stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. III [IC] (Completed)

[s@squ@tch]

The warlock is stunned as he happens upon the scene.

"Not like this....."

"Not like this....."

He curses himself for not being here to help the others.

"It is my fault -- I should have known this was a trap -- I could have helped..."

His resolve steels.

"Let us put our fallen comrade to rest, for good."

 

[pathfinderq1]

Tessa was nearly silent as the battle wound down- when their friends arrived, she could barely even muster a weak attempt at a smile. The fury of the fire within her had died away, and the gap it left behind was chilling, both in body and soul.

So she did as she had before, when the fire left her. She turned to her faith, and the strength of the Sovereign Host. Leaning against the wall, she began to intone a prayer for their fallen shifter comrade. While Ravika had not followed the gods, that did not mean that the mercy of the Host was lost to her- and especially in this case, the prayers were as much for the comfort of the survivors as they were for the soul of the deceased...

She finished with renewed faith and vigor- she stood up straight now, and her eyes were clear of tears. She made sure to invoke Balinor specifically, for the Lord of the Hunt was closest to the druidic ideals. Once she had finished the prayers she turned to her (remaining) friends. "Should we press onward? Do we have the strength to face another fight like this?"

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn is quiet as the others enter the room, there is simply nothing to say.

She raises her head as Marot speaks, "We would do well to put Ravika to rest, but I fear that to put her properly to rest might be beyond us. I at least cannot track nor follow a shade through the very bowels of the earth."

 

[stonegod]

The cold water chills everyone standing in it, though Ashlyn's healing does give some respite. Only the drip-drip-dripping of the damp dungeon can be heard.

OOC: As stated, not much one can do for Ravika right now without killing her shade. Something should be done w/ the body. As for exits: EIther back up the stair or climb up to the platform where the necromancer fled.

Status (after Ashlyn)
J: 40/40
K: 30/62
T: 48/48
L: 30/38 2 levels
A: 45/45hp 4 levels

 

[s@squ@tch]

Marot the Investigator

Marot looks around the room and sees only two choices -- either back the way they came, or up on the balcony/stage.

"What exactly happened here?" he says to the others.

After they recant the tale of woe and despair, the warlock quickly BAMF's up onto the balcony, looking for any signs of movement, eldritch energy swirling around his arm.

OOC: teleport up to balcony, look around for anything moving and/or exits from up there, along with any things seen on the balcony.

 

[ethandrew]

Ladreth slowly lumber his way through the bitingly cold water, stopping at Ravika's body, picking it up and carrying her in his large arms. He keeps his head down as it appears all energy or zeal has left his body. And just as slowly, he moves toward the balcony, to where the Warlock was now perched above looking around.

 

[stonegod]

Marot finds two chairs, both empty, in front of a heavy velvet curtain. Behind the curtain is a door, currently closed. No sound can be heard from the other side and, if tested, is found to be locked.

 

[s@squ@tch]

"Jarrith, my brother, your services are required up here -- there appears to be a door with a lock that thinks it can outlast your abilities."

With that, the warlock appears besides Jarrith and then they both disappear -- reappear up on the balcony.


OOC: how high up is the balcony area? Can the others access it, or does Marot need to transport everyone up?

 

[pathfinderq1]

"Cut down that curtain, while you are up there," Tessa suggested, her voice still a bit ragged with emotional fatigue. "It would serve as a shroud for Ravika's earthly remains, until we can do more..."

 

[stonegod]

[The balcony is about 10' up. A slippery climb, but not impossible. The curtain will certainly make it easier.]

As Jarrith goes to work on the door, Marot cuts down the curtain and its ties. The former is used for the Ravika's cold remains while the latter he ties to the "thrones" to use as rope. All but Khensu & Ashlyn can make it up easy, the bulky armor of the latter two requiring Marot's "assistance."

Jarrith goes to work on the lock and it is soon opened, the small poison needle trap at its base quickly found and dealt with. Opening the door, the find themselves in an impressive arcane workshop—and apparently, the final resting place of the necromancer.

A sign of a recent battle mark the place: Two Karrnathi skeletons are shattered on the floor, and several books and alchemical pieces are strewn about; the smell of fire and the scorch marks on the wall indicate fire was also employed. The necromancer, body turned away from you, is slumped over the large cauldron in the center of the room, one arm dangling within. Blood weeps from the wounds you can see.

[There are three doors on the northern wall (across from your entrance to the south) that lead from here.]