TOPIC: Meet at the Inn

Delmar readies his axe and shield and goes with the group in pursuit of the foul beast.

Setting off in hot pursuit your group has little trouble following the wolves through the empty streets and though they lead you on a winding chase you quickly come into sight of a weary-looking mansion behind a rusting iron fence.

The iron gates are twisted and torn from their hinges. The right gate lies cast aside while the left swings lazily in the wind. The stuttering squeal and clang of the gate repeats with mindless precision. Weeds choke the grounds and press with menace upon the house itself. Yet, against the walls, the growth has been trodden under and stained with blood marking the passage of the wolves clearly.

Heavy claw markings have stripped the once-beautiful finish of the walls where the frienzied beats tried to batter their way inside. Great black blottings tell of the fires that have assailed the walls on previous nights and not a pane nor shard of glass remains in any window.

Instead they are barred or boarded up with heavy planks save one which lies smashed open as if by some great force. From inside the sound of animals echos in the night.

Wasting no time your group follows the same path as the wolves into the darkened interior. Inside the house is well furnished, although the fixtures show sign of considerable signs of wear. Holy symbols lie strewn about the room mangled and crushed and the house reeks of death. The stench is almost enough to make you retch.

A few paths are open to you, a drawing room lit by morbid candle light, inside what appears to be the body of an elderly man lying in state. A once grand staircase leading the second level, and a nondescript door now battered open leading to the kitchens.

You are debating your course when the sound of battle from the kitchens settles the matter for you. Racing inside you see Ismark trying desperatly to hold the wolves at bay from a cellar door wielding a silver knife in one hand and a torch in the other. Two of the lesser wolves lay dead but three others and the monster leading them still circle Ismark waiting for the inevitable as blood pours from a wicked looking wound on his left shoulder.

It appears for the moment at least you have the element of surprise.

Seeing Ismark in danger from such horrid creatures I immediately draw on the arcane energies at my command. Taking Breon's suggestion to heart, I knit together a spell of fire. I feel the energy rise up, the power of it threatening to overwhelm me. But instead of fearing this power, I draw in more. For I know that the more painfully it burns in my chest the stronger the spell will be when unleashed. Only fractions of a second pass by but it seems far longer to me. Then, after I cannot bear to hold onto the energies any longer, I unleash the fire on the wolves. Flames race out from my hands engulfing the creatures but harmlessly passing by my allies.

(Fireball: Does 30 pts of fire to all monsters. Reflex DC-12 for half damage.)

Taking quick action as I notice the monsters have not seen us as yet, I force my way to striking distance of the leader. Shoving the lesser creatures to the side with my shield I bring my axe down upon the upper portion of the werewolf.

Roll = 17 +7 to hit for 24
Dmg(2d6) = 9 + 7 for 16

Breon's staff glows as he points it at the lead werewolf.

"Incaendefacio!" he exclaims, as a white hot ray flashes from his staff and hits the werewolf.

(Scorching Ray - 17 dam - don't remember if there is a save, don't think so)
(With my Ring of Wizardry and Sniper's Specs, I'm not worried about sliding to hit, but how can I go for a critical hit? RoW does crit for ranged spells on a nat 20 - just roll for it? If yes, then I did not make it this time.)

Cram moves past the wizards, and strikes at the beast.
14 + 8 = 22 to hit (dam 17 + 2 cold + 2 fire)

Adeya’s fire streaks across the room exploding with an impressive crack and for just an instant drawing the air from your lungs as it races back into the room to replace what was burned off. The blast fully incinerates the two closest lesser wolves leaving only charred bits of burning flesh and fur.

The rest of you make short work of the lead wolf before it can properly react to your presence.

Ismark falls to his knees breathing heavily and once he has caught his breath thanks you for your timely assistance. Calls for Ireena and pulls himself to his feet clutching his damaged shoulder. Presently the heavily barred cellar door opens an experimental crack then flies open as Ireena see’s the dead wolves and her brother wounds frantically and rushes to his side taking the torch and easing him back into a chair.


(OOC Yes for RoW just roll a dice, crit on a 20)

(OOC) I'm heading out of town shortly for a funeral. I will only be around spottily. So please keep me around on autopilot, and I'll be back Sunday night.

Meanwhile...

Barkley looks upon the dead wolves, and pulls out a scroll. As he reads, glowing energies flow from the corpses and into Ismark's wound (scroll of Siphon Spirit, heals 8 pts)

Ismark thanks you as the wound on his shoulder begins to heal then goes shock white and begins screaming for Ireena to get away as the sound of a slow clap echoes through the room gradually giving way to slow sadistic laughter. Standing in the door behind you illuminated by the flickering torch light is the ancient visage of the vampire Strahd.

"Welcome friends, I am so glad you could accept my little... invitation," he says slowly glancing towards his slain minions, "I trust you enjoyed the evenings entertainment."

Ireena screams and bolts for the cellar but in response to a gesture from Strahd the door closes and bolts from the other side before she can get inside.

Are we on the same side of the door as Ireena and Strahd?

darkangel866 wrote: Are we on the same side of the door as Ireena and Strahd?

Yes

If possible, we maneuver to put ourselves between Strahd and his intended victims.

"Count Strahd," Breon says with a cold look, "This is an unexpected pleasure. We were planning on visiting you in the morning."