D&D 5e Curse of Strahd

Game Master Benjen Harris

You will learn Baron, you will learn. Strahd simply says showing no amount of emotion on his face.

Eva you say? Intriguing. That's were you would be wrong, all those who enter Barovia I greet. It is so fun when people such as yourselves venture through the mists, well fun for me. Strahd smiles menacingly. The land needing saving is news to me, I conquered this valley and have ruled over it ever since. Its beauty enticed me, even as I was slaughtering the enemies of my family and the blood fell upon the soft grass.

Well she was quite old and such a thick accent. I was not sure if she said to save you from a demon or if you were a demon. Wasn't sure. There are two sides to every story, my poppa always says. Those are mighty fine looking animals you have there. I always wanted to have a companionship with an animal, seems like some power always prevented me from having one. Seems like they did a fine job of taking care of that one. Well, we should be moving along. Any inns or such around?
charisma: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Diaz ask in the most appeasing tones while keeping his face in the shadows of his cloak.

i add my proficiency bonus to my roll? if not its a + 3. not that it matters. I suspect we are about to be dog meat.

That would be a persuasion check Jon. And just to clarify the Vistani lady you talked to was not Eva.

ok, that is based on charisma. so the first roll would still count?? but in case you are feeling generous in my attempt to win over the master vampire bad guy with my level 1 charm persuasion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
I am not clear on the whole proficiency thing and when it applies. sorry to noob

You add proficiency for things you are proficient in, so for Warlocks that is wisdom and charisma saves. Then you get 2 choose 2 skills to be proficient in: looks like you choose Investigation and Deception. You gain proficiencies from your background also...so looks like you received arcana and religion.

So for those things you add your proficiency bonus to the attribute bonus.

You also add proficiency to weapon attack for weapons your are proficient in; and spell attacks too.

Otherwise you just roll a check adding your attribute bonus.

Does that help Jon?

yeah, makes sense. so proficiency applies if you are proficient. I'm feeling like I should have been able to figure that out on my own. Once again I manage to prove that there are, in fact, stupid questions. :)
thanks

LOL - Jon

Strahd looks at Diaz unimpressed with your words The count of Barovia stands before you and you speak of worldly comforts such as pets. You will find no such comforts in my land.

Splitz stood conflicted, here is the foe they were told of, right here right now. Could it be so easy as to slay him now. The Vistani hinted at a mighty foe and Splitz thought that also meant difficult to find or get to. That there would be challenges to conquer before reaching that glorious moment of victory.

Yet here stood the target. Supremely trusting his own abilities, he was sure he could best the Count in combat. But then there were also wolves he seemed to command. Defeating Strahd and the wolves would be much more challenging and while his companions looked able bodied, he was not sure that was true.

Perhaps he'll dismiss the wolves or drop his guard and give me a moment to seize the advantage. He thought to himself.

And so he stood incredibly still, waiting for his moment, studying Strahd's every movement, waiting for his chance.

Ash walks silently with the group and you aren't even sure he's noticed your "chance" encounter with Strahd. Then with a sigh of what might be relief, Ash shoulders through the party to the front with an air of resignation. As he does, he reaches out with his heart to sense for evil (Casting Divine Sense again) to confirm that Strahd himself indeed stands before the party.

Stepping a few paces in front of his 3 companions, Ash raises his head and with deep-set, weary eyes he gazes impassionately into Strahd's soulless orbs. After a moment, as though needing a moment to gather his strength, Ash holds his hands open at his side, weapons sheathed, and calls out in a uncharacteristically loud and commanding voice:
Count Strahd von Zarovich! In the name of Eldath, Mother Guardian of Groves, goddess of peace and tranquility, I, Sir Ashtaroth Mourningstone, the Hollow One, greet you in peace and friendship. We come from "elsewhere" to your lands at the behest of those who can see the future. We enter your land without malice and wish to entreat you to live without violence and to allow those of your realm to live in prosperity. If my life, or that of my brother's, may serve you to this end, then they are yours. Any acts of evil that you may have committed are fully forgiven in Eldath's mercy so that we may work together for tranquility and peace in the future. How do you respond to my request? After finishing his speech, Ash continues to stand in the middle of the road with his empty hands held out to his side and bows his head to patiently await Strahd's response.

Figuring his brother would have something to say, Del waits patiently while he speaks, trying not to wince when Ash offers up his life as well. Not everyone is as willing as a paladin to lay down his life. I like being alive...., he quietly mumbles under his breath as he tries to figure out what he can do to help in the for sure to come battle with the evil lord and his fiends.

Strahd laughs Ah a paladin how quint, your god has no power here. I have no need for servants, the people of Barovia already fit that roll quite well. But if you are both so generous as to offer yourselves then by all means come to my Castle Ravenloft and I will give you the gift that the Mists gave me. With that Strahd's stoic face turns turns to that of hideous grin revealing two long fangs in place of canines. Ash instinctually casts divine sense and a very strong undead aura surrounds Strahd von Zarovich.

But until you take me up on your offer, have fun playing with my dogs. Just as Strahd finishes speaking the wolves charge forward to attack you. As Strahd watches on.

First Combat!

Akeldama Mourningstone Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Ashtaroth Mourningstone Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Splitz von Blitz Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Diaz Pam Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Strahd von Zarovich Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Wolves Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Initiative Order Round 1

Wolves
Strahd von Zarovich
Ash
Diaz
Del
Splitz

All five wolves dash and surround you all. Strahd von Zarovich watches you all from a distance.

Everyone can go.

Jon, in combat you have three actions. Your action, move action, and bonus action. Action allows you to do attacks, cast spells, etc. Move allows you to move your speed. And bonus is various things are usually labeled as being a bonus action.

Splitz stares at Strahd when Ash strides forward, catching the Baron off guard. Well this is different! His hand goes to his blades as the Count reveals his fangs. And then the wolves are there surrounding them.

He draws his longsword and raises his shield. Taking a big swing at the nearest wolf yellow . As he swings he starts to slip, when his toe stubs a rock, this causes the blade's angle to change and he lands a lucky blow.

Longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Use a Lucky Point: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
slashing damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

The baron is able to heavily damage the yellow wolf but not kill it outright.

Diaz sighs such nice doggies
Move to closest and attack
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 141d6 ⇒ 4
[ooc] can I do a second attack as a bonus and is there a penalty if I do? bonus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 ⇒ 3

No, not unless you are dual wielding.

Ash slumps wearily when Strahd responds in violence, then, as his Divine Sense gives him the knowledge of the dogs and the Count's true natures, the paladin's face tightens in disappointment. He dons his shield and steps over next to Del so the brothers can take up their comfortable back-to-back stance. Over his shoulder, he murmurs to Dell: An undead being, brother. Likely unredeemable and lost within his own world of evil.
Then he calls out to Strahd, imploring him one last time: Count! The Morning Light does not have power in your simple-minded reckoning. Her power is peace. Her strength is sacrifice. I beg of you, please accept my offer of my life and that of my brother's in place of the people of Barovia. This is your last chance. Continue on your wicked path and when we arrive at Castle Ravenloft, it will be to rid this land of your evil taint and redeem it back for prosperity of the people. Accept my offer and we will serve you willingly and to our utmost ability. Only when Strahd refuses to parlay (which I'm assuming he'll refuse), will Ash reluctantly draw his scimitar.

Still new to 5e too. I think my donning of the shield is my action and I can draw my sword as part of my movement. Therefore, Ash can't attack?

Ok, if I’m reading this right the yellow wolf is wounded and right next to me. I’ll use my move action to draw my mace and attack. I wouldn’t have been walking around creepy misty areas without at least my shield ready, if not my mace.

mace attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

DM is allowing me to have shield already donned. Ash will use his action to Dodge and will try and draw the wolves to him.

Diaz is able to get a hit in wounding the wolf. Ash begins to draw the wolves to him and dodge their attacks. Del misses his attack.

Initiative Order Round 2

Wolves (Yellow 8 Damage, Blue 4 Damage)
Strahd von Zarovich
Ash
Diaz
Del
Splitz

Strahd gets a bored look on his face as Ash still talks You will be my servant soon enough.

The wolves attack!

The dogs strike with pack tactics. The blue one is unable to hit Diaz. Because of

Everyone can go. Ash and Del I need you to roll death savings throws.

Sorry about the two crits guys.

Death Save: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Death Save success/fail: 0/1

I can't get it to post correctly but I got an 8 on death save.

Death Save success/fail: 0/1

By the way, does heavy armor master help me in the last fight?

You can use your armor to deflect strikes that would kill others. You gain the following benefits:

Increase your Strength score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
While you are wearing heavy armor, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage that you take from nonmagical weapons is reduced by 3.

Splitz watches as both brothers go down! What the! A sense of panic swells in him and he takes a wild swing at the wolf in front of him.

Longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Lucky point again: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
slashing damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The tide continues to swell against the newcomers.

Diaz you have some great magical powers or something right!

This is looking like a TPK...restart lol. We are going to need a lot of luck on these dice to survive.

WHAT! Why would you think that? Think we can make it back?
Count, we seem to have intruded unawares in matters above our abilities, What offering would you take to spare our lives?
persuasion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

attack wolf: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 221d6 ⇒ 6

my character started without his patron. Plan was he would find it soon. But unless we are being incapacitated and captured or being tortured and stabilized and left for more fun and games later, he is not going to find it

uhh what does a crit do? ...hate being a noob

You just roll the additional d6 like normal. At least I think that is what I read.

crit: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Splitz is unable to hit the wolf while Diaz with his mace is able to cave in the skull of one of the wolves, getting a sly grin from the count of Barovia.

Initiative Order Round 3

Wolves (Yellow 8 Damage, Blue Dead)
Strahd von Zarovich
Ash
Diaz
Del
Splitz

Strahd sighs and rubs his temple Pathetic truly pathetic! I had hoped you would all be more competent, the game is so much more fun when they are. With that Strahd raises his hand and the wolves disengage running off into the nearby woods. Strahd looks at Diaz and the dead wolf at his feet At least one of you is able. He looks at Splitz And at least one of you is strong enough to stay on their feet. Well then save your allies I'm not through with the games yet. With that you watch as the form of Strahd suddenly changes to that of a thousands bats which scatter to the wind and fly away from the group of you.

We are still in initiative however as Del and Ash are still dying and need to be stabilized with a medicine check.

Well, that was embarrassing!

Splitz thankful for the reprieve falls to the ground near Del. Pulling out an old ale-stained shirt from his backpack, he tries to steam the bleeding from the wolf bite.

I think try to stop the bleeding! He calls to Diaz. That is the extent of his medical knowledge.

Medicine check on Del DC10 to Stabilize: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

He covers up the wound lightly, not putting enough pressure on stop the bleeding, as red pools through the shirt. It's not working!

Ash lies face down in the road, scimitar still in its sheath. His throat torn is from the vicious bite from the wolf and blood oozes out slowly in a puddle around his head.

Death Save: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Death Save success/fail: 0/2

death save: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Lucky on the Med check on Del: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

If the DM will allow!

Splitz sees the light fading in Del's eyes he tries to push down harder and his knee slips, he lands on top of Del pushing down much harder than he would have, the bleeding slows?

[b] crap. Hold on, umm Able, absolutely? Whatever your name is. [//b] Diaz puts pressure on the wound
medicine: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Diaz presses his open palm onto Ash’s bloody neck and the flow stops, the frail paladin breathes shallowly with a raspy, wet sound.
Woo hoo! Unconscious, but NOT dying! Thanks Jon. This character is going to live forever!!

There still breathing. Let's drag them under this tree over here and see if they come to. In 1d4 hours..lol

Split grabs hold of Del and begins to gently pull him over in a more comfortable place and position.

agreed. Let’s start a fire, check the corpse for supplies, and skin the wolf and put them on the hide to keep them warm

yes. We should start a fire, skin the wolf and use the hide to keep them warm, and loot that corpse, maybe there is a healing potion or something

I pictured the baron inexpertly trying to staunch my bleeding then my heart stops but then he slips in my blood while standing and falls on me, hitting his elbow on my chest, jump starting my heart again. :)

With both brothers stabilized you pull both of them to the side of the road and start a fire. The woods that surround you are covered in this same fog that seems to encompass much of the landscape of Barovia. Occasional whispers can be overheard and eerie disembodied shadows pass through the trees but fortunately none creep to close to you.

Sitting and just looking around you begin to notice some things about Barovia. By your estimates it should be coming up on sunrise but as the sun rises you notice the sky is still dim. Storm clouds and the ever present fog dull the sun.

You go to search the body the scent of death wafts your way and the rotting half eaten corpse of a young man lays pale and cold on the ground. His muddy clothes are torn and raked with claw marks. Its clear that the man has been dead for a few days. In one hand the man holds a crumpled envelope and in the other hand he holds a whip. The whip is made of segmented pieces of a sharp twisted black metal that reflect no light. And as you see all this Diaz you feel a tugging at the back of your mind. Here. you swear you hear in your mind but not thinking of the word yourself. You hear a yearning, not from the body but from the weapon he holds.

The envelope contains a letter which reads.

Hours till Del is Conscious: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Hours till Ash is Conscious: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Diaz or Splitz you can give me a survival check to skin the dead wolf if you'd like to. It takes around two hours when Del finally becomes conscious Del, you are at 1HP. As you wake up you see the asleep form of your brother next to the fire where you also see the baron and the tiefling Diaz.

Diaz picks up the whip and stares at it. He gently runs his hand down to the handle and notices how it just fits, like it was made for his hand. He tries to crack it experimentally, only to have it slash his face, drawing blood. The voice in his mind and his echo each other, "The PACT is complete." He turns the whip over and sees a name etched into the handle. Belmont? Is that your name or your owner's I wonder

Diaz picks up the letter and reads it. Baron, you should read this.

Splitz watches on as Diaz begins to talk to the whip. I think this place is getting to him.

He takes the letter and reads it, Well Diaz, that is perhaps the most depressing thing I have ever heard. But I did like the part about the much wealth. I fear we are no match for the vampyr, at least not this day. Perhaps there is something in this land that can help us defeat him or perhaps not.

He sits by the fire quit, lost in thought. And soon Del stirs awake.

There you are, He places a hand on the clerics shoulder. You yet live, we all do. Don't try to get up too fast, you lost a lot of blood. He pats the man lightly on his chest to get him to relax.

Seems Strahd tried of us and called off his wolves. I was surprised by his mercy, if that's what it was. Your brother went down as well, but he still lives, he has yet to wake though. If your god has sway here perhaps his divine magic will heal his wounds. He sees that Del is begin to understand what has happened and is happy to see he has such resolve.

He holds his hands over the fire, I fear we won't see the sun shine bright in the sky here in Barovia. He comments sort of absentmindedly.

As Del's eyes open he's encouraged to see the Baron looking him over. He slowly takes in his brother's breathing form near him and is relieved.

What happened? Those wolves left us alive? That makes no sense. I must see to my brother and then we can talk more. With that he shuffles over to his brother to lay a hand on him, inspecting his wounds. Seeing the open bite wound on his neck he prays to Eldath for healing.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

After praying, he looks at himself next. I don't think I look as bad as my brother, he always gets the worst in fights because he always puts himself out front...paladin pride! If I can just rest a while I think I'll be good enough to continue on today. Hoping to do a short rest and heal rather than burn my only other spell for the day, unless we have to.

Now, can someone catch me up to speed? I don't feel the brothers Mourningstone have made a great first impression, and I'm deeply grateful that you stuck around and tended our wounds.

Lying on his back as he feels the power of Eldath course through him, Ash's eyes slowly open. Without moving, he stares up into the sky for a few moments before stating: I still live. Not a question, but a statement of fact said with bitter disappointment and a hint of resignation. After sensing Del's nodding head, Ash heaves himself to his feet, gingerly touches his healed neck, and adjusts his armor. If I live, then Eldath still desires redemption of this land. Otherwise, I would be bathing in her glorious pool of peace. Looking down sadly at his brother, he continues: I will go on, my brother, but you may yet still live your life. If we continue on, we continue on to our doom. I expect this for myself, but you could have a life worth living. Whether you stay or go, I am forever in your debt. And you... He says as he slowly turns to Diaz and the Baron. Thank you for sparing my worthless and shameful life. I do not thank you for the opportunity to live, since I have already died more deaths than sanity will allow, but I thank you that I have another chance to give my life to end suffering in others. Do any of you have any further need for healing. Eldath's touch exists even in this dreadful realm.

I have 5 hp of lay on hands if anyone needs it.

I am with you brother, as always, but I will continue to try and convince you to live and accept the peace Eldath offers.

Yes, the Baron explains. Strahd just called the wolves off and basically said we weren't worthy of his concern. Which I can't disagree with, but I wish I could. As the brothers try to piece together what happened.

Take all the time you need to recover, Del. We have a good fire and as we know nothing else of this land, it would be best if you a feeling more well before we move on. Splitz holds his hands over the fire and takes in its warmth in no particular hurry.

Good with taking a short rest

You guys are able to take an uneventful short rest.

During a short rest Jon, you can use hit dice + your con modifier to recover some HP

What do you guys do after your short rest?

short rest: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

So that should bring me to 7/9 so I'm ready to go and one spell left of healing. So, what time of day do we think it is?

which way should we go?

A little ways into the rest, the Baron gives the letter to the brothers to read.

We found this on the corpse. This is a dismal place.

When Del is feeling ready to go, Well Diaz, let's follow the path and see where it leads. I guess. I fear venturing to far into the wilderness. I also fear what we might find in any hamlet we come across. But I think the path is best.

Spiltz begins to lead the way if no one objects, that is until Ash inevitably takes the point.