TOPIC: Meet at the Inn

Feeling slightly bolstered by Delmar's comments I say to the group, "I also agree that we ought to move out at first light. And if we are successful perhaps we will not only save this town but also help these souls find their rest."

I turn away from the windows, and slip into the shadows, so the others cannot see the wetness around my eyes.

"兄は,あなたの復讐をします," I whispered fiercely.

"First light it is. Breon, have you learned anything of value from the gypsies?"

I snap my fingers and begin to hum a low tune as I pace in the darkened chapel. I approach Lexan in the darkness. In a low voice I confer with him.

"I feel your pain. You've much at stake here to avenge your brother. If my swords or music can help you, I am here. I also have scrolls to understand the tongues I do not speak."

Speaking in a voice everyone can hear, I address Brother Donavich.

(Mr DM--need to know the time frame it will take us to reach the gypsies, approximately, and then the time frame after dealing with them--positive or negative that it will take us to reach the castle, if that is available.)

"Brother Donavich, do you send the undead to the castle every night? Are they one of the major reasons you have been able to hold out against the powers of the vampire?"

I look around at the party.

"If we enter the castle at the same time as these undead "friends", many of the vampire's minions may be otherwise occupied. We may find our undead "brethren" a valuable ally to distract the fiends and even the vampire himself. On the other hand it may be best to enter in brightest daylight."

From the directions you've been able to glean it will take you about an hour to reach the gypsy camp by horse and from there another two in order to reach the castle. As to the ghosts brother Donavich claims not to control them. He believes they are the result Strahd sick sense of humor, an insult to the people of Barovia and final curse on those who dared move against him. They are real but so too are they trapped reliving their failure. They are beyond brother Donavichs ability to lay to rest and will be of no help against the vampire.

"The gypsies spoke only of punishment and failure - their punishment, and our expected failure. I suggest we move quickly to prove them wrong. Let us see what we can learn from Madame Eva and if we can find the silver raven."

Well past the witching hour your group has found scant rest waiting in the besieged church. Brother Donavich has continued his constant prayers and some part of you has even begun to expect you will see morning without attack when the howl of wolves pierces the still night.

“Their coming,” whispers the exhausted cleric when he pauses in his sermon to light a brazier of holy incense.

Looking out a window you can spot a pack of blood crazed wolves in the distance flying across the cobblestones towards the church. Their leader is larger then any wolf you have ever seen and far too human looking for comfort. The pack stops as it reaches the edge of church yard pawing the ground and sniffing the air uncomfortably.

The leader stands, rearing up onto its hind legs to stand well over seven feet in height and roars at the heavens rage and cruelty painted across its features like a mask. The beast extends a clawed hand towards the church raising its lip into a sneer of pain as steam begins to rise from its arm where it has crosses the boundary of the church yard.

Almost in time with the creatures actions Brother Donavich doubles over slightly clutching his heart but continues his prayers. Those of you who pray with him also feel the presence of lycanthorps foul master digging at your souls as it presses against the barrier and can only imagine how Donavich has held this long.

"Now is the time for action! Adeya, we must distract the man-wolf!"

Breon casts Magic Missile at the leader, as silver bracelets on his wrists and one of the rings on his hand glows - almost immediately, his hands make the same arcane motions again, and the magical spell repeats itself.

(OOC - Bracelets of the Zephyr plus Ring of Focus - first spell 12 dam, second spell 8, if same as TD)

Arcane energies from your volley of spells slam into the wolf creature center mass driving it back from the barrier with a scream of pain. Brother Donavich takes the moments reprieve to recover his breath and continue his desperate prayers. Moment’s later creature picks itself up from the ground blood still pouring from the wound in its chest the great beat growls and makes ready to charge the barrier full out as its flesh and bone begin to nit back together.

Then something far away catches the beast’s attention and it stops putting its nose to the wind battle forgotten as it sniffs the air straining its senses. A moment later a wicked smile if such a thing could be called a smile crosses the wolfs features and the beast turns falling back into a run with a howl of sadistic glee as it leads its pack away from the church with frightening speed.

“It must have caught the Kolyana girls scent,” Brother Donavich says with fear as he staggers out of the church, “we hid her as well as we could but the count has already marked her twice. His creatures will seek her out above all else, they must be on their way to the Burgomaster's House now. Ismark will be no match for them by himself.”

Kryndal takes a long drink from his silver hip flask, and uses dips an arrow into the quiver on his back. When he withdraws it, the tip is glowing bright blue.

"Let us be off, then. We must protect the girl... We must be wary, as this may also be a trap to draw us away from the church."

I draw my two swords. One of them floats in the air following me. I begin to sing:

"Hear me now oh the bleak and unbearable world
Thou are base and debauched as can be,
But our party with banner so bravely unfurled
Now hurls down our gauntlets to the.

We are led by the light true
The lords of the dungeon
Destroyers of evil are we.
We march to the sounds of the trumpets of glory
Forever to conquer or die.

Hear me heathens and vampires and serpents of sin
All thy dastardly doings are past
For a holy endeavor is now to begin
And virtue shall triumph at last.

We are led by the light true
The lords of the dungeon
Our destiny calls and we go.
And the wild winds of fortune will carry us forward,
Onward to glory we go."

The lute continues to play beneath my cloak. I smile at my companions.

"Are we ready?"

Breon rushes to leave. "I imagine the howls of these foul beasts will lead us straight to them - I hope we make it in time."

Pausing by the other mage, Breon says, "Adeya, my spells seemed to be no more than a temporary distraction. Did you see how the damage was being healed? Perhaps fire will be more effective."

Widseth wrote:
"Are we ready?"

"Aye, I'm ready," I say, longbow in hand.