The Catacombs need to be searched and the Weapons of our Heroes found. But Farther Tobias soon returns to his comrades, realising that he no longer has enough power to cast his ‘Locate Object’ spell. Instead they must seek their stolen weapons by more mundane means within the Catacombs. Thora spits tobacco juice upon the litter of stinking Bat dung that masquerades as a floor.
Thora: “By my father’s beard, is nothing straightforward in this damnable place!?”
Frimly however was making the utmost of his ‘Gaseous Form Potion’ abilities, exploring as many of the closed Crypts within the Catacombs as possible, believing that he was mostly immune to spells and the undead inhabitants who were sure to lurk within.
The first tomb he investigates:
CRYPT 23:
Frimly Greenish
The stone slab bears his own name. Inside is indeed an old and wizened corpse bearing not only Frimly’s equipment but indeed a worn but exact likeness of himself.
Another of Strahd’s sick parlour tricks no doubt. However there is no sharp intake of breath or trickle of cold sweat from Frimly as his current molecular structure precludes such luxury here in the Catacombs of Ravenloft!
The next chamber:
CRYPT 22:
Sir Erik Vonderbucks
A gilded man lies atop a marble slab in the centre of this otherwise barren Crypt.
The tomb contains a gilded statue resting upon a white plinth, but nothing else of obvious interest can be seen.
The next tomb:
CRYPT 21:
Patrina Velikovna – Bride
This Bore a simple inscribed declaration that Patrina, the Banshee Elf that Farther Tobias eventually turned, was the sole occupant. The floor is littered with coinage bearing the visage of Strahd, but many hundreds of years old.
Despite the chaos he had unleashed, Frimly felt there was no choice but to continue with his search of the Catacombs.
From the darkness comes a horrifying visage, a spectral Elf maiden twisted by the horror of her undead existence. She wails, and the very sound claws at your soul.
Frimly moved slowly towards the second row of Crypts:
CRYPT 10:
Sir Leonid Krushkin (Sir Lee the Crusher): Bigger than life, he loved his jewellery
An oversized skeleton draped in jewellery and rags lies atop an elongated marble slab in the centre of the Crypt.
Leaning against the slab is a bloodstained Maul strung with cobwebs.
Frimly then went into the Crypt of Sir Leonid Krushkin. Inside lay a large skeleton holding a blood stained ‘Maul’. Alongside what look to be ‘3 largish fake Jewels’. Will this too come to life when in contact with the living?
The adjacent mausoleum in the Ravenloft Catacombs:
CRYPT 11:
Tasha Petrovna – Healer of Kings, Light unto the West, Servant, Companion
A skeleton wearing tattered priestly vestments lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. The domed ceiling overhead is painted with a glorious sun mural.
Within is a Skeleton wearing tattered priestly vestments lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. The domed ceiling overhead is painted with a glorious sun mural. Draped around the neck of the skeleton is a ‘Sun-Shaped Holy Symbol of gold’.
A tingle charged particles in lieu of excitement aroused Frimly’s senses.
Frimly: “Could this be the item of power foretold by the fortune teller? Please let it be so!”
Frimly hears a ghostly female voice:
Ghostly Voice: “There is a Crypt to the WEST, where the Baron lays, in a place built by stonemasons. When all turns to darkness, seek a treasure long lost that will grant you your desire.”
The next tomb found in the Catacombs is that of “King Katsky:
CRYPT 13:
King Katsky (Katsky the Bright. King, Ruler, and Inventor)
A skeleton draped in rags lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. Lying amid the bones is a ‘Stoppered Drinking Horn’, a ‘Fat Pouc’h, and a weird-looking ‘Sceptre’ made of metal and wood.
Above the bones, hanging from the domed ceiling by wires, is a ‘Wooden Flying Contraption’ that looks like a set of folding dragon wings fitted with leather straps, metal buckles, and taut leather wing flaps. (can it be flown?).
A Skeleton draped in rags lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt.
Lying amid the bones is a ‘Stoppered Drinking Horn’, and a ‘Weird-Looking Sceptre’ made of metal and wood.
Above the bones, hanging from the domed ceiling by wires, is a wooden ‘Flying Contraption’ that looks like a set of folding dragon wings fitted with leather straps, metal buckles, and taut leather wing flaps.
Another Crypt that should be revisited, thinks Frimly as he moves of again though the Catacombs.
Passing by the suspicious sounding tomb of “Stahbal Indi-Bhak: A truer friend no ruler ever had. Here lies his family in honour” (CRYPT 14) he instead entered that of “Khazan: His word was power”.
CRYPT 15:
Khazan: His word was power
A skeleton draped in rags lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. The skull has ‘2 Black Opals’ set in each of its eye sockets and ‘Shards of Amber’ where its teeth should be.
Seeing nothing more he entered into the resting place of Elsa Fallona von Twitterberg (Beloved Actor): She had many followers”
CRYPT 16:
Elsa Fallona von Twitterberg (Beloved Actor): She had many followers
A skeleton draped in rags lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. Nine shallow alcoves are carved into the surrounding walls. The back wall of each alcove is painted with a full -body image of a handsome man.
Some of the men wear fine clothes; others wear armour. At the feet of each painting rests a skull atop a pile of bones.
The Thief can’t help feeling that these bones may well become animate if caution is not taken and may well be worth avoiding as he can see nothing of note, aside.
Thence onto “Sir Sedrik Spinwitovich (Admiral Spinwitovich)”:
CRYPT 17:
Sir Sedrik Spinwitovich (Admiral Spinwitovich): Confused though he was, he built the greatest naval force ever assembled in a landlocked country
An 11’ foot long funeral barge dominates this Crypt, wedged diagonally into the available space. Lying in the boat is a skeleton draped in rags, with hundreds of gold coins piled around it.
In the next row of Crypts is the tomb of “Artank Swilovich: Friend and member of the Barovian Wine Distillers Guild”:
CRYPT 05:
Artank Swilovich: Friend and member of the Barovian Wine Distillers Guild
You are greeted by the faint smell of wine. A skeleton draped in rags lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. Heaped around it, covering the entire floor, are hundreds, if not thousands, of empty wine bottles.
Each bottle’s label shows that it is from the Wizard of Wines winery, and the label names the wine inside: Champagne du Ie Stomp, Red Dragon Crush, or Purple Grapemas No3. Frimly located nothing else of interest and so floats slowly o, as welcome as a fart in Plate Mail Armour.
Frimly floats onto the next tomb.
CRYPT 04:
Prince Ariel du Plumette (Ariel the Heavy)
The apparition of a large, rotund man forms within the dark Crypt, its eyes wild with insanity. Large, artificial wings unfold from its back.
The large bellied Ghost follows Frimly out of the Crypt.
Meanwhile back at the ranch the party elects to continue checking Crypts for Evil and Magic:
CRYPT 25:
Stefan Gregorovich: First Counsellor to King Barov von Zarovich
FRIMLY DID NOT ENTER THIS CRYPT.
CRYPT 30:
Prefect Ciril Romulich (Beloved of King Barov and Queen Ravenovia): High Priest of the Most Holy Order
FRIMLY DID NOT ENTER THIS CRYPT.
As they explore the southern Crypts of the catacombs, two Shadow creatures appear from the bottom of the tower stairway, attempting to make a surprise attack upon Thora and Galan, who turn in the nick of time.
Father Tobias, almost simultaneously, sees 2 Wraiths appear from behind the Crypts at the far southern end.
Then from the north, beyond the 2 Shadows and the fat apparition with constructed ‘Heath Robinson’ devils wings comes sauntering up. Galan recognises this incorporeal creature or what it is – a Ghost!
Caught between this unholy anvil, the comrades are in terrible danger.
The mage casts hypnotic pattern in an attempt to nullify the Ghost and the Shadows as he had with the Banshee. One Shadow does indeed become mesmerised, sadly, the salad dodging spectre closes, uttering maniacal screams.
The Ghost’s innate powers cause Galan and Thora to age by 10 and 30 years respectively and thence to flee in terror.
Father Tobias raises his holy symbol and utters his holy citation in a futile attempt to turn the sinister Wraiths.
The only option for the Paladins, Mirafir, and Farther Tobias is to flee from the devastating powers of the Ghost, as Ismark has already done. There is no time left for a more elaborate plan or for spell casting.
Galan reaches the entrance way to the Catacombs, and on cue, Strahd’s illusionary form appears again; uttering the same words as before, but this time conjuring a cloud of swirling gas. Galan believes with all his Elven will, that it is not actually there, passes through the illusion and leaps over the pit trap, and. Abject fear driving him on to safety, however relative.
The rest of the party are now following in his footsteps.
Thora, meanwhile, has holed up in King and Queen’s special Crypt, behind the mystical blue plasma curtain that she knows repels all but Lawful Good creatures.
Frimly though, with characteristic bravery, continues searching the Crypts and on towards what might well be Strahd’s coffin chamber.
Galan rushes into the cold fire Brazier chamber, the door closes behind him, separating him from his allies. But his rational fear drives him on.
Finally, the terror abates and Galan returns to his comrades, throwing the correct Gem into the cold fire brazier. Now they all wait impatiently for Frimly to return, fearful of what new undead hornets’ nest he has poked into un-life.
In the portcullises chamber at the northern end, Frimly’s nebulous form moves down a flight of wide steps. He finds a dark ebony coffin that is raised up upon a mound of fresh dug soil sat in the middle of the chamber. Beyond are three alcoves. The first he investigates on the EAST transports him to another Crypt altogether. This Crypt in turn has two alcoves one of which he has just floated out of. Above the alcoves is written:
‘Pass not these portals you foolish mortals!’
With little else of interest in the chamber he decides to float into the second alcove. He was instantly returned to the Vampire chamber, via the EASTERN alcove.
This may be the perfect way to make a surprise attack upon Count Strahd if he returns to this chamber!
Just as Frimly makes to leave his presence disturbs something that lay hidden beneath soil heaped in the alcoves.
Clawing their way out with talonous nails, clogged with dirt and tresses caked in soil, emerge three beautiful but vile Vampiresses. Hissing curses and swiping futilely at the cloud of gas that is a pint sized hero, they circle with cold malice. Across their thrusting lily white bosoms, hang heavy ‘Necklaces made of Large Coloured Jewels’. The brides of Strahd are no mere vampire spawn.
Frimly floats away, but they do not follow him beyond the portcullis.
There is only time left to search two more chambers:
CRYPT 03:
Lady Isolde Yunk (Isolde the Incredible): Purveyor of Antiques and Imports
A skeleton draped in rags lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. Piled all around it, covering the floor, are heaps of old baskets, braziers, bundled tapestries, candlesticks, chairs, chests, cooking utensils, cressets, curtain rods, decanters, dishes, jugs, lamps, scroll cases, tankards, and tinderboxes. None of the junk looks valuable. An old chandelier hangs from the domed ceiling.
CRYPT 08:
Duchess Dorfniya Dilisnya
A skeleton draped in rags lies atop a marble slab in the centre of the Crypt. Hanging on the back wall is a handsome quilt that depicts a royal feast.
Perhaps it is imbued with some power?
Eventually Frimly returns to the party in waiting. They move quickly into the egg timer Brazier room already having decided to exit via the WESTERN blue gem door. Galan moves inside and ahead the stairs ascend steeply into darkness. Mirafir and Galan look for tracks. Thick cobwebs hang from the ceiling and walls.
COunt Strahd’s footprints are present and another set of booted male prints too…are they Rahadin’s?
70’ feet up and the stairs turn sharp EAST and ascend again. Thora estimates equal to Sub-Level -1 – Kitchen, Wine Cellar area.
