Twin guardhouses of turreted stone, broken from years of use and exposure, keep a silent watch over your approach.  Beyond these a wide chasm gapes between the Balinok cliffs and the walls of Ravenloft, disappearing into the fog-shrouded distance far below.

The lowered drawbridge of old wooden beams hangs precariously between you and the arched entrance to the castle courtyard.  The chains of the drawbridge creak in the wind, their rust-eaten iron straining with the weight.  From atop the high strong walls, stone gargoyles stare at you from hollow sockets, grinning hideously.

A rotting wooden portcullis, green with growth, hangs in the entry tunnel.  Beyond this the main doors of Castle Ravenloft stand open, a rich warm light spilling into the courtyard ...

Zertin advances cautiously towards the gatehouses and drawbridge, alert for any sign of guards or other dangers. When closer to the drawbridge he looks for any sign that the drawbridge and its chains really may not be able to support the party's weight.

Zertin rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Spot check.
Zertin rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge Architecture/Engineering.

Arriving at the high pass, Qvar is as fresh as if he'd just taken a stroll in a meadow of cornflowers.  He smiles at Caesius and asks "How badly do you miss Hammer now?"

At the drawbridge he steps up beside his brother and looks ahead to where light spills from the castle entrance.  "It looks like we're expected." he chuckles.  "I weigh less than most, and travel light.  Perhaps I should be first?  Does anyone have a rope?  And does anyone know how to tie a bowline?  I can never remember which hole the rabbit goes in!"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:57, Mon 12 Sept 2022.

The chains are indeed rusty but they look as if they might hold if you're cautious for the weight of a single person is surely as nothing compared to that of the old drawbridge itself ... though the planks, it must be said, are best described as rotten and would seem the greatest danger.

From this vantage the Wizard can discern no sign of life, or indeed unlife.

Zertin retrieves a coil of silk rope from his backpack and passes it to Qvar.

”Good idea Q. A strong breeze could blow you away!”

"I'd not trust the bridge to hold the weight of a horse." Caesius growls, though he spares a rueful smile for Qvar.  It seems that he does, indeed, miss his mount.

"I have more rope, should we need it.  I have no idea what this bow line might be though.  Mayhap I know it by a different name."

The paladin steps up to the end of the bridge, and peers across to the gateway of the castle itself.  "'tis long since anybody has seen to the upkeep of this place.  Evil rulers must take little pride in their homes."

Violet stares up at the towers bracketing the bridge and portcullis.  She shivers, briefly, then sighs.  "I might...climb the chains into the towers," the young woman quietly offers.  "From there, I would have a better vantage into the interior.  See what there is to see, perhaps, and warn you if anything be amiss."

Her lips twist for an instant in a grimace.  "More than this, in any case."

"Otherwise I could take the rope across the bridge, and secure it at the other side.  Though I have no strong memory how to tie a bowline."

Qvar chuckles back at his brother. "You could fly me like a kite right over the gap."

At Violet's suggestion he glances up at the chains and the tower, then back at her with a smile. "I hadn't even thought of that.  I suspect you'll do far better at this than I."  He passes Zertin's silk rope to her.  "Tie this about yourself.  Failed bowlines are usually slipknots, secure if not comfortable."  He smiles reassuringly and passes the free end of the rope to someone more solid than himself... Ashlyn perhaps.

To Caesius he adds "Once Violet has crossed, maybe we can attach your rope for her to pull across to aid our crossing?"

You swiftly decide that Violet's suggestion is the better approach, though Caesius's inspection confirms that both his and Zertin's ropes will be needed to stretch the distance.

With the rope suitably secured about her, Violet clambers up the leftmost chain, easily at first, then with considerably more difficulty as the slope steepens, finally pulling herself up one great link at at time, to gain the tower.

Within the tower it is dark, with no windows to allow in even what little light there is, and the young woman can make out little more than a maze of machinery with narrow walkways and ladders placed for access.

It is clear to Violet that she will need either to untie the rope from about her waist if she wishes to enter the tower to explore further, else use the rope to lower herself to the solid ground below on this side of the drawbridge.

"She's very good."  Qvar says admiring Violet's nimble climb.  "Is she an acrobat, did she say?"

Quietly he says to Zertin he adds "I didn't want to mention it before Violet made her crossing, but I'm relieved those gargoyles have remained carved of stone."

As Violet clambers up the chain, Caesius unslings his crossbow, places a quarrel in the groove, then keeps a close watch on the opening that seems to be her destination.

It's dark, of course, and he can't see anything inside.

"If it came to it, mage, do you have some magic that'd set a light in yonder hole?  Or Qvar, what about you?"

Qvar shakes his head.  "I did not ask Pelor to aid me in that way today.  But not to worry, Violet seems a most resourceful young lady, I'm sure she'll figure something out."

”I do have a sunrod in my haversack but no way to get it to her from here. I have a Light cantrip prepared, which will make one object I touch glow like a torch for 70 minutes. I could cast that upon a sling bullet and try to sling it through that opening but I would not trust my skill with my sling to make that shot. I have a Dancing Lights cantrip prepared as well, which does have the range to reach that opening but I would not be able to direct it any further after that opening as I cannot see inside.

“Caesius, fetch out your other rope and I will cross the bridge myself with that safety line to haul me back up if I fall. I have Feather Fall prepared so I will be safe enough even if the drawbridge fails. Actually, I am fairly confident it will bear my weight, particularly if I walk along the line above the beams that form the frame to which the planks of the drawbridge are fastened. The planks may be weak but that frame must still be strong enough if the drawbridge still stands. If we cross one at a time it should be safe enough. V has bravely demonstrated that anyone crossing is not likely to be attacked.”

With a grimace, Violet leans back out the way she came and makes a motion of her hand.  Then she ducks back into the tower, and sets to lighting her hooded lantern.  It's the work of only a short time before it's lit, and she keeps it mostly shut, providing only just enough light to see.  Hopefully this will keep from announcing her location to all and sundry.

As if the undying have any requirement for light.

Once this is finished, she casts about to determine the next best course of action.

OOC - So what's the best choice, here?  Go down the wall and secure the rope below for the other to come across the dilapidated drawbridge? Or is there a better choice?

At Caesius's prompting, even as the Paladin stands guard, crossbow at the ready, Zertin ponders his options for the mystical kindling of illumination, while Violet chooses a more mundane method, igniting her oil lantern that she might better see what faces her within the Northern tower on whose threshold she perches ...

Within the one hundred foot high tower, revealed by the carefully hooded light, the young woman casts her eyes over the inner workings of the mechanisms that raise and lower both the drawbridge and a portcullis (or at least half of such machinery, for she deduces the Southern tower might contain much the same).

There are no windows or other openings in the tower, just a solid-looking wooden door at the base, tightly shut, which would allow access to the tower from the inner courtyard of the castle.

Sadly, Caesius has already given up his rope to join to that of Zertin to provide an anchor for Violet.

"Can you tie off the rope on your side, Violet?"  Qvar calls, just loud enough to carry to her.  He will volunteer to make the first crossing, passing Caesius's end of the rope through his rope girdle then giving the end back to Caesius.  If he falls he'll be held by his girdle, uncomfortable but alive.

When Qvar volunteers to walk the drawbridge first, Zertin unpins a winged brooch from his cloak and pins it on Qvar instead.

“Wear this, Q. It is a safewing emblem. It is just a loan, of course, as I don’t think you will really need it. But if you fall it will activate the Feather Fall spell within and we will be able to pull you back to safety. Walk on the line above the beams of the drawbridge. That will be the strongest part of the drawbridge.”

Qvar hugs his brother then holds him at arm's length and laughs.  "Thank you Zed, but you know I can't borrow anything from you - not even Nanna's knitted bathers if you've still got those in that magic bag of yours."  He unfastens the brooch and presses it back into Zertin's hand.  "I'll do as you said and walk on the beams ... and Pelor will be with me.  Should I fall, be sure to watch, it's sure to be spectacular."

If Violet is able to secure the rope then he will make the crossing as described earlier.

Looks like it's 'going to the ground'.  Leaning out the window again, Violet checks the distance to the ground.  100'; quite a drop.  She could climb down...and honestly, that seems to be the best possible choice, given the circumstances.  If she lowers herself, that's going to be problematic, because then the rope will be up THERE, and...how will people use it to work their way across the dangerous bridge?

Best to take the risk, herself.

At least there's nothing in the tower, living or Un-alive, to assault her as she gets her climbing gear out and strapped to her hands and feet.

OOC - Okay, as I understand it Violet is basically going to climb down the tower and then secure the rope so people can cross the dangerous drawbridge?  Did I miss something?  If not, that's what I'm doing.

Violet will take 10.  That'll give her a 21 climb, which should be sufficient to climb down "An uneven surface with some narrow handholds and footholds, such as a typical wall in a dungeon or ruins".  Better yet, it's a tower connected to a wall, so she should be able to get herself into a corner (hopefully) and use that to get another -5 on the difficulty.

Once she's down, there's plenty to attach the rope to, to allow the group to easily cross the damaged bridge.

OOC: perfect!  And thanks for taking on all the risk.  And should she fall, please make it spectacular :-)

Caesius relaxes, a little, when Violet reveals that she is able to provide light for herself.  Then a little more when he sees her preparing to descend the outside of the tower.

His gaze wanders, taking in the rest of the gatehouse, the bridge, and their surroundings.  Still, he keeps looking back at Violet, assuring himself that she is safe.  Relatively.

Since his vow forbids Qvar to even borrow his brother's token which might afford him safe passage, Violet abandons her investigation of the tower's innards to carefully and painstakingly climb down the weathered stone blocks of its wall, landing lithely on solid ground at the opening of the entry tunnel.

Without a spike or piton, there's precious little to secure the rope too on this side, but the skinny priest looks light enough that with her holding tight to one end, and with Ashlyn anchoring the other, they'll easily support his weight should the planks give way ...

... which they do not, as Pelor guides his servant safely over to join Violet upon the far side, Caesius keeping a watchful eye upon the pair while he stands guard.

The climb down is no treat, but she manages with only a few dicey areas.  The lamp goes brighter, at least in the direction of the group, and Violet secures the rope as best she can.  Then its Qvar's turn to come over.

Finally the priest arrives, and she heaves a sigh of relief.  "One down," the young woman mutters.  "Let's see about the rest."

OOC - I'll do my best next time to make any plummets amusing.  Is there anyway to secure it to the portcullis, or the chains, or something? 

Zertin grins and hands the winged brooch to Caesius instead. Then he simply walks across the drawbridge in Qvar's footsteps, holding onto the rope with both hands as he goes.

"You continue to astound us all, Violet."  Qvar beams back at the courageous young woman.  He adds his own slight strength to the rope as Zertin crosses.  Glancing through the gateway towards the lit doorway across the courtyard he murmurs a prayer.  "Not far to go now, Pelor light our way."

With a nod of thanks, Caesius fastens the brooch to his cloak, next to the sigil of Heironeous that sits there.  Then he waits for Zertin to clear the bridge, before assaying the crossing himself.

The ancient timbers creak beneath his booted feet with every step, but the paladin continues without hesitation, one hand resting lightly on the rope.  The other grasps the shaft of Nail, and he uses the butt of the spear to test the soundness of the wood before him.

"Pleasant day for a stroll, is it not?" he calls to his companipns, as he passes the half-way point.

Violet turns her gaze speculatively to the rotting wooden portcullis, green with growth, that hangs in the entry tunnel ten feet behind her ... but even were it to prove sturdy enough to bear the strain, its base is twenty feet or so above the ground below ... and her companions seem unwilling to wait.

With Qvar safely across and adding his thin frame to the cause of anchoring the far end of the rope, Zertin follows next, trusting to the rope for support, and makes the passage without incident.

Caesius is both heavier, in his armour, and, even with the brooch lent him by Zertin, less trusting, sparing only one hand for the rope while the other grasps his spear, testing each plank before setting his foot upon it ...

... proving the wisdom of his actions as one rotten piece gives way with a crack beneath his probing staff sending shards of wood falling into the deep chasm below !  Undaunted the Paladin nonchalently continues on in the same manner, eventually gaining the solid ground on the other side.

That scare past, the rest follow in turn, each copying Caesius's example, testing as they go.  Ashlyn brings up the rear, tying the rope about her waist before she too makes the crossing.

Ahead is the entry, about thirty feet high and twenty wide, the rotten portcullis raised to allow access, with a warm rich light from the main doors of Castle Ravenloft spilling into the courtyard beyond the tunnel.

"Good... " growls Caesius, with a grin.  "The beast seems to be at home."

Ducking her head against Qvar's compliment, Violet turns to regard Caesius with a raised eyebrow.

'A stroll?'  Is he whistling in the dark?

Somehow, Violet figures that would not be the case.  Instead, the man seems almost annealed against fear.  She wishes she might say the same for herself.

Then it's onward, toward the keep within the castle, and Violet purses her lips at the sight of the open doors.  Something awaits and, as Caesius states, it is most likely a beast.

One of the undying.

Arrow to bow, she keeps herself in the fore to ensure she might spot any issues before they become urgent.

Qvar smiles in relief as Caesius crosses safely and in good spirits, clearly eager to confront the beast.  And that is well, for clearly this is the purpose to which our God's have summoned us here.  He follows Violet at a distance, his own warm glow reaching in anticipation towards that in the far doorway.

While they are still in the entry tunnel Zertin decides it is finally time to dress to impress. With a flamboyant wave of his hand his dusty clothing is transformed into a noble's outfit suitable for an honoured guest of the local lord. He slips on a signet ring and a jewelled necklace to complete the picture. He still has his dagger on his belt as his only visible weapon, but he passes his backpack to Randal to carry for him ("Just while I am trying to look like a nobleman, if you don't mind?").

Somewhat amazed at Qvar's almost playful attitude (and perhaps no less by the eagerness that Caesius displays), Violet leads the way into the courtyard, as Zertin magically transforms his robes to take on the semblance of a noble, pressing Randal into service as a bearer ...

... though such disbelief does not cause the young woman to lower her guard, and you all come to full altertness as Violet suddenly jumps back, narrowly avoiding a patch of the moss that on that instant falls from the raised portcullis to land on the stone flags at her feet.  ]

Qvar glances down at his own worn robe, with its darned tears and scrubbed scorches, then quirks a smile back at his brother.  "Slaying a vampyr is a formal occasion?"

The smile freezes on his face as he watches on in alarm as Violet avoids ... moss?  He looks up.

08:06, Today: Qvar rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  spot.

OOC: Where are we now? Are we out in the courtyard with the portcullis behind us, or are we still in the tunnel needing to pass under the portcullis before reaching the courtyard?

Zertin rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge Architect/Engineering check: condition of the portcullis.
Zertin rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Spot check.

Any upset at Zertin's display vanishes, subsumed by the immediate danger.  "Don't...don't touch that," Violet states, pointing at the fallen 'moss'.  "I've seen it before, around here."  Nervously, she glances up, raising her lamp.  "If you have shields, cloaks, hold them over your head.  Discard them if this slime touches them."  Grimacing, she continues to watch above, as long as there is stonework overhead.

"It will sink into you.  Rot you."  Her lips writhe in disgust.  "Kill you, slowly and painfully."

Not something they had in Chaville; had it been, Violet has no doubt the rich would have made a night's amusement of watching one of the poor scream and dance when infected by the foul ichor.

Nodding, Caesius raises his shield above his head.  "I've heard tell of this before, or something very like it, though I've never seen it until now.  One of my order got some on his hand a couple of years ago.  His captain cut the arm off to save his life, and burned the stump with a torch."

"But Faerel still says he can feel his hand burning sometimes, when he is on watch during the night."

Thanks to Violet's warning you advance warily ... but luck is with you and no more of the rotting slime falls, and you pass safely through the tunnel into the courtyard beyond ...

Thick cold fog swirls around the darkened courtyard as sporadic flashes of lightning lance the angry clouds overhead.  Thunder pounds the stone flags beneath your feet as a light drizzle begins anew.  Ahead torch flames flutter in the wind on each side of the keep's open main doors.  Warm light spills out from the doorway.  Although windows and arrow slits are visible in the walls of the castle above, no illumination escapes from them.

Behind you stand the two towers that hold the mechanisms for the drawbridge and portcullis with wooden doors at the base of each.  The courtyard itself is split in twain by a massive wall that joins the outer wall of the castle to the keep.  On either side there is a single gate, twenty feet wide leads through this joining wall.  A rusting portcullis blocks each gate.

"The light is like the call of flame to a moth," Ashlyn notes grimly.  "No warm welcome will we find here."

"What did the seer tell us? To seek the chapel that we might restore the symbol so dear to Ireena's family line."

"Hard it is to believe that any bastion of light might yet stand amid this darkness."

Zertin glances up in irritation at the light drizzle that has started to fall.

"Oh, curse this weather. My finery will be ruined. Come, let us seek the hospitality and shelter offered by the open doors of the keep ahead of us," he suggests, apparently determined to keep up the pretence of the arrival of a noble visitor.

Qvar chuckles softly at his brother's discomfort.  "Yes, let's use the front door, and see what awaits."

He would have to agree with Violet ... nothing good awaits.  And yet he looks up into the falling rain, knowing that above the clouds there is always a blazing bastion of light.  He smiles and nods encouragingly for Violet to lead the way.  "Yes, we should first try to find a chapel." 

"Aye, the chapel." Caesius agrees, and starts towards the door, with its blazing beacon of welcome.  "There is a saying where I come from: light drives out the darkness within and without.  So let us go inside.  With luck there's, at least, a sound roof to stave off the weather."

"And if our host proves less than welcoming, then all the better."

Wincing at Caesius's description of the effects of the dripping mold, Violet moves deeper into the fortress.  She doesn't like anything she sees, least of which the seemingly warm entrance to the keep.  It doesn't take one with her experience to recognize the cheery, comforting glow as the cheese for the wary mice who now enter.

"We might find that chapel," she murmurs, in response to those who mention it.  "But I hold strong doubts it will be anything holy, now."  Even so, they have only that to work with at the moment.  "Trust that if I see anything, I will speak up."  The nocked arrow returns to its quiver as the drizzle begins, and Violet hides her bow safely beneath her cloak.  Wet bow means wet bowstring.  Wet bowstrings stretch.

The doors it is; the young woman paces forward toward them, eyes and ears perked on the alert for dangers.

Though not without misgivings, you press on, duty, more than the drizzle that threaten worse to come, sending you across the courtyard to the strong wooden doors that stand open, and the promise, however false it may prove, of warmth and light within ...

The small entry chamber beyond is illuminated by flickers of fire in the jaws of the two coiled stone dragons that form an archway at the room's far end.  Their mouths direct the light in your direction, cloaking the room beyond the archway in darkness.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Qvar shuffles closer to Zertin, craning his neck to get a better look through the arch. "So far so good.  Shall we enter?"

OOC: Oooo, a map!  Must be something bad is about to happen!  :-)

Unslinging his haversack, Caesius reaches into it and, as luck would have it, discovers the item he seeks is laying on the top - an iron rod with a golden tip.  Striking the tip against the floor produces a bright glow.

The haversack returned to its usual place, and the rod held high in his left hand, Caesius steps forward, into the blackness.

"Ah, good man! I do hope the lord of the manor is at home. I should like to meet him," Zertin announces rather grandly as he follows Caesius across the threshold from light to darkness.

Producing a light, Caesius boldly steps forwards through the archway into the darkness, Zertin on his heels and Qvar pressing close behind his brother.  Ireena too pushes forwards, in front of Violet, as Saeko moves swiftly to keep with her charge.  Ashlyn and Randal bring up the rear, grateful at least to be out of the drizzle.

With the light provided by the stone dragons now behind him, Caesius moves the illumiated rod's back and forth to reveal what lies beyond ...

Cobwebs hang from dust-covered columns in this great hall.  Stone gargoyles squat motionlessly on the edge of a balcony circling some twenty feet above the floor.  Cracked and faded frescoes adorn the domed ceiling, nearly obliterated by centuries of decay.

Two bronze doors stand closed opposite the arched entry.  To the left of the entry, a wide staircase climbs into darkness.  A wide hallway extends to the right, draped in shadow.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Zertin looks up suspiciously at the gargoyle statues on the balconies above as he follows Caesius into the great hall.

"This... " Caesius says, peering about at the dust and cobwebs, "... does not look promising.  It appears that nobody has passed this way in some time."

His gaze travels up, towards the balcony...

Qvar looks left towards the staircase, his eyes piercing the gloom.  He purses his lips in thought, then shrugs.  "I'd expect the chapel to be on the ground floor where all can gather to welcome the Morning Lord.  Perhaps off to one side of the castle, in a wing where there can be windows all around, and facing East to favour the Sunrise."  He looks towards the shadowy hallway to the south.  "Perhaps down there?"  He wanders off 30' diagonally to the southeast into the pillared hallway.

"Careful," Violet cautions, slowly moving after the wandering priest.  One never knows what sort of hellspawn might lurk about in such places.  It's pretty much a guarantee, here.  Arrow to her bow, she moves a pace behind him, a suspicious eye on the various pillars.

While Zertin and Caesius both stare suspiciously at the stone gargoyles perched on the balcony above, Qvar looks around more broadly, his curiosity leading him to wander down the wide, shadowy hallway to the South.  Violet, more cautious by far, follows a wary pace behind him, an arrow at the ready. 

The ever-present light that envelops Qvar reveals a narrow passage that leads to a spiral staircase at the far end of the wide hall, and an alcove nearby holds a suit of full plate armor posed with a halberd in one hand.  Another pair of double doors stands opposite this alcove, set in the West wall.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

The paladin's eyes narrow, and he points the glowing metal rod towards the gargoyle laden balcony.  "Ware!" he growls, "I detect the taint of foulness above."

His blade slides from its sheath with a whisper of metal on metal.

"Ah, no chapel this way."  Qvar sounds a little deflated, "But there is a spiral staircase going both up and down."  He smile at Violet, "I'm glad you're keeping watch... that 'taint' suggests something is lurking nearby." and moves across the pillared passage to peek and listen at the double doors to the west.  Is there a keyhole, or possibly a chink?

The young woman can only roll a shrug at Caesius's words, though he garners a quick nod as well.  Fantastic; now there's more than one direction to worry about.  Violet grimaces at the armor, fully expecting it to come to life, and bites her lip at Qvar's words.  "Of course there is," she whispers.  If the staircase leads upward...  "We might see what lies above come down that."

Cocking her head, she listens as best she may, but the Un-Dying don't seem to make a great deal of noise....

OOC - Unspectacular 16 on listen.

Zertin sniffs as if displeased by an unwelcome odour.

"Just statues. The taint you sense must be from something other than those stone gargoyles," he advises Caesius.

He strides off after Qvar and Violet.

Caesius scowls.  He likes it not that his companions seem prepared to move onward and leave some unknown evil at their back.

Still, there seems little he can do about the evil if it chooses to remain above.  And there is, apparently, a staircase that might allow him access to the balcony, and whatever vileness lurks there.

With one last, half-hopeful, look at the balcony, he turns to follow the others.

Qvar crosses the shadow draped hall, searching for any gap in the doors that he might peek through, Violet following, more cautiously behind him. 

Caesius pulls his sword from its scabbard as he continues to concentrate upon the balcony above, though Zertin is convinced that the statues are no more than they seem, turning his back on them to pursue his brother down the southern hallway, the Paladin reluctantly following him. 

The rest of the party come after, Randal and Ireena first, the former shuddering as he looks up at the stone shapes above, the latter keeping her head down lest she be overwhelmed with fear as you forge deeper into the home of the Master, while Ashlyn and Saeko bring up the rear ...

... unseen, the two stone dragons uncoil, twisting around, a gush of flames erupting from their mouths as they breath fire, while a grinding noise comes from above as the stone statues unfurl their wings ...

OOC: Ashlyn, Ireena, Saeko and Randal - 1) DC 17 Ref save to avoid 17 HP fire dmg; 2) DC 17 Ref save to avoid 13 HP fire dmg; no damage taken if successful save

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Zertin curses and takes a step back toward the entry chamber to see better what the gargoyle statues are doing. His hands are ready and the words of a spell ready to roll from his lips if the gargoyles descend.

A truly vile oath drops from Violet's lips as the room behind ignites; whatever the words are, the sounds are lost in roar of flames.  She begins a movement back toward the room, then aborts it, choosing instead to nock an arrow and half-draw, keeping close to Qvar.  Whatever happens, the holy man requires protection.

OOC - Violet will move with Qvar and loose an arrow at anything that looks like it's moving to attack.

Spinning around as if she senses what is coming, Ashlyn lunges for the safety of the stub of a wall just to the South West of her, holding her position till the flames pass, then stepping north a pace to bring her blade to bear against the fire-breathing stone dragon, calling upon her god to aid her in this battle.

"In Lathander's name !"


15:39, Today: Ashlyn rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Ref Save #2 DC17.
15:39, Today: Ashlyn rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Ref Save #1 DC17.

"Oh dear."  Qvar blurts, leaving the door and hurrying back towards the party, quietly chiding himself for being impetuous.  "Paladins know things."  He looks back and smiles in relief to see that Violet is close.  "Well done Violet, if we stay close, Pelor will protect us, a little."  He moves north and east to stand between Zertin and Caesius, then casts Bless.  "Pelor give us courage!"

OOC:  Qvar has permanent Magic Circle vs Evil 10'r
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

Momentarily distracted by his concerns regarding the source, or sources, of the foulness he had detected above, Caesius reacts but slowly to the chaos that erupts behind him.  Fortunate it is that his blade is already in hand... and that he knows better than to rush forth into a billowing cloud of flame of unknown origin.

He lifts Razor above his head, point directed at the unseen sky.  "Heironeous!  Guide Your servant, that he might bring Triumph to Your Name!"

Then he starts to move, heading back into the octagonal chamber.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:35, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

Ashlyn somehow manages to avoid the gouts of flame that engulf those closest to the stone dragons, while Saeko and Ireena are both burned but avoid the worst of it ...

Randal is not so lucky, his cries of pain cut off abruptly as he collapses, lifeless to the cold stone flags.

The two warrior-women recover swiftly to press the attack, and both their blades find their targets, though the creature's hides prove to be as tough as they appear, their swords doing but little damage.

Ireena stands as if dazed for a moment, then drops to her knees, ignoring her own pain as she does her best to help the fallen Randal.

As Qvar and Caesius move back towards the great entry, Violet, an arrow at the ready, shadowing the priest as he asks Pelor for protection, and the Paladin calls upon Hieroneous for guidance, Zertin watches the stone statues launch themselves from the upper balcony, instantly invoking a spell to cause a mass of thick sticky strands to engulf the creatures, catching them in mid-air, thrashing about as they struggle to free themselves from the wizard's trap.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ... the webs are about 20' above the ground, so those below can move freely

Qvar glances up as webs entangle the gargoyles and smiles his brother. "Thank-you, Zed"  He would laugh at their surprise and rage but instead his attention is drawn to those battling stone dragons, and Randal's collapse.  He hurries to join Ireena in helping Randal, and quickly realises the extent of his injury.  He looks to Ireena and shakes his head, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "He's gone, Ireena.  But praise be to Lathander, you were spared.  Let the Sunfather heal your burn." 

Qvar has stopped just east of Randal.

"Very noble, I am sure, but foolish. Come out of the oven before those stone dragons turn up the heat once more! They are probably not living creatures but animated statues guarding this entry, but that doesn't mean they won't breathe fire again. There may be a delay between blasts but I would not count on their flames being extinguished. Nor will those webs hold those gargoyles forever either," he advises Q and I.

Despite his theory about the stone dragons, or perhaps to test it further, he pulls out a wand and shoots a string of five magic missiles to blast the head of the stone dragon that Saeko is attacking. (He doesn't have line of sight to the one that Ashlyn is attacking.)

OOC: Zertin rolled 18 using 5d4+5.  Magic missile damage.

There's little point engaging the stone dragon heads with a bow; instead, Violet takes aim at the enmeshed gargoyles.  Easy targets, there...she looses, and a moment later a truly vile oath falls from her lips as the arrow joins the creatures in captivity.

"Accursed sorcerous web," she mutters quietly, already drawing and nocking a second arrow.

No time to be terrified, in this situation; survival is the only thing on her mind, and to survive they need to end this threat.  The fear can come later.

OOC - never mind, lousy shot, nothing here to see.

Quickly assessing the situation, Caesius moves towards the stricken Randal,and Ireena.  Then, while Ireena and Qvar tend the fallen man, he takes position between them and the stone drakes.

"Can he move?  We need to retreat from this chamber, and quickly." he says, watching for any sign of another attack from the magical statues.

Qvar looks up at Caesius' voice.  "I'm afraid our friend Randal is dead.  We'll move him."  He gestures for Ireena to take an arm and between them then can drag Randal away (next round).

As Zertin and Violet provide covering fire, Caesius and Qvar rush over to Randall's side, the Paladin placing himself in harm's way between the fire breathing stone dragons and Ireena, while the Priest quickly ascertains that your fallen guide is beyond all help now.

Glowing balls of mystical energy fly from the Wizard's wand, streaming across the chamber to strike the statue that Saeko battles, blasting shards from the stone, though Violet's arrow fails to penetrate the mass of sticky strands above.

Sparing a glance at Caesius, Ashyln sees his plan and takes a step to her right, trying likewise to draw the attention of her foe away, her blade finding the mark, cracking the stone, even as Saeko's whirling blades crash down on the rocky exterior of the other creature leaving it rent and fissured, barely holding together.  Both women easily manage to avoid the stone claws that suddenly lash towards them. 

The webs above shake as Qvar and Ireena prepare to drag Randall's body away, but the Gargoyles do not manage to break free of them.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Zertin points his wand again and with a word he fires off another string of five glowing missiles at Saeko's stone dragon.

"Move along, my friends. Those webs won't hold those gargoyles forever," he advises everyone else.

OOC: Zertin rolled 15 using 5d4+5.  Magic missile damage.

With Ireena's help, Qvar drags Randal's body back past Zertin and Violet, laying him against the wall. "Thank-you for guiding us here, friend Randal.  Be at peace."  He straightens and asks "How can we help?"

"In Heironeus' name!"

Caesius hurries towards the dragon effigy.  Razor swings once, twice, with clear ringing tones as it hits, and strikes sparks from the stone...

Gritting her teeth, Violet draws another arrow back.  It's pointless - no pun intended - to loose it at the statues, but possibly the stony-looking creatures caught in Zertin's appalling web are less-than-stone, given their movement.

It's a hope, in any case.

The enchanted monstrosity remains trapped in the sticky strands - that should make it an easy target.  Don't aim for the beast, Violet, she reminds herself, staring at the thrashing creature.  Focusing on its upper body.  Its stony skull.  Don't aim for the beast's head, either.  Her gaze narrows further, blocking out all distractions and tightening to a single point.

You'll never hit the eye if you don't aim for it.

Exhale and loose, the arrow on its way.

OOC - Quite stunning, but natural 20.  A 23 follows for confirmation.  If 'meshed in a web' means 'denied dex bonus' and Violet is close enough, we can perhaps add Sneak Attack damage to the total.

Crit Damage: 10 + 2 = 12
Sneak Attack Damage: 20
Total Damage if Sneak Attack: 32

Edit: Insult to injury, if within Point Blank range the confirmation attack roll is 24, the damage becomes 33.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Mon 27 Feb 2023.

The glowing balls of mystical energy that Zertin sends flying towards the already blasted stone dragon shatters it into little more than rubble, allowing Saeko to join with Ashlyn and Caesius, and their blades, applied with both skill and vigor suffice to ensure it meets a similar fate.

With Ireena's help, Qvar drags Randal's body to the southern hallway while Violet covers them, waiting till they are safely behind her before picking her target and loosing her arrow, the shaft flying straight and true to pierce what passes for an eye socket and eliciting a terrible sound, like the grinding of stone on stone, its death throes sending it crashing down through the sticky strands that held it to smash into the ground.

Zertin's words of warning prove prophetic as the weakened webs allow another of the creatures to drop to the ground, its wings allowing it to land safely as it turns towards the Wizard, its stone mouth splitting in a craggy grin as it advances slowly towards him, its taloned feet scraping on the stone flags ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Zertin frowns at the menacing approach of the stone gargoyle and resorts to his arcane arts to attempt to keep the creature at bay. He recites the words of a spell accompanied by mystical hand gestures then hurls an invisible blast of force at the advancing gargoyle. Unfortunately, he misses the gargoyle completely and achieves little more than a very thorough sweeping of the floor beside it.

Well, that didn't work, did it? So he runs away. Or, to be more specific, he turns and steps over Randall's body until he is beside Qvar.

"I've missed you, Q," he remarks to his brother. "It seems I missed that gargoyle, too."

OOC: Zertin rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Ranged touch attack for ray to hit gargoyle.

Turning away from his fallen foe, Caesius spies the strange, vaguely demonic statue approaching Zertin.  The paladin grins... always glad of the chance to prove his worth in the sight of his god.

Twirling Razor in a glittering pattern of swiftly moving steel, he strides towards the thing.

"Abomination!" he calls out to the monstrosity, "With the aid of Heironeous, you will be unmade!"

"Oh!  Excellent shot Violet."  Qvar enthuses.  "You could take a leaf Zed.  I'll hold it off while you reload."   He steps forward, exchanging places with Zertin and planting his staff in a 'you shall not pass' manner. 

Bless is still running, gives us all +1 attack and morale save.
Prot vs Evil 10'r around Qvar.

Elation becomes horror as another of the creatures follows the fallen one...save this one still moves.  Zertin's sorcery proves inaccurate, and while Caesius moves to intercept, the demon is close.  Too close.

Qvar steps in to bar its path.

They cannot let the priest fall.  Violet grimaces, drawing another arrow back and focusing, this time on the throat.  Breathe.  Release.  The arrow flies...accurate, but not true, the young woman thrown ironically by the close range.

OOC - definite hit, but unless a 13 confirms, it's not a crit.  Damage works out to 7.

Zertin's swiftly cast spell goes somewhat awry, though in the mage's defense, it's the first occasion any of you (save Qvar) can recall ... and magic is often uncertain, matter not the skill of the caster.

As the Wizard beats a hasty retreat, his brother steps forward ... but Caesius proves swifter, intercepting the creature with a mighty swing of his blade, cracking the creature's hide with the force of the blow. 

The shaft that flies from Violet's bow causes a few stone chips to go flying as Ashlyn and Saeko draw close, the armoured woman engaging the Gargoyle hacking away half of its stone hand, while the Daughter of the Wind guards the Paladins' backs, her eyes upon the webs above as the other two creatures strain unsuccessfully to free themselves.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Qvar finds himself right where he wants to be, and the tide of battle seems to be turning... He'll stand on guard and fight (defensively) any gargoyle that strays within reach of his staff.

Bless is still running, gives us all +1 attack and morale save.
Prot vs Evil 10'r around Qvar.

Zertin looks reassured that the party’s fighters can handle the gargoyle on the ground, so he turns his attention to the others still stuck in the webs overhead. He uses his wand of magic missiles to fire a string of five glowing missiles at the one closest to where the stone dragons were.

OOC:  Zertin rolled 17 using 5d4+5. Magic missile damage.

Caesius continues hacking at the winged creature, smiling the whole time, and calling out praises to Heironeous as his blade scrapes and sparks against the monstrosity's stony hide.

Voilet's hands nearly fumble the next arrow from the quiver; she bobbles it, curses under her breath, and fits it to string.  Frustration makes her hurry, and a hurried arrow rarely strikes its mark; this one goes wide, a glancing blow rather than a direct on, and spins off into a corner somewhere.

"God curse it all," she snaps, drawing out yet another arrow from her dwindling store.

OOC - My luck is back to its norm...

Heironeous is indeed with Caesius, guiding his hand, as the Paladin's sword slams down once, twice upon the stone creatures, shattering it utterly.

While Qvar stands ready to face any further assault, his brother is not so patient ... Zertin chooses to loose another string of mystical globes of energy at one of the web-trapped gargoyle, blackening it's stone hide.  Lacking magical guidance, Violet does not fare so well, her arrow proving ineffectual, the young woman begrudging the loss of her shaft as her quiver grows lighter.

Unable to reach the creatures above with their blades, Ashyln and Saeko take the opportunity to position themselves so they'll be ready if any manage to free themselves ... though struggle as they might, neither gargoyle is successful.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Lowering his blade for the moment, Caesius dips his head, and murmurs a quiet prayer of thanks to Heironeous.

Then he looks up.  Two of the creatures live still, if that is the correct way to describe entities of animate stone.  Unfortunately they are too high above him.  If only there were some way to bring them within reach...

And then he smiles.

"Zertin!  Do you have the means to set that web afire?"

Zertin looks at Caesius for a moment before responding.

"Certainly. I am sure a fireball would suffice. Do you wish me to do so?"

"If you can do it without injuring our own people then, by all means, have at it."

Caesius prepares himself for the creatures' fall, Razor held ready.

Zertin steps forward and to his left, to stand beside Violet. Then he recites an arcane incantation and points diagonally upward through the whole in the webs where one of the other gargoyles had previously broken free. A tiny bead of flame shoots from his fingertip then explodes when it is 30 feet above the floor, between and above the two remaining gargoyles. A bright ball of fire explodes outwards 20 feet in all directions from that tiny bead of flame, engulfing the gargoyles and incinerating all of the webs within that blast radius.

Zertin rolled 27 using 7d6.  Fireball damage.
DC19 Reflex save for half damage.

Violet takes aim on the gargoyle once again, this time taking her time.  Breathe out, release, the shaft arcs toward the trapped beast.  She thinks it hits.  She's not sure, and will never know, as Zertin finishes his incantation and releases hell within hell.

Her shriek is no-doubt lost in the explosion of flame, and the young woman ducks her head, cringing beneath the fulminating blast.  That's one arrow you're never getting back, comes the odd consideration as she crouches, terrified, hoping the castle doesn't collapse on them.  The devil's own power unleashed upon his minions, and another, errant part of her thoughts wonders just how that will play out.

The rest is struggling to keep her from fleeing in terror.

OOC - Certainly hit, but damage is literally minimal.  4, in total. 

"That's more like it, Zed!"  Qvar congratulates his brother, basking in the warm glow overhead.  "Here they come!"  He stands ready with his staff in case they come close.

At Caesius's urging, Zertin casts his spell, aiming carefully and to devastating effect, threading a small spark of flame up through one of the holes in the webs above to explode in a huge ball of consuming fire that ignites the webs.

Trapped by the sticky strands, even as they burn, the last two creatures are unable to escape the conflagration and are engulfed by the inferno.

Trying once more to pierce the webs with an arrow, Violet is forced to quickly shift her aim as both gargoyles plummet in flames, sending her shaft towards the nearest before she ducks her head, as do Saeko and Ashlyn caught beneath, none of them needing the warning that Qvar pronounces.

The creatures hit the stone flags hard, never to rise again, their rocky exteriors blackened and cracked.

The gargoyles and stone dragons defeated, though at the price of Randal's life.  Ireena stoops to touch his cheek, offering a silent prayer as the rest of you look about to see if the battle has brought forth any further threats, looking towards the stairway to the North, the balcony above, the doors to the East and to the West in the South hallway, to the alcove there where stands a suit of full plate armour, and the narrow passage leading to a spiral stairway nearby  ... though it seems if any dangers stirs it has not yet drawn near enough to threaten you as yet.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated; Character Status thread updated ...

Qvar beams at his companions "Well done.  That's a solid start.  Is anyone injured?" He offers to cure wounds if anyone speaks up.

"We should move quickly now and try to find the chapel.  That would be a safe place to lay Randal until we can arrange a proper burial."  He smiles sadly at the fallen man.  "Ground floor?  Facing East?"  He no longer sounds confident in this guess.  Barovia is a strange land.  "Shall we try this way?"  He gestures towards the double doors to the east of the octagonal room.

"It's as good a choice as any in this accursed place." growls Caesius, and moves towards Qvar's chosen door.  "Besides, a large doorway oft indicates an important passage, that sees much use."

Holding Razor in his right hand, he lays the palm of his left against the door, and pushes...

After Qvar takes care of any wounds the others had sustained, Zertin nods his agreement to Qvar's suggestion and watches to see whether Caesius is able to open the doors or not.

Ireena and Saeko were badly burned by the flames breathed by the Stone Dragons, but Qvar has already substantially healed the wounds of the daughter of the deceased Burgomaster, leaving naught but a few reddened marks, and she waves away further help with a grateful smile.

The Daughter of the Winds, on the other hand, submits to the priest's healing care, mindful that she will need to be at her best if you are all to survive the trials that await.

As Zertin looks on, Caesius, his blade ready in his hand, opens the left of the double doors to the East of the great entry, revealing a long dusty hall, twenty feet wide and sixty feet long, leading into the dark heart of Castle Ravenloft.  Statues line the walls on either side of the hallway which leads to an identical set of double doors at the far end.

Qvar places his hand on Saeko's shoulder "Let Pelor sooth your burn."  He smiles as the scorched skin heals, no doubt bringing relief even though the serene warrior had never revealed her pain.

He peers between Caesius and Zertin through the opened door and down the dark and dusty hall.  "This looks promising." he says optimistically, resisting the urge to hurry on ahead. 

08:33, Today: Qvar rolled 12 using 1d8+5.  CLW on Saeko.

Zertin eyes the hall a bit more sceptically than his brother but nods his agreement once again.

"Not every statue in this place could be animated, surely?" he surmises.

He too resists the urge to hurry on ahead. Truth be told, he felt no such urge at all. He merely moved closer to the doorway to have a closer view of the hallway and its contents.

OOC: Spot check to look for footprints along the hallway, or any sign of animation among the statues, or anything that looks like it doesn't belong there.

Zertin rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Spot check.

Caesius, too, eyes the hall suspiciously.  "They need not be animated to present a danger.  The inanimate ones can hide the presence of the animated ones."

After a brief pause, he steps forward into the corridor.  "It does us no good to stand still.  The surest way to find an ambush is to walk into it." he says, grinning.

Violet - still in shock from the explosion of satanic fire - shakes her head in answer to Qvar's query.  She's certainly doing well enough, lucky enough not to be burned.  Or killed.  Others, not so much.

While the priest calls upon his holy power to heal the injuries, she casts about in search of an arrow or two on the off chance they survived.

Once the others have gathered before the door - now helpfully open - Violet sighs and moves to the doorway itself.  Standing in the crowd, she peers down the hallway.  But when Caesius finally steps in, Violet - with another sight - moves to stand next to him.  "But the best way to deal with an ambush is see it coming," she murmurs.  "Can we hope to that?"

OOC - after searching for arrows, Violet will take up the front rank with Caesius.  Reluctantly.  And keep her eyes open for ambushes.

And traps.

Qvar calls upon Pelor to cure Saeko's burns, and the priest's prayers are answered as blisters recede and burned flesh heals, leaving naught but a few red marks upon her skin. 

This done, he joins Zertin at the doorway, both brothers suggesting hopefully that no danger lurks in the hallway beyond, though neither do so with confidence as they both search the shadows, seeking to ascertain the truth of that. 

Caesius is not so sanguine, nor so patient, waiting only a moment before striding forth into the hallway, causing Violet, frustrated in her search for any surviving shafts to hurry after him.

The eyes of the statues seem to follow the pair as they continue ... though it appears that is but the skill of the sculptor that makes it seem so, for there is neither sight nor sound of movement in the hallway, save for your companions.

"Yes, let's hope to that."  Qvar smiles reassuringly at Violet and hurries on behind Caesius, peering into the darkness beyond the light brought by his friends.

Zertin follows just a couple of paces behind Qvar. He says nothing but continues watching the statues on both sides as he moves down the hall. Not a trusting soul, is our Zertin.

"The Masters of this place must have provided their patronage to an army of sculptors over the centuries," Ashlyn muses as yet more statues are revealed, "though it is to be hoped that the ones lining this dusty hall prove less belligerent than those others who greeted our entrance !"

The armoured woman can sense the evil in the very stones of the castle and is keen to meet its source and be done with it.

Though the statues' eyes seem to follow your every move, none stirs as you traverse the dusty hallway.

Reaching the far end, Caesius pauses but a moment before throwing wide the doors before him ... 

The room beyond is about a hundred and twenty feet long and maybe fifty deep at its widest point, the roof at least eighty feet high, supported by three massive pillars, the remains of a fourth, to the Southwest, now rubble.  Two shadowy openings are visible on the West wall, either side of the doorway, and a balcony can be glimpsed fifty feet above you, running most of the length of the wall.

Broken stained glass windows send tiny shards of coloured light into the ruins of this chapel.  Pews and benches lie about the floor in jumbled disarray, some shattered, all covered with centuries of dust.

Beyond the debris, a round dais holds an ornate altar, flanked by two statues.  A beautiful silver statue of a raven stands atop the altar, just beyond the grasp of a humanoid form sprawled over the top and front of the altar.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Caesius steps into the ruined chapel and looks about.  "There is no darkness here." he pronounces,  "Perhaps the sanctity of this place holds yet, and pushes back against the master, and his lackeys."

The sprawling figure gives some concern though.  "There may be traps of a more natural type though."

"Allow me to lead, then," Violet whispers.  Once past Caesius, she grimaces.  "It does look a little like a setup."  The convenient path down the middle, unblocked despite the pews being upended.  The figure on the altar to get their attention.  Her lips tight, the young woman slowly moves a short distance into the room, crouching for a better look.

"I don't...I don't think I can spot statues that breath fire," she mutters.  "So even if I think it's clear, best be on your guards."

OOC - Violet will stay a bit ahead of the group, wherever it moves, and keep searching for traps.

"The absence of evil should mean no undead as well, excepting the mindless kind," Zertin comments in a dispassionate, scholarly tone.

He glances at the altar for a moment then scans the broken pews for any hint of movement, but soon turns his attention to the fallen column that should be supporting the southwest quadrant of the ceiling.

Zertin rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Knowledge religion skill check.
Zertin rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Spot check.
Zertin rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge Architect/Engineering.

"The Chapel of Ravenloft!"  Qvar breathes, beaming at the beauty of the place.  "Yes, Zed, the absence of evil." he repeats in wonder.  "Oh feel the warmth and light as the Sunrise blazes through those windows."

Dropping his gaze from the imagined sunshine to the wreckage of the floor he hurries after Violet, staying a step behind her.  He eyes the raven statue with some curiosity.  "What does a raven mean to Lathander?" he wonders aloud.

Trap or no... "Someone needs our help."  He reaches the prone figure as quickly as Violet's caution will allow.

09:18, Today: Qvar rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  heal - diagnose condition of prone figure.
09:17, Today: Qvar rolled 26 using 1d20+8.  knowledge religion - raven?

You enter the chapel warily, Violet at the fore as she does her best to seek out any hidden dangers.

Caesius's eyes narrow as he regards the slumped figure, calling for caution, though Qvar heeds him but little, his concern overriding common sense ... though as the priest gets close, he quickly realises that the armoured man is long dead and beyond his help.

Concentrating on their surroundings, Violet calls your attention to the two thrones in the middle of the balcony high above, and the statues standing in alcoves just visible in the darkness in both of the openings to either side of the door in the West wall, but finds naught else that might trouble you, as yet, while Zertin eyes the broken column speculatively.

"I know not what significance the raven has for Lathander," Ireena speaks up, awe evident in her voice, "but in Barovia the raven is holy, revered as a symbol of all that is good, and a comfort and help in the struggle against evil."

"The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind which is an heirloom of my family was given to one of my ancestors by an angel in the form of a raven so she could use it in her battles against the darkness."

"If that is, indeed, a holy icon on the altar, that might explain the dead body." says Caesius, "While I am not familiar with the symbol on his tabard, horned skulls are seldom signs of good.  And nobody touch the mace at his belt - the markings upon it indicate that it may be unholy."

"I should say that is the priest of some dark cult, slain by approaching the altar."

”We were told to bring the symbol home to the last shred of sacred ground in this defiled castle. I will leave that to you to decipher. My thoughts run towards the silver raven statue but that is just a guess. Is it a holy item? Anyway, that is for you to decide. I shall focus on the magic here and learn what I can.”

Zertin will pull out his wand of detect magic and cast that spell to begin scanning the altar and surrounds, including the corpse and the silver raven statue. (60 foot cone from the centre of the chapel.)

"I'll let you all decide on this," Violet quietly notes.  It's a tad out of her own area of expertise...experience...knowledge.  All of the above.  Her eyes jump from statue to statue, and she keeps the arrow nocked.  "I'll keep an eye on those."

Statues, she has noted, have a habit of coming to life in hell.  With dreadful results, and not just from the statues themselves.

She wants to be far from anything Zertin assaults with his sorcery.

Qvar smiles his thanks to Violet for finding a safe path to altar.  He steps back from the dead warrior at Caesius' warning, a momentary frown as realisation of the man's fate dawns on him.  He stares at the altar a while, puzzling over the arrangement there.

His eyes widen in surprise at Ireena's words.  "So you'd welcome the Raven symbol?"  He smiles back at her in relief, choosing not to relate what he'd heard of the Raven Queen of Shadowfell.  Following on from Zertin's notion, he asks Ireena "Would the Raven feel like 'home' in this chapel?  Would you entrust Violet to place the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind on the altar with the Raven?"  He looks toward Violet, a shrug with a grin.

He steps up to the altar, feeling confident now that he understands the Raven symbol.  "Lathander, we thank you for each new day." he prays reverently.  He kneels and reaches out to place his hand on the altar in front of the raven statue.

"It is ironic," Ashlyn snorts as she gazes around the chapel, "we who are pledged to serve the light can sense the taint of evil ... but the presence of what is good and right eludes us !"

While discussion continues as to whether the chapel be sanctified or not, and if the silver Raven statuette might be the cause or indeed the source of such, Zertin steps to the centre of the chapel, alongside Caesius.  Though matters of good and evil he cannot determine, the Wizard is able to seek out magic, and with his wand in hand, he begins to search for the presence of the arcane.

The rest of you cluster around the altar ... though after the warning that Caesius proffers, a safe distance from the body at the Northern end of the stone block, Violet at his side, bow at the ready, in a position where she has line of sight to all the statues scattered throughout the chamber (and indeed keeping her distance from aught Zertin's magic might stir up), while Qvar and Ireena discuss the Raven Statue, Saeko and Ashlyn nearby, continuing to ward her.  All note the the repeating pattern in the shape of a stylised raven carved into the top edge of the altar stone

"As the Raven Symbol has protected us these long years, I doubt not that this statue is holy also," Ireena replies to Qvar, as she eyes the  silver icon that stands about a foot tall and half that in width, though only a quarter of an inch in width, "indeed the sigil of the Raven throughout her history has been revered as Holy ... though I know of no legend that mentions such as this."

As she nods to Violet to give her permission to place the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind as Qvar asks, the priest kneels, placing his hand upon the altar ...

... there is a bright flash of light, engulfing those closest to the altar and sending Saeko reeling, though she quickly regains her balance.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:11, Mon 05 June 2023.

"Oh!  Praise the Light, that was fresh." Qvar stands up again, smoothing down his shocked hair and beaming around at his companions.  "Well, I would never ask any of you to do something I would not do myself.  Is everyone all right?"

"Might of Heironeous!" Caesius exclaims, squinting against the sudden brightness, "That was the touch of Holiness, or I have never felt it."

He smiles, "The Gods of Right have protected this place, even though all about is shrouded in Wickedness.  Now, at least, we know what laid low this servant of the dark powers."

Violet blinks as the light flashes over her, there and gone like the flare as the sun crests the mountains.  Immediately, she hurries to assist the Lady Saeko.  "Is aught amiss?" the young woman inquires, standing close to the warrior.

Inwardly, she's still stumbling herself.  A flare of light, ostensibly from a heathen god, perhaps a spirit worshiped as such...and she feels more warmth, more of a touch to her spirit than Violet ever has within a church in Chaville.  Even the great cathedral inspired nothing but awe at its richness; it gave no comfort, no feeling of safety.

How?

Is it because of what I am?  A thief, unworthy of Christ's protection and comfort?  But then...what of this?

Bemused, she shakes her head.  "Are you well, Lady Saeko?"

Ireena too gasps as the light touches her.

"Yes !" she nods her head in agreement with Caesius.  "That is the same warmth that imbued the Raven Symbol.  That is what the darkness has stolen from it."

The young woman looks to Violet to see if there has been any change in the holy relic that is known to Qvar as the Sunstone, but holds her question when she sees that Violet is tending to Saeko.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:41, Mon 05 June 2023.

"It was just a little unexpected," Saeko waves away any Violet's helping hand with a small smile.  "The gods of good are a little careless in the chastisement they deal upon those who do not strictly follow their precepts.  I strive towards perfect balance in all things, which it seems they find somewhat offensive!"

Zertin maintains his concentration on the magic auras on and around the altar, his mind straining to separate the numerous auras in the area in front of him. So many auras. It would be simpler if his companions had stayed clear,  but never mind, he always had enjoyed a challenge.

Qvar grins across at Zertin, pleased to see he was standing well clear.  If ever there was a sinner at risk from a blaze of Light ...

Even more than the holy blaze, his heart is warmed to see how this group of new-met companions care for each other.  He watches Violet tending to others, that quiet thoughtfulness and compassion marking her as one favoured by the Light.  He's glad to have the Sunstone safe with her.

His thoughts turn to Randal, his body lying cold and alone in the hall - we'll do what we can for him, but first ...

His thoughts return to the Sunstone, and he finds himself speculating as was Ireena, looking at Violet and wondering if the holy blaze had been enough to restore its Warmth even within her pouch.

Lips a thin line, Violet nods to Saeko and moves off, giving the noblewoman room; catching sight of the various glances directed her way, she hesitates briefly before realizing their potential reason.  With a small grimace, Violet shifts her grip on bow and arrow to one hand (arrow caught between her fingers) and rummages in her pouch with the other.

With a small sigh, she removes the stone and holds it up for all to witness.

As Qvar and Caesius express their joy that even a small bastion of light and goodness prevails within this evil place, Zertin concentrates upon the wand in his hand as he continues to scan the area for mystical auras.

Satisfied that Saeko was hurt but little by the holy light from the altar, Violet extracts the Sunstone, Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, call it what you will, from the leather bag at her hip, holding it above her head.

Ireena gasps as the silver icon of the raven that stands upon the altar begins to glow faintly ...

Qvar's rapt gaze is fixed upon the Sunstone.  "Violet, what do you feel?"

Zertin speaks softly but clearly enough to be understood by those nearby as he begins to catalogue the magical auras he can detect.

"Ah yes, as we suspected, the silver raven contains magics of moderate strength. The altar itself has only a dim aura. That dead fellow has three distinct auras - a faint aura upon his plate armour, a moderately strong aura upon his mace - his unholy mace as Caesius declared it to be, and there appears to be an amulet around his neck that also has an aura of moderate strength. Interesting, I wonder what more I can discern about them ..."

Zertin continues to concentrate upon those auras to determine the type of magic involved.

"It seems that there is, indeed, a connection between the symbol and the raven." Caesius observes, with a satisfied smile.  "We have discovered weapons prophesied to be of use against the dark master of this realm, to add to our own skills and aptitudes.  A sure sign that the Gods look favourably upon our undertaking."

Violet can only shrug in reply to Qvar as she stares up at the glowing stone.  Part of her wants to toss it as far as possible away from herself; the other, more rational part, struggles to hold onto the idea that this light is similar to that of Qvar's.

It's heathen, but not malevolent, whatever the Church might say.

"I feel nothing," she confesses.  "Perhaps another should take it from me?  Qvar?  Ireena?  Caesius?"  Clearly it's not for her, even if it does react in the presence of other holy - or profane - objects of power.

Obviously agitated, Violet holds the stone out.  "Someone, please."

Qvar smiles gratefully back at Violet, then turns to the current owner of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind in this land.  "Ireena, if you would... has it regained some of its Warmth?"

The young woman accepts the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind from Violet, eagerness to see her family heirloom restored warring with the fear that it is not and might never be, but all that set aside with her concern for Violet and that she might relieve her distress.

Though disappointment rules Ireena as she holds the symbol up once more, which again elicits a glow from the silver icon of the raven upon the altar, but ...

"Nothing," she shakes her head, her features set, "it remains cold in my hand."

Zertin continues his investigation of the magical auras on and around the altar. Again he reports softly on what he has discerned.

"The magic affecting the armour is Abjuration - that's protective magic, which is normal for magical armours. Evocation for the mace and Conjuration for the amulet. Evocation for the altar. The magics upon the silver raven are more interesting - Necromancy and Conjuration. I will need to examine that much more closely."

As he walks around to the silver raven, he retrieves a glass monocle from his belt pouch so he can indeed examine the statue much more closely.

Qvar's lips purse with disappointment at Ireena's news.  "Indeed, why should it be easy?"   Then he brightens and smiles his thanks at Ireena and Violet.

Glancing around at the whole party he says, "I think we may need to place the Sunstone on the altar, but we should allow my brother time to investigate."  He watches Zertin at work for a moment.  "That's so you, Zed." he grins at the monocle.  For the others he adds, "I feel this could take some time.  Would someone please help me bring Randal's body here, to the chapel?"  He heads back towards the hall of statues.

Zertin might as well be speaking Arkes for all Violet comprehends; she lets the mage work his sorcery (or identify it in his arcane languages) and shrugs as Ireena demonstrates no capacity to awaken the artifact.  She waits while Qvar ponders, then nods.

"I can assist with that." And keep an eye out.  "But perhaps it might be better to go together?"

Regardless of the decision, she follows Qvar toward the hall of statues; someone needs to guard the holy man.

"Someone needs to stay with Zertin," the armoured woman suggests.  "I'll go with Qvar and Violet and the rest of you stay here with him."

While Zertin examines the Silver Raven statuette with his magical eyeglass in an attempt to learn more of the powers of the mysterious icon, Caesius, Saeko and Ireena watch on, the young woman nervously clutching the holy symbol of her family, ready to place it atop the altar once the Wizard has finished his work.

Meanwhile, the Priest, warded by Violet and Ashlyn retrace their path down the statue lined hallway without that they might bring poor Randal back to the chapel ...

... yet when they reach the entry hall, they find no sign of his corpse amidst the shattered remains of the gargoyles and stone dragon.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Zertin finally concludes his examination of the silver raven statue and steps back with a look of bemusement upon his face.

"Well, well, very well indeed. The silver raven statuette is a great boon for good priests and others who wish to drive away the undead. It would also assist with the treatment of serious wounds, once a day anyway. I don't sense any specific link to the amulet, so placing the amulet upon the altar is probably the sensible thing to try next.

"Someone give me a hand to drag that corpse away from the altar first, so we can begin to remove the useful items that wicked fellow no longer has any use for. I have no doubt they will be of much greater benefit to us than to him."

OOC: The Silver Raven statuette has the following powers: 1) it allows a wielder with the ability to turn undead to turn them as if they were 4 levels higher, when the command word doloshvinya is spoken, and 2) it allows a good character who has the ability to cast divine spells to use the icon to cast Cure Serious Wounds for 3D8+10 to the creature touched, 1/day

Caesius steps forward, "I'll assist in moving the creature away from the altar.  Just be careful not to touch the weapon."  He ponders a moment, then, "I'd suggest that we move the corpse out of the chapel, if we might.  This is a holy place, and the cadavers of evil creatures do not belong in here."

"The stench and foul humours when it starts to rot could befoul the sanctity of the altar."

"Ah.  I was afraid that might happen."  Qvar sighs.  "We're too late.  And we're being watched."

Turning about he hurries back down the hall of statues toward the chapel muttering, "Let this be a lesson for us all - leave no one behind."

"Just move him well away from the altar for now, so we can remove his armour," Zertin advises. "We can decide what to do with the corpse later."

"It seems that in this place, corpses do not long remain where they fell !" Ashlyn informs Zertin grimly as she hears the tail end of the conversation between the Wizard and Caesius.

"It may be that this holy chamber is all that kept the body of that one," she nods towards the pair's burden, "from being taken."

"Or rising again," she adds as the perhaps equally unpalatable alternative occurs to her.

Once Zertin has finished his examination of the silver raven statuette and details the properties of the item that his magical monacle has revealed, he and Caesius move the corpse aside, the Wizard being carful not to touch the altar in the process and then sets to, removing the armour, sword and amulet that his earlier spell showed to have a mystical aura about them.

By this time Qvar, Violet and Ashlyn have returned from the Entry chamber to report the disturbing news that Randal's body has vanished and to voice their suspicions that you are being watched.

With the way cleared, and once Saeko has retreated to a safe distance, Ireena tentatively places the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind (which Qvar named as the Sunstone) upon the altar, bringing forth a flash of light once more.

The young woman remains cautious as she picks up her family's heirloom again eyes widening at first, though swiftly her lips tighten in disappointment.

"For a moment I felt a warmth kindled within it," the young woman laments.  "Then it faded away and the symbol is now but cold metal once more."

"Likely a bonding ritual is required," the Paladin suggests, looking to Caesius and Qvar for confirmation.  "A night of prayer is usual, at least in my experience."

Qvar is subdued upon returning without Randal.  He's thinking what everyone else is thinking, but choosing not to say so aloud.

He watches as Ireena places the Sunstone then tests it.  He smiles wanly at her, poor consolation for her disappointment after having come so far.  "Perhaps it needs more time?"  He shrugs.  "I have no idea.  The Sunstone just 'was', warm and bright, like the Sun itself.  I'd never considered that its Light could be lost.  And I have no experience of a 'bonding ritual', Ashlyn.  Perhaps Caesius or yourself can lead.  How may I help?"

While waiting for Zertin to investigate and secure the dangerous items, Qvar looks about the chapel.  His gaze lingers on the broken column and the balcony that remains intact above the entry.  He asks Violet "Thrones you said?  Have you noticed a stair that might gain the balcony?"

16:57, Today: Qvar rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  knowledge religion bonding ritual?

Zertin makes sure the supposedly unholy sword is in its scabbard and wrapped in the dead man's own cloak before he carefully places it into the central compartment of his haversack. The fact that the full length of the sword fits inside the obviously smaller haversack is a none-too-subtle clue that magic is afoot again.

"We can't leave that lying around, or the next time we see it will be in the hands of someone who does not have our best interests at heart," he explains.

He holds up the amulet that the corpse was wearing.

"The amulet has a moderate conjuration aura. I say amulet but I suppose it could be called a periapt or a necklace? I don't really know what its powers might be but I do recollect that there are some such items with conjuration auras that are beneficial for the health or healing of the wearer. This might be something like that. Or not. At least we know it is not evil. Would anyone like to try it on?" he offers.

"The full-plate armour is simply enchanted the way we would expect the normal sort of magical armour to be. Nothing particularly special in terms of the strength of that magic, but it is certainly valuable and better quality and protection than ordinary armour is. Who would like to put it to good use?" he asks.

Then he turns to the question of the sunstone and the altar.

"If we place the sunstone upon the altar again, I could use my Artificer's Monocle to observe how their magical auras interact. That may tell us what has to be done," he suggests.

"I could look about," Violet hesitantly admits.

There's a lot of discussion about gods, magic, and other sorts of thing which the young woman finds very uncomfortable; ignoring Zertin's backpack, she slowly moves about the area, searching for any means to reach the balcony.  Like a set of stairs. There should be some somewhere; this is a chapel, not a gladiatorial arena, there must be a way up  to the higher levels that is easily accessible.

Once the unholy weapon is removed from the corpse and stowed in his pack, and he has explained the properties of the amulet and the armour and suggested that someone might like to use them, Zertin joins Saeko at a safe distance so he can observe while Ireena places the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind upon the altar once more. 

Caesius searches his memory for such a thing as a 'bonding ritual', while at Qvar's urging, Violet, with Ashyln at her side, searches the area, peering gingerly into the shadowy openings in the West wall, beneath the balcony. 

The Southernmost of the two lets onto a passageway, extending into the darkness, but the young woman notes that the Northern one reveals a shorter passage, no more than ten feet in length, that leads to a wooden staircase which climbs upwards ...

Qvar watches closely as Ireena places the Sunstone on the altar.  No warm flash this time?  He steps closer to the altar, a tentative hand reaching out to feel the air around the scene...

He lets the temptation wash over him: to hold the Sunstone himself, to will it's power back to life, to wield it against the dark power here in Castle Ravenloft, doubled even with the power that Zed ascribed to the Raven statuette, tripled even with the power he felt in Violet's gift!  But at what price?  To break his sacred vow?  He takes an unsteady step back, forcing a smile to cover his moment of weakness.  He beckons to his brother.  "It should be safe enough for you to look now, Zed."

He steps back further to let Zertin work, and not have his own desire skew the result, if such were possible.  He looks to where Violet and Ashlyn are exploring, giving them a smile and a nod to reassure them that he knows where they are and will come if they call.

"I learnt nothing from that little experiment, unfortunately, except that the symbol currently has no powers. It is called the Holy Sybol of Ravenkind, so let's see if there is somewhere on the silver raven statuette where it might fit," Zertin suggested.

Caesius shakes his head, as if to dispel cobwebs.  What had started as a search of his memory for bonding rituals had soon gone astray, digressing into recollections of his training.

"I know of several rituals that might help." he says, "The Ritual of Prayer would require a vigil, staying here and praying to the gods for a whole night.  The Ritual of the Pilgrim involves a journey to a distant place to overcome a great Evil.  The Ritual of Death requires the slaying of a greater demon, or a powerful undead creature, or their ilk.  A formal ceremony is also necessary for these, in conjunction with the other requirements."

"What luck," Violet murmurs, her voice flat and definitely not sounding lucky.  Motioning to Ashley to follow, she steps back from the stairs - slowly, and with her eyes on them - until she's a good five paces distant; then the young woman turns and quickly walks back to the group.

"Stairs," she laconically states, motioning toward the dark opening.  "A little rickety, but functional.  How are things here?"

On a whim Ireena steps forwards, even as Qvar steps back, to place her own hand upon the Holy Symbol of her family, if but tentatively at first, then more firmly as she feels no ill-effects from brief contact.

"There is a warmth within," she says, wonder in her voice, "if but a flicker.  And it does not fade away at my touch."

"I believe Sir Caesius has the right of it, time ... and prayer, of course ... will be needed."

"If Saint Ecaterina could brave wolves and ghosts and worse each night till her tower was built, then I am confident I could survive one night even in such a place as this, with such brave men and women as yourselves at my side !"  the young woman adds, determinedly.

Watching Ireena test the Sunstone on the altar, Qvar smiles back at her.  "Well said Ireena.  And as the custodian of the Sunstone in my land, I will join you in this prayer vigil tonight."  He looks enquiringly across at Caesius, a little sheepishly even.  "Caesius, can you please remind me of the requirements of vigil?  Ireena and I both claim stewardship of this holy symbol, so will the two of us suffice for this ritual of vigil tonight?  I would hope that the remainder of you can take your rest tonight.  And you mentioned a ceremony ... do you know what preparations I should make?"  How embarrassing.  "My mind must have been elsewhere when this novice lesson was taught."

Qvar hastily turns from this awkward admission when Violet and Ashlyn return, "Ah, good." he smiles back at them.  "It looks like we'll be spending the night here, so you'll have plenty of time to poke around in all the corners."  And to the whole group.  "I think it may be some hours yet before Sunset.  Should we continue our search, perhaps restore the Sunsword, before returning here?"

OOC: GM, how long before sunset?

"Outstanding," Violet dryly - and quietly - replies, none-too-sanguine about poking around in all of said dark corners.  "I will, indeed, scout out any area where we plan to wait...but it seems we're not," she finishes.

A shrug follows.  "I'm open to keeping looking.  And...this Sunsword, why not?"

They're already in Hell; what's the worst that can happen?

Caesius chuckles at Qvar's admission.  "The lesson may have been too... uninteresting... for you my friend."

He straightens up, and his voice adopts a more serious tone, as if he is reciting something from memory.  "Vigil is, seemingly, the most simple of rituals.  It requires that participants remain awake for a whole night and maintain watchfulness.  Which can be easily done, of course, by any common watchman."

"But, beyond that, it also requires quiet prayer, and meditation on the goal that the ritual is intended to achieve.  Both the prayer, and the meditation, must be as unbroken as possible, if the vigil is to succeed.  Oft times the vigil will include a test of some form, intended to try the participants' dedication to the goal."

Qvar blinks at Violet's tone and opens his mouth to say something, then closes it with a thoughtful nod.  Violet, all of us, have already done more than anyone has a right to ask, save perhaps the gods who lead us here.  It has been weeks since he has felt fear, his deathless body immune to that and many other mortal needs; all the more reason he should never take for granted the courage of those who walk this path.  And just now he has suggested they leave this place of sanctuary to search through unknown horrors...

Caesius breaks his train of thought, graciously stepping around the awkward moment and sharing his training.  He smiles his relief and looks to Ireena.  "We'll be ready." he assures her.

He recalls that Violet and Ashlyn were away when much was revealed about the Sunstone, and that Violet had asked a question.  "The Sunstone, Ireena's Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, may recover its power if Ireena and I keep vigil over it tonight, as Caesius described.  You returned just as we were discussing what to do meanwhile, while we wait for Sunset."

With a smile he notes Violet's bravery in agreeing to continue the search.  He looks about to guess what the others are thinking.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:06, Tue 25 July 2023.

Ashlyn nods at Caesius's explanation of Ritual, freely admitting his knowledge of the subject far superior to her own.

"I've been here a little longer than most of you," the armoured woman dips her head to Ireena, the exception as a native, "and with the fog that grips these dim lands, my experience is that night is little more than a custom, for there is no sun here that might set."

"Perhaps then, we might begin the vigil now, rather than risk stirring up further evil ?" she suggests, smiling at Violet thinking this plan will find favour with the young woman.

Qvar pops his mouth shut again.  He smiles brightly back at Ashlyn as he ponders another lesson.  Sunset is a 'custom'?  Even the Lightbringer cannot tell true day from night!  In truth, he's been struggling with that himself ... there has been no real break in the gloom, the Dawn that he welcomed this morning was perhaps just a notion, seemingly correct when the others roused from sleep.  And yet he can feel Pelor's presence in this place, guiding his steps and lending him power.  Best not to overthink the ways of the gods.  Of course the Sun will always rise and always set, and of course Pelor will always find His faithful servants, even on a cloudy day.

"Of course.  Why not?"  Qvar smiles at his companions as they too ponder what's best.

"It would make sense to complete one task before embarking upon the next," Zertin agreed. "You holy folk take care of the prayers and meditation. That's not really my area of expertise. I will help those standing guard to make sure you are not disturbed."

The armoured woman nods at the brothers' words.

"If you and Ireena complete the ritual, then," Ashlyn suggests to Qvar, the rest of us can stand watch to ensure you're not disturbed.

"Do not worry," she assures the pair.  "If evil finds us, we will prove sufficient to the task of defeating it ... and be assured that should we find ourselves in dire circumstances and in need of you, we will do so."

"Yet I trust and pray that your vigil be undisturbed."

"The two of you will need to be near the altar," Saeko inclines her head towards Ireena and Qvar. "It should protect you."

"Indeed save for myself and Zertin," the Daughter of the Wind recalls the remarks that Qvar made about his brother after the last flash of light from the stone, "who it seems are not dear to the gods of this place.. anyone else taking their turn on watch would do well to stay within reach in the hope of triggering the wards should it prove necessary."

"Eight hours then? And four of us to watch, which is conveniently but a couple of hours apiece.  I am happy to be first."

Qvar nods his agreement with Ashlyn and Saeko.  "Pelor can give some protection to you all."  He casts Consecrate in the middle of the chapel (he walks a 20'r circle centred 25' from the double doors to the west and just including the altar the the east) "Sunfather bless this room.  Protect those who stand watch here tonight." 

"Ireena, do you wish to take a meal before we begin?"  He has no food himself, and no need to eat, but the living have needs and vigil sounds arduous.

When all are ready he will kneel before the altar...

Caesius ponders the plan, then suggests, "It may be better to stand watch in pairs.  Both Ashlyn and I serve just Gods, so each watch should, perhaps, be one of us and one other person.  Then there will always be one pair of eyes and one weapon sworn to service standing ready."

"I know that I can sense the approach of vileness, and suspect that Ashlyn can too."

Then he shrugs, "Otherwise, we paladins can take the middle two watches.  Before and after midnight.  Midnight isn't just the darkest part of the night... it represents the time when the old day ends and the new one begins.  The time when the fabric of the world is at its weakest, and creatures of darkness are strongest."

"These lands are beset by perpetual night," Ashlyn laments.  "With no beginning nor end, how do we ascertain the middle ?"

"Though you are correct Sir Caesius - darkness does not sleep, so nor should those of us with stout hearts pause in our quest for the Light."

"Aye, I can sense it if evil approaches.  We two will take turns that we may not be caught unawares if the Master of this place or any of his minions venture near."

Zertin looked around and counted heads.

"Four to watch in pairs for four hours apiece? Ashlyn, Caesius, Saeko and Violet, I presume? I would indeed need eight hours of sleep to be able to replenish my spells in the morning. I still have enough left from today to go on with if needs be, but if you wish me to sleep, I will gratefully accept your offer. If you need me to relieve someone for the last two hours of the night, or if danger threatens, do feel free to wake me. My advice would be to ignore anything you see or hear outside of this chapel. This still seems to be a holy place and therefore the safest place we could hope to spend the night in this accursed castle. Do not allow yourselves to be lured outside."

And so the long vigil begins in this land of endless night ...

With the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind laid upon the altar, Qvar and Ireena stand close, offering up silent prayers.  Zertin settles down to sleep in a quiet corner in the far south of the chapel, while Caesius and Violet nap nearby.

Ashlyn and Saeko have the first watch, the armoured woman seated on the shallow steps of the dais, the Daughter of the Wind some distance away, now wary of the power of the altar ... but despite the creaks and groans of the acncient castle and the dusky shadows that ever seem to conceal unknown terrors, their two hours pass undisturbed.

Waking Caesius and Violet and carefully so as not to unnecessarily alarm either nor distract Qvar and Ireena, Ashlyn and Saeko take their turn at sleep, while the other two sit on the edge of the dais, listening and watching ...

OOC - Apologies for the disappearance.

IC -

Violet bites back a truly vicious curse, and nocks an arrow.  Grimacing, she nods to Caesius once.  Truly a demon, this thing.  And the others, those praying, they have no idea it stares down upon them.

The young woman closes her eyes for a long moment.  What does it matter, in the end?  I'm in Hell.  I'm never getting back to Chaville.  Her eyes open once again, and Violet moves around to stand behind Ireena, covering her back as well and facing the monstrosity upon the balcony.

"Saeko.  Ashlyn.  Zertin."  Unable to stare at the creature's visage, Violet focuses upon its chest as she calls out.  "Awaken - we are not alone."

Zertin grumbles to himself about the inconsiderate, rowdy guests in this inn and throws off his blanket as he rolls over and stands up. He starts stomping across the room to tell them to shut up and let a man sleep. It is only when he has to step over the fallen timbers halfway to Violet that he truly becomes aware of his surroundings again.

The armoured woman has slept fitfully, torn between the wish to protect her companions and a certain need for whatever rest she could manage that she have the strength to do so.  Also she has spent some time in this dark realm and is all to aware of the constant dangers, and so she rouses easily, swiftly coming to full alertness as she looks to Violet, her gaze following the path of her arrow's tip..

Caesius regards the monstrous bat, his hand reaching for his crossbow.  Not taking his eyes from the thing, he pulls the string back, and sets a quarrel in the slot.  Then he raises the bow to aim at the creature.

"It seems Evil, but faintly so, as if something is shrouding it from my senses." the paladin mutters.  "Mayhap it is here to spy on us for the master of the castle."

Qvar remains deep in silent meditation, aware of a disturbance behind him but confident that his companions will handle it.  Zertin's grumbling is more likely to break his resolve; he has to focus deeply on prayer to avoid grinning at memories of his brother trying to sleep late through joyful Sunrise services.

"... Sunfather, bless us, Your servants who stand in the night awaiting a Dawn.  Shine Your radiance upon Your Sunstone, Lathander's Holy Symbol of Ravenkind.  Make Holy once more this piece of Yourself that we may bring your Light to this darkened land ... "

Violet rouses those sleeping then positions herself protectively between before Ireena, nocking an arrow.  Caesius stares at the creature, his hands loading his crossbow almost of their own accord as he concentrates determinedly.

The creature on the balcony pays neither them nor the rest of you any attention, focused entirely on the young woman by the altar as it cries out in anguish, it's voice all too human and yet not.

"Ireena !  Ireena !   All is void and vanity !"

The young woman at Qvar's side shudders, but continues to pray, bolstered by the priest's words ...

"Iiiiiirrrrreeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnaaaaaaa !!"

And then the creature is gone, its form becoming insubstantial as it merges with the shadows above, though its final cry continues to echo around the chapel, long after it should have died away.

Zertin stares after the huge bat as it vanishes into the darkness. Finally he shakes his head and turns away.

"I shall definitely have to have words with the master of this house. Bats in his bellfry, indeed! Utter madness. How is a man supposed to sleep with that sort of nonsense going on?" he mutters to himself as he walks back to wrap himself in his cloak again and try to go back to sleep.

The armoured woman joins Caesius in searching for any remaining taint of evil, hoping to confirm that the bat-like creature has indeed departed the chapel and has not merely vanished from sight.

"... let no evil befall your Holy place and keep safe your servants, Ireena, Ashlyn, Caesius, Violet, Saeko and even Zertin.  Let Randal rest in peace until we may bury and honour him for his courage in leading us here."  Quietly continuing, trying not to let the wailing and puns distract from a long night of prayer.  "Let those who await their watch sleep peacefully with calm minds and still tongues until your Dawn blazes through the mists and Lights your Holy place ... "
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Sun 27 Aug 2023.

Well.  That's just spectacular.

Grimacing at the foul taste of bile in her mouth, Violet crouches down behind Ireena.  "Seems like Ireena is indeed the focus," she mutters.  Briefly, she rests one hand on the other woman's shoulder, but then leaves her in such peace that she might find in prayer.

"Not going to move from here until this night is over," Violet decides aloud. The others might search the area; for herself, she's going to keep vigil over those praying.

Caesius looks around the chapel, as if searching for another target, but fails to find one for the moment.

"That thing... at first it was but a lesser evil.  And then... then it was as if a cover had been drawn from it to reveal some greater foulness within."

He shakes his head, "Or as if a face drew close to the window of a darkened house, and became suddenly visible to those outside."

The armoured woman nods her agreement with Caesius's explanation.

"It seems to be gone, at least for now," she concurs.

Though the creature is gone, the threat it seems still remains as Violet refuses to take her turn to rest, and those that do sleep poorly, tossing and turning restlessly ... save for Zertin who swiftly falls asleep once more and does not rouse till at last a cry of relief from Ireena brings an end to her and Qvar's vigil.

Lying upon the altar, the crystal set at the centre of the sunshaped amulet that is the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind (or the Sunstone, if you will) has begun to glow with an inner light, which persists as the young woman picks it up from the stone.

"I feel the Light warm within it !" she announces, nervously, but with no little excitement as she offers it to Qvar, at least that he might verify what her senses tell her, though she doubts his Vow will allow him to bear it himself.

Qvar starts at Ireena's cry then breathes a heartfelt reply, "Thank-you Pelor and Lathander."  He beams across at Ireena.

Rising smoothly to his feet, the long night of kneeling leaving no trace of stiffness, he smiles at his companions as they rise from sleep or watch.  "Thank you all."

Turning back to the altar, he holds out his his hands towards the Sunstone, eyes fixed on the glow kindled within it and fingers feeling for warmth.  "It is your family heirloom, Ireena.  Take it."

07:58, Today: Qvar rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  knowledge religion... is the Sunstone restored?

"Allow me to check the strength of the magical aura of the Sunstone again. That will confirm whether it has truly been restored or not," Zertin suggested.

He will cast Detect Magic from his wand and study the strength and type of magical aura of the Sunstone. If Ireena or Qvar cannot already tell us its properties and how to use them, he will also use his Artificer's Monocle to identify the pawers of the Sunstone so we can use it.

"I will need to study my spellbook for an hour to prepare my spells again, so that will give the rest of you a chance to rest before we venture forth. There is no real rush, though, if you need to rest longer."

"An hour then," Ashlyn seconds Zertin's request. "It will give Ireena and Violet too at least a short time to take what rest they can.  Qvar, I think does not need to rest, but might appreciate a chance for quiet reflection."

"I, for one, intend to assuage my hunger as well as cold rations can provide !"

Ireena knows no better than Qvar what has been kindled within the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, so holds it up for Zertin so that the Wizard might examine it using his magical powers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:13, Mon 04 Sept 2023.

Zertin casts Detect Magic from his wand and studies the Sunstone intently, then holds his monocle to his eye to examine it even more closely. He nods thoughtfully as he uncovers more and more of the secret layers of its powers.

"Remarkable! It truly is powerful enough to be called a magical artifact, and at least some of its powers have been restored, although it seems there may yet be other powers to be unlocked, perhaps by some other ritual?

"To use it, the wielder must be aligned to the powers of good, have the ability to turn undead, have a good knowledge of matters divine {Knowledge (Religion) 4 ranks} and, of course, must have completed the vigil.

"The more experienced the wielder is, the more of its powers they will be able to utilise.

"If they have reached the 5th level, they can cast Dancing Lights, Flare or Light at will.
"If they have reached the 6th level, they can Detect Undead within 60' and bypass any undead damage reduction.
"If they have reached the 9th level, they can use Halt Undead twice per day.
"If they have reached the 10th level, they can use the symbol to cast Cure Light Wounds 3 times per day, either to heal a creature or harm an undead creature," Zertin explained.

He looked at Qvar and Ireena and frowned, sadly.

"Ireena, my dear, you have completed the vigil and are clearly a good and noble person, but unless I misjudge your experience greatly, I suspect you would not yet meet those other requirements. Qvar certainly would meet those requirements, but my dear brother's vow might prove equally troublesome."

"Ashlyn and Caesius, I wonder, would either of you be able to meet those requirements?" he asked the pair of paladins. "You would still need to complete the vigil, of course."

Caesius' brow furrows in thought, and he finally replies, "I believe I would be able to use the artifact, though possibly not to its fullest ability... though that may come with familiarity.  Ashlyn may be more suited to use it than I."

He bows his head slightly towards the other paladin.

Given an hour with everyone else awake, Violet casts herself down on her bedroll, blearily listening in to the discussion around her.  Unsurprisingly, the vast majority is beyond her. There is discussion of this...magical artifact, supposedly one of good.  Well, certainly Violet has seen and experienced enough, now, to realize that there are things beyond the devil's sorcery.  Qvar is an example of such.

But then the conversation turns to the miracles this stone may grant, and the powers of its wielder, and oh...head swimming, Violet lets her eyes close.

An hour.  No more.

"Wake me up if aught transpires," she whispers.

"Sleep," Ashlyn tells Violet kindly, "be assured I shall wake you if needed."

"Not I," the armoured woman confesses to Caesius.  "I spent my time in the yard at weapons practice, and have precious little knowledge of matters divine, save as they pertained to my own calling.  The duties and rituals of knighthood I learned, and something of undead, but naught beyond that."

"Thanks Zed.  I have been the guardian of the Sunstone for years now but always wondered what it does."  He grins at his brother.

"Well then," Qvar turns brightly to the warriors, "Ireena will keep the Sunstone safe for now while we find something you will know how to use - the Sunsword."  He grins at the warriors.

Before kneeling again at the altar he smiles down at Violet as she wraps for sleep.  "Thank you for keeping watch over us, you kept the dark from our minds.  Sleep well now."  Then quietly to those closer, "I will pray for an hour for Pelor's continuing aid in our quest."  He notes Ashlyn preparing her rations then quirks a smile at his brother.  "Do you have a banquet in your haversack, Zed, or shall I pray for breakfast?" 

"What were Madame Eva's words regarding the Sunsword ?  'To wake it, bring the sword to join the other treasures of the castle. I see a blazing fire protecting the place where the lord hides his wealth'."  Ashlyn recalls.

"I doubt the cards spoke of the flames that issued from the mouths of those stone dragons we fought," the armoured woman snorts "but I'm sure we will know the fire we seek when we find it.  The Light of Lathander ... or Pelor if you will," she dips her head in Qvar's direction, "will show the way."

"I would not be adverse to assuaging my hunger," Ashlyn tells the brothers, hopeful that one of them might provide something better than the cold rations she carries.

"Then I will bear the symbol of Ravenkind, and use its power against our foe." Caesius affirms, "Though I will, of course, need time to complete the vigil before that power becomes mine to wield.  That I shall attend to during the next night, or what passes for night in a world of eternal gloom."

Removing his guantlet, he reaches for the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, but pauses before he touches it, smiling, "By the will of Heironeous, Lathander, and Pelor, naturally."

And then he picks it from the altar.

At Qvar's words, Zertin suddenly looks hopeful and he reaches for his backpack, but his hopes are soon dashed.

"Nothing but trail rations, I'm afraid," he replies to Qvar.

He does become more thoughtful after that, though.

"Did you notice how that great bat-creature's demeanour changed about the same time that Caesius says its evilness suddenly became more apparent? That voice, those deranged words it spoke. I have a feeling it was somehow possessed, perhaps by the master of this place. Perhaps he was using it to scry upon us in some way, to see through the creature's eyes, as it were? Then perhaps he seized total control of it and spoke through it as well? I can't think of a spell that can do that at the moment, though," he commented.

Violet groans, covering over her eyes with a forearm.  "Such thoughts are not helping me sleep," she mutters, rolling over and now attempting to shield her ears with her hands.

It puts her in an awkward position, making sleep elusive, and finally she gives up.  "Pointless," the woman mutters, sitting up and raking fingers through her hair.  "Never mind."  Better to just stay quiet and doze along with the group's conversation; something important might come up.

"You still have an hour before breakfast."  Qvar smiles at his companions.

"And the Sunstone is in safe hands." he smiles with relief as Caesius takes up the precious jewel.

He kneels again at the altar in silent prayer, eyes raised to the imagined sunlight pouring through the high windows.  After an hour he invites his companions to gather and clear an area of rubble into a makeshift table and seats, weaving the invitation into a prayer "...bless those who toil against the darkness with food and water ... over here away from the copse ... and let our meal bring courage  and strength ... prop that on top ... and remind us this day of the warm Sunshine above the mists ... oh, nice touch! ... my mother's pumpkin soup ..." and inviting you all to name a food that makes you happy "...and best if it reminds you of Sunshine if I don't know the flavour ..."

The crystal at the centre of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind continues to glow as Caesius picks it up, though unlike Ireena and Qvar, he does not feel the warmth that those who have stood vigil could sense within it.

While Qvar meditates, the rest of you take pity upon Violet and for the next hour any conversations between you regarding the creature and the powers of its master are conducted in low voices as she sits and dozes.

Having offered up prayers to Pelor for His divine aid, Qvar causes a veritable breakfast feast to appear, consisting of both provisions that the priest thinks you might like and any other food that you care to name with which he is familiar, arrayed across one of the less-broken pews that you press into service as a table.

Having hurled herself back into her bedding and struggled to sleep for an hour - a near-impossibility, despite the consideration of the others - Violet breaks free of the restraints of her blanket and lurches over to where Qvar has...apparently called upon his pagan god to provide.

It's a shock, to be sure.

Well, beggars can't be choosers.  And while Qvar's god is undeniably not proper by the standards of the Church, the priest is a good man wielding powers of light, not a sorcerer.  Violet uncertainly picks at the food for all of four heartbeats before shrugging and giving in.  "My thanks to your lord," she states around a mouthful, very serious.  "Must be popular with the have-nots."

Having lived a life shy of nourishment, the young woman isn't going to turn down food untainted by toxin or magery.

"What's the word about the stone?" she quietly queries.

Zertin spent the hour poring over his spellbook and was oblivious of anything else most of the time. Finally, he stood and stretched, packed the book away and strolled over to enjoy the feast Qvar had provided. He cheerfully helped himself to a bun, carefully sliced it open, buttered it and neatly folded in several rashers of bacon.

"Thankyou, Q. That's just what I needed," he said as he raised an icy cold mug of clear, sweet water in salute to his brother.

Used to a soldier's rations, and worse since she arrived in this benighted land, Ashlyn too is impressed by the provender that Lathander  provides in answer to Qvar's prayers, adds her own thanks to both priest and god for the bounty.

"The stone is awoken," the armoured woman replies to Violet, "yet Ireena lacks the training to use it and Qvar's oath prevents him from doing so.  Caesius has taken up the burden, and will needs perform the vigil himself though we don't wish to linger here for much longer, as the creature that paid us a visit most likely has reported back to its master."

Qvar smiles as his companions settle to eat, glad they can each find something to their taste.  There is plenty of fresh water and honey oatcakes to wrap for the rest of the day, as well as any other yellow foods they have named that will keep.

"A night well spent," he confirms to Violet, "and perhaps another vigil tonight." he smiles at Caesius, looking forward to witnessing more of the paladin's prayer style; with Heironeous so much is the same and different at once, fascinating.

"A great bat?" he muses as the others eat.  "Was this our first sign of wildlife?  I'll just pop up and take a look.  Keep your wand to hand Zed, and your bow please Violet.  I'll be just up there, and back before you know."  He nods toward the balcony and disappears up the creaky stairs that Violet found.

Caesius thanks Qvar for the food, smiling as he lifts the plate and savours the smell, then he quietly says grace and thanks Heironeous too.  After all, without His intervention, Caesius would not have fallen in with the priest and his other new companions.

"While this would have been the best place for the vigil, Qvar has the right of it... the Master of Barovia is, undoubtedly, aware that we are here now.  While his minions might be barred from this chapel, the same can not be said of arrows and crossbow quarrels."

After a moment's thought, he add, "I can create a makeshift shrine to Heironeous - I have my blade and His symbol, which is all His warriors need when they wish to offer up prayer, or perform a vigil, even though they be on the field of battle."

Violet accepts Ashlyn's explanation with a nod - she's not in the know, she knows she's not in the know, but at least it's clearly making sense beyond a shallow level to the others, so that's good enough for her.  But when Qvar decides to hare off on his own up the stairs, she heaves a heavy sigh and levers herself to her feet, abandoning the meal.

"We go nowhere alone," she reminds the priest, trudging in his wake.  "Arrows and crossbow bolts are not the only threats; we should beware knives in the back, as well."

Or claws.

Ashlyn agrees wholeheartedly with Violet.

"Sit," she tells the young woman kindly.

"Stay," she instructs the carefree cleric with a mock frown.

"Most of us need to eat.. we do not want to have to interrupt our meals to come chasing after you if you awaken something awful, and in this fell place there will always be something awful around the next corner or lurking in the shadows."

"We must stay together or we are all lost."

Qvar barely makes the first step, "But ... droppings?", before turning about and coming back to sit for the meal.  "You're right, of course." he smiles sheepishly.  He fidgets with a frayed hem... then helps secure the non-perishable left-overs into whatever wrappers Pelor thought to provide.

"Does anyone know where we might find a blazing hearth?  Shall I ask Pelor to guide us to the closest such?"

"Let's see, Madame Eva told us, to wake it, bring the sword to join the other treasures of the castle. I see a blazing fire protecting the place where the lord hides his wealth. So, a blazing fire, not necessarily a hearth.

"Yes, Q, if Pelor would be consent to offer you guidance, it would be churlish of us not to accept," Zertin replied.

Qvar smiles back at his brother.  "I'm guessing there can't be many of those in this dreary place."

When the meal is finished, wrapped, packed and all are ready to leave the sanctuary and search for the Sunsword, he prays "Sunfather, guide our path.  Show us where to find a blazing fire."

You enjoy your meal without interruption, while Qvar seeks guidance from Pelor, and prepare to break camp.

The priest, aided by his brother's more exact recollection of Madame Eva's reading of the cards, reaches out, trying to locate the nearest blazing fire, turning to face the central doors on the West wall of this chapel, then raising his unseeing eyes up, and up again.

Finishing his meal, Caesius pushes himself to his feet and looks around the chapel while he waits for others.  In particular, his eyes return often to the balcony where the great bat had stood. 

"This place... this chapel in particular... was once a place of righteousness.  It troubles me that it has fallen into darkness.  The castle once bestowed comfort and protection upon all who lived nearby.  And now it squats on the crag like some foul toad, spewing a miasma of terror and misery across the land."

Zertin nodded agreement with the paladin's words.

"We can but take one step at a time and hope our journey will take us to a better place," he commented philosophically.

Violet grimaces.  "A chapel in hell.  Curious; someone clearly had some hope," she mutters.  "Perhaps once we put a stake in the evil that inhabits it, the light might return."  A safe oasis in the pit of despair...the young woman shakes her head, dispelling such hopes.  "Any place would be better than this," she whispers in reply to Zertin's words.

There is no succor in hell; there is only existence.

With a small sigh, she follows the priest's gaze.  "Upward, then?"  A grimace twists her lips.  "Could have been worse; could have been down."

"It could indeed!"  Qvar echoes Violet, smiling.  "The nearest blazing fire is somewhere in the centre of the castle, perhaps two floors above where we now stand." 

He looks up optimistically at the balcony again.  "Shall we start up there?  Perhaps that will give us a safe passage for the first level up."  Not to mention looking for bat droppings.

Zertin looks toward the stair and shrugs.

"It seems as logical as any other choice," he agrees.

Finishing your god-gifted meal and with the leftovers packed away for later, you take one last look around the chapel, perhaps the last glimmer of light and life in this benighted land, before heading to the northern stairwell. 

Guided by Qvar, you traverse the short, arched-roofed passageway that lies between the vast chapel and a rising, wooden staircase.  Either side of the passage is an alcove each holding a shadowy humanoid statue within its dark confines.  The stone forms display mighty muscled arms and legs, but their faces are hidden in black shadows.

Thankfully neither statue stirs beneath your watchful eyes, and satisfied that they are harmless you take to the stairs.

The old wooden steps climb shakily up a stonework shaft, with a wide landing punctuating the midpoint.  With each step upon it, the wood strains underfoot, creaking and groaning, trusting to Zertin's assessment that it is sturdy enough, matter not how alarming the noises. 

The staircase leads you out on to the upper balcony that overlooks the rubble-strewn chapel.  Two large, ornate thrones stand in the middle of the balcony, facing the altar far below. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"Well that was easily done."  Qvar says brightly.  "We're halfway there already."

He inspects the balcony where he'd heard said a great bat sat last night, and points out claw marks that have scored the stone railing.  "No droppings." he muses.  "Perhaps it was as you thought, Caesius, no natural creature but a minion of Strahd sent to spy on us."

He concentrates for a moment to reset his divinely inspired bearings "...blazing fire, blazing fire.." and looks toward the door to the west.  "Perhaps through there next?"

"That does seem the logical next step," Zertin agrees.

Naturally, he is not going to be the one to step forward to lead the party onward. He will wait patiently for someone more suited to that role to take the lead.

Violet stares uneasily at the claw marks graven in the stone.  "Cut right through boiled leather, that would," she mutters with some despair.  Her head swings left and right as Qvar notes the direction of travel, and the young woman waits a beat, and a beat more as Zertin holds steady.

Finally she sighs.  "All right," Violet murmurs, readying her bow, arrow nocked but not drawn.  "There could be traps -" they've already discovered that fact "- so I'll take the lead.  Someone stay behind me - close, but not too close - with the light."

That said, the young woman sidles to the door Qvar indicates, and proceeds to give it a cursory once-over before proceeding.

OOC - Yes, Violet is going to search for traps.  If I can I'll take ten, thanks, for a total of 15 + 2 (trap sense) + 10 = 27.

Ashlyn looks to Caesius and Saeko. "If you stay close to the two brothers and keep them out of mischief.. if you can!" she grins at the Paladin, "And you watch over Ireena," she suggests to Saeko, "I will take the fore with Violet."

"Can you place a Light spell upon my shield ?" she asks Zertin and Qvar.

"Sunfather, Light our way." Qvar smiles, touching Ashlyn's shield.

Nodding his agreement to Ashlyn, Caesius moves a little closer to Qvar and Zertin.  The recent lack of threats has done nothing to lessen his state of readiness.  "Qvar, Zertin?  As we go on, further into this place, let me go ahead of you."

He keeps an eye on Violet as she approaches the door and starts doing... whatever it is she does to perform her own special kind of miracle.

Though she checks them carefully, Violet finds no traps upon the double doors, and so she prises one open, the hinges creaking in the silence as everyone holds their breath, intent on what lies behind it ...   

Shadows seem to move in the light that shines from Ashlyn's shield, dancing across the high, vaulted ceiling of the wide hall that is revealed, a mirror of the one you trod on the level below, down to the same double doors at the far western end, about seventy feet away, though it lacks the statuary that lined the walls of the former, indeed lacks any decoration or furnishings.

As Violet moves forwards, the armoured woman at her back, Caesius a pace ahead of Qvar and Zertin, Saeko at Ireena's side at the rear, a low moan rises and falls, intoning sadness and despair.

Of course.

Lips tight and bloodless, Violet throws an almost weary look back at the others.  "You heard that?" she laconically inquires, before returning her gaze to the front.  Mostly.  The young woman keeps an eye on the sides, as well, as she slowly paces into the hall.  Vaulting, wide, open spaces...not the best situation for those wanting to hide, but decent enough for arrow-work.  "Big place," she breathes.  "Could hold a ball."

Or an ambush.

That arrow is mostly definitely ready, the bow at half-draw.

Zertin follows those in front quietly, alert for any sight or sound signalling immediate danger. He holds his wand of magic missiles ready for use if required.

"Yes.  A draft perhaps?"  Qvar replies reassuringly to Violet, the mutters a prayer to reassure himself.  "Sunfather, there are no restless spirits about, are there?" 

He nods agreement for Caesius to go on ahead then falls in beside Zertin.  That wand gives him comfort too.

Caesius, too, hears the sound.

"I sense nothing evil ahead of us." he states simply.  Still, he doesn't relax.  A bear isn't evil, after all, but is no less dangerous for that.

The view beyond the door, another large hall where shadows dance and flee before the encroaching light, gives him little concern, at least for his own well-being.

You move slowly down the hall.  Violet, and Zertin somewhat further behind, warily looking for signs of trouble at which they might fling missiles of metal and wood or pure magic, while Qvar and Caesius reach out with their senses, trying to touch the evil.

Ashlyn and Saeko also look out for threats that might assail their charges, though it is only Ireena who seems affected by the low, despairing cries, that grief reflected on her own visage ...

As Violet looses the tension on her bow string to stoop by the the double doors at the far end of the wide hall, Ashlyn raises a hand to bid the rest of you hold while the young woman examines the second portal, swiftly determining that it too has no traps to harm the unwary, though her brow furrows as she rises.

Zertin notes Violet's wariness as she rises from examining the doors. He raises and eyebrow enquiringly, but waits silently for her to communicate whatever has unsettled her.

Qvar waits beside Zertin as Violet and Ashlyn scout ahead.

He smiles reassuringly at Ireena, "I hear the voices too, but there are no restless spirits here now."  He continues to concentrate on Detect Undead, looking towards the door ahead. He makes sure he stays close to Ireena, brightening his glow a little, and his Circle of Protection from Evil 10'r possibly giving some comfort also.

Violet responds to Zertin's questioning gaze, advising the mage that she believes she was able to hear voices beyond the doors at the end of the hall, though very faintly and indistinctly, and in light of the strange cries that haunt the passageway, perhaps just another symptom of the past terrors that transpired within these walls, rather than anything tangible.

Neither Qvar nor Caesius can detect anything undead or evil, respectively, beyond the doors.

Zertin moves into a position where he is ready to fire his wand at anything waiting beyond the doos, or anything that attacks Violet. He nods for Violet to proceed whenever she is ready.

Qvar continues to concentrate on Detect Evil Undead, mostly towards the door ahead although his gaze occasionally wanders around the shadowy corners of the empty hall.  His mind wanders back to the ferret joke he told Zed a day or so ago.  Got the punchline wrong, as usual ... should have been a hobbed goblin.  Oh well, never mind.  Must say, though, even a rat scurrying past would be a welcome sight in this barren land ...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sun 05 Nov 2023.

"Whatever, or whoever, lays beyond the door doesn't carry the taint of evil,  But it could still threaten us.  Servants or minions perhaps." Caesius says quietly, "Or it could be prisoners, or hostages.  Though this does seem like an odd place to hold captives, when I'm sure the castle has perfectly adequate accommodations for such in the dungeon."

He moves a couple of paces closer to the door, and aims his crossbow at it.

"If you are ready to open the door, Violet, we stand prepared."

Violet nods, if not without misgivings ... once everyone is ready she turns the handle, then steps swiftly aside as she pushes the door open, so as to be out of the line of either devil-magic or metal shaft !

OOC: GM Ghosting

The doors give way to a small, dark antechamber, barely more than a passageway, ten feet wide and twenty feet long, with another, identical pair of doors on the opposite wall, beyond which you can hear a number of voices, less faint now, but no more distinct.  At either end alcoves hold grinning skeletons, facing each other across the darkness ...

"There, that's not so bad."  Qvar reassures those in the lead. "Just skeletons.  Quite dead.  Shall we press on?"  He continues to concentrate on Detect Undead up ahead.

Zertin waves his hand airily in a gesture that probably does mean, yes please proceed.

"There is nothing to trouble us here." agrees Caesius, and starts forward, into the antechamber.

Still his crossbow is held at the ready, and those closest to him can hear that he is whispering a prayer to Heironeous under his breath.

"Heironeous, grant that Your worshipper might serve You well in the coming trials.  Guide his weapons, that they might fulfil Your divine purpose."

Thankful that the skeletons are no more than long dead corpses, you press on, Caesius, ever alert for the presence of evil and with his crossbow at the ready, opens the doors before you, a prayer on his lips and Violet, no less vigilant and with an arrow nocked, at his side.

Qvar and Zertin follow close behind, while Ashlyn, Saeko and Ireena trail the group.

Beyond the door ...

Occasional flashes of lightning spill into this room in jagged shafts through the broken glass and iron frames of a large window in the wall opposite.  Otherwise, this immense room stands in a chilly, brooding darkness that even the light around Qvar can but dimly pierce.  Hundreds of cobwebs, thick with dust, hide the ceiling from view.  At the far end of the hall a huge throne stands atop a raised platform.

Upon the throne is a thing of undulating flesh and writhing tentacles that makes a part of your mind want to turn away and run.  Whatever it is, it is large, larger than the throne, seemingly almost draped over the massive chair and hanging over the arms and the front.  Even as you look, a tentacle or eye-stalk rises above the shapeless mass and twists as if peering around.  A figure cowers on the platform steps behind it, head bowed in fear or perhaps supplication.

Nearer at hand, between you and the throne to the south are two horrors, seemingly drawn from a lunatic's nightmare with oozing flesh upon which countless eyes and toothy mouths constantly form and disappear all over the creatures, often retreating into their bodies even as they become apparent, each mouth chattering, a cacophony of nonsense, little more than a whisper, but growing louder as they turn towards you ... or so you imagine.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Zertin takes one look at the amorphous creatures in the room ahead and mutters to himself.

"Aberrations of some sort?"

Without further hesitation he recites the words of a spell and points to a spot midway between the creature on the throne and the chattering creature furthest from it. A tiny ball of flame streaks from his fingertip and erupts as a fireball 40-feet in diameter to engulf all three of the creatures.

OOC: Knowledge check to identify monsters and their properties.
Zertin rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Knowledge dungeoneering skill check.
Zertin rolled 29 using 7d6.  Fireball damage. (Fireball DC19 Reflex save for half damage.)

A wave of revulsion washes over Caesius, and breaks upon his divinely granted resolve like water upon a rocky shore.  "Hold fast, friends!  I know not what these creatures are, but they will not keep me from my duty."

While holding fast is a good thing, he is careful, nonetheless to remain out of Zertin's line of sight as he does so.  The suddenly blossoming ball of flame seems to show the wisdom of doing so.

Whilst Qvar would have been happy to see a rat, these 'aberrations' really don't bring him any joy.  In fact, he's inclined to agree with Zertin and Caesius, they should be allowed to continue this mockery of life, let alone impede their mission. "Stay close as you bring them down, Pelor will protect us."  He refers to the Protection from Evil 10'r around himself.  He will move with the others if they enter the room, trying to keep everyone within 10' of himself, but otherwise maintain concentration on Detect Undead ... although creatures these are not, he wonders about the cowering person at the far end of the room ...

"Foul abominations," Ashlyn declares in reply to the Wizard's question, following hard on Qvar's heels, and taking the wise example of Caesius to heart as she notes Zertin begin casting, holding her ground with sword and shield at the ready, the latter angled protectively as the ball of fire erupts in the creatures' midst.

Those near the doorway hold their ground as Zertin unleashes a huge ball of fire at the horrors, carefully directing his spell so as to catch all of them.

One of the smaller creatures closest lurches forward with surprising speed, escaping the full force of the flames, the second following suit closing on Caesius, though slower, its oozing flesh blackened by the blast, the movements of both jerky and unnatural.

The undulating flesh of the tentacled thing draped upon the throne likewise suffers from the flames, though it is but barely scorched as it rolls and slides off its perch, slowly making its way towards you, a horrible, unnatural wailing noise issuing from somewhere within its shapeless mass, swiftly joined by a cacophony of ear-splitting gibbering nonsense from the small creatures.  The figure on the platform behind it cries out in anguish, raising its hands to protect itself, though the flames fall short of it.

The creature nearest Caesius lashes out at the Paladin, biting at him from half a dozen toothy maws, though the fine chain links of his armour protect him in the main as only one bite pierces his flesh, even as the stream of nonsense threatens to overwhelm the senses of all of you.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ... and everyone must make a Will Save vs DC13 or be disoriented by the noise

As the creature attacks him, Caesius shakes his head to clear the fog which threatens to cloud his senses, then unleashes a crossbow bolt at the thing as one gaping maw succeeds in biting him through his mail.  The bolt spent, he drops the weapon and reaches for Razor.

And, as if trying to drown out the cacophony around him, the paladin's voice rises in a hymn to Heironeous...

"Father Heironeous!
Father Heironeous!
Sharp sword, strong shield!
Strike the foe, guard the blow,
Shelter your people here below!
Father Heironeous!"

Stepping into the room, Violet comes fact to face with madness.  Her lips tremble as she casts her gaze across the abomination upon the altar, then twitch into a wild, strained smile as her eyes slide to the nearer, less-formed monstrosities.  Their gibbering fills her ears, whispering to her soul.  The stench chokes her nose.

It's too much.

It's too much for panic, too much for fear, too much for anything but blind, survival fury.

With an inarticulate shriek, the young woman hops to the side to the base of the staircase, opening a path for others.  Simultaneously, she reaches full draw and looses.  Teeth grinding, she draws a second arrow forth without bothering to check the results of the first.

OOC - 5' Step toward the stairs.  Pointblank shot, Attack roll 12+10 = 22.  Damage: 3+2 = 5.

Will Save: 20 + who cares, I made it. 

Zertin recoils in disgust as the first of the creatures advances close enough to hit him. He steps back five feet into the hallway, out of the creature's reach.

"Gibbering mouthers. Disgusting creatures but not actually evil, Q. That dreadful noise they make can confuse the mind to the point of madness, at least long enough for them to devour their victim. Finish them quickly, please. I don't recognise the big one, though."

To assist with that instruction, he casts a spell of Haste upon all seven members of the party, including himself.

OOC: Haste gives +30ft bonus on your speed (max double your normal speed), +1 on attack rolls and Reflex saves, +1AC, and an extra attack per round if you are making a full attack action.

Zertin rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Will save DC13.

Even from outside the room, and with the distraction of the creatures' incessant babbling, Ashlyn realises that her companions and she have a fight on their hands, the moreso once Zertin provides more clarity about what it is they face.

"You must hold this door," the armoured-woman tells Ireena, "safeguard our line of retreat.  Mine and Saeko's blades are sorely needed within to deal with this threat."

Without hesitation, Ashlyn strides quickly into the room, pushing past Qvar if the priest has some other strategy in mind, aiming to intercept the northernmost of the Gibberers, jaw tightening as she catches her first glimpse of 'the big one'.

Qvar is appalled by the abominations closing in on his friends, but otherwise untroubled by the babbling.  He shuffles into the alcove with the skeleton to let Ashlyn and Saeko pass, his strategy certainly nothing that would keep them from moving ahead of him.  He gives up on detecting for undead and instead calls for a little Sunshine to help his friends.  "Sunfather, stand with us."  (Casts Bless: +1 attack and Will saves for morale.)

His strategy is to try to keep his friends within his Circle of Protection from Evil 10'r, which he hopes may shield their minds in some small way.  To that end, he steps forward 5' through the door in Ashlyn and Saeko's wake and beckons to Ireena, "Stay close Ireena.  Pelor will protect us."

The bolt that Caesius looses from his crossbow goes astray as he shakes his head, trying to clear his mind of the almost hypnotic babbling that issues from the many-mouthed creatures, pulling forth his trusty blade as he counters the noise with a battle song, calling on Heironeous's blessing.

Violet is almost overcome by the combination of noise, stench and horrific appearance of the foe, but her fear spurs her to action.  Putting a few feet of distance between herself and the nearest, she looses an arrow with deadly accuracy at the other, though it only seems to spur the creature to louder, more frenetic chatter as it pierces its rubbery flesh.

Focused on the threat, Zertin barely notices the babbling, but lacking the Paladin's heavy armour, the Wizard takes a hurried backward step, invoking a spell to allow himself and all the rest of you to move more quickly, the better to deal with this threat.

Fearful for the safety of your charge, Ashlyn orders Ireena to hold the door at the rear, while she and Saeko advance into the room past Qvar, both able to keep their wits about them in the face of the bewildering chatter.  Their blades moving in unison, the armoured-woman and the Daughter of the Wind both strike true and between them manage to slay the creature and still its many tongues.

Taking charge of Ireena's protection, Qvar orders the young woman to stay close as he enters the room, unaffected by the incessant babbling as he casts a spell to raise everyone's spirits.  But Ireena proves not so steadfast, her visage growing more and more crazed as she draws nearer to the chamber, finally pulling her blade from her scabbard as she hacks wildly at Qvar's unprotected back, though her madness thankfully does her aim no favours and the sword's edge misses the priest by a good margin.

The remaining mouther lunges at Caesius, spitting in the Paladin's face as its many mouths bite at him, though the Paladin's metal armour holds the snapping teeth at bay and his flesh is unharmed, while he is able to dodge the spittle which hits the wall at his side, causing the stone to sizzle.

The thing of undulating flesh and tentacles lumbers ever closer ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated

Qvar spins around in surprise.  Finding only Ireena there, and crazed from the insane babbling, he smiles at her reassuringly.  "Let the Light of the Sun clear your mind." he prays as he reaches out to catch her arm.

21:48, Today: Qvar rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  touch attack Ireena, +1 Bless.

Zertin takes a step or two northward, placing him directly behind Ireena where he has a better view of the monsters in the room beyond the doorway. He casts another spell, this time evoking a cascade of seven small fiery explosions in a line extending from Caesius's gibbering mouther  to (and through) the big tentacled horror.

OOC: Zertin will focus firstly on casting the spell then turn his attention to Ireena after that. If she tries to attack him he will try to dodge her blows but if she tries to flee he will try to stop her.

Zertin rolled 19 using 7d6.  Explosive cascade damage. (DC20 Reflex save for half damage)

"Father Heironeous!
Father Heironeous!
Hard hand, warm heart!
Shed your light, dispel the night,
Favour your faithful with your might!
Father Heironeous!"

Still singing, Caesius swings Razor at the grotesque thing that gibbers and howls and yells before him.  Glittering steel defines an arc of death in front of the paladin.  He smiles as he fights, and his eyes seem to burn with the light of his faith.

Nigh-panicked, Violet nonetheless moves with purpose - out of range of the enemies' reach, she sprints for a better vantage point for her arrows. There's room, now - with the creature along the wall closest to them dead, she can slip around to the other side of the chamber and continue loosing her arrows at the beast in combat with Caesius.

OOC - okay, Violet is going to try to move past Ashlyn and Saeko - both are friendlies should be possible - and around the room so as to get a vantage point on both enemies as they engage the melee fighters.  I don't know if I can sneak attack them, but they'll be flanked at least.

Not sure I can actually get an attack off this round; if so, Violet will loose an arrow at the one fighting Caesius.  :)

Wary of Ireena's blade, Qvar attempts to calm the crazed young woman, and while his healing touch initially fails to reach her, ne'ertheless she lowers her blade allowing the priest to place his hand upon her ... though the madness does not seem to have but lessened, for she joins the two Mouthers in their incessant babble.

Even as Caesius lays into the creature before him with a will and a prayer, Zertin looses a cascade of balls of fire that skip across the room, slamming into the remaining Mouther and searing its rubbery flesh even as the Paladin's blade carve it up, leaving it still upon the cold stone flags.  The flaming spheres continue on their set path, unslowed, but barely graze the undulating, tentacled mass that creeps inexorably towards you, pausing for a moment on the threshold of Qvar's circle of protection before pushing through it ...

As Violet begins to circle around the chamber, hoping for a better vantage, Ashlyn and Saeko rush forward to engage the shapeless mass, causing it to lash out with a sharply pointed tentacle, covered in barbs which pierces Saeko's flesh, transfixing her as it lifts her off the ground, writhing in pain.

Calling out to Lathander to guide her blade, Ashlyn stabs her sword into the shapeless mass and manages to dodge the tentacle that whips towards her in retaliation, taking the brunt of the blow on her shield, most thankful for the protective spells that Qvar and Zertin have invoked.

With her back against the wall, Violet lines up a shot on the horror before her, but her shaking fingers betray her and the shaft goes wide, splintering as it impacts upon the opposite wall. 

The figure on the platform howls in anguish as the shapeless mass is first burned by flame and pierced by steel. He looks around, eyes wild until he sees Violet and begins to stagger towards her, hands outstretched ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

His foe apparently slain, Caesius hurries to aid Saeko, his blade hacking at the monstrosity in an effort to free the woman from its profane hold.  Still he continues to sing...

"Father Heironeous!
Father Heironeous!
Good's boon, evil's bane!
Bring the day, show the way,
Help your church to truly pray!
Father Heironeous!"

Zertin whips out his wand of magic missiles, points it at the tentacled, shapeless mass and speaks the command word to shoot a string of five glowing missiles into the heart of it.

Zertin rolled 16 using 5d4+5.  Magic missile damage. – 16

Qvar is aghast to see Saeko lifted and in pain.  There is little more he can do for Ireena, and at least her babbling is better than lashing out with her sword.

Quickly he calls upon Pelor to heal Saeko's wounds, to keep her alive and fighting against the monstrosity.  "Sunfather, heal her wound." he prays as he reaches out to touch Saeko as she swings past.
15:47, Today: Qvar rolled 17 using 2d8+5 ((4,8)).

Bless is still running: +1 attack and Will saves for morale

Even amidst the chaos and fear, it's not hard for Violet to catch that something has changed.  Everything - save for those in her own group - appears to have slowed down?  Even the flames, they flicker more sedately, if that is possible.  Zertin's sorcery, most likely, she grimly considers, having completely missed that it has affected her rather than the world.

Possibly a good thing.

About to loose arrows towards the monstrosities, she abruptly notes the approaching man.  From the look of it, this is no victim; perhaps he is the summoner of these loathsome, satanic messengers?  Switching targets, Violet immediately looses directly at him, no hesitation in her draw and release.

He isn't the first man she has tried to kill, and she knows he won't be the last.

Her hands shuttle between bow and quiver, and another arrow follows the first, launched toward the apparently slow-moving man.

OOC - first arrow hit roll 12, total (+1 extra for PB Shot), second arrow hit roll 26.  Damage rolls of 7 (if only one arrow hits) and 3 (if two arrows hit).

With a prayer to Heironeous on his lips and in his heart and with a mighty swing of his blade, Caesius severs the tentacle that has impaled Saeko, sending her staggering back into Qvar's arms where the priest calls upon Pelor to ease her wounds, though the barb is driven deep into her flesh and every move brings fresh agony to the Daughter of the Wind.

Zertin and Ashlyn press the attack, hoping to keep the horror at bay, as the Wizard sends a flurry of mystic globes of energy at the creature and the armoured woman's blade piercing its constantly shifting flesh.

At the far side of the room, Violet shifts her focus to the figure who approaches, his feral features and wild eyes deciding her actions as she looses two shafts at him.  The man seems not to notice as both fly past him, matter not the second is but a hair's breadth from his cheek.

The shapeless spawn, a pulsing heart glowing bright red and two saclike organs glowing a paler red beside it, beneath its black, membraneous skin, begins to scream as its severed appendage flails back and forth, spraying a thick, black ichor, stopping the man in his tracks as he shouts and roars incomprehensibly in response.  The creature's flesh roils, appendages forming, an eye stalk here, a mouth there and then being subsumed back into its mass almost as quickly as the scream becomes a ululation, that tries to force its way into your minds, far worse than the babbling of the smaller creatures, forcing even Ireena to fall silent as she covers her ears.

OOC: Everyone needs to make a DC 20 Will Save vs confusion; additionally Ashlyn, Caesius, Qvar and Saeko make a Fort Save vs DC20 vs nausea.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:52, Sun 28 Jan.

Oh, ye Gods! That noise, that horrendous noise ...

Zertin rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  Will save DC20 vs confusion. – 12

Two arrows loosed, two arrows missed despite the close range and the slow pace.  Violet frowns, uncertain how her aim has suddenly become so poor...

...the constant, chattering babble crawls into her ears and takes up residence behind her eyes.

OOC - So that's another miserable failure.  :)

The armoured-woman grits her teeth and fights to stay on her feet as the creature's cry washes over her like a wave ... but her god is with her and she triumphs over adversity.  Still undsteady, she elects to keep her distance from the shapeless mass, instead following the example of Caesius as she hacks at the tentacle that threatens her.

Caesius voice rises higher as he presses his attack against the creature...

"Father Heironeous!
Father Heironeous!
New life, empty tomb!
Spare the test, save from death,
Gather our spirits on dying breaths!
Father Heironeous!"

Razor hacks at the profane mass again and again...

"Strike true!" Qvar calls encouragement to Caesius and Ashlyn as he struggles to pull the barb from Saeko to ease her pain and get her blades back to the fight.

The terrible ululation leaves Zertin, Violet and Ireena clutching at their ears, their senses reeling, while Saeko's agonies from the embedded barb override all her reason ... but Ashlyn and Caesius prove their mettle and manage to shrug off the assault, somehow managing to shut out the dreadful wailing and overcoming the rising gorge to press the assault, while Qvar remains wholly unaffected, though his efforts to help Saeko seem to be doing more harm than good as he finally pulls the barb free of her flesh in shower of blood, her screams cutting off abruptly as she lies lifeless on the ground.

Indeed the ferocity of the attacks that the warriors of Lathander and Hieroneous launch at the heaving mass as they try to save their companions seems to set the creature aback.  Caesius, a battle cry upon his lips, plunges his blade repeatedly deep into its constantly shifting flesh, while Ashlyn manages to slice through yet another of its tentacles.

The noise cuts off abruptly as the shapeless spawn moves backwards, now lowing in pain as it edges away from the pair, much to the relief of those rendered helpless by the sound, though the feral figure continues to roar and shout incomprehensibly, taking a single step towards the creature, pausing as his foot strikes the edge of the first step of the platform upon which the throne stands.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"Saeko?  Saeko!"  Incredulous, Qvar shakes her lifeless form.

He gathers his wits and presses a hand to her wound, his glow blazing brightly and bathing her in light and warmth.  "Merciful Pelor, give her back!"

Zertin shakes his head to clear away the last traces of confusion then steps forward into the doorway alongside Ireena. He recites a spell and points two fingers at the shapeless creature to shoot two scorching rays at it.

Zertin rolled 12,16 using d20+6,d20+6.  Ranged touch attacks for 2 rays (includes Bless). – 12,16
Zertin rolled 12,11 using 4d6,4d6.  Scorching ray damage (2 rays). – 12,11

Stumbling and staggering, Violet struggles to free her mind.  The infernal whispers continue to plague her, drowning out need, drowning out necessity, even drowning out the screaming.  Somewhere within, a voice calls out that she’s needed, but that lorn voice cannot make itself heard.  It’s only when the demonic mass suffers its own vicious injuries and its cries turn to moans of pain that her head begins to clear.   And her eyes fall upon the scene before her.

Too little, too late.

Composure vanishes, and with a shriek of fury Violet fumbles for an arrow, immediately loosing it.  Another follows, winging on its way to her target – not the infernal beast, but at the wild man close to the altar.   One, fumbled in her fury, flies wild.  The second?  A steadying breath, and this time her hands are rock solid.

OOC – Haste spell, additional action (assuming I’m still hasted).  To hit rolls of 10 and 29 (crit).  Confirmation roll of 22 (PB shot).  Ignore second roll, phone error.
Damage: 3 damage, +2.  Critical multiplier x3 if confirmed crit.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Sun 25 Feb.

Caesius hears Qvar's criess, and turns his head towards the priest, seeing Saeko laying on the floor.

"Qvar!  Does she yet live?" he calls out, torn now between pursuing the enemy and saving an ally.  Either would be the right course of action in the eyes of Heironeous.

If the woman is dead, of course, then retribution would become the only option...

Qvar looks up when called.  He sees the monstrous being falling back and Zed and Violet driving it, opening a path for them to continue their quest.  He replies to Caesius, his mouth a firm line.  "That is between her and her gods, not mine, nor yours."

Pleading with his god, Qvar desperately casts a healing spell upon Saeko as Ireena looks on in horror ... but it is too late, for the Daughter of the Wind has taken her last breath; her spirit at least may now escape this realm of evil and shadow, where mere flesh could not do so. 

With the terrible ululation now ended, Zertin steps determinedly forwards, loosing a pair of fiery rays at the heaving mass of the shapeless spawn, causing it to moan anew in agony as it drags itself away, its severed tentacles dangling uselessly as it trails bloody ichor in its wake, the wild man continuing to clutch his head and echo its cries.

Caesius calls out to Qvar, but the slumped body in Ashlyn's arms tell the Paladin all he needs to know.  Grimly he strides towards the creature, picking up speed to a run as he calls out to Heironeous, bringing Razor down and cutting deep into its shifting flesh.

The creature collapses, stilled at last, forcing Caesius to step back as its form begins to spread out.  The wild man's screams reach a crescendo as Violet fires her arrows at him, the first, guided by fury alone, shattering against the throne, but the second has both reason and skill to send it on its way, and pierces his shoulder.

The screams stop as the man lowers his head to look at the protruding shaft, then raises it again to regard the dead creature at his feet,

Slowly he straightens, standing tall,  his eyes clear once more and now lit with the light of reason, surveying you all, as if for the first time, and lingering upon Ireena for a moment.  His lips curl in a smile ... then abruptly  his form wavers into a mist which swiftly moves towards the southern wall, vanishing as it flows into the stone.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

For a moment Zertin looks annoyed that the man managed to escape before Zertin could even get off a shot at him with his wand. Then he looks thoughtful and turns to Ireena.

"Ireena, was that the master of these halls? Do you recognise him, if only from your dreams?" he asks. "If it was, he may have intended for us to rescue him from that creature so he could infiltrate our group."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Wed 28 Feb.

"Those creatures," Ireena can barely bring herself to even look upon their corpses, turning her head aside, "I have seen them before, haunting my dreams !  Tentacled horrors, howling in the darkness !"  She shudders.

"The man ..." her hand unconsciously covers the bite marks upon her neck "... yes, I believe it was much like him, at the last."

"But the man in my dreams was powerful, commanding - he did not cower or wail."

"I thought the unliving to be terrible enough," Ashlyn says grimly, still cradling Saeko's unmoving body.  "I've not seen the like of those tentacled horrors before nor wish ever to do so again."

"Do you think our fallen friend would be safe back in the chapel ?" the armoured woman suggests, gently, her question directed to Qvar and Caesius, for, to her mind, the care of the dead is a religious duty in the main.

"That's a good idea," Zertin agreed. "I can't think of anywhere else safer in this gods-forsaken place."

"Yes, you're right Ashlyn, Zed." Qvar replies resignedly.  "But while this place appears forsaken, we bring our gods with us."  He looks down at the body he kneels beside.  "You fought that the Sun would win against this mist.  You brought honour to your family, Saeko, third daughter of the Yamashima Family."

Rising, he wipes blood from his hands onto his robe.  He looks at the foul mess on the floor and then at Caesius.  "Strike true indeed!" he smiles in appreciation.

Catching Violet's eye he admits, "I might have asked you to stay your hand, that we could aid the ragged man.  Your instinct was better than mine."  He smiles again in appreciation.  "That, I think, was the first blow struck against our enemy himself."

Disappearing, the man likewise disappears from Violet’s thoughts.  Immediately her companions turn to discussion; she does not.  Instead, the young woman begins to walk, a slightly meandering route that takes her slowly towards where Saeko lies.  Next to her, Qvar rises; she hears his words, but they hold little meaning to her.

Of what use her arrows when Saeko has already perished?

For a moment her face twists into an ugly mask of grief; then Violet claims control once again, dragging in a shuddering breath and dashing the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.  Slowly she crouches next to the body, struggling to recall the stories she has heard of Lannet.  Legends and docktales, nothing more…she is useless here, as well.  So Violet places the warrior’s unsheathed sword on her chest and with gentle movements wraps the fingers of both the dead woman’s hands about the hilt.  Biting her lip, she rocks back and forth for a long moment before whispering.  “I know nothing of your spirits, or what you worship.  But even in Hell you died a warrior’s death, sword in-hand, facing your enemies without flinching.”

Surely that must count for something?

Her swollen eyes flick to Caesius.

A muscle in her jaw jumps, and Violet rises to stride to the tall warrior, her hands fumbling in her pouch.  Another heathen…but his…his god clearly stands with him, whatever that god might be.  “Here,” she snaps, her anger with herself rather than Caesius, and halts before the armoured man, holding out a small, well-carven wooden amulet, ribbons hanging from each of its sides.  “You are a servant of a god, yes?  Then wear and use this in their name; I weary of carrying it, waiting for the proper person.”

Her lips tighten.  “Perhaps….perhaps that person is you.”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Mon 11 Mar.

Caesius looks at the amulet in Violet's hand.  It doesn't resemble the symbol of any god that he knows of, and he is hesitant to take it at first, but a few seconds of scrutiny does not reveal it to be tainted by evil.

He stretches forth his hand and accepts the item.  "Heironeous is my God.  He is the giver of Law, Justice, Protection and Weal.  I accept your gift, and thank you in His name.  I swear that I will put it to whatever use I am able, to purge the Darkness from this place."

Bowing his head, the paladin ties the ribbons to hang the amulet around his neck, beside the fist and lightning bolt emblem of Heironeous.

Qvar silently bears witness to violet's grief, then her unburdening as she bestows her Heaven-sent gift upon Caesius and his gracious acceptance.  His small smile and slow nod acknowledge the rightness of this exchange.

He makes a slow circuit of the room, looking over the throne and peering into any dark corners and passages, then returns to stand beside Zertin and Ireena.  "Let us return to the Chapel now.  We can rest safely there and regain our strength."

Zertin joins Qvar in searching the room then readily agrees with the suggestion to return to the chapel to give Saeko's body a safer resting place.

Zertin rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Spot skill check. – 20
Zertin rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Search skill check. – 25

The armoured woman places her hand upon Violet's shoulder. "Our friend has fought upon the side of the Light and is now released from her duty," she offers in comfort.

"She was a daughter of a noble house?" Ashyln confirms with Qvar. "Then her blades are as like to be heirlooms of her Family. When our task is done, we should take them from this place that we might return them and so honour her sacrifice."

"You and I will carry her back to the chapel," she suggests to Violet.

The death of Saeko hits Violet hard, for whatever small comforts the rest of you can offer.  In the face of such loss, the young woman finds herself moved to offer up her precious Phylactery to Caesius, and the Paladin formally accepts the charge, offering his gratitude.

Though the thought that the feral man might have been Strahd himself is a compelling one, for the moment your thoughts turn to more practical matters.  Qvar and Zertin quickly search the room while the rest of you prepare Saeko's body for removal, their search at first fruitless, until the Wizard's keen eyes fall upon an ancient book lying on the steps behind the throne, bound in a thick black leather cover with brass hinges, though the brothers quickly determine that the volume will require more careful study than the moment allows, for the pages are brittle, and the penmanship of the writings within poor indeed.

Ashlyn and Violet take up Saeko's body and with Caesius leading the way and Ireena, flanked by Qvar and Zertin following, you make your way as swiftly as due ceremony allows, back to the Chapel without incident where they lay the Daughter of the Wind before the altar, as the Wizard, mindful of the wards, hangs back.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Qvar assists Ashlyn and Violet to lay Saeko to rest before the altar.  He nods thoughtful agreement with Ashlyn's suggestion to return Saeko's possessions to her family.  He smiles at the optimism embraced in that plan, another quest perhaps after the Sun has brightened Barovia again.

Rising he looks at his companions, trying to take in their mood and guess what they need.  "Friends, let us not be discouraged."  He floods the chapel with Daylight cast upon the altar.  "We have come far, and learned that this land, Barovia, needs our help to prosper again.  We have restored the Sunstone, and set out to mend the Sunsword, weapons to use against our enemy, Strahd.  Saeko's death will not be in vain if we hold to our quest.  For now we should rest and regain our strength.  Tomorrow we shall set out again."  He sits on a serviceable pew and unwraps the leftover breakfast foods, inviting the others to gather and share a meal.

"Do you recognise the language the book is written in, Zed?" he asks his brother.  "Let's learn what we can before tonight's rest and Vigil."

All through that afternoon his eyes wander the the unexplored passage from the south of the chapel.  "Shall we see where that leads?" he asks Violet hopefully, although making it clear that he'll do no such thing if she's not comfortable with the idea.

Caesius takes a seat, and accepts a little bread and cheese to eat.  The new brightness in the chapel, while it doesn't warm his skin, does warm his heart and mind.  Confidence seems to fill him now.

Daylight, here in Barovia!  If only the locals could see that that was possible, they might rise against the tyrant monster that rules over them.  For that matter, the light itself might be a powerful weapon against that monster.

"Qvar?  How often can you summon sunlight like that?  How long does it last, and how far does it spread?"

Qvar smiles brightly back at Caesius, glad to see his mood lifted by the light.  "Pelor is with us, sending His Light to cheer us, as often as we need, anything that I touch.  The Light will not fade for an hour, and while it shines it will fill this chapel brightly and reach dimly twice as far.  Set on something small like a pebble we can cover the light if we need darkness for rest or to hide."  His smile becomes more serious as he adds, "As welcome as this brightness may be, it is not Sunlight and will not harm Strahd or his kind," his grin breaks through again, "though I do hope it may annoy them!"

Zertin takes the ancient book to study and settles down on one of the pews to begin the task of reading it. He is certainly glad of the extra light now provided by Qvar, which makes the task far less tiring than it might otherwise have been.

You make your preparations for the night's vigil, most following Caesius's example and eating and drinking while you have the chance, your spirits buoyed by the warming light that Qvar summons and the hopes for the future expressed.

Violet, still striken by the loss of Saeko, is not so keen as Qvar to explore further, so the Priest contents himself in peering down the passageway to the south of the Chapel where he sees a narrow room, perhaps ten feet wide and twice that in length, with an arched ceiling, little more than a passageway between the vast chapel and a huge circular staircase whose stone steps lead both up and down.

Twin alcoves in the passageway are a mirror of those in the northern opening you traversed recently, each holding a shadowy humanoid statue within its dark confines.  As the nimbus of light that surrounds Qvar falls upon the stone forms he notes that they display mighty muscled arms and legs, but their faces are all but featureless.

Settling down in a quiet spot, Zertin studies the leather bound book, carefully lifting the brass clasp that fastens it closed.  The pages within are made of parchment and prove very brittle.  The language is the Common tongue, but the handwriting is small, cramped, and difficult to read.  Stains and age have made most of the book entirely illegible, but the Wizard perseveres.

Having finished his food, Caesius moves to an area of open space, where he starts exercising.  First with Razor, then with Nail.  After a quarter hour with each he stops and examines both weapons for nicks and blemishes, then sets about cleaning them to a bright finish, such that the steel blades shine like mirrors.

As he cleans, he murmurs excerpts from The Book of the Code under his breath...

"The Paladin must be true, always, to his Code.  Strong must he be, and Just.  Always must he uphold his duty to the People.  Always must he uphold his duty to Heironeous, and to His church.  Always must he uphold his duty to a Lady."

"Caesius, while we rest, we need you to complete the vigil to attune yourself to the Sunstone," Zertin reminds the paladin. "As I understand it, Qvar has completed the vigil but his oath prohibits him from using the Sunstone's powers, Irena is not able to use it and Ashlyn's training was more focussed on combat and did not encompass the depth of religious knowledge required."

After studying the ancient book they found, Zertin is ready to explain its contents.

"It appears to be Strahd's life story, penned by his own hand. It is so old and so faded and fragile that there are only two pages that are legible, but even on those the penmanship is so poor as to be difficult to read, even for someone as familiar as I am with the scribings of students of the arcane. Here, let me read it for you," he  offered.

"I am the Ancient. I am the Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior, I was good and just. I thundered across the land like the wrath of a just god, but the war years and the killing years wore down my soul as the wind wears stone into sand.

"All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice.

"I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in the castle Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both.

"From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called "perfection", "joy", and "treasure". Her name was Tatyana, and I longed for her to be mine.

"I loved her with all my heart. I loved her for her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me! "Old One" was my name to her—"elder" and "brother" also. Her heart went to Sergei. They were betrothed. The date was set.

"With words she called me "brother," but when I looked into her eyes they reflected another name: "death." It was the death of the aged that she saw in me. She loved her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine.

"The death she saw in me turned her from me. And so I came to hate death—my death. My hate is very strong. I would not be called "death" so soon. I made a pact with death, a pact of blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My pact was sealed with his blood.

"I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the chapel. She fled from me. She would not let me explain, and a great anger swelled within me. She had to understand the pact I made for her. I pursued her. Finally, in despair, she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft, and I watched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever.

"It was a thousand feet through the mists. No trace of her was ever found. Not even I know her final fate.

"Arrows from the castle guards pierced me to my soul, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I became undead, forever.

"I have studied much since then. "Vampyr" is my new name. I still lust for life and youth, and I curse the living that took them from me. Even the sun is against me. It is the sun and its light I fear the most, but little else can harm me now. Even a stake through my heart does not kill me, though it holds me from movement. But the sword, that cursed sword that Sergei brought! I must dispose of that awful tool! I fear and hate it as much as the sun.

"I have often hunted for Tatyana. I have even felt her within my grasp, but she escapes. She taunts me! She taunts me! What will it take to bend her love to me?

"I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me."

OOC: The two legible pages of the Tome of Strahd can be viewed at the Game Map for Group 1.

Caesius doesn't stop his scrutiny and cleaning of his weapons, but he does pause his recitations long enough to respond, "Aye, Zertin, I had not forgotten.  But in order to ensure success in the vigil, I must first purify both myself and my weapons.  It will not take much longer."

Violet shakes her head at Qvar's offer of exploration, and brushes away Ashlyn's hand.  "Duty," she whispers, the word foul in her mouth.  Casting her hood over her head, she moves to a corner and seats herself.  The others have their own work they do, their chosen tasks; Violet stares through them from the shadows of her cloak.  She pays half an ear to Zertin's story, the words meaningless to her.  Vampyr?  She knows not this name.  It's pointless, in any case.

The only escape from hell, it seems, is death; and what worse trials await them following that passage?

It seems that Caesius will become their greatest protector in this; a tiny part of Violet is pleased she offered him the relic.  Perhaps if they find this sword he will become mightier still.  But it doesn't get them out of hell, and it doesn't bring back Saeko.

When the story is finished, she spits once to the side, her feelings evident.

Rousing herself, the young woman moves to one of the exits.  "I'll keep watch," she mutters, barely audible.  "If we need to stay here longer for Caesius."

After today's reading from the Book of Strahd, Zertin points to Saeko's corpse.

"I suggest one of you check Saeko's possessions to see if there is anything particularly useful that we might borrow whilst we endeavour to avenge her death," he suggests. "I have no doubt she would want us to do so."

Ashlyn nods, willing (if not happy) to undertake that task.  "I do not think any of us could wield those blades of hers," she suggests, voice raised in question, as she kneels beside her comrade's corpse.

"I shall stand vigil at the side of Caesius," the armoured woman avows.  "Perhaps I may yet gain the insights I need to use this holy device.  If naught else, Saeko's death has reminded me that any of us might fall in this struggle, so we must be ready to step up to take the place of those who have gone before us, as the need arises."

Caesius stands and sheaths his sword.  "It is time." he declares, and moves towards the altar.

He bows his head to the Sunstone, then kneels, taking the silver lightning bolt and fist emblem of Heironeous in his right hand.

"Father Heironeous, hear the prayer of Your true warrior.  Watch over me while I engage in my vigil, and grant me, in Your infinite wisdom, that my faith will be strong enough to complete the task You have set before me.  All hail Heironeous!"

And a smile touches the paladin's lips as he finishes his prayer...

Violet's eyes widen at Zertin's words, and when Ashlyn moves Saeko, she hurriedly follows.  Crouching beside the young woman, she lowers her voice to a whisper.

Ashlyn seems surprised at Violet's words and her eyes widen as she stops her search of the Saeko's corpse, resting back on her haunches as she converses with the young woman in a low, but conciliatory tone.

Violet's stony features break into a grin; it's not at all reassuring, but at the same time the tension in the young woman's body slowly begins to lower.


Her piece said, Violet rises and backs away a few steps before turning and moving back to the exit.  There, she drops into a crouch, keeping her eyes peering out into the unknown, on the watch for threats.

Seemingly oblivious to all else in the chamber, Caesius stays, kneeling, before the altar.  He gazes at the holy symbol in his hand, and his lips move constantly.  Those who are nearby can hear a faint whispering, though the actual words are indistinct.  Save the word "Heironeous", which is repeated oft, and always a little louder than the rest.

The armoured woman smiles in return, acknowledging Violet's response.  Standing, she turns her attention to Zertin and Qvar.

"We're leaving Saeko's possessions alone," she informs the brothers.  "I'm informed that her beliefs would regard their removal as grave-robbing ... though in truth, despite her title I think she sought a simple existence, not unlike our Priest of Pelor, and those blades of hers were the only thing of any value that she owned."

"And now," she smiles, addressing the room at large, "I will join my fellow knight in Vigil.  Disturb us only if you must."

So saying, and with another smile for Violet, Ashlyn returns to the altar, placing her pack to one side and laying her blade on the altar before kneeling alongside Caesius, bowing her head in silent prayer.

Zertin shrugs at Ashlyn's announcement.

"So be it, then. I hope she will be allowed to rest in peace with her swords always at her sides. For future reference, my own wishes would be entirely different. If I fall, know that I would wish you to use any of my possessions that would aid you, particularly if it would be to avenge my death. If you had the opportunity to have me brought back to life, you have my permission to sell any of my possessions to pay for it, for I know it would be particularly expensive. Give me back my life, my freedom and my spellbook, and you would have my gratitude," he replies.

Qvar listens with rapt attention to Strahd's story.  When Zertin is finished he exclaims "By his own hand!"  His gaze drifts to a distant unseen Sunset as he breathes "Praise Pelor."

He nods his blessing when Saeko is left to rest in peace but rolls his eyes with a grin when his brother starts making plans for his afterlife again, once a sore point between them but not since his own death.  "I'll put in a good word for you, Zed.  But I'm not sure that dark eyed lady you favour will let you go."

He bustles about, as quietly and unobtrusively as possible, when Caesius and then Ashlyn settle into their vigil: packing any leftover food, tracing a warded circle in silver about centre of the chapel and altar, fading down the light when all have settled for the night.  He sits on a pew in silent meditation as the hours pass.  He prays for strength - Caesius and Ashlyn in their vigil before the altar, Violet in hers of grief - and sleep for Zertin and Ireena to restore their strength.  He gives thanks for providence, that their path should be so guided by those of this land, Madame Eva's foretelling confirmed by Strahd himself.  Wisdom and certainty, but gained at such cost.  He prays for his companions: take heart, we are on the right path, we are where we need to be, Pelor sees us.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:25, Mon 29 Apr.

Violet maintains her vigil in silence, patiently keeping her eye on the various ways into the room.  To all appearance, she is a quiet, motionless statue.  Inside, her guts coil and twist, and her despair grows.

There seems no escape from hell, nor should there be.

Qvar's concecration of the altar serves to bolster the sense that the Chapel is a sanctuary in this land of mists and shadow and that its wards might protect you from the darkness without.

Indeed, your time here passes without interruption - the bat-creature that intruded on the last occasion either can not or does not put in an appearance, and so Caesius and Ashlyn are able to complete the Vigil, binding themselves to the Holy Symbol of Ravenloft, the Sunstone.

Qvar has no need of sleep, but meditiates, ready to put Pelor's gifts to use should they be needed, while his brother studies for a while and then turns in.  Ireena joins Violet in the place where she has taken up station, the better to watch the doorways, both consumed with their own terrors and neither really managing more than a few snatched moments of oblivion before jerking awake.

And then it is done, as, in silent consent the vigil is finished, spells are memorised or beseeched, fasts are broken and packs are readied ...

Caesius bows his head, almost looking as if he has fallen asleep.  Except that his eyes are open, and he is smiling.

Then he stands, stifly, and finding some room, he starts to perform a some simple exercises to loosen up.  The vigil is over.

And, insofar as he can tell, it was successful.

He draws Razor and lifts it high in tribute to Heironeous.

And the blade flares with a brilliant blue-white effulgence. 

The paladin falls to his knees again, his eyes locked on the blade.  While the glow has faded from the steel, the weapon seems even more brightly polished than usual...

Zertin spent a while studying his spellbook after he woke and finally closes it as the vigil ends for Caesius and Ashlyn.

He smiles indulgently as he sees Caesius fiddling with his sword but his eyes widen slightly and he nods with genuine approval as the blade flares so brightly.

He looks around to check that everyone else is ready as he packs his spellbook away in his haversack and makes ready for whatever challenges await them today in this accursed castle.

Qvar rises when others start moving about, facing the broken stained glass windows and basking for a moment in the imagined glorious sunrise beyond.  Promises will be kept.  He watches Caesius and Ashlyn for a while, pleased at the success of their vigils.  He's glad too that Ireena and Violet shared found some comfort in shared grief.  And he's glad that Zertin got some sleep; though that should never be in doubt - his brother can sleep through anything.  Memories bring another smile.

He crouches for a moment beside Saeko's body, murmering a quiet prayer.  "Pelor, remember this warrior, Saeko, who fought and died that the Sun would win against this mist.  Remember her as her companions do."  He places a copper penny on each of her closed eyes.

He has no new breakfast of sunshine flakes to offer this morning, instead unpacking the plentiful remnants of yesterday's meal and speaking a prayer over them so that they well remain fresh today.  "Sunfather, purify this food to sustain those who would bring your warmth to this land."

"Breakfast anyone?" he invites, smiling.  When any or all have gathered he sits beside his brother while they eat, and again stores the dwindling supply when they're done.  "What direction shall we take today?" he asks of them all.  "We know the Sunsword is two levels above, and we cleared a path to the first level.  Should we continue that way?"

At the conclusion of the Vigil, Ashlyn too smiles, equally for Caesius's affirmation of his faith as for what benefits she herself has gleaned.

Taking up the Holy Symbol from the altar, the armoured woman returns it to the Paladin, but her nod of thanks takes in Ireena too.

And she welcomes the meal that Qvar presents to them.

"The stairs to the north of the hall where we fought that tentacled horror led only downwards," she recalls as she replies to the priest.  "But there was another door there which we did not investigate.  As good a place as any to start."

Zertin joined them for breakfast and made no complaint about the lack of variety on offer.

He nodded agreement to Ashlyn's suggestion, echoing her final words, "As good a place as any."