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

[stonegod]

The sooner the better. A winter is coming that shall sweep across The Dragon's back. You are a strong people, and I'll not have you rest in ashes like the rest for the ills that stain this Land."

[Diplomacy check: 22]

There are several nods from the folks gathered in the inn, and a low murmur of agreement. Janis' words were one these people could understand. Not platitudes of Light or redemption, but one of struggle. Perhaps they were not ready to take direct arms, but they would not, for now, do nothing.

Ashlyn's effort with the wounded trickling in pays some dividends, but broken bodies and fevers from poor sleep and lack of food she cannot really treat. She notices a few townsfolk from the Tavern begin walking about, coming to some of those she has already tended or those she has not yet gotten to. A tired matron comes to the Lady and looks at the teenager the Lightbringer is currently tending---a girl with a shattered arm. The matron looks at Ashlyn and simply states in the thick Barovian accent, "You done? The Pale Lady do want to tend our wounded."

Over the next hour, a slow trickle of wounded are paraded before Janis. All are uniformly exhausted or poorly nourished. They are the ones that (unbeknownst to her) Ashlyn as not been able to fully help---the sickened, the maimed. As examines their wounds, some villagers pass one some tales: [Gather Information with circumstance bonus: 16]
- "Mad Mary's daughter was trapped by her---she never even left her house for her nineteen years! I say she ran away last month, and good for her!"
- She here's many tales of the dead and missing, but one sticks out to her. "Stara Litmunova's dear husband is missing. He went to seek aide and never returned."
- "It was the Devil Strahd's work, I am sure, that turned Danovich mad! His curse is on everything!" All who hear the name make their 'v' shaped sign against the evil eye.
- "No, it must have been the well water! That is why they attacked us so! To return to their strength. The damned priest cursed it!"
She has only really begun her work, and there are more stories to tell, when the shifter paladin informs her that the barricade is finished and the others are ready to venture to see Ismark's sister. The question of whether she will join them is clear.

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn tends to those that she may, first the living, and then as she converses with Urik, the dead over whom she speaks a few quiet final words over each of the bodies in turn as she lays them out, the recently and not so recently departed. "May the Host gather you into their embrace"
She does this entirely without ostentation or fanfair, simply performing the work quietly because it needs to be done.

As Sir Khensu relays his message, Ashlyn tilts her head to the side, ... considering, and then she nods, "Yes, I would have some words with Ismark, there is much to be done here."

She then turns to Urik, "Thank you, your words have made a great many things clear." Ashlyn then silently offers Urik a formal signal of repect, her head bowed and her clasped hand upon her chest.

A moment later she then speaks again "I would pursue this ... venture ... I do not know whether you wish to join us, although I for one would enjoy your company."

Ashlyn then makes her way over to where Ismark and her companions await and walks directly up to Ismark. Although her words are respectful, her tone is brusk and direct, and there is an unyielding iron in her as she speaks "My lord burgomaster, ...", as he begins to protest at the title, Ashlyn simply looks at him until he falls silent and then continues "My lord burgomaster, I will accompany you to ascertain the whereabouts and health of your sister, however there are a great many bodies to be laid to rest and upon our return I would speak with you and whosoever will be stepping into the shoes of your recently departed priest. There is much to do and it will require a sober head on the morrow."

 

[James Heard]

Over the next hour, a slow trickle of wounded are paraded before Janis. All are uniformly exhausted or poorly nourished. They are the ones that (unbeknownst to her) Ashlyn as not been able to fully help---the sickened, the maimed.

Janis culls the wounded that can be helped by her Mass Lesser Vigor spell apart from the rest and casts it while she is listening to the villagers tales.

(OOC: Right now that means she can do 3 targets, fast healing 1 for 16 rounds on those in the most peril.)

The sickened, Janis tries to classify into groups of "why are they sick?" and either treating them together or sending people to gather things to aid them ("This man is missing a leg. Don't waste me time, make him a crutch!", etc) If there's nothing to be done for someone, Janis tells everyone and moves on. No wasting time with those too weak to survive. For the malnourished Janis recommends that groups of men with torches and weapons that they can find move in force from building to building looking for foodstuffs that might have been abandoned, along with escorting people determined to venture out to seek out loved ones and the collection of the dead and notation of the err, not so dead.

Janis even tries to take the time to tend to the sick puppy, not from any affection, but because inviting any more sickness to this place could be a pathway for a larger infection while the people are still weak.

[Gather Information with circumstance bonus: 16]
- "Mad Mary's daughter was trapped by her---she never even left her house for her nineteen years! I say she ran away last month, and good for her!"

Janis tries to get directions to Mad Mary's house. Anyone that needed to be locked up for 19 years and who is loose is probably part of the problem.

- She hears many tales of the dead and missing, but one sticks out to her. "Stara Litmunova's dear husband is missing. He went to seek aide and never returned."

Janis tells the people of everything she knows of Viktor Litmunova.

- "It was the Devil Strahd's work, I am sure, that turned Danovich mad! His curse is on everything!" All who hear the name make their 'v' shaped sign against the evil eye.

I wonder what this has to do with the Witches of Lysaga Hill?

Janis dutifully makes a 'v' shaped sign herself, and sighs.

"Tell me more about the Devil Strahd. For what purpose would he turn Danovich and how?"

- "No, it must have been the well water! That is why they attacked us so! To return to their strength. The damned priest cursed it!"

"Pull some water from the well and call one of the priests outside attention to it. If a curse truly resides in the water then it, at least, will presumably be a less agile foe to turn a blade into than some."

She has only really begun her work, and there are more stories to tell, when the shifter paladin informs her that the barricade is finished and the others are ready to venture to see Ismark's sister. The question of whether she will join them is clear.

Janis sighs and shakes her head, obviously annoyed at being drawn away from the people. She restates some of the directions for care she has indicated for the sick and wounded, and berates anyone that she thinks might be too dull to follow her directions.

"I will go with you to see to Ismark's sister, but before we plan on any raids upon the castle our time here shall stretch longer than a few hours for you to swig some ale and nail some boards into barricades. There are more red daggers in the shadows to kiss these necks here than one."

Janis continues as she stands, gesturing with her thin hands as she walks to join the others.

"I am aware that the rest of you think that I'm less than sympathetic, or somehow fail to put the proper perspective on things. This is also the case in my views of the rest of you I'm afraid, and I've been assembling a list of needful information, actions, and duties we either need to perform to achieve our stated goals, to reasonably be expected to survive to leave this valley, and to perform some basic missions of charity for the people who live here.

One, the Witches of Lysaga Hill and the fate of Ireena Kolyana. While the note that drew us here has proven to be suspect, that doesn't mean that the issue doesn't warrant investigation. Urik calls them "a new blight", but that only impresses me that other forces are at work here and contrary to our purpose - which Jarrith said that the seeress witch confirmed with her telling.

Two, we still haven't found the Claw agents that stole the records from the caravan. If the Agents fled here then there is likely a Claw cell either operating from or moving into Barovia, and which records they stole and why is also of interest. All of this directly impacts our mission from Orchem. If a Claw cell is operating here then merely slaying one simple village priest will not ultimately be enough to lay the dead to rest, and merely achieving possession of the Tome will not preclude those agents from striking at it to gain its secrets. Unless those agents have since returned to the village, I believe that they are likely operating from somewhere along the road to the west and were indicated by the three bodies of the villagers we found as we left town.

Three, brigands. There was mention of brigands on at least one occasion, though I know not of what wealth such would find here. The girl, Andrzej's daughter, mentioned "men who kept her and her father safe," - Bors, Piotr, and Tomasz. I cannot say for certain, perhaps it is truly Vistani doing, but it seems likelier to me that those three are the culprits since Daellin saw no further tracks once we reached the cemetery crossroads. If they are brigands, then they could either know of the Claw agents or be them. In any case, it still seems suspicious to me that any farm outside of town could survive on stubbornness and pure thoughts. They know something that we do not, and in this land such information may be critical to survival.

Four, the attacks. We slew the priest, but while we slew him the barricades were attacked. This suggests that he might have been a diversion. Again, what wealth might be found in the blood and deaths of these villagers is small - except for a necromancer. Perhaps a necromancer as such as who already possesses the Tome? This escalation though, is it a preparation for something? What ritual or dark purpose needs to slay an entire town? Or is there someone specific within the townspeople to slay, or some needful artifact that lies within the barricades? Who slew Doru? The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, which Urik has claimed as a "toy of the burgomaster?"

Five, fanes and shadows. Jarrith apparently has decided that fanes are objects. They are not. Fanes are sanctuaries, holy or unholy places. Furthermore, the seeress also said that the shadow is the land and that the ir'Zaroviches rule the land still - and have had no recent heirs. Given that we seek a Tome of darkest necromancy... this web is tangled, indeed. I believe, based upon what Jarrith has said, that we first need to collect all the other objects with holy sites hidden within the keep and activate them. Then we need to collect the Tome and perform some ritual contained within which will summon the "shadow of the land" and slay it.

Six, finally...these people...these wounded. "Mad Mary's" daughter...it sounds like a story to frighten children but the believe it to be true. A woman who locked up her own daughter for nineteen years for some reason. In any place other than here I'd dismiss it, but here I think there may be reasons to lock up even children for the safety of others - and she's loose. I told them we would check the well water as well, for curses and disease. Orwell is dead and I shall require time to cast my Will upon the land for a suitable replacement. I will make a list of the needs of the people here, so that you priests can prepare yourself in magics aidful of them while I rest to perform my summons. I also think it would be best if you all spent some more time with them, not only in ingratiating yourselves in their good stead but also in case there exists agents of out enemies among them."

Janis rubs her eyes in fatigue.

" There is so much to do."

OOC: Score one for "Thai Food wakes me up at night recaps."

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Jarrith apparently has decided that fanes are objects. They are not. Fanes are sanctuaries, holy or unholy places. Furthermore, the seeress also said that the shadow is the land and that the ir'Zaroviches rule the land still - and have had no recent heirs. Given that we seek a Tome of darkest necromancy... this web is tangled, indeed. I believe, based upon what Jarrith has said, that we first need to collect all the other objects with holy sites hidden within the keep and activate them. Then we need to collect the Tome and perform some ritual contained within which will summon the "shadow of the land" and slay it."

Jarrith once again rolls his eyes as Janis throws another barb his way, and is always the case... he begins to throw a retort right back at her. "Uh... no. I haven't decided anything of the sort. I don't know where you get this stuff, Janis, but..." He pauses in mid rant... and he takes a deep breath. He slowly blows it out... deciding not to continue this back and forth this time. "Nevermind. It's not important. What is important is the specifics Madam Eva told us in her tent."

He reaches into his pack and pulls out the parchment that he had written all of Madam Eva's pronouncements on.

"Madam Eva said that there are three fanes in Barovia... three unholy places... which hide three holy objects. I'm hoping... as I'm sure you all are too... that two of these holy objects are the same objects that Lady Ashlyn and Sir Urik are looking for, the blade of light and the raven's symbol. If they are, then we are in luck as it cuts down on the number of objects we're looking for.

Where these three fanes are, and what these three holy objects are... is supposedly detailed in the Tome of Strahd, which apparently can be found in the castle's library. So we first need to enter the castle and find the tome, then use it to find the three fanes and the objects found within. Of the two objects we're looking for for Ashlyn and Urik, the lightblade is hidden in a wooded area guarded by a fey and needs to be brought to the tomb of the fallen prince back in the castle to re-empower it. The symbol of the raven is hidden at the witch's hill, and must be awoken by bringing it to the castle's chapel. If these objects and the objects in Strah'd tome are one and the same... then it's only the third holy object we need to discover, both in location and it's method of reawakening."

Sir Khensu nods at his brother's assessment, then quickly comments on the rest of Janis' thorought and well-spoken wrap-up. "As far as the other points Miss Janis rightly mentions... the witches we hopefully will be dealing with when we search for Ashlyn's blade of light. The brigands, Claw agents, and any further undead... these groups we might be coming upon as we set about on the tasks the tome will show us, and we can hopefully deal with them then. The caravan should also be arriving shortly, and hopefully there still remains a few of the guards even after their unfortunate attack by the Emerald Claw. Those guards will be able to assist things even further I should warrant."

The shifter nods to Janis. "And as far as the good people of this village, Miss Janis is absolutely right that we should do what we can. My brother, can you not pray over the well? Has the Flame blessed you in that way today?"

Jarrith thinks about that, and nods once... the look on his face giving away the fact that he feels a bit foolish about not thinking of it himself. He then wanders off towards the well to purify at least some amount of the water.

"Let us finish some of the small duties here in the village... Ireena, this "Mad Mary" and her daughter... then we can rest and prepare for our journey to the castle. If luck be with us, the caravan should also arrive before we leave and we can restock ourselves and the villagers as well. My thanks, Miss Janis."

**********

OOC: Jarrith can only purify about 3 cubic feet of water (24 gallons). So rather than trying to purify the entire well itself (which I'm sure is more than 24 gallons), he'll recommend that they draw water up in buckets and casks then purify as much as he can.

 

[James Heard]

"What I'm saying is that your interpretation that we should enter the castle first, to locate the fanes, is incorrect. Entering the keep first is ill-advised, because if any of the fanes are outside of the keep we can enter them as easily without access the fortified location and then having to repeat the task."

"We already know that this "hill of witches" plays a critical part in our task here. Our journey to the castle is premature when we can surely investigate the hill without backtracking or perhaps having to gain entry to a castle twice."

Janis looks sideways at the two priests.

"You know, you two didn't agree as much in the past. I sense a new closeness in you two. Have you been sharing a bedroll without the rest of us catching on lately? Not that it bothers me, but it would explain this sudden consensus of your opinions."

Janis shakes her head of the images her grandmother would no doubt scold her for holding on the tip of her tongue.

"In any case, immediately entering the castle still leaves brigands and Emerald Claw agents at our backside waiting to possible assault us as we leave that place possibly in a Daelkyr's rush to get out of there, weak and in possession of the Tome and whatever artifacts tangential to our mission."

Janis sighs.

"The neatest path to something is rarely a straight line. That's how I was waiting for you in Rekkenmark." Janis cuts off words she might have said.

"You don't trust me. That's fine. I don't trust any of you much either. I even understand your faith in yourself, but unlike your faith, real life isn't a straightforward proposition of directing an arrow and casting it. Each wave builds upon the next, and the fool who charges uphill rarely gets to the top at the same time as the careful fool who picks his way across the stones with the grains of soil instead of throwing themselves against it. Even the mightiest of your temples in Thrane isn't assembled by placing the last stones at the top first.

And besides, my way doesn't involve storming a castle immediately, Janis thought sourly.

 

[James Heard]

The shifter nods to Janis. "And as far as the good people of this village, Miss Janis is absolutely right that we should do what we can. My brother, can you not pray over the well? Has the Flame blessed you in that way today?"

Jarrith thinks about that, and nods once... the look on his face giving away the fact that he feels a bit foolish about not thinking of it himself. He then wanders off towards the well to purify at least some amount of the water.

"Let us finish some of the small duties here in the village... Ireena, this "Mad Mary" and her daughter... then we can rest and prepare for our journey to the castle. If luck be with us, the caravan should also arrive before we leave and we can restock ourselves and the villagers as well. My thanks, Miss Janis."

**********

OOC: Jarrith can only purify about 3 cubic feet of water (24 gallons). So rather than trying to purify the entire well itself (which I'm sure is more than 24 gallons), he'll recommend that they draw water up in buckets and casks then purify as much as he can.

"That would seem to me to be a half-measure still. I was meaning that we'd assure the people of its purity by eliminating any possible "curse", fixing any pathogen that dwelt there, or finding any agent which would be causing such. Optionally, you help them dig a new well," Janis says serenely.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Jarrith comes back from purifying some of the water, and hears Janis' new explanations to what she means.

"Entering the keep first is ill-advised, because if any of the fanes are outside of the keep we can enter them as easily without access the fortified location and then having to repeat the task."

He asks his question straightforwardly. "Except that we don't know what the three fanes are without the book. And we also don't know what the three objects are without the book. All we know are the two locations of the objects that Ashlyn and Urik are looking for... but we have no way of knowing if those two objects are the same two objects the tome says. Granted, the possibility exists, and we'd be in a much better position if it were true... but if you're so afraid of repeating tasks... why would you want to go on that assumption? Not to mention the fact that we don't know what the third fane and holy object are, and thus we'll have to go get the tome anyway? So going into the castle twice is going to happen regardless." He shrugs his shoulders. "But whatever... if you would rather go to the witch's hill to find Urik's raven symbol first... or even then go find Ashlyn's blade in the wooded glen... that's fine. I won't argue with you about it."

When Janis makes the comment about Khensu and Jarrith sharing a bedroll, Sir Khensu becomes visibly bothered by the unprovoked insult, but Jarrith just guffahs and starts blowing kisses at him. "I do not know why you insult me so, Miss Janis. Have I done something to offend? Other than being the brother of this man?" he points to Jarrith. "I would hope you and I could remain on civil terms. While I realize that you and my brother will eternally be at each other's throats... something which I just have to accept... I would hope that I would not be cut upon equal cloth." He takes a deep breath and a look of sadness is upon him. "And despite your belief otherwise, I do indeed trust you... both in your skills and in your desires to do what you feel is right."

Jarrith once more shrugs his shoulders. "In any case... whatever we decide to do later on... first things first is checking on Ismark's sister. We ready on that score? Then let's mount up!"

 

[stonegod]

She then turns to Urik, "Thank you, your words have made a great many things clear." Ashlyn then silently offers Urik a formal signal of repect, her head bowed and her clasped hand upon her chest.

A moment later she then speaks again "I would pursue this ... venture ... I do not know whether you wish to join us, although I for one would enjoy your company."

Urik nods, a returns a small bow to the Lady paladin. He accompanies her to were the others are gathered, pointedly ignoring Ismarks looks of disdain. "Good to hear! I have confidence those that overwatch will find you true."

Meanwhile, in the Tavern, Janis pursues her questions and tends the people in her own way.

Janis tries to get directions to Mad Mary's house... "Tell me more about the Devil Strahd. For what purpose would he turn Danovich and how?"

Mary lives on the outskirts of town, in the north. As for the 'Devil Strahd', the mood turns immediately more subdued. Its takes some prompting to get even this response, in a hushed whisper: "He was the last lord of the Castle, my Lady, he who done those vile things to put the curse on this place. We pay for it still. Hearts touched by darkness here are filled with his curse, and those that fight it draw its gaze. He may be gone, but his ill will lingers."

Outside, the remnants of the Six, Ashlyn, and Urik gather. Ismark listens idly to their discussion, occasionally shaking his head and muttering softly at the groups madness: "His foolishness has infected you all," obviously meaning Urik. The knight ignores the burgomaster's son.

If the Agents fled here then there is likely a Claw cell either operating from or moving into Barovia, and which records they stole and why is also of interest.

Urik frowns. "Strangers are a very rare sight in our warm lands. The mists of a way of keeping folk out... and in."

The girl, Andrzej's daughter, mentioned "men who kept her and her father safe," - Bors, Piotr, and Tomasz.

An odd look comes over Ismarks face a moment, then adds, "Ah... uh, those are just Andrzej's boys. Very large lads, and very protective of their family." The last is said as he rubs his check absently.

We slew the priest, but while we slew him the barricades were attacked. This suggests that he might have been a diversion.

Urik cocks his head to the side. "Were not all the dead tied to that monster? The others died with it, so perhaps our attack drove the others mad?"

The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, which Urik has claimed as a "toy of the burgomaster?"

Ismark gives Urik a scathing look, but restrains any comment. Instead, the son of the burgomaster states. "It was my father's by right, and it kept the town safe. It kept this town safe until it was taken." Ismark shoots another dark look at the knight. "You would not have had anything to with that, would you?" Urik glowers but says nothing.

"Mad Mary's" daughter...it sounds like a story to frighten children but the believe it to be true. A woman who locked up her own daughter for nineteen years for some reason.

Ismark sniffs. "Mary's mad, plain and simple. The land it what it is, and some cannot accept it. She broke, plain and simple. I may have never seen her girl, but I doubt she is the monstrosity."

The two say nothing at Jarrith's rebuttal, though Ismark religously crosses his chest with the 'v' sign everytime the name Strahd is spoken. A dark name indeed.

Jarrith once more shrugs his shoulders. "In any case... whatever we decide to do later on... first things first is checking on Ismark's sister. We ready on that score? Then let's mount up!"

Ismark claps and barks, "Finally. You may all seek your deaths, but still you have done our town a great service, and will not nay-say your desires. But let us see to my sister!"

As Ismark gathers his coat about him to lead the way, Urik pulls Ashlyn aside a moment. "I will leave you in the incompetent hands of our burgomaster's seed. My battle is neverending, and I must call for another raven guardian. Fare well, and we shall meet again if the land does not kill us both first! Hah, hah!" With that, the knight withdraws into the mists.

 

[drothgery]

Jarrith once more shrugs his shoulders. "In any case... whatever we decide to do later on... first things first is checking on Ismark's sister. We ready on that score? Then let's mount up!"

"I should think so." The elf says. "The Host only knows how we are going to convince these people to do more than cower in their homes if we cannot avoid arguing for more than five minutes."

Sometimes I wish I could send the lot of them off to one of my old sergeants. Kellin would know exactly how to squash those three. But he was another one that Cyre should not have lost. Daellin thinks.

 

[stonegod]

The Remaining Thaliost Five and Ashlyn

Having all finally agreed on something, Daellin, Jarrith, Janis, and Ashlyn mount up for the short ride to the Indrovich estate on the end of town. Ismark sourly agrees to ride behind the Stalker on Selase's old mount. The shifter paladin remains behind on the barricades while Marot has already left with one of the scouting parties trying to verify the security of the town.

The manorhouse lies on the south outskirts, and on the way, the story of the zombie incursion unfolds. Occasional animal and human corpses line the streets with boarded-up and broken-into houses looming out of the haze. A few people emerge from their houses as you pass, their haunted looks echoed in their voices as they question Ismark. He warily and repeatedly tells them the same thing---that the town is once again safe and all that wish to help rebuild should meet at the town square to assist.

Finally, the party reaches the estate. An aged, dilapidated mansion squats behind a rusting iron fence, but the gates have been twisted open---one lies torn from its hinges, while the other swings crazily in the light wind, screeching and clanging with mindless repetition. The house beyond is marked by claws, fires, and ominous stains, though every window is boarded, every door barricaded.

At the sight of the house, Ismark clumsily leaps from Jarrith's horse and rushes to the formerly fine front door. He bands repeatedly, calling, "Ireena! Ireena! By the Blood, answer me Ireena!" This continues for a few moments until Daellin notices a shadow briefly darken one of the few slits in the covered windows. A muffled voice from within calls, "Ismark! Wait, I will open the door!" The sound of wood scrapping on wood can then be heard, and after a minute, the door opens to reveal a haunted woman, Ireena.

It his hard to see any familial resemblance between the two siblings. Ismark is broad shouldered where Ireena is compact, his hair and beard light where hers is darker than night. Ireena is far fairer than her brother, though she seems pale, possibly from hunger and exhaustion. Her grey-green eyes examines the strangers a moment, but at Ismark words, she invites them in.

The well furnished mansion shows considerable wear, though fine icons or raven's clutching a red tear---perhaps a holy symbol---hung in each room draw attention from the soiled divans and ratty carpets. A man's body in relatively fine, formal robes lies in state in the front room.

Ismark makes brief introductions, describing four gathered as "those responsible for helping the town." She nods, and then quite bluntly adds, "I appreciate what you have done for the town, and it joys me to see Ismark safe. But, in these dark times, strangers are not always a gift. So, if you please, why are your here?"