(Sorry for my lack of posts the past few days. Wasn't feeling super well!)

Ada's skin crawls at the sight of Strahd. Her eyes glow bright with righteous fury. "I spoke only the truth," she says, her voice steady, not betraying the rush of fear she felt upon seeing the count in the undead flesh. 

"You hired us to protect Ireena. Let us do our jobs," she continues. "Although currently it seems as if the only one she needs protection from is you."

"That's what I'm afraid of. Your misunderstandings will cause disadvantageous positions for you and your group. I'm glad your allies can see the truth. Besides, I'll still pay you the full amount upon our wedding night so long as you don't oppose our union."

(I'm guessing Ada won't be fighting Father Lucian and Ismirk?)

(No, she won't fight Father Lucian and Ismirk, although I don't think she knows what's going on if she's still outside with Strahd.)

Ada frowns. Her mind is whirring. This Strahd is obviously very powerful, and not all of her companions seem ready to fight him, not yet anyway. She knows that he is more powerful than her. It would not serve Ireena for her to get herself killed right now. Finally, she sighs. 

"I will not oppose your union," she lies. "I am curious about one thing though. How can you stand upon consecrated ground?"

Deception - 19

"Good. I hope for your sake that you don't change your mind. To answer your question, the hallow effect only applies to the building; the graveyard isn't affected."

"I get it—really, I do. Even in the Feywild, we know better than to hand over someone to a guy who monologues in the dark and probably overuses hair gel. But standing here, dug in like a tick on a werewolf, isn’t how we win this fight. Strahd is playing the long game, and if we throw everything at him now, we’ll just be another entry in his ‘people who tried and failed’ memoirs." Razz says with a heartfelt sigh and then continues. "But listen—this isn’t over. I swear by Lathander's light and whatever fairy mischief still clings to me that we will not let Ireena fall. She’s got a chance because we have a chance, and I don’t intend to let that slip away. So, you have my word: we will find a way to stop him. We will keep her safe. But if we make our stand here and now? All we do is make it easier for him. So, let’s be smart. Let’s be patient. And let’s make sure that when we do finally stand against him, it’s not on his terms—it’s on ours." 

Father Lucian bites back, "Exactly, he's playing the long game. That means that every time you give in to him, he gets an advantage. Every moment you stand in this dreaded land he gets more information. Every person you sacrifice is a vampiric foe to fight later. We have the hallowed ground. Now is the time to take a stand. Perhaps not against him and his vampiric army, but against the cult here in Villaki."

Ada nods. "Let us continue to guard Ireena," says the aasimar, trying to inject a note of deference into her voice, as much as it galls her. Anything to appeal to Strahd's ego. "It's good for her to be outside, taking in the...fresh air. I swear to you...we will protect her with our lives."

The paladin winces slightly, wondering whether they will have to give their lives someday soon, to protect Ireena from this monster. 

Persuasion - 20

Strahd pauses for a moment. "If you wish to guard her, you may follow us to Castle Ravenloft. If she wants fresh air, she is free to wander the courtyard or open a window."

Kessintra gives a faint sigh and moves to attack the priest without a second thought. Perhaps Strahd is right; violence and war come naturally to her. But this is their best option for now.

Bonus Action: Cunning Action Disengage

Action: Non-lethal shortsword on priest to hit nat 20 + 6, damage 9 + 15 sneak attack= 24 piercing

Wails from the Grave on Ismirk for 2 necrotic damage.

She'll then use her remaining movement, if any, to back off.

Kess, unfortunately, isn't first in initiative. I'm just waiting on Garrick to state his intentions. (The crit will be staying)

(sorry busy time) init: 7

Garrick seeing his friends prepare to fight, sighs, and raises his weapon ready to attack or defend as needed.

Initiative: Lucian (nat 20), Ismirk, Kess, Ireena, Chipper, Garrick

Father Lucian holds his holy symbol and casts both Spiritual Weapon and Spirit Guardians. He moves so that guardians hits at least Kess and Garrick. Both of you need to make Wisdom saves. The DC is 13. 5 damage on fail, 2 on success. Spiritual weapon targets Kess. It crits. 6 damage. 

Knowing Garrick's defenses, Ismirk is going to also target Kess. All attacks are non lethal. Longsword attacks are nat 1 and 19. The 19 deals 5 damage. Shortsword is 16 to hit for 7 damage. 

Kess will need to make another wisdom save for starting her turn in spirit guardians. 17 on fail or 8 on success. If you'd like to change anything about your turn, feel free to. You could move forward then away, but you'd only be able to move 5 ft away due to spirit guardians.

Kess WIS Saves: 10 and 21 respectively.

Kessintra is honestly a bit surprised by the priest's power. She'd already known Ismirk was formidable. 'Hmph, at least this will make things look more believable to Strahd', she thinks as she falls unconscious.

(Nat 1 wisdom save. Taking 5 damage)

Now, technically the spirit guardians got the knock out, but I'll allow you to decide whether or not you want to make death saves. If you do, Ireena will run over and try to stabilize you. Medicine: 5

Chipper's turn.

Kess Death Save 1: Success 

Razz Init - 14:  If he can get to her without triggering any attacks from the priest, he will use a healer's kit to stabilize Kess and she will regain 4 + 4 (CHA) +4 (Kess HD) but he will tell her to stay down as he does not want to have to heal when it's friends fighting friends.

New init: Lucian, Ismirk, Kess, Razz, Ireena, Chipper, Garrick

Still Chipper's turn

Ada sighs. "Let me go confer with my companions," she says, annoyed at being unable to persuade Strahd. Usually, she had a way with words, but this count was too damn stubborn.

Keeping an eye on Strahd from the corner of her eye, Ada walks back toward the church. Walking inside she is horrified to find Kessintra on the ground and everyone with weapons drawn.

"For the love of Lathander, put your weapons down!" she shouts at everyone. "Listen, Strahd is outside. He can't come inside the church due to its hallowed nature. There must be a way to escape or even just to wait Strahd out until he gets bored and leaves."

The paladin kneels down next to Kess and uses her divine magic to heal her.

Lay on Hands - 10 HP 

"Gets...bored? He waited 40 years for Ireena to be born after the last reincarnation died, and...that was faster than usual." Kessintra mutters from the floor.