Quote from noitsbecky_127 >>

Amelia folds her arms. "Did you know that woman? The crying one?"

"She is the mother of the local shoemaker. He went missing after he was seen carrying a sign that said 'Feed the Burgomaster to the Wolves.' She's worried about him.'"

 Amelia furrows her brow at that. "The burgomaster? Who's that? And why should he be fed to the wolves?"

"Baron Vargas Vallakovich is a descendent of the founder of Valkalli. He believes he's superior to Strahd and thinks that if everyone is happy and full of hope, it will stave off Strahd's forces," Lucien explains. "Vargas likes to throw festivals and celebrations to keep the town's spirits up. Some people are skeptical of this and the shoemaker is one of them. During the Wolf Festival, he held up a sign saying the burgomaster should be fed to the wolves. We haven't seen him since." 

Keldon pipes up. “Sounds llike feeding someone to the wolves is evil, too. So maybe this burgomaster is just… really strong and stuff.” 

"So he made a public statement against the burgomaster and then vanished," Amelia summarizes. "This is hardly a mystery. The burgomaster had him vanished."

She looks at Keldon. "Some people deserve to be fed to the wolves. Folks in power have a nasty habit of abusing it."

Quote from noitsbecky_127 >>

"So he made a public statement against the burgomaster and then vanished," Amelia summarizes. "This is hardly a mystery. The burgomaster had him vanished."

She looks at Keldon. "Some people deserve to be fed to the wolves. Folks in power have a nasty habit of abusing it."

 Baudric nods, but a little reluctantly, "I've seen similar things where I come from. Those in power do not like to have it questioned. But it may be a bit early to jump to conclusion, this land has plenty of dangers. Though I do find it a bit odd that he proclaimed he should be fed to the wolves during a 'wolf festival', why have a festival dedicated to wolves?"

Lucien shrugs. "It's just an excuse to throw another festival. Vargas will make any excuse to throw a festival and try to keep the citizens happy. If a two-headed goat roamed the streets, he'd throw a festival for it and claim it's a sign of good luck. He's not physically strong but he has connections. There's actually an upcoming festival - the Festival of the Blazing Sun. It's happening in a few days."

“So… what’s all this got to do with finding this sword situation?” Keldon asks. 

Bral shakes his head, "You're thinking about this too simply, Amelia. Don't you remember? There are werewolves in this land. Now we learn that a man who sees himself as more powerful than Strahd hold festivals to celebrate wolves. There's got to be a connection to the wolf festival, the werewolves and the burgomaster."

Baudric shrugs, "It could be that complex, or it could be as simple as a ruler killing a outspoken critic. Or even a villager getting lost in the woods and getting killed by any number of different predators. Maybe after we retrieve the sword we can return."

As you speak, you hear the door open and Petra and Ez walk in. "Good morning everyone, I trust you had a good night's sleep," Petra says. 

Bral nods his head, "As well as is to be expected, giving the circumstances."

Petra nods. "Good. Anything anyone want to do before we go see this swamp person?"

Baudric shakes his head, "I think we should get that taken care of first, then return and handle any further business. Such as make a plan for where to go next or help with the missing local."

Petra nods and points behind her. "Ez brought the wagon. I'll be waiting outside." 

As she leaves, Petra nods to Father Lucien. "Father." 

He nods back as she leaves. 

Bral takes a final look around the church before stepping outside and climbing on to the wagon.

Keldon follows Beal into the wagon. “I think I’d like to leave town before someone thinks it was us. Just sayin’.” 

"No, I agree with the others, let us handle the master of the swamp situation, then we can come back here." Robin speaks up as she moves towards the wagon.

Once everyone is inside the wagon, it's a calm trip back to the ruins of Berez. Those who peek outside the wagon's window notices deer walking around, as well as spectres but they pay no attention. 

Then you arrive back at the Berez ruins, right at the manor's doorstep. 

Baudric heads up first, knocking on the door calmly, "We've brought her to you."