Leann nods to the others. "I agree we need to see to him before resting." She would follow along to the church.

Con save: 6

"What? Sure... Fine. Its not as if I had any plans to go inside. Doubt anyone's there given the damage. Though-...." Rudick trails off, catching the glint of light through the many holes in the building. But while curious, he wasn't gonna just stand around waiting with a dying man in his arms. At the very least, he could -- with anyone that wished to -- search the perimeter for the graves section, and by extension a shovel and empty space.

It wasn't as if there was likely to be zombies or other ghoulish creatures roaming around in it. Right?

Rudick, you take a quick look around the church. The area behind the church is a graveyard. A fence of wrought iron with a rusty gate and closes a rectangular plot of land behind the dilapidated church. Tightly packed gravestones shrouded by fog bear the names of souls long past. All seems quiet.

Skip, you silently open the door and slide into the church. The doors open to reveal 10' wide, 20' long hall leading to a brightly lit chapel. The hall is unlit and reeks of mildew. Four doors, 2 on each side of the hall of, lead to adjacent chambers. You can see that the chapel is strewn with debris, and you hear a soft voice from within reciting a prayer. Suddenly, prayer is blotted out by and inhuman scream that rises beneath the wooden floor.The chapel is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a servant attempt to rid chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred alter, behind which kneels a priest in soiled vestments. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower. From beneath the chapel floor, you hear a young man's voice cry out, "Father! I'm starving!"

Alev, who had been walking half-asleep, gets shook awake by the scream. Startled, he looks around and does not likes what he sees.

"...Is it too late to turn back and go to the inn?" He asks, tired.

(@Rach: That's only Skip that hears it, since he stealthed inside for a closer look, I believe.)

Rudick looks back and gives Alev a funny look, only to turn away shaking his head. "We'll get there in due time. For now, we finish this." He said while proceeding over to the gate. After testing it to see if its locked. And if so, he looks to Alev and says, "You still got those tools, yes? See if you can open it."

And if he fails, or its just rusted enough to keep it jammed in place did he set Lucan aside long enough to add more orcish strength behind trying to crack it open.

 Once the gate is hopefully opened one way or another, Rudick waves people on in after him as he deeper into the gravesite. Though judging by all the tight packedness of the place, any hope of finding an empty lot would begin to quickly diminish...

Inside the church, spooked at hearing the strange voice, Skip creeps up to the priest. When he reaches the halfway mark, Skip sends forth his mage hand, touching the priests shoulder to see if there is any reaction. 

As he does this, Skip also pulls out a small piece of copper wire from a pouch at his belt, and twisting it like a good luck charm, whispers out, gesturing towards and thinking of Rudick, hoping the half orc will hear him and understand 

::casting message cantrip - 

*If there is no reaction, skip will use the hand to investigate the body, looking for loot, anything of interest that he can bring back to himself without approaching the body alone. 
**If the body does react, Skip will wait to see what happens

"...I can try, but no promises." He says to Rudick, before taking the tools and starting to work on the gate's lock.

Seeing the sorry state of the building, and the claw marks on the doors, Leann would follow the others towards the graveyard. "Let us lay him to rest and get some rest of our own..." She comments as she waits for them to try and get the gate open.

If Rudick is successfully pinged by Skip, then while waiting for Alev perhaps to finish getting through any lock he responds:

Alev, you fumble with the lock for a moment before it pops open. The gate squeals as you push it open. As everyone searches the graveyard, you find a series of already dug graves. A mound of dirt lies next to each of the graves. A battered shovel leans against the fence nearby.

Rudick, you receive Skip's message, and static underlies the message.

Skip, the hand you magically materialize taps the priest's shoulders, and jumps to his feet with a slight yelp. He whirls around to face you and relaxes when he does see you. You see he is middle-aged and fat. He wears brownish robes, and a necklace depicting the sun hangs from his neck. The skin around his watery blue eyes is red and blotchy as if he too was crying. He says as he clutches his symbol around his neck, "Why have you come? You shouldn't be here. It's not safe."

While awaiting another mysterious message from Skip, Rudick, who doesn't even bother speaking to the others on it just yet, carried on inside to the closest empty grave. "Someone grab that shovel." He requests, gesturing loosely over in its direction, if none had already gone for it. The Orc would meanwhile look to Lucan for a long moment; a mixture of disgust, pity, and even a little regret playing on his features.

Afterwards, he took of his helmet to set on a nearby gravestone, revealing an aged line face by then set solemn expression. "Alev... your dagger, if you would." He held out a hand to the avian, but kept his eyes on Lucan. "I'm sorry it took so long... Sorry we cannot mend what has been done... But may the Wondermaker see you if not in his shop, then at least upon a great creation... to see you swiftly on our way beyond the reach of this tainted realm." He looks then to the others, giving them their own chance to say a few words, before it comes time to plunge the dagger into Lucan's heart to end his life.

Imagery(Beard meant to be more robus and hair a shade more black grey):

Leann nods and moves for a shovel. She grips the haft and leans on it as she watches the old warrior looking down at the undead body.

(DM, you mentioned Skip twice. Didn't you meant Alev there?)

Alev can only nods and give him the dagger. He gives him his spare one, as he quickly decides he doesn't want "Rat Prince" to be used on a friend. When Rudick looks at him to wait for any last words on his part, he just says somberly to Lucan, not even looking at him. "I'm sorry your journey had to end like this. Hope you will rest now."

He looks away when the orc puts him down.

Quote from RachelEvening >>

(DM, you mentioned Skip twice. Didn't you meant Alev there?)

Alev can only nods and give him the dagger. He gives him his spare one, as he quickly decides he doesn't want "Rat Prince" to be used on a friend. When Rudick looks at him to wait for any last words on his part, he just says somberly to Lucan, not even looking at him. "I'm sorry your journey had to end like this. Hope you will rest now."

He looks away when the orc puts him down.

 Yes, I meant you. I'll go fix it.

Back in the church, with a hand out in front of him, as if calming a wild dog, Skip speaks in low calming tones to the priest

”We were sent on a hunt for a werewolf. The trail led us to this town. That and some freaky mist. We ended up in a house, all the family were dead and we had to fight...something. One of our number fell, and we came here to bury him on hallowed ground.” The gnome rushes out the explanation. “What happened here? Who is that voice? My friends and I can help, but we need rest”

Sergei watches the burial ceremony solemnly. How many more of his new friends will meet this fate? Maybe Sergei himself will be next?

After what feels like an appropriate amount of respectful silence, Sergei will help fill in the grave as able, if he can find another shovel, or else using his mage hand. Then he will suggest going to get some rest at the Inn.

The priest fidgets with his symbol and casts his gaze downwards. "A month ago, a wizard came to town. He stirred up the villagers and led them against Strahd.  I assume the wizard and his followers all perished. My boy went with him, and what returned was not my son. I managed to trap him in the underloft before he could hurt anyone." He looks up to you sorrowful. "Can you imagine locking your own child in the dark to protect others from him? He is no one of Strahd's puppets, but I can't help but think my boy is still in there somewhere." He pauses as his hands fall helplessly to his sides. He continues after a moment of silence, "Your friend died? Do you need me to do a funeral service?"

 As the dagger plunges into Lucan's chest, his eyes flutter open in surprise and his ragged breath cuts of short. As he drifts into an eternal slumber, you can see the thanks in his eyes.

The atmosphere around you so somber as Lucan is laid to rest. As he is buried in the cool, moist earth, a few ravens flutter out from the mist and land atop gravestones. They watch respectfully as the dirt is piled into the grave. More and more appear until thirteen ravens perch around the fresh gravesite. As the last handful of dirt is placed, the ravens dip their heads in what looks suspiciously like a bow, and then they fly off all at once leaving the party behind them.

Leann prays over the grave, calling on Torm to watch over their lost companion. Once the ceremony is completed she will glance towards the church again. "Do we need to check out the church, or should we return to the inn for a rest?" She asks the others.

“how do you mean he is not your son? He is possessed?” Skip asks the priest

Rudick stops his staring off after the retreating raven's long enough to regard Leann and nod. "The inn would be preferred. But first, we must retrieve Skip. Earlier he... perhaps I'm simply tired, but earlier I head his voice. He said he wasn't alone in the church. But when I replied back, I have since received no further update." He admits, passing the dagger back and clicking his tongue. "Let's head inside and retrieve him quick. Then, over to the Inn. And if we find another soul taken by beset by Bashaba's graces, it does not take priority over our rest. Not this time Agreed?" He looks to all about, and once he had an answer, be it for or against, he regardless lead the way back for the front entrance of the church.