[Game Thread] Knights of Barovia

[Hal Hammerhand]

Off to Vallaki: Rolling thunderclouds cast a gray pall over the land of Barovia. A deathly stillness hangs over the dark woods, which are patrolled constantly by Strahd's wolves and other servitors. The evergreen trees of the Svalich Woods climb the sides of the mountains that enclose the valley. The largest of these peaks is Mount Baratok, with its snow-covered cap and rugged slopes. Baratok's slightly smaller twin, Mount Ghakis, is mostly bald with tufts of trees here and there. Between these two mountains stands Lake Zarovich, which is fed by streams of ice-cold water pouring down the face of Mount Baratok. On the south side of the lake rests the town of Vallaki, enclosed by a palisade. West of the two mountains, atop a hill, stands the Abbey of Saint Markovia, around which the Barovians built a walled village named Krezk. Between Vallaki and Krezk lie the ruins of Argynvostholt, the fallen bastion of a knightly order called the Order of the Silver Dragon, wiped out by Strahd and his army. East of the mountains lies the village of Barovia, shrouded in mist and bereft of walls and defenses. The dark silhouette of Castle Ravenloft looks down on this village from its perch atop a one thousand-foot-high column of rock known as the Pillarstone of Ravenloft. The inhumanly cry of a murder of ravens shatters the eerie silence overhead. A lowered drawbridge of old, shored-up wooden beams stretches across the chasm, between you and the archway to the courtyard. The chains of the drawbridge creak in the wind, their rust-eaten iron straining under the weight. From atop the high walls, stone gargoyles stare at you out of their hollow eye sockets and grin hideously. A rotting wooden portcullis, green with growth, hangs above the entry tunnel. Beyond this location, the main doors of Ravenloft stand open. A rich, warm light spills from within, flooding the courtyard. Torches flutter sadly in sconces on both sides of the open doors. You have been summoned by the General for a special mission, likely another fruitless one, as it has been for the past one hundred years but you must answer the call. As you enter the courtyard of the castle, dismal rain begins to fall, lightning routinely lights the sky, followed by peals of thunder that make the castle shudder. Thick, cold fog swirls in this courtyard. Sporadic flashes of lightning lance the weeping clouds overhead as thunder shakes the ground. Through the drizzle, you see torch flames fluttering on each side of the keep's open main doors. Warm light spills out of the entrance, flooding the courtyard. High above the entrance is a round window with shards of broken glass lodged in its iron frame. Standing before the main doors is a figure, large by human standards, clad in blackened plate armor except for his head. His malicious grin made even more gruesome by the scars that mar his face, General Daedalus Karnack awaits your arrival. "Oi, About time you shook your old bones and found your way here. The Count says he heard tell of that hunter, Von Richten coming from his eyes and ears in Vallaki. Go there and capture him. It shouldn't be hard to catch one old man with a death wish." He turns and enters the manor doors, his armor creaking and clacking as he vanishes within, leaving you to your mission. You and your allies proceed immediately to the stables and each to your steeds, hellish spawns of the Count's own nightmare, jet black horses with fiery orange eyes that can run for days without tiring. You and your allies ride out into the misty darkness that has become commonplace and down the mountain from the castle, following the winding path, your steeds churn the dirt of the road into a morass of mud. You wind past the dilapidated windmill, the Bonegrinder, that holds the coven of hags and their dream pastries until you enter the Svalich Wood. Lightning mimics daylight as it cuts a jagged line through the sky, closely followed by the roar of thunder. You and your allies don't pause despite the many glowing eyes that seem to pop up all around you throughout the forest, the creatures know better than to attack the anointed knights of Count Zarovich. The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. You and your allies reign in your Nightmares. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves' heads impaled on them. You have arrived at the familiar Mourning Gate of Vallaki Village. As your loyal steeds stamp their fiery hooves into the mud, the mournful cry of a raven sounds overhead as one of the black creatures soars overhead, coming to light on one of the wolves' heads impaled along the wall. The raven crooks it's head and looks at the knights before croaking, "Nevermore" before hopping into the air, spreading it's inky black wings to bank overhead of you and your allies before coasting over the wall and into the village, out of your sight range. As one peculiar sight vanishes, another draws your attention. A pair of red dots materialize in the treeline of the wood, as four more red dots appear, a black wolf pads from the underbrush, it's glowing red eyes a sign that it belongs to the Count. As the wolf reaches the road beside the Nightmare that Ulric sits astride, it begins to change, shedding it's course fur to reveal a man, bereft of clothes except for a black-beaded rosary that hangs around his neck that climbs from all fours, "Sir Bathion, Riven sent me to find you. I'm to warn you. A large group of bandits has found their way into these lands. We lost four werewolves and ten wolves of our pack to a hunting party of theirs led by a boisterous half-elf." As he finishes his report, he remains on the edge of the road, grimacing at the wolf heads impaled on the stakes on either side of the gate but not barring the Knights' passage into the village.

[JaredSyn]

Jhazelle moved towards the castle with deliberate steps only stopping once inside the courtyard and before the General Daedalus. She despised being summoned by the man in fact any man including her master himself. She hated them both with a passion unlike anything else she felt. Still she could not refuse the Count's commands or those of the general. There was no pleasantries exchanged by the summoner and the knights. They were Strahds elite warriors chosen by the vampire lord for their skills. Jhazelle listened as the General gave them their orders and then turned leaving them to their task. Van Richten was well known for his meddling in the affairs of strange creatures and undead, he was famous for destroying such creatures, and helping those unfortunate enough to fall prey to such creatures. Jhazelle had no true animosity towards the man though and as they rode her mind drifted wondering it he might know of a way to reclaim her life it certainly couldn't hurt to ask before destroying the man at the Count's bidding. Jhazelle had grown to maturity in the Underdark where the women of her people ruled over the men. Still she had been a slave and if not for her father would have most assuredly not survived the jealousy of her drow sisters. When they reached the gates of Vallaki she looked to the wolves heads on pikes. It was barely a few moments when the wolves came also servants of her master, the lead wolf shifting before their eyes leaving his standing on two feet bereft of clothing, he was not an unattractive man, but he was a werewolf and beneath her she was a vampire after all. As he spoke his warning she looked to the others before responding. "We thank you for your warning, though our task is different we will keep our eyes open for these bandits and should they cross our path deal with them accordingly, we have a more pressing matter to handle though first and foremost. Were I you I would find a den and and wait it out, Van Richten has been reported and we all know his predilection towards any of our kind. We are here to stop the man before he can cause too much trouble. Possibly even putting an end to him as a whole."

Stat Block   Jhazalle Nulvelith | Neutral Evil | Female | Half Drow Elf | Warlock 7/Paladin 3 | Level 10 Armor Class 20 Hit Points 86/86 Speed 30 ft Str 8 Dex 15 Con 17 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 20 Saving throws STR -1, DEX +2, CON +3, INT +0, WIS +1, CHA +5 | Initiative +2 Skills Arcana +4, Athletics +3, Deception +9, Insight +5, Perception +5, Religion +4, Senses Passive Perception 15 | Languages Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Undercommon, [B]Pact Weapon (Greatsword) +9 (2D6+6) | Eldritch Blast +9 (2d10) | Class Abilities: Your oath allows you to channel divine energy to fuel magical effects. When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which option to use. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again. Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws (DC 17). Once Per Short Rest.Channel Divinity | As an action, you can choose one creature within 60 ft. of you that you can see to make a WIS saving throw (17). Fiends and undead have disadvantage on this saving throw. On failure, the creature is frightened and its speed is reduced to 0 (and it can't benefit from bonuses to speed) for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. On success, the creatures speed is halved for 1 minute or until the creature takes any damage.Channel Divinity Abjure Ennemy | As an action, you can create a pact weapon in your hand (you choose the form, you're proficient with it, and it counts as magical). You can also transform a magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual.Create Pact Weapon | As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover. You can use this feature 6 times per long rest. Divine Sense | You have a pool of healing power that can restore 15 HP per long rest. As an action, you can touch a creature to restore any number of HP remaining in the pool, or 5 HP to either cure a disease or neutralize a poison affecting the creature.Lay on Hands Pool | As a bonus action, you can use your Channel Divinity to choose a creature within 10 ft. and gain advantage on attack rolls against it for 1 minute or until it drops to 0 HP or falls unconscious.Channel Divinity Vow of Enmity | Once per short rest, as a bonus action, choose one creature you can see within 30 ft. to curse it for 1 minute (or until the target dies, you die, or you are incapacitated). Against the cursed target, you gain a +4 bonus to damage rolls, score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20, and you regain 12 HP if it dies. Once per Short Rest.Hexblades Curse | Your otherworldly patron bestows a gift upon you for your loyal service.Pact Boon | You learn fragments of forbidden knowledge that imbue you with an abiding magical ability.Eldritch Invocations | You can cast false life on yourself at will as a 1st-level spell, without expending a spell slot or material components. False Life(1st)Fiendish Vigor | You can attack with your pact weapon twice whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Thirsting Blade | Your pact weapon can be your spellcasting focus, gains a +1 bonus to its attack and damage rolls (unless it already has a magic bonus), and can be a shortbow, longbow, light crossbow, or heavy crossbow.Improved Pact Weapon | As an action, you can create a pact weapon in your hand (you choose the form, you're proficient with it, and it counts as magical). You can also transform a magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual.Pact of the Blade | As a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to 30 ft. to an unoccupied space you can see within 5 ft. of the target cursed by your hex spell or by another cursing warlock feature.Relentless Hex | When you slay a humanoid, you can cause its spirit to rise as a specter that gains +3 temp HP. Roll initiative for the specter, which has its own turns. It obeys your verbal commands, gains a +5 bonus to its attack rolls, and remains until the end of your next long rest.Accursed Specter (Special) | When you hit with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal 2d8 extra radiant damage to the target plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st (max 5d8) and plus 1d8 against undead or fiends.Divine Smite (Special) | You gain proficiency with medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch one weapon that you are proficient with and that lacks the two-handed property. With that weapon, you can use your CHA modifier for the attack and damage rolls until you finish your next long rest. You can also use your CHA modifier for the attack and damage rolls for any of your pact weapons if you have that feature.Hex Warrior (Special) | Racial Abilities You can see in darkness (shades of gray) up to 60 ft.Darkvision | -+2 to three stats of your choice -+2 natural armor -Damage Resistance: Necrotic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, And Slashing From Nonmagical Weapons -Senses: Darkvision 60 Ft. -Regeneration: The vampire regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn't in sunlight or running water. If the vampire takes radiant damage or damage from holy water, this trait doesn't function at the start of the vampire's next turn. -Spider Climb: The vampire can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. Vampire Weaknesses: The vampire has the following flaws: --Forbiddance: The vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants. --Harmed by Running Water: The vampire takes 20 acid damage when it ends its turn in running water. --Stake to the Heart: The vampire is destroyed if a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into its heart while it is incapacitated in its resting place. --Sunlight Hypersensitivity: The vampire takes 20 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. --Thirst: Once daily, the vampire must feed on fresh human blood or they will suffer a level of exhaustion. -Multiattack: The vampire makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack. -Bite: Melee Weapon Attack - one willing creature, or a creature that is grappled by the vampire, incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: (1d6) piercing damage plus (2d6) necrotic damage. The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and the vampire regains hit points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0 -Claws: Melee Weapon Attack - one creature. Hit: (2d4) slashing damage. Instead of dealing damage, the vampire can grapple the target.Vampire Benefits-Weaknesses Feats: You've learned to put the weight of a weapon to your advantage, letting its momentum empower your strikes. You gain the following benefits: On your turn, when you score a critical hit with a melee weapon or reduce a creature to 0 hit points with one, you can make one melee weapon attack as a bonus action. Before you make a melee attack with a heavy weapon that you are proficient with, you can choose to take a -5 penalty to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add +10 to the attack's damage.Great Weapon Master Special Equipment: Half Plate +1 | While holding this rod, you gain a bonus to spell attack rolls and to the saving throw DCs of your warlock spells. The bonus is determined by the rod’s rarity. In addition, you can regain 1 warlock spell slot as an action while holding the rod. You can’t use this property again until you finish a long rest.Rod of the Pack Keeper +1 Spells (+10, DC18) Cantrips: A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within 120 range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage. The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.Eldritch Blast | Casting Time: 1 action; Range: 30 feet; Components: V, S; Duration: 1 minute; A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range. The hand lasts for the duration or until you dismiss it as an action. The hand vanishes if it is ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this spell again. You can use your action to control the hand. You can use the hand to manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open container, or pour the contents out of a vial. You can move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it. The hand can't attack, activate magic items, or carry more than 10 pounds.Mage hand | You point a finger at a target in range. Your magic grants you a brief insight into the target's defenses. On your next turn, you gain advantage on your first attack roll against the target, provided that this spell hasn't ended.True Strike | Level 1 (3/3) A protective magical force surrounds you, manifesting as a spectral frost that covers you and your gear. You gain 5 temporary hit points for the duration. If a creature hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points, the creature takes 5 cold damage. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, both the temporary hit points and the cold damage increase by 5 for each slot.Armor of Agathys | Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must make Charisma saving throws. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st.Bane | Bolstering yourself with a necromantic facsimile of life, you gain 1d4 + 4 temporary hit points for the duration. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you gain 5 additional temporary hit points for each slot level above 1st.False Life (At Will) | You point your finger, and the creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.Hellish Rebuke | You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature. A remove curse cast on the target ends this spell early. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours.Hex | You choose a creature you can see within range and mystically mark it as your quarry. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 damage to the target whenever you hit it with a weapon attack, and you have advantage on any Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) check you make to find it. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to mark a new creature. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours.Hunters Mark Level 2 (3/3) Choose a humanoid that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the spell ends on the target. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional humanoid for each slot level above 2nd. The humanoids must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.Hold Person | You point your finger, and the creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.Hellish Rebuke | You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature. A remove curse cast on the target ends this spell early. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours.Hex | Three illusory duplicates of yourself appear in your space. Until the spell ends, the duplicates move with you and mimic your actions, shifting position so it's impossible to track which image is real. You can use your action to dismiss the illusory duplicates. Each time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell's duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets one of your duplicates. If you have three duplicates, you must roll a 6 or higher to change the attack's target to a duplicate. With two duplicates, you must roll an 8 or higher. With one duplicate, you must roll an 11 or higher. A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed. A creature is unaffected by this spell if it can't see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.Mirror Image | Briefly surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see.Misty Step | You suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence or two) and magically influence a creature you can see within range that can hear and understand you. Creatures that can't be charmed are immune to this effect. The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act ends the spell. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it pursues the course of action you described to the best of its ability. The suggested course of action can continue for the entire duration. If the suggested activity can be completed in a shorter time, the spell ends when the subject finishes what it was asked to do. You can also specify conditions that will trigger a special activity during the duration. For example, you might suggest that a knight give her warhorse to the first beggar she meets. If the condition isn't met before the spell expires, the activity isn't performed. If you or any of your companions damage the target, the spell ends.Suggestion | Level 3 (3/3) You reach into the mind of one creature you can see and force it to make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature automatically succeeds if it is immune to being frightened. On a failed save, the target loses the ability to distinguish friend from foe, regarding all creatures it can see as enemies until the spell ends. Each time the target takes damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Whenever the affected creature chooses another creature as a target, it must choose the target at random from among the creatures it can see within range of the attack, spell, or other ability it’s using. If an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from the affected creature, the creature must make that attack if it is able to.Enemies Abound |

[Chaucer]

Rune Summoned once more. As he woke one more time, Rune sighed softly as he cast aside the stone lid of the tomb in which he lay. In the beginning, irrespective of the circumstances of his undeath and the pain he had inadvertently wrought others, Rune had found a certain…..exhilaration in his condition. Blessed with greater speed and strength than others along with powers that lesser beings could only dream of, he revelled in what he could do even as he struggled to control his feral bloodlust. As the roll of years turned into decades and then centuries, things changed. Gone was the delight over the powers which he could bring to bear over mortals, replaced by……ash and nothingness. A deep unsettling nothingness that had permeated Rune’s very being and replaced his grandiose feelings of immortality. An apotheosis that had been replaced by bleak apathy. Indeed the long nights spent in Strahd’s service had long since become devoid of meaning to Rune. As time had gone by, Rune had lost interest and pleasure in those things that had once given him joy and meaning. The faces and names that passed him by in the interminable roll of years were nothing to the vampire, they were as dust in the breeze. Yet the Count Strahd von Zarovich had called him forth once more, and Rune, as always, was compelled to answer the summons. All these years as a weapon of the Count, all that power and strength and yet it could not banish the gnawing emptiness inside of him that threatened to devour him whole. And yet, despite everything, he was not alone. He never had been, not until the day came when he would crumble to dust under the call of the sun’s burning light. ”Estelle,” he intoned to the shadows, to where he knew his eternal companion in undeath would also be stirring to wakefulness. ”We are summoned once more.” His companion. His bond, his weakness. For it was his own folly that had doomed both to an existence of eternal undeath. ~~~ General Karnack was a loathsome individual. Oh, the times that Rune wished he could pierce the vampire’s filthy neck with his needle sharp blade. Rune, even as he stood there wordlessly listening to the latest menial task that Strahd had deemed to lay at the feet of his greatest and strongest knights, contemplated the thought of killing the foolish general over and over again. The silver haired knight rode wordlessly in the center of the five chosen of Strahd on his steed of shadow and fire. To the side he could see the glittering, envious eyes of crimson watch them wordlessly….eyes that coveted what the knights had. He allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction at the thought. Of course none would openly dare challenge the knights. To do so would be to invite death itself to their doors. Then they arrived at the Mourning Gate, and Rune cast his eyes impassively over the pikes set in the ground, mounted with the twisted and bestial visages of the wolves heads implanted on them. And then, as the black wolf approached them, it’s eyes burning a deep crimson, Rune met its gaze and watched emotionlessly as the wolves form twisted and stretched. Wolf no more, it took on the form of weak mortality standing as the red-haired man addressed Sir Bathion. Rune knew the man, of course, the werewolf Ulon Rune felt his lips twist upwards in a sneer as he looked at Ulon with thinly veiled contempt etched across his pale features. In truth he did not care if others addressed “Sir Bathion” as if he led the contingent of knights. In fact it suited Rune to have the elitist and arrogant vampire take the lead and take all the risks and the pain. Rune was happier in the shadows as a spider poised to strike than the loud and obnoxious soldier. Still, as Jhazelle spoke, Rune found his crimson gaze drifting over to the once-drow. She was a strange one, as was their situation. In life, as surface and drow elf, the two would have been mortal enemies. In death however they were united under the same cause, yet within Rune there was still a shadowy echo of the being that he once was. A twisted reflection and mockery of his self in life yes, but it was still there, even in his vampiric state. It was simply difficult for him to let the prejudices of his life go completely, almost as if by doing so he would lose part of a link to the mortality he once had and still, deep down….a part of him still desired. His natural instinct was to distrust Jhazelle. Respect, yes, but certainly distrust because of her origins as drow. ”This is of no consequence to us surely? We have our task as set to us by our “master”,” Rune almost spat the word out in contempt. ”That task is the only thing of import to us. Let the village militia deal with these bandits.”

[Jrod]

Ulric Sir Ulric Bathion awoke from his slumber as the crest of daylight faded away. With the suns last light fleeting, the tomb of the ancient warrior slid open as it had done so, so many times before. The grinding creek of stone against stone fills the cold room, yet no one other than Ulric would ever know. His sanctuary was safe, lonesome, and completely unknown. As with most summons, ulrics form of such came from his master via magic sensory. A connection he had earned so many years ago from the devil himself. They spoke less than they once had, yet the communication stayed open. When the count called, Ulric answered. Ulric bid the general a due, respectfully adhering and listening to the daft blokes orders and instructions. In truth he didn’t care for the general, at all. Wanted to rip his throat out on multiple occasions and strictly for the fact That ulric didn’t care to take orders, orders from anyone. But it was a necessary evil. He would keep the general in his court until the time came. Useful like a pawn on the board even if the pawn didn’t know he was playing. As they neared Vallaki Ulric could already smell the dankness of dog. Whether it be upon pike, or behind brush he really couldn’t have cared less. “Ulon, it has not been nearly long enough” his condescending demeanour placing the were wolf well below him. “I suppose this… Half elf bandit is frightening to you? A common thief, dispatching the likes of your wolves, count Zaroviches own mighty hunters. Pathetic.” A pause of utter disgust awkwardly tensions the already thick air. “On the other hand…It might be fun. To toy with dinner once again. A little song and dance, Something for ourselves. Remember fun Estelle?” A longing in Ulrics voice was both concerning and depressing. For what could a nightmare long for? “Shall we not entertain the young pup? It would not take but long that I am sure. After all, Fresh blood never hurt anyone” a sly and sadistic smirk flushed the pale face of Sir Bathion. An energy illuminated his last set of words with a youthful and yet chaotic vibrance. A smile crossed his face, bearing his razor sharp fangs in a simple notion of ‘licking his lips’ in vampire vocabulary. “What says my fellow ‘Knights of Barovia’ ?”

[In the Mix]

the Awakening Felicity awoke from her slumber to the soft, but incessant knocking upon her chamber's door. She looked aside to the woman wrapped up beside her. She was a pretty little morsel, her raven black hair currently covering her face. But her neck was bared, enticing the vampire to partake again. ~ If you kill her, you know the consequences. the incessant voice in her head announced. With a hiss of annoyance, Felicity shoved the slumbering mortal off her bed with a loud thump, followed by a grown. The girl, knowing better than to complain, scrambled to her feet and left the room, simultaneously allowing the servant entrance. She'd be well taken care of, allowed to heal. And admittedly, she was one of the more pleasant treats, so allowing her to live wasn't all that bad. As Felicity dressed, she listened as the servant girl told her of the summons, to meet with General Karnack. With a sneer and a loud chomp of her teeth, she sent the girl scurrying away. By the time she reached her private stable, her steed was saddled and ready for her. It wasn't one of Strahd's, but a white horse that she had trained from a pony for her own use, naming it Yara. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After the short ride to the castle, Felicity puts Yara to stable before making her way to the courtyard to the keep, to find her fellows also summoned. ~ Well, this should be fun. she thinks to herself, as she continues forward to join them. Involuntarily, most likely Illissa's doing, she looks to Jhazelle, before pulling her attention back to Strahd's general. With a yawn, she shows him his due respect, though the name of their quarry does cut the yawn short, and brings her full attention to him. Von Richten. She had tangled with him once before, and barely survived. Felicity glares at the retreating back of the Karnack, after his last words. ~ If he's such an 'easy prey', why don't you hunt him? she wishes to say, but a single fang punctures her lip, keeping her from back talking the fool. Mission laid out for them, the group retrieves their fiery steeds, and ride out on their mission. As is usual, Sir Ulric Brag-thee-on takes the lead, and Felicity stays near the rear. It's not a bad place to be, actually. She doesn't have to give too much attention to where they are going, just let the `mare follow the rest of them, allowing Felicity to focus on other things. Like how good it is to see Rune again. He's looking mighty fine in that armor. Or maybe Estelle? But before she can night-dream too much, a strong musk invades her nostrils, bringing the 'Knights of Barovia' up short. Soon after, young Ulon shifts before them. Felicity watches with hungry eyes, taking in every inch of what she sees. "It is possible these bandits are connected to our prey. I vote we at least take a look at them, to assess whether they are worth our time." she smiles down upon Ulon. "As for entertaining the youngling, I'm sure I could handle that on my own." she says, leaning forward on her steed.

 

Spell Damage/Duration: ~
Movement: ~
Bonus Action: ~
Action: ~
Reaction: ~

OoC: ~

 

Felicity Bikoitza, Human Level 5Fighter (NE)
Illissa Bikoitza, Human Level 5Cleric of Neirian (TN)
HP: 99/99, AC: Breastplate +1 & Shield20
Initiative: +1, Speed: 30 ft.
Prof. Bonus: +4 Passive Perception: 19
Saving Throws Str +3, Dex +1, prof-Con +8, Int +1, prof-Wis +9, Cha +0
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 20, Cha 11
Long Sword +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d8+4 or 1d10+4 (if using both hands)
Shortsword +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d6+4
Flail +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d8+4
Light Crossbow +1: Attack: +6, Damage: 1d8+2
_____Bolts: 20/20 // Range: 80-320 ft.

Bite: One willing creature, or a creature that is grappled by the vampire, incapacitated, or restrained.Attack: +7, Damage: 1d6 + 2d6 The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and the vampire regains hit points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.Necrotic Damage
Claws: Attack: +7, Instead of dealing damage, the vampire can grapple the target.Damage: 2d4

 

Vampiric
+2 Natural ACEnhanced Reflexes
Necrotic, Bludgeoning, Piercing, SlashingDamage Resistance
Thanks to your vampirism, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.Darkvision
Felicity/Illissa regenerates 10 hp/turnRegeneration
The vampire can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.Spider Climb
The vampire makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack.MultiAttack
The vampire has the following flaws:
-- Forbiddance: The vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants.
-- Harmed by Running Water: The vampire takes 20 acid damage when it ends its turn in running water.
-- Stake to the Heart: The vampire is destroyed if a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into its heart while it is incapacitated in its resting place.
-- Sunlight Hypersensitivity: The vampire takes 20 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
-- Thirst: Once daily, the vampire must feed on fresh human blood or they will suffer a level of exhaustion.Weaknesses

Felicity
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.Criminal Contacts
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.Fighting Style: Two-Weapon Fighting
You have a limited well of stamina that you can draw on to protect yourself from harm. On your turn, you can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter level.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.Second Wind (1/1)
You can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible bonus action.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. Starting at 17th level, you can use it twice before a rest, but only once on the same turn.Action Surge (1/1)
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Extra Attack

Martial Archetype: Champion
Your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.Improved Critical

Illissa
Divine Domain: Death (DMG 96-97)
Illissa learns one necromancy cantrip of her choice from any spell list (Chill Touch).

When the cleric casts a necromancy cantrip that normally targets only one creature, the spell can instead target two creatures within range and within 5 feet of each other.Reaper
You have the ability to channel divine energy directly from your deity, using that energy to fuel magical effects. You start with two such effects: Turn Undead and Touch of Death. Some domains grant you additional effects as you advance in levels, as noted in the domain description.

When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which effect to create. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again.Channel Divinity (1/1)
Channel Divinity: As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring the undead. Each undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.

A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.

Destroy Undead: When an undead fails its saving throw against your Turn Undead feature, the creature is instantly destroyed if its challenge rating is at or below a certain threshold: CR 1/2 or lower.Turn or Destroy Undead
Channel Divinity: Illissa can use Channel Divinity to destroy another creature's life force by touch.

When the cleric hits a creature with a melee attack, the cleric can use Channel Divinity to deal extra necrotic damage to the target. The damage equals 5 + twice her cleric level.Touch of Death

 

Spell Save DC: 17, Spell Attack Bonus: +9 Spells Prepared (non-Domain): 10

~ Cantrips ~ ∞/∞
~ Death Domain Cantrip ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: 1 round

You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 necrotic damage,
and it can’t regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Until then, the hand clings to the target.

If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).Chill Touch {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends.Guidance {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 hour

You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.

If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the spell.Light {V (), M (A firefly or phosphorescent moss)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.

The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).Sacred Flame {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural power, within range. You create one o f the following magical effects within range:

• Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.
• You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute.
• You cause harmless tremors in the ground for 1 minute.
• You create an instantaneous sound that originates from a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.
• You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window to fly open or slam shut.
• You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its 1-minute effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.Thaumaturgy {V ()}

~ Level 1 ~ 4/4
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: 1 hour

Bolstering yourself with a necromantic facsimile of life, you gain 1d4 + 4 temporary hit points for the duration.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you gain 5 additional temporary hit points for each slot level above 1st.False Life {V (), S, M (a small amount of alcohol or distilled spirits)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

A ray of sickening greenish energy lashes out toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 poison damage and must make a Constitution saving throw.
On a failed save, it is also poisoned until the end of your next turn.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.Ray of Sickness {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: 1 round

A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d6 radiant damage, and the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.Guiding Bolt {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

A shimmering field appears and surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.Shield of Faith {V (), S, M (a small parchment with a bit of holy text written on it)}

~ Level 2 ~ 3/3
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 1 minute

You can blind or deafen a foe. Choose one creature that you can see within range to make a Constitution saving throw. If it fails, the target is either blinded or deafened (your choice) for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make a Constitution saving throw. On a success, the spell ends.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 2nd.Blindness/Deafness {V ()}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 6 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

A black beam of enervating energy springs from your finger toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target deals only half damage with weapon attacks that use Strength until the spell ends.

At the end of each of the target’s turns, it can make a Constitution saving throw against the spell. On a success, the spell ends.Ray of Enfeeblement {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 8 hours

Your spell bolsters your allies with toughness and resolve. Choose up to three creatures within range. Each target’s hit point maximum and current hit points increase by 5 for the duration.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, a target’s hit points increase by an additional 5 for each slot level above 2nd.Aid {V (), S, M (a tiny strip o f white cloth)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: Until dispelled

A flame, equivalent in brightness to a torch, springs forth from an object that you touch. The effect looks like a regular flame, but it creates no heat and doesn’t use oxygen. A continual flame can be covered or hidden but not smothered or quenched.Continual Flame {V (), S, M (ruby dust worth 50 gp, which the spell consumes)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

For the duration, no sound can be created within or pass through a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Any creature or object entirely inside the sphere is immune to thunder damage, and creatures are deafened while entirely inside it. Casting a spell that includes a verbal component is impossible there.Silence {Ritual} {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: 10 minutes

You create a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15-foot-radius sphere centered on a point of your choice within range. Until the spell ends, a creature that enters the spell’s area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can’t speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. You know whether each creature succeeds or fails on its saving throw.

An affected creature is aware of the spell and can thus avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive in its answers as long as it remains within the boundaries of the truth.Zone of Truth {V (), S}

~ Level 3 ~ 2/2
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 10 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

This spell creates an undead servant. Choose a pile of bones or a corpse of a Medium or Small humanoid within range. Your spell imbues the target with a foul mimicry of life, raising it as an undead creature. The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature’s game statistics).

On each of your turns, you can use a bonus action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any or all of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it w ill move during its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to guard a particular chamber or corridor. If you issue no commands, the creature only defends itself against hostile creatures. Once given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.

The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after which it stops obeying any command you’ve given it. To maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you must cast this spell on the creature again before the current 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control over up to four creatures you have animated with this spell, rather than animating a new one.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you animate or reassert control over two additional undead creatures for each slot level above 3rd. Each of the creatures must come from a different corpse or pile of bones.Animate Dead {V (), S, M (a drop of blood, a piece of flesh, and a pinch of bone dust))}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

The touch of your shadow-wreathed hand can siphon life force from others to heal your wounds. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.Vampiric Touch {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: 1 hour

A 60-foot-radius sphere of light spreads out from a point you choose within range. The sphere is bright light and sheds dim light for an additional 60 feet.

If you chose a point on an object you are holding or one that isn’t being worn or carried, the light shines from the object and moves with it. Completely covering the affected object with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the light.

If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of darkness created by a spell of 3rd level or lower, the spell that created the darkness is dispelled.Daylight {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 8 hours

You step into a stone object or surface large enough to fully contain your body, melding yourself and all the equipment you carry with the stone for the duration. Using your movement, you step into the stone at a point you can touch. Nothing of your presence remains visible or otherwise detectable by nonmagical senses.

While merged with the stone, you can’t see what occurs outside it, and any Wisdom (Perception) checks you make to hear sounds outside it are made with disadvantage. You remain aware o f the passage of time and can cast spells on yourself while merged in the stone. You can use your movement to leave the stone where you entered it, which ends the spell. You otherwise can’t move.

Minor physical damage to the stone doesn’t harm you, but its partial destruction or a change in its shape (to the extent that you no longer fit within it) expels you and deals 6d6 bludgeoning damage to you. The stone’s complete destruction (or transmutation into a different substance) expels you and deals 50 bludgeoning damage to you. If expelled, you fall prone in an unoccupied space closest to where you first entered.Meld Into Stone {Ritual} {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Unlimited
Duration: 1 round

You send a short message of twenty-five words or less to a creature with which you are familiar. The creature hears the message in its mind, recognizes you as the sender if it knows you, and can answer in a like manner immediately. The spell enables creatures with Intelligence scores of at least 1 to understand the meaning of your message.

You can send the message across any distance and even to other planes of existence, but if the target is on a different plane than you, there is a 5 percent chance that the message doesn’t arrive.Sending {V (), S, M (a short piece of fine copper wire)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 1 hour

This spell grants the ability to move across any liquid surface—such as water, acid, mud, snow, quicksand, or lava—as if it were harmless solid ground (creatures crossing molten lava can still take damage from the heat). Up to ten willing creatures you can see within range gain this ability for the duration.

If you target a creature submerged in a liquid, the spell carries the target to the surface of the liquid at a rate of 60 feet per round.Water Walk {Ritual} {V (), S, M (a piece of cork)}

[DaniLore]

Estelle, The Solitary Knight Fragments of memory rippled across time, drifting like blazing embers, calling out to her like stars in the darkness. Many feared the crypts, that they would be locked away and forgotten. For Estelle, to be forgotten for all time sounded rather appealing…to embrace the darkness is to face oneself amid the stillness and deafening quiet. The dead do not dream. When all is still, there’s only the whisper of one’s inner truth. For many years, to avoid this, Estelle forsook everything she had known and loved, forging ahead into a new state of being. She embraced the unquenchable bloodlust to stave the tide of sorrows, but there is never a bottom to it. There isn’t one distraction or proclivity strong enough to make one forget the past and much of what is taken for granted when alive. The warmth of sunlight on the skin. Having a beating heart and breathing lungs. Flesh that ages. Life’s blood in one’s veins. Soulful connections…one cannot realize the devastating loss, until the glories of life have been stolen away. An eternity of emptiness is what awaits the cursed undead. Crueler still, there is no escape from this fel. For many, the answer is to kill one’s heart and soul, becoming an empty husk guided by thirst and baser instincts. Becoming a hollowed creature is certainly a frightening thought. Estelle spent the greater part of a century trying to avoid them. Especially you-know-who! To wither away in peaceful slumber is what Estelle truly wished for. But then, there’s always the vile knell of Master’s calling, summoning her back to the gritty world she would all but relish disappearing from. Hissing through her dry lips, colorless eyes snapped open, glaring at the lid of her coffin. Perhaps…if I just remain there…and go back to sleep…the filthy compulsion will go away! Shutting tight her eyes, Estelle remained still as a corpse. Damn the consequences! How many vampire churls did HE actually require to wrangle a few werewolves and slaughter simpleton pests? Estelle swore off doing that kind of work again, as it was utterly beneath her talents as a Blackstaff Mage. Gritting her fangs, her limbs began to tickle and burn the longer she resisted Master’s call…at first, near a century ago, the pain was excruciating merely at the thought of dallying. Now, it was more of a dull, throbbing ache that one of the witchy crones in the castle might complain about. Let’s see how long I can ignore Him this time… Hearing that familiar voice call her name, soft and plaintively too, full of puppy guilt and long-dead dreams—Estelle’s eyes immediately snapped open again. Damn. Pressing against the lid, a few pale fingers crept between the cracks. “Blooood.” The words sounded like the infernal hissing of a foul tempered ghoul, but really it was her parched throat blanketed in dust. How long has it been? A few years? Coughing a wad of cobwebs from her throat, Estelle chomped on the resident tarantula as it came trundling up her esophagus. The gooey center helped somewhat, but she still felt like a dried up prune. “Ugh, so dry…be a dear and fetch my grimoire. I left it in Piddlewick’s crypt...” Truly, it’s one of the safest places in castle Ravenloft. Master despises clowns. While Rune hurriedly swept off to do her this favor, Estelle roughly shoved the lid off her coffin and dragged herself up, truly resembling an emaciated corpse, all skin and bone her once pristine gown had eroded into dusty tatters. Dragging her claws along the wall, little lines followed the vampire outside her sanctuary. Expressing her great displeasure at this rude awakening, Estelle howled miserable shrieks that could no doubt be heard throughout the bowels of the castle. Little feet scurried for their lives, but Estelle quickly caught and dispatched a hoard of rats, tearing off their heads and draining them like furry waterskins. Tossing their carcasses aside, when Estelle finally emerged from the shadows she no longer resembled a spindly crone. Her youthful features returned, albeit her appearance was not as radiant or alluring as it might have been with human blood. This dead husk is all a wicked facade anyway. Maintaining the charade is a hassle. By the time Rune returned, Estelle was prepared for another asinine mission. Dressed in rugged leather, an elven sword dangling from her hip. Wearing a dour expression, Estelle swept a worn leather cloak imbedded with beads and coins around her shoulders. The coins themselves were charms they had collected from the Vistani, months before the Devil added the pair to his permanent collection. The charms proved useless, now she wore them as a reminder not to trust the so-called kindness of strangers. “Mark my words,” Estelle growled, regarding Rune with an appraising eye. The elf appeared well- nourished, despite how deeply he despairs. “This sword of mine is a noble blade. I have mind to refuse, should pure bloodshed be asked of us. First and foremost, I am strictly an intellect, not some butcher of sheep!” Saying this in practice, as though the vampire before her was the Dark Lord himself, Estelle poked Rune’s muscled chest just so he could feel the gravity of her words. The Devil had a knack for persuading her to do unsavory things. In fact, Strahd knighted her in jest, knowing just how deeply her resentment festered. Despite how strongly she loathed his undying guts, a few caressing words were all it took to sway her heart and mind. That’s why she had been avoiding Strahd for decades, relegating herself to the crypts and whatever cold dark corner she could find. Master can’t order her about if he can’t find her! Luckily, the monstrosity had the attention span of a snotty toddlekin. His interest in his playthings shifted with the phases of the moon. Estelle was grateful for that…but Strahd was never one to let her be for too long. “Damn it all.” She spat, brushing off some spidery cobwebs from Rune’s tussled hair. He was making those sad puppy eyes again, which only infuriated her. “I’m not speaking ill of your work, Rune. It’s not like either of us have a choice anyway. Do you…ever think about the days when we were alive? I just want to hold onto a sliver of dignity—some piece of me that isn’t dead and rotten from the inside out.” Patting Rune on the head like she used to, back then she would playfully do so as an excuse to feel the cool softness of his hair, like a silky pony mane. Doing so now felt so joyless. Meeting his gaze, Estelle said this for Rune and Rune alone. “Promise me you won’t become like those bloodthirsty hollows? It is better to despair than feel nothing at all.” As the shadowy group assembled before General Karnack, Estelle made her once in a decade obligatory appearance. Scowling at the angry storm clouds, the lightning, peals of thunder, and the torrential rain, the Dark Lord must be greatly peeved again. Often the weather reflected his fickle moods. Resting her eyes on the oafish gorilla-man that somehow had been given charge over Ravenloft’s deadliest, everything that spewed from his mouth sounded dreadfully boring. As he blathered away, Estelle picked the grave-dirt from under her fingernails—until the mention of Von Richten, that is. Unable to disguise the disgust plain on her face, how many times have they chased rumors, only for it to have been a huge waste of time? Then again…if they enter Vallaki, this would be a grand opportunity to grab a few books for light reading. Gods, how long has it been since she’d even touched a book? Several decades, at least! Why, the only books to be found in Ravenloft were those present in Strahd’s personal study. Right next to his bedchamber. Rubbing her forehead, the mere thought left her queasy. The odds of running into the Dark Lord were roughly eighty five percent. Thankfully, she had the good sense to do her research on the go, which held no risk of mental scarring. Her fellow knights appeared likewise riveted for the chase, although, probably for wholly different reasons. Jhazelle would no doubt enjoy a change of pace, and as expected Sir Bathion had the same vigilant air as a hawk honed on its prey. She couldn’t quite read what Rune might be thinking, only that her presence likely heightened his undying anxiety. He always seemed on his best behavior when she was dragged along, but it’s a wonder if he found refuge in his blades…and actually enjoyed the bloody errands Master tossed him, like crumbs to a desperate animal. Eyeing Felicity across the way, she appeared particularly pampered and rosy-cheeked this bleak and rainy evening. The scent of blood wafted around her like a perfume. How nice it must be to be privy to Master’s slaves…the irksome feeling that tickled her nerve wasn’t jealousy, per say, only a distaste for those who openly reveled in their clear superiority. Strong and swift as they are, nothing changes the fact that they are despicable monsters. Nothing but blood-hungering parasites! They deserve to live in the filthiest of conditions, legions away from civilization! Though she never dared to openly voice this opinion, lately Estelle felt strong bouts of hostility for no apparent reason. Surely, it probably had something to do with her change of diet; or, maybe, being dragged from her coffin over a piddly rumor! Raising a brow, the way that mad strumpet looked at Rune oft made her want to rip out her eyeballs and pop them like grapes. Rune already had enough on his plate without entangling himself in Felicity’s web. The callous woman would chew him up and spit him out. Ptoo! Quick as that. Friends look out for each other, besides, Felicity only seemed interested because….Rune’s an elf, obviously, with hedonistic tendencies. When they were alive, Estelle never once objected or stood in the way of the parades of strumpets that Rune would romp with night after night. That was his business. However, this is different! Once you’ve shared the same curse, the same crypt, and still-beating hearts, challengers easily rouse one’s bloodlust. Crossing her arms, Estelle stood tall like an impenetrable wall of ice. It’s a good thing too. The murderous intent written on her face must have assured General Karnack, to some extent. Riding their flaming nightmare steeds through the misty, dilapidated countryside, they reached the gates of Vallaki rather quickly. Glaring with distaste at the line of wolf heads impaled on sticks, the smell of musk and blood was simply overpowering. A werewolf then bounded up to them and transformed before their eyes, before the gate, without any worry for his own safety. There should be cause to worry, no? Does Ulon not care if he is spotted by the guard? That said, the five of them certainly stood out far more than a naked man wallowing in the mud. Estelle quietly listened to the conversation, flying back and forth from one to the next, until Sir Bathion called her name. Unfurling a ragged sigh, Estelle smiled and shrugged. “Fun? I do believe I’ve forgotten the meaning of the word.” Of course, by her definition, fun meant something completely different than what Sir Ulric had in mind. No doubt, he wished to hunt down those bandits and feast on them like a dinner banquet. As for Estelle, a fun time was perusing a book on ancient histories over a glass of fresh venison blood. Granted, it has been quite a while since she had willfully embraced such luxuries. It felt far more satisfying to deny herself things that her living self once enjoyed, as monsters deserve nothing less than what these decapitated wolves received. “Whispers of rumors are what led us here, no? At present, we have no solid leads.” Saying this dryly, matter of fact, Estelle squinted at the flirtatious Felicity, so bold in her ways. “However…when I think of a ‘boisterous’ half-elf, the impression I get is he likes to talk. Perhaps he could be persuaded to talk on matters relevant to our mission?” Leaving that suggestion dangling like a worm on a hook, Estelle shrugged again, creasing a smile.

[Hal Hammerhand]

Vallaki: Ulon bowed to the Knights and turned back towards the forest, shifting back into his lupine form as he disappeared. The Knights entered the fortified town through the gates with the peering, ever-watching eyes of the werewolf heads and found themselves in the streets, lit by the eerie window-lights of the dark city. People scurried away from the Knights' wake, going into houses and slamming shut the doors with loud thuds, the sound of bolt and chain rattled within. The patter of rain hit the vacant cobblestones of the street alongside the fiery hooves of the nightmare steeds that struck sparks in passing. They made their way to the center of the city where the street branched in a criss-cross, the leftward avenue, a sign that reads 'The gate to the lake' and led to the waterside that would take them across the Lake and into the Svalich woods. The rightward avenue would take them to the center or hub of all city activity, the true center where inns and businesses sat around the market, this is where they might find the rascal, Von Richten.

[Chaucer]

Rune The others seemed settled on hunting down the bandits. Rune for his part simply shrugged his assent with their wishes. Truth be told he was as apathetic to the thought of going after the bandits as he was to the mission of hinting down Van Richten. “An old man with a death wish” General Karnack had referred to Van Richten. This…..this latest errand was an embarrassment. Was this what the mighty Knights of Barovia had been reduced to? Tracking an old, doddering man who was no doubt senile and incontinent? Was this an example of what the future held for the powerful vampires, once the hand-picked elite of Strahd Van Zarovich? Hand-picked. The thought, in and of itself was somewhat unsettling. It implied that Rune had had a choice in his ascension from mortal elf to undead predator. It implied that this terminable existence of grey nothingness was something that he aspired to. The truth was anything but. Do you…ever think about the days when we were alive, she had asked back in the tomb, and Rune had not answered her, lost as he was in his silence and trapped inside the thoughts that had imprisoned him for so many years and had never ever left him go. Always. Rune’s gaze flickered towards her for a moment as the grip on the reins of his flaming steed unconsciously tightened. She could not hear his answer of course, not there stood at the gates of Vallaki, the so-called Mourning Gate because he had not vocalised it. Yet to internalise it in his own mind made it as real as if he voiced the thought himself. In her own way, Estelle already knew this. She perhaps always had. He could no more let go of his own past as could she. I always remember, inasmuch as I try to banish the past back to the void it belongs. Yet I do remember, and I lament for the mistakes I….we have made that have led us to this place. ** Promise me you won’t become like those bloodthirsty hollows? The transition from life to death to undeath had had a deeper and more profound effect on the once-elf than he could ever have anticipated. There was a warmth and delightfulness to mortality than Rune had ever been able to appreciate while he had been alive. But then, one never truly appreciates that what they have until they are gone. In life, Rune was a “damn or be damned” type of individual. Live for the moment, do not dwell on the past and do not contemplate the future. It was this hedonistic, thrillseeking lifestyle that had led him to push the boundaries of feeling and sensation further…..ever further. Like a creature trapped inside a gilded cage, Rune delighted in testing the borders, simply bending the threshold between life and death as far as it would go. Quite what Estelle had been thinking in agreeing to accompany him back in those days given the person that he was. Self-centred, arrogant and conceited, Rune had been caught up in his own selfish desires to give a damn about anyone else. And indeed, as he marched a cavalcade of nameless, faceless nobodies for unthinking nights of passion, one could question why she had remained as companion to such an obviously flawed and narcissistic individual. Perhaps she saw something in Rune that he did not see himself, and as he was spurred onto acts of greater and greater debauchery, it was something that would only be undone in his own death. What he did not have the right to do…..the right to cause, was someone else’s death because of his own selfish folly. ** Perhaps it is so that I am already hollow. The thought came unbidden, and it was one that demanded a certain amount of introspection. Life had gone now, and Rune had found undeath to be……wanting. Existence was grey, a shadowy echo of what once was. A dark mockery, was this world of eternal twilight. Passions that had once burned strong within him had dwindled slowly over the course of the centuries that had passed until the ash-like embers of what once was had extinguished. The world, which he had once challenged in a game of life and death, had become an interminable, almost meaningless existence. It was this paradox that defined him, this twin being that was the opposite of what he once was. And Rune envied the others. They had all kept facets of their being. Jhazelle and her eternal drive. Felicity and her passions still ran strong, even if Rune sometimes questioned her sanity as she whispered to herself in the still of night. Bathion and his arrogance….in some ways he reminded Rune of the person he once was in life, even Estelle and her intellect, her desire for knowledge. And it was as he looked to Estelle that he knew the true depths of his own folly, that he had never seen what he had until it was gone, stripped away by the mantle of undeath. Perhaps that is my own curse in a way. Perhaps I am……truly hollow. They continued to sit there, and although the seconds slipping by into the night meant nothing to one who had immortality and understood the true meaning of its curse, the indecisiveness irked Rune. “Very well,” he nodded to Bathion. “I have not fed yet this night. Lead, and we shall partake of the blood of those who stand in our way.” Once more, his gaze flickered to Estelle, his expression unreadable. I cannot promise you that I am not hollow. This…..is not in my power to give. She was, in many ways, his greatest regret, for so many different reasons. Rune followed the others into Vallaki.

[Jrod]

Ulric “Von Richten isn’t going anywhere. Word has already spread amongst this town of our prescence. The Vampire hunter, as daft as he undoubtedly is, would love a chance to steak anyone of Strahds elite. A trap he will set, of course. It won’t matter, and we will drink him dry. If he leaves, we will find him as we always do.” Ulrics voice was tempered and collected, there was no sense of concern. ”Master will want his pet dogs to be taken care of, that is what we will do” Ulric steers his hellish steed down the path with which leads to the lake. “I hope you learned how to swim after all these years my dears” he smiles flirtatiously back at each his female companions. Fully aware the complications of being exposed to water, a weakness they all shared.

[In the Mix]

the Choice Made For a half-second, a pout can be seen on Felicity's pretty visage, which quickly turns to a sour glare as the werewolf doesn't even acknowledge her flirtations, and just walks away back to his filthy pack. Then she might notice Estelle's eyes upon her, and sits up straighter in her saddle, eyes rolling up and away. "Whatever." she had once been the paramour of Strahd himself. She reminded herself. She had betrayed her sister for power... and she was gifted with eternal life, a small keep, and a nagging voice perpetually crying in her head. What more could she ask for? A wallow in the mud with a filthy beast? No thank you. Felicity was better than that. "Who needs to swim? I taught myself to walk on water. I might be persuaded to cast upon all of us." she brags at Sir Ulric's prodding, as they rode toward lake. ~ Can you? Illissa sounded off, in her mind. "Shut up!" she hissed back, to no one in particular. She kept her gaze steeled ahead, ignoring any looks the others might shoot her way, or not. She was not insane. The voice in her head was real. It had always been there. She could feel her sister, riding along, taunting her. Ridiculing her every poor decision. Even now, she could hear her giggling at her now foul mood. ~ Stop laughing at me. she thought toward the insolent woman within. ~ I could just let them drown, and there'd be nothing you could do, to stop me. Neirian favors me. Felicity's lips lift into a snarl. ~ No you wouldn't. You still think you can save us. A silly fantasy. We are the doomed of Strahd. Forever punished for our crimes of thinking we could fight against one so powerful. ~ Your sin is killing Yara! ~ And because of her, you allowed the others to die around us. You are not perfect, sister. You are guilty of caring more for Yara, than you did for anyone else. Even me. This thought was met with silence. It was a never-ending war within the powerful body. Illissa was too guilt-ridden to ever push out Felicity's control. The stronger sister felt no guilt at her actions, or so she told herself. She had avenged her friends, and in doing so, created a new life for herself. Even as a servant of a powerful vampire lord, at least she was still alive. Felicity looked to the others. "At least I haven't completely lost myself to this immortality." she whispers, trying to justify herself. Her eyes once again fell on Rune. This time not filled with the usual lust, but with... loneliness. The servant girls were lovely, and had at one time filled her with joy. But the game had become cold after they began to fall into a routine of sameness. She could not, or would not kill them. She couldn't even harm them... too much, or Illissa would make her life worse for another two months. Or maybe longer this time. And the servants had come to understand this. They knew not to too openly defy her, because they could still be made to pay dearly. But they didn't fear for their lives, as they had at the beginning. When she had shared her bed with Count Strahd von Zarovich, she hadn't needed to to worry about how the servants reacted to her. Illissa had been shoved so far down, that for those first few years after Yara's death, there was not even a whisper from her clerical-half. It had been so long, in fact, that Felicity had begun to wonder if she hadn't killed her too. Of course, after Strahd had grown bored with her, Illissa began to whisper in her ear once again. Teasing, taunting, and finally showing that she had a metaphorical backbone after-all, by not allowing her fighter-half access to spells she had been casting as if they were her own. Strahd had kept his promise of power to her. He made her one of his elite knights. He gave her a keep, along with mortals to serve her every whim. But now, after a hundred years, she wanted for something else. She just wasn't sure what, exactly. The fighter shook her head suddenly, as if pulling herself from her melancholy. In the wake of the shake, she resumed her look of lustful confidence.

 

Spell Damage/Duration: ~
Movement: ~
Bonus Action: ~
Action: ~
Reaction: ~

OoC: ~

 

Felicity Bikoitza, Human Level 5Fighter (NE)
Illissa Bikoitza, Human Level 5Cleric of Neirian (TN)
HP: 99/99, AC: Breastplate +1 & Shield20
Initiative: +1, Speed: 30 ft.
Prof. Bonus: +4 Passive Perception: 19
Saving Throws Str +3, Dex +1, prof-Con +8, Int +1, prof-Wis +9, Cha +0
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 20, Cha 11
Long Sword +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d8+4 or 1d10+4 (if using both hands)
Shortsword +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d6+4
Flail +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d8+4
Light Crossbow +1: Attack: +6, Damage: 1d8+2
_____Bolts: 20/20 // Range: 80-320 ft.

Bite: One willing creature, or a creature that is grappled by the vampire, incapacitated, or restrained.Attack: +7, Damage: 1d6 + 2d6 The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and the vampire regains hit points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.Necrotic Damage
Claws: Attack: +7, Instead of dealing damage, the vampire can grapple the target.Damage: 2d4

 

Vampiric
+2 Natural ACEnhanced Reflexes
Necrotic, Bludgeoning, Piercing, SlashingDamage Resistance
Thanks to your vampirism, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.Darkvision
Felicity/Illissa regenerates 10 hp/turnRegeneration
The vampire can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.Spider Climb
The vampire makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack.MultiAttack
The vampire has the following flaws:
-- Forbiddance: The vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants.
-- Harmed by Running Water: The vampire takes 20 acid damage when it ends its turn in running water.
-- Stake to the Heart: The vampire is destroyed if a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into its heart while it is incapacitated in its resting place.
-- Sunlight Hypersensitivity: The vampire takes 20 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
-- Thirst: Once daily, the vampire must feed on fresh human blood or they will suffer a level of exhaustion.Weaknesses

Felicity
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.Criminal Contacts
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.Fighting Style: Two-Weapon Fighting
You have a limited well of stamina that you can draw on to protect yourself from harm. On your turn, you can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter level.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.Second Wind (1/1)
You can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible bonus action.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. Starting at 17th level, you can use it twice before a rest, but only once on the same turn.Action Surge (1/1)
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Extra Attack

Martial Archetype: Champion
Your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.Improved Critical

Illissa
Divine Domain: Death (DMG 96-97)
Illissa learns one necromancy cantrip of her choice from any spell list (Chill Touch).

When the cleric casts a necromancy cantrip that normally targets only one creature, the spell can instead target two creatures within range and within 5 feet of each other.Reaper
You have the ability to channel divine energy directly from your deity, using that energy to fuel magical effects. You start with two such effects: Turn Undead and Touch of Death. Some domains grant you additional effects as you advance in levels, as noted in the domain description.

When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which effect to create. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again.Channel Divinity (1/1)
Channel Divinity: As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring the undead. Each undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.

A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.

Destroy Undead: When an undead fails its saving throw against your Turn Undead feature, the creature is instantly destroyed if its challenge rating is at or below a certain threshold: CR 1/2 or lower.Turn or Destroy Undead
Channel Divinity: Illissa can use Channel Divinity to destroy another creature's life force by touch.

When the cleric hits a creature with a melee attack, the cleric can use Channel Divinity to deal extra necrotic damage to the target. The damage equals 5 + twice her cleric level.Touch of Death

 

Spell Save DC: 17, Spell Attack Bonus: +9 Spells Prepared (non-Domain): 10

~ Cantrips ~ ∞/∞
~ Death Domain Cantrip ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: 1 round

You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 necrotic damage,
and it can’t regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Until then, the hand clings to the target.

If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).Chill Touch {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends.Guidance {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 hour

You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.

If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the spell.Light {V (), M (A firefly or phosphorescent moss)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.

The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).Sacred Flame {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural power, within range. You create one o f the following magical effects within range:

• Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.
• You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute.
• You cause harmless tremors in the ground for 1 minute.
• You create an instantaneous sound that originates from a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.
• You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window to fly open or slam shut.
• You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its 1-minute effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.Thaumaturgy {V ()}

~ Level 1 ~ 4/4
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: 1 hour

Bolstering yourself with a necromantic facsimile of life, you gain 1d4 + 4 temporary hit points for the duration.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you gain 5 additional temporary hit points for each slot level above 1st.False Life {V (), S, M (a small amount of alcohol or distilled spirits)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

A ray of sickening greenish energy lashes out toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 poison damage and must make a Constitution saving throw.
On a failed save, it is also poisoned until the end of your next turn.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.Ray of Sickness {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: 1 round

A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d6 radiant damage, and the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.Guiding Bolt {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

A shimmering field appears and surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.Shield of Faith {V (), S, M (a small parchment with a bit of holy text written on it)}

~ Level 2 ~ 3/3
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 1 minute

You can blind or deafen a foe. Choose one creature that you can see within range to make a Constitution saving throw. If it fails, the target is either blinded or deafened (your choice) for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make a Constitution saving throw. On a success, the spell ends.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 2nd.Blindness/Deafness {V ()}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 6 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

A black beam of enervating energy springs from your finger toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target deals only half damage with weapon attacks that use Strength until the spell ends.

At the end of each of the target’s turns, it can make a Constitution saving throw against the spell. On a success, the spell ends.Ray of Enfeeblement {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 8 hours

Your spell bolsters your allies with toughness and resolve. Choose up to three creatures within range. Each target’s hit point maximum and current hit points increase by 5 for the duration.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, a target’s hit points increase by an additional 5 for each slot level above 2nd.Aid {V (), S, M (a tiny strip o f white cloth)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: Until dispelled

A flame, equivalent in brightness to a torch, springs forth from an object that you touch. The effect looks like a regular flame, but it creates no heat and doesn’t use oxygen. A continual flame can be covered or hidden but not smothered or quenched.Continual Flame {V (), S, M (ruby dust worth 50 gp, which the spell consumes)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

For the duration, no sound can be created within or pass through a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Any creature or object entirely inside the sphere is immune to thunder damage, and creatures are deafened while entirely inside it. Casting a spell that includes a verbal component is impossible there.Silence {Ritual} {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: 10 minutes

You create a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15-foot-radius sphere centered on a point of your choice within range. Until the spell ends, a creature that enters the spell’s area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can’t speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. You know whether each creature succeeds or fails on its saving throw.

An affected creature is aware of the spell and can thus avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive in its answers as long as it remains within the boundaries of the truth.Zone of Truth {V (), S}

~ Level 3 ~ 2/2
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 10 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

This spell creates an undead servant. Choose a pile of bones or a corpse of a Medium or Small humanoid within range. Your spell imbues the target with a foul mimicry of life, raising it as an undead creature. The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature’s game statistics).

On each of your turns, you can use a bonus action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any or all of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it w ill move during its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to guard a particular chamber or corridor. If you issue no commands, the creature only defends itself against hostile creatures. Once given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.

The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after which it stops obeying any command you’ve given it. To maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you must cast this spell on the creature again before the current 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control over up to four creatures you have animated with this spell, rather than animating a new one.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you animate or reassert control over two additional undead creatures for each slot level above 3rd. Each of the creatures must come from a different corpse or pile of bones.Animate Dead {V (), S, M (a drop of blood, a piece of flesh, and a pinch of bone dust))}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

The touch of your shadow-wreathed hand can siphon life force from others to heal your wounds. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.Vampiric Touch {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: 1 hour

A 60-foot-radius sphere of light spreads out from a point you choose within range. The sphere is bright light and sheds dim light for an additional 60 feet.

If you chose a point on an object you are holding or one that isn’t being worn or carried, the light shines from the object and moves with it. Completely covering the affected object with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the light.

If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of darkness created by a spell of 3rd level or lower, the spell that created the darkness is dispelled.Daylight {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 8 hours

You step into a stone object or surface large enough to fully contain your body, melding yourself and all the equipment you carry with the stone for the duration. Using your movement, you step into the stone at a point you can touch. Nothing of your presence remains visible or otherwise detectable by nonmagical senses.

While merged with the stone, you can’t see what occurs outside it, and any Wisdom (Perception) checks you make to hear sounds outside it are made with disadvantage. You remain aware o f the passage of time and can cast spells on yourself while merged in the stone. You can use your movement to leave the stone where you entered it, which ends the spell. You otherwise can’t move.

Minor physical damage to the stone doesn’t harm you, but its partial destruction or a change in its shape (to the extent that you no longer fit within it) expels you and deals 6d6 bludgeoning damage to you. The stone’s complete destruction (or transmutation into a different substance) expels you and deals 50 bludgeoning damage to you. If expelled, you fall prone in an unoccupied space closest to where you first entered.Meld Into Stone {Ritual} {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Unlimited
Duration: 1 round

You send a short message of twenty-five words or less to a creature with which you are familiar. The creature hears the message in its mind, recognizes you as the sender if it knows you, and can answer in a like manner immediately. The spell enables creatures with Intelligence scores of at least 1 to understand the meaning of your message.

You can send the message across any distance and even to other planes of existence, but if the target is on a different plane than you, there is a 5 percent chance that the message doesn’t arrive.Sending {V (), S, M (a short piece of fine copper wire)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 1 hour

This spell grants the ability to move across any liquid surface—such as water, acid, mud, snow, quicksand, or lava—as if it were harmless solid ground (creatures crossing molten lava can still take damage from the heat). Up to ten willing creatures you can see within range gain this ability for the duration.

If you target a creature submerged in a liquid, the spell carries the target to the surface of the liquid at a rate of 60 feet per round.Water Walk {Ritual} {V (), S, M (a piece of cork)}

[DaniLore]

Estelle Smirking at Sir Bathion's typical swagger, Estelle was not entirely immune to the attentions of confident men. In fact, she welcomed flattery and witty repartee. Their lack of sincerity made it all the more gratifying when setting them cheerfully ablaze. She found Ulric's smarm overly thick this lovely evening, perhaps because it had been so long. "Why swim, when such a dashing knight can carry me across?" Flicking her gaze to Rune, Estelle lifted a teasing smile. "Am I not a Lady worthy of devotion?" A nagging thought niggled her brain. Assuming this wasn't just another goose chase, did Ulric truly intend to kill Von Richten? Were their orders not to bring him back alive? How strange, perhaps she had heard wrong? Jhazell remained quiet, and the others seemed too lost in their own worlds at the moment. This whole scenario struck Estelle as rather off. Von Richten had always been Master's prey. Strahd is at heart, a vengeful soul. Hunting down worthy opponents remains one of his last, exquisite joys. For such a prize, she couldn't imagine Strahd simply lingering by the wayside. Trusting them with a task like this...didn't sound like him at all. What if...this is a test? Thumbing at her reigns, Estelle grimaced, mulling upon the unsavory thought. There's no denying that she had remained bitter, even after a hundred years. How could a puppet not resent the strings that bind it, or the hand that coerces it to dance? Glancing at Rune's back, though it may simply be a figment of paranoia, nothing could quell the quiet dread as it grew into a looming shadow.

[Chaucer]

Rune Even as the knights, pressed into their world of unending servitude, watched the roll of centuries pass them by, there were some things that never changed. Sir Ulric Bathion being a boorish lecherous swine being one of them. It seemed that even immortality itself could not dull that one's impulsive and irrational tendencies. Not for the first time in his existence, and likely not the last, Rune contemplated running his blade through Ulric's eyeballs, but as always it was not practical to do so. Ulric's elitist alpha-male tendencies would bring about his doom one day and Rune was always the sort of person who wished to greet the reaper on his own terms. It suited him to have someone else with be the focal point of attention and therefore be the one who would take the inevitable fall for the rest of the group. Rune would do what he did best. Skulk in the shadows as the dangerous assassin poised to strike. Unseen, unheard and with the world at his mercy as it always was. As the fearsome knights arrived at the lake, Felicity suggested that she had the ability to allow them to walk on water. His nightmare steed seemed agitated, perhaps by the presence of running water. Reaching down to stroke the mare's neck, Rune hushed the steed. It was strange that even given the nightmare's otherworldly abilities, mundane things such as running water still held the ability to make it uneasy. Would that Rune was still capable of feeling such emotions, but long ago he had succumbed to the effects of immortality. Barren inside, Rune sometimes wondered if he was incapable of passions in the way that Bathion and Felicity still displayed. Anything would be better than the grey nothingness that existed inside of him as a void. "That would certainly be a useful feat Felicity," he said aloud, shattering his own internal musings. "However I fear Sir Bathion here would still sink under the weight of his own egotism." Chuckling softly, he dropped back in-line with Estelle as she questioned whether she was worthy of devotion to be carried across the lake. "It reminds me of the time when you were determined to go fishing in the depths of the River Dessarin, Estelle. You were adamant that there was a relic hidden in the depths of the lake. You were always dedicated to such ancient curiosities." He laid his hand on Estelle's arm as he reminisced, yet the message he was conveying was both simple and clear. Yes. I still think about the days when we were alive. I have not forgotten, despite everything. "You were never the strongest swimmer. You misjudged the current, and you got stuck in the water, struggling not to be swept away. I had to dive in to carry you back out of it again. You were scared half to death, but we laughed about it afterwards. But of course there was the time you had to pull me out of the mud pit that I got myself stuck in so we were even…." Squeezing her arm softly, Rune's eyes took on a distant, almost faraway expression from the memory, a small smile crossing his ashen features. "They were simpler times back then." Letting go of her arm, Rune gazed over to the other side of the lake. "The night is not getting any younger and I would hate for us to be here to greet the dawn because we couldn't manage to find our way across a lake." His smile turned into something sardonic as his eyes passed from one to the next of his fellow knights.

[JaredSyn]

Jhazelle rode along quietly listening to the others speak their own truths and minds. She was not one to speak absent mindedly and drone on. The news of the loss of so many werewolves and wolves was disturbing was this group of bandits that they were so capable of dealing with such creatures. Finally she had heard enough. "It matters little want it is we want, we have orders, to find Van Richten, at the same time we are always tasked with dealing with those who would threaten Lord VonZarovich, these bandits could be just that. KNowing their numbers and their strength is vital as well. Our master will not like hearing of such attacks upon his own. I say we check out these bandits and deal with them directly before they can cause much more trouble. Besides most of us it seems have not yet fed they could prove to be a good evenings meal."

Stat Block   Jhazalle Nulvelith | Neutral Evil | Female | Half Drow Elf | Warlock 7/Paladin 3 | Level 10 Armor Class 20 Hit Points 86/86 Speed 30 ft Str 8 Dex 15 Con 17 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 20 Saving throws STR -1, DEX +2, CON +3, INT +0, WIS +1, CHA +5 | Initiative +2 Skills Arcana +4, Athletics +3, Deception +9, Insight +5, Perception +5, Religion +4, Senses Passive Perception 15 | Languages Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Undercommon, [B]Pact Weapon (Greatsword) +9 (2D6+6) | Eldritch Blast +9 (2d10) | Class Abilities: Your oath allows you to channel divine energy to fuel magical effects. When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which option to use. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again. Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws (DC 17). Once Per Short Rest.Channel Divinity | As an action, you can choose one creature within 60 ft. of you that you can see to make a WIS saving throw (17). Fiends and undead have disadvantage on this saving throw. On failure, the creature is frightened and its speed is reduced to 0 (and it can't benefit from bonuses to speed) for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. On success, the creatures speed is halved for 1 minute or until the creature takes any damage.Channel Divinity Abjure Ennemy | As an action, you can create a pact weapon in your hand (you choose the form, you're proficient with it, and it counts as magical). You can also transform a magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual.Create Pact Weapon | As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover. You can use this feature 6 times per long rest. Divine Sense | You have a pool of healing power that can restore 15 HP per long rest. As an action, you can touch a creature to restore any number of HP remaining in the pool, or 5 HP to either cure a disease or neutralize a poison affecting the creature.Lay on Hands Pool | As a bonus action, you can use your Channel Divinity to choose a creature within 10 ft. and gain advantage on attack rolls against it for 1 minute or until it drops to 0 HP or falls unconscious.Channel Divinity Vow of Enmity | Once per short rest, as a bonus action, choose one creature you can see within 30 ft. to curse it for 1 minute (or until the target dies, you die, or you are incapacitated). Against the cursed target, you gain a +4 bonus to damage rolls, score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20, and you regain 12 HP if it dies. Once per Short Rest.Hexblades Curse | Your otherworldly patron bestows a gift upon you for your loyal service.Pact Boon | You learn fragments of forbidden knowledge that imbue you with an abiding magical ability.Eldritch Invocations | You can cast false life on yourself at will as a 1st-level spell, without expending a spell slot or material components. False Life(1st)Fiendish Vigor | You can attack with your pact weapon twice whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Thirsting Blade | Your pact weapon can be your spellcasting focus, gains a +1 bonus to its attack and damage rolls (unless it already has a magic bonus), and can be a shortbow, longbow, light crossbow, or heavy crossbow.Improved Pact Weapon | As an action, you can create a pact weapon in your hand (you choose the form, you're proficient with it, and it counts as magical). You can also transform a magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual.Pact of the Blade | As a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to 30 ft. to an unoccupied space you can see within 5 ft. of the target cursed by your hex spell or by another cursing warlock feature.Relentless Hex | When you slay a humanoid, you can cause its spirit to rise as a specter that gains +3 temp HP. Roll initiative for the specter, which has its own turns. It obeys your verbal commands, gains a +5 bonus to its attack rolls, and remains until the end of your next long rest.Accursed Specter (Special) | When you hit with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal 2d8 extra radiant damage to the target plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st (max 5d8) and plus 1d8 against undead or fiends.Divine Smite (Special) | You gain proficiency with medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch one weapon that you are proficient with and that lacks the two-handed property. With that weapon, you can use your CHA modifier for the attack and damage rolls until you finish your next long rest. You can also use your CHA modifier for the attack and damage rolls for any of your pact weapons if you have that feature.Hex Warrior (Special) | Racial Abilities You can see in darkness (shades of gray) up to 60 ft.Darkvision | -+2 to three stats of your choice -+2 natural armor -Damage Resistance: Necrotic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, And Slashing From Nonmagical Weapons -Senses: Darkvision 60 Ft. -Regeneration: The vampire regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn't in sunlight or running water. If the vampire takes radiant damage or damage from holy water, this trait doesn't function at the start of the vampire's next turn. -Spider Climb: The vampire can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. Vampire Weaknesses: The vampire has the following flaws: --Forbiddance: The vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants. --Harmed by Running Water: The vampire takes 20 acid damage when it ends its turn in running water. --Stake to the Heart: The vampire is destroyed if a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into its heart while it is incapacitated in its resting place. --Sunlight Hypersensitivity: The vampire takes 20 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. --Thirst: Once daily, the vampire must feed on fresh human blood or they will suffer a level of exhaustion. -Multiattack: The vampire makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack. -Bite: Melee Weapon Attack - one willing creature, or a creature that is grappled by the vampire, incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: (1d6) piercing damage plus (2d6) necrotic damage. The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and the vampire regains hit points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0 -Claws: Melee Weapon Attack - one creature. Hit: (2d4) slashing damage. Instead of dealing damage, the vampire can grapple the target.Vampire Benefits-Weaknesses Feats: You've learned to put the weight of a weapon to your advantage, letting its momentum empower your strikes. You gain the following benefits: On your turn, when you score a critical hit with a melee weapon or reduce a creature to 0 hit points with one, you can make one melee weapon attack as a bonus action. Before you make a melee attack with a heavy weapon that you are proficient with, you can choose to take a -5 penalty to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add +10 to the attack's damage.Great Weapon Master Special Equipment: Half Plate +1 | While holding this rod, you gain a bonus to spell attack rolls and to the saving throw DCs of your warlock spells. The bonus is determined by the rod’s rarity. In addition, you can regain 1 warlock spell slot as an action while holding the rod. You can’t use this property again until you finish a long rest.Rod of the Pack Keeper +1 Spells (+10, DC18) Cantrips: A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within 120 range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage. The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.Eldritch Blast | Casting Time: 1 action; Range: 30 feet; Components: V, S; Duration: 1 minute; A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range. The hand lasts for the duration or until you dismiss it as an action. The hand vanishes if it is ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this spell again. You can use your action to control the hand. You can use the hand to manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open container, or pour the contents out of a vial. You can move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it. The hand can't attack, activate magic items, or carry more than 10 pounds.Mage hand | You point a finger at a target in range. Your magic grants you a brief insight into the target's defenses. On your next turn, you gain advantage on your first attack roll against the target, provided that this spell hasn't ended.True Strike | Level 1 (3/3) A protective magical force surrounds you, manifesting as a spectral frost that covers you and your gear. You gain 5 temporary hit points for the duration. If a creature hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points, the creature takes 5 cold damage. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, both the temporary hit points and the cold damage increase by 5 for each slot.Armor of Agathys | Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must make Charisma saving throws. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st.Bane | Bolstering yourself with a necromantic facsimile of life, you gain 1d4 + 4 temporary hit points for the duration. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you gain 5 additional temporary hit points for each slot level above 1st.False Life (At Will) | You point your finger, and the creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.Hellish Rebuke | You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature. A remove curse cast on the target ends this spell early. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours.Hex | You choose a creature you can see within range and mystically mark it as your quarry. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 damage to the target whenever you hit it with a weapon attack, and you have advantage on any Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) check you make to find it. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to mark a new creature. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours.Hunters Mark Level 2 (3/3) Choose a humanoid that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the spell ends on the target. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional humanoid for each slot level above 2nd. The humanoids must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.Hold Person | You point your finger, and the creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.Hellish Rebuke | You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature. A remove curse cast on the target ends this spell early. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours.Hex | Three illusory duplicates of yourself appear in your space. Until the spell ends, the duplicates move with you and mimic your actions, shifting position so it's impossible to track which image is real. You can use your action to dismiss the illusory duplicates. Each time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell's duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets one of your duplicates. If you have three duplicates, you must roll a 6 or higher to change the attack's target to a duplicate. With two duplicates, you must roll an 8 or higher. With one duplicate, you must roll an 11 or higher. A duplicate's AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The spell ends when all three duplicates are destroyed. A creature is unaffected by this spell if it can't see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.Mirror Image | Briefly surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see.Misty Step | You suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence or two) and magically influence a creature you can see within range that can hear and understand you. Creatures that can't be charmed are immune to this effect. The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act ends the spell. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it pursues the course of action you described to the best of its ability. The suggested course of action can continue for the entire duration. If the suggested activity can be completed in a shorter time, the spell ends when the subject finishes what it was asked to do. You can also specify conditions that will trigger a special activity during the duration. For example, you might suggest that a knight give her warhorse to the first beggar she meets. If the condition isn't met before the spell expires, the activity isn't performed. If you or any of your companions damage the target, the spell ends.Suggestion | Level 3 (3/3) You reach into the mind of one creature you can see and force it to make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature automatically succeeds if it is immune to being frightened. On a failed save, the target loses the ability to distinguish friend from foe, regarding all creatures it can see as enemies until the spell ends. Each time the target takes damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Whenever the affected creature chooses another creature as a target, it must choose the target at random from among the creatures it can see within range of the attack, spell, or other ability it’s using. If an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from the affected creature, the creature must make that attack if it is able to.Enemies Abound |

[Hal Hammerhand]

Lake Zarovich: At the foot of the mountain, nestled in the misty forest, is a large lake. The water is perfectly still and dark, reflecting the black clouds overhead like a monstrous mirror. Pulled up along the shore are three small rowboats. A fourth boat can be seen in the middle of the lake, with a lone figure sitting in it, fishing pole in hand. The knights that keep up with the lands of their master know the man in the boat is the town drunk, a resident of Vallaki. The name escapes you, which seems strange but this might be a sign of the times, a hundred years since the start of your servitude to Strahd.

OOC: -Each rowboat can safely hold five people. -You won't have to worry about your weakness to running water since the lake is a still body of water.

[In the Mix]

Midnight Ride Felicity lightly slips off her horse, and walks toward the boats. "Well come along. Or do you think these boats will paddle themselves?" she asks, turning to look at the allies. "I think we should take two boats. Me and Rune, in one. You other three in the other." she suggests. She looks out over the water toward the lone fisherman, and tries to Dice Wisdom Check: 1d20+5 (10)+5 Total = 15 remember his name. She's pretty sure it's Timmy, or Thomas. Maybe Theodore. She had come here before, a few years back, when she had first learned the Water Walk spell. She had wanted a calm water to walk across, to practice. It would not due to look foolish in front of the other knights. Terry was easy enough to bribe. A half-bottle of rye whiskey, for every trip to a secluded beach on the lake shore. She stands near the edge of the water, and takes Dice Perception: 1d20+9 (2)+9 Total = 11 a better look at the fisherman. "Isn't it a weird time to be out fishing?" she asks aloud. Even in life, she'd never understood the allure. And in a hundred years of undeath, she still had not figured out the secret.

 

Spell Damage/Duration: ~
Movement: ~
Bonus Action: ~
Action: ~
Reaction: ~

OoC: ~

 

Felicity Bikoitza, Human Level 5Fighter (NE)
Illissa Bikoitza, Human Level 5Cleric of Neirian (TN)
HP: 99/99, AC: Breastplate +1 & Shield20
Initiative: +1, Speed: 30 ft.
Prof. Bonus: +4 Passive Perception: 19
Saving Throws Str +3, Dex +1, prof-Con +8, Int +1, prof-Wis +9, Cha +0
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 20, Cha 11
Long Sword +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d8+4 or 1d10+4 (if using both hands)
Shortsword +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d6+4
Flail +1: Attack: +8, Damage: 1d8+4
Light Crossbow +1: Attack: +6, Damage: 1d8+2
_____Bolts: 20/20 // Range: 80-320 ft.

Bite: One willing creature, or a creature that is grappled by the vampire, incapacitated, or restrained.Attack: +7, Damage: 1d6 + 2d6 The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and the vampire regains hit points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.Necrotic Damage
Claws: Attack: +7, Instead of dealing damage, the vampire can grapple the target.Damage: 2d4

 

Vampiric
+2 Natural ACEnhanced Reflexes
Necrotic, Bludgeoning, Piercing, SlashingDamage Resistance
Thanks to your vampirism, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.Darkvision
Felicity/Illissa regenerates 10 hp/turnRegeneration
The vampire can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.Spider Climb
The vampire makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack.MultiAttack
The vampire has the following flaws:
-- Forbiddance: The vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants.
-- Harmed by Running Water: The vampire takes 20 acid damage when it ends its turn in running water.
-- Stake to the Heart: The vampire is destroyed if a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into its heart while it is incapacitated in its resting place.
-- Sunlight Hypersensitivity: The vampire takes 20 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
-- Thirst: Once daily, the vampire must feed on fresh human blood or they will suffer a level of exhaustion.Weaknesses

Felicity
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.Criminal Contacts
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.Fighting Style: Two-Weapon Fighting
You have a limited well of stamina that you can draw on to protect yourself from harm. On your turn, you can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter level.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.Second Wind (1/1)
You can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible bonus action.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. Starting at 17th level, you can use it twice before a rest, but only once on the same turn.Action Surge (1/1)
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Extra Attack

Martial Archetype: Champion
Your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.Improved Critical

Illissa
Divine Domain: Death (DMG 96-97)
Illissa learns one necromancy cantrip of her choice from any spell list (Chill Touch).

When the cleric casts a necromancy cantrip that normally targets only one creature, the spell can instead target two creatures within range and within 5 feet of each other.Reaper
You have the ability to channel divine energy directly from your deity, using that energy to fuel magical effects. You start with two such effects: Turn Undead and Touch of Death. Some domains grant you additional effects as you advance in levels, as noted in the domain description.

When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which effect to create. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again.Channel Divinity (1/1)
Channel Divinity: As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring the undead. Each undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.

A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.

Destroy Undead: When an undead fails its saving throw against your Turn Undead feature, the creature is instantly destroyed if its challenge rating is at or below a certain threshold: CR 1/2 or lower.Turn or Destroy Undead
Channel Divinity: Illissa can use Channel Divinity to destroy another creature's life force by touch.

When the cleric hits a creature with a melee attack, the cleric can use Channel Divinity to deal extra necrotic damage to the target. The damage equals 5 + twice her cleric level.Touch of Death

 

Spell Save DC: 17, Spell Attack Bonus: +9 Spells Prepared (non-Domain): 10

~ Cantrips ~ ∞/∞
~ Death Domain Cantrip ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: 1 round

You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 necrotic damage,
and it can’t regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Until then, the hand clings to the target.

If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).Chill Touch {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends.Guidance {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 hour

You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.

If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the spell.Light {V (), M (A firefly or phosphorescent moss)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.

The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).Sacred Flame {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural power, within range. You create one o f the following magical effects within range:

• Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.
• You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute.
• You cause harmless tremors in the ground for 1 minute.
• You create an instantaneous sound that originates from a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.
• You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window to fly open or slam shut.
• You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its 1-minute effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.Thaumaturgy {V ()}

~ Level 1 ~ 4/4
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: 1 hour

Bolstering yourself with a necromantic facsimile of life, you gain 1d4 + 4 temporary hit points for the duration.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you gain 5 additional temporary hit points for each slot level above 1st.False Life {V (), S, M (a small amount of alcohol or distilled spirits)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

A ray of sickening greenish energy lashes out toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 poison damage and must make a Constitution saving throw.
On a failed save, it is also poisoned until the end of your next turn.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.Ray of Sickness {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: 1 round

A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d6 radiant damage, and the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.Guiding Bolt {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

A shimmering field appears and surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.Shield of Faith {V (), S, M (a small parchment with a bit of holy text written on it)}

~ Level 2 ~ 3/3
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 1 minute

You can blind or deafen a foe. Choose one creature that you can see within range to make a Constitution saving throw. If it fails, the target is either blinded or deafened (your choice) for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make a Constitution saving throw. On a success, the spell ends.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 2nd.Blindness/Deafness {V ()}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 6 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

A black beam of enervating energy springs from your finger toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target deals only half damage with weapon attacks that use Strength until the spell ends.

At the end of each of the target’s turns, it can make a Constitution saving throw against the spell. On a success, the spell ends.Ray of Enfeeblement {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 8 hours

Your spell bolsters your allies with toughness and resolve. Choose up to three creatures within range. Each target’s hit point maximum and current hit points increase by 5 for the duration.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, a target’s hit points increase by an additional 5 for each slot level above 2nd.Aid {V (), S, M (a tiny strip o f white cloth)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: Until dispelled

A flame, equivalent in brightness to a torch, springs forth from an object that you touch. The effect looks like a regular flame, but it creates no heat and doesn’t use oxygen. A continual flame can be covered or hidden but not smothered or quenched.Continual Flame {V (), S, M (ruby dust worth 50 gp, which the spell consumes)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

For the duration, no sound can be created within or pass through a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Any creature or object entirely inside the sphere is immune to thunder damage, and creatures are deafened while entirely inside it. Casting a spell that includes a verbal component is impossible there.Silence {Ritual} {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: 10 minutes

You create a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15-foot-radius sphere centered on a point of your choice within range. Until the spell ends, a creature that enters the spell’s area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can’t speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. You know whether each creature succeeds or fails on its saving throw.

An affected creature is aware of the spell and can thus avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive in its answers as long as it remains within the boundaries of the truth.Zone of Truth {V (), S}

~ Level 3 ~ 2/2
~ Death Domain Spells ~
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 10 feet
Duration: Instantaneous

This spell creates an undead servant. Choose a pile of bones or a corpse of a Medium or Small humanoid within range. Your spell imbues the target with a foul mimicry of life, raising it as an undead creature. The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature’s game statistics).

On each of your turns, you can use a bonus action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any or all of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it w ill move during its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to guard a particular chamber or corridor. If you issue no commands, the creature only defends itself against hostile creatures. Once given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.

The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after which it stops obeying any command you’ve given it. To maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you must cast this spell on the creature again before the current 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control over up to four creatures you have animated with this spell, rather than animating a new one.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you animate or reassert control over two additional undead creatures for each slot level above 3rd. Each of the creatures must come from a different corpse or pile of bones.Animate Dead {V (), S, M (a drop of blood, a piece of flesh, and a pinch of bone dust))}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

The touch of your shadow-wreathed hand can siphon life force from others to heal your wounds. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.Vampiric Touch {V (), S}

~ Prepared ~
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: 1 hour

A 60-foot-radius sphere of light spreads out from a point you choose within range. The sphere is bright light and sheds dim light for an additional 60 feet.

If you chose a point on an object you are holding or one that isn’t being worn or carried, the light shines from the object and moves with it. Completely covering the affected object with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the light.

If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of darkness created by a spell of 3rd level or lower, the spell that created the darkness is dispelled.Daylight {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 8 hours

You step into a stone object or surface large enough to fully contain your body, melding yourself and all the equipment you carry with the stone for the duration. Using your movement, you step into the stone at a point you can touch. Nothing of your presence remains visible or otherwise detectable by nonmagical senses.

While merged with the stone, you can’t see what occurs outside it, and any Wisdom (Perception) checks you make to hear sounds outside it are made with disadvantage. You remain aware o f the passage of time and can cast spells on yourself while merged in the stone. You can use your movement to leave the stone where you entered it, which ends the spell. You otherwise can’t move.

Minor physical damage to the stone doesn’t harm you, but its partial destruction or a change in its shape (to the extent that you no longer fit within it) expels you and deals 6d6 bludgeoning damage to you. The stone’s complete destruction (or transmutation into a different substance) expels you and deals 50 bludgeoning damage to you. If expelled, you fall prone in an unoccupied space closest to where you first entered.Meld Into Stone {Ritual} {V (), S}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Unlimited
Duration: 1 round

You send a short message of twenty-five words or less to a creature with which you are familiar. The creature hears the message in its mind, recognizes you as the sender if it knows you, and can answer in a like manner immediately. The spell enables creatures with Intelligence scores of at least 1 to understand the meaning of your message.

You can send the message across any distance and even to other planes of existence, but if the target is on a different plane than you, there is a 5 percent chance that the message doesn’t arrive.Sending {V (), S, M (a short piece of fine copper wire)}
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Duration: 1 hour

This spell grants the ability to move across any liquid surface—such as water, acid, mud, snow, quicksand, or lava—as if it were harmless solid ground (creatures crossing molten lava can still take damage from the heat). Up to ten willing creatures you can see within range gain this ability for the duration.

If you target a creature submerged in a liquid, the spell carries the target to the surface of the liquid at a rate of 60 feet per round.Water Walk {Ritual} {V (), S, M (a piece of cork)}