A Curse of Strahds [IC]

The scream came from somewhere below the floor. The prayer comes from a man kneeling at the front of the chapel.

Lae walks up to the man, “Ah, hello fellow priest.. I am Laeknishendar.. those are my friends back there.. can you tell me anything about this place? What was that screaming?”

(Forgot to describe the chapel, lol.)

The chapel is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which kneels a priest in soiled vestments. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower.

You can tell the screaming voice is that of a young man crying out, "Father! I'm starving!"

He stops and stands. Turning to you, he sees your holy symbol. His own holy symbol appears to be that of the Brightlord. In a voice that is hoarse and week, in part from evidently praying through the night, he greets you. "Welcome brother. I am Donavich. The screaming is that of a young man who was sent to torment me and cast down the church. I now keep him in the undercroft where he cannot harm." He looks up and sees Ismark and Ireena. "Young ones. I had feared it was so. We must bury him, but not until dawn. It is not safe to do so now. We will bury him in the cemetery out back. You may all rest here and I will wake you at dawn for the funeral."

“Ah, thank you Brother Donavich that is generous of you. But, the man you locked up.. what has he done to torment you? And who do you believe sent him?”

Yeah... because it sounds to me like you just locked up a young man and haven't fed him. What evidence do you have that he's tormenting you and here to take down the church?

Zander leans over to Zennas and Lae and says, I am not fond of this already, I wouldn't be surprised if he was crazy and locked a child up down there.

“True.. but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt until he explains himself.. he could have locked up one of Strahd’s minions for all we know. Could be useful to interrogate.”

Alright, let's let him answer my questions, then ask to see the boy.

Lae nods his head in agreement.

Zennas keeps his crossbow out and maintains some distance to stay alert. 

"I hate to be rude, but just look at the place. Do you think I did this myself?! Only one could have sent this 'person'. It was him."

“Ah, Strahd, of course brother. Forgive me, but we just can’t be too careful. We have already lost one of our own. Still may we see the man in the morning, maybe we could help?”

Turning to Zander Lae whispers, “I can prepare a few spells tonight which will allow us to see see if this prisoner is truly evil, but I must rest first.”

Zander nods. Good plan.

"He is under the room just to the left of the door you entered through as you face the door now. (2nd door on the left) I must return to my prayers in case his soul may yet be saved."

“Shall we set up camp in here then comrades? I think we should still post a watch and since I’ve some spells to prepare for the morrow I’ll go first.”

We should at least question him first, in case he can be saved... or see if we can figure out what's actually going on. Zander goes downstairs to talk to the screaming boy.

“Ah.. but I don’t have the correct spells prepared yet!” Lae calls after him shaking his head.

You make your way to the indicated room. Time and neglect have punched holes in the ceiling of this moldy room, which contains a few broken roof shingles amid puddles of water. In one corner, set into the floor, is a heavy trap door held shut with a chain and a padlock. A young man's screams of anguish can be heard through the trap door.

Hello down there? What's your name?

(You are calling down through the door?)

He only hisses back, "I can smell your blood."

(Yes) Zander backs away. Alright I'm on the priest's side, let's go.