Endur's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[Le Noir Faineant]

"Mine uncle -" Dareios moves closer to Jack, so close that the wanderer can may his breath, "once fought a battle of three days against an army of bagpipe-playing skeletons."

With that, and a crazed laughter, Dareios tries to push the massive door open...

 

[Endur]

Swells of organ music come from behind the doors, spilling their melody of power and defeat into the hall.

The doors open to reveal a magnificent forty foot square room, brilliantly lit by three massive crystal chandaliers. Pillars of stone stand against dull white marble walls, supporting the ceiling. In the center of the room, a long heavy table stands covered wtih a fine white satin cloth. The table is laden with delectable foods of every type: roasted beef basted in a savory sauce, roots and herbs for every taste, and sweet fruits and vegetables. Places are set for each of you with fine delicate china and silver. At each place there is a crystal goblet filled with an amber liquid whose delicate frangrance tantalizes your senses. At the center of the far west wall, between floor to ceiling length mirrors, stands a massive organ. Its pipes blare out a thunderous melody that offer inits tone greatness and despair. Seated before the keys, his back turned towards you, a single caped man pounds the keys in raptured ecstasy. The figure suddenly stops and a deep silence falls over the dining hall. The figure slowly turns towards you.

"Welcome to Castle Ravenloft."

 

[Rhun]

Skorl nods toward the man seated at the piano. "Greetings," he says, his voice loud and clear in the large chamber.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

Dareios follows, quiet and without a word.

He lowers his sword a bit, but still keeps his shild up.

 

[Voadam]

"Thank you for the welcome, Count." Jack's senses are drawn to the food, but the man remains his focus, Jack takes in what details he can, trying to take the man's measure, trying to judge whether he is cursed too or someone who might be of help against the Curse.

 

[hafrogman]

Cedric bows stiffly, but says nothing. His eyes sweep the room, searching for any other signs of life or inhabitance. Did Cyrus lay all this out before he left? Did the count do it himself? Neither seemed very likely. . . were there, after all, servants lurking unseen?

 

[Kafkonia]

"Thank you for your hospitality, Count von Zarovich," Alessandra says respectfully. "To what do we owe this honour?"

 

[Legildur]

Ismark belatedly joins the greetings. He kneels on his right knee, head slightly bowed. "Ismark the Lesser at your service, Count," he says in his gravelly, remaining kneeling until invited to rise.

 

[Endur]

Suddenly, the room goes dark. All of the candles are extinguished simultaneously. The party hears the solid thud of many doors slamming shut, one after another, into the distance. You also hear the portcullis clang shut, and the groan of a drawbridge pulling up.

The vast room is dark. A wind whistles through its confines. Crystal sings in the darkness as the great chandaliers rustle in the wind. The fragrance of the food wafts its way on the wind through the darkened hall.

Skorl, with his darkvision saw the Count vanish when the room went dark. One second he was there looking at the party, then the light went, and so did the Count.

 

[Legildur]

Ismark rises from his kneeling position in the dark. "It would appear that Dareios has better judgement than I," he mutters irritably as he slowly draws his sword - unsure of what to ready himself for. "Some light would be appreciated."