"Why don't we back up a bit." Robin suggested, eyeing the ghost. "Can you tell us why you are haunting this place, why you have not moved on? That might give us some information on why we are to seek you for this item we need to find."
"My name is Lazlo Ulrich," the ghost begins. "Many years ago, Strahd became obsessed with my beloved Marina - called her Tatyana and said he was hers. He seduced her and drained her of her blood. Thankfully I killed her before she could be turned. This angered Strahd and he responded in kind. He refuses to let me pass into the next life, and as a way to mock me, he even made a monument for her. I will give you the item you seek, but you I must ask for something in return. I need to know that my Marina is safe. I know she's here ... she's somewhere in Barovia."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rose nods and steps forward. "The Von Zarovich family has ruled Barovia for hundreds of years. Strahd was once a human who was the heir to this land. He fell in love with a woman named Tatyana, but she favored Strahd's younger brother Sergei. Strahd didn't like this ... not one bit. He made a pact with the dark powers, killed Sergei and drank his blood becoming a vampire. Out of grief, Tatyana took her own life. Strahd was angry he couldn't claim "his beloved' and from then on he would seek out Tatyana's reincarnation to claim her. Sometimes he won, but most of the time she'd slip through his grasp. Sometimes it was because of heroes like yourself. As for this situation, it's likely that Marina was Tatyana reborn and he tried to claim her. It's a cycle."
Bral tilts his head and raises an eyebrow, "I'm sorry I thought you said you killed her?"
Then when Rose explains, he nods his head, "I see, so this Tatyana was reincarnated and went by the name Marina. That is the name by which you, Lazlo, know her. So you fear that she has been reincarnated once more, perhaps under the name of another and you fear for her safety.
Well, I believe that our mission is to destroy Strahd and rid this land of his rule. I believe that would guarantee Marina's safety? However, the sword would help us in that mission."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
"I see." Robin says with a thoughtful look. "Are these really incarnations of this same person, or just people that are enough like that person that people believe they are one in the same? She glances to the ghost, likely just realizing this could be a bit rude to say. "Nothing meant by that, but incarnation is so very rare in the world I come from, that I don't see how it could just be an expected thing here. Does everyone reincarnate in this world?"
Robin, as you say that you notice the human druids and Flynt all nod. Rose adds," It's usually that or a soul searches for a body."
Thorn agrees. "From what I've researched in Tatyana's case, it seems the Dark Powers of this land keep Tatyana's soul here as part of Strahd's punishment. She will always come back and he will always seek her."
Walter raises a finger. "There have been times where Tatyana's soul was reincarnated in people outside of this realm, but one way or another she always comes back."
"I do have an alternate theory, brother," Walter says, turning to Thorn. "The people who are her reincarnation don't know that they are Tatyana reborn. It's likely her soul links with theirs and lies dormant until she realizes she is Tatyana."
Bral when you say this, Lazlo shakes his head. If you're trying to Persuade him to just tell you where the sword is, give me a Persuasion, Intimidation, or straight up Charisma check.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
"Plus I would think you would want us to not know her identity." Robin speaks up again. "The more that know who she is now, the more that would be able to let that informationf all into his hands." She looks around at the swamps. "I would think keeping her identity a secret, from as many people as possible, even yourself, would be the most appropriate thing here, and any weapon, that can be used against him, would be your goal." (Meant this to give advantage to the persuasion check, but see that is already rolled.)
(Robin meant to give you advantage with her post but you'd already roll the Persuasion. I figure, give it a shot. Still failed though)
Lazlo says nothing even after Robin speaks. "Strahd has dominion over this land and he's going to find her, eventually. If you're not going to help, then leave my house and let me be." He then fades away.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Baudric holds up his hand, “Wait, please. We mean to slay Strahd, which should be the best way to protect her. But if that is not acceptable, tell us how we should find and protect her.”
Baudric, as you say this, an image flashes in your mind.
You see a woman sitting in a chair, painting. She has brown skin, blue hair and elvish ears. She's surrounded by other paintings, a few that depict Castle Ravenloft. One depicts an image of you - right where you're standing.
You then see yourself standing face-to-face an elven man with long white hair and sad eyes. His eyes turn red and he flashes fangs before Mists engulf him. Then there are multiple versions of that man who surround you.
You then see the elven man fighting Strahd. The elven man is replaced by two new men - an elven man with glasses and sitting in a wheelchair and his husband. They appear to be fighting several dolls. Your eye goes to the door and it flashes the word "Blinksy."
You then see a floating yellow triangle with one eye that looks at you for a second and says," Whoops, wrong adventure. But word of advice, kid. Don't stick in a place for too long now. Hey want to hear my impression of Strahd in about three seconds. "GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK!"
Baudric, when you come to, you are standing back where you're at. As you begin to take in, you and everyone else - those who have interacted with Strahd recognize the voice - hear shouting through the sky that rings "GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
"Why don't we back up a bit." Robin suggested, eyeing the ghost. "Can you tell us why you are haunting this place, why you have not moved on? That might give us some information on why we are to seek you for this item we need to find."
Both Robin and Keldon roll Persuasion with advantage since Ez can help you.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Keldon persuasion 15
Paladin - warforged - orange
Robin persuasion: 11
"My name is Lazlo Ulrich," the ghost begins. "Many years ago, Strahd became obsessed with my beloved Marina - called her Tatyana and said he was hers. He seduced her and drained her of her blood. Thankfully I killed her before she could be turned. This angered Strahd and he responded in kind. He refuses to let me pass into the next life, and as a way to mock me, he even made a monument for her. I will give you the item you seek, but you I must ask for something in return. I need to know that my Marina is safe. I know she's here ... she's somewhere in Barovia."
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Robin looks to her companions. "Do any of you know what he is talking about?" She asks, nodding to the ghost. "I just arrived here so have no clue..."
Rose nods and steps forward. "The Von Zarovich family has ruled Barovia for hundreds of years. Strahd was once a human who was the heir to this land. He fell in love with a woman named Tatyana, but she favored Strahd's younger brother Sergei. Strahd didn't like this ... not one bit. He made a pact with the dark powers, killed Sergei and drank his blood becoming a vampire. Out of grief, Tatyana took her own life. Strahd was angry he couldn't claim "his beloved' and from then on he would seek out Tatyana's reincarnation to claim her. Sometimes he won, but most of the time she'd slip through his grasp. Sometimes it was because of heroes like yourself. As for this situation, it's likely that Marina was Tatyana reborn and he tried to claim her. It's a cycle."
DMS rolls
4
1
10
3
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Bral tilts his head and raises an eyebrow, "I'm sorry I thought you said you killed her?"
Then when Rose explains, he nods his head, "I see, so this Tatyana was reincarnated and went by the name Marina. That is the name by which you, Lazlo, know her. So you fear that she has been reincarnated once more, perhaps under the name of another and you fear for her safety.
Well, I believe that our mission is to destroy Strahd and rid this land of his rule. I believe that would guarantee Marina's safety? However, the sword would help us in that mission."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
"I see." Robin says with a thoughtful look. "Are these really incarnations of this same person, or just people that are enough like that person that people believe they are one in the same? She glances to the ghost, likely just realizing this could be a bit rude to say. "Nothing meant by that, but incarnation is so very rare in the world I come from, that I don't see how it could just be an expected thing here. Does everyone reincarnate in this world?"
Robin, as you say that you notice the human druids and Flynt all nod. Rose adds," It's usually that or a soul searches for a body."
Thorn agrees. "From what I've researched in Tatyana's case, it seems the Dark Powers of this land keep Tatyana's soul here as part of Strahd's punishment. She will always come back and he will always seek her."
Walter raises a finger. "There have been times where Tatyana's soul was reincarnated in people outside of this realm, but one way or another she always comes back."
"I do have an alternate theory, brother," Walter says, turning to Thorn. "The people who are her reincarnation don't know that they are Tatyana reborn. It's likely her soul links with theirs and lies dormant until she realizes she is Tatyana."
Bral when you say this, Lazlo shakes his head. If you're trying to Persuade him to just tell you where the sword is, give me a Persuasion, Intimidation, or straight up Charisma check.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
(Persuasion: 13)
"But doesn't trapping Tatyana's soul punish her, and not Strahd?" Bral asks. "I cannot see how that would punish him?"
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
"Plus I would think you would want us to not know her identity." Robin speaks up again. "The more that know who she is now, the more that would be able to let that informationf all into his hands." She looks around at the swamps. "I would think keeping her identity a secret, from as many people as possible, even yourself, would be the most appropriate thing here, and any weapon, that can be used against him, would be your goal." (Meant this to give advantage to the persuasion check, but see that is already rolled.)
(Bral, go ahead and roll that Persuasion check again).
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
(Why? But sure: Persuasion: 12)
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
(Robin meant to give you advantage with her post but you'd already roll the Persuasion. I figure, give it a shot. Still failed though)
Lazlo says nothing even after Robin speaks. "Strahd has dominion over this land and he's going to find her, eventually. If you're not going to help, then leave my house and let me be." He then fades away.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Baudric holds up his hand, “Wait, please. We mean to slay Strahd, which should be the best way to protect her. But if that is not acceptable, tell us how we should find and protect her.”
Baudric, as you say this, an image flashes in your mind.
You see a woman sitting in a chair, painting. She has brown skin, blue hair and elvish ears. She's surrounded by other paintings, a few that depict Castle Ravenloft. One depicts an image of you - right where you're standing.
You then see yourself standing face-to-face an elven man with long white hair and sad eyes. His eyes turn red and he flashes fangs before Mists engulf him. Then there are multiple versions of that man who surround you.
You then see the elven man fighting Strahd. The elven man is replaced by two new men - an elven man with glasses and sitting in a wheelchair and his husband. They appear to be fighting several dolls. Your eye goes to the door and it flashes the word "Blinksy."
You then see a floating yellow triangle with one eye that looks at you for a second and says," Whoops, wrong adventure. But word of advice, kid. Don't stick in a place for too long now. Hey want to hear my impression of Strahd in about three seconds. "GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK!"
Baudric, when you come to, you are standing back where you're at. As you begin to take in, you and everyone else - those who have interacted with Strahd recognize the voice - hear shouting through the sky that rings "GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK!"
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Keldon looks around for the source of the voice
Paladin - warforged - orange
"Looks like it was a good idea giving the tome to me," Bral says before taking a firm grip of his sword and stepping outside to see what is going on.
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Bral, your attention turns to the sky and you see swarms of bats coming together. Ez turns to everyone. "We need to leave, now!"
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.