Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Bob raises his bushy brows at Ban's request and nods eagerly. "Och, I'd love t' help! These gnarled old hands haven't had the pleasure o' workin' a proper craft in too long now."
The talk of Strahd and vampires sours his mood somewhat and he begins to lags behind, digging his staff into the earth with each step as if to reassure himself it was still there and not part of some mist-filled dream. "Alls I know? Don' say his bloody name aloud! Not unless we want t' say 'hullo'. Only thing I'd like t' greet right abou' now is a foamy pint."
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1xs6ZuPMPWMtSO548eeVqqymR2VLJewWqZVeh5pZ98DE/edit
Battered, bruised, and bleeding the party slowly makes their way from the Death House (Red X) down the cobblestone streets of Barovia, going west (Red Arrow). Gimble guides the group, having been the only party member to have explored Barovia prior to the encounter with the Death house but only by a couple of days.
As the party makes their way several things become apparent to them.
Though the street is cobblestone it has seen better days. Stones are out of place or missing here and there and it does not look that it is maintained very well.
Casting their gaze around, the party sees the buildings are stucco and built on a worked stone base. Windows and doors have treated wood trim and the windows have wooden shutters with intricate designs carved into them. The stucco is dark and there are pieces missing here and there, allowing the party to see the wood underneath. Shutters hang from their place and many are missing altogether. The windows of each have been boarded up but there are places where the boards have been ripped away and are lying on the street near the dwelling. Many of the dwellings look abandoned. Those few that the party guess is inhabited are only thought to be because they catch a glimpse of a sliver of candlelight here and there coming from inside a building.
As the party walks forward, the feelings of gloom and despair creep over them and those feelings hang in the very air around them, darkening their moods. To make matters worse fog rolls in, covering the streets and buildings. With it, a chill in the air comes over the party, penetrating armor and skin and settles into the bones of each.
In the distance, a faint moan can be heard. It is a female voice but its location can not be pinpointed without further investigation.
Another sound of a lone cart being pushed with a small bell tinkling as the wheels negotiate the cobblestone echoes through the streets but, nothing is seen at this time.
The party makes its way forward and comes to what they believe is the town square. It is an open space with a large wooden pole at its center, the one used to post notes, job posting, and the like.
Gimble turns north when the party makes the square and with the party in tow he walks to a large building in the southeast corner of the town square (marked with a Red T).
Light comes from behind the door of the building, casting some light out into the ever-thickening fog. Above the door hangs a sign carved in wood "Blood of the Vine". The "f" has been scratched out and an "n" has been carved over it.
Gimble opens the door and he and the party enter.
The door opens to a 40 ft. x 40 ft. room that has a bar along the west side of the room and a hearth along the north side of the room. Several tables with chairs are in the room and a staircase leading to the next floor is in the southeast corner. The chairs and this room is empty.
Behind the bar stands a portly man in his 40's. He wears a simple dull green shirt with dark trousers. A pair of suspenders are draped over the shirt and his hair, a thick patch that rings the sides and back of his bald head, and mustache are both dark in color. He is seen as Gimble seen him on the day he left, standing behind the bar cleaning glasses with a dirty rag. He seems to take no notice of the party's condition as he says "If you do not plan to stay the night, I am closing soon.", in a thickly accented voice.
Gimble:
”Arik, I have returned and brought the ones who were exploring the Gustav house,” says Gimble tiredly. “We have learned much and need to speak with the Burgermeister’s son anon, but first we require food and drink—and rooms for the night as well.”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Gillain enters the Inn and dumps her shield, weapons and gear at a table in the middle of the room, before saying, “Yes!.. Food, drink, and somewhere to rest would be most welcome...”. She briefly checks the wound on her shoulder before collapsing into a chair.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
The keeper doesn't say much but does provide you with rooms and a meager meal of split pea soup with a roll. It costs each of you 1 S.P. The roll is stale and the soup thick but warm.
There is a small but dwindling fire in the hearth that gives off little light and less heat. Alrik moves about you as you eat, locking up then placing a few boards across the doorway. He says little even if you try and engage him. Most questions are met with a shrug or a small grunt.
"Retire at your leisure," Alrik says. "I must turn in. The fire will last a bit longer but, will dwindle to embers until morning. Do not open the door, no matter what you hear. And keep your windows locked till morning. The rooms are on the second floor, take any you like, there are no other guests here tonight."
With that Alrik turns and starts walking away. "The Burgermeister's son will be here sometime afternoon. He always is." Alrik walks behind the bar and through a door in the back. You hear him shuffle around for a few minutes but then all is silent.
The party sits and eats, wooden spoons scraping wooden bowls on occasion. From outside, at some distance away the howl of wolves can be heard.
End of Chapter 1
Gimble:
Paying and eating his soup and bread, Gimble smiles at his new companions, saying, “Well, that was quite horrible, but we did survive. And it appears a box from that last room found it’s way into my possession.”
Taking out the wooden box he found, Gimble sets it on the table and examines it for traps and locks, then opens it once those pesky cautions are out of the way.
Investigation: 17
Thieves Tools: 8
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Tio declines food but she does pay for it with a silver “Here does anyone wish to have my share I am fine.” She pushes her bowl and roll into the center. As she does she will also join Gimble “We also have something from Strahd himself, funds it seems.” She will take the pouch of coins the group got earlier and begin counting out its entirety.
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAGillain tucks in to the food and drink. Normally she would enjoy her food, but right now it’s just about getting her strength back.
”I feel like we did a good thing... ....”, she says, looking around the group. “Those children needed our help, and we laid them to rest and cleansed that place...”.
”I can’t make any sense of it, and it already feels like a dream, but... we did good.... ...”. She’s telling the party, but also just telling herself.
((Flat CHA check just to see if she is convincing: 14 ))
She’s not really sure about anything that’s just happened. And she’s confused and conflicted about what she found out about the Count...
When she’s finished her meal, she gets up and starts checking over her gear, ritualistically going through her squire’s duties for the end of the day...
”Did we get the plate mail armour?”, she asks. If they have it, she says, “Can anyone help me get this in condition? It could be useful if we face anything like that again...”.
((She looks it over... Does it look like it would be useable?))
((Aside from that, Gillain is exhausted and ready for bed))
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Tio counts out 25 gold coins from the bag. Each coin has the visage of Count Strahd engraved on it.
Cautiously Gimble Investigates then is able to unlock the wooden box. Gimble opens the box to find a deck of playing cards. On the back of each card is a picture of a winged skeleton holding a scythe. The face cards appear as normal but each is depicted as a skeleton.
The party checks some of the treasure they took from the house and are dismayed to find the following:
-Opening the bag where the full plate armor had been placed all that is found is a large pile of rusty dust.
-The books and parchments-3 spell scrolls, Deed to a Windmill, and the Spellbook of the Lady of the House appear to have aged a great deal and are readable but very brittle.
-The other items also appear to have aged a bit but are still functional.
Bob is tucking into a hot meal and good drink before the proprietor even finished speaking. He gladly partakes of Tio's meal, though he gives her a curious glance the same as when she simply pocketed the goodberry he gave her. He doesn't say anything but remembers to ask about it later.
"Aye, we did a good thing. Restored the balance o' nature and laid some wayward souls to rest. Tha' house needed to go, as well. P'raps we'll do the same for a certain creature o' the night's estate."
He chuckles, full of vim and vigor and at last warm food, though the pleasant taste turns to ash in his mouth when he realizes the treasures they'd worked so hard for were in ruins. "Och! Not me trinkets an' treasures! Oh well, I s'pose the real treasure's the friendships we made along the way or somethin' like tha'," he says with a heavy sigh as if he's trying to convince himself that that was true.
Gimble:
Looking at all their assembled items, Gimble performs the rituals for Detect Magic and Identify as warranted, checking to see if any of the items are more than they appear. He tries to assess the worth of the items they have found.
Arcana for the Spellbook and Scrolls, maybe the cards too?: 18
History for the Deed: 8
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
“Yes I agree, we certainly did good. We have about 25 gold coins we can use as party expenses.” As everyone begins to finish and Gimble cast his identity “I think I’ll retire first. Be well friends I will see you all in the morning.” Tio will stand up from the table and will give a slight bow as she heads to her room.
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiABan eats her meal quietly, taking a seat on the hearth to soak up as much heat as possible. Quickly finishing her meager meal, she places it at the center of the table. She stretches in big fashion and pulls up a seat to the table as Bob sighs. The eladrin sits down backwards and leans on her arms over the chair's back.
She brushes any loose hair strands back into place in her hood and responds the drawf, "Coming out with our lives is treasure enough, no? We've gained unique experience, and we've just looked upon dark things many many others will never see in their entire lives." Ban rests her head in hand and continues, "I think Gillian is right about doing good. This place, what little I've seen, could use a little colour." As party members retire due the evening, Ban waives each off cheerily.
"Now, if you're ready, Master Drawf, I could use some assistance." Ban walks over to the next table and goes through her pack. Retrieving a bound set of assorted tools, she plops the bundle on the table and unfurls it in a single motion. Seated within their own pockets are a variety of tools, metals, threads, etcetera. The eladrin takes a set of nine needles, thread, the mirror she used in the mansion, and a square leather mat. As done many times, Ban begins to put something together. She places the leather at the table's center and presses the needles in equally distant upon; she follows with the string around the needles and the mirror in the center.
Habitually dusting her hands off, she smiles and invites any others of the party left or interested to take a seat. Lastly, she retrieves the bone dagger she grabbed from the cultist's lair, as well as a small metal sphere, and sets them on the mirror at the center. "What I require is someone who speaks Dwarvish, so you'll do nicely Bob. Take a seat opposed, and let's begin."
OOC: Sorry for the delay. @Grwobert - no worries, mate. Would assume Gillian would want to rest above all else right now after recent events.
Gillain sighs as they find that the armour is nothing but rust. She mutters to herself, “Well, it makes sense! If these are my ‘Trials’, then they aren’t meant to be easy...”. She nods to herself, even more determined now.
She stands up as straight as her injuries will allow, and gives Tio a knight’s-salute and a smile as her friend retires for bed.
”I’ll turn in too. Rest well...”.
As she gathers her things and heads up, she keeps a look out for any washing facilities, either in the rooms or down the hall. If there are any, she will wash or bathe. If not, she will go to her room...
Before she falls asleep, she changes into simple night things, then reaches into her pack. ((does she find the small grey sphere she took from the statue room in the basement?))
If she finds it, she holds it for a second, sitting on the side of her bed, looking at it. “You’ve been kind to us. But you’re a... ... . Hmm.. Maybe you need us. I can see WHAT you are!.... You definitely need help one way or another. Maybe I can ‘help’ you...”.
She puts the sphere on her bedside table and rolls over to sleep.
She drifts off to sleep...
((OOC: edit... Sorry @Han missed your post when I posted. Crossed posts! Maybe Gillain headed up before you began? If that works. Very intriguing though!))
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
The orb is intact but a bit varnished. Gillain can clean it up and make another 25 gold from selling it.
The night passes.
The party makes its way to their rooms and to the bed inside. Tio shuts down as the others lay to rest.
The night seems long and restless. Many of the party members wake from dreams of the horrors they had faced in the Death House only to lay back down due to the exhaustion that comes with facing such a place.
Dawn comes. Not by the sun breaking through the window nor by birds chirping and singing as the Sun rises. The party wakes out of habit more than anything else. Mosty lay in be for much longer than normal, not sure why they do so but for the oppressive feelings that overcome them from this new land. Eventually, everyone makes their way down to the common room. Alrik can be heard in the backroom, pots clinking and water sloshing here and there. A curse comes from the back room now and then.
Surprisingly the party finds a hooded robed figure sitting in the corner of the room, a pack to his side and a light snore coming from under the hood.
Tio coming down as she had already had a full rest six hours in. She sees the hooded figure sleeping, “Excuse me sir if you wish to sleep I’m sure there still rooms available for purchase.”
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiA