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

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn nods slowly and cautiously at the archivist as he speaks, then replies "Indeed, you are interested in the Tome. I must admit to being curious, what do you know of it, or its history? Is it tied to the history of this land? Being interested in another artifact of this place, I too must admit to a little curiousity as to how it is that these artifacts all have ended up in such a small segregated place as this."

Other than attempting to discuss history with the archivist, Ashlyn waits for the others present to voice their opinions on the next stage. Although she does not voice it again, her preference is known.

As Jarrith voices his thoughts, Ashlyn nods agreement with the decision, but gives Jarrith a considered look as he walks out, somewhat surprised at his behaviour.

He seems ... unquiet ... I wonder ... why ...

As these thoughts tumble in her mind, she resolves to keep an eye on Jarrith ...

 

[stonegod]

Mateusz's lips compress at Jarrith's outburst, but says nothing. He watches as the Stalker stalks out of the room.

"Indeed, you are interested in the Tome. I must admit to being curious, what do you know of it, or its history?"

"Hmm? Well, as you appear to be assisting our hired agents in this, I will tell you what you need to know. There was a pre-Galifarian necromancer made Lord of these parts by Karrnath the Conquerer. We have---", a sudden frown, "---had some documents from another dig detailing this Tome. It has obvious historical and arcane significance, and thus the Twelve's interest in it."

The archivist fastidiously cleans a set of utensils he brought from out of a case in his pocket, getting ready for a light dinner, apparently eschewing those available. "It would be historically consistent that this 'Devil Strahd' that apparently committed these unknown vile acts that supposedly caused 'the Curse' would be the same as the author of this Tome. As for these other artifacts," the archivist shrugs, "local relics often have strong connections to those around them, but it does not mean they have great power in themselves. They are not what we seek at this time."

At this time. There were many statements unsaid attached to those words.

 

[drothgery]

The track is not too difficult to follow---the wolves were not hiding their trail. It meanders westward around the base of the crag through the forest, in the opposite direction of the supposed Claw agents. They seem to lead for a while, then attempt to circle back around south in a wide loop, and it quickly becomes apparent to Daellin that they were heading back towards Daellin's old position. It is possible they were trying to track him as well.

The elf takes a patient watch, hidden near a fallen log, to see if the large wolves return. But after a half hour, he hears and sees no sign of them. If they were trying to track him, they went off in other pursuits.

Daellin returns the main camp after the futile tracking effort.

 

[stonegod]

Daellin returns to town, and finds that he has not been followed. He gets to town near dusk. The town square is clear of bodies, all of them having been dealt with during the day. He enters the square just in time to find Jarrith riding away on Selase's mount.

Pushing open the door to the Tavern, he sees Ashlyn and Mateusz in coversation. Tessa and Perriwimple sit nearby.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Jarrith keeps mumbling to himself in aggravation as the mount climbs higher and higher up the hills. When he finally reaches the camp of Sir Khensu and Marot, he leaps down and kicks off his shoes, then plops himself down in front of the fire. "Tomorrow we're heading to Lysaga Hill. If the others can't make up their minds... you two willing to come with me?"

Without waiting for an answer, he lies back and stews... waiting for the day to end and the night to pass.

 

[drothgery]

Daellin walks over to Ashlyn and Mateusz, mostly listening in, but he's also waiting for them to finish. Janis, Jarrith, and Khensu don't seem to be around, and of the newcomers, he knows the most of the paladin.

 

[stonegod]

19 Zor, Zaranthyr 998 YK
[HPs restored as w/ a nights rest; new spells can be chosen, etc.]

The group finishes their discussion, and with little left to be said, turns in for the night. It is a cold night, with biting winds, and the party near the Castle sleeps poorly. In the thick forest, the wind is kept to a minimum, but the chill still digs at Janis. In some ways, it helps her keep focus on her ritual.

In the morning, all three distant groups awake to the same sight---bats. Thousands of them. Near the Castle and in the forest, they perch on the trees, a black, writhing carpet. In town, they blanket rooftops and shingles and high walls. Screams from the streets are what bring the town's group attention to them, and at the screams---or the sudden notice elsewhere---the dark creatures lift into the daylight with a shrill call. Like a black vortex, they swing around once, diving into a few villager's hair or swinging above encampments, before spiraling into the dawn mists in a vaguely northward direction.

Jarrith and their Lumin companions could swear the swarm flew towards the Castle.

Regardless of her thoughts on the nocturnal vermin, the Pale Lady is soon distracted by another arrival. There is a *snuff, snuff* sound from the trees, soon followed by a the sound of heavy footprints. After a few moments, into the clearly lumbers in a large, shaggy bear, its fur a dark brown. Over its left eye is a pale white shock of hair, most likely from an old scar.

Or something more than coincidence.

[Yup, its a Brown Bear, not a Black. Its treated as Druid level -7, so strictly its a Lvl 0 equivalent animal companion, but we'll round that up to 1 for now. Merry Barovian Christmas. ]

By midmorning, all are gathered back in the Tavern, Jarrith looking bothered by something, but new equipment in hand, Ashlyn in possession of her retooled armor, and Janis looking quite smug about something. It was time for action. Time to stop being acted upon.

[Please finalize plans. And if anyone wants to share or act folks to share info that they have, go ahead.]

 

[DEFCON 1]

When Jarrith returned to the artificers in the morning, he was surprised to find his sword and wand were already done. He breathed a sigh of relief and took the weapon in his hand, checking it's balance. He found it to be just a little more light and cut through the air just a little bit quicker. The smile that grew on his face was evident. "I thank you gentlemen. Your work is impecable!" He slid the rapier back into the scabbard on his left hip, then the wand into one of the long thin pockets on his thigh.

***

Jarrith opens the door to the Inn and walks on in... striding purposefully over to the bar to order a glass of wine. When the bartender hands it to him, he takes a long drink from the glass, then moves over to the group at the table. He looks at the group there and chuckles to himself. "Pretty batty this morning, wasn't it?" If the joke was any good, the others certainly don't show it as no one laughs at it. "Dunno what the cause of the swarm was... but Marot noticed that it seemed like it headed up towards the castle when it flew away. Khensu and I did seem to see the same thing. I don't know if it means anything... and I couldn't tell if the swarm ever actually reached the castle or went around or past it because the morning mist blocked our view that far... but there it is."

The Stalker pulls out one of the chairs and sits down hard in it, then quickly finishes off the glass of wine in record time. Putting the empty glass top down on the table, he mumbles to himself, makes a few hand motions, then begins scanning the others in the party with a critical eye... stopping at each one to stare at them intently. (Sucessful Spellcraft checks will tell certain casters that he cast Detect Evil and is using it on everybody in the tavern, not even trying to hide it.)

When he is satisfied that everyone is as they are supposed to be, he smiles wide. "To the business at hand! A couple days ago, Janis insisted that going to the two fanes first and finding the raven's symbol and Ashlyn's sword were the most prudent actions, rather than heading straight to the castle. Master Ochem yesterday made it quite clear that we needed to go to the castle and find the Tome within four days... or now, within three days. There's also the problem with the Claw agents... but that apparently has run into a dead end and I say let's not waste time chasing after shadows.

Thus, I've come around to Janis' way of thinking, and also say that we go straight to Lysaga Hill and start there. Hopefully we'll be able to find the symbol and the sword today, and then make the trek to the castle tomorrow. Khensu and Marot are still keeping watch for any Claw agents who make the ascent."

He looks at the others and his eyes narrow, and the tone of his voice on the next statement is icy. "Everyone okay with this plan? Or are you going to try and recommend some new course of action?"

 

[drothgery]

"I don't see any reason to change the plans, myself. I saw some odd wolves out tracking yesterday..." Daellin relates his rather futile day of tracking... "But I can't tell what they're up to. On the other, you seem a bit twitchy this morning. I haven't seen you like that since... all right, I've never seen you like that."

 

[James Heard]

Janis frowns, never really having liked animals in the first place or having pets besides Orwell much in the past.

He needs a bath. She sniffed. And maybe a good working over to clean the teeth.

Janis sighs.

" I hate my life," she proclaims aloud.

She tugs gently on the bears fur.

" Come on, you lout. Come with me and I'll get you some porridge and monsters to eat."

In the stillness of the Barovian morning Janis makes her way back to town.