Burr grabs the rope but looks seriously conflicted about abandoning whoever might be on the ground floor of the house, still he climbs reasoning they can always head down the stairs to assist below....
Soren's half-elven ears flatten further on his scalp like a wolf at bay as he watches the remaining Vampire Spawn charm his way into the ground floor of the Baron's manor house and hears the massacre continue downstairs. The druid's cerebral cortex comprehends the reasons for hunkering down in Viktor's warded attic, but his animal instincts are howling at him to lash out at the rampant undeath unleashed on innocents. There are tears in Soren's eyes.
"No! Burr, do not... I will join you down there... We cannot just let..." Soren begins, but by then, the big man is already climbing up.
Letting out a feral growl and still concentrating on Moonbeam, Soren uses his next turn (if it were combat) to move the searing cylinder of radiant light over the woman watching the bloodbath so calmly with no apparent fear of the undead abominations. He can only assume she is Strahd's agent.
Nettle flies out into the night (60' fly speed) just before Soren moves his Moonbeam, flapping her wings in the woman's face, then flying up into the foliage of the trees (if she cannot get back through the window to Soren's shoulder), taking the help action. The next attack against the woman has advantage.
DC 14 CON Save for the watching woman, or she takes 12 radiant damage when starting turn in or entering AoE, 6 radiant damage on a success. (Shapeshifters make save at disadvantage and revert to their original form on failure).
Taking cover at the edge of the window and peeking, Soren grimaces through his teeth. His voice is flat. "We should slay her if we can."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Zefla tries to ignore the screams down below, unsure of how to handle those now. She's glad Burr is climbing up and joining them. Using her Steady Aim, she fires her arrow towards the watching woman.
As Burrascends up and back through the window, Zeflalooses an arrow and Gilesand Sorendirect their spells toward the mysterious woman watching from afar.
CON: 8
DEX: 15
Soren'smoonlight settles over her. Her dress begins to blacken and smoke in the harsh light.
Wisps of darkness gather from all around her, from the eaves of buildings and from the branches of trees, surrounding her and obscuring her from view. From the chittering and squeaking, it soon becomes clear it is not darkness, but bats... swarms of dozens, perhaps hundreds of bats. They block her from view for only a few seconds, but when the swarm begins to part, the woman is gone. The small island in the cul de sac center now sits empty. The swarms of bats slowly disperse, some of them returning to the trees while others take to the dark sky.
From somewhere below in the house, a voice can be heard screaming, "All will be well! All will be well!" There is a heavy crash, like a piece of furniture being thrown against a wall. A peculiar look passes over Victor's face, as if he ate something that disagreed with him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“If we win, then they don't win.” Giles indicates Lady Bauer and Ireena. “They’ll just be locked up again. And we get further and further away from our goals..” he looks to Victor to get his thought about what should be done.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Victor's face flickers with a mix of emotions—first annoyance, then a flicker of something almost like guilt, but it quickly hardens again. He looks away from the shattered window, his fingers twitching at his sides.
"My family? The Baron cries out that 'all will be well' while he hides behind his guards and sends others to die for him. My mother... she pretends everything is fine so she can keep her perfect little life. And when she can't pretend, like after what happened to uncle Lucian, she drinks." He turns to the group, eyes flashing with a hint of desperation beneath the bravado. "They've never cared about me. Not about my hopes, my fears... not about what Iwant. The Baron only cares about his image, about control—about pretending this cursed town isn't already damned."
Victor shakes his head, swallowing hard as he tries to keep his voice steady. "Do you honestly think rushing down there would accomplish anything? You'd risk your lives for people who wouldn’t even thank you for it. The Baron would sooner accuse you of being part of the chaos than admit you helped." He spares a glance at Tourmaline, then gestures at the warded door of his lab, almost fiercely. "We’re safer here. We stay, we think, we plan. If we can find a way to escape this nightmare—that's what matters. This isn't about my family; it's about getting out of this hellhole before it’s too late for all of us."
There’s a slight tremor in his voice, though he does his best to hide it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla shakes her head. "Nope, I can't.. I can't hide out here while that thing kills people that don't deserve to die. They may not be good people, but hell, sometimes I'm not all that good. Viktor, you stay up here with Tourmaline and Ireena and whoever else wants to hide out. Burr, let's go back down that rope and through the window. We don't need anyone down there knowing out our hideout. In case we can't meet here again, come find us at the Inn if we survive. Just Viktor. We'll figure out a plan then."
Wishing she had more than arrows, but she did have that jar of fire..., she heads out the window and attempts to rappel down with the rope.
Acrobatics if needed: 12
And she peers in through the window that the spawn was greeted in and assesses the situation, trying to find the creature.
Burr follows Zefla and nods to Soren, " Get them out, don't trust the boy......leave us if you must."
He jumps out the window after Zefla, knowing the pain from the fall will spur him on....he was mainly concerned over any servants who may be downstairs rather than Viktors father....
Giles turns to them as they start to make their rapid descent, saying “No.. I don’t understand, I tend to agree with Victor here…“. He goes over to the window, clearly conflicted. He looks to Soren, saying “Well, what do you think? They can really get themselves in trouble down there. I don’t know…”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
As Giles turns to look at Soren, the druid (and owl) are no longer there. (From his earlier words, Soren had wanted to fight, not hide).
Nettle wings her way out the window and flies by the downstairs window that the Vampire Spawn entered, trying to locate the undead horror inside, either visually or based on the sounds of carnage it is leaving in its wake. She finishes her 60' flight by returning to Soren's shoulder once he has descended.
Nettle'sPerception with advantage thanks to Keen Hearing and Sight: 14 (telepathically communicates findings to Soren).
Tossing down (free action) and climbing down (movement) the rope that Giles had previously attached for Burr to climb up, Soren responds in a quiet, flat voice to Giles' question, reflecting and unwritten rule of forest creatures that to him is self-evident.
"Packs may battle and compete for food or territory, not-Father, yet when the risen dead come in the night, there are only two packs. Us and them."
IF Nettle has located the Vampire Spawn (by sight or sound) within the Baron's manor house, Soren uses his action to move his Moonbeam to cover its location if he can. (he can move the AoE up to 60', line of sight not needed).
DC14 CON Save on entering OR starting turn in AoE. 10radiant damage on fail, 5 otherwise. Shapeshifters save at disadvantage and revert form on fail.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
New Initiative:
Soren 17
Burr 20
Zefla 23
Giles 11
???1 - 4
???2- 14
???3- 7
???4- 9
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
[Moonbeam: Duration is 1 minute. 4 rounds took place while in combat. Based on the conversations upstairs and time for Burr to climb up and then he and everyone else to climb down, I think it is reasonable to say at least another 3 rounds (~18 seconds) have passed. I would rule there are 3 rounds of Moonbeam left before the spell will expire. It had been moved far away from the house to attack the mystery woman, but I would say in the time since Soren would have had plenty of time to bring it back. I positioned it just inside the house.]
Nettle:
Flying past the windows and the now open and broken front door, Nettle sees an abattoir inside the front of the house. Bodies of several peasants and a guard lie on the floor in spreading pools of blood. There is blood down the hallway and up the stairs, where a single guard stands, covered head to toe in blood and looking shell-shocked. There is growling from down the hall as well as the sound of women screaming. There is the sound of heavy boots upstairs.
The Vampire Spawn that entered the house is not in sight.
Burr, Zeflaand Sorendescend to the open doorway, looking in at the bloody scene. Bodies lie everywhere. Some appear to have been mauled by an animal, while others (mostly the peasants) show weapon wounds. A lone guard stands on the staircase to the north. He is covered head to toe in blood, though its not clear if it is his own or someone else's. There is a crazed, distant look on his face but he takes no immediate action when you approach the door.
To the south, through an open door, there is the sound of movement and clinking metal.
Down the hallway, there are sounds of an animal growling as well as a woman screaming. You recall from your previous trip into the house that this hallway runs all the way back toward the kitchens and that there is a second staircase back there.
Finally, upstairs you can hear the sound of heavy boots moving quickly through the house.
Upstairs, Gilesstands by the window with Victor, Ireena and Lady Bauer beside him.
Ireenasheathes her sword and moves for the rope. "I am not helpless. I won't hide up here while others fight against those monsters."
Victor just shakes his head as the others descend the rope.
Lady Bauer tries to stop Ireena. "Please. We are both wounded. Let the others lift this particular burden. Wait here with us. Its possible we may yet need your sword up here. My spells are depleted and the boy..." she glances at Victor, "... has no battle experience. If this room is breached, who will protect us?"
Ireena looks at Lady Bauer but seems committed. She turns to Giles. "Are you coming, Father?"
New Initiative:
Soren
???
Burr, Zefla, Giles
???
Ireena
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles says quickly to the gathered group upstairs, “Dammit. Dammit, dammit, dammit. Ireena, stay here, use your sword to protect Victor and Lady Bauer. Let Zefla, Soren, Burr and I handle what lies downstairs. Please, I beg of you, stay here. We will be back. Shout if you need us.” Giles looks out, headed the same way as Zefla, Soren and Burr. He pockets his coin, giving it an extra rub for luck. “Lady, we need you now, please be with us.” Giles makes his move to join his companions, looking none too pleased with the situation.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
[Giles, roll Persuasion to try and convince Ireena.
Meanwhile, Sorenis up, then something else... ]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Burr heads in and legs it straight up the stairs, once he gets to top and determines if there is danger to his two 'wards' he will either engage it or, if there is no danger there he will head back down.
( Not sure how much damage he took from jumping out the window, but hopefully it counts for this round to maintain his Rage if there's no target at the top of the stairs. If there is a target there then-
Bloodspear ( either thrown or held)- Attack: 12 Damage: 10 )
Soren stares at the carnage in front of him (and as reported by Nettle), unblinking like a wolf at bay. Subconsciously, he bares his teeth in a snarl.
"We may face enemies other than undead abominations. Though the Vampire Spawn use their claws and teeth, they are not like an animal's, and some corpses here look as if a beast mauled them. Nor have I heard a Vampire Spawn growl as we hear down the hall. Nor use metal weapons as evidenced in the wounds on some corpses here." He pauses. "Other allies of Strahd, most likely. Beast-like, perhaps... Werewolves?"
He looks sharply at the dazed guard. "This is the den of your pack-leader. Should you not defend it while you draw breath? Which way did the Vampire Spawn go? And what other foes assault us tonight? We have slain one Vampire Spawn outside and sent another fleeing. Yet another has entered."
As Soren advances thirty feet west, Nettle flies another sortie (dashing 120') seventy-five feet further west down the hall, then forty-five feet back to Soren's shoulder, telepathically reporting back to the druid on anything she sees or hears through any open door or window that might reveal the exact location of an enemy (e.g. Vampire Spawn or bestial/lycanthrope). Using Flyby to avoid any possible opportunity attacks.
IF Nettle spots an obvious enemy, Soren uses his action to move his Moonbeam up to 60' over it if he can (no line of sight needed). DC14 CON Save if entering or starting turn in AoE, 10radiant damage on fail, 5 on success. Shapeshifters make save with disadvantage and revert to original form on fail.
IF no enemy is spotted, Soren uses his action to move further west (dash) and attempts to determine which door the growling and screaming are coming from. If he decides on a particular door as the best bet, he uses his free action to open it slightly (if unlocked) and peek in.
Sorenadvances down the hall, criticizing the guard's apparent lack of action. In response, guard opens his mouth as if to speak, but his no voice emerges. His eyes are wide and unblinking, and though he is covered nearly head to toe in blood, a closer look suggests he himself uninjured. The body of a peasant lies beside him on the stairs. He just holds his spear out defensively, but makes no other action. The man looks terrified past the point of reason.
Moving further down the hall, Sorenand Nettleapproach an open door at roughly the same time. It opens into a fancy dining room. A chandelier of wrought iron fitted with wax candles hangs above a polished wooden dining table. Around the table, blood stains the floors and carpets; the body of a woman lies tossed aside in one corner, while the Vampire Spawn crouches on the tabletop over the dark-haired corpse of another. It glowers at two serving women who huddle in fright in opposite corners of the room. 'Where are you hiding the one called 'Tatyana'?'it rasps at them. 'Go away, monster!' one of the horrified servants cries, while the other just wails.
While this demands his immediate attention, Sorenand Nettlesboth recognize that the snarling sound is coming from the closed door immediately across the hall from the dining room.
Sorenmoves his moonbeam down the hall, around him and into the space surrounding the Vampire Spawn.
CON: 16
The creature is bathed in moonlight. It shudders, as some of its flesh darkens and crackles, though it seems to resist the effects better than its brethren had outside. It turns its red eyes back toward the door and then leaps off the table, confronting Soren. "I saw you up in that window, little songbird. Come down from your perch, have you?" As it closes the distance, it babbles a sing-song rhyme, red eyes glaring and blood dripping from its maw and clawed fingers...
"Little songbird, loved by all, A leap, a scratch, and feathers fall, The kitten smiles, claws turned red, Little songbird, cold and dead."
Claw Attack: 17 Slashing Damage: 8
Claw Attack: 12 (Miss)
Outside, Gilesdescends from the attic window to join the others outside the front door.
[Left Burrwhere he was outside on this map but I presume he would have went for the Vampire Spawn once it emerged into the hall to attack Soren? If so the roll from post #1858 would hit. If, instead, Burrdid continue up the stairs as originally posted, please advise.]
Soren
Vampire Spawn
Burr, Zefla, Giles
???
Ireena
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
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Burr grabs the rope but looks seriously conflicted about abandoning whoever might be on the ground floor of the house, still he climbs reasoning they can always head down the stairs to assist below....
Soren's half-elven ears flatten further on his scalp like a wolf at bay as he watches the remaining Vampire Spawn charm his way into the ground floor of the Baron's manor house and hears the massacre continue downstairs. The druid's cerebral cortex comprehends the reasons for hunkering down in Viktor's warded attic, but his animal instincts are howling at him to lash out at the rampant undeath unleashed on innocents. There are tears in Soren's eyes.
"No! Burr, do not... I will join you down there... We cannot just let..." Soren begins, but by then, the big man is already climbing up.
Letting out a feral growl and still concentrating on Moonbeam, Soren uses his next turn (if it were combat) to move the searing cylinder of radiant light over the woman watching the bloodbath so calmly with no apparent fear of the undead abominations. He can only assume she is Strahd's agent.
Nettle flies out into the night (60' fly speed) just before Soren moves his Moonbeam, flapping her wings in the woman's face, then flying up into the foliage of the trees (if she cannot get back through the window to Soren's shoulder), taking the help action. The next attack against the woman has advantage.
DC 14 CON Save for the watching woman, or she takes 12 radiant damage when starting turn in or entering AoE, 6 radiant damage on a success. (Shapeshifters make save at disadvantage and revert to their original form on failure).
Taking cover at the edge of the window and peeking, Soren grimaces through his teeth. His voice is flat. "We should slay her if we can."
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
"You don't have to tell me twice." Zefla tries to ignore the screams down below, unsure of how to handle those now. She's glad Burr is climbing up and joining them. Using her Steady Aim, she fires her arrow towards the watching woman.
Attack: 17, Damage: 6 + 6 sneak attack
Giles nods and points his hand at the watching woman, another shaft of light shoots down onto her location, seeking to burn her. “Who is she?”
Casts : Sacred Flame : DC 14 Dex save or take 8 points of radiant damage.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
As Burr ascends up and back through the window, Zefla looses an arrow and Giles and Soren direct their spells toward the mysterious woman watching from afar.
CON: 8
DEX: 15
Soren's moonlight settles over her. Her dress begins to blacken and smoke in the harsh light.
Wisps of darkness gather from all around her, from the eaves of buildings and from the branches of trees, surrounding her and obscuring her from view. From the chittering and squeaking, it soon becomes clear it is not darkness, but bats... swarms of dozens, perhaps hundreds of bats. They block her from view for only a few seconds, but when the swarm begins to part, the woman is gone. The small island in the cul de sac center now sits empty. The swarms of bats slowly disperse, some of them returning to the trees while others take to the dark sky.
From somewhere below in the house, a voice can be heard screaming, "All will be well! All will be well!" There is a heavy crash, like a piece of furniture being thrown against a wall. A peculiar look passes over Victor's face, as if he ate something that disagreed with him.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
" Your family are dying below. Shall we assist?", Burr says to Viktor then he looks across to the two women they had just rescued apologetically.
“If we win, then they don't win.” Giles indicates Lady Bauer and Ireena. “They’ll just be locked up again. And we get further and further away from our goals..” he looks to Victor to get his thought about what should be done.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Victor's face flickers with a mix of emotions—first annoyance, then a flicker of something almost like guilt, but it quickly hardens again. He looks away from the shattered window, his fingers twitching at his sides.
"My family? The Baron cries out that 'all will be well' while he hides behind his guards and sends others to die for him. My mother... she pretends everything is fine so she can keep her perfect little life. And when she can't pretend, like after what happened to uncle Lucian, she drinks." He turns to the group, eyes flashing with a hint of desperation beneath the bravado. "They've never cared about me. Not about my hopes, my fears... not about what I want. The Baron only cares about his image, about control—about pretending this cursed town isn't already damned."
Victor shakes his head, swallowing hard as he tries to keep his voice steady. "Do you honestly think rushing down there would accomplish anything? You'd risk your lives for people who wouldn’t even thank you for it. The Baron would sooner accuse you of being part of the chaos than admit you helped." He spares a glance at Tourmaline, then gestures at the warded door of his lab, almost fiercely. "We’re safer here. We stay, we think, we plan. If we can find a way to escape this nightmare—that's what matters. This isn't about my family; it's about getting out of this hellhole before it’s too late for all of us."
There’s a slight tremor in his voice, though he does his best to hide it.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla shakes her head. "Nope, I can't.. I can't hide out here while that thing kills people that don't deserve to die. They may not be good people, but hell, sometimes I'm not all that good. Viktor, you stay up here with Tourmaline and Ireena and whoever else wants to hide out. Burr, let's go back down that rope and through the window. We don't need anyone down there knowing out our hideout. In case we can't meet here again, come find us at the Inn if we survive. Just Viktor. We'll figure out a plan then."
Wishing she had more than arrows, but she did have that jar of fire..., she heads out the window and attempts to rappel down with the rope.
Acrobatics if needed: 12
And she peers in through the window that the spawn was greeted in and assesses the situation, trying to find the creature.
Burr follows Zefla and nods to Soren, " Get them out, don't trust the boy......leave us if you must."
He jumps out the window after Zefla, knowing the pain from the fall will spur him on....he was mainly concerned over any servants who may be downstairs rather than Viktors father....
Rage.
Giles turns to them as they start to make their rapid descent, saying “No.. I don’t understand, I tend to agree with Victor here… “. He goes over to the window, clearly conflicted. He looks to Soren, saying “Well, what do you think? They can really get themselves in trouble down there. I don’t know…”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
As Giles turns to look at Soren, the druid (and owl) are no longer there. (From his earlier words, Soren had wanted to fight, not hide).
Nettle wings her way out the window and flies by the downstairs window that the Vampire Spawn entered, trying to locate the undead horror inside, either visually or based on the sounds of carnage it is leaving in its wake. She finishes her 60' flight by returning to Soren's shoulder once he has descended.
Nettle's Perception with advantage thanks to Keen Hearing and Sight: 14 (telepathically communicates findings to Soren).
Tossing down (free action) and climbing down (movement) the rope that Giles had previously attached for Burr to climb up, Soren responds in a quiet, flat voice to Giles' question, reflecting and unwritten rule of forest creatures that to him is self-evident.
"Packs may battle and compete for food or territory, not-Father, yet when the risen dead come in the night, there are only two packs. Us and them."
IF Nettle has located the Vampire Spawn (by sight or sound) within the Baron's manor house, Soren uses his action to move his Moonbeam to cover its location if he can. (he can move the AoE up to 60', line of sight not needed).
DC14 CON Save on entering OR starting turn in AoE. 10 radiant damage on fail, 5 otherwise. Shapeshifters save at disadvantage and revert form on fail.
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
New Initiative:
Soren 17
Burr 20
Zefla 23
Giles 11
???1 - 4
???2- 14
???3- 7
???4- 9
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
[Moonbeam: Duration is 1 minute. 4 rounds took place while in combat. Based on the conversations upstairs and time for Burr to climb up and then he and everyone else to climb down, I think it is reasonable to say at least another 3 rounds (~18 seconds) have passed. I would rule there are 3 rounds of Moonbeam left before the spell will expire. It had been moved far away from the house to attack the mystery woman, but I would say in the time since Soren would have had plenty of time to bring it back. I positioned it just inside the house.]
Nettle:
Flying past the windows and the now open and broken front door, Nettle sees an abattoir inside the front of the house. Bodies of several peasants and a guard lie on the floor in spreading pools of blood. There is blood down the hallway and up the stairs, where a single guard stands, covered head to toe in blood and looking shell-shocked. There is growling from down the hall as well as the sound of women screaming. There is the sound of heavy boots upstairs.
The Vampire Spawn that entered the house is not in sight.
Burr, Zefla and Soren descend to the open doorway, looking in at the bloody scene. Bodies lie everywhere. Some appear to have been mauled by an animal, while others (mostly the peasants) show weapon wounds. A lone guard stands on the staircase to the north. He is covered head to toe in blood, though its not clear if it is his own or someone else's. There is a crazed, distant look on his face but he takes no immediate action when you approach the door.
To the south, through an open door, there is the sound of movement and clinking metal.
Down the hallway, there are sounds of an animal growling as well as a woman screaming. You recall from your previous trip into the house that this hallway runs all the way back toward the kitchens and that there is a second staircase back there.
Finally, upstairs you can hear the sound of heavy boots moving quickly through the house.
Upstairs, Giles stands by the window with Victor, Ireena and Lady Bauer beside him.
Ireena sheathes her sword and moves for the rope. "I am not helpless. I won't hide up here while others fight against those monsters."
Victor just shakes his head as the others descend the rope.
Lady Bauer tries to stop Ireena. "Please. We are both wounded. Let the others lift this particular burden. Wait here with us. Its possible we may yet need your sword up here. My spells are depleted and the boy..." she glances at Victor, "... has no battle experience. If this room is breached, who will protect us?"
Ireena looks at Lady Bauer but seems committed. She turns to Giles. "Are you coming, Father?"
New Initiative:
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles says quickly to the gathered group upstairs, “Dammit. Dammit, dammit, dammit. Ireena, stay here, use your sword to protect Victor and Lady Bauer. Let Zefla, Soren, Burr and I handle what lies downstairs. Please, I beg of you, stay here. We will be back. Shout if you need us.” Giles looks out, headed the same way as Zefla, Soren and Burr. He pockets his coin, giving it an extra rub for luck. “Lady, we need you now, please be with us.” Giles makes his move to join his companions, looking none too pleased with the situation.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
[Giles, roll Persuasion to try and convince Ireena.
Meanwhile, Soren is up, then something else... ]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles persuasion : 13
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Burr heads in and legs it straight up the stairs, once he gets to top and determines if there is danger to his two 'wards' he will either engage it or, if there is no danger there he will head back down.
( Not sure how much damage he took from jumping out the window, but hopefully it counts for this round to maintain his Rage if there's no target at the top of the stairs. If there is a target there then-
Bloodspear ( either thrown or held)- Attack: 12 Damage: 10 )
Soren stares at the carnage in front of him (and as reported by Nettle), unblinking like a wolf at bay. Subconsciously, he bares his teeth in a snarl.
"We may face enemies other than undead abominations. Though the Vampire Spawn use their claws and teeth, they are not like an animal's, and some corpses here look as if a beast mauled them. Nor have I heard a Vampire Spawn growl as we hear down the hall. Nor use metal weapons as evidenced in the wounds on some corpses here." He pauses. "Other allies of Strahd, most likely. Beast-like, perhaps... Werewolves?"
He looks sharply at the dazed guard. "This is the den of your pack-leader. Should you not defend it while you draw breath? Which way did the Vampire Spawn go? And what other foes assault us tonight? We have slain one Vampire Spawn outside and sent another fleeing. Yet another has entered."
As Soren advances thirty feet west, Nettle flies another sortie (dashing 120') seventy-five feet further west down the hall, then forty-five feet back to Soren's shoulder, telepathically reporting back to the druid on anything she sees or hears through any open door or window that might reveal the exact location of an enemy (e.g. Vampire Spawn or bestial/lycanthrope). Using Flyby to avoid any possible opportunity attacks.
IF Nettle spots an obvious enemy, Soren uses his action to move his Moonbeam up to 60' over it if he can (no line of sight needed). DC14 CON Save if entering or starting turn in AoE, 10 radiant damage on fail, 5 on success. Shapeshifters make save with disadvantage and revert to original form on fail.
IF no enemy is spotted, Soren uses his action to move further west (dash) and attempts to determine which door the growling and screaming are coming from. If he decides on a particular door as the best bet, he uses his free action to open it slightly (if unlocked) and peek in.
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
Soren advances down the hall, criticizing the guard's apparent lack of action. In response, guard opens his mouth as if to speak, but his no voice emerges. His eyes are wide and unblinking, and though he is covered nearly head to toe in blood, a closer look suggests he himself uninjured. The body of a peasant lies beside him on the stairs. He just holds his spear out defensively, but makes no other action. The man looks terrified past the point of reason.
Moving further down the hall, Soren and Nettle approach an open door at roughly the same time. It opens into a fancy dining room. A chandelier of wrought iron fitted with wax candles hangs above a polished wooden dining table. Around the table, blood stains the floors and carpets; the body of a woman lies tossed aside in one corner, while the Vampire Spawn crouches on the tabletop over the dark-haired corpse of another. It glowers at two serving women who huddle in fright in opposite corners of the room. 'Where are you hiding the one called 'Tatyana'?' it rasps at them. 'Go away, monster!' one of the horrified servants cries, while the other just wails.
While this demands his immediate attention, Soren and Nettles both recognize that the snarling sound is coming from the closed door immediately across the hall from the dining room.
Soren moves his moonbeam down the hall, around him and into the space surrounding the Vampire Spawn.
CON: 16
The creature is bathed in moonlight. It shudders, as some of its flesh darkens and crackles, though it seems to resist the effects better than its brethren had outside. It turns its red eyes back toward the door and then leaps off the table, confronting Soren. "I saw you up in that window, little songbird. Come down from your perch, have you?" As it closes the distance, it babbles a sing-song rhyme, red eyes glaring and blood dripping from its maw and clawed fingers...
"Little songbird, loved by all,
A leap, a scratch, and feathers fall,
The kitten smiles, claws turned red,
Little songbird, cold and dead."
Outside, Giles descends from the attic window to join the others outside the front door.
[Left Burr where he was outside on this map but I presume he would have went for the Vampire Spawn once it emerged into the hall to attack Soren? If so the roll from post #1858 would hit. If, instead, Burr did continue up the stairs as originally posted, please advise.]
SorenVampire SpawnBurr, Zefla,GilesPC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War