Chapter 0: Summons to Bavara

[Zanaikin]

Satella weighed her options and decided that even against a likely foe, it'll be quite impossible to justify this trip without at least some truth. Focusing her mind to speak through her dreams, she heard her own voice for the first time in some period:
"We seek an audience with the King of Barovia and to assess the realm... and now that I've answered your question let's be a little fair: who are you and what does an agent of Tsarovia wish of the mists?"

[Mr_Praetorian]

[Outside]
“An audience?” the shadow responded with a tone of intrigue. “You will find that the throne is occupied, but the audience has been silent for quite some time. Whilst the realm has become little more than a parody thereof. A mere... shadow, of its former self.

It is a hungry shadow, one wrought of anger and betrayal. Much like the one that dwells within you, dear dreamer.”

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[Inside]

(The barbarian is a female human. The Sveburgen are group of barbaric humans that live in the northern forests).
And so the drinking continues at the dwarven table, as Sharos bumbles about jovially...

----------

Upon stepping outside the inn, the ranger in green was waiting for Athaulf. His hood was down, and a elven-crafted longbow was in his hand. His features were a mix of fair and rough, and his slightly pointed ears gave him away as half-elven. Pinned to his chest was a silver seal, which Athaulf recognized immediately as a Seal of the Reaver Saint.

“My name is Faerevar Swift, I am a Justiciar of Osirion, and I have been tracking the warrior who left here a moment ago for nearly a fortnight. His name is Jonas Orner and believe me when I say that he is the worst kind of man. Though to call him so is an insult to our lineage. He is, in fact, a monster, long past the point of pity or mercy.

I will spare you the more gruesome details, as we haven’t the time.” Faerevar said, beginning to head head north from the inn’s exit. “But suffice to say that Orner is a very competent warrior, and I’ve already learned that I will need help in bringing him down. So, I would ask your assistance in this task.”

(The Reaver Saint is a particularly powerful champion of Osirion that is devoted to tracking down and slaying the unredeemable. The Justiciars of Osirion hold him as their primary patron (after Osirion)).

[TheDude51]

"I saw his evil from the moment I entered the inn. Lead on, and we will purge his foulness once and for all." Athaulf readies his hammer and follows the Justiciar. (Assuming my still-active Detect Evil doesn't tell me the ranger is evil, and my Sense Motive check (1d20+11=18) detects no falsehoods)

[Zanaikin]

Satella was a bit irritated that not only was this person refusing to answer fairly, he now had the nerve to be excessively presumptious

"You speak as if you know me, yet your words are outright folly. Anger and betrayal? I merely seek to bring an end to this war. Either way--- we shall see this shadow for ourselves soon, and there I doubt there to be a similarity of my own."

[Mr_Praetorian]

[Outside]
“If you say so, Dreamer. I bid thee farewell.” The voice echoed as the shadow, and then entire vision began to blur and fade away.

Satella snapped awake not a moment later, to the sound of steel striking stone being issued from outside the tower.

----------

Athaulf and Faerevar continued walking for bit until they came to trail through some forest, slanting slightly upwards. Faeravar then turned to Athaulf.

“Our enemy will be awaiting us just outside the tower up this path, so now would be as good a time as any to talk tactics. He’s a solid fighter, so may want to keep on the defensive. As you’ve probably noticed, I favor ranged combat, and would thus prefer to fight at a distance. Don’t worry, though, as I’m trained to fire into combat.

However, since you’ll be on the front lines, I should give you these.” Faerevar stopped for a moment to look through a pouch on his belt, and, soon enough, produced two potions.

“A potion of Bless, and a potion of Stoneskin. They should aid you in the forthcoming battle.” He said, handing them to Athaulf.

“Shall we?”

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[Inside]

Sharos continues his drunken display, by hopping on the Sveburgen’s lap and giving her a kiss on the cheek, and then roaming over to sing a slurred song at the dwarven table.

[TheDude51]

"Very well." Athaulf says as he drinks the two potions. "Once we find him, you open the fight with your bow attacks to provoke him into charging. I will put myself between you and catch the charge with my Steadfast Boots."

[Zanaikin]

Still in a bit of an annoyed mood after wasting her time talking to some voice that didn't even have the courtesy to identify himself, Satella pulled herself back up, conjured her air barrier armor, and moved over to the edge of the tower while pulling out her crossbow. She then knelt down near the edge to take a look at what's going on down there.

( Perception: 10+11 = 21; ignore 100ft of penalties )

[Mr_Praetorian]

[Outside]

Peering down from the heights of the tower, Satella could make out a humanoid warrior dressed in tarnished banded mail, and wearing a crimson cloak. In each hand he grasped a savage battleaxe, and even from her distance, she could see the look of a killer in his eyes. (Roll a Wisdom check, and Will Save).

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The continued striking against the tower wall brought Faerevar and Athaulf to halt, and the former peered around a great pine to look up the path.

“There lies our enemy. Watch those axes, as I’ve got a scar for each of them across my chest.” Faerevar said, before taking in a long, slow breath. He then placed an enchantment on his bow, and said, “In the name of Osirion and Solarus Invictus, let justice be done.”

(Dai, Judson, I need initiatives).



(Note: The non-bordered squares denote empty space, as it is a cliffside tower).

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The barroom inanity continues...

[TheDude51]

Init: 1d20+1=15

[Zanaikin]

Wisdom check: 19+1 = 20
Will Save: 6+9 = 15
Init Check: 5+4 = 9

[Mr_Praetorian]

[Outside]

In an instant, the cruel fighter's gaze and yours met, and in that instant you were seemingly pulled down from the tower, into his eyes, and into darkness. Then, there was fire, and screaming and terror. You blurredly looked about, seeing through your eyes, but having no other senses available to you. You were in your home village. No! You were on the road from your village, hurring frantically with the other small group of survivors as what remained of your home was enveloped by solaric flame. You had just made it across the bridge, and hopefully safety. After all, who would attack mothers and children?

But still, some of them fell apon you. A pair of archers, an orcish fighter with a massive sword, a female sorceress, and a human fighter, wielding wicked dual battleaxes, cuts into the refugee column. Screams of terror and cries for mercy and again issued, but in vain. All in their path are slain, and as river begins to run red. Then, human warrior with the battleaxes cries out, as though injured.

In an instant, you are back in the present. An arrow, shot from the path has lodged itself into the shoulder-blade of the warrior, which breaks his concentration. He wheels around to gaze down the path, grimacing with pain, and rage.

(You are Panicked this round, and must roll DC 20 Will vs taking another shot of Absinthe).

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"A fair opening shot," remarks Faerevar, as he strings another another arrow. "Now to see if he takes the bait."

(Faerevar steps to I24, and successfully hits Jonas. Jonas moves to J9
(Initiative Order:
Athaulf
Faerevar
Jonas
Satella)

(Judson, your go)

[TheDude51]

Athaulf moves forward and calls on Sol Invictus, shining with celestial fire as the power of the sun fills him.

Move to J22, Smite Evil on Jonas, activate Divine Bond. Also, due to Steadfast Boots, I'm treated as having a readied action to attack a charging opponent.

AC: 30
HP: 91/91

[Mr_Praetorian]

Faerevar lets loose another two arrows, both whizzing past Athaulf's ears, and both deflected easily by his opponent's axes. Jonas lets out a rough snarl, as he briefly glances back and up, and then withdraws through the double doors into the keep.

Satella hears a heavy figure come crashing into the keep, and begin making its way up the stairs.

(Dai, you're up).

[Zanaikin]

Will save: 11+9 = 20 (just barely...)
Satella is busy panicking... but there isn't a way to run when the enemy seems to be coming up the tower...

[Mr_Praetorian]

Satella is able to belay the call of addiction, as well as regain control of herself (no longer panicked).

(Judson, go).