Infiltrating the Barovi Templi Nox
Hours had passed since the argument and the light of the Sunsword slowly grew from the aperture set in the Temple of the Wheel, a perfect facsimile of dawn spilling over the peaks and into the pine-choked valley. Already the glare bothered Diana's eyes, inspiring Gerald to hurriedly close the curtains. She couldn't help but sigh as darkness washed over her, wondering then if that made her a bad Kalindian.
"We'll strike after our rest, then?" Renato asked beside her, one with the shadows and all but invisible.
"I think that would be best." She hadn't startled and didn't bother turning, staring now at the sliver of brilliance lighting the narrow part of the crimson drapes. "No point trying in daylight."
They remained there in silence awhile, until Diana decided to burst it with a freshly-sharpened pin. "How is Izzy coming along? Are we going with her or a reputable witness?"
The assassin stepped out of the darkness and into material form, even then mostly hidden under a black cloak and hood. "I think we will need both." Making a point to look her in the eyes, then, "Perhaps the healing process between the two parties can begin..."
He trailed off, lowering his hood and running a hand through his hair. "Isabella is on the edge. She will come off on one side or the other."
Diana remained casual as she spun and sat lady-like on a divan, though something in the way she chewed her lip betrayed her worries. "Healing process. Who can we get who won't be upset by the sight of Izzy?"
"You know more about these people than I do. Does Remy know of her?" Renato offered.
She frowned. "Ireena's boyfriend? I'm going to guess she mentioned it to him."
Gerald closed the rest of the curtains throughout the expansive sitting room and bowed quickly before floating out, something the assassin still wasn't quite used to. Spectral blue servants hovering here and there, bowing and curtsying, lunch at one o'clock sharp. It'd been a long time since he was served by anyone. The honed formality and aged opulence of this castle was bittersweet, he thought, running a gloved hand across a fine oak ledge. Huh, missed a spot...
"Ashlyn?"
Diana didn't immediately respond, staring at a large mirror turned backward against the wall. The Old Curse had penetrated even this place.
Renato persisted. "You said these are your friends. Perhaps you could convince them to simply deal with it for the good of your country."
"Like I can convince my other good friend Isabella not to consort with pure evil?" Her tone was sharper than she intended, and she softly followed, "Ashlyn might be the best bet, though."
"You are hard on yourself." The assassin fell lazily into a love seat, throwing a leg over one of its cushioned arms. "Send Ashlyn word if you can. If not we will try to visit her." He fished under his folds. "I have the ring, and you said someone here could figure out how to extend its range? They should take care of that while we rest."
Diana chuckled a bit at that, a hint of appreciation in its sweet sound. "Look at this place. It's a disaster. Everything I've worked for gone. Gone in three weeks."
How did this place manage before she came? Oh right, ancient vampire tyrant...
"I'll arrange another bat message for Ashlyn." She ever so gently ran a finger from her chin to the base of her throat, pondering, "That should set the right tone."
"My life of eighteen years was disrupted with a single night," Renato replied flatly, having none of this. "Time is not a fair friend." Still, there was a little comedy to be found even in the worst of times, even as he smirked. "At least none of it's dull, eh?"
"I wouldn't mind a little dullness right about now." She snatched a pillow within reach and hugged it. "Still, I appreciate the kind thoughts."
Renato scratched his head, leaning closer. "There are no hard feelings between us, even when things get hectic." He took the ring and lifted it, looking through it and at Diana as though it were a keyhole. "You'll take care of all the set up and I'll ensure that we all remain safe while in the belly of the beast." He paused. "Though this is a minor base. Perhaps it's more like the kidney of the beast."
The beauty of her face soured with so many frown lines and Diana stuck out her tongue. "Ewww. I'm not sure I want to be in any of the beast's body parts."
Renato grinned, handing the ring over.
"I'll see to it," she said.
"Get away from me!" The page cried, borrowing fire from the hearth with a quick sweep of her arm and sending it as a wave over the three.
It hissed and crackled against Renato's leathers, but he hardly felt it so consumed with revenge.
Experience: 2016 each (54,874 total)
Temple Guardians Encounter, 3400
+ for remaining undetected
+ for keeping Samira alive
Stairwell Encounter, 1100
+ for remaining undetected
+ for keeping Samira alive
Presbytery Encounter A (Lady Ebb, Drow Page), 1550
+ for keeping Samira alive
Magic: soul shard x 5 (Renato), Malcanthe Sutra (Renato), +2 darkforce blade x 5 (Renato)
Malcanthe Sutra: Penned by the reigning Queen of the Succubi, Malcanthet, this legendary tome represents centuries upon centuries worth of study in the sexual arts, truly a prize worthy of placing upon Tenebrous's altar of secrets and knowledge. Poured into its pages are the passions of its author and more than a little of her lusts and appetites.
Its cover is soft as maiden's flesh, peach-colored with minute hairs that bristle and shiver with the proper touch. The binding is a tougher, brown leather studded in gold awfully suggestive of nipples. Each page is slick with oil and smells of an irresistible perfume.
This book may be used as a +4 magic tome implement, but it must be held.
Property: Anyone who spends an extended rest studying this tome receives a +10 to Charisma checks regarding sexual performance and a +5 bonus to Bluff checks involving seduction. These benefits only last so long as the tome is in his or her possession.
Property: Anyone who spends two extended rests studying this tome receives +2 to power attacks with the charm keyword. This benefit only lasts so long as the tome is in his or her possession.
Power (Daily): Immediate Reaction. When you hit with a power that slows, immobilizes, restrains, dazes, or stuns as an ongoing condition, upgrade the effect in the order given by one. In the case of upgrading stun, the target is instead knocked unconscious until the end of your next turn.
Prerequisite: Must have studied the tome for at least three extended rests.
Bane: You quickly develop an insatiable sexual appetite. If your needs are not fulfilled by the end of your next extended rest, you suffer a -1 to all rolls and defenses. This penalty is cumulative for each period between extended rests without sex. If you claim a virgin in this pursuit, all previous penalties are erased and you receive an additional action point.
Bane: You may not relinquish the tome until you have satisfied its sexual need or it is accepted as a gift by a willing and knowledgeable party.
Darkforce Blade
The blade of this longsword flickers in and out of sight, stemming from a cold, black hilt.
Level: 6
Price: 1,800 gp
Weapon: Longsword
Enhancement: +2 attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +2d6 damage
Property: All damage dealt by this blade is force damage.
Coin: 120 gp
Loot: Ornate gold box of licorice incense (2,500 gp), bolt of platinum-embroidered black satin enough for six medium outfits (2,500 gp), essence of lavender and orange perfume x 4 (250 gp each), signet ring of the Barovi Templi Nox x 2, iron rod, candle x 4, matchbox, quill x 2 (all Renato)
New NPCs
Dame Samira von Immol: Young, unorthodox knight of the Ravens out of the village of Immol who favors leathers and katars instead of plate, shield and sword. She's known Ashlyn all her life and acts as her eyes and ears in regards to the mission in the temple. Blond and athletic, she's not exactly a beauty.
Lady Ebb (dead): Vampiress wizard who served the Ordo for years as an independent arcanist, aiding in rituals and other spells of transportation and location. Imperious and proud, she died badly...
New Organization
Cult of Tenebrous: A cult born in the Underdark counting drow and now vampires among its supplicants. Dedicated to the 'god' of darkness and secrets, his symbol is a six-fingered hand and his idols are nine-foot-tall men of stunning beauty with six fingers on each hand and crowns of horns sprouting from their brows. His followers rule the drow city of Kauth, the very city those dark elves of the Caverns were driven out of after their failure in Provia with the Hand of Doom. Those who surrender to his power lose their souls, as Renato has found.
New Hook
Lost Souls: Who is Tenebrous? Why has this Barovian chapter of the Ordo turned to him? They've never been an organization involving religion and, in fact, prided themselves on their spiritual neutrality in the days when Renato was a member. Has all the Ordo fallen under Tenebrous's sway? And what of their missing souls?
Next Session
82b: The party continues their assault on the temple, facing off against increasingly deadly assassins and macabre guardians in their search for The Tome of Barovia.
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