Ioben clutches at his head, barely suppressing a scream. Desperately he fought to prevent his voice joining those that sounded in his head. Their pain and confusion, their desperation almost drove him to his knees. But he fought back. It was over in an instant, but he felt like he had been struggling for days. His breath was laboured and he felt weak.
Amongst them, he saw a stranger. "Greetings Adventurers, my name is Rahadin. I come bearing a message from my master."
With little to say in response, he awaited as Dormark approached the man. As they spoke, Ioben sought to recover his strength. Bending over slightly he placed his hands on his knees, allowing him to take in much-needed air. Also, his hand rested beside the dagger strapped to his thigh. Cautiously he watched the exchange.
For the second time that day Sandu heard voices in his head. That was two times too many and certainly not something he wanted to become a recurring thing. Unlike Strahd's voice, which made him physically ill, this time it just hurt. A lot. Sandu's hand reached up to his ear to make sure he was not leaking blood out of his ears, that was how much it hurt. Every time a voice screamed, it felt like a dagger stabbed his inner ear. And there was a lot of screaming.
It took Sandu nearly all of his willpower not to topple over again. He kept to his feet, defiant not to show weakness or at least not to die like a hurt child on the ground. He clutched his raven icon to his chest while using his quarterstaff to balance himself. He glared daggers at the intruding Elf called Rahadin but Sandu knew that was about all he could do at the moment. The man was calm and collected but Sandu knew, nay - felt, that the Elf could kill them all without a second thought.
Sandu kept quiet as the Elf went about his business, if only because his energy was too far drained, but he still could not stop himself from instinctively flinching or taking a step back whenever he thought Rahadin glanced in his general direction.
Baern clutched at his head briefly as Rahadin's presence prompted the mental assault but his dwarven fortitude allows him to shake off some of the effect. Hearing mention of Ireena the dwarf moves to stand between her and Rahadin, his hand axe at the ready.
Dormark reaches out to the dwarf and grabs him by the shoulder leaning forward he whispers, “We need to pick our fights carefully, for the moment backdown.” He leans back letting Baern make his decision.
Valerie bites her lips, trying to keep herself from screaming. She then tries to shakes off whatever remnants of voice inside her head. She tries to focus her vision again.
When she hears the man is the servant of Stradh, she takes out her sword gets in front of the group.
His eyes snapping wide, Alder clutches at his head as if to keep it from flying apart. He drops to one knee with a grunt, his jaw clenched tight enough that it felt as if his teeth would shatter. His lip curls into a snarl as the stranger appears amongst them and he stands, wiping a trickle of blood from under his nose with the back of one meaty hand.
Rahadin looks around at the faces of the party - lips curling in a sneering smile at those that have drawn weapons. "Well... This reception does look a little frosty. What say you Ireena?!" His tone eases,"A mere message of condolences on this day."
Ismark, like Baern moves to stand in front of Ireena, but she stops him,"Hold still brother."She says urgently, "Rahadin, you shall deliver your message to Dormark here, the metal man you referred to. Then you shall return to your master."
Smirking, Rahadin passes the letter to Dormark and bows before Ireena."As you wish."he turns his back before muttering mockingly,"... my Queen."With that he stalks out of the cemetery, disappearing into the mists.
"I am sorry about that, all of you. I di..."Ireena pauses, overcome with emotion,"I did not mean any of this to happen."She collects herself,"Dormark... my letter, if you will." Ireena holds out her hand towards Dormark.
Dormark - the letter you hold bares an all too familiar seal, that of Strahd Von Zarovich.
((Portrait of Ireena - there are a lot of fantastic fan images surrounding CoS))
"In truth Valerie." Ireena pauses and looks towards Ismark, who was currently helping the now conscious Father Donavich. "In truth the only reason for his obsession is that he believes me to be someone I am not."
"Thank you Dormark, I think I shall be alright with the letter. I do not believe Strahd bares me any ill-will, far from it."Ireena takes the letter from Dormark, breaks the seal, takes out the note and begins to read.
Ireena sighs deeply. "Looks like your words are almost prophetic Val... He does have a way with words..." her tone is sarcastic as she passes the letter to Valerie."Lord, Master and Love? I think he writes these things to get under my skin!"
Valerie - The letter Ireena passes you is written in an exquisite hand. The writing is neat, beautiful and written on fine paper. You are able to tell that someone has spent a lot of time and effort writing it.
Dearest Ireena,
It is with the deepest grief that I learn of the death of your kind and noble Father; and, especially, that it is affecting your young heart beyond all sensation. In this sad world of ours, sorrow eventually comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with the bitterest agony, because it so often takes them unaware. Your elders, no doubt, have learned to ever expect it.
I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You surely realise now that you will never smile again, is not this so? And yet it is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say; and you need only believe it to feel your heart warm once again. The memory of your dear Father, instead of an agony, will yet be a sad sweet feeling in your heart, of a purer and holier sort than you have ever known before.
Please present my kind regards to your afflicted brother.
Your lord, master, and love,
Strahd von Zarovich
((From a mechanics perspective - it will be assume that the letter is shared among the party. Ireena does not care whether it is shared - "There is nothing personal about it's contents in my eyes." You are able to tell that there is almost a forced disregard she has towards the letter, as though she is keen to show that the contents do not affect her.))
Dormark shakes his head and says, “I wish I knew why Strahd is after you so desperately. He tries to kidnap you then sends a letter of condolences to you. It seems so contradictory to me.”
After seeing that the Father is stable and recovering from the shock visit, Ismark approaches the group. "I think the message he is trying to send us is not contained within that letter Dormark." Though he looks weary the next sentence he says with utter conviction,"If you were to ask me, Rahadin himself was the message. We thought we were safe within the church, safe within our family home, he has successfully sent his servants into both places. If my sister and I cannot even bury our father without a visit from the Devil, how will we ever be rid of him?"
"I have been contemplating this question for a while now. The only answer I arrive at is that myself and Ireena must leave the village. Either to Vallaki or to Krezk. It could be that my family's name still commands a level of respect in either of those places." He turns to look at Ireena,"We must leave..."he says pleadingly,"do you not see that now?"
The young Baern awkwardly stands there with nothing to say, looking back and forth between Ireena, Ismark, the rest of the party, the Father, the church, and the grave. He wonders if he should speak, but has no words. He wonders if he should finish shoveling the dirt, but isn't sure it's appropriate. He wonders if they need to seek refuge inside the church once again before Stahd or Rahadin returns, but doesn't want to rush the funeral. Ultimately his mind turns to the major questions of what they do going forward and how they, or everyone in Barovia, could possibly get out of this dismal situation.
Shaking his head Dormark says, “Well let’s head back to the church for now. At this point of time no one is going to be leaving today. Come on Father.” He says leading the priest back inside.
"In truth Valerie." Ireena pauses and looks towards Ismark, who was currently helping the now conscious Father Donavich. "In truth the only reason for his obsession is that he believes me to be someone I am not."
'Tatyana...' Sandu muttered under his breath, barely audible to anyone but himself. But that can't be. He thought. If the book is accurate, she must be dead for more than four hundred years.
He eyed Ireena. She was clearly still in her twenties. But he had seen many wondrous things by now and knew from experience that appearances are almost never what they seem. Sandu took a deep breath. He focused on the strange experience from before and felt his hand rise. A word escaped his lips: 'Dezvãlui.'
His eyes briefly flashed black with a red pit like burning coal. Valerie's sword once more blazed brightly in the corner of his eye. Sandu turned his attention to Ireena and the letter she was holding. It can't hurt to have a look.
OOC: casting Detect Magic. It lasts 10 minutes with concentration so Sandu will keep it up unless something knocks his concentration. So if there is anything in the vicinity of 30 feet, let me know.
Ioben regathers he strength and his composure as the other discuss the letter and its bearer. "Yes, inside would be a great idea." He follows the others into the building. Contradictory thoughts bounced around in his head as he did so. The letter felt genuine, like someone who truly cared for Ireena. Yet, the attack in the street should a desperate need to take her at any cost, if that had actually been Strahd. Ioben had seen no evidence of it himself.
Inside the church Ioben looked around for somewhere quiet he could rest. "Father, if I may beg your indulgence, I am afraid that our visitor has left me rather weak. Do you have a mattress I could use for a while?"
Alder moves to join the others inside, casting a final look out into the fog, his face set in a stony scowl. Once inside he simply finds a convenient spot to sit, watching the others. The pain in his head is still pounding, and specks swim before his vision like ash floating in the air. Whatever happened out there, it has bothered him, to such a wound inflicted not against his body but his mind.
Father Donavich looks at Dormark, lost in his thoughts,"Wha... what's that? Oh yes, thank you." He takes Dormarks arms as he is lead into the church.
Once inside, the Father answers Ioben's question, "Yes, of course. You can use my son's room."Ismark interjects,"I shall show him the way Father, you rest."
Ioben - Ismark leads you to through the door to the immediate left of the entrance. This dirty, lightless room contains a wooden bed with a straw-filled mattress. Mounted above the bed’s headboard is a wooden holy symbol."Take your rest Ioben, you deserve it. Today has been... hectic",Ismark says apologetically.
Sandu - As you cast detect magic nothing emanates from the letter. As you move into the church nothing you can not detect anything magical coming from any of the rooms.
Dormark sits the father down on a pew than sits next to him. ”Well then if you want to we can speak about what I think that could Doru, or you can rest till tomorrow father, then listen. What's your choice,” asks Dormark.
The mood of the party eases as they find relative comfort within the walls of the church. Ioben and Father Donavich, both wearied by their encounter with Rahadin, take the opportunity to rest; residing in the rooms to the left of the entrance.
Ismark and Ireena are currently in heated discussion in the church's main hall regarding what they should do next; Ismark is adamant that Krezk would be the best safe haven furthest away from Castle Ravenloft, Ireena states that Vallaki is closer and that she would be safe within the 'Church of St. Andral' as she has heard it has an artefact that protects it from evil (an assertion that Father Donavich has previously made).
((Given this is a period of downtime feel free to take a long rest. As before you can take the time to do any number of downtime activities including visiting other locations within the village. Currently it is around mid-afternoon.
Dormark - Given the Father briefly lost consciousness during the Rahadin visit he gives you his apologies as he totters off to his bedchambers.))
Ioben clutches at his head, barely suppressing a scream. Desperately he fought to prevent his voice joining those that sounded in his head. Their pain and confusion, their desperation almost drove him to his knees. But he fought back. It was over in an instant, but he felt like he had been struggling for days. His breath was laboured and he felt weak.
Amongst them, he saw a stranger. "Greetings Adventurers, my name is Rahadin. I come bearing a message from my master."
With little to say in response, he awaited as Dormark approached the man. As they spoke, Ioben sought to recover his strength. Bending over slightly he placed his hands on his knees, allowing him to take in much-needed air. Also, his hand rested beside the dagger strapped to his thigh. Cautiously he watched the exchange.
For the second time that day Sandu heard voices in his head. That was two times too many and certainly not something he wanted to become a recurring thing. Unlike Strahd's voice, which made him physically ill, this time it just hurt. A lot. Sandu's hand reached up to his ear to make sure he was not leaking blood out of his ears, that was how much it hurt. Every time a voice screamed, it felt like a dagger stabbed his inner ear. And there was a lot of screaming.
It took Sandu nearly all of his willpower not to topple over again. He kept to his feet, defiant not to show weakness or at least not to die like a hurt child on the ground. He clutched his raven icon to his chest while using his quarterstaff to balance himself. He glared daggers at the intruding Elf called Rahadin but Sandu knew that was about all he could do at the moment. The man was calm and collected but Sandu knew, nay - felt, that the Elf could kill them all without a second thought.
Sandu kept quiet as the Elf went about his business, if only because his energy was too far drained, but he still could not stop himself from instinctively flinching or taking a step back whenever he thought Rahadin glanced in his general direction.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Baern clutched at his head briefly as Rahadin's presence prompted the mental assault but his dwarven fortitude allows him to shake off some of the effect. Hearing mention of Ireena the dwarf moves to stand between her and Rahadin, his hand axe at the ready.
Dormark reaches out to the dwarf and grabs him by the shoulder leaning forward he whispers, “We need to pick our fights carefully, for the moment backdown.” He leans back letting Baern make his decision.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Valerie bites her lips, trying to keep herself from screaming. She then tries to shakes off whatever remnants of voice inside her head. She tries to focus her vision again.
When she hears the man is the servant of Stradh, she takes out her sword gets in front of the group.
His eyes snapping wide, Alder clutches at his head as if to keep it from flying apart. He drops to one knee with a grunt, his jaw clenched tight enough that it felt as if his teeth would shatter. His lip curls into a snarl as the stranger appears amongst them and he stands, wiping a trickle of blood from under his nose with the back of one meaty hand.
Rahadin looks around at the faces of the party - lips curling in a sneering smile at those that have drawn weapons. "Well... This reception does look a little frosty. What say you Ireena?!" His tone eases, "A mere message of condolences on this day."
Ismark, like Baern moves to stand in front of Ireena, but she stops him, "Hold still brother." She says urgently, "Rahadin, you shall deliver your message to Dormark here, the metal man you referred to. Then you shall return to your master."
Smirking, Rahadin passes the letter to Dormark and bows before Ireena. "As you wish." he turns his back before muttering mockingly, "... my Queen." With that he stalks out of the cemetery, disappearing into the mists.
"I am sorry about that, all of you. I di..." Ireena pauses, overcome with emotion, "I did not mean any of this to happen." She collects herself, "Dormark... my letter, if you will." Ireena holds out her hand towards Dormark.
Dormark - the letter you hold bares an all too familiar seal, that of Strahd Von Zarovich.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
... Dormark passes the letter to Ireena, but says, "If you wish me to, I can open the letter, incase something happens."
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Valerie sheath her sword away and still keeps her eyes in the direction that the elf went for awhile.
"My queen?" Valerie turns to Ireena with concerns on her face. "Looks like Stradh really wants you to be with him."
"In truth Valerie." Ireena pauses and looks towards Ismark, who was currently helping the now conscious Father Donavich. "In truth the only reason for his obsession is that he believes me to be someone I am not."
"Thank you Dormark, I think I shall be alright with the letter. I do not believe Strahd bares me any ill-will, far from it." Ireena takes the letter from Dormark, breaks the seal, takes out the note and begins to read.
Ireena sighs deeply. "Looks like your words are almost prophetic Val... He does have a way with words..." her tone is sarcastic as she passes the letter to Valerie. "Lord, Master and Love? I think he writes these things to get under my skin!"
Valerie - The letter Ireena passes you is written in an exquisite hand. The writing is neat, beautiful and written on fine paper. You are able to tell that someone has spent a lot of time and effort writing it.
Dearest Ireena,
It is with the deepest grief that I learn of the death of your kind and noble Father; and, especially, that it is affecting your young heart beyond all sensation. In this sad world of ours, sorrow eventually comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with the bitterest agony, because it so often takes them unaware. Your elders, no doubt, have learned to ever expect it.
I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You surely realise now that you will never smile again, is not this so? And yet it is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say; and you need only believe it to feel your heart warm once again. The memory of your dear Father, instead of an agony, will yet be a sad sweet feeling in your heart, of a purer and holier sort than you have ever known before.
Please present my kind regards to your afflicted brother.
Your lord, master, and love,
Strahd von Zarovich
((From a mechanics perspective - it will be assume that the letter is shared among the party. Ireena does not care whether it is shared - "There is nothing personal about it's contents in my eyes." You are able to tell that there is almost a forced disregard she has towards the letter, as though she is keen to show that the contents do not affect her.))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dormark shakes his head and says, “I wish I knew why Strahd is after you so desperately. He tries to kidnap you then sends a letter of condolences to you. It seems so contradictory to me.”
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
After seeing that the Father is stable and recovering from the shock visit, Ismark approaches the group. "I think the message he is trying to send us is not contained within that letter Dormark." Though he looks weary the next sentence he says with utter conviction, "If you were to ask me, Rahadin himself was the message. We thought we were safe within the church, safe within our family home, he has successfully sent his servants into both places. If my sister and I cannot even bury our father without a visit from the Devil, how will we ever be rid of him?"
"I have been contemplating this question for a while now. The only answer I arrive at is that myself and Ireena must leave the village. Either to Vallaki or to Krezk. It could be that my family's name still commands a level of respect in either of those places." He turns to look at Ireena, "We must leave..." he says pleadingly, "do you not see that now?"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
The young Baern awkwardly stands there with nothing to say, looking back and forth between Ireena, Ismark, the rest of the party, the Father, the church, and the grave. He wonders if he should speak, but has no words. He wonders if he should finish shoveling the dirt, but isn't sure it's appropriate. He wonders if they need to seek refuge inside the church once again before Stahd or Rahadin returns, but doesn't want to rush the funeral. Ultimately his mind turns to the major questions of what they do going forward and how they, or everyone in Barovia, could possibly get out of this dismal situation.
Shaking his head Dormark says, “Well let’s head back to the church for now. At this point of time no one is going to be leaving today. Come on Father.” He says leading the priest back inside.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
'Tatyana...' Sandu muttered under his breath, barely audible to anyone but himself. But that can't be. He thought. If the book is accurate, she must be dead for more than four hundred years.
He eyed Ireena. She was clearly still in her twenties. But he had seen many wondrous things by now and knew from experience that appearances are almost never what they seem. Sandu took a deep breath. He focused on the strange experience from before and felt his hand rise. A word escaped his lips: 'Dezvãlui.'
His eyes briefly flashed black with a red pit like burning coal. Valerie's sword once more blazed brightly in the corner of his eye. Sandu turned his attention to Ireena and the letter she was holding. It can't hurt to have a look.
OOC: casting Detect Magic. It lasts 10 minutes with concentration so Sandu will keep it up unless something knocks his concentration. So if there is anything in the vicinity of 30 feet, let me know.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Ioben regathers he strength and his composure as the other discuss the letter and its bearer. "Yes, inside would be a great idea." He follows the others into the building. Contradictory thoughts bounced around in his head as he did so. The letter felt genuine, like someone who truly cared for Ireena. Yet, the attack in the street should a desperate need to take her at any cost, if that had actually been Strahd. Ioben had seen no evidence of it himself.
Inside the church Ioben looked around for somewhere quiet he could rest. "Father, if I may beg your indulgence, I am afraid that our visitor has left me rather weak. Do you have a mattress I could use for a while?"
Alder moves to join the others inside, casting a final look out into the fog, his face set in a stony scowl. Once inside he simply finds a convenient spot to sit, watching the others. The pain in his head is still pounding, and specks swim before his vision like ash floating in the air. Whatever happened out there, it has bothered him, to such a wound inflicted not against his body but his mind.
Father Donavich looks at Dormark, lost in his thoughts, "Wha... what's that? Oh yes, thank you." He takes Dormarks arms as he is lead into the church.
Once inside, the Father answers Ioben's question, "Yes, of course. You can use my son's room." Ismark interjects, "I shall show him the way Father, you rest."
Ioben - Ismark leads you to through the door to the immediate left of the entrance. This dirty, lightless room contains a wooden bed with a straw-filled mattress. Mounted above the bed’s headboard is a wooden holy symbol. "Take your rest Ioben, you deserve it. Today has been... hectic", Ismark says apologetically.
Sandu - As you cast detect magic nothing emanates from the letter. As you move into the church nothing you can not detect anything magical coming from any of the rooms.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dormark sits the father down on a pew than sits next to him. ”Well then if you want to we can speak about what I think that could Doru, or you can rest till tomorrow father, then listen. What's your choice,” asks Dormark.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Downtime - Day #2
The mood of the party eases as they find relative comfort within the walls of the church. Ioben and Father Donavich, both wearied by their encounter with Rahadin, take the opportunity to rest; residing in the rooms to the left of the entrance.
Ismark and Ireena are currently in heated discussion in the church's main hall regarding what they should do next; Ismark is adamant that Krezk would be the best safe haven furthest away from Castle Ravenloft, Ireena states that Vallaki is closer and that she would be safe within the 'Church of St. Andral' as she has heard it has an artefact that protects it from evil (an assertion that Father Donavich has previously made).
((Given this is a period of downtime feel free to take a long rest. As before you can take the time to do any number of downtime activities including visiting other locations within the village. Currently it is around mid-afternoon.
Dormark - Given the Father briefly lost consciousness during the Rahadin visit he gives you his apologies as he totters off to his bedchambers.))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)