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

[DEFCON 1]

Right. What you did with the unarmed sneak attack is cool with me. Thanx!

 

[stonegod]

Perriwimple blinks. "Witches are dangerous," he says. "Sometimes they whisper, but sometimes they yell. My Granma Margaret told me stories about the castle. It's where the Count is."

Count, what Count? Kaf, we got to have some words!
[sblock=Kafkonia]There are lots of stories of things haunting the castle, involving the Devil Strahd(TM) and other bad things. No Counts.

If anyone in town was asked, they'd be hard pressed to believe anything still lives there (i.e., no one really believes the Devil Strahd still exists) though they are certain that dark things inhabit it. However, such distinction may or may not be difficult for Perriwimple.[/sblock]

 

[James Heard]

Maybe Perriwimple thinks that the castle is where they make a tasty chocolate cereal?

 

[DEFCON 1]

Or where you can pick up a very good Monte Cristo sandwich?

 

[James Heard]

Before I run off a post that makes me look silly, is it ok if Janis uses her Wild Shape ability to assume the form of a Desmodu Hunting Bat (MM2,p66) or Dire Hawk (MM2, p76)? Even though it says "(Wild Shape) options for new forms include all creatures with the animal type" I've found that it's best to ask before anyone gets into a bind about things.

 

[stonegod]

Before I run off a post that makes me look silly, is it ok if Janis uses her Wild Shape ability to assume the form of a Desmodu Hunting Bat (MM2,p66) or Dire Hawk (MM2, p76)? Even though it says "(Wild Shape) options for new forms include all creatures with the animal type" I've found that it's best to ask before anyone gets into a bind about things.

They need to be animals that "the druid is familiar with," so I'd probably ixnay the Hunting Bat immediately. Animals from Cyre or the Eldeen Reaches she would be familiar would be no problem (ECS pg 37) and as she's exposed to more they'd be fair game---so feel free to ask about specific animal sin the future. Hawk is on that list, so dire hawk would not be out of the question.

And, I am giving the "Khensu and Marot" watch as an out for folks to spend a day doing whatever they need to do in town (animal companion, etc., etc.)

 

[James Heard]

Just checking, because even though those hunting bats have Desmodu painted on them when I saw them I immediately thought of the Vidalis breeding programs. It's not as if there are lot of other animals that can fly, "see" in the dark, and raid an enemies livestock.

 

[stonegod]

Just keep in mind that the scent ability does not grant the ability to track by scent, and wild shape doesn't grant the form's feats.

Edit: While the above is true, as tracking can be performed when the DC is 10 or lower normally, and the default track by scent is DC 10 Wisdom check, tracking by scent would be possible in this case assuming no other adverse conditions (time, weather, etc.).

 

[James Heard]

 

[stonegod]

I'll wait to see what form Janis is actually taking to forward that part of the thread. Everyone feel free to post there other thoughts/actions/whatever.