Medicine - As you quickly check over the babies being cradled in the girls arms, you are able to discern that they do not appear to be in any immediate danger. Colour is beginning to return to their faces. It seems that their ailments were magical in nature and surmise that whatever was causing the distress is now working with reduced effect.
Investigation - You look over each of the children in turn; it is clear to see that they are shaken by the events that have occurred. Your eyes, however, are drawn to the younger of the girls holding the infants - the 10 year old, Tessa. Tessa has bruises extending up her arms - the severity of the bruising leads you to believe that it was unlikely these were caused by another child.
It seems clear upon seeing the infants in front of you that they have been the unwilling victims of a spell of some variety. It seems your suspicions have been confirmed; something is feeding on the life essences of these children, likely drawing power from strong feelings of fear.
Furthermore, given the age of the victims, it would appear that this is a last ditch effort to draw upon power by whichever fiend is committing these acts. This leads you to suspect that the creature knows that the party has entered it's vicinity and is expecting a fight.
Knowing that the fiend has been using the runes, as well as potentially other items, to draw upon the children's life forces, you believe that the further they are away from such items, the safer they will be. This, you surmise, would be the reason why the babies are now seemingly 'recovering' from the traumatic experience they went through - they were removed from cradles bearing the runes of the fiend.
Searching your knowledge of such fiends, you cannot quite place a name, but are aware that there are fiends, from other planes of existence, that are able to either assume or 'wear' the appearance of others. Old wives' tales tell of 'monsters' whisking away their children, only for them to return weeks later exuding different more malicious personalities.
Sandu - ((The infants are willing recipients of protective spells)) Your spell goes off and has an instant effect on the baby you cast it upon; colour quickly returns to her cheeks and she stops gasping for air.
"Felix?" it is the younger girl, Tessa, that speaks. You do not need to perform an insight check to tell from her mannerisms and speech that she does not hold Felix in high regard. "Is he behind this?" she asks, distaste in her voice,"Was... was he responsible for Cedric?"At this point tears begin to well in her eyes.
The older girl, Fanya, looks ready to interject but instead bites her lip. "I told 'em Cedric didn't jump... they didn't believe me." Tessa says between tears, "He was my best friend sir. Why would he have jumped. He was always telling me that we would be together when we was older. You don't say that... you don't say that if you wanted everything to end sir."Tessa sobs openly,"We was right close, truth be told."
"If you're tellin' me that Felix done him in... well that's what I told 'em. Never trusted him... not from the start, somethin' didn't feel right."She looks you directly in the eye, "Told 'em, I says, it's because of that BLOODY LOCKET." This time it is Tessa that bites down on her lip, stopping herself from continuing on with a story she knows she should not tell. "Don't know where he is", she looks away and gives into her grief.
"If you want to Father, I mostly wanted to express my appreciation for healing Sandu. I personally did not think I had the powers currently to heal him from his blight. I am glad he took my advice to see you. In your personal opinion do you think the issue he had was a curse or some other abnormality? Also father, if you don't mind me asking, is there any open residences in town currently? I was hoping to get access to a building with forge included, but I don't know the process your town goes through for new residents," says Dormark politely to the Father
Dormark - Father Lucian listens patiently, nodding in an understanding manner as you speak,"Well, to answer your first question Dormark - I have a general rule where I will not discuss the maladies that befall those I treat. I will not engage in any conjecture over the cause of Sandu's 'blight', but will state that the cause was likely magical in nature. Any more than that, especially any 'suspicions', I am afraid I shall have to keep to myself." He smiles apologetically.
"Open residences?" Lucian repeats, stroking his chin in contemplation. "I believe the best person to see would be the Burgomaster - Baron Vargas Vallakovich." You note a slight look of disdain briefly cross the Father's face when he mentions the Burgomaster. "He would be the person best positioned to grant any permits when it comes to residency or the setting-up of stores. A little warning though - he is likely to want something in return... there are many fine qualities our Burgomaster possesses, but I am afraid altruism is not one of them."
"You'll most likely find the esteemed Burgomaster either in his house - you will not be able to miss it. Or at the so-called 'Reformation Centre', the large stately-looking building near the town square."Once more you notice a clear sneer when the Father mentions the Reformation Centre. He drops his voice a little and draws both you and Ireena in, "Be careful, Vallaki is not as welcoming as it once was. The Burgomaster is not the most accepting of 'non-local' folk." He pauses to look directly at you, "Be wary, for it is likely that should any event - bad or good - occur whilst you are in town... well, it is likely you will find suspicion falling on yourselves." You can tell that the Father is deeply saddened as he whispers the warning, but get the sense that he is speaking from a place of genuine concern.
Ioben looks up from the young child. “Locket? Why would anyone do this over a locket?” He says a little distracted. He was not feeling comfortable about what he was seeing. A little clear, he says to the others, “It was not a child that did this. Do we want to keep looking, or shall we regroup with the others first?”
Ioben - Tessa's face contorts as she is clearly in two minds as to whether to tell you more about the locket. After a few moments she responds, "The locket... Cedric took... stole... from Felix. He thought it would make a nice gift for me... but Felix found out. Wasn't best pleased. Said he had no right to go through his things." She shrugs, "I told Ced to apologise... make amends. Felix weren't havin' none of it though."
"Anyway..." She says, as if to put the story behind her,"... Felix hid it, right. 'Where no-one could get to it', was what he said. I think that might be why... y'know." Tessa stares and the floor and fidgets, before turning to the older girl and saying,"Ain't it best we get going Fan?"
“Fair enough Father not trying to pry just want to make sure to try to prevent whatever happen, so it won’t happen again,” says Dormark nodding respectfully.
Hearing the second part Dormark sighs and says, “I was afraid that would be the case… you wouldn’t have happen to meet a man with a metal arm have you?”
'Valerie, you take that one!' Sandu pointed at the baby held by the teenage girl as he darted towards the smaller girl. 'Do that thing you did on me back at the chapel!'
A steely look of grit and determination is writ upon Valerie's face as she assists the teenage girl. "Whoever / whatever fiend, caused this Sandu cannot be allowed to live." a cold fury filled her now. Pausing briefly to utter a prayer, she uses Divine Sense in attempts to gain a greater understanding of the evil permeating through the Orphanage.
The effects of the Divine Sense are instantaneous. The stench of evil emanated from the room the girls had come from - undoubtedly from the cradles / beds contained within. But, more than that, the smell seemed to be most concentrated around the trapdoor leading to the attic. Valerie looked a little sickly as the evil assaulted her senses. "Get them out! Sandu, we must separate the children from this place... the longer they stay here the greater the harm." She was fraught now, "It's coming from the attic... the fiend... such powerful evil... feeding on the lifeforce of innocents."
Snapping back to her senses, she turned to Ioben,"First, we must ensure that the children are safely ushered out of this place. Secondly, we must expunge whatever fiend is residing in this place... we will need the others, any help we can get will be vital."
Dormark - The Father raises an eyebrow slightly at the description of the man with a metal arm. "Is this person important to you Dormark?" Lucian questions, "I am afraid I do not recall a man matching that description." He scratches his brow slightly,"Though I have heard Vistani tales tell of a tribe that engage in ritualistic amputation - removing their right arms and replacing them with all sorts of metal implements. This is done as a sign of solidarity with a great tribal leader, who purportedly lost his arm after being attacked by a giant Roc near Mount Ghakis. Who is the man to which you refer? Is he Vistani?"
“He was a wizard, I don’t know if he was Vistani or not. The man captured me, stole something from me, and tortured me. In return I took the man’s arm when I manage to escape from him, but since than I heard he replaced his limb with something similar to my arm. I still trying to get back what he stole, but he seems to elude me every time I get close. If you see the man Father let me know. That man is going against Moradin’s will when he stole that object,” says Dormark to the Father.
Dormark - The Father listens intently, after moments of contemplation he responds,"I see. I can understand why you would seek him. If he is as great a wizard as you describe it is unlikely that he has escaped Strahd's notice. Should that be the case he would find himself up against an incredibly formidable force - Strahd is not one to share power and any threat he would try to extinguish. However, the other possibility is more dire..."
The Father places added emphasis on his words, "The other possibility is that such a man might be used by Strahd; whether willingly or forcibly. I plead caution Dormark, for if Strahd finds himself a tool with which to undo or control you... well I hate to think of the consequences." Lucian's face appears grim as he shares the news. "This Moradin, you speak of. He is a deity, of sorts, where you are from? I am curious, are you able to communicate at all? Could there be a way of increasing the connection between the two of you? You mention the theft of the item was against his will, it might be that you can find assistance there."
"Moradin is the chief deity of the Dwarven Pantheon, and I do not know Father. As it stands now I don't have enough power to contact Moradin. If he wished to speak to me, he would probably need to initiate it. Though I do pray in the morning to him, since I have come he I have not been able to a proper pray. The act of blacksmithing is our from of worship Father," explains Dormark.
After some time alone with the notes referencing his mother, an excited and thus loud Baern returns to the others in the church. "Dormark, Father, Ireena! We found more about my mother!" Realizing he's in a church and that Dormark and the Father are having a conversation he quickly hushes, embarrassed once again. To Dormark and the Father he whispers "didn't Galqarin say something about 'Markovia'?"
Sandu heard what Valerie said. Indeed, the first thing needed doing, was to get everyone else out of the building.
He kneeled down on one knee so he could look the young girls in the eyes. 'Listen to me. Here is what you need to do: first, get everyone out of the orphanage. Head towards the church: Father Lucien will aid you. Second, at the church you will find three people: a metal man, a dwarf and someone with a bird mask. Tell them we need their help and send them here.'
He put on a brave smile to hide the severity of the situation. 'We will handle this but I need you two to be brave, okay? You just focus on getting everyone to the church as quickly as possible. My friends and I will take care of the rest. Now go!'
Sandu rose to his feet, laid his hands on both the girls' backs and pushed them behind him to get them going. 'Remember: a metal man, a dwarf and a bird mask. We are counting on you.'
After hearing the girls shuffle away, Sandu stepped up to where Valerie and Ioben were. 'So how do we do this?'He asked as he stared at the attic door. 'Weapon in one hand, magic in the other, full force ahead?'
Valerie already has her sword and shield out. She tighten her brows and her eyes are fixated at the door. "We hold our position here, wait for others as long as we can."
“There’s not much I can do about the magic, but nothing is getting past me out of this attic.” Ioben unsheathe his rapier and takes up position opposite Valerie. “Hopefully they aren’t too long.”
Galqarin - You can tell that Moira does not seem overly convinced by your words but does not raise any more objections, "If you're here to help, you are here to help." She heads inside the Orphanage with Hedy and Ivah in tow, rounding up as many children as they can and instructing them to meet Ms Belasco at the entrance.
Momentarily you are on your own outside the back of the Orphanage; a place intimately familiar with. Before departing Moira is able to give you a brief overview of where the rest of your travelling companions are (First floor hallway).
Sorry, I missed this before.
Galqarin enters the orphanage and endeavours to join up with Valerie, Ioben and Sandu on the first floor, whereupon he greets them with an effusive "I here".
Baern - The Father tilts his head and narrow's his eyes slightly in recognition. "Galqarin? I knew a Galqarin that used to attend the Orphanage." He pauses before continuing, "I heard that he met his end on the road. I believe he may have got on the wrong side of Izek. Does he yet live?"
Changing the subject, the Father turns to the topic at hand, "The 'Abbey of Saint Markovia' stands in Krezk, around half a days travel West along the Old Svalich Road. Do you believe that was Diesa's destination? A pilgrimage of sorts?"
((It's not letting me unbold the last part. The Father is currently matching the volume Baern is speaking in - I assume he's keeping his voice down))
Sandu - Both girls look comforted as your words allay their immediate fears. "A metal man, a dwarf, and a bird mask. Sounds like something out of a fairy tale." Tessa says, smiling,"I shall do as you ask."As she makes to move down the stairs she points,"A raven mask like that?". You watch as Galqarin nonchalantly strolls up the stairs before you.
Baern & Dormark - Moments pass. Suddenly there is a loud commotion at the entrance to the church. A young girl, no older than 10, dashes in. "I am looking for a metal man and a dwarf! A metal man an'..."She stops short spotting the two of you at the front of the church. A look of relief washes over her face and she pauses to recover her breath. "Your friends need you - something happening... at the Orphanage... need help... first floor!" Tessa yells between breaths. he moves to sit in a pew,"Quickly!"
Minutes later a number of children start pouring into the church, led by a dishevelled looking woman in her mid-sixties. "Father?! Father?!"Her voice is shrill yet contains an air of authority,"Father Lucian?!". She starts ushering children, numbering close to two dozen (babies all the way up to late teens), into the church's main hall. "Oh Father, what a horrid turn of affairs." She says as she heads straight for the elderly priest.
Galqarin - You can tell that Moira does not seem overly convinced by your words but does not raise any more objections, "If you're here to help, you are here to help." She heads inside the Orphanage with Hedy and Ivah in tow, rounding up as many children as they can and instructing them to meet Ms Belasco at the entrance.
Momentarily you are on your own outside the back of the Orphanage; a place intimately familiar with. Before departing Moira is able to give you a brief overview of where the rest of your travelling companions are (First floor hallway).
Sorry, I missed this before.
Galqarin enters the orphanage and endeavours to join up with Valerie, Ioben and Sandu on the first floor, whereupon he greets them with an effusive "I here".
Sandu turned his head when he heard the girl call out the bird mask, especially when she called it a raven mask: something he did not specified.
'That was... quick.' He sounded genuinely confused. 'Did you come alone? Where are the others?'
Ioben's Medicine & Investigation checks:
Sandu's Arcana check:
It seems clear upon seeing the infants in front of you that they have been the unwilling victims of a spell of some variety. It seems your suspicions have been confirmed; something is feeding on the life essences of these children, likely drawing power from strong feelings of fear.
Furthermore, given the age of the victims, it would appear that this is a last ditch effort to draw upon power by whichever fiend is committing these acts. This leads you to suspect that the creature knows that the party has entered it's vicinity and is expecting a fight.
Knowing that the fiend has been using the runes, as well as potentially other items, to draw upon the children's life forces, you believe that the further they are away from such items, the safer they will be. This, you surmise, would be the reason why the babies are now seemingly 'recovering' from the traumatic experience they went through - they were removed from cradles bearing the runes of the fiend.
Searching your knowledge of such fiends, you cannot quite place a name, but are aware that there are fiends, from other planes of existence, that are able to either assume or 'wear' the appearance of others. Old wives' tales tell of 'monsters' whisking away their children, only for them to return weeks later exuding different more malicious personalities.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"If you want to Father, I mostly wanted to express my appreciation for healing Sandu. I personally did not think I had the powers currently to heal him from his blight. I am glad he took my advice to see you. In your personal opinion do you think the issue he had was a curse or some other abnormality? Also father, if you don't mind me asking, is there any open residences in town currently? I was hoping to get access to a building with forge included, but I don't know the process your town goes through for new residents," says Dormark politely to the Father
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ioben looks up from the young child. “Locket? Why would anyone do this over a locket?” He says a little distracted. He was not feeling comfortable about what he was seeing. A little clear, he says to the others, “It was not a child that did this. Do we want to keep looking, or shall we regroup with the others first?”
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
“Fair enough Father not trying to pry just want to make sure to try to prevent whatever happen, so it won’t happen again,” says Dormark nodding respectfully.
Hearing the second part Dormark sighs and says, “I was afraid that would be the case… you wouldn’t have happen to meet a man with a metal arm have you?”
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
A steely look of grit and determination is writ upon Valerie's face as she assists the teenage girl. "Whoever / whatever fiend, caused this Sandu cannot be allowed to live." a cold fury filled her now. Pausing briefly to utter a prayer, she uses Divine Sense in attempts to gain a greater understanding of the evil permeating through the Orphanage.
The effects of the Divine Sense are instantaneous. The stench of evil emanated from the room the girls had come from - undoubtedly from the cradles / beds contained within. But, more than that, the smell seemed to be most concentrated around the trapdoor leading to the attic. Valerie looked a little sickly as the evil assaulted her senses. "Get them out! Sandu, we must separate the children from this place... the longer they stay here the greater the harm." She was fraught now, "It's coming from the attic... the fiend... such powerful evil... feeding on the lifeforce of innocents."
Snapping back to her senses, she turned to Ioben, "First, we must ensure that the children are safely ushered out of this place. Secondly, we must expunge whatever fiend is residing in this place... we will need the others, any help we can get will be vital."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dormark - The Father raises an eyebrow slightly at the description of the man with a metal arm. "Is this person important to you Dormark?" Lucian questions, "I am afraid I do not recall a man matching that description." He scratches his brow slightly, "Though I have heard Vistani tales tell of a tribe that engage in ritualistic amputation - removing their right arms and replacing them with all sorts of metal implements. This is done as a sign of solidarity with a great tribal leader, who purportedly lost his arm after being attacked by a giant Roc near Mount Ghakis. Who is the man to which you refer? Is he Vistani?"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
“He was a wizard, I don’t know if he was Vistani or not. The man captured me, stole something from me, and tortured me. In return I took the man’s arm when I manage to escape from him, but since than I heard he replaced his limb with something similar to my arm. I still trying to get back what he stole, but he seems to elude me every time I get close. If you see the man Father let me know. That man is going against Moradin’s will when he stole that object,” says Dormark to the Father.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Dormark - The Father listens intently, after moments of contemplation he responds, "I see. I can understand why you would seek him. If he is as great a wizard as you describe it is unlikely that he has escaped Strahd's notice. Should that be the case he would find himself up against an incredibly formidable force - Strahd is not one to share power and any threat he would try to extinguish. However, the other possibility is more dire..."
The Father places added emphasis on his words, "The other possibility is that such a man might be used by Strahd; whether willingly or forcibly. I plead caution Dormark, for if Strahd finds himself a tool with which to undo or control you... well I hate to think of the consequences." Lucian's face appears grim as he shares the news. "This Moradin, you speak of. He is a deity, of sorts, where you are from? I am curious, are you able to communicate at all? Could there be a way of increasing the connection between the two of you? You mention the theft of the item was against his will, it might be that you can find assistance there."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"Moradin is the chief deity of the Dwarven Pantheon, and I do not know Father. As it stands now I don't have enough power to contact Moradin. If he wished to speak to me, he would probably need to initiate it. Though I do pray in the morning to him, since I have come he I have not been able to a proper pray. The act of blacksmithing is our from of worship Father," explains Dormark.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
After some time alone with the notes referencing his mother, an excited and thus loud Baern returns to the others in the church. "Dormark, Father, Ireena! We found more about my mother!" Realizing he's in a church and that Dormark and the Father are having a conversation he quickly hushes, embarrassed once again. To Dormark and the Father he whispers "didn't Galqarin say something about 'Markovia'?"
> To Dormark and the Father he whispers "didn't Galqarin say something about 'Markovia'?"
OOC:
Post #1649: "I not been there", Galqarin admits. "Krezk smaller than Vallaki. St. Markovia has abbey on hill above village."
Sandu heard what Valerie said. Indeed, the first thing needed doing, was to get everyone else out of the building.
He kneeled down on one knee so he could look the young girls in the eyes. 'Listen to me. Here is what you need to do: first, get everyone out of the orphanage. Head towards the church: Father Lucien will aid you. Second, at the church you will find three people: a metal man, a dwarf and someone with a bird mask. Tell them we need their help and send them here.'
He put on a brave smile to hide the severity of the situation. 'We will handle this but I need you two to be brave, okay? You just focus on getting everyone to the church as quickly as possible. My friends and I will take care of the rest. Now go!'
Sandu rose to his feet, laid his hands on both the girls' backs and pushed them behind him to get them going. 'Remember: a metal man, a dwarf and a bird mask. We are counting on you.'
After hearing the girls shuffle away, Sandu stepped up to where Valerie and Ioben were. 'So how do we do this?' He asked as he stared at the attic door. 'Weapon in one hand, magic in the other, full force ahead?'
OOC: Persuasion check 16 (campaign log)
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Valerie already has her sword and shield out. She tighten her brows and her eyes are fixated at the door. "We hold our position here, wait for others as long as we can."
“There’s not much I can do about the magic, but nothing is getting past me out of this attic.” Ioben unsheathe his rapier and takes up position opposite Valerie. “Hopefully they aren’t too long.”
Galqarin - You can tell that Moira does not seem overly convinced by your words but does not raise any more objections, "If you're here to help, you are here to help." She heads inside the Orphanage with Hedy and Ivah in tow, rounding up as many children as they can and instructing them to meet Ms Belasco at the entrance.
Momentarily you are on your own outside the back of the Orphanage; a place intimately familiar with. Before departing Moira is able to give you a brief overview of where the rest of your travelling companions are (First floor hallway).
Sorry, I missed this before.
Galqarin enters the orphanage and endeavours to join up with Valerie, Ioben and Sandu on the first floor, whereupon he greets them with an effusive "I here".
((It's not letting me unbold the last part. The Father is currently matching the volume Baern is speaking in - I assume he's keeping his voice down))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Sandu - Both girls look comforted as your words allay their immediate fears. "A metal man, a dwarf, and a bird mask. Sounds like something out of a fairy tale." Tessa says, smiling, "I shall do as you ask." As she makes to move down the stairs she points, "A raven mask like that?". You watch as Galqarin nonchalantly strolls up the stairs before you.
Baern & Dormark - Moments pass. Suddenly there is a loud commotion at the entrance to the church. A young girl, no older than 10, dashes in. "I am looking for a metal man and a dwarf! A metal man an'..." She stops short spotting the two of you at the front of the church. A look of relief washes over her face and she pauses to recover her breath. "Your friends need you - something happening... at the Orphanage... need help... first floor!" Tessa yells between breaths. he moves to sit in a pew, "Quickly!"
Minutes later a number of children start pouring into the church, led by a dishevelled looking woman in her mid-sixties. "Father?! Father?!" Her voice is shrill yet contains an air of authority, "Father Lucian?!". She starts ushering children, numbering close to two dozen (babies all the way up to late teens), into the church's main hall. "Oh Father, what a horrid turn of affairs." She says as she heads straight for the elderly priest.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Sandu turned his head when he heard the girl call out the bird mask, especially when she called it a raven mask: something he did not specified.
'That was... quick.' He sounded genuinely confused. 'Did you come alone? Where are the others?'
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus