Endur's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[hafrogman]

Cedric jumps slightly at the hand suddenly placed on his shoulder, but relaxes some when he realizes that it is just Dareios. He shrugs in response and whispers back.

"We were told that only the Master and his man live here. Perhaps there are no guards. . . or at least nothing human. . . or at least nothing that is still human."

He shudders as his own mind follows his train of thoughts to its conclusion. This place seems unneccesarily eerie. What kind of man lives in such a place by choice. True to Dareios's suggestion, he does his best to keep his eyes open for any signs of life (or otherwise) as he follows the others inside.

 

[Pyrex]

"It does seem odd that he'd live up here all by himself." Ashlyn responds, as she walks into the entry hall.

 

[industrygothica]

"It does seem odd that he'd live up here all by himself." Ashlyn responds, as she walks into the entry hall.

"I've seen nothing about this whole village that isn't odd," Willow says. She looks around cautiosly, obviously a bit nervous about whatever lies ahead.

 

[Voadam]

Jack quietly says to his companions grimly "Remember, the Liber was here first before the priest got it. Stay aware." as he enters. His eyes scan the building, searching for clues that might speak to the underlying curse.

 

[Rhun]

Skorl shrugs. "I'd live here. Nice place, good strong stone."

 

[Kafkonia]

Having been unusually quiet since their last battle, Alessandra takes Willow aside once they are within the castle.

"I am... sorry," she says. "If I had been able to act, you would not have been so injured." She casts her eyes downward, ashamed. "We have seen such violence and horror already. I cannot afford to be overwhelmed so easily if I am to pursue my calling."

 

[industrygothica]

Having been unusually quiet since their last battle, Alessandra takes Willow aside once they are within the castle.

"I am... sorry," she says. "If I had been able to act, you would not have been so injured." She casts her eyes downward, ashamed. "We have seen such violence and horror already. I cannot afford to be overwhelmed so easily if I am to pursue my calling."

"It was not in your control," Willow says. "I only wish I could have been more effective against that... thing. It only proves that it is imperative that we remain as a team, or none of us may leave this wretched place."

 

[Kafkonia]

"It was not in your control," Willow says. "I only wish I could have been more effective against that... thing. It only proves that it is imperative that we remain as a team, or none of us may leave this wretched place."

Alessandra smiles weakly. "Thank you, Willow. What you say is right -- we are strongest when we are together."

She then turns her attention to Jack. "We mustn't jump to conclusions," she says, absentmindedly touching her holy symbol. "I am as disturbed as you are about the tome we found in the priest's possession -- but many nobles collect ancient and obscure books without recognizing what they truly are. Our host is likely just such a man."

 

[Rhun]

Skorl listens carefully to his companions conversation. He had his own opinions about those that would collect tomes of necromancy and foul black magic. In the half-orc's opinion, such evil should be destroyed. Of course, when one spends much of their life seeing the effects such foul magics have upon one's people, they are like to develop such feelings.

The half-orc flexes his shoulders, and rolls his neck back and forth to remove a kink. Although his blades are sheathed, it is easy to tell that Skorl is ready to respond to the first signs of danger. "Be on guard," he says to his freidns. "I not like feel of this place."

 

[Endur]

Cyrus responds to Dareios that the stables are around the castle to the left.

The castle has three great towers that go up several hundred feet above the fortress.

The construction of the castle appears to be of the finest quality. The interior walls appear quite solid, plaster covering the masonry. Someone built this ancient fortress to last. The flagstone floors are smooth and level. The ceilings are nearly thirty feet above the party. The doors appear solid and in good working condition.

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

Passing into the darkness beyond, the party enters a great hall. Cobwebs hang from dustcovered columns. Stone gargoyles squat motionlessly on the edge of a balcony circling some 20 feet above the floor. Cracked and faded frescoes adorn the domed ceiling, nearly obliterated by centuries of decay.

The ceiling is a great dome, curving up to the level of the balcony above, some 40 feet at the highest point.

Two great 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.

The sound of music comes from the right. The hallway to the right is draped in shadow. A pair of double doors are on the right, slighly ajar, from which the music is coming. Across from the double doors is a narrow passage way that leads to a spiral staircase. In an alcove is a suit of full plate (of at least masterwork quality) posed with a halberd in one hand.