OOC > Kia doesn't think going all the way back to the Abbey and pointing out that we now have three (3!) brides for Strahd that are better than his stitched up one is going to work out for us.

Which reminds me...

While we are waiting in the street, Kia is going to examine Stella's neck. Bite marks? If there are, she is going to surreptitiously take a look at Ezmerelda's neck. Perception: 8

CARCERI

You feel your very life essence sucked away from you till you are literally one drop away from life. Displeased with your requests, Nerull is unimpressed with your achievements thus far. His court laughs. His very thoughts in your head about to destroy your sanity. 

"I require...more." the voice says. "Prove to me that you are worthy of my gifts, and heed my desires."

DOWNSTAIRS

Briella, your animals can detect the foul scent of undead two stories up.

Quote from Mingofaust >>

Which reminds me...

While we are waiting in the street, Kia is going to examine Stella's neck. Bite marks? If there are, she is going to surreptitiously take a look at Ezmerelda's neck. Perception: 19

Grishkar returns to the plane of Barovia, back in the cultist's room downstairs....with a newfound purpose, perhaps?

FOUR MINUTES LEFT.

Martha kicks open the door to the outside with glaive at the ready, “Don’t worry Kia, I got your back!” Martha looks around, “Ok, when you blow the horn, make sure there’s danger! Grishkar just vanished down there and I’m up here for no reason!”

Kia will ask a passerby (who are probably trying to stay clear of us) “Where do you go for healing or succor in this town? Is there a temple or church?”

Quote from Mingofaust >>

Kia will ask a passerby (who are probably trying to stay clear of us) “Where do you go for healing or succor in this town? Is there a temple or church?”

Grishkar stumbles through the house, bereft of higher sanity or mental functions. His body drags along, feet scuffing in trails behind him, as he finds the exit and falls into the street. He remains conscious, though he seems lost in a fog, somehow stuck between worlds. A persistent shadow hangs over him, giving a sickly palour to his skin and clothes. The smell of dusk permeates his clothes, something of a combination of evening dew and soil.

Ok, so we got Kia, Imryll, Grishkar, Martha, and Stella outside. Ireena and Ezmerelda, too.

Briella, and Bors inside downstairs.

Stella is unconscious and beginning to stir. She's probably going to go nuts once she realizes she's outside with a bunch of strangers.

Briella will follow Grishkar outside with the others, calling her ragtag group of animals to her and dragging Bors out with her as well.

"Grishkar how do feel about committing arson? I'm sure the vampires are still in the house and I believe a little house fire might be the best way to rid ourselves of them." She says to the necromancer.

Bors  quickly follows Briella  "I won't leave these enemies behind us, let's finish them off!"

FOUR MINUTES LEFT

Staring blankly through dead eyes, Grishkar shows no comprehension of Briella's words. After a long, unblinking moment, he turns to the house and works arcan patterns in the air. In a final gesture, he places a hand around his throat and takes a deep breathing, then spews a gout of flame onto the front door of the house.

Old, rotting wood gives way to magically enhanced dragon fire. The house's facade becomes an inferno with each breath the necromancer spews. After three waves, he draws his wand and sends crackling tendrils of lightning forth to rip down the exterior supports. When the work is done, Grishkar walks through the party looking like one of his undead thralls. Still unblinking, he mumbles, "Nerrul's will be done..."

Imryll: “Briella!  So good to see you’re safe and sound! The young lady we rescued from the upstairs bedroom is in dire need of healing. Mind, body, and soul.”

Allowing Grishkar to finish his fiery upchuck, Martha then walks up to Grishkar and waves her hand in front of his face. “Hellooo. Anybody in there? You’re usually a bit more... Machiavellian than this. You know, waxing poetically on the ultimate futility of life? Inevitable desolation? ‘Gimme zombies’? Anything?”

"I will tend to her in just a moment. I want to keep an eye on the house in case these creatures attempt to flee. Unless one of you will watch in my stead."

Imryll to Briella: “I’m on it!”  She puts her cloak hood up and starts running around to the other side of the house, keeping an eye out for squirters. 

Bors  takes  position on a corner of the building, watching all entrances.

Grishkar turns to Martha and grabs her her collar. His grip is not forceful or strong, but his gaze seems to see through everyone. His voice is thin, "Death comes for all." Grishkar then continues walking off into town, stopping at the nearest wall to lean on as though it were an invisible boundary of the world.