Curse of Strahd dnd campaign

[SubPhil91]

Been thinking about posting this for a while, figured I finally would to see if anyone wanted to join in. I know there are some interested parties but there is room open for others. Its going to start with level 5 characters so build what you want and pm me. Its the curse of strahd 5e campaign but I've adjusted it and added some stuff so its not just the basic story.

The story starts off in the city of Absalom. A busy, bustling city filled with hundreds of shops, tons of inns and taverns, churches dedicated to almost any God imaginable, and citizens of every race. Your journey starts in the Ivy distric, in the Oak and Rose Inn. A large in with a open bar on the ground floor with ten current occupants. A female aasimar singing lightly as others drink and chat, a human male bartender making drinks for all that ask for one. Two male wood elf chat at a corner table drinking from large mugs, a female tiefling is talking to a small group of soldiers while they drink and eat. [Two male humans and two female halflings.] And one male dwarf sits by himself drinking from a bottle of whiskey.

As you enter you get a few looks but then everyone goes back to their conversations and drinking. The bartender waves you over to serve you a drink, the aasimar's song changes to something a little more upbeat and happy. Welcome to the Oak and Rose Inn.

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn entered the Inn with a bit of trepidation. She had coin in her purse, but not so much as she was used to carrying. Like many in the profession she'd stumbled into (random do-gooder and adventurer) there had been some ebbs and some flows of capital. she reaches into her coinpurse and laughs softly to herself, feeling quite a bit more money in there than when she had grown up here in Absalom, and she shakes her head. "getting too accustomed to a full belly" she mutters. She plasters on a smile and walks over to the bartender, looking him over. THey seemed to be of an age though she didn't recall him being part of the gang of unruly street kids she ran with.

She returns his bland, professional smile and orders "I'll have a white wine. sweet is better than dry, both are better than oaky." she puts a silver on the bar, and looks around. The inn hadn't changed much, though she was no longer breaking into the rooms upstairs for enough coin to feed a few urchins or get a room off the street in the cold of winter. Maybe everything looks different with fewer cares, she mused.

Looking around she can feel the eyes of the elves on her. At least in her head she can. She brushes her red hair over her slightly pointed ears. THe hair, more red than the coppery locks humans called red, her slightly pointed ears and her too green eyes marked her as not entirely human. Her shorter height and broader shoulders marked her as definitely not quite elven. Around the full blooded she always felt a momentary sting of shame. "guess some things remain the same" she mutters and sips at her wine. It was fine, sweet enough it might pair well with some spicy food. she thinks she might grab a bite, when a pang of hunger drifts through her connection with the pseudodragon on her shoulder

* I doubt they have live food for you * she sends back along the link *I'll see if i can get something raw* she speaks up "bartender, some raw meat if there is any. or i can send him back in the back to find his own among the mice"

"we dont have mice here, miss" comes the reply "sure. sure." she hmms "sausage for me as well if there is any." she flashes a few more silver to mollify the wounded ego of the bartender even if she suspected his face was all part of an elaborate ruse to make her do exactly that.

Once the food arrives she wanders over to a table. she takes the case for her new aquired bow which set her back over half her coin, and her new dagger and sets them on the chair next to her. *you'd be flush if you hadn't agreed to buy that boat* came the thought, unbidden from her familiar * a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into*

* I know. eat your fucking dinner*

 

[SubPhil91]

The wood elves look over at Quinn for a few moments as she enters, they watch her for a while before turning back to their drinks and conversation. She can hear them chatting about a few ships in the harbor mysteriously bursting into flames the last few nights.

After a few minutes of her eating someone new walks into the Inn, a tall cloaked figure with a slight limp. A black and green pseudodragon draped over their shoulders. They had up the bar and grab a drink before letting down their hood, revealing a make ice genasi. He looks to be in his mid 20s with light blue skin and tattoos covering part of his right hand. His frozen hair is spiked back and his eyes are bright blue. He looks around the room before looking intently at Quinn. After a minute he gets up and walks over to her and sets down a drink on the table, a clear small glass filled with an aqua liquid. "Sorry to disturb you while you're eating and drinking. I've been going around town trying to find a few people to help me.. Well, my master really. I've tried a few people here over the past few days with no luck, but hopefully that will change today." He takes a drink from his glass and smiles. "Some strange things have been happening around town the past few weeks, we need some brave people to help save our small town. There have been sightings of undead at night, we don't have anyone in town that is really prepared to fight off such things.. Except me, but they decided to send me off to find more help. We would be willing to pay you for helping out of course. Our town would pay well to feel safe again, especially my master, he worries about these undead coming after his daughter." He stands at the table awkwardly rather than sitting down and the pseudodragon seems to stare at her. "Oh, sorry, my name is Marius. I'm not always great with conversations and greetings."

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn gives a small smile "so it would seem" she laughs and leans back in her chair, taking a sip of her wine. "And what, good sir, drew you this way?" she reaches up and pets her pseudodragon. "Not that I mind at all. A girl can always use a few coins." she shifts slightly in her seat and looks over at the wood elves "indeed there does seem to be something strange afoot. I don't suppose your trouble is related to the burning ships in the harbor? Might this trouble be greater than an isolated incident?"

Quinn traces her finger along the rim of her wineglass, making a small sound with it "and who is this master of yours? Is he the local nobility or some sort of merchant? I do like to know a bit about a situation before i go charging in"

*you charge in recklessly even after you get the information*

*you're sassy today* she replied in her head to her familiar

"Why don't we discuss the particulars. what kind of undead, who am i working for. how far away is this town, and so on."

 

[SubPhil91]

He sits down slowly and thinks for a moment. "Well, I saw your pseudodragon and thought you might have powers similarly to me. Maybe that would be enough to help rid our town of these undead.. The burning ships is unrelated, though I have heard a few things about that while I've been in town."

He takes another drink from his glass and watches her face her fingers around her wine glass. "His name is Kolyan Indirovich, he's the mayor. I understand wanting to know more before just charging into a situation. The town is about a day away from here, unless we look a ship. As for the undead.. Well I've heard different stories. I've heard some skeletons, ghouls, but I think the most worrisome would be the vampire spawn. Those are the only ones that I would think are dangerous. Though I haven't been able to confirm the sightings."

He pets his pseudodragon and nods. "We might know who's been setting fire to the ships though. We haven't been able to pin them down though."

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn considers for a long moment "hmmm, well. it seems there's two opportunities aye? though only one with a paymaster" she shifts "vampire spawn? I've no real intention on becoming a thrall to the undead myself... the coin would have to be substantial" she looks over her newly acquired weapons "and i'd hope at the very least we'd have time to find a priest of some sort. As for what powers i have, why its not but my charm" she grins and scratches lightly at her familiar's neck

*of which you have very little*

*piss off*

"I jest, of course. I know my way around a blade, and i've other powers as you surmised. Vampire spawn, however, mean vampires dont they? i mean I admit to hardly being expert on the matter but it does seem to me that where there's the followers there must needs be a leader. Something powerful to keep them in line."

 

[SubPhil91]

Marius smiles at her comment about her charm before looking at his drink. He sighs heavily and finishes his drink with only last gulp. "There is a leader, one who is feared throughout the land. Which is another reason I've come here in search of adventurers. Hes ruled over the lands for centuries, all fear him, and many have opposed him throughout his life. Though none have ever succeeded in dethroning him."

He looks over his shoulder looking around and lowers his voice. "As far as payment goes, if you protect our town, and keep my master's daughter safe, he will reward you greatly. Of course he worries about the citizens, but he worries about his daughter far more. If you need to speak to a priest about there are many around Absalom, we also have a priest in our town, so that is also an option. Whichever you prefer, I am on a bit of a time crunch, however I'm still hoping to find more to accompany you to make things easier."

The room goes quiet as the aasimar stops playing her music and she walks to the bar. She gets two drinks, drinking one quickly before heading back to the stage with the other. Once the music starts playing again Marius continues to speak. "As far as the other opportunity, I know many people are searching for the one setting the flames. But whoever it is, is smart. They are never at the scene when the flames begin, and as far as anyone can tell no fire spell is being cast to start it. That being said, there is always some remnants of magic at the scene. At least this is what I've heard, ive never been able to get close enough. What I have seen, is someone teleporting in town a few minutes before the fires start, so my hunch is maybe this person is doing it. Though, of course I could be wrong."

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn considers a long moment "it may be worth our time to investigate this. either the being you see teleporting in is responsible for the fires and thus stopping him might garner us some allies for your town, or he is himself investigating the fires and might be persuaded, should we help him, to offer his aid to your town. Either way, i think that the potential exists for us to find an ally or two. The priest in your town should suffice i'm sure for fighting the undead but... i'd feel a damn sight better if we had more blades on our side. If, as you say, none have succeeded in toppling this evil you speak of... well i am no great hero. I am quite sure that I am inadequate to the task at least without help"


she takes another sip of her wine, then finishes off her sausage "a pretty face is hardly proof against evil such as that"

 

[SubPhil91]

"Very well, if we are to investigate this person further, we should leave soon. We need to get to a point by the harbor where we can see most of the area. Otherwise it will be unlikely we will spot him. As far as I can tell his teleports are random, but always close to the harbor. Just be on your guard, who knows what he is up to, or why. Though having an ally that can at least teleport a short distance would be a helpful thing to have for future endeavors. I do agree we need extra help, as much as a small party is good for sneaking around, I doubt that will always be helpful. Especially if you intend on going after a ruler. Although you never know, a pretty face might be enough of a distraction against him to get in some quick attacks." He chuckles and scratches his pseudodragon.

The two wood elves stand up from their table and make their way over. They both look back and forth between Quinn and Marius before keeping their eyes on Quinn. The taller of the two, wearing simple leather armor and carrying a shortsword speaks. "The arsonist at the dock is ours to capture. Stay out of this, its none of your business. We are going to claim that bounty, and if anyone gets in our way we won't hesitate to take them out. Besides, hes clearly dangerous, wouldn't want a half breed like yourself getting hurt biting off more than she can chew." The other elf laughs quietly and nods in agreement.

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn frowns and looks over the elves. She rankles at the slur and considers retaliation "Oh, most certainly" she nods to them "Clearly the superior might of a full blooded elf is why your race is so dominant, stretching throughout all the land while humans remain a huddled few, shut away in forests hiding from the world."

SHe offers her most winning smile and leans back in her seat a bit "I wouldn't dream of impinging on the fate of you masters of the continent." she shifts "but, were i to accidentally involve myself in the affair I assure you that I wouldn't need the bounty. I'm sure, being the gracious and powerful beings that you are though, wouldn't begrudge me a favor after you collected the bounty. After all, you'd have proven once again your might and would have full purses to boot."

 

[SubPhil91]

The shorter wood elf speaks this time, "You think think youre going to get the bounty before us? And not only that you want to add further insult by trying to pass the bounty off to us like some sort of gift?! Good luck with that, we will have him today!" He doesn't even wait for a reply before storming out of the Inn. The other wood elf shakes his head before speaking.

"What sort of favor are we talking about? I could be persuaded, even if he doesn't agree with it. It is a large sum of coin, so in trade for a simple favor wouldn't be a bad idea. Even if I don't think you have the slightest shot of reaching him before us. One must be calculating and be prepared for any situation to arise." He sits down at the table next to Marius crossing his arms and looking into Quinn's eyes.

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn nods to the full blooded elf "i propose that we help you, or if we get to the guy first, that we trade him to you in exchange for you agreeing to come help his village. there's coin in that as well. a wealthy man concerned for his daughter is willing to pay some adventurers to fight the undead." she crosses her legs and leans forward "so we accomplish this dock issue, deal with it swiftly and you take the bounty. Then you and your friend take a day trip with us, and help these good people. You get more contacts and more coin. Enhance your reputation and all the while get an assist on this dock issue." she smiles and extends a hand "I'm Quinn, by the way."

 

[SubPhil91]

He goes to shake her hand but stops short of it. "I can agree to that, but i don't think he will. Killing undead is my job, or my main job at least. So I would go, no problem. If you want to join, he will need some heavy convincing. But I will do my best to aid you. My name is Lucan, sorry for being rude earlier but, we do have a reputation to keep around here."He shakes her hand firmly, letting go quickly after.

Marius looks over at him and clears his throat. "Hello, im Marius. Not that it matters I guess.." His voice trails off seeing the wood elf focus on Quinn before standing up. "I need to catch up with him. We will be at the dock, join us, or make your own plans. I dont mind either way, but we shall catch this person and we can meet back here at sunset. I'm sure this arsonist will show themselves well before then."

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn nods to the men and turns to her new companion. "well, lets head down there. i might want to stop and get a mace on the way as well, if you think we have time. If we're going to be leaving for your town shortly after... i think blunt objects are better for undead? i heard? i'm not really sure"

Honestly she expected to be blasting them for the most part, but one never wanted to be caught unawares, or standing next to someone while spellcasting. besides having a mace would make her look more the part. "and some leather armor, but that might take a bit to fit and im sure we can get it on the way"

 

[SubPhil91]

Lucan thinks for a moment before answering. "Lets take care of this arsonist, and then I'll take you to a shop to get what you need. Blunt weapons are great for undead, I always have my trusty Warhammer with me. But most weapons will be fine, unless we fight skeletons.. Or stronger undead. We will be able to find you some armor easily enough. But yeah, lets go find this guy."

Marius stands up and follows Lucan as he leaves the Inn, heading toward the harbor.

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn draws the hood of her grey cloak up around her head, covering her red locks. she tucks a few strey curls in, then grabs her case with her bow. she replaces her dagger in her belt, checking its position for an easy draw. she looks around the inn, wondering how many others in the building are looking for coin, or the escape of adventure. None, however, seem to be offering themselves for either expedition. she nods to Lucan "well, lead on" she gestures to the door, stepping over to it. In a nod to her past on these city streets, she flicks her eyes up and down the street before stepping out into the foot traffic only when she doesn't see any city watch.

She looks down towards the docks, then over to her companion. "are we going the direct route?" she jerks her head towards it "you said you had a notion of where he might appear aye?" she hmmmms "also if you've a description of him, we can send our familars ahead. perhaps they will pick up on his appearance even if we are too far behind, and we can relay that to our reluctant allies"

the dragon beams a thought into her head *they're as like to shoot me as listen* but dismisses the thought with a physical wave of her hand and a reply of her own *they want gold, and so they will listen*

She shifts a bit, looking back to her companion to see what he thinks is best.

 

[SubPhil91]

*Marius and Lucan both look deep in thought after Quinn speaks. Lucan is first to speak, "Well, I planned on taking the quickest route there until we got closer. Then sneak off to where I think he will show up today. If you trust your familiars out ahead that is a good idea, just make sure they stay high enough to not be spotted."

As you walk toward the dock the city guard seems to be focused on the ships further to the East. The streets start to get more crowded, both by citizens and guards riding around on large birds that walk through the street. Lucan seems to always be in the way of any guards you pass so the ones that are being observant don't even see more than a quick blur of Quinn. Lucan moves to the side of the walkway and down an alley before speaking again. "Set your familiars go here, they are looking for a man in a dark blue cloak. Theres a golden emblem on his back though I've never gotten close enough to see what it actually is. I've seen he has a prosthetic leg, but other than that I haven't seen anything about him that sticks out. But its a start for them to search. Maybe they can smell for gunpowder or something?"

Marius nods and looks at his pseudodragon before it takes off into the air. He watches it fly toward the docks. "I wonder if they will spot this man before we do. We'll see soon enough. Come on, he will be showing up any minute." Lucan nods and waits for Quinn before continuing.

The road to the docks is surrounded by busy businesses and quiet homes. If ever you needed an item, this city would surely be where you'd find it. The roads are busy from just after dawn, to just after dusk. Magicians on the street offer themselves to teleport people to different places far and wide, street vendors offer their treasures from foreign lands, and poor citizens beg for money every now and then. You see no signs of any pickpockets, though you've heard recently a guild became active and known for killing pickpockets and taking back anything they stole. Thirteen large ships, and many small ships are currently tied up at the docks. Much less than normal, though you do see more anchored out at see.
[Need a perception check from your pseudodragon, pm me it]

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn closes her eyes, letting herself see through her dragon's eyes as it takes flight. the small lizard soars high at first, then circles when he spots something below. As he spirals in around behind the target, Quinn can see what he sees. There is indeed a gold emblem on the back of his cloak. she looks it over, admiring the cut of it and mentally calculating what it might be worth. She shakes that off and then gets her bearings, feeling in part where the little dragon is in relation to her, and also using the aerial view to try to pinpoint the man.


"he's about 150 feet that way, near a small dhow. I can't really see what he's doing but he's absolutely in that direction. if you want i can try to sneak closer myself, or we can just try to rush him... though if he can teleport that might spook him. I'm open to suggestions, gentlemen"

 

[SubPhil91]

The man stays motionless for a moment, though his cloak flows lightly with the wind. As she looks through her pseudodragon's eyes she can see him moving from one of the smaller ships toward one of the larger ships quickly and steathfully. He jumps into the water and after a few seconds surfaces and places something on the side of the ship, a small vial with a flame inside. A black liquid holds it against the ship as he swims away, and teleports 50 feet to the North of Quinn, Lucan, and Marius. Quinn's pseudodragon loses him for just a moment before searching again and pointing him out.

Lucan looks at Quinn, "We don't want to spook him, but we should probably try and catch him before another ship gets burnt and sinks. But we probably don't have much time. We should take him now, im not known for my stealth so if you want to try and grab him solo you can, but he is quite dangerous, we might want to do this as a team. But I will leave that decision up to you."

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn considers for a long moment "if we don't want to lose the ship, we need to take him in a rush" she crouches a bit "i can t hold him or anything like that. I'm not that kind of wizard" she hmmms "yeah, i think we just you know. roll out, try and put him down before he can get away? unless one of you has something that would paralyze him. a poison maybe? or if he's teleporting some kind of field of silence, might be good to throw it up if you can"

with that, she unfolded her lean lithe body from her crouch, then slips to the edge of a nearby crate "on 3" she counts silently, 1 finger, 2 fingers, 3. she bolts then around the crate, her long legs pumping, rocketing her forward as she attempts to get a visual on the man so she can blast him and hopefully disrupt any spellcasting he's engaged in.

 

[SubPhil91]

Lucan nods, "I can silence him so he won't be able to cast many spells. But I can't hold him with any spells. Though I might be able to restrain him physically. Let's do this, we need to be quick."

When she charges forward Marius and Lucan both follow as close as they can. As she gets into view of the cloaked figure he is just looking up at the sky he starts moving his hands as if to cast a spell and she hits him with a blast of magic. He turns to look at her and stops as his body freezes. Lucan looks over at Marius who just cast hold person on the arsonist. Marius looks between them, "We have one minute before the spell is up. Make it count." Lucan moves over to the man and takes down his hood to see who it is. The man's skin is almost pitch black, his hair is white as snow and his eyes are a bright, glowing blue-green with no pupils. He looks more fragile than you'd expect but this may be why he was so quick. Lucan gives him a strange look, "I've.. Never seen someone like this before."

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn is less concerned with the man's particulars than his presence. she utters a few words, harsh sounds, something alien and incomprehensible. her hand arcs out, flicking her wrist and pointing a finger at the man. her agonizing bolt lashes out again. an onlooker would know they saw it, tremember seeing it, but would not be able to identify the color or replicate it. The mind rebelled against the alien color of the eldritch power of the great old ones, a colour no mortal mind was meant to see or experience. she holds back some of the power, so she doesnt push the man, unsure as to whether or not that would break the hold on him. "get him!" she roars, rushing forward a little closer, wanting to be close in case he survived long enough to try to get away. she might need to grab ahold of him though she prayed not. she was no close combatant, not really.

 

[SubPhil91]

Lucan takes a moment before moving, watching her spell hit the man in front of him. He shakes his head and rushed forward tying rope around the arsonist and keeping him restrained tightly. After a moment the man falls to the ground on his backand shakes his head. "Ow.. I believe that was all a bit unnecessary.. If you're attacking me for gold, im afraid you won't find any. Its not something I carry around with me. It would be wise to untie me and let me go, I may not look like much butthat doesn't mean I can't fight!" Marius walks over and takes a good look at the man. "Hmm, ive never seen anything like him before either."

Marius turns to Quinn, "That was.. Quite the spell, I havent seen anything quite like that in my adventures. Though, I suppose its nice to see something new now and then. So.. Why are you setting fire to these ships.. Whoever you are?" The arsonist doesn't say anything, he looks between the three of you and just glares coldly.

 

[siobhancan99]

Quinn shifts a bit, uncomfortable "its uh. the origin" she brushes her hand through her red curls "its um. yeah. aaaanyway" she shifts a little and doesnt want to talk about her patron, as she's not sure anyone would want to associate with her after learning about it "soooo. this guy" she gestures "i guess um. shooting him was maybe overkill. sorry. i got carried away" she worries her lip though, knowing a spell that would let her escape bonds even tied "we should gag him and take him to the authorities. and maybe get that thing off of the boat? we might need some proof that he's the guy."

 

[SubPhil91]

The man starts struggling a bit, "No! Dont gag me, isn't it bad enough you have me restrained for saving lives! I've done nothing wrong! Well.. Maybe sinking the ships was a bit much, but they can be rebuilt! Magic can take care of that easily!" Lucan bends down and takes something from his cloak, gagging him before he can say anything else. Lucan picks him up and tosses him over his shoulder. "So.. To the city guard, then to get you some equipment to head out then?"

Marius looks over at Quinn, "I can take care of whatever he put on the ship, it shouldn't take.." As he talks a large explosion comes from the docks, whatever he put on the ship bursts creating a large hole in the ship and sets it on fire. Almost immediately it starts to sink in the harbor. Marius sighs and looks at the strange man. "Well.. At least that's the last ship he will be sinking. Though he is right, magic will be able to fix it, it will just take time." He doesn't pester Quinn anymore about her magic, knowing magic users don't tend to share their tricks and secrets with people they only just met.