2. Welcome to Borovia

[Zhym]

Vorkath / conversation
NJ, if Iluq has the spells referred to I assume you cast them.

FYI: Grognardsw may assume that, but I won't. I'll need your preparations, including spells, to be stated explicitly. And any plans as to what Ismark or Ireena should do through the night will need to be communicated to them. In other words, you can't just "have" Ireena sleep in the library; you have to ask (or, I suppose, try to tell) her to.

[Zhym]

I'll wait for NJWilliam and Stirling before posting the next move.

Another clarification: I'll move things without everyone posting to keep dialog moving along. In combat or planning for combat, I want to give everyone a chance to post. A "chance" means either a day has passed or everyone has logged in. If I see you've logged in and posted in another game, I'll assume you have no updates for this one.

[Stirling]

Agrippo, "eemmm...the plans of mice and of men...", he'll say to no one in particular as many voices echo around the hallway discussing plans for tonight. He will voice his opinion that as 'guests' we should respect wishes of Ismark. We primarily travelled here to answer a call for aid (and adventure) and we can certainly guard Ireena tonight. Need to find more info on our foe...400 years old...where did that come from? vampyr....should be a job for clerics and holy men.

If the stables are in town I suggest we take the horses there rather than some covered courtyard and bait trap! Snowflake would not forgive me ending up as dinner for some foul orc or hungry beast! Agrippo will offer to stay in the entrance hall and act as guard for the evening.

"If we are all barricaded in the let the wolves try to huff and puff and blow down the house. No need to get excited until the walls are breached and the enemy within and you can see the whites of their eyes", Agrippo trying to sound very sergeantly!


ooc: a house map, great was just expecting a couple of roughly drawn rooms!

[NJWilliam]

Illuq

ooc: I need to check durations of spells tonight before I determine what is being cast in preparation and what he will cast at first sign of trouble. Sorry about delay.

[Computer +1]

Tumbler resumes his work while muttering to himself This gets better and better..... stuck in a shite village, fighting undead and now we get to invade the vampire's castle. I shoulda stayed in the shop... Man with a trade is worth ten without he says.... stupid adventures..

Did Tumbler actually get any bottles willingly or does he have to go looking?

[Zhym]

Did Tumbler actually get any bottles willingly or does he have to go looking?

To clarify: if your host refuses to provide you with bottles for you to use in setting fires inside his home, your plan is to rummage around his house and steal some?

[Computer +1]

Technically Tumbler never said he wants to set fire inside the house. A flaming bottle could be used for any outside invader.

Non technically, yes, Tumbler wants fire.

[NJWilliam]

Iluq

Iluq watches his companions preparations and the different courses of action suggested.
While the others discuss plans, he examines the house looking for concealed and secret doors and sliding walls.
If he locates any he will point it out to his companions and continue with his search for more.

After searching for secret doors, he will cast Augury, seeking an answer to whether remaining in the house will result in weal or woe, and communicate the answer he receives to his companions.

"I have but one spell that will last beyond a short time. Once our preparations are complete, I will begin a chant that will last so long as I continue chanting and will benefit us at the same time as making things more difficult for any foes that may appear. I will need to stay near Ireena. Coupled with Vorkath's protection from evil, it should significantly thwart our foes efforts."

Iluq will then take his holy symbol in hand and begin his chant.

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 2, 1221
Time: 4:50 PM
Weather: Overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

You continue to heatedly debate strategy and tactics.

When Ismark objects for some reason to his ancestral home’s entry hall being used to set a fire trap for the vampire, Tumbler presents himself as the lesser of two evils. “You make the call, your sister or your house?!” he demands.

Tibbius explains that his plan is to tangle the vampyr in a web, douse the web in oil, and set the whole thing on fire. Presumably also in the entrance hall.

Ismark just sighs and shakes his head. “You have no idea what it is you are up against. I may be younger than you, but I have lived in the shadow of Castle Ravenloft all my life. I have fought the creatures that attacked this house night after night. Please consider for a moment the possibility that I know more about our situation than you do.”

“My sister means everything to me. But your plan would destroy this house while, at best, only inconveniencing Strahd. Yes, we should be prepared for an attack. But we withstood many such attacks before you arrived. The boards across our windows are strong. When those fail, we can deal with any intruders as they come. But trust me when I say that the best defense against the vampyr is not to open the door.”

Vorkath and Robert speak in favor of a more measured approach. Robert argues that it would be better to face the vampyr during the day. Vorkath promises Ismark, “I can assure you we won't burn down your ancestral home." He declares that “the battle must be brought to Strahd.” But this time, his rallying cry of “So say we all!” is met with little enthusiasm.

Ismark addresses Tumbler. “You may have two wine bottles for your fire bombs, if you will swear on your life and all that you hold holy that they will not be used inside this home. And I would have all of you help me drain one of the bottles by drinking its contents. It’s not a great vintage, but it’s better than you’ll get at the Vine.”

He turns to Tibbius. “I will bring you a broom, but you must likewise swear upon all you hold dear that you will not use fire within this house.”

Agrippo wonders about the horses. They were tied up outside the house when you entered the house. Dusk is rapidly approaching. If you leave now, you might be able to get the horses to the abandoned stable and return just before night falls.

Iluq checks for secret doors or concealed walls, but finds none. He declares his intentions to stay near Ireena and chant a prayer of protection. He says nothing to Vorkath’s request that he make Ireena invisible, set up a Sanctuary, or set a glyph of warding on her door.

Vorkath asks Ireena to sleep in the library. She retreats to her room for a moment and returns with a dagger. “I will sleep there, if you think it necessary. But if we are attacked, I fight.”

Randolph Cat prowls the house looking for rodents.

A question as you continue to plan: When the time comes, do you set watches, or does everyone stay awake all night? If you set watches, please give me a watch order and tell me where everyone plans to sleep.

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

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath / burgomaster house

"That's the spirit, girl," compliments the paladin to Ireena's declaration of fighting. He is cordial to Ireena, but not overtly friendly lest his charismatic ways strike a fancy within the girl.

Vorkath partakes of Ismark's offered wine and discusses final details with the group. "If we are to someday escape Borovia, we will need to vanquish Strahd and that means attacking the castle. I know not all of you expected a task of this magnitude, but it is what it is."

Raising his glass, Vorkath says, "We shall rise to the occasion, and we shall overcome."

After further pleasantries, including agreement that Agrippo secure the horses, and asking the cleric again about those suggested spell possibilities, Vorkath suggests that Iluq and Ireena join him in retiring to the library. They will move in a bed for Ireena, and cots or matresses for themselves. Vorkath will spike the doors closed, seal the bottom with wet cloths, and sleep close enough to Ireena that his Protection from Evil aura will encompass her (while observing virtuous propriety.) While Iluq chants, the Paladin will take a first watch inside the room, praying for guidance, strength and martial victory. He will also periodically Detect Evil to hopefully sense the presence of Strahd or his minions.

[NJWilliam]

Iluq

"I urge that no one leave the house to deal with the horses. My augury indicated that even now - it sees but a short distance into the future - it would be best to remain inside." ooc: Augury is 30 minutes into the future.

Iluq continues with his preparations to chant throughout the night if need be. He'll need to get what rest he may need in the morning.

[Stirling]

Vorkath and Iluq spike themselves inside the library with Ireena...? Thought this was going to be a communal stand together,"looks like 'Tibby, Tumbo, Bob and me in the hallway then"...Agrippo is ready as can be, indeed looking forward in that macho hurrah bring it on kinda way, to any assaults through the windows and doors; it will be a break to discussing multiple strategies of saving Izzie and Ireena and the debates on a housing warming party!

[Computer +1]

Tumbler mumbles some kind of agreement not to burn down the house, "unless completely necessary" he adds on in his own head.

After draining the wine and setting up his explosive bottles he is annoyed to see the big human retire to the library and lock himself in. So the one of us with the best chance to fight the vampire head on is now locked in a room separate from the rest of us? He can even sense the stupid thing gettin' closer to us but now he is useless to us.

Tumbler turns to the remaining party members not invited to a relax in the library. Lad this is gonna be a long night, how bout' another toast, this time from my personal stock?
With that he produces his special jug and uses it to fill up all the glasses to the brim with wine.

To a bunch of fools smart enough to stick together but dumb enough to get into trouble over and over again.

After the group drinks Tumbler will stick with the party and try to relax a bit before the craziness begins.

[Eulalios]

Tibbius touches a finger to the pointy green top of his noise. "just a thought... Perhaps there's something terribly persuasive in this fiend's voice. Could one if us cast a spell of Silence at the threshold?"

[Zhym]

Date: Nouluna 2, 1221
Time: 5:00 PM
Weather: Overcast
Moon: Waxing gibbous
Location: The Burgomaster's Home
**************************************

You start to hunker down for the night, though it is still early evening yet.

Vokath agrees that Agrippo should secure the horses, but offers no help doing so and no suggestion as to how one man should lead six mounts—including Vorkath’s own warhorse, who recognizes only one master—across town.

Unable to move all the mounts by himself, Agrippo goes outside and looks for a place that would be safer for his pony. “This is bollocks!” he thinks to himself. “Brave adventurers barricading themselves behind locked doors and some even further into the panic room!” There isn’t much in the way of shelter for horses on the grounds. The word “mansion” must mean something different in Borovian. But Agrippo does find a shed in the back corner that looks safer for a pony than being tied up near the front door. The rest of the mounts will have to hope for the best. Agrippo returns inside and stands watch by the main doors.

Vorkath spikes himself, Iluq, and Ireena in the library. Iluq begins his chant. Vorkath prays for guidance and periodically tries to detect evil outside the room. Ireena eschews the mattress and sits in an overstuffed chair in the corner. “It’s only 5:00,” she says. “I’m not tired. Did any of you think to bring a deck of playing cards?”

Tumbler “agrees” not to burn down the house. He doesn’t think much of the current defense plan. “So the one of us with the best chance to fight the vampire head on is now locked in a room separate from the rest of us?” He offers another toast from his personal stock. “To a bunch of fools smart enough to stick together but dumb enough to get into trouble over and over again!”

Tibbius suggests casting a spell of silence at the threshold. As yet, however, no spells have been cast in that area.

I've read lots of plans and intentions, but so far haven't seen any definite "I cast _____" statements other than Iluq's chant.

So begins a long night of waiting.

Anything else before I start counting down time through the evening—and bring on anything that might decide to visit tonight? Does the following map show your preferred positioning?

Screen Shot 2013-10-23 at 6.06.43 PM.png (84.74 KiB) Viewed 569 times

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

[Computer +1]

Tumbler looks around at the other 4 people bravely defending this front door. All of us standing here when there is a whole house full of other ways in seems silly. How bout' we have two of us patrol the inside of the house in a loop an check all the windows and other rooms and such.

Should help keep us active and pass the time a bit.

[Grognardsw]

Vorkath earlier suggested positioning around strategic spots, perhaps around the library. Lots of windows in the house. Its small enough that characters can unite in one spot if there is a battle there.

[Zhym]

Vorkath earlier suggested positioning around strategic spots, perhaps around the library. Lots of windows in the house. Its small enough that characters can unite in one spot if there is a battle there.

That's fine, you just need to tell me what those strategic spots are.

[Eulalios]

Tibbius stands quiet and thoughtful in the middle of the foyer, gripping his staff with his forehead leaned against it, the glowing end resting among the glowing sand so carefully spread across the floor. Shrugging, shaking his head, he walks over and fully opens the double doors to the parlor where Kolyan Burgomaster (ex) is laid.

Then he again picks up the broom with which he was earlier working, looks closely at the handle, tucks his glowing staff under his elbow, pulls out a glowing dagger, and starts smoothly whittling the broom handle to a nasty sharp point.

"Still haven't gotten my nice bloody stake," he says over his shoulder to the corpse, "and at best, I'll get it dusty."

Once he's finished whittling, he sheathes the dagger, dips a hand into the pouch at his belt, and brings out a handful of glowing ash, which he rubs all over the new-made stake (wary for splinters, of course). "I dub thee ... Hungerslayer!"

Anyone else feel better qualified to wield this?

Tibbius for now will remain with his back to the parlor, ready to cast his phantasmal force if appropriate.

[Bouv]

Robert will occasionally make patrols around the (inside) of the house, looking out whatever windows he can and keeping an ear out for any strange or animal sounds outside.