Of Ghosts and Men (Inactive)

Game Master Twilightrose

Orin nods, wanting to speak up but also not disturb his hostess's sleep. "Agreed. All in favor?"

In favour, but I cannot help but with mundane abilites right now.

Ake grabs the bottle, then gingerly sniffs it.

Ah, scotch! Mmmmmm..

Tilting her head back, she takes several long moments to down a goblin sized portion.

..hic I have most of my power available and the night posses no hic issues for me.

And, I feel extra burny right hic now!

Shaking her head as Ioan makes more noise than the walking dead Ingrid sighs. "Obviously some of us missed the part about Kendra being asleep. Well if the plan is to go to Harrowstone now it would probably be a good idea to determine how far it is from here and act accordingly. If it will take most of a day, leaving in the morning would make more sense in terms of seeing what activity there is at night."

The Harrowstone prison is visible from town. From what you would have seen yourself and bits of descriptions found in your research you know that:

Harrowstone is located on a barren hill south of the city of Ravengro, the stark, sagging roof of its central structure visible through a large gap in the surrounding wall. A partially overgrown track leads from the southern edge of town, winding around the base of the hill and then back up along its southern slope to the prison itself. The prison consists of four distinct areas, each with its own features.

As a side note, it is now about 3 a.m.

Ravengro Map - Trail is located at "R" on the map to the south.

"So Terrance is not at the peak of his abilities... And with the night nearing it's end, perhaps we should wait just one more day. Allow those who need it time to heal and prepare themselves. But yes, if everyone else wishes it, we should go to Harrowstone tonight."

He is wide awake at the moment, doubting he'd be able to sleep much anyway. Even if he did, he'd probably suffer nightmares again... And blood...

Ravel smiles at Terrance. "If we encounter anything with bones, I'm certain that hammer can make quick work of it." She looks to Orin, "Whatever wrote the message in your room isn't going to wait for us to be rested and ready to face off against it. The longer we wait the more advantage our adversaries gain... but I would not ask any of you to do something you wish not to. I would like to put it to a vote. All in favor of investigating Harrowstone tonight, please raise your hand." Ravel raises her own as she finishes speaking.

Ravel, it is not the encountering anything with bones, which will be the problem, it is my ability to channel Torag's grace, and might which will benefit us all in the long run.
I do agree that giving a foe time to get set is a problem, but going in unprepared is even more so of one.
Investigating Harrowstone in the light of day, which will come in but a couple of hours, is in my opinion the more prudent course.

will not be able to post tomorrow, as I will be at a place with no wifi.

Ioann takes the bottle from Ake's hands, drinks a long sip and casts his own vote:

"NOW!"

"Time is often irrelevant to the undead because they are no longer affected by time the way you and I are. Terrence's ability to channel Torag's power could easily be the difference between life and death where we are headed. This night has already seen much activity in the town, and I would rather be here to stop any more of it before sun up." Ingrid says looking at each member of the group. "Besides, with all the stress she has been through, Kendra doesn't need to worry about the sudden disappearance of her guests on top of it."

Haven't heard Gellius' vote yet but it looks like everyone else beside Ingrid and Terrance wish to go tonight?

"I'm okay to go - just give me an hour. I want to try something before we head out. I think I can make something that can help us. Well, help me."

Nothing weird over here... just want to brew a new mutagen... *whistles innocently*

Looks like you're going in! Any other preparations first?

As he heads up to his room to gather his things Terrance mutters impetuousness, I hope that this doesn't get us killed.

As he returns back to the kitchen with his gear, he finds a pen and paper, and writes a note to Kendra.

Lady Kendra, please do not panic if you do not see us first thing this morning. We have gone to look into Harrowstone, and will return shortly.
Terrance

Orin nods. "May Desna grace us with luck in our endeavor..."

Ioann goes out of the room to the entrance hall were he paces in circles, waiting for the others to be ready and muttering to himself.
Ioann is ready to go.

Ravel stands, her bat flitting about. "While Gellius prepares, and so help him if any of his odorous concoctions wake Kendra, we should plan things out. We go to investigate Harrowstone, but we must also keep our wits. We all want revenge, but if we run into anything or anyone let us try words first before we accidentally run through some young mischief makers. Though I think we are safe to assume that any more large bugs or walking dead are to be met with hostility. We don't know what foulness lingers in the area. We all need to keep our eyes on each other, for dangers obvious and those that are harder to see... magical changes or wild temperaments. Agreed?"

Some time later, when everyone has gathered together their supplies and finished mixing their concoctions, you leave the Lorrimor Estate. Excited, and more than a little frightened, you make your way out of the quiet town and up the winding hills to Harrowstone.

Harrowstone’s grounds are contained within a crumbling stone wall, the eastern portion of which has fallen away into a huge sinkhole that formed when the extensive eastern wing of the prison dungeon collapsed after the dreadful fire of 4661—this collapse took with it the prison graveyard, which now lies in ruins at the bottom of the murky pond that filled the sinkhole.

Grounds Map

To ensure that there are no magical energies going to eat us, Terrance casts detect magic.

this might hurt. :)

Ravel says softly, "Let us scout the grounds before we enter any buildings." She looks around as they approach.

Perception, Darkvision: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

I knew I was forgetting something along with that detect.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
also darkvision

The grounds are quiet, there is nothing special to be seen or heard through any means, at least so far.

Nothing visible so far. so where do we go from here.

"The front door seems as good a place as any," Ingrid says striding forward solemnly, scanning and listening as she does.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Darkvision

Ioann tries to stay as alert as possible all the way to Harrowstone, and even more so when they get there. However, his lack of darkvision strongly empedes his sight. Thus, he stays focuses on the ground, trying to see whether it has been disturbed by recent footsteps.

"Does anyone have any experience at examining footsteps?"

You make your way across the grounds and to the main entrance. Though the building is made of stone, the door is wood. It is rotted and hanging oddly from it's hinges. DC13 strength to open the door.

Orin follows shortly behind his allies, his bow drawn in case a crazed local or who knows what else hops out at them. "I'm pretty good at tracks. Let me take a look."

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Terrance takes up a spot that can cover the others. I could not tell one track from another, but I think we should just try the door.

Grabbing hold of the doorframe, Ingrid puts a boot against the door and shoves with as much force as she can muster.

Str check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

As Ingrid shoves on the door, it creaks and groans before suddenly giving way and falling from its hinges to land on the floor with a loud thud that echos back to you. Looking into the building you see that this was once a wide hall flanked by a pair of waiting rooms, but the foyer to Harrowstone now lies in ruins. With little left to hold up the ceiling, the wooden beams above sag dramatically. The wall to the north contains a large pair of oaken doors.

Gellius grips his greatsword, obviously a little nervous about the situation.

Do we have a light source already out? I don't have darkvision.

Drawing her sword, Ingrid stares a head for a moment before stepping into the darkness. "Shall we?"

Darkvision 60'

What a racket! Like she does not care whether there is someone here or not. reflects Ioann upon seeing Ingrid force the door.

The man then waits for someone to light a torch before walking in. Once inside, he draws his sword and waits for the others.

Nope, no one mentinned lighting a torch, but Orin has like 10 of them, so I guess it's good

Seeing the humans discomfort, Terrance pulls a torch from his pack, and lights it.
He then passes it to whomever wants to take it.

I would like to burn the torches from my kit, as I really don't need them.

<------Paladin. Not known for subtlety when evil's involved

Ravel mutters a phrase and four soft glowing orbs come into view from her outstretched hand. "Svetla tanec."

Ravel looks at the others speaking softly, "These orbs can illuminate far more than a torch, and I can keep them above us so we may keep our hands free. You may continue holding onto the torch if you wish, but it is likely to draw attention to you as a target."

Ravel peers into the foyer, she lets Narcissa fly about her.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"I can bring forth the lights every few moments as needed."

Terrance looks at Ravel, and in a sound of crushing boulders Tým sa šetrí svetlo ísť von na nanajvýš nevhodnú dobu.

He then follows into the poorly lit area relying on his darkvision.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Hello bad things, Ake is here to cleanse your taint with fire tonight.

Moves up with Terrance keeping a clear line of sight if possible.

Cuddles stays directly next to her.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Also, dark vision.

It is easy to see that the balcony is unstable, and if disturbed could come crashing down. The ceilings rise to a height of twelve feet. Streaks of mold stain the walls of this foyer, and the floor below is a thick, gray carpet of fungal growth. Sturdy wooden doors beckon from every wall.

Eenie, meenie, miney, moe Terrance mutters as he points at the various doors.
Shall we try that one he points at the one 1st on the left.

"How about we check all halls and foyers before we open doors. Don't want to get ourselves trapped inside of a room. Just be prepared in case anything is holing up in any of them."

"Agreed." answers Ioann, advancing in the middle of the hall, sword brandished and looking around.

perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

"The tracks, well... Can't tell much, at least not by this lighting."

Shrugging, he stands up and nods at Ravel's suggestion. "WE should split into small groups, advance down each as... Well, Ioann appears eager. I'll accompany him." Seeing Ioann head off, he nocks an arrow and quickly follows.

The area that you're in doesn't appear to have any halls leading off that aren't blocked by a door. The area isn't very large, 20ft by 20 ft square. You basically have to pick a door. The map is very massive, and it's done on a 10 ft per square ratio so I had to zoom in a lot and adjust the grid to make it manageable. You will only be seeing the area you are in and parts of the surrounding area at any given time. I'm not going to bother blacking out the unexplored areas, but I'm not going to place icons on the map in that area until it's been investigated.

Map

How about we stay together, and not separate, I am getting a really bad feeling about this place.

"Splitting up is a bad idea, as is over eager rushing. I say we go for the northern door, anyone opposed?" Ingrid says, her hand on her sword.

Ioann extend his arm to stop Orin and lets out a small groan following Ingrid's comment, but does not say a thing. He advances toward the closest door and tests it to see whether it can easily open (without actually opening it).

"True, separating would be a mistake. he says, a good 30 s after the subject was brought up.

Without even looking at the others, he continues:
Pharasmin, with me. Terrance, Gellius, rear. The rest in between." his assured tone betraying some kind of military training.

Once they are ready, he tries to silently open the door.

Str check to open door: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Whoops, got confused by the description of the interior vs the exterior... I am really certain we had all entered into a hall. Ingrid, great one about the Paladin and subtlety.

The door, in much better shape than the one that led into the building, opens with ease. With the use of Ravel's lights and torches, it is relatively easy to see down to the end of this hallway. It extends north about 50-feet. There several doors break up this hall, including a set of double doors at the opposite end. On the wall to the right are two sets of double doors starting about 10-feet down, and then one single door at the end of the hall. On the left, there is a single door near where you entered from, and then another at the far end of the hall.

Using Ioann's suggested lineup, if you would like something different let me know.
Map

That order seems good Terrance comments, and then moves to take up a spot at the back of the group.

"Ah, military training? Using codenames then? Since I'm "Pharasmin" would you be...The Apoplectic perhaps?" Ingrid says with tiny quirk at the corner of her mouth as she falls into place.