"Alright, Purrsy, come on back in. No signs of movement out there, I’m guessing?" Razz lifts a hand and calls his feline familiar back with a small whistle and a flick of glowing fingers.

As the cat trots in and curls beside him, Razz sighs and rolls out his ritual components. "This’ll take a while. Hour and change, give or take, so if anything’s about to jump us, speak now or forever let me be distracted."

He settles cross-legged and begins weaving the runes of the ritual, slow and steady. When the casting is finally done, a soft pop of displaced air announces Hootie’s return, feathers fluffed and bright-eyed.

"Alright, feathery friend. Head to the tower—check the door, the wagon, anything new. Just look, don’t touch. Then come straight back and let us know what you find."

---------------------------------

((I figured Razz could finish this up before having him crash for the night if that works. Else, he'll do it first thing in the morning. I'm assuming we'll do a long rest after this discussion.))

"You know..." Razz says, voice just loud enough to cut through the post-siege quiet, "we survived a siege, stared down Strahd, burned some bodies, and somehow didn’t end up cursed—at least not in any new ways. That’s gotta count for something, right?"

He glances around at the others with a growing grin. "I say we count it as a win. Maybe even treat it like one. I know coin’s tight, but we did just unload those dusty old books for a little spending money. Might be worth it to use a bit on something that doesn't taste like despair and regret.  Anyone know a good spot nearby we could hit up tomorrow? Maybe even here in town—somewhere we haven’t been yet? I feel like I’ve seen enough of this church to last me the rest of my natural life." 

---------------------------

((Here's hoping that might help give us an intro location for Gairy to pop up at??))

“Razz! Are you insane?! Jinxing us like that talking about curses. Everybody knows when you run a streak of good luck, you just let it be, speaking it out loud scares it away!”

Razz snorts a laugh and gives Garrick an exaggerated shrug.

"Please. Us Fey—we don’t have luck. We make it… and then promptly forget where we put it."

He lifts off the ground just a few inches, wings giving a soft flutter. "And if I stopped cracking jokes every time something went wrong, we'd all be drowning in brooding silence. Not all of us can pull it off with Kess’s style."

He glances her way with a quick, cheeky grin, just enough to make it clear he's teasing, not poking. "We Fey just prefer our dread with a dash of dramatic flair."

Then he gestures to Striker. "Besides, if anyone’s got a lucky streak going, it’s your silvery snake. Pretty sure he’s danced through more danger than the rest of us combined."

"Well… maybe not Father Lucian or Ismirk. Poor guys have been through the wringer."

"A wizard's tower? I'm afraid not. The name doesn't ring a bell, either. I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance; I don't have much experience outside the city walls."

Kess gives a somewhat nostalgic smile as Razz complements Striker, reaching out to pat the robot on the head. "That's right. Oh, did I tell you two about the time he saved my life? Deflected a vampire spawn's bite at the last moment..." She pauses, seeming to recall something else. "Garrick, what was that thing you said your father taught you? That a machine can take on a soul?"

“Yes, when the machines are built correctly and each screw, nut, and bolt are placed by your own two hands; you pour your heart and soul into the pieces. The resulting creature is “born” with a piece of you, hence how we have such a powerful bond.”

with a slight pause, Garrick then finishes with…

”At least that’s what true Artificers believe. Even if I change the form or shape of Striker, that soul lives on.”

Razz flashes a small, pleased smile at Kess’s comment and folds his arms behind his back, wings swaying gently as he floats midair.

"Then clearly I was right—Striker’s more than just shiny scales and dramatic timing. He’s a proper knight now."

He gives Kess a wink and a gentle nod, just enough to show he's teasing, then turns toward Garrick. "And if soul comes from effort... then yours bled into him with every weld. Honestly? That might be the most powerful magic we’ve got. Well, maybe not counting Lucian or Ismirk."

Razz perks up a bit, tapping his chin.

"Wait—didn't Kess mention something about the Wizard of Wines? If we're heading anywhere, that sounds like a good next stop. Safe enough to regroup, and maybe we’ll get some actual answers—or at least a drink."

"Then after that, we follow the trail to the tower. One wizard at a time, right?"

"The winery...Yes, they might know more since they probably trade with everyone. A nice meal certainly won't hurt either."

"That sounds like a plan to me," Ada agrees. "Let's get some rest then."

Kessintra will trance for four hours then keep watch for the others (Assuming a long rest?). She doubts Strahd will come back so soon, but it gives her anxious mind something to focus on.

Perception: 9

"Alright then, it's settled." Razz gives a satisfied nod, starting to drift toward wherever he’s decided counts as “his spot.”

"Good night, all. Wake me when it’s my turn to stand watch—though, let’s be honest, there’ll definitely be more flying than standing."

 ((Was everyone ok with doing a long rest and then heading to the Wizard of Wine before heading to the Wizard's tower?  Can we go ahead and reset the sheets with a long rest?))

// selling books first.

((Also reviving Nikolai before leaving.))

Gairynzynl:

Kess:

((Whispers of the Dead proficiency changed to Intimidation))

Kessintra raises an eyebrow as she spots the odd figure through the remnants of the church's destroyed doorway. An angel? She frowns, not quite believing her eyes as she cautiously moves closer to get a better view.

"Looking for something in particular?" She calls, drawing an arrow but not nocking it quite yet. "Did Strahd happen to send you?"

((should we roll perception to see if anyone heard Kess call out to the odd figure?  Razz was expecting to take watch at least at some point in the night))

I was assuming that two people were on watch while she was in her trance, and this is one hour after she finished. If you want to take watch at the same time, though, you'd automatically hear it and you can look at the spoiler for Kess.

Razz hovers in place for a beat, wings still mid-flutter as his eyes lock onto the black-armored figure. He blinks, once—twice—then leans slightly toward Kess, voice low but not exactly subtle.

"Is it just me, or did someone drop a cathedral statue off a cliff and it got up looking cooler than before?"

He drifts a little closer, not threatening—more like a curious moth circling a campfire. "You’re not here to smite us, right? Because I’d really prefer not to get turned into radiant glitter today."

"Smiting’s kind of my job now, anyway. Cleric hours. Full-time glowstick."

"Name’s Razz. We’ve had… a bit of a day, to say the least. You new around here, or just dramatically punctual?"