Your attack is right on target, but as it approaches the vampire, the exact part of the chest you were about to strike disappears into a swarm of bats, then they reconvene to reform the vampire's body. He does the same for the pommel strike.
"Gutsy, but expected. Razz, however, I wasn't expecting you to attack. Interesting indeed. And Kess.... What is there to say about you? Attacking a priest, just because of a simple disagreement..... I can't imagine the spirits are happy, if you even care about what they think. Maybe, just maybe..... I'll be back here tomorrow morning. Bring the cult a good fight, will you? And Kess, you've shown me you're a good follower, now show me you're a good leader, will you?"
Before you can respond, he disappears. Kess' turn.
"He just vanished. Did he leave or is he still plotting something? Ada, what did he say, I couldn't quite make it out before he went poof" Razz says excitedly but also with a bit of confusion in his voice. "Do we just sign up for even more trouble?"
Kessintra turns and stares in confusion as Strahd is unaffected by Ada's strikes and addresses them--her, more personally than she would like. She's told no one about her spirits, so how could he...? Frustratingly, he disappears before she can question him.
"The cultists...Gladly." She stows her bow and retrieves her blades, sheathing them and turning her attention back to those in the church. "This is...awkward, but it seems we have no need to fight amongst ourselves. We'll need our strength for Fiona and the others. I'm...I can't say sorry, but you need to understand, Lucian. When Strahd seriously decides to take Ireena, we just aren't capable of stopping him...We aren't cowards or stupid. We've tried fighting him before and we've been to Ravenloft. The most we could do was annoy him, and his forces are more powerful than you seem to think--not all of them undead."
Persuasion: 12 -.- (Even with advantage from possible help)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep| Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep| Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia| Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA| Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren| Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron| Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault| Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor | Cassian - Human Guardian Paladin - Dragonlance |
"So, the attack is official? When? And.... I understand. I know that I can't protect her forever, but I think you might. Strahd is... sadistic. If he knows keeping her here will keep you fighting, he might just do it. He does have forever, after all. It's all speculation, but it might just be enough. It might buy you enough time to end him, if you're lucky. I'm glad we're back on the same side, regardless."
"He said he 'might' be back in the morning--if we can last that long, I'm assuming--so tonight. Maybe we can make the first move earlier though...Let's get Garrick up and Ada back in here so we can all make a plan."
"Father Lucian, I appreciate the righteous fire, I really do. But next time we’re standing in a room with a vampire lord staring in, maybe we don’t start swinging at each other."
Razz shakes his head, crossing his arms as he hovers slightly higher for dramatic effect.
"Look, I get it. You wanted to take a stand. And you’re right—this cult needs to be dealt with. But Strahd just handed them marching orders, and we are fresh out of time for sermons and evening rituals. We need to turn this church from a house of worship into a house of not getting ripped apart by an angry mob. We need to: Cancel the service. Bar the doors. Gather the faithful; well maybe not in that order — because if the Morninglord's light is going to shine tonight, it won’t be through candlelit prayers; it’ll be through fire and steel."
Ada flutters back down to the ground, and her wings disappear with a flash. She looks completely put out by Strahd transforming into a bunch of bats and then disappearing. But she is also glad to be alive. Her heart is beating fast as she returns to the church.
"He said he might come back tomorrow," she tells Razz. "And to give the cultists a good fight, which I hope we plan to do."
She looks toward Father Lucian and Kessintra. "I'm glad we're not fighting each other anymore at least."
"Yes.... I only fought to protect the girl. I will send Yeska, the altar boy, to call off the service. None of them are fit for combat, not to mention some are children. Then, you guys should gather anyone competent who will fight. Anyone come to mind?"
Ismirk immediately, and quite awkwardly, replies, "Van Richten."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I exist sometimes, especially when I'm DMing Curse of Strahd.
"Too bad that carriage wasn't closer, that would be one heck of a surprise for them. I think Chipper would love to play with it, I think. Though I was thinking we could use it to blow open the tower if we couldn't figure out the symbol on the door." Razz says with a grin. "As for around here, we'll have to leave that to the senior members of the group"
Razz will flutter about seeing what he can fix with Mending while everyone else is still talking. He'll keep an ear open in case they need anything from him.
Kessintra glances at Ismirk, surprised he would suggest the vampire hunter. "You would trust him? As long as Ireena is in the church, I think he'd have no reason to kill her. I was thinking we could ask 'Rictavio' and Urwin since neither of them seemed fond of the cult. An innkeeper might not be able to fight, but I'm sure he knows everyone in town who is. The Baron's son, Victor, would probably help too if we could find him."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep| Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep| Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia| Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA| Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren| Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron| Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault| Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor | Cassian - Human Guardian Paladin - Dragonlance |
With Strahd going away, Chipper turns his illusion of Strahd away from the window and then drops concentration once it's out of sight. He turns to Kess, "Perhaps next time we talk as a group before drawing blades on our allies." With the talk of cultists coming he then casts a quick warding over himself. "But seems we have pressing issues now."
He thinks about the presence Strahd had. With how he acted, perhaps a projected image? Unless there was some special interaction of this dreaded domain. Seems he wasn't the only one with illusion magic here. Arcana: 17+7 = 24
He's pulled out of those thoughts by Razz's statement of the wagon. "Aye, a nice glyph of warding would be useful here. Alas."
"Though perhaps we should be more careful of potential eavesdroppers." He'll start ritual-casting detect magic. "Boarding up windows are making a barricade however are likely good things to do now too."
[[ self-notes.
TODO -Van Richten's secrey is a boon, having him as an ally in the fight would be useful but also surprising Strahd is good -getting Victor sounds like a great idea -Rictavio might be able to point us towards Ezmerelda, who Strahd already knows of -Strahd could certainly have prejudices towards Van Richten that make him falsely think he'd kill Ireena, would have to know Richten better
The Strahd Ada struck was definitely an illusion. You make note that is was able to gesture and speak. It's definitely similar to projected image, but it seemed less powerful than that. You think through similar spells a little less potent when you remember one you heard of a whole back: mislead.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I exist sometimes, especially when I'm DMing Curse of Strahd.
"It sounds like we have a good idea of where to start," says Ada. "Shall we return to the inn and ask Rictavio and Urwin? Tell me more about this Victor. What do you mean if we can find him?"
Ada nods at Chipper. "I will be more careful in my speech. It seems that Strahd has ears everywhere."
Noticing that Garrick was knocked out, Ada kneels down next to him and lays hands on him, a warm light emanating out to heal his wounds (+10 HP).
Kess gives a slightly embarrassed look at Chipper's admonition. "You're right. I let my-"fear"-concern get the better of me. We're a bit of a mess when we aren't all on the same page, as me and Garrick found out...Thanks for patching me up, Razz, even though I started the whole thing. I'm glad Strahd left before it went any further."
She looks to Garrick as he sits up. "Oh, Ada attacked Strahd and he left. He implied that the cult will attack tonight and asked us to put on a good show fighting them, so we're trying to think of people here who might help." She shrugs; the vampire noble has very strange ideas of what's entertaining, but as long as it keeps them alive. A thought occurs to her and she casts message on Ada.
'That was brave of you, by the way, Ada. I don't know if he would've left us alone if you hadn't, so thank you. Let's try to stick together as much as possible from now on though.'
"The Baron was the previous leader of Vallaki. Fiona and her cult killed him and burned his mansion down. We should...do the same to her." Her expression growsdistant for a moment before she shakes her head. "We never met Victor, but apparently he got away. He was studying to be a wizard, and would want revenge I imagine."
"What is nearby that we can use to board up the windows with and how many other ways are there into or out of the church? What exactly do the Bones ward against?"Razz asks to anyone who would listen. "We need to know what can or cannot enter the church. I am still surprised I was able to do so. I have ran into other hallowed grounds where even my kind were not allowed entry. Though probably for good reason. There are other Fey out there that would steal a babe if given the chance."
"I thought it was the standard: celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, and undead. The effect does come directly from Lathander, so perhaps he can designate specific people to allow in. I don't know exactly, I haven't seen many celestials, elementals, fey, and fiends. Undead, however, have been denied entry every time."
Do you want to do anything else before heading back to the inn?
+2 radiant damage from Radiant Soul, forgot
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)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Your attack is right on target, but as it approaches the vampire, the exact part of the chest you were about to strike disappears into a swarm of bats, then they reconvene to reform the vampire's body. He does the same for the pommel strike.
"Gutsy, but expected. Razz, however, I wasn't expecting you to attack. Interesting indeed. And Kess.... What is there to say about you? Attacking a priest, just because of a simple disagreement..... I can't imagine the spirits are happy, if you even care about what they think. Maybe, just maybe..... I'll be back here tomorrow morning. Bring the cult a good fight, will you? And Kess, you've shown me you're a good follower, now show me you're a good leader, will you?"
Before you can respond, he disappears. Kess' turn.
I exist sometimes, especially when I'm DMing Curse of Strahd.
"He just vanished. Did he leave or is he still plotting something? Ada, what did he say, I couldn't quite make it out before he went poof" Razz says excitedly but also with a bit of confusion in his voice. "Do we just sign up for even more trouble?"
Kessintra turns and stares in confusion as Strahd is unaffected by Ada's strikes and addresses them--her, more personally than she would like. She's told no one about her spirits, so how could he...? Frustratingly, he disappears before she can question him.
"The cultists...Gladly." She stows her bow and retrieves her blades, sheathing them and turning her attention back to those in the church. "This is...awkward, but it seems we have no need to fight amongst ourselves. We'll need our strength for Fiona and the others. I'm...I can't say sorry, but you need to understand, Lucian. When Strahd seriously decides to take Ireena, we just aren't capable of stopping him...We aren't cowards or stupid. We've tried fighting him before and we've been to Ravenloft. The most we could do was annoy him, and his forces are more powerful than you seem to think--not all of them undead."
Persuasion: 12 -.- (Even with advantage from possible help)
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor | Cassian - Human Guardian Paladin - Dragonlance |
"So, the attack is official? When? And.... I understand. I know that I can't protect her forever, but I think you might. Strahd is... sadistic. If he knows keeping her here will keep you fighting, he might just do it. He does have forever, after all. It's all speculation, but it might just be enough. It might buy you enough time to end him, if you're lucky. I'm glad we're back on the same side, regardless."
I exist sometimes, especially when I'm DMing Curse of Strahd.
"He said he 'might' be back in the morning--if we can last that long, I'm assuming--so tonight. Maybe we can make the first move earlier though...Let's get Garrick up and Ada back in here so we can all make a plan."
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor | Cassian - Human Guardian Paladin - Dragonlance |
"Father Lucian, I appreciate the righteous fire, I really do. But next time we’re standing in a room with a vampire lord staring in, maybe we don’t start swinging at each other."
Razz shakes his head, crossing his arms as he hovers slightly higher for dramatic effect.
"Look, I get it. You wanted to take a stand. And you’re right—this cult needs to be dealt with. But Strahd just handed them marching orders, and we are fresh out of time for sermons and evening rituals. We need to turn this church from a house of worship into a house of not getting ripped apart by an angry mob. We need to: Cancel the service. Bar the doors. Gather the faithful; well maybe not in that order — because if the Morninglord's light is going to shine tonight, it won’t be through candlelit prayers; it’ll be through fire and steel."
Ada flutters back down to the ground, and her wings disappear with a flash. She looks completely put out by Strahd transforming into a bunch of bats and then disappearing. But she is also glad to be alive. Her heart is beating fast as she returns to the church.
"He said he might come back tomorrow," she tells Razz. "And to give the cultists a good fight, which I hope we plan to do."
She looks toward Father Lucian and Kessintra. "I'm glad we're not fighting each other anymore at least."
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)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
"Yes.... I only fought to protect the girl. I will send Yeska, the altar boy, to call off the service. None of them are fit for combat, not to mention some are children. Then, you guys should gather anyone competent who will fight. Anyone come to mind?"
Ismirk immediately, and quite awkwardly, replies, "Van Richten."
I exist sometimes, especially when I'm DMing Curse of Strahd.
"Too bad that carriage wasn't closer, that would be one heck of a surprise for them. I think Chipper would love to play with it, I think. Though I was thinking we could use it to blow open the tower if we couldn't figure out the symbol on the door." Razz says with a grin. "As for around here, we'll have to leave that to the senior members of the group"
Razz will flutter about seeing what he can fix with Mending while everyone else is still talking. He'll keep an ear open in case they need anything from him.
Kessintra glances at Ismirk, surprised he would suggest the vampire hunter. "You would trust him? As long as Ireena is in the church, I think he'd have no reason to kill her. I was thinking we could ask 'Rictavio' and Urwin since neither of them seemed fond of the cult. An innkeeper might not be able to fight, but I'm sure he knows everyone in town who is. The Baron's son, Victor, would probably help too if we could find him."
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor | Cassian - Human Guardian Paladin - Dragonlance |
With Strahd going away, Chipper turns his illusion of Strahd away from the window and then drops concentration once it's out of sight. He turns to Kess, "Perhaps next time we talk as a group before drawing blades on our allies." With the talk of cultists coming he then casts a quick warding over himself. "But seems we have pressing issues now."
He thinks about the presence Strahd had. With how he acted, perhaps a projected image? Unless there was some special interaction of this dreaded domain. Seems he wasn't the only one with illusion magic here.
Arcana: 17+7 = 24
He's pulled out of those thoughts by Razz's statement of the wagon. "Aye, a nice glyph of warding would be useful here. Alas."
"Though perhaps we should be more careful of potential eavesdroppers." He'll start ritual-casting detect magic. "Boarding up windows are making a barricade however are likely good things to do now too."
[[
self-notes.
TODO
-Van Richten's secrey is a boon, having him as an ally in the fight would be useful but also surprising Strahd is good
-getting Victor sounds like a great idea
-Rictavio might be able to point us towards Ezmerelda, who Strahd already knows of
-Strahd could certainly have prejudices towards Van Richten that make him falsely think he'd kill Ireena, would have to know Richten better
]]
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
The Strahd Ada struck was definitely an illusion. You make note that is was able to gesture and speak. It's definitely similar to projected image, but it seemed less powerful than that. You think through similar spells a little less potent when you remember one you heard of a whole back: mislead.
I exist sometimes, especially when I'm DMing Curse of Strahd.
"It sounds like we have a good idea of where to start," says Ada. "Shall we return to the inn and ask Rictavio and Urwin? Tell me more about this Victor. What do you mean if we can find him?"
Ada nods at Chipper. "I will be more careful in my speech. It seems that Strahd has ears everywhere."
Noticing that Garrick was knocked out, Ada kneels down next to him and lays hands on him, a warm light emanating out to heal his wounds (+10 HP).
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)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Coughing Garrick sits up. “Argh, what happened? Damn, you guys pack quite a punch.”
Seeing the light coming from Ada's healing, Razz glides over to Garrick and patches him up as well with a healer's kit (+14hp)
“Thank you Ada and Razz, I was not expecting such powerul blows.”
Kess gives a slightly embarrassed look at Chipper's admonition. "You're right. I let my-" fear "-concern get the better of me. We're a bit of a mess when we aren't all on the same page, as me and Garrick found out...Thanks for patching me up, Razz, even though I started the whole thing. I'm glad Strahd left before it went any further."
She looks to Garrick as he sits up. "Oh, Ada attacked Strahd and he left. He implied that the cult will attack tonight and asked us to put on a good show fighting them, so we're trying to think of people here who might help." She shrugs; the vampire noble has very strange ideas of what's entertaining, but as long as it keeps them alive. A thought occurs to her and she casts message on Ada.
'That was brave of you, by the way, Ada. I don't know if he would've left us alone if you hadn't, so thank you. Let's try to stick together as much as possible from now on though.'
"The Baron was the previous leader of Vallaki. Fiona and her cult killed him and burned his mansion down. We should...do the same to her." Her expression grows distant for a moment before she shakes her head. "We never met Victor, but apparently he got away. He was studying to be a wizard, and would want revenge I imagine."
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor | Cassian - Human Guardian Paladin - Dragonlance |
"What is nearby that we can use to board up the windows with and how many other ways are there into or out of the church? What exactly do the Bones ward against?" Razz asks to anyone who would listen. "We need to know what can or cannot enter the church. I am still surprised I was able to do so. I have ran into other hallowed grounds where even my kind were not allowed entry. Though probably for good reason. There are other Fey out there that would steal a babe if given the chance."
"I thought it was the standard: celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, and undead. The effect does come directly from Lathander, so perhaps he can designate specific people to allow in. I don't know exactly, I haven't seen many celestials, elementals, fey, and fiends. Undead, however, have been denied entry every time."
Do you want to do anything else before heading back to the inn?
I exist sometimes, especially when I'm DMing Curse of Strahd.