TOPIC: Meet at the Inn

"Well," declares Barkley as he sits next to Delmar, "THAT happened..."

He whispers to Delmar, "if you need a healing touch say the word. Pelor knows you've earned his favor."

"But be of good cheer, my children! Strahd has thrown his worst at us and here we stand victorious! If any need healing let them speak, and then we seek out the evil master of this house and end this."

Delmar looks at Barkley and quietly says, “Thank you my friend but I will be fine in short order.” Then louder for everyone to hear “We have indeed stood victorious against Strahd’s minions and we have thrown fear into his heart. For a brief moment I felt Pelor’s grace wash through me and, “Delmar pauses briefly, “and he was pleased with us; even with me for some reason.”

“I fear I may have done us more harm than good with taking on Ismark’s curse. The light of Pelor’s touch was pushed out by a consuming darkness. It hates me now and knows what we are trying to do. For a brief moment I was able to look into the twisted corruption that our enemy calls a soul and I know his greatest desire is to destroy the Sun Sword. I also know he has not found it or does not recognize it if he has.”

Thoughtful for a moment Delmar continues, “Ismark may have clues to what we seek. It was made known to me that he would be safe through the battle we just faced. There must be some reason for that. Speaking of safe, we must come up with a better way to make sure I do no harm if I become Strahd’s creature. It seems I am immune to most weapons when I am transformed.”

"I fear her master will prove a still greater foe than that undead screecher," Lexan says, "So we should take what time we can to recover. And think back on any clues to the sword we might have missed, if that is what Strahd fears."

(Looking around--any of the party dead or unconscious?)

"Delmar, I sense Strahd had no control over you. If he realizes you are a lycan, will he be able to control you? I had hoped we could bring you down and remove the curse, but the fiend that cursed you dispelled my attempt. I fear a greater power controls Strahd and we will have to contend with that."

(Is Ismark still unconscious? I look around this gated crypt where we fought--stairs leading to 87 and 88--anything of interest or note?)

"Widseth, if Strahd realizes I am now cursed he will be able to take complete control of me. That is unless there is magic powerful enough to delay or remove the curse. Maybe one of those unknown potions we found would work. Then again maybe it would kill me. Either way would be good considering how much I could hurt our chances."

"We have a scroll with a wish spell on it. Breon . . . Adeya, Barkley found the scroll, but are your thoughts? Do you wish to use the scroll? Could we craft a wish to release Delmar from his curse and not end with a greater problem? Or could we wish his death if Strahd gains control of him? I could bring him back later, but to wish the death of a friend is a hard thing to do. I fear the fiend that controls Strahd may inform the vampire of Delmar's condition and we may lose him sooner than later. What are your thoughts? Anyone . . . anyone . . . anyone? The scroll had the marks of Pelor on it. Barkley, what do you think?"

"Potions with unknown effects, or a scroll that contains some of the strongest magic I've ever felt."

Breon closes his eyes, rubs his chin, pondering. "We could use the scroll to find the sword, but I think it would be wiser to try to use it to remove Delmar's curse. I think we will need him when we face Strahd for the final time, but more importantly, I think we should do everything we can to help a good man, and a friend."

"I caution, because if we wish his death, Strahd may still be able to control him as an undead lycan. We must think carefully if we choose this path."

(checking areas 87 and 88)

Widseth wrote: (Is Ismark still unconscious?

Ismark still lies where it fell. Somehow it looks as if he has managed to rest peacefully through the battle and is in a deep sleep. You believe it would not be hard to wake him.

Widseth wrote: I look around this gated crypt where we fought--stairs leading to 87 and 88--anything of interest or note?)

Wide steps once descend to a landing flanked by two large statues in that area. Beyond appears to be the chamber from which the dracolich emerged. The room in which it slept is both quite large and quite barren. devoid of feature or marking save for a series of great empty window casings filling the eastern wall and admitting a dim moon light into the room.

Delmar walks over to Ismark, "Wake up Ismark. I am so sorry you had to learn the truth in such an abrupt manor."

I survey the scene and the pile of dust that was once a banshee. "I'm glad that's over with," I say. "My ears are still ringing a bit from that scream. I'm lucky I wasn't standing any closer to her when she let out that wail."

I walk over to Breon and Barkley and consult with them about the wish scroll. "The magic contained in that scroll is far beyond my means. But if we work together, maybe we could control it and do some good. I'm hesitant to try anything rash, but removing this curse from our friend Delmar would be great help."

cdsmith wrote: Delmar walks over to Ismark, "Wake up Ismark. I am so sorry you had to learn the truth in such an abrupt manor."

"I will survive," Ismark says pulling himself to his feet, "and though I grieve I thank you for what you did for my sister. I'm sure it could not have been easy. But you my friend I am afraid you have paid to high a price for my lesson and my weakness."