Castlevania II: Dracula's Curse (IC)

[Amnestic]

Chloé Clement High Elf Alchemist Artificer AC: 17 HP: 2/24 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: Exhaustion (1) Concentrating: Experimental Elixir: Boldness (Exp.). Decanter: 1/3 "I took some things we could use to slow anyone down if they come down the stairs while we're resting - I agree, we should take another break." Though she'd managed to stay on her feet, that wasn't saying much, grand total.

Spoiler: OOC

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Hunting Trap, Caltrops, and Ball Bearings up for use as things we could drop down and then recover once rest is done.

Spoiler: Servant Statblock

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PB=2

Tiny construct
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 6 (1 + your Intelligence modifier + your artificer level (the homunculus has a number of Hit Dice [d4s] equal to your artificer level))
Speed: 20 ft., fly 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 7 (−2)
Saving Throws: Dex +2 plus PB
Skills: Perception +0 plus PB x 2, Stealth +2 plus PB
Damage Immunities: poison
Condition Immunities: exhaustion, poisoned
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 + (PB x 2)
Languages: understands the languages you speak
Challenge: —
Proficiency Bonus (PB): equals your bonus
Evasion. If the homunculus is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it's incapacitated.
Actions
Force Strike. Ranged Weapon Attack: (+5) your spell attack modifier to hit, range 30 ft., one target you can see. Hit: 1d4 + 2 (PB) force damage.
Reactions
Channel Magic. The homunculus delivers a spell you cast that has a range of touch. The homunculus must be within 120 feet of you.

[Bobthewizard]

Vidrik Oakheart Wood Elf Ranger AC: 15 HP: 28/28 PPer: 16 PInv: 11 PIst: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 0/3 Hit Dice: 0/3 Goodberries: 11 Speak with Animals: 1/1 Conditions: Exh. 1

Vidrik wakes up to Mustafa's healing light. He's not sure what happened but the skeleton pikemen seem to have been disabled.

"Thanks. I'm really tired though."

Spoiler: OOC

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Last Hit Die (1d10+2)[11]
5+3 goodberries + cast again for 10 (use 9)

[J-H]

Everyone feels a bit better - or at least less injured - after taking the time to bandage your wounds, and perhaps eat. It's now around 3pm.

The stone stairs going up are narrow and cool, but not as dark. The hallway on the second floor cuts straight across the tower, slightly off-center, to stairs going up on the far side. One door leads to the right, and two to the left. The hall is dimly lit by a couple of Continual Flame torches.

[J-H]

While the party rests, Sabian plays with the lantern. He's eventually able to determine that it projects a weird kind of light that he can barely perceive, in addition to regular light. Sabian is pretty sure that this light would make even invisible items show up.
(it's a Lantern of Revealing)

[Infernally Clay]

Cassandra Hartdegen High Elf Wizard Bladesinger 3 AC: 15 | HP: 10/17 Spell Slots: 1st: 3/3 | 2nd: 2/2 Spells Prepared: 1st - Shield, Absorb Elements, Burning Hands 2nd - Misty Step, Invisibility, Flaming Sphere Bladesongs: 1/2 Arcane Recovery (2): 0/1 Active Effects: None Conditions: Exhausted (half speed, disadvantage on skill checks)

"Let's check this room on our left first," Cassandra says, heading to 2B and opening the door to it.

[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 3 AC: 17 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: --

Mustafa took a moment to munch on dry goat and nuts from his rations, drink some fresh water and apply another dose of spirit to his stitches. It stung like hell, but it was the best way to ensure they wouldn't get infected as they traveled through dirty roads and damp towers.

Halfway through their short rest, the Vampiralgietch devoted a at least ten minutes to silent meditating and praying, during which he searched the position of the sun in sky and knelt down facing East. Once he was done, he offered Chloe half a minute of a mumbled prayer; Knowing his comrades came from different parts of the world and followed other gods than his own, he kept the words to himself. Three times he chanted the ancient words of healing, and three times his new scepter shone like a star.

To the whole party, he confessed: "I don't think I ever felt this tired, even when we marched through the countryside back in my homeland. I had no idea my magic reserves could be... exhausted." He looked at his own hands, realizing he couldn't keep casting so many spells throughout one day. He had simply never needed to.

[J-H]

Cassandra opens the door to reveal an unoccupied room. Several trestle tables with benches occupy this room. A magical light in the middle of the room illuminates it with a cheery, slightly off-white color. Straw and rushes scattered about the floor swish underfoot as the she walks on them. A table near the door holds a stack of plates, apparently waiting to be cleaned.

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 27/32 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Necrotic, Fire, Cold Conditions: -- Rages: 1/3 Mustafa confesses, "I don't think I ever felt this tired, even when we marched through the countryside back in my homeland. I had no idea my magic reserves could be... exhausted." Sabian nods, A lot has happened in the last day, and I fear we will be tested even further still. But I'm glad we're at least all together. "Let's check this room on our left first," Cassandra says, opening the first door. Sabian walks over, his spear tucked between his chest and arm so he can bring the lantern forward, Hang on, let me go first. This is a Lantern of Revealing. It will reveal anything invisible.

[J-H]

Nothing invisible is revealed within the room.

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 27/32 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Necrotic, Fire, Cold Conditions: -- Rages: 1/3 Sabian moves the lantern around, pointing the light around the room, Seems clear of anything invisible. Let's see if there's anything of use in here. Someone should keep watch by the door here. Sabian moves in and sets the lantern down near the middle of the room.

[Bobthewizard]

Vidrik Oakheart Wood Elf Ranger AC: 15 HP: 28/28 PPer: 16 PInv: 11 PIst: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 0/3 Hit Dice: 0/3 Goodberries: 3 Speak with Animals: 1/1 Conditions: Exh. 1

Vidrik gives 4 goodberreis to Cassandra and 4 to Sabian, keeping his last 3 for an emergency.

"Take these. They'll help a little bit."

As they go upstairs, he keeps to the back, ready to shoot any more undead that jump out at us.

Spoiler: OOC

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Keep left is fine with me

[J-H]

Sabian looks around the room. It appears to have been a dining or eating area. The stack of dirty dishes implies chores left un-done, and there are no signs of violence here.

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 27/32 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Necrotic, Fire, Cold Conditions: -- Rages: 1/3 Sabian looks around but sees nothing notable, Looks like they were caught in the middle of work, but no fighting took place here. He picks up the lantern, spear tucked under his arm, and crosses the corridor to the other door. He steps to the side of the frame and pushes the door open, shining the light in. Spoiler: OOC Show Open door to 2A. If the door pushes in, Sabian is attempting to push it without standing directly in front of the doorway to provide himself some cover.

[J-H]

Sabian crosses the hall to a broader door. Pushing it open, he observes a room stacked with crates along the curved outer wall, and pegs and hooks on the hall-side. It appears to be a storage room. If you have any supplies you're looking for (excluding potions/magic items/etc.), you may be able to find them here, if you're willing to take the time to search for them.

[Amnestic]

Chloé Clement High Elf Alchemist Artificer AC: 17 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: Exhaustion (1) Concentrating: Experimental Elixir: Boldness (Exp.). Decanter: 1/3 Remembering keenly how they might not get many more opportunities to pick up supplies, Chloe searches out for any tools that might be helpful in the near or far future. While they weren't in any immediate danger it would be best for them to take the time they had.

Spoiler: OOC

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Looking for Climber's Gear and any/all of the following:-
Calligraphy Tools
Cartography Tools
Thieves Tools
Tinker's Tools
Herbalism Kit

Roll if required: (1d20)[13]
+3 if Perception, +5 if Investigation.

Spoiler: Servant Statblock

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PB=2

Tiny construct
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 6 (1 + your Intelligence modifier + your artificer level (the homunculus has a number of Hit Dice [d4s] equal to your artificer level))
Speed: 20 ft., fly 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 7 (−2)
Saving Throws: Dex +2 plus PB
Skills: Perception +0 plus PB x 2, Stealth +2 plus PB
Damage Immunities: poison
Condition Immunities: exhaustion, poisoned
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 + (PB x 2)
Languages: understands the languages you speak
Challenge: —
Proficiency Bonus (PB): equals your bonus
Evasion. If the homunculus is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it's incapacitated.
Actions
Force Strike. Ranged Weapon Attack: (+5) your spell attack modifier to hit, range 30 ft., one target you can see. Hit: 1d4 + 2 (PB) force damage.
Reactions
Channel Magic. The homunculus delivers a spell you cast that has a range of touch. The homunculus must be within 120 feet of you.

[J-H]

You all take about 10 minutes to search the supply room, keeping an ear out for anything trying to sneak up on you. Here's what you find.

Spoiler: List

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Found
Climber's Gear 2 sets
Grappling Hook 2
Rope 200ft
Block and Tackle x 1
Crowbar x 2
Fishing Tackle x 2
Hammer x 2
Healer's Kit x 1
Iron Spikes (would these be usable as stakes?) Tent stakes yes. 10.
Jugs/Buckets Two wooden buckets around 2 gallons capacity, several waterskins. There are probably more buckets in the kitchen downstairs.
Portable Ram Yes at the Order
Oil (in addition to what we just found) 4 flasks
Pouches/Sacks
Shovel


Not Found
Spyglass
Calligraphy Tools
Cartography Tools
Thieves Tools
Herbalism Kit
Scroll cases (in case the scrolls we got from the library didn't come in any)
Extra sets of clothes

[J-H]

Sabian opens the door to the next room and cautiously peers inside. This room is plainly the chapel, with a religious icon at the far end, a small altar area slightly off-center opposite the door, and a few rows of short pews.

[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 3 AC: 17 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: --

"Could Dracula's forces have desecrated this chapel?" He offered in a low whisper. "Or have it remained a safe place for us?"

[Amnestic]

Chloé Clement High Elf Alchemist Artificer AC: 17 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: Exhaustion (1) Concentrating: Experimental Elixir: Boldness (Exp.). Decanter: 1/3 "It doesn't feel safe." Chloé murmurs, briefly making a prayer symbol with her free hand. "There might still be some blessed water, but...it might have been corrupted like everything else seems to have been." She steps a bit further into the chapel, keeping a keen eye on the shadows, looking for anything that might be even slightly of use to them before they move on.

Spoiler: Servant Statblock

Show

PB=2

Tiny construct
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 6 (1 + your Intelligence modifier + your artificer level (the homunculus has a number of Hit Dice [d4s] equal to your artificer level))
Speed: 20 ft., fly 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 7 (−2)
Saving Throws: Dex +2 plus PB
Skills: Perception +0 plus PB x 2, Stealth +2 plus PB
Damage Immunities: poison
Condition Immunities: exhaustion, poisoned
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 + (PB x 2)
Languages: understands the languages you speak
Challenge: —
Proficiency Bonus (PB): equals your bonus
Evasion. If the homunculus is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it's incapacitated.
Actions
Force Strike. Ranged Weapon Attack: (+5) your spell attack modifier to hit, range 30 ft., one target you can see. Hit: 1d4 + 2 (PB) force damage.
Reactions
Channel Magic. The homunculus delivers a spell you cast that has a range of touch. The homunculus must be within 120 feet of you.

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 27/32 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Necrotic, Fire, Cold Conditions: -- Rages: 1/3 Sabian walks into the chapel with the Lantern of Revealing and looks about the room, shining a light to each side. You're probably right Chloe, but still worth a look. Let's check to see. Spoiler: Items Grabbed Show Sabian takes the following items from the Storage Room: 1x Climber's Kits 2x Grappling Hooks 1x Rope 50ft (Sabian already has 100ft of rope, so this brings him to 150ft) 1x Block and Tackle 2x Crowbars 2x Fishing Tackle 2x Hammers 1x Healer's Kit 10x Iron Spikes 1x Bucket Pouches/Sacks 1x Shovel Spoiler: Chapel Show Sabian will Help an Investigation check by bringing the light over and shining it in the area if possible.

[Bobthewizard]

Vidrik Oakheart Wood Elf Ranger AC: 15 HP: 28/28 PPer: 16 PInv: 11 PIst: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 0/3 Hit Dice: 0/3 Goodberries: 3 Speak with Animals: 1/1 Conditions: Exh. 1

Vidrik cautiously follows after Sabian into the chapel, keeping his crossbow ready in case anything dangerous tries to ambush us again.

"Let's make sure it's safe so nothing comes up behind us, but then let's keep going."

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception (1d20+6)[24]

[J-H]

The altar’s top contains an inset bowl of holy water, with its characteristic silvery sheen. You don't find anything else of particular interest.

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 27/32 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Necrotic, Fire, Cold Conditions: -- Rages: 1/3 They didn't have time to use this either, Sabian says as they bottle the holy water to take with them. When everyone is ready, Sabian pauses at the bottom of the steps and listens for any noise coming from the third floor. Spoiler: Perception Check Show Perception - (1d20+3)[12] + Guidance - (1d4)[3] (assuming Mustafa casts it in the chapel to avoid anyone upstairs from hearing the verbal components)

[J-H]

Sabian doesn't hear anything upstairs, so you proceed upwards.

The hall on the third floor twists and turns several times, never providing a sight line longer than 20’. A magical torch at each corner provides adequate lighting. A window also allows in outside light at the top of the staircase down, and the base of the staircase up. There are a total of four doors as the party moves through the hall, two on each side. It's quiet.

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 31/32 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Necrotic, Fire, Cold Conditions: -- Rages: 1/3 Sabian doesn't hear anything, so he gives the "quiet" signal to the others and attempts to creep up the stairs. At the top, torches have the corridors lit, so Sabian puts out the lantern and stows it to more comfortably hold on to his spear. He moves the short distance to where the corridor turns, and looks to the left. He pushes the door to his right open and peers inside the room. Spoiler: OOC Show Stealth - (1d20+4)[20], Disadvantage - (1d20+4)[14] Sabian opens the door to 3D.

[J-H]

The single narrow window leaves this room dimly illuminated. It’s relatively small. The walls are lined with shelves holding linens, candles, curtains made to be hung in the windows, and, near the window, a barrel of arrows for use repelling an attack.

[Bobthewizard]

Vidrik Oakheart Wood Elf Ranger AC: 15 HP: 28/28 PPer: 16 PInv: 11 PIst: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 0/3 Hit Dice: 0/3 Goodberries: 3 Speak with Animals: 1/1 Conditions: Exh. 1

Vidrik cautiously follows after Sabian checking the southern room for danger.

"Let's make sure it's safe so nothing comes up behind us, but then let's keep going."

If he sees nothing, then he recommends we move on to the next room. On the way, he takes one of the magical torches and gives it to Mustafa.

"Take this. It might come in handy."

If the torches produce light but no heat, he takes a few himself and puts them in his own pack.

Spoiler: OOC

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Stealth (1d20+7)[23]
Perception (1d20+6)[26]

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 31/32 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Necrotic, Fire, Cold Conditions: -- Rages: 1/3 Candles here if you need them, Sabian whispers to the spellcasters, he stuffs some arrows into his pack, Just need to find a bow, I forgot to grab one at the armory. He moves further down the corridor, peeks around the corner, and if nothing is there, opens the door in front of him. Spoiler: OOC Show Move down the corridor and open the door to 3A, assuming he sees nothing around the corner.

[J-H]

(3A)
This room is dark, save for outside light from the window. A table near the door contains several candles with holders and a striker to light them with.

Several beds occupy this room, each with a table and storage chest next to them. Most are bare of bedding, and the room doesn’t show signs of extensive use. It looks like a set of guest quarters for travelers.

Spoiler: Stealth rolls

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Sabian 14, Vidrik 20-something

Cassandra (1d20+3)[8] or (1d20+3)[21] 1 exh
Mustafar (1d20+3)[9] or (1d20+3)[5] 1 exh
Chloe (1d20+2)[14] or 1 exh

[Infernally Clay]

Cassandra Hartdegen High Elf Wizard Bladesinger 3 AC: 15 | HP: 17/17 Spell Slots: 1st: 3/3 | 2nd: 2/2 Spells Prepared: 1st - Shield, Absorb Elements, Burning Hands 2nd - Misty Step, Invisibility, Flaming Sphere Bladesongs: 1/2 Arcane Recovery (2): 0/1 Active Effects: None Conditions: Exhausted (half speed, disadvantage on skill checks)

"We should search these chests," Cassandra says, "Maybe someone left something inside them?"