SESSION 48: DAY 13: Ravenloft: 5 Days Until Full Moon, Waxing Gibbous

The Catacomb Trials

After the loud explosion, Song carried on talking in the foyer like nothing had happened. She recalled the discussion on if you were the monarch of this land. Song recalled that she had been thinking about if she was Strahd the monarch rather than herself the monarch. She deemed that she would let the villages govern themselves for the most part, interposing only if asked or necessary. The moon cleric felt more suited to isolation, keeping to the castle and reading while keeping no spawn or consorts. Maybe one or two consorts, but only those that aligned with her and wished to be with her. She would not keep petty consorts that competed to be the top parrot on her shoulder like Strahd's did.

Strahd surprisingly seemed to agree, commenting that lifestyle was fine for the first few decades or so but after that it became quite boring. He also claimed that it wasn't his fault that his consorts acted the way they did. Song raised a brow and commented that he had chosen them to begin with. She suggested that he likely encouraged or even enjoyed the behavior much like how he draped himself with empty illusions of grandeur. When Strahd pressed her to explain what she meant, Song dismissed the inquiry, stating that she didn't particularly want to get into it with him and felt tired.

Strahd drew attention back to the incident that had just happened, a bolt of lightning had struck the southern tower. Song shrugged, having assumed this sort of thing probably happened all the time. He sent Anastrasya and bats to check it out. The consort eventually returned to inform Strahd that the controls to the drawbridge had been damaged and she had sent Diavola to check it out. Strahd expressed that this was not according to plan and asked Escher to go get everyone refreshments. Song requested nothing for herself.

While they awkwardly waited in the hall, Song remembered and asked where Ireena and Dr. Vasili had gone. Strahd informed her they were upstairs in a guest room. She wryly apologized and commented on a blurry gap in her memory. He agreed that she had been in quite a state. When Strahd mused over accommodating the human guests, Song as a dhampir dryly commented that she would sleep outside then. Kee tilted his head and let out a quizzical coo, being a non-human himself. Her humor flew over Strahd's head, who then commented that she could sleep with the vampires but it was going to be very loud downstairs. Song stated that she would think about it.

Diavola Diavola, a green-tinged witch with wet skin and a vile, disgusting face informed Strahd that the rune magic for the drawbridge had been damaged. Lightning also scorched the roofs of the upper part of the southern tower. Strahd immediately questioned why Diavola wasn't remaking the runes as he was hoping to get the guests back out within a few hours. The witch scurried away. Strahd fussed over the inconvenience and concern of having the monster guests and human guests potentially get into a tussle within the closed-in conditions. He promised that the servants would not harm them as long as they remained to be good guests. Song asked him if there were any rules as a guest and Strahd simply insisted it was as simple as not acting the way Vladamir did. She shrugged, having been uncertain if there was anything else to it. Kee and Song recognized that Strahd was mostly putting on the polite airs for the sake of the nobles and not the Wild Cards.

Escher returned with refreshments, calling everyone darling before he asked to be excused. Strahd dismissed him, letting him head down with the others. Strahd began heading down the corridor of armored knights once again. The Wild Cards and the Barovian nobles followed him back into the chapel and he led them down a great and dark spiral staircase to the south that had cobwebs and dust. Song ignited a blue flame in her hand so those without darkvision could see. Geraldine's eyes glimmered like a cat's in the dark with her devil's sight. They walked on great flagstones and noted heavy beams holding up the structure. It was bigger than the previous staircases and it went far down down down. 90 feet into the earth to reach the dark catacombs within the womb of Ravenloft. Cheers and monstrous calls of an arena in full swing seemed to echo from down there.

Upon laying her eyes on the sights within, Song cast Protection from Good and Evil on herself. The catacombs were full of crypts and monsters of all sorts. All the incubi and succubi that supposedly been missing from the party in the throne room were on full display here amongst the other monstrous guests from before. They all gathered around watching adventuring parties that had visited other demiplanes of dread endure various challenges. The Doctor from Markovia seemed to have brought an assortment of animalistic humanoids like a tabaxi, tortle, and loxodon. Kee spotted a familiar face amongst the audience, Ezmeralda D'Avenir, the Vistani hunter with a false leg. She was worriedly watching over the scene of adventurers defending a Barovian woman from being swarmed by zombies.

An adventurer chosen from Darkon elegantly sliced his blade through his enemies and weaved spells through the air to scatter and devastate them. With the grace of a dancer, Zarro the six-foot-tall blond humanoid pirouetted with his blade and unleashed a magical shield before dropping a fireball. The bladesinger's blue eyes were alight with the magic of his abilities and personality.

Vladeska Drakov watched over her own assassin champion fighting a horde of zombies. She seemed pleased that Strahd had finally shown up and invited him to witness the might of her chosen champion. It is around this time that the Wild Cards notice that there is a lot of gambling going on the side. Vladeska cursed as her champion became overwhelmed and was killed along with his charge.

Having won his challenge, Zarro eyed up the lovely Geraldine and strode on up to her to introduce himself. He offered her compliments while Geraldine blushed and told Zarro he could call her Geraldine tonight. Geraldine then asked Zarro if adventurers could bet on themselves. Zarro mused that they could, but most people laughed at him when he tried to do so.

Kee looked over to Strahd, asking him what all this was. Strahd von Zarovich smirked and told the Wild Cards that "this" was why they were here. He dropped his polite demeanor and suggested that they get serious for this. Strahd then asked them if they were just going to pretend that they weren't planning on killing him. Not sure what he wanted, Song asked if he wanted the Wild Cards to pretend. Strahd firmly stated that they were trying to figure out how to kill them and that he wanted to learn faster about them. Then, Strahd lightly teased that there was a traitor among them. Song rolled her eyes and stated that she didn't care.

Geraldine leaned into Strahd, asking if he could sweeten the deal for her by making a bet over diamonds. Strahd brushed this off and reminded Geraldine about his long-awaited performance for the evening. The vampire lord strongly urged Gerald to do his best to be entertaining. Geraldine assured him that she would do her best. Song delicately commented that she would save a spell for Gerald, but the way she said it was somewhat unnerving to Gerald.

While waiting for time in the arena to settle a bit, Song requested an aside with Strahd. Lowering her voice, she informed him that she wished to privately discuss his offer sometime before she left when he had time. Amused, Strahd asked her if she had changed her mind. Song insisted that it was to be a discussion at a later time. He agreed to the meeting and returned to the crowd, preparing to set something in motion.

While Song had a moment somewhat alone, a familiar voice entered her mind. Kasimir Velikov the dusk elf from the Vistani camp spoke to her, asking if she was all right. He thought she was acting very strange. Song tiredly replied that she was a dhampir. Her family had been destroyed by vampires, but she couldn't find it in herself to really care or feel anything. Kasimir expressed some disappointment in her fallen spirits, having been previously inspired by her to step forward to help them. He cast a spell over the Wild Cards to help them survive "the selection" going on this evening. Regaining some composure, Song told Kasimir that though her spirits were low, that she wasn't going to stop what she started until she was the last one standing. He told her to not worry and that he had been like her for a while. Kasimir had not given up either but it was easy to become numbed to the devastation over time. His eyes briefly eyed the sharp-eyed Arrigal and the drunken Luvash. Kasimir made a request to meet with the Wild Cards later, face-to-face. Song thanked him and told him she looked forward to the meeting. (edited)

Strahd walked past the zombies that became docile near his presence. He muttered about it being too early for so much killing. He drew everyone's attention, requesting for them to settle and gather around so he didn't have to shout too loud. Strahd von Zarovich informed his guests that the time had now come to inform them on why everyone had been invited.

Captain Peter's voice slipped into Gerald's mind, warning him to pay close attention. They were here to play both sides.

The vampire lord declared that one of his adventurers brought attention to an idea. He was tired of having to choose from the small array of people that trickled into the demiplanes. The dark lords' uses of their power were misplaced and should be used to join in to taking advantage of their opportunity on the Material Plane. Strahd von Zarovich declared that he was preparing for an invasion and that the dark lords' control over their misty borders kept them safe from any offensive advances. No one could touch them in their own prisons. Strahd gloated that he had already taken control over several business in various places across Faerun. He urged the others to do the same, especially if they found other parallel worlds, but he declared that Faerun would be his to take. He had many spawn created from those that were easy to fool. Tonight, they would find their generals amongst the colorful selection of adventurers.

Strahd von Zarovich then called out the Wild Cards. He declared that killing him was of no use as he had been killed several times before within the 700 years he has been alive. They would die of old age long before they saw him permanently dead, or perhaps they could join him and share in his agelessness.

All the adventurers were pushed into the center of the gathering. A druid attempted to resist the pushing and immediately was slain by the pale vampire Baron of Darkon. The adventurers shifted and nervously looked around in vigilance for whatever challenge was coming to them.

Ludmilla climbed up on a dais and organized a choir of skeletons, zombies, and spawn to begin singing Carmina Burana. The skeletons began to move and it seemed like the adventurers had to echo their movements on time for this challenge. Song, Zarro, and Kee managed to imitate the skeletons in the first movements. Poor Geraldine tripped on her dress, causing her to mess up and get whipped by a cambion. Anyone who messed up on their imitation found themselves to be the target of devils wielding whips. Zarro delighted at the dancing, telling the devils to whip their targets good. Everyone ended up getting whipped at some point as Ludmilla rapturously kept increasing the intensity more and more. The challenge was clearly not meant to be won and was more of an ice-breaker or warm-up to cut the tension down and provide some entertainment to the audience.

The adventurers took a breather after the dance was over. It appeared the primary adventuring parties were representing Barovia, the Sea of Sorrows, Darkon, Falkovnia, and Markovia. A group of revenants began approaching the parties, asking which party member was going to play as their quarry with no items. Kee volunteered from the Wild Cards. Ezmeralda represented Darkon. Several nameless others stepped forward from the other parties.

The revenants would be hunting the quarry within the catacombs. In this challenge, the competitors would do their best to hide from the revenants. As the revenants began counting, the twisted game of hide and seek began. All the hiders ran in groups before scattering in the winding paths of the catacombs.

Song took a moment to mend Geraldine's costume with magic. Geraldine lightly joked about not wanting to give people a show too soon. Song agreed that it was too soon yet. The revenants began their hunt and managed to catch an adventurer before dragging them back, unconscious. It appeared that the parameters of the seeking seemed to shrink whenever someone was found, but one could evade the shrinking by entering a crypt.

Kee plucked a few of his feathers in preparation before entering one of the crypts labeled "Intree Sik-Valoo: He spurned wealth for the knowledge he could take to heaven". Inside, the small crypt was a polished skull. Kee picked it up. When he went to step out from the crypt, the skull screamed once. Jumping a little, Kee scattered from the crypt and tossed his feathers in a different direction before rushing to another hiding spot.

Song offered to give Geraldine a shoulder massage, insisting it was just wanting to do something with her hands while waiting rather than a flirtation. Geraldine agreed to it, not embarassed and offering to do it for Song as well, but Song turned that offer down. Used to meatier shoulders, Song did a poor job of it much to her embarrassment and to the pain of Gerald. Geraldine attempted to fake moan like he was having a great time but no one really believed it. Song stared at her hands, feeling incredibly disappointed in her abilities. Geraldine gave her a little side hug.

The revenants were beginning to have a harder time finding people as adventurers kept moving away from their hunting path. The birdman kept moving himself, running into a nameless crypt with two alcoves inside. Carved into the arch of the alcoves were the words "enter not these portals, ye foolish mortals". Kee decided that was a bad way to go and tried to angle himself into getting behind the revenants. He ducked into the crypt of "Sir Klutz Tripalotsky: He fell on his own sword". Kee found an armored skeleton inside the crypt with a sword inside where his guts would have been. There is a commotion as someone is found and beaten down. An adventurer made his path past Kee, seeming to be subtly luring the hunters towards Kee. Kee slipped away and stumbled across a crypt labeled "Ireena Kolyana - Wife". Curious, he stepped into the crypt that looked recently swept but was filled with mist. There was nothing in there but it felt eerie. There was a loud shriek as another adventurer was found. There were only ten crypts left to hide in. Ezmeralda was amongst the other two remaining contestants.

Song looked over to Geraldine emotionlessly and told him that she was sorry about the incident at the vineyard. It was his life to choose whether he attached himself to cursed objects or not. Gerald admitted he was blinded by the faith he had in his patron's will. Song told him that she hoped that his patron did well by him and that he got to see his family again. Gerald then apologized for taking on the image of Song's dead friend. He was ashamed of doing that. Song shrugged and stated that it was fine as long as Gerald never did it again. Then again, Song thought it wouldn't have much of an effect on her anymore. Gerald sighed, patting his wig, and commented that he had been hoping to help get them some diamonds. A gong was suddenly struck, announcing the end of the challenge. The remaining seekers had won the challenge. Kee and Ezmeralda were among them. Song appreciated Gerald's efforts and stated that she had her own plan if Gerald's did not work.

Dr. Frantisek Markov of Markovia gleefully invited adventurers to gather around and listen to him as he led them over to the tomb of King Barov von Zarovich and Queen Ravenovia von Royen where a table had been set. It looked to be some sort of competition of constitution. Somewhat strong of stomach and uncaring in attitude, Song decided to bite the bullet for this challenge. She sat down with other adventurers as Dr. Markov laid out various unusual dishes for them to eat. Song wordlessly tore into raw bat wings with her fanged maw. Her stomach held strong against it. Perhaps not eating dinner was a good idea after all.

When an eyeball soup was laid before her, she stirred it with the spoon to see if there were more eyeballs before plucking up the eyeball to squish it between her teeth and crunching on the hard cornea within. She drank the soup from the bowl nonchalantly. Dr Markov commented on her strategic ability of eating the eye, and Song noted that she was familiar with her medical background. The doctor grew excited until he realized her medicine training was from being a cleric. He was more interested in those oriented in science. Song shrugged and commented that it went hand-in-hand with what she learned.

What followed was a mysteriously chunky soup and a partially cooked paw of some kind of feline or dog. Song just kept eating and did her best to not think too hard about what she was eating. One of the competitors started freaking out and hallucinating that they were turning into a werewolf before getting beaten down by the doctor. The next meal was a pickled fetus of some sort. Song closed her eyes and tore through it with her teeth as quickly as she could. One of the competitors began to age backwards to childhood like Benjamin Button in fast-forward before being disqualified. The last dish was to be a slice of the contestants themselves. They were asked what part of their body was to be cut before that cut was cooked and served to them. Song offered up a slice of her calf leg before eating that, too.

It appeared that the challenge was to eat what was in front of you without complaining. Those that complained or resisted too much were cursed. Looking upon the remaining adventurers, the doctor asked them if they liked anything to drink. Song settled on a glass of blood to clear her palate. As the moon cleric returned to the party, Geraldine offered a high-five. Song held up her hand and the warlock in drag slapped palms.

The adventurers that had not competed in the games thus far began to get drawn into the bar area of the ghost pirates as Captain Peter began to play the violin and make them dance. Geraldine and Zarro were drawn in together with others, but they managed to resist the dance while the others turned into puppets on strings. Captain Peter made faces at Gerald, wondering what he was doing. Geraldine cast fly on herself and Zaro as they began to dance through the air together along with the music. Not long after the dance begun, the captain turned it into a drunken brawl. Geraldine and Zarro recognized it as a free for all and began targeting people below them. Gerald unleashed a tentacle and began slapping people with it while Zarro took a swing at someone. They continued to resist Captain Peter's suggestion attempts.

Kee looked over at Song and asked if they should intervene. Song shrugged and said, "nah, they aren't even hurt yet."

A rogue took a shot at Geraldine as they flew in the air. Zarro activated his bladesinging and unleashed a fireball on the brawling crowd while Geraldine unleashed lightning before counterspelling a bard's fireball. After dodging most of the spells, the rogue slit the sorcerer's throat. Eventually, Gerald and Zarro fell subject to the ghost captain's suggestion and began outright brawling with each other. Zarro summoned a shadow blade and took a stab at Gerald who was thankfully resistant thanks to Casimir's spell. Gerald commanded his long-hidden familiar Lovely to shoot the bladesinger. Lovely fired true, briefly poisoning Zarro to sleepiness. The debonair bladesinger fell through the air and awoke upon his rude awakening of hitting the stone floor. While the rogue and remaining bard fought, Geraldine and Zarro took their shots at each other. Geraldine struck with a tentacle and a shocking grasp before retreating back to the air. Lying on the ground, Zarro lined up his shot and unleashed a slew of magic missiles at the warlock. Geraldine lost control of his magic and fell to the ground with a hard thump. Even so, the drag queen of the deep wasn't ready to throw in the wig yet.