Thirst - A Ravenloft PbP

Game Master Celestial Healer

Irikar watches carefully, waiting for another threat.

Leandro scouts around the courtyard looking for a bucket or some other hard-sided fluid receptacle, fearing the waterskin will simply collapse if lowered into water.

"See if you can find a bucket. If anyone already has one, we could use it here," he calls to the rest of the party.

perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11

"I could offer you two canteens. While they do not possess the capacity of a bucket they are more potentially resistant to whatever may be down the well"
Volidrian starts rummaging around in his backpack

Res Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Res manages to quickly shake the ongoing effect of the monk's poison, although he remains weakened. (He still has 1 Con damage until it is restored or wears off with rest.)

The party is able to tie a canteen to a rope and lower it into the well. The canteen is not ideally suited to the job, and it is a slow and tedious process, but you are eventually able to haul it up and find it contains clear water from the base of the well.

As the party retrieves the canteen from where it is affixed the rope, a rattling, rapping sound begins to emanate from the nearby colonnade, rapidly becoming quicker and louder as various bits of debris begin shaking along the stone floor. Across the courtyard, the transparent figure of a young nun weeps quietly upon a bench.

No sooner have these two effects begun to manifest then a horrid apparition wearing the habit of a Mother Superior comes floating through one of the western doors, letting out a horrible screech. Your various familiars are clearly agitated by the presence of this spirit. (Unnatural aura - but it would have no effect on familiars. From a flavor perspective, their animal natures would not want to be near this thing, but they are enhanced beyond being mere animals.)

Roll Initiative

Rageful Sister: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Mournful Sister: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Mother Superior: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

The rattling objects are mostly in the southeast portion of the colonnade.

Res feeling the effects of the water wearing away, sees the new apparitions appear. He studies them for a moment. Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 6

I'll post what I learned on my initiative turn

initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

K(Relig): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Tybalt Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Know (Rel): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 1

K(R): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Apologies for the delay; I was off in space for a couple of weeks.

The weeping sister glides toward Volidrian. She reaches out a ghostly hand and attempts to connect with him.

Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

I think that actually hits his flatfooted touch AC. If so...

Cold damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Dexterity damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Irikar
Tybalt
Mother Superior
Volidrian
Dr. Tovanarish
Rageful Sister
Res
Leandro
-End of Round 1-
Mournful Sister

MAP

Irikar curses and mutters to himself, quickly gathering his power, crackling with electricity before hurling a bolt at the Mother Superior, hoping to catch her before she joins a melee.

Electric Blast: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 for 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5, 1) + 2 = 10

Here's hoping FF Touch isn't good. Though half of 10 is a pretty icky roll.

Irikar’s magic strikes the Mother Superior, although, as he suspected, it’s damage is somewhat diminished by her incorporeal state.

Tybalt is up.

"Mother Inferior, we will have nun of this!" Tybalt says backing up and getting his shield out.

"We don't want to get into the habit of breaking a covenant by harming the clergy."

Action: Inspire Courage +1 attack, damage, will saves
Hold Position

The Mother Superior screeches and rushes at Leandro. She reaches out a ghostly hand and tries to touch him.

Melee touch: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Negative energy: 1d8 ⇒ 1
(That attack also comes with 2 levels of energy drain.)

Volidrian
Dr. Tovanarish
Rageful Sister
Res
Leandro (2 negative levels)
-End of Round 1-
Mournful Sister
Irikar
Tybalt
Mother Superior

(Note: Inspire Courage is up)

Dr. Tovanarish aims his arcane crossbow at the Mother Superior

Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d10 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 5 + (5) = 19Add +1 if within 30'
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 181d10 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (6) = 14Add +1 if within 30'

The magic bolts do some damage to the malign spirit, despite its incorporeal form.

I don't see ghost touch or anything, so regular half damage for hitting with a magic weapon.

Volidrian is up.

Yup that hits flatfooted touch. Also shouldn't inspire courage be +2?

Volidran backs up from his attacker and starts loosing arrows at the seemingly more threatening enemy, Mother Superior.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Damage 1: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Damage 2: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Attack 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage 3: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Volidrian is using his magical longbow

Sorry you are right, not used to this level. It's a +2

All three of Volidrian’s arrows pierce the Mother Superior’s spectral form.

To the southeast, the stirring of the nearby debris intensifies. With a screech, the figure of a third sister, her nearly skeletal face twisted with rage, comes into being. In that moment, she appears to be little more than bones and tattered cloth as she shakes her bony fists. She then vanished from sight once again.

(The entire party must make a DC 14 Will save. This is a fear effect, so Inspire Courage +2 helps, and Leandro may have some bonuses to confer as well. Those who fail the save are frightened.)

(The rageful sister’s last known location is marked on the map.)

(Inspire courage +2)

Res
Leandro (2 negative levels)
-End of Round 1-
Mournful Sister
Irikar
Tybalt
Mother Superior
Volidrian
Dr. Tovanarish
Rageful sister

Leandro donates this to the saves v fear: Aura of Courage +4 (10 ft.) (Su) Allies in aura gain a morale bonus to saves vs. fear.

Save v fear: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Except when he fails his own save and flees. In initiative order, Res will get the +4 before Leandro beats feet. Waiting for Res's turn to end before taking L's.

Save vs Fear (+2 Courage, +4 Leandro aura, +2 resistance vs evil: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 35

Res shrugs off the rageful sister's screech. He shouts to the rest of the party, "beware of these ghostly creatures. The one that just appeared and disappeared is a poltergeist; watch out for any objects it may hurl our way. That sad apparition is a haunt. It's not like the haunted tower we got through, however. Beware, if it gets close, it may try to possess you. And that last thing is a specter. Its touch can drain your energy."

Res takes a 5-foot step forward to Leandro to try to blast all three creatures with positive energy. As he moves, he chants, "Gorum, once again send your positive energy through your priest to rid us of these undead creatures!"

Positive Energy for damage DC 17+2 for undead: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) = 9

Channel Positive energy 3/6

Oh, with IC working, I do have a +2 morale to my will save, just not my own +4. Cool. Thank you, Tybalt. Leandro's aura is morale, as is IC, so no stacking. But IC gives you attack/damage bonuses.

Leandro steps to where he can best spread Shelyn's grace to his fellows, then follows Res's example.

CPE DC 18: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) = 7

"Begone, unquiet spirits, and trouble the living no more!"

Will Save Vs Fear: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25

Mother Superior save vs Res: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Rageful Sister save vs Res: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Mother Superior save vs Leandro: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Rageful Sister save vs Leandro: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

The Mother Superior is a strong presence, and seems to shake some of the channeled energy, while the Mournful Sister seems to ignore it altogether. However, the combined assault tears into the Rageful sister. She screeches and dissipates into oblivion.

The Mournful Sister turns her attention to Res. She approaches, and reaches out her icy hand at the cleric.

Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Irikar, Volidrian, and Dr. Tovanarish still need to make DC 14 Will saves vs Frightened. If they are within 10' of Leandro, they get +4. If not, they get +2 from Inspire Courage (these do not stack with each other).

Irikar (DC 14 Will)
Tybalt
Mother Superior
Volidrian (DC 14 Will)
Dr. Tovanarish (DC 14 Will)
Rageful sister
Res
Leandro (2 negative levels)
-End of Round 2-
Mournful Sister

Irikar Will: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 4 = 25

Irikar sends another electric blast at the Mother Superior.

Touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Electricity: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5, 2) + 2 = 12

The blast pierces the Mother Superior, and her eyes go wide as she disappears into the ether.

Only the Mournful Sister remains. Tybalt is up.

will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Sorry missed this earlier

Fear floods Dr. Tovanarish’s thoughts, irrational, overwhelming fear

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 4 = 18

Tybalt fearfully steps forwards his silvered whip flicking out as he stands behind his shield; "Seems it's your dusk, not your mourn...sister."

Move within 10' of the sister
Whip Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16
Damage (silver, non-magical): 1d4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) - 1 + 2 = 5

Tybalt's whip fails to do anything to the remaining sister.

Volidrian
Dr. Tovanarish (frightened)
Res
Leandro (2 negative levels)
-End of Round 2-
Mournful Sister
Irikar
Tybalt

Volidrian, Dr. Tovanarish, Res, and Leandro are up.

Volidrian will take a 5' step away from the Mournful Sister and start putting arrows into her.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Damage 1: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Damage 1: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Attack 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage 1: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Leandro steps towards the Mournful Sister, reaching a glowing hand to touch her. Smite, if I can?

atk vs touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
LoH damage vs undead: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12

Leandro takes a 5' step north, adjacent to the MS.

If he can smite on a LoH attack, he will do so. Damage will increase by 12 pts, and he has +4 bump to AC vs the MS. If the MS is not evil, none of the smite applies.

Volidrian's enchanted arrows tear at the spirit. Leandro's holy touch then finishes it off. The sorrowful nun dissipates into the ether.

Out of combat.

Leandro sways and shrugs uncomfortably. "By Urguathoa's putrid pelvis, let us leave this place quickly. Remember, hold to the rope in the bell tower, lest you hastily visit the belfry."

He makes for the door of the ruined chapel, retracing the way they came in.

Any activities or preparation before departing?

Leandro does not feel much like being hit again, so he activates his divine armour (+1) for the walk back to their beasts.

Not wasting any time, the party makes its way out of the convent. The bell tower remains mercifully quiet as you pass - it is likely the haunting remains suppressed from your previous encounter.

Back out in the woods, you find your horses where they had been tied, and you begin the ride back the way you came.

Status:
Volidrian 1 Dex damage
Res 1 Con damage
Leandro 2 negative levels

Res appears to have *lesser restoration* prepared. Is the party using it?

The paladin removes his rope from the bell tower after everyone else passes and packs it.

Lesser won't help me, so don't waste it.

Tybalt looks at the state of the rest of them, all that they have gone through to help him. His melancholy deepens but he smiles softly. "Thanks everyone for this. Hopefully it won't just help me but others as well." Quicklly he hurries back towards the town.

You ride back through the darkened forest. Eerie sounds and dark shapes stir in the undergrowth along the forest road, but the haunting shapes stay at bay as you ride past. The ride is unnerving, but in time you find yourself back on the outskirts of Mordentshire and back to your boardinghouse to rest for what remains of the night (and no doubt most of the morning as well).

It is mid afternoon by the time you have sufficiently rested to regain your daily preparations, and Father Grimsby is expecting your return in a few hours.

Irikar does his best to stay vigilant on the ride home, the ancient ermine wrapped around his neck popping up at each of the strange noises.

Leandro falls asleep several times while polishing his armor before retiring. "I need a squire," he mutters, falling into bed.

Rising the next day, he relies on cold water to help awaken him. He is ready, having prayed, armored, and armed, by the time everyone is gathering.

Res wakes up refreshed and looks for a pint to start the day. Almost blinded by the sunlight reflecting off Leandro's polished armor, he shades his eyes and asks, "Leandro, how are you faring? I hope Father Grimsby can help you restore yourself a bit. It will take a long time to fully recover, I fear. I'd say, be careful, but you seem to do just fine with that blinding spell on your armor."

Turning grim, he continues, "Shall we roust the others and head back to Father Grimsby? The sooner we can address Tybalt's condition, the better."

Leandro can roll a new Fortitude save (DC 16) to recover a negative level.

Having recovered some of your strength, you return to the chapel to meet with Father Grimsby. In the light of day, the roads feel far less forbidding, and the incessant rain seems to have abated for now - although clouds gather on the horizon.

As you approach the church, Dr. Savarre comes out readily to greet you, with Father Gimsby trailing behind in his slow gait. Dr. Savarre speaks first. "Ah, you have returned! Surely whatever haunts the forgotten places of Mordent is no challenge for the likes of you. Did you emerge more-or-less unscathed?"

Fort: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Leandro chuckles. "It is my duty to my goddess to represent beauty, even if it blinds others! My lady has smiled on me this day. I feel better than yesterday."

He greets the men of knowledge and holiness. "Mostly unscathed, as you say. Tybalt has the water as requested."

Tybalt says softly with a certain reverence; "Yes, here it is. Is there anything else we can do? What is involved in the process..." He produces the container of water.

Father Grimsby, catching up behind Dr. Savarre, says gravely, "It is no easy ritual to undertake. We must wait for nightfall. Your friends, too, shall have a part to play. It is important that you be held still, for the ritual itself may trigger transformation. And my strength is not what it was."

"As the magics are cast upon you, Tybalt, you will feel the bestial nature stir. There is a beast within which strives always to seize control. You must resist. You must remember what is good and true, a life beyond the bestial hunger. If we are successful, the curse will be driven out."

He goes on, "I shall say the blessings upon this water, and ensure the sanctification of this chapel remains intact."

Dr. Savarre observes this exchange with a severe expression. As the elderly priest concludes, the doctor's expression turns to a smile. "See? you have nothing to worry about. You are in the best of hands!"

Leonardo claps a mailed hand on Tybalt's shoulder. "And we will be with you throughout, friend, to bring you courage."

All I can aid is saves vs fear, but if any of those come up, Tybalt gets a bonus if I'm near him.

Res says to Father Grimsby, "Father, while my skills are no match for yours, I want to help and learn these rituals if you will share them with me. Someday, I may reach your level and be able to help others who are afflicted by this curse. As long as these were-creatures exist, there will always be a need for a cure."

Turning to Tybalt, he says, "You are not facing this alone; we will do whatever is needed to bring you through this."