Dallid's lips twist in a wry look. "His mind is changed as well. Thank you anyways for your offer to help. We will continue looking for the solution for him... Maybe after a few more experiments..." 

Sandu instinctively flinched when the elderly patriarch grabbed his sleeve. It was not a situation he was familiar with, let alone comfortable. 'The- The boys?' He stammered in response to Davian's plea. 'They are okay, as far as my ra- eyes could see.' 

It was an awkward moment for him, unable to provide the old man with any more solace. Sandu looked on as Davian shift from man to raven, a process he found himself quite invested in, and watched the man-turned-bird fly out the window.

Quote from IrRy0 >>

"I... thank you... for the news," Steffania says.  "My father and brother have a strained relationship, but they care deeply for each other.  Urwin is the oldest.  Should anything happen to my father... well, things would fall to him."

Moments later Adrian and Elvir return with news of the totem.  Steffania instructs them to get Dag and the children.  Once all are assembled she informs them of Danika's fate and Davian's decision to return to Vallaki.

'They are good people.' Sandu replied to Steffania. 'Patient and understanding when I came to them.' He looked her straight in the face, a newfound resolve shining through his eyes. 'Danika will not go unavenged. I will see to it.'  

Quote from IrRy0 >>

Dallid - Steffania looks uncertainly at Ferelyon.  "The process of becoming a wereraven takes over a year," she says, eyebrow raised.  "If, as you say, he was initially a human, it might work. However, he would need to stay with us.  Besides, it takes meditation... do you know whether the change altered your friend's mind?"  There is a pang of sympathy in her voice as she asks the question.

Sandu leaned in to listen. The wolf was a curious creature and the expertise of someone used to shapechanging might prove insightful.  

Bowing is head to the Markiovs he says, “Sorry that we had to be the bearers of bad news, but please let us know if you ever need help again.”

Dormark steps outside to wait for the rest of the party to begin the trek back.

Evening - Day 8 - Back to Krezk

Stepping outside, the party resolves to return to Krezk in time to attend the Atrocity Exhibition and hopefully learn what has become of Ioben.  The mists are thicker now and the darkness has set in, obscuring vision.

Confidently leading the way, Ferelyon quietly strides along the path back to the Old Svalich Road toward Krezk.  Planting his snout on the cobblestones, the wolf occasionally looks up, ears pricked, fully aware of his surroundings.  Nothing of his mannerisms or demeanour suggests he was ever anything other than wolf, little remains of the man he once was.

Following the wolf, Dormark strides with the living doll on his back.  Thoughts buzzed in his mind as to the possibilities of soul transfer; if only he could find the one that stole Moradin's flame, perhaps he might be able to transfer Diesa's ((Baern's mother)) soul into a more suitable vessel.  The fact that Baba Lysaga had managed a similar feat without the use of the flame came as a comforting thought.  Perhaps, other souls might even be able to be found.

"Is it me or is it getting colder?"  Dadeveth says, breaking the silence.

Cerio shivers in response.  "Y'aint imagining things," he mutters, pulling his cloak up to cover his mouth.

The first few miles go by without incident.  However, the fog appears to grow thicker and thicker as they approach Krezk.  Suddenly, Ferelyon lets out a startled yelp.  Thick black tendrils begin to wrap themselves around the wolf's throat.

"GODS!"  Cerio gasps fearfully, "it's like the mist itself is livin'!"

All - Please roll initiative.

11 for initiative 

(Galqarin's initiative: 16)

(Rolled hit dice during short rest: restored 22 hitpoints)

In spite of everything Sandu was slightly elated about the business with the Martikovs. They did good here, all things considered, and it felt good. It felt right. But the feeling was but fleeting. The moment they left the winery, it dawned on Sandu that their ordeals were not yet over. That every victory they achieved paled in comparison with the dread that permeated Barovia. They had saved their new allies but an old one was still missing. Ioben

Sandu's thoughts were a jumbled mess. There were a lot of things mulling about and he had a tough time sorting them all. He missed Dadeveth's comment about the cold but instinctively pulled his cloak tighter around him. His mind was still out of it when Cerio called out in fear. Sandu had to blink twice to process that black tendrils had snaked up to them.

Initiative: 11

Dallid initiative 9 

Ferelyon's Fear - Surprise Round - Initiative

Tendril's Turn

#1 - A black misty tendril appears in the woods to the southeast, gusting out and towards the grappled wolf.  It attempts to strike Ferelyon, crashing into his side.

• Tendril Attack: 9 (miss)

Fortunately, the tendril sails over the wolf, ending up near the treeline to the northwest.  It spins around, readying another attack.

#2 - Another misty tendrils continue to wrap themselves around Ferelyon's throat.

• Tendril Attack: 25, Damage: 28 (bludgeoning)
• Effect: Ferelyon grappled (escape DC 15)

Ferelyon desperately attempts to fight them off but to no avail.  It squeezes and tightens, slowly closing off the wolf's airways.

Battlemap:

Initiative:

1. Cerio - 22 - Light Blue Dagger
2. Dadeveth - 18 - Light Green Horse
3. Galqarin - 16 - Dark Blue Raven
4. Dormark - 11 - Dark Grey Robot
5. Sandu - 7 - Purple Wizard's Hat
6. Dallid - 6 - Dark Green Bow & Ferelyon - Small Dark Green Shield
7. Black Tendrils (x2) - 3 - Black Wind Symbols

Ferelyon's Fear - Round #1 - Cerio & Dadeveth's Turns

Cerio's Turn

Attacking quickly, Cerio charges the southernmost misty tendril.  Drawing his khopesh, he slices at the swirling mists.

• Khopesh Attack: 17 (miss)

However, the khopesh only finds air as it fails to penetrate the tendrils defences.

Dadeveth's Turn

Scraping the cobble stone path with her hooves, Dadeveth proceeds to charge at her target.  Once she reaches the black tendril she prods at it with her magical rapier.

• Rapier Attack: 8 (miss)

Unfortunately, in her eagerness to join battle, Dadeveth's rapier harmlessly strikes the ground.

Galqarin - You watch as the black misty tendril (#2) begins to choke Ferelyon.  Both Cerio and Dadeveth attempt to quell the threat but come up short.  It now falls to you to dispatch the tendrils, it is your turn.

Battlemap:

Ferelyon falls unconscious...

Galqarin launches himself upon the fiendish tendril, battering it with his staff. The staff feels like an extension of his own body, and a secret thrill runs through him as he wields it in battle.

Gulthias staff attack 1: To hit 25, dealing 6 magical bludgeoning damage. "Yes! Now strike it again", a voice in his mind seems to exclaim.
Gulthias staff attack 2: To hit 10, dealing 11 magical bludgeoning damage.
Flurry of Blows: To hit 16, dealing 7 bludgeoning damage.

Hand of Healing on Ferelyon: Heals for 8.

Ferelyon's Fear - Round #1 - Galqarin's Turns

Galqarin's Turn

As Ferelyon falls unconscious, the misty tendril loosens its grasp, instead choosing to focus on the other members of the party.  Launching himself against the enemy, Galqarin manages to deal a crunching blow with his newly acquired Gulthis staff.  Unfortunately, he feels the staff beginning to fight against him as he swings down with his second and third attacks, and they fail to connect with the entity.

Using the distraction of his attack, Galqarin's hand shoots out and strikes Ferelyon with his healing hands.  The wolf's eyes slide open and he gets to his feet, ready to fight back against the tendril.

Dormark - Black tendrils have emerged from the fog-shrouded woods and are currently attacking your companions.  Thanks to Galqarin's help, it looks like Ferelyon has now stabilised.  However, both tendrils are still very much a clear and present threat.  It is your turn to act.

Battlemap:

Dormark charges tendril number one and takes a swing at it with his mace.

Attack: 18 Damage: 8

(using mace of disruption if it does anything. )

((I'll say that it qualifies - it'd deal an extra 2d6 radiant damage (doubled on a crit).))

16

Ferelyon's Fear - Round #1 - Dormark's Turn

Dormark's Turn

Dormark charges the northmost tendril.  Bringing his mace to bear, he swings down smashing the evil black mist.  The mace flashes with a bold, bright, radiant light, as it impacts the tendril; the darkness flees and reels from the light of the weapon.  The tendril curls up defensively, attempting to avoid further contact, clearly distressed by the attack.  It now appears around 25% smaller than it did moments before.

Sandu - You watch as Dormark's mace lights up in his hands.  Whatever the nature of the weapon, it appears to be having a great effect against the now-cowering tendril (#1).  Unsure of where the creatures (if indeed they qualify as such) came from, this combat only serves to further delay you from your ultimate goal -- the Atrocity Exhibition and the rescue of Ioben.  As you prepare to intervene in the combat, you swear you hear something in the distance coming from the direction you have just traversed (eastwards).  Focusing on the task at hand, you look at the tendrils, it is your turn.

((Sandu - You can make a perception check if you would like, at disadvantage please.  The same goes for anyone else on their turns.))

Battlemap:

Perception check before Sandu makes his move: 7

Is the disadvantage due to being human and thus not having darkvision?

Sandu's Perception check: