Speaking to Sandu and Valeire, Ioben says,"It may be best if the children go for a trip to visit Father Lucian while we finish checking this place out."
> Galqarin - At this point you notice Hedy getting a little concerned, "What does he mean he doesn't want to meet the Wtich? Sorry, Ms Belasco?". Ivah shrugs, not knowing what to make of the strange man in a bizarrely ornamental mask, "If 'e don't want to meet her what's he wanna do?" > Ivah stares blankly at you, "What bad stuff?" she asks once more, slowly. Hady, still looking concerned, interjects, "He mentions Father Lucian, do you think he's doing something for him - like a task or a job.". Ivah responds harshly to her friend, "Like what? And why would he be here an' not want to involve Ms Belasco?" > At this point Hedy moves to Ivah and whispers in her ear. As the girls whisper to each other you see Ivah frown. "You say tha' bad stuff, like what happened before. What do you mean? Like what happened to Cedric? Or wha' happened to them boys - Lazlo, Hans, and Franz?" Ivah asks, her arms crossed, "Could be you wish bad stuff to happen to us."
Galqarin considers how much he should reveal about his past. Deciding it matters little to these two, he acknowledges, "I orphan. Grew up in here. Sometimes children disappear. Sometimes they found dead. I had Patron, else I dead too. I no want more bad stuff happen."
Pulling on the thread dangled by Ivah, he asks, "What about Cedric and other boys?"
Sandu straightened his back and called out to Moira.'Yes, we would like to speak to Ms Belasco so if you could fetch her, that would be appreciated.'
As soon as the girl got out of earshot, he turned to Ioben and Valerie. 'It's more than that.'Sandu look worried. 'All the rooms are permeated with necrotic magic.'
A thought process started in Sandu's mind. Nightmares make you tired. Being tired makes you less able to resist. Necromancy manipulates life energy. Milivoj wasting away. Orphans who nobody would miss...
'I think someone aims to drain the vitality from these children.'He said to the others in hushed tones. 'What kind of sick, twisted thing would prey on children?'
Then he remembered something. He lowered his voice. 'Some of the kids call Ms Belasco a witch...' His voice trailed off. 'Though that might just be typical of kids not liking authority. I did not get that vibe from her but then again, I only met her just now. Also seems off regarding the timing. Just two weeks.'
He stroked his break. 'Maybe Saint Andral's bones protected more than just the church.' He looked at Ioben. 'Yes, perhaps it's best if we relocate the children while we get to the bottom of this.'
He looked at Valerie, a paladin he recalled. 'This seems more like your battlefield. Got a plan?'Sandu asked.
Finally he moved to the boys' dormitory, remembering that he needed to check the ones named Cedrick and Felix. Especially Felix...
Galqarin - You notice the girls disposition ease a little as you talk about your past. Hedy, stepping a little closer to you, is the first to respond, "You were an orphan here too? Don't worry, we won't tell on you to Ms Belasco."
Ivah, still a little reserved, nods along in agreement with her friend,"If you're here to help... on behalf of Father Lucian... well I guess I can tell you."Taking a deep breath, she continues,"Lots of bad stuff has already been happening here, Raven. It started after the boys went missing - they reckoned they knew of a place they could escape to. Were awful hush about it though."
"That's right." Hedy interjects, "They ran away because they didn't like this place. They were scared of Ms Belasco - thought she were an old witch. Didn't like all the rules."
"Anyway,"Ivah says, trying to bring the conversation back on track, "You asked 'bout Cedric? He was their mate. They all share a room, y'see. Lazlo, Hans, Franz, Cedric, and Felix. Well Felix keeps 'imself to 'imself, so they reckoned he got all depressed and jumped."
"I don't think he jumped though. Ain't no way he would have killed himself." Hedy, once more, cuts in,"He was depressed, yes. But he wouldn't have done that. Besides Tessa is still here and they was close. She don't reckon he jumped."
"True, true." Ivah says shrugging,"Either way - he ends up jumping," Hedy glares at Ivah, "... or bein' pushed, out of the first floor window. Dashed his brains on the path below. Right messy it were."
Baern is about to reassure Father Lucian that there's no need to fear Dormark when the Father declares the metal man 'magnificent'. The young dwarf smiles broadly and nods up at his friend and fellow Moradin follower. Eventually he turns the wide smile towards Ireena but then gets embarrassed and red faced again, choosing to look down at the floor and shuffle his feat before following Father Lucian towards his office.
"Not many safe place to run away to", Galqarin observes thoughtfully. "Any idea where? They ever come back, maybe for food?"
Without waiting for an answer, he goes on with his questioning, "Cedric have enemy? Any other bad stuff since?"
Like himself, the runaway boys might have gravitated towards the Vistani camp, he muses - outside the reach of the normal townsfolk, should the Vistani will it. Or maybe they went further afield, perhaps to that windmill they passed? He shuddered at the thought that they might have wandered off the trail into the Svalich Woods. And as for the Cedric boy - instinct told him it was no self-inflicted accident. Someone, or something, wanted him to die. But why? Was it a crime born of anger and spite, or because of something the unfortunate boy had discovered or witnessed? Was this an isolated incident or was it an ongoing nightmare? Did Izek, his own nemesis, have any involvement? Part of him willed it to be so, to give him the excuse to extract bloody vengeance upon his former tormentor.
'This seems more like your battlefield. Got a plan?'
"Yes, there's not much I can do in that field I'm afraid, but why don't I head back downstairs with Moira while you talk, I will speak with Ms Belasco." Ioben waves the young girl over and heads back toward the stairs.
Sandu - Moira sets off to find Ms Belasco leaving you all alone. Acting on your suspicions, you go to the Younger Boys' Dormitory. 5 beds are contained within; 4 are well-made and have not been slept in (you assume these once belonged to the 3 missing boys and Cedric), the final bed has the covers pulled back (you quickly surmise that this is likely Felix's bed). Rapidly checking each bed in turn you find the all to familiar carvings on the bed posts.
That is, until your suspicions are confirmed. As you approach Felix's bed you do not detect any magic emanating from it. Crouching down you find the bed void of any carvings or strange runes, it has not been tampered with in any way.
Galqarin - Ivah and Hedy give each other doubt-filled looks as you ask about the location of the 3 missing boys."Not sure to be fair Raven, they were all pretty shtum." Ivah says, attempting to recall any useful information. Hedy narrows her eyes a little, attempting to target in on any relevant memories, "I think... Well, it might be a long shot... but Lazlo was always drawing. Might be clues there?". Ivah claps her friend on the back,"Tha's brilliant Hedy - might be worth checkin' that out Raven!"
"As to whether anyone would want to hurt poor Cedric?" Hedy continues. "No never," Ivah interjects adamantly. "I agree," Hedy says nodding, "Cedric was a really nice boy, wouldn't have hurt a fly. Whoever, pushed him...", "We don't know that Hedy!"Ivah says, shaking her head, "None-the-less - whoever pushed him... well I hope they get whats comin' to them."You see tears starting to well in Hedy's eyes, "Make sure you find them Raven. Find them and make them pay."
"Ya might be able to get more information offa Tessa, Raven. As said, she were good mates with Ced. Might know summin'." Ivah offers up.
Ioben - Moira waits for you before continuing down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs to the left (immediate right of the main entrance) you see a large door which bears a plaque reading, 'Headmistress Claudia Belasco'. "Reckon she might be in her office at the moment," Moira says, "Probably best we knock." She proceeds to knock on the door, "Ms Belasco, Ms Belasco - are you there?". Moments later you hear a muffled response through the door,"Yes, Moira dear. Just coming."This is proceeded by the slight creaking sound, footsteps, the sound of the door being unlocked, and finally Ms Belasco's smiling face. "Oh, uh, Ioben, right? Please come on into my office. There is something you wish to further discuss?"
Ms Belasco's office is relatively modest. The bookshelves lining the north wall appear to contain mostly official documents and volumes. A desk sits in the centre of the room; Ms Belasco takes a seat behind it and waves to two vacant chairs in front of it - "Please, take a seat."she says politely.
Dormark - Ireena grins,"Well it looks like you already have one 'fan' within Vallaki. I did ask the Father to be more sensitive - I was not sure how comfortable you were answering questions relating to your origins or creation." She pauses briefly,"Don't be afraid to tell him Dormark... if he oversteps his bounds that is. I half think he would take you apart piece-by-piece to find out how you function!"
Baern - You follow the Father through to his office. As you enter, you find Ismark in a similar position to how you left him - slumped in a chair looking contemplative. As you and the Father enter the small office it looks like he is about to speak before the Father interjects, "Not now Ismark, I must check my records.". Ismark closes his mouth and looks at you quizzically.
You watch as the Father ambles over to a large bookcase. Stacks of tomes sit on it's shelves, on their spines date ranges are listed. "When would it have..." the father mutters to himself, "a few years ago? Too recent? Bah, we shall have a look."
The next number of minutes go by, the Father seemingly consumed by his search, muttering away to himself as he went. After around half an hour you hear an unusually high-pitched,"Oh!"come from Lucian, his lips curled up in a large smile. "Here we are - Diesa Stonebrok. It's all in the record keeping Baern my dear boy!"He says boastfully, waving you over and showing you a large tome, serving as a 'visitor book' of sorts.
As you scan the page to where the Father is pointing you catch what appears to be your mother's hand writing; her signature and a couple of comments complimenting the church and the Father. More interestingly there is a strange segment at the end, the phrasing is bizarre yet it is in your mother's hand;
"Mortal is man. Saining themselves, the Mark of Vitality.
Handsome yet onerous. Follow or stand still? Watch in darkness."
Fear briefly enters your mind - was your mother of sound mind as she travelled through Barovia?
Ms Belasco's office is relatively modest. The bookshelves lining the north wall appear to contain mostly official documents and volumes. A desk sits in the centre of the room; Ms Belasco takes a seat behind it and waves to two vacant chairs in front of it - "Please, take a seat."she says politely.
Ioben sits in the offered seat across from Ms Belasco. As he does so, he glances at Moira, trying to decide whether he should speak in front of her. Finally, considering the maturity she has shown, Ioben decides that it is best to simply talk. "Ms Belasco. We were making some enquiries upstairs when we came across something quite unexpected. There appears to be magic in use that could potentially be harmful in nature. We think that it may be best that the children relocate to the church while we investigate further. We would hate to cause harm to anyone unnecessarily."
"I hope we would refrain from that. Unless you do it properly it is a very painful process," says Dormark jokingly, but there seems to be a anew air of apprehension. Surrounding the Warforge.
Sandu - Moira sets off to find Ms Belasco leaving you all alone. Acting on your suspicions, you go to the Younger Boys' Dormitory. 5 beds are contained within; 4 are well-made and have not been slept in (you assume these once belonged to the 3 missing boys and Cedric), the final bed has the covers pulled back (you quickly surmise that this is likely Felix's bed). Rapidly checking each bed in turn you find the all to familiar carvings on the bed posts.
That is, until your suspicions are confirmed. As you approach Felix's bed you do not detect any magic emanating from it. Crouching down you find the bed void of any carvings or strange runes, it has not been tampered with in any way.
Sandu left Valerie for a spell to her own musings and went into the boys' dormitory to investigate. Much of it was the same as the girls' dormitory, as far as he could tell: same basic furniture, not a lot of personal things, the classic orphanage setup. He set to work examining the beds in a similar fashion as the ones in the other room. Likewise the beds here were also covered in the same runic carvings.
All but one that was. There was one bed that was completely devoid of any carvings. And like anything else that was different, it stuck out like a sore thumb. Furthermore, it seemed the bed belonged to Felix, the one Nia and Hannah warned him about. The one who arrived two weeks ago when this ordeal began. Sandu was no stranger to the fickle whims of Fate but sometimes something lined up too well for it being decided by a throw of a cosmic die.
He stepped out into the hallway and relayed his findings to Valerie. 'So; strange thing about the boys' beds: all have carvings save one that is completely unmarked. That alone is reason for suspicion but that's not all: I believe the bed belongs to a boy named Felix. Some of the younger kids are terrified of him.'
Sandu looked around to see if no one was eavesdropping on them. 'Now here is where it gets weird.' He lowered his voice. 'This Felix arrived at the orphanage two weeks ago. Since then the nightmares have started, three kids are gone, a fourth has had an accident,' he dropped his voice to a whisper, 'which some kids don't believe was an accident, and Milivoj fell ill. Which I guess is an advanced stage of whatever ails the kids.'
A steel gaze emerged from Sandu's dark eyes. 'Someone or something is preying on these kids.' His disposition was calm but the unwavering tone of that last sentence made his resolution clear: you. don't. harm. children.
Ioben - Ms Belasco's face blanches as you tell her the news. "I must evacuate the children promptly, if they are unsafe here,"she says, shock and fear appearing on her usually stoic face. "Harmful magic? In the Orphanage? You are sure about this Ioben?" Her voice comes across softer than normal."Moira, we must tend to the children. Make sure they are all warmly dressed, we shall make for the church. Try and find Hedy and Ivah, they should be able to help."
She turns back to you,"Do you know what is behind the harmful magic you mention? Is there anything more I can do to help?"
Dormark -Ireena allows herself a laugh."He does seem to get carried away with things..." she muses. "Thanks Dormark, it's good to have some levity, especially when everything seems so dark." She moves to change the topic, "I hope for Baern's sake that he is able to get some good news about his mother. I feel that everyone has been so focused on my brother and I... I mean you've all be so kind. I just hope that we can give something back. If that means going to Krezk to help Baern... well that's something worth doing."
Sandu & Valerie -Almost as if to punctuate Sandu's remarks a creaking sound comes from above. Both Sandu's Detect Magic and Valerie's Divine Sense go into overdrive; Valerie the stench of evil, fiendish energy is almost overwhelming. There is no doubt that the smell is coming through the trapdoor leading to the attic.
A scream comes from the room at the other end of the hallway - where you know the nursery to be. Two young girls run out of the room, each cradling a baby, one of the girls is in her mid-teens, the other around 10, both are in tears."The babies!"the older girl shouts between laboured breaths,"Please somebody, anybody, help the babies!". You notice the wrapped infants are a pallid colour and currently gasping for air.
Ioben - You hear a commotion coming from the top of the stairs. "Oh Gods! What's happening" Ms Belasco cries out in desperation, rushing to her office door.
She turns back to you,"Do you know what is behind the harmful magic you mention? Is there anything more I can do to help?"
"The others are continuing to search upstairs, but all the beds seem to have been marked with hidden runes. But they seem to be necrotic in nature. And if it is tied to - Him in any way. There may be some type of response if we try and remove them. I am afraid I am not too familiar with magic myself, which is why I was the one to come talk to you, rather than keep searching. To know the children are safe would be a great burden lifted though." Ioben makes his way toward the office door with Ms Belasco."I could help round up the children."
"Oh Gods! What's happening"
Ioben rushes after her. "Wait down here with the children. I will send down any I can find."As he says this he rushes back up the stairs to see what the noise is. If he comes across any of the children along the way, he will push them in the direction of the stairs and tell them to head down to Ms Belasco.
Ioben -"Please, hurry." Ms Belasco says, you can tell she is coming a little undone by the events that are unfolding,"You must help them. I don't know how I would manage... especially after Cedric, I..." A couple of tears drop from her otherwise steely demeanour."I shall stay by the entrance and make sure all the children are accounted for."
Dashing up the stairs you find Sandu, Valerie, and two girls standing at the top of the stairs. The girls, one in her teens, the other around 10 years old, are both in hysterics as they clutch two swaddled babies close to their chests. You can tell that the infants look a sickly, pale colour and are currently struggling to breathe.
((Ioben, Sandu & Valerie - Feel free to make any Medicine, Arcana, Investigation, or any other such checks you see fit - I shall check the campaign log))
Galqarin - The otherwise peaceful garden scene takes a sudden turn. Bursting forth from the backdoor of the Orphanage you see a girl in her mid-teens, her eyes blotchy and manic, her voice filled with fright. "Thank the Morninglord!"Moira says, breathing heavily,"Hedy, Ivah! We NEED to get the children out of the Orphanage..." she gasps between words,"Harmful magic, the bad dreams, Cedric... all connected. Must get everyone... out... of... Orphanage."
Moira props herself against a wall, attempting to catch her breath. "Help!.. I... Who?!"She says, staring at you.
"Oh, tha's Raven." Ivah says, matter-of-factly. "He's our friend." Hedy offers up."Are you two crazy?!... What if he's causing the harmful magic!" Moira blurts out, petrified of the sight of the masked man standing ominously next to her friends.
Galqarin had been trying to figure out a way to get to talk to Tessa - or maybe get his friends to talk to her. It now seemed like matters have been taken out of his hands.
"No magic", explains Galqarin calmly. "I help find who harm Cedric and make them stop." The last word echoes of finality.
Sandu & Valerie -Almost as if to punctuate Sandu's remarks a creaking sound comes from above. Both Sandu's Detect Magic and Valerie's Divine Sense go into overdrive; Valerie the stench of evil, fiendish energy is almost overwhelming. There is no doubt that the smell is coming through the trapdoor leading to the attic.
A scream comes from the room at the other end of the hallway - where you know the nursery to be. Two young girls run out of the room, each cradling a baby, one of the girls is in her mid-teens, the other around 10, both are in tears."The babies!"the older girl shouts between laboured breaths,"Please somebody, anybody, help the babies!". You notice the wrapped infants are a pallid colour and currently gasping for air.
Ioben - You hear a commotion coming from the top of the stairs. "Oh Gods! What's happening" Ms Belasco cries out in desperation, rushing to her office door.
Dashing up the stairs you find Sandu, Valerie, and two girls standing at the top of the stairs. The girls, one in her teens, the other around 10 years old, are both in hysterics as they clutch two swaddled babies close to their chests. You can tell that the infants look a sickly, pale colour and are currently struggling to breathe.
((Ioben, Sandu & Valerie - Feel free to make any Medicine, Arcana, Investigation, or any other such checks you see fit - I shall check the campaign log))
Sandu moved with a speed he did not know he could and would have trouble remembering after the fact. All he knew was that it was a time for action: there were two babies who needed immediate help and he could provide it.
'Valerie, you take that one!' Sandu pointed at the baby held by the teenage girl as he darted towards the smaller girl. 'Do that thing you did on me back at the chapel!'
He lead by example and placed his fingertips on the baby's forehead. He funneled magic through them and spoke a soft incantation. This time it were not words he knew that he could not remember learning. Rather they were reminiscent of what Valerie had spoken when she had cast the very same spell on him back when Strahd had invaded his mind. Sandu's fingertips lit up with a bluish white light that quickly transfered to the baby's forehead and spread from there.
A bead of sweat slid down the back of Sandu's neck. He directed his gaze from the baby to the young girl holding it. 'Where is Felix?' He asked trying his best not to grit his teeth.
OOC: casting Protection from Evil and Good on the baby while making an Arcana check - 20(log) This also drop Detect Magic as a new concentration spell. Small remark: the spell requires a willing recipient. Is that a problem in this particular situation? (RAW vs RAI and whatnot)
Galqarin - You can tell that Moira does not seem overly convinced by your words but does not raise any more objections, "If you're here to help, you are here to help." She heads inside the Orphanage with Hedy and Ivah in tow, rounding up as many children as they can and instructing them to meet Ms Belasco at the entrance.
Momentarily you are on your own outside the back of the Orphanage; a place intimately familiar with. Before departing Moira is able to give you a brief overview of where the rest of your travelling companions are (First floor hallway).
Baern - It takes you a little longer than expected, but after musing over the 'ramblings' of your mother you are convinced that there must be a message contained within the words. Father Lucian leaves you with your thoughts as you stare down at visitor book. As the light starts to fail you light a nearby candle, it's light illuminating your mother's words; in the flickering you note that certain letters are slightly more heavily written than others (appearing bolder in the light);
"Mortal is man. Saining themselves, the Markof Vitality.
Handsome yet onerous. Follow or stand still? Watch in darkness."
At first you think you might be imagining things as the letters blur in and out of focus in your mind's eye. Eventually though you come up with the following phrase;"Talisman Saint Markovia. Someone Follows and Watches." Was your mother leaving breadcrumbs / hints pointing to her next destination? Who was watching her? The questions weigh heavily in your mind.
Dormark - After a number of moments you spot Father Lucian leave his office and make his way back towards you and Ireena. "Sorry about that Dormark. Thankfully I was able to help Baern out." he says by way of explanation."You wished to speak with me?"He asks,"Should we go somewhere a little more private?"
Speaking to Sandu and Valeire, Ioben says, "It may be best if the children go for a trip to visit Father Lucian while we finish checking this place out."
> Galqarin - At this point you notice Hedy getting a little concerned, "What does he mean he doesn't want to meet the Wtich? Sorry, Ms Belasco?". Ivah shrugs, not knowing what to make of the strange man in a bizarrely ornamental mask, "If 'e don't want to meet her what's he wanna do?"
> Ivah stares blankly at you, "What bad stuff?" she asks once more, slowly. Hady, still looking concerned, interjects, "He mentions Father Lucian, do you think he's doing something for him - like a task or a job.". Ivah responds harshly to her friend, "Like what? And why would he be here an' not want to involve Ms Belasco?"
> At this point Hedy moves to Ivah and whispers in her ear. As the girls whisper to each other you see Ivah frown. "You say tha' bad stuff, like what happened before. What do you mean? Like what happened to Cedric? Or wha' happened to them boys - Lazlo, Hans, and Franz?" Ivah asks, her arms crossed, "Could be you wish bad stuff to happen to us."
(Persuasion (adv): 17)
Galqarin considers how much he should reveal about his past. Deciding it matters little to these two, he acknowledges, "I orphan. Grew up in here. Sometimes children disappear. Sometimes they found dead. I had Patron, else I dead too. I no want more bad stuff happen."
Pulling on the thread dangled by Ivah, he asks, "What about Cedric and other boys?"
Sandu straightened his back and called out to Moira. 'Yes, we would like to speak to Ms Belasco so if you could fetch her, that would be appreciated.'
As soon as the girl got out of earshot, he turned to Ioben and Valerie. 'It's more than that.' Sandu look worried. 'All the rooms are permeated with necrotic magic.'
A thought process started in Sandu's mind. Nightmares make you tired. Being tired makes you less able to resist. Necromancy manipulates life energy. Milivoj wasting away. Orphans who nobody would miss...
'I think someone aims to drain the vitality from these children.' He said to the others in hushed tones. 'What kind of sick, twisted thing would prey on children?'
Then he remembered something. He lowered his voice. 'Some of the kids call Ms Belasco a witch...' His voice trailed off. 'Though that might just be typical of kids not liking authority. I did not get that vibe from her but then again, I only met her just now. Also seems off regarding the timing. Just two weeks.'
He stroked his break. 'Maybe Saint Andral's bones protected more than just the church.' He looked at Ioben. 'Yes, perhaps it's best if we relocate the children while we get to the bottom of this.'
He looked at Valerie, a paladin he recalled. 'This seems more like your battlefield. Got a plan?' Sandu asked.
Finally he moved to the boys' dormitory, remembering that he needed to check the ones named Cedrick and Felix. Especially Felix...
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
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Galqarin - You notice the girls disposition ease a little as you talk about your past. Hedy, stepping a little closer to you, is the first to respond, "You were an orphan here too? Don't worry, we won't tell on you to Ms Belasco."
Ivah, still a little reserved, nods along in agreement with her friend, "If you're here to help... on behalf of Father Lucian... well I guess I can tell you." Taking a deep breath, she continues, "Lots of bad stuff has already been happening here, Raven. It started after the boys went missing - they reckoned they knew of a place they could escape to. Were awful hush about it though."
"That's right." Hedy interjects, "They ran away because they didn't like this place. They were scared of Ms Belasco - thought she were an old witch. Didn't like all the rules."
"Anyway," Ivah says, trying to bring the conversation back on track, "You asked 'bout Cedric? He was their mate. They all share a room, y'see. Lazlo, Hans, Franz, Cedric, and Felix. Well Felix keeps 'imself to 'imself, so they reckoned he got all depressed and jumped."
"I don't think he jumped though. Ain't no way he would have killed himself." Hedy, once more, cuts in, "He was depressed, yes. But he wouldn't have done that. Besides Tessa is still here and they was close. She don't reckon he jumped."
"True, true." Ivah says shrugging, "Either way - he ends up jumping," Hedy glares at Ivah, "... or bein' pushed, out of the first floor window. Dashed his brains on the path below. Right messy it were."
"Poor Cedric," Hedy mutters, forlornly.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
“It is fine Ireena. It is better than some reactions I get. Sorry to interrupt Baern, I was waiting to express my thanks to the Father,” says Dormark.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Baern is about to reassure Father Lucian that there's no need to fear Dormark when the Father declares the metal man 'magnificent'. The young dwarf smiles broadly and nods up at his friend and fellow Moradin follower. Eventually he turns the wide smile towards Ireena but then gets embarrassed and red faced again, choosing to look down at the floor and shuffle his feat before following Father Lucian towards his office.
"Not many safe place to run away to", Galqarin observes thoughtfully. "Any idea where? They ever come back, maybe for food?"
Without waiting for an answer, he goes on with his questioning, "Cedric have enemy? Any other bad stuff since?"
Like himself, the runaway boys might have gravitated towards the Vistani camp, he muses - outside the reach of the normal townsfolk, should the Vistani will it. Or maybe they went further afield, perhaps to that windmill they passed? He shuddered at the thought that they might have wandered off the trail into the Svalich Woods. And as for the Cedric boy - instinct told him it was no self-inflicted accident. Someone, or something, wanted him to die. But why? Was it a crime born of anger and spite, or because of something the unfortunate boy had discovered or witnessed? Was this an isolated incident or was it an ongoing nightmare? Did Izek, his own nemesis, have any involvement? Part of him willed it to be so, to give him the excuse to extract bloody vengeance upon his former tormentor.
"Yes, there's not much I can do in that field I'm afraid, but why don't I head back downstairs with Moira while you talk, I will speak with Ms Belasco." Ioben waves the young girl over and heads back toward the stairs.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ioben sits in the offered seat across from Ms Belasco. As he does so, he glances at Moira, trying to decide whether he should speak in front of her. Finally, considering the maturity she has shown, Ioben decides that it is best to simply talk. "Ms Belasco. We were making some enquiries upstairs when we came across something quite unexpected. There appears to be magic in use that could potentially be harmful in nature. We think that it may be best that the children relocate to the church while we investigate further. We would hate to cause harm to anyone unnecessarily."
"I hope we would refrain from that. Unless you do it properly it is a very painful process," says Dormark jokingly, but there seems to be a anew air of apprehension. Surrounding the Warforge.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Sandu left Valerie for a spell to her own musings and went into the boys' dormitory to investigate. Much of it was the same as the girls' dormitory, as far as he could tell: same basic furniture, not a lot of personal things, the classic orphanage setup. He set to work examining the beds in a similar fashion as the ones in the other room. Likewise the beds here were also covered in the same runic carvings.
All but one that was. There was one bed that was completely devoid of any carvings. And like anything else that was different, it stuck out like a sore thumb. Furthermore, it seemed the bed belonged to Felix, the one Nia and Hannah warned him about. The one who arrived two weeks ago when this ordeal began. Sandu was no stranger to the fickle whims of Fate but sometimes something lined up too well for it being decided by a throw of a cosmic die.
He stepped out into the hallway and relayed his findings to Valerie. 'So; strange thing about the boys' beds: all have carvings save one that is completely unmarked. That alone is reason for suspicion but that's not all: I believe the bed belongs to a boy named Felix. Some of the younger kids are terrified of him.'
Sandu looked around to see if no one was eavesdropping on them. 'Now here is where it gets weird.' He lowered his voice. 'This Felix arrived at the orphanage two weeks ago. Since then the nightmares have started, three kids are gone, a fourth has had an accident,' he dropped his voice to a whisper, 'which some kids don't believe was an accident, and Milivoj fell ill. Which I guess is an advanced stage of whatever ails the kids.'
A steel gaze emerged from Sandu's dark eyes. 'Someone or something is preying on these kids.' His disposition was calm but the unwavering tone of that last sentence made his resolution clear: you. don't. harm. children.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"The others are continuing to search upstairs, but all the beds seem to have been marked with hidden runes. But they seem to be necrotic in nature. And if it is tied to - Him in any way. There may be some type of response if we try and remove them. I am afraid I am not too familiar with magic myself, which is why I was the one to come talk to you, rather than keep searching. To know the children are safe would be a great burden lifted though." Ioben makes his way toward the office door with Ms Belasco. "I could help round up the children."
Ioben rushes after her. "Wait down here with the children. I will send down any I can find." As he says this he rushes back up the stairs to see what the noise is. If he comes across any of the children along the way, he will push them in the direction of the stairs and tell them to head down to Ms Belasco.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Galqarin had been trying to figure out a way to get to talk to Tessa - or maybe get his friends to talk to her. It now seemed like matters have been taken out of his hands.
"No magic", explains Galqarin calmly. "I help find who harm Cedric and make them stop." The last word echoes of finality.
Baern INT check: 20
Sandu moved with a speed he did not know he could and would have trouble remembering after the fact. All he knew was that it was a time for action: there were two babies who needed immediate help and he could provide it.
'Valerie, you take that one!' Sandu pointed at the baby held by the teenage girl as he darted towards the smaller girl. 'Do that thing you did on me back at the chapel!'
He lead by example and placed his fingertips on the baby's forehead. He funneled magic through them and spoke a soft incantation. This time it were not words he knew that he could not remember learning. Rather they were reminiscent of what Valerie had spoken when she had cast the very same spell on him back when Strahd had invaded his mind. Sandu's fingertips lit up with a bluish white light that quickly transfered to the baby's forehead and spread from there.
A bead of sweat slid down the back of Sandu's neck. He directed his gaze from the baby to the young girl holding it. 'Where is Felix?' He asked trying his best not to grit his teeth.
OOC: casting Protection from Evil and Good on the baby while making an Arcana check - 20 (log)
This also drop Detect Magic as a new concentration spell.
Small remark: the spell requires a willing recipient. Is that a problem in this particular situation? (RAW vs RAI and whatnot)
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)