“Poor folk huh” Lance repeats, then looks over at Lyria figuring she wouldn’t like the sound of that. “ 'All that I have shall be thine’. Oh, why am I not surprised. Guess we can’t call the burgomaster a lair, a crook maybe. Clever use of words though, but I guess when you’re the leader of a community you do what you gotta do. Can’t well expect aid to come rushing in to help if you come right out and say you’ve nothing but a thanks and gratitude to offer.”
"Bah, money or no, I say we go and take care of their problem. A necromancer is bound to have something worth selling. Plus, some of them walkers he's dug up might be wearing the family's best, if you know what I mean." Rourke spreads his hands and shrugs his shoulders to emphasize his next point, "It ain't grave robbing if they ain't in their graves."
Talking to no one in particular; "If there are undead does that necessitate users of magic that create or control such creatures or could it be more random? In Limbo there would be random outbreaks of many different things. Does the same phenomenon happen here, or are all things connected to some underlying cause, which has it's own cause, and so on, all the way back to your creator-Gods?" Gerth continues to mutter to himself about metaphysical principles and random vs. caused acts, forgetting entirely about the undead.
Talking to no one in particular; "If there are undead does that necessitate users of magic that create or control such creatures or could it be more random? In Limbo there would be random outbreaks of many different things. Does the same phenomenon happen here, or are all things connected to some underlying cause, which has it's own cause, and so on, all the way back to your creator-Gods?" Gerth continues to mutter to himself about metaphysical principles and random vs. caused acts, forgetting entirely about the undead.
"Gerth my friend, sometimes things do seemingly have no reason for happening and sometimes we just can't see or understand why they happen. That is why we pray for Pelor's light and guidance. If we trust him then he will light our path and show us the truth of things."
"Now, whether the undead be attacking the town by random chance or at the direction of a foul servent of Nerull, there are still undead attacking a town that need to be dealt with and we won't figure out the cause of the attacks until we get there. So with that, I'm heading to bed. Remember, we'll want to leave before first light in order to get there before dark so that we can get a look at things."
Lyria grins. "'It ain't grave robbing if they ain't in their graves'. I like that one. Seems like both an opportunity and an interesting question."
"What she said. Opportunity and question." Rourke nods to himself, satisfied with his unexpected wisdom.
The next morning you head out under an overcast sky. Puddles give testament to last night's rain.
Black pools of water stand like dark mirrors about the muddy roadway. A pall of thick, cold mist spreads over the ground. Giant tree trunks stand guard on both sides of the road, their branches clawing at the mists. In every direction the fog grows thicker and the forest seems more oppressive.
Gray in the fog, high stone pillars loom up from the impenetrable woods on both sides of the road. Huge iron gates hang from the stonework, dew clinging to their rusty bars. Standing before the pillars are two stone statues of armed guardians with wicked polearms. Their carved heads lie among the weeds at their feet, neatly broken from their stone shoulders.
The wood elf starts kicking stones on the trail. He tries to get them into a line. The problem is the big grey stone with the black warty mark on it. It's all pointy.
Asfer throws that stone away then carries on with his line.
Gerth rolls a spot check for the statues, trees and his companions if there is time. 21,9,24 respectively. He is carrying his quarterstaff lightly in one hand.
Rourke steps forward to examine the statues. "Shoddy human craftsmanship. These heads never would have fallen off if a dwarf had cut this stone." He shakes his head, "Shall we continue on?" he asks no one in particular.
Gerth rolls a spot check for the statues, trees and his companions if there is time. 21,9,24 respectively. He is carrying his quarterstaff lightly in one hand.
Nothing unusual about any of them.
Rourke steps forward to examine the statues. "Shoddy human craftsmanship. These heads never would have fallen off if a dwarf had cut this stone." He shakes his head, "Shall we continue on?" he asks no one in particular.
Not fallen, cut or broken, very cleanly.
After closer inspection, Rourke adds, "I wonder what could cut so cleanly through stone?" He grips his crossbow a little more tightly and scans the forest and fog surrounding.
Would any of you know who these statues represent?
Lance will also look about as he approach one of the statues, then he’ll look for its head amongst the weeds. He his looking to see if the statue or head have any religious significances to them, like perhaps to ward off evil an such, as is the case with many such stone sculptures.
Spot Check=14 link shows a modifier of +4, should be +6, corrected in profile now
Knowledge Religion = 15 (Taking 10)
"Shall we continue on?" he asks no one in particular.
“One moment my friend. Strange that both statues have lost their heads.”
“Gaspar what do you make of this?” Lance asks, knowing that Gaspar would be more informed such matters.
After closer inspection, Rourke adds, "I wonder what could cut so cleanly through stone?" He grips his crossbow a little more tightly and scans the forest and fog surrounding.
“puzzling indeed my friend if a dwarf cannot tell by what, and in the manner a stone was cut.”
Have we or do we see any outlining homes?
Is the village walled in?
Have we or do we see any outlining homes?
Is the village walled in?
As you stand there, looking about and discussing the finer points of stonecutting, The gates slowly swing outward with a screech.
Asfer stops messing about and lifts his bow.
"I guess we're invited." At that, Rourke enters the gates.
Gaspar steps forward to take a closer look at the statues.
Knowledge Religion (1d20+9=23) ( Only a 15 if it's knowledge History)
And raises his eye at the opening of the gate.
Knowledge: Religion (1d20+3=18)
Brinmore stares at the statues to try and see if he recognizes anything but when the gates swing open he readies his shield and mace looking for anything that might have moved the gates.
"Is there any magic in the area that would have opened those gates?"
Brinmore advances through the gate with his mace and shield ready.
Would any of you know who these statues represent?
"You all seem so tense. Is this a common human custom when encountering fog and empty wilderness or do you expect something out of the mist? On Limbo we always expect something out of the mist, but that is because there is not but mist from which to expect things from." Gerth moves forward to back up Rourke.
"C'mon slim, I'm done staring at headless statues, guarding a gate with no wall attached, surrounded by this confounded fog! Lets scout up a little ways and see if anything around here makes any sense."
"Well, it does appear someone is expecting us. And I hope it'll be a bit more interesting than an insane stonecutter."
Lyria does look unintimidated, but her interest has awaken because of the obvious use of magic to open the gates.
Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Knowledge(Religion) (1d20+15=26, 1d20+13=17, 1d20+13=18)
"C'mon slim, I'm done staring at headless statues, guarding a gate with no wall attached, surrounded by this confounded fog! Lets scout up a little ways and see if anything around here makes any sense."
As you wish companion-Rourke. Shall I allow you a head start or do you want me to walk on my hands again?
"Huh? Oh, yeah... uh... why don't you just stick close and take it slow. No more of that walking on your hands bit. It draws attention to how weird you are." Rourke just shakes his head at his odd companion. "Could be worse, I could be traveling with an orc again."
Moving down the trail with Gerth, a little ways ahead of the rest of the party, Rourke loads his crossbow and scans the misty treeline for movement.
As Brinmore, Rourke, and Gerth pass through the gates they seem to suffer no ill effects.
Lyria follows the rest of the group through the gates.
Moving down the trail with Gerth, a little ways ahead of the rest of the party, Rourke loads his crossbow and scans the misty treeline for movement.
"Don't scout to far ahead, remember there are undead about, perhaps on the towns outskirts as well." Lance calls out as he also moves through the open gate.
Gaspar with a quick prayer to Pelor, and a reassuring grasp of his holy symbol, follows the rest of the party without a word.
After another mile or so of travel, tall shapes loom from the dense fog, and the muddy ground underfoot gives way to slick cobblestones. A dilapidated wooden sign reads "Welcome to the Village of Barovia." As you grow closer, the shapes resolve into tenements whose windows are boarded, broken, and lightless. Nothing moves nearby, though the fog limits visibility. Faint sounds, as of something groaning, echo hollowly from somewhere deeper in the village.
The streets are choked with mist, limiting vision only a few dozen feet. The buildings here at the edge of town look abandoned, burned out, or barricaded. Garbage litters the ground, and a carrion stench assaults your nose. Ahead, an overturned haycart blocks the street.
Initiative check (1d20+5) = 23
Brinmore Kane is located in square [P,9]. He pauses next to the door and checks to see if it is locked or not.
“Everyone at the ready, things just got interesting” Lance says ironically, though he already knows his companions can easily detect the stench same as he can.
With sword drawn, Lance stopped for a moment, since his vision was obscured by the mist he decided to rely on his hearing to further locate where the faint groaning might be originating from.
Location = [Q,8]
Lance's Initiative (1d20+5=21)
Spot Check = 16 (taking 10)
Listen Check (1d20+6=22)
He pauses next to the door and checks to see if it is locked or not.
It's barred or otherwise barricaded from the inside.
The noises don't seem to be eminating from anywhere nearby. And though there might actually be multiple sources, they don't sound as if they're getting closer.
He pauses next to the door and checks to see if it is locked or not.
It's barred or otherwise barricaded from the inside.
"Hey, Brinmore, whatcha' you doing?" Lance ask as he watches his friend at the nearby door.
"you hear something wrong inside there?"
Spot Check, Initiative Check (1d20=17, 1d20+2=17)
Lyria follows behind the rest of the group, looking around. "Seems like we're too late and the undead have overrun this village. Doesn't seem like anything around here is alive. Too bad for the villagers I guess. I hope the trip would be worth it for us however."
"hmmm, lets hope not Lyria"
He pauses next to the door and checks to see if it is locked or not.It's barred or otherwise barricaded from the inside.
"Hey, Brinmore, whatcha' you doing?" Lance ask as he watches his friend at the nearby door.
"you hear something wrong inside there?"
"I don't want anything surprising us."
Asfer jerks his bow from one sound to the next. He keeps to the rear of the group, waiting for orders.
Spot=3, Listen=24, Initiative=22, R6
All the time he can spare is spent looking at the others to see them.
"I don't want anything surprising us."
“ah, I see. Just don’t be to hasty. Give the rest of us some warning if you will. There are likely undead still about and we are in the open."
"In Pelor’s name don’t go vanishing into a building without some backup.”
Gerth places himself in a spot where he can move if he needs to. He is wary so dips into one of his pouches and pulls forth a small stack (10) shruikens.
Initiative and Spot: 15, and 8
Rourke stops and points, "Get ready lads. Corpses are moving by the cart."
Rourke uses his surprise round to draw his crossbow.
Two gore streaked, four footed animals that look like a cross between an overlarge rat and a wolf become visible as they move out from the southern road.
Two corpses shamble out from behind the cart. They are joined by another from the northern street. Beyond the cart you see the doors to two buildings swing open and you can just make out more figures in the doorways.
On my turn I will jump and flip to the roof of a building and get ready to send shruikens at the enemy.
Jump and Tumble: 26,27 respectively.
Leading the Attack (1)
Vanguard Strike (1)Stone Vise (2)
Brinmore charges the nearest rat creature (moving to M9) and strikes at the creature with his mace (power attacking for 2).
Melee attack with mace (1d20 +6 BA, +3 Str, +2 charge, -2 Power attack) (1d20+9=12)
I forgot the +1 for my mace so it is 13 to strike the creature.
Mace damage = 1d8 +3 str, +1 mace, +2 power attack (1d20+6=8)
AC = 22 for the remainder of the round