Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

Lionel studied somewhat cleaned up crypt with the expression very similar to one Mordekai had. "Impressive. Very. Now why do we want to get in there?"

((Ketch was more trying to shock any kind of sentience into reacting than burn anything...  still, good job Meepo!))

     “Dunno why,” Ketch answered bluntly. “Just a feeling...”

     After a pause and stepping into the doorway Ketch continues, “I suppose though that the mold is only growing here and that could be to prevent intruders... and if something wants to stop us, there’s probably a reason here but not the other tombs?”  Ketch shrugs and enters.

     Ketch, answering the hunch or inner pull he felt earlier, will inspect this tomb far more closely than the others. He’ll likely go so far as to ransack it and tear through everything if he finds nothing that satisfies his curiosity...  ((in a frustrated can’t find where I left my keys because they’re still in my pocket kind of way, not a mad crazed, scare the other party members kind of way...))

Ketch kicks and pokes through the dead mold, finding a body in tattered rags on the marble slab and under the crust of dead mold. As he does so his foot kicks something on the floor. Shoving the thing aside, pushing through the mold, he sees the glimmer of magically brightened steel.  He reaches down and pulls a magical rapier from the dead mold. A thorough search of the crypt doesn't reveal anything else of interest.

     "Hunches one, disgusting molds zero," Ketch says as he walks out of the crypt with the rapier. 

     "This a community pile?" Ketch will asks, seeing the disk carrying various items.  Ketch will also look around the area as he asks "There anything else we need to look into here?"

((I think we've looked into each tomb Ketch detected something in, but I admit I didn't keep good track.  Anyone ??))

((According to my notes in page 7 of the game PM, we still have 28, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37 and 40 that had some kind of magic. But bearing in mind we've not encountered that many nasty surprises, I assume there will be some waiting somewhere. And I don't think we want to hang around to open a further 7 crypts?))

"Shall we get out of here? And maybe find somewhere to rest and take stock of our new inventory."

“Meepo ready go.”  Meepo speaks up.  “Said before...” He says with a shrug.  “Go now?”

"If we find the dragon skull - we would get everything we came for. But I agree, some rest would be useful. Let's return to the stairs." Lionel moved to the exit, trying to remember where the traps were.

     "We could rest here," Ketch says, considering the idea aloud. "We've not been interrupted at all while here and we'd get to ask the skulls a few more questions in the morning for sure.  If we have more questions to ask."  Ketch kind of shrugs and follows the group even as he suggests the idea.  He doubts they want to rest amidst the dead, though many of the dead here seemed rather well rested.  

(Totally forgot about the skull being here in the castle. I was also just thinking of a short rest rather than a long rest. If we need a long rest, we should maybe reconsider the venue?)

"I don't think we want to sleep for a night in Strahd's Castle. That wouldn't be wise, knowing the nocturnal tendencies of our host... and who knows how many other entities within this place." Mordekai glances up at the bats as he says this. "If we want to remain here to try to retrieve the skull, I think we should only rest a short while. Recover as much as we can in that time, identify some holy symbols as we do it, and try to keep our stay brief."

(Meant a short rest too. And - did we study K86? There are some suspicious blue spots there https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/49756-pizazzs-ravenloft?comment=3682 )

Lionel nodded to Mordekai's words. "You might be right about resting right here in the crypts - so far we were only attacked when disturbed someone's rest. May be we can stay in the crypt of that holy healer for a bit?"

(We didn't. Ketch picked them up with detect magic. I assume more teleport traps would be reasonable to expect. But we got what a came for and I'm concerned that if we keep investigating the big family crypts, it's only so long before we run into Strahd himself unprepared.)

"Well, I think this is as good a place as any other in the castle to... rest in peace, if you will. Who would like something to identify?" Assuming Meepo is willing to Identify everything except the Holy symbols, Mordekai will offer the Amulet found in Strahd's mother's tomb to Lionel unless he had other plans, Mordekai will identify the one found on the high priest (from crypt 30) himself, and will offer the Holy symbol from Tasha the Healer in crypt 11 to a third person, depending how many are willing to help with their identification.

Meepo would identify anything but the holy symbols.

((I kind of assume Strahd knows where we are at all times and can decide to start an encounter whenever he chooses, though I could be entirely wrong.  Also, did we ever go down the steps to K88?  Do we really want the skull of Argynvost?  I thought we decided the followers it would allow us to unleash wouldn't be helpful?  Again, I could be wrong... I need to start taking notes.))

     "Which items of our haul do we think need to be examined?" Ketch asks.  "The rapier I found is... Something. Still, not sure it's our highest priority at the moment. I could look over a holy symbol if our friend Meepo prefers not to."  ((Short rest wise, no spell here...)) 

     "But whether we rest here or elsewhere, we should find a nook or corner to do it in.  Limit the directions of approach. And someone should stand guard.  Don't want things sneaking up as we're all focused on a shiny object and not the dark shadows in which these dark creatures creep..."

((K88 is the Strahd's parents crypt, the one where Meepo found the Raven Amulet. K85 has sarcophagus of a handsome young man in it. K86 can be something important (big crypt) - can Rat fly in there? Just to look at))

((Also, how many holy symbols do we have? Raven Amulet from Mother's Grave - Mordekai has it, Sun symbol from the Healer's crypt (the one that sent us into Kres) - Lionel has it. One more found by Meepo and looking expensive? Where is it?))

"Skeletons do not need any rest, I assume, and we have enough to keep watch in every direction." Lionel did not like the fact he was getting used to rely on the necromantic tricks but decided not to dwell on it for now - we use what we have. "Here is that holy symbol, Ketch. If you can say anything about it - would be good."

"Also those cards that Ulthan found in jester's crypt and rapier. That place does feel like a dragon's treasury." 

So, as far as I can make out, Meepp will identify the cards and the rapier, Lionel the Raven Amulet, Ketch the symbol from crypt 11, and Mordekai the symbol from crypt 30 (doesn't really matter who does which,  we don't need to make rolls for that, do we? Just spend the time focused on them during the short rest?)

And we're resting inside crypt 11, where the Healer was buried?

((Ketch still has a potion he picked up in the cells too))

Ah, my bad - sure, Lionel clutched the Raven Amulet and studied it as if his life dependent on it (or, better say, if Strahd's death was bound to it. After all, cards pretty much told so).

The group spends an hour in the crypt that smells of roses. Having triggered then crossed the trap out front once again. The place gives everyone but Meepo a sense of calm. Meepo instead feels rather on edge, like he's being watched and judged while he sits there. Outside, his skeletons keep watch.  

You begin to identify the various gear you've come across: 

You all spend time identifying the magical items. 

The deck s a complete Deck of Illusions. 

The sword is a Luck blade. 

The holy symbol found that's worth 750gp, if it touches an evil creature it will explode in a blast of light and deal 2d10 radiant damage to all creatures within 5 feet. 

The holy symbol found with Tasha, Healer of Kings, is magical, but only so that it may act to summon the light and a treasure. 

The symbol which you found on the mothers grave is the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind.

The potion is a Potion of heroism. 

Also, do not forget, you found a magical short sword that gives off light in the prison.  The sword continually sheds bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet. Only by destroying the sword can this light be extinguished. While attuned to the weapon, the sword's wielder can use the sword to cast the crusader's mantle spell. Once used, this property of the sword can't be used again until the next dawn. It also gives off emotions and seems to be sentient. It's a +1 shortsword. 

(That short sword is with Ulthan, though not sure he was attuning to it)

Lionel's eyes narrowed in vengeful excitement: "He had to hide that thing better!" Lionel looked like he is ready to search for Strahd right away but shook that off just hid the symbol under the armor. "We keep it."

As they finish this short rest, Mordekai begins an uplifting monologue about their new toys and the opportunities offered by them, and the upwards turn in their fate since entering the very den of Strahd himself. The feeling of "too good to be true" is one that he keeps suppressed for the purposes of inspiring his friends, and by the end of his quieter-than-usual ten minute speech, everyone in the party gains 12 temporary hp.

(How many charges does the Rapier have, by the way? It's the rapier that's the luck blade, right?)