Rowan Darkwinter's page

Assuming amidst the comic banter, that someone opens the kitchen door...

Upon entering the kitchen, you see Piotr, the sour-faced proprieter of the Smooth Sailing, pouring some sort of foul ichor into the food and drink. He looks startled at the interruption and tries to run for the back door, only to be confronted by the rest of your party!

He drops to his knees and pleads, "I 'ad no choice! Please, don' kill me!"

Don't know how long I'll be still able to post online so here goes!

"Perhaps you can start by explaining why you're doing this and please stick to the truth, my friend here has an unerring ability to tell when someone is telling porkies or in this case red herrings," Rowan gently coaxes the would be poisoner.

Diplomacy check1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

"So... exactly how big are these shrimp?" Rowan asks taken a little off guard by how intimidating Akahale has just become.

"We better get rid of that stuff he just poisoned unless you want to threaten him with eating that stuff? No probably a wise choice certainly don't want the toilets backed up!" Rowan mutters as he proceeds to make sure thats all Piotr has contaminated...

other his trousers of course!

Just a reminder I won't be able to post after tonight since I'll be moving in about a week and my internet provider needs that time to switch over to my new home. Hopefully I'll be back online by the 25th but it might take up to the 30th with my luck!

Rowan Darkwinter wrote:

"It might even be that shrimp you talked about either way its worth finding out what else is out here," Rowan whispers.

"Demonic kippers are a possibility."

"Do they include mackerel? I hate mackerel!" Rowan quietly notes shuddering at the thought.

Akahale pauses to enlighten Manny.

"Father Rowan has heard something suspicious," he hisses, eyes gleaming with enthusiastic paranoia.
"In the kitchen."

"It might even be that shrimp you talked about either way its worth finding out what else is out here," Rowan whispers.

Rowan

** spoiler omitted **

Rowan swiftly raises one hand upright signalling the others before pointing towards the still open rear tavern door.

Stealth check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Spend one surge to go back to full and now down to 3 healing surges

Akahale is too late to save a couple of the guards, but with the help of the others, he is able to steer most of them away from doom.

After 10 minutes or so they come round, and start asking after the others, their employers and friends.

"So, Rowan gasps, should we discuss means of blocking our ears against that infernal singing?"

Sweet!!

"Alrighty guys off to help Akahale save some of these lost souls."

Grafire turns and heads to the sea in an attempt to catch up to Akahale.

"After the warlord then!" Rowan suggests to Seram.

Posting Rowan's actions now in case I'm offline when it comes up, Rowan unleashes another priest's shield on the foe in front of Seram: 1d20+12-2: 5+12-2 for a total of 15 to hit which I think doesn't but if it did it would have done 1d10+5: 7+5 for 12 damage but I seriously doubt that hits

Rowan continues to battle the fishman confronting Seram.

In case it was missed Rowan's action for this round was posted above

Just found out the last day I can post before moving is the 9th, hope to be back on line by either the 25th or the 30th of october if what i was told is accurate thats if I don't find an alternative access

On Rowan's next turn he'll move SE twice so he ends up between Grafire and Seram and bestow a priests shield on the fishman in front of Seram: 1d20+12: got a natural 20! So thats a base 15 damage plus 2d8 for his sword: 1+5 for +6 damage so thats a total of 21 to that specific fishman and grant the +1 AC to Seram. I figure this might get messy but every little bit helps now doesn't it?

Rowan draws forth his sword and dashes in between Grafire and Seram going full tilt into Serams' opponent.

Just to let you know I'm moving home in a couple of weeks and might not be able to post until I can get my internet link back up and running, at the moment its about the 19th of october hope this doesn't messd things up for all of you

He doesn't need a save, so the temp hp would be more useful.

Cool I missed that bit since I've been concentrating too much on the saving throw part!

Sorry if I missed this, but since Rowan's sacred flame hit does Seram rather make a saving throw or gain 7 temporary hp?

"Father Rowan - there are more innocents walking to doom. I shall attempt to avert their fate. Mandrake can assist perhaps."

Akahale looks doubtfully at the mage as he stands nose to nose with a fishman.
"Or possibly not until he is relieved of that stinking excuse for a crustacean."

"I'll lend a hand once I can get them free," Rowan yells back.

If you don't mind Rowan will stay where he is this round in preparation for engaging in melee next round

On Rowan's next turn he'll casts Sacred Flame on the blinded Fishman: 1d20+9+2: 13+9+2 for a total of 24 vs fishman's reflex doing 1d6+5: 1+5 for 6pts of damage if it hits and grants Seram a saving throw. Can't see the map at the moment though so just hope the sacred flame hits!

On Rowan's next turn he'll shift 1 square to the NW (diagonally) and cut loose with a Searing Light on Fishman#2: 1d20+9: 16+9 for a total of 25 to hit its Reflex doing 12pts of radiant damage to that fishman if it hits and leaves it blinded until the end of Rowan's next turn... hopefully!

Stepping away from the growing stench allowing him to focus on the task at hand Rowan calls upon his faith and strikes out at the fishman who has stepped clear of both its allies and Rowan's comrades.

FM4 misses Grafire. FM2 chucks javelin at Grafire. Misses. FM1 throws javelin at Seram. Misses. Pah.

Shambling toward you come nightmares vomited from the sea itself. Roughly humanoid, they are covered in viscous slime, shifting scales, and fishbelly white flesh. Their huge eyes never blink; their mouths gape and flex, but no sound emerges as they approach. They clutch rusty blades in their webbed hands.
Javelins fly through the air, only to fall short of their targets.

"Well somebody didn't get out of the right side of the bed this morning... in fact I'm seriously wondering whose bed they went blind drunk into last night!" Rowan quips.

Still having trouble with Invisible Castle, however when Rowan's turn comes up he'll head 2 squares forward so he's in the square above Grafire is at the moment and unleash Divine Glow: 1d20+9 vs Reflex close blast 3 which should effect both fishmen 2&4 and grants both It and Grafire a +2 bonus to their next attack: so thats a total of 22 on 4 and 11 on 2 I suspect both are misses as I think Rowan is close enough to suffer that -2 penalty due to stench aura but if the first did hit fishman 4 then it takes 1d8+5 or 13pts of radiant damage however It and Grafire still get that +2 if i read that right

Rowan pauses for a moment.
"Does It actually have a nose?" he asks Manny curiously.

Sorry had a dragonball flashback involving Krillin!

As unlikely as its going to be since Seram goes before me but if that fishman is still standing Rowan will take 2 steps forward to M-14, if there's a fishman on the corner to the left of where Rowan is and he can engage it in melee he uses Priests Shield on the offending foe: 29 to hit doing 12 damage to it (Rowan gets +1 AC if this happens), but if the fishman facing Grafire is the only one present then Rowan uses a Lance of Faith on Grafire's opponent with 26 to hit their Reflex doing 7 damage and Grafire gets +2 to hit him on his next turn

"Okay heads up!" Rowan tries to close the distance between him and Grafire.

This is in case Rowan's turn comes up and I'm offline

Where are you going to scan? He can't see anyone at the moment. Except his own band of nutters.

Well when Rowan can he was going to throw out his Sacred Flare where he can help make things look a little less blurry

Akahale scans the streets and environs for other enthralled persons.

If he sees any, he's going to go over and be very, very scary until they stop trying to drown themselves.

Rowan eventually follows intent on preventing anyone running into the waves whether its because they're mesmerised or just more scared of Akahale.

Rowan manages to bring Manny out of his trance, as the old coot comes to, being grabbed by Seram Zal.

"Okay was that me or you?" Rowan asks Seram as Manny apparently breaks out of his trance in Seram's arms.

Seram grabs Manny. IT's turn.

>>>>MAP<<<<

Manny strides ahead, mumbling, only to be grabbed by Seram.

Rowan will move forward on his turn trying to see who else is out here and if he sees anyone from the inn he'll use his (flare gun power) Sacred Flame in front of them to shake them loose of the trance effect Dagon's using again.

Sorry couldn't resist!

Fabes DM wrote:

Grafire takes a swing and punches Seram Zal in the face.

"That felt kinda good," the dragonborn admits ruefully.

"Felt good did it!" the barbarian looms over the dragonborn

"Luckly we have other things to worry about"

"Okay didn't we talk about not using party members as improvised weapons, Seram. Admittedly It did make a fine club but that didn't improve things for either It or the poor sod you hit with him," Father Rowan reminds Seram as he prepares to duck.

"I shall endeavour to terrify him into - " Akahale pauses, aware that using the word 'sanity' in connection with Manny is always problematic - "into his normal state."

"Normal?" Rowan blinks as he looks first at Akahale then at Manny and then back again.

"Probably have more chance having It show off that bow of his and asking Manny where he keeps the spare bolts for it," Rowan openly ponders.
Frowning he sighs openly.
"Heck why not!" he decides wondering what could shock Manny out of his trance.

Grafire hits Seram Zal with an unarmed attack for 3 damage. Seram Zal saves against the Call and is no longer affected.

Grafire takes a swing and punches Seram Zal in the face.
"That felt kinda good," the dragonborn admits ruefully.

"No offence but there's no way we're letting either It or Seram punch Manny, I don't think there's enough open ground to prevent Manny hitting any of the houses nearby!" Rowan notes.

Anyone getting flashbacks from the Gamers?

Rowan continues unleashing his sacred flame to free those entranced by the Dagon's song.

Seram Zal remains resolutely under the influence of Dagon's Call and ignores Akahale's blast.

Grafire's turn.

Rowan turns to look at Akahale.

Akahale points his rod at Mr Zal's feet and attempts to blow a hole in the ground in front of the barbarian. He looks a little bashfully at Father Rowan, embarrassed by his own petty attitude.

"I shall aim at the inanimate in future."

"I'd blame Dagon after all that is quite the racket out here!" Rowan notes wrily.

It is now your turn, Akahale.

PHEW! Was expecting to find out Rowan has just created a new job for clerics' with Sacred Flame namely "Flare Pistol"!

Akahale double moved, mostly across grass (counts as normal terrain). I spaced you out as I assume that the group don't travel in a military bunch but slighty spread out to avoid area attacks. I promise I'm not trying to 'gimp' you, as they say!

Okay well I posted Rowan's action in the previous message so he'll use Sacred Flame to grant the nearest mesmerised ally a new save and in subsequent rounds will do the same to any of the others he can catch up with: first attack roll is 1d20+9: 17+9 for a total of 26 and thats after he moves 3 squares forward and is aiming ahead of the furthest ally he can see: Perception check: 1d20+11: 13+11 for a total of 24 not including any penalties. he is not aiming to hurt them just close enough to merit their save

Minor point but wouldn't Akahale and the others be impeded by the difficult terrain as the rest of us? Technically he shouldn't be that far ahead since we should be together when that singing started and none of us especially the mesmerised ones should be able to get that far ahead of the others

If this is the 6th encounter then Rowan's initative is 17 however if tis the 7th then its 11

"Oh wonderful here we go AGAIN!" Rowan shakes his head in disbelief.

DM:

"Father, let us leave them to their faith."

Akahale moves the table over the hole where the trap door used to be.

"Please Akahale leave them some hope of redemption," Rowan protests.

"They might even lead us to the entrance we're seeking," he whispers to the warlock.

Before leaving the scullery Rowan turns sharply.
"You sure you don't want this food?" he asks before turning back.
"Well I was being polite," he shrugs to the others.

"You sure you don't want to gather some supplies before we block up the entrance to the scullery?" Rowan calls down.

"Personally I'd have thought you'd at least consider getting as far away as possible before your god recalls you since you no longer have anyone to act as an intermediary so your patron has no reason to keep their word remember any such deal only applies to those physically present or involved in the actual deal and I suspect if any of you were so involved you would be down there beseeching them for their aid against the ungodly intruders, right now!"Rowan points out.

Not sure if that counts as Diplomacy or Bluff so if the dm would kindly decide and roll accordingly...

"Aldermen are elected, Father. It is not usually a hereditary post. Good afternoon, Mrs Ritter. I fear we have bad news for you."

Akahale notes with interest that the news of the Alderman's demise has not yet reached his household.

"Really? is there anyone left who can elect a new one now?" Rowan openly wonders.

There is a pause.

"What? WHAT?! What do you mean, my loss, what have you done with my husband, outsiders?!"

"If he's the one claiming to be him he made the mistake of getting involved in a fight with some fishmen, to be exact standing and fighting with them instead of running when it became obvious they weren't winning," Rowan starts counting his fingers.

Rowan Darkwinter wrote:

"No offence but I think we're passed the bit where you could hide away from your Alderman's stupidity,

"How dare you insult my husband, you sanctimonious oaf!" the older woman cries.

"You have my condolences, over your loss,"Rowan promptly replies and then shakes his head in disbelief.

"Revele to us your knowledge of Dagon or face impending doom. If not by his hand certanly ours will do as well. At this point in time we are on a cleansing and if you are to be in Dagons count your time runs short."

Grafire belows down to the people below and a forceful plea for their cooperation.

"No offence but isn't that intimidation?" Rowan looks up at Grafire.

"Look you may as well come out, we really need to have a chat if nothing else you could help yourselves to your pantry for additional supplies if you're going to wait this out," Rowan beseeches.

"Well? Threatening women and children isn't going to improve things at least this way we'll know they're okay and if they don't want to answer questions, so be it they can go back down there and see that their deity has no mercy unlike that of Bahamut for how else can we show the error of their ways when all they seem to know are the lies of that demonic entity?" Rowan points out to the others.

Diplomacy 1d20+11: 16+11 for a total of 27, thank god I was beginning to wonder!Oh and that was for both groups since the other members of the party seem to getting a little out of hand well okay it was to try and resolve things...

Akahale Gilbrid wrote:

Seram Zal wrote:

"Who's Dagon again?"

Akahale looks as if he might embark on a long explanation, but remembers in time who is asking and keeps it simple.

"A very big evil shrimp."

Manny's perks up with a grin, then his face falls.

"But, I forgot the cocktail sauce!" He moans. Then he raises a bushy eyebrow.
"I wonder if Dagon goes good with raspberry jam?" HE whispers to Rowan.
The elderly wizard is obviously less than concerned, at least at the moment, with the opinions of those hiding in the basement. :)

"Its bound to be inedible, I'd save the raspberry jam and see if they've got some sweet chili sauce or whatever passes for a sweet addition to a fish dish," Rowan shrugs.

"No offence but I think we're passed the bit where you could hide away from your Alderman's stupidity, I'd recommend fleeing this settlement and getting as far inland as possible since last I heard Dagon is more prone to flooding settlements like this. You don't honestly believe he will spare your lives do you? How about migrating some where safer you know where the only things you need to worry about are nixies or oversized fish dwelling in lakes, ponds and the like?" Rowan asks.

Diplomacy if it works this time!: 1d20+11:8+11 for 19 AGAIN! Not my day!

"Are you alright down there?" Rowan asks.
"Your disappearance got us all worried, we thought something had grabbed you like they did the others we fended off last night," Rowan explains as he tries to coax those hiding downstairs for an explanation.

Diplomacy check: 1d20+11:8+11 for a total of 19

Akahale finds that the trapdoor seems to be barred on the other side.

Where are the hinges for this trapdoor? ie:If Manny magic missiles them or we pry it loose unless we just chop it to pieces? Shame we don't have something like the old knock spell or an open cantrip to unbar it?

"It is my belief that this dwelling is the former residence of Alderman Ritter. Mr Zal bisected him. Possibly you might forgo lunch in favour of examining the trapdoor in the scullery. There may be evidence of his demonic associates. Or possibly a wine-cellar."

Rowan blinks.

Doubt Seram that interested in wine, but it would be a good gauge of whether the Alderman was a devoted fanatic or a greedy swine! Wine would make an excellent means of retaining wealth without making it obvious to anyone unfamiliar with how valuable wine can be. Well that and it might include samples of the cargo from any ships they sank so they could salvage them.

Manny does indeed present a comical sight. Whether shrimps will fear him remains to be seen.

With all the rummaging and careful searching, the group take up about 30 minutes.
It is now about 1.30pm

"Okay grab a light lunch so we can get moving on, perhaps making sure there's noone in the pantry first and see if there's anything edible for a light lunch before heading down, oh and hopefully it might reveal how long they expected to be away unless they were mesmerised by that song last night too!" Rowan nods.

Check the pantry in case someone's lurking whilst someone makes a check on the scullery to see if that basement entrance is locked or not. Does that sound about right to you guys?

"Garments. Doubtless belonging to evil beings, but nonetheless serviceable for your needs Mandrake." Akahale proudly offers Manny his finds.

"Blue might suit you."

"So now onward, to the scullery?" Rowan asks striking a heroic pose ruined by a growling stomach.

The friends find no-one in the hallway. There are stairs to go up and many doors to go through. After conducting a search of the residence, they find no-one at home.

Grafire spots a trapdoor in the scullery, however.
Rowan's coin lands heads.
It is now approximately 1pm

Rowan walks in and retrieves his coin.

Don't suppose the fireplace is lit or any sign how long the house has been left empty?
If a Perception check is required for this rolled a total of 24 from a d20+14 check

Rowan sighs.
Reaching into his belt pouch he scrabbles momentarily for a small copper coin and then flips it inside the now open hallway.
"Heads or tails? Or was that King or Queen? Never could get that darned currency depictions straight!" he mutters after waiting to see if anything happens once the coin hits the hallway.

The doors give in with a thud, and are now open.

"Okay now that was anti-climatic, still maybe we can use the door on any traps like those we encountered under the chapel?" Rowan shrugged.

Seram approaches and uses his trusted door opening technique

FOOT TO DOOR! 1d20+14=24

"Sounds like this home owner bought better doors than those downstairs..." Rowan muses.

Thievery to open door (1d20+6=10)

"I fear my skills are inadequate in this respect." Akahale's attempts to pick the lock result in a mutter draconic curse and a broken pen nib.
"Luckily, I have a spare pen. And there is always Mr Zal."

"So... Manny is this door enchanted?" Rowan asks.