The blast of magic catches the armor right in the weak spot opened up by Lorin's bolt, and suddenly the armor collapses in on itself, lying in a heap of rusted metal.
"Thank you very much, Hazel" the last of the Dusk Elf maidens bows elegantly to her friend who finished off the tenacious opponent. "And to you also," she smiles, as she passes her azure eyes over the other party members "my precious adventure companions".
'Did you see the storm of steel and magic they unleashed against that deadly haunted armor?' Svetlana, for once, is the first to start the dialogue with the Voices in her head 'Still convinced that I am wrong to treat them as friends? If I had been alone, I would still be there jumping and parrying to avoid the slams of that walking scrap metal... who sooner or later might even have landed a lucky blow'. 'Yes, they helped you take it down, Svetlana, excellent... But you was the one in front of everyone, taking the risk!' 'What good is it to you, Svetlana, to have them with you, if you're the one staring death in the face on the front lines anyway?' 'If I were alone,' retorts Svetlana 'I would still have to stare death in the face on the front lines! But with the difference that I wouldn't have anyone by my side to help me eliminate those who attack me! We're just helping each other'.
"If this time something actively tried to kill us," the savage wanderer points out calmly "maybe we're on the right track... Maybe the entrance to the basement really is hidden on this floor. The 'unreachable area', on the lower floors, would have been west and a little north of the stairs… so along this corridor here” she points.
As soon as the others are ready to follow her, Svetlana goes to see where the corridor leads.
The mists of Barovia clung to Viktor's greying hair and battered armor as he made his way down the narrow, cobblestone path. The oppressive silence of the land was suddenly broken by the distant sound of clashing steel and desperate shouts. His heart quickened; the innocent were in danger.
Viktor tightened his grip on his glaive and sprinted toward the source of the commotion. The path led him to the gates of a grand, but decrepit manor—the Durst family residence, notorious for its eerie reputation. Shadows flickered through the shattered windows, hinting at the struggle within. Without hesitation, Viktor pushed open the creaking iron gates and charged up the overgrown, weed-choked path to the manor's front door.
The door, slightly ajar, creaked loudly as Viktor shoved it open and stepped inside. The air inside the manor was thick with dust and the acrid smell of burning candles. The grand foyer was dimly lit by a flickering chandelier, casting eerie shadows on the cracked walls. As he advanced cautiously, the sounds of battle grew louder, echoing through the deserted halls.
Drawing on his years of training, Viktor moved with both urgency and stealth. He followed the noise to the staircase and began to make his way up.
Emerging from the darkness of the narrow staircase, Viktor Strazni appeared. His tall, muscular frame was clad in armor that bore the scars and stains of countless battles. The once-proud metal was now a tapestry of dents, scratches, and darkened patches, telling tales of his relentless fight against evil. A battered blue cloak, tattered at the edges but still glowing faintly with a protective aura, draped over his broad shoulders.
Viktor's piercing grey eyes, sharp and intense, took in the scene before him with swift precision. His stern, rugged face was framed by greying salt-and-pepper hair that gave him an air of somber wisdom. There was a haunted intensity in his gaze, a look that spoke of deep suffering and unwavering resolve.
In his hands, Viktor wielded a halberd, its blade etched with faintly glowing runes. The weapon moved with lethal precision, cutting through the air as he joined the fray. "What are you all doing in here?” He asks looking at the group of adventurers.
The young woman who was walking down the corridor startles and turns, shield ready and shortsword in hand. Even if she is not wearing any armour, only worn skins to defend herself in some way from the cold and humidity, her balanced and low pose reveals that she must be a person used to fighting. And maybe also a big cleaning enthusiast, since she goes around with a broom strapped to her back.
Apart from this, she appears simply as a woman with particularly chiseled features, with brown hair, now so thick and long to effectively hide her ears, and azure eyes that, at the moment, seem equally curious and scared.
"Greetings, man" she says, calmly. "Pleasure to meet a creature that doesn't attack us on sight. Did you come in like us, at Rose and Thorn's request? My name is Svetlana, by the way, and you?"
Viktor paused at the sight of the young woman, taking in her battle-ready stance and the odd sight of a broom strapped to her back. Her azure eyes, a mix of curiosity and fear, met his steely gaze.
"Greetings, Svetlana," Viktor replied, his voice deep and steady. He lowered his glaive slightly to appear less threatening. "I am Viktor Strazni, of Vallakia."
He glanced around the corridor, noting the oppressive atmosphere and the dark history that seemed to seep from the walls. "Rose and Thorn, you say? No, I did not come at their request. The mists of Barovia brought me here, as they do with many things. It seems our fates are intertwined, for now."
Viktor's eyes softened slightly, seeing the determination in Svetlana's stance despite her lack of armor. "Tell me, what is this place, and what manner of evil have you encountered? I will lend my strength to your cause, if you all desire it."
'Vallakia...' the last of the Dusk Elf maidens thinks 'He is from Barovia... One of the few heroic enough to try to stand against the omnipresent evil... and yet capable enough to stay alive despite it'. 'Or maybe just a handsome liar' insinuate the Voices in her head. 'Or a boaster...' 'Or a spy from the Devil Stradh...' 'As far as I'm concerned, anyone foolhardy enough to offer to help me - and thus you all - is welcome!' she tries to silence the annoying mental cacophony of the countless deceased Dusk Elf maidens.
With a look of admiration in her azure eyes, Svetlana explains, sheathing her shortsword and assuming a more natural and relaxed pose: "You are welcome among us, in that case, Viktor. You guessed right; there is great evil in This house belonged to the Durst family, who conducted macabre and dark rites there. The family seems to have died out, but the last two members, the children Rose and Thorn, are... are probably in some state of undeath, unable to Rest In Peace, because they were scared by the presence of a monster in the basement".
"We still haven't discovered many more details than I just told you - not even access to this basement" the savage wanderer concludes. "Probably, it is in this basement that the Durst family conducted their rituals to the dark forces. And consequently this is why it is hidden and difficult to access. However, I have good hopes that the access is located on this floor, because we have already explored the lower floors in vain - and it is only on this floor that something" she nods towards the pile of scrap metal that was an armor "actually attacked us".
Viktor listened intently to Svetlana, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor as she spoke. The mention of Vallakia and the Durst family stirred memories of other dark tales he had heard in Barovia, but this house seemed particularly cursed. As she mentioned Strahd, Viktor's hand instinctively went to the deep scar on his neck, a grim reminder of his encounter with the vampire lord. For a moment, his gaze shifted downward in shame before he regained his composure and met her eyes.
"Thank you for your trust, Svetlana," Viktor replied, his voice calm and reassuring. "Your words are kind and far more than I deserve."
He paused, processing the grim details she had shared. The thought of children, Rose and Thorn, trapped in a state of undeath struck a chord within him. His resolve hardened, and he felt a surge of determination. "My weapon belongs to you then, until you all need it no more." Viktor said, his hand tightening on the glaive he carried.
Svetlana seems reassured by the unexpected help and she is ready to lead the party to explore the corridor which should lead to the area where she estimates the possible secret access to the basement is located; however, she waits a moment for the other party members to introduce themselves to the newcomer...
Mittens lets out a sight of relief when the armor crumples to the ground. Well, that was a lot easier than he thought it would be. His eyes narrow as he looks at the smoking armor. That was a lot easier than he thought it would be... Unless the armor was faking! Tentatively, he starts creeping towards the armor, holding his breath as he prepares to release another torrent of magic towards the armor at its slightest movement. He peers down fearfully at it, his heart pounding in his chest as he reaches down slowly. Hand trembling, he readies himself to touch and prod the armor when suddenly he yelps once more and leaps into the air at the sound of a stranger's voice coming from the floor below.
He scrambles over to the balcony and looks down below at the stranger, more than ready to strangle him with his ghostly hand. Was this some sort of illusion made by the house? Or could it be something more sinister, a ghost or something? He's about to tell the fellow to leave them alone, but Svetlana manages to speak before him. He looks up at the woman with an incredulous expression after she finishes talking with Viktor. "So, we're just going to trust some rando guy who just strolls right into a haunted house," he asks no one in particular, clearly annoyed at the prospect. He looks back down at Viktor, distrust evident in his gaze.
"Call me naive if you want, Mittens," the last of the Dusk Elf maidens shrugs "but in Barovia help is so rare to find that I'm inclined to accept it, the few times it's offered to me... After all, I, not much time ago, choose to trust a handful of strangers newly brought to Barovia by the Mists - and so far" she casts a meaningful glance at the scrap heap that was once their enemy "I have not regretted it".
While speaking, Svetlana takes the corridor, at least to see where it leads and how many and which doors there are...
After introductions are made, Svetlana takes the lead and opens the door to the room to the northwest. The double doors to this room have dusty panes of stained glass set into them. It appears to be the master suite, the room accessed by the dumbwaiter.
Burgundy drapes cover the windows. There is a four-poster bed with embroidered curtains and tattered gossamer veils, a matching pair of empty wardrobes, a vanity with a wood-framed mirror and jewelry box, and a padded chair. A rotting tiger-skin rug lies on the floor in front of the fireplace, which has a dust-covered portrait of a man and a woman hanging above it, the same man and woman seen in the previous portrait. There is a sitting area in the southwest corner that contains a table and two chairs, but all are covered in dust and cobwebs. Resting on the dusty tablecloth is an empty porcelain bowl and a matching jug. You notice that although the first two floors seemed relatively clean and lived-in, so far this floor has been covered with dust and looks like it hasn't been inhabited for some time.
A door facing the foot of the bed has a full-length mirror mounted on it. There is also a door that leads to an outside balcony. There is also the wall which Svetlana suspects may conceal a hidden entrance to the basement.
However, if Svetlana doesn't notice anything particular, as she was suspicious of the south-west area, she tries to move the furniture that is in that area, hypothesizing that it could hide an access...
Viktor observed the commotion from below, noting the tense atmosphere and the palpable distrust emanating from the figure peering over the balcony. As the conversation continued, he stepped forward, raising a hand in a gesture of calm.
"I understand your caution," Viktor said, his voice steady and composed. "In this land, trust is a rare commodity. However, you must know that I am as much a stranger to this place as you are. The mists of Barovia brought me here, just as they have brought you."
He looked around at the gathered adventurers, a motley group who seemed to have been thrown together by fate. "It seems we all share a common trait - we are all randos who just wondered into a haunted house."
His eyes met the incredulous gaze of Mittens as he cracks a friendly smile encouraged by the kind words of Svetlana “I carry no illusions or tricks. I offer my strength and skills to aid you in this endeavor. In this house of horrors, we are all at risk. Only by working together can we hope to survive and overcome the evil that dwells within."
Viktor's hand moved to the scar on his neck, a silent testament to his struggles. "I am not asking for blind trust, only for a chance to prove myself as an ally in this fight. Let us focus on the task at hand: finding the way to the basement and putting the souls of the children, Rose and Thorn, to rest. We can sort out the rest once the immediate danger is behind us."
Lorin adjusted his aim from his distanced position only to see the armor fall in front of his companions. He was more than happy with the way the fight ended but one would be hard pressed to say as much. His face was a mask of flesh and blood, still locked in the emotionless state of battle. As the party advanced he retrieved his bolt. It was far from necessary, giving his findings on the lower floors, but he knew better than to waste anything.
The rogue nodded to Svetlana. Every guard was a sign of something needing to be secured and after the paintings and the library there was only one thing the Shadar-Kai could imagine fitting the bill – the way to the basement. That much was enouh for him to keep his weapon at the ready. When the man in armor appeared he almost shot.
“You are naïve.” Lorin said accepting the offer made to Mittens, his voice had something of joking tone. “When something rare is suddenly offered one would do well to assume its either fake or trap until proven otherwise. The other strangers had a forest of reasons to be trusted to the village and don’t forget that the children may be disguised demons or evil spirits.” The former seemed increasingly likelier. “I believe our friend is worried that you may be an illusion made by the monster we have to exterminate. Nothing a tap on your shoulder can’t solve. As long as you don’t attack us, we won’t attack you.”
That should be trust enough for the moment, he thought following the others in the last room.
As Svetlana moves toward the wall where she suspects a hidden entrance to the basement, suddenly a door appears right in front of her eyes. One moment the wall is blank and unassuming and the next there is a door. At about the same time, as Viktor follows Svetlana toward the master bedroom, he catches sight of a small door that blends in very well with its surroundings. If he opens the door, he sees a ladder descending from a trapdoor in the ceiling.
Victor moves over to the door and just opens it looking at his new companions “A hidden door..” he says sticking his head in quickly to look down “I’m going to assume it leads to the basement. Are we all ready Or would you all like to keep searching the room?” He asks as he puts away his weapon on his back and begins to take up a position to descend.
The last of the Dusk Elf maidens is initially so surprised by the phenomenon of the door that appears right in front of her blue eyes, that she does not immediately answer Lorin's question.
Svetlana then begins: "Actually yes, Lorin, there is..." but in the meantime, Victor moves over to the door and just opens it, making it obvious to everyone. "... This" she then indicates the passage just revealed with an elegant gesture of her hand.
To Victor's question, the savage wanderer replies: "I am ready - and I have a great desire to liberate this place and allow Rose and Thorn to meet their final destiny, whatever it may be. But we better invest some time to check the room... We know so little about the 'monster' that is supposed to be in the basement... If we find any clues, we might be able to take advantage of them".
Clearly relieved to have finally found access to the long-awaited basement, Svetlana quickly checks the furniture in the room, looking for any notes left by the Durst family... or even just unusual objects that may attract her attention (for example : if there was a vial of holy water in the room for no apparent reason, one might think that the Durst family used it to scare or control the monster...)
The blast of magic catches the armor right in the weak spot opened up by Lorin's bolt, and suddenly the armor collapses in on itself, lying in a heap of rusted metal.
Combat is over!
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
"Thank you very much, Hazel" the last of the Dusk Elf maidens bows elegantly to her friend who finished off the tenacious opponent. "And to you also," she smiles, as she passes her azure eyes over the other party members "my precious adventure companions".
'Did you see the storm of steel and magic they unleashed against that deadly haunted armor?' Svetlana, for once, is the first to start the dialogue with the Voices in her head 'Still convinced that I am wrong to treat them as friends? If I had been alone, I would still be there jumping and parrying to avoid the slams of that walking scrap metal... who sooner or later might even have landed a lucky blow'.
'Yes, they helped you take it down, Svetlana, excellent... But you was the one in front of everyone, taking the risk!'
'What good is it to you, Svetlana, to have them with you, if you're the one staring death in the face on the front lines anyway?'
'If I were alone,' retorts Svetlana 'I would still have to stare death in the face on the front lines! But with the difference that I wouldn't have anyone by my side to help me eliminate those who attack me! We're just helping each other'.
"If this time something actively tried to kill us," the savage wanderer points out calmly "maybe we're on the right track... Maybe the entrance to the basement really is hidden on this floor. The 'unreachable area', on the lower floors, would have been west and a little north of the stairs… so along this corridor here” she points.
As soon as the others are ready to follow her, Svetlana goes to see where the corridor leads.
The mists of Barovia clung to Viktor's greying hair and battered armor as he made his way down the narrow, cobblestone path. The oppressive silence of the land was suddenly broken by the distant sound of clashing steel and desperate shouts. His heart quickened; the innocent were in danger.
Viktor tightened his grip on his glaive and sprinted toward the source of the commotion. The path led him to the gates of a grand, but decrepit manor—the Durst family residence, notorious for its eerie reputation. Shadows flickered through the shattered windows, hinting at the struggle within. Without hesitation, Viktor pushed open the creaking iron gates and charged up the overgrown, weed-choked path to the manor's front door.
The door, slightly ajar, creaked loudly as Viktor shoved it open and stepped inside. The air inside the manor was thick with dust and the acrid smell of burning candles. The grand foyer was dimly lit by a flickering chandelier, casting eerie shadows on the cracked walls. As he advanced cautiously, the sounds of battle grew louder, echoing through the deserted halls.
Drawing on his years of training, Viktor moved with both urgency and stealth. He followed the noise to the staircase and began to make his way up.
Emerging from the darkness of the narrow staircase, Viktor Strazni appeared. His tall, muscular frame was clad in armor that bore the scars and stains of countless battles. The once-proud metal was now a tapestry of dents, scratches, and darkened patches, telling tales of his relentless fight against evil. A battered blue cloak, tattered at the edges but still glowing faintly with a protective aura, draped over his broad shoulders.
Viktor's piercing grey eyes, sharp and intense, took in the scene before him with swift precision. His stern, rugged face was framed by greying salt-and-pepper hair that gave him an air of somber wisdom. There was a haunted intensity in his gaze, a look that spoke of deep suffering and unwavering resolve.
In his hands, Viktor wielded a halberd, its blade etched with faintly glowing runes. The weapon moved with lethal precision, cutting through the air as he joined the fray. "What are you all doing in here?” He asks looking at the group of adventurers.
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
The young woman who was walking down the corridor startles and turns, shield ready and shortsword in hand. Even if she is not wearing any armour, only worn skins to defend herself in some way from the cold and humidity, her balanced and low pose reveals that she must be a person used to fighting. And maybe also a big cleaning enthusiast, since she goes around with a broom strapped to her back.
Apart from this, she appears simply as a woman with particularly chiseled features, with brown hair, now so thick and long to effectively hide her ears, and azure eyes that, at the moment, seem equally curious and scared.
"Greetings, man" she says, calmly. "Pleasure to meet a creature that doesn't attack us on sight. Did you come in like us, at Rose and Thorn's request? My name is Svetlana, by the way, and you?"
Viktor paused at the sight of the young woman, taking in her battle-ready stance and the odd sight of a broom strapped to her back. Her azure eyes, a mix of curiosity and fear, met his steely gaze.
"Greetings, Svetlana," Viktor replied, his voice deep and steady. He lowered his glaive slightly to appear less threatening. "I am Viktor Strazni, of Vallakia."
He glanced around the corridor, noting the oppressive atmosphere and the dark history that seemed to seep from the walls. "Rose and Thorn, you say? No, I did not come at their request. The mists of Barovia brought me here, as they do with many things. It seems our fates are intertwined, for now."
Viktor's eyes softened slightly, seeing the determination in Svetlana's stance despite her lack of armor. "Tell me, what is this place, and what manner of evil have you encountered? I will lend my strength to your cause, if you all desire it."
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
'Vallakia...' the last of the Dusk Elf maidens thinks 'He is from Barovia... One of the few heroic enough to try to stand against the omnipresent evil... and yet capable enough to stay alive despite it'.
'Or maybe just a handsome liar' insinuate the Voices in her head.
'Or a boaster...'
'Or a spy from the Devil Stradh...'
'As far as I'm concerned, anyone foolhardy enough to offer to help me - and thus you all - is welcome!' she tries to silence the annoying mental cacophony of the countless deceased Dusk Elf maidens.
With a look of admiration in her azure eyes, Svetlana explains, sheathing her shortsword and assuming a more natural and relaxed pose: "You are welcome among us, in that case, Viktor. You guessed right; there is great evil in This house belonged to the Durst family, who conducted macabre and dark rites there. The family seems to have died out, but the last two members, the children Rose and Thorn, are... are probably in some state of undeath, unable to Rest In Peace, because they were scared by the presence of a monster in the basement".
"We still haven't discovered many more details than I just told you - not even access to this basement" the savage wanderer concludes. "Probably, it is in this basement that the Durst family conducted their rituals to the dark forces. And consequently this is why it is hidden and difficult to access. However, I have good hopes that the access is located on this floor, because we have already explored the lower floors in vain - and it is only on this floor that something" she nods towards the pile of scrap metal that was an armor "actually attacked us".
Viktor listened intently to Svetlana, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor as she spoke. The mention of Vallakia and the Durst family stirred memories of other dark tales he had heard in Barovia, but this house seemed particularly cursed. As she mentioned Strahd, Viktor's hand instinctively went to the deep scar on his neck, a grim reminder of his encounter with the vampire lord. For a moment, his gaze shifted downward in shame before he regained his composure and met her eyes.
"Thank you for your trust, Svetlana," Viktor replied, his voice calm and reassuring. "Your words are kind and far more than I deserve."
He paused, processing the grim details she had shared. The thought of children, Rose and Thorn, trapped in a state of undeath struck a chord within him. His resolve hardened, and he felt a surge of determination. "My weapon belongs to you then, until you all need it no more." Viktor said, his hand tightening on the glaive he carried.
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
Svetlana seems reassured by the unexpected help and she is ready to lead the party to explore the corridor which should lead to the area where she estimates the possible secret access to the basement is located; however, she waits a moment for the other party members to introduce themselves to the newcomer...
Mittens lets out a sight of relief when the armor crumples to the ground. Well, that was a lot easier than he thought it would be. His eyes narrow as he looks at the smoking armor. That was a lot easier than he thought it would be... Unless the armor was faking! Tentatively, he starts creeping towards the armor, holding his breath as he prepares to release another torrent of magic towards the armor at its slightest movement. He peers down fearfully at it, his heart pounding in his chest as he reaches down slowly. Hand trembling, he readies himself to touch and prod the armor when suddenly he yelps once more and leaps into the air at the sound of a stranger's voice coming from the floor below.
He scrambles over to the balcony and looks down below at the stranger, more than ready to strangle him with his ghostly hand. Was this some sort of illusion made by the house? Or could it be something more sinister, a ghost or something? He's about to tell the fellow to leave them alone, but Svetlana manages to speak before him. He looks up at the woman with an incredulous expression after she finishes talking with Viktor. "So, we're just going to trust some rando guy who just strolls right into a haunted house," he asks no one in particular, clearly annoyed at the prospect. He looks back down at Viktor, distrust evident in his gaze.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
"Call me naive if you want, Mittens," the last of the Dusk Elf maidens shrugs "but in Barovia help is so rare to find that I'm inclined to accept it, the few times it's offered to me... After all, I, not much time ago, choose to trust a handful of strangers newly brought to Barovia by the Mists - and so far" she casts a meaningful glance at the scrap heap that was once their enemy "I have not regretted it".
While speaking, Svetlana takes the corridor, at least to see where it leads and how many and which doors there are...
After introductions are made, Svetlana takes the lead and opens the door to the room to the northwest. The double doors to this room have dusty panes of stained glass set into them. It appears to be the master suite, the room accessed by the dumbwaiter.
Burgundy drapes cover the windows. There is a four-poster bed with embroidered curtains and tattered gossamer veils, a matching pair of empty wardrobes, a vanity with a wood-framed mirror and jewelry box, and a padded chair. A rotting tiger-skin rug lies on the floor in front of the fireplace, which has a dust-covered portrait of a man and a woman hanging above it, the same man and woman seen in the previous portrait. There is a sitting area in the southwest corner that contains a table and two chairs, but all are covered in dust and cobwebs. Resting on the dusty tablecloth is an empty porcelain bowl and a matching jug. You notice that although the first two floors seemed relatively clean and lived-in, so far this floor has been covered with dust and looks like it hasn't been inhabited for some time.
A door facing the foot of the bed has a full-length mirror mounted on it. There is also a door that leads to an outside balcony. There is also the wall which Svetlana suspects may conceal a hidden entrance to the basement.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Also, someone should make a Perception check for me. :)
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Svetlana's Perception: 18
However, if Svetlana doesn't notice anything particular, as she was suspicious of the south-west area, she tries to move the furniture that is in that area, hypothesizing that it could hide an access...
Viktor observed the commotion from below, noting the tense atmosphere and the palpable distrust emanating from the figure peering over the balcony. As the conversation continued, he stepped forward, raising a hand in a gesture of calm.
"I understand your caution," Viktor said, his voice steady and composed. "In this land, trust is a rare commodity. However, you must know that I am as much a stranger to this place as you are. The mists of Barovia brought me here, just as they have brought you."
He looked around at the gathered adventurers, a motley group who seemed to have been thrown together by fate. "It seems we all share a common trait - we are all randos who just wondered into a haunted house."
His eyes met the incredulous gaze of Mittens as he cracks a friendly smile encouraged by the kind words of Svetlana “I carry no illusions or tricks. I offer my strength and skills to aid you in this endeavor. In this house of horrors, we are all at risk. Only by working together can we hope to survive and overcome the evil that dwells within."
Viktor's hand moved to the scar on his neck, a silent testament to his struggles. "I am not asking for blind trust, only for a chance to prove myself as an ally in this fight. Let us focus on the task at hand: finding the way to the basement and putting the souls of the children, Rose and Thorn, to rest. We can sort out the rest once the immediate danger is behind us."
OOC:
Perception check: 21
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
Lorin adjusted his aim from his distanced position only to see the armor fall in front of his companions. He was more than happy with the way the fight ended but one would be hard pressed to say as much. His face was a mask of flesh and blood, still locked in the emotionless state of battle. As the party advanced he retrieved his bolt. It was far from necessary, giving his findings on the lower floors, but he knew better than to waste anything.
The rogue nodded to Svetlana. Every guard was a sign of something needing to be secured and after the paintings and the library there was only one thing the Shadar-Kai could imagine fitting the bill – the way to the basement. That much was enouh for him to keep his weapon at the ready. When the man in armor appeared he almost shot.
“You are naïve.” Lorin said accepting the offer made to Mittens, his voice had something of joking tone. “When something rare is suddenly offered one would do well to assume its either fake or trap until proven otherwise. The other strangers had a forest of reasons to be trusted to the village and don’t forget that the children may be disguised demons or evil spirits.” The former seemed increasingly likelier. “I believe our friend is worried that you may be an illusion made by the monster we have to exterminate. Nothing a tap on your shoulder can’t solve. As long as you don’t attack us, we won’t attack you.”
That should be trust enough for the moment, he thought following the others in the last room.
“Found anything?” Lorin asked Svetlana.
As Svetlana moves toward the wall where she suspects a hidden entrance to the basement, suddenly a door appears right in front of her eyes. One moment the wall is blank and unassuming and the next there is a door. At about the same time, as Viktor follows Svetlana toward the master bedroom, he catches sight of a small door that blends in very well with its surroundings. If he opens the door, he sees a ladder descending from a trapdoor in the ceiling.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Victor moves over to the door and just opens it looking at his new companions “A hidden door..” he says sticking his head in quickly to look down “I’m going to assume it leads to the basement. Are we all ready Or would you all like to keep searching the room?” He asks as he puts away his weapon on his back and begins to take up a position to descend.
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
The last of the Dusk Elf maidens is initially so surprised by the phenomenon of the door that appears right in front of her blue eyes, that she does not immediately answer Lorin's question.
Svetlana then begins: "Actually yes, Lorin, there is..." but in the meantime, Victor moves over to the door and just opens it, making it obvious to everyone. "... This" she then indicates the passage just revealed with an elegant gesture of her hand.
To Victor's question, the savage wanderer replies: "I am ready - and I have a great desire to liberate this place and allow Rose and Thorn to meet their final destiny, whatever it may be. But we better invest some time to check the room... We know so little about the 'monster' that is supposed to be in the basement... If we find any clues, we might be able to take advantage of them".
Clearly relieved to have finally found access to the long-awaited basement, Svetlana quickly checks the furniture in the room, looking for any notes left by the Durst family... or even just unusual objects that may attract her attention (for example : if there was a vial of holy water in the room for no apparent reason, one might think that the Durst family used it to scare or control the monster...)
If a Perception or Investigation roll is needed:
d20 Roll: 17
If Perception => +3 = Unable to parse dice roll.
If Investigation => +1 = Unable to parse dice roll.