TOPIC: Meet at the Inn

If anyone inspected closely, my eyes filled with tears. I speak slowly and reverently.

"I was given a gift once--a ring with three wishes. The first wish paved the way for me to construct my dancing sword, but I had the good sense to wish a blessing on the family of the giver, and then to wish to soul bind the ring to the giver. Great blessings have come to me for that act. Whoever uses the scroll, take care. As Delmar says, it can be dangerous to employ such magic."

"I suggest we walk to the other end of the chamber to the other gated crypt (85). We can check random crypts as we go, but we must be vigilant, lest any of his minions or Strahd himself confronts us. Does any one have any other thoughts on a course of action?"

As your group approaches the other gated crypt a peaceful stillness seems to settle over the catacombs. The tomb is sealed behind a locked brass gate similar in design to the one guarded Strahds own but something is different, of all the others in this catacomb only this tomb seems somehow untouched by the evil of this place.

Above the door is a placard bearing the name of Sergei Von Zarovich. Beyond lies a quiet room some 50 feet long north to south
and 30 feet across. In the center stands a white stone slab holding a raised marble sarcophagus covered with a blood red shroud that bears an ancient devotion to pelor. To the north of the sarcophagus, there are three alcoves. With a beautifully carved statue standing in each their heads bowed in eternal mourning.

Though Lexan appears to drool briefly at the mention of the Wish scroll, he quickly is distracted by the shiny brass lock. Taking great care and reverence not to damage the sacred tomb, he examines the lock mechanism and the gate for any traps.

There are no traps you can detect and the DC for the lock is 16

"The brother Sergei. I wonder why Strahd hasn't desecrated this tomb. I wonder if he can't enter here. Perhaps Tatyana's body is also here. When Sergei was killed by his brother there most have been someone with Pelor's power who laid him to rest here, if Strahd cannot enter."

"Any thoughts Barkley or Delmar? You are probably most familiar with the powers here. I suggest that before we try to enter this holy place, we have a look at the other large crypt on with the stairs on the south wall. (87 & 88)"

(Question to DM--to get to the tomb where Ireena was, we would have passed the circular stairs at 17 where the vent is. Do they go up or down?)

The stairs go up, as far as you can tell you are on the castles lowest level.

If I don't meet with any objections, I take 20 opening the lock.

"Since you've opened the lock, I'm good with checking out Sergei's crypt."

Cautiously and reverently, I step forward through the gate.

As you step into the tomb the feeling of calm increases to the point where you almost feel safe. It looks as if this room has remained untouched since it was sealed years ago yet somehow it is free of both the dust and decay that permeate the rest of the castle.

I inspect everything with the utmost respect and reverence.I use the lenses of true seeing.

"I feel almost safe here. I wonder if Strahd can enter here. Perhaps we could retreat here and rest if need be. Do you think if we brought Ireena's body here if it would cleanse her or would it descerate this place?" (asking the party)

"I've always been told that good is more powerful than evil. But I do not know how these things work."

Cram checks his pouch, again.

"This place does calm the soul though."

"This feels like a island of good withing a storm of evil. I wonder if spells of healing would be more effective here," Breon says. "I would hesitate to bring Ireena's remains here. I imagine it would desecrate ths place, but I deal in matters of the mind, not the soul, so I am not sure."