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  1. - Top - End - #181
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    With the sound echoing back and forth from both directions, it is impossible to tell from where the chanting is coming yet. Or if it is coming from anywhere at all.

    "We're right behind you," Gweyir states encouragingly.

  2. - Top - End - #182
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    Prehysterical's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Well, it was worth a shot. For lack of any better ideas, Kellon immediately turns left to explore that part of the tunnel.

  3. - Top - End - #183
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Passing by a side passage, Kellon can see within are two empty, unmarked and unfinished crypts. The stone slabs meant to seal them are placed aside, and the interiors contain no coffins or sarcophagi. To the left the corridor turns, down a short flight of stone stairs, where a wooden table sits in a room.

  4. - Top - End - #184
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Kellon makes his way down into the room, his eyes darting around as he sees a few potential entry/exit points.

  5. - Top - End - #185
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Just off of the simple table and chairs are some small alcoves containing moldy straw pallets. Another path leads on, down another brief set of stairs into what looks like a larger chamber.

  6. - Top - End - #186
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    "I guess this is where the 'guests' would end up staying," Kellon surmises. It seems like they might be drawing closer to the heart of the complex. Kellon looks to the others and suggests, "We should go back and check the other passage first. Not very fond of the idea of leaving our backs open, especially if we have to get out in a hurry."

  7. - Top - End - #187
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    "Good plan," Gweyir agrees with a nod, stepping aside to let Kellon through as the group reverses their order and traverses back down the path.

    Coming to a four-way intersection...

    To Kellon's left and right are four more crypts, these ones marked and named. To his left are two marked for Gustav (C) and Elizabeth (D) Durst. To his right are two marked for Rosavalda (E) and Thornboldt (F) Durst. Straight ahead is a slightly wider room with a wooden table, and two benches on either side. It seems to have once been an eating space.

  8. - Top - End - #188
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    This new development is puzzling. "Why would they have crypts constructed for their children," Kellon wonders. He moves to open the door to Rose's crypt just to see what is inside.

  9. - Top - End - #189
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Inside the crypt is a chamber with an empty coffin and a stone bier.

    "This appears to be a family tomb," Anton looks down the other hallway, towards the parents' crypts. "Saw some empty ones just back there, too. Might have been expanding it for future generations."

    Spider crawls along the wall to reach ahead, and the two spirits step out of their arachnid companion to regard their own crypts. "Is this where we supposed to sleep?" Thorn asks quietly.

    "I think so. I think we weren't suppose to sleep here until we were a lot older, Thorn," the young ghost rubs her brother's back comfortingly.

  10. - Top - End - #190
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    "Yes, I'm sure your Mommy and Daddy didn't mean for you to go to sleep like you did," Kellon says as he tries to comfort the child. He opens Thorn's crypt, just to be sure. The whole point is to be thorough, after all.

  11. - Top - End - #191
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Thorn's crypt, as well, lay empty, the coffin awaiting its designated inhabitant.

    "I'm not familiar with Barovian burial customs, obviously. Often our dead would simply be left in the woods to feed the forest, or buried in our gardens to feed our plants," Gweyir begins, taking the pillowcases from her back and looking at them. "Do you think that we should put you to rest here?"

    "I don't know... I think I'll be okay as long as I'm buried at the same time as Thorn. He's always afraid when he has to go anywhere alone." As if to punctuate her statement, the young boy takes hold of her hand, seemingly afraid she might vanish.

  12. - Top - End - #192
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Kellon holds up a clawed hand to forestall Gweyir. "What say we make sure that this place is sanctified and cleansed of evil before we start performing any last rites, eh?" If Kellon had his way, these children would leave this house never to return.

    He had not been expecting too foul in checking the children's crypts, but a cold feeling washes over him as he looks across the hall. Kellon moves to inspect the crypt of Gustav.

  13. - Top - End - #193
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Gweyir nods and slings the sacks back over her shoulder. Thorn and Rose retreat into Spider, as Kellon ventures to the other crypts. Whatever expectations Kellon may have had for the crypt, he moves away the stone slab in the way to reveal... another empty coffin on a stone bier.

  14. - Top - End - #194
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    That is perfectly fine by Kellon. All that remains is to check Elizabeth's crypt.

  15. - Top - End - #195
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    This time, however, the scene is different. The coffin within Elisabeth's crypt sits shut, and the back wall has collapsed, spilling wet dirt into the room and partially covering the opposite end of the coffin.

  16. - Top - End - #196
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Kellon has grown a little complacent, but this new development snaps him to attention. He hesitates before asking the others, "What could have caused the back wall to give out?

    ...Should we open it?"

  17. - Top - End - #197
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Anton steps up to peer in past Kellon. "Hm. Shoddy construction, unexpected rain coalescing above? It appears to be water damage at any rate."

    "Bet a zombie pops out," Gweyir comments. She pauses and glances back at Spider, "Sorry, that was a little irreverent."

    "It's alright... father was always better to us than mother was," Rose's voice replies sadly.

  18. - Top - End - #198
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    There was a strong argument to be made that things should be left well enough alone. The question had its hooks in Kellon, though. He had to know.

    Without a word, Kellon steps forward and opens the coffin.

  19. - Top - End - #199
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Kellon tugs the lid of the coffin aside, and more dirt unsettled by the motion sifts down, into the empty container. No body. Then Kellon notices shapes writhing up out of the dirt, many-legged and fanged. Their tiny eyes glowing with a haunting blue light, the tide of centipedes crawls forwards eerily, silent and swaying.

    Anton responds quickly, drawing his and and pointing it at the swarm. "Suffosio!" he proclaims, his spell causing some writhing and discomfort among the swarm.

    At the same time, Gweyir's ears perk up. "Something slithering... look out behind!" She spins around to face the small mess area, where a creature with scales that glimmer and shift in color with the stone beneath slithers towards her. "It's a Grick!"

    "Ignitum," Her blade in hand, she faces the creature and conjures a bonfire between it and herself, hoping to give it pause.

    Spoiler: Initiative
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    Gweyir - 17
    Anton - 16
    Kellon - 15
    Spider - 10
    Grick - 10
    Centipede Swarm - 2


    Spoiler: Combat Log
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    Gweyir casts Create Bonfire.
    Anton casts 'Suffosio' on Centipede Swarm, dealing 3 necrotic damage.

    It is Kellon's turn.


    Spoiler: Kellon Arcana
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    Kellon is unfamiliar with Gricks.

  20. - Top - End - #200
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    The manner of cosmic punishment for Kellon's intrusion takes a rather unexpected form. The centipedes appear even more unsettling in the shadows cast in the crypt, but Kellon recognizes the species as nonvenomous. It is a minor relief, but he knows that their bites are painful and it sounds like the group is being flanked. Kellon does not know what a 'grick' is, but it sounds very unpleasant.

    Half a dozen different courses of action spring to mind, but Kellon realizes that it would be better to fight one front at a time. The tortle backs up and puts his shoulder into closing the crypt back up.
    Spoiler: OOC
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    Athletics check: (1d20+4)[11]

  21. - Top - End - #201
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Gripping the sides of the slab, Kellon begins to lift it back into place. But in his haste, it slips through his claws with a clattering sound and nearly lands upon his foot, making a loud bang as it impacts the stone floor. The swarm soon overtakes him, crawling up his legs and into crevices they ought not, but he is able to sweep and shake them off before they can complete their assault.

    Whipping his wand around, Anton focuses on the part of the swarm still crawling on the floor, as he backs away. With another incantation, his spell causes the swarm to writhe and fall as they try to get a hold on Kellon's feet.

    Spider crawls up the wall and onto the ceiling, hanging above the corridor and preparing for the Grick's approach. The serpentine creature hesitates only momentarily before slithering through the fire to grab at its prey. Before it can attack, Spider twists with surprising flexibility, launching webs that cover the monster. It squeals as both it and the webs begin to burn, and lashes out at Gweyir with a tentacle. She raises her blade and blocks, holding her ground.

    Bringing the sword up, she drives it down. The blade catches on its hard beak, bouncing off.

    Spoiler: Combat Log
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    Kellon attempts to seal the crypt, but loses his grip.
    Spider moves into the ceiling and readies an action to shot web.

    Grick moves into the fire and is hit by Spider's readied Web, becoming Restrained. It takes 2 fire damage, and the web takes 8 fire damage.
    Grick attempts to lash Gweyir, but misses.

    Centipede Swarm attacks Kellon, but misses.

    Gweyir attacks Grick, but misses.
    Anton casts 'Suffosio' on Centipede Swarm, dealing 3 necrotic damage.

    It is now Kellon's turn.

  22. - Top - End - #202
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Closing the crypt is no longer an option. He hears the hellish squeal of the grick out in the hallway, too concerned with his own immediate situation to worry too much about Gweyir.

    Kellon wants to use his thunder magic, but there is a real possibility that the entire tunnel could collapse on top of him. With the vermin wriggling around and on him, Kellon invokes a blessing. "Sunburst!"
    Spoiler: OOC
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    Kellon casts Word of Radiance

  23. - Top - End - #203
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    The light scorches the eerie blue light out of some of the centipedes, sending them scurrying away as their natural instincts take over once more. But the sheer number soon overpower the holy light as waves of them swarm up his lower body. White hot pain shoots through him as they begin to bite at anything they can crawl into.

    "Ah- hold on! I'll ah, really hope this hits," Anton begins performing more complex gestures in the air with his wand, carefully stabilizing the magic with his free hand. "Striga Fulmen!" From his wand and the tips of his fingers, many small bolts of blue lightning arc out and jump between the centipedes. Kellon, remarkably, is not electrocuted - though he feels a distinct static charge in the air around him.


    "Hsss!"

    Crawling up above the Grick, Spider reaches down from the ceiling over the fire and jabs its fangs into the monster, which shrieks as clear streaks of poison leak from its wounds. As it pulls away, a Grick tentacle reaches up and grabs onto it, the barbed surface tearing out some hairs as it tries and fails to capitalize with its razor sharp beak. The Grick falls back down into the flames, as the last of the webs burn away.

    Another slash from her sword fails to connect, as Gweyir swings. The Grick, now freed from the webbing, swerves around her swipe and makes a fierce warbling call like that of a bird.

    Spoiler: Combat Log
    Show
    Kellon casts Hand of Radiance, dealing 2 radiant damage to the swarm.
    Spider attacks the Grick with a bite, scoring a Sneak Attack for 5 damage and dealing 10 poison damage.

    Grick lashes Spider for 4 damage, but fails to hit with its beak. It takes 3 fire damage, and the webs are destroyed.
    Centipede Swarm attacks Kellon, dealing 9 damage.

    Gweyir attacks Grick, but misses.
    Anton casts (Kellon Arcana: Unknown) on the swarm, dealing 10 lightning damage.

    It is Kellon's turn.

  24. - Top - End - #204
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    "Ah! Ah! Bastard," Kellon curses as he feels a forest of centipede bites on his legs and tail. The lightning from Anton comes as welcome aid, but Kellon knows that he might be meal for the worms soon if he does not take a different approach.

    Hearing the sounds of battle outside, Kellon tells Anton, "Go help the others! I'll hold them back!" Kellon pulls out a small silver mirror from his component pouch and points it at the swarm. "Shellshield!"
    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Kellon casts Sanctuary on himself. He also takes the Dodge action.
    Last edited by Prehysterical; 2020-10-24 at 06:02 PM.

  25. - Top - End - #205
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    The swarm surrounding Kellon is quelled by the holy magic as it forms a halo of light around him.

    Crawling along the ceiling, Spider drops down into the room behind the Grick and raises its forelegs, hissing and moving in for another bite. But the serpentine monster swerves out of the way and grabs onto Spider with its tentacles. The razor sharp barbs shred into the arachnid's body as the Grick lunges in for a bite, savaging its prey as its coils hug the wall to avoid the flames.

    "Spider!" Gweyir calls out. But as the beak is about to snap shut, Rose's spirit emerges and interposes itself, the bite caught and slowed in her ectoplasmic form. "Get away!"

    The creature proves that its fight is far from over, continuing to swerve around Gweyir's sword blade. "Spider, get up!" she shouts, healing magic interlacing with her words and bringing the creature back to consciousness.

    Anton looks between Kellon and the others and sends another pulse of energy into the centipedes, frying them completely. "Now we can both help them!" he declares, as he turns and runs their way.

    Spoiler: Combat Log
    Show
    Kellon casts Sanctuary, and uses the Dodge action.
    Spider drops down behind the Grick to flank and bites at it again, but misses.

    Grick lashes Spider, hitting for 13 damage and knocking Spider out, then bites - but hits Rose instead. Grick avoids fire damage this turn.
    Centipede Swarm attempts to attack Kellon, but fails to overcome Sanctuary.

    Gweyir attacks the Grick, but misses. She casts Healing Word, healing Spider for 3.
    Anton sends a pulse through his spell, hitting automatically for 12 lightning damage, frying the swarm.

    It is Kellon's turn.


    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Went to grab food, back now.

  26. - Top - End - #206
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    Prehysterical's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Kellon rounds the corner and sees Spider badly wounded by the horror. He goes around Gweyir and thrusts the glowing spearhead at the grick. "Get away from him, you bastard!"
    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Attack roll: (1d20+6)[24]
    Damage: (1d8+4)[12] (Two-handed) Piercing

  27. - Top - End - #207
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Kellon's spear catches the creature off guard and impales it straight through its midsection. With a gargled sound it releases Spider and tries to pull away, but falters and falls down, corpse slowly being scorched by the fire until Gweyir dispels it and hurries to check on Spider.

    She kneels down next to Spider, as Rose steps to the side and looks on in worry. "The birdsnake is very sharp and not cute at all."

    "Easy there, here," she reaches into Spider's silk pouch and takes the shimmering red bottle inside, helping Spider to drink Anton's elixir. The scratches along its back oozing with invertebrate blood begin to mend over.

    "Are you going to be okay?" Rose asks, wringing her hands together.

    "Yup! All better now," Spider declares, standing more steadily. "Thank you for helping me, friends! You're all the very best!"

    Spoiler: Mechanics
    Show
    Spider is healed for 6 by the healing elixir.

  28. - Top - End - #208
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Kellon wrenches the spear free with a sickening crunch, leaning against the wall. If he was physically capable of it, he would be sweating, but the panting reaction is just as natural. Recovering his composure, he steps into the room to clear up the hallway. Thank the gods Spider seems to be okay.

    The tortle waves off Spider's thanks. "Think nothing of it, boyo. I wouldn't wish that foul thing on my worst enemy." Looking to Gweyir, Kellon asks, "I don't suppose you got one of those healing potions from the bedroom upstairs, do you?"
    Last edited by Prehysterical; 2020-10-24 at 06:57 PM.

  29. - Top - End - #209
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    BlueKnightGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of Strahd Solo Run (IC)

    Gweyir nods and pulls one out of her belt pouch, handing it off to Kellon. Anton comes up behind them, stepping over the fried Grick and cringing at the smell, holding a handkerchief over his nose.

    "Eugh. What is this thing?"

    "A Grick. Predators from the deep underground, their hides are tough to pierce without magical weapons. Spider's venom looked like it did a number on that guy though," she smiles and pats Spider's head, causing it to titter happily again.

    The room they're in has a few more passages breaking off from it. On one end is a small alcove containing a statue that's fallen apart beyond repair, and beneath it a narrow hole down into darkness, about the width of the Grick's body.

  30. - Top - End - #210
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Kellon accepts the potion with thanks and drinks it. He feels the stinging bite wounds and rips on his lower half heal with its magic.
    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Potion heals (2d4+2)[7] hit points


    Wiping his beak, Kellon growls, "And Moradin was more than happy to supply the rest." He taps the butt of the spear against the floor. Perhaps the dwarf would rest a little easier knowing that the weapon was being used to put down such horrid monstrosities.

    Cautiously, Kellon approaches the hole that the grick likely emerged from. "Ugh, do you think that this house sits right on top of an entrance to the Underdark?"
    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Perception check for both the hole (like smells) and the broken remains of the statue: (1d20+3)[8]

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