undaunted by the creature’s fury.
Melee Attack (Claw): The Horror swings its claw in a wide arc, aiming to rend Dorf apart. Dorf counters deftly, Precious deflecting the blow with a metallic clang. Fungal ichor sprays from the deflection as Dorf growls fiercely.
Melee Attack (Extra Claw): In a final desperate attack, the Horror lashes out with a wild swipe, but Dorf braces, raising his shield. The claw screeches against the metal harmlessly as Dorf stands his ground, unmoved.
5 Rounds have passed
Current Time: 4:26 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Alturiak , 1742
Temperature: 55°
Current Phase: Combat
Player Replies
Mutt’s attention is so fixed on the Dragonborn and chiurgeon, he doesn’t see Fizz’s rising anger until the gnome has already started waving his staff at the Duergar.
“Ah, shit! Don’t let him pull that lever! Someone grab him or get him away from it or something!”
Dorf gets a slightly evil grin on his face as the chirugeon shows up. Bring it you filthy scum!
“Oh shit.”
Knowing there was something behind the door, Fizz isn't surprised to see something come out, but he is shocked by the condition of the Duergar. Looking at the malevolent creature, it almost seems like an evil, monstrous version of himself...All his focus on life corrupted to death, all his joy in moss and mushrooms twisted to an abomination of fungus and dark power. A guttural anger begins to burn deep withing him and raising his staff toward the dark wizard, Fizz growls in his deepest gnome voice. "Whoa there Mr. Bad Mushroom, I think you've hurt enough people for now. No more chopping, No more growing, and no more killing for you. This ends here!" The tip of Fi…
Azalie takes a tiny breath and lets out a quiet gasp. “H,h,hello?” She doesn’t know why she’s calling out. Her eyes scanning the room and landing on the Dragonborn.
She rocks to step back but ends up walking further into the room. She memorized by the small jerking movement he makes every few breaths. “Is he breathing?” She swears she sees his eyes focus on her.
“Uh, maybe we should reconsider our position.” She finds herself wanting to reach out and touch the creature. She decides that will not help their position.
Azalie takes her attention off the Dragonborn to look around for traps. She’s very curious about the tapping noise.
“I feel like there’s something in here, more alive…