"Gal we need to...," as soon as Dormark turns back he finds Galqarin missing. "Moradin's bread," curses the warforge as looks around the hall trying to find someone.
Spotting Sandu Dormark briskly walks towards him and says quietly. "We are in trouble I spotted one of Stradh's vampires and his manservant Rahadin. We should hurry to find the others. They could be in danger."
Sandu watched Anastrasya disappear down the stairs to the basement. He frowned thinking of whatever it was down there that could be so very interesting. His internal monologue on whether or not he dodged an arrow to the chest was interrupted when Dormark walked up to him to issue a warning.
'That ain't good.' Sandu replied. The last time they tangled with one of Strahd's vampires, the attack on the church, they were out of their depth. And Rahadin? Sandu certainly did not want to go up against him. There was something about the man that shook him to his very core. 'We should steer clear of-'
Sandu looked past Dormark's shoulder to the rest of the crowd. There were some thirty people packed into the manor but you would think that a bugbear and a blue-skinned figure with a wolf would stand out. 'Dormark, where are the others?'He asked with a worry in his voice.
Their conversation was cut short by the announcement of the Dubois couple and the subsequent squabble between the two women. Sandu observed it with a leery eye. 'So that's a thing.'He said and filed the argument away for future reference. He turned his attention back to Dormark. 'Do you know where the others went?'
Galqarin - "Oh no, the real monsters are out there," Harribelle says, waving vaguely in the direction of the door.
She watches you closely as you check that both doors are shut. "Oh, Galqarin,"she whispers, "I think we're just going to have to make our own fun." Shifting over to you she gently caresses your arm.
Galqarin - Please make a Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 15).
Dallid - Several guests begin to make their way upstairs. Resolving to explore the rest of the area you push through the inviting double doors to the north. Inside, stand workbenches, which are covered with documents, oddities, artwork, and a variety of tools. On the bench to the west is a severed, rotting hand, mounted on a plinth, it squirms and reaches out as you approach. Next to it are two large beakers containing a deep red-coloured liquid.
The desk to the north contains notes and scrolls. A rather ghoulish, taxidermied raven, its wings plucked and bare, sits on the desk, staring out at you through glass eyes.
Finally, the bench to the east looks like it belongs to a mortician. Surgical tools neatly lie upon its clean surface. Bizarrely, several paint pots and brushes sit next to the tools; one of the pots contains a dark red, viscous fluid.
You wrack your mind as to the meaning of the severed hand, you begin to notice it moving almost rhythmically as if conducting an orchestra.
It occurs to you then that the paints and paintbrushes might be linked. Acting quickly, you move the brushes and paint pots within grabbing distance of the hand. It naturally scoops up the brush and begins to dip it in the red paint. The hand pauses, waiting for something. Paper! You rush over to the northern desk and grab a sheet of spare parchment, slamming it down next to the hand.
Sure enough, the hand begins to paint a message:
I am jailed, yet he controls the key,
I am a ship, yet he controls the rudder,
I see through eyes, yet he controls where I look!
MY FEET WALK, yet he controls my steps!
A mind trapped in its own body,
Dominated by one who was believed dead!
HELP! Was I not always your loyal servant?
The writing gets more frantic the longer the hand writes.
"Gal left with some woman. I don't know where Dallid ran off to. Your first person to actually listen to what I'm saying," says Dormark.
'Gal and a woman?'Sandu arched an eyebrow in surprise. 'Galqarin, our hairy friend extraordinaire, and a woman?' The eyebrow nearly disappeared into Sandu's hairline. 'Surely you jest.'
You wrack your mind as to the meaning of the severed hand, you begin to notice it moving almost rhythmically as if conducting an orchestra.
It occurs to you then that the paints and paintbrushes might be linked. Acting quickly, you move the brushes and paint pots within grabbing distance of the hand. It naturally scoops up the brush and begins to dip it in the red paint. The hand pauses, waiting for something. Paper! You rush over to the northern desk and grab a sheet of spare parchment, slamming it down next to the hand.
Sure enough, the hand begins to paint a message:
I am jailed, yet he controls the key,
I am a ship, yet he controls the rudder,
I see through eyes, yet he controls where I look!
MY FEET WALK, yet he controls my steps!
A mind trapped in its own body,
Dominated by one who was believed dead!
HELP! Was I not always your loyal servant?
The writing gets more frantic the longer the hand writes.
Dormark shake s his head and says, "I'd only told you what I saw. DO think he may be in danger?"
Sandu rolled his eyes at the warforged. 'Galqarin's a big boy, Dormark. I'm sure he can take care of himself.'
He turned his attention back to whatever was happening, crossed his arms before his chest and waited for the exhibition to begin. A minute crept by. Sandu's right foot started tapping. Another minute went past. Sandu's right hand vingers began drumming on the inside of his left arm. A third minute had come and gone. A frown appeared on Sandu's brow. A sigh escaped his mouth at the five minute mark.
'Let's go find him.'He told Dormark and pulled him along as best as a scrawny lad like him could pull a six foot plus metal man along. 'And don't think that I'm worried about him. Because I'm not. It's just safer if we stick together. And I want to see if he actually managed to talk to a woman rather than mistake a coat rack for one or something.'
Sandu scanned the surroundings for any sign of Galqarin, Dallid or the wolf. They did not seem to be around the other guests as far as he could tell. Lady Dubois did mention that they were welcome to tour the grounds until the opening of the exhibition.
Galqarin - ((Ruh-roh, indeed)) You find yourself truly smitten by Harribelle. You find yourself ready to undertake any task she would ask of you. You are now magically charmed by the woman for 1 day (see below).
Charm. One humanoid the fiend can see within 30 feet of it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed for 1 day. The charmed target obeys the fiend's verbal or telepathic commands. If the target suffers any harm or receives a suicidal command, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success. If the target successfully saves against the effect, or if the effect on it ends, the target is immune to this fiend's Charm for the next 24 hours.
Harribelle stands and makes her way to the door to the south, producing a key from her dress, she turns to Galqarin. "Come, Gal,"she says soothingly, "why don't we go exploring?"
As you make your way into the room to the south of the lounge, you find four beds with bedside tables; it is clear that these are one of the servant quarters, as the furniture is built to be functional rather than aesthetically pleasing. Without stopping, Harribelle instantly goes to the south wall and, fiddling near the sconce there, she exposes a hidden handle which, in turn, opens a secret door leading further south, towards the front of the property.
"Oh, what a surprise,"Harri says, flatly. "Just this way Gal," she smiles, "isn't this a little more exciting?"
The secret door leads to a storage room: tools line the walls; a cleaning tub and clothes rack sit, recently used; sacks filled with linens and other materials are dotted around the room; and, perhaps most importantly, a set of stairs leading downward, are positioned in the centre of the room. "Why don't you head downstairs, Gal?" Harribelle suggests.
Dallid - You grab the two potions and strange, rotting hand/plinth and shove them into your backpack; the hand does not provide any resistance as you do this. You leave the room in time to hear a door slamming to your left (east side of the house). Curiously heading to where you heard the noise, you open up a door to a relatively modest lounge containing two large couches, a simple, undecorated table, and a gentleman with long, brown hair and pointed ears -- a half-elf.
"Please, take a seat,"Rahadin offers, "we have much to discuss and very little time. I'm afraid to say that both you and the party you travel with are in great danger."
Screams of pain and terror enter your mind as you see Rahadin. A plethora of voices enter your mind all at one time, though you are pretty certain that he hears nothing: "MURDERER!"; "A curse upon you and your mas... *the voice stops, replaced with gurgling sounds*"; "HELP, GODS! HEL... *the voice cuts off*"; "So, Strahd sent his dog to be my end? Very well, get it over with."
Dormark & Sandu - As you begin to climb the western staircase, you hear a kerfuffle at the top of the stairs, it seems like some sort of scuffle is occurring. "I know your secret, Alano," a voice hisses. "This is how you would treat your betters? The man that took you in when others didn't?"
"Master William, please, I don't..." the voice is cut short as you hear a smacking sound, likely a punch, followed by some whimpering.
"If you don't tell him I will," William hisses.
Alano's voice shifts slightly, it sounds desperate and panicked. "No Will, you don't understand. Something is coming, something bad... it's the paintings. ARGGGH!" He issues a guttural scream, "the paintings must... be... ARRRRGH! Destroyed!"
"What are you bleating on about, man?" William asks, uncertainly. "What ploy is this?"
"Please Will, I... my head!" Alano screams.
"You got what you deserved," William responds callously.
"No, no!" Alano shouts. "I... You'll regret that Master William," his voice says calmly, returning to normal. You hear further fighting followed by a short sharp cry. "Be gone,"Alano's voice hisses, the words containing pure malice.
You see a figure begin to stumble down the stairs. A young man, in his mid-twenties, wearing an expensive-looking black suit, complete with green cravat, his eyes are wide with fear and pain, and a dagger sticks out of his stomach, which he clutches desperately at. "H-help! Al-ano!"he struggles to get the words out before falling, head-first, down the remaining stairs, past you, with a thud on the black marble floor. Blood pools around his head and from his mouth.
Hushed gasps echo around the hall, as guests begin to crowd around William's body. Several accusing glances are shot at you. Anthony dashes over to William's side. "W-what happened? Will? Gods! Help!" he cries through sobs.
Dallid loves a secret and will sit down to listen to Rahadin, while also trying to divide his attention and listen to the insane voices that begin speaking as Dallid looks at him.
Harribelle stands and makes her way to the door to the south, producing a key from her dress, she turns to Galqarin. "Come, Gal," she says soothingly, "why don't we go exploring?"
As you make your way into the room to the south of the lounge, you find four beds with bedside tables; it is clear that these are one of the servant quarters, as the furniture is built to be functional rather than aesthetically pleasing. Without stopping, Harribelle instantly goes to the south wall and, fiddling near the sconce there, she exposes a hidden handle which, in turn, opens a secret door leading further south, towards the front of the property.
"Oh, what a surprise,"Harri says, flatly. "Just this way Gal," she smiles, "isn't this a little more exciting?"
The secret door leads to a storage room: tools line the walls; a cleaning tub and clothes rack sit, recently used; sacks filled with linens and other materials are dotted around the room; and, perhaps most importantly, a set of stairs leading downward, are positioned in the centre of the room. "Why don't you head downstairs, Gal?" Harribelle suggests.
Galqarin reaches to take Haribelle's hand. "But we were just getting comfortable", he protests meekly. His heart races when he sees Harribelle has led him into a bedroom. "Handy you had the key", he adds breathlessly, but she does not pause. Slightly perplexed by the turn of events, Galqarin nevertheless does as he is bid and heads down the stairs from the storeroom, looking back to see if she is following. "What's down here? Is it someplace we won't be disturbed?"
Dallid - The clamour of voices surrounds you as you take a seat, recounting the many atrocities inflicted upon the innocent by the infamous Rahadin. Tales of suffering and despair echo through the air, each one bearing witness to the dusk elf's brutal hand. The anguished cries of the slain ring loud and clear, a testament to Rahadin's unforgivable actions.
"I knew I chose wisely by selecting you, Dallid,"Rahadin speaks with a sly grin as you sit down. "I regret the less than favourable first encounter I had with your companions." He leans in, his voice growing more intense. "The events unfolding here, the exhibition, the guests, your presence - none of it was orchestrated by my Master. Another force is at play, and its intentions are unclear to us."
Rahadin takes a leisurely sip from his goblet of rich red wine, then lounges back in his seat. "I was sent here to investigate,"he drools. "Could it be a trap? Most certainly. So let me offer a little piece of friendly advice, keep your senses sharp and stick close to your allies. Trust is a valuable commodity in these uncertain times and walking alone among those you do not know is an ill-idea."
Completing his beverage, Rahadin rises to his feet whilst maintaining a steady gaze. "Our encounter this evening will not be the last, I assure you. Whatever may befall us, I wish you luck,"he declares before beginning to make his exit.
Galqarin - "Oh, my dear Gal," Haribelle says in a silky voice. "I thought we might be able to take a sneak-peak at the exhibition prior to its opening." She takes his hand and leads him downstairs to a kitchen, a seductive smile playing on her lips. "Think of it as a private viewing, just for the two of us. I have a feeling you'll be pleasantly surprised."
The kitchen is a scene of controlled chaos. The scent of baked delights and savoury spices wafts through the air, tantalizing the senses. A half dozen or so kitchen staff bustle about like busy bees but with a little more finesse. Each of the walls is lined with shelves upon shelves of cooking essentials, from pots and pans to baskets of fruits and vegetables, and jars of pungent spices. In the southeastern corner, a massive stone stove stands tall, with large pots boiling away over an open flame and skewers of sizzling meats that have been pulled from the fire to be served in the great hall. Your ears are assaulted by a raucous symphony of clanging pots and shouted orders, as the cook directs the kitchen staff with practised ease, seemingly unfazed by the presence of you and Haribelle.
Haribelle takes the lead, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Follow me,"she says with a sultry smile. "Don't mind the busy kitchen staff, we've got better things to attend to." With an air of confidence, she strides northwards, out of the kitchen and towards the entrance to the exhibition hall. The hired guards stand at attention, appearing almost hypnotized as you both approach. They step aside as Haribelle approaches, and with a flick of her wrist, the doors swing open. "Go on, Gal. Step on through," she urges. You note that her voice has become increasingly more assertive and commanding in the last few minutes.
Dormark & Sandu - William is clearly dead. The other guests murmur and whisper as they take in the gruesome scene. "Y-yes!" Anthony stammers, "d-don't let the perpetrator escape!"
Dallid doesn't need to think over Rahadin's words to sense the ring of truth. Evil he may be, but he is relaying info on a common enemy for his own protection.
He stands up to leave, and briefly considers exploring the rest of the rooms before considering Ferelyon... The mistake of his own curiosity.
Time to rejoin the others. Make certain they're all accounted for.
Galqarin follows Haribelle with mute obedience. Whatever she wants, he thinks, though he has little interest in the exhibition. Even if it is raunchy pictures like the ones upstairs, he'd rather feast his eyes on the more tangible flesh currently leading him - astray?
Speaking of feasts, the smells from the kitchen assail his senses and he is oblivious to the guards' glazed appearance. However, the way Haribelle opens the doors with just a flick of her wrist strikes him as odd. How did she do that? Was it magic? Nonetheless, he feels compelled once more to do as he is bid, stepping through the open doorway and into the room beyond.
Dormark rushes down the stares and quickly checksa to see if the young man was still alive. "Sandu don't let the murderer escape.," he yells back.
Sandu watched the man's body tumble down the stairs in slow motion. It took a second for it to register but the shouts of the other guests confirmed it. The man was dead and his lifeless body laid motionless at the bottom of the staircase. There had been shouting and a kerfuffle but coldblooded murder in the presence of some thirty people seemed a bit excessive, even for Barovia.
For a moment Sandu was at a loss but Dormark's words shook him out of his stupor. Taking two steps at once Sandu rushed up the stairs to see if this Alano fellow was still present.
Sandu watched Anastrasya disappear down the stairs to the basement. He frowned thinking of whatever it was down there that could be so very interesting. His internal monologue on whether or not he dodged an arrow to the chest was interrupted when Dormark walked up to him to issue a warning.
'That ain't good.' Sandu replied. The last time they tangled with one of Strahd's vampires, the attack on the church, they were out of their depth. And Rahadin? Sandu certainly did not want to go up against him. There was something about the man that shook him to his very core. 'We should steer clear of-'
Sandu looked past Dormark's shoulder to the rest of the crowd. There were some thirty people packed into the manor but you would think that a bugbear and a blue-skinned figure with a wolf would stand out. 'Dormark, where are the others?' He asked with a worry in his voice.
Their conversation was cut short by the announcement of the Dubois couple and the subsequent squabble between the two women. Sandu observed it with a leery eye. 'So that's a thing.' He said and filed the argument away for future reference. He turned his attention back to Dormark. 'Do you know where the others went?'
Moradin's bread? XD
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
"Gal left with some woman. I don't know where Dallid ran off to. Your first person to actually listen to what I'm saying," says Dormark.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Night (11:45 pm) - Day 8 - The Dubois Residence
Galqarin - "Oh no, the real monsters are out there," Harribelle says, waving vaguely in the direction of the door.
She watches you closely as you check that both doors are shut. "Oh, Galqarin," she whispers, "I think we're just going to have to make our own fun." Shifting over to you she gently caresses your arm.
Galqarin - Please make a Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 15).
Dallid - Several guests begin to make their way upstairs. Resolving to explore the rest of the area you push through the inviting double doors to the north. Inside, stand workbenches, which are covered with documents, oddities, artwork, and a variety of tools. On the bench to the west is a severed, rotting hand, mounted on a plinth, it squirms and reaches out as you approach. Next to it are two large beakers containing a deep red-coloured liquid.
The desk to the north contains notes and scrolls. A rather ghoulish, taxidermied raven, its wings plucked and bare, sits on the desk, staring out at you through glass eyes.
Finally, the bench to the east looks like it belongs to a mortician. Surgical tools neatly lie upon its clean surface. Bizarrely, several paint pots and brushes sit next to the tools; one of the pots contains a dark red, viscous fluid.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dallid will just keep exploring.
Can I tell what's going on with the hand or identify the red liquids? I'm tempted to take the hand before the rooms fill up... But no.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Dallid - Please make an Arcana check.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dallid arcana 20 + 4 for tireless precision
Paladin - warforged - orange
Dallid's Arcana check:
Severed Hand
You wrack your mind as to the meaning of the severed hand, you begin to notice it moving almost rhythmically as if conducting an orchestra.
It occurs to you then that the paints and paintbrushes might be linked. Acting quickly, you move the brushes and paint pots within grabbing distance of the hand. It naturally scoops up the brush and begins to dip it in the red paint. The hand pauses, waiting for something. Paper! You rush over to the northern desk and grab a sheet of spare parchment, slamming it down next to the hand.
Sure enough, the hand begins to paint a message:
The writing gets more frantic the longer the hand writes.
Beakers
You believe you are able to identify the potions sitting on the desk as being two Potions of Healing (Superior).
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
> Galqarin - Please make a Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 15).
(Ruh-roh... a 7)
'Gal and a woman?' Sandu arched an eyebrow in surprise. 'Galqarin, our hairy friend extraordinaire, and a woman?' The eyebrow nearly disappeared into Sandu's hairline. 'Surely you jest.'
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
I snag the hand and the two potions, put them in my bag then keep moving to other rooms
Paladin - warforged - orange
Dormark shake s his head and says, "I'd only told you what I saw. DO think he may be in danger?"
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Sandu rolled his eyes at the warforged. 'Galqarin's a big boy, Dormark. I'm sure he can take care of himself.'
He turned his attention back to whatever was happening, crossed his arms before his chest and waited for the exhibition to begin. A minute crept by. Sandu's right foot started tapping. Another minute went past. Sandu's right hand vingers began drumming on the inside of his left arm. A third minute had come and gone. A frown appeared on Sandu's brow. A sigh escaped his mouth at the five minute mark.
'Let's go find him.' He told Dormark and pulled him along as best as a scrawny lad like him could pull a six foot plus metal man along. 'And don't think that I'm worried about him. Because I'm not. It's just safer if we stick together. And I want to see if he actually managed to talk to a woman rather than mistake a coat rack for one or something.'
Sandu scanned the surroundings for any sign of Galqarin, Dallid or the wolf. They did not seem to be around the other guests as far as he could tell. Lady Dubois did mention that they were welcome to tour the grounds until the opening of the exhibition.
'Think they went upstairs?' Sandu nudged Dormark.
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
Night (11:50 pm) - Day 8 - The Dubois Residence
Galqarin - ((Ruh-roh, indeed)) You find yourself truly smitten by Harribelle. You find yourself ready to undertake any task she would ask of you. You are now magically charmed by the woman for 1 day (see below).
Charm. One humanoid the fiend can see within 30 feet of it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed for 1 day. The charmed target obeys the fiend's verbal or telepathic commands. If the target suffers any harm or receives a suicidal command, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success. If the target successfully saves against the effect, or if the effect on it ends, the target is immune to this fiend's Charm for the next 24 hours.
Harribelle stands and makes her way to the door to the south, producing a key from her dress, she turns to Galqarin. "Come, Gal," she says soothingly, "why don't we go exploring?"
As you make your way into the room to the south of the lounge, you find four beds with bedside tables; it is clear that these are one of the servant quarters, as the furniture is built to be functional rather than aesthetically pleasing. Without stopping, Harribelle instantly goes to the south wall and, fiddling near the sconce there, she exposes a hidden handle which, in turn, opens a secret door leading further south, towards the front of the property.
"Oh, what a surprise," Harri says, flatly. "Just this way Gal," she smiles, "isn't this a little more exciting?"
The secret door leads to a storage room: tools line the walls; a cleaning tub and clothes rack sit, recently used; sacks filled with linens and other materials are dotted around the room; and, perhaps most importantly, a set of stairs leading downward, are positioned in the centre of the room. "Why don't you head downstairs, Gal?" Harribelle suggests.
Dallid - You grab the two potions and strange, rotting hand/plinth and shove them into your backpack; the hand does not provide any resistance as you do this. You leave the room in time to hear a door slamming to your left (east side of the house). Curiously heading to where you heard the noise, you open up a door to a relatively modest lounge containing two large couches, a simple, undecorated table, and a gentleman with long, brown hair and pointed ears -- a half-elf.
"Please, take a seat," Rahadin offers, "we have much to discuss and very little time. I'm afraid to say that both you and the party you travel with are in great danger."
Screams of pain and terror enter your mind as you see Rahadin. A plethora of voices enter your mind all at one time, though you are pretty certain that he hears nothing: "MURDERER!"; "A curse upon you and your mas... *the voice stops, replaced with gurgling sounds*"; "HELP, GODS! HEL... *the voice cuts off*"; "So, Strahd sent his dog to be my end? Very well, get it over with."
Dormark & Sandu - As you begin to climb the western staircase, you hear a kerfuffle at the top of the stairs, it seems like some sort of scuffle is occurring. "I know your secret, Alano," a voice hisses. "This is how you would treat your betters? The man that took you in when others didn't?"
"Master William, please, I don't..." the voice is cut short as you hear a smacking sound, likely a punch, followed by some whimpering.
"If you don't tell him I will," William hisses.
Alano's voice shifts slightly, it sounds desperate and panicked. "No Will, you don't understand. Something is coming, something bad... it's the paintings. ARGGGH!" He issues a guttural scream, "the paintings must... be... ARRRRGH! Destroyed!"
"What are you bleating on about, man?" William asks, uncertainly. "What ploy is this?"
"Please Will, I... my head!" Alano screams.
"You got what you deserved," William responds callously.
"No, no!" Alano shouts. "I... You'll regret that Master William," his voice says calmly, returning to normal. You hear further fighting followed by a short sharp cry. "Be gone," Alano's voice hisses, the words containing pure malice.
You see a figure begin to stumble down the stairs. A young man, in his mid-twenties, wearing an expensive-looking black suit, complete with green cravat, his eyes are wide with fear and pain, and a dagger sticks out of his stomach, which he clutches desperately at. "H-help! Al-ano!" he struggles to get the words out before falling, head-first, down the remaining stairs, past you, with a thud on the black marble floor. Blood pools around his head and from his mouth.
Hushed gasps echo around the hall, as guests begin to crowd around William's body. Several accusing glances are shot at you. Anthony dashes over to William's side. "W-what happened? Will? Gods! Help!" he cries through sobs.
Maps
Upper Floor:
Ground Floor:
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dallid loves a secret and will sit down to listen to Rahadin, while also trying to divide his attention and listen to the insane voices that begin speaking as Dallid looks at him.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Harribelle stands and makes her way to the door to the south, producing a key from her dress, she turns to Galqarin. "Come, Gal," she says soothingly, "why don't we go exploring?"
As you make your way into the room to the south of the lounge, you find four beds with bedside tables; it is clear that these are one of the servant quarters, as the furniture is built to be functional rather than aesthetically pleasing. Without stopping, Harribelle instantly goes to the south wall and, fiddling near the sconce there, she exposes a hidden handle which, in turn, opens a secret door leading further south, towards the front of the property.
"Oh, what a surprise," Harri says, flatly. "Just this way Gal," she smiles, "isn't this a little more exciting?"
The secret door leads to a storage room: tools line the walls; a cleaning tub and clothes rack sit, recently used; sacks filled with linens and other materials are dotted around the room; and, perhaps most importantly, a set of stairs leading downward, are positioned in the centre of the room. "Why don't you head downstairs, Gal?" Harribelle suggests.
Galqarin reaches to take Haribelle's hand. "But we were just getting comfortable", he protests meekly. His heart races when he sees Harribelle has led him into a bedroom. "Handy you had the key", he adds breathlessly, but she does not pause. Slightly perplexed by the turn of events, Galqarin nevertheless does as he is bid and heads down the stairs from the storeroom, looking back to see if she is following. "What's down here? Is it someplace we won't be disturbed?"
Dormark rushes down the stares and quickly checksa to see if the young man was still alive. "Sandu don't let the murderer escape.," he yells back.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Night (11:53 pm) - Day 8 - The Dubois Residence
Dallid - The clamour of voices surrounds you as you take a seat, recounting the many atrocities inflicted upon the innocent by the infamous Rahadin. Tales of suffering and despair echo through the air, each one bearing witness to the dusk elf's brutal hand. The anguished cries of the slain ring loud and clear, a testament to Rahadin's unforgivable actions.
"I knew I chose wisely by selecting you, Dallid," Rahadin speaks with a sly grin as you sit down. "I regret the less than favourable first encounter I had with your companions." He leans in, his voice growing more intense. "The events unfolding here, the exhibition, the guests, your presence - none of it was orchestrated by my Master. Another force is at play, and its intentions are unclear to us."
Rahadin takes a leisurely sip from his goblet of rich red wine, then lounges back in his seat. "I was sent here to investigate," he drools. "Could it be a trap? Most certainly. So let me offer a little piece of friendly advice, keep your senses sharp and stick close to your allies. Trust is a valuable commodity in these uncertain times and walking alone among those you do not know is an ill-idea."
Completing his beverage, Rahadin rises to his feet whilst maintaining a steady gaze. "Our encounter this evening will not be the last, I assure you. Whatever may befall us, I wish you luck," he declares before beginning to make his exit.
Galqarin - "Oh, my dear Gal," Haribelle says in a silky voice. "I thought we might be able to take a sneak-peak at the exhibition prior to its opening." She takes his hand and leads him downstairs to a kitchen, a seductive smile playing on her lips. "Think of it as a private viewing, just for the two of us. I have a feeling you'll be pleasantly surprised."
The kitchen is a scene of controlled chaos. The scent of baked delights and savoury spices wafts through the air, tantalizing the senses. A half dozen or so kitchen staff bustle about like busy bees but with a little more finesse. Each of the walls is lined with shelves upon shelves of cooking essentials, from pots and pans to baskets of fruits and vegetables, and jars of pungent spices. In the southeastern corner, a massive stone stove stands tall, with large pots boiling away over an open flame and skewers of sizzling meats that have been pulled from the fire to be served in the great hall. Your ears are assaulted by a raucous symphony of clanging pots and shouted orders, as the cook directs the kitchen staff with practised ease, seemingly unfazed by the presence of you and Haribelle.
Haribelle takes the lead, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Follow me," she says with a sultry smile. "Don't mind the busy kitchen staff, we've got better things to attend to." With an air of confidence, she strides northwards, out of the kitchen and towards the entrance to the exhibition hall. The hired guards stand at attention, appearing almost hypnotized as you both approach. They step aside as Haribelle approaches, and with a flick of her wrist, the doors swing open. "Go on, Gal. Step on through," she urges. You note that her voice has become increasingly more assertive and commanding in the last few minutes.
Dormark & Sandu - William is clearly dead. The other guests murmur and whisper as they take in the gruesome scene. "Y-yes!" Anthony stammers, "d-don't let the perpetrator escape!"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dallid doesn't need to think over Rahadin's words to sense the ring of truth. Evil he may be, but he is relaying info on a common enemy for his own protection.
He stands up to leave, and briefly considers exploring the rest of the rooms before considering Ferelyon... The mistake of his own curiosity.
Time to rejoin the others. Make certain they're all accounted for.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Galqarin follows Haribelle with mute obedience. Whatever she wants, he thinks, though he has little interest in the exhibition. Even if it is raunchy pictures like the ones upstairs, he'd rather feast his eyes on the more tangible flesh currently leading him - astray?
Speaking of feasts, the smells from the kitchen assail his senses and he is oblivious to the guards' glazed appearance. However, the way Haribelle opens the doors with just a flick of her wrist strikes him as odd. How did she do that? Was it magic? Nonetheless, he feels compelled once more to do as he is bid, stepping through the open doorway and into the room beyond.
Sandu watched the man's body tumble down the stairs in slow motion. It took a second for it to register but the shouts of the other guests confirmed it. The man was dead and his lifeless body laid motionless at the bottom of the staircase. There had been shouting and a kerfuffle but coldblooded murder in the presence of some thirty people seemed a bit excessive, even for Barovia.
For a moment Sandu was at a loss but Dormark's words shook him out of his stupor. Taking two steps at once Sandu rushed up the stairs to see if this Alano fellow was still present.
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