[IC] Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Having been lost in thought clutching his mask as they wandered the corridors, Bori wad eager to work off bottled up snd uncharacteristi
aggression on the blocked doorway. It helps very little and his mounting stress levels meet his rage in equal measure.

More of these Fury cursed things! You won't get by me so easily this time!

He peels off from the doorway and positions himself next to Yikkol, making access to the others more difficult. He grips the broken blade tightly, ready ti plunge it into the first creature that come within range.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move from the blue box to current position.
Ready action to attack
Attack 1 (1d20+11)[16] for (1d8+7)[15]
Will smite on a crit

[Dr.Samurai]

Asha Astral Elf Armorer Artificer AC: 23 HP: 99/103 THP: 10/10 PPer: 16 PInv: 19 PIns: 12 Conditions: Immune to Surprise, Adv on Init, Necklace of Adaptation Concentrating: --

Asha moves up and takes a defensive stance, ready to receive the incoming enemy attacks.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Show

Move forward and take the Dodge action.

[dangelo]

Resolving round one: Child of Strahd 1 takes 55 damage total (+11+16 from Yikkol, +13 from Herbet, +15 from Bori). It has 3 HP left.

Hall of Bones
Round Two

Child of Strahd 1 (3 HP) multiattacks Asha

Bite (1d20+6)[14] or (1d20+6)[18] (Disadvantage) for [roll] 1d6+4[/roll] piercing plus (2d6)[6] necrotic damage.
Claw (1d20+6)[24] for (1d6+4)[5] piercing damage.

Child of Strahd 2 multiattacks Asha

Bite (1d20+6)[8] or (1d20+6)[8] (Disadvantage) for [roll] 1d6+4[/roll] piercing plus (2d6)[5] necrotic damage.
Claw (1d20+6)[17] for (1d6+4)[5] piercing damage.

-

Alert other patrols? (1d6)[2]

Spoiler

Show

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

Zinro paused hitting the wooden wall briefly to fling a Fire Bolt at the weakened enemy.

Spoiler

Show

Action to cast Cantrip Fire Bolt at CS1. Ranged Spell Attack: (1d20+8)[26] for (2d10+4)[13] Fire Damage

[J-H]

Herbert Raycraft Human Life Cleric AC: 20 HP: 67/73 PPer: 18 PInv: 10 PIst: 18 Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- Aura: 30' Prot from Evil (Fiends/undead): Such creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against us, and we are immune to charm, fear, possession by them

One falls. Herbert targets the other with more flame. The creatures are bad, but are just animalistic servants of their true foe. Perhaps they should have fought him when they first met...but no, he is powerful and the group must prepare.

Spoiler

Show

Sacred Flame (2d6)[5]+(1d8)[5] radiant, Dex DC 16 negates
CS2 Dex (1d20)[12]+mods

[TaiLiu]

Yikkol shoots at the second child of Strahd.

• Attack (Steady Aim): (1d20+9)[14] or (1d20+9)[25].
• Damage: (1d10+5)[12] and (5d6)[20] magical piercing.

EDIT: 32 damage.

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Rolling between Asha's legs to get at the children, Bori comes up fighting. His blade strikes at the less wounded creature, attempting to hamstring it.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Attack 1 (1d20+11)[13] for (1d8+7)[10]

Attack 2 (1d20+11)[24] for (1d8+7)[8]

[dangelo]

One by one, the Children of Strahd were put down, and Castle Ravenloft fell into silence once again. The echoes of their screams died off as their blood filled their throats, and their bodies collapsed into ashes shortly after being destroyed. The fellowship exchanged a cautious look, assessing for damage, but it seemed like this one had been a clean fight. Once it was clear that no more creatures were coming, they resumed the task.

The wooden wall revealed itself to be the back of a hollow object, more specifically a huge church organ. After hacking it into pieces, destroying the beautiful instrument forever, the fellowship found themselves in the dinner room! Right where they had faced Strahd for the first time. The dishes had been cleaned up by servants - instead of the feast they had seen here last time, a simple bowl of fruit decorated the large wooden table.

[J-H]

Herbert Raycraft Human Life Cleric AC: 20 HP: 67/73 PPer: 18 PInv: 10 PIst: 18 Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- Aura: 30' Prot from Evil (Fiends/undead): Such creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against us, and we are immune to charm, fear, possession by them

"Well... that was not worthwhile. I don't think the organ was enchanted or anything."

[TaiLiu]

"Well... that was not worthwhile. I don't think the organ was enchanted or anything."

Yikkol burns with shame and embarrassment. And a bit of fear that the priest would punish her.

“Perhaps… Perhaps this was a useful shortcut, your holiness,” she says nervously. “Now we’ve an easier way to get back to the teleportation chamber.

“Where to next, your righteousness? I won’t make any dumb suggestions again, I promise.”

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

It was a shame they had destroyed such a magnificent instrument, but necessity had demanded it. On the bright side, they now had an extremely useful shortcut open to them, and they were in a good position to return to the village if they wanted to take a longer rest.

"No doubt more of the castle will be destroyed before our task is done. It is simply collateral damage."

[Dr.Samurai]

Asha Astral Elf Armorer Artificer AC: 23 HP: 99/103 THP: 10/10 PPer: 16 PInv: 19 PIns: 12 Conditions: Immune to Surprise, Adv on Init, Necklace of Adaptation Concentrating: --

Asha steps through the ruined organ and looks around, Alright, useful to know we can loop around. But this room is too wide open. We should keep moving, maybe head to the upper levels?

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Nori sheepishly times a pile of scattered sheet music. With everything that happened he almost had to suppress a laugh. If he started though, he wasn't sure he'd be able to stop. He took some deep breahs, clutched the mask, reached for that comforting reptilian cold-bloodedness he could feel from Nethis. She wouldn't lose it like he almost had.

The upper levels sounds good. A fair distance from here. Then maybe we can take a break? I can't help feeling there's more to this blade.

[TaiLiu]

“Good idea, Bori,” Yikkol said. She offers to lead the way.

[dangelo]

shuffle

"Destiny is a funny thing. Sometimes, its path is clear as day, like a cobbled road winding through the countryside. Sometimes, it looks more like hunting trails in the woods, splitting up and rejoining in a network of singular paths."

shuffle

"When a river forks, not to join another, but to split itself in two, ye start to wonder: which's the root, and which's the branch? Can both be the same river, or have we now three different currents? Time and space, kin as the faces of a single coin... it all flows strangely in the Land of Barovia. In the Land of Mists. Still, some things are bound to happen."

shuffle

The fourth card was placed above the other three, forming a triangle. It showed the image of a horrible fiend, long claws and more teeth than one could count. "I see The Beast in his own lair. When ye wish to face the Devil, look for his dark throne."

* * *

Dim light from the courtyard falls into this great hall through the broken glass and iron latticework of a large window in the west wall. This immense room is a place of chilly, brooding darkness. Empty iron sconces dot the walls. Hundreds of dust-laden cobwebs drape the hall, hiding the ceiling from view. Directly across from the window stand a set of double doors in the east wall. Farther south, a single door also leads from the east wall. A Grand Staircase on the north wall lead down to the Entrance Hall.

At the far southern end of the hall, a large wooden throne stands atop a marble dais. The high-backed throne faces south, away from most of the room...

...Until it slowly turned around, revealing the incredibly tall figure of Strahd von Zarovich. He had his fingers interlaced in front of his mouth and a sharp look in his eyes. While in the Dinner Room his tone had been cocky and amused, now there was a bubbling rage building up inside him. It burned behind his dark, empty eyes.

"You have killed my Chamberlain... Decimated my children... Destroyed my belongings... And now you have the audacity to come straight to my Throne Room." He shook his head slightly. "It is time for this nonsense to stop. I shall destroy you right here, and put your souls in shackles for the rest of eternity. You will serve Castle Ravenloft, and protect this sanctum against any other fools who dare to assault it."

The Devil Strahd reached for his sword. It was a nobleman's weapon, forged out of the purest steel there was, and enchanted by several mages he had captured and enslaved throughout his existence. "Surrender now, and I'll kill you fast. Resist, and I shall torture your souls forever. This is your last chance."

[TaiLiu]

“Strahd, go shove your head in a church,” Yikkol said. “You killed my mother. We ain’t surrendering.”

She reaches for her crossbow and steadies her voice, but the slight quiver in her words makes it clear this encounter was unexpected.

Strahd! Strahd, here, after only one treasure. Not even fully attuned. But from years of adventuring, she knew—expect the unexpected. She readies herself for combat.

From the corner of her eye she watches Herbert, hoping the priest conjures up a miracle.

[dangelo]

Audience Hall
Round One

Strahd didn't bother with Yikkol. He pointed his finger at the fellowship, more specifically at Asha, and said in a low, rattling voice: "OBEY." His eyes glowed brighter, crimson red and evil. A split second afterwards, the Elf could feel the cold grip of Strahd's powers spreading over his body like a shiver, and controlling him against his will. Strahd's finger moved from Asha to Herbert. "TAKE. ICON.",

And just like that, Asha instantly threw himself at Herbert and tried to take the Icon of Ravenloft away from him.

Athletics (1d20+5)[10]

Strahd opened his arms, throwing his cloak out of his shoulders and unleashing a loud battle cry. His muscles swelled up and bulged, rippling underneath his skin, bursting out and growing and deforming his shape into a different one. His skull elongated into a fearful, gaping maw, teeth as sharp as knives; Huge bat-like wings sprouted from his back; His feet grew into paws with claws, and his hair became a mane of black trailing along his back. He opened his wings and cried again.

[TaiLiu]

"Your holiness!" Yikkol bravely steps up in front of the priest, her body quivering all the while. She expected to fight Strahd as a vampire, not as this... bat-like monstrosity.

She reaches into her breast pocket and pulls out two objects wrapped in thin cloth. The first is a vial of holy water, which she hurls it at Strahd, aiming for his eyes.

• Bonus Action (Fast Hands) to attack: (1d20+4)[13].
• Damage: (2d6+4)[15] radiant.

The second is a hollow red corundum, which she stole from a bone shaman she slaughtered. She crushes it between her hands and the mote of elemental energy within alights. The cloth around it catches fire and crumbles away to nothing, scattering throughout the room.

A moment later, a few dozen feet away, the ashes reconstitute themselves and a blazing fire elemental springs from its embers.

• Action to activate her Elemental Gem, Red Corundum:
• DMG, page 167: This gem contains a mote of elemental energy. When you use an action to break the gem, a fire elemental is summoned as if you had cast the conjure elemental spell, and the gem's magic is lost.

In breathless Ignan, Yikkol orders it to: "Burn, burn, burn the monster!"

The fire elemental obeys, throwing its body against Strahd's.

• Two Attacks: (1d20+6)[14] and (1d20+6)[12].
• Damage: (2d6+3)[10] and (2d6+3)[10] fire, respectively.
• If either attack hits, Strahd ignites. MM, page 125: Until a creature takes an action to douse the fire, the target takes (1d10)[5] fire damage at the start of each of its turns.

As the fire elemental grabs Strahd's attention, Yikkol turns to Herbert.

"Your righteousness! What are your orders?"


EDIT: 15 radiant and 10 fire damage. 25 total this turn.

[Dr.Samurai]

Asha Astral Elf Armorer Artificer AC: 23 HP: 99/103 THP: 10/10 PPer: 16 PInv: 19 PIns: 12 Conditions: Enlarged, Immune to Surprise, Adv on Init, Necklace of Adaptation Concentrating: Enlarge/Reduce

Asha takes a step back as the monstrous bat-Strahd charges forward toward him. He puts a protective hand out, Stay close to Bori and Herbert! Then he turns back to the monster, Strahd, you hedonist fool! We can return and give you the greatest challenge you've ever faced in your miserable existence. Did you really lead us here only to end the game so quickly? Are you that afraid that we will end you once and for all that you must finish this now?

Taking no chances, Asha triggers a contingency in the bionoid armor. The others can hear a straining and cracking noise as the armor begins to stretch and grow. Asha suddenly reaches 10ft in height, not as tall as the bat-monster, but large enough to engage it in melee.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Show

Move Action - Speak to Strahd about his failure as a host.
Action - Cast Enlarge/Reduce, targeting Asha and selecting the Enlarge option.

[J-H]

Herbert Raycraft Human Life Cleric AC: 20 HP: 67/73 PPer: 18 PInv: 10 PIst: 18 Conditions: -- Concentrating: Bless (everyone) Aura: 30' Prot from Evil (Fiends/undead): Such creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against us, and we are immune to charm, fear, possession by them

Herbert is surprised to see Strahd so suddenly. They had hoped for more time... yet here he is. The fiend transforms and advances. "We had hoped for more time, but now is the time to stand and fight him! Remember the traits of other vampires like we discussed earlier - but expect more from him. May Pelor's guidance light our path!"

Spoiler

Show

Bless, 3rd level slot, affecting all 5 party members

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

Zinro was torn. Everything about this encounter had his brain screaming at him and the party to retreat, rest, and attempt to rearm themselves with the treasures of Ravenloft. And yet the party were determined to stay, especially with Strahd's new war-form on display. Perhaps something about Barovia was affecting him. It was an affect he'd have to study in more depth later, assuming he survived of course.

With spell energy dwindling, Zinro first drew the Mace of Terror; although he doubted Strahd would fear it. With the Mace drawn, Zinro focused his arcane energy. Wisps of force began to coalesce around his hand. The wisps of force quickly began to form a hand of their own and grow larger and larger, until a Large, translucent hand was floating in front of Zinro. It was no longer Zinro's hand, but Bigby's Hand.

As it formed, Zinro reached out with his own arm and the Hand obeyed. He then clenched his fist hard as the Hand hovered over to the Huge form of Strahd, hoping to grapple him, and then crush him.

Spoiler

Show

Staying where I am.
Free Action to draw Mace of Terror.
Action to cast 5th Level Bigby's Hand. On the turn I summon it, I can direct it to move and attempt the Grasping Hand attack on Strahd. The Hand is Large, and is able to Grapple Huge or smaller creatures. Opposed grapple, using the Hand's stats: (1d20+8)[28] vs Strahd's opposed roll: (1d20)[6] + mods.
If the grapple succeeds, I use my Bonus Action to Crush Strahd for (2d6+8)[17] Bludgeoning Damage (extra damage from Empowered Evocation is already factored into the roll). If the grapple fails I do not use a Bonus Action.

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Bori starts at the sight of the Devil of Ravenloft, flinching back further as the creature transforms into a snarling beast. Donning his mask, he glances ruefully at his scabbard, maybe there'd be time to learnt its secrets later.

Beast, you can try to hide from your own monstrous nature all you like, but you can't hide it from the spirits you have wronged!


He reaches out a hand and a swirling mass of souls pours firth from every direction, swirling around the bat creatures and tearing at its form.

Spoiler: Action

Show

Moonbeam centred on Strahd at the start of his turn
DC 16 Con save for (2d10)[6] radiant damage and revert/stuck in normal form. Half damage on a pass.

Strahd (1d20)[14] or (1d20)[11]

[dangelo]

Audience Hall
Round Two

Strahd revealed a new expression when Bori's magic pulled him out of his combat form: The Devil was startled. He had been watching the fellowship's progress cautiously, sending his minions to spy on them or relying on magic to scry, but he didn't imagine the Paladin would be capable of such magic. With the magic hand still onto him, he raised his arm in the air and shouted several ancient words in the Draconic language, one of the many associated with Arcane magic. A tiny flaming sphere, just the size of a walnut, appeared at his fingertip and flew straight across the Audience Hall, exploding into a massive fireball.

Fireball damage: (10d6)[21]

Dex saves: (DC 18)

Herbert (1d20+3)[8]
Yikkol (1d20+12)[19] (evasion)
Zinro (1d20+6)[23]
Bori (1d20+9)[29]
Asha (1d20+6)[17]
Bigby's Hand (1d20+4)[9]

(everyone is within 10 ft of Bori and inside his Aura, so I added +4 from his Charisma)

Bless:

Herbert (1d4)[3]
Yikkol (1d4)[2]
Zinro (1d4)[3]
Bori (1d4)[4]
Asha (1d4)[3]

[TaiLiu]

"We had hoped for more time, but now is the time to stand and fight him! Remember the traits of other vampires like we discussed earlier - but expect more from him. May Pelor's guidance light our path!"

"Yes, sir!" The priest's call to combat reinvigorates the half-orc and steadies her. They could do this. Tonight, Strahd von Zarovich would die.

Strahd revealed a new expression when Bori's magic pulled him out of his combat form: The Devil was startled. He had been watching the fellowship's progress cautiously, sending his minions to spy on them or relying on magic to scry, but he didn't imagine the Paladin would be capable of such magic. With the magic hand still onto him, he raised his arm in the air and shouted several ancient words in the Draconic language, one of the many associated with Arcane magic. A tiny flaming sphere, just the size of a walnut, appeared at his fingertip and flew straight across the Audience Hall, exploding into a massive fireball.

Yikkol says something in Ignan again, and the fire elemental obliges, plunging its fiery fists into Strahd's open orifices. Yikkol wants it to hurt.

• Attacks: (1d20+6)[22] and (1d20+6)[10].
• Damage: (2d6+3)[12] and (2d6+3)[13] fire, respectively.
• Strahd will take (1d10)[9] fire damage on his turn.

She hurls another vial of holy water at Strahd and follows it up with a shot from her crossbow.

• Bonus Attack (Fast Hands): (1d20+4)[13] plus (1d4)[3].
• Holy Water Damage: (2d6+4)[14] radiant.

• Attack: (1d20+9)[22] plus (1d4)[1].
• Crossbow Damage: (1d10+5)[10] plus (5d6)[19] magical piercing.

EDIT: 12 fire, 14 radiant, and 29 magical piercing damage. 55 total. 9 fire damage next round. The bless was super helpful this round.

[dangelo]

Legendary Action after Yikkol's round:

(1d20+9)[21] Claw attack against Bigby's Hand (AC 20) for 1d8+4 physical plus (4d6)[11] necrotic damage.

If it hits, Strahd will not deal that 1d8+4 physical damage. Instead, he automatically Grapples the Hand. (DC 18 to escape)

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Bori grits his teeth and Nethis's spe tralee jaws snarl in satisfaction at Strahd's plight. As the spirits continue to tear at his form Bori pulls the small crossbow from his pack and adds a barb of spite to the damage he is inflicting.

Hand crossbow (1d20+10)[26] for (1d6+6)[10] Magical piercing damage.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Moonbeam DC 16 with disadvantage for (2d10)[17] radiant damage at the start of Strahd's turn. I think the locked in form thing might not require him to fail the save after failing on his first turn but I'm not sure.

Strahd Con save(1d20)[13] or (1d20)[16]

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

Zinro continued to concentrate on maintaining his proxy grip on Strahd. He felt that without Bori's supportive presence, he may have let the arcana slip away from him and the Hand would have disappeared. As it was, it remained, and continued to squeeze the vampire lord.

As the Hand squeezed the Count, Zinro let fly a bolt of fire.

Spoiler

Show

Bonus Action to control the Hand, using it to deal damage to Strahd: (2d6+8)[16] Bludgeoning (up to you if you want to consider this damage magical).
Main Action to cast the cantrip Fire Bolt: (1d20+8)[25] for (2d10+4)[19] Fire Damage.

[Dr.Samurai]

Asha Astral Elf Armorer Artificer AC: 23 HP: 99/103 THP: 5/10 PPer: 16 PInv: 19 PIns: 12 Conditions: Enlarged, Immune to Surprise, Adv on Init, Necklace of Adaptation Concentrating: Enlarge/Reduce

From his new vantage point, Asha watches a silvery beam of light from Bori strike the giant bat creature and force it back into the familiar form of Count Strahd, still in the clutches of Lord Zinro's magical hand of force. Agitated, Strahd throws an explosive ball of fire at the group. A number of protective wards flash from both Bori's and Herbert's magic, protecting the group from the worst of the flames. The bionoid armor is not even pierced by the heat. Asha moves forward and punches Strahd, keeping his shield interposed between shots.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Show

Move - Move adjacent to Strahd.
Action - Attack Count Strahd.
Attack 1 - (1d20+11)[15] + (1d4)[2] Bless
Damage - (1d8+7)[13] + (1d4)[3] Enlarge
Attack 2 - (1d20+11)[17] + (1d4)[1] Bless
Damage - (1d8+7)[13] + (1d4)[4] Enlarge

[dangelo]

(1d8+4)[12] physical damage from the last Legendary Action.

Legendary Action after Bori's round:

(1d20+9)[23] Claw attack against Bigby's Hand (AC 20) for (1d8+4)[12] physical plus [rpll]4d6[/roll] necrotic damage.

Legendary Action after Lord Zinro's round:

(1d20+9)[22] Claw attack against Bigby's Hand (AC 20) for (1d8+4)[8] physical plus [rpll]4d6[/roll] necrotic damage.

[J-H]

Herbert Raycraft Human Life Cleric AC: 20 HP: 56/73 PPer: 18 PInv: 10 PIst: 18 Conditions: -- Concentrating: Bless (everyone) Aura: 30' Prot from Evil (Fiends/undead): Such creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against us, and we are immune to charm, fear, possession by them

Strahd is on the ropes, but tears furiously at the summoned hand, eventually clawing his way out. Herbert summons Pelor's flame to burn the Count, and a hammer of judgement to smite him.

Spoiler

Show

Sacred Flame (3d8)[10] radiant damage, Dex DC 16 negates.
Strahd Dex (1d20)[17] plus mods
BA cast Spiritual Weapon
Attack (1d20+8)[9] plus (1d4)[3] for (1d8+4)[10] Force damage. Spiritual Weapon is behind Strahd.