Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

     “Ruuuuun!” Ketch screams upon catching a glimpse of the rest.  “Run you fools!  Get your little dwarves legs pumping!”

     Honestly, Ketch likely would have used less but more colorful words, but the sentiment is there.  With the ceiling collapsing and the floor bailing out rather than get hot, this was no time for lollgaggling!  

I hadn't realised there was a main staircase up from the crypts. Mordekai weighs up the choice between a potentially shorter, but unknown, route out of the building, and a slightly longer but known route well away from Ravenloft, and continues at full sprint to the teleport chamber.

"Let's stick to the route we know and get well clear!"

Move and Dash, using bonus action to bring the Dancing Lights along too - obviously skirting around the trap that we know is there. 

Meepo continues running towards the teleporter. "Meepo wonder if teleportation still works, if castle is breaking..." He calls out though.

Running out of the castle means (probably still) dragons and the gap in the bridge. Mordekai was right about teleport - or so Samanthan reasoned following Ketch's eloquently formulated advice and running after the tiefling. 

Ketch follows.  He’s too busy running full tilt to consider the path, just follows...

The group goes charging down through the crypts as the ceiling come tumbling down around them.  They leave the crypts behind, rushing down the passage.  They leap over the collapsed floor as the ground around them shakes, and come take the corner, jumping down the stairs three at a time as they come stumbling into the brazier room.  One iron statue lays on its side...the other has fallen backwards in it's alcove and grinds up against the wall as the earth moves.  Neither show signs of being active.....the marbles have been tossed off their stands and are rolling around the floor......the hour glass swinging back and forth from its chains...dangerously......  

What color do you do? 

Quote from NathanPizazz >>

What color do you do? 

     ((Who is in the lead?  I assume Ketch is still last... though maybe he took over the shot legged dwarf.  Though he'd of tried to pick them up and carry them if so... lol))

(Likely Mordekai)

Mordekai is going to stick to what he knows and take us back to where the coffin maker's shop was. Green to where the coffins hide, again. 

One at a time you appear in a flash of light standing within the ruins of the coffin shop in town. The powdery charcoal beneath your feet is impossibly black…against the relief of a sun shining in all of i’s glory across the land. No fog, no clouds….not a single one…just a bright blue sky with the sun high above. You’re cut, and burned, and slashed and filthy….standing about in the ruins of a burned shop….and yet the people of the town walking around pay you no heed. They are all walking slowly about….staring up into the blue sky. Some, eyes closed, just feel the warmth of it on their skin. There is a look on their face the likes of which you’ve not seen in some time…since you’ve come to this land in fact…and that is the look of hope. 

You slowly make your way through the town....walking around people who seem to be slowly making their way towards the center of town as they wander about.  Outside the Blue Water Inn is a crowd of people. Father Petrovich stands on a small box, talking to a gathered throng of the Morninglord’s perseverance through dark times.  He waves and smiles at you all, his face flush with vigor in the bright light…. near him stands Ireena…her head up, though her eyes are sad. She looks to the group and nods a somber nod of thanks.

The top of the Inn meanwhile is home to a veritable murder of crows. They crouch along the peaks of the building silently watching over the proceedings below.  

People stream into the Blue Water with you.  The inside is packed. Shoulder to shoulder with people laughing, drinking wine, and doing something in proper form they’d almost forgotten was a thing…they’re celebrating. 

Danika spots you and shouts, “Urwin…they’re here, they’re here!”  The group, still rather shell shocked looks around until Urwin comes to, and shouts at a crowd at a table to “MOVE ASIDE!  MOVE ASIDE FOR THE HERO’S!”   The people do so gladly and soon wine cups are pressed into hands….as the group sits down amidst the crowd.  

Urwin and Danika come together at the table….in a hug, Urwin with a big dopey smile, and says, “I had a feeling about you all. A good feeling. And now....because of all of you....this.  This wondrous sun. Though it’s not just the sun.  It’s an energy, a lack of oppression…..it’s a sense of freedom…like being able to breath again….fresh air….. I knew immediately what had happened.  This land is freed.  Free at last.”

A cheer goes up, cups and glasses are sloshed together…and a collective sigh of relief runs through each of you….you did it. 

Inside the dwarfs head, Lionel feels himself seep back into the dwarven body, feeling the senses of being alive rush through the body he is now back within. Samanthan nods, back in spirit form, and says….”My job is done here…I may rest now.”  And just like that she slowly evaporates. The other spirits likewise fade away….leaving Lionel at peace for the first time in a long time. 

You're not sure how long you sit in the Inn that afternoon. People seem content just to sit and engage in idle chatter. There are questions of course about how you did it....about how the devil itself was defeated....but mostly people just connect in a way that they have not in years, with small talk and a sharing of joy. You're not even sure what time of day it is....you vaguely think it should be night time....but....everything seems as if it blurred into one.  Regardless, you're exhausted, and you eventually find yourself laying your head down on a pillow.  A well earned rest.  When your eyes close, the horrors of the past weeks flash and tumble through your mind like a parade.....but as you finally doze off....the blue sky and warm wind are what you take into your dreams.

You sleep a long time. The next morning you awaken to a room bustling with people at breakfast. Danika and Urwin move about quickly with a hop in their step.  You all gather around the table and enjoy some roasted potato, bacon, grilled ham, and boiled eggs....while chatting.  Urwin arrives, “It’s true. The fog surrounding the lands are still there….but….people can pass through them without harm.  The Vistani left straight away. Servants of Strahd for the most part, I guess they feared remaining with him gone. Many people are packing him, intent on leaving. But….more are going to try and stay…make a real home here in this damaged place. Make it real. What’s next for you lot?” 

     “Anyone else have a hunkering to see how much the place fell?  What’s ruined and what’s left?” Ketch asks between gulps of his breakfast ale.  “Still seems like a dream.  I’d like to see the rubble in person, perhaps grab a bit as a keepsake.”

     Ketch Krumstawp was still not happy about the whole ordeal.  He didn’t think they were going to make it out alive and then it all broke their way.  Sure their luck was due to change, but the half Orc still wasn’t happy.

     Then again, half orcs seldom are.

     “If nothing else, there was plenty to loot buried all that rubble.  Be a shame we not get our fair share,” he said a bit quieter. 

That felt ... strange, sort of numb. Like a silence after an explosion or a suddenly died out hurricane. For a few moments Lionel had to fight the urge to hit something, only to feel that battle rush again and to let it pass more slowly. May be he had to blame the "backseat fighting" he ended up with for that, or the departure of the ever-chatting spirits (he did not even say good bye - or they did not? hard to tell in the general chaos) but the feeling was there.

It was better at the morning, though. No voices, other than those from outside,  no someone's feelings but his own (he missed the sword and liked to think they worked well together and yet it was also kind of possession). Lionel was getting used to the body too - for real this time. Even spent sometime in front of the mirror - the biggest he could find in the inn - thinking future styles, fitting to the true dwarf. (Lionel was never that big on masquerades but now saw them in different light)

Anyway, this morning he went down in a perfect if a bit thoughtful mood, taking the table near the window (to see the sun, if not all of them were occupied already for the same reason) and greeted his companions happily and loudly. "Was thinking to get to the ruins first too. Many will go there now, I suspect, but would love to get one last look of them. So, I am with you, Ketch."  "By the way, Urwin, I believe this belongs to you." Lionel showed to the innkeeper the Symbol of Ravenkind - the central crystal was sparkling in the sunlight irresistibly for any magpie miles around. "And after that, I would rather leave Barovia. Too many memories with too much time to dwell on them now." He took a swig of beer from his mug (in part checking how he feels about "traditional dwarven style) and look at others.

"Any plans for the future?"

Ketch will pause and look out the windows himself, relishing the sunlight.  Reaching into a pouch he finds a small piece of copper wire and with it in hand send forth a Sending

     Strahd, he thinks. The sun shines upon what was once yours. Stay in your black pit, wherever it is, or we shall drag you into that sunlight... 

     “After?  Well... Anyplace past the fog sounds good to me...  As long as there’s sun.”

"Meepo like see castle too." Meepo speaks up between bits of food. He is likely to get fat with how much he is eating of late, but food is just so good after his time being undead.

"After?" Meepo asks with a frown. "Meepo no plan for future. Meepo likely keep looking for lost htings."

Ulthan seems thoughtful for a long time, brushing dried blood from his furs for what feels like hours before he opens his mouth in what is bound to be a long, deep and thoughtful speech "hrmpfh" but apparently not as he settles into his drink. He nods at the thought of going back to see what has remained feeling more empty somehow than he felt before.

Mordekai starts up into one of his usual speeches, engrossing every single person in the tavern in the tale of redemption and salvation: the battles fought, risks undertaken, trials overcome, deceptions made and lies unraveled, friends lost along the way, yet more near misses, and ultimate victory. As he winds down, he turns more to his friends than the crowd, although still orating at the same volume. "You know, when I first arrived here, I thought at the time it was by chance or misunderstanding. I was something of a miscreant vagabond, playing by my own rules, lying and tricking my way from place to place - both for my entertainment and a roof over my head. Now I have encountered camaraderie, friendship unlike ever before, a common enemy, and the feeling of undisputed purpose. And I'm hooked. I don't know where my journey will next take me- or even, us together. But I now understand where my worth is found. My purpose is not that of a small-time villain and trickster, but as part of something greater, and better." Mordekai shrugs and adds, "And it's not like I don't get to still have my fun at the expense of the real villains too."

...it's funny, as he sits down, the group expect the familiar feeling of inner strength that comes from Mordekai's motivational speeches. But it doesn't happen, and for once it seems, this is no theatrical show. There is no theatre in his words. For once, it would seem, Mordekai is being entirely open and heartfelt. 

     "Nothing says we can't take advantage of a few people while at the same time serving the greater good, my friend," Ketch says with a smile.  

Mordekai chuckles at the thought. It would be true to say that the closest he got to enjoying his time in Barovia was when impersonating the Burgomaster of Krezk. The pressure and risk of being found out had really got his tiefling adrenaline going.

Speaking of burgomasters, Mordekai figures that a change in the land's fortunes should really be accompanied by a change in leadership. The people of Vallaki should really have a leader who, through good times and bad, has humbly and faithfully upheld his role. He makes the most of the crowd's presence to sow just the first seeds of some initial murmurings that Urwin himself would make a wonderful and deserving Burgomaster. But that's as far as he'd push the idea, he'd trust the townsfolk themselves to work that out in their own ways. No need to force them into anything if it might get volatile - the people have been through enough already. 

"Yes, a visit to see the fallen remains of Ravenloft would be fitting. A sense of closure on this whole episode. You never know," Mordekai turns to Lionel, "Maybe you'll find the sword hilt sitting atop the pile, glistening in the sun."

"That is my hope too," nodded Lionel - indeed, that was if not the main reason he was not packing for the journey through the mist but instead going to the ruins, then the closest second. "But before we go... Urwin, do you have scissors?"

It did not take (that) long for Lionel to finally turn the mess that dwarves call beards into an accurate short chin curtain combined with long braided mustaches. "Thank you!" Smiling happily and much relieved Lionel returned the scissors to the owner and clapped and rubbed hands together. "Are we ready? I'll call my steed." He did. Making sure the steed - as magnificent as it was - is still of an appropriate size. The black warpony/not-such-tall-horse was ready to travel as well as Lionel was ready to say his goodbyes to the place. There was probably no need to visit everyone they came across in these lands but owners of the Blue Water Inn were an exception. "Best of luck to you and yours, Danika and Urwin. Give our regards to your father too. Thank you for your help in this trying endeavor - will never forget your kindness. Take care of yourself!"

Should Esmeralda be still present another happy smile would be addressed to her (it was the best morning Lionel had since... well, even before he woke up in that cursed place for the first time) "Would you want to spit on the ruins too or did you have enough of that castle, Ez?"

Ezz nods to the group, "I feel the same need as you to see the castle. I will come."

Danika and Urwin smile and wave as you depart.  People, their faces glowing with hope, smile as you past, giving you waves. Eventually you depart the town, looking back..you feel glad to leaving it.....it is a sad place...but...there is a twinge of sadness as well.  The road to Ravenloft takes a good chunk of the day. You see a pack of wolves at one point, but...unlike the angry terrible creatures that would attack, these ones seemed skittish, mundane, and kept their distance. The road was practically busy.  Wagons, both Vistani and some locals were spotted going both ways. Eventually you reached the road heading north to the castle....but not a single track in the muddy trail went that way. Despite...or perhaps because of it, not a single resident could bring themselves to go look upon the place.  But you could. The sun was low in the sky by the time you turned a corner and could look across the cliff faces over to the castle. The spires stood, partially collapsed...with walls crumbled down, a great gap where the bridge was, even the chains and frame of the bridge missing. The castle still stood...the pillar stone it sat upon remained....but the place was dark and silent...and looked as if it had been a ruin for a hundred years. 

Ezz looked to the group, "I'm not keen on sleeping there....we heading to Barovia, or are you intent on searching this place?"