Skaflocs Blog: Session 23a: "It's nearly a Bomber moon......!" or "3 pairs of hands are better than 1".

31/01/24

29th Day of Rainmoot: 1492 (Pseudo Session)

Mission: Find the Sun Sword.

Campaign: Tales from the Bard

Location(s): Barovia, van Richten's Tower, Argynvostholt

Present: Ezmerelda, Rictovio & Bomber Longbeard.

The others had left yesterday and Ezmerelda had returned. Rictovio and Ezmerelda were planning something, Bomber butted in.

Bomber: "Hey, don't think you're leaving me out of whatever you're planning, I want in".

Rictovio: "Think you can handle it?"

Bomber: "Yes, certainly..........I think".

Ezmerelda: "Let him come, he'll only fret and do something stupid, at least we can keep an eye on him!"

Rictovio: "Ok, but, you do what we say, when we tell you to do it, understand?"

Bomber: "Of course, of course".

The journey by wagon took barely two hours. High above the river valley a quiet promontory jutted out, upon which loomed a sepulchral mansion its turrets capped with fairy tale cones. A third of the structure had collapsed, including part of the roof. The rest of the structure appeared intact. A dark, octagonal tower rose above the dark architecture.

In the fog a bell peeled, followed by the howling of wolves in the woods below. The house remained silent, like the fossilized remains of some long, dead thing, smote upon the hill side.

Perched atop a large crumbling block of granite stood the statue of a dragon. From it's appearance Rictovio spoke to no-one in particular, a Silver Dragon. It's wings tucked close to its body, looking downwards to the east towards the mansion.

Rictovio spoke words of incanted magic and said.

Rictovio: "We are lucky, the magic aura is still there but the magic spell is gone. Otherwise that statue would have blasted us with a breath trap!"

Entering the mansion Rictovio told Bomber to stay behind them, meaning Ezmerelda and himself.

The room felt like a King's tomb. A grand staircase led up to stone balconies, held aloft by stone pillars and arches.

A tall, faded tapestry depicting a nobleman in sliver armour hung from an old iron rod above the staircase landing.

Six sets of double doors led from this foyer. Along the walls, displayed on marble pedestals, were three alabaster busts of handsome men. A fourth bust and its pedestal had been knocked over. The shattered remains scattered across the floor. Two chandeliers of wrought iron hung from the ceiling like monstrous black spiders.

Ezmerelda: "Enough of this, let me make us invisible, we can move quicker and in safety."

Ezmerelda uttered the incantation and Bomber saw Ezmerelda and Rictovio disappear then he could see them again.

Rictovio: "Ok Bomber you are now invisible, don't attack anything, don't touch anything and watch where we walk".

Bomber nodded his head.

Just in time for as they progressed Rictovio pointed to the ceiling. Giant spiders, to many to count, moved amongst thick webs stretched from wall to wall. They carefully avoided the threat.

Entering another room (Q6) the unlit fire suddenly burst into flame. They stood still. The flames formed a dragon shape. The shape hissed.......

Dragon: "My knights have fallen into darkness. Save them if you can. Show them the light they have lost".

With that the fire burned out.

Circumventing bedrooms, kitchens stables Ezmerelda led them onwards until at last they came to a room . The west wall of this 50ft long, 30ft wide audience hall has crumbled, leaving a gaping hole and a pile of rubble. Weapons and shields that once hung from the walls have fallen to the floor and succumbed to rust. A large, wooden throne carved to resemble a dragon with unfolded wings faced 3 tall windows to the west. Slumped on the throne was a gaunt, armoured figure with one gauntlet wrapped around the hilt of a once great, great sword, the blade nowhere to be seen.

Vladimir Horngaard

Body: "I am Vladimir Horngaard, commander of the fallen Order of the Silver Dragon. I know you are there, even though I cannot see you. If you have come to destroy me, know this: I perished defending this land from evil over four centuries ago, and because of my failure, I am doomed forever. If you destroy this body I shall find another, and another and I will hunt you down. You cannot free me from my damnation, nor would I wish it. If you have come to free this land from the creature that feasts on the blood of the innocent, know this: There is no monster I hate more then Strahd von Zarovich.

He slew Argynvost, broke the life of the knights I once loved, and destroyed the valiant order to which I devoted my life, but Strahd has already died once! He can't be allowed to die again.. Instead , he must suffer in a hell of his own creation, from which he can never escape .Whatever can be done to bring him misery and unrest, I will do, but I will destroy anyone who tries to end his torment.

Rictovio: "My Lord Vladimir Horngaard, I am but a mere servant of the light which ultimately aims to destroy Strahd von Zarovich and his evil minions. Believe me when I tell you we are close to accomplishing this. However you can aid our cause by relinquishing the hilt of the sword in your hand into our keeping. Safe in the knowledge that it will be used to aid us in the destruction of the monster. If I lie then you may seek me out and rest from me my very life and the soul I hold dear."

Vladimir: "Your words speak truth. I shall relinquish the hilt of the Sun Sword into your keeping. Use it well. It's power is not unlimited but it is potent. I ask only one thing. Once destroyed bring back to us the light, bring back the skull of Argynvost and replace it in the beacon tower. Once there my brothers can be released from their torment and seek the peace they crave, will you do this?"

Rictovio: "Upon my word I will. If I should fall then another shall take up the task. If we all fail then you shall know for none shall return and it will fall to others. But I pledge that as long as one of us stand victorious then it shall be done".

Vladimir: "Then the Sun Sword is yours."

Vladimir held out the hilt and Rictovio took possession. As he did so Vladimir seized his hand.

Vladimir: "Do not fail me or you will suffer the same curse as I and my brothers in arms."

Vladimir let go of Rictovio's hand and slumped back on the throne, hands by his side.

Rictovio ushered Ezmerelda and Bomber out of the mansion. On a few occasions narrowly missing traps and Revenants wandering the corridors.

Once outside they got back in the wagon and headed back to the tower.