Left off in the basement of the Wachter house. Tracks in the
earthen floor showed many people going to a blank wall so they progressed that
way. Attacked by skeletons that came out of the ground. After that brief
encounter they found the secret door in the wall and opened it to find a
painted pentagram on the floor with cloaked people sitting at the points. Dom
already found evil books about summoning upstairs but noticed they were a
forgery. They people around the pentagram were villagers that thought Fiona was
able to summon something. Group killed them all. Other than coins and other
valuables no magic items were found.
The group took the Mirror and left for Castle Ravenloft.
Once they reached the crossroads that either lead down to the village of Barovia
or to the Castle they found a black carriage sitting at the side of the
cobble stoned road drawn by two black horses which puffed steamy breath into the
foggy mountain air. The side door swung open silently. No driver though. As the
group was already with Esmeralda’s wagon they went on their way. After winding
their way through the forest and craggy mountain peaks they finally see the
castle which reaches a height of around 360 feet. Twin turrets of stone guard a
lowered drawbridge that spans a 50 foot wide chasm. Beyond the chasm is the 90
foot tall walls that surround the castle and courtyard. The bridge creaks and
splinters as you all walk across leaving the wagon on the far side. Through the
archway on the far side of the drawbridge and under a rusty raised portcullis
you find yourself in the front courtyard. In front of you a set of open double
doors invite you in to the lit warmth beyond. A quick scan around reveals no
windows on the lower 90 feet of the castle but plenty of arrow slits. A stained
glass round window above the doorway and a red roof of upper buildings. The
courtyard extends around the castle to both sides as well but the group presses
into the castle through the open doors.
Inside is a 20 foot square room with another set of double
doors across from you. As you enter the other doors swing open. As you look
around you see 4 dragon statues glaring down at you from overhead in this
vaulted entry foyer. As you move through into the great entry, which is a large
octagonal room, you see the following: Four columns supporting the vaulted
ceiling, cobwebs stretch between them; torches in sconces lighting the room; eight gargoyle statues squatting motionlessly on the rim of the domed ceiling; cracked and faded ceiling frescos. Double doors of bronze across from you, a
grand staircase to the right leading up, and a lit hallway to the right.
An elf
with brown skin and long black hair descends the stairs. He says, “My master is
expecting you”. With that he motions you down the hall to the right. The hallway
is only 30 feet long but 20 feet wide. A door is on the right wall, a smaller
hallway to the left and a suit of armor in an alcove stand just after the left
hall. The elf ushers you into the door where you hear organ music coming from
within. This is a dining hall with a very large organ at the back where a
cloaked figure is playing a song. There are places set for each of you and
after you enter, the elf leaves. The figure stops playing and turns to you and
greats you. It is the devil Strahd. He converses with the group for a few
rounds of general questions. After a few annoying questions he has had enough
and he suddenly disappears. He says they have out-stayed their welcome. All the
doors suddenly slam shut, the portcullis closes, the drawbridge raises, and all
the torches extinguish.
The group looks around briefly then leave the room the way
they entered. Once In the hall the decide to try out the armor. Someone wears
it as it is a suit of plate mail. (I think it is Dom wearing it) They head back
to the great hall and are attacked by the gargoyles. During the fight something
cast a fireball from the stairs. Zoji heads up the stairs but sees nothing
while others finish off the gargoyles. Up the stairs they find a room with 2
more suits of armor. Zoji inspects and is assaulted by one as it moves forward
and slices at him. They find out they are only spring loaded traps, probably
meant to scare. Two staircase head further up but they decide to clear the
first floor first.
Back to the great hall and they decide to see if the dragons
are real, They are and after a fight with them they now have a sort of clear
escape route. Through the bronze doors that are at the start of a 70 foot
hallway with another set at the far end. Though those they are now in a chapel
at the back side of the castle. Broken stained glass windows and balcony above
the entry are first noticed. Then an alter with a silver statuette on it and a
slumped body next to it. The body has been burnt as if by lightning. The room
radiates good as does the statuette. The group takes the statuette and the mace
found next to the body, both of which are magical.
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