Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

Lionel nodded to the notion of trap and turned to others: "It looks like our path is clear - if the answers we seek can be found in Amber Temple, then this is where we should go." He looked ready to take the road right now but did not rush anyone with the decision.

Meepo, Mordekai, Olin?  Does anyone speak up about the Amber Temple? 

Meepo just shrugs.  "Amber Temple in Raven castle?" He asks, confused a bit.  "Mother in Raven castle, right?"

"Her body is, yes, because she is long dead." Patiently explained Lionel. "However, we are not ready to storm the castle. Yet, there is another place - Amber Temple - where we might learn about Strahd's powers enough to face him. Do hope we can agree on necessity to visit that place."

"I agree that we're not yet ready to face the devil himself. Although if the readings we were given are anything to go by, it seems that we are somehow required to pay a visit to the Mother before we face Strahd, so we wouldn't necessarily be 'storming the castle'. However, I have no idea how we would visit the Mother without facing Strahd. If there is more information to be found at this Amber Temple, then that would make a sensible detour. And if we can befriend and earn the gratitude of another enemy of Strahd, and possibly any assistance he can offer us, it makes sense to me."

"Meepo say amber temple." Meepo says with a nod.  "We go?"  he glances to the strange elf.

Kasimir smiles a small smile, "Your haste feels so strange. And yet, I will not have my pace be held an excuse that you did not succeed. I shall be ready to leave within the hour. I have some duties to attend to.  I shall meet you on the west road just outside Vallaki in one hour."

Dismissed, you make your way out of the house. It would seem you have an hour to spend before meeting Kasimir outside town to the west. Does anyone do anything in particular with this time? 

Meepo doesn't have anything he would be doing.

Lionel was more  of "the man of action" sort, and sudden change of plans did not bother him that much. He was honest when talked about unexpected hope and feeling of great opportunity. There was nothing to prepare for the journey, nobody to warn, no one to say good bye even. He simply walked with his comrades in arms to the rendezvous point. There he would simply wait, contemplating Kazimir's few words about the Temple and it's potential danger.

Mordekai will remove his armour and cast Mage Armor on himself (He can now cast it at will due to one of his Eldritch Invocations - he's been able to do so since we levelled up, but I've been forgetting to do it!).  

(I was tempted to cast Hex on the nearest random animal and then use the hour as a short rest to get my spell slot back, but that feels a little too...loophole-y!)

 Meepo, Olin, Mordekai, Lionel and Ismark take a nice walk through the woods, the dark clouds above threatening to rain, but holding off for the moment. You emerge from a forest path next to the wooden palisades of Vallaki, and follow the foot path along the wall to the western road.  It's cobbles slowly fade away. You use the hour to rest (short rest) (re-arrange spells as necessary, including 'dismissing' hex and gaining a slot back). 

An hour later with a growing darkness in the sky, Kasimir emerges along the same path, now dressed for a journey, a small pack on his back and a long slim rapier at his side. His elven gear is finely made...but ancient and patched. His boots are well worn. Much of his gear still has dust in the ridges or along seams, obviously pulled out of some storage for this trip. His eyes, looking old and weary, meet yours. "Very well, let us begin."

The dark sky glares down at the group oppressively. Ravens in the trees caw raucously as you pass. Shadows in the forest seem to flash in and out of sight but are never close enough to identify.  The feeling of being watched is heavy upon you. You pass the crossroads that lead south to the ruins of Berez and continue west. You pass the lane that leads up to the mansion in the hills. Finally a couple hours later you arrive at the path south that has a sign reading Tsolenka Pass. You look up the mountainside, snow covering it's jagged peaks and stretching half way down it's height, realizing the road must lead far up into the mountain and into the snow. 

Kasimir mutters, "Mount Ghakis, all that remains in the this land of the Balinok Mountain Range. Ancient evil is crouched in it's depths."

With that, he takes the first few steps down the road and the group follows. The dark clouds above begin to spit as the wind picks up, the four of you trudging along what soon becomes a muddy trail that winds its way up the foothills of the snowy mountain. As it rises in elevation, the road turns to gravel underfoot. You wind up the side of the mountain for perhaps an hour before the spitting has turned into a wind driven snow that pelts into your bodies.  Hazy fogs blow past you with the whipping icy wind. Patches of dirty ice begin appearing to each side of the road as the temperature plummets. The trail ahead leaves the trees behind, climbing up the side of the hill, with switch backs cutting into the mountainside.  Soon enough it's a cliff side ride with mountain cliffs both above and below. There is no shelter from the blowing icy wind and the snow.  You're starting to wonder if you prepared well enough for this journey, your fingers toes numb, your face burning, when you come around a corner.  Through the blowing snow and fog you see a figure ahead in the road. 

The Devil himself stands there himself, his cloak whipping about his body, the snow flakes sticking to his side.  His face looks fearsome.  He speaks, his voice somehow joining the wind to meet your ears, despite the winds howling. 

His tone is full of evil and hate as he speaks, "Kasimir, I am disappointed to see you here. I thought you would have gotten the message last time you raised your hand against me." 

Kasimir shouts, "I am here for myself and my sister....I am not here to fight you?" 

Strahd replies, "And yet you lead my play things to the Amber Temple? It will avail you not, but that is of no matter. I am done playing."

Strahd is 60 feet from the party.  The cliff side road is about 25 feet wide.

Strahd : Initiative: 16

Ismark : Initiative: 9

Olin : Initiative: 18

Kasimir : Initiative : 12

Roll initiative.  If you go before Strahd, take your action.

Olin's left foot steps back, planting himself firmly on the ground as he grabs his holy symbol, his eyes closed as his hand is outstretched, the area around him and the rest of the group fills with a nimbus of holy light and small angelic warriors whip about the space eager to face evil.  He then strides forward 30 feet towards the Strahd, filling the space with the angels.  A moment later a spectral floating branch appears next to Strahd and strikes down at him. 

Attack: 18 Damage: 5

The branch misses, swinging wide of Strahd. 

(OOC: Meepo, since you're unable to see the image. Imagine a road, roughly 4 to 5 squares wide (it's irregular), running left to right. You guys are on the left side. Strahd is on the right. Olin has moved to directly between the two groups and has a large sphere of spirits that covers the whole road.  The cliff down is at the bottom. The cliff up is to the top. There are some shrubs / bushes on the path, but they are sparse. There are some spots on the cliff face above you could perch on if you chose to try and get into a position above the road. )

Meepo initiative: 21

Zombie1 initiative: 5

Zombie2 initiative: 8

Meepo lifts his hand and sends 4 magical darts hurtling towards the vampire.  He then mentally commands his zombies to attack.

Action: Cast magic missile at 2nd level.

Bonus Action: command his undead.

Damage for magic missiles:

1... 5

2... 5

3... 4

4... 4

As they met and set off with Kasimir, could Mordekai have spent the first ten minutes on the road delivering a speech to his allies (now including Kashmir) about the desperate needs of this land and the cruel fate inflicted upon its people, also calling to mind Luvash and other servants of Strahd who have sought to profit from the misery of others? Would it be OK to retcon that in to the middle of your earlier narrative?  If so, the whole party (upto 6 people) get a fresh 11 temporary hit points.

Mordekai Initiative: 8 

(OOC: For what it's worth, that should be a 9, I added +2 instead of +3)

(Extra HP will be very appreciated as always)

Lionel's initiative: 6

(OOC: Yes yes, everyone feels very inspired.  lol.) 

The four magical bolts from Meepo slash across the open space slamming into Strahd.  The bruise mark on his face fade away the moment the bolts strike him. 

Olin saving throw: 19

Strahd stands his ground as Olin approaches. Strahd seems to stare intently at Olin, "End your spells good cleric, and perhaps don't let your friends attack me." 

Olin stops his aggressive stance, suddenly standing upright. "Yes, of course...."  His mystical branch vanishes and his aura of angels fades away.  He turns to the group, "Best not to attack friends."  

In a strange, reality altering blur, Strahd seems to move forward in a burst, and sinks his teeth into Olin, who tilts his neck to allow him to. Strahd seems to almost be smiling as the moment stretches on, his fangs elongating and then, with a gush of red, sinks into Olin's neck.

Damage: 7 + 8

Kasimir seems to wilt, taking steps backwards, his sword remains sheathed as he backs away from the battle. 

The two zombies shuffle forward but don't make it close enough to attack. 

Ismark pulls his sword out and with a roar charges, "Friends, this is our chance, he thinks he is strong, but he is not!  To our victory!! DIE BEAST!!!"  

(Everyone gets a point of inspiration.)

He charges forward. Strahd casually pushes Olin away and opens his arms, allowing Ismark to attack.  Olin drops to the ground, blood pouring from his neck, he sits in a seeming daze, "Friends....don't fight him...."

Attack: 25 Damage: 13, Attack: 12 Damage: 8

The blade slashes across Strahd's face, cutting deeply as blood sprays across the air. The second slash strikes again, Strahd's chin dislocated as the blade crunches into bone and sinew.  

In a gruesome display of horror the chin clinks back into place and the wounds seem to crawl themselves back together, leaving Strahd with some dripping blood, but no wound.

Everyone take your next actions. 

Mordekai transfers Hex from the earlier unassuming bunny to Strahd, and casts Chill Touch at Strahd.

Attack: 27 Damage: 9

Mordekai will then back away 30ft, to try to keep Strahd at long range.

(EDIT: Just realised the dice rolls aren't showing on hovering over them, are they?  Luckily, Hex and Chill Touch are both necrotic damage, so we don't need to worry about the breakdown of different damage types - which I'm sure isn't particularly effective against Strahd, but if he's hit by that Chill Touch, he can't regain hit points until the start of my next turn.)