JudyMacs Curse of Strahd

DM

Lucien watched Lorelei stalk up to him, and spoke.

He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his hand clenched around the stem of the goblet. He finally meets her eyes. The hallowed ground situation was here before the Abbot sent me here. Back then there were lay people of the different faiths who set up an area to be hallowed for their faith. So many deaths...He shrugged his shoulders, The loan of the bones of st Andurel from the Abbey pretty much sealed what has happened. Ravenkind have a cleric who hallowed their cemetery, she seems to be used by them as a battle cleric, she helped Rictavio and I fight the ghouls that took over the unaligned graves. I would like to change things but the Burgomeister stands firm about the Chapel only catering to the Morninglords children. Nadya has been targeted by a Vampyr you say? That's what young Milivoj was after? If you are going to fight then count me in, my armour and sword are ready at the chapel. Best to head back to their house after the bonfires are lit at twilight. Unless...do you know where the vampire rests through the day?

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young blonde priestess listens to Father Lucien and nods. "Artur believed Henrik might rest otherwhere, perhaps even in Strahd's castle, but we could visit his grave, just to be sure."

Alerya

She nods, catching a vampire when it is sleeping is a sound plan. Better than if they are awake and looking at you like a snack.

Illmirth

The bard nods in agreement.  "Good fortune it would be, to find the fiend while the sun still shines."  When the priest mentions the cleric of Ravenkind, Illmirth turns to listen more closely.  "We fought alongside a cleric of the Raven Queen, Rhianne was her name. We aided her in cleansing the cemetery in the village of Barovia.  It was a large pack of ghouls there as well, led by Strahd himself, who commanded them from afar."  He pauses for a moment before continuing ,"It seems that there is no shortage of such beasts to battle, nor people in need."

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn steps forward alongside Lorelei as she speaks with the priest. "Father Lucien, you seem eager to help out in this fight. But if I understand properly, Nadya's family had already asked you to help with her condition. They seem to think you have refused. Why the sudden change of attitude?"  She watches him closely as he answers, trying to determine if he's hiding anything. (Insight: 5)

She's in agreement about finding the body in the daytime. "If there are any leads, then we should at least check on them. I would think the daylight would help us immensely." 

DM

As Crisaryn came closer, Lucien drinks what is left of his mead. Artur came to see me, said that they thought a Vampyr had targeted them. They weren't sure of its name or relatives at that time. She seemed to be normal and resisted my looking at her neck, said it was just a little scratch and her husband was making a big deal out of it. I've been meaning to talk to them again but the Burgomeister put me in charge of arrangements for this festival of Fire dedicated to Lathander. Do you have the vampyrs name? Henrik you say? I take it his body was buried in unhallowed ground by the sound of things. That would be a relative of Artur, I know where that one is buried, said the words of Selune myself at his funeral. Least I could do.

Lucien places the goblet back down on the table and stands. Let's go back to the Chapel and I'll don my armour, then we can go and see if the vampyr still sleeps here and not at the castle.

*************************************************

Crisaryn senses that Lucien is telling the truth, well at least the truth as he sees it.

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn nods to Lucien. "Very well, we'd very much appreciate you showing us where his grave was. I don't feel optimistic that he'd be there, but best to look." 

Illmirth

As the priest exits to don his armor, Illmirth walks slowly back into the chapel.  Nothing was ever simple, he thought.  To fight the undead is simple in theory; they are evil, hungry for blood, flesh, or worse, you just kill them.  But the dealings of men, not so simple.  The bard was very displeased to hear of the exclusion of hallowed resting grounds for some.  From a practical standpoint alone, don't put dead folk in a place where they can be pulled from the grave by dark magic!  Perhaps there could be a place where those of all faiths can come together, find common ground, and share a larger space.  Do the deceased not deserve eternal rest?  He made a mental note to ask Lorelei about it when the impending battle with Hendrik was over.  

He shook his head gently, too many thoughts clouded mind.  He began to hum softly, looking to the chapel of the Dawn Father for inspiration.

DM

Lucien bustled ahead waving a hand at the children with Rictavio. He entered the chapel and turned to his room on the left. He went straight for the wardrobe and opened the secret latch in the back.

It opened to reveal chainmail, a tabard with the insignia of the Morning Lord, a censer mace and a longsword. He reached out gently to touch the mace and it glowed in return. Time to put the dead to rest permanently old friend. He quickly dressed and put the longsword into its scabbard. Then he gently lifted the censor and filled the heart of it with the incense of Lathander, the smoke softly surrounded him, the censer mace was ready to go, each of its spikes blowing the incense outwards.

He swiftly reached back to the door and exits.

The chainmail is a little tight, too much good food I think. I'll just fill some bottles of holy water for us. He went over to the font and filled 6 small bottles. Then he passed them around.

Did you tell Milivoj to fill some holders of holy water for the fight tonight if we don't find Henrik? I'll not blame him for the work he has done this day. Desperate times. The lad was just trying to help. He has more makings of a cleric than Yeska does, I should send him to the Abbey to study. Come now let's beard the lion in his den, just a few minutes walk away.

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young blonde priestess would have followed along to the chapel, spending a moment in quiet prayer while Father Lucien donned his armour and prepared himself for battle.
She accepts one of the flasks of holy water and is then ready to visit Henrik's grave.

Crisaryn Melkial

After having waited patiently for the priest to don his armor, Crisaryn is ready to follow. "You know the way, Father Lucien. Let's hope our luck holds and we find the creature in the daylight rather than having to wait for night."  She would take one of the flasks of holy water if offered.

Alerya

Taking up the bottle she bows in thanks and tucks into her pouch. It's a wonder what good water can do.

Illmirth 

Illmirth follows the group, humming so softly it would be very difficult to hear.  With a little luck, they wouldn't have to face Hendrik at night.

DM

As Lucien left the chapel Rictavio called after him Ghouls again Lucien? Do you need some help?

Lucien straightened up, taking on the bearing of a warrior. Not today Rictavio, we are Vampyr hunting, his burial place is on the same hill that we fought the ghouls. Hopefully he still uses the ground there. Can you keep an eye open for Milivoj? He needs a waterskin for holy water, let him take one from the kitchen. If we don't find Henrik, there will be a hunt tonight at the undertakers house.

Rictavio pushed his spectacles back up his nose and nodded. Is the chapel still safe or has there been desecration within?

The bones of St Andurel have been taken, we know where they are but the wards guarding the chapel are weakened, I need to rehallow the space when we bring them back again. Lucien says.

Turning away from Rictavio, Lucien gestures at the party and led them through a well tended graveyard, then through a gate to another well tended area, the graves decorated with flowers and raven feathers. He watched carefully as he proceeded up a slope on the hillside.

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young blonde priestess follows along.