TOPIC: Meet at the Inn

I pick up the card, and hold it so that the group can see.

The root card as Madam Eva described it (if this is indeed the final card Madam Eva would not not show you)is the Ace of Swords. The card is inscribed with the image of a brightly burning blade with a brilliant sun set in the handle where one would typically expect to find a gem. The sword in the picture is striking down a demon. Sergi has drawn a crude but urgent circle around the sun.

"From the little that I know that card can mean victory if upright to the reader or confusion and chaos if inverted. I can only hope that it represents confusion to our host and victory to us.

Breon takes the card. "I am not familiar with her magic, but I take hope from these symbols. A sword and the sun should be most helpful against Strahd."

"Strahd has turned his back on good and become the servant of evil. His kind does not take to servitude. If the sun represents the servants of Pelor, then perhaps Strahd has brought us here to defeat the demon who holds sway over him. Surely he is prevented from bringing direct harm upon his master.

"And nothing would bring me greater pleasure than to defeat this demon, if not for the fear of how Strahd would use his new-found freedom should his fetters be shattered. We must continue to do the next right thing..."

Barkley bows his head in prayer for guidance.

"What about our horses?" I ask as the carriage rumbles away. As I look back at the camp, I mutter again in elder Draconic (aka Japanese, but I'm too lazy tonight), "I may have missed my only chance. I wanted to speak with her alone, but had I known, I would have joined the others."

After passing down the dark moors of Barovia for several hours the carriage passes into the craggy peaks of the Balinoks mountains where the road takes a sudden turn to the east and the startling awesome presence of Ravenloft castle can be seen to towering before you. The carriage comes to a stop just in front of twin guardhouses of turreted stone, broken from years of use and exposure. Beyond these, a 50-foot-wide precipice gapes between the Balinok cliffs and the walls of Ravenloft, a chasm of dizzying depth that disappears
into the fog-shrouded distance far below. The lowered drawbridge of old shorn-up wood beams hangs precariously between you and the arched entrance to the courtyard. The chains of the drawbridge creak in the wind, their rust-eaten iron straining with the weight. From atop the high strong walls, stone gargoyles
seem to stare at you from their hollow sockets and grin hideously. A rotting wooden portcullis, green with growth, hangs in the entry tunnel. Beyond this, the main doors of Ravenloft stand open. A rich warm light spills from them into the courtyard. Torches flutter sadly in sconces on both sides of the open doors.

Apparently having reached its destination the carriage stands motionless for several minutes as the weather outside begins to worsen and dismal rain begins to fall.

Kryndal gets out of the carriage, drawing his cloak closer about himself to keep out the rain and chill. "Well, shall we enter this dark place, my friends? Steel yourselves, for I suspect we're in for the fight of our lives." He begins walking toward the doors.

Breon follows. "The horses don't seem to trust the drawbridge. Perhaps we should cross it one at a time."

Barkley leaves the carriage and moves towards the front.
"Be bold, friends. Strahd means us ill but he has plans for us. Had he wanted us dead quickly, we would not be standing here so there is still time, and hope. Assuming we may choose our path from here, should we seek the high place first?"

Barkley looks at the castle to see if there is a tower or something that fits in with our clues.

Brad Mortensen wrote: Barkley looks at the castle to see if there is a tower or something that fits in with our clues.

The castle has a single tall tower that rises above the rest situated at the center of the main building its top disappears into the clouds above.

"High place sounds as good as a low. I will take the lead."
With that, Cram checks his belt pouch, and heads toward the bridge.