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

[EvolutionKB]

Satisfied that his companions are taken care of, Avron examines the circle of runes closely, looking for their function, and possible maker.

Knowledge: Religion/Nature +16; all other knowledges +14. Decipher script +12. Use AP on roll.

 

[s@squ@tch]

Marot

"Thanks again, Ashlyn" Marot says as he rubs his forearms,"That brute tagged me well."

Looking around the area,"I do believe our good friend has departed us once again."

He pauses for a moment,"I have to say, I don't get a good feeling from him -- almost as if we are doing wrong by him."

He shakes his head,"I'd like to avoid him in the future, if at all possible -- I think he will only serve to hinder our efforts to bring light to this dark place."

 

[stonegod]

Avron, distracted by the runic circle, puts down the hard one reliquary box and examines them. It appears to be a binding circle, possibly related to the dark magics of the land. But it focuses anger and rage, helping those in battle that are within it. Thus the flash of the ogre and Ashlyn's weapons.

Jarrith takes the box away while the archivist is mumbling to himself. Opening it carefully, he finds what appears to be faded bones wrapped in decaying parchment. Knuckle-bones or something similar. The parchment has a fades "M" written on it.

Tessa, referring to her notes, knows there is one more of these 'fanes' left, somewhere in the marsh. The recalcitrant shifter, when asked, speaks of a place like this one there. But the mad lady watches there. She eats the marrow and destroys the flesh.

 

[DEFCON 1]

But the mad lady watches there. She eats the marrow and destroys the flesh.

Jarrith snorts and shrugs. "So another inhabitant here is crazy? What else is new?"

He wipes down his two rapiers and slides them back into their sheathes, then turns to the others. "To the marsh then, it seems, eh? Let's go get the horses and be on our way."

 

[pathfinderq1]

"Indeed," Tessa agreed to Jarrith's suggestion and moved towards the horses. "I don't know whether I fear the mad lady more than I fear what the lord will have in store for us, but I don't think we have the luxury of time to wait."

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn nods as she accepts Khensu and Marot thanks with simple grace.

As Jarrith speaks, Ashlyn's brow furrows slightly as she considers his words and her reply, "I must admit, I have become ... suspicious of this 'Lord Sergei'. It may be that he is an idiot, or that he is oblivious of the dangers that stalk this land, but I have my doubts. He was surely quick to act when the villagers were threatened by the Lycan attack and this indicates to me that he is neither an idiot, nor oblivious. Thus I am considering the possibility that he himself may be one of the creatures that are a blight apon this land. After reading that book that we found in the castle library, the thought has occured to me, that 'Lord Sergei' might not even be his real name ..."

Ashlyn takes a deep breath, and then with a quick glance towards the castle, she motions the others to gather closer before she continues in a low voice, "Consider what we know ... there are at least two powerful vampires in this place, probably residing within the castle. Both of the vampires that we have encountered have abilities that 'normal' vampires do not. The book we found indicates that the original vampire of these lands was called Strahd and that he sealed his pact with the dark powers by the murder of his brother on the day of his wedding, a brother who was called ... Sergei."

Ashlyn pauses a moment before continuing, "There seems to be too much coincidence to all of this, and the conclusions that it implies all lead me towards my suspicions of he who calls himself 'Lord Sergei'. It may be that my suspicions are baseless, but those abominations that we fought earlier, those vampires, must be dealt with, and 'Lord Sergei' is impeding our efforts to deal with the undead. The only question to which I still need an answer to in order to confirm my suspicions is why."

Finally, Ashlyn concludes, "Nonetheless, as Jarrith said, we must continue on our set course ... let us continue to the marsh."

 

[EvolutionKB]

"Amazing," the scholar mumbles. "Focuses rage and violence to a visible and deadly effect."

Avron returns to the others as Ashlyn finishes speaking. "Perhaps the same thing that plagues my mind has a hold of the Lord Sergei as well. That could explain why he lets the monstrosities roam free." Avron scratches his arm, and knocks on the purplish black shield that still hovers in the air around him. Avron laughs softly to himself, and then violently slaps his cheek, leaving a red welt. "Or maybe he is just an evil S.O.B."

 

[s@squ@tch]

Marot

Marot cocks his head to the side and looks upon the shifter with a sarcastic smirk.

"Mentally unstable folks are sooooooo out of the ordinary in this realm, I'm somewhat shocked to hear that one might be living in a swamp, eating marrow from the bones of its prey."

He looks down to his boots.

"Tis a pity, I just washed these boots."

"Let us be off to this swamp -- any takers on another 'surprise' appearance by our friend Sergei?"

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Let us be off to this swamp -- any takers on another 'surprise' appearance by our friend Sergei?"

Jarrith nods and pats his purse. "Ten gold says Sergei does not appear in the swamp after we're done. I tend to think he probably believes himself too sophisticated to get his feet dirty in the muck. You're on, sir!"

 

[s@squ@tch]

Marot

"I always appreciate you donating your gold to me, Jarrith."

He sits in the saddle and crosses his arms.

"Sergei is drawn to us like a moth to a flame, always appearing and making some odd comment or name then disappearing."

Tapping the side of his head with his index finger,"And now it would also appear that whenever we see the good Lord, an encounter of sorts with hostile creatures is not trailing far behind..."