Darya says nothing as the scream interrupts her, waiting for it to stop before she turns to the Undertaker and repeats her question. In order to calm her friend she reaches out and takes Ireena's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Ireena squeezes Darya's hand back. Her hand is clammy and cold, to be expected of a moment like this.
"We can get to that in a moment... what in the hell is that, Father?" Mr. Undertaker looks to Donavich. Donavich looks to the floor as the voice screams again, about hunger and thirst. "That voice..."
"Yes, it's Doru. He's..." Father Donavich trails off. Mr. Undertaker lets out a breath and nods to Donavich. The Father takes it as a sign to stay strong. "He is a vampire. I... I can't bring myself to kill him."
There is a moment of silence again. [Which is mostly a pause for you to interject or let the NPCs keep talking, your call.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
"With all do respect Doru is a problem to great for us to solve at this time. But we may still be able to save Parriwimple. So what can we do to help him?" Darya asks once more as she shivers from the cold touch of Ireena's hand, knowing that her own must feel the same. As she waits an answer she feels her heart pumping, the hunger from before rising with her stresss.
The undertaker grumbles. Clearly, he would like to settle the matter of Doru now, but he understands that time is of the essence. "Of course. I need you to fetch a particular flower which grows out in the plains... the trouble is the flower doesn't bloom without the payment of blood. It was must dripped onto the soil. Afterwards, it will bloom and become a potent remedy for any ailment. The scent of the flower is so alluring, who knows what creatures may pop out to steal it from you.
"It's called the Pale Maiden's Bloom." The undertaker concludes. He has specific directions he gives you. It would only take an hour to reach the area it grows and an hour to return...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
"Ireena go and find Ismark now. Impress upon him the importance and tell him to bring anything he needs to be ready for a fight. Meet me at the exit of town as soon as you can." Darya says as she turns to leave, pulling Ireena with her as she speaks.
[Phew, sorry, lots of stuff happening -- I am updating now! Ismark has been added to the front page, but I am hiding some stuff about him, which I will reveal... when I want to! Or because something happens.]
Ireena rushes over to the Blood on the Vine tavern. Ismark is exactly where you left him, except he is sloshed and laying with his arms spread out over the table. Awake, but not totally aware, Ismark mutters to himself. Babbling something that you don't quite reach him in time to hear any of except the end, which is, "... its mine. I told him... its my problem."
"Ismark, wake up!"Ireena shakes him by the shoulders, which instantly snaps Ismark to attention, though his eyes have trouble focusing on Darya or Ireena. "We have to go, quickly, and we could use your help -- good god, did you drink this tavern dry?"
"No, but, it sounds like quite the challenge."Ismark grins stupidly. He looks from Ireena to Darya. "Is this about your father, Darya dear? Ready for me to help? I'll.. I'll need to sober up. Would be awful if I..." He doesn't complete that thought.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
(Gotcha. I look forward to learning more about him when he is less drunk in game lol. Also hope he rolls better then Parriwimple did....)
Darya finds herself having to hold back from slapping Ismark for being what she sees as Drunken fool. Forcing herself to calm down she steps next to Ireena and gets in the man's face. "Parriwimple is going to die if we do not get Father Donavich ingredients for a medicine to help him. So would you be so kind as to get serious, grab your sword and armor and be quick about it!"
[I have come back from the grave -- or more accurately, super covid. I was hit with the worst fatigue of my life -- and I've given birth!!]
Ismark sobers up relatively quickly -- your face coming so close to his, he flinches at the harsh words. Without saying much, he nods and runs out, quickly returning with his longsword in hand. You can see he has splashed his face with water and appears to be trying his best to appear sober. However, his eyes are not quite focused... its pretty clear he is still at least a bit inebriated.
"Reporting for duty, ladies... er, sorry..." Ismark smiles shyly for whatever reason as his sister does her best not to strangle him herself.
"If you are quite done with your pity party, Izzy, let's depart."
Ismark and Ireena are ready to follow Darya into the dangerous plains of the Barovian fields! [Assuming you don't do anything else to prepare... If I am wrong, stop me.] You do indeed travel about an hour out of town, following no roads. Ismark, somehow, is able to guide you in the correct direction after you explain where you are trying to head. Despite there being no visible stars in the sky, Ismark swears he can guide you in that cardinal direction, which is due east of where the village currently stands.
After about an hour [making it around 7 PM at night], you come across something you have not ever seen before. There is a patch of flowers here in a curious part where all the grass is dead. Around this patch of flowers, the dead grass stretches out in what seems to be a perfect circle, the patch itself seeming to be circular itself. The flowers are closed, so not yet bloomed at all, and they seem gray. These Pale Maidens are apparently so named because they are discolored this way. It would appear they are some sort of species of flower not far removed from that of a rose.
Ismark looks over to Darya and Ireena, he clears his throat. "Let me do this, it's... the least I could do, I'd say."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
(All good. I have either had to take care of someone or gone through the different covid strands it seems like. And yeah it put me in bed for better part of a week....)
Darya looks towards Ireena before she nods and moves to push Ismark towards the flower quickly. Once he steps forward she begins motioning for her friends draw her bow as she herself reaches into her bag to prepare to cast her magic. "Be quick we need to return with haste before nightfall truly hits. None of us want to be out in the wilds at night."
Ismark stands over the flowers and takes a moment as he presses his longsword to his hand. After a few seconds, where Darya could tell he was preparing himself for the pain, he pulls his longsword along his palm and blood drips from his hand to the plants below. A small puddle of blood forms as Ismark bites his lip, clearly uncomfortable with the pain. Ireena has her healer's kit ready, but of course waits to use it on her brother given that he must first bleed.
Before your very eyes, you watch the blood soak into the ground. All the dead grass becomes a red hue which travels up the stems of the closed, gray blossoms. Slowly, the outer petals fill with this blood red color and the flower blooms. The color spirals towards the center of the flower, bringing it to life. Indeed, like you were told, they look like red roses that grow from the ground.
A dreamy scent fills the air.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Darya moves to put her arm over her nose and mouth as she notices the strange smell. Being careful she will move closer to the flower in an attempt to pick it from the ground. "Once we get this it is essential that we get back as soon as we can. Perriwimple is depending on us!"
Darya, you touch the flower and you feel a strange sensation. However, you are able to walk, run, and behave normally. You just feel more... sleepy? Tired? Either way, despite Ismark offering to carry the flower, you just automatically wave him off and start to walk. Better to get going than worry about who carries this flower... [Mechanically, this doesn't do anything to you, just to be clear.] Ireena and Ismark nod their agreement and start to take up guarding you as you all turn to return back to the village. Traveling together, its clear that something is going on with this Pale Maiden. Looking around yourself, you swear it feels like you are in a dream, the sort where if you started to run, you would only ever move as fast as you walk.
Ireena and Ismark chatter, but for some reason, you just can't understand what they are saying. Its like the words aren't registering, despite them clearly speaking the same language all of you always speak together. They don't seem to notice your behavior either, chalking it up to being exhausted.
The sky overhead is darkening as the late evening tolls. The village is so close, but something stops you from reaching it. You can all hear the skittering of creatures. Even though you feel loopy, your senses clear enough for you to understand what Ismark says, "I see nearly a dozen of those twig monsters that plague the forest. They are trying to converge on our location, ladies."He grits his teeth and looks between you and Ireena, "We can try to stand and fight, or we can run. Darya, if you are tired, I could pick you up. I am not good for much, but I do have two legs, at the very least." Ismark seems concerned about you out of the blue, but based on Ireena's expression, it doesn't seem like she is surprised.
"If we run into the village, they might attack innocent people who just happen to be outside. Is that a risk we should take?" Ireena asks you and Ismark both.
It seems you will need to decide... or posit another solution.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
"There are to many for us to handle alone. So we either prepare to for a fight to the death or one of us needs to fight them off as the others go back to get this to Parriwimple..." Darya says as she does her best to shake off the sleepy feeling from the strange plant. As she speaks the wizard begins to call upon her magic, readying a small amount of power to fight if she needed to.
Looking towards Ireena, she hands her the plant. "You are the fastest of all of us so take this and returned to the Chapel. Father Donavich and the Undertaker should be able to take if from there."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
[Better late than never? Roll initiative!]
Twig Blight [Swarm] - 4
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Intiative: Ismark (14) Darya (10) Swarm (10, HP -4)
[You win the tie cause of that incredible dex.]
The clicking and clacking of twigs deafens all other sound as Darya finally sees the unnatural movement of the tall grass all around them. Ismark stands in the hidden vampire's defense. He holds his longsword in both hands as he says, "Stay behind me, Darya. I won't let any of these creatures touch a hair on your head."
He steps forward a few feet and draws their ire, for the moment, by cutting into the herd! [He hits with a 14 and deals 4 damage.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Both attacks miss their mark as the swarm closes in and attacks Ismark. [Missed with a 7.] For what its worth, this usually lazy man is somehow holding his own as he kicks a few away with his boot, while keeping an eye on Darya.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Both of them curse as their attacks miss the blights, Ismark gritting his teeth as he moves to take another swing with his blade.
Longsword: Attack: 11 Damage: 6
Stepping back from te blights more, Darya raises her hand and begins to cast a more elaborate spell. Holding her hand out as if motioning for the blights to stop, three arcane missiles of energy fly from her hand and slam into them in rapid succession.
Magic Missile: 10
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Darya says nothing as the scream interrupts her, waiting for it to stop before she turns to the Undertaker and repeats her question. In order to calm her friend she reaches out and takes Ireena's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Ireena squeezes Darya's hand back. Her hand is clammy and cold, to be expected of a moment like this.
"We can get to that in a moment... what in the hell is that, Father?" Mr. Undertaker looks to Donavich. Donavich looks to the floor as the voice screams again, about hunger and thirst. "That voice..."
"Yes, it's Doru. He's..." Father Donavich trails off. Mr. Undertaker lets out a breath and nods to Donavich. The Father takes it as a sign to stay strong. "He is a vampire. I... I can't bring myself to kill him."
There is a moment of silence again. [Which is mostly a pause for you to interject or let the NPCs keep talking, your call.]
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
"With all do respect Doru is a problem to great for us to solve at this time. But we may still be able to save Parriwimple. So what can we do to help him?" Darya asks once more as she shivers from the cold touch of Ireena's hand, knowing that her own must feel the same. As she waits an answer she feels her heart pumping, the hunger from before rising with her stresss.
The undertaker grumbles. Clearly, he would like to settle the matter of Doru now, but he understands that time is of the essence. "Of course. I need you to fetch a particular flower which grows out in the plains... the trouble is the flower doesn't bloom without the payment of blood. It was must dripped onto the soil. Afterwards, it will bloom and become a potent remedy for any ailment. The scent of the flower is so alluring, who knows what creatures may pop out to steal it from you.
"It's called the Pale Maiden's Bloom." The undertaker concludes. He has specific directions he gives you. It would only take an hour to reach the area it grows and an hour to return...
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
"Ireena go and find Ismark now. Impress upon him the importance and tell him to bring anything he needs to be ready for a fight. Meet me at the exit of town as soon as you can." Darya says as she turns to leave, pulling Ireena with her as she speaks.
[Phew, sorry, lots of stuff happening -- I am updating now! Ismark has been added to the front page, but I am hiding some stuff about him, which I will reveal... when I want to! Or because something happens.]
Ireena rushes over to the Blood on the Vine tavern. Ismark is exactly where you left him, except he is sloshed and laying with his arms spread out over the table. Awake, but not totally aware, Ismark mutters to himself. Babbling something that you don't quite reach him in time to hear any of except the end, which is, "... its mine. I told him... its my problem."
"Ismark, wake up!" Ireena shakes him by the shoulders, which instantly snaps Ismark to attention, though his eyes have trouble focusing on Darya or Ireena. "We have to go, quickly, and we could use your help -- good god, did you drink this tavern dry?"
"No, but, it sounds like quite the challenge." Ismark grins stupidly. He looks from Ireena to Darya. "Is this about your father, Darya dear? Ready for me to help? I'll.. I'll need to sober up. Would be awful if I..." He doesn't complete that thought.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
(Gotcha. I look forward to learning more about him when he is less drunk in game lol. Also hope he rolls better then Parriwimple did....)
Darya finds herself having to hold back from slapping Ismark for being what she sees as Drunken fool. Forcing herself to calm down she steps next to Ireena and gets in the man's face. "Parriwimple is going to die if we do not get Father Donavich ingredients for a medicine to help him. So would you be so kind as to get serious, grab your sword and armor and be quick about it!"
[I have come back from the grave -- or more accurately, super covid. I was hit with the worst fatigue of my life -- and I've given birth!!]
Ismark sobers up relatively quickly -- your face coming so close to his, he flinches at the harsh words. Without saying much, he nods and runs out, quickly returning with his longsword in hand. You can see he has splashed his face with water and appears to be trying his best to appear sober. However, his eyes are not quite focused... its pretty clear he is still at least a bit inebriated.
"Reporting for duty, ladies... er, sorry..." Ismark smiles shyly for whatever reason as his sister does her best not to strangle him herself.
"If you are quite done with your pity party, Izzy, let's depart."
Ismark and Ireena are ready to follow Darya into the dangerous plains of the Barovian fields! [Assuming you don't do anything else to prepare... If I am wrong, stop me.] You do indeed travel about an hour out of town, following no roads. Ismark, somehow, is able to guide you in the correct direction after you explain where you are trying to head. Despite there being no visible stars in the sky, Ismark swears he can guide you in that cardinal direction, which is due east of where the village currently stands.
After about an hour [making it around 7 PM at night], you come across something you have not ever seen before. There is a patch of flowers here in a curious part where all the grass is dead. Around this patch of flowers, the dead grass stretches out in what seems to be a perfect circle, the patch itself seeming to be circular itself. The flowers are closed, so not yet bloomed at all, and they seem gray. These Pale Maidens are apparently so named because they are discolored this way. It would appear they are some sort of species of flower not far removed from that of a rose.
Ismark looks over to Darya and Ireena, he clears his throat. "Let me do this, it's... the least I could do, I'd say."
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
(All good. I have either had to take care of someone or gone through the different covid strands it seems like. And yeah it put me in bed for better part of a week....)
Darya looks towards Ireena before she nods and moves to push Ismark towards the flower quickly. Once he steps forward she begins motioning for her friends draw her bow as she herself reaches into her bag to prepare to cast her magic. "Be quick we need to return with haste before nightfall truly hits. None of us want to be out in the wilds at night."
[This time it was dental!]
Ismark stands over the flowers and takes a moment as he presses his longsword to his hand. After a few seconds, where Darya could tell he was preparing himself for the pain, he pulls his longsword along his palm and blood drips from his hand to the plants below. A small puddle of blood forms as Ismark bites his lip, clearly uncomfortable with the pain. Ireena has her healer's kit ready, but of course waits to use it on her brother given that he must first bleed.
Before your very eyes, you watch the blood soak into the ground. All the dead grass becomes a red hue which travels up the stems of the closed, gray blossoms. Slowly, the outer petals fill with this blood red color and the flower blooms. The color spirals towards the center of the flower, bringing it to life. Indeed, like you were told, they look like red roses that grow from the ground.
A dreamy scent fills the air.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Darya moves to put her arm over her nose and mouth as she notices the strange smell. Being careful she will move closer to the flower in an attempt to pick it from the ground. "Once we get this it is essential that we get back as soon as we can. Perriwimple is depending on us!"
Darya, you touch the flower and you feel a strange sensation. However, you are able to walk, run, and behave normally. You just feel more... sleepy? Tired? Either way, despite Ismark offering to carry the flower, you just automatically wave him off and start to walk. Better to get going than worry about who carries this flower... [Mechanically, this doesn't do anything to you, just to be clear.] Ireena and Ismark nod their agreement and start to take up guarding you as you all turn to return back to the village. Traveling together, its clear that something is going on with this Pale Maiden. Looking around yourself, you swear it feels like you are in a dream, the sort where if you started to run, you would only ever move as fast as you walk.
Ireena and Ismark chatter, but for some reason, you just can't understand what they are saying. Its like the words aren't registering, despite them clearly speaking the same language all of you always speak together. They don't seem to notice your behavior either, chalking it up to being exhausted.
The sky overhead is darkening as the late evening tolls. The village is so close, but something stops you from reaching it. You can all hear the skittering of creatures. Even though you feel loopy, your senses clear enough for you to understand what Ismark says, "I see nearly a dozen of those twig monsters that plague the forest. They are trying to converge on our location, ladies." He grits his teeth and looks between you and Ireena, "We can try to stand and fight, or we can run. Darya, if you are tired, I could pick you up. I am not good for much, but I do have two legs, at the very least." Ismark seems concerned about you out of the blue, but based on Ireena's expression, it doesn't seem like she is surprised.
"If we run into the village, they might attack innocent people who just happen to be outside. Is that a risk we should take?" Ireena asks you and Ismark both.
It seems you will need to decide... or posit another solution.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
"There are to many for us to handle alone. So we either prepare to for a fight to the death or one of us needs to fight them off as the others go back to get this to Parriwimple..." Darya says as she does her best to shake off the sleepy feeling from the strange plant. As she speaks the wizard begins to call upon her magic, readying a small amount of power to fight if she needed to.
Looking towards Ireena, she hands her the plant. "You are the fastest of all of us so take this and returned to the Chapel. Father Donavich and the Undertaker should be able to take if from there."
[Better late than never? Roll initiative!]
Twig Blight [Swarm] - 4
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Darya Initiative: 19
Ismark 14
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Intiative:
Ismark (14)
Darya (10)
Swarm (10, HP -4)
[You win the tie cause of that incredible dex.]
The clicking and clacking of twigs deafens all other sound as Darya finally sees the unnatural movement of the tall grass all around them. Ismark stands in the hidden vampire's defense. He holds his longsword in both hands as he says, "Stay behind me, Darya. I won't let any of these creatures touch a hair on your head."
He steps forward a few feet and draws their ire, for the moment, by cutting into the herd! [He hits with a 14 and deals 4 damage.]
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Ismark moves forward and grips his sword in both hands, attempting to slash at the blight.
Attack: 7 Damage: 8
As Ismark moves forward, Darya begins to cast as she finishes a small mote of flame flies towards the swarm.
Firebolt: Attack: 24 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Both attacks miss their mark as the swarm closes in and attacks Ismark. [Missed with a 7.] For what its worth, this usually lazy man is somehow holding his own as he kicks a few away with his boot, while keeping an eye on Darya.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Both of them curse as their attacks miss the blights, Ismark gritting his teeth as he moves to take another swing with his blade.
Longsword: Attack: 11 Damage: 6
Stepping back from te blights more, Darya raises her hand and begins to cast a more elaborate spell. Holding her hand out as if motioning for the blights to stop, three arcane missiles of energy fly from her hand and slam into them in rapid succession.
Magic Missile: 10