Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

"Meepo go back big tree."  Meepo says.  "Anyone come Meepo?" He asks, glancing to the others.

"Sure, Meepo, I'll come"

Mordekai leaves the illusion of a very ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and wanders out with Meepo and any others that come too. 

Dag....Stefania's husband walks in and stares at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling in amazement.  He scratches his head, then heads away, shouting, "Stef...Stef!  Did we get a new light in the hall?" 

Mordekai and Meepo go back to the tree area. The scene is practically unchanged from your last visit, with druids and barbarians scattered about the field rotting.  Meepo crouches, and begins to weave magic.  Rat, the undead flying cat, does slow circles and then one of the rotting barbarians clambers to his feet. Meepo points about the field, and the undead creature shambles from place to place. Smiling, he turns and nods to the Mordekai.  With an undead shuffling along behind them, they return to the winery. Meepo leaves his undead standing in some bushes as to not alarm anyone.  By now darkness is coming so the group spends the evening at the winery. 

The next morning, a lovely breakfast is made, but everyone feels the pressure to move on, and soon the group is back out on the road. When you depart the winery lane, Meepo introduces everyone to his latest undead servant. The rotting corpse of the barbarian makes an awkward wave at the group.  There's an awkward moment of silence. 

Ismark looks about the group, slightly troubled, "So....where to now?" 

It was truly good to rest here even for a day: a peaceful (now) home of a big family, where people really love each other, battle-tested friends determined to protect that peace, and not a single monster for the whole day! But everything ends sooner or later. Lionel had no more clues about where to go than Ismark, but he had a question:

"Davian, what would you call "a holy symbol of great hope"? What thing or creature would symbolyze a Great Hope for you?"

(OOC: he actually gets two zombies...

Undead Thralls

At 6th level, you add the animate dead spell to your spellbook if it is not there already. When you cast animate dead, you can target one additional corpse or pile of bones, creating another zombie or skeleton, as appropriate.

Whenever you create an undead using a necromancy spell, it has additional benefits:
•The creature’s hit point maximum is increased by an amount equal to your wizard level.
•The creature adds your proficiency bonus to its weapon damage rolls.)

"Lets head back to Vallaki, I guess." Olin says, looking a bit unsure. "Perhaps there is someone there we can get more guidance from."

If there is any time left over, would Meepo be able to transcribe some of the spells from the spellbook he got earlier into his own spellbook?  Not sure what extra downtime he has...

Meepo has up to 6 hours to transcribe spells.  I believe it's 1 hour per. We can assume you have the 10gp worth of supplies for each. 

The group makes their way down the road. Clean, well rested, healing up, and thanks to Mordekai's work feeling quite confident. This land though fights you at every step, and soon a drizzle starts. A few minutes later your outer clothes are all drenched and the water is working it's way under your clothes. The road becomes muddy as you reach the first crossroads of your journey back to Vallaki.  Here you see the weatherworn signpost next to the road. The three arms of the sign point along the three branches of the road. The arm pointing north reads KREZK, and through the woods you can see an arching stone bridge spanning a river. The arm pointing east reads VALLAKI, and the road slopes up gradually in that direction. The arm pointing southwest reads THE WIZARD OF W1NES. The road slopes gently downward in the direction you've come from.

You know that further down the road to Vallaki you'll come across three other options.  An overgrown section of road that it no more than a foot trail now leads north, no sign marks it's path.  There is a road that branches southwards towards the mountains that reads "Tsolenka Pass", and there is another road leading south ward much closer to Vallaki that reads Argynvostholt.  

The map of the region that you have is here for your viewing pleasure. You are by that bridge near Krezk. Red lines are places you've been.

((Did Davian ignore Lionel's question or could not answer?))

Davian peers questioningly at Lionel....considering the question thoughtfully, "I mean, for me....great hope...the symbol of great hope is you. You and your allies. That you are hear, fighting for our lands and our souls when so many others are resigned to their fate. That for me is great hope. And wine of course. Wine for me is the spirit of hope for our land, embodied."  

"I will drink to that," smiled Lionel, "though I doubt cards of the wise Vistani meant our group as a "symbol of hope". But who knows, may be your wine is that symbol!"

Speaking of wise people... At the crossroad Lionel asked if they can go straight to the church, once they reach Vallaki. "The priest looked like a learned man. Can also know the story of Strahd's family and where can we find "the mother of evil". Or did you ask him that already?"

Meepo trundles along, his two zombies following behind, with the zombie tressym flying drunkenly overhead.  at the crossroad he continues on, towards the town and nods as Lionel mentions the temple.  "No sure if ask."  Meepo replies.  "No hurt ask again."

"There are still places we've not been to in this land. Perhaps others there might also have information. Might I suggest that if the priest does not have any further answers, we might visit Krezk? Or Argynvostholt?" 

The group passes the footpath leading north, passes the Tsolenka pass road to the south.  An hour of walking later they're passing the lane to Argynvostholt and then thirty minutes later pass the crossroads that led south to the ruins of Berez. An hour later, through the grey streaming drizzle they spot the walls of Vallaki. Ismark turns to Meepo.  "Best your undead servants stay in the woods here. They would not be welcomed inside the town I'm afraid."  The wooden palisade around the the city is dark and wet, the water dribbling down from its sharpened peaks in little rivulets. The guards that stand at the west gate stand beneath an overhang, and yet are sodden and look miserable.  

The soldiers eye the group with suspicion, but do not ask any questions and simply swing open the iron gates. As the group is through and about the continue into town, the taller guard nudges the shorter one who, begrudgingly speaks up, "Hey there. Remember to stay for Vallaki's Festival of the Blazing Sun tomorrow. It will be a joyous event." You're not sure the phrase could be said with less joy. 

St.Andral's church is the very close to the east gate, standing just on the north side of the road. It's structure stands under the spitting sky holding back the weather, but just barely. You head inside, leaving wet muddy footprints behind you, your cloaks and backpacks leaving a trail of dripping water. 

Father Petrovich sees you as you enter, placing a broom to one side he holds out his hands and welcomes you with a smile, "Oooh, it is good to see you again. With a few days having passed, I'd feared the worse. It is good that you are well." 

He greets each of you, even Meepo, with a vigorous handshake.  

"The church of St. Andral remains a place of shelter from the Devil, thanks to your good works, and people in town come nightly to find a sanctuary from evil. We all thank you." 

You each nod, accepting his praise in the most heroic and understated way possible.  Lionel speaks up, "Good priest. Mayhaps you can help us. What do you know of Strahd..and his family. Our quest has us seeking out "the mother of evil"." 

He looks at you curiously, "Indeed. Who or what has you seeking out such a thing? Strahd? Family. Of the devils family I know nothing, I doubt he ever had one. Maybe, once, in ages past. Perhaps before his curse upon this land, but that was long before my time I'm afraid." 

Mordekai steps up to speak to the priest, "Long before your time, indeed.  A thought strikes me.  Do you know of anyone else in this land who is old beyond nature's timing?  Even rumours of anyone who has outlived others?

Or is there any place that might keep records of history here, tales of families and their exploits, anywhere we might find out about events long past?"

Olin nods at Mordekai's question. "Truly, we need more answers before we can defeat the devil. Knowledge would be a welcome help."

"too bad give book to vampire."  Meepo says with a sigh.  He tries to recall if anything in the diary had said anything about whom the vampire's mother had been...

"If I remember it right, Meepo," commented Lionel, ""the book" was only telling the story of Strahd's brother and Ireena. There was nothing about his parents unless we missed something."

The priest shakes his head, "I'm afraid I can't answer your questions. The Devil guards his secrets well. But...you know....there is a wizard of great power that haunts the foothills of Mount Baratok. He is an outsider and no friend of the vampire's. I've heard stories that he confronted Strahd long ago, in an epic magical battle the raged from the lake, through the skies, and into the mountains....but eventually he was defeated and has lived in exile since. Mount Baratok is north and east of the lake. He may be able to give you information. Some people may suggest you talk to the Vistani. I would warn you against the Vistani though. They serve the devil Strahd. They alone are allowed to leave Barovia." 

"He fought Strahd, lost, yet was allowed to live and remain in these lands? Strahd's arrogance is rivalling the devil's to believe his toying with people who oppose him will never end bad for him." Lionel shook his head.

"Is there some reliable way to find that wizard?"