3. Castle Ravenloft

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 12:15 PM
Weather: Rain, overcast
Moon: Full
Location: Leaving the Village of Borovia
**************************************

Spells studied and loins girded, you make your final preparations for the journey to Castle Ravenloft. Ismark supplies you with dried fruit, nuts, cheese, and bread as provisions. Agrippo, concerned that nothing but ill awaits Snowflake at the Vampyr’s castle, leaves his pony with Ismark. Vorkath checks his equipment and prepares Repentance for the journey. The rest of you with horses prepare them for riding or leave them with Ismark as you choose. Ireena, sword strapped to her hip and clad in a chain shirt, walks.

You set out, grimly aware of the task ahead of you. The morning’s drizzle increases to a steady shower.

Half an hour out of the Burgomaster’s house, you cross the river Ivlis. Droplets pepper its surface. Past the bridge, the road turns from broken stone to dirt, crowded on both sides by the thick Svalich woods. Raindrops mix with rotting leaves and mud to form a thick, squelching glop that sucks at your shoes and engulfs your horses’ hooves. You pull your cloaks about you and trudge onward.

You eventually come to the fork in the road where some of you turned north to meet with Madam Eva. Dancing and music lie that way, but you are on a different path today. You turn south, where the road gradually descends into tall grassland. The path is still muddy, but at least the mud is untained by stinking, rotting leaves. The road turns west.

You hear a wolf howling in the distance. Other voices, closer, join it. Then you see them: half a dozen more of those damned pony-sized black wolfish things that infest this accursed place. They approach from the sides and from behind, but they do not attack. They simply keep pace with you as you travel toward the cliffs that now loom high overhead no more than two hundred yards to the west.

It would seem you have an escort.

Status: Robert: 36/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Repentance: 23/23, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 24/39, Agrippo: 46/52

[Computer +1]

Tumbler walks with his crossbow loaded and at the ready. Seeing the wolf escort causes him to scowl and grumble endlessly. Yeah this is a great idea. Walk into certain death. Good thing we listened to a friggin' gypsy in a bar. Yeah, good things always come from that. Stupid wolves. Stupid vampires. Stupid stupid stupid!

[Eulalios]

Tibbius reaches up to behind his own head to give a soothing neck rub to That Damn Cat, who had perched on his cloaked shoulders with all claws in. "I hope," he says firmly to the largest of the wolves, "that your hospitable forbearance embraces my little friend. Also, do you at some time intend to do us the courtesy of explaining why you invited us?"

sorry for delayed posting... Before setting out, Tibby would have asked which of his companions wished to have a choice on walking or flying for the day...

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath stables Repentance, as the majority of the party is without steed. Before setting forth, the paladin kneels and prays:

Grant, O True God, Thy protection
And in protection, strength
And in strength, understanding
And in understanding, knowledge
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice
And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it
And in the love of it, the love of all existences
And in that love, the love of spirit and all creation.
So says your servant
So say we all.

Along the journey he will consult others on the meaning of the gypsy’s words*. "Let us hope the Strength card looks over us. We should find the library and the 'mother's place.' And the weapon of light and holy medallion."

Cognizant of always being too serious, the former barbarian jests with the Spartan: “A priest of Athena told me this one Agrippo. How many Spartans does it take to light a torch? 300!”

Vorkath laughs only a little at his own joke. “I’m sure I’m missing some cultural reference on that.”

When the wolfs appear, the paladin says: "I like this not. Strahd knows we're coming."

*She points to the cards at the top of the cross. "The Strength card is a symbol of great power," she says. "It tells of a powerful force for good and protection against the forces of darkness. It lies with a fallen prince of old. The brother of dark is light and he rests in this place. The suit of Swords forebodes ill. It is a dark shadow of evil over that place. You fight under its influence there."

Her bony finger moves clockwise, indicating the Hermit and the Five of Wands. "This tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient may help you understand a foe. You should seek for a carefully hidden place of great worldly wealth. I see a blazing fire protecting the place. The Wand sustains your strength here, but holds you from your victory, taking more time than it otherwise would."

Madam Eva continues to the bottom of the cross, where the Queen of Wands accompanies The Devil. "This symbolizes the object of your search! Ah! I see darkness and evil behind this card! It is a powerful man whose enemy is light, and whose powers are beyond mortality! The Queen of Wands reveals where he may be found. This is in the mother's place. This place, too, is under the influence of the Wand. "

She then regards the Sun and the Ten of Cups. "This card is good for you. It is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of light—a weapon with a vengeance. This is in a place of dizzying heights that all are loathe to travel. The road winds ever upwards and the rocks themselves live here! There is a very good influence there. If you are there, the powers of good will aid you."

"And here, at the center of all, is the root card," she tells you, indicating the card in the center of the cross. "Out of darkness and chaos, this card finds the reason and foundation for darkness and chaos. This card shows the purpose of all things. It is the key to life and death and else beyond. This card tells of a tool of evil. Darkness surrounds and protects this tool, giving comfort to black hearts and protection from good."

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 1:40 PM
Weather: Rain, overcast
Moon: Full
Location: Old Svalich Road, West of Barovia
**************************************

You look upon the arrival of the wolves with a mix of trepidation and resignation. "I like this not,” says the paladin. “Strahd knows we're coming." Tumbler scowls and grumbles endlessly. “Stupid wolves. Stupid vampires. Stupid stupid stupid!” Tibbius talks to the wolves. “Do you at some time intend to do us the courtesy of explaining why you invited us?" They do not answer.

The road turns northwest to the bottom of the towering cliffs. It follows the base of the cliff, steadily climbing up a foothill, turns west around a spur of the cliffs, then rises to another cliff wall. There, the road ascends steeply along the sheer cliff face. You begin the slow trek up the side of the cliffs. The wolves follow. The climb is difficult and strenuous and you are buffeted by winds and rain, but after about an hour of climbing you safely reach the top.

At the top of the cliffs, you find yourselves surrounded by the craggy Balinok peaks. The muddy road wends around one of these peaks. About half a mile after you had reached the top of the cliffs, you cross a bridge over a high, thin waterfall that crashes to the valley floor far below. “The Tser Falls,” Ireena names them. Once again you continue down the disused road, followed by the huge black wolves, mud and rotting leaves sucking at your boots.

The rain grows steadily heavier. You come to a place where the road splits in two. The dirt road continues to the northwest while a wide road leads east into the heart of the dense forest. Patches of cobblestone show through the east road, telling that this was once a great road. To the right side of the fork stands a large carriage harnessed to two massive horses, both black as pitch. The horses snort violent puffs of steamy breath into the chill air.

The carriage door swings open silently.

Status: Robert: 36/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Repentance: 23/23, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 24/39, Agrippo: 46/52

[Eulalios]

Tibby casts protection from evil on himself. Immediately, Randolph Cat hops down and struts over to the carriage step, which he delicately sniffs, tail twitching.

[Zhym]

Randolph Cat can tell that the interior of the carriage is musty, but empty.

[GreyWolfVT]

Robert looks at the wolves trying to discern if they are real wolves or some other planely creature or some undead wolf. "It is indeed not good that Strahd knows we are here to this I agree." Robert says while still eyeing the wolves and the new carriage with what appears to be Nightmare steeds. A look of suprise or perhaps just realizing that he does know something about these wolves Robert says "Ah this is no pack of wolves but a pack of Worgs my friends."

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath / carriage

"This all seems elaborate if the vampyre simply wants to kill us," says the paladin, eyeing the carriage. "I have to agree with the dwarf that the situation seems stupid. We can only hope there are methods to Strahd's madness."

"Whether by carriage or by foot, we're going to the castle. I am of split opinion: Burn the carriage to ashes and send a message to Strahd. Or take the less strenuous route by carriage. If so, I don't think we should all get in the inside. Perhaps some can join me in the driver's seat atop."

[GreyWolfVT]

"I'd be happier being outdoors or in the drivers seat if you would like."Robert in walking to the carriage will look for a fallen tree branch.

[Stirling]

Agrippo will open the carriage door with a little intrepidation then if finding nothing or no one waiting for us inside will enter. "A bit more suitable..we are expected of course, just like the letter enticing us beyond the Borovian gates." Then turning to Vorkath he will say "372 to be exact, and the torch burned brightly for it caused a nation to flame and enemies were pursued to ruin and death. Ruin and death...come let us see how we burn in this forsaken place".

[Eulalios]

With a straightforward smile, Tibbius scoops up the cat - now sniffing and rubbing round the legs of the horses - and enters the carriage. "A courtly conveyance," he comments. "Worthy of a noble host. I remain utterly puzzled as to his motives, completely lacking in trust, yet after a lengthy walk in mud, grateful for his gracious provision of a well-appointed tumbrel.

"By the way, would anyone like the ability to fly above the carriage on our way to the castle? While I am in here, I may well undertake some alterations of my form, which then may inhibit my own thaumaturgy. SO ... speak now, or stay grounded."

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 4:00 PM
Weather: Heavy rain
Moon: Full
Location: Old Svalich Road, West of Barovia
**************************************

At the sight of the dark carriage, Tibbius quickly invokes a spell of protection upon himself against the forces of evil. Randolph Cat investigates the carriage and finds it empty. Vorkath and Robert spurn the invitation to enter the carriage. They sit in the driver’s seat instead. Agrippo, Tibbius, Tumbler, Iluq, and Ireena enter the carriage. It is large and comfortable, appointed in fine red velvets and black leathers.

Seeing you enter the carriage, the worgs trot off into the forest. When you are all either inside the carriage or perched atop it, the door closes as silently as it opened.

The horses tear off down the east road. Hooves beat against old cobblestones as rain pelts the carriage (and Vorkath and Robert). Although the horses gallop at breakneck speed, the carriage stays firmly on all four wheels.

After passing through the craggy peaks of the Balinoks, the road takes a sudden turn to the east and the startling, awesome presence of Ravenloft itself towers before you.

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The carriage comes to a stop in front of twin guardhouses of turreted stone, broken from years of use and exposure. Beyond these, a 50-foot-wide precipice gapes between the Balinok cliffs and the walls of Ravenloft, a chasm of dizzying depth that disappears into the fog-shrouded distance far below. The lowered drawbridge of old, wet, shorn-up wood beams hangs precariously between you and the arched entrance to the courtyard. The chains of the drawbridge creak in the wind, their rust-eaten iron straining with the weight. From atop the high strong walls, stone gargoyles seem to stare at you from their hollow sockets and grin hideously. A rotting wooden portcullis, green with growth, hangs in the entry tunnel. Beyond this, the walls of Ravenloft stand open. A rich warm light spills from them into the courtyard. Torches flutter sadly in sconces on both sides of the open doors.

Status: Robert: 36/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Repentance: 23/23, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 24/39, Agrippo: 46/52

[NJWilliam]

Iluq

Iluq opens the carriage door and steps out of it.
"Well, it seems we've arrived."

[GreyWolfVT]

Robert steps down from the drivers perch "Yes it appears we have arrived."

[Grognardsw]

"Aye, arrive we have," says Vorkath to Robert. The paladin steps down to the door.

"We have arrived," he announces to those within. "Yes, we have reached our destination." Vorkath lays his cloak down if there is any mud in front of the door, so Ireena may exit with womanly dignity.

[GreyWolfVT]

Robert grabs out a torch and some components then speaks the words "Fire, fire, burning bright, cackling, cackling with pure delight,
Fire, thou art cruelly dark and blessedly bright."(Casting Spell Log of Everburning upon his torch.)

[Eulalios]

"Well, here we are," says Ireena to Ireena. starting the clock on polymorph self, now She descends mincingly from the carriage, trying not to catch her sword on the step. "How do you people manage this?" she asks herself.

[GreyWolfVT]

"One step at a time fair lady." Robert states with a smirk.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 4:20 PM
Weather: Heavy rain
Moon: Full
Location: Before the Gates to Castle Ravenloft
**************************************

You climb out (or off) of the black carriage and reach a consensus: You are here.

Robert uses a spell to create a slow-burning torch. Tibbius invokes his magic to change his physical form. When he steps out of the carriage, there are two Ireenas in the party!

Ravenloft looms ahead of you across the dilapidated drawbridge.

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Status: Robert: 36/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Repentance: 23/23, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 24/39, Agrippo: 46/52
Spells: Polymorph Self (Tibbius): 14 turns; Log of Everburning (Robert): 42 turns; Protection from Evil (Tibbius): Expired.