GM Niles |
Gail unwraps the black bundle of cloth to find...nothing. It's completely empty. The sound of wind howls outside....
Malthorn |
As Gail unwraps the bundle a sigh escapes Malthorn and he looks to the
2nd pachment as once more writing appears, a decision had been made it appeared though he wasn't aware he'd made the choice, once more his patron had chose to protect him for it's own purpose.
"vigor maligna" He said as he read the words aloud, an inner sense of strength welled up within him cast Fiendish Vigor(at will) false life: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 temp hp/1hr
With a tilt of his head at the changes, he looks to the others Shall we check the closets before moving back down through the house. I doubt anything we find will be friendly, but better to clear it than to have it at our backs in this gods forsaken mist.
Malthorn will move to the first doorway stairwell moving upwards using his staff to push the cobwebs out of the way. perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9 apparently preoccupied with his Patron visitation more than he realizes. more interested in the cobwebs that anything ahead.
***edited for I forgot completely about the other two doorways until I went to update the map, sorry about any confusion.
Gail Grey |
"Oh!" exclaimed Gail, the anticlimax of the empty crib was palpable, "I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies. I was half expecting a tiny corpse in the crib."
Feeling subdued Gail doesn't say anything for a while before speaking up, "Let's not forget the roof friend Malthorn. Lets make sure there's nothing untoward there before heading down like you say."
GM Niles |
Eh sorry for the confusion. The crib was in 15B. So that area was explored.
Malthorn opens a set of stained glass windows to reveal a balcony...the mists continue to surround the House. A damp and ill wind blows the balcony, giving you chills.
Malthorn and Gail then move to the cobwebbed stairs and climbs...
The pitch black hall is illuminated only by Gail's light spell, it looks completely neglected. Dust and cobwebs cover everything...several doors lead from the hall, all of them are closed. One of them has a padlock on it. Yellow Arrow has padlock
Gail Grey |
The cold wind rustles cobwebs sending crazy shadows from her conjured light, "Well if this isn't a little creepy... Hmm a padlock on that door, I don't suppose anyone can open that?" I suppose we could smash it, or maybe find a key. Nobody seems to have any lock picks. Anyway how about we try the red door first?
Malthorn |
Red works for me was thinking about blue myself but working around the other direction is just as doable. Aparently Hero Lab didn't pass the tools and such when I passed the bb code over. Malthorn does have thieves tools and and training as part of his scout/spy training. When I get back home to my laptop I'll update the missing parts Niles, sorry.
"I can work on the padlock but lets clear the other rooms first, no sense having something sneak up on us while we preoccupied with the lock."
Moving up with Gail, Malthorn listens at the red door perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
Gail Grey |
I don't like the stat block herolab produces for 5e. The PDF is quite nice however.
Valen Oakson |
The reveal in the crib only furthers Valen's unease, "I do not believe we will be finding a babe in these walls... But I agree that we should cover every room."
He follows Malthorn and Gail up to the attic. "Everyone okay with this door first?" He motions to his left.
Door with blue arrow.
Talus Koss |
Talus flinches a bit when the bundle reveals nothing, slowly letting out the breath he'd been holding.
Get a grip, Talus. This place will un-man you if you let it! Discipline! Control!"
His inner thoughts were inturrupted by the realization the others had moved on.
He hurries up the stairs coming upon the others, "Any door is as worse as any other, in this place."
GM Niles |
Valen hurls open the door expecting the worst.
This dust-choked room contains a slender bed, a nightstand, a small iron stove, a writing desk with a stool, an empty wardrobe, and a rocking chair. A smiling doll in a lacy yellow dress sits in the northern window box, cobwebs draping it like a wedding veil.
Valen Oakson |
Valen enters the room, coughing into a hankerchief over the dust. After looking over the room his first thought leads him to investigating the writing desk. "Perhaps someone left a diary or other writings that may explain this place?"
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Yes Valen, ignore the creepy and possibly homicidal doll.
Gail Grey |
Gail takes in the room with a frown and says, "Imagine sleeping here, what a dingy and depressing room. As for any diary, lets take a look and see."
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Red door next?
Malthorn |
Malthorn who was heading towards the red door, delays as Valen and Talus open the door to the blue room; if nothing is found or attacks them he'll proceed to open the red door.
If something should attack them he'll move forward and attempt to cast true strike for insight where to retaliate.
Siobhan Lehman |
Siobhan covers corners and hurriedly follows up on Gail's rear, watching for anything approaching from behind. She keeps her wand and light at the ready, her mind on the trigger words and on that unnerving spectre which had nearly killed Valen.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Ready action to cast Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2
GM Niles |
Valen investigates the writing desk...he finds a sheaf of papers. They have repeating numbers on them in some random order he cannot decipher. In the middle of one of the sheafs in big block letters is written IT COMES!
Siobhan gets really jumpy and almost blasts Malthorn as he crosses the area to throw open another door.
This web-filled room contains a slender bed, a nightstand, a rocking chair, an empty wardrobe, and a small iron stove. nothing stirs in this room, not even a mouse.
Malthorn |
"Hey watch it! ...sorry a bit jumpy myself" Malthorn relents his rant as he suddenly realizes he done just that against his own captain no less. Malthorn checks the nightstand for a key to the padlock before checking the last unlocked room.
Malthorn move to the door and retrieving his thieves tools he begins to work on the padlock. this has got to be the singularly most stupid thing I have done, eerie mist filled landscape, inside of a haunted house, and I'm unlocking the door that's padlocked to see what's inside" with a shake of his head to remove the thought and concentrate on the padlock he once more gets to work.
****editspell attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 - was rolling for my daughter to explain why I thought the dice roller hated me, and 6 out of 25 when 6 is as low as you can go proves my point at least for the moment.
GM Niles |
Malthorn opens the door and sees
This dusty chamber is packed with old furniture (chairs, coat racks, standing mirrors, dress mannequins, and the like), all draped in dusty white sheets. Near an iron stove, underneath one of the sheets, is an unlocked wooden trunk.
Talus Koss |
Talus follows Malthorn into the next dusty room and approaches the trunk.
Looking over his shoulder to make sure Malthorn was paying attention , he opens it...
Looking down, his face draws down as he pulls the stained sheets away from the pathetic remains that they hide.
Medicine: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
"Hmmm, perhaps the unfortuate we encountered in the nursery. Tsk, look...blade wounds on the bones, this woman was stabbed a great many times. This place is a tomb...." his voice trails off ,as he lets the sheet fall back over the skeleton.
Siobhan Lehman |
"Oh my Gods I'm so S-sorry. I thoughti saw another grisly creature just there." Siobhan apologizes abashedly.
"What in the hells is going on in this place? These people just keep a dead body in a trunk? I mean we were obviously not in a good place to begin with but what is this madness?"
Gail Grey |
Gail frowns at the shroud and the corpse, it was clear terrible things had happened here. Being so close made her deeply uncomfortable, yet if they baulked who would there to be to battle the evil?
Looking determined, Gail answered Siobhan, "This is the handiwork of evil. Whoever built this place is twisted through and through. We must root out this infestation. I fear this will not be the only sordid secret this accursed house holds, we must hold firm... Malthorn please open the locked room."
She whispers a quick prayer to Sylvanus, to steady Malthorn's hand. She casts guidance on him
Valen Oakson |
"I cannot help but wonder if the children outside were spirits who needed closure. Perhaps cleansing this house will do so."
Valen takes up position behind Malthron, his blade drawn, shield at the ready. "You should step out of the way when you open the door Malthorn. We have no idea what may come rushing out."
Malthorn |
dexterity+thieve's tools(DC15): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Malthorn works with the lock, aware of Gail but not paying attention to what she has said as he starts. Valen's rougher voice pierces through better Gail's soft spoken one. With a quick nod, he continues.
dexterity+thieve's tools(DC15): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
dexterity+thieve's tools(DC15): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
With frustration setting in, Malthorn finally realizes what Gail has said and can feel the tingle in the back of his mind from the spell she has graced him with. Letting a deep breath out, he closes his eyes and lets his hands move of their own accord
dexterity+thieve's tools(DC15): 1d20 + 3 + 1d4 ⇒ (10) + 3 + (4) = 17
"Finally" a click can be heard and the padlock falls loose in the hasp. Standing to the side he unhooks the lock and opens the door ...
GM Niles |
Malthorn unlocks the manacles and the door creaks open...the stench of rotten flesh rises in each of your nostrils and then just as quickly dissipates.
This room contains a bricked-up window flanked by two dusty, wood-framed beds sized for children. Closer to the door is a toy chest with windmills painted on its sides and a dollhouse that's a perfect replica of the dreary edifice in which you stand. These furnishings are draped in cobwebs. Lying in the middle of the floor are two small skeletons wearing tattered but familiar clothing. The smaller of the two cradles a stuffed doll that you also recognize.
Valen Oakson |
Valen sighs sadly, "It seems I may have been correct in my prediction." He steps into the doorway, blocking anyone else from entering for a moment as he scans the room, relaxing into his divine senses. If he sees nothing immediately of amiss he will step into the room and allow the others to investigate.
Using divine sense again.
Gail Grey |
Upon seeing the skeletons, Gail gasps and has to put a hand out to steady herself. In an way this wasn't a complete surprise yet seeing it was shocking.
Taking a moment to master herself she whispers softly, "We will avenge you." Turning to the others she tells them, "Once we've cleaned out the house we should bury them and that body inside the box. It's the proper thing to do."
GM Niles |
Valen gets prickles on his neck, something is definitely in this room. However, it has either not manifested itself, or he cannot see it.
Malthorn |
With nothing rushing out to meet them Malthorn turns back to see inside the room. Not seeing anything moving within he places a hand on Valen's shoulder "How 'bout we shake things up a bit"
Concentrating on the room, Malthorn causes the the dust to cascade down from where ever it has accumulated, causing tremors to pass trough the items within the room consciously avoiding the 2 skeletons laying in the floor. Racial ability:Thurmaturgy - causing tremors within 30'
using the tremors to create a natural glitterdust spell within the room
GM Niles |
That's not gonna work. I don't allow Cantrips to duplicate the effects of actual spells.
Malthorn sends tremors into the room, nothing happens.
Malthorn |
oh well, thought it was a nice situational use of the spell
Gail Grey |
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Not seeing any immediate threat, but wary due to her friend's actions, Gail asks softly, "Is there something here? Malthorn, Valen?"
Talus Koss |
Spear at the ready, Talus made ready when Malthorn opened the door.
Looking down he was silent , regarding the two children's bodies with saddness.
He nods at Gail's comment, "This house should be burned down to its foundations...." then with a sigh, "Internment should wait until we've finished with this house, no telling what other surprises is has for us."
Malthorn |
"Can't see anything but strange to use a padlock to keep little ones like those two in."
Malthorn will ease forward into the room....
GM Niles |
If anything I'd allow it in that instance to give advantage to someone searching the room with a perception roll.
Malthorn enters the room...and nothing untoward happens. Are you searching the room? Bodies? Other things?
Malthorn |
wasnt so much thinking of a fullblown glitterdust spell but such that any one of the 4 sets of eyes looking into the room would catch the dust falling in an irregular pattern or perhaps hanging on something in seemingly thin air
As he enters the room and nothing happens, Malthorn let's out a breath he didnt know he was holding. For the time being Malthorn let's the skeletons lie in peace, hoping they'll stay that way. Seeing the dollhouse he moves towards it to check it out before checking any furniture. Doubting he'll find much beyond children's book and clothing.
perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 sure is a lot of dust in here
GM Niles |
Malthorn picks up the Dollhouse and notices that it is an exact replica of the house they are in...down to the painted walls.
As Malthorn examines the dollhouse, the others see two ghostly shapes rise from the bones on the floor.
That's mine. Rosavelda Durst says
Thornboldt simply hides behind the larger child ghost and sucks his ghostly thumb.
Malthorn |
Malthorn starts as the voice comes from behind him, nearly dropping the dollhouse, he turns to face the ghostly shapes.
"Very good work this is. Did your father make it ...before?" he ask then stumbling over his words at it hits him, once again, he is speaking with a child's ghost whose body was padlocked in this room. "What happened?"
Strange as it seems to be discussing things with the ghost, Malthorn's Patron quite often manifest as nothing more than a whisper, so at least he has something to see this time.
Gail Grey |
Startled, the hairs on the back of Gail's neck stand up on end and a soft curse escapes her lips when the ghosts appear! Heart pounding it takes several moments for her rational mind to kick in.
Standing beside her friend she says, "I think she wants it back Malthorn." Addressing the ghost she asks gently, "Rose we looked for Walter. He wasn't in his crib, do you have any idea where he could be?"
Whether or not that gets a response she also asks, "You said your parents locked a monster in the basement. I'm wondering how it got there, do you know? Also this house is a little unusual... Carvings of eyeballs and snakes and so on... Was that your parents idea?"
With so much death, it was clear something terrible had befallen the house. The question was what and who was responsible? The parents? At this stage a necromancer in the family wouldn't surprise Gail! Or perhaps a third party did the deed, maybe a guest who turned out to be something awful...
Valen Oakson |
Valen looks over the children sadly, what a horrible thing to be done to the young... "I am sorry for disturbing your room." After apologizing he allows Gail to do the talking. Human children not being his forte.
GM Niles |
We didn't send you in here. The House did. It tricked you...we are trapped like so many others. Rose says
Father? Make something, hah! Rose laughs, her voice a tinkle. Father only made bad decisions and cruel gestures. No, he had that made for us. The basement, oh that's easy, you take the secret staircase. Rose points to a spot in the dollhouse and you notice a cleverly concealed secret staircase leading down from the attic. Father doesn't know we know its there, but we are clever
Thorn says in a tiny voice Walter. Walter was born still mama said...he was going to be my half brother. Mama said the Nurse was a whore. Rose then shushes the little boy ghost There's no reason to talk like that Thornboldt.
Rose then answers Gail's final question The House has always been in the Durst family.
Talus Koss |
The appearance of the children, for some reason, didn't surprise Talus.
He nods at the questions of the others, and contemplates the answers from the 'children', "A trap...but for whose amusement?| he murmurs, before asking, "If Walter was to be your half-brother...ah, you mean the Nurse was the mother? "
GM Niles |
The House is the House. It's always been here. the ghostly Rose shrugs her ghostly shoulders.
Gail Grey |
Gail can't help thinking, 'All that sounds incredibly ominous, but should we take it at face value?'
Insight: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Meh
It was hard to get a handle on the truthfulness of a ghost! Anyway they'd soon find out the truth of their words, the secret staircase appeared to be there. No doubt they'd find out where it lead.
Gail was minded to ask about the murdered woman, but that wasn't the sort of thing you discussed with kids, even ghostly ones. In the end she asked, "Rose, you make it sound like we are trapped in here too. We would like to be free, perhaps would you like that too? If we defeat whatever's in the basement will the house let us go?"
Malthorn |
"Hmm, let's see we go to sleep in one place, wake up surrounded by a creepy mist that leads us to this house, where two children looking like you ask us to save their little brother inside this house where we've been attacked by one thing or another before finding you up here, ... why not?" Strangely enough, Malthorn is sincere, willing to listen to what the ghostly children have to say.
Talus Koss |
From the doorway, Talus asks "So the House doesn't control you? How would you be able to help? " . He then thinks for a moment, "Do you know aught of the mists surrounding the House? While you were alive, where was the House located?"
GM Niles |
Malthorn: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Thornboldt stares at Malthorn for a moment and then disappears.
“I’m scared of everything, including my own shadow, and weep with despair when things don’t go my way.”
While Thornboldt is possessing you you also have advantage on all Charisma saving throws.
Rose answers Talus Why, Barovia silly.
Rose repeats Will you let us help you?
Gail Grey |
Well I was minded to help. I'm beginning to wonder now. Thoughts?
Valen Oakson |
"Barovia..." Valen speaks the name as if tasting it, wracking his brain for any knowledge of such a place. "I don't think I've heard of it. Is it located beyond Faerûn?"
Well, I assume good characters that we are we would try to help ghost children that have yet to seem hostile.