Valanthe nods at Urwin's question, saying, "See? Aren't you glad we paid more up front? Now, we have a room for Ireena, too." After a pause, "Please, good sir, lead the way."
Urwin takes outside into the rain and to some stairs that cling to the outside of the building. He leads you up the stairs and at the top there is a door. He opens the door and steps in.
This twenty-foot-long balcony provides a clear view of the bar and has a wooden railing carved with raven motifs. The taproom's many lanterns illuminate the rafters and cast ominous shadows on the peaked ceiling.
Two doors are on the wall to your left. There is a third door at the end of the balcony. Urwin leads you to the door closest to you:
Two cozy beds with matching footlockers rest in the far corners of this fifteen-foot-square bedroom. Wolf furs are heaped atop each bed. Between the beds, a lamp sits on a table under a shuttered window. Two tall black wardrobes stand against the wall by the door.
"We have another room exactly alike this one behind the other door opposite the railing. We also have one more room." he says, taking you to the door at the end of the balcony. He opens the door:
Four plain beds with straw mattresses line the north wall of this well-lit room. Each bed comes with a matching footlocker to store clothing and other belongings. A table and four chairs occupy the corner across from the door. An oil lamp resting on the table casts a bright yellow flame.
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Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
"Ah, yes! Ravens, as a common resident of Barovia, have become a popular decoration!"
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Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
"Yes, I noticed that your wife had a lovely raven feather design to her clothing - before she walked out the front door and flew the coop, so to speak." Observing the rooms, she says, "Well, I suppose Ireena will take the comfortable room - we can take shifts guarding her throughout the night."
"Sounds good to me, Val. I'll take the first shift if you don't mind. Can you give me the book? I would like to start going through it while awake." says Byllemura.
"Sounds good to me, Val. I'll take the first shift if you don't mind. Can you give me the book? I would like to start going through it while awake." says Byllemura.
"Funny you mention that - I was going to suggest that the four of us go through it together, before we turn in for the night."
Then turning to Ireena, "Feel free to prepare for the evening, Byllemura will join you shortly, but before that we have some plans of our own to discuss. Rest well, Ireena."
"Alright," says Ireena, heading into the two-person room, shutting the door behind her.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
As Ireena excuses herself, Valanthe pulls out the tome they found in the ***** encampment. Before she opens it Valanthe uses her DIVINE SENSE to see if there are any fiends, celestials, or undead within the sixty foot radius around her.
She immediately feels the imp's presence, but waits to see if she feels anything else pull her attention.
// Assuming nothing else is felt.... //
Valanthe looks around, satisfied with their surroundings, and opens the book.
As Ireena excuses herself, Valanthe pulls out the tome they found in the ***** encampment. Before she opens it Valanthe uses her DIVINE SENSE to see if there are any fiends, celestials, or undead within the sixty foot radius around her.
She immediately feels the imp's presence, but waits to see if she feels anything else pull her attention.
// Assuming nothing else is felt.... //
Valanthe looks around, satisfied with their surroundings, and opens the book.
Valanthe feels the presence of a fiend! But it quickly vanishes.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Valanthe feels the presence of a fiend! But it quickly vanishes.
Valnthe, with both her hands on the book as if holding it down, looks up at Thpas her ebon skin turning ashen from the sudden loss of blood and asks, "Where is Sylciss right now?!? And where was he just a moment ago?!?"
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
"So you were in here the whole time, Sylciss? Then indeed, I did feel another fiendish presence - outside the inn," Valanthe turns to where she felt the presence as she says this.
"It's gone now though."
After taking a breath, "Come - let's read this book quickly and put it back out of sight."
The tome is ancient and decrepit. It is made of thick leather and bears a raven crest on the over. Looking through the pages, Valanthe finds that the text on the tattered vellum paper is either ruined by age or written in an indecipherable writing.
Finally, after nearly an hour of turning pages, Valanthe comes across two intact pages:
I am the Ancient. I am thy Land. My beginnings arelost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior, I was god and just. I thundered across the land like the wrath of a just god, but the war years and the killing years wore down my soul as the wind wears stone into sand. Al goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice. I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in the castle Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both. From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called “perfection,” “joy,” and “treasure.” Her name was Tatyana, and I longed for her to be mine. I loved her with all my heart. I loved her for her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me! “Old One” was my name to her—“elder” and “brother” also. Her heart went to Sergei. They were betrothed. The date was set. With words she called me “brother,” but when I looked into her eyes they reflected another name: “death.” It was the death of the aged thatshe saw in me. She loved her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine. The death she saw in me turned her from me. And so I came to hate death—my death. My hate is very strong. I would not be called “death” so soon. I made a pact with Death, a pact of blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My pact was sealed with his blood. I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the chapel. She fled from me. She would not let me explain, and a great anger swelled within me. She had to understand the pact I made for her. I pursued her. Finally, in despair, she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft, and I watched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever. It was a thousand feet through the mists. No trace of her was ever found. Not even I know her final fate. Arrows fro the castle guards pierced meto my soul, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I became undead, forever. I have studied much since then. “Vampyr” is my new name. I still lust for life and youth, and I curse the living thattook them from me. Even the sun is against me. It is the sun and its light I fear the most, but little else can harm me now. Even a stake through my heart does not kill me, though it holds me from movement. Butthe sword, that cursed sword that Sergei once held! I must dispose of that awful blade! I fear and hate it as much as the sun. I have oftenhunted for Tatyana. I have evenfelt her within my grasp, but she escapes. She taunts me! She taunts me! What will it take to bend her love to me? I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me.
The remaining pages of the ancient book are stained with blood.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Valanthe utters a breathless grasp, as she finishes reading the entry to her compatriots.
Then, a slight stutter, "This... this is the journal of the Devil himself."
After a moment, "Wait - one of the cards that Madam Eva showed us, she said 'He dwells with the one whose blood sealed his doom, a brother of light snuffed out too soon.' She must be referring to Sergei - his brother. That is where we will find Strahd."
Then, with a slight tremble, "I don't think I - nor we - are ready to face him."
A bolt of lightning flashes, illuminating the room with cold light. Then rolling thunder drowns out the sound of the wind and rain.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Valanthe nods at Urwin's question, saying, "See? Aren't you glad we paid more up front? Now, we have a room for Ireena, too." After a pause, "Please, good sir, lead the way."
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Emre drains her wine glass and follows.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Byllemura also follows.
PbP: Curse of Strahd: In the Shadow of Ravenloft - Byllemura Ziasebek, Tiefling Sorceress (4)
Urwin takes outside into the rain and to some stairs that cling to the outside of the building. He leads you up the stairs and at the top there is a door. He opens the door and steps in.
Two doors are on the wall to your left. There is a third door at the end of the balcony. Urwin leads you to the door closest to you:
"We have another room exactly alike this one behind the other door opposite the railing. We also have one more room." he says, taking you to the door at the end of the balcony. He opens the door:
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
"Oh, I see you like ravens, too!" Valanthe says as she points at the raven motif.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
"Ah, yes! Ravens, as a common resident of Barovia, have become a popular decoration!"
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
"Yes, I noticed that your wife had a lovely raven feather design to her clothing - before she walked out the front door and flew the coop, so to speak." Observing the rooms, she says, "Well, I suppose Ireena will take the comfortable room - we can take shifts guarding her throughout the night."
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
"Sounds good to me, Val. I'll take the first shift if you don't mind. Can you give me the book? I would like to start going through it while awake." says Byllemura.
PbP: Curse of Strahd: In the Shadow of Ravenloft - Byllemura Ziasebek, Tiefling Sorceress (4)
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
"Alright," says Ireena, heading into the two-person room, shutting the door behind her.
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
"Oh sure, let's go through the book together!" anwsers Byllemura, smiling.
PbP: Curse of Strahd: In the Shadow of Ravenloft - Byllemura Ziasebek, Tiefling Sorceress (4)
As Ireena excuses herself, Valanthe pulls out the tome they found in the ***** encampment. Before she opens it Valanthe uses her DIVINE SENSE to see if there are any fiends, celestials, or undead within the sixty foot radius around her.
She immediately feels the imp's presence, but waits to see if she feels anything else pull her attention.
// Assuming nothing else is felt.... //
Valanthe looks around, satisfied with their surroundings, and opens the book.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
The imp becomes visible, materializing on Thpas' shoulder, snickering.
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
"So you were in here the whole time, Sylciss? Then indeed, I did feel another fiendish presence - outside the inn," Valanthe turns to where she felt the presence as she says this.
"It's gone now though."
After taking a breath, "Come - let's read this book quickly and put it back out of sight."
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Finally, after nearly an hour of turning pages, Valanthe comes across two intact pages:
The remaining pages of the ancient book are stained with blood.
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Valanthe utters a breathless grasp, as she finishes reading the entry to her compatriots.
Then, a slight stutter, "This... this is the journal of the Devil himself."
After a moment, "Wait - one of the cards that Madam Eva showed us, she said 'He dwells with the one whose blood sealed his doom, a brother of light snuffed out too soon.' She must be referring to Sergei - his brother. That is where we will find Strahd."
Then, with a slight tremble, "I don't think I - nor we - are ready to face him."
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
A bolt of lightning flashes, illuminating the room with cold light. Then rolling thunder drowns out the sound of the wind and rain.
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
(assuming we're all in the same room)
Emre rolls over, unable to sleep thus far, and looks over at Valanthe in the lamplight. "Have you found something interesting, then?"
// Edit: I was gonna change this since I posted it before seeing the last couple posts, but then decided to just change a word and leave it :D //
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM