Putting the 'role' back in role-playing games since 2002.
Donate to Codex
Good Old Games
  • Welcome to rpgcodex.net, a site dedicated to discussing computer based role-playing games in a free and open fashion. We're less strict than other forums, but please refer to the rules.

    "This message is awaiting moderator approval": All new users must pass through our moderation queue before they will be able to post normally. Until your account has "passed" your posts will only be visible to yourself (and moderators) until they are approved. Give us a week to get around to approving / deleting / ignoring your mundane opinion on crap before hassling us about it. Once you have passed the moderation period (think of it as a test), you will be able to post normally, just like all the other retards.

Completed Let's get level drained dry! Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession LP

Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
1,059
Part VI: Prisoner of Strahd

JvhsOWz.png


Here we are, inside the Castle Ravenloft.

yFOY5dl.png


:what:

Doomguards, doomguards everywhere.

J4hhL1q.png


They are strong, but fair. We slowly mince them down, healing when needed.

dPhFkhB.png


This is the hall where we were during our last visit here.

tjTXJkI.png


There are a lot of stairs in this place.

LTCGmjh.png


The room where we had a meeting with Strahd.

M8FIpvB.png


QxhOKpA.png


Gargoyles are weaker then doomguards, so no worries.

G02kqhv.png


PJikyCd.png


Let's go upstairs.

ybzbtCi.png


Ekf6DBU.png


Not much to do here. A few gargoyles and a mostly empty huge room.

3nb1Ixn.png


WffjmFR.png


Let's go even higher!

fpjjrqu.png


What the...

Jk9REJZ.png


Zombie Golem is no laughing matter. It quickly wipes out our entire party :cry: Let's go back and explore lower levels first.

0dzdfkk.png


e4F4OG7.png


Another huge room.

maxQeaK.png


zry2SmN.png


:hmmm:

r6M4IHh.png


There are two stairs in this room.

tathifG.png


Let's go this way first.

7ppNWGm.png


h6BatIw.png


onUsZtA.png


Good thing we already know how to deal with these ladies. Have a Negative Plane Protection if you're going melee.

1Zj2woz.png


Or better yet - fireball 'em from the distance.

ezx130U.png


This may not look like a balcony, but it actually is:



eI60FQB.png


Let's continue our stroll through the castle though.

SHfpjyj.png


Nice decorations Strahd got here.

TGOFPn0.png


We're back to the room we've been before. But how did I miss all these doors earlier?

:retarded:

MM2Kz07.png


There is even some sort of a mini-library here. With Strahd's notes (actually, just one) lying on the floor.

bw0osC8.png


Politics.

3EZDMy9.png


The lowest castle floor is occupied by skeletons.

DRsM93p.png


TfCEBG4.png


2vWbEje.png


They are way to weak to pose any threat to us.

OBmzsOC.png


There are a few wights and a single vampire here though, so we should not let our defenses down.

Y9HEsM9.png


K2Nbzdv.png


:smug:

X6oz0Zr.png


Explorin', yo.

Gb9TteG.png


g5J3eYM.png


IaoPPAx.png


Now that we're done with the larders, let's go up.

CD2JDWA.png


:eek:

N6LHsuO.png


Fireballs do nothing against this thing.

JKsAbEf.png


Retreat!

lxohbnH.png


Yay, a level.

KpF4roS.png


We continue to explore everything we can without getting into a fight with Zombie Golems.

EBkqoac.png


But eventually we have to face those abominations. Let's get all our buffs going!

dvuD7SK.png


RAWR FHALKEN STRONG

:x:

8EPp6Yx.png


It didn't work out :cry:

Looks like it's time to cheese. All the golems are located near the stairs, so we're going to land a hit, run away, heal, rinse and repeat.

o2iXvSi.png


This strategy works.

:smug:

8JB02uh.png


ERfOOZA.png


We don't have a key to enter this tower yet.

LtANuqX.png


Well, here it is. You can see the key on the lower right. We deploy the same antigolem tactics.

kpA5Bv2.png


While ascending the tower, we ran into a few doomguard...

zVIXZcZ.png


...a secret button...

zGhXuxU.png


...and a few illusionary walls.

66KQs8i.png


On the top level we fought another group of doomguards and some inquisitor dude.

tG0XQbk.png


h382ZLy.png


Poor fellow.

Lkyqp5D.png


iPmUmbN.png
Come with us, won't you? We can protect you, and our own security lies in greater numbers.
IACuEab.png
None are secure in Strahd's domain. A moment longer and that undead abomination would have broken down the doors of my very soul. I would have told the inquisitor anything! I wish you well, but I must make my own way to freedom. The safety of others depends upon my immediate escape.
azR6RFE.png
I'm not unsympathetic to what you have just gone through, mind you, but you are in our debt. Is there anything you can tell us, to help us in our quest?
IACuEab.png
No one can help you now! If ever you escape this place, seek out Bray Martikova. We are of a brotherhood. He may help you, if you identify yourself by the signs of the brotherhood. I will give you a feather. Make certain Bray sees it, then speak to him of the 'nest' and he will respond by the 'feather.' He will speak with the tongue of ravens, and you must answer: 'tiganess, ilke eluce-a-keen.' It is all I can do.

YpN9Enc.png


tsNRU6L.png


2BDSnDZ.png


:what:

sZ4zzAj.png


That feather he gave us is no ordinary feather. It's a Wereraven Feather!

1. One gem whose blush is deeper than the setting sun's; a stone of red and fiery cut whose value outweighs a fortune in precious gold.
2. A finely crafted elven piece, into the encircling beauty of which have been worked the purest ores of white gold, gold, or platinum.

3. The feather of a wereraven.
4. "The Mists," a card from a Vistani seer's Tarokka deck.
5. A symbol of truth, honor, and religious devotion, but one stolen from its rightful owner, then set free from evil hands. Only then will this item --when combined with the other four-- release its holy power and awaken the forces of the Catalogue.

:yeah:

NpIyzR1.png


Oh, but we're not done here yet. There is another tower for us to see.

l7CBUfA.png


After a few doomguard fights...

yWC6i8C.png


...and a couple of broken lockpicks later...

cYvogqT.png


...we made it to the top!

CrGKOVE.png


iQmgBYI.png
For certain your strength could be of use. What say you, will you come along with a party, as you say, of good hearts and true?
zVP5ar5.png
I'll join with you gladly. And be sure I have no intention of being taken again by Strahd's evil will. Not alive, anyway. Nor would I desert you if your luck ever came out as bad as mine.

mlxT9Z3.png


Pfft, no niggers in mah party.

iQmgBYI.png
Grand fellow, I thank Helm I've had a hand in setting you free from Strahd. But go now. You need not risk yourself further in this place.
zVP5ar5.png
I'll never tire of thanking you for my freedom. And my strength remains at your call when you desire it. Should you need me, always come west of Barovia, to the woods. I'll be waiting.

TO3iiK3.png


Let's get out of here.

1zMQiuL.png


oOtVTWz.png


Phew, we made it back to Barovia safe and sound. Now, who the hell is this Bray Martikova person that we must seek out? It's a mystery... For now!
 

Erebus

Arcane
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
4,763
If I remember correctly what I know of the Ravenloft setting, Strahd's "heart desire" is a woman : he damned himself to get her and it didn't work (she killed herself), but from time to time, her reincarnation appears in Barovia. In fact, I thought we'd met her early in the game, though I may just be completely wrong.
 

Mother Russia

Andhaira
Andhaira
Dumbfuck Queued
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
3,876
Codex 2013
Why didn't you take Tatian with you? There could be bonus dialogue with Strahd in it (as she is obviously Tatiana or her reincarnation/precarnation) and she could end up backstabbing you at a cruicial moment resulting in D-R-A-M-A
 

Monstrous Bat

Cipher
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
638
Nice cheesing with the zombie golems there. I remember doing the same thing a lot in BGII:oops:
 
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
1,059
Why didn't you take Tatian with you? There could be bonus dialogue with Strahd in it (as she is obviously Tatiana or her reincarnation/precarnation) and she could end up backstabbing you at a cruicial moment resulting in D-R-A-M-A
You want me to add a 14 STR fighter to my party? Come on now. Anyway, I took her with me to the first meeting with Strahd and nothing happened.

Added Strad's Possession icons and portraits from the OP to the avatar gallery.
You're the best thing ever :hug:
What about our fellow adventurers' portraits though? I think that we've met everyone already.
And by 'think' I mean 'read in the cluebook' :M

qzudc9i.png
xrYUgAf.png
ATC4hzW.png
fbc4C0y.png
ytSwGwD.png
FOuQA40.png
cMw9yRb.png
0HFDcka.png
B1WrqEV.png
220wYEn.png
 
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
1,059
Part VII: Gotta catch 'em all!

So, who is this Bray Martikova that we are looking for? I ran a quick search through the previous updates and look what I've found:

KGyZTqh.png
Giorgio, outsiders are not welcome in camp... Well, not often. You don't know how the villagers treat us. Why Bray Martikova is the only one who smiles when I enter the Blood O' the Vine.

To the tavern!

8QUNM2j.png


Yep, that's the guy.

FudeYDh.png


ezCdC1J.png
Glad to see you again, Bray. This tavern has character, welcoming and warm in a cold town. Even that feather of yours seems to welcome us to your 'nest', eh?
dT0MNA6.png
Aye, you're as welcome as your coin. And I hope you've come with more than a wereraven's 'feather' to pay your way. Even that beast, I'm told pays honorably for services rendered. Of honest commerce they say 'eluce tilka re gabrion.' I believe I've heard it said differently. Isn't that saying more like: 'tiganess, ilke eluce-a-keen?'
uqHHxoa.png
Now that we understand each other, can you help us?
dT0MNA6.png
Hmm... I know of the brother raven set free from Strahd's tower. So you are the one? Now why doesn't that surprise me? Still, there is one thing I might do. There is an abandoned warehouse once known as the Merchant's Pride. Go there and wait for another contact. They will know who you are and they will escort you to yet another party, someone more able to offer our thanks. It is all I can do.

tGq2njC.png


7PQEHbl.png


And here we are.

0sZG8iT.png


A mean looking gang.

QdjBQFB.png


ezCdC1J.png
No, no potions. The risk you ask us to take in our unconscious delivery to your leader is too great.
nsNr4WN.png
Ravenloft is another name for risk, my friend. We risk much saying no to evil. Ahh! I don't believe it. Because we know you have accomplished at least one valiant act --denying Strahd a wereraven's blood-- we will remain here for a time. Should you come to your senses, make it known. But to try my patience too greatly is to try the fit of my blade between your ribs!

Blade between the ribs you say? Well in that case we should totally stop worrying and entrust our lives to you.

uqHHxoa.png
You don't leave us a great many choices, do you? Agreed, then. We'll drink the anodyne, this potion you offer.
nsNr4WN.png
Good. We know of the wereraven you freed from Strahd's tower. All we ask is that you cooperate with us, and for that honorable act, we will guarantee your safety when you are among us.
CzDH2te.png
The one we freed from the tower, how does he fare?
nsNr4WN.png
He fares well, and grows stronger with each day that Strahd's dominion nears its end.

We swallow the swill and go to sleep.

UiCuPvi.png


That's where we found ourselves once the potion wears off. Those guys must've had a great time carrying all our chests and platemails.

balJH9x.png


I don't even...

6IQJROu.png


What a magnificent creature.

LOqvWWD.png


CzDH2te.png
Great one, our quest in this land seems tied to the one man who claims it as his own. What can you tell me of Strahd?
AWwNCLK.png
Strahd is the evil that stalks Barovia with malignant certainty. Once he ruled as Count Strahd of the Von Zarovich line, a noble warrior who came to free us from the tyrant Dorian, but that was so long ago. . . . I have grown old in my own vocation, in my relentless fever to destroy him and free the land. For now it is Strahd who imprisons us, who has become a vampire lord!
ezCdC1J.png
If, as it seems to me, Strahd is the key to our success and our eventual escape, how might we trick him, or gain authority over him?
AWwNCLK.png
You are ambitious beyond all telling! Only one instrument, one icon of faith and of true fidelity to the ways of light may hold Strahd at bay. It is the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind. This fearsome object, crafted by the Most High Priest of the Realm in the days when Strahd was a mortal, now lies hidden from the light. Its whereabouts are unknown. In all my life, it has eluded me.
ezCdC1J.png
What can you tell me of this Symbol of Ravenkind?
AWwNCLK.png
We know of its use by a cleric, a young priest of such ambition that he dared confront Strahd. Indeed, the power of the Symbol did grievous injury to our lord, banishing him from the land for many a season. Sasha was the name of the priest. He is supposed to have prepared three manuscripts, parchments detailing the whereabouts of the Symbol in magically encrypted text.
ezCdC1J.png
Why has the Symbol of Ravenkind been so difficult to locate, and how might we attempt to find it?
AWwNCLK.png
Some may have found it; I do not know. I know only that none have returned alive with it in their grasp. Because you have braved many dangers, including this conference, I have no objection if you wish to try your own strong hands in the matter. If so, I will provide you with a key and a special reading device, so that you may make your own attempt.
CzDH2te.png
What do we have to do? How may we begin?
AWwNCLK.png
There is a church which has been cursed by Strahd himself. There, if you are able, you will find this key unlocks a door beneath the structure of the place. We believe the three manuscripts revealing the location of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind are there. Once found, then with a scroll in one hand and the scrying glass in the other, you may read the hidden secrets of the text.
CzDH2te.png
It sounds too easy, great one. Haven't others done this before?
AWwNCLK.png
Of course others have walked the path I set before you. Many were brave, some whose magic was so powerful they could read Sasha's manuscripts without a scrying glass! Sasha did not leave a map with an 'X' upon it, oh no! He left but clues, clues that when clearly read, but half who see them gain the slightest understanding. I shall watch your progress with great interest.
nsNr4WN.png
Pyoor, this place is too dangerous. We must go!
AWwNCLK.png
Yes, I sense them. They are coming. Here is your challenge then: prove your mettle. What I have told you can be entrusted only to those strong enough to battle their way beyond the creatures outside the door. Fight! But do not overlook what, by chance, might fall your way, or be revealed in the corners of this forbidding place. Heed my words, and good luck to you!

Npvszm8.png


Yup, we got both the scrying device and the key.

FlvRA67.png


Another key was just lying on the floor.

D7iQq8S.png


'k, let's see what this place is all about.

VwNtHnr.png


Revenants, eh?

VGAXAeV.png


I'm not impressed.

yi4QpoT.png


Qmmtw38.png


vSUPrbH.png


Oooh, a shiny.

sbF7vJH.png


Oh yeah, I remember that. Come again, how many coins do we need? Was it three or five?..

uqHHxoa.png
Fifteen.

It's going to be a long day...

nDFOcRM.png


Wraith detected, Negative Plane Protection shields activated.

5E5QqL5.png


rBEIHHu.png


We don't have this key yet, looks like we have to go back to the starting location and open another door.

4naBZjw.png


oOqexBY.png


tmOaSpZ.png


:eek:

Nw2bgUK.png


As always, hidden buttons are abound.

XioobE1.png


And here is the key we've been looking for.

bWDtEAT.png


In addition to revenants and wraiths, this dungeon has its share of hellhounds and fireball traps.

wqyZVsy.png


It is also fricking huge.

l8r2MUs.png


Looking good.

x0J2ga2.png


jEUwcZT.png


1zhKUSW.png


More locks.

3HJDqjS.png


Chances of us surviving this encounter are fairly slim.

sdo1Fvj.png


8S5tBrC.png


:5/5::0/5::0/5:

hR4YxWo.png


3ZxlWtO.png


Good ol' illusionary wall.

LvUQAk5.png


Vladimir got himself a new armour.

KeXdrQy.png


So pwetty.

qn0d8Ai.png


Srsly, this place is huge.

d0O7tal.png


Finally we found the exit.

uZwwXNV.png


But surprise, surprise, we are one coin short.

:rage:

JF2K6Gy.png


It's p. obvious where we should go, but how do we get inside? I spent a lot of time bumping into walls, trying to find an illusionary one.

Turns out I've missed a hidden button.

hrxaPCg.png


usT8LpZ.png


:yeah:

0K3Nhvl.png


Nothing else to do down here, so let's get going.

u2mSPPw.png


I remember this place, we couldn't open the trapdoor earlier.

Ju0VHVP.png


Thanks for the tip, but we're going to get rid of those coins first.

xnfRSez.png


ba25NLf.png


2nsxqSn.png


CzDH2te.png
I'm interested. Perhaps we can come to some agreement, if the price is right. What are you asking for the potion?
KGyZTqh.png
An agreement can be reached easily enough. Fifteen coins is the price. We'll start there, argue there, and finish there, giorgio. Fifteen coins and the potion is yours.
ezCdC1J.png
Vistani, we have at last the price of the potion. Allow me to buy it from you,-- at fifteen coins.
KGyZTqh.png
Noble traveler, I knew at once you were a person of quality. You carry yourself the way rich men do, haughty and self-assured. Yes, the potion is yours for fifteen coins! And remember, all who would pass through the fogs of Barovia must partake of this counteractant. Otherwise you will find yourself choking, your guts rotting from the inside out.

ToMXM7v.png


The brew is ours!

JXGH0Tl.png


Next up: the church.

DcugDDH.png


mbOGfxS.png


Another set of stairs behind the secret door.

B3FGDiu.png


2N29RVk.png


JRIfk25.png


We found some paper near the entrance.

WrtJ4NH.png


While we were reading the note, I felt as the blackness of infinite nothing pressed on my soul...

AMsLggY.png


...and I was beset by shadows that sought to snuff out my very soul!

9IrYkB4.png


Yikes!

cFQ48PA.png


O599zLD.png


Many locks in this place.

QyRKTXI.png


Lockpick works though.

on4azcH.png


This one is no ordinary shadow. 'Tis a shadow fiend!

CNbm3wZ.png


It was guarding another piece of paper.

YnzzDHf.png


:hmmm:

sRsPjzP.png


Let's use our reading glass, shall we?
7TU1gfc.gif
(<-- what happened to that smiley?! this is an outrage)

2bASYn3.png


:incline:

Once twined around in stone, then twice, then thrice, then twice more in circumflexion, each circle of four waits within the greater ring,-- waits for the planting of the seeds. Aye, for only the seeds of divine light, of Lathander Morninglord, when placed to rest within the inner circles may free the prize. Planted within that shady circumference, one to each circle of stones, these four symbols will bring down the light, rending beauty to release the prize. Then behold! There the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind awaits.

Sasha​

:bravo:

whQZ7NR.png


The usual stuff.

lIdHcHa.png


PoqvuEV.png


We actually got ourselves a key, so all the doors are now open to us.

hE0NRSe.png


oczncrq.png


We found another Bracers of Dexterity.

UNv1gA1.png


It pumped Vladimir's AC to -1... But what the fuck happened to Fhalken's AC?!

xVnbXeu.png


It supposed to be -3 :?

8PmRAI3.png


daZVJ4f.png


The last piece of paper.

kXqXqfZ.png


Where azure dome yields to constant gray, where sky and cloud are one and light is but a flash among the clouds, where death lashes brightly to the ground, go you there! Search below the thundering heavens for the prize. Amid the twisted wildwood, its guardian stands. One good, straight heart of oak waits proud and true, a beauty beneath the dread sky.

Go then to the gypsies, for from the Vistani alone may you acquire a certain potion, an elixir known to be the only passport through what mists shield the place. For only those guarded thus and true of heart may challenge the fog, that wall of poison which waits between you, the forest of the undead, and the prize.

Sasha​

This one is less cryptic. I think we should go into the fog next.

lM9Z32o.png


But I still couldn't restore Fhalken's AC, so I did what any sane person would do - found an earlier save juuust before this area, and went through it again :M

Emk6K5A.png


And once again all is right with the world :salute:

fjgumu7.png


So, the fog.

oJk32od.png


Yup, here it is.

vXgO7s3.png


:excellent:

uYoL6Co.png


Here goes...

SRp0Ej4.png


kQnwXBL.png


FXfX7M8.png


ZbRYp8T.png


nebyq9h.png


YpyohhZ.png


sRzmabj.png


:desu:
 

Monstrous Bat

Cipher
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
638
:lol:

Man... Looking for more than a dozen coins scattered around a huge dungeon doesn't sound fun. And seriously, we're among the more powerful figures in the domain and the only way we could obtain some money is to search a friggin' catacomb? Come on.
 

CappenVarra

phase-based phantasmist
Patron
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
2,912
Location
Ardamai
As a loser with nearly 50% posts in Playground, I say you write a hella LP and should procrastinate less :drink:
 

Azira

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
8,519
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
Codex 2012
I don't know how you view the posting stats like that, but I'm not sure I want to know either. I'm probably close to 95% playground... :oops:
 

Gord

Arcane
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
7,049
The game looks pretty cool, somehow I have that urge to play it now.
Which version (Abandonia 1.1? or CD 1.2) would you recommend?
 
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
1,059
The game looks pretty cool, somehow I have that urge to play it now.
Which version (Abandonia 1.1? or CD 1.2) would you recommend?

I'm playing the CD version and that's what I recommend you to play too, according to the internets:
The CD-ROM version differs from the floppy version in several aspects. There is full digitized speech throughout, additional cinematics, and more detailed renditions of the monsters. There is also an additional quest in the game - the paladin's quest which will send your party to the lesser catacombs beneath Barovia.

During this LP we found out that 1.2 has a bug, that prevents you from entering a certain house needed for the main quest line, so I had to roll back down to 1.1. I say, start with 1.2 and do the same if that bug happens for you too. Oh, and bows don't work in CD version, so keep that in mind.
 

As an Amazon Associate, rpgcodex.net earns from qualifying purchases.
Back
Top Bottom