Verran snaps out of his pondering too late to realize what was going on, sensing another of the myriad of hauntings in this forsaken castle. He's wary to proceed, but isn't quite sure why. He can only manage a couple words, "Be Careful"
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Crap, totally lost track of y'all again. I can't seem to buy much time these days. First it was cons, then it was car stuff, competitive gaming, etc. I'll try to get back on the wagon as this is still fun. Will post properly tonight
Seeing wounds on several of his party members, Verran seeks Pharasma's aid in healing his friends to defeat these minion's of the spawn of Urgathoa. Using a power that he is hesitant to use,he steps up and reaches out a gloved hand for the hag.
God dang it. Life just...yeah. I'll get caught up in the morning and try to get back to posting properly...at least until GenCon.
Verran scowls at the pesky feline creature in front of him. There wally only seemed like one appropriate action. With a snort, he swings his mace at the clearly evil cat. "Bad kitty!"
Verran will trickle in behind the group, having been lost in thought for awhile. He keeps his grim countance as he looks around the room despite fully suspecting what goes on here.
Verran's leveled and ready to rock. I'll put a post in after breakfast/caffine
Verran nods as well. "Definately"
Verran also falls to the floor, barely alive.
Verran considers the situation and mutters another prayer to Pharasma as he approaches Theodora, his hand glowing. After touching her he looks at Strahd "You still never answered my question."
Verran sighs, knowing they weren't quite ready to take on Strahd this directly. Still, the fight was here and there wasn't anything he could really do about it at this point. He mutters a breif prayer for protection from this foul spawn of Urgathoa.
Verran focuses on the painting and then nods. "Pharasma has told me what this is. As you probably have guessed, this painting has alerted Strhad to our location. The spells it 'cast' were likely placed there some time ago."
Not thinking his mace will be much use against a rug, Verran instead decides it might be wise to get more information about the animated room decoration.
Verran directs the conjured dagger to continue it's attack while readying his own weapons in case other threats emerge.
Not seeing any other way to help, Verran says a short prayer an brings a spectral dagger into existance next to the rug smothering the Paladin.
Verran, for the moment, does his best to stay out of the painting's line of sight. For the moment he's fairly sure that his friends can handle it.
Verran simply arches his eyebrow at Damion's...direct approach to the problem.
Since the sun came up, I believe all your channels have been restored, Verran. Well, I was slightly off in my count. Verran has used 3 since we came into the castle and gets 4/day.
Once everyone is gathered about, Verran will call upon the Lady of Graves to seal their wounds. Given her reaction to his scars, the priest makes a point of not engaging with Gertruda.
After taking the hit, Verran staggers back. Seing his friends are similarly wounded, there seems no other option. Pulling out his holy symbol, he asks Pharasma to heal him and his compatriots so they can finish this undead monstrosity.
Verran first confirms the location of the thing and then...
swings his mace wildly into the square.
The usually unflappable Verran seems to take half a step back from what just happened. Not knowing what else to do, he pulls out his mace and readies to strike any obvious threats.
Verran notes the first book and picks it up. "Fascinating, you don't see Aroden's scripture many places, especially in this kind of condition." He quirks an eyebrow as Damion messes with the poker and is seemingly unsuprirsed when the secret enterance opens. "Another secret in this castle, I've stopped being astonished.
Before I forget, thanks folks for letting me go down that little tangent with Verran. I've been wanting to bring out his backstory somehow and that seemed like the opportune moment to do so.
Verran simply nods as he ponders the implications. "Agreed, though it is rather curious."
"Can't say I didn't consider it, especially at first. But in the end I've learned to manage it and it hasn't spread.
The healing spell numbs the pain just enough for Verran to take the moistened bandage and wrap it around his wrist and hold it tightly with his other hand. "Sorry if that disturbed anyone. And no Damion, I don't think that's what it is. The healers and clerics I've had look at it aren't really sure what triggers it, but it was clearly intended as a method to make sure we didn't attempt to remove our shackles. There's one of those on each wrist and on my neck, where the collar was. As long as they're tightly covered, they don't do that, but as you saw, even loosening the bonds is painful. Healing spells and water, especially holy water, seem to be effective as well." After the banadage had been on a few moments, Verran pulled his glove back on and started replacing his vambrace.He then pulled back his hood slightly and moved the collar of his undertunic to reveal the leather collar he still wore underneath. "And to answer your question, even the most powerful clerics in Lastwall couldn't do anything but make the pain less intense. When I was first freed, I would have passed out in that amount of time. That's one of the reasons I was so eager to get to Kavapesta, I was hoping one of the high priests might help."
Verran doesn't really react to Ireena and Theodora's words. Over the years he'd had plenty of pity and that's not why he told his story. As he starts to speak, Verran reaches into his pack and pulls out his healing kit and waterskin and places them down on one of the tables. He keeps an even tone, though his face is a lot sterner. "Child, Strahd, despite his appearances, Strahd is not human nor is he among the living. In fact he is one of the most dangerous sorts of undead creatures known as a Vampire. They all vary slightly in their abilities, but they have two things in common. First, they are sustained by the blood of the living. Secondly, they have the ability to control the minds of others, often by magic though many, like Strahd, have silver tounges as well." Verran stopped for a moment and looked to Theodora and then to the bandages in the kit. "Could you do me a favor and wet one of those, I'm going to need in in a moment.I trust your hands with this more than anyones." His voice was less sinister with the request, as if the request was intended for himself. As he continued, he rolled up his left sleeve and started unbuckling his vambrace, wincing slightly as the item loosened. "I serve Pharasma not just because her clergy rescued me, but because I don't want to see anyone suffer what I had to. And beleive me Gertruda, whenever any undead creature gains power, no matter how charming they may seem, the end result is always the same. They live by consuming the living and they, like us, will always ensure they have a source to feed on. I don't want you," Verran momentarily shifted his gaze to Ireena,"or any of your people to suffer that fate. That's why Strahd must fall, now." Verran winced more as he finished removing his vambrace and then looked at Petracles."Remember how when we first met you constantly asked why I never took off my bracers or gloves and always wore hoods and cowls? This is why. I only ever showed Merrick because we served on the Wall together. Given what happened and since it might serve as a warning, this is as good a time as any for you to know. Someone hold my arm down and Theodora, please be ready with that bandage." Once someone had a firm grip of his arm, Verran took a deep breath, his expresion twisting into one that indicated he was preparing for something painful. He then pulled off his glove, revealing his arm for the first time to any of his current companions. As sooon as air hit the skin, Verran grimmaced and was barely holding back a scream as his wrist started burning. Those who looked could see an area of almost black skin on his wrist the same size and in the same position as a shackle would be. The longer the area stayed exposed, the worse the burning got, though Verran managed to supress a yelp. After a few seconds, unable to get any words out, he looked to Theodora expectantly.
Because I've missed a couple chances to really do something with Verran, I wanted to make sure another one didn't blow by. I have cleared something with our GM that I'm planning for my next post. I'm going to try and get it in right after dinner, so just give me a few hours :). Oh, and as a note, the thing is something I intend to be news to even the original group.
Verran nodded, a clear look of anguish appearing on his face. "Undead creatures like him, yes. I, thankfully, don't remember much. It's rather blurry you see, when you're treated as we were you try to black as much as you can out. I was young then and was on a ship that was attacked. I was taken, chained, and then eventually sold to some men in dark robes. We were taken to what I later found out was Geb, a land ruled by undead creatures like Strahd. They didn't want us for work, not really. They wanted us for food. We were livestock." Verran pauses for a moment, the telling clearly being painful to him. Eventually, he manages to continue. "What I saw, what they did, I do not have the heart to go into that. I, thankfully, was one of the fortunate souls that was rescued by Pharasman crusaders from Lastwall that raid Geb to kill those unnatural creatures and save the few they can. I don't want to think what would have happened had they not come."
Verran sighed with some relief, but there was still something he needed to say. He'd been through far too much not to. "Just be wary child, Strahd is not what he seems. He and his servants may seem normal, but he is a dangerous being with dangerous intentions. I've dealt with his kind and while you may be lucky enough to be treated well, his kind see mortals like us as little more than cattle. I should know, I've been in their pens."
Verran keeps his tounge bitten, though he's straining at the bit. Should Theodora's words fail though, he knows he'll have to say what has been on his mind. The girl had to be warned what she was getting into.
Verran simply nodded along while his companions spoke as he didn't really have anything to add. Well, nothing productive at any rate. They seemed to understand the implications of what was going on with this girl just fine, but neither she nor they had any idea where this could lead. At least it seemed she was being treated better than Verran was by the lords of Geb.
Verran quirks an eyebrow as his companions express their confusion at the spirit's comment. At this point, he's come to expect things to be off in this place. This was just one more oddity that proved that Strahd needed to be dealt with.
Just so it's clear, I'm still tracking things. Haven't really found something that I can contribute on so I didn't post for a bit. I'll try and get something in soon before I totally lose it. The last week has also been a bit...wierd for me.
Verran only winces slightly as he steps up slightly and invokes the power of the Lady of Graves once more to destroy these creatures.
"Beware the one in the middle, it can sap your life energy"
Verran only shook his head as he readied himself.
Verran nods apprehensively. While he did prefer that they put this spirit to rest, she was what she was and the Lady of Graves was clear about what twas to be done in these circumstances. It was best to be ready. Reaching into his pack he palmed out two vials of Holy Water and slipped one to Damion whispering, "Just in case"
Verran sighs, sensing another possible "trap" of sorts that they can't justifiably avoid.
To be honest, I don't have specific things in mind because I haven't really researched them. I do know there are ways of dealing with haunts in various books though. And actually, that's what's been irking me, the inability to detect or deal with the haunts before or after despite there being both a rules mechanism for doing so and there being two party members with ready means to do so. I've even prompted this in play a couple times, but such was deflected. I get the feel you're going for, but I think the playing field is a bit too tilted and it's really killing my vibe for the game.
Out of interest, with all the stuff that is being used from the newer books on the other side, is there any intention that when/if we level up we might start getting access to some of the options meant to work with them?
"From what I recall learning at the temple, yes, in a way at least. Keeps them disabled so that you can in fact end them. This is why I was concerned that we came here on his terms and not our own. We didn't have time to properly prepare. I would have wanted some more holy water for example as it's needed to properly ensure final death. "
Verran manages to twist out of the way of the bolt and then nods to Celowyn. "Much death and evil happened here, so it is of no surprise. We need to be more careful. How many are hurt?
Verran will do similarly, readying himself for an incoming attack.
Yeah, busyness (including a mini-con and 2 5-star tables) + sinus infection in the side of my head that I normally sleep on + other physical stuff = tired Michael :)
Though he is a bit worried about what might lurk below, Verran nods in concurrence to the suggestion as to where to search. There was still much on his mind that he was mulling, but he had no real advice to offer at this time.
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