Castlevania II: Dracula's Curse (IC)

[J-H]

It has been 130 years since Dracula was defeated. Upon the ruins of his great magical castle, the Belmont Order established a fortress, a base of operations from which to hunt down the monsters left behind, and to train new generations of soldiers to ward against the return of Dracula or other dark forces.

Some claim Dracula can return to the Material Plane every 100 years, like the fiend others claim he is. The order spent the centennial on high alert… but nothing happened.

You are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of those who have battled the forces of Evil in the world. You have studied and trained since you were young, and each of you stand to inherit an ancestral item of power and history.

The leadership of the Order has come together to discuss this, and to plan for succession. Succession means family ties, and that means spouses and children come along as well… after all, marriage ties keep alliances strong.

Some of you have arrived at the Order over the last few days, but one or two may have just arrived this morning. The meeting begins with a few short speeches and prayers to appropriate deities, but they are stuffy and not very interesting. After the invocation is a large buffet-style cookout, held outdoors in the walled front courtyard. Animals are roasted, roasted, vegetables are toasted, and cheeses, desserts, and drink are available for everyone. The official business starts tomorrow. Today is for rebuilding social connections. You know that sometimes, this is when important political decisions are discussed and decided on – but that’s for the elders to handle. As a group of up-and-coming scions, you’ve been told to visit and spend time together, so you will. Most of you have been here before, but it’s been ten years and you were much younger then.

You are free to eat, drink, and wander about. You can explore the Order freely, and there are also important people you’ve been told you should make yourselves known to.

Spoiler: Map of the Order

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Ground Floor

The stairs behind the Great Hall lead down to the Seal protecting the ruins of Dracula’s castle.
The Barracks area contains several sets of bunkrooms for the Order’s troops and guards.

Second Floor

Small balconies extend from the Guest Quarter access halls into the two-story Great Hall.
The Armory contains armor, weapons, and equipment for the Order’s troops.
The Officer’s area also contains a meeting room.

Third Floor

The Barracks on this floor is not currently in use.
The door to the Hall of History is locked, and concealed behind a bookcase.

Spoiler: List of Notables

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Captain Dana Ciora, leader of the Belmonte Order's formal military forces
Irene Valhoven, chief wizard
Kravchuk Rostov, Seneschal
Karol Draus, Chief Cleric
Ioan Ioanneson, head cook
Casamir Reed, Diplomat
Adrian Beltane, Historian

You begin in the Courtyard:
The courtyard is ordinarily a place people pass through rather than go, but today, trestle tables have been pulled out of the Great Hall and set up in front of it and along the northwestern corner of the Hall. Near the kitchens, a line of tables groan under the weight of numerous dishes, foods, and drinks. People move past the tables in a line, taking or being served what they wish, as the scents of roast pork, candied fruits, fresh-cooked fish, and innumerable herbs drift across the courtyard. Two hired entertainers wearing brightly colored shirts striped with red, yellow, and green appear to be entertaining some of the children by juggling, playing music, and doing things like standing on their heads.

The main gates are shut, and the archery butts in the southwest corner are left alone, aside from a few younger teenagers who are alternating eating and shooting a shortbow.

Not too far from the kitchen exit is a low fence surrounding a training yard. Against the east wall of the yard are storage racks containing wooden training weapons, as well as a few sets of wood armor sized for children and teenagers not old enough to have their own sets. After the meal, it’s likely a few people will take advantage of this to practice, exercise, or show off. The stable building, made of stone with a wood roof, lie south of the training yard, against the front corner. It is two stories high, with the second floor being used for hay and feed storage.