BAROVIA

With Castle Ravenloft in the distance.

Evening is coming.

As you guys explore Mad Mary's Town home, you can hear wolf howls in the distance. Large, angry wolf howls.

 Lilitu, as you walk around town trying to find the Burgomaster's home, you notice the largest swarm of bats you've ever seen in the sky approach from the Castle - and are heading to town.

Towards you.

Martha grabs Mary’s shoulders sternly (huh... coincidental), “Miss, you must tell me who took Gertruda. Night is coming, let us help.”

Lilitu and Loocinda continue their search for the Burgomaster's Home figuring they did get a letter of invitation and all likelihood it will be the safest place in town considering. Hearing the wolves she cloths Loo Loo closer to her not wanting them to eat her poor dolly.

"She ran away! AWAY! I have no idea where she is! I tried to keep here in the house for years, but she fled! You must find her! But evening is almost here, and then HE will come!"

From this point, she is completely inconsolable, afraid, and says nothing else.

Martha releases her and says a silent blessing, “I will try. Everyone, we need to find a place to sleep. I suggest the tavern, we don’t know anything about this place. What do you all think?”

Loocinda gives you a warning, Lili. The bat swarm is approaching fast and you can see animal eyes watching you from the deepest corners of the town. 

Might not be a good idea to be outside. Or alone. You can feel a very dark and evil presence approaching.

Keeping track of the position of the sun and trying to stay alert to his surroundings, Bors addresses the woman.  "Miss, how old is Gertruda?" and glacing around the room, "Has anyone seen Lilitu?"

Martha blinks and looks around, “Eilistraee preserve us! I’ll find her.” And runs out of the house to look for her, “Lilitu! Where are you!”

Martha, you see something awful and terrifying at the same time as you run outside and spot Lilitu down the street.

A swarm of bats, the largest you've ever seen, converges on Lilitu's position, completely encircling her. A tall, massive humanoid forms from the distortion - a man, tall, regal, impossibly handsome, and strong. He takes a moment to look her over, his eyes bright red as blood, his hair jet black, his skin pale. He reaches down and pick her up by her hair with one arm. His aura is cold, impossibly cold.

"WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS DOING IN MY REALM?" His voice, spoken calmly, thunders in your mind. "WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

For a small moment in time, reality around you seems to stop. That's when he looks over to you, his gaze pierces your soul and threatens to shatter it with just a glance.

Mad Mary screams.

“My name is Mathadriel, servant of Eilistraee. I have been brought here as a light. You have one of my companions by her hair, I would like her back. We can settle this peacefully.” Martha says with arms open and welcoming, but a serious tone belies her hesitation.

OOC: Can she determine what this is?

Kia races down stairs and outside with Martha. Her plan, such as it is, is to race up to the man, dodging and dashing, slice Lilitu’s hair with her claws and race off with the girl, looking for shelter inside anywhere she can.

OOC > Feel free to interrupt this plan with cold reality whenever it hits Kia in the face. :)

Good speed, good acrobatics, good stealth (if he’s occupied with Martha), and maybe some good luck. :)

Quote from CrispyDM >>

"WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS DOING IN MY REALM?" His voice, spoken calmly, thunders in your mind. "WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

Strahd considers your words for a moment, Martha, but is unimpressed. He begins walking towards you, the bats swarming around them.

"PEACEFULLY? WHERE IS THE FUN IN THAT?" He swiftly grabs Kia by the neck as she rushes up to Strahd. He holds her effortlessly out of reach and studies you. "INTERESTING. WHAT MANNER OF CREATURE IS THIS..?"  He doesn't even consider Lilitu's words.

He throws Kia and Lilitu back at your feet, Martha. Strahd snaps his fingers, and the largest, most enormous wolf that would make Briella's wolf look like a newborn *****cat lumbers around a corner and starts coming for you all. It's huge, it's mean, it's black, and it's drooling blood.

"VISCERIOS. TAKE CARE OF OUR....GUESTS. BUT LEAVE SOME FOR ME. WHO IS THE FIRST TO DIE?"

The bat swarm closes around Strahd, and then he is gone, just as fast as he appeared. The bat swarm heads towards the Castle.

Roll for initiative.

Lilitu Initiative: 17

Martha grits her teeth and spins her glaive, “Have it your way.”

Initiative: 19

Viscerios: 20

Ah, crap.

OOC: Haha! Dumb wolf!

MINIBOSS 1:

VISCERIOS - THE FLESHRENDER

Initiative so far: Martha19, Lilitu17, Kia9, Viscerios2

OOC:... flesh....render?? Oh no