This uninviting shop is two stories tall and has a sign shaped like a coffin above the front door. All of the window shutters are closed up tight, and a deathly silence surrounds the establishment.

Henrik van der Voort (LE male human commoner) is a mediocre carpenter and a troubled, lonely man. He profits from the deaths of others, and no one desires his company, because of the ghastly nature of his handiwork.

https://5e.tools/img/adventure/CoS/063-cos05-13.png

JUN JIA AND CEILA ARRIVE HERE FROM THE BLUE WATER INN

CHOKAHR AND VYKTOR ARE HERE

Jun Jia and Ceila stomp through the muddy streets to find Chokahr and Vyktor coming back from the backside of the house.

"There's no answer. My gut tells me someone is in there ignoring me, and that's making me angry." Chokahr snarls, in his old age it seems more cranky than beastial.

While Chokhar bellowed at the door, Jun Jia chose a quieter approach. She slid away from the group into the alley. Padding on her feet as softly as a cat, she explored the perimeter of the shop. She kept to the shadows where such were available and looked for an open door or window, or any sign that someone was inside.

OOC:


14:10, Today: Jun Jia rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Stealth.

Ceila followed Jun; her life on the street had taught her the skills for this kind of thing.

Stealth 21

No one notices you.


And you don't notice anything.

The doors and windows are right there, closed, to enter requires opening and going in.

(At this point str check or thieves tools to pick locks, Lets go with dc17 and you have advantage)

23:07, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 26 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only ((19,18)).

It wasn't hard at all for someone with Ceila's skills to unlock the door.

"There," she said, softly.  "We can go in.  Should we tell Chokahr?"

“Not yet,” Jun Jia said with an impish grin. “He maintains an adequate distraction at the front door.” She gently nudged the door open. Then, the Monk stepped inside, motioning Ceila to follow.

Ceila did so, cautiously.

(c) This workshop contains everything a carpenter needs to make coffins and furniture. Three sturdy worktables stretch the length of the west wall.

Room b has a table with four chairs is in one corner with a lantern hanging from a chain directly above. Two well-made cabinets stand against the east wall.

From the doorway to a you see the old coffin maker standing in front of the closed front door holding his hammer like he is afraid he may have to use it. He doesn't hear you approaching over Chokahr's banging on the front door. Arranged haphazardly about the floor of this musty, L-shaped room are thirteen wooden coffins.

You could also sneak up the stairs in room a to see what is upstairs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:11, Tue 19 Apr 2022.

Ceila cleared her throat.

"Good day, good sir," she said.  "I apologize for our interruption, but our friend outside is on an urgent quest to remove a curse upon him, and we'd like your help in this matter.  Would you mind opening the door and..."

Ah.  Her sword was still out.  That could be bad.

20:10, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 6 using 1d20+5 ((1)).

Not so much.  Well, I tried.

If Ceila fumbled, then Jun Jia would try to calm the old man. The petite woman held out her hands and tried to look as unthreatening as possible. “Please don’t be alarmed, Grandfather van der Voort. When nobody answered, we were concerned that harm befell you.” Jun smiled reassuringly at Henrik, addressing him in a respectful tone.

“As Sister Ceila said, our companions are in great need of help. We were told only you could help them. Can we talk? I vow that we mean you no harm.”


OOC:

21:26, Today: Jun Jia rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  Charisma .

Henrik straightens when he hears you, and slowly turns, his face white as a ghost. He puts a finger to his lips and with his other hand points upstairs.

Then he turns to the door and yells to Chokahr, "We're closed! Go away!"

Frowning in confusion, Jun Jia answered by pointing upstairs. She silent silently mouthed, Is someone listening?

He motioned in return, six fingers, then he put two fingers next to his incisor teeth, pointing down. Six vampires upstairs.

He turned to the door again, "Go away now! Leave US alone."

OOC: Does the old man have any writing material nearby?

Yes absolutely. Go for it.

Jun Jia spotted a sheet of paper and a pen on a nearby table. She cleanly, but quickly, wrote in Common. Then, she held the message for Henrik to see.

“Did the vampires threaten you? Can we bring our friends  through the back to help you?”

He whispers, mostly in shock, "Yes. I stole the bones for them. They will leave tonight if we leave them alone, they just want the bones. Save yourselves, just go. I will be okay. Save yourselves."

Nodding, Jun gestured at Ceila and tread softly toward the back door.

Ceila followed.  Six vampires... she knew she wasn't strong enough for a direct confrontation.  Not just her and Jun.

You exit the back of the building. All is quiet, save for the angry old men out front.

When they reached the men, Jun Jia hushed them. “Shh! Stop drawing attention and walk with us.”

Vyktor had given up on knocking quite awhile ago. He just wasn't feeling much like himself any longer. He stood there eating an apple, trying to enjoy the flavor but it seemed the sweetness had faded to dullness.

"What is going on?" He asked Jun Jia, anxious for any change of pace from banging on a locked door that he would normally just "unlock."

When Vyk & Chokhar stepped far enough from the Coffin Maker, Jun Jia told them. “Henrik, the Coffin Maker, refused to answer the door by order of his unwanted guests. Six vampires upstairs. They forced Henrik to steal the bones…whatever that means.

Henrik said they will leave tonight if no one bothers them. Ceila also detected vampires at the Inn. I do not know of these are the same vampires, or even more of them.”

Vyk's wrinkly forehead scrunched up so tight it seemed painful, "Oh by the gods...this just keeps getting worse doesn't it. They have the Bones of St. Andral, the very thing the priest needs to be able to heal our predicament."

He put his head in both hands and seemed to wrestle in his own mind with giving up or facing death to retrieve his youth.

"Jun Jia and Ceila, this is not your burden, and yet I know that if we asked you, you would willingly risk your lives to help us return to our natural selves. I believe too that the wereravens may feel in our debt. We could ask them for numbers, four against six are not good odds, but what if there were a dozen against half?"

He looked down the street, toward the Burgomaster's house. "Lastly, there is one other course of action, I wonder how Burgomaster Vargas would react to knowing what you have uncovered. Will he muster soldiers and vampire slayers to arms?"

He looks at you. "I am too tired to decide. What do you think?"

Vyktor’s plight moved Jun Jia. Her face showed it as she listened to his plea, nodding sympathetically. “Vyktor Rosewylde, you know that Ceila & I would not leave you in this pitiful condition. We will do all within our power to help you and Chokhar return to your true ages.”

Still, they were outnumbered. Vyktor’s frown showed up in Jia’s own face as she considered their best course of action. ”The vampires we saw sat freely and unafraid in the Inn. However, I did not sense that the Ravens gladly welcomed them. I think Danika and her husband would indeed help us.

What do you and Chokhar know about this Burgomaster? Can we be certain that he has not allowed vampires to roam his town?”

"Well for one, he is practically mad with laughter. I believe he believes that if everyone got on like nothing was miserable, and plastered smiles on their faces, misery would cease to exist. He seemed genuinely against Strahd, however, but perhaps politically there is more to his ability or inability to act against the Count, therefore all he can do is control his subjects. In short, he may indeed allow vampires, but I would like to know for certain. We know the Martikov's will help us. Shall we first see if the Burgomaster will?"

"Getting help to destroy them is the prudent course," said Ceila.  "It's a risk to those who aid us, but so is letting those abominations stay unchallenged.  We will need to move quickly, though-- if we can get no other aid, I'll risk it to help the two of you."

Chokahr crossed his arms across his chest, frowning.

"It is daytime. The vampires must be asleep. How much of a threat can they be? We sneak in an grab the bones, and no one's the wiser. They'll never know what happened."

Listening to his companions, the barbarian tilted his head from side to side, apparently hesitating.
"Allies are good, but time may be running out. I doubt the Baron cares for much except his parties and his hunts. I wish I had such little sorrows. As for the ravens... sure, they owe us, after all. I'll go grab them if you want."

Danika and Urvin are slightly reluctant. "We are not soldiers," They say, "We have always been watchers, and so far we believe we have done well to remain in the shadows. I fear if Strahd learned of us he would just wipe us out. Still, we cannot ignore your request."

When Chokahr arrives back at the Coffin Maker's, eight Keepers of the Feather are already there. You recognize Stenzel, the woman who led during the fight against the wolves, "Took you long enough to get back, old man. Are we ready?"

The house is small quarters, with 6 vampire spawn plus 4 of us plus 8 wereravens this fight will be CRAAAAZY, so I'm just going to have the four of you fight 2 vampire spawn while the ravens take care of the rest.

---

First you pull Henrik out of the house, clapping a hand over his mouth as he argues that they will kill him.

Then, you sneak upstairs. Old carving tools and other junk and crates have all been pushed into the corners to make room for six coffins arranged neatly on the floor.

ROUND 1: Players turns. Advantage to the first two that post.
Vampire Spawn AC15
1
2

Ceila blessed those around her and herself.  Best to give them all the best chance to destroy these things...

Jun Jia silently prayed to her ancestors that her Silver sword would hurt the unholy progeny of vampires. She cautiously opened the lid of her coffin. Then, the Monk aimed her blade for the vampire spawn’s neck! The blade flashed twice in a gleaming blur of silver!

OOC:

22:12, Today: Jun Jia rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Attack #2 Damage.
22:12, Today: Jun Jia rolled 5 using 1d6+3.  Attack #1 Damage .
22:11, Today: Jun Jia rolled 13 using 1d20+9.  Extra Attack w/Advantage.
22:10, Today: Jun Jia rolled 17 using 1d20+9.  Attack #1 w/Advantage .
22:10, Today: Jun Jia rolled 18 using 1d20+9.  Extra attack w/Silver Sword.
22:09, Today: Jun Jia rolled 25 using 1d20+9.  Behead my Vampire w/Silver Sword.
22:08, Today: Jun Jia rolled 3 using 1d4.  Bless Bonus.

 

As Vyktor prepared to enter the shop, he paused a moment, considering what it was they were walking into. His initial thought was to set the entire building ablaze, but realized that putting Henrik's property to the torch would be much like what was done to his own estate prior to his exile. He could not do that unless there were no other alternative. Perhaps it was this notion which seemed to bolster the former knight, for he suddenly felt a sense of confidence.

Vyktor clapped the old man next to him on the shoulder, "Bravery Chokahr, for our goal is within our grasp. You've strength in you yet!"

Vyktor positioned himself quietly near a window. He then reached beneath his cloak and withdrew his strange and fearsome weapon. Without opening one of the coffins, he placed the muzzle of the gun a few inches above where the chest would be, and proceeded to pull the trigger! Smoke and white flames belched forth, accompanied by a peal of thunder!

---

Casting Protection from Evil on Chokahr and Vyktor. Concentration, 10 mins. Creatures [undead] have disadvantage on attack rolls against the target. The target also can't be charmed, frightened, or possessed by them.

Pistol Attack - Assuming the vampire's inside a coffin and Sneak Attack as it's basically point blank. Pact weapon counts as magic wrt resistance/immunity.
Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 25 to hit for 10 magic bludgeoning damage (includes Sneak Attack)

Jun Jia's sword is met with an unexpected supernatural resistance. The blade cut through the skin easily enough, but it did not sever the vampire's head. His eyes rushed open and he hissed, scrambling to climb out.

Taking their cues, the wereravens began thrusting their rapiers into their vampires. The room was soon an eruption of startled vampires screaming and clawing to get up from their coffins.

Vyktor's shot was met with the expected snap of wood and then the satisfying crunch of the sternum. The coffin lid flew up and slammed against the ceiling as the woman tossed it aside in rage. Her white silk dress shirt was quickly being recolored crimson red.

ROUND 1: Players turns. Ceila and Chokahr have normal attacks, no longer a surprise advantage.
Vampire Spawn AC15
1 hp-11
2 hp-10

Ceila didn't hesitate-- she lunged at the one nearest Jun!  Holy fire burned along her blade as she attacked, roaring a cry of defiance at the forces of darkness!

Two Rapier attacks.

23:03, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 26,29 using d20+d4+8,d20+d4+8 ((15,3;20,1)).

Two hits, I'm using a Lv 1 Smite with the second, which is a Crit!

Damage is
23:05, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 13,38 using 1d8+7,6d8+7 ((6,4,8,5,6,7,1)).
So that's 51 damage... of which about 30 is Radiant.

OOC: I’ll spend 1 Ki point for Flurry of Blows, and 1 Ki point for Stunning Strike with the Silver Sword.

The vampire’s unnatural durability surprised Jun Jia throwing off her first kick when she attempted a special kick. However, her foot lashed out again in a roundhouse kick and found the vampire’s jaw! Gripping the Silver Sword in her hand, Jun slashed again with a blur of sliver flashes as she channeled her Ki! When the first slash struck, Jun Jia attempted to disrupt the flow of the vampire’s Ki.

If it worked, the strike would stun her undead foe.

OOC2:


I’ll spend the 2nd Ki on the Flurry Attack that hit for the Stunning Strike.
Vampire Spawn makes a CON check, vs. DC 13, or she’s stunned until the end of my next turn.

15:06, Today: Jun Jia rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Flurry w/Silver Sword, damage.
15:05, Today: Jun Jia rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Unarmed Strike Damage.
15:02, Today: Jun Jia rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Flurry #2.
15:02, Today: Jun Jia rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Flurry of Blows #1.
15:01, Today: Jun Jia rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Extra Attack.
15:00, Today: Jun Jia rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Unarmed Strike.

Jun already took her 1st round turn, we can save this for round 2 or try again but it won't apply to this round.

In reply to DM (msg # 37):

OOC: I though we were in Round 2. Yes, let’s save it for Round 2.

Vyktor stepped back, raising the hem of his weighted cloak instinctively. He cocked the hammer if his pistol and snarled his defiance at the terrible creature which had just erupted from the coffin.

"Get back in your box, vile creature of death!"

The muzzle of his odd weapon blazed with light and radiant flame!

Action: Casting Sacred Flame cantrip, she must make a DC13 Dex Save or take 12 radiant damage.
Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 12 using 2d8 ((6,6)).
Bonus: Cunning Action Disengage
Move: Create space such that she must move next to another character to get at Vyktor.
weighted cloak AC15, maintaining concentration on Protection from Evil on self

Chokahr was feeling angry. All this running around just for some bones because the lousy priest here had no divinity of his own. Beggars could not be choosers, he just hoped his strength didn't fail him from his aging.

He hacked away at the vampire that Jun Jia and Ceila were attacking, his body transforming under the bestial curse. He figured 3 on 1 would finish it off faster, but did not for one second think about how Vyk was on his own.

hits twice for 36 with +2 greataxe

---

hp59/59
raging/reckless <-they get adv
But tail gives +d5 to ac on reaction
This message was last edited by the player at 17:28, Thu 12 May 2022.

The entire upstairs was a bloodbath of wereravens and vampire spawn. The four kept close and concentrated on their 2 vampires.

The vampires were now awake and crawling along the ceiling; moving with unholy speed to bite and claw, rip and tear. The position of your enemy on the ceiling was strange and discomforting to say the least. It seemed the vampires were used to biting from above.

The male grabs Chokahr by the hair and crane's the barbarians neck over for the typical bite. You see the vampire's wounds recovering from drinking the blood, despite Ceila's radiant smite.

Meanwhile, Vyk's vampire's chest closes up on it's own. The woman smiles and tears open her soaked silk shirt just to show off her body's healing capability. Good as new. She lunges at our gun-rogue and tears a hole through his head with her long nails.

Then Jun Jia's blows against the man sucking Chokahr's life out of him drop the vampire off of the ceiling. He smashes to the wooden floor head first and doesn't move.

Vyktor's sacred flame is easily dodged.

---

Vyk crit for 16 slashing dmg.
Chokahr bit for 13 necrotic and his hit points are permanently reduced by that much until long rest.

ROUND 2: Players turns. Jun Jia and Vyk's turns already applied. Just need Ceila's turn
Vampire Spawn AC15
1 DEAD
2 hp-0

HOLY MOLY! I thought this was going to be a close fight you actually might have been able to take on all 6. 

One hand on his throat, the other on his axe, Chokahr roared and struck the remaining vampire.

20dmg
hp46/46

Ceila wasn't going to let the vampire get away from her, not after biting Chokhar!

"YOU," she said, pointing her blade at the creature.  "For your crimes, you will be destroyed!"

And she lunged, her blade a line of silver fire!

Bonus Action: Oath of Vengeance, so this one goes down!
22:25, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 17,25,22 using 1d20+1d4+8,1d20+1d4+8,1d20+1d4+8 ((5,4;16,1;11,3)).

Whoops, missed one roll...

22:26, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 28 using 1d20+1d4+8 ((19,1)).

Ah, almost a crit!  But I'll Smite again on the first attack, and both hit.

22:27, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 23,8 using 3d8+7,1d8+7 ((5,3,8,1))

So that's another 31 damage, of which 11 is Radiant.

The woman screamed, this time she did not heal. She looked around, the battle was going just as badly for her comrades.

She disengaged and sprinted toward the boarded up window.

CRASH. A normal being would not survive the 15' drop, but she landed on her toes as if it were nothing.

ROUND 3: Everyone's turn, ranged only, but if you want to superhero jump out the window make an athletics or acrobatics check dc15 or take 10dmg.

V2 hp-51 30' away, outside the house on the street, running

Vyktor stepped to the window and braced his pistol against one side of the broken boards. He took careful aim and let lose two blasts after the fleeing vampiric foe! The projectiles streaked ahead, trailing bits of writhing smoke which lingered unnaturally.

Then, without consideration for his advanced age, he foolishly leapt from the window as he would have done while a younger man. Luckily, his muscle memory was still good enough to know when to roll upon landing. With a groan he regained his feet and kept up his pursuit.


Action: Casting Eldritch Blast cantrip, Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 24,15 to hit for 6 force damage on the first bolt and 4 on the second.
Move: Pursuit! 30' (Acrobatics DC15, Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 24!!!)
Bonus: Cunning Action Disengage
[maintaining concentration on Protection from Evil on self, Vamp has DisAdv on attacks vs Vyktor]

Ceila ran to the window and went in pursuit of her target.  The fall was jarring, but Ceila wasn't going to let that stop her from charging the fleeing vampire!

OOC:  Acrobatics 10, so 10 damage.  Oh, well. VENGEANCE!
Concentration Check is 12, so Bless is still up.

So, STABBITY!
22:51, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 26,14,16,25 using d20+d4+8,d20+d4+8,d20+d4+8,d20+d4+8 ((14,4;5,1;5,3;16,1)).

Another two hits.  One more Smite to make sure she stays down...

22:52, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 36 using 4d8+14 ((1,5,8,8)).
36 damage, of which 13 is Radiant

Jun Jia leapt out of the window in harried pursuit of the vampire! She kicked off a neighboring wall, landing catlike on her feet with no damage! Without breaking stride, Jun dashed after the vampire. Because the undead woman had an ample head start, Jun attempted to wound her from a distance. Plucking two Darts, the Monk hurled them, and one found it’s mark!

OOC:


15:32, Today: Jun Jia rolled 6 using 1d4+3.  Damage.
15:32, Today: Jun Jia rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  Dart.
15:31, Today: Jun Jia rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Dart.
15:30, Today: Jun Jia rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  Acrobatics .

The dart caught the vampire in the back of the knee. The dart itself wasn't what dropped her though. What dropped her was the sabertooth tiger that came out of nowhere from the corner of the next building. Oddly enough, the beast was wearing custom fit plate armor. It was covered in blood, not just the blood of the vampire, but it did not seem interested in eating, it just turned toward you to see if you were the flavor it was seeking.

RAWR.

NEW ROUND.
acrobatics check dc15 to climb out the window, if fail take 6dmg and prone. If you want to run downstairs it will cost your full turn to dash and end up 30' away.
Sabertooth Tiger with plate armor AC18
Jun Jia 30' away
Ceila 60' away
Vyk 90' away and upstairs
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:01, Thu 26 May 2022.

Ceila had no intent of letting the vampire spawn escape, and sprinted after her!

Dashing to keep up.

@Celia - Uh... re-read the last DM post...

---

Vyktor paused a moment in his pursuit of the vampire woman when he saw the tiger-being blur into view. He held his weapon on the newcomer, watching the tiger watch him. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend..." he said slowly.

He lowered his gun. Beneath his cloak however, the other hand rested on the handle of a simple dinner knife he'd found not long after arriving in this cursed realm. It was intricate in design, but most importantly, perhaps, was that its blade was of pure silver...

"There are more vampires to kill, but we're not them..." Vyktor said carefully gesturing toward the Coffin-maker's shop with a jerk of his chin. "Why don't you go hunt there?" He stepped to the side to give the tiger an unobstructed view. The din of battle could be heard in that direction.

Jun Jia stood still. She slowly motioned Vyktor to remain back. “I do not think the Tiger wants the vampires or us. Keep very still.”

Indeed, you were not the prey the tiger sought. After another fierce roar and sniffing the air, the beast bounded away toward the north.

The sounds of vampires and wereravens in war continued from the second story of the coffin shop. But among all you hear the raging war screams of Chokahr, the only one who did not chase after the fleeing vampire.

When you return to the room all is settled. Three wereravens dead. All six vampires dead.

Chokahr has his hand on his throat, covered in blood.

The old barbarian pulled his hand away to reveal the vampire bite in his neck. He just laughed.

"Time will tell if the poison of undead can override the curse of the beast within. Let's get these bones to the Priest before we die of old age." He panted.

"Agreed," said Ceila.  "But lead the way, pray.  I haven't met this priest yet."

Vyktor looked for something to press against the wound in Chokahr's neck. He looked upon his aged companion grimly, hoping the priest had a little extra in the way of spiritual healing above the removal of their curses.

"I know the way," he said to Celia, "help Chokahr." Vyktor fetched the bones and made ready to head out.

"Thank you," he said. It was directed to his companions, but also to the remaining wereravens, without whom the recovery of the bones would have been impossible.

Heinreich Van Der Voot drops to his knees, tears flowing from his eyes, finally he is free from the terror of terrors.

"Thank you!" He sputters.

You head to the Church...