4. The Spires of Ravenloft

[GreyWolfVT]

Fendt swallows hard "Hello Gertruda, my name is Fendt half-elven sword bearer and magician. Sorry for my stammering it has been quite some time since I have seen beauty. You said Strahd was here earlier do you by chance know where he is now?"

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 5, 1221
Time: 12:06 AM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Bedroom
**************************************

Fendt finds his voice. He says hello and lavishes the young Gertruda with priase for her beauty. "You said Strahd was here earlier," he says. "Do you by chance know where he is now?"

"Probably somewhere toiling away on very important business," she answers. "He works so hard. He's such a darling!" She sighs again.

Status: Agrippo: 38/52, Vorkath: 36/36, Tibbius: 14/22, Randolph: 4/4, Iluq: 21/34, Tumbler: 24/39, Robert: 16/27; Fendt: 15/15
Effects: None

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath, paladin

"This girl is obviously under some enchantment to think the monster Strahd is a darling," whispers Vorkath to the others. "Can one of you magic-users put a dispel magic spell on her, which may free her to fully help us?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Fendt walks over closer to the young woman and examines her neck from a distance looking for bite marks "Don't mind me I'm just taking in the beauty." he says in attempt to hide what his true intentions are. "My regrets Vorkath for I have only a couple spells memorized still and none can dispel or remove a charm or enchantment if one so exists upon this woman."

[OGRE MAGE]

Tibbius

Upon hearing about a possible spell that needs to be cast Tib enters the room. Did you say something about a dispel handsome? he says to Vorkath. I got just the thing.....but first.......I'd like to try something. ONLY IF TIB CANT SEE ANY BITE MARKS ON THIS WOMAN Tib picks his cat up and rubs there noses together for a bit. He mumbles something like elvish baby talk to the feline and then sets him on the bed. The cat purrs loudly and slowly gets closer to this woman unless he feels threatened. If he doesn't.......he slowly slinks right up to where the woman is sitting and let's her pet him if she so desires. You would be amazed by the intuition of certain animals in these situations. he says to whoever is listening.

[MonkeyWrench]

Illuq simply waits by the door frame, watching the door that they came in and this mysterious woman equally.

[Stirling]

"I've got something that will remove any enchantment" Agrippo barges into the room, Sunsword aloft ready to strike should the glowing radiate greater against this maiden of lovely evilness...


for a spot check are there any mirrors in this room?

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 5, 1221
Time: 12:08 AM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Bedroom
**************************************

Iluq, Tumbler, and Robert keep watch in the study while Vorkath, Fendt, and Tibbius talk with Gertruda.

"This girl is obviously under some enchantment to think the monster Strahd is a darling," whispers Vorkath to the others. He suggests that someone try to dispel enchantments.

Fendt tries to check out Gertruda's neck without being obvious about it. He sees no bite marks, but as has happened to many a man since the dawn of time, Fendt is not as subtle as he thinks he is. The half-elf stares just a moment too long. "My eyes are up here!" chides Gertruda, misconstruing what Fendt was looking at. Although her expression is scolding, her eyes show a glint of amusement. Fendt's face turns a deep burgundy as he looks away.

Tibbius tries something different. He picks up Randolph cat and has a short nose-to-nose conversation in cat.

"Kitty!" Gertruda exclaims. Randolph cat jumps over to her bed and snuggles up to her. He purrs loudly as she scratches him behind the ears.

Agrippo barges into the room, Sunsword held high. It continues to shine with the soft glow that says no undead are within 30 feet. He looks about the room and sees that it appears devoid of mirrors.

"My, there are so many of you!" says the young woman while stroking Tib's cat. "Did Strahd plan a party and not tell me? Oh my god, is it a surprise party?!" she squeals. "I love surprise parties! Isn't he the BEST?"

"Oh, don't worry," she adds, seeing your confused faces, "I'll still act surprised!"

Fendt: Neck check (Wis., 1-10=busted!): [1d20] = 1

Status: Agrippo: 38/52, Vorkath: 36/36, Tibbius: 14/22, Randolph: 4/4, Iluq: 21/34, Tumbler: 24/39, Robert: 16/27; Fendt: 15/15
Effects: None

[GreyWolfVT]

Fendt "Ah yes well eyes. As I said it has been a while since I saw a beauty like yours. Forgive me." he gets up and begins pacing around the room not trying to be obvious as he searches around the room.

[OGRE MAGE]

Tibbius the Green

Well then Gurtruda, it appears that you have guessed correctly the reason for our being here. he reaches down to retrieve Randolph from her There is indeed a party and it would appear that we have arrived just a bit early. Maybe you could help us in finding a quiet place to take our rest for the evening so we can be fresh tomorrow for all of the secret party activities? Of corse, you must not let on that you are now aware that we are even here yet. That would ruin the surprise for everyone!

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 5, 1221
Time: 12:10 AM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Bedroom
**************************************

Fendt paces around the bedroom, attempting to search the room without being obvious about it. Either he is more subtle at searching rooms than searching young women or Gertruda chooses not to say anything about it. He sees nothing of much interest. Tall candles burn in their candelabras on small tables, heavy red velvet curtains hang over the window, and the majestic bed sits in the middle of it. It's all quite impressive, but not unusual for a castle.

Tibbius decides to exploit the young woman's obvious confusion about your purpose here. "It appears that you have guessed correctly the reason for our being here!" he tells her. "There is indeed a party and it would appear that we have arrived just a bit early. Maybe you could help us in finding a quiet place to take our rest for the evening so we can be fresh tomorrow for all of the secret party activities?"

The young woman practically bounces with excitement. "Oh goodie!" she says. "I so love parties! At least, I think I do. Mother never let me have one, but I'm sure they're wonderful! I'll wear a pretty dress and dance and—oh, dear! I need a party dress!"

Her excitement quickly turns to near-panic. "Where will I find a party dress? I can't just go looking for one, Strahd might see me and he'd find out that I know about the party! Whatever shall I do? The party will be ruined if I can't find a dress!"

Consumed by the party-dress crisis, Gertruda seems to forget all about Tibbius's question.

Status: Agrippo: 38/52, Vorkath: 36/36, Tibbius: 14/22, Randolph: 4/4, Iluq: 21/34, Tumbler: 24/39, Robert: 16/27; Fendt: 15/15
Effects: None

[GreyWolfVT]

Fendt rolls his eyes at Tib. "Gertruda do you happen to know what is in the other rooms on this level we are looking for a good hiding spot for the party."

[MonkeyWrench]

Illuq walks in and puts his hand on the bed near Gertruda, "Don't worry! I will have the dress all sorted out for you and Strahd will never know a thing, in fact he will be stunned by your beauty!" He gives her a warm reassuring look.

[GreyWolfVT]

Fendt "Hmm Illuq I didn't know you were a tailor."

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath, paladin

"What is through those south double doors my lady?" asks Vorkath of Gertruda.

[MonkeyWrench]

Illuq, "I am not, and making a dress would take far too long before the surprise party tomorrow right? I will have an already made dress sent in with her measurements, having it ready by tomorrow." He gives Gertruda a warm smile before turning back to Fendt, a look flashing over his face of "Of course we aren't doing any of that"

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 5, 1221
Time: 12:12 AM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Bedroom
**************************************

Iluq joins the swelling ranks of those misleading the obviously gullible Gertruda. He reassures her that he will solve her dress crisis. "Don't worry! I will have the dress all sorted out for you and Strahd will never know a thing, in fact he will be stunned by your beauty!" He gives her a warm reassuring look and promises to have a ready-made dress sent for her by tomorrow.

Gertruda smiles with relief. "Oh, how kind of you!" she says, not bothering to question the obvious flaws in the good cleric's story.

Vorkath and Tibbius continue their questioning of the young woman. Tibbius asks about other rooms on this level of the castle where the party might hide. Vorkath wants to know what lies beyond the doors to the south.

Dress crisis behind her, Gertruda answers. "That is the bath," she says, indicating the door to the south. "There's the study—oh, but you know about that, that's where you came in from. Through the big tower is the 'Hall of Heroes,' I think it's called, with all the statutes. Oh, and there's another room off the study, but I'm not allowed to go there. There are guest rooms in the south tower, I think—maybe you're supposed to stay there? Gosh, it's hard to help plan your own surprise party!"

Status: Agrippo: 38/52, Vorkath: 36/36, Tibbius: 14/22, Randolph: 4/4, Iluq: 21/34, Tumbler: 24/39, Robert: 16/27; Fendt: 15/15
Effects: None

[GreyWolfVT]

Fendt "South tower? Hmm I don't know I thought Strahd told us to stay here with her."

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath, paladin

"Sleep well then my lady, and look forward to your party," says Vorkath.

He returns to the study, briefs Agrippo and the others, and suggests a look through the south door.

[MonkeyWrench]

Illuq follows along with Vorkath, whispering to him and the others, "I know we do what we must but I hate lying to others... it just feels wrong..."