Wachter smiles faintly when Beren requests to know what exactly would he gain from following her request. Shifting in her seat, seeming unafraid of the well-armed knight.. for better or worse. The wine goblet in her hand shifting and roiling, spinning the liquid in it into a dull whirlpool as she speaks, looking Beren as close to 'in the eyes' as possible. Well, you would get to live, for one. Strahd had commanded me to kill you and yours through whatever means I chose. However I'm a bit more pragmatic.. Strahd wishes to gain full control of this town, but the Burgomasters before and now have just so managed to hold their own.. if only due to this towns location and ability to shore up it's defenses. With me leading it, one of.. if not the last places holding out within this plane would rest where it truly belongs... in my masters hands. However, should you prove resistant, I will be forced to remove you from my home, dead, or alive. the entire time her eyes remained on his, and Beren continued to feel that hair-tingling evil from just behind him. Nivi, however, was unaware.
And you would earn his favor. Afterall, most who come here intend to challenge him. Turning the town over would prove otherwise. her head tilting to this side as she watched to see how he would respond. As Beren mentions the person or thing he considers to be an eavesdropper she would turn her head to look behind her. Oh pay Ernst no mind... he likes to listen in on what goes on here, but he is ever the loyal servant. He is .. likely making sure you do not attempt to attack me, or somethign else similarly reckless. You are, ultimately surrounded should you choose voilence... she said with some degree of confidence. Though not entirely full.
Wachters eyes shift from the door behind her . . . back to her 'son' where she looks him over curiously. Though the moment is breif before she stands, clapping her hands to call in the butler who was just down the hall a short ways, far enough to not eavesdrop, but close enough to be available within a moment. Be a dear and take my son to his second room. He seems to be worse than usual.. and will likely need a place to sleep for a few days to shake off this hangover.
Wachters eyes breifly look behind Beren, seemingly at the wall, and with a nod then remains standing. The goblet in her hand, now more visible - looks incredibly expensive, beyond several hundred gold coins expensive. It had been mostly hidden in the dimness till she had stood, allowing the scant light within to shine on the grem-laden thing.
The butler did as he was asked, helping Karl up carefully, and leading him out of the room. Soon up the stairs, taking great pains to make sure Karl was comfortable. And just at the height of the stairs, was a door, to the right, which with key in hand, the butler - still clad in butlers attire with the added extra of the soot-black hooded cloak opened it. This bedroom contains nothing out of the ordinary: a neatly made bed, a table with an oil lamp on it, a handsome wooden chest, a slender wardrobe, and a window box with drapes. The butler aided Karl to the bed, pulling several shorn rags and a bucked from the corner near it - somewhere to puke, and something to clean face with - before saying I hope you enjoy your stay, Master Karl. I hope only that you get well soon. With a firm but practiced bow, the butler moved to the door, closing it. Though a few moments later, a heavy 'click' was heard as the sound of an iron key locked the door behind him.
(Jack may have left at any point during transit. If there are any checks either of you wish to do, let me know. I am also sorry for assuming a bit here but that is one of the primary issues with play-by-post in that if i were to post and wait... a single scene would take forever yet if I don't I do take away some agency... such as Nivi pickpocketing the butler or .. something on the way up.)
Nivi, now finding herself alone within the boys room, and locked inside.
Ola smiles a little at the Soulless... "Yes... would that Divine justice would end the travail, but Divine mercy holds its hand and waits for repentance... to the end." She sighs. And that's the only reason I have a chance, so I cannot wish for a resolution before the end of time.
The drow continues to stroke Karl's hair, and speaks to him soothingly. "Gone? What happened to your father, Karl?"
Nivi/Karl stumbles up the stairs with the butler, suspecting the charade has long passed its expiration date. "Ma... room," she mumbles grumpily.
She pauses, face serious and perfectly still as she has seen some drunks attempt to do momentarily, as if pretending to be sober.
(Bonus Action: Steady Aim). Then without warning, she (Action) attacks the butler non-lethally using the Booming Blade cantrip (no verbal component) and the pommel of her rapier, aiming to knock him out and lock him in Karl's room with his own keys.
In spite of Wachter's comment on paying no mind to her servant behind the door, Beren's hand tightens on the pommel of his sword. Sensing some presence behind him, he blatantly ignores the butler as he escorts Nivi out of the room. If the ruse is still undetected, he doesn't want to be the one to blow Nivi's cover. Still, he is starting to feel cornered. As much as he prefers to avoid games, it seems that Wachter's current bluntness has left him with few options in terms of how to respond. Should he bother asking about the bones? At this rate he doubts he'll be able to get answers. Plus, if she is already suspicious of Nivi/Karl, then him asking about the bones could make things harder for Nivi and Jack if they manage to start looking.
After the door closes behind Nivi and the butler, Beren lets out a breath--finally releasing his grip on his sword. Lowering his chin, he says in a low tone, "If the choice was mine alone, I would have no qualms taking your life and the lives of whomever else in your household who stand against me. I have met your master, and I do not wish to seek his favor." He tilts his mask to the side, showing the dent in the metal from the backhand he'd received from the vampire. As he does so the power within him pulses, urging him to act on the impulse to jump into battle. The evil in this room needs to be purged, and he is in the right place to do just that. However, he leaves his hands loosely at his sides, making no move to attack. Instead he says, "However I must speak to my comrades on this matter. If there is any chance of them living in this accursed place, or receiving passage out, then I will not allow my own feelings to take that chance from them."
He looks her squarely in the eyes, though the blazing light from behind the mask obscures his own, "Will you allow me to do this. Or must I fight my way out of your household. If your choice is the latter, then consider the deal off and me your enemy."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The soulless do not respond to Moira's continued hope or words. They only sigh, as if the back and forth itself had been a burden, tiring and draining. Their eyes glazing over again, going back to looking at nothing, their lips in a perpetually neutral, or slightly frowned placing - but it was as if the very act of living was a forced burden. Karl does not respond.. atleast not initially. Several minutes passing as his fever dream continues, where it seems his candor is spilling out in the drips of a winetap. Dead... months... ma-maa won't let it rest... let us .. passst it... the tears continue down his face at a slow pace. The pace of a wound all but fully healed, but ever picked at. His body twitching in dreams here and there but otherwise, still.
In the hallway, Nivi's strike is efficient and swift. If not for her holding back she thinks such a hit might have actually exploded the mans skull like a tiny maul. Instead, he falls to the floor. Bleeding from the scalp, and likely to wake if still alive to do so later with intense head pain - but alive nonetheless. As Nivi revealed herself, though still in the form of Karl, Wachters suspicions had come to fruition... (Sting @ Advantage from invisibility: Attack: 10 Damage: 4 Piercing, and if it hits, Nivi needs to make a DC 11 Con save or take 10 Poison Damage ((half if saved)))
An imp appearing behind Nivi. It had been behind Beren before.. but when Wachter had eyed the air, she gave it a mental command to follow the 'suspicious' Karl.
((I will wait to see how you all respond before i adjudicate the next steps since this is an unusual set of events.))
With Wachter, She looks up at Beren now, her face as hard as iron, and with an expression to match. There will be no enemies of Strahd in my household. But I will respect the rule of a guest.. however temporary... Begone from my mansion, and never return. But know now, that we are enemies. And nothing will change that. You may leave in peace. her words however held the veiled threat of 'however if you interfere at any point...'
Gritting her teeth against the toxins spreading darkly along the weeping sting wound in her back, Nivi pivots in place and stares down the now visible Imp, her pale green eyes flashing and teeth bared. Looking for a weakness in the Imp's defenses.
Bonus Action: Steady Aim once more, gaining advantage in exchange for zero movement. Aiming to skewer the Imp through its center of mass.
Action: Booming Blade attack with her rapier on the imp with advantage from Steady Aim. Rapier to hit: 26 Rapier plus Sneak Attack damage: 13 + 10 = 23 piercing Booming Blade extra damage if Imp moves voluntarily before Nivi's next turn: 3 thunder
If the Imp still survives, Nivi hisses quietly in Elvish: "Shorty. No time like the present. Unless you'd rather just use harsh language."
Edited since the Imp is skewered by Nivi'srapier, disappearing in an acrid puff of sulfurous smoke.
Nivi staggers as the slain Imp vanishes, herself severely wounded and almost falling down the stairs from the searing pain of the venom in her back.
"Think I took it out..." is all she grunts softly through gritted teeth to Arachno-Jack in her hair, as she searches the butler's body, taking his keys (and anything else of interest), pushing him into Karl's bedchamber, and after a cursory inspection of the room, locking the unconscious man inside.
She summons Shiv, her owl familiar, to her shoulder and takes a good look around the hallway, listening also to what she can hear of the conversation below. (Anyone looking at her right now would still see Karl with an owl on his shoulder).
Nivi'sPerception: 25 (for all of the above - search of butler's possessions, Karl's room, hallway, and listening to downstairs conversation).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Chance Roll: 14 )
With luck, despite the commotion, it apparently had went unheard due to various circumstances.. with Wachter herself.. likely the conversation with Beren. Anyone else who might be in the house, likely elsewhere, distracted by their own things. Nivi is able to hide the evidence by shifting the unconscious butler to the room he had intended to Trap Nivi in, apparently at Wachters request... and he would likely be unconscious for ( 7 hours) More than enough time to get done with business.. Nivi was hounded for at-least another minute with stinging pain however.. though it caused no harm, the sheer amount leaving a lingering burn, like 'modern medical alcohol' on an open wound.
On his person, she finds little. The key ring, that seems to posses only a few keys. It takes a try or two but Nivi finds the correct one before long. The only other thing of note on his person being a pouch containing ( 12 gold, imprinted with the face of Strahd ) Now with a few moments to breathe.. And own on hand, Nivi looks around to get her bearings.. considering she's never been here.
To Nivi's right is the room she was to be put in. It was clean, and simple.. the bed, a table and wardrobe, as mentioned prior, with a window overlooking part of the town. Otherwise barren. Framed portraits and mirrors festoon the walls, surrounding you with judging looks and dark reflections. You hear something scratching at one of the many doors.
To Nivi's left, she would see a pair of double doors. Southward, she see's another door, before the hallway crooks towards the staircase. Just barely visible is another knob, though it is hard for her to tell what exactly is there, then, following the railing, another set of more grandiose doors just behind the railing on the right side if she were facing the north window. As well as two paintings of people who look similar to Wachter, but are not the one below. A hallway with a window at each end wraps around the staircase railing.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Beren gives a stiff bow, bending at the waist. The gesture was more out of formalities and habit than respect. Then he turns and walks out the way he came in. As he does so, he listens and looks for anything telling/suspicious, hoping that it isn't a mistake to leave Nivi and Jack in the manor alone now that he won't be able to walk back in without initiating a fight.
Perception: 18
Once outside, assuming he gets there unhindered, he walks quickly to where they had left Olamoira.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Unfortunately for Nivi, not that it ultimately mattered, but Jack had all but utterly lost himself in another mental song and dance routine involving a humanoid looking tree sprout and blue skies. A state of madness he remained well after the imp was vanquished, and she had moved on to dealing with the Butler. By the time she's dealt with him however, she'd then feel the strangest soothing sensation from the back of her head, before it drifts down the rest of her being. A feeling almost akin to dipping into a nice, warm bath after a long day's work.
ooc: Jack is Using Balm of the Summer Court to restore 4 HP to Nivi and Grant her 2 Temp Hp on top of that.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Nivi smiles despite herself when she feels the pleasantly warm, otherworldly sensation tingle from her head to her toes. Her drawl in Elvish is soft.
"Anytime you want to give a girl a nice little scalp massage like that, Shorty, you just go ahead. A girl doesn't mind. Foot massages too..."
Speaking without irony, as if Nivi herself had not given him a vigorous (and uninvited) tummy rub and petting when he was in the form of a mastiff.
Still injured, though less so, and hearing no signs of anyone approaching to investigate the commotion (and no signs of Beren either, for that matter), the high elf squares her slim shoulders. She takes the butler's keys and almost instinctively begins to gather the coins from his pouch before frowning at Strahd's insignia on them and thinking better of it, leaving them. Not here for that, anyway. Wonder if the Prophet would be proud. Doubt it.
"So the Imp's taken care of now, Shorty. Upstairs now, searching the hallway. Bedrooms, maybe. Starting with Karl's anyway. Could turn into Morty again and sniff out the bones' scent. No idea which way to go, myself." Nivi leaves it up to Jack when to deploy Morty's nose.
While waiting briefly for any possible response from Arachno-Jack, she casts two cantrips in quick succession (neither requiring concentration): 1. Mage Hand (invisible thanks to Arcane Tricksters' Mage Hand Legerdemain, to hold the butler's keys so Nivi can attempt to unlock doors at a distance, or use her Thieves' Tools if that fails. Whispering the verbal components. 2. Minor Illusion of the Imp's tail poking out from around the railing. So anyone looking up the stairs might think the fiend was simply waiting.
If Arachno-Jack remains as is in her hair, Nivi nods to herself. With no particular reason to choose one door over another, she first listens at the nearest one (double doors to her west). If hearing nothing worrisome, she stands back (south) 15' and uses her Mage Hand to (unlock and) open the doors.
If the doors are open, before Nivi shows herself, Shiv, flying up near the ceiling, briefly pokes his head in to take a look before returning to her shoulder.
'This one is starting to suspect that -that one- has a things for canines~' Jack thought and tapped a few of his forelegs in his amusement. An action that could be misconstrued as agreement to her suggested plan of action given the time, but not something he's of a mind to care one way or another. Instead, if but to hasten the search a little, Arachno-Jack (gotta get back, back to the past, Arachno-Jack~)he scrawls his way down while being mindful to avoid being stepped on in the process, takes a moment to orient himself, and then hurries his over to the single doors just south of the double doors Nivi was seeing to by then, intending to try his non-existent hand at squeezing beneath the door for -- at the very least -- a peak into the next room.
Naturally the moment he spies danger approaching the door, be the feet of some servant, pet, or worse still, some other fiendish critter on the prowl on the other side, then he'd immediately retreat back into the hall and up to the ceiling to find a dark corner to hide and reconsider his next move.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Olamoira keeps stroking Karl's hair, making supportive and sympathetic noises. Karl's words about death... and loss... seem to chill Ola's heart. Her comforting actions feel suddenly awkward, alien to her, what should be natural, as any mother instinctively would comfort her child. I butchered any right to relate in such a natural and life-giving way! Oh, don't you be like Karl's momma, Ola, refusing to let anything go...Ola takes a deep breath, and keeps up the rhythmic stroking of Karl's hair, though the sensation has become so alarming and upsetting to her that she wants to snatch her hand away and run.
"I'm sorry your father died, Karl, and that your mother won't let it go. It's hard when you've got to be the strong one with your own parent. Hard to be sucessful, at that. That's your mom, she should be looking after you. I'm very sorry for the suffering you're going through. I'm sure you must be heartbroken about your dad, and frustrated at your mother not being reasonable, and scared about your place in the world now..." The drow realizes she's rambling, and sighs. Keeps stroking Karl's hair, looking down at his tear-streaked face. I wonder what my sister's child would have looked like if he had ever gotten to grow up...he'd be maybe about Karl's age now...pain pinches her heart, and she pushes the thought away.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Nivi hid most of the visible evidence aside from the Imps Tail poking just over the edge... this he see's, aside from that, a maid moving from one room to another below on the same floor as he was on. Just like everyone aside from Wachter and her sons, she too is wearing a dark cloak that hides her visage mostly. Beren is able to make it outside and meet back up with Moira unhindered.. finding her consoling the unconscious boy. The soulless still looking pathetic, and uninterested nearby. Doing nothing of any real interest nor hiding any intent.
Jack healing Nivi through their physical contact as Nivi responds with something akin to either flirting, permission to some extent, friendly banter, or something else unperceivable to even the adjudicator. Nivi then prepares herself to begin exploring the upper floors.. Creating an illusion and conjuring a distant hand. She presses her ear to the doors, and though to the south, the scratching can still be heard, the door she listens to...
(Chance Roll: 4 ) (original - 4_
Nivi then moving to the doors to open (with the hand or her body) finding it unlocked either way. Shiv, peeks inside to make sure there was nothing within.... (Perception ((group)): 9 ) (original 9)
And gets lucky that none of the felines inside spotted a bird within their grasp... This room is crawling with cats. Bookshelves hug the walls, but most of the shelves are bare. Other furnishings include a desk, a chair, a table, and a wine cabinet. The room has an irregular shape, and none of its angles seem quite right, as though the shifting of the house has set the whole place on edge.
(south room perception: 19 ) (original: nat 21)
Spider jack slips beneath the small space of the door frame, and spots a feral woman on her hands and knees.. who spots him at the same time. She hisses, and raises a hand, preparing to strike! (stay or go)
Moira would spot Beren approaching, as Karl has gone silent, whether due to the pain or the comforting palms.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While a feral woman wasn't quite on the list of expectations, Jack -- for once over the past few minutes -- had enough of his wits about him as to scrabble out from beneath the door frame and back into the hall, fully intending on making his way up onto a nearby wall adjacent to the door as to avoid any slim fingers or perhaps even the woman's whole arm slipping through the crack and maul his delicate form. Yet partway into the immediate escape did he have a thought.
'What if the door wasn't locked?' A foolish notion dismissed by doubt in the Lady Wachter or her servants allowing the free movement of the feral in so 'lovely' a home; especially after encountering guests. But that nugget of thought yet spurred him to alter his course just enough to end up still back in the hallway, only to scamper up the wall and back onto the door's midsection. A little safety measure in case the girl yet could open the door, likely slamming it open at that, but incidentally obscuring him behind it in the process.
He'd need only hope any door handle would be enough of a brace to keep him from be splattering against the wall from so abrupt an opening. If after a minute of staying perched on the door (again the side facing the hallway) his fears proved to be unfounded would he chitter in relief, then continue onwards to the next door south of him to try again at quietly slip beneath the door and spy-der what's inside at least.
Wachter smiles faintly when Beren requests to know what exactly would he gain from following her request. Shifting in her seat, seeming unafraid of the well-armed knight.. for better or worse. The wine goblet in her hand shifting and roiling, spinning the liquid in it into a dull whirlpool as she speaks, looking Beren as close to 'in the eyes' as possible. Well, you would get to live, for one. Strahd had commanded me to kill you and yours through whatever means I chose. However I'm a bit more pragmatic.. Strahd wishes to gain full control of this town, but the Burgomasters before and now have just so managed to hold their own.. if only due to this towns location and ability to shore up it's defenses. With me leading it, one of.. if not the last places holding out within this plane would rest where it truly belongs... in my masters hands. However, should you prove resistant, I will be forced to remove you from my home, dead, or alive. the entire time her eyes remained on his, and Beren continued to feel that hair-tingling evil from just behind him. Nivi, however, was unaware.
And you would earn his favor. Afterall, most who come here intend to challenge him. Turning the town over would prove otherwise. her head tilting to this side as she watched to see how he would respond. As Beren mentions the person or thing he considers to be an eavesdropper she would turn her head to look behind her. Oh pay Ernst no mind... he likes to listen in on what goes on here, but he is ever the loyal servant. He is .. likely making sure you do not attempt to attack me, or somethign else similarly reckless. You are, ultimately surrounded should you choose voilence... she said with some degree of confidence. Though not entirely full.
Wachters eyes shift from the door behind her . . . back to her 'son' where she looks him over curiously. Though the moment is breif before she stands, clapping her hands to call in the butler who was just down the hall a short ways, far enough to not eavesdrop, but close enough to be available within a moment. Be a dear and take my son to his second room. He seems to be worse than usual.. and will likely need a place to sleep for a few days to shake off this hangover.
Wachters eyes breifly look behind Beren, seemingly at the wall, and with a nod then remains standing. The goblet in her hand, now more visible - looks incredibly expensive, beyond several hundred gold coins expensive. It had been mostly hidden in the dimness till she had stood, allowing the scant light within to shine on the grem-laden thing.
The butler did as he was asked, helping Karl up carefully, and leading him out of the room. Soon up the stairs, taking great pains to make sure Karl was comfortable. And just at the height of the stairs, was a door, to the right, which with key in hand, the butler - still clad in butlers attire with the added extra of the soot-black hooded cloak opened it. This bedroom contains nothing out of the ordinary: a neatly made bed, a table with an oil lamp on it, a handsome wooden chest, a slender wardrobe, and a window box with drapes. The butler aided Karl to the bed, pulling several shorn rags and a bucked from the corner near it - somewhere to puke, and something to clean face with - before saying I hope you enjoy your stay, Master Karl. I hope only that you get well soon. With a firm but practiced bow, the butler moved to the door, closing it. Though a few moments later, a heavy 'click' was heard as the sound of an iron key locked the door behind him.
(Jack may have left at any point during transit. If there are any checks either of you wish to do, let me know. I am also sorry for assuming a bit here but that is one of the primary issues with play-by-post in that if i were to post and wait... a single scene would take forever yet if I don't I do take away some agency... such as Nivi pickpocketing the butler or .. something on the way up.)
Nivi, now finding herself alone within the boys room, and locked inside.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Ola smiles a little at the Soulless... "Yes... would that Divine justice would end the travail, but Divine mercy holds its hand and waits for repentance... to the end." She sighs. And that's the only reason I have a chance, so I cannot wish for a resolution before the end of time.
The drow continues to stroke Karl's hair, and speaks to him soothingly. "Gone? What happened to your father, Karl?"
Nivi/Karl stumbles up the stairs with the butler, suspecting the charade has long passed its expiration date. "Ma... room," she mumbles grumpily.
She pauses, face serious and perfectly still as she has seen some drunks attempt to do momentarily, as if pretending to be sober.
(Bonus Action: Steady Aim). Then without warning, she (Action) attacks the butler non-lethally using the Booming Blade cantrip (no verbal component) and the pommel of her rapier, aiming to knock him out and lock him in Karl's room with his own keys.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
In spite of Wachter's comment on paying no mind to her servant behind the door, Beren's hand tightens on the pommel of his sword. Sensing some presence behind him, he blatantly ignores the butler as he escorts Nivi out of the room. If the ruse is still undetected, he doesn't want to be the one to blow Nivi's cover. Still, he is starting to feel cornered. As much as he prefers to avoid games, it seems that Wachter's current bluntness has left him with few options in terms of how to respond. Should he bother asking about the bones? At this rate he doubts he'll be able to get answers. Plus, if she is already suspicious of Nivi/Karl, then him asking about the bones could make things harder for Nivi and Jack if they manage to start looking.
After the door closes behind Nivi and the butler, Beren lets out a breath--finally releasing his grip on his sword. Lowering his chin, he says in a low tone, "If the choice was mine alone, I would have no qualms taking your life and the lives of whomever else in your household who stand against me. I have met your master, and I do not wish to seek his favor." He tilts his mask to the side, showing the dent in the metal from the backhand he'd received from the vampire. As he does so the power within him pulses, urging him to act on the impulse to jump into battle. The evil in this room needs to be purged, and he is in the right place to do just that. However, he leaves his hands loosely at his sides, making no move to attack. Instead he says, "However I must speak to my comrades on this matter. If there is any chance of them living in this accursed place, or receiving passage out, then I will not allow my own feelings to take that chance from them."
He looks her squarely in the eyes, though the blazing light from behind the mask obscures his own, "Will you allow me to do this. Or must I fight my way out of your household. If your choice is the latter, then consider the deal off and me your enemy."
Nivi's non-lethal Booming Blade attack on butler with the pommel of her rapier and advantage from Steady Aim.
Rapier to hit: 27 (Nat. 20)
Rapier plus Sneak Attack crit damage: 14 + 17 = 31 non-lethal damage (!!)
Booming Blade secondary additional damage: 2 more thunder damage if target moves voluntarily before Nivi's next turn.
(She still looks like Karl).
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
The soulless do not respond to Moira's continued hope or words. They only sigh, as if the back and forth itself had been a burden, tiring and draining. Their eyes glazing over again, going back to looking at nothing, their lips in a perpetually neutral, or slightly frowned placing - but it was as if the very act of living was a forced burden. Karl does not respond.. atleast not initially. Several minutes passing as his fever dream continues, where it seems his candor is spilling out in the drips of a winetap. Dead... months... ma-maa won't let it rest... let us .. passst it... the tears continue down his face at a slow pace. The pace of a wound all but fully healed, but ever picked at. His body twitching in dreams here and there but otherwise, still.
In the hallway, Nivi's strike is efficient and swift. If not for her holding back she thinks such a hit might have actually exploded the mans skull like a tiny maul. Instead, he falls to the floor. Bleeding from the scalp, and likely to wake if still alive to do so later with intense head pain - but alive nonetheless. As Nivi revealed herself, though still in the form of Karl, Wachters suspicions had come to fruition... (Sting @ Advantage from invisibility: Attack: 10 Damage: 4 Piercing, and if it hits, Nivi needs to make a DC 11 Con save or take 10 Poison Damage ((half if saved)))
Occassional Dungeon Master.
An imp appearing behind Nivi. It had been behind Beren before.. but when Wachter had eyed the air, she gave it a mental command to follow the 'suspicious' Karl.
((I will wait to see how you all respond before i adjudicate the next steps since this is an unusual set of events.))
With Wachter, She looks up at Beren now, her face as hard as iron, and with an expression to match. There will be no enemies of Strahd in my household. But I will respect the rule of a guest.. however temporary... Begone from my mansion, and never return. But know now, that we are enemies. And nothing will change that. You may leave in peace. her words however held the veiled threat of 'however if you interfere at any point...'
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Nivi CON Save: 5 (Nat. 1) - 18 total damage applied.
She gasps in pain, but is grimly intent on fighting back against the now visible Imp. (Is it her turn or roll Initiative?)
Under her breath so as to be audible only to Arachno-Jack in her hair (and perhaps to the Imp), in Elvish:
"Wachter's got herself an invisible Imp as backup. Visible now. Figures she's buddies with fiends, I guess. A little help, Shorty?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
(no initiative needed yet. but you may retaliate as if in turn order)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Gritting her teeth against the toxins spreading darkly along the weeping sting wound in her back, Nivi pivots in place and stares down the now visible Imp, her pale green eyes flashing and teeth bared. Looking for a weakness in the Imp's defenses.
Bonus Action: Steady Aim once more, gaining advantage in exchange for zero movement. Aiming to skewer the Imp through its center of mass.
Action: Booming Blade attack with her rapier on the imp with advantage from Steady Aim.
Rapier to hit: 26
Rapier plus Sneak Attack damage: 13 + 10 = 23 piercing
Booming Blade extra damage if Imp moves voluntarily before Nivi's next turn: 3 thunder
If the Imp still survives, Nivi hisses quietly in Elvish: "Shorty. No time like the present. Unless you'd rather just use harsh language."Edited since the Imp is skewered by Nivi's rapier, disappearing in an acrid puff of sulfurous smoke.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Nivi staggers as the slain Imp vanishes, herself severely wounded and almost falling down the stairs from the searing pain of the venom in her back.
"Think I took it out..." is all she grunts softly through gritted teeth to Arachno-Jack in her hair, as she searches the butler's body, taking his keys (and anything else of interest), pushing him into Karl's bedchamber, and after a cursory inspection of the room, locking the unconscious man inside.
She summons Shiv, her owl familiar, to her shoulder and takes a good look around the hallway, listening also to what she can hear of the conversation below. (Anyone looking at her right now would still see Karl with an owl on his shoulder).
Nivi's Perception: 25 (for all of the above - search of butler's possessions, Karl's room, hallway, and listening to downstairs conversation).
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
(I will adjudicate this before i go to bed.)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
(Chance Roll: 14 )
With luck, despite the commotion, it apparently had went unheard due to various circumstances.. with Wachter herself.. likely the conversation with Beren. Anyone else who might be in the house, likely elsewhere, distracted by their own things. Nivi is able to hide the evidence by shifting the unconscious butler to the room he had intended to Trap Nivi in, apparently at Wachters request... and he would likely be unconscious for ( 7 hours) More than enough time to get done with business.. Nivi was hounded for at-least another minute with stinging pain however.. though it caused no harm, the sheer amount leaving a lingering burn, like 'modern medical alcohol' on an open wound.
On his person, she finds little. The key ring, that seems to posses only a few keys. It takes a try or two but Nivi finds the correct one before long. The only other thing of note on his person being a pouch containing ( 12 gold, imprinted with the face of Strahd ) Now with a few moments to breathe.. And own on hand, Nivi looks around to get her bearings.. considering she's never been here.
To Nivi's right is the room she was to be put in. It was clean, and simple.. the bed, a table and wardrobe, as mentioned prior, with a window overlooking part of the town. Otherwise barren. Framed portraits and mirrors festoon the walls, surrounding you with judging looks and dark reflections. You hear something scratching at one of the many doors.
To Nivi's left, she would see a pair of double doors. Southward, she see's another door, before the hallway crooks towards the staircase. Just barely visible is another knob, though it is hard for her to tell what exactly is there, then, following the railing, another set of more grandiose doors just behind the railing on the right side if she were facing the north window. As well as two paintings of people who look similar to Wachter, but are not the one below. A hallway with a window at each end wraps around the staircase railing.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Beren gives a stiff bow, bending at the waist. The gesture was more out of formalities and habit than respect. Then he turns and walks out the way he came in. As he does so, he listens and looks for anything telling/suspicious, hoping that it isn't a mistake to leave Nivi and Jack in the manor alone now that he won't be able to walk back in without initiating a fight.
Perception: 18
Once outside, assuming he gets there unhindered, he walks quickly to where they had left Olamoira.
Unfortunately for Nivi, not that it ultimately mattered, but Jack had all but utterly lost himself in another mental song and dance routine involving a humanoid looking tree sprout and blue skies. A state of madness he remained well after the imp was vanquished, and she had moved on to dealing with the Butler. By the time she's dealt with him however, she'd then feel the strangest soothing sensation from the back of her head, before it drifts down the rest of her being. A feeling almost akin to dipping into a nice, warm bath after a long day's work.
ooc: Jack is Using Balm of the Summer Court to restore 4 HP to Nivi and Grant her 2 Temp Hp on top of that.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
Nivi smiles despite herself when she feels the pleasantly warm, otherworldly sensation tingle from her head to her toes. Her drawl in Elvish is soft.
"Anytime you want to give a girl a nice little scalp massage like that, Shorty, you just go ahead. A girl doesn't mind. Foot massages too..."
Speaking without irony, as if Nivi herself had not given him a vigorous (and uninvited) tummy rub and petting when he was in the form of a mastiff.
Still injured, though less so, and hearing no signs of anyone approaching to investigate the commotion (and no signs of Beren either, for that matter), the high elf squares her slim shoulders. She takes the butler's keys and almost instinctively begins to gather the coins from his pouch before frowning at Strahd's insignia on them and thinking better of it, leaving them. Not here for that, anyway. Wonder if the Prophet would be proud. Doubt it.
"So the Imp's taken care of now, Shorty. Upstairs now, searching the hallway. Bedrooms, maybe. Starting with Karl's anyway. Could turn into Morty again and sniff out the bones' scent. No idea which way to go, myself." Nivi leaves it up to Jack when to deploy Morty's nose.
While waiting briefly for any possible response from Arachno-Jack, she casts two cantrips in quick succession (neither requiring concentration):
1. Mage Hand (invisible thanks to Arcane Tricksters' Mage Hand Legerdemain, to hold the butler's keys so Nivi can attempt to unlock doors at a distance, or use her Thieves' Tools if that fails. Whispering the verbal components.
2. Minor Illusion of the Imp's tail poking out from around the railing. So anyone looking up the stairs might think the fiend was simply waiting.
If Arachno-Jack remains as is in her hair, Nivi nods to herself. With no particular reason to choose one door over another, she first listens at the nearest one (double doors to her west). If hearing nothing worrisome, she stands back (south) 15' and uses her Mage Hand to (unlock and) open the doors.
If the doors are open, before Nivi shows herself, Shiv, flying up near the ceiling, briefly pokes his head in to take a look before returning to her shoulder.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
'This one is starting to suspect that -that one- has a things for canines~' Jack thought and tapped a few of his forelegs in his amusement. An action that could be misconstrued as agreement to her suggested plan of action given the time, but not something he's of a mind to care one way or another. Instead, if but to hasten the search a little, Arachno-Jack (gotta get back, back to the past, Arachno-Jack~)he scrawls his way down while being mindful to avoid being stepped on in the process, takes a moment to orient himself, and then hurries his over to the single doors just south of the double doors Nivi was seeing to by then, intending to try his non-existent hand at squeezing beneath the door for -- at the very least -- a peak into the next room.
Spy-der Stealting: 15.
Spyder Eyes: 25.
Naturally the moment he spies danger approaching the door, be the feet of some servant, pet, or worse still, some other fiendish critter on the prowl on the other side, then he'd immediately retreat back into the hall and up to the ceiling to find a dark corner to hide and reconsider his next move.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
Olamoira keeps stroking Karl's hair, making supportive and sympathetic noises. Karl's words about death... and loss... seem to chill Ola's heart. Her comforting actions feel suddenly awkward, alien to her, what should be natural, as any mother instinctively would comfort her child. I butchered any right to relate in such a natural and life-giving way! Oh, don't you be like Karl's momma, Ola, refusing to let anything go... Ola takes a deep breath, and keeps up the rhythmic stroking of Karl's hair, though the sensation has become so alarming and upsetting to her that she wants to snatch her hand away and run.
"I'm sorry your father died, Karl, and that your mother won't let it go. It's hard when you've got to be the strong one with your own parent. Hard to be sucessful, at that. That's your mom, she should be looking after you. I'm very sorry for the suffering you're going through. I'm sure you must be heartbroken about your dad, and frustrated at your mother not being reasonable, and scared about your place in the world now..." The drow realizes she's rambling, and sighs. Keeps stroking Karl's hair, looking down at his tear-streaked face. I wonder what my sister's child would have looked like if he had ever gotten to grow up...he'd be maybe about Karl's age now... pain pinches her heart, and she pushes the thought away.
As Nivi hid most of the visible evidence aside from the Imps Tail poking just over the edge... this he see's, aside from that, a maid moving from one room to another below on the same floor as he was on. Just like everyone aside from Wachter and her sons, she too is wearing a dark cloak that hides her visage mostly. Beren is able to make it outside and meet back up with Moira unhindered.. finding her consoling the unconscious boy. The soulless still looking pathetic, and uninterested nearby. Doing nothing of any real interest nor hiding any intent.
Jack healing Nivi through their physical contact as Nivi responds with something akin to either flirting, permission to some extent, friendly banter, or something else unperceivable to even the adjudicator. Nivi then prepares herself to begin exploring the upper floors.. Creating an illusion and conjuring a distant hand. She presses her ear to the doors, and though to the south, the scratching can still be heard, the door she listens to...
(Chance Roll: 4 ) (original - 4_
Nivi then moving to the doors to open (with the hand or her body) finding it unlocked either way. Shiv, peeks inside to make sure there was nothing within.... (Perception ((group)): 9 ) (original 9)
And gets lucky that none of the felines inside spotted a bird within their grasp... This room is crawling with cats. Bookshelves hug the walls, but most of the shelves are bare. Other furnishings include a desk, a chair, a table, and a wine cabinet. The room has an irregular shape, and none of its angles seem quite right, as though the shifting of the house has set the whole place on edge.
(south room perception: 19 ) (original: nat 21)
Spider jack slips beneath the small space of the door frame, and spots a feral woman on her hands and knees.. who spots him at the same time. She hisses, and raises a hand, preparing to strike! (stay or go)
Moira would spot Beren approaching, as Karl has gone silent, whether due to the pain or the comforting palms.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
While a feral woman wasn't quite on the list of expectations, Jack -- for once over the past few minutes -- had enough of his wits about him as to scrabble out from beneath the door frame and back into the hall, fully intending on making his way up onto a nearby wall adjacent to the door as to avoid any slim fingers or perhaps even the woman's whole arm slipping through the crack and maul his delicate form. Yet partway into the immediate escape did he have a thought.
'What if the door wasn't locked?' A foolish notion dismissed by doubt in the Lady Wachter or her servants allowing the free movement of the feral in so 'lovely' a home; especially after encountering guests. But that nugget of thought yet spurred him to alter his course just enough to end up still back in the hallway, only to scamper up the wall and back onto the door's midsection. A little safety measure in case the girl yet could open the door, likely slamming it open at that, but incidentally obscuring him behind it in the process.
He'd need only hope any door handle would be enough of a brace to keep him from be splattering against the wall from so abrupt an opening. If after a minute of staying perched on the door (again the side facing the hallway) his fears proved to be unfounded would he chitter in relief, then continue onwards to the next door south of him to try again at quietly slip beneath the door and spy-der what's inside at least.
Perception: 22.
Stealth: 13.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey