[IC] Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

Zinro had been worried something like this would happen - the bride had gotten ahead of them and hadn't been seen since, so it was reasonable to assume they had laid a trap; and it seemed like poor Yikkol had stepped right into it.

As Zinro rounded the corner to the shouts of Asha, he saw the Earth Elemental looking confused, and then angry. Whatever was happening to it, it seemed, at least at a glance, that Yikkol was not fully in control of it for the moment. There was no hope of getting past the Elemental, large as it was and blocking the corridor, so Zinro did the only thing he could and flung a bolt of fire at the door ahead of them.

Regardless of whether the door was still standing, Zinro returned to cover behind the corner. He knew the Elemental could just simply walk around and hit him; but he hoped that Asha would be the most obviously visible target if it decided to become hostile.

Spoiler

Show

Step around the corner
Main Action to cast Fire Bolt (cantrip) at the door. Ranged Spell Attack: (1d20+8)[14] for (2d10+4)[18] Fire Damage.
Step back into the cover of the corner

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Bori sprints down the corridor amd dives under the hulking form of the earth elemental as it starts to act erratically. Bursting through the smouldering wreckage of the door, he sees Strahd standing over Yikkol.

Get away from her you beast! As Bori slides to halt he unleashes anwave of power from his mark, soothing pain and restoring energy in the broken form. He glares at Strahd, standing close by until Yikkol can regain her footing. The blazing light of the blade washes over the vampires. Only then does Bori notice the hulking metal forms and begin to regret his actions.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Dash plus move since Bori forgot to move down the corridor after smashing the previous door.

Action - Lay on Hands, 45 points of healing for Yikkol.

If Bori is able to shepherd the revived yikkol back slightly into the corridor he will, otherwise he stands next to her, up in Strahd's face waist.

[dangelo]

Helm of Brilliance radiant damage: (1d6)[2] on Strahd and Anastrasya

Opportunity Attack on Bori: [roll]1d20+9[/roll

Initiative 20: No doors are shut.

Initiative 19: Strahd begins his round in sunlight. He takes 20 damage and doesn't regenerate this round.

Strahd raised his claws to parry Bori's attacks. His cloak was thorn and ripped, his thick skin presenting a true challenge even for a sacred blade. Hundreds of years had passed since sunlight had shone in Barovia, and for a moment Strahd saw his own brother instead of the halfling, Sergei von Zarovich himself. His sword had been broken, but his soul persisted as the blade fell over and over at Strahd's cursed body.

Before the paladin could retreat with Yikkol, however, the vampire lord lowered his guard and counter attacked. He grabbed Bori by the arm with an iron fist, his cold touch squeezing Bori's bones painfully. Since the halfling had nowhere to run, Strahd jumped on him and tried to drink his blood straight from the neck.

Seeing Asha up ahead, Strahd let go of Bori and retreated, phasing through the floor. His bride retreated too, climbing the walls of the Brazier Room. (Disengage action)

The Earth Elemental attacks Asha twice.
Slam: (1d20+8)[21] for (2d8+5)[14]
Slam: (1d20+8)[20] for (2d8+5)[14]

One iron knight uses Poison Breath, the other one attacks Yikkol twice

Poison Breath: (8d10)[39]

Constitution save (DC 19)
Bori: (1d20+6)[11]
Yikkol: (1d20+6)[21]

Two attacks on Yikkol: (Advantage due to Prone)

Slam: (1d20+13)[14] or (1d20+13)[17] for (3d8+7)[23] bludgeoning damage
Sword: (1d20+13)[21] or (1d20+13)[21] for (3d810+7)[1853] slashing damage

[dangelo]

Sword damage: (3d10+7)[29], not 3d810.

[dangelo]

Errata:

[Iron Knight A]
Poison Breath also hit Asha (15-foot cone) for 39 poison damage
Con save (1d20+11)[18] (+4 from Bori)

[Iron Knight B]
Yikkol and Bori were both out of their reach, so both attacks targeted Asha. No Advantage since Asha isn't prone, so I'm keeping the first dice rolled on each attack: 14 and 21. Both attacks miss. (AC 24 I think)

[Earth Elemental]
Opportunity Attack on Bori (1d20+8)[14] for (2d8+5)[12]

[J-H]

Herbert Raycraft Human Life Cleric AC: 20 HP: 73/73 PPer: 18 PInv: 10 PIst: 18 Conditions: -- Concentrating: Spirit Guardians 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

Leaving his spiritual weapon behind near the door to the room of bones, Herbert heads west and up the stairs, hearing moans, groans, and impacts ahead of him, including the sound of a body hitting the floor. Still surrounded by glowing angelic forms, he calls upon the might of Pelor with an encouraging shout.

Spoiler

Show

Leave SW in place.
Move 30' west. Mass Cure Wounds does not specify being able to see the targets, and originates from a point instead of the caster. I don't know why, but I'll use it that way.

Spoiler: MCW

Show

Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 60ft./30ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Source: PHB, pg. 258

A wave of healing energy washes out from a point of your choice within range. Choose up to six creatures in a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on that point. Each target regains hit points equal to 3d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

Token moved, and I can easily put the centerpoint behind the EE and get everyone.
All heal (3d8+11)[29]
Herbert heals 7hp more.

[TaiLiu]

"I thought I had eliminated the last of your kind a long time ago, Four-Eyes. It's time to finish what we started."

"I will avenge my mother. Prepare to die, Strahd!"

So focused is Yikkol on her mother's killer that she fails to notice the trap sprung upon her. As poison gas surrounds her and fills her lungs, Yikkol's eyes widen and she drops to her knees. For a moment, everything goes dark.

She awakens, briefly, from Bori's magical healing. Then another strike from a knight knocks her out again. She awakens a second time and feels the light of the Fates fill her lungs. His holiness!

Unaware of the hostility of her former elemental companion, she turns her back to it and fires at one of the knights.

• Attack (Steady Aim w/ Disadvantage): (1d20+9)[19].
• Damage: (1d10+5)[9] magical piercing plus (1d6)[6] lightning.

"Thanks, everyone. What's the plan now?"

[Dr.Samurai]

Asha Astral Elf Armorer Artificer 10 AC: 24 (Warding Bond) | HP: 103/103 | THP: 0/10 | Initiative: +2 Str: +1 | Dex: +2 | Con: +7 | Int: +9 | Wis: +2 | Cha: -1 PPer: 16 | PInv: 19 | PIns: 12 Spell Slots: 1st: 3/4 | 2nd: 0/3 | 3rd: 0/2 Flash of Genius: 3/5 Active Effects: Breathe any Environ, Adv vs Harmful Gases/Vapors Conditions: Warding Bond (target, +1 saves/AC, Resistance to all Damage) Concentrating: Haste (Bori) Starlight Step: 2/4 Repulsion Shield: 4/4 Spell-Refueling Ring: 0/1 Defensive Field: 0/4

We need to get out of here! Asha calls out, not liking their odds in this corridor, Have we even touched Strahd? Nevermind, we'll talk later. I'll distract the elemental so you can get around it! Asha vanishes and reappears on the other side of the elemental. He smashes his thunder gauntlet into it and then retreats to the corner, hoping to lure it into an attack, and waiting for his allies to clear the corridor before leaving.

Spoiler: Turn 7

Show

Bonus Action - Starlight Step adjacent to Earth Elemental
Action - Attack Earth Elemental w/ Thunder Gauntlet
Attack - (1d20+11)[27]
Damage - (1d8+7)[9]
Attack - (1d20+11)[14]
Damage - (1d8+7)[9]
Hit Effect - If Asha hits the Earth Elemental, it has Disadvantage to hit anyone other than Asha until the start of Asha's next turn.
Movement - Move to corner, provoking an Opportunity Attack from the elemental.

If the elemental hits Asha with its Opportunity Attack, Asha will use Repulsion Shield as a Reaction to Push it back 15ft, placing it on the other side of Bori and Yikkol.

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

The halfling sat up, coughing. His throat and chest burned on the inside. Yikkol was beginning to stand as well, maybe this exercise hadn't been a total waste of time. Those constructs were still glaring down at them though and he'd just be coughing his lungs up again if he stayed here.

The stones of the hallway erupted with tendrils trying to bind the foreign rock creature. As it writhed he once more darted between its legs, slashing with the glowing blade as he went past.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Stand up - 25ft movement
Action - Channel Divinity- Nature's Wrath DC 16 Strength save or restrained. Repeat at end of turns.
(1d20)[4]

Move through elemental - 25ft movement.
OA attack at disadvantage (1d20)[18] or (1d20)[20]

Haste bonus attack Attack (1d20+11)[27] for (1d8+7)[12] plus (1d6)[6] fire

If attacking at advantage then (1d20+11)[23]

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

Zinro again turned the corner, but this time attempted a necrotic cantrip, and this time against the Elemental which was clearly no longer under Yikkol's control (Zinro reasoned that it would likely resist his Fire Bolt). The Sunlight was affecting him again, but what else could he do? With his cantrip fired off, he returned around the corner and caught up with Herbert.

Spoiler

Show

Step around the corner
Chill Touch on the Elemental. Ranged Spell Attack with Disadvantage for Sunlight: (1d20+8)[12] or (1d20+8)[24] for (2d8)[8] Necrotic Damage (no pluses, this isn't an Evocation spell).
If the Elemental is hit, it cannot regain HP until the start of my next turn.
Move back around the corner and next to Herbert.

[dangelo]

The earth elemental raged on, suddenly aware that it didn't belong to this plane and couldn't go back to its homeland. One of these small creatures must have been responsible for the conjuration, for putting it in shackles like a slave, so the best option was to fight. Smash. Destroy. Earth elementals are creatures for extremes, and hardly change their course of action once their rock-solid brains are set on an objective. It was ready to fight to the death, until the enemies had grinded it to dust and sent its wounded soul back to the Plane of Earth, if necessary.

But something made it snap out of that rage. At the sight of Yikkol, the Earth Elemental halted. It hadn't been forced, enslaved or put in shackles. Unlike other conjurers who had summoned it in the past, this one had signed a contract and kept her word ever since. There was no reason to fight. The creature was at peace again.

After a moment of silence, the Elemental grunted a few words in High Terran and walked towards the middle of the staircase. There, it destroyed the wall with a few punches and revealed the rocky terrain underneath the castle, then morphed into the underground soil and disappeared forever. It will wander the valley of Barovia for the remaining hour, until the spell finally wears off and it can travel back to the Plane of Earth.

[SHUFFLE]

"The Beast... The Donjon... What next?" Her bony fingers danced around the Tarokka deck, but the stopped herself: "Not yet. It is too soon to draw another card."

She watched the fellowship through the Mists of Destiny. Old as she was, Madam Eva had outlived most dinasties and even a few gods. Nowadays, she rarely ever meddled in the affairs of mortals. "How will you deal with that, Crimson King?" She asked. Her foggy eyes drank every drop of that epic crusade. Would it happen, finaly? Would this strange fellowship emerge victorious where so many others had failed? Heroes, mercenaries, elven masters, drawven knights, eccentric warriors from distant worlds - none of them had been able to destroy the Devil Strahd and free Barovia from his reign of terror.

[SHUFFLE]

A child was crying. The sound echoed through the halls of Castle Ravenloft, visiting the many carcasses and piles of bones the fellowship had left behind as they hacked and sliced and burned their way through Strahd's forces. A beam of moonlight struck the center of the old bedchamber, illuminating the woman in bright crimson, and the child she held dearly in her arms. Anastrasya wasn't her mother, but as Strahd's bride and steward, she found a place in her heart for poor Rue. The dhampir cried and cried, but her eyes remained wide open, fixated on the vampire's hypnotizing gaze. "Shh, don't cry, my love." Her voice sounded soft and lovely as a mother's embrace. "After tonight, you will have the eternal appreciation of your father. You shall be no less than his successor."

[SHUFFLE]

The Iron Knights never leave the Brazier Room. They stop attacking if you move out of their reach, but will remain blocking the door as long as they can notice anyone in the staircase.

Combat over.

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

"Do we stay, or attempt to rest? I can conjure a shelter for us if we wish to remain in the castle."

[dangelo]

Once the battle was definitely over, Pidlwick crawls out of his hideout and finds his place close to the group.

The faint sound of a child crying echoes through the castle.

[Dr.Samurai]

Asha Astral Elf Armorer Artificer 10 AC: 24 (Warding Bond) | HP: 103/103 | THP: 0/10 | Initiative: +2 Str: +1 | Dex: +2 | Con: +7 | Int: +9 | Wis: +2 | Cha: -1 PPer: 16 | PInv: 19 | PIns: 12 Spell Slots: 1st: 3/4 | 2nd: 0/3 | 3rd: 0/2 Flash of Genius: 3/5 Active Effects: Breathe any Environ, Adv vs Harmful Gases/Vapors Conditions: Warding Bond (target, +1 saves/AC, Resistance to all Damage) Concentrating: Starlight Step: 2/4 Repulsion Shield: 4/4 Spell-Refueling Ring: 0/1 Defensive Field: 0/4

Moments go by after the elemental smashes a hole in the ground and wanders off before Asha relaxes his stance. He looks around to the others as healing is administered. Strahd is on the run. I don't know how much we hurt him, but barring running headlong into a trap, we may want to pursue. He's been going at us all day, and he's probably as bad off as we are.

[J-H]

Herbert
"Agreed. Right now he's afraid. He may not be thinking as clearly if we keep the pressure on." Herbert clearly thinks the party should proceed to Strahd's coffin, as they'd discussed.

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

"Does anyone else here the sound of a child mewling? Perhaps something to avoid?"

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Bori coughs a large wad of black phlegm up. I don't suppose you have anything to help with this do you Yikkol? He rasps thanks at the concoction he is handed.

Pidlwick, do you have any idea what that noise is? Or know a quick way to get to Strahd's tomb?

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Yikkol healing (1d6+14)[15]

[TaiLiu]

If Pidlwick doesn't know any shortcuts, Yikkol will lead the way to the catacombs. It is a long circuitous route, and it takes about ten minutes before the party arrives.

The wailing child discomforts Yikkol and fills her with guilt. How long has it been since she'd seen her kids? She tries to block it out and hurries the party along.

[dangelo]

The fellowship backtracks cautiously through Rahadin's office, the Kingsmen Quarters and finally the Hall of Bones, heading to the Guards' Stairs in order to reach the Dinning Room and the Main Hall, where they'd gain access to the Chapel. In the Hall of Bones, however, Strahd's laughter filled the room once more. This time, however, his voice sounds more like a mad laughter than an actual evil vampire lord.

Hall of Bones
Round One

"It is time for you to DIE!" Strahd cries as he phases through the wall and attack Bori:

Claws: (1d20+9)[21]
Claws: (1d20+9)[19]
Claws: (1d20+9)[14]
(Adv from Surprise and Disadv from Sunlight)

Strahd phases through the floor again, triggering an Opportunity Attack from Bori.

Two Children of Strahd also come fluttering at Bori:

Claws: (1d20+6)[14]
Bite: (1d20+6)[7]

Claws: (1d20+6)[20]
Bite: (1d20+6)[26]

Two arrows come flying from the darkness towards Asha:

Arrow: (1d20+6)[8]
Arrow: (1d20+6)[24]

(Two minutes have passed since you left the Brazier Room)

[J-H]

Herbert Raycraft Human Life Cleric AC: 20 HP: 73/73 PPer: 18 PInv: 10 PIst: 18 Conditions: -- Concentrating: Spirit Guardians 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 moves in whichever direction the party chooses, the holy symbol of Ravenkind held at the ready. The moment Strahd comes into view, he will invoke its power to paralyze vampires.

Spoiler

Show

Moved and updated map assuming we go south, provoked OA from rightmost Child.
Both Children should be in range of SG.
Readied action to use Icon of Ravenloft, to Hold Vampires. Should hit Strahd and both Children but not the ranger.
As an action, you can expend 1 charge and present the holy symbol to make it flare with holy power. Vampires and vampire spawn within 30 feet of the holy symbol when it flares must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a target is paralyzed for 1 minute. It can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns to end the effect on itself.

In case it matters for Legendary Action triggering, I wanted to get the readied action up first thing.

[TaiLiu]

"Damn it! Your holiness, we need some way to lock him down. He's a slippery eel."

Yikkol fires at the vampiric monster directly across from Bori. The crossbow bolt gives her enough time to pull some smelling salts from her breast pocket.

• Attack: (1d20+9)[19], directed at Bilbo.
• Damage: (1d10+5)[7] plus (5d6)[15] magical piercing. Also (1d6)[1] lightning damage.
• Cunning Action & Healer to bring Bori back up to 1 hit point.

"You all right, Bori? I think his holiness has a plan."

She moves up next to Herbert.


EDIT: 23 damage total.

[Dr.Samurai]

Asha Astral Elf Armorer Artificer 10 AC: 23 | HP: 85/103 | THP: 0/10 | Initiative: +2 Str: +1 | Dex: +2 | Con: +7 | Int: +9 | Wis: +2 | Cha: -1 PPer: 16 | PInv: 19 | PIns: 12 Spell Slots: 1st: 3/4 | 2nd: 0/3 | 3rd: 0/2 Flash of Genius: 3/5 Active Effects: Breathe any Environ, Adv vs Harmful Gases/Vapors Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- Starlight Step: 2/4 Repulsion Shield: 4/4 Spell-Refueling Ring: 0/1 Defensive Field: 0/4

Hey, try picking on someone your own size! Asha taunts as he punches the spawn in front of Bori.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Show

Action - Attack vs Bilbo
Attack - (1d20+11)[27]
Damage - (1d8+7)[14]
Attack - (1d20+11)[18]
Damage - (1d8+7)[14]
Hit Effect - Bilbo has DA to attack anyone other than Asha. Either overlaps with Icon or negated by Hall of Bones I think.

[TaiLiu]

Instead of the smelling salts thing, Yikkol hurls a vial of holy water at Bilbo. If Bilbo is down, she hurls it at Frodo.

• Attack: (1d20+4)[13].
• Damage: (2d6)[8] radiant.

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

Zinro moved to be protected by both Herbert and Yikkol and flung a bolt of fire at the children. "I hope he has a plan!" Zinro cried in response to Yikkol.

Spoiler

Show

Move to be between Yikkol and Herbert.
Main Action to cast Fire Bolt (Cantrip) on Bilbo (or Frodo if Bilbo is down): Spell Attack (1d20+8)[22] for (2d10+4)[17] Fire Damage.

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

The halfling lashed out at the retreating form of Strahd with the blazing blade. With the coward gone, he turned towards the spawn in front of him. His blade lashed out, adding to the fulisade of attacks from Asha and Yikkol.

Panting, he circles round, attempting to dodge a reprisal from the second spawn.

Finally, standing over Strahd's last known location Bori called upon the power of the stones around him to bind demon should he dare return.

Opportunity attack against Strahd.
(1d20+11)[28] for (2d8+7)[14] radiant plus (1d6)[4] fire

Attack action vs Bilbo
Attack 1 (1d20+11)[24] for (2d8+7)[12] radiant plus (1d6)[3] fire.
And
Attack 2 (1d20+11)[16] for (2d8+7)[12] radiant plus (1d6)[2] fire.

Move over to where Strahd disappeared.

Opportunity attack from Frodo
(1d20)[14]

[dangelo]

Hall of Bones
Round Two

Strahd uses the Hide action. (1d20+12)[14]

Bilbo and Frodo use the Disengage action and move south to block the doorway.

Archer Spawn shoots Bori twice:
(1d20+6)[23] for (1d6+3)[7] piercing and (2d6)[7] necrotic damage.
(1d20+6)[22] for (1d6+3)[5] piercing and (2d6)[8] necrotic damage.

The battle rages on until the fellowship hears the awfully familiar sound of Rue's roar. The effect of Bori's magic is gone now, and Strahd has regained control over her. She dashes into the room from the southern exit, leaping through the Children of Strahd, and attacks Bori with her claws.

Claws (1d20+9)[11] or (1d20+9)[21] for (1d6+7)[10] slashing damage
Claws (1d20+9)[14] or (1d20+9)[13] for (1d6+7)[10] slashing damage
Claws (1d20+9)[25] or (1d20+9)[26] for (1d6+7)[11] slashing damage
(Reckless Attack)

Shadowy limbs emerge from the eastern wall and attacks Zinro. The fellowship has seen these limbs before - they belong to the Shadow Demon that served Rahadin, and barely escaped their encounter alive. It never actually enters the battlefield, only reaching to attack before retreating through the walls. His phasing powers are clearly different from Strahd's.

(1d20+6)[16] or (1d20+6)[14] for (4d6+3)[19] psychic damage (Unseen attacker)

[J-H]

Herbert Raycraft Human Life Cleric AC: 20 HP: 73/73 PPer: 18 PInv: 10 PIst: 18 Conditions: -- Concentrating: Spirit Guardians 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 moves away from Rue. "I'm sorry that this happened to you." He speaks a word that sounds like warmth, light, and hope. Everyone who is injured heals (1d6+9)[12] as he moves. The priest steps just out of the hall of bones, into the hall. "This way!" He grips the holy symbol of Ravenkind, prepared to raise it if Strahd should show his face.

Spoiler

Show

Move into the hall just south of Frodo, probably provoking an OA from Rue.
BA Mass Healing Word. Casting it also heals him an additional 5hp, so if Rue OAs him, he's probably going to heal right through her damage, although he may need to make a save to keep Spirit Guardians up.

[The Commander]

Lord Zinro Varanash

With Zinro backed up against the wall, he was only aware of the Shadow Demons claws as they raked into him. He pushed himself away from the wall, yelping: "The Shadow Demon is back, it's in the walls!" Luckily, Herbert's words of healing closed up Zinro's wounds and he looked as good as new, ripped clothes and dried blood notwithstanding.

Zinro began moving after Herbert, side-stepping around the child of Strahd until he was next to Herbert. He raised the Mace towards the creature's face: "FEAR ME!" He bellowed as intimidatingly as he could, activating the Mace's properties.

Spoiler

Show

Move next to Herbert.
Use an Action to use a Charge of the Mace of Terror to attempt to Frighten both 'Frodo' and Rue.

As per the item:

This magic weapon has 3 charges. While holding it, you can use an action and expend 1 charge to release a wave of terror. Each creature of your choice in a 30-foot radius extending from you must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you for 1 minute. While it is frightened in this way, a creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can't willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can't take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If it has nowhere it can move, the creature can use the Dodge action. At the end of each of its turns, a creature can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Frodo Will Save: (1d20)[20]+mods OR (1d20)[13]+mods (ignore if no adv/dis)
Rue Will Save: (1d20)[17]+mods OR (1d20)[17]+mods (ignore if no adv/dis)

[Waistcoatwill]

Bori

Head swimming, Bori rises to his feet and scrambles after the rest of the team. He can barely keep himself from vomiting, let alone speak, so strong the horror of his near death is in this terrible place.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Half move to stand. Dash action. Get out of dodge.

[TaiLiu]

"With you all the way, your holiness."

Yikkol fires at Frodo and rushes after Herbert into the hall below.

• Attack: (1d20+9)[20]
• Damage: (1d10+5)[14] and (5d6)[18] magical piercing. Also, (1d6)[1] lightning.
• Cunning Action (Disengage) and move 30 feet.

EDIT: 33 damage total.