(Sezsu is not holding the coffin at this point, although I'm unclear exactly where we set it down, whether inside or out. Either way, he's inside trying to determine the source of the cry. Regardless of judgements he may be silently making, he'll help a person in need first as he sees that as a more pressing matter. He's used to screams. He heard a lot of them when he was young.)
Zeid remains with the Coffin (wherever it was left in conjuction with actions here). "Exasperating indeed." as Seszu and the others head for the noises. Zied keeps an eye on their current "courier package" but picks up his stick briefly-prior to his realization of the young one's request. Unable to tell if its a child, or a young adult.
"Ismark; was that the average every day sort of ..wail. Or new?"
“It is not food that is needed--” Ismark begins. “The boy--”
“My child.”
In the slatternly chapel, a mass of dark fabric lurches up from the ground. The clothes concealed the man among the debris of demolished wood, creating the impression that disembodied prayers filled the church. Pale and sickly, he peers at you with watery eyes before advancing, an enormous string of beads wound tightly around his fists.
“Ismark, my son. Oh, what terrible times are these! You have brought fresh blood? Are you come to pay homage to the Morning Lord?”
“Yes, Father Donavich,” Ismark answers uncertainly, frowning at the ruined state of the church. “Friends. Newcomers from other lands. They have helped bring the body of my father. He will need last rights, and a proper funeral.”
“Father! Please! I can hear you speaking!” The agonized voice cries out again. Donavich winces, but continues on as if nothing had happened.
“Of course. Kolyan has passed on. My deepest sympathies. Why, I will be honored to see his soul on.” He offers a hand to Ismark, allowing the beads to loosen. You can see that he has been gripping them so fiercely that his hands are quite bloodless. He turns to the rest of you. “Oh, you must forgive the state of our church. There isn’t any time. So many prayers are needed. Such need…”
Sezsu purses his lips and raises an eyebrow at the priest.
"Such need................to feed your son...?" he offers quizzically.
He quickly continues, "Father, my companion, Ed, and I are also men of the cloth. We've traveled from far, far away and, since finding ourselves here, would like to help. Much of the state and customs of this country are quite foreign to us but where we're from the clergy and their flock have a symbiotic relationship, taking care of each other's spiritual and physical needs, respectively. It seems you have needs which are not being met by your congregation. How can we be of assistance to you? We don't have much in the way of money or possessions but we are all capable individuals who are willing to help however we're able." He looks around at the state of the church and the general wellbeing of the priest.
Alessandra remained outside with Zeid. She said what she deemed reasonable about the situation and was just waiting for the possibility to finished the first accepted obligation before moving to another. If it would help, the Invisible Servant would carry the corner of the coffin, left by Sezsu.
At mention of Lathander, Ed's demeanour notably perks up. "Ah, it lightens my soul to know that the Morning Lord's word holds sway in these lands. I pay homage to him in every action I take Father. I am always at the disposal of the church, should it need me. Perhaps fixing up the church would give the villagers here something to come together over and raise their spirits a little, and keep the congregation's minds away from some of the tales we hear whilst they labour."
A quiet comment as the group splits into two, "Times like this I'm glad they're of the cloth. I don't really like places like this, its a bit weird...and this one in particular Alessandra."
“You can say that again!”She was not particularly religious - of course, every mage pays the dues to Mystra and she was no exception, but it was more about the craft itself rather than the provider. She did not "feel" the presence of the goddess like Ed or Sezsu did. "I just hope it will be enough."
Seszu: “Such need................to feed your son...? . . . Father, my companion, Ed, and I are also men of the cloth . . . How can we be of assistance to you?”
Ed: "Ah, it lightens my soul to know that the Morning Lord's word holds sway in these lands. I pay homage to him in every action I take Father. I am always at the disposal of the church, should it need me.”
“Seszu and Edlanar,” Ismark explains, taking a step back.
Father Donavich ignores Seszu’s first question, but spares a weary smile for the religionists. It takes effort, as though the edges of his thin lips are weighed down in an expression of perpetual dejection.
“Children of the Light! May it guide your path always toward the dawn. Come, carry in the coffin and we will discuss last rites.” He turns and walks slowly back toward the chapel. The chapel is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower.
A wordless wail rises up from between the floorboards.
“Seszu and Edlanar. As holy men you will find our liturgy familiar. Ismark, to see the late burgomaster put to rest, we shall offer prayers to the Morning Lord in exchange for his soul’s release from this world. I shall see to it that a grave is prepared, and I ask that you return to me here just before dawn tomorrow. He will be buried at first light, in accordance with the ancient rites. The morning light is the only light that can penetrate these cursed mists. Ismark, won't you check your dear father's coffin one last time to ensure he has with him everything you intend?"
Religion DC 10:
It is common for certain religions, those associated with deities of light or sun, perform rites at sunrise, including burials.
Father Donavich glances at Ismark's back, then turns to whisper urgently to Seszu and Edlanar. “What do you know of curing the sick? Of-of saving the cursed?”
"I guess that depends on the nature of the curse, father. My experience has given me some basic understanding and tools to use against common ailments and whatnot, but I don't know..."
Sezsu mouths a quiet prayer and fingers the moonstone around his neck as he looks around the desolate church and casts detect evil and good.
"Indeed the Morninglord is most keenly appreciated as the sun first bathes us in light and bnishesnthe night. I have extensive experience amongst the poor and sickly folks but curses are something outside of my past dealings. If you can give me some time, I could possibly deterkine if there has been anything magical in nature that lingers still?"
After helping shift the coffin with the church, Ed will take some time and cast Detect Magic as a ritual unless anyone expressly stops him.
Alessa followed the coffin and now too could see for herself the decaying interior. She did not comment, though, still puzzled by Father Donavich's "selective" hearing. His nervous glances, dejected facial expression, sickly look - all of this was telling about some real tragedy the man was going through. The quiet question about curses made Alessa nod in understanding - or at least she thought she understood. "The sick can be cured, but there is no cure for the cursed." Her sad smile was full of pain, just like the holy father's. "Not where we came from. I am truly very sorry." There was a reason people were scared of hags more than of dragons. For just a moment she hoped in these lands it was different but... If it was, Father Donavich would not have asked for help. "We will be here at dawn."She gave him another pitying look. "I... I will see if our host needs some help". The further conversation promised to be too painful and Alessa ran away to maybe help Ismark.
Remaining near the entry, the room-and the occupents shed an uncomfortable feeling, Zied comments. "Some curses you can live with however. Not all though." This wasn't his area of expertise by far, but having a slightly cursed existence was not unfamiliar. Yet it wasn't something he could truly comment or relate on, instead he remained waiting, the worry about the creatures mentioned lingering in his mind.
Father Donavich closes his eyes as he listens, his head dropping in clear disappointment. With a deep, struggling breath he opens them. They pass over Seszu uncertainly, taking in the cleric’s orange eyes and greenish grey skin. But the priest doesn’t falter--clearly he has seen stranger things in his day and is hardened against a merely unusual appearance. “Tell me, do you know of the Abbey of Saint Markovia? No? It is an Abbey located far to the northwest of here. It is rumored to harbor many miracles. I thought you might… ah, well, nevermind.”
As Seszu casts his spell, Donavich nods in resignation.
“So, now you likely understand the meaning of my questions.” He looks down at the floor, beneath which the pleading howls originate. “It is…” His eyes well with tears. “It is my beloved son. Doru. Bless his soul. Several..y-years ago he… he was kidnapped by that demon. He who perches in his dark castle, like a watchful bird of prey. He feeds on innocence, you see. He is drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Yet when he finds it, he destroys it…” Father Donavich is overtaken by a sob, but tries to maintain his composure. “My poor boy, such a good boy. He returned to me as a… with an appetite wholly unnatural and sacrilegious. I could not appease him, could not control him, and could not abide him! What was I to do? I, oooh! I could only confine him, for his own protection, and that of the sheep in my flock. I am still the Shepard, yes! I protect all, you see. I pray day and night for a cure for Doru’s affliction. I know that one day soon the Morning Lord shall hear my prayer and deliver unto us salvation. A cure for this terrible hunger.”
The father stands upright, suddenly self-aware. “But, I should not have burdened you with this. You are here for funerary rites, for goodness sake! I only thought… I hoped… My prayers, you see, and you being travelers in service to the light...”
At the father's heart wrenching speech, Edlanar walks over to him and places a strong hand on the man's shoulder. In a soft and consoling tone he re-assures Donavich, "A tragedy indeed, I shall include you and your sun in my prayers. Surely your faith and diligence should find reward. Indeed, perhaps we were brought together for his purpose." Ed's normal cheery smile creeps back onto his face as he looks at his companions, and briefly at the door that Alessa disappeared through before continuing in a firmer tone, "Tell us more on this, for I do serve the light and your words of a demon that preys on children unsettle me greatly."
(Alessa did not really leave, she joined Ismark, who is by the coffin which is in the church)
The last words she heard from Father Donavich only confirmed the obvious, even if did not really reveal the nature of the curse afflicting his son. She waited for Ismark to finish his last preparations of the coffin and asked."It seems your devil-demon Strahd is a danger to any young in your lands. But what did Father Donavich mean by "unnatural and sacrilegious hunger"? Does that curse have a common name?"
Sezsu nods at everyone's words as he slowly sidesteps to the nearest pile of rubble and nonchalantly steps up off the floorboards.
Focusing back on Father Donavich, he perks up a bit. "Right. We've heard some bits about this Demon of yours. What manner of man or beast is this Strahd character? It seems folks are wary of talking about him... What should we know, as visitors of his apparent dominion? Other than the apparent correlations to various bogeymen of lore, of course. I've heard of some curses being lifted once the instigator is satisfied... or killed." He finishes the phrase quietly under his breath.
Alessa: “But what did Father Donavich mean by "unnatural and sacrilegious hunger"? Does that curse have a common name?"
“It has a name.”
Father Donavich responds to Alessa’s question from behind the alter, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. He grows pale, even in the warm light of the candles. “Some say it first came from the dark planes of the Shadowfell for reasons lost to history. Others, that a powerful necromancer once opened a portal to a place beyond their reckoning. However it happened, this thing of shadow was driven to rage by hunger and decay, feeding on the blood of mortalkind and adopting the traits of its prey.”
Donavich clutches his prayer beads to his chest, falling to his knees in a prayer-like posture. “It is named the vampire. And its relentless hunger stirs when blood is spilled, awakening its desire to sink its teeth into the flesh of friends and innocents. And it… it has claimed my son.”
Doru wails relentlessly below. Thunder rumbles in the sky outside. The feeble light from the entry doors seems to dim visibly. Father Donavich looks fearfully toward it.
Seszu: “What manner of man or beast is this Strahd character? It seems folks are wary of talking about him... What should we know, as visitors of his apparent dominion?”
“Strahd von Zarovich,” he whispers. “He who dwells in the fortress castle above this very chapel. He is one of them, the vampire lord of them all. He is a curse placed upon this land because of some forgotten sin of our ancestors. That is why we cannot leave. Why the mists hold us captive, as they have done for generations.”
Ed: “Indeed, perhaps we were brought together for his purpose."
Donavich’s prayer beads are clutched so tightly his hands have grown as white as snow. “As the mists now hold you. You… are not the first travelers who have come to our land. But all who have come... Well, they have not found a way out. I pray your fate will be different. I will pray for you, as I pray for Doru, and myself, and all of us cursed souls in Barovia. The Morning Lord will hear my prayers!”
He blinks. “But the hour is growing late. You should not be out after nightfall.” He hauls himself to one knee, then pulls himself up to standing using the corner of the altar. “Ismark, will you see to them now? Return to me just before dawn in the morning. Then we will lay Kolyan to rest.”
“Of course, Father.” Ismark replies, standing at the entryway, awaiting you to join him.
Sezsu nods slowly, letting this new information sink in. He clearly has more questions but doesn't want to overstay their welcome since they've been so genially dismissed.
"May the Moonmaiden watch over you this night, Father." He dips his head and withdraws with Ismark.
"And may we meet at dawn,"whispered Alessandra doing her best to look less ... disturbed than she felt. The news dropped like the rocks from the clear sky - sudden and deadly. Alessa felt a knot in the pit of her stomach tightening with every word - "no way out", "cursed lands", "holding mist", and, above all, "a vampire"! The nightmare of all nightmares, a monster not many scary stories dared to mention, an ever-hungry monster whose victims have a fate worse than death. She took a deep breath, exhaled, suppressing the panic, and tried to walk out sturdy and calmly.
"If your offer of hospitality still stands, Ismark, I think we all will take it," Alessa even smiled if weakly, "so far everyone we met warned us from staying outside after dark. In the morning we can return here to pray for your father's soul together."
(Sezsu is not holding the coffin at this point, although I'm unclear exactly where we set it down, whether inside or out. Either way, he's inside trying to determine the source of the cry. Regardless of judgements he may be silently making, he'll help a person in need first as he sees that as a more pressing matter. He's used to screams. He heard a lot of them when he was young.)
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Zeid remains with the Coffin (wherever it was left in conjuction with actions here). "Exasperating indeed." as Seszu and the others head for the noises. Zied keeps an eye on their current "courier package" but picks up his stick briefly-prior to his realization of the young one's request. Unable to tell if its a child, or a young adult.
"Ismark; was that the average every day sort of ..wail. Or new?"
“It is not food that is needed--” Ismark begins. “The boy--”
“My child.”
In the slatternly chapel, a mass of dark fabric lurches up from the ground. The clothes concealed the man among the debris of demolished wood, creating the impression that disembodied prayers filled the church. Pale and sickly, he peers at you with watery eyes before advancing, an enormous string of beads wound tightly around his fists.
“Ismark, my son. Oh, what terrible times are these! You have brought fresh blood? Are you come to pay homage to the Morning Lord?”
“Yes, Father Donavich,” Ismark answers uncertainly, frowning at the ruined state of the church. “Friends. Newcomers from other lands. They have helped bring the body of my father. He will need last rights, and a proper funeral.”
“Father! Please! I can hear you speaking!” The agonized voice cries out again. Donavich winces, but continues on as if nothing had happened.
“Of course. Kolyan has passed on. My deepest sympathies. Why, I will be honored to see his soul on.” He offers a hand to Ismark, allowing the beads to loosen. You can see that he has been gripping them so fiercely that his hands are quite bloodless. He turns to the rest of you. “Oh, you must forgive the state of our church. There isn’t any time. So many prayers are needed. Such need…”
“Father, for the love of God!”
Sezsu purses his lips and raises an eyebrow at the priest.
"Such need................to feed your son...?" he offers quizzically.
He quickly continues, "Father, my companion, Ed, and I are also men of the cloth. We've traveled from far, far away and, since finding ourselves here, would like to help. Much of the state and customs of this country are quite foreign to us but where we're from the clergy and their flock have a symbiotic relationship, taking care of each other's spiritual and physical needs, respectively. It seems you have needs which are not being met by your congregation. How can we be of assistance to you? We don't have much in the way of money or possessions but we are all capable individuals who are willing to help however we're able." He looks around at the state of the church and the general wellbeing of the priest.
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Alessandra remained outside with Zeid. She said what she deemed reasonable about the situation and was just waiting for the possibility to finished the first accepted obligation before moving to another. If it would help, the Invisible Servant would carry the corner of the coffin, left by Sezsu.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
At mention of Lathander, Ed's demeanour notably perks up. "Ah, it lightens my soul to know that the Morning Lord's word holds sway in these lands. I pay homage to him in every action I take Father. I am always at the disposal of the church, should it need me. Perhaps fixing up the church would give the villagers here something to come together over and raise their spirits a little, and keep the congregation's minds away from some of the tales we hear whilst they labour."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
A quiet comment as the group splits into two, "Times like this I'm glad they're of the cloth. I don't really like places like this, its a bit weird...and this one in particular Alessandra."
“You can say that again!” She was not particularly religious - of course, every mage pays the dues to Mystra and she was no exception, but it was more about the craft itself rather than the provider. She did not "feel" the presence of the goddess like Ed or Sezsu did. "I just hope it will be enough."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Seszu: “Such need................to feed your son...? . . . Father, my companion, Ed, and I are also men of the cloth . . . How can we be of assistance to you?”
Ed: "Ah, it lightens my soul to know that the Morning Lord's word holds sway in these lands. I pay homage to him in every action I take Father. I am always at the disposal of the church, should it need me.”
“Seszu and Edlanar,” Ismark explains, taking a step back.
Father Donavich ignores Seszu’s first question, but spares a weary smile for the religionists. It takes effort, as though the edges of his thin lips are weighed down in an expression of perpetual dejection.
“Children of the Light! May it guide your path always toward the dawn. Come, carry in the coffin and we will discuss last rites.” He turns and walks slowly back toward the chapel. The chapel is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower.
A wordless wail rises up from between the floorboards.
“Seszu and Edlanar. As holy men you will find our liturgy familiar. Ismark, to see the late burgomaster put to rest, we shall offer prayers to the Morning Lord in exchange for his soul’s release from this world. I shall see to it that a grave is prepared, and I ask that you return to me here just before dawn tomorrow. He will be buried at first light, in accordance with the ancient rites. The morning light is the only light that can penetrate these cursed mists. Ismark, won't you check your dear father's coffin one last time to ensure he has with him everything you intend?"
Religion DC 10:
It is common for certain religions, those associated with deities of light or sun, perform rites at sunrise, including burials.
Father Donavich glances at Ismark's back, then turns to whisper urgently to Seszu and Edlanar. “What do you know of curing the sick? Of-of saving the cursed?”
Religion: 6
"I guess that depends on the nature of the curse, father. My experience has given me some basic understanding and tools to use against common ailments and whatnot, but I don't know..."
Sezsu mouths a quiet prayer and fingers the moonstone around his neck as he looks around the desolate church and casts detect evil and good.
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Religion check: 3 (in game log)
"Indeed the Morninglord is most keenly appreciated as the sun first bathes us in light and bnishesnthe night. I have extensive experience amongst the poor and sickly folks but curses are something outside of my past dealings. If you can give me some time, I could possibly deterkine if there has been anything magical in nature that lingers still?"
After helping shift the coffin with the church, Ed will take some time and cast Detect Magic as a ritual unless anyone expressly stops him.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Alessa followed the coffin and now too could see for herself the decaying interior. She did not comment, though, still puzzled by Father Donavich's "selective" hearing. His nervous glances, dejected facial expression, sickly look - all of this was telling about some real tragedy the man was going through. The quiet question about curses made Alessa nod in understanding - or at least she thought she understood. "The sick can be cured, but there is no cure for the cursed." Her sad smile was full of pain, just like the holy father's. "Not where we came from. I am truly very sorry." There was a reason people were scared of hags more than of dragons. For just a moment she hoped in these lands it was different but... If it was, Father Donavich would not have asked for help. "We will be here at dawn." She gave him another pitying look. "I... I will see if our host needs some help". The further conversation promised to be too painful and Alessa ran away to maybe help Ismark.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Remaining near the entry, the room-and the occupents shed an uncomfortable feeling, Zied comments. "Some curses you can live with however. Not all though." This wasn't his area of expertise by far, but having a slightly cursed existence was not unfamiliar. Yet it wasn't something he could truly comment or relate on, instead he remained waiting, the worry about the creatures mentioned lingering in his mind.
Father Donavich closes his eyes as he listens, his head dropping in clear disappointment. With a deep, struggling breath he opens them. They pass over Seszu uncertainly, taking in the cleric’s orange eyes and greenish grey skin. But the priest doesn’t falter--clearly he has seen stranger things in his day and is hardened against a merely unusual appearance. “Tell me, do you know of the Abbey of Saint Markovia? No? It is an Abbey located far to the northwest of here. It is rumored to harbor many miracles. I thought you might… ah, well, nevermind.”
As Seszu casts his spell, Donavich nods in resignation.
“So, now you likely understand the meaning of my questions.” He looks down at the floor, beneath which the pleading howls originate. “It is…” His eyes well with tears. “It is my beloved son. Doru. Bless his soul. Several..y-years ago he… he was kidnapped by that demon. He who perches in his dark castle, like a watchful bird of prey. He feeds on innocence, you see. He is drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Yet when he finds it, he destroys it…” Father Donavich is overtaken by a sob, but tries to maintain his composure. “My poor boy, such a good boy. He returned to me as a… with an appetite wholly unnatural and sacrilegious. I could not appease him, could not control him, and could not abide him! What was I to do? I, oooh! I could only confine him, for his own protection, and that of the sheep in my flock. I am still the Shepard, yes! I protect all, you see. I pray day and night for a cure for Doru’s affliction. I know that one day soon the Morning Lord shall hear my prayer and deliver unto us salvation. A cure for this terrible hunger.”
The father stands upright, suddenly self-aware. “But, I should not have burdened you with this. You are here for funerary rites, for goodness sake! I only thought… I hoped… My prayers, you see, and you being travelers in service to the light...”
At the father's heart wrenching speech, Edlanar walks over to him and places a strong hand on the man's shoulder. In a soft and consoling tone he re-assures Donavich, "A tragedy indeed, I shall include you and your sun in my prayers. Surely your faith and diligence should find reward. Indeed, perhaps we were brought together for his purpose." Ed's normal cheery smile creeps back onto his face as he looks at his companions, and briefly at the door that Alessa disappeared through before continuing in a firmer tone, "Tell us more on this, for I do serve the light and your words of a demon that preys on children unsettle me greatly."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
(Alessa did not really leave, she joined Ismark, who is by the coffin which is in the church)
The last words she heard from Father Donavich only confirmed the obvious, even if did not really reveal the nature of the curse afflicting his son. She waited for Ismark to finish his last preparations of the coffin and asked. "It seems your devil-demon Strahd is a danger to any young in your lands. But what did Father Donavich mean by "unnatural and sacrilegious hunger"? Does that curse have a common name?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sezsu nods at everyone's words as he slowly sidesteps to the nearest pile of rubble and nonchalantly steps up off the floorboards.
Focusing back on Father Donavich, he perks up a bit. "Right. We've heard some bits about this Demon of yours. What manner of man or beast is this Strahd character? It seems folks are wary of talking about him... What should we know, as visitors of his apparent dominion? Other than the apparent correlations to various bogeymen of lore, of course. I've heard of some curses being lifted once the instigator is satisfied... or killed." He finishes the phrase quietly under his breath.
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Alessa: “But what did Father Donavich mean by "unnatural and sacrilegious hunger"? Does that curse have a common name?"
“It has a name.”
Father Donavich responds to Alessa’s question from behind the alter, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. He grows pale, even in the warm light of the candles. “Some say it first came from the dark planes of the Shadowfell for reasons lost to history. Others, that a powerful necromancer once opened a portal to a place beyond their reckoning. However it happened, this thing of shadow was driven to rage by hunger and decay, feeding on the blood of mortalkind and adopting the traits of its prey.”
Donavich clutches his prayer beads to his chest, falling to his knees in a prayer-like posture. “It is named the vampire. And its relentless hunger stirs when blood is spilled, awakening its desire to sink its teeth into the flesh of friends and innocents. And it… it has claimed my son.”
Doru wails relentlessly below. Thunder rumbles in the sky outside. The feeble light from the entry doors seems to dim visibly. Father Donavich looks fearfully toward it.
Seszu: “What manner of man or beast is this Strahd character? It seems folks are wary of talking about him... What should we know, as visitors of his apparent dominion?”
“Strahd von Zarovich,” he whispers. “He who dwells in the fortress castle above this very chapel. He is one of them, the vampire lord of them all. He is a curse placed upon this land because of some forgotten sin of our ancestors. That is why we cannot leave. Why the mists hold us captive, as they have done for generations.”
Ed: “Indeed, perhaps we were brought together for his purpose."
Donavich’s prayer beads are clutched so tightly his hands have grown as white as snow. “As the mists now hold you. You… are not the first travelers who have come to our land. But all who have come... Well, they have not found a way out. I pray your fate will be different. I will pray for you, as I pray for Doru, and myself, and all of us cursed souls in Barovia. The Morning Lord will hear my prayers!”
He blinks. “But the hour is growing late. You should not be out after nightfall.” He hauls himself to one knee, then pulls himself up to standing using the corner of the altar. “Ismark, will you see to them now? Return to me just before dawn in the morning. Then we will lay Kolyan to rest.”
“Of course, Father.” Ismark replies, standing at the entryway, awaiting you to join him.
Sezsu nods slowly, letting this new information sink in. He clearly has more questions but doesn't want to overstay their welcome since they've been so genially dismissed.
"May the Moonmaiden watch over you this night, Father." He dips his head and withdraws with Ismark.
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
"And may we meet at dawn," whispered Alessandra doing her best to look less ... disturbed than she felt. The news dropped like the rocks from the clear sky - sudden and deadly. Alessa felt a knot in the pit of her stomach tightening with every word - "no way out", "cursed lands", "holding mist", and, above all, "a vampire"! The nightmare of all nightmares, a monster not many scary stories dared to mention, an ever-hungry monster whose victims have a fate worse than death. She took a deep breath, exhaled, suppressing the panic, and tried to walk out sturdy and calmly.
"If your offer of hospitality still stands, Ismark, I think we all will take it," Alessa even smiled if weakly, "so far everyone we met warned us from staying outside after dark. In the morning we can return here to pray for your father's soul together."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice