GM Haladir's I6: Castle Ravenloft (Inactive)

Game Master Haladir

Countessa gasps aloud as the cold of the grave strikes her heart.

Fortitude save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

She staggers backward, trying to recover her breath. (Take a 5-foot step back.) Uncapping a potion from her belt pouch, she drinks the contents in a single gulp. (Drink potion of cure moderate wounds.)

Cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 8) + 3 = 14

Petracleus knows, even as the spirits launch their vicious assault upon his friends, that there is little he can do in the face of such attacks... better to stay close to Verran and to keep him alive whilst he entreats Pharasma to call the undead to her cold unloving arms...

Petracleus moves next to Verran and bravely goes TOTAL DEFENSE!!!

fort: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 2 = 20

Verran only winces slightly as he steps up slightly and invokes the power of the Lady of Graves once more to destroy these creatures.

5' up, channel again which should catch all of them
Channel damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) = 8

Verran: You already acted in round 1; I'm going to put the action I already resolved into the sequence below. Also: GMPC for Daimon.

Round 1, continued

Initiative order: Monsters, Daimon, Countessa, Celowyn, Petracleus, Ireena, Verran, Theodora.

Verran's and Theodora's life energy is robust and they remain unhindered by the necromantic touch of the evil spirits.

Daimon draws his enchanted greatsword and slashes through the malevolent spirit before him. While the blade meets no physical resistance at all, it crackles where it passes through the entity. It screams a horrific cry of the grave, and now appears to be even less substantial.

Countessa winces in pain as the spirit's hand passes through her. She feels her energy sap away and feels physically taxed by the creature. Countessa: You are fatigued. She then staggers back and quaffs a potion, restoring much of her lost vitality. However, she still feels the lingering effect of the spirit's touch.

Celowyn fires a volley of arrows at the spirit menacing Verran. One shot is high, but the other passes straight through it unhindered. The arrow does crackle as it passes through the spirit, and it also cries out in deathly voice.

Petracleus raises his blade defensively and assumes a classic defensive fencing pose.

Ireena draws her own blade... which now glows with a pulsing blue light, as bright as a torch. She attacks the spirit fighting Verran, and her blade likewise sparks as it passes through the thing.

Verran raises his holy symbol and invokes a litany from the Lady of Graves, demanding the restless spirits to return to their graves. Pale gray radiance bathes the room, and the three closest spirits and the wraith all shriek in pain.

Theodora invokes the name of the Dawnflower as she slashes her silver sword at the wraith, and it seems to cut through its shadowy form like a hot knife through butter. It cries out a wail of the dead, but then the glowing orbs where its eyes should be seem to glare at the paladin with renewed hatred.

The ghost of the other paladin seems to react well to Theodora's action. She says, "I cannot harm the other spirits in the castle, but I can help!" She calls out a prayer to the Dawnflower, then gently caresses Theodora's shoulder. Theodora glows like the rising sun for a moment, and suddenly feels much stronger!

Theodora: You are now under the effect of a bull's strength spell: +4 enhancement bonus to Strength.

Round 2

The wraith hisses and again reaches out to Theodora, and again its spectral hand passes through her armor into her chest. She again feels its fingers around her heart like cold death. The other spirit attempts to do the same, but she easily evades its grasp. Theodora: Take another 4 hp negative energy damage, and please make another DC 17 Fortitude save. This time, you are within the cursed aura from the restless spirit, so take a -2 penalty on that roll.

The spirit fighting Ireena and Verran again reaches its hand into the cleric's chest, and Verran feels more of his life-energy flow into the thing. Verran: Take 6 hp damage and please make a DC 14 Fort save, again at -2.

The spirit fighting Daimon also reaches into the half-orc's chest, passing its ghostly hand through his heart. Daimon feels the touch of the grave upon him. Daimon: Take 3 hp negative energy damage, and please make a DC 14 Fort save, at a -2 penalty.

The spirit that had been fighting Countessa first reaches out to attack Ireena, hesitates a moment, then turns its attention back to Countessa. It again passes its deathly hand through her body, chilling her to the bone. Countessa: Take 2 hp negative energy damage, and please make a DC 14 Fortitude save at a -2 penalty.

Your turn, everyone! Verran: Your choice as to whether you want to take the channel energy action you already posted above, or do something else.

"Agh!" Countessa cries out in pain and fear. Stepping back again, and forcing herself to remain calm and collected, she casts disrupt undead, sending a pale ray towards the spirit attacking her.

Fort save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Disrupt undead ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

fort: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 2 = 15

greatsword: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 2 = 17(power attack)
damage: 2d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 7 + 4 = 13
"Begone foul spirit!"

fort: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 2 = 18

Sorry, that was intended as a second round action. Thought we had come back around

With Verran moving away from him and his friends enduring the predations of the dead, Petracleus spontaneously bursts into song... his lilting words telling of the warmth and glory of life beneath the sun...

Inspire Courage (Su): A bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard's performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 = 22

"Thank you for the blessing." Theodora says with a gratitude to the benevolent spirit before turning her full attention back to the powerful malevolent spirit attempting to kill her. Using the power of Sarenrae to heal the negative energy, she renews her falchion attack.

Lay on Hands Healing on Theodora (swift action): 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

+1 Silver Falchion vs. Powerful spirit + Smite + Bull's Strength + Inspire Courage - Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 27
Damage + Smite Undead + PA + IC + BS: 2d4 + 8 + 6 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 8 + 6 + 10 + 1 + 1 = 29

Though Damion and Countessa are also under attack, Celowyn maintains her focus on the spirit attacking Verran and fires another volley of arrows. As she does, she feels a surge of hope from Petracleus' song of better, warmer days...days she hopes they'll all see again.

Attack vs. Spirit (Longbow; Inspire Courage, Favored Enemy, Precise Shot, PB Shot, Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 17

Attack vs. Spirit (Longbow; Inspire Courage, Favored Enemy, Precise Shot, PB Shot, Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 10

Round 2, continued

Initiative order: Monsters, Daimon, Countessa, Celowyn, Petracleus, Ireena, Verran, Theodora.

Daimon's magic sword cuts through the apparition, sparking as it passes through its space. The spirit screams again, but this time, the sound cuts off and echoes into emptiness as it fades into oblivion.

Countessa feels more of her vitality drain away into the spirit she was fighting, and her limbs feel heavy. She summons a magical ray that fires at the spirit that she had been fighting, but it easily avoids the beam. Countessa: You are now exhausted.

Celowyn fires another volley of arrows from her magic bow at the spirit fighting Verran. The magic of the arrows seems to have some effect: the spirit also groans and fades out of existence.

Petracleus begins a singing an inspiring song, which lifts everyone's spirits.

Ireena attacks the spirit she had been fighting. Her blade slices through it, sparking, and its form becomes less substantial.

Verran steps forward and calls out a for a blessing from Pharasma. Again, pale gray light illuminates an area around him, burning at the undead spirits in the room, malevolent and benevolent alike. The spirit that had been fighting Ireena shrieks and fades from existence.

Theodora heals herself by the power of the Dawnflower, then turns her wrath against the wraith. She cuts a powerful strike against it, and the holy magicks of her blade cut deeply into the evil spirit. It seems much diminished.

Round 3

The only remaining evil spirits continue to fight Theodora. Both manage to reach into her body with their ghostly hands, stealing her life energy. Theodora: Take a total of 12 hp negative energy damage from the two hits, and please make two Fort saves: DC 17 and DC 14 (both at -2).

Your actions.

Countessa fights against her own body. Every muscle in her being wants to rest, but by sheer force of will, she remains standing. In defiance, she tries again to hit a spirit with disrupt undead.

Disrupt undead ranged touch: 1d20 ⇒ 13 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Damion will charge...
greatsword: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 28
damage: 2d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 7 + 4 = 20

Fort Save vs DC 17: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 2 = 9
Fort Save vs DC 14: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 = 21

Despite the powerful spirit siphoning off part of her being, Theodora focuses all her energy into her sword as she engages it once again.

Please alter the following rolls with whatever negative modifier is appropriate.

+1 Silver Falchion vs. Powerful spirit + Smite + Bull's Strength + Inspire Courage - Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 29
Damage + Smite Undead + PA + IC + BS: 2d4 + 8 + 6 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 8 + 6 + 10 + 1 + 1 = 30

"Theodora! Hold on!" Celowyn cries as she moves forward and fires off a shot at one of the spirits harrying the warrior.

Attack (Longbow; Inspire Courage, Favored Enemy, Precise Shot, PB Shot): 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 35
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 14

Celo moves forward 20 feet before making her shot; can't move myself atm since I'm on mobile.

Petracleus, his rapier at the ready, continues his song... a strangely uplifting song in the ever-present shadows of Strahd's domain.

Petracelus, continues to Inspire Courage.

Round 3, continued

Initiative order: Monsters, Daimon, Countessa, Celowyn, Petracleus, Ireena, Verran, Theodora.

Theodora fights against the wraith's attempt to steal her life-force, but this time, the creature succeeds. Theodora: Your saving throw was unsuccessful. Take 2 points of Constitution drain from the attack.

Daimon: The ceiling has collapsed in this room, and you can see sky through the hole in the roof above you. Rainwater continues to drip through the hole onto a puddle-strewn floor that's covered with chunks of plaster, rotten wooden beams, and broken pieces of slate shingles; all of it wet. In game terms, the entirety of this room is difficult terrain: Each square of counts for two units of movement, and you cannot run or charge through the area.

Because this is cinematic, I'm going to invoke the Rule of Cool and allow Daimon to charge on a successful DC 20 Acrobatics check... Which he does!

With an almost supernatural grace, Daimon charges through the rubble and attacks the wraith. His enchanted blade crackles with mystical energy as it passes through the thing, diminishing it somewhat.

Countessa fires another ray of magical energy at the other spirit, but her aim is off.

Celowyn picks her way through the rubble and fires at the cursed spirit. The arrow crackles as it passes through it, and the thing becomes markedly less distinct in its features.

Petracleus continues singing.

Ireena closes, getting within striking distance of the monsters.

Verran holds action, waiting to see what his friends do.

Her blade radiant with the power of the Dawnflower, Theodora slashes her blade through the wraith. The blade crackles, then the wraith shimmers out of existence.

The ghost of the paladin flies to the center of the corridor, and then raises her ghostly holy symbol and calls for a sign from the Dawnflower. Everyone feels a wave of warmth, like the first rays of the sun on a warm spring day.

Channel Positive Energy: Everyone heals: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 6) = 17 hp.

Round 4

Perhaps not realizing that it's already dead, the remaining spirit again attacks Theodora, reaching into her body to steal her essence. Theodora: Take 4 more hp negative energy damage, and please make a DC 14 Fortitude save.

Your actions.

Damion will will glance around casually to check out the reactions to his superlative charge. When nobody seems to notice he grumpily takes a 5' step chops at the remaining spirit.
greatsword: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 2 = 27 (power attack)
damage: 2d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 + 4 = 14

Fort save - Bad Luck - Con damage: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 - 1 = 20

Despite receiving more injury from the remaining spirit's touch, Theodora manages to resist any other negative effects. If the enemy is still standing after Damion's attack, she slices out it with her enchanted silver falchion. "Thank you for the healing!" She calls out to the paladin spirit afterwards.

+1 Silver Falchion + Bull's Strength + Inspire Courage - Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 25
Damage + PA + IC + BS: 2d4 + 8 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 8 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 22

Together, Daimon and Theodora destroy the remaining cursed spirit.

Combat Over

The friendly ghost looks around at you all "Well, played friends!" Then a look of confusion crosses her face. "Who are you again? And where are Beltran, Shree, and Harald?"

With a sigh Theodora draws the wand of Lesser Restoration, "Thank you sister. We are a group brought together by destiny to destroy the foul lord of this castle and bring peace to all the spirits that dwell within. As I mentioned earlier, my name is Theodora and I am a paladin in the service of the Dawnflower. I'm afraid I do not know where your companions are, but I am happy to look for them and discover their fates if you can tell us whatever you can remember about them."

While she waits for the ghost to reply, Theodora turns to Contessa, "Would you like me to cure your fatigue with the wand?"

Theodora: Would you please make a Diplomacy check? You can take a +2 circumstance bonus on the roll.

"Yes, please," Countessa responds weakly.

Celowyn watches the ghostly paladin with a mixture of sadness and pity on her face.

It's like for a moment she forgets that she and her companions are dead, but then remembers again. What an awful fate...

Diplomacy check + circumstance bonus: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 = 26

Receiving Countessa's reply, Theodora uses the wand of Lesser Restoration on her.

We have 26 charges left, so let's just use it twice on Countessa to get rid of the exhaustion and fatigue.

Petracleus feels a dread shiver along his spine as he realises what fate this woman has been consigned too.

And what fate for Merick should we not find him? And what of us?

Theodora uses the wand on Countessa, who suddenly feels re-invigorated, as if she's had a very good night's sleep.

Theodora then addresses the ghost, who appears to suddenly remember what happened to her friends and weeps for them again. But only for a moment. She then replies, "Yes, they are gone. I keep forgetting, and then their deaths appear before me again, as if I'm seeing it for the first time. Strahd is a vile monster... he made me watch..." The ghost shudders for a moment, and then continues, "My name is Shantia, Hanim of Katheer. I met my friends in Oppara, not long after the war officially ended. I was part of the delegation that signed the peace treaty with Taldor, and after that, I remained. I met Harald first... the bard raised my spirits after a particularly bad day. We next crossed paths with Shree. She's a gnomish sorcerer, adept at illusion. And then the three of us met Beltran, an expert on traps... and a reformed burglar. The four of us took to a life of adventure, and we eventually found ourselves in Ustalav. By then, Beltran and Shree had married... they knew they would never have children, but that didn't dampen their love... We were following a cabal of necromancers, trying to end their evil ways. We were traveling east from Kavapesta over the Svalich Peaks, when we found ourselves lost in an eerie mist... and in Barovia. After finding that we couldn't leave, and that the lord of the land preyed upon his populace, we decided to take the battle to his castle. We fought him three times... We drove him off the first two, for he seemed to fear my blade, Dawnflower's Radiance. But the third time, one of his thralls wrested the blade from me, and we were defeated..." Shantia trails off and begins sobbing again.

Know (nobility): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Hearing the woman reference herself as Hanim, Countessa curtsies.

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Shantia. We're here for a similar purpose, and that vile monster has already captured one of our companions. We will do whatever we can to bring you peace by destroying Strahd. Do you mind if I ask where you last saw your sword? Do you know anything about an amulet that might weaken him?" Theodora asks with sympathy in her voice.

Kn. Geography (DC 15): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Kn. Geography (DC 15): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Celowyn's eyes widen as Shantia shares her story. "She was there when the peace treaty was signed? The war between Taldor and Qadira ended over a hundred years ago," she whispers softly.

Ireena nods at Celowyn's comment. "That makes sense, actually. Tales tell of a group of adventurers that came to town about a hundred years ago. They went up to the castle to challenge Strahd, but were never seen again. Strahd himself didn't come to the village for almost ten years after that..." She then looks at the ghost of Lady Shantia and continues, "...so I guess you must have seriously hurt him, at least."

The ghost of Lady Shantia looks into the distance at Theodora's questions, as if she were reliving memories.

"Our last battle was at the top of the highest tower. We thought we had found and destroyed all of his coffins but one, so that we would know where his body would reform after we had defeated hiim at last. But we were surprised by the number of his minions that remained, and we were overwhelmed. I did see him try to pick up Dawnflower's Radiance from where it lay, but it flared in sacred fire and seared his hand, and he dropped it. That was the last I saw of my sword, although I sometimes think I still hear it calling to me."

Knowledge (religion) + circumstance bonus: 1d20 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 5 = 23

Anyone want to aid?

Theodora listens carefully to Shantia's story, her brow furrowed in thought, "Your sword sounds like it would be very valuable in battling the forces of evil in this place. We will try to find it and wield it against him. Is there anything we can do for you now to try to bring you some peace?"

Countessa will aid Theodora, prompting her memory and filling in blanks.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Or your friends?" Celowyn asks.

With Countessa's help remembering a few key details, Theodora's eyes grow wide as she realizes what weapon Shantia was speaking of, "Wow, that Dawnflower's Radiance? That's a powerful holy relic! We'll have to find it now, not only can we use it to destroy Strahd, it needs to be returned to the church!"

Anything else you want to ask Lady Shantia? If not, what's your next move?

I take it she doesn't have any suggestions on bringing peace to herself or her friends?

"We will avenge you and your friends... Strahd's cold grasp of this land shall be lifted, and if one us may wield Dawnflower's Radiance, the monster will be returned to his grave... forever", Petracleus talks more confidently than he actually feels.

I wonder, will ending Strahd's reign free all of the spirits trapped in limbo here?

Attempting a Knowledge (religion) check to think about the nature of haunts: Petracelus, Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Lady Shantia looks into the distance. "I have longed for rest. The spirits here taunt me. They are all bound to that devil Strahd. Perhaps I am as well. If you fulfil my last quest to destroy the master of this castle once and for all, then perhaps I may move on. Or, so I hope."

"Er...Lady Shantia? You said something about Strahd's coffins - do you remember how many you found and destroyed? And if there's anything special we need to do to destroy them?" Celowyn asks tentatively.

To Celowyn, the ghost replies, "There was one in his crypt, in the lowest depths of the castle. That one had been his favorite. It was well-guarded last time. There was another in his chmabers. He also had one in the high tower. He may have had others we did not find. And remember: that was a long time ago... he has probably replaced them by now. Destroying the coffin of a vampire is simple: they are merely wooden boxes lined with silk and a pinch of earth from the grave where it was first buried."

"Perhaps we should investigate the highest tower since we're already up here. That is, if we haven't already." Theodora suggests, as she tries to wrap her head about the castle's layout.

Position markers on the Ravenloft Exteriors drawings have been updated, to give you an idea...

Petracleus, inwardly cursing at the suggestion that Strahd has multiple coffins... and the fact that he hadn't realised that would surely be the case, "I'm with Theodora... let us destroy his refuge up here in the towers first..."

...and enjoy one final sunrise before we endure the darkness of Strahd's castle...

"I'm sure after the last time he's rebuilt his coffins and made them more secure," Celowyn agrees. "But at least now we know that we'll have to look for several and to expect them to be well-guarded or possibly trapped...probably both," she says grimly.

"'Dora's got a good idea though; we should try and find the one up in the tower, if we can. It's a good a place to start as any."

The ghost of Lady Shantia begins to fade away. "The sun is rising... I am cursed not to see it. Dawnflower's blessing to you. And beware the Guardian of Sorrow in the tower..." Her last words echo through the hall as she fades into nothingness.

"Wait, Guardian of Sorrow?!?" Theodora calls out vainly as the spirit of Shantia disappears. With a sigh she looks back at her companions, "All right, let me use the rest of my healing now since it will be replenished at daybreak and then lets head for that tallest tower."

Unless Verran wants to do the honors, she then heals Damion, Petracleus, and herself with a simple touch.

LoH Damion: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
LoH Petracleus: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
LoH Theodora: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

The sun is indeed rising now... Theodora: I'll leave it to you: Do you need to actually see the sun for your powers to reset? If so... the door back out to the castle walls is just behind you all...through a landing in a tower...