Sezsu runs down the stairs, a look of alarm on his face. "Ed? Alessa?? Zied!? Where is every..." he cuts short as he slides to a stop in the dining room.
"Why didn't you wake me for my watch? What happened last night??" Accepting the offered food, he sits and eats in silence and ponders while they fill him in.
Sezsu stays outside the church, not wanting to be faced with the temptation to act regarding Doru's situation.
"Ah, Father...?" the young cleric finally pipes up before they begin the burial. "Might I have a few minutes with the body before it's interred to convey Selûne's blessing, as is the custom of my order?"
If afforded the opportunity, Sezsu will ritually cast gentle repose and place two copper coins over the late burgomaster's eyes (taken out of the party's inventory). He'll do it at whatever point or place seems most practical to ensure the coins stay in place even if that means climbing into the grave to pray over the body.
Ismark, and any who offer assistance, lift the coffin. Together you begin to move the coffin, following Donavich’s slow stagger. He leads you outside, out the front of the dilapidated church and around the back. Here you see a fence of wrought iron with a rusty gate enclosing a rectangular plot of land. Tightly packed gravestones shrouded by fog bear the names of souls long passed. All seems quiet. Father Donavich pushes the gate open, which shrieks in protest. He heads toward a fresh, empty plot on the eastern side.
You hear slight chirps and squeaks. The swarm of bats now occupies the belfry and roofline of the church.
Donavich stands at the top end of the grave. Beside it lies a pile of ropes and a headstone, already engraved with the words Kolyan Indirovich, Burgomaster of Barovia. Beloved Father and Husband.
At Father Donavich’s instructions, you are able to use the rope to slowly lower the coffin into the ground. There is room for Sezsu to climb into the grave. He lifts the coffin lid and performs his ceremony in the tradition of Selûne. He places two copper coins over Kolyan’s eyes, then gently lowers the coffin lid back into place. Ismark offers a hand to pull Sezsu back out of the grave and hefts him out with almost no effort at all.
Ismark smiles to Sezsu, sighs, and clasps his hands before speaking. “Kolyan was as good a father as anyone could want. Without my mother, he did the best for me that he could. He provided a loving home and taught me all that he knew. Even in his last days he worked to keep me safe from the horrors of darkness. He deserved so much better. He was a good man.”
Father Donavich nods and closes his eyes. He holds up his hands. “We now prepare to send Kolyan Indirovich to the world beyond. Oh Morning Lord, Lord of Blessed Light. We offer into Thy mercy and Thy radiance Master Kolyan Indirovich. Departed hence from us and toward Thy glory, we beseech Thee to grant unto him mercy and everlasting peace. Please, deliver him from this everlasting darkness into Thy care. From pestilence into growth, from shadow into light, and from death to new life. Grant him entrance into Thy land of light and joy, in the fellowship of Thy saints and the brilliance of Thy presence. By Thy will and Thy grace.”
As Donavich recites the final rites and prayers during the burgomaster’s burial, a heavy fog rolls in. Father Donavich looks around. “Does anyone else wish to say a few words?”
Alessa could help with the invisible servant, should the group be short of hands, and followed the coffin appropriately in silence. The moment was too serious and important for any sidetracking questions, which she and others could have.
The pleas of unfortunate Doru were in strange consonance with the gloomy dawn, the ceremony and the general mood she had. Alessa did not get native in any shape of form - yet - but some things you absorbed faster, and she did not shiver anymore hearing the voice of the cursed. To the suggestion to speak she slowly shook her head at first - she did not know the burgomeister, after all - but then looked at Ismark, at the priest and made a small step forward. "Neither I nor others in our group had a chance to meet Master Kolyan Indirovich. Yet, everything we heard about him speaks of a good man, loved by his son and respected by the people. May the gods be kind to his soul and may he find peace in their embrace."
(Similarly I'll briefly run through some past Ed moments)
Ed rouses himself from the blissful slumber. Coming round on the sofa he is a little disoriented to hear voices in conversation and quickly rises to investigate. Though he frowns slightly at the recounting of his failure to wake, he shrugs it off and chuckles "Well, I must have really needed that snooze. Seems you did too Sezsu?". Ed tucks into the food prepared by Zied with zeal, seeming to constantly be shovelling food into his mouth from all directions.
As the group greet Father Donavich, Doru's exclamation reminds Ed of the conversation from the night before. At an oppprtunistic moment, the large man will extend his hand in greetings and speak to the Father in quiet tones, "Greetings brother mine, perhaps once we have finished this most solemn and sombre of tasks, Sezsu and I might have some words with you in private... We are struggling with an issue of morality versus good and perhaps your guidance can assist us."
Ed's head stays bowed through the service. At the offer to speak, he listens to Alessa's simply spoken truths before bowing to her, then Ismark and Donavich in turn. He places a fist over his heart and turns to face the dawn sun lifting his chin slightly, before reciting one of the prayers drilled into him during his time in the church. He chants the lines, a slow rhythm, his voice is strong, resonating even in the open air.
"We welcome you, Morning Lord, and we honor you this day Celebrating your light, as we partake in our journey once more Great and powerful, the Sun is your blessing and shows us your loving way Thank you for your gifts, thank you for your warmth that touches us to the core Shining down on the land and sea, making things grow and bloom Your eternal love will always be in our hearts, O Lord of the Sun We honor you Dawn Lord, for you are the beacon who casts away the gloom And we devote our days in your holy name, and the darkness we shun.”
He turns to face the grave bowing his head low as he continues, his voice deep and sincere, "Blessed by your warmth in life, now we commit him to the ground and bestow a final setting of your light. Welcome Kolyan from the dark into the after. Survived by his son, let your care dawn fresh on this family to bring them through these times of sorrow." Ed raises his head and steps back to his former position allowing anyone else to say their words.
""Folks die. Its sad. Those who are left have to keep walking. If you live in the past you'll never leave the past. Good for some, bad for most. but it is a choice all must face." Zied is simple, and experienced in living in the past. He recommends against it,
The pray was moving and almost too beautiful for that place. Alessandra glanced around at the dark old gravestones drowning in the mist, at the rusty fence around, crumbling church walls - and suddenly noticed something else, or, better say someone. For a few moments, she looked at the tall figure standing behind the cemetery fence, shrouded in mist, but through that appearing as a man clad in black. But when the figure bowed his head as if in prayer touched Ismark's shoulder and pointed at the person with her eyes. "Looks like someone else came to say goodbye to your father, Ismark."
“Who do you mean? I do not see anyone.” Ismark peers into the fog. Indeed, when Alessa turns back, there is nothing but mist.
With a screech to rival that of Doru, the bats collectively take to the sky, disappearing into the fog.
“Someone will be along shortly to fill the gravesite, worry not Ismark.” Father Donavich begins to slowly make his way south, out of the graveyard and back into the church. “Now, Edlanar, what was it you wished to speak to me about, hmm? An issue of morality? Fear not, the Morning Lord shall succor his flock!”
After Donavich's words, Ed catches Sezsu's eye and beckons him over to join the pair. "Yes Father, a most difficult problem, and your wisdom will surely guide us true. As servants of a greater power, we are both empowered and encouraged, nay, duty-bound to tend to the safety of those in need. As you do with these people. What we have learned of this Stra..." he stops himself midway through the name before thinking better of its use, "...demon draws us to conclude he is undoubtedly a being of evil. Such beings are oft accompanied by others drawn into their fold, and to those that serve him he must be perceived as a figure due respect, possibly even a being that 'does good' in their opinion. So our dilemma is that when we, as men of faith, know in our hearts that something is evil and a danger to the innocent that we must strive to protect, how could we justify our acts and beliefs to those that care for, perhaps even love, and would protect this evil?"
Rest did not calm Sezsu's desire to right the wrong, and Alessa, true to her word, stayed away from the very loaded conversation. Hopefully, in Zeid's and Ismark's company. Not that she was scared (that feeling became sort of a constant background, slowly transforming into expectation and acceptance of another disaster soon-to-happen) but she worried now about her "vision". Questioning her own sanity in addition to readiness to deal with this world was an unwelcome thought.
"I am sure I was not mistaken, there was a man, right behind the western part of the fence. Maybe we can walk there and check for the tracks?"
Likewise ramaining at a distance from Seszu's apparent carefully crafted arguement to convience the Father to allow the murder of the Son. A quest which Zied cares not to involve himself in a morality discussion and will simply await the conclusion. "I hadn't noticed anything. Let us go...Ismark, mayhap you remain with the others for now. Finish saying your farewells within your heart. We'll be back forthwith." Nodding to Alessa, he'll go with the magic user. Opting however to lead out of standard precautions. "I don't suppose that Talisman of yours allows for others to view us if need be? I don't know how reliable a shout may be with the partculars of this town's weather oddities."
(As a sidenote. Zied will Guidance Alessa; as she was the one who noticed previously. Take a caffine pill you wizard!)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alessandra was used to Zeid's alchemy of course and took the pill without thinking, too concerned with the strange "vision" and eager to prove it was real. She answered the question, though. "No. At least I do not think so. Even the message I can send through it goes only one way. There will be no answer."Nevertheless, she made a mental note to be cautious - a piece of the body is a piece of the body. Some curses require little to be placed.
Once they reached the western wall, she walked straight to the place where she saw a man and tried to find anything proving there was indeed a human standing and watching. (Investigation: 8 + 2 or Survival: 16 + 1 )
“Here…” Ismark halts abruptly, pointing toward the ground with a facial expression as cold as ice. In the dirt, where Alessa saw the man, are a single pair of large boot prints. There are no footprints leading toward or away from this spot.
Ismark looks up toward the towering cliff and colossal castle. He then turns to Alessa, looking gaunt. He grips Alessa’s arm with uncharacteristic urgency. His next words come as a hiss, quiet and quick. “Tell me exactly what you saw!”
(Edlanar, Sezsu, Donavich)
“Ah, but it is true!” Father Donavich croaks, suddenly looking the least desolate that you’ve seen him. “The Morning Lord has heard my prayers! And now is come an emissary of His wisdom! Yes, yes! The devil who dwells on high--” he points toward Castle Ravenloft,“--is a creature of, of unfathomable evil, forged from the sable clay of the deepest ravines of the shadow realms! His word is poison, his touch wilting. And all who are drawn into his service become tainted by him. Indeed! Such beings have lost themselves in the darkness, wandering endlessly a labyrinth without so much as a matchstick to guide their way!”
Father Donavich’s eyes grow wild. He seizes Edlanar’s hand in his own clutches.
“But we, Edlanar Holbrook! We are the lantern! The Morning Lord has given us, we servants of a GREATER power, as you have so eloquently and astutely put it, have been blessed with the faculties and the means to shine His light in even the darkest of places! To guide those who have fallen unto shadow back into the light of His grace!”
Donavich seems seized with the inspiration of one who has been struck with the lightning of genius, of an idea wholly novel and heretofore unrealized.
“If but only our faith shall endure this most arduous of tasks! Yes! Yes! It is a test, you see! A test of faith! And mine own faith, tried beyond mortal belief! Ah, the agonies I have suffered! But now you are come! Nay, the Morning Lord has sent you here! Do you not see! He is the reason for your arrival upon my doorstep. He has brought you here, to deliver Doru from the dark labyrinth. Together, my brother! Together, is the power of our faith thus magnified twice over!”
Donavich scrambles wildly into the church, tugging at Edlanar with all his strength! “You shall join me now, yes? Join me in prayer! We shall not eat! We shall not drink! Until the limitless majesty of His divine plan has been illuminated, and the shadows rid from this modest chapel! We shall flood this chamber with the light of our faith! We shall go blind from the furious majesty of it! And we shall be thankful! For then we shall see, truly see, His grand scheme! Here, in this church! Here, in His house of the morning sun! Oh, here in this, his Temple of Paradise!”
The strange footprints were puzzling, true, but Ismark's sudden and very apparent distress was genuinely scary. So much so, that Alessa did not even try to free her arm but instead tried to summon the image she saw in her mind. "It was foggy, but I am sure I saw a tall man, dressed all in black. He was just standing there, then bowed his head as if in prayer. And when I looked again after telling you - he was gone. But with the mist and the bats flapping around it would be easy to miss his going". She looked at the man's pale face and asked softly. "Do you worry the devil was watching this place through his spy? Or..." No, she really did not want to say it out loud if only to keep it from reality. It was childish, she would admit it herself, but in this place, all the childhood scary stories and funny superstitions felt very real.
Zied looks at the sky and around. "If it flew off, it at least isn't simple or normal. Your father, Ismark, was killed as a demonstration basically? Mayhap what did it was confirming he was laid to rest. Either for further, or to report its mission accomplished?" Flapping his coat lightly, "Being unarmed is making me nervious, I may have my tools, but I know not how effective that maybe."
Pondering briefly, a tingle of fear he'd moved past before itching at the base of his neck. "If it was an agent, however, why has it, or others, simply ignored the one in the Church? Little reason to leave it sealed away no?"
Ed appears a little startled by the zeal in the Father's eyes and the vigour that it seems to bring to his spirit. Taken aback and somewhat aware that the Father has found a complete tangent, he stands up tall in front of Donavich resisting the tugs and in turn holding the Father fast in place. Ed summons up every ounce of his faith, his soul, his being that he can muster and stands as an immutable rock, a mirror of the imposing castle looming atop the cliffside from afar.
"Father, calm yourself!" The words carry the sharp crack of command, to break through the Father's ramblings, "It is clear to me that the stresses you bear are more than is just for any one man. The shadow looming over you is indeed dark, and your strength in adversity is a credit to your faith. We must act with sense and prudence; for you and I to forgo sustenance would do those we must shepherd no good, for the flock can be too easily led astray without guidance and proper care." His tone has returned to one of warmth and support now, trying to bring the Father back to his senses. "We," Ed gestures to himself and his companions, "shall do our utmost to purge this devil from the realm, but we must prepare and provision ourselves appropriately. Our current trappings are are barely sufficient to keep our decency, let alone embark upon a crusade. We must start with the small crimes, the lesser evils that break the common will by their very presence."
"Father, I must address directly the issue of your son, Doru. The burden you bear with him is hefty, his screams even now break the sanctity of our funeral rites. As his father you regard him with love and affection, as the preacher of your village, as a Father of our order, you know he is something that your congregation fear and you are conflicted by wanting to best for both. Let us help you against this Strahd, let us help you aginst the shadows, let us help your faithful, but first you must help yourself." Edlanar's face is as serious as it has ever been. He stares down at Donavich, knowing that his words are as cruel as the lash and willing the preacher to see the kindness and good behind them.
Ismark turns a whiter shade of pale. “A man in black. It could… No, it could be anything. The bats… Father died from an attack of the heart. But maybe that is what the devil desired. I do not know. Neither do I understand what he has done to Doru, or why.” He looks around frantically, then heads off toward the church at a clip. “Come, we must leave here. It is not safe.”
(All at the church)
Father Donavich nearly trips backward as the stalwart paladin refuses to budge, growing more desperate by the second. “But you do not understand! Doru’s salvation depends upon you! There is no other way!” He holds onto Ed’s hand, landing heavily on his knees on the wooden floor. He begins to sob. “Please, Edlanar, you must join me in prayer to save him!”
Ismark calls out from the yard just outside the church door. "Edlanar, Sezsu! Please come, we must go now. Quickly!"
"It definitely could be anything!" with an exaggerated enthusiasm nodded Alessa. She did not believe it, of course, and if anything was convinced the devil himself (now she tried to avoid saying his name even in her head) had visited the cemetery. She walked back to the church with Zied and Ismark silently, though the sound from the inside of the building made her finally ask "what is going on there?" Whatever it was, it seemed Ed was able to stand his ground and at least did not ask for help. Alessa stopped hesitantly. "Ismark, we did not ask before, but what do villagers think of Doru and Father's Donavich situation?"
Ismark considers a moment. "The villagers avoid the church, as you can tell by the state of it. But who would come, with the way things are. Some are angry, while others pity the Father and the son. Most are simply afraid."
(Taking a quick jump back to catch up.)
Sezsu runs down the stairs, a look of alarm on his face. "Ed? Alessa?? Zied!? Where is every..." he cuts short as he slides to a stop in the dining room.
"Why didn't you wake me for my watch? What happened last night??" Accepting the offered food, he sits and eats in silence and ponders while they fill him in.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sezsu stays outside the church, not wanting to be faced with the temptation to act regarding Doru's situation.
"Ah, Father...?" the young cleric finally pipes up before they begin the burial. "Might I have a few minutes with the body before it's interred to convey Selûne's blessing, as is the custom of my order?"
If afforded the opportunity, Sezsu will ritually cast gentle repose and place two copper coins over the late burgomaster's eyes (taken out of the party's inventory). He'll do it at whatever point or place seems most practical to ensure the coins stay in place even if that means climbing into the grave to pray over the body.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Ismark, and any who offer assistance, lift the coffin. Together you begin to move the coffin, following Donavich’s slow stagger. He leads you outside, out the front of the dilapidated church and around the back. Here you see a fence of wrought iron with a rusty gate enclosing a rectangular plot of land. Tightly packed gravestones shrouded by fog bear the names of souls long passed. All seems quiet. Father Donavich pushes the gate open, which shrieks in protest. He heads toward a fresh, empty plot on the eastern side.
You hear slight chirps and squeaks. The swarm of bats now occupies the belfry and roofline of the church.
Donavich stands at the top end of the grave. Beside it lies a pile of ropes and a headstone, already engraved with the words Kolyan Indirovich, Burgomaster of Barovia. Beloved Father and Husband.
At Father Donavich’s instructions, you are able to use the rope to slowly lower the coffin into the ground. There is room for Sezsu to climb into the grave. He lifts the coffin lid and performs his ceremony in the tradition of Selûne. He places two copper coins over Kolyan’s eyes, then gently lowers the coffin lid back into place. Ismark offers a hand to pull Sezsu back out of the grave and hefts him out with almost no effort at all.
Ismark smiles to Sezsu, sighs, and clasps his hands before speaking. “Kolyan was as good a father as anyone could want. Without my mother, he did the best for me that he could. He provided a loving home and taught me all that he knew. Even in his last days he worked to keep me safe from the horrors of darkness. He deserved so much better. He was a good man.”
Father Donavich nods and closes his eyes. He holds up his hands. “We now prepare to send Kolyan Indirovich to the world beyond. Oh Morning Lord, Lord of Blessed Light. We offer into Thy mercy and Thy radiance Master Kolyan Indirovich. Departed hence from us and toward Thy glory, we beseech Thee to grant unto him mercy and everlasting peace. Please, deliver him from this everlasting darkness into Thy care. From pestilence into growth, from shadow into light, and from death to new life. Grant him entrance into Thy land of light and joy, in the fellowship of Thy saints and the brilliance of Thy presence. By Thy will and Thy grace.”
As Donavich recites the final rites and prayers during the burgomaster’s burial, a heavy fog rolls in. Father Donavich looks around. “Does anyone else wish to say a few words?”
Alessa could help with the invisible servant, should the group be short of hands, and followed the coffin appropriately in silence. The moment was too serious and important for any sidetracking questions, which she and others could have.
The pleas of unfortunate Doru were in strange consonance with the gloomy dawn, the ceremony and the general mood she had. Alessa did not get native in any shape of form - yet - but some things you absorbed faster, and she did not shiver anymore hearing the voice of the cursed. To the suggestion to speak she slowly shook her head at first - she did not know the burgomeister, after all - but then looked at Ismark, at the priest and made a small step forward. "Neither I nor others in our group had a chance to meet Master Kolyan Indirovich. Yet, everything we heard about him speaks of a good man, loved by his son and respected by the people. May the gods be kind to his soul and may he find peace in their embrace."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sezsu remains quiet, already having said and done what he felt appropriate.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
(Similarly I'll briefly run through some past Ed moments)
Ed rouses himself from the blissful slumber. Coming round on the sofa he is a little disoriented to hear voices in conversation and quickly rises to investigate. Though he frowns slightly at the recounting of his failure to wake, he shrugs it off and chuckles "Well, I must have really needed that snooze. Seems you did too Sezsu?". Ed tucks into the food prepared by Zied with zeal, seeming to constantly be shovelling food into his mouth from all directions.
As the group greet Father Donavich, Doru's exclamation reminds Ed of the conversation from the night before. At an oppprtunistic moment, the large man will extend his hand in greetings and speak to the Father in quiet tones, "Greetings brother mine, perhaps once we have finished this most solemn and sombre of tasks, Sezsu and I might have some words with you in private... We are struggling with an issue of morality versus good and perhaps your guidance can assist us."
Ed's head stays bowed through the service. At the offer to speak, he listens to Alessa's simply spoken truths before bowing to her, then Ismark and Donavich in turn. He places a fist over his heart and turns to face the dawn sun lifting his chin slightly, before reciting one of the prayers drilled into him during his time in the church. He chants the lines, a slow rhythm, his voice is strong, resonating even in the open air.
"We welcome you, Morning Lord, and we honor you this day
Celebrating your light, as we partake in our journey once more
Great and powerful, the Sun is your blessing and shows us your loving way
Thank you for your gifts, thank you for your warmth that touches us to the core
Shining down on the land and sea, making things grow and bloom
Your eternal love will always be in our hearts, O Lord of the Sun
We honor you Dawn Lord, for you are the beacon who casts away the gloom
And we devote our days in your holy name, and the darkness we shun.”
He turns to face the grave bowing his head low as he continues, his voice deep and sincere, "Blessed by your warmth in life, now we commit him to the ground and bestow a final setting of your light. Welcome Kolyan from the dark into the after. Survived by his son, let your care dawn fresh on this family to bring them through these times of sorrow." Ed raises his head and steps back to his former position allowing anyone else to say their words.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
""Folks die. Its sad. Those who are left have to keep walking. If you live in the past you'll never leave the past. Good for some, bad for most. but it is a choice all must face." Zied is simple, and experienced in living in the past. He recommends against it,
The pray was moving and almost too beautiful for that place. Alessandra glanced around at the dark old gravestones drowning in the mist, at the rusty fence around, crumbling church walls - and suddenly noticed something else, or, better say someone. For a few moments, she looked at the tall figure standing behind the cemetery fence, shrouded in mist, but through that appearing as a man clad in black. But when the figure bowed his head as if in prayer touched Ismark's shoulder and pointed at the person with her eyes. "Looks like someone else came to say goodbye to your father, Ismark."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
“Who do you mean? I do not see anyone.” Ismark peers into the fog. Indeed, when Alessa turns back, there is nothing but mist.
With a screech to rival that of Doru, the bats collectively take to the sky, disappearing into the fog.
“Someone will be along shortly to fill the gravesite, worry not Ismark.” Father Donavich begins to slowly make his way south, out of the graveyard and back into the church. “Now, Edlanar, what was it you wished to speak to me about, hmm? An issue of morality? Fear not, the Morning Lord shall succor his flock!”
After Donavich's words, Ed catches Sezsu's eye and beckons him over to join the pair. "Yes Father, a most difficult problem, and your wisdom will surely guide us true. As servants of a greater power, we are both empowered and encouraged, nay, duty-bound to tend to the safety of those in need. As you do with these people. What we have learned of this Stra..." he stops himself midway through the name before thinking better of its use, "...demon draws us to conclude he is undoubtedly a being of evil. Such beings are oft accompanied by others drawn into their fold, and to those that serve him he must be perceived as a figure due respect, possibly even a being that 'does good' in their opinion. So our dilemma is that when we, as men of faith, know in our hearts that something is evil and a danger to the innocent that we must strive to protect, how could we justify our acts and beliefs to those that care for, perhaps even love, and would protect this evil?"
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Rest did not calm Sezsu's desire to right the wrong, and Alessa, true to her word, stayed away from the very loaded conversation. Hopefully, in Zeid's and Ismark's company. Not that she was scared (that feeling became sort of a constant background, slowly transforming into expectation and acceptance of another disaster soon-to-happen) but she worried now about her "vision". Questioning her own sanity in addition to readiness to deal with this world was an unwelcome thought.
"I am sure I was not mistaken, there was a man, right behind the western part of the fence. Maybe we can walk there and check for the tracks?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Likewise ramaining at a distance from Seszu's apparent carefully crafted arguement to convience the Father to allow the murder of the Son. A quest which Zied cares not to involve himself in a morality discussion and will simply await the conclusion. "I hadn't noticed anything. Let us go...Ismark, mayhap you remain with the others for now. Finish saying your farewells within your heart. We'll be back forthwith." Nodding to Alessa, he'll go with the magic user. Opting however to lead out of standard precautions. "I don't suppose that Talisman of yours allows for others to view us if need be? I don't know how reliable a shout may be with the partculars of this town's weather oddities."
(As a sidenote. Zied will Guidance Alessa; as she was the one who noticed previously. Take a caffine pill you wizard!)
Alessandra was used to Zeid's alchemy of course and took the pill without thinking, too concerned with the strange "vision" and eager to prove it was real. She answered the question, though. "No. At least I do not think so. Even the message I can send through it goes only one way. There will be no answer." Nevertheless, she made a mental note to be cautious - a piece of the body is a piece of the body. Some curses require little to be placed.
Once they reached the western wall, she walked straight to the place where she saw a man and tried to find anything proving there was indeed a human standing and watching. (Investigation: 8 + 2 or Survival: 16 + 1 )
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ismark Investigation, Survival: 2, 19
(Alessa, Zied, Ismark):
“Here…” Ismark halts abruptly, pointing toward the ground with a facial expression as cold as ice. In the dirt, where Alessa saw the man, are a single pair of large boot prints. There are no footprints leading toward or away from this spot.
Ismark looks up toward the towering cliff and colossal castle. He then turns to Alessa, looking gaunt. He grips Alessa’s arm with uncharacteristic urgency. His next words come as a hiss, quiet and quick. “Tell me exactly what you saw!”
(Edlanar, Sezsu, Donavich)
“Ah, but it is true!” Father Donavich croaks, suddenly looking the least desolate that you’ve seen him. “The Morning Lord has heard my prayers! And now is come an emissary of His wisdom! Yes, yes! The devil who dwells on high--” he points toward Castle Ravenloft, “--is a creature of, of unfathomable evil, forged from the sable clay of the deepest ravines of the shadow realms! His word is poison, his touch wilting. And all who are drawn into his service become tainted by him. Indeed! Such beings have lost themselves in the darkness, wandering endlessly a labyrinth without so much as a matchstick to guide their way!”
Father Donavich’s eyes grow wild. He seizes Edlanar’s hand in his own clutches.
“But we, Edlanar Holbrook! We are the lantern! The Morning Lord has given us, we servants of a GREATER power, as you have so eloquently and astutely put it, have been blessed with the faculties and the means to shine His light in even the darkest of places! To guide those who have fallen unto shadow back into the light of His grace!”
Donavich seems seized with the inspiration of one who has been struck with the lightning of genius, of an idea wholly novel and heretofore unrealized.
“If but only our faith shall endure this most arduous of tasks! Yes! Yes! It is a test, you see! A test of faith! And mine own faith, tried beyond mortal belief! Ah, the agonies I have suffered! But now you are come! Nay, the Morning Lord has sent you here! Do you not see! He is the reason for your arrival upon my doorstep. He has brought you here, to deliver Doru from the dark labyrinth. Together, my brother! Together, is the power of our faith thus magnified twice over!”
Donavich scrambles wildly into the church, tugging at Edlanar with all his strength! “You shall join me now, yes? Join me in prayer! We shall not eat! We shall not drink! Until the limitless majesty of His divine plan has been illuminated, and the shadows rid from this modest chapel! We shall flood this chamber with the light of our faith! We shall go blind from the furious majesty of it! And we shall be thankful! For then we shall see, truly see, His grand scheme! Here, in this church! Here, in His house of the morning sun! Oh, here in this, his Temple of Paradise!”
Doru's screams are unrelenting.
The strange footprints were puzzling, true, but Ismark's sudden and very apparent distress was genuinely scary. So much so, that Alessa did not even try to free her arm but instead tried to summon the image she saw in her mind. "It was foggy, but I am sure I saw a tall man, dressed all in black. He was just standing there, then bowed his head as if in prayer. And when I looked again after telling you - he was gone. But with the mist and the bats flapping around it would be easy to miss his going". She looked at the man's pale face and asked softly. "Do you worry the devil was watching this place through his spy? Or..." No, she really did not want to say it out loud if only to keep it from reality. It was childish, she would admit it herself, but in this place, all the childhood scary stories and funny superstitions felt very real.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Zied looks at the sky and around. "If it flew off, it at least isn't simple or normal. Your father, Ismark, was killed as a demonstration basically? Mayhap what did it was confirming he was laid to rest. Either for further, or to report its mission accomplished?" Flapping his coat lightly, "Being unarmed is making me nervious, I may have my tools, but I know not how effective that maybe."
Pondering briefly, a tingle of fear he'd moved past before itching at the base of his neck. "If it was an agent, however, why has it, or others, simply ignored the one in the Church? Little reason to leave it sealed away no?"
Ed appears a little startled by the zeal in the Father's eyes and the vigour that it seems to bring to his spirit. Taken aback and somewhat aware that the Father has found a complete tangent, he stands up tall in front of Donavich resisting the tugs and in turn holding the Father fast in place. Ed summons up every ounce of his faith, his soul, his being that he can muster and stands as an immutable rock, a mirror of the imposing castle looming atop the cliffside from afar.
"Father, calm yourself!" The words carry the sharp crack of command, to break through the Father's ramblings, "It is clear to me that the stresses you bear are more than is just for any one man. The shadow looming over you is indeed dark, and your strength in adversity is a credit to your faith. We must act with sense and prudence; for you and I to forgo sustenance would do those we must shepherd no good, for the flock can be too easily led astray without guidance and proper care." His tone has returned to one of warmth and support now, trying to bring the Father back to his senses. "We," Ed gestures to himself and his companions, "shall do our utmost to purge this devil from the realm, but we must prepare and provision ourselves appropriately. Our current trappings are are barely sufficient to keep our decency, let alone embark upon a crusade. We must start with the small crimes, the lesser evils that break the common will by their very presence."
"Father, I must address directly the issue of your son, Doru. The burden you bear with him is hefty, his screams even now break the sanctity of our funeral rites. As his father you regard him with love and affection, as the preacher of your village, as a Father of our order, you know he is something that your congregation fear and you are conflicted by wanting to best for both. Let us help you against this Strahd, let us help you aginst the shadows, let us help your faithful, but first you must help yourself." Edlanar's face is as serious as it has ever been. He stares down at Donavich, knowing that his words are as cruel as the lash and willing the preacher to see the kindness and good behind them.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
(Alessa, Zied, Ismark)
Ismark turns a whiter shade of pale. “A man in black. It could… No, it could be anything. The bats… Father died from an attack of the heart. But maybe that is what the devil desired. I do not know. Neither do I understand what he has done to Doru, or why.” He looks around frantically, then heads off toward the church at a clip. “Come, we must leave here. It is not safe.”
(All at the church)
Father Donavich nearly trips backward as the stalwart paladin refuses to budge, growing more desperate by the second. “But you do not understand! Doru’s salvation depends upon you! There is no other way!” He holds onto Ed’s hand, landing heavily on his knees on the wooden floor. He begins to sob. “Please, Edlanar, you must join me in prayer to save him!”
Ismark calls out from the yard just outside the church door. "Edlanar, Sezsu! Please come, we must go now. Quickly!"
"It definitely could be anything!" with an exaggerated enthusiasm nodded Alessa. She did not believe it, of course, and if anything was convinced the devil himself (now she tried to avoid saying his name even in her head) had visited the cemetery. She walked back to the church with Zied and Ismark silently, though the sound from the inside of the building made her finally ask "what is going on there?" Whatever it was, it seemed Ed was able to stand his ground and at least did not ask for help. Alessa stopped hesitantly. "Ismark, we did not ask before, but what do villagers think of Doru and Father's Donavich situation?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ismark considers a moment. "The villagers avoid the church, as you can tell by the state of it. But who would come, with the way things are. Some are angry, while others pity the Father and the son. Most are simply afraid."