This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Vicky, reeling back from the lurching jaw of Doru, casts Flame Blade as a bonus action and positions the blade infront of Doru's face.
"Stand down!", Vicky starts to cry in shock of this... thing lurching at her, but also from sadness. She doesn't wish to hurt Doru. She won't let this happen...
"I won't let you lose yourself to this..." Vicky glances sorrowfully at Veronica, "I won't let you lose to this curse you have. Calm down, do not fear it!"
Tears roll down Vicky's face... {Persuasion: 15}
She readies an action to attack with her flame blade if needed.
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
And I posted before I saw that the DM actually caught that as well. I think I'll actually use that ki point to take the disengage action and climb up the wall and over him before dropping to the floor next to Garavon in order to get out of the space that Veronica and Doru are both squeezed into and have the freedom to strike without disadvantage.
All right. Now we look like this. You can roll again to see if the advantage against a prone Doru leads to a critical hit.
Vicky, reeling back from the slashing claws of Doru, casts Flame Blade as a bonus action and positions the blade infront of Doru's face.
"Stand down!", Vicky starts to cry in pain from the wound, but also sadness. She doesn't wish to hurt Doru. She won't let this happen...
"I won't let you lose yourself to this..." Vicky glances sorrowfully at Veronica, "I won't let you lose to this curse you have. Calm down, do not fear it!"
Tears roll down Vicky's face... {Persuasion: 17}
She readies an action to attack with her flame blade if needed.
It didn't seem as if Doru recognized Vicky as one of his pack. Vicky's words did not seem to be able to reach Doru through his hunger.
{DM Note: Doru didn't actually damage Vicky yet, he grappled and tried to bite, but missed. Would Vicky like to use her action for something? Simply talking is a free action...within limits of course. Veronica's the only one who can talk to Doru in this state.}
Vicky, reeling back from the slashing claws of Doru, casts Flame Blade as a bonus action and positions the blade infront of Doru's face.
"Stand down!", Vicky starts to cry in pain from the wound, but also sadness. She doesn't wish to hurt Doru. She won't let this happen...
"I won't let you lose yourself to this..." Vicky glances sorrowfully at Veronica, "I won't let you lose to this curse you have. Calm down, do not fear it!"
Tears roll down Vicky's face... {Persuasion: 17}
She readies an action to attack with her flame blade if needed.
It didn't seem as if Doru recognized Vicky as one of his pack. Vicky's words did not seem to be able to reach Doru through his hunger.
{DM Note: Doru didn't actually damage Vicky yet, he grappled and tried to bite, but missed. Would Vicky like to use her action for something? Simply talking is a free action...within limits of course. Veronica's the only one who can talk to Doru in this state.}
Apologies, I edited it. I thought it takes an action to ready said action?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Either way, Vicky, noticing the lack of understanding, is simply scared of Doru now, no longer recognises him as a past human, and now of a heartless monster. This slightly rubs off from Doru to Veronica, but Vicky still has hope when it comes to Veronica...
Vicky thinks back to the short amount of time she's known Veronica. It has only been a day and a half, but it feels like 10 days, since the rest of the party found themselves lost.
Vicky currently resents Doru, and is no longer willing to speak with Veronica if there isn't any need for it. Vicky (with permission from the DM) would now like Veronica to roll persuasion (or anything else which makes sense) against an insight roll from Vicky to let her listen/reply.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
{DM Note: I would advise keeping intra-party conflict to a minimum unless everyone around the table already knows each other very well. We're obviously a new group so it'll be safer not to assume everyone is comfortable with characters being hostile towards one another.
The guiding principle is that everyone should be having fun and never at the expense of someone else. That said, maybe Veronica's player finds it interesting and would like to roleplay intra-party distrust, so I'll leave the decision to them whether they want to engage Vicky in that manner. If they do not wish to participate in intra-party conflict, please respect their decision and don't force it on them.
P.S. I do realize this scene places the spotlight on Veronica, and the other characters are playing supporting roles for now. Don't worry, I'll try my best to have situations where other characters have a chance to step up and shine.}
Events happening from initiative count 17 to 3...
Realizing the danger Doru presents and the need to weaken him, Vicky invokes a fiery blade into existence and drives it at Doru.
Vicky's attack against a prone Doru: 14 + 4 (bless)
Garavon assists by swinging his longsword (to Garavon's player, do let me know when you're back and would like to take over. I realize you drew your longsword and dirk, but two-weapon fighting in 5e without the dual wielder feat requires 2 light weapons.)
Garavon's attack against a prone Doru: 16 + 3 (bless)
Donavich kept his holy symbol presented toward Doru and said, "By the light of the Morninglord, I cast out the devil within you!"
A pillar of light materialized above Doru and struck down in a flash that left afterimages in everyone's vision (Donavich casts sacred flame)
Doru's DEX save, DC 12: 17
Ismark remained at the entrance to the undercroft with his sister.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
{Rolling with the dice roller's disadvantage or advantage function doesn't seem to display the rolls properly sometimes...I'll just roll twice next time.}
Vicky's flame blade found its target.
16 fire damage
and so did Garavon's longsword (I realized I messed up Garavon's attack modifier, but it doesn't matter in this case as it still hits).
10 slashing
Tussling with Vicky, Doru spotted the ray of light forming above him and rolls out of the way.
Skanon will flip through the pages of his grimoire before stopping on a specific page he looks to father Donavich and gives him a somewhat apologetic look.
"I am sorry father." As he says this he casts Ray of Sickness {at first level} at Doru.
"Please, Doru... you can't defeat everyone here... even if we were to decide to fight together against all the others we would likely fall before holy power and several experienced warriors! We don't need to hurt people. Please, try to calm down so we can talk!"
Persuasion: 16
And again, Veronica will ready her action to strike Doru with a non-lethal attack if he attacks again.
Unarmed strike - Attack: 27 (advantage because Doru is prone, + 4 from bless); damage: 5 (magical bludgeoning)
Doru had his fangs bared, ready to bite into Vicky, when the haze cleared and his sanity returned. “What…what am I doing?”
He let go of Vicky, but still remained pinned, disgust written on his face at his actions, “I’m sorry, I’ve been alone in the darkness for too long.”
Father Donavich immediately ran to Doru and embraced him, “Doru, my boy, you’re back.”
Doru groaned, “Please father…release me. I can still smell your blood and the hunger never relents…” He coughed. “...and you’re embarrassing us in front of our audience.”
The priest moved away from his son. He was beaming from ear to ear as tears of happiness wet his cheeks. “What has the Devil Strahd done to you my son? You may have spoken and sounded human, but behaved like an animal this past year. You were constantly calling out for blood.”
Doru shook his head. “Father, listen to me. It still feels like there is a hole, an emptiness in my belly that can only be filled with the blood of the living. The hunger still screams at me from within. It was a wall around my mind that nothing could penetrate…except for you.” He looked at Veronica. “Thank you.”
Doru sighed and recounted what had happened to him. “We marched on Castle Ravenloft with the adventurer mage a year ago. As we approached its great gates, they swung open by themselves as if Strahd was expecting us, but the devil was nowhere to be seen. We wandered the castle with the mage leading us. Windows and doors swung open and shut on their own accord. Mournful wails and mocking laughter followed us and with each step, fear grew within our ranks.
The mage tried to rally us to stand fast, but when Strahd finally appeared, most of us scattered and fled. Those of us who stood our ground heard the screams of terror from those who fled, taken by the darkness in the Castle. The mage immediately engaged Strahd in a great battle. They flung spells at each other, evenly matched in magical skill, until finally Strahd fell upon the mage with fang and claw. The mage’s spells could not save him and he was flung a thousand feet from the castle into the river below.
Strahd then came for us who did not flee...and massacred us. Our scythes and pitchforks pierced his flesh, only for the wounds to heal immediately. The last thing I remember was the warmth of my blood spilling from my neck as I lay on the Castle floor.
Much to my surprise, I did not die. I awoke buried in soil, the same hunger I feel now gnawing at my stomach. I clawed my way to the surface. The devil Strahd was there, waiting for me. ‘Go Doru, go to your father.’ He said. He was instructions were calm and gentle, yet his words bound me like steel and I could not disobey him. I begged to be fed. He refused, smiled with malevolent delight at the suffering I will spread and said again, ‘Go to your father Doru.’
The hunger had its grip on me ever since.”
Doru looked at his father, resolve written on his face.
“Please father, dig a grave for me at this church, lay me in it and drive a stake through my heart.”
Father Donavich stood in shock. “My son…I cannot.”
“You must. I am a danger to you and the village, I don’t know how long I can hold back the hunger. And if Strahd returns and commands me to drink the blood of every man, woman and child of this village, I will not be able to refuse him.”
“No Doru, we saved you from your hunger. She…” he pointed at Veronica, “saved you from your hunger. The Morninglord has shown these adventurers to our door and we will find a way to cure you.”
Doru stared sadly at his father. “Father,” he said gently, “I was already dead the moment I followed the mage to Castle Ravenloft. Do not allow the rest of the village to pay for my mistake.”
Donavich embraced his son once more, ignoring the danger Doru posed. “My poor brave Doru. I won’t. I can't. I cannot kill my own son. Adventurers. I know I ask too much but please, help me find a cure for him.”
Doru looked at the group and said, “You have returned my mind to me but it won’t last. It is up to you to save my father and the village. Dig me a grave and put me to rest. It's the only way the village will be safe.”
Vicky is now faced with a terrible decision. She would like to keep him alive, but if Veronica fails, whose expense will it be at?
"Veronica. If you disagree, there is but one option. If you agree with me to help him with the 'hunger' then I will back you up... In whatever way possible..." Vicky is unsure how to feel, but knows what should be done.
Out of character: VERONICA! If you are hearing this: would you like to create conflict between us two? Basically, Vicky's encounter with Doru just now made her part reluctant to interact with Veronica, and is slowly distrusting her more and more (only if you are fine with conflict between us and say that you acknowledge that this case of inter-party conflict will possibly not be fun for us two to deal with (DW Vicky wants to forgive her reactions eventually she's just kind of unsure)).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Garavon looks at Doru, unsure if it is truly a degenerated Doru or something in his form.
"If it truly wishes to die and we know no way of redemption, then we must honor it's wishes. But a stake through the heart? Truly something so simple? Or is it an aversion to wood? And how did it come by such knowledge? Is it part of this transformation? What else can it tell us?"
Garavon puts the thought to feed, sheeting his sword and drawing his bow, he steps back and aside to get a clear shot, if Doru moves.
Veronica looks nervously from the priest to his son and to the other adventurers... the safest thing to do would be to simply kill the vampire spawn. She can tell that what happened to this man is different from her condition... and he just confirmed that Strahd still holds sway over him.
"I... don't know for sure what we should do," she says sadly. "I do not know for sure if it is possible to save him or not, and I think that his condition is different from mine. The fact that I was able to get through to him at all might be evidence that he can learn to control his hunger, but he is clearly suffering as well and we have no way of knowing for sure how long it would take us to find a cure for his condition, if one exists. I am willing to do whatever I can to help him if he will let me, but the final decision is his."
She puts extra emphasis on the words 'him' and 'his,' to remind the others that they are dealing with a person, not some mindless entity. They are discussing ending a person's life, though it could be argued that this life has already been ended.
(Vicky: Regarding conflict between your character and Veronica, I am very reluctant to go too far in that direction. Some mistrust is fine, but I don't like the idea that Veronica needs to roll a Persuasion check to even get Vicky to respond to her. I just had one of the games that I DM very nearly fall apart because of conflict between PCs that escalated out of control, and I really do not want to repeat that experience).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Thank you, Veronica, for the info. I most certainly will not let things go down hill. In this case, I will keep mistrust to a minimum. Thank you!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Doru stared down the shaft of Garavon’s arrow and said, “The adventurer mage told us a wooden stake through the heart of Strahd’s vampire spawn while they're in their resting place will destroy them, but will merely hold Strahd in place until it is removed. Strahd himself can only be destroyed if he is defeated in sunlight or running water.
The mage also said the skies over Barovia are thick with clouds and the sunlight isn’t strong enough to stop a vampire, and that he had the spells to destroy Strahd when the time came. All we needed to do was attack and weaken him…
I’ve told you everything the mage taught us and you’ll find out if there is any truth to his words once you’ve laid me to rest.”
“No Doru!” said Donavich, he pleaded with the group, “He told you how to destroy Strahd didn’t he? So do it and Doru will be free.”
Doru shook his head. “I mean no disrespect adventurers, but what if you fail. What if the hunger overtakes me before you destroy Strahd? What if you destroy the devil and I remain a monster? Father, you have to let me go before I destroy the village.”
{DM note: The characters should make a decision and soon. I’m not sure how many people here enjoy roleplaying long arguments, but I certainly don’t. Not making a decision and leaving Donavich and Doru to settle it amongst themselves is also a decision in and of itself. As usual, we’ll proceed with the majority.
DM's interpretation (do correct me if I am wrong):
Vicky - Will vote for whatever Veronica picks.
Garavon - Get some information from Doru then if he still wants to die, help euthanize him.
Veronica - Will try to help cure Doru, but only if he wants it. She will help him with whatever he chooses.
Right now, Doru wants to be destroyed. I'll move the scene along in 24 hours. If the characters' opinions remain the same, and Doru isn't convinced he can be saved, we'll proceed with the adventurers helping with his euthanasia.}
Vicky, reeling back from the lurching jaw of Doru, casts Flame Blade as a bonus action and positions the blade infront of Doru's face.
"Stand down!", Vicky starts to cry in shock of this... thing lurching at her, but also from sadness. She doesn't wish to hurt Doru. She won't let this happen...
"I won't let you lose yourself to this..." Vicky glances sorrowfully at Veronica, "I won't let you lose to this curse you have. Calm down, do not fear it!"
Tears roll down Vicky's face... {Persuasion: 15}
She readies an action to attack with her flame blade if needed.
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Hope I've made your day!
All right. Now we look like this. You can roll again to see if the advantage against a prone Doru leads to a critical hit.
It didn't seem as if Doru recognized Vicky as one of his pack. Vicky's words did not seem to be able to reach Doru through his hunger.
{DM Note: Doru didn't actually damage Vicky yet, he grappled and tried to bite, but missed. Would Vicky like to use her action for something? Simply talking is a free action...within limits of course. Veronica's the only one who can talk to Doru in this state.}
Apologies, I edited it. I thought it takes an action to ready said action?
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Hope I've made your day!
Second attack result was 15. No crit.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Either way, Vicky, noticing the lack of understanding, is simply scared of Doru now, no longer recognises him as a past human, and now of a heartless monster. This slightly rubs off from Doru to Veronica, but Vicky still has hope when it comes to Veronica...
Vicky thinks back to the short amount of time she's known Veronica. It has only been a day and a half, but it feels like 10 days, since the rest of the party found themselves lost.
Vicky currently resents Doru, and is no longer willing to speak with Veronica if there isn't any need for it. Vicky (with permission from the DM) would now like Veronica to roll persuasion (or anything else which makes sense) against an insight roll from Vicky to let her listen/reply.
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Hope I've made your day!
{DM Note: I would advise keeping intra-party conflict to a minimum unless everyone around the table already knows each other very well. We're obviously a new group so it'll be safer not to assume everyone is comfortable with characters being hostile towards one another.
The guiding principle is that everyone should be having fun and never at the expense of someone else. That said, maybe Veronica's player finds it interesting and would like to roleplay intra-party distrust, so I'll leave the decision to them whether they want to engage Vicky in that manner. If they do not wish to participate in intra-party conflict, please respect their decision and don't force it on them.
P.S. I do realize this scene places the spotlight on Veronica, and the other characters are playing supporting roles for now. Don't worry, I'll try my best to have situations where other characters have a chance to step up and shine.}
Events happening from initiative count 17 to 3...
Realizing the danger Doru presents and the need to weaken him, Vicky invokes a fiery blade into existence and drives it at Doru.
Vicky's attack against a prone Doru: 14 + 4 (bless)
Garavon assists by swinging his longsword (to Garavon's player, do let me know when you're back and would like to take over. I realize you drew your longsword and dirk, but two-weapon fighting in 5e without the dual wielder feat requires 2 light weapons.)
Garavon's attack against a prone Doru: 16 + 3 (bless)
Donavich kept his holy symbol presented toward Doru and said, "By the light of the Morninglord, I cast out the devil within you!"
A pillar of light materialized above Doru and struck down in a flash that left afterimages in everyone's vision (Donavich casts sacred flame)
Doru's DEX save, DC 12: 17
Ismark remained at the entrance to the undercroft with his sister.
{Rolling with the dice roller's disadvantage or advantage function doesn't seem to display the rolls properly sometimes...I'll just roll twice next time.}
Vicky's flame blade found its target.
16 fire damage
and so did Garavon's longsword (I realized I messed up Garavon's attack modifier, but it doesn't matter in this case as it still hits).
10 slashing
Tussling with Vicky, Doru spotted the ray of light forming above him and rolls out of the way.
{DM Note: Now awaiting Skanon's move...}
The damage Doru had taken would have put down a normal human. He seemed injured, but was still capable of trying to bite Vicky.
Skanon will flip through the pages of his grimoire before stopping on a specific page he looks to father Donavich and gives him a somewhat apologetic look.
"I am sorry father." As he says this he casts Ray of Sickness {at first level} at Doru.
A poisoned ray shot forth from Skanon, directly at Doru
Skanon's ranged spell attack. Disadvantage against a prone target: 24 / 10
It was difficult to target Doru as he struggled with Vicky on the stairs and Skanon missed.
{DM Note: Awaiting Veronica's turn...}
"Please, Doru... you can't defeat everyone here... even if we were to decide to fight together against all the others we would likely fall before holy power and several experienced warriors! We don't need to hurt people. Please, try to calm down so we can talk!"
Persuasion: 16
And again, Veronica will ready her action to strike Doru with a non-lethal attack if he attacks again.
Unarmed strike -
Attack: 27 (advantage because Doru is prone, + 4 from bless); damage: 5 (magical bludgeoning)
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Ireena remained at the exit with her brother, concerned at the sounds of struggle emanating from the undercroft, but made no move to enter.
Veronica's words punched through Doru's hunger and he struggled against its all-consuming nature.
DC 28 - 16 (Veronica's Persuasion) = 12
Doru's WIS save: 14
{DM Note: Combat is over.}
Doru had his fangs bared, ready to bite into Vicky, when the haze cleared and his sanity returned. “What…what am I doing?”
He let go of Vicky, but still remained pinned, disgust written on his face at his actions, “I’m sorry, I’ve been alone in the darkness for too long.”
Father Donavich immediately ran to Doru and embraced him, “Doru, my boy, you’re back.”
Doru groaned, “Please father…release me. I can still smell your blood and the hunger never relents…” He coughed. “...and you’re embarrassing us in front of our audience.”
The priest moved away from his son. He was beaming from ear to ear as tears of happiness wet his cheeks. “What has the Devil Strahd done to you my son? You may have spoken and sounded human, but behaved like an animal this past year. You were constantly calling out for blood.”
Doru shook his head. “Father, listen to me. It still feels like there is a hole, an emptiness in my belly that can only be filled with the blood of the living. The hunger still screams at me from within. It was a wall around my mind that nothing could penetrate…except for you.” He looked at Veronica. “Thank you.”
Doru sighed and recounted what had happened to him. “We marched on Castle Ravenloft with the adventurer mage a year ago. As we approached its great gates, they swung open by themselves as if Strahd was expecting us, but the devil was nowhere to be seen. We wandered the castle with the mage leading us. Windows and doors swung open and shut on their own accord. Mournful wails and mocking laughter followed us and with each step, fear grew within our ranks.
The mage tried to rally us to stand fast, but when Strahd finally appeared, most of us scattered and fled. Those of us who stood our ground heard the screams of terror from those who fled, taken by the darkness in the Castle. The mage immediately engaged Strahd in a great battle. They flung spells at each other, evenly matched in magical skill, until finally Strahd fell upon the mage with fang and claw. The mage’s spells could not save him and he was flung a thousand feet from the castle into the river below.
Strahd then came for us who did not flee...and massacred us. Our scythes and pitchforks pierced his flesh, only for the wounds to heal immediately. The last thing I remember was the warmth of my blood spilling from my neck as I lay on the Castle floor.
Much to my surprise, I did not die. I awoke buried in soil, the same hunger I feel now gnawing at my stomach. I clawed my way to the surface. The devil Strahd was there, waiting for me. ‘Go Doru, go to your father.’ He said. He was instructions were calm and gentle, yet his words bound me like steel and I could not disobey him. I begged to be fed. He refused, smiled with malevolent delight at the suffering I will spread and said again, ‘Go to your father Doru.’
The hunger had its grip on me ever since.”
Doru looked at his father, resolve written on his face.
“Please father, dig a grave for me at this church, lay me in it and drive a stake through my heart.”
Father Donavich stood in shock. “My son…I cannot.”
“You must. I am a danger to you and the village, I don’t know how long I can hold back the hunger. And if Strahd returns and commands me to drink the blood of every man, woman and child of this village, I will not be able to refuse him.”
“No Doru, we saved you from your hunger. She…” he pointed at Veronica, “saved you from your hunger. The Morninglord has shown these adventurers to our door and we will find a way to cure you.”
Doru stared sadly at his father. “Father,” he said gently, “I was already dead the moment I followed the mage to Castle Ravenloft. Do not allow the rest of the village to pay for my mistake.”
Donavich embraced his son once more, ignoring the danger Doru posed. “My poor brave Doru. I won’t. I can't. I cannot kill my own son. Adventurers. I know I ask too much but please, help me find a cure for him.”
Doru looked at the group and said, “You have returned my mind to me but it won’t last. It is up to you to save my father and the village. Dig me a grave and put me to rest. It's the only way the village will be safe.”
{DM note: What do you do?}
Vicky is now faced with a terrible decision. She would like to keep him alive, but if Veronica fails, whose expense will it be at?
"Veronica. If you disagree, there is but one option. If you agree with me to help him with the 'hunger' then I will back you up... In whatever way possible..." Vicky is unsure how to feel, but knows what should be done.
Out of character: VERONICA! If you are hearing this: would you like to create conflict between us two? Basically, Vicky's encounter with Doru just now made her part reluctant to interact with Veronica, and is slowly distrusting her more and more (only if you are fine with conflict between us and say that you acknowledge that this case of inter-party conflict will possibly not be fun for us two to deal with (DW Vicky wants to forgive her reactions eventually she's just kind of unsure)).
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Hope I've made your day!
Garavon looks at Doru, unsure if it is truly a degenerated Doru or something in his form.
"If it truly wishes to die and we know no way of redemption, then we must honor it's wishes. But a stake through the heart? Truly something so simple? Or is it an aversion to wood? And how did it come by such knowledge? Is it part of this transformation? What else can it tell us?"
Garavon puts the thought to feed, sheeting his sword and drawing his bow, he steps back and aside to get a clear shot, if Doru moves.
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Veronica looks nervously from the priest to his son and to the other adventurers... the safest thing to do would be to simply kill the vampire spawn. She can tell that what happened to this man is different from her condition... and he just confirmed that Strahd still holds sway over him.
"I... don't know for sure what we should do," she says sadly. "I do not know for sure if it is possible to save him or not, and I think that his condition is different from mine. The fact that I was able to get through to him at all might be evidence that he can learn to control his hunger, but he is clearly suffering as well and we have no way of knowing for sure how long it would take us to find a cure for his condition, if one exists. I am willing to do whatever I can to help him if he will let me, but the final decision is his."
She puts extra emphasis on the words 'him' and 'his,' to remind the others that they are dealing with a person, not some mindless entity. They are discussing ending a person's life, though it could be argued that this life has already been ended.
(Vicky: Regarding conflict between your character and Veronica, I am very reluctant to go too far in that direction. Some mistrust is fine, but I don't like the idea that Veronica needs to roll a Persuasion check to even get Vicky to respond to her. I just had one of the games that I DM very nearly fall apart because of conflict between PCs that escalated out of control, and I really do not want to repeat that experience).
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Thank you, Veronica, for the info. I most certainly will not let things go down hill. In this case, I will keep mistrust to a minimum. Thank you!
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Hope I've made your day!
Doru stared down the shaft of Garavon’s arrow and said, “The adventurer mage told us a wooden stake through the heart of Strahd’s vampire spawn while they're in their resting place will destroy them, but will merely hold Strahd in place until it is removed. Strahd himself can only be destroyed if he is defeated in sunlight or running water.
The mage also said the skies over Barovia are thick with clouds and the sunlight isn’t strong enough to stop a vampire, and that he had the spells to destroy Strahd when the time came. All we needed to do was attack and weaken him…
I’ve told you everything the mage taught us and you’ll find out if there is any truth to his words once you’ve laid me to rest.”
“No Doru!” said Donavich, he pleaded with the group, “He told you how to destroy Strahd didn’t he? So do it and Doru will be free.”
Doru shook his head. “I mean no disrespect adventurers, but what if you fail. What if the hunger overtakes me before you destroy Strahd? What if you destroy the devil and I remain a monster? Father, you have to let me go before I destroy the village.”
{DM note: The characters should make a decision and soon. I’m not sure how many people here enjoy roleplaying long arguments, but I certainly don’t. Not making a decision and leaving Donavich and Doru to settle it amongst themselves is also a decision in and of itself. As usual, we’ll proceed with the majority.
DM's interpretation (do correct me if I am wrong):
Vicky - Will vote for whatever Veronica picks.
Garavon - Get some information from Doru then if he still wants to die, help euthanize him.
Veronica - Will try to help cure Doru, but only if he wants it. She will help him with whatever he chooses.
Right now, Doru wants to be destroyed. I'll move the scene along in 24 hours. If the characters' opinions remain the same, and Doru isn't convinced he can be saved, we'll proceed with the adventurers helping with his euthanasia.}