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

[James Heard]

Janis is going to need some ground meat to soak those potions of Greater Magic Fang in for the bear if he's gonna eat them

Someone more fragile can have an extra cure light wounds potion, or someone doing the whole melee thing on a more professional basis at least. Janis might be wading into combat more, but she's still usually not into the thick of things for at least several rounds because she's casting. Plus, whether or not she's running around putting band-aids on anyone much, she's got access to some of the most powerful healing magics in the party (I think?). I would like to see if we've got the resources to get the material components (1,000 GP worth of whatever) for at least one Reincarnation application before long, You know, just in case anyone has an accident or dies in a way that doesn't preclude coming back.

 

[stonegod]

Potion bracer: 3 potions.

 

[s@squ@tch]

Marot took the two scrolls of CLW when he and Ladreth (re)joined the group.

 

[stonegod]

Good planning, all. What I will need when fully decided is:
- What is the plan on purchases (looking for something specific or not?)
- When is the assault going to occur
- General initial strategy (approach, pre-buffing if any, when/where hiding if trying to show early, etc.)

Once that is all decided, I'll move forward.

 

[s@squ@tch]

Are we going to the Ecartine (sp?) Husk locale?

I know Marot was not present at that time, so he would be unfamiliar with the pro's and con's of the area.

Also, party treasure is pretty much restricted to items at the moment, correct? I haven't seen much treasure listed as coinage or gems, unless I've missed something.

What are the odds of the locals having a Chausible of Fell Power or Warlock's Scepter.... :\

About the potion bracers -- which book are they in? I looked all over the MIC and was unable to find them. What body slot do they occupy? Arms?

Some questions/comments on the character sheets:

1) Ladreth needs to update his Character levels -- it still says Ranger 2/ Fighter 4
2) Does Janis have a scroll of lightning bolt left after the last encounter (one is listed on the sheet)? (could be useful for tonight if so)
3) Tessa is a Cleric 6/Flame of Khyber 1 now? (Sheet says Cleric 5/Flame 1)

 

[James Heard]

No, the scroll of lightning bolt was used last encounter and I haven't updated it away yet. That's why I mentioned adding in some scrolls if the artificers had them on hand and we could afford it.

 

[s@squ@tch]

No, the scroll of lightning bolt was used last encounter and I haven't updated it away yet. That's why I mentioned adding in some scrolls if the artificers had them on hand and we could afford it.

We still have ~ 3800 gp in caravan funds. We could also possibly barter and/or sell some of the party equipment that we have no need of (bracers +2 come to mind), but doubt that Barovia will be kind to us in the exchange department...

 

[DEFCON 1]

- What is the plan on purchases (looking for something specific or not?)

I think if we can get a couple area-of-effect damage scrolls, those would be best. Fireball, Ice Storm, Cloudkill etc. When we are about to fight, our casters can use their surprise rounds (assuming we have surprise) to cast the spells in the area to start with, then we can rush in during Round 1.

- When is the assault going to occur

I think if we leave with enough time to get to the ruins right before sundown, we can then find positions to hide and wait (plus give time for our druid to possibly erase any tracks). Then we wait until the witches arrive. When we have them all together and they first begin their ritual to summon the Verdant Lord, we nail them with the AoE spells then rush in to engage in melee (before they have a chance to complete the summoning).

- General initial strategy (approach, pre-buffing if any, when/where hiding if trying to show early, etc.)

Most folks could probably stay in the fringe of the treeline at the ruins (perhaps on the far side away from the path up to it). If there's a spot that is behind and blocked by one of the building remnants from the center of the ruins or the big circular symbol... that would be best (since that's probably where the summoning would take place. I could easily have Jarrith climb one of the 20' ruin outer walls and see if he could hide up on top of it (if its crenelated). This way he can keep hidden and keep an eye on the actions below him during the summoning, and everyone else in the party can see him when he stands up or raises a hand as a signal.

Once the summoning begins, he signals the group, those who have the AoE spells move into position for LoS, cast the spells during the surprise round, then everyone rushes in.

As far as pre-buffing, a lot will depend on how silently one can cast, and the duration of said spells. If Jarrith is hiding on the top of the wall, I dunno if he'd be able to cast his buffs on himself quiet enough to not give himself away. He might end up needing to buff right as combat begins.

Any other thoughts?

 

[stonegod]

I think if we can get a couple area-of-effect damage scrolls, those would be best.

Note: Janis needs to make wizard CL checks to cast any Wizard spell higher than 1st; Tessa must make "wizard" CL checks for spells 3rd or higher. Marot can UMD as usual.

I think if we leave with enough time to get to the ruins right before sundown, we can then find positions to hide and wait (plus give time for our druid to possibly erase any tracks).

Plenty of time before sunrise (if you leave in about 2hrs, you'll be fine, as you know where you are going).

As far as pre-buffing, a lot will depend on how silently one can cast, and the duration of said spells. If Jarrith is hiding on the top of the wall, I dunno if he'd be able to cast his buffs on himself quiet enough to not give himself away. He might end up needing to buff right as combat begins.

No one has Silent Spell or similar, IIRC.

 

[James Heard]

Note: Janis needs to make wizard CL checks to cast any Wizard spell higher than 1st; Tessa must make "wizard" CL checks for spells 3rd or higher. Marot can UMD as usual.

Yes, but spell completion DCs are a joke. DC CL+1? Just how bad has our luck been?