Castlevania II: Dracula's Curse (IC)

[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 4 (Light Domain) AC: 17 HP: 31/31 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: -- Channel Divinity: 1/1 Warding Flare: 1/3

"Wherever we go in this monastery, it will be a long, quiet walk. It was built that way. I say we go straight to the catacombs, and ask the monks how to get there if we can't find the way ourselves."

[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

Titus agreed: "Let's go to the ground floor and take a look at the chappel first - usually the crypt entrance is close to the altar."

Joining the priest, Titus marched down the stairs, not showing the slightest sign of the attack, after a thorough application of his magic trick to clean up the clothes of the party.

[Amnestic]

Chloé Clement High Elf Alchemist Artificer AC: 17 HP: 28/31 (0/4 HD) PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: Concentrating: Experimental Elixir: Resilience (Sabian) Decanter: 1/3 Spell Slots - 1st: 0/3 Chloé makes sure to burn the remnants of the bodies. The monks beliefs were not her own, and she'd rather guarantee nothing got back up again. "Let's just...stay on guard. The monks might understand, but another fight's probably on the way." Without any other suggestions on their next path, the chapel did seem the ideal first step. There might be offices nearby that had documents, even if there was no one there that could or would guide their way.

Spoiler: Servant Statblock

Show

PB=2

Tiny construct
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 9 (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: (+6) 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]

After an hour and a half, you descend down into the monastery again. The third floor exterior ring is entirely composed of the monks’ cells, just as on the second floor. You're pretty sure two of the cells are occupied based on snoring.

An open doorway in the northeast corner leads into the library area. You haven't been there yet. There is a door-frame, but it is very scratched up and the door appears to have been ripped off.

If you wish to go back the way you came, you can work your way around to the southwestern corner of the floor.

[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 4 (Light Domain) AC: 17 HP: 31/31 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: -- Channel Divinity: 1/1 Warding Flare: 1/3

Mustafa whistled softly, so the party could stop without making a lot of noise. Once they huddled closer, he whispered: They might have scrolls..."[/QUOTE]

[Amnestic]

Chloé Clement High Elf Alchemist Artificer AC: 17 HP: 28/31 (0/4 HD) PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: Concentrating: Experimental Elixir: Resilience (Sabian) Decanter: 1/3 Spell Slots - 1st: 0/3 "Even if they don't, we don't want someone coming out from there behind us," Chloé whispers back. If the monks found then ransacking their library any hope for a peaceful negotiation would be out of the window. But, silently, she doesn't expect such a negotiation will be possible anyway.

Spoiler: Servant Statblock

Show

PB=2

Tiny construct
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 9 (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: (+6) 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.

[Infernally Clay]

Cassandra Hartdegen High Elf Wizard Bladesinger 4 AC: 15 | HP: 31/31 | HD: 2/4 Spell Slots: 1st: 2/3 | 2nd: 0/3 Spells Prepared: 1st - Shield, Absorb Elements, Burning Hands 2nd - Misty Step, Invisibility, Flaming Sphere, Web Bladesongs: 0/2 Arcane Recovery (2): 0/1 Active Effects: None Concentrating: None Conditions: Exhaustion (1)

"I'm not missing an opportunity to gather more spells," Cass whispers plainly, "If things hadn't gone south I'd have asked them for access anyway.*

She then quietly enters the library and searches for anything useful to her or the other spellcasters in the group.

Spoiler

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Investigation or Perception check: (1d20+3)[21]

[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

Titus whispered back: "I'll keep watch and if necessary keep them occupied."

[J-H]

Titus remains outside, while Cassandra and the others go into the library. The interior section of the monastery is approximately 80’ x 80’. A 10’ wide corridor winds its way through the library and past a couple of smaller rooms to stairs in the southwest.

On the third floor, approximately 50% of the inner space is devoted to a library. Shelves and scroll-racks stand eight feet high under a slightly arched ceiling that goes up to about 20’ at the center. There is some damage near the door, but it’s minor. The shelves are only partway full, and have relatively broad aisles between them that allow two people to pass each other comfortably. It’s well lit by magical lights attached to the ceiling.

About 10 minutes pass as you search the library. Most of the items in the library are texts related to theology or the development of virtue; unfortunately, ascetics tend to not pen numerous thousand-page tomes like academics would. The scroll-racks do contain a few clerical scrolls.

Spoiler: Scrolls

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 Cure Wounds x 5
 Water Breathing x 2
 Shield of Faith x 2
 Aid x 2
 Revivify x1
 Beacon of Hope x 1

Two other rooms occupy the southern part of the inner core, with the hall running between them and then turning towards stairs in the southwestern corner.

The larger room's doors are shut, but the smaller one's door, which faces towards the library, appears to have been broken open. There are weapons on racks inside.

[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 4 (Light Domain) AC: 17 HP: 31/31 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: -- Channel Divinity: 1/1 Warding Flare: 1/3

Mustafa's eyes gleam as he beholds the variety of scrolls. "Marvelous," he exclaims in a low whisper, gathering them and rolling them up neatly into his backpack. "I can't believe them monks didn't offer us these scrolls to aid in our crusade. This could mean the difference between life and death."

He glances at the weapon rack. "Now what could have happened here...?"

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 41/41 HD: 0/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Cold, Fire, Necrotic Conditions: -- Rages: 0/3 Relentless Endurance: 0/1 Sabian creeps into the room with the weapon racks to see if there is anything in there that can be of use to them.

[J-H]

The room Sabian enters appears to be an armory. There are racks and holders along the wall and round the room, but some have gaps where weapons are apparently missing. A number of quarterstaffs, short swords, and throwing knives remain. On a table in the middle lie a couple of items that seem to have been thrown there: A black rod with a ruby tip and an ivory wand, on top of a pair of small cloth bags.

[Infernally Clay]

Cassandra Hartdegen High Elf Wizard Bladesinger 4 AC: 15 | HP: 31/31 | HD: 2/4 Spell Slots: 1st: 2/3 | 2nd: 0/3 Spells Prepared: 1st - Shield, Absorb Elements, Burning Hands 2nd - Misty Step, Invisibility, Flaming Sphere, Web Bladesongs: 0/2 Arcane Recovery (2): 0/1 Active Effects: None Concentrating: None Conditions: Exhaustion (1)

"Let's see what these things are." Cass says as she prepares a ritual.

Spoiler

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Cast Identify as a ritual, first on the wand then on the rod. If we have time Cass will also cast Detect Magic as a ritual to see if anything else in the room is worth checking.

[Amnestic]

Chloé Clement High Elf Alchemist Artificer AC: 17 HP: 28/31 (0/4 HD) PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: Concentrating: Experimental Elixir: Resilience (Sabian) Decanter: 1/3 Spell Slots - 1st: 0/3 Chloé carefully poked at the bags, before searching her own for the pearl magisolution that helped in analysis. The search takes time, as she is unaware she has misplaced her pearl three weeks ago.

Spoiler: Servant Statblock

Show

PB=2

Tiny construct
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 9 (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: (+6) 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]

Cassandra identifies a Rod of the Pact Keeper +1 and a Wand of Secrets. As she begins to study one of the bags, Chloe starts to smell food, and the sound of a gong or bell reverberates through the monastery.

[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

Titus looked inside and whisper-called to his closest companion: "They are calling everyone to Vesper. It won't be long before they miss their brother. But it's also a unique chance for us to quickly move through the building - finish up in there and let's move"

[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 4 (Light Domain) AC: 17 HP: 31/31 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: -- Channel Divinity: 1/1 Warding Flare: 1/3

Mustafa snatches some light book on theology, something for him to read on the road, and returns to the entrance of the library. "Aye. Let's move."

[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

While the others finished up in the library, Titus listened. Once he could no longer hear footsteps closing in on the refectory, he nodded at his companions and moved out and down towards the center of the monastery, to find the chapel.

Spoiler

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Perception

(1d20+3)[7]

[J-H]

Hearing what you assume is a call to dinner, the group decides to wait in the library. It doesn't take very long to hear someone ascending the steps in the southwestern corner of the core, beyond the room you haven't explored yet. You hear panting and see a very sweaty werewolf monk turn the corner. He seems very surprised to see you, his ears involuntarily perking up. "What? Who are you?"

[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 4 (Light Domain) AC: 17 HP: 31/31 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: -- Channel Divinity: 1/1 Warding Flare: 1/3

Mustafa keeps his head low and his hands joined piously as they walk, murmuring long prayers to the Gods of Light. He doesn't even look up to the werewolf monk when he runs into them.

[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

Titus looked at the werewolf with a frown:
"Weren't you informed by Brother Iorghu? We are the Belmonte delegation. We are investigating and fighting against Dracula's Curse.
Our mission is of utmost importance. Hopefully, we can reverse your curse as well.
But since you are here right now, would you mind giving us directions to the chapel? We don't want to disturb you and your brothers or keep you from your well earned meal, but we are all in need of the salvation that it holds. Unfortunately, Iorghu left us in a hurry when he felt his hunger."

Spoiler

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Persuasion
(1d20+7)[9], (1d20+7)[21]

[J-H]

He looks puzzled for a moment. "Down these stairs. Did he not tell you? There is only one right path to walk, and all must walk it through the many twists, turns, and steps of life. Brother Simion and Brother Adam should be down there. They come late to meals now. Please respect their silence if they are still praying when you arrive.

I'll step aside here in the Scriptorium for a moment while you pass. It's not like I'll distract anyone. It's too hard to write like this." He sounds frustrated.

The monk enters the door near the stairs of the large room that you haven't investigated yet.

Spoiler: 3rd floor map

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[dangelo]

Mustafa the Vampiralgietch Human Cleric 4 (Light Domain) AC: 17 HP: 31/31 PP: 13 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhausted 1 Concentrating: -- Channel Divinity: 1/1 Warding Flare: 1/3

Mustafa peeks under his low gaze. "I feel tempted to explore this floor. Maybe one of us can keep that monk busy while the others sneak around." He whispers. "On a second thought, though, we should take the win and leave. This can go very badly very fast. Let's make straight for the chapel."

[Dr.Samurai]

Sabian Skellegue Half-Orc Barbarian AC: 21 HP: 41/41 HD: 0/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 10 PIst: 11 Raging: No Reckless: No Resistances: Cold, Fire, Necrotic Conditions: -- Rages: 0/3 Relentless Endurance: 0/1 Sabian begins to move as soon as he realizes the diplomacy has worked. However, he feels a sudden pang of sympathy at the monk's parting words, that it is too difficult for the monks to write in this form. He stops just as abruptly, and says to the departing monk, Thank you brother. We will do everything we can to defeat Dracula and restore you. Leaving the werewolf to the scriptorium, Sabian leads the group down the stairs toward the chapel.

[Amnestic]

Chloé Clement High Elf Alchemist Artificer AC: 17 HP: 28/31 (0/4 HD) PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: Concentrating: Experimental Elixir: Resilience (Sabian) Decanter: 1/3 Spell Slots - 1st: 0/3 Chloé quietly nods. "The sooner we're done here the better." Every moment they stayed increased the chance of fang-attached problems.

Spoiler: Servant Statblock

Show

PB=2

Tiny construct
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 9 (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: (+6) 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.

[/QUOTE]

[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

Titus nodded, careful not to smile or otherwise to bare his teeth:
"Thank you. We'll be out of your hair momentarily."

Then he hurried after the others down the stairs.

[J-H]

Spoiler: Scriptorium, general knowledge everyone knows

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A scriptorium is a room used for copying and illuminating books, manuscripts, and spell scrolls. Supplies for doing these things are likely inside.

Second Floor - Interior
Stairs in the southwest corner descend from the third floor, while another set in the northeast lead down to the ground floor. The area is well-lit with magical lights in the ceiling.

The floor has two open areas, separated by an intermittent dividing wall, and one walled-off room with double doors. The double doors are closed.

On your right as you follow the path northeast to the stairs down is an area where the stone is covered with scuffed and worn carpets and cushioning. Several rectangular areas are marked on the floor for martial arts practice. Several heavy canvas bags stuffed with wool are suspended from the ceiling with ropes near the wall. One of them is swinging back and forth gently, and has some dents in it.

On the left is an area that takes up about half the interior space. Wooden walls divide it from the rest of the floor, but with several gaps for easy passage in and out. The walls also seem to provide a convenient place to hang tools and supplies. Within the workshop, a number of large work tables are set with different pieces of equipment and projects in process. Nothing appears disturbed or damaged, and you see evidence or tools for alchemy, brewing, candle-making, carpentry, leather-working, and weaving.

=> Go down stairs to first floor? Or explore?

[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

Titus looked longingly at the work benches, but shook his head:
"We've committed enough sins against our hosts for the moment. No need to steal things that will be obviously missing."

[J-H]

You take the stairs without further delay. The stairs from the second floor lead down to a chapel, lit with a solemn golden light by everburning torches mounted on lampstands along the walls.

The northwestern corner of the room is fenced off with a wall that appears to be composed of bones, although there is an arched opening. The ossuary is a storage area for the bones of past Brothers. It is more space-efficient, artful, and safer in terms of necromancy prevention, as the bones are individually blessed before being added to it. Long bones make up the walls and support posts, while smaller bones are used as joints (with glue) and to make patterns and even spell out simple prayers. Skulls, meanwhile, line the walls.

Spoiler: visuals

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Sedlec Ossuary, Prague, Austria


Skull Chapel, Poland

The chapel contains a number of unpadded wooden benches, each with a cushion on the floor in front of them for kneeling. At the front is an simple wooden altar, adorned with a golden holy symbol. Atop it rests a thick book of scriptures.

Two more lupine brothers are here, kneeling. One has large patches of grey throughout the hair in his body, and his robes are secured with an unusually thick belt of ornate black leather.

Spoiler: Map of ground floor

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[Pyrophilios]

Titus Malvallée Half-Elf Celestial Warlock 4 AC: 17 HP: 31/31 HD: 4/4 PPer: 13 PInv: 12 PIst: 11 Healing Light: 3/5 Resistances: Conditions: Spell slots: 2/2

Titus followed Sabian and the others, but stopped short when he saw the two brothers in prayer. At first he thought, they were screwed. But then he realized that this was in fact an opportunity.

Boldly and with more confidence than he actually had, Titus stepped towards the grey haired brother and whispered:

"Honorable brother, we have come here in the name of the Lord of Light to receive the artifact. Are you the key master that the prophecy speaks of?"


As the wolf monk looked at him in confusion, Titus continued:

"I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone else - hard to tell with all the transformations around here. Sorry for the interruption. May Lathander's light shine upon you."

With that, he hurried back to the others to enter the ossuary.

Spoiler

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Persuasion

(1d20+7)[9], (1d20+7)[16],