The Last Breaths of Ashenport

Game Master FabesMinis

Snuffling slightly with annoyance, Akahale breathes deeply to restore himself, but the black motes do not leave his eyes just yet.

Using 2 healing surges to go back up to 59 hp

"Onwards. The abomination is below. Seram, doubtless there are foes worthy of your steel in the depths."

A fanatic's gleam enters Akahale's already whirling eyes.

Not even waiting for Akahale to finish Seram makes his way down the stairs.

Heh, maybe I';; find a new door to kick.

Right. You have all had a 5 minute rest. All encounter powers are recharged. You may use as many healing surges as you like.

As Akahale is expostulating, Seram heads down the stairs on his own and finds a set of double doors at the bottom.

It awaits Its cue from Mandrake, then follows from the front.

"If that Fish Man thinks he can extend his life by running I will bath him in acid." Grafire yells out and then turns to Akahale. "We really should cover our back side by searching this room for secret doors. It's to bad the Barbarian has already bolted down the stairs, death may await him there. But if battle has taught me anything it is that we need to clear each room before moving on. There my be back doors that could allow the evil to escape this lair. You my friend have the skills to find these unseen exits if indeed they do exist, however I am torn. I wish not to split the group. What say you investigator?"

Mandrake comes back down the stairs, holding his nose against the stench as he steps over the aberration's remains.

"Ewww! And I thought they smelled bad on the INside!"

The wizard opens his mouth as if to say something, but the barbarian dashes down the stairs. Manny slaps his hand over his face and shakes his head.

"There goes a brave man,... STOOPID, but brave!"

"C'mon IT, let's go pull his bacon out of the frying pan, BEFORE he jumps into another fire!"

Hehe, 'Follows from the front', luv it!

He stops at Grafire's words to Akahale.
"Your pretty smart. For a sword-swinger I mean. Too bad that the other feller doesn't share your cautious view. As much as I agree with you, until and unless we get a leash on our friend, I don't think that he's gonna wait for us!"

Looking at his clan friend and the wizard, Akahale nods.

"You are both correct. Seram will not pause for us and we should also clear the room. Grafire, let us examine the room and see if we can block the entrances before proceeding. Mandrake, you and It might attempt to assist Seram. Try to keep him alive long enough for us to join you. Father Rowan, the choice is yours."

A quick glance down the stairs at where Seram has gone.

"I doubt we will have much difficulty in identifying Seram's whereabouts. He is not discreet in his approach."

Akahale really isn't keen on leaving a door open behind them to allow more fishbods to come up and wait for us. The rough plan would be for the dragonborn to clean up and secure this area and then follow the others downstairs, hoping that Manny and It can keep things going until they arrive like the cavalry. This isn't ideal, but at least that way both groups have a melee and ranged attacker. The rooms up here are small, and Grafire and Akahale can always fight from the spiral stairs if they have to. Don't want to preempt Rowan's choice of action.

It can be assumed that in your resting you had a look for secret doors.

The group find a secret door connecting a backroom of the bedroom to one of the cloakrooms. The lefthand room '1A'

In these clooakrooms, the group find some simple grey cloaks. Unfortunately, the traditional "disguise ourselves as the cultists" ruse will not work as they fail to cover much of the face or body and are thus useless as disguises.

That and the group consists of two dragonborn, a warforged and a 7ft tall warrior...

And here we...GO!

With little thought of what may lie ahead, Seram burts through the doors.

Drumroll...Strenth 1d20+9=24

It follows the barbarian.

"Aha!"

Akahale's eyes light up as his paranoia once more proves justified. "Let us use these revolting beds to block the entrance..." The increasingly familiar sound of a door being kicked in assails him. "...and let us join the fray that is undoubtedly about to occur."

The beds are revolting indeed, acrid with the sweat of men with evil dreams. Each of them has a small footlocker. The room off to the right is a closet with blankets, sheets, and shelf with books and papers. They appear to be various unholy treatises concerned with an entity called Dagon.

Meanwhile...

Seram's kick forces open a door that was locked and is now no longer so.

He sees only half the chamber, due to a heavy black curtain hung across the room, waving slightly even in the lack of any breeze. To his right he sees bookcases creaking under the weight of ancient tomes of cracked leather and yellowed parchment.

Of far more interest to the barbarian is that accompanied by two of the horrid, pallid fish-men, a trio of townspeople are converging on him, flails raised high, eyes burning with fanaticism.

Trying hard not to breath, Akahale briskly shoves a bed to block the secret door and heads for the stairs. All the while, his mind works furiously trying to remember anything he ever knew about Dagon.

Religion - what do we know about Dagon? (1d20 11=21)

Perception 1d20+10=26

And you are looking at what in particular, Seram? They're bunk beds; they won't fit in the closet or the cloakroom.

Accepted, but they will fit over the doors to the closet and cloakroom. Just trying to prevent anyone getting fancy with us as we make our way out.

And you are looking at what in particular, Seram?

Just making sure of no movement, or surprises. He may be brash, but he ain't stupid.

Well... surprises apart from the gang of malcontents about to attack you and a strangely moving curtain, no. :D

>>>>MAP 1<<<<

Apologies that the resolution of the map is so small and it's so very red. I'll sort that out next time.

I don't by chance notice my fishguy from earlier, do I

Seram does indeed notice that one fishman has a nasty cut, but all these horrible creatures from the deep kind of look the same to you...

Important note - the staircase is 9 squares long from top to bottom.

ROUND 1

Block 1
Rowan
Grafire
Seram
Fish-men

Block 2
Mandrake
Thuggish Cultists
Akahale
It

Rowan to go first.

How far down the stairs do we need to be to get a clear shot?

The first four squares on the second level. i.e where Seram is.

The first four squares on the second level. i.e where Seram is.

Sorry for the delay, Rowan is behind Manny if I can see into that room I'll use my daily power of Guardian of faith to plant right next to Seram is at the moment but that will be after Seram's action it is after all only polite to let him have first dibs!

Did we know any thing about area 3?
"What about that back door by the stairs we came down...uh,oh...It would seem from the sounds of it, Akahle, that Seram indeed has found more things to bash." Grafire runs down the stairs and stops to the right of Seram. Grafire breaths in heavily and a drip of acid come forth from the back of his throat and dribbles down his chin. Then from the depths of his gut he unleashes a hurl of acid that coats most of the room.

Acid Breath 5sqr blast. (1d20+9=17, 1d20+9=28, 1d20+9=17, 1d20+9=10, 1d20+9=11) verse Reflex

Acid Damage (1d6+1=3, 1d6+1=4, 1d6+1=2, 1d6+1=6, 1d6+1=2)

Acid Damage (1d6+1=3, 1d6+1=4, 1d6+1=2, 1d6+1=6, 1d6+1=2)

You actually only make one damage roll for an attack that affects multiple targets (unless otherwise specified). So you're probably stuck with your three.

Grafire - as mentioned before, the staircase is 9 squares long, so you would need to double move to get down it. If you have an action point to spend, then you can still make the attack. Also, It is correct in pointing out that you make 1 damage roll for the entire attack. I will allow you to roll it again, or keep the 3 damage. Also (and I know this is a pain), you need to specify who each attack roll is against when you make them (I assume you moved from left to right across the map). Rowan - I take it you're delaying your turn in the initiative order until after Seram? That means for the rest of the fight you will always take your turn after him.

It probably got lost in the crush of activity, but did anything come of Akahale's Religion check on Dagon?

Religion - what do we know about Dagon? (1d20 11=21)

Grafire - as mentioned before, the staircase is 9 squares long, so you would need to double move to get down it. If you have an action point to spend, then you can still make the attack. Also, It is correct in pointing out that you make 1 damage roll for the entire attack. I will allow you to roll it again, or keep the 3 damage. Also (and I know this is a pain), you need to specify who each attack roll is against when you make them (I assume you moved from left to right across the map). Rowan - I take it you're delaying your turn in the initiative order until after Seram? That means for the rest of the fight you will always take your turn after him.

Thats fine

No probs. Consider yourself delayed. Consider yourself one of the family, we've taken to you so strong etc etc

Seram rushes into the room heading straight for the fishman from earlier. "Heh, come on! We're not done yet"

Still moving even if it proves OA. Tide of Blood 1d20+14=32; Before I roll damge how many enemies are within 2 squares of me?

You only need to shift 1 square S and you are right next to your friend Fish-man 3. As you can just about see from the map (sorry!) Cultists 1 and 3 are within 2 squares of you as well. And yes, it is a hit on FM3.

Awesome; Damage 4d4+11=22

Awesome; Damage 4d4+11=22

Manifesting next to Seram and moving alongside him is a ghostly armoured knight bearing a shield with the symbol of Bahamut adorned upon it its full helm hides its features but the light emanating where its eyes should be fully show its looking around gauging the nearest foe as its hands clench and unclench the sword it holds alongside its shield.

Lasts until the end of the encounter any foe that ends its turn next to this guardian is subject to a d20+9 attack versus their Fortitude to avoid taking 1d8+5pts of radiant damage, doesn't say if it gets to attack any no of foes who end their turn adjacent to it but will wait for the next map to confirm if any does end their turn next to it before attacking, I am assuming moving it costs Rowan his move action anyway let me know if it was able to move when Seram did since I'm not clear if I used my move action to come down the steps this turn

oops got a bit side tracked during the post. So I'll take the action point and the 3 points of damage and left to right is fine, I will do better next time. ;-)

Rowan - as previously noted, the staircase is 9 squares long. You would have to spend two moves getting to the bottom. If you have an action point, you can spend it to also use the power. And as also noted previously, you can only see into the room from the first four squares of the staircase, so you would need to be in Seram's vacated spot.

Grafire storms down the stairs and breathes a gout of acid into the room, only one cultist Cultist 2 is too slow to duck and some acid gets on his robe, causing him some alarm.

Just after that, Seram wades in, the fury of battle filling him with joy as he hacks at the fish-man, wounding it badly. FM3

Rowan follows Grafire down the stairs and...

ROUND 1 contd

Block 1
Grafire
Seram
Rowan - new place after delay
Fish-men

Block 2
Mandrake
Thuggish Cultists
Akahale
It

>>>>NEW MAP<<<< Rowan, I have placed you where you can see into the room

Rowan - as previously noted, the staircase is 9 squares long. You would have to spend two moves getting to the bottom. If you have an action point, you can spend it to also use the power. And as also noted previously, you can only see into the room from the first four squares of the staircase, so you would need to be in Seram's vacated spot.

Grafire storms down the stairs and breathes a gout of acid into the room, only one cultist Cultist 2 is too slow to duck and some acid gets on his robe, causing him some alarm.

Just after that, Seram wades in, the fury of battle filling him with joy as he hacks at the fish-man, wounding it badly. FM3

Rowan follows Grafire down the stairs and...

ROUND 1 contd

Block 1
Grafire
Seram
Rowan - new place after delay
Fish-men

Block 2
Mandrake
Thuggish Cultists
Akahale
It

>>>>NEW MAP<<<< Rowan, I have placed you where you can see into the room

Sorry about that will have to stay a bit more on the ball

Not a problem, it's a tricky one as the map doesn't cover all the staircase and the party is on two levels. We're all on a learning curve. Apologies all if I come across as to sharp - I have a tendancy to do so.

The fish-men retaliate against the giant warrior, slashing with their rapiers in a frenzy of animalistic fervor.

FM3 hits Seram for 9 damage and 2 poison damage. FM5 moves to the square SW of Seram and attacks. FM5 also hits Seram for 9 damage and 2 poison damage.

Manny's UP!

Opps, ME?!? BAtter up! ;)

OK, if I understand the above right, Manny CAN see into the room from where he is, correct? If so,...

The elder mage sighs. It is a sigh of long-suffering. He jabs a thumb at Seram.

"He reminds me of when I was young. And stoopid. Was that only last year?!? I'll bet he's fun at parties. A real gas. Hmph. Gas. That might work,..." And with a few magical gestures and the muttering of several words that sound distinctly slimy to your ears, he points his staff into the room and cries, "Here you go boys, this ones a real GAS!"

And a green-tinged spherical cloud flies from his staff into the room, heading directly for the center cultist!

MAnny STinking CLoud: (Vs Fort): To hit/dmg (1d20+11=14, 1d10+7=10)

Stinking CLoud, Daily power, Centered on cultist in center of room, burst 2, If I counted right I can get All the bad guys and none of the good ones! Any who start their turns in the gas, or enter the gas, take the damage. (If I 'hit' them I guess?)

to hit C2, C3, FM5 (1d20+11=20, 1d20+11=16, 1d20+11=20)
You need to roll to hit each enemy separately, but you only roll damage once. In this case I rolled for you to save time. You hit the fish-man but he has poison resistance.

The cultists shrug off the effects of the cloud, but you hear a spluttery gasping as if from the throat of a fish-man.

OK folks, there will be a map update to follow with the addition of Manny's cloud. It blocks line of sight until the end of Manny's next turn and he can use a minor action to sustain it. As a move action he can move it up to six squares.

Also rolled for Manny to hit C2, and C3 for moving through cloud. Both got hit for 17 (!) poison damage each.

The cultists advance, coughing and spluttering, through the poisonous cloud and whale on Seram Zal with their heavy flails!

C1 hits for 10 damage on Seram. C2 hits Seram for 12 damage. C3 misses. So that's 22 damage to Seram in total.

The curtain bisecting the room ripples, and you see a pair of faces appear at the edges. One is male, one is female (you recognise her as Mother Sharallan) and both move their lips in a sonorous chant. The man has a head of luxurious blond hair and a chubby face.

Sharallan's chant reaches a crescendo as she unleashes bolts of unholy darkness at Seram. He feels images of teeth, tentacles and dripping fangs penetrate his mind, causing him to reel in agony. I rolled 30 and 29 vs Fort... scoring 12 damage for the first and 13 damage for the second. This is a standard attack on her part, called 'Dagon's Maw'.A total of 25 psychic damage to Seram.

Seram has taken a combined total of 47 damage. You are now on -15 and unconscious (unless you have an immediate action you can pull out of the bag to save you.

The big barbarian collapses to the ground unconscious under the psychic assault of the priestess.

>>>>MAP - curtain provides concealment<<<<

Akahale... upstairs...

Hearing the sounds of slaughter below, Akahale moves swiftly down the stairs and plants a curse on the head of cultist 1. He regards the slumped form of Seram with sorrow but little surprise.

"Father Rowan, your skill is needed I believe."

His eyes whirl faster as he channels dark energy, preparing to combat the cultist's attacks with his own stores of horror.

Double move to get behind It, curse cultist 1 as minor action. Can we blast Mother Sharallan and her blonde toyboy through the curtain or do we need to get rid of that first? I know you said concealment, but can they be shot through the fabric?

The concealment penalty already reflects you doing just that. And you can't see Cultist 1 from behind It. You can't see into the room at all from behind It. The curtain can indeed be torn down.

Akahale pelts down the stairs to find his friends huddled on the defensive.

It is up in the initiative order.

The concealment penalty already reflects you doing just that. And you can't see Cultist 1 from behind It. You can't see into the room at all from behind It. The curtain can indeed be torn down.

Akahale pelts down the stairs to find his friends huddled on the defensive.

It is up in the initiative order.

Can he see any foe well enough to curse it? If so, he'll do that as a minor, otherwise he'll just whirl his eyes.

Commence eye-whirling. Oh yes, I should have said the spellcasting fella is middle-aged. He's no pretty-boy.

Its looking grim for Seram and Rowan.
Just in case I'm not online when my next turn comes up Rowan will employ his utility power of healing word on Seram which should be enhanced with his healer's lore ability however that cultist is a little too close for comfort!

Rowan mutters a prayer to Bahamut before muttering to Seram before him,"Heal!"
This allows Seram to spend a healing surge and gain an additional 1d6+3 hp. Can't use guardian of faith as the stinking cloud blocks line of sight so he can't use that stick with scared flame on the cultist Rowan can see, rolled a natural 20 for 11pts of radiant damage and Seram gains 6pts of temporary hp

Rowan about to summon a guardian almost loses it when first Seram falls and Manny drops a cloud blocking sight of any area he could summon help so Rowan falls back on healing word for Seram as a foe is far too near to risk a stronger healing prayer and unleashes a flame of radiant light that descends upon the cultist he can see leaning over the fallen barbarian!

Rowan mutters a prayer to Bahamut before muttering to Seram before him,"Heal!"

This allows Seram to spend a healing surge and gain an additional 1d6+3 hp. Can't use guardian of faith as the stinking cloud blocks line of sight so he can't use that stick with scared flame on the cultist Rowan can see, rolled a natural 20 for 11pts of radiant damage and Seram gains 6pts of temporary hp

17 from the healing surge, 1d6+3=5 additional, plus the 6 temp. So I'm at 28.

Temp HP are tracked separately from your 'actual' hp and are lost first. So you have 22 HP and 6 temp HP. Probably a good idea for all of you to have a separate entry for Temp HP on the character sheet. Also, remember that Rowan goes after Seram Zal. So Seram will still have to make a death save on his turn when it comes up. Then it will be Rowan's turn and healing can commence.

Akahale's brain at last obliges him with the information he was seeking. Dagon is no god, but a demon.

"Vile perversions of faith are here. They worship a demon. The Prince of the Depths is their lord."

It, realizing that It has no way to enter the room, pauses. Clicking and whirring are heard, and a small crossbow pivots up from a compartment on It's back, locking into place on It's shoulder. A mystical bolt then appears and the bow launches it at the woman.

Further, a small compartment in It's abdomen opens, revealing a number of small globes. One of them moves out along a track and launches toward the cluster of cultists.

Minor action to mount shoulderbow. Minor action to use shoulderbow's daily to attack. Standard action to throw blinding bomb to square behind middle cultist (burst 1).
Shoulderbow atk (incl. concealment) (1d20 8=26, 1d6 4=9)
vs. Fort, left to right (1d20 6=12, 1d20 6=10, 1d20 6=9) -- looks like 3 misses.

Sorry, I didn't put in that Mother Sharallan had moved to behind FM3 in order to see Seram Zal. The stinking cloud blocks line of sight, It. I'll apply the attack from the shoulderbow to Cultist 1.

It fires the shoulderbow at the nearest cultist and the man cries out in agony as it hits!

He snarls, "You'l pay for that, you freak!"

Round 2

Block 1
Grafire
Seram
Rowan
Fish-men

Block 2
Mandrake
Thuggish Cultists
Sharallan
Akahale
It
Mystic Cultist

Grafire to go!