stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. I [IC]

GwydapLlew · Nov 29, 2006

"I have no problem moving ahead of the caravan." The knight steeples his thick fingers before looking at the other members of the Six. "If there is a coven of witches in this area, we should destroy them. It may be that they are seeking the Tome as well. Regardless, destroying evil is never a waste of time or resources."

DEFCON 1 · Nov 29, 2006

As Sir Khensu speaks about moving on ahead, Jarrith nods in agreement. "I'm with Sir Khensu on this... we can move on ahead. Let's go with what Janis said... let's hit the road at first light, and the carts can catch up in a few days time." He then drains his mug and stands up to go to bed.

James Heard · Nov 29, 2006

"Yes. Of course. We must kill witches. Right. Evil is our first priority Janis says, wincing inside at the preposterousness of it all, and finishing up her cup.

Kill the witches, grab the book, save the town, then we save the world, she thought. Second verse, same as the first. I wonder if whoever caused the Destruction was as confident, or if they stumbled upon their fate less easily? Unhappily, she sighed. Oh well, we must serve as Fate wills or else never achieve our Destinies.

"I'm for bed, and you boys don't stay up much longer then if we're to be off. The first foot forces the other to chase and all that, and the sooner we get to where we're going the soonest we'll be to force this all to its inevitable conclusion."

The "necklace" draped around her neck shifts its multicolored coils and bobs its slitherine head at the party in mimic of the spellcaster's words and then returns to its previous warm position.

With that, unless someone stops her, Janis goes upstairs to her room and locks her door, lest fate send more messengers at night to further call upon her and her companions.

DEFCON 1 · Nov 30, 2006

Jarrith stares at Janis as she speaks her mind... the words laced with the hint of sarcasm and annoyance... then rolls his eyes when she walks from the table to go to bed.

"Anyone know what 'inevitable conclusion' she's talking about? By the Host, I don't understand that woman or her motives sometimes."

He turns to go to bed as well, and says over his shoulder "So we off at first light, yes? If the four of you decide to change plans and leave later in the morning, put a handkerchief on my pack or something so I know not to start going around waking all of you up. Heh heh..."

Jarrith Bronns then returns to his room and goes to bed.

GwydapLlew · Nov 30, 2006

Sir Khensu will retire for the evening. Once in his room, he will perform his (k)nightly devotions and pray for guidance in the task set to him.

stonegod · Dec 1, 2006

16 Mol, Zaranthyr 998 YK

The morning dawn finds the band collected out front of the Weary Horse Inn, the ever present fog still clinging to the nameless village. Each rides a steed, whether the brilliant silvery blue celestial warhorse of Sir Khensu (with Jarrith riding alongside) or the finely bread surefoot donkey of Janis Stormhand. They all follow the faint path into the western mountains, looking for the distant Barovia.

The trail is treacherous initially, moving through cliff-edged wooded areas and snaking switchbacks. Near midday, the rut the party has been following starts showing signs of being a road, and within the hour bears the resemblance to something once cobbled in the distant past. Black pools of water stand like dark mirrors about the muddy roadway, a pall of thick, cold misting spreading over the ground. Giant tree trunks stand guard on both sides of the road, their branches clawing at the mists. In every direction, the fog grows thicker and the forest seems more oppressive.

Eventually, the road reaches an apex of the mountains, and the party gets the first look at what must be the Barovian Valley spread out to the west. From the ever present mist, all that can be discerned are the thick woods, with a distant lake draining eventually into a fetid swamp to the southwest. But the most prominent feature is the towering castle standing above a 1000 ft drop near the enter of the valley. It appears of quiet ancient construction, but seems to be mostly whole from the distance.

The party winds its way down the road towards the valley as the sun starts to edge downwards. Suddenly, gray in the fog, high stone pillars loom up from the impenetrable wood on both sides of the road. Huge iron gates hang from the stonework, dew clinging to their rusting bars. Standing before the pillars are two stone statues of armed guardians with wicket polearms. Their carved heads lie among the weeds at their feet, neatly broken from the stone shoulders.

Stopped where they are, a good 100 ft. away, the party sees that the gates are closed.

DEFCON 1 · Dec 1, 2006

Jarrith leaps from the back of Sir Khensu's steed and walks up to the giant gate. As he appraoches, he glances to the left and right to get a look at the broken heads of the statuary, then spies the stone construction of the giant statues themselves. He really doesn't know much of anything about stonecarving, but the intricacies of the design are enough to catch his attention and appreciation.

When he arrives at the gate he puts his hands on the bars and leans casually into them, his head filling the gap in between. His eyes scan the road ahead for any sign of life, for no other reason than to get someone to open the gate. He could climb the gate if needed, but would prefer to do this the easy way. Plus the last thing they need is to anger any locals with their presumptions that the Thaolist Six can just break into a town on a whim.

"Hello! Hello there! Anyone home?!? Travelers arriving to town! Coin to spend! Hello!"

drothgery · Dec 1, 2006

Daellin dismounts and walks up to join Jarrith. "This does not look promising." The elf says, as he begins to look around.

stonegod · Dec 1, 2006

As the Flamist approaches and begins his call, the gates silently open by themselves. His call, however, remains otherwise unanswered.

From his perch on his horse a ways back, the alert elf does not notice anything movement or sound to indicate the Six are not alone.

GwydapLlew · Dec 1, 2006

"Odd."

The shifter guides his warhorse forward, taking the lead. His broad, flat nose twitches unconsciously as he scans the walls and the surroundings, alert for trouble.

[sblock=OOC]Staying alert. Do you need Spot/Listen checks?[/sblock]