Stormcrow's Return of the Runelords

Game Master stormcrow27

"Hmm. I guess we should find out who these witnesses are and interview them", Koshon summarizes.

Just to be clear, none of the guards have previously questioned any of the eyewitnesses from the previous first gang-fight? What would Morelda recall of that non-Roderic ghostly summons fight last week? I could have her make a perception check for that event or possibly a different check to recall anything in particular?

if Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17. if something else is needed for a base roll?: 1d20 ⇒ 18.

While asking Lady Valerique, Signeur Mossbeard, what are your opinions on the matter?

Koshon wrote:

"Hmm. I guess we should find out who these witnesses are and interview them", Koshon summarizes.

Beaming at the opportunity to help prove her usefulness to the group, Morelda gives a coy smile and says, "We won't have to venture all that very far for at least one of the witnesses to last week's previous gang-fight in the Circle Market; I should know, as I happened to have been there myself for all that unpleasantness- at a safe distance away, of course. What do you all wish to know about it?"

Morelda will point out that she got her spell inspiration from the ghostly summoner's actions and that of the two gangs involved, one was different but the other was the same. More importantly, Roderic's Ghost was a no-show then.

Eric starts taking out a diary, writes "Actually important notes in stark contrast to my random musings." on a currently blank page and starts asking questions.

Madmoiselle Valerique, Could you describe what you did and perceive immidiatly before the encounter?
During the encounter, by your estimation, how many people where actively involved in hostilities?
How long did the fight take in total?
Where the ones who had "aid" winning before it appeared?
Did you perceive any words, which perhaps could have been part of an activation sentence for some type of artifact?
What exactly happened? Was is more of a conjuration, perhaps more of an illusion or fear effect, or, perhaps a direct death effect?
Did you see anyone else who could be a witness, and who perhaps had a closer vantage point?

Just to be clear, none of the guards have previously questioned any of the eyewitnesses from the previous first gang-fight? What would Morelda recall of that non-Roderic ghostly summons fight last week? I could have her make a perception check for that event or possibly a different check to recall anything in particular?

[dice=if Perception]1d20+4. [dice=if something else is needed for a base roll?]1d20.

Eric de St. Cyr wrote:

While asking Lady Valerique, Signeur Mossbeard, what are your opinions on the matter?

Koshon wrote:

"Hmm. I guess we should find out who these witnesses are and interview them", Koshon summarizes.

Beaming at the opportunity to help prove her usefulness to the group, Morelda gives a coy smile and says, "We won't have to venture all that very far for at least one of the witnesses to last week's previous gang-fight in the Circle Market; I should know, as I happened to have been there myself for all that unpleasantness- at a safe distance away, of course. What do you all wish to know about it?"

Morelda will point out that she got her spell inspiration from the ghostly summoner's actions and that of the two gangs involved, one was different but the other was the same. More importantly, Roderic's Ghost was a no-show then.

The guards did question some eyewitnesses, but everyone knows the basics of the fight: The Horned Fang battled another group and lost six members to some form of trickery. Morelda recalls that the group battling the Horned Fangs had a female leader who struck the first blow, and that she noticed that the leader's sword was invisible. After the first blow was struck, that's when the ghostly grey light appeared and shadowy images of beasts and nightmares ravaged the Horned Fangs. She's not sure exactly what happened to the other group that battled the fangs, or what was the light that appeared....

Is there a morgue, and are the bodies of the horned fangs in it?
While I do not have direct experience with such matters, it is possible that either they died of fright, or of a direct death effect, or the apparitions where indeed summoned and killed them directly. All of these 3 things require somewhat different things in terms of protection, and it would be of great use for us, and the city, to know which it was.

Eric opines, pausing before continuing.

Invisible weapon? This is would be a relatively high level enchantment, far beyond my means to own let alone replicate.
Groups that are, according to rumors, likely to employ such weaponry, like Red Mantis assassins, the assassination branch of the Erinyes Sisterhood, Nocticulas Midnight Witches or certain followers of the savored sting are well, exceedingly unlikely to even notice a bunch of thugs like the horned fangs. I would thus find it more likely that the femme fatale in question found one somewhere and seeks to stab her way into a position of power. Nevertheless, an invisible weapon by itself does not summon apparitions when used. A description of the femme fatale would certainly be of use. I would also add that adversaries with access to invisible weapons often also have access to ways of altering their appearance.

Eric starts taking out a diary, writes "Actually important notes in stark contrast to my random musings." on a currently blank page and starts asking questions.

Madmoiselle Valerique, Could you describe what you did and perceive immidiatly before the encounter?
During the encounter, by your estimation, how many people where actively involved in hostilities?
How long did the fight take in total?
Where the ones who had "aid" winning before it appeared?
Did you perceive any words, which perhaps could have been part of an activation sentence for some type of artifact?
What exactly happened? Was is more of a conjuration, perhaps more of an illusion or fear effect, or, perhaps a direct death effect?
Did you see anyone else who could be a witness, and who perhaps had a closer vantage point?

stormcrow27 wrote:

The guards did question some eyewitnesses, but everyone knows the basics of the fight: The Horned Fang battled another group and lost six members to some form of trickery. Morelda recalls that the group battling the Horned Fangs had a female leader who struck the first blow, and that she noticed that the leader's sword was invisible. After the first blow was struck, that's when the ghostly grey light appeared and shadowy images of beasts and nightmares ravaged the Horned Fangs. She's not sure exactly what happened to the other group that battled the fangs, or what was the light that appeared....

Trying to piece through her recollections of that ominous week before, Morelda answers Eric's questions as best as she's able to. "I was bargain shopping at the Circle Market that past week in much the same way as I was earlier today. At the time, I found an excellent deal on this crystalline prism for my spell-research," as the Young Wizardess proudly taps on said crystal ensconced in her brand-new bandolier before continuing on, "I hadn't been paying any mind to the nearby surroundings at the time, so I didn't exactly see who exactly was all there or how many actually participated at the start of that fight but there must've been a sizable number; I did hear something of a ruckus going on but didn't think anything of it until the Jeweler that I purchased the crystal from warned me that a fight was about to break out nearby. I didn't have any offensive spells memorized at the time- just the analytical ones like Detect Magic- so I helped the Jeweler and his assistant to quickly pack all their inventory away while doing our best to keep a low profile behind all the nearby tables. Other folks were doing the same."

"I don't think that any of the other shoppers or vendors close-by got involved in that fight, although some had scurried off to get the guards, I think. I lingered about to witness the very beginning of that fight though- the real fight, none of the posturing or verbal threats that preceded it like the one that happened today before Roderic's Ghost showed up. Even got chewed out by both Audrahni and Father Marphan for staying around like that though I kept a sensible distance away..."

After getting some verbal prompts to continue on with her recollections, Morelda continues on with, "There was this Woman though, she must've been the Leader of the gang that was facing down the Horned Fangs- she was being all up front and in center of the whole fracas, and she wielded this... sword, I think? It was all invisible though but that wasn't the whole of it; as soon as she swung that oddly imperceptible weapon of hers- the very first blow to land upon one of the Fangs at that... that's when all the strange occurrences happened; there was this ghostly greyish light that appeared along around the fight area with all these shadowy images of nightmarish creatures that was flitting through or around all of the gathered Fangs. Those strange shadowy images must've been enough to do some real damage based on how all of the Fangs that were present got absolutely ravaged from being caught within that strange effect. It was quite an effect though- wasn't enough to cause any nearby people to flee like what happened with Roderic's appearance earlier today but nobody was foolish enough to venture any closer to those shadowy phantasms though."

"The fight didn't really last very long after that... all of the gang members either disappeared when that Grey ghostly light with all the shadowy creatures ceased to appear anymore- that was mostly those being led by that woman with the unseen sword or were scattered away without any fanfare- which happened to all of the Fangs that were lucky enough to survive. I stayed around long enough to get in a single casting of Detect Magic going before the Guards had everyone clearing out of the Marketplace; there were corpses left behind- all them Horned Fangs members if I recall correctly."

Morelda then rambles on a bit about how she was 'inspired' by that all of those strange effects caused by the female Gang-Leader's weird choice of invisible weaponry into further spell research involving the occult phenomenon.

Some further prompting by Eric about conjurations/illusions/fear/death magics has the Young Wizardess concluding that, "There wasn't any traditional use of any verbal spell components that I've noticed; possibly there were some somatic elements dependent upon physically striking down an enemy similar to that of the Magus traditions, perhaps. There are ways yet to cast a spell without needing to chant or speaking aloud though- all them through varied, differing methods."

"As to any artifacts that could cause such a thing, it might be possible but items of those nature tend to be well-storied, almost approaching towards being legendary and known in their own right; very rarely would such a thing be so obscured as to be almost unheard-of."

recall Female Gang-leader's appearance with unspecified base roll: 1d20 ⇒ 7. Anything that Morelda recalls about the leader's appearance?

Spellcraft knowledge checks if it'll help: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12.

Made up or embellished what I could based on stormcrow27's information or Eric's line of questioning. ;p

Is there a morgue, and are the bodies of the horned fangs in it?

While I do not have direct experience with such matters, it is possible that either they died of fright, or of a direct death effect, or the apparitions where indeed summoned and killed them directly. All of these 3 things require somewhat different things in terms of protection, and it would be of great use for us, and the city, to know which it was.

Eric opines, pausing before continuing.

Invisible weapon? This is would be a relatively high level enchantment, far beyond my means to own let alone replicate.
Groups that are, according to rumors, likely to employ such weaponry, like Red Mantis assassins, the assassination branch of the Erinyes Sisterhood, Nocticulas Midnight Witches or certain followers of the savored sting are well, exceedingly unlikely to even notice a bunch of thugs like the horned fangs. I would thus find it more likely that the femme fatale in question found one somewhere and seeks to stab her way into a position of power. Nevertheless, an invisible weapon by itself does not summon apparitions when used. A description of the femme fatale would certainly be of use. I would also add that adversaries with access to invisible weapons often also have access to ways of altering their appearance.

Audrahni replies "The bodies are in the morgue. I'd be more then happy to take you to the morgue and offer my opinions."

Some further prompting by Eric about conjurations/illusions/fear/death magics has the Young Wizardess concluding that, "There wasn't any traditional use of any verbal spell components that I've noticed; possibly there were some somatic elements dependent upon physically striking down an enemy similar to that of the Magus traditions, perhaps. There are ways yet to cast a spell without needing to chant or speaking aloud though- all them through varied, differing methods."

"As to any artifacts that could cause such a thing, it might be possible but items of those nature tend to be well-storied, almost approaching towards being legendary and known in their own right; very rarely would such a thing be so obscured as to be almost unheard-of."

[dice=recall Female Gang-leader's appearance with unspecified base roll]1d20. Anything that Morelda recalls about the leader's appearance?

[dice=Spellcraft knowledge checks if it'll help]1d20+8.

Made up or embellished what I could based on stormcrow27's information or Eric's line of questioning. ;p

Unfortunately,Morelda can neither identify the leader nor the magic, if any, invoked in the battle.

Eric would gladly take up Audrahni on her offer.

Excellent Madmoiselle Audrahni, then we should proceed there as soon as we are done eating?

The morgue, ugh. Ever since she turned into a woman, Lorel's sense of smell has been stronger. But her sense of adventure has increased even more. "Let's get going then."

As they left, Thurin wondered why the others acted unhappy going to the morgue. The dead were dead, afterall. What was the issue with empty husks? He also wondered if the humans had a food-processing facility attached to it, to make use of the raw materials. Back home, there was no reason to let a slave go to waste, even if one died. The humans couldn't be so wasteful that they would not do the same, right?

Audrahni says "That would be fine. Let us finish dinner and we can head on our wsy."

Pre-Morgue Dinner Conversation:

Unfortunately,Morelda can neither identify the leader nor the magic, if any, invoked in the battle.

"Alas, I don't recall anything further about her apart from the reveal of that strange... weapon, I think? It was frustrating enough to try piecing together what might've possibly occurred with all those Grey lights and flitting shadowy things just through mere educated presumptions but in truth, I really couldn't tell you anything definitive about whatever kind of magicks was actually used, if any. That spell that was inspired from that past event isn't even in the right color of appearance, being a bit more greenish than I would've liked...", the Young Wizardess almost grumbles to herself as she takes another swig from her Damsel drink.

Off to the Morgue Prattling:

"It's truly a pity that nearly all of my memorized spells were geared towards dealing with a fight, otherwise, I could've had some Prestidigitation prepared for this very trip to the Morgue- and I've already used up my bond to put up that Mage Armor earlier... we did get a nice dinner and drink out of it, so things can't be all that bad; Thank you again for that, Audrahni."

Koshon bows before Audrahni, kisses her hand if offered, and leaves with the others.

Audrahni accepts Koshon's bow, and you begin to walk off towards the morgue. The morgue is built into the church of Phasrama, near the graveyard. Audrahni kneels, pulls some dirt from a pouch, and says a phrase in Elvish before she enters. Upon entry, you see a couple of stone tables, several neatly sorted autopsy instruments, a desk with a couple of chairs, a rack of various chemicals and herbal concoctions above it, and a steel cabinet. The tables seem to radiate some sort of cold aura, but you're not sure of the source.

Audrahni says, "The bodies have been buried, but I have the notes here." She goes forward, and opens the cabinet, pulling out a form in Common. At the top it reads, "Gang Death in Roderic's Cove:" She then says, "Who would like to read the results of the examination?"

With an impatient grunt Thurin stomped forward and held out his hand. "Just give them here and I'll read them out loud."

How interesting!
Eric casts detect magic, looking on the unnaturally cold tables, and also considering if he picks up any traces on the bodies themselfs.

Casting detect magic.

Using Knowledge arcana to identify more if possible.
knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

untrained but I am a Skald so yay for bardic knowledge!

I wonder if this magic principle visible in the cold tables could be used to keep various cocktails of food or drink cooled, if a transportable solution could be engineered this could revolutionarize cooking! One can only salivate at what the cooks of fair Galt could create with new but fresh, perhaps even extraplanar ingredients!
Huh? Did I just hear a feminine chuckle in my brain? Ello, is there anyone there other then me?
Erics mind is admittedly somewhat distracted from the purposes of the investigation, but he is quite capable of multitasking.

Being unfamiliar with the interior of the morgue [having had only seen its' exterior from the outside at a comfortable distance away], the Young Wizardess glances the area about with some amount of curiosity.

Seeing Eric casting the familiar spell of Detect Magic upon the tables though, Morelda opts to follow along with her own casting of that very same spell.

Assist to Eric's Know:Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25. Eric has a +2 to his totals. ;)

"Is that magical signature what I think it is?"

With an impatient grunt Thurin stomped forward and held out his hand. "Just give them here and I'll read them out loud."

The report reads

Victims of gang death

Six victims, all human
3 male, 3 female
Occupations
Two trappers
One fisher
Three unemployed

Cause of death
1 dead of puncture wound to the heart, most likely a rapier
5 dead of cardiac arrest due to hyperelevated levels of blood pressure. Signs of death include bleeding eye sockets, rapid heartbeat, massive sweating, and other signs of extreme fear. Conclusion: Subjects were pushed into death by some form of extreme flight or fight stimulus. Possibly magical.

All subject wore marks of the local gang called the Horned Fangs.

1 witness so far discovered: Laida Kelstrop, local smokehouse owner of Kelstrop's meats.

How interesting!

Eric casts detect magic, looking on the unnaturally cold tables, and also considering if he picks up any traces on the bodies themselfs.

Casting detect magic.

Using Knowledge arcana to identify more if possible.
[dice= knowledge arcana]1d20+3

untrained but I am a Skald so yay for bardic knowledge!

The tables radiate modified versions of heat and chill metal, created to affect stone. Such enchantments have been used on other materials to make food or organica storage devices, home temperature control, and even act as remedies for cramped or damaged tissue. Perhaps they might even be used to make Galt's famous frozen dessert, freedom ice cream....

Pacing up and down the room, Eric attempts to process the information.

Hmm, no signs of elevated fright on the puncture wound victim? Interesting, would imply, to me that Mrs. "I have a invisible stabbing implement" needs to kill or at least wound someone before she gets to unleash her troupe of probably illusionary horror friends, as we can conclude and verify that the stabbing happened before the "summoning".
All of the death signs on the others seem to be fright only, nothing physical, which we should bear in mind. This knowledge may, as a matter of fact, aid us in resisting the magic. As would my inspired ferocity.
That it is only a single wound straight through the heart implies someone ruthless and skilled at wielding her rapier.
From the other information, 2 trappers and 1 fisher? May have some type of business relation to the smokehouse owner, pure speculation at this point though. Possible that the smokehouse was/is paying the horned fangs protection money and that the gang of Mrs. Invisible-stab wants that protection money for herself. Is a possibly reason why Mrs. Kelstrop may be tightlipped when we proceed to interview her.
Also interesting that the fright died bodies apparently werent mutiliated post death, which an actually competent criminal would have done to make the death by fright thing less obvious.

Hmm, I wonder if it is possible to use this magic to create a Rodericks Cove flavored freedom ice cream, perhaps uhmm, tomatoes? Tomatoe icecream should be marvelous! Imagine the pleaseant surprise when, expecting perhaps the often overly sweet aroma of strawberries, once tastebud instead experience the most savory taste of tomatoe! And I get to annoy the tomatoe hating counterrevolutionary scum in Galt! Cest magnifique! Wait, that captivating feminine laughter in my head again? Hmm, noone other then me can hear it, perhaps it is just a good omen!

After this massive stream of conciousness (yes, Eric's attachment to reality is opportunistic at best), Eric does seek to answer some relatively focused questions:

1: Is there a list of the possessions of the dead? The question of them being looted or not would give hints to how familar their opponents where with the whole summoned illusionary horrors thing.
2: Are there indeed no other physical wounds on the bodies?

Other then that, Eric would seek to interview Mrs. Kelstrop next, and will proceed there as soon as 2 other people express similar preferences in that manner.

awaiting other player input

Thurin watched in awe at Eric’s deductive reasoning. He was but a simple smith, for whom putting a decoration on a pommel was a life changing moment. The amount of critical thinking being displayed made his head spin.

”So…to Kelstrop, then?” He asked, not feeling very sure in doing so.

Lorel stands away from the dead bodies. She may contact the spirits of the dead, but their bodies...ugh. "Yes, let's get going, if there's nothing more to learn here."

Koshon looks around at the dead bodies grimly, listening to Eric's surprising eloquent argument, and nods with Scott. "Yes, let us away from this place."

Morelda gives a nod of affirmation to the others about going off to question Mrs. Kelstrop at the Smokehouse. "My current spell memorization for today was slanted a bit towards acting against some more active hypothetical attackers, so there's very little that I could assist with magically... but I'll do what I can to assist with any inquiries that can be made."

Pacing up and down the room, Eric attempts to process the information.

Hmm, no signs of elevated fright on the puncture wound victim? Interesting, would imply, to me that Mrs. "I have a invisible stabbing implement" needs to kill or at least wound someone before she gets to unleash her troupe of probably illusionary horror friends, as we can conclude and verify that the stabbing happened before the "summoning".
All of the death signs on the others seem to be fright only, nothing physical, which we should bear in mind. This knowledge may, as a matter of fact, aid us in resisting the magic. As would my inspired ferocity.
That it is only a single wound straight through the heart implies someone ruthless and skilled at wielding her rapier.
From the other information, 2 trappers and 1 fisher? May have some type of business relation to the smokehouse owner, pure speculation at this point though. Possible that the smokehouse was/is paying the horned fangs protection money and that the gang of Mrs. Invisible-stab wants that protection money for herself. Is a possibly reason why Mrs. Kelstrop may be tightlipped when we proceed to interview her.
Also interesting that the fright died bodies apparently werent mutiliated post death, which an actually competent criminal would have done to make the death by fright thing less obvious.

Hmm, I wonder if it is possible to use this magic to create a Rodericks Cove flavored freedom ice cream, perhaps uhmm, tomatoes? Tomatoe icecream should be marvelous! Imagine the pleaseant surprise when, expecting perhaps the often overly sweet aroma of strawberries, once tastebud instead experience the most savory taste of tomatoe! And I get to annoy the tomatoe hating counterrevolutionary scum in Galt! Cest magnifique! Wait, that captivating feminine laughter in my head again? Hmm, noone other then me can hear it, perhaps it is just a good omen!

After this massive stream of conciousness (yes, Eric's attachment to reality is opportunistic at best), Eric does seek...

There is a list of the possessions of the dead, but other then the mark of the Horned Fangs on their clothing, nothing seems out the ordinary. The bodies were left as they fell until discovered by the guards and brought to the morgue. As to Eric's second question, none of the other victims have any visible wounds.

Audrahni states that you might wish to wait until tomorrow to interview Ms. Kelstrop, as she may be resting from her labors in the smokehouse.

Having expended no resources other then a degree of dignity by running away from the apparition, Eric would probably prefer to continue.
He does not have a strong opinion either way though, and would just join the first 2 persons who have one.

Having expended no resources other then a degree of dignity by running away from the apparition, Eric would probably prefer to continue.

He does not have a strong opinion either way though, and would just join the first 2 persons who have one.

How quickly our dignity fails in the face of bad dice rolls...

Morelda, upon getting Audrahni's suggestion about interviewing Ms. Kelstrop for tomorrow, thinks on something for a good minute before speaking up with, "Should we let Ms. Kelstrop know tonight that we want to speak to her about the previous gang fight in the Market so that she knows to clear her schedule for us tomorrow?"

Furrowing her brows a bit, Morelda also continues on with, "I suppose that we could also try to familiarize ourselves with the location of this Roderic's Wreck place if it's some ways away from town. What do the locals say about that place, Audrahni? I would've thought that the town leadership would've taken better care of that place since this town's named after him, after all."

We could certainly pay the wreck a visit before speaking with Mrs. Kelstrop on the morrow, assuming it is not too far out offers Eric.
There is little time to waste after all!

We could certainly pay the wreck a visit before speaking with Mrs. Kelstrop on the morrow, assuming it is not too far out offers Eric.

There is little time to waste after all!

Nodding to Eric, Morelda finishes up her Damsel drink before adding, "If this Wreck-place is truly that big, we wouldn't even have to go inside of it; we could just examine the outer perimeters- maybe if there's a nearby smaller building... perhaps something in the yard or a stable, we could take a look inside those for now."

"Aye then, lets get to it. The day is young and there is much that can be done."

The group sets out for the Wreck?

"If the cove is in danger, we should likey be acting quickly. Let's get going."

Avances my friends then! Mysteries await!

Koshon closely behind the others.

It takes about an hour to walk to Roderic's Wreck. The house slumps in one corner, nearly ready to fall into the river.
Boards studded with nails hang off the house like so many leaves in a broken tree. The front door stands ajar, awaiting those foolish or brave to enter?

The house slumps in one corner, nearly ready to fall into the river. Boards studded with nails hang off the house like so many leaves in a broken tree.

Morelda peers uneasily at the unbalanced wreck of the old riverside dwelling and asks aloud with a tentative voice, "This old house... it isn't going to fall into the river if we were to step inside, will it?"

Use of perception?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19.

Eric draws his weapon.
Ahh, my good hammer. The world seems much less scary when I have it in hand. Just like with my blanket when I was 5. It is practical, simple, can be used in many ways, and I can use it to smash uglies without them dumping their whatever over me. Sheer joy!
Madmoiselle Valerique, I do not think any of us wears enough heavy armor for that, though we should perhaps be judicious in utilizing enlage person spells that rapidly increase someones weight.

Erics perception is meh, but he is a Skald and can do knowledge skills untrained so:
Nevertheless, falling of a cliff was not in Erics plan for today, as such, he
knowledge engineering, am Skald can roll dice: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
attempts to use his encylopedic knowledge of Alyushinnirran architecture to generate an estimate of the structures engineering soundness, but is mentally distracted by thoughts of its likely inhabitants. And comes up with a failed formula of deriving, from the frequency of a Succubus's tail movements, her additional hero levels instead.
Hmm, your calculations are actually not that wrong chuckles a feminine voice in his head.
ello? Anyone there? Eric thinks anxiously.
First laughter and now actual speech? Am I spontaneously becoming possessed by something?
Oracle dips arent the worst idea for a Skald, so you could well be. I gotta run though, another client is in actual trouble. I am certain you will be fine dearest Eric.
Oracle Dips? Cannibalism? Eric thinks, horrified at the fate of the poor oracle to be turned into dips.

Eric has his weapon out, and but prefer to enter the building after someone with an AC higher then 16. I hope its ok if I narrate obviously failed skill checks myself.

The semi-amphibious Stormborn plows into the river and disappears beneath the water's surface...

"Hmm." Grandfather Mossbeard grumbles, a sound not unlike the one elicited from the rickety house by the ocean winds. He peers uncertainly at the rotting wood floor, contemplating his not-insignificant weight.

Per: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Koshon stands with others resolute. "Well, we are here to investigate Roderick's Wreck. And that is what we will do."
The gregori steps forward and takes his first cautious step into the dwelling.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Really?!

What could possibly go wrong? Asks Eric innocently as he steps into the building after Koshon.
He does take a look around however.
perception so Koshon feels less lonely about his 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Shocked at that not also being a 1

Lorel steps in after the two men. She looks around.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2

"Hmm." Grandfather Mossbeard grumbles, a sound not unlike the one elicited from the rickety house by the ocean winds. He peers uncertainly at the rotting wood floor, contemplating his not-insignificant weight.

[dice=Per]1d20 + 6

Mossbeard's keen jotun hearing detects the sound of flapping wings and sloshing stomachs?

stormcrow27 wrote:

The house slumps in one corner, nearly ready to fall into the river. Boards studded with nails hang off the house like so many leaves in a broken tree.

Morelda peers uneasily at the unbalanced wreck of the old riverside dwelling and asks aloud with a tentative voice, "This old house... it isn't going to fall into the river if we were to step inside, will it?"

[dice=Use of perception?]1d20+4.

The house doesn't appear to be in imminent danger of watery doom, but who knows what things lurk within to draw an unwary soul into the depths of the river?