3. Castle Ravenloft

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 4:35 PM
Weather: Heavy rain
Moon: Full
Location: Courtyard of Castle Ravenloft
**************************************

You cross over the drawbridge. It feels rickety, but it holds.

You find yourself in a darkened courtyard in front of the castle itself. Cold rain swirls about you as sporadic flashes of lightning lance the angry clouds overhead. Thunder pounds the courtyard. Ahead, torches flutter in the wind on each side of the keep’s open main doors. Warm light spills from those open doors into the courtyard. Behind you, doors in the gate towers on each side of the tunnel entrance are shut against the rain. A howling wind rushed through the courtyard, driving rain into your faces. The dark towers of the keep loom above. Flickering lights shine from a short round tower on the southeast side of the keep.

Screen Shot 2014-01-15 at 8.50.11 PM.png (752.22 KiB) Viewed 468 times

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): 12.5 turns; Log of Everburning (Robert): 40.5 turns

[Eulalios]

"I feel it might be polite to hail our host," says not-Ireena quietly to Vorkath. "I understand we're here to do something but it's obvious we haven't the advantage of surprise, and simply strutting in the door seems somewhat rude."

Randolph Cat struts in the door, tail high.

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath / courtyard

"Aye, it seems the front door beckons," responds Vorkath the paladin. "It rankles me to be drawn to Strahd like a cat to catnip. Do we play his game, or strike out on different path? Perhaps investigate the light shining from yon southeast tower?"

[Eulalios]

is the southeast tower not on the other end of the castle?

[GreyWolfVT]

"I admit is is rude to not hail our host, but as it would appear our host is not around or at least not here." Robert says while still holding his torch.

[Zhym]

Here's another drawing of the castle:

CastleBW.jpg (49.04 KiB) Viewed 455 times

The light is shining from the south side of the shorter, wider tower to the right, neat the top of the tower. That tower is more toward the back of the castle from where you stand.[/ooc]

[Stirling]

Hard not to be impressed by the castle size. Not wanting to be surprised, Agrippo will move towards the gate house door on the north-west, trying the lock."He's watching, probably from that window up there. Best to take what precautions we can"

[GreyWolfVT]

Not being one to really want to go snooping around someones home Robert says "I'd rather not go snooping around, I'm sure there must be some that is supposed to come for us and take us to our host."

[Computer +1]

Let just go to the front door an' knock. Sneaking around his backyard aint' gonna fool him anyway. mutters Tumbler.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 4:45 PM
Weather: Heavy rain
Moon: Full
Location: Courtyard of Castle Ravenloft
**************************************

You stand in the increasingly torrential storm discussing your entrance strategy. Do you walk in the front door? Knock? Look for other entrances? Flashes of lightning punctuate your debate.

Randolph Cat—who knows a chance to get out of the rain when he sees one—struts right in through the doorway, tail held high. Nothing untoward seems to happen to him.

Meanwhile, Agrippo moves to the gate house on the north side of the entrance to the castle. He finds the door locked.

Ireena just shakes her head and ducks back under the entrance tunnel out of the rain while she waits for the party to reach a decision and act on it.

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): 11.5 turns; Log of Everburning (Robert): 39.5 turns

[GreyWolfVT]

Robert walks in the same way the cat Randolph did without the tail up and strutting that is.

[Eulalios]

Not-Ireena offers an arm to Ireena, and scampers with her through the driving rain, following Randolph and Robert into the castle.

"Catch us if you can!" she shrieks, giggling.

[Stirling]

Agrippo will bring up the rear then, shield and spear in hand. He is expecting swooping bats or wild wargs to leap from the battlements to again test our prowess in the yard, certainly not expecting open doors and butler service to warmly welcome us inside. Any 'Lurch character standing' at the door will get a spear lunged straight at him.

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath resignedly follows, grumbling something about marching order and Agrippo bringing up Ireenas rear with his spear.

[GreyWolfVT]

Robert chuckles at Vorkath's grumbling "That is why I like you Vorkath, always making me laugh."

[Computer +1]

Tumbler follows with his crossbow in hand. Time for a smoke.... is all he mutters as he moves along.

[NJWilliam]

Iluq

Iluq heads in the front doors and out of the rain.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 4:50 PM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Entry
**************************************

You decide to enter through the front doors. The massive doors, ornately carved with raven symbols, hang open. Fluttering torches in the entryway beyond cast dim yellow flickers of light. Overhead, four statues of dragons glare down, their eyes flickering in the torchlight. Twenty feet into the castle, a second set of doors suddenly swings open effortlessly and the sounds of organ music flow out. Beyond the doors is a second, larger entry hall.

I still need a marching order. All I know right now is that Agrippo is bringing up the rear. If I don’t get a marching order, I’ll make one up.

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): 11 turns; Log of Everburning (Robert): 39 turns

[GreyWolfVT]

Fine the new guy will say marching order.....just my suggestion btw
Marching order:
Varkath front with Ireena & Randolph
Second Robert
Third Tibbius and Iluq
Back Agrippo maybe with Tumbler

"Well when one is expected by Strahd, doors just open before you." Robert says with a bite of sarcasm

[Grognardsw]

My marching order thoughts:

1. Arippo (highest HP & AC)
2. Vorkath (good HP/AC, & prot vs evil aura)
3. Tibbius (magic user)
4. Ireena (keep her safe in middle)
5. Iluq (cleric)
6. Tumbler (come up for trap & door work, backstabs)
7. Robert (druid)