"If.. if there is anything you can do to help my son."  Father Donavich says pleadingly to Dormark.  "I fear we must first bury the Burgomaster.  The longer he remains unburied the longer he'll be a potential target for the Count and his... minions."

The father proceeds to shuffle over to Sandu, "It is alright, my son.  You were clearly being affected by the Devil himself.  It is not the first time or last time he will torment me.  Know that he has power over all sorts of evil, not just fiends.  I have known many to be charmed by him and the allure of his power."  He turns to the rest of the party (aside from Alder, who is currently outside) and raises his voice, a glimpse of the man he was in his younger days comes through - headstrong, commanding, charismatic - "You shall all need to steel yourselves if you are seeking to oppose the Fiend, Strahd, for the evil that is at his command is quite considerable.  Guard your minds, guard your hearts, for your resolve will be tested when you finally come face to face with the Devil.  Many have fallen; some fighting, others have joined his ranks."

His shoulders slump back to his normal posture, as though saying his piece had taken a lot of energy, "We bury him in the cemetery outside.  If you will..."  The father beckons to the coffin currently lying in front of the church altar.

As the procession head outside towards the cemetery they pass Alder, holding his in both hands staring at the fog above.

Dormark glances towards Sandu, before picking up the coffin and heading back outside.

The funeral is a relatively short affair for someone so respected and admired within the local community.  Ireena and Ismark remain on edge throughout, conscious that at any moment there could be an attack or disruption to the proceedings.  Both siblings are putting on a brave face but the emotions are high and on edge.

As Father Donavich continues the service on, aware that the sooner the body is committed to the ground the quicker it ceases to be a target, detailing virtues of Kolyan Indirovich - beloved Husband, Father and Burgomaster to the village of Barovia.  The party's mood is icy as the Father drones on...  "It is with great sorrow that we stand here today.  Willing to commit your humble servant, Kolyan Indirovich, into your hands Morninglord.  May his spirit find rest and comfort within your embrace." Donavich  then beckons to Ireena and Ismark to pay their tributes to their father.  It is currently around mid-afternoon.

ALL - Can everyone please make a Perception check.

DM Rolls:

Roll 21

Perception 8

Perception: 16

Perception: 20

Perception 5 

Perception: 9

Despite being on holy ground, or maybe because of it, Ioben felt unease. This town was very strange. The dead walk and even the beasts follow some unheard commends. 

The burial was simple, though it was clearly tough on Ismark and Ireena. As the Father recounts the life and dealings of the former Burgomaster, Ioben feels as if eyes are settled on his back. The itch between his shoulder blades gets him to turn his head more than once to see what is behind him. Just the gloom meets his gaze, though the sense of unease persists. Taking the particular effort to ignore the sensation he watches as the service draws toward a close and the two children are called to the side of the grave.

Sandu, Alder, Baern, Valerie, Ioben's Perception check:

Dormark's Perception check:

ALL - Please can everyone make a Wisdom Saving Throw.

20

Wisdom saving throw 16

OOC: Aight, I'mma head out...

Wis Save: 20

Wisdom Save: 21 

Ioben wisdom save: 10

advantage if charm related 14

4

Afternoon - Day #2 - Gatecrasher

The funeral begins to draw to a close.  Ireena and Ismark ceremoniously start to shovel soil on to their father's coffin.  Father Donavich nods towards the party in thanks, "You have done a good deed here adventurers I... I...".  The Father starts to wipe blood from his nose, "what... NO!  Argggh!", he slumps to the ground unconscious.

As the group look around there appears to be one more individual among them.  Then they hear it.  A cacophony of screams, wailing and moans - some angry, some pleading, men, women, even children...

"Please Mister, don't..." a woman's voice is cut short.  "You bastard! You'll never..." a man's voice is cut short.  "Papa? Papa?" the last voice sounds like a childs.

The choir of voices overwhelms the party's minds causing great psychic damage - they seem to be emanating from the new figure.

Peeling back the hood of his cloak, you see a tall Elven man with long black hair shoulder length hair, pale skin and sharp features.  "Greetings Adventurers, my name is Rahadin. I come baring a message from my master."

((Portrait of Rahadin))

((Dormark, Baern, Valerie - the assault on your mind only partially succeeds taking 8 psychic damage.

Sandu, Ioben, Alder - You feel the screams penetrating all of your mental defences, you take 16 psychic damage.))

Dormark felt the anguished of the people’s thoughts torture him, but from somewhere a spark of something he didn’t know he had helped deaden the pain and pull him back to the present. Checking the grave around the group he makes sure no one was dying from the attack, and uses spare the dying if need be. Walking forward to stand before the man Dormark says, “What message did Strahd want to send that needed you to attack us Rahadin?”

Rahadin looks at Dormark quizzically, "I did not attack you, metal man.  I come with a letter, it is addressed to Ireena.  My Master sends his condolences and wishes wanted to pay his respects to the much loved burgomaster.  That is why I am here."

The sounds continue to occasionally echo in your ears.

Dormark felt like pushing the issue would be a dangerous at this point. “Very well deliver your letter, and return to your master,” he says walking back and watching the man to make sure no funny business happens.