NEW CAMPAIGN - RAVENLOFT 1983

Kia approaches to look over someone's shoulder at the map. Remember, she stands a little over six feet tall when she wants to.

(Wanted to post this a while ago when we left the werewolf cave. Stepping back a little during the travel to Krezk)

Since the victory at the werewolf den, Grishkar seemed more grim and reclusive (more thsn usual). In his mind, the necromancer fought a tormenting presence. It would whisper his name, tantilize the boundaries of his sight. Everything came to a head on the road to Krezk.

The party traversed an inconspicous clearing; clear road, sparse trees. For Grishkar, the scenery warped and distorted as though through fevered vision. The voice grew more insistent at his heels until he could take it no longer. Spinning about, he expected some otherworldly presence, but his minions only returned their usual blank stare. "Losing my mind...damn this place." He growled, then it returned...

"Grishkar....." It hissed fadingly. Now it became apparent: it was his minions, specifically the reanimated Kiril. Grishkar drew his dagger and stopped the servant for inspection. Surprisingly, its head snapped down to meet the elf's gaze, "You have deserted your duties, slave!" Powerful arms snapped out and grabbed the wizard by the arm and throat, then lifted him to meet the large, dead man's gaze. Flesh and muscle melted away to reveal a stained-red skull and the surrounding servants closed in.

Grishkar was no longer in control, this was no longer his servant, but something familiar, "M-Master...!" He choked, "I was taken against my will, but I serve you in this world. I am-" The fist clenched, cutting off the words.

"You are mine, yet you claim to do my works in the world of another!" The skull looked about at the other minions, then down the road at the rest of the party. Time slowed to a crawl, others here suspended in mid-stride. "Your power grows and your Master has found you. Know this: My influence is limited here, but my will is undeniable. Make ready this world for my coming and you shall be rewarded. You with the blessing of The Reaper, do not fail or you will join the fate of all living thing in my wrath." The zombie released the necromancer. Grishkar fell to his knees, heaving for air. Looking up, his zombie has its original features, including its usual blank stare. Looking around, nothing seemed to change, though odd looks were direct back at him. Standing with renewed purpose, the servant of Death strove forward with servants in tow toward a grim new mission.

(Multiclass Death Cleric/Necromancer!)

OOC: Gonna be needing that Holy Symbol sooner than we thought it seems!

OOC post > So, quick recap for me, sorry if this is overstepping, Crispy. Feel free to slap me down hard if it is. :)

After the cave fight, Martha and Kia face off a couple of times, came to little understanding, but Zuleika leaves with the children in tow. Bors weighs in (that one's a puzzle to Kia).

On the way to Krezk (thanks Barlow for the spelling again) a couple of things happen. Briella sleeps (so we all take a long rest/night on the road?) and gets a new critter. Kia is stand-offish, and we run in to Imryll. Grishkar has his vision/career change.

When we arrive at Krezk, Kia observes the fortifications, then is one-upped (don't worry, I love it as a player, and love that you may not realize she's taken it that way, Merlin!) by Imryll's scouting abilities, and the party gathers around her map to make a plan.

I'm guessing it is around noon? If we did sleep on the road (which just seems like a bad idea in Strahd's domain, but you do what you gotta do).

Fix what I got wrong, Crispy?

OOC: Dayum @Barlow!  Nicely written.  You ever do creative writing on the side?

Yeah this group is really on point. Loving this campaign.

Kia, i'll read that in one sec, crazy busy today =(

Crispy: History check (7) being that I'm from this area, do I know anything about the people who make up this town?  Anyone friendly?  Any insight into whether we can just traipse in there, or if we'll be confronted by the guards?

Quote from o_Merlin_o >>

OOC: Dayum @Barlow!  Nicely written.  You ever do creative writing on the side?

Quote from Mingofaust >>

OOC post > So, quick recap for me, sorry if this is overstepping, Crispy. Feel free to slap me down hard if it is. :)

After the cave fight, Martha and Kia face off a couple of times, came to little understanding, but Zuleika leaves with the children in tow. Bors weighs in (that one's a puzzle to Kia).

On the way to Krezk (thanks Barlow for the spelling again) a couple of things happen. Briella sleeps (so we all take a long rest/night on the road?) and gets a new critter. Kia is stand-offish, and we run in to Imryll. Grishkar has his vision/career change.

When we arrive at Krezk, Kia observes the fortifications, then is one-upped (don't worry, I love it as a player, and love that you may not realize she's taken it that way, Merlin!) by Imryll's scouting abilities, and the party gathers around her map to make a plan.

I'm guessing it is around noon? If we did sleep on the road (which just seems like a bad idea in Strahd's domain, but you do what you gotta do).

Fix what I got wrong, Crispy?

Quote from o_Merlin_o >>

Crispy: History check (7) being that I'm from this area, do I know anything about the people who make up this town?  Anyone friendly?  Any insight into whether we can just traipse in there, or if we'll be confronted by the guards?

// Yeah, very diverse group, lot of well thought out characters.  I need to get wordier. :) //

So what's the game plan, peeps? Talk it out and I will push the chapter forward when I get home.

OOC: So we’re outside the gate, yes? And there’s the large Abbey up on a mountainside? Is that about right? Seems like we should just walk in for now.

OOC: Crispy does the town seem hostile in anyway? Anything unusual? Investigation: 16

Briella looks from the town to the map and tries to decide the best way to tackle the situation.

Ooc: Oh before I forget, back at the cave. Brie meant to check up on Odmun. Sorry for playing with the timeline again.

"Odmun, dear, how are you? Strahd's attack didn't hurt you too bad did it?" Briella checks him for wounds.

OOC: I don't mind!

Odmun gives a chuckle. "Well it's not everyday I get thrown around like that. If I were still human, I probably would be worse off. One thing I'll give these Bugbears. They're quite durable!" He clears his throat. "How about you, Briella? I fear a physical assault from the likes of Strahd may be the least of our worries when he can so readily press into our minds."

"I am shaken but not harmed. Thank you. I don't enjoy the thought of him peering into my mind, but he doesn't seem to know how to use the information properly. Using someone I loved against me didn't work like how he wanted. And now I know what to look for should he try any of his tricks again." She gives the bugbear an affectionate pat on the arm.

"Beside with an allies like yourself, I feel more than confident that we can face whatever he sends our way."

Grishkar steps to the front of the party as they consider their next options away from the gate. His raven stands perched on his shoulder, crimson plumage standing out against the stark black feathers. With a nod from its master, the bird ascends and probes to the end of Grishkar's shared influence.

(What do we see? Not looking for a complicated roll, just facts. How many on the walls, what do they wear/wield, is there activity behind the gate, what kind of activity?)

"There's no reason to think we'd be stopped, let's just walk up to the gate and see what's happens."

The town is completely walled off with guards pacing the walls up top. There are two guards at the front gates. The walls contains a small village with lots of trees (about 3/4th of the whole area) and the other 1/4 of the town holds an enormous abbey. Don't forget the shrine, too. You do not get a sense of evil or wickedness. If you decide to walk up, i'll describe what you see when i'm off work shortly.