Razz watches the swirl of introductions and divine back-and-forth unfold with mild amusement, hands in his pockets, wings flicking absently. When the conversation slows just enough, he steps in with a familiar glint in his eye.

"Alright, alright. Celestial reunions, prophecy breadcrumbs, and a vampire’s crush issues—classic Barovia morning."

He nods toward the preserved corpse—the father of the feral girl and her brothers. "But before we go storming vineyards or wizard towers, we should probably take care of that resurrection we’ve been putting off. Poor guy’s been on magical ice longer than anyone should."

"And honestly? Those kids need their dad back. It’s time someone started looking after them who isn’t, you know, dead."

"Also, pretty sure Garrick wants to offload those spooky castle books before we leave—probably to make room for more loot. Not judging. Just observing."

"Wine, wizard, tower. Let’s try it in that order, yeah?"

"Belong to?" The fallen angel says, raising an eyebrow but staying calm. "We serve the same god..." He continues with a weak smile. "...suffice to say I am no longer in his favour, but I still consider myself doing his work." He continues in a somewhat bitter tone. 

He then listens to the new information coming from the fairy, again processing it quietly. There were indeed no lack of leads. "This vineyard, what do you hope to find there?" He asks calmly.

Kessintra tilts her head slightly as she listens to Ada and Gairynzyl's exchange. To have such a close connection to a diety...the thought makes her shift uncomfortably. "To have a god's eyes on you always...A few voices don't seem so bad," she mutters with a grimace.

"The winery is near the wizard's tower, so they might have clues as to his whereabouts. And due to their business connections, they must have some knowledge of all the settlements."

"So there might be no reason to storm the vineyard then?" The fallen angel says, looking between the drow and the fairy.

Razz blinks, expression briefly exaggerated like he’s just been accused of planning a siege.

"Storming? Heaven’s no!" He raises his hands innocently, wings flicking behind him. "Unless they turn out to be cultists too, in which case I reserve the right to dramatically reconsider."

He flashes a grin and continues, more relaxed. "We’re going for information. Hopefully some goodwill. And maybe—just maybe—to relieve a little Strahd-steaming stress with something that doesn’t taste like dirt and disappointment."

"Wine and answers. That’s the dream."

"Never underestimate the power of information," Ada says. "We'll need all we can get if we are to face Strahd."

With that said, the paladin turns toward Father Lucian. "Do you have everything you need to perform the resurrection, Father?"

"If they do turn out to be cultists and attack us, we'll take care of it. Don't worry." The drow remarks to the fallen angel, encouraged that he seems willing to do what is necessary. "But, let's try not to kill anyone until we're sure they're worth the effort," she adds, as if reminding herself more than anyone.

Just then, one of the doors in the front hallway creaks open, and a priest in white robes steps through. He’s holding a small diamond in one hand. “Ah, a newcomer,” he says, glancing between you. “Is he with you? Either way, I’m Father Lucian. I'm the priest here in Saint Andril's church. Welcome.”

The fallen angel nods grimly to the others as they keep sharing their plans and thoughts. He was quite unused to the frivolity of the fairy but it had of course to be expected from one of his kind.

"Greetings father, and thank you for welcoming me here." He says with a polite bow to the priest. He realizes he is about to witness a divine miracle so he respectfully stands back at the entrance of the church, knowing hadn't deserved to bask in the light of the Morninglord again, yet.

"I think we are ready, Father," Ada says.

She too decides to stand back but mostly just to keep out of Father Lucian's way. The paladin has never actually witnessed a resurrection spell before, and she's excited to see what happens. Before Father Lucian begins the ritual, she recites a short prayer to Lathander under her breath.

Kessintra backs up a bit and turns her gaze away, knowing that the light of Lathander can bother her sensitive eyes.

Garrick just watches academically. Interested to see something he never has before. 

Father Lucian kneels beside the body and places the diamond on his chest. After a short prayer, the diamond shatters into fragments as small as dust. The reflective shards fly up above the corpse in a shape resembling a human, as if it were clinging to the man's soul. Finally, they fly down into the man's body, presumably taking the soul with them. 

The man's sunken eyes slowly open. After taking a look around, he reaches up with a trembling hand. In a shaky voice, he asks, "Where..... Where am I?"

"Saint Andril's church," Kessintra answers, pacing over to the man calmly and taking his hand to help him up, "Much has happened since you passed, Nikolai. Your wife became a crazed cultist and killed the Baron to make herself the leader of this town. She locked up Stella and treated her like an animal...We killed her, but Vallaki needs a leader that Strahd will accept, and your children need a father. So...here you are."

Persuasion if needed: 14

Nikolai takes your hand and stands. His entire body is trembling. After hearing your explanation, he smirks. Then, the smirk evolves into a smile mixed with a mad chuckle. Finally, he explodes into the laugh of a madman. He takes a few steps closer to Kess. With his still-shaking voice, he asks, "Do you want to hear a secret, girl?"

Kessintra raises an eyebrow at Nikolai's mad outburst but holds her ground. Of course he has to be insane to some degree; that seems to be a requirement for anyone with power in this damned land.

"Please, speak freely. But keep in mind we can send you right back to the grave in a heartbeat should we decide you are unfit."

Intimidation: 16

As the resurrected man starts behave disconcertingly, the fallen angel strides closer, coming up behind the drow, towering behind her. She seemed to have the situation under control but if this turned violent he would be ready.

Silent intimidating glare: 27

Razz takes up a position between Ireena and Nic. I'm assuming she's near the alter still?

He'll start muttering something under his breath but holds it there just in case.

Garrick places his hand over the hilt of his crossbow and gives a silent command to Striker to move beside Kess. 

He continues his mad giggling. "When I was dead, I saw countless souls from out the window. They rose and rose.... but when they reached the sky..... they couldn't get out. They struggled, they squirmed, and yet not a single one made it through.... Don't you see?" He grabs Kess' shoulders. "There are no Hells. There's no Abyss! There is nothing past Barovia..... There are no consequences! We can do whatever we want!" His shaking becomes more violent.