2. Welcome to Borovia

[NJWilliam]

Iluq, dark elf cleric

Iluq frowns.
"I fear that was merely a test. We must take this matter to him if we are to end it."
He looks about at the destruction in the room more closely.
"Whose blood is this? Get over here if you let yourself get hurt."
His frown deepens and he drops his hammers to his side, "Who is hurt the worst? Spit it out!"

[Bouv]

Robert looks around and looks at the wounds caused by the wolves. "Well, I did take a few good scratches from the wolves. Just as I suspected, they are being controlled for they would never attack like this on their own. Plus, being pushed away by Vorkath just confirms that whoever that man was out there, he is using the bats and wolves for evil.

Robert will head over and inspect the wolves. "Before we head out, I would like to remove these from the household and at least bring them back to nature where they belong."

[Computer +1]

Tumbler looks sheepishly over at Iluq. I got bit a few times, couldn't be helped.

After a moment he looks at the rest of the group as his face turns red, But I was just getting my wind at the end there before they left!

[Stirling]

Agrippo will go outside the mansion, spear in hand. He'll check upon courtyard ponies first fearing the worst and then to the shed for Snowflake. Fetching a few spades he'll pass them out and suggest we scoop up the mess and light a pyre for the remains. "anyone fancy a new jerkin or set of gloves?"pointing at the wolves, "pelts might sell for a few extra coins or pay the gypo's cus they'll know how to craft a fine skin I bet".Then Agrippo will see to his new wounds and scars.

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath / drawing room

As the wolves retreat Vorkath sheaths Excommunicator. “That scoundrel Strahd sends animals to do his bidding – bah, the coward!”

The paladin turns to his comrades and looks at Agrippo and Tumbler. “I feel guilty I could not come sooner to the battle. Let me bring divine healing to those injured.”

“How fare you, Ireena?” Vorkath then asks the girl. "While there is some damage about, you can see we did not burn the house down. ‘Twas our wily wizard friend’s magics. My oath stands.”

“Iluq’s words echo my earlier sentiments. We needs must bring the battle to the vampyr, though I can’t help feeling that is what he wants. Perhaps we rest the day to mend body, mind and spell, and strike out for his castle with tomorrow’s light?”

[Bouv]

Robert will cast a quick glance at Agrippo. "Seeing how these worg wolves were being controlled and I don't think we are in need of money or warm clothing, I would prefer that we either bury the corpses or burn them. Let them return to nature like they should. If we want to talk to the gypsy's, I'm sure our coin will suffice."

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 3, 1221
Time: 1:20 AM
Weather: Overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

The battle over, you pause to take stock of your situation and discuss your next move.

“Well that sucked,” declares Tumbler. “We better all find our religion because the rest of us are toast against something like that.”

Vorkath sheaths Excommunicator. “That scoundrel Strahd sends animals to do his bidding – bah, the coward!”

Iluq frowns. “I fear that was merely a test. We must take this matter to him if we are to end it.”

“Iluq’s words echo my earlier sentiments,” agrees Vorkath. “We needs must bring the battle to the vampyr, though I can’t help feeling that is what he wants.”

Iluq surveys the destruction in the room. “Whose blood is this? Get over here if you let yourself get hurt,” he demands. Robert allows as how he “did take a few good scratches from the wolves.” Tumbler isn’t too proud to admit that he, too, is injured.

Vorkath also offers divine healing.

Agrippo, always a man of action, takes spear in hand and heads outside the mansion. “Are you insane,” protests Ireena, “going outside at night?” But Agrippo decides that the night’s danger has passed. He seems to be correct this time—nothing is waiting to attack. He checks the party’s mounts. Snowflake is still tied up by the shed. In front of the house, Iluq’s war horse is a little spooked, but still there. Vorkath’s war horse is also there, with a bored expression that says he's seen worse. The only sign of Tibbius’s mule, however, is a broken rope.

I’ll assume, this one time only, that you took saddlebags and packs off your mounts and brought them inside. In the future, if you don’t say it, you haven’t done it.

Robert and Agrippo discuss what is to be done with the dead worgs. Agrippo suggests that their hides might be useful, but Robert would prefer either to burn them or bury them. “Let them return to nature like they should,” he says.

The stench from the parlor reminds you that some of you had promised to help Ismark bury his father in the morning—a morning that is now fast approaching. You will need rest before the morrow, especially the spell casters, should you want to replenish your expended spells.

Status: Robert: 23/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 21/39, Agrippo: 38/52

[NJWilliam]

Iluq, dark elf cleric

Iluq approaches Tumbler while intoning a prayer of healing and then grabs and squeezes his hand hard, passing on the healing energies.

Iluq, cure serious wounds: [1d8] = 5, [1d8] = 8+1

Looking Tumbler over, he says a few more words of healing and touches the wounds that remain.

Iluq, cure light wounds: [1d8] = 7

Knowing Agrippo likely won't speak up, while intoning another prayer, Iluq walks up to him and slaps him on the back.

Iluq, cure light wounds: [1d8] = 2
Iluq, cure light wounds: [1d8] = 2

He quietly says to Agrippo, "You do know that it is more effective when you ask, no?"

To all he says, "If you'll pardon me, I need to get some rest. Robert, Tibbius, I'm going to conjure some silence for a bit if it'll help you rest as well."
Iluq then finds a comfortable spot, offers his prayers to Fenmarel, casts Silence, 15' radius and lays down to get some rest.

[Computer +1]

Tumbler feels the healing energy flow through his body causing him to shiver. He reaches out to shake Iluq's hand, Thanks Iluq he says in appreciation.

[Eulalios]

The flames vanish, though the glowing sand in the foyer remains. Tibbius goes over to his pack, which is at the edge of the heap next to the foyer door (thanks be to Zhym for his mercy!), and pulls out a hammer. "I'll strike a few blows to get the boards back over the window," he offers. "Then, I need sleep. And some time to study, when I wake." He goes to the drawing room window and starts work to replace the boards, hoping he won't have to come up with nails.

[Stirling]

Agrippo will take out the dead wolves. What preparations for the intoning of the burgomeister have been made? Is there a hearse or wagon? Suggest we bury them together in the morning.

Agrippo will thank Iluq for his administrations and find some soft couch to rest upon.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 3, 1221
Time: 1:30 AM
Weather: Overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

Iluq intones prayers of healing. He mends all of Tumbler’s wounds and some of Agrippo’s. He quietly says to Agrippo, "You do know that it is more effective when you ask, no?”

Vorkath brings divine healing to Robert, who had not prayed for the ability to do any such healing himself.

Iluq ensures himself a few quiet minutes to fall asleep by casting a 15’ radius of silence before settling down to rest.

Tibbius silently hammers the boards back into place over the window. He, too, settles in to sleep.

Agrippo drags the dead wolves outside, again drawing incredulous looks from Ireena. She cannot believe anyone would venture outside at night in Borovia, even within the curtilage of a house. But Agrippo is not attacked this time either. He returns inside and falls asleep on the couch. The rest of you, exhausted from the long day and early morning battle, also sleep.

You wake at 8:30, ready to begin your morning ablutions, prayers, and studies. Iluq must pray for three hours if he will recover all the spells he used last night. Tibbius must study for an hour and a half. Robert did not cast any spells, so he will only need to pray for new spells if he wants to replace those he has learned.

Agrippo asks about the details of burying the Burgomaster. “What preparations have been made?” he asks. “Is there a hearse or wagon?” He suggests burying the wolves and Burgomaster together.

“My father should be buried in the church cemetary,” Ismark answers. “I have a cart we can use to take him there. The wolves can be buried outside of town or burned as you choose, though I would not stray too far into the Svalich woods, even during the day.”

Please include any changes to your spell lists in your next posts, using spoiler tags. I’d prefer having them in a single-line format like the following example:

(1) Cure Light Wounds x3, Invisibility to Undead x2; (2) Aid, Augury, Resist Fire, Silence 15' radius; (3) Negative Plane Protection, Slow Poison; (4) Cure Serious Wounds

That would let me post the list directly into the character status post.

Thanks!

Status: Robert: 37/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 39/39, Agrippo: 42/52

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath / Ismark house

"I would help with your father's burial and say a prayer," says the paladin. "The magic wielders can stay and recover spells."

Vorkath suggests the group reconvene for lunch, then consider using the afternoon light to make a go at Strahd's castle.

Does Vorkath regain his laying of hands with the new day? If not, he'll suggest going the following morning so as to be able to heal, and have a full morning and afternoon of light to explore castle.

[Zhym]

Does Vorkath regain his laying of hands with the new day? If not, he'll suggest going the following morning so as to be able to heal, and have a full morning and afternoon of light to explore castle.

Yes, he can heal by laying on hands again today. And "light" in this place seems to be relative. The morning is foggy and overcast. You haven't seen the sun since you came to this place.

[Zhym]

FYI, here is another map of the area, showing the relative locations of Castle Ravenloft and Borovia. Ismark tells you that the road to Castle Ravenloft heads southwest out of town and winds through the Balinok mountains before reaching Ravenloft Spire. More than that he cannot tell you.

Borovia and Castle Ravenloft Sepia.png (1.06 MiB) Viewed 590 times

[Stirling]

Agrippo will ask Ismark about this sacred holy symbol that was taken? Why has the church minister not been able to help? Perhaps we ought to speak with him before the burial?

Agrippo will put the coffin and wolves onto the cart and tie up his pony to pull it, walking alongside spear and shield in hand to ward of troublemakers. Not one for floral matters he will suggest Ireena and Robert create a suitable wreath to at least dignify the coffin, perhaps the only bright colourfull spot in a drab dismal overcast day.

[Bouv]

Robert will assist where he can, both with the wolves and laying the burgomeister down for his final rest.

[NJWilliam]

Iluq

Iluq will take the full three hours to replenish all his spells.

Iluq: (1) cure light wounds x 2, invisibility to undead x2, sanctuary; (2) aid, augury, resist fire, silence 15' radius; (3) negative plane protection, slow poison; (4) cure serious wounds

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath / cemetary

The paladin assists with the burial and says a prayer.

"True God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

True God, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
We pray in hope for the family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with the True God,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

So says the sword of the True God."

After the ceremony, Vorkath joins the others in having a word with the priest.

"Good sir, might you have some time to talk?"

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 3, 1221
Time: 8:30 AM
Weather: Foggy, overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

Tibbius and Iluq stay at the Burgomaster’s home preparing their spells for the day.

The rest of you help bury the Burgomaster. You load the corpse onto a cart, tie the cart to Snowflake, and walk alongside the pony toward the town church. Robert stays behind long enough to burn the wolves’ carcasses in a spot just outside of town. Ismark and Ireena come with you.

You cross the town square and take the road north. Atop a slight rise, against the very roots of the castle’s pillar-stone, stands the church—a gray, sagging edifice of stone and wood. This church has weathered the assaults of evil for centuries on end and is worn and weary. The bell tower hangs to one side, its sweet tone long silenced.

You leave Snowflake and the Burgomaster’s corpse at the door as Ismark leads you inside. The interior of the church is a shambles. Overturned and broken benches litter the dusty floor. A gray morning light shines through holes burned through the roof shingles. The rafters strain feebly against their load. Toward the far end, next to a claw-scarred altar, stands the priest. His robes drape loosely over a gaunt frame. In his hand is a tall staff with the symbol of a sun on top of it.

“Father Donavich!” calls Ismark, in the slow, enunciated, loud voice one might use to talk to a beloved but senile old uncle who is also going deaf. “These men have come to help me bury my father!”

Father Donavich walks slowly and a little unsteadily down the nave, using his staff for support. As he approaches, you are surprised to see that he is not old—35 or 40, perhaps. But he has dark bags under sunken eyes and his face wears the lines of someone twice his age.

“Adventurers!” he says. “Here to bury the Burgomaster? And that’s not all, no doubt. God rest your souls!"

Ismark gently corrects him. "You mean 'bless' their souls, don't you Father?"

"Yes, of course," he replies absently. "Yes. Bless your souls. Now come with me.”

He leads you outside to the church cemetery. Alas, it turns out that when Ismark said he needed help burying his father, he wasn’t just talking about the ceremony. Father Donavich hands you each a shovel and directs you to an empty spot in the graveyard.

Agrippo catches up with and helps with the digging. It is hard work, but you are mighty adventurers. By late morning, the grave is ready. Father Donavich leads the ceremony, Ismark says a few words, and Vorkath offers a prayer of his own.

After the ceremony, Ireena and Ismark head home. Vorkath and Agrippo stay after. Vorkath approaches Father Donavich. "Good sir, might you have some time to talk?"

“Of course,” says the priest. “Come inside.” He leads you back into the church, sets an overturned bench upright, and asks, “What would you ask?”

Status: Robert: 37/37, Iluq: 39/39, Vokath: 40/40, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Tumbler: 39/39, Agrippo: 42/52