NEW CAMPAIGN - RAVENLOFT 1983

“Wonderful... I don’t suppose you could show us around first, now could you? A full tour of this lovely castle would be just magnificent.” Martha says as she flips through her mental thesaurus.

Grishkar moves with an unusual stillness through Castle Raveloft. Flanked by his new bodyguards, the necromancer appears to have regained much of his sanity, but his sardonic demeanor was nowhere to be found. Everything his eyes caught seemed to be carefully assessed and measured.

“Dont worry about a guide.“ Ezmerelda mentions. “I am somewhat familiar with this place. Good thing, too, for he will not show us around.”

Ireena is on her guard, and Stella figits with her gauntlets while looking nervous.

Hang in there guys this is the home stretch. :P

Martha whispers over, “So... where would that be, Esmerelda? Cause we can’t take him right now.”

“On the lower level.” She whispers, as you are all ushered into the next area. “But I have the feeling we are going to be meeting him sooner than we think.” 

“Great...”

“I wonder what’s for dinner? Probably a blood orange salad, steak (bloody rare, of course), followed by devils food cake for dessert.”

DINING HALL

The chamberlain leads you to the dining hall. Torchlight flutters against the walls of this vaulted hall. To the east, an arched hallway stretches for 20 feet, ending at a spiral staircase that goes up and down. Next to the hallway, a suit of armor, oiled and glistening, stands at attention in a shallow alcove. To the weest, large double doors hang slightly open, and a steady bright light escapes through the opening. Swells of organ music come from behind the doors, spilling their melody of power and defeat in the hall.

Three enormous crystal chandeliers brilliantly illuminate this magnificent chamber. Pillars of stone stand against dull white marble walls, supporting the ceiling. In the center of the room, a long, heavy table is covered with a fine white satin cloth. The table is laden with many delectable foods: roasted beast basted in a savory sauce, roots and herbs of every taste, and sweet fruits and vegetables. Places are set for each of you with fine, delicate china and silver. At each place is a crystal goblet filled with an amber liquid with a delicate, tantalizing fragrance.

At the center of the far west wall, between floor-to-ceiling mirrors, stands a massive organ. Its pipes blare out a thunderous melody that speaks in its tone of greatness and despair. Seated at the organ, facing away from you, a single caped figure pounds the keys in raptured ecstasy. 

The figure suddenly stops, and as a deep silence falls over the dining hall, it slowly turns toward you.

Strahd. "Come." He says. "Join me. I invite you to dine with me."

ENCOUNTER CHECK: Strahd.

“I’d rather stand, all things considered, thanks.”

OOC: Strahd is Extra™ Please tell he was playing the Dracula organ song.

Briella says nothing, her eyes narrow at the creature in front of them. She keeps her distance toward the back of the group, tightening her hand around the holy symbol. She begins breathing in slowly and deeply to calm herself. Now is not the time to make foolish decisions.

Kia considers several foolish decisions, but in the end decides to let their host make the first move. 

"Please. It would make me very happy if you would join me." He gestures towards the food, towards a seat. "I can understand your...hesitation. I was hoping all of you would show up. I'm glad you did."

His voice is unnaturally cool, calm, and collected. He sits at the end. Ireena takes a seat next to him. They look at each other with curious expressions, but Strahds gaze is much different. Ezperanza is very wary, but makes no sudden movements. Stella looks around, judging everyone's behaviors and reactions. 

"Tonight, I invite you to eat with me. Come. My castle is yours to explore."

He turns to Ireena. "Tatyana. I'm especially glad you came. You understand what I am, what I can give." He ends the sentence with a glance at Briella, as if they shared a moment before.

"Yes.." Ireena says. "I...do...?"

Strahd turns to everyone else. "Allow me to be a gracious host."

OOC: Esperanza ahahhahah

Martha sits, none too happy about it

Strahd gestures towards the table. He eyes Ireena longingly, as if being reunited with a former lover. Ireena is neither repulsed nor receptive to the affection, but seems pleasantly confused - as if trying to shake a distant memory?

The food and wine all look very delicious.

Stella looks at Martha and back to the food a few times, as if asking permission to eat. It's been a while for her.

Seeing Martha move towards the table, Bors  takes a seat at the foot of the table opposite Strahd. If there is no chair there, he will noisily drag one there.

OOC: I don't like that his words turned purple.

 "Ireena, while I have no control over your life for it is yours and your alone," She glares pointedly at Strahd as she say that, "I would ask you exercise some caution around this man. Maybe don't immediately sit next when he invites you to."

 Edit: Briella doen't sit. Instead she stands Bors side, one hand on his shoulder. She doesn't trust Strahd one bit after her previous encounter with him. She will attempt to keep an eye on their surroundings for anything strange. (Stranger than what's already there)

Perception:22

HAHA! That actually made me laugh, that meme. Sorry, that was a color error. Losing track of the colors! I'm glad I spooked you though. Ok, back to the story. You don't notice anything usual, Briella.

Ireena gives you a vague confirmation(?) of either hearing you, or agreeing with you, but she can't stop looking at him, and Strahd seems to not notice you are in the room.

Stella almost chokes she's eating so fast, and way too noisily for someone of her class. "Hells, have you TRIED this PIG? It's delic-"

After a few tense moments of conversation, Strahd gets up, Ireena in hand. "Darling. It's been so long. Would you come with me?"

Ireena is not quite resisting.

“Strahd. It’s rude to leave your guests during dinner. Sergei would’ve never been so careless, now would he? You remember Sergei, don’t you Ireena? Such a young, handsome soul.”