Kessintra retreats back into the church, seeing that the cultists have nothing interesting on them.

Razz pauses after checking the last of the cultists, letting out a sigh as he straightens up and brushes off his hands. He glances at the dull scimitars and sweat-stained leather armor piled beside the bodies, nose wrinkling slightly—not in disgust, but in disappointment.

"Well. No treasure maps or secret keys to hidden vaults. Just stabby bits and sad fashion choices."

He flutters up a few feet, hands on his hips as he surveys the gear.

"Still, we should gather the weapons and armor. Someone in town might pay a few coins for 'em. Could mean the difference between affording a hot meal or just more moldy bread next week."

He gives Father Lucian a glance, and then looks to the others.

"I hate to say it, but maybe we can’t stay here forever. Even with the Morninglord’s blessing, this church took a beating—and Strahd knows where we are now."

His wings flutter once, just a bit more tense than usual.

"If we’re going to find somewhere safer—maybe that monastery folks keep whispering about—it might be worth heading there before he sends an encore act."

He starts dragging a stack of scimitars toward a side wall for collection, then turns to glance at the bodies still sprawled across the stone floor.

"Also, who’s in charge of body burning duty? Anyone feel particularly pyromantic today, or did I just volunteer myself by opening my mouth?"

Ada studies the demonic symbol, trying to discern if she recognizes it or knows any more information associated with the symbol. 

"The monastery sounds as good a place as any," Ada remarks. "And I'll help with the bodies."

If there is oil available, the paladin will start dousing the bodies and preparing to set them aflame with a torch from her pack. 

Religion - 21

Kessintra hands Ada a flask of oil from her pack. "Yes, it's definitely worth checking out. Lucian, what do you know about it?"

Razz finishes stacking the last of the scavenged gear and dusts his hands off. With a small gesture, a swirl of flame flickers to life in his palm—harmless for now, but clearly full of potential.

"Alright then... ready with the bonfire whenever you are. Just say the word and we’ll send these cultists off with a crackle and a pop."

He glances toward the bodies, then at Ada and Kess, brow raised just slightly.

"Assuming no one’s suddenly developed strong feelings about proper corpse disposal rites, that is. Otherwise I’m open to interpretive cremation."

With the ember still dancing at his fingertips, he turns to Father Lucian, tone softening just a touch.

"Father... that monastery folks keep whispering about—what do you know of it? If there's even a sliver of safety there, might it be worth the hike?"

The symbols are nothing special, just symbols for lesser demons. They likely functioned as spellcasting foci.

"Oh, the Abbey of Saint Markovia? It seems like a decent place. Much better than the dreadful streets here, at least. Then again, it might be hard to get to. It's located in the city of Krezk, which tries its best to be isolated. They may not let you in, especially if you arrive at night. In addition, I don't think it's hallowed ground. In my opinion, it's better to keep her here until we have more information."

Razz frowns at the mention of isolation and the abbey not being hallowed.

"Not hallowed, huh? Figures. So where do we even get more info on Krezk or the abbey then? Anyone we can ask, or are we just hoping a Vistani shows up with a pamphlet and a map?"

Razz looks over the group.

"If someone’s got a better idea, I’m all ears. Just feels like we’re sitting in the open, hoping evil skips a turn.  And yeah we’re not leaving tonight. But let’s be honest—there’s no good time to move in Barovia. Just less bad ones."

"Let's see...a rest, then we revive Nikolai and...Oh yes, Vasili is coming to town today. Hopefully we can sell Garrick's books and get better equipped for the long journey. Maybe we can ask him for information too, since it seems he collects knowledge."

“That’s a great idea Kess! I can’t wait to be rid of these books. Speaking of which, Father, have I offered you a chance to peruse my collection yet? There may be some spiritual tomes in there.”

(can’t remember if I asked him or not)
(for reference, still holding 97 books and 135 gold from the 3 sold)

Razz glances over as Kess and Garrick speak, brow arching slightly.

"Anything else we pulled from that castle we haven’t talked about yet? Books, trinkets, cursed paperweights? Just want to make sure we didn’t accidentally invite something home with us."

“Just the collection of Strahd’s finest books. Oh and technically we all have some deeds to some land. And a recording of Rahadin.”

Garrick pulls out the device and taps it:

This is Rahadin. These adventurers have been entrusted with Strahd's bride for the time being. This is a direct order from the Count.

Kess tilts her head, thinking back to the short time they'd spent in Strahd's castle. "Hm...All we took were the books and some coin from a poisoned closet. Believe me, I looked around while we were there, but I didn't spot anything else that seemed worth stealing."

"It would be good to lighten our load a bit," Ada says, eyeing the pile of books taken from Strahd's castle. She tries not to roll her eyes at the recording of Rahadin. If this was what it felt like to be trusted by Strahd, then she didn't want to know what his bad side looked like. At least not until they were stronger and better equipped.

"What's the nearest place you were intending to check out before we arrived?" the paladin asks the party.

This is your first time asking Father Lucian. 

"I'll take a look, but if they're from the Devil's library I doubt they'd belong in the church." After looking through them all, Father Lucian separates two books: "Mother Night and Her Reign in Barovia" and "The Geography of Faith." He pays 90gp for both.

Looking at the books Lucian picks out, Kess' eyes widen momentarily as she remembers Madame Eva's prophecy. "'Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night.' We heard that Mother Night is some kind of diety here. Do you know anything else about her, Lucian?"

Razz blinks, turning sharply toward Kess.

"I’m sorry—what in the fog-covered Feywild are you mumbling about? Did one of Strahd’s minions clock you a little too hard?"

"Do I need to check for a concussion, or are we just casually dropping cryptic doom-lore now? What exactly did you mean by that line about Mother Night?"

"Because if there's more to that lunacy, I’d *really* like to know before something else tries to eat us."

Lucian perks up at the question. "Mother Night? She's the goddess of werewolves and other Lycanthropes. She apparently has a long history in Barovia, which I've been meaning to study for a while."

“Well I’m glad these books should help you in your studies.”

He hands over the two books and pockets the gold.

"The goddess of lycanthropes?" Kess frowns thoughtfully; there really is a diety for everything she supposes. Her eyes widen for a moment at Razz's confusion before she seems to recall that he and Ada are in the dark about the prophecy.

"Well, after we arrived in Barovia we were given some clues about how to defeat Strahd. Supposedly, anyway; we haven't gotten to investigate further yet.

One: 'Look for a wizard’s tower on a lake. Let the wizard’s name and servant guide you to that which you seek.' We did see that tower with the cart in front of it. Rahadin said a wizard named Khazan used to live there, but he hasn't seen him in centuries.

Two: 'Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night.' There seem to be a few lakes near here, but I haven't found anyone who's seen werewolves about.

Three: 'A wounded elf has what you seek. He will part with the treasure to see his dark dreams fulfilled.' The only elf we've met here so far is Rahadin, but there's supposed to be an encampment of them near here too.

Four: 'A Vistana wanders this land alone, searching for her mentor. She does not stay in one place for long. Seek her out at Saint Markovia’s abbey, near the mists.' This must be Van Richten's apprentice...Ezmerelda, I think Strahd called her? She managed to break into the castle while we were there, but we didn't see her. She must be pretty strong to have gotten back out alive though, I guess.

Five: 'The beast sits on his dark throne.' Strahd in his castle, I assume. Clearly he can leave whenever he wants though."

"A prophecy? Well, stranger things have happened," says Ada. "I believe the Morninglord has been known to deal in a few prophecies of his own. This prophecy does sound like it's meant to aid us. If you've already seen the tower, maybe we should start there?"

The paladin looks over at Father Lucian. "Do you know anything about a wizard tower in the area? Or about this Khazan?"