Endur's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[Endur]

The rough hewn tunnel is about six feet in diameter. A terrible stench emanates from somewhere deeper. Bits of graveyard remains including parts of bones and scraps of clothing are partly embedded in the walls.

A winding tunnel goes forty or so feet before it curves out of Skorl's sight.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

Dareios has watched Skorl's action's silently, and now quietly readies his sword and shield.

"If we catch them during the day, we might have a better chance."

And to Ismark, while lighting a torch for the way down into the tunnel, supposedly after Skorl:

"Forgive me, my friend, but are there really NO local authorities left in these cursed lands? - Like a sheriff, or some sort of citizen militia? - Maybe they could give us some hints what became of that Jeref and Count Strahd. Have you ever met that count, by the way? Is he popular among you folks?"

 

[Legildur]

Ismark readies his shield and draws his sword as Dareios prepares a torch and asks him questions. "Yes, daytime would be better to engage them," he says.

"My father was the Burgomaster. This village is not overly large," he simply remarks, making a quick prayer to Pelor and entering the tunnel behind Skorl.[sblock=ooc]Endur, I don't know enough about the village structure to answer Dareios' questions.[/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

Willow prepares her shortspear and follows the others down in the tunnel. She doesn't like it, but there's no way she's going to be caught somewhere alone.

 

[Endur]

Ismark knows that Dareios' supposition is essentially correct. The Burgomaster, Kolyan, was sherrif, mayor, and rent collector for Count Strahd von Zarovich. The Burgomaster was the only village official. Normally Count Strahd von Zarovich would appoint a new Burgomaster after the previous one's term of office ends, but he has not done so yet. The Count rarely leaves his castle and has not been seen in the village since Kolyan died.

It is forbidden by law to trespass in the Count's castle without an invitation (one of the few laws in Barovia that carry the death penalty). Besides that, the castle is reputed to be abandoned (only the Count and an aged man servant live there, neither is capable of maintainance) and haunted. As far as Ismark knows, nobody has traveled to the castle to inform the count of the Burgomaster's death.

Since Kolyan died, the villagers have looked to Ismark for decisionmaking on issues of importance.

 

[Rhun]

Skorl begins walking carefuly down the passageway, trying to be as quiet as he can be in his heavy armor. He waves as his companions to follow him.

 

[Endur]

Skorl leads the party down the tunnel. After going around a bend, the tunnel opens up into a fetid earthen chamber whose stench is abominable. Corpses of humans, mostly eaten, are strewn about and partly trodden on the floor. One body is relatively intact and several coffins lie in a jumble nearby.

Jack, Willow, Lia, and Ismark are sickened from the awful stench. (DC15 fort: Jack 5+7=12 fail, Skorl 13+11 pass, Cedric 15+5 pass, Dareios 16+9 pass, Willow 1+6 fail, Allesandra 16+7 pass, Lia 9+4 fail, Ismark 1+9 fail, Ashlyn 15+11 pass)

Something was eating here very recently.

Please ignore the letters on the map.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

[I assume Dareios has left his horse under the villagers' custody.]

Dareios puts his scarf over his face so he isn't sickened by the dread odour of the grave.

He whispers to Alessandra: "Mylady - please prepare your ban spells."

That said, he pulls up his shield and moves near Skorl and Ismark. "Let's fight side by side."

 

[Rhun]

Skorl smiles at Dareios as the man pulls his scarf over his nose. "Smells like mum's home cookin," he says. Looking about the chamber, he draws his weapon, and stands ready, listening intently for any sign of enemy.

OOC: Spot +1, Listen +5

 

[Legildur]

Ismark nods in silent agreement to Dareios' suggested tactics as he gags uncontrollably with the stench. He nonetheless positions himself to the left of Skorl. "Whatever it is, won't like us being here," Ismark mutters between bouts of gagging.
Listen/Spot -1