Act I: Welcome to Ravengro

[Knave]

---

Name: Tal Dathrīm  | AC: 15 | HP: 9/9 | Hit dice: 1/1d6 | XP: 60

AttacksLight crossbow +4 ( 80/320) 1d8+2 p Dagger x 2 +4 (20/60) 1d4+2 p   | SavesStr -1 | Dex +2 | Con +4 | Wis -1 | Int +0 | Cha +5;  | CantripsFire bolt | Create Bonfire | Control flames | Prestidigitation  | 1st Level SpellsBurning hands | Shield 2/2

 

---

The reading of the will... that must mean the funeral was over. Tal would have preferred to leave immediately, but he didn't want to give offence to Kendra, not once she had made such an offer. Perhaps one drink, and then he could slip away before the family and close friends started the will reading.

 

"Thanks for the offer of a drink, Miss Lorrimor. Are you sure it's no trouble? I don't want to be in the way, given... given everything. But I'll come if you insist." 

[X51]

Galena (Winter)

---

Hit PointsCurrent Total: 8/8

Hit Dice: 1d8 | Attacks/DefensesDagger: +5 vs. AC, 1d4+3 piercing, Melee OR Ranged (20/60)

Armor Class: 14

Saves: Wisdom +4, Charisma +5
>> Advantage on Saves vs. Charm, immune to magical sleep effects. | Skills+5 Deception
+5 Intimidation
+4 Perception
+5 Sleight-of-Hand
+5 Stealth | SpellsSpellcasting Ability: Charisma (+3)
Save DC: 13
Spell Attack: +5

=========
CANTRIPS
Eldritch Blast (Action, 120')
>> +5 vs. AC, deals 1d10 Force damage on a hit.

Mind Sliver (Action, 60')
>> DC 13 Int, deals 1d6 Psychic damage on a fail, and the target subtracts 1d4 from its next saving throw before end of Galena's next turn.
=========
SPELLS KNOWN
Cause Fear (Action, 60', Concentration, 1 Minute)
>> DC 13 Wis, Target becomes Frightened of Galena for the duration. Target may repeat save at the end of each of its turns, ending the spell on a success.

Faerie Fire (Action, 20' cube within 60', Concentration, 1 Minute)
>> DC 13 Dex, Targets shed dim light for 10', any attack roll against affected creatures are made at Advantage.

Hex (Bonus Action, 90', Concentration, 1 Hour)
>> Galena deals an extra 1d6 Necrotic damage whenever she hits the target with an attack.

Sleep (Action, 20' sphere within 90', 1 Minute)
>> Renders 5d8 hit points' worth of targets unconscious, in ascending order of total HP remaining. Targets remain unconscious for the duration, or until they take damage, or someone uses an Action to wake them.
========= | Other AbilitiesDarkvision 60'

Fey Presence 1/1 (Action, 10' Burst) (Per rest)
>> DC 13 Wis, Affected targets are Charmed or Frightened until the end of Galena's next turn.

Fey Step 1/1 (Bonus Action) (Per Rest)
>> Teleport up to 30' to an unoccupied space Galena can see.

---

She looses a small huff, feeling a fool for giving her name when most others would not. Only the furry one, named Kat, which tickles her greatly otherwise. Other names she will have to pry, yes - in time. For now, her milky gaze falls on Grimburrow.

 

"Depths of fear knows no bounds," she says to the old priest. "Pushes good to bad, kind to cruel. Proud and stubborn, endearing might be, but proud, stubborn, and fearful? Capable of anything."

 

With her warning delivered, she ambles over towards Katrina, Kendra, and Adivion, though the first is her clear intent. Her hands fiddle beneath her sodden traveling cloak before her spindly fingers produce something hastily wrapped in a scrap of parchment. Whatever it be is small, and round, like a glass marble, though lighter than that. After handing it over to Katrina, she brings a finger to her lips and then winks, as if whatever she's handed over is meant to be a secret, despite making no attempt to hide the fact that she was handing something to the scholar.

[Little_Rudo]

 

Nika Volkov

 

"Great minds think alike!"

 

An approving roar comes from Nika as her dear friend mentions drinks. The two women were often like fire and water, but in some ways, they were much the same. "Solitude's an enemy at times like this. Better we all stay and share stories of old Petros. And stories deserve drinks. Much of them. If you can hold your liquor." Her eyes settle on the strange Adivion again. He has Kendra's eye so much, she will see if that stays the same after she drinks him beneath the table...

Edited December 13, 2022 by Little_Rudo (see edit history)

[yxanthymir]

---

Dolin Rhuegar  | AC: 18 | HP: 12/12 | Hit dice: 1d8

AttacksWarhammer (bludgeoning) | +4 | 1d8+2
Dagger (piercing) | +4 | 1d4+2
Light Crossbow | +1 | 1d6-1  | SavesStr +2 | Dex -1 | Con +3 | Int +0 | Wis +5 | Cha +2  | CantripsGuidance
Mending
Sacred Flame  | 1st Level SpellsDivine Favor (Domain)
Shield of Faith (Domain)
Cure Wounds
Detect Magic
Guiding Bolt
Protection from Evil and Good 2/2 | War PriestWhen you use the Attack action, you can make one weapon attack as a bonus action. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (a minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. 3/3

---

 

The situation was getting better and better at each moment. The prospect of a good drinking and now the reading of a will. The fun will never end in this part of the world. He was already feeling less weary by the long travel. In Dolin's experience, most readings of testament were like a war. Some side will win and some will lose. Sparks of animosity will be created, rarely bonds of friendship, and they will certainly persist in the near future. Sometimes there were contests of yelling and strength, and in very rare occasions a real war was born. It was truly a blessed occasion to witness, specially when surprises were expected to happen.

 

Dolin expressed a wicked smile before directing his words to miss Lorrimor. Let's not waste more time here, miss Lorrimor. We have a testament to partake and a dearly honorable person to honor. 

 

 

[Rumrunner]

 

---

Katrina Volshebnika - Tabaxi Wizard 1 | AC: 16Mage Armor for 8 hours | HP: 8/8

---

AttacksClaws (Melee) +1 attack, 1d6-1 slashing damage
Chill Touch (120ft) +5 attack, 1d8 Necrotic damage
Shocking Grasp(Melee) +5 attack, 1d8 Lightning damage | SavesStr -1 | Dex +3 | Con +2 | Wis +3 | Int +5 | Cha -1  | CantripsPrestidigitation, Light, Sacred Flame, Chill Touch, Shocking Grasp  | 1st Level SpellsGuiding Bolt, Mage Armor, Sleep, Shield

Rituals:
Detect Magic, Find Familiar  | Arcane RecoveryYou have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your spellbook. Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.

---

 

Her claws clicked lightly as she clapped her hands with a contented grin and beaming eyes.  Professor Lorrimor had once taken her from her old life and introduced her to a world of which she never dreamed, and now with his passing she was entering yet another stage.  She didn't know what was coming her thoughts were spinning like a wagon wheel on a prop, ready to spin fast and anxious to do so, but still without a load or direction.   What excited her most about this the little cat could not be sure, the new scholar, the reading of the will, visiting with Kendra, reuniting and meeting friends and acquaintances of the late professor, and perhaps the one thing that surpassed them all was to be out of the rain and next to a warm fire!

 

While her wheel was still spinning a hand forced her attention, it was a delicate and perhaps even frail looking hand of Galena.  As unsettling as many found the Eladrin of the long winter night, Katrina felt her presence oddly familiar.  Her caravan had spent much time with the Vistani and every caravan had at least one aged gypsy with an otherworldly air about them.  It was palatable magic that transcended thought and part of the reason Katrina wanted to badly to be a wizard was her very lack of that sort of power.  She took the bead and stared at it a moment, then looked to Galena.  The witchy woman must have read her mind, because no sooner had she opened her mouth to ask a question did she raise a finger to lip in the hush of a secret.  There were no words, it was understood.  Katrina Volshebnika held the bead clasped in her hands and brought it to her chest, hugging it to her heart before giving a nod of thanks, then not so subtly adding a mischievous cat eyed wink.

 

"Thank you so much Kendra, you are truly gracious. Come, let us be away from this rain." 

 

As they walked though, her curiosity got the better of her.  As discretely as she could,  she peaked at the tiny thing, then sniffed it suspiciously... half tempted to pop it in her mouth in case it was a candy.

 

Mechanics

Mage Armor Still on...

 

[Orpheus]

 As you walk through the center of town on the way to the Lorrimor estate, you find yourself the target of stares some good, some bad. It doesn't take a sage to figure out that Petros' death has somewhat split the town in two, maybe what Gibbs was talking about wasn't just hogwash but an actual issue that was on people's mind. The town itself while not dilapidated does not inspire any sort of confidence or song. Even more so as the rain continues to pour muddying the streets and casting a dark overhead. Like a looming shadow, Ravengro exhibits a sort of dark energy. It doesn't take long to arrive at the Lorrimor estate. The estate is a small mansion preceded by a small courtyard. Walking into the main stairway, you are led into a living room.
 

Kendra Lorrimor

---

---

Kendra turns to everyone gesturing you all to sit down; "I'll bring back tea and drinks for everyone. Please make yourself comfortable. Adivion, can you get the fire going?" She then disappears walking away from the living room. 

 

Adivion Adrissant

---

---

Adivion walks over to the fire snapping his fingers and muttering a short incantation as the flames wisp and ignite erupting and coating the logs in the fireplace. He claps his hands as he then takes a seat. "So I have to know, a colorful cast of characters such as yourself how you all met Petros?"

 

 

[yxanthymir]

---

Dolin Rhuegar  | AC: 18 | HP: 12/12 | Hit dice: 1d8

AttacksWarhammer (bludgeoning) | +4 | 1d8+2
Dagger (piercing) | +4 | 1d4+2
Light Crossbow | +1 | 1d6-1  | SavesStr +2 | Dex -1 | Con +3 | Int +0 | Wis +5 | Cha +2  | CantripsGuidance
Mending
Sacred Flame  | 1st Level SpellsDivine Favor (Domain)
Shield of Faith (Domain)
Cure Wounds
Detect Magic
Guiding Bolt
Protection from Evil and Good 2/2 | War PriestWhen you use the Attack action, you can make one weapon attack as a bonus action. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (a minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. 3/3

---

 

Dolin, after the funeral, was not dusty anymore. He was soaked to the core with the heavy amount of rain. As soon as he arrived at the mansion, he asked the butler where he could change his clothes. He was still wearing his travel clothes, with armor, and completely soaked. Not an appropriate garb for a mansion.

 

When Adivion addressed the people with his question, he was fighting vigorously to remove the latches from his armor in a lower room from the mansion. Then he would change them for a finer set of clothes, still crude for the upper echelon of society, and arrive to the living room.

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by yxanthymir (see edit history)

[Knave]

---

Name: Tal Dathrīm  | AC: 15 | HP: 9/9 | Hit dice: 1/1d6 | XP: 60

AttacksLight crossbow +4 ( 80/320) 1d8+2 p Dagger x 2 +4 (20/60) 1d4+2 p   | SavesStr -1 | Dex +2 | Con +4 | Wis -1 | Int +0 | Cha +5;  | CantripsFire bolt | Create Bonfire | Control flames | Prestidigitation  | 1st Level SpellsBurning hands | Shield 2/2

 

---

As at the funeral, Tal waits briefly, hoping someone else will break the silence. But when the pause becomes uncomfortable, he tries to be as concise as possible.

 

"I wound up with a curse, sort of. The Professor helped me figure that out, found me work. He went to a lot of trouble for someone he didn't know."

[Rumrunner]

 

---

Katrina Volshebnika - Tabaxi Wizard 1 | AC: 16Mage Armor for 8 hours | HP: 8/8

---

AttacksClaws (Melee) +1 attack, 1d6-1 slashing damage
Chill Touch (120ft) +5 attack, 1d8 Necrotic damage
Shocking Grasp(Melee) +5 attack, 1d8 Lightning damage | SavesStr -1 | Dex +3 | Con +2 | Wis +3 | Int +5 | Cha -1  | CantripsPrestidigitation, Light, Sacred Flame, Chill Touch, Shocking Grasp  | 1st Level SpellsGuiding Bolt, Mage Armor, Sleep, Shield

Rituals:
Detect Magic, Find Familiar  | Arcane RecoveryYou have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your spellbook. Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.

---

 

Her whiskers twitched, water dripping from her furry chin as she resisted the urge to shake the water off once indoors.  The oilskin had prevented her clothes from getting too wet but her face and lower legs were still sodden.  Hanging her oilskin, she daubed her legs and face with a towel before settling in the Livingroom.  The fire beckoned her, but she remained silent, her confidence when introducing herself with Adivion melting in the rain and now vanishing withing intimate surroundings of the gathered group.  She would have much preferred a table, with papers and books and things to distract herself and otheres, with information to read, and evaluate, not a personal discourse in which to become better acquainted.  Sitting next to the fire she began emptying her pack, laying out in size order out an assortment of supplies such as  parchments, ink, quills as well as the small gift from Galena, then using her own magic to help clean and dry them.  It all served to keep herself busy and thereby ignore how all the eyes immediately gravitated to whomever was speaking.  When she did look up, her own eyes began swinging like pendulums  between Adivion and Tal, measuring words and how they were accepted.  The fire mage's words were short and concise, which was nice as it set an easy precedent for an appropriate response... So she gave her own answer, staring at the spare quill as she smoothed out its vane.

 

"As with Mr. Dathrim, I met Professor Lorrmor in Lepidstadt, at the University.  He sponsored my admission and I was his student there."

 

Mechanics

Mage Armor Still on... prestidigitation on stuff to clean and dry it.

 

[Knave]

---

Name: Tal Dathrīm  | AC: 15 | HP: 9/9 | Hit dice: 1/1d6 | XP: 60

AttacksLight crossbow +4 ( 80/320) 1d8+2 p Dagger x 2 +4 (20/60) 1d4+2 p   | SavesStr -1 | Dex +2 | Con +4 | Wis -1 | Int +0 | Cha +5;  | CantripsFire bolt | Create Bonfire | Control flames | Prestidigitation  | 1st Level SpellsBurning hands | Shield 2/2

 

---

Tal looks across in mild surprise at hearing his full name. He studies the tabaxi carefully.

"Oh... Yes. I remember you, right? Er... Kit, is it?"

[Rumrunner]

---

Katrina Volshebnika - Tabaxi Wizard 1 | AC: 16Mage Armor for 8 hours | HP: 8/8

---

AttacksClaws (Melee) +1 attack, 1d6-1 slashing damage
Chill Touch (120ft) +5 attack, 1d8 Necrotic damage
Shocking Grasp(Melee) +5 attack, 1d8 Lightning damage | SavesStr -1 | Dex +3 | Con +2 | Wis +3 | Int +5 | Cha -1  | CantripsPrestidigitation, Light, Sacred Flame, Chill Touch, Shocking Grasp  | 1st Level SpellsGuiding Bolt, Mage Armor, Sleep, Shield

Rituals:
Detect Magic, Find Familiar  | Arcane RecoveryYou have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your spellbook. Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.

---

She lay her quill down and held her breath a moment.  The reactive hiss was held, and ironically pulled her cheeks into as a slight smile... tsk...Kit?!.. Her eyes flared as she locked with the arcane accidentAka Tal, then responded cordially. "It is Scholar Katrina Volshebnika... it was at the professor's instruction that I learn how to induce sleep as one of my early tasks to keep your curse from causing too much trouble."  There were many sleepless nights for herself before then, but having a way to subdue the living firebomb was Petros' idea to put her mind somewhat at ease, that and meditative prayer. 

 

Mechanics

Mage Armor Still on...

 

[Knave]

---

Name: Tal Dathrīm  | AC: 15 | HP: 9/9 | Hit dice: 1/1d6 | XP: 60

AttacksLight crossbow +4 ( 80/320) 1d8+2 p Dagger x 2 +4 (20/60) 1d4+2 p   | SavesStr -1 | Dex +2 | Con +4 | Wis -1 | Int +0 | Cha +5;  | CantripsFire bolt | Create Bonfire | Control flames | Prestidigitation  | 1st Level SpellsBurning hands | Shield 2/2

 

---

"Then I owe you too. Those were bad times, those first days. I'm bad with the names at the best of times, let alone when I'm bursting into flames."

 

At these words, the fireplace surges with heat briefly, and then subsides again.

[Rumrunner]

---

Katrina Volshebnika - Tabaxi Wizard 1 | AC: 16Mage Armor for 8 hours | HP: 8/8

---

AttacksClaws (Melee) +1 attack, 1d6-1 slashing damage
Chill Touch (120ft) +5 attack, 1d8 Necrotic damage
Shocking Grasp(Melee) +5 attack, 1d8 Lightning damage | SavesStr -1 | Dex +3 | Con +2 | Wis +3 | Int +5 | Cha -1  | CantripsPrestidigitation, Light, Sacred Flame, Chill Touch, Shocking Grasp  | 1st Level SpellsGuiding Bolt, Mage Armor, Sleep, Shield

Rituals:
Detect Magic, Find Familiar  | Arcane RecoveryYou have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your spellbook. Once per day when you finish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.

---

The feline scholar smiled in earnest this time, whether it was at his gratitude or the thought of him bursting into flames was up for debate, even within her own mind. "It was nothing, if anything the professor was simply indulging me.  As for names too bad with names, but yours was kind of burned into my memory.  He did love to study the arcane and occult, particularly if it could help someone..."  Her brow furrowed as she thought about what the locals were saying.  How he was a danger, practicing necromancy or some such thing at Harrowstone.  Was he actually as altruistic as she believed him or did she simply wish that for him because he treated her well?  Did she want to be one of an exceptional few who a curious necromancer thought valuable?  The answer to the latter question popped into her head immediately: Yes... but she wouldn't be satisfied unless she found out more about the former...  

 

Mechanics

Mage Armor Still on...

 

[Little_Rudo]

Nika Volkov

 

"Oh, you cannot set a fire yourself?" Nika's snide comment has a certain snarl to it as she listens to the light banter between Tal and Katrina. So, her story was not such an odd one here. "Much the same. I was mauled by a beast as a girl." She explains, tapping her chin - and specifically the place where a deep, cruel scar split her face in two. No amount of healing had blunted the sharp edge of that cut. It's easy to picture how, had she not been tended to, she would be just another of the many dead peasants fallen to the horrors of Ravenloft. "Petros put me back together. Tended my sickness. Found me a new home and a place to be useful. I owe him and Kendra my life." Her statement is a simple and blunt truth as she crosses her arms, letting the fire do its work on her drenched clothes.

[X51]

Galena (Winter)

---

Hit PointsCurrent Total: 8/8

Hit Dice: 1d8 | Attacks/DefensesDagger: +5 vs. AC, 1d4+3 piercing, Melee OR Ranged (20/60)

Armor Class: 14

Saves: Wisdom +4, Charisma +5
>> Advantage on Saves vs. Charm, immune to magical sleep effects. | Skills+5 Deception
+5 Intimidation
+4 Perception
+5 Sleight-of-Hand
+5 Stealth | SpellsSpellcasting Ability: Charisma (+3)
Save DC: 13
Spell Attack: +5

=========
CANTRIPS
Eldritch Blast (Action, 120')
>> +5 vs. AC, deals 1d10 Force damage on a hit.

Mind Sliver (Action, 60')
>> DC 13 Int, deals 1d6 Psychic damage on a fail, and the target subtracts 1d4 from its next saving throw before end of Galena's next turn.
=========
SPELLS KNOWN
Cause Fear (Action, 60', Concentration, 1 Minute)
>> DC 13 Wis, Target becomes Frightened of Galena for the duration. Target may repeat save at the end of each of its turns, ending the spell on a success.

Faerie Fire (Action, 20' cube within 60', Concentration, 1 Minute)
>> DC 13 Dex, Targets shed dim light for 10', any attack roll against affected creatures are made at Advantage.

Hex (Bonus Action, 90', Concentration, 1 Hour)
>> Galena deals an extra 1d6 Necrotic damage whenever she hits the target with an attack.

Sleep (Action, 20' sphere within 90', 1 Minute)
>> Renders 5d8 hit points' worth of targets unconscious, in ascending order of total HP remaining. Targets remain unconscious for the duration, or until they take damage, or someone uses an Action to wake them.
========= | Other AbilitiesDarkvision 60'

Fey Presence 1/1 (Action, 10' Burst) (Per rest)
>> DC 13 Wis, Affected targets are Charmed or Frightened until the end of Galena's next turn.

Fey Step 1/1 (Bonus Action) (Per Rest)
>> Teleport up to 30' to an unoccupied space Galena can see.

---

She is quiet, yes. Much to take in, much to ponder. The village, small and meek. Downtrodden, and here, Petros and his mansion, small though it may be, sat apart. A chasm had sat between he and the townsfolk. A gaping maw - and a familiar one - in which only fear could breed. They did not understand Petros, did not live as he lived, and so it would be easy for them to believe anything of him, and easy to see his difference as deviance.

It was no flaw, merely the way of things. Perhaps they would see reason before the end, or perhaps not.

The others will know. Different they are. Deviant. Lost and broken things, collected and mended by Petros; accepted in a world that otherwise refused.

"Lost, she was," she murmurs. "One broken into many. A misaligned facet. Alien to this place, these mists, but not Petros, no. So many pass by and see a babbling crone, but not Petros, no. Sees me. He takes me off the street, asks questions, gives treats. He takes me to the shadows, and they mend. The many become one - broken, yet whole."

She brings fingers to her lips, dry and chapped.

"Mouth speaks thoughts, ears hear words, words and thoughts the same," she speaks, and a great weariness sags her shoulders. Her lips tremble and she brings her hand to her eyes.

"Words and thoughts the same. Now he is gone."

Edited January 17, 2023 by X51 (see edit history)