10. Return to Castle Ravenloft

[Cwreando]

Lar says, "Well should we clear these rooms quickly or just head south? I'm ok either way. IF we entered the castle east of it through stairs shouldn't we be trying to go west to get under it? Of course we may have to go in an opposite direction if it loops back around at some point so any direction could potentially lead to the catacombs right?"

[Stirling]

How does this smaller guard room look? Is there any method in the swords being stuck in the wall, like making steps to a ceiling alcove or does it look like an explosion has just randomly splattered everything everywhere?

"makes me think that a whirlwind passed through here, scattering the stuff around like a tornado ripping through some barn workshops. Does this Strahd have only undead guardians, maybe something more elemental or summoned?" Scarlett asks trying to understand the devastation. Scarlett surveys the scene from the doorway and will tentatively step into the room, hopefully illuminating any ghoulies and zombies hidden in the side archway shadows. She is holding a lantern in one hand and her holy symbol in the other hoping any evil presence will be detected and subsequently driven back by Samars' divine turning inspiration.

[Storm11]

Castran urges Bragar to use his trap finding spell through the archway and the closed door as quickly as he can.

If there is time to check the southern doors we should do so too.

[Inferno]

Agax Gryyg, game mage:

"The servants' entrance has brought us to the servants' quarters," Agax said.
"Let's move quickly before Bragar's spell expires. Please advance to the north door, which will allow us to peer eastward."

[Stirling]

"These bones, weapons and armour strewn around are more than humble servants, my arcane friend, maybe the castle militia were based here? Lets' not step too hasty. Some of us fought Strahds' armoured new recruits when they came knocking, just keep checking those bones are not shivering and shaking to stand and assail us",Scarlett whispers to the impatient mage, hoping she doesn't miss any clues in the rush forward.

[GreyWolfVT]

Gragog "The scene certainly paints a picture, whenever Strahd took over this place he did so with extreme force."

[Zhym]

How does this smaller guard room look? Is there any method in the swords being stuck in the wall, like making steps to a ceiling alcove or does it look like an explosion has just randomly splattered everything everywhere?

There does not appear to be any order to the chaos, no. As best as you can tell, some great force sent everything flying, some of which lodged in the walls.

[Cwreando]

"Let's keep moving folks. Scan the room beyond the archway to the right then let's go through the door to the north and scan beyond it for traps. We probably need to check for secret doors in our current room and any other rooms as we clear them", adds Lar. "Anyone with a keen sense for finding concealed or secret doors please search as we move along. Shinyah can your companions help find these types of doors?"

[Dram]

Bragar-Moves to the Archway scanning for traps. He will then move to the north door and scan it for traps. Lets not be too hasty I do not want to walk into a ambush of the undead.

[Zhym]

Date: Trieluna 13, 1222
Time: 7:00 PM
Weather: Fog
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Servants' Entrance
**************************************

Bragar moves to the archway, where he sees a dark, low passage that leads to an ascending staircase. Sickly yellow lichen covers the ceiling. There is a small room on each side of the passage.

His spell shows that there are no traps in this new area. The spell then fades.

Map 11 Larders of Ill Omen.png (72.7 KiB) Viewed 653 times

Bragar was able to see the north door (and that there are no traps on it) last turn.

-----
Status: Gragog (F7): 49/49; Lar (P6): 37/40; Bragar: 41/42 (C7); Castran: 23/23 (F5/I6); Scarlett (C7/T5): 34/34; Agax (MU7): 45/45; Petyr (F4): 30/30; Bogdana (C3): 23/23; Shinyah (D7): 37/38, Honeynose: 26/28, Treescratcher: 29/29, Hihu: 4/4
Effects: Phantom Armor (Castran): 6 pts; Invisibility (Castran); Find Traps (Bragar): Expired; Detect Evil (Scarlett): 3.5 turns
Light sources: Lantern (30', Lar): 20 turns; Torch (40', Bragar): 3 turns

[Stirling]

From the edge of the arched corridor, Scarlett will peer into the darkness. "I thought maybe another set of rusty suits of armour, a little welcoming committed on guard but nothing. If the stairs go up this is not the way." Scarlett will wave her hand briefly in the air just scanning the shadows for any lurking staircase wraiths.

[GreyWolfVT]

Gragog "Up does not generally lead to underground in my experience." the half-orc throws in his opinion. "Let us check the southern doors now?"

[Inferno]

Agax Gryyg, game mage:

The spell then fades.

"Excellent work, Bragar," said Agax. "Simply first rate."

Gragog "Let us check the southern doors now?"

"Very well," said Agax. While waiting for the group to ready themselves behind the half-orc fighter, Agax optimistically collected a wooden stake, and then scrutinized the crumpled armor and jutting swords and shields without touching them. "Hmmm," the wizard said as he stroked his long white beard with practiced studiousness and introspection.

[Dram]

Bragar- Sorry my friends the spell has faded. I do have a second spell if we want to use it here. It may not be best to use it all up. We have more use of the spell as we proceed upstairs.

[Cwreando]

Lar says, "Up is definitely not the way we want to go. Perhaps south may yield better results. Keep in mind though should we run into dead ends there are doors we have not checked."

[Zhym]

Date: Trieluna 13, 1222
Time: 7:10 PM
Weather: Fog
Location: Castle Ravenloft, Servants' Entrance
**************************************

Scarlett peers through the archway into the darkness. She spots nothing there—no staircase wraiths or rusty suits of armor. She sees no evil (and hears no evil and speaks no evil).

On general agreement, the convoy heads south in its search for a way down. Pulling the door open, you see a 10'-wide arched corridor leading south for 30' before turning east. Cool, moist air blows out from an archway in the west wall. Advancing enough to see through the arch reveals a 10'-wide passage running east and west. Opening off to both sides of this passage are 10'-square alcoves. Rotting cots and rags are in the shadows of the alcoves. Further advancing down the hall, you see that it ends in a stone spiral stairway leading up.

Map 11 Larders of Ill Omen.png (100.84 KiB) Viewed 620 times

-----
Status: Gragog (F7): 49/49; Lar (P6): 37/40; Bragar: 41/42 (C7); Castran: 23/23 (F5/I6); Scarlett (C7/T5): 34/34; Agax (MU7): 45/45; Petyr (F4): 30/30; Bogdana (C3): 23/23; Shinyah (D7): 37/38, Honeynose: 26/28, Treescratcher: 29/29, Hihu: 4/4
Effects: Phantom Armor (Castran): 6 pts; Invisibility (Castran); Detect Evil (Scarlett): 2.5 turns
Light sources: Lantern (30', Lar): 19 turns; Torch (40', Bragar): 2 turns

[Stirling]

Scarlett will remain by the door, bringing up the rear of the group. She will concentrate on the shadows and the cots. Are they cots like baby ones or small campfire wooden beds?

If the only way is up then that leaves one door in the misty room or through the wine cellar.

[GreyWolfVT]

Gragog "I've a gut wrenching feeling it is the misty room not the wine cellar but let us go find out shall we?"

[Cwreando]

"Let's check anything we haven't checked on this level. We check every room if need be that we haven't searched yet. I doubt Strahd would have a servant that would not be able to serve him perhaps we can loosen his tongue and he might show us the way", states more than asks Lar to the others.?

[Inferno]

Agax Gryyg, game mage:

"The remaining northern door in the misty hall opens into a room small enough to be a stairwell," opines Agax with a faint grin. "Shall we try it?"