Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

OOC: Sorry, I sped up the process, but Lionel would be interested in that book and learn about the sword anyway.

"We are happy to help in any way we can, especially against foes as unnatural as these have been." Olin says. "I think we should stay the night here. In the morning I can cleanse your wine of the druds' poison. After that, if this sword truly is the one Lionel referenced, we should make obtaining it our priority." Olin looks to the group. "After that, I am unsure what to do. Continue following Madam Eva's clues, or seek the witch that is harassing the vineyard?"

"Meepo agree." Meepo says as he glances up from the book.  "Rest, sword, then maybe witch." 

"It is indeed the very one.  Though I'm afraid it's not as it once was. Strahd took care to try and destroy the thing. What is left is...****y a bit of the power of the original blade. But, hopefully it will help you all the same."  

The night passes quietly at the vineyard, and the next day you get back on the road and head for the 2nd treasure.  

(Sorry, I've been busy, I'll write when I can tomorrow.)

As the group all rise and prepare to depart for the day, Mordekai goes into an impressive speech about all of their achievements so far. This time it includes the defeat of the barbarians and the destruction of the evil tree. 

The group have heard most of this before, and begin to roll their eyes. It seems that every time they sit down for even an hour or so, Mordekai decides to go on one of these inspiring rants. And yet, by the sheer force of Mordekai's charisma, they can't help but feel better about themselves for the day ahead.

Everyone in the party (including Ismark) gets 10 temporary hp. 

Olin spends 4 hours of the night in meditation. Long before the others rise he gets up and says a quiet prayer to Silvanus asking for the ability to remove the poison from the vat of wine. Then he heads into the room where the vats are stored and begins the ten-minute ritual to purify food and drink. He repeats as many times as it takes to purify all the wine. Olin then heads outside to the vineyard, to the place where the tree blight attacked. Where possible he sets to mending any trellis pieces broken in the attack.  After that is done, he quietly makes himself some tea and enjoys it while looking out over the vineyard. Olin takes out his new spear and inspects it. "You are a fine weapon, but hungry." He says, not expecting a response. "I shiver to think what you have seen..."

When the others start to wake Olin prepares breakfast and lets Davian know that his wine has been purified. "What little joy the people of this land have should not be spoiled. We will discuss our plans on the road, but we may be back to help you with your witch problems." Olin looks at him quizzically, "We have seen your affinity with crows and ravens. I have little experience with people such as yourselves, but I am glad to see the old tales aren't all true.. and that there are friendly faces here in this dark land. Thank you for your hospitality."

Lionel was even more eager to return to the city now, knowing the weapon that can at least harm Strahd is so close. He was still curious, though. "Davian, may I ask you how did you come into possession of of that sword? The diary says Strahd's brother - Sergey - brought the sword from somewhere. And how come Strahd did not destroy the sword completely if he had that chance? If it is indestructible - can it be repaired may be to it's full strength?"

Olin spends some time out in the vineyard after, putting his mending to good use. Crows crouch the vineyard watching curiously. Their presence is reassuring...a hundred eyes scanning the world and watching for danger. A few of them hop along side as he mends things, watching him, going so far as to peck at the mended trellis pieces to test them. 

Later, Davian and Olin stand before the fermentation vat as Davian lifts a glass to his lips. He lets the juice roll around in his mouth a bit, and then swallows.  A broad smile replaces the look of concern on his face, and he clasps Olin's forearm and shoulder. "You've done it!  Unless I keel over in the next few minutes, the flavor is all there, the alcohol seems intact.  I could only taste a faint bit of ash, and maybe a note of coffee that isn't usually there, but I think it's a nice addition. Thank you so much, really, as I've said consistently, we really don't know how to thank you. Obviously you consider yourselves having your own private reserve of wine available whenever you like."  

Olin and Davian return to the others, where Stefania is starting breakfast. Olin lends a hand to her delight and the two of them cook up a lovely breakfast meal for everyone. 

During the meal Mordekai tells his stirring story which, despite everyone's best efforts, manages to get their blood moving and their spirits high. Lionel directs her questions to Davian.  "So, to be honest, all that is left of the blade is the hilt." He looks very apologetic.  "But, the hilt is still magical. It was found by the Keepers of the Feather many years ago, discarded in the woods. We know not how it came to be separated from its crystal blade, but suspect that Strahd took it from his brother when he killed him, and that he attempted to destroy the thing. Anyway, we will give you the hilt, perhaps it can be of some use to you in your fight with Strahd." 

A warm meal in their stomachs and a cheerful bid goodbye from Davian's extended family, the group heads out under a light drizzle. The crows caw loudly as the group rides out of the vineyards and down the path, their raucous goodbye's fading into the distance.  Feeling good the troup emerges from the vineyards side road out onto the main road and head north towards Vallaki. It is perhaps forty minutes later when the group spots a solitary figure on a horse up ahead waiting in the middle of the road. It's tough to make out any details through the drizzle, they wear a long cape with a hood. You tentatively walk forward. 

As you get closer, you start to notice steam puffing away from the black steed and then that it's mane and feet seem to be smoking as light blue flames wreath them.  The creatures eyes are red. The sizzling of the drizzle as it evaporates on its flesh sends a fresh hissing through the air. To the side of the road within the shadows you catch the flit of movement amongst the trees. A flash of fur, a dark grey tail, the snout of a wolf. They dart back and forth in the shadows and trees making it impossible to determine their numbers but they flank you on both sides of the road. 

The figure on top of the flaming steed drops his hood back and you recognize Strahd immediately.  Unlike his previous visit in the church, his face looks to be sheathed in anger and intensity rather than amusement.  He speaks, "You've destroyed the Gulthias tree and send the souls of the druids howling into the mists. The tree spoke to me as you burned it alive. It told me you've found and taken my book. I've come for it. Hand it over or be destroyed here and now." He bares his fangs and grips the horses saddle more intently. 

He is currently 60 feet away from you.  The road is thirty feet wide between the trees. 

Lionel clicked his tongue in disappointment when Davian destroyed the hope for a straightforward single battle with the story of the sword demise. Still, it was something to begin with, and now they knew the blade was crystal. Where it made the blade understandable or the opposite - helped to shatter the weapon to the pieces, remained to be seen. He was walking toward the village, determined to get the hilt and begin the hunt for the blade. 

Smoking horse was definitely impressive, but Strahd's theatrical antics were getting on Lionel's nerves. He skipped the pleasantries of greetings and remarks on the weather, and simply noted: "You had to keep your your guarding dogs on a shorter leash. When a beast gets mad, it gets killed - and your druids were mad. Still, as rude as your request is, I see no reason not to return you your property." He turned to the party - the journal was read already, and considering wolfs (even if they were just simple wolves) the odds were not that good to die for a piece of paper - still, someone in the group could cherish that journal: "Would you agree or do we need that book?"

"Meepo thinks need book." Meepo speaks up.  "Or else why bad guy want back?"  he glances to the towering figure of the vampire on the cool horse.  "Can I have horse?  Trade for book..."

Mordekai steps closer to Meepo and whispers, "Do you think we need the whole book, or just key pages? Could you pull out the relevant pages if I provide cover?" 

Whispering, so as not to be heard by Strahd, still 60 feet away, "The old woman said the tome was knowledge. We have read it, between us we should be able to remember it well enough. Besides, of the things she said we'd need we have but two." Olin looks up at the rain-soaked sky, noting that the sun was not shining through strongly enough to hinder the vampire. "The ravening tree he sent to the vineyard nearly killed Lionel and I. What chance to we have against the master, not properly armed?" Olin shakes his head, dejectedly. "Do we really have a choice?"

"No, you're quite right. We certainly do not wish to start a fight at this point. Caution is definitely the better approach." 

Strahd watches your whisper exchange, sensing your hesitation. His angry furrow transforms into a nasty grin as he watches you squirm before him.  The drizzle and clouds indeed keep the sun away, there appears to be little chance for the sky to break open for you. Wolves slink in the shadows of the forest on both side.  The horse stomps its flaming foot in a rut of water, sending a puff of steam billowing into the cold air.  

When/if the party was ready to part with the book, Lionel volunteered to give it to Strahd. He wanted to see his enemy closer and test his own merits - can he withstand presence of something so evil so close. In his books, biding his time was not a dishonesty but just a tactic - the dead can not avenge anyone. Lionel walked to the smoking horse with an even pace, calm and confident (at least outside). He did not plan to mock Strahd, yet that smug smile begged to be wiped off and he can not help it but to say at least something: "Take your book, vampire. You know, when they call you an abomination, they give you a compliment you do not deserve and insult monsters on every plane. Enjoy your happy life while you can."

Good upbringing did not allow the young paladin to throw the journal into Strahd's face, he gave away the book, turned around and returned to the group.

Lionel approaches Strahd feeling the heat radiant from the horse. Its bright red eyes watch you with cool hatred as you approach and it snorts loudly. Strahd face has become a placid one of cool satisfaction. Lionel unleashes his insult as he holds the book up for Strahd to take. Strahd's pale white hand with overly long finger nails reaches out, grasping the heavy book with no effort and pulls it from Lionel's grasp. His placid expression seems unaffected by Lionel's attempt, but a small furrow accompanied with a little smile seems to present itself in his eyes. He speaks, his voice smooth and cold like ice, "I remember you. I thought I killed you. I hear that your friends recently died horrifically in a fire."  A wicked grin spreads across his face, "I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like a terrible way to go. I can hear there souls still screaming, trapped forever in my domain...but fear not, you'll join them soon." 

"No trade horse?"  Meepo asks with a frown as the book is torn from his claws by his companions.

Oh, no. Lionel could be young and still impulsive (that he demonstrated by lowering himself to an open insult), but he was wise enough already to not be goaded into a shouting contest. "I remember who killed them, vampire. Their souls will be avenged, you have my word. Every game ends sooner or later. You have won only one round so far." Not trusting himself completely to keep the calm facade for long, Lionel turned away and returned to the party, with eyes narrowed and fists clenched but with even pacing of a confident man.

Olin reaches a hand down to Meepo's shoulder and pats him gently. "Sorry friend, I don't think we were in much of a place to bargain." Olin peers at the horse, "And I'm not so sure we'd want a horse like that around, anyway. Though I guess it might have helped to keep us warm."

Nature check, to see what the horse might actually be. 14

Despite your roll, you're all familiar with stories of Nightmares.  Steeds of demons and evil beings. 

As Lionel stalks away, fists clenched, Strahd turns his steed away, raising one hand in a dismiss tone, "Have fun my play things, don't kill them all...."  The horse and Strahd shimmer out of existence as it takes it's first few steps away.  The wolves howl.  

Roll init. 

Wolves init:  5