3. Castle Ravenloft

[GreyWolfVT]

"Hows that working for you Vorkath?" Robert replies with a bit of sarcasm.

[MonkeyWrench]

Not sure if it's strahd's turn to act or if this will flow into it, if not then DM can just disregard this post.

Iluq looks towards Vorkath, seeing his attempts at turning the creature fail and sensing that this situation is about to become a battle he wields his Hammer, and using his other hand he takes out his holy symbol, I begin to move towards Strahd and Vorkath, "If he is too strong for your god perhaps mine will fair better." As I walk towards the creature I chant a prayer under breath that gets louder the closer I get to Strahd, "Mighty and forgiving Fenmarel, grant me the power to turn this creature of the dead away, allow your light to flow through me to it, allow me to show it your might so that it may cower in fear to you, I ask of you oh mighty Fenmarel, Turn away this creature of the undeath!!"

Turn Undead: [1d20] = 6

Welp, sorry Vorkath... I tried

[GreyWolfVT]

Well thats working out well I see.... me druid me no turn undead. My spells aren't a whole lot of help inside the castle and definately not to fight a vampire such as Strahd

Robert provided this happens b4 a battle ensues casually walks to one of the hopefully stone castle walls and attempts to cast Stone Shape trying to shape the stone into a large spike roughly 3' long.

[Computer +1]

Tumbler will first light his pipe and then take the drink from Robert. Well I won't eat yer food but only a fool lets a good drink go to waste.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 5:16 PM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Dining Hall
**************************************

Agrippo and Robert accept the invitation to eat. Agrippo grabs a big leg of meat and tears into it. Robert helps himself to a juicy piece of fruit. Both are delicious. Tumbler eschews the food but does partake of the drink. None of them seem to suffer any ill effects.

Non-Ireena does not eat. She curtseys and smiles. “It is nice to be a guest in your home, after you so often have visited ours,” she says. Ireena-Ireena merely stands and watches suspiciously.

“I am so very pleased to see you here, lovely Ireeena,” the figure replies with a small bow. “Both of you,” he adds with a sly grin. “Two beautiful Ireenas. Truly, this is a dream come true!”

Vorkath will have none of this palaver. He strides puposefully forward, brandishing his holy symbol. “By the holy and lawful power of the True God, I turn you!” But the holy and lawful power of the True God must be diminished in this evil place. The figure remains seated, apparently unperturbed by the attempts to turn him away. Iluq’s attempt at turning the vampyr also fails.

The figure smiles condescendingly at the paladin. “Tsk, tsk tsk. Is this how you greet a host who offers you his hospitality, by trying to banish him from his home? How terribly ungracious. What tales have Eva and those villagers been filling your heads with, I wonder? Nevertheless I welcome you, gilded paladin, so bright and shining in your golden armor. Humility must not rank high among the virtues of your faith, hm? And you, black elf, I also welcome. It is truly unusual to see one of your kind up here.

"Shall we converse as civilized creatures, or are you intent on doing battle in my dining room?”

Status: Agrippo: 46/52, Vokath: 40/40, Ireena: ??/??, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Iluq: 39/39, Tumbler: 24/39, Robert: 36/37
Spells: Polymorph Self (Tibbius): 8.4 turns; Log of Everburning (Robert): 36.4 turns

[GreyWolfVT]

Thank you for not forcing battle at this point in a place where the foe would have the advantage.

Robert smiles does a slight head nod bow of sorts, and after a moment decides perhaps to be seated. Still eating some delicious fruit. Between bites he says "Lord Strahd what false tales do you suspect Eva of telling us? Please honor us by setting us straight. I do so apologize for my friends there they know not but what is shall we call it instinct to them." Robert makes sure to take a seat close to his friend Tumbler who at this point I believe is standing near the table partaking of the drink.

[Eulalios]

Not-Ireena shifts shape to mimic Strahd and makes a courteous bow.

[Computer +1]

Tumbler drains his drink and lets out an impressive burp. Well you set an impressive spread, maybe it would be more civil to sit and talk a bit. With that he takes a seat and starts eating. He goes for the biggest cut of meat he can find. Between noisy bites he asks his host, You mentioned ::gulp:: about the villagers ::chomp:: telling us wrong ::burp:: so what is the truth? Who are you?

[GreyWolfVT]

Tumbler drains his drink and lets out an impressive burp. Well you set an impressive spread, maybe it would be more civil to sit and talk a bit. With that he takes a seat and starts eating. He goes for the biggest cut of meat he can find. Between noisy bites he asks his host, You mentioned ::gulp:: about the villagers ::chomp:: telling us wrong ::burp:: so what is the truth? Who are you?

Haha I love this guy

Robert chuckles and says "I knew you'd come around Tumbler. Yes Lord Strahd please tell us your tale."

[Stirling]

"Strahd we come to ease your passing, death should not be kept waiting. Its' your carnal desire for this young lady that has sustained you, let her go and rest in peace or come and fight and we'll make you rest in pieces!", Agrippo trying to sound menacing but still wary especially as the clerical skilled amongst us have lost some of their usual strong faith. He will approach besides Vorkath and take a stance with his shield up ready for action

[Grognardsw]

The vampyre is too powerful in his stronghold, the paladin thinks. The adventurers not pure of heart enough to combine strengths to vanquish the perversion.

"Strahd your words fall from mouth like shit from ass," utters Vorkath. "Your hospitality is a sham, your intents malevolent. You are a curse upon Barovia."

The Sword of the True Gods draws Excommunicator and stands next to Agrippo.

[MonkeyWrench]

Upon seeing that the Paladins actions have not caused Strahd to initiate combat Iluq looks a bit confused and draws his hammers but takes a couple steps back, not willing to initiate combat but if his companions of deem it so he will not hesitate to join them.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 5:17 PM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Dining Hall
**************************************

Robert and Tumbler engage the figure in conversation while they dine. “So what is the truth?” asks Tumbler. “Who are you?”

“I am he who you see before you,” he replies. “Count Strahd von Zarovich, lord of this manor.”

“What false tales do you suspect Eva of telling us?” Robert asks between bites.

“The villagers fear what they do not understand. It pleases Eva to feed these fears. Perhaps you have heard the tales? I am ‘The Devil,’ it is said. I am centuries old. I drink blood. I command the creatures of the night.” He raises an arched eyebrow and chuckles at the implausibility of it all. “This is what you have been told, yes? All lies, spread by the crone Eva to bewitch the superstitious and cowardly peasants of the village. She controls the wolves and convinces the villagers that I am to blame."

Ireena, in a quiet, angry voice, says, "You entered my home. Twice. And left marks. Explain that away, vampyr."

"Sweet Ireena," he replies in dulcet tones. "Eva is more powerful than you know."

Even as Strahd says this, Tibbius changes form. Ireena’s delicate features shift and melt into the more angular, rugged shape of Strahd. Not-Strahd makes a courteous bow. The figure seated before the organ smiles sadly. “Well done. You have chosen another pleasing form, one I find almost as beautiful as your last. Thank you for the demonstration: what you think you see can be deceiving. Eva, too, has been known to change her form. No doubt she has disguised herself as me as part of her campaign against me.”

“Eva,” he declares, “is the true mistress of this land.”

Vorkath, Agrippo, and Iluq take no part in the discussion. Agrippo and Vorkath, weapons drawn, form a line directly in front of Strahd. Iluq takes a position just behind them. Yet they do not attack. Nor does Strahd, who remains seated before the organ.

“You see her power?” he asks. “Already, three of your companions are convinced that I must die without even a hearing. 'I am a curse upon Barovia'—I forgot that one. Well done, Eva." He sighs heavily.

Status: Agrippo: 46/52, Vokath: 40/40, Ireena: ??/??, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Iluq: 39/39, Tumbler: 24/39, Robert: 36/37
Spells: Polymorph Self (Tibbius): 8.3 turns; Log of Everburning (Robert): 36.3 turns

[GreyWolfVT]

"Lord Strahd, I at least have the common courtesy to hear you out before I go charging into battle against you. But yes these stories I have heard some, but I don't know exactly whom I believe or whom I trust about these tales from either you or Eva. I do not wish to offend you but is it at all true that you are a Vampyr? Also a question these wolves you speak of would that be the same worg whom escorted us to your home?" Robert asks while watching his foolhardy companions that wish to start a battle here and now. "pardon me Strahd, how is the drink my friend?" he asks Tumbler.

[Stirling]

"First blood was to you Strahd, now for recompense you foul creature of night", Agrippo hearing enough and taking advantage of a sitting figure will charge forward within range and throw his spear at the organist. Then draw his trusty and rusty sidearm and aim to take on Strahd in melee.


ranged spear attack: [1d20+2] = 18+2 = 20 damage: [1d6+3] = 4+3 = 7

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 4, 1221
Time: 5:18 PM
Weather: Thunderstorm
Moon: Full
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Dining Hall
**************************************

Agrippo has heard enough. He throws his spear with deadly accuracy at the seated figure. As the spear leaves his hand, the figure disappears with a mocking laugh! Agrippo’s spear flies through the empty space where the figure of Strahd had sat and lodges in the organ’s stops.

The moment the figure disappears, a fierce, bone-chilling wind rises up and roars through the hall, putting out the lights in the chandeliers and all the torches (including Robert’s magical torch). You hear the screech of ancient hinges and the solid thud of many heavy doors slamming shut, one after another, into the distance. You also hear the portcullis clang shut and the tired groan of the aged drawbridge pulling up.

The vast room is dark. A wind whistles through its confines. Crystal sings in the darkness as the great chandeliers rustle in the wind. The fragrance of food wafts its way through the darkened hall.

Status: Agrippo: 46/52, Vokath: 40/40, Ireena: ??/??, Tibbius: 22/22, Randolph: 4/4, Iluq: 39/39, Tumbler: 24/39, Robert: 36/37
Spells: Polymorph Self (Tibbius): 8.2 turns; Log of Everburning (Robert): 36.2 turns (currently extinguished)

[GreyWolfVT]

Robert

"Way to go guys..." Robert ends the statement with a long hard sigh. "Just exactly what I did not wish to start and there we have it, we are battling a powerful being in it's own stronghold. Our chances are very low." Robert does not move from his seat and tries to relight his torch with his "Produce Flame" spell. Yes I just checked it as used on the character sheet.

[Computer +1]

The sudden blast of wind and the ensuing darkness make Tumbler choke momentarily on the food he was devouring. After spluttering for a moment he grabs the nearest drink, drains it, grabs his crossbow and pops out of his chair. Bah what a load of drivel! Some gypsy farting in a wagon is the true lord while him in this castle and wolves at his beck and call is just misunderstood. Load of shite!!! He burps up a pleasant reminder of the meal. That being said the food was good and you he turns on his companions could have at least waited until I was finished before attacking! We all know what need to be done here, no sense rushing into things foolhardily!

[GreyWolfVT]

" Tumbler my friend that last statement sits exactly where my line of thinking was, rushing into a foolhardy situation, might as well say that we were rushing to our deaths." Robert chimes in before attempting to stand up.

[Eulalios]

Tibbius casts protection from evil on Ireena.