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

[s@squ@tch]

Marot the Deadly

He listens to Jarrith's comments and nods slightly.

"Brother, I agree with you about rushing headlong through this place."

"However, does anyone here actually know what that thing was?"

"My eyes and mind tell me that was a vampire, but I saw it stand unfazed within the rays of the sun, then I saw it disregard the holy symbol of Ashlyn's. These acts are not consistent with the teachings of the Flame in that area -- the creature should have been affected if it was indeed a true vampire."

"What chills my soul to the core is whether this horrid place has spawned a new type of vampire that is superior to what we have come to know from Karnnath.... Imagine a vampire army marching across Khorvaire under the light of the sun..."

Marot shudders.

 

[pathfinderq1]

Tessa thought things through for a while before she began to speak. "It seemed like a vampire all right, but warded somehow, protected by something more resilient than simple spells. It wasn't invulnerable, though, whatever special protections it may have had- that gives us hope. Perhaps something about the foul nature of this castle strengthens it- either way, we hurt it. I'm willing to stay, and stand out the vigil- if nothing else, we can draw upon the power of the altar for help if it returns."

OOC: Anything from Knowledge-arcana or Religion that might be helpful?

 

[James Heard]

Janis shrugs.

"Whatever it is doesn't seem to matter very much, does it? It's attacked us, and we beat it. Even if we didn't kill it, we beat it."

"I'm sure there are some academic matters to resolve at some point, but in the end we're not writing a book about it and, she said looking at Ireena, "It's not like any fool should be so ignorant to not expect such creatures in this valley no matter where they are. Perhaps here especially, given its protected nature and age."

Again the pale witch shrugs.

"Personally I found it quite invigorating. We must be doing something right if such a creature attacked us here with another gravespawn so obviously destroyed in our midst."

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn turns to look at the others from where she has settled down for her Vigil, her faces is troubled as she speaks, "All that I know tells me that that thing was a vampire, the shapeshifting, the repairing of dead flesh, the gaseous form upon being badly injured ... however there are several things that don't fit, the apparent immunity to daylight, apparent immunity to being repelled by a holy symbol, and finally it did not appear to be an undead to my sight."

Ashlyn remains thoughtful and yet troubled as she continues, "The only thing that would make any sense to my mind is that somehow this vampire, as I believe it to be, has managed to gain wards of some sort that protect it against the common weakness of its kind. That would imply two things, first that the creature could be anyone, and even I would not be able to tell that it was in fact an undead being, and secondly that we have even less reason to trust Lord Sergei, for if he is able to walk the halls of this place unmolested, then he must have some connection to the creature ... if he is not other than he seems himself."

"Nonetheless, though we have much to discuss, I would prefer to do so once I have finished sitting Vigil."

Ashlyn then settles back down as she once again focuses her mind on the Vigil, setting aside other concerns until later.

 

[stonegod]

The conversation dies as the faithful turn back to their vigil. Tessa keeps a keen watch, while Ireena tries to sleep. Janis, her bravado aside, has some difficulty sleeping... the weakness in her bones from the creatures soul-sapping bite and a growing anger that mutters restlessly in her mind... all conspire against her.

[sblock=Janis]Janis, as noted earlier, gained two points of taint (depravity) from the energy drain. This has manifested as the "aggressive" trait: Janis is now more easily angered, making it more difficult to hide those feelings. In combat, because of her overly aggressive nature, see now suffers a -1 penalty to Armor class. I'll post more rules on taint soon, but if you have any questions, let me know[/sblock]

Eventually, a muted light can be seen through the remains of the stained windows. As the sun dawns in the east, the altar glows with a warm light, filling those nearby with hope and warmth. But it affects each differently.

For Khensu, his anger is stilled, and his despair assuaged. His peace brings him back his connection to the Flame, and once again quiet confidence flows from the shifters. [Atoned; Khensu's paladin levels are restored]

For Marot and Jarrith, the response is different. Though they hear no voice, they feel something inside calling them to stop the ills of this place. To truly atone, to be cleansed of their ills, the must find the way to stop the dread evil of the Curse. Only then will their hearts be free. [Quest: Find the truth behind the Curse, and find a way to stop it. You feel that the Tome is involved somehow. After doing so, the atonement kicks in.]

But, for Ashlyn, the warm altar has the most striking change. First, she feels the strength of the Symbol is renewed; it lacks only the final ritual to bring it to full power. She knows, just looking at it, that it can now turn away the hearts of the living dead and will be a watchful ward against evil acts. [It now acts as a holy symbol of phylactery of faithfulness] Yet, the greatest transformation is yet to come. For as the dawn fades, a single beam of true, pure sunlight strike the altar... and when it is gone, a silver caw fills the empty chambers and a raven with silver highlights and golden eyes sits on the mantle before the paladin... before the Knight of the Raven. [Ashlyn may now take levels in the Knight of the Raven PrC and finally level up!]

But, for the others, it is a new day. A day with which the fears of the early night are not dispelled, but ever present. What was that thing? And what now?

[Anyone who kept vigil without some means of going without sleep are fatigued for today.]

 

[Stormwind]

[Ashlyn has a ring of sustenance so she doesn't need 8 hours sleep ]

Ashlyn slowly rises from her knees, an astonished expression on her face, as she looks at the dark bird on the mantle before her. She seems to speak to the bird, though no one else of those present can make out what she says, and the bird caws as if to answer her, the silver tones of the raven echoing with surprising clarity within the chapel. A moment later the sable and silver bird spreads it's wings and takes flight, circling the chapel once before coming to land on Ashlyn's outstretched shield arm. The raven and the knight stare at each other in silence for a moment before the raven turns its head to look carefuuly at the others within the room, one by one.

Ashlyn turns to look at her companions and in a voice still unsteady in astonishment, she speaks, "My friends, this is Korppi"

 

[pathfinderq1]

With the coming of dawn, Tessa set herself to her normal morning ritual. While it did not have the deep restorative power of a full vigil, the familiarity and comfort of the routine provided a soothing of its own as she reconnected herself with the power of the Sovereign Host.

OOC: Tessa also needs only two hours of sleep normally- if she is still effectively fatigued, she will cast Lesser Restoration on herself. Otherwise she will simply complete her daily prayer ritual before we get ready to move on.

 

[James Heard]

Janis goes to sleep without comment after the party's articulations about vampires/not-vampires.

 

[DEFCON 1]

As the stream of light hits the altar in the morning and a raven appears upon it, Sir Khensu looks up and gazes contentedly at the bird's arrival.

"My friends, this is Korppi"

The shifter slowly pushes himself to his feet, and for the first time in a few days, he smiles wide and brightly... his extended shifter canines glistening in the light of dawn. With an aura about him that is one part contentment, and one part desire... Sir Khensu turns and bows deeply to Lady Ashlyn. "It is a pleasure to meet your new friend, m'Lady. I look forward to fighting for the Light with you and Korppi many times in the future."

Jarrith also then stands up... and his eyes immediately begin darting around the room... checking out the doors and windows and passages to and from the room. "Wild night, huh?" he says matter-of-factly... completely downplaying everything that occured. He rubs his eyes and shakes his head to try and clear some cobwebs, and when that doesn't work he pulls out his holy symbol and makes a quick incantation... which sets off a spell that immediately puts a spring back in his step. (Cast Lesser Restoration)

He nods at Korppi the raven, pats his shifter friend on the shoulder in happiness that the paladin has regained his spirit, and then he moves over to Janis when she awakes and squats down by her. "How're you feeling, Janis? Looks like you're still suffering some lingering effects. You allow me to check you out? See what we need to do to get you back at full strength? Just give me the word." He grins at her.

 

[James Heard]

Janis performs her morning tasks without comment or paying the others much attention whatsoever.

"You'll be pleased to take your condescension elsewhere. I need nothing from you or any of the rest of you," Janis says through narrowed eyes.

"Have you all finished bowing and scraping to this place? Can we get on with finding the creature from last night and killing it now?"