Story Thread

[bxtreme]

Journal Entry 16

We were on our way to retrieve the next seed for the brew masters when we got a sign from our raven friends that something was in need of the Dawn Breakers' attention. We arrived at Van's magical tower of mystery and found the tents that once housed our friends were torn apart. We attempted to enter the tower to get some answers and accidentally triggered the towers defense system. After Val got herself trapped inside, I knew I had to do something. Though it had been many years since my highschool prom, I knew I needed to break out my dance moves to get to Val back. I observed the sign above the tower door and just danced my butt off. My moves were so fresh, they disarmed the tower defense system. The door creeks open and I see Val - I let her know she got served.

After exploring the tower a bit, we found some questionable items that I'm sure Van wanted to keep private. I will have to ask him about the severed head we found at some point. We leave the tower and follow the tracks leading to the woods to hopefully find our friends.

Journal Entry 17

Here we are, the wolf den, carved into the side of a cliff. We enter, shooting first and asking questions later...we probably won't ask question. We are quickly swarmed by wolves and werewolves. Everyone puts up a valiant fight. I'm bit by a werewolf. It burns, but only for a moment. One of my canine aggressors looks at me and lets me know I'm family...he holds back his next attack. I think for a moment, Poppov looks confused as well. I ask him if he would let me tend to my wounds, but he denies my request. He tells me I must prove myself. Poppov turns to me and says "They've disrespected the Pack Master...denied his request". You're right Poppov, I can feel the curse of Lycanthropy coursing through my veins. I am the pack master now. We will usurp the current leadership and usher in a new era! Too long have gnomes been taken lightly, mistreated, underpaid, overlooked, forcibly moved, played off as children when it is convenient, used as arm rests, told to strike a pose for an uncomfortably long time so they can be used as lawn ornaments, and picked last for sports. Not today Poppov, NEVER AGAIN!

"I AM THE PACK MASTER! YOU WILL RESPECT THE PACK MASTER!" I yell out in hopes I can save what is left of my new family. Fools, everyone of them, they never stopped attacking. Disobedience under the reign of Cecil McBiggins is a crime punishable by death.

The battle ends and we are victorious. I get strange looks from the team. I wonder why. Are they afraid of my new found power? They have nothing to worry about, Cecil will use his new powers for the good of the Dawn Breakers. Though I will admit, I don't know much about Lycanthropy.

I believe with the commotion of this battle, we have drawn out all members of the den. We were warned that some of my new family members would be coming back soon. I think we should fight them here and explore some tactical options with the den rather than being ambushed outside. I already heard rumbles of people wanting to leave, but we will have to put it to a vote. Ugh, democracy - it's overrated. Yet, it is suitable for the Dawn Breakers. I think I'll use tyranny to govern my new family, my pack.

Poppov,

We were made part of a new family tree today.

One that we have sufficiently pruned.

We will grow our ranks in due time.

We will rule together as the first of our kind - a weregnome and werepuppet.

But for now...I grow tired...exhausted even.

[Jeff]

My conversation with Cecil was unsettling; he has a new-found intensity behind his eyes coupled with a look of exhaustion. He didn’t confirm anything to me, but I’m certain that he has been bitten by a werewolf and this poses a number of issues. Beyond the obvious, I’m concerned if any of us has enough magic to break the curse. I know that I don’t, but just as he did for me, I’ll work tirelessly to help my friend, although a strange thought has crept in—what if he doesn’t want to be cured? Cecil is my friend, but I’ve often had concerns about his lust for power and his disregard for others at times. He convinced Creed to drink the potions he got from the Night Hags and had little or no concern for Creed’s well-being—just a curiosity to see what they would do to her, and they could have killed her. He fancies himself as a strategist and comes up with plans but expects others to carry them out while he stays back. It causes me to wonder about my my friend’s integrity. He’s complicated and does amazing things with his mind powers in battle, and he and I have had many good times and laughs together; he looked after me when I was cursed by the Night Hag, and I will always be grateful to him for these acts of kindness. So I have a dilemma regarding my gnome friend, and I will stand behind him and do my best to support and help him, but there is a line that he cannot cross and that is if he turns to evil. I was concerned when he seemed too interested and almost taken when we encountered Strahd, so I am legitimate in my feelings on this matter which I do not take lightly. I’ll continue to think this through and speak to him again when the time is right. I hope my friend sticks to the true path of doing good for others and doesn’t turn to evil.

Peace,

Rideyr

[Aileen]

We are all ready to go to Berez and get the next pinecone when Val comes stumbling out. Apparently she found wine remnants and didn't hear the scarecrow fight because she was licking the floor? As we take our horses down the Old Svalich Road my raven friends make their return! They fly towards us, circle overhead and then head to the turnoff towards Van Richten's tower.

"We have to follow them!" I groan. "Let's go see my good friend Ireena!"

Rideyr gives me a patronizing look, and I laugh as I turn Oskar down the trail.

"If you're worried about Ireena being prettier than you, might I interest you in this youth potion?" Cecil asks.

"I've considered it, but I don't think any of you are prepared for toddler Zola!"

We get to the tower, and it's a murder scene. Well, there's no blood, but the tents and everything that Ismark, Ireena and crew had are all tossed and torn apart. There is no sign of any of the adults or the kids we left with them!

"Oh no! Not Ireena!" I cry out, falling to my knees. Rideyr smacks me upside the head with the sheath of the Sunsword.

We walk over to the tower and look at the front door. Van Richten said not to go in, but this is an emergency. We all know he was just trying to get lucky with Esmeralda then, so maybe it's okay now. The door has what looks kind of like a clock with little dancing stick figures around it with lines tracing a pattern. Above it is the word Khazan. Rideyr knocks, and suddenly I feel electricity surging through me, and it hurts! I can't even scream until it's over, and then I start laughing when I see the state of all of our hair. I feel really awful and smell a little burnt. I guess my armor and extra weapons attracted the brunt of the electricity from everyone else- what a ride!

"I think my heart just reset itself," I gasp. "Steiny, can you please heal me?"

He looks a bit annoyed.

"You're so strong and handsome, and-"

"Oh, shut up- here!"

I feel a bit better after some healing, but my hair is probably wrecked and we still aren't inside the tower. Oh, and Val is...

BOOM!

I'm sure she's fine. The electrical field is still there, and I realize we never actually looked for tracks or anything... we may not even have to go in the tower! I walk over to the campsite and start looking around, but I can't find any tracks or clues.

"Got some!" Steinbjorn calls, pointing in the dirt. "Wolf tracks coming in. Human tracks leaving. Towards the woods."

"I guess our werewolf friend is back," says Rideyr.

Then something occurs to me. I go up to Cecil, who never judges my conspiracy theories.

"What if Van Richten is actually a werewolf? He did seem oddly obsessed with were-creatures!"

"I think you're onto something!"

We walk back to the tower to try to get Val out, and thankfully the electrical field is gone. Cecil thinks that the weird dancing man carvings on the door mean that a dance has to be done... so I help call out dance moves while he does it- and it works! I think we will have a future in the performance business when we get my monkey from Blinsky! Even Poppov was dancing!

"Hi guys- the floor broke!" Val stands in the tower entrance, covered in dust. Well, she's alive- time to go! Apparently we aren't leaving, because everyone starts walking in.

"Oh look, an elevator!" Rideyr announces.

Suddenly a platform begins to descent, chains pulled by statues in the entrance room. After a bit of miscommunication and learning how the thing works, we all get up to the top floor.

This room is a nice living area, but unfortunately we don't find anything good... well, other than a head in a trunk.

"This head is lavender scented!" Cheeks says.

Why? Its covered in wax, too. There is something weird about Van Richten.

"Guess he's not getting ahead in life."

Cheeks glares at me.

"Don't lose your head, Cheeks!"

"Zola, I will throw you from this tower."

"Fair enough. I'll see myself out. Quit while I'm ahead. Ah, s***!"

We leave, and close the door behind us. Everyone ponders what the word Khazan means, and what would happen if it were spoken out loud.

"Khazan!!!" I say, loudly. Judging by everyone glaring at me they didn't actually want anyone to say anything. We hear something moving at the top of the tower. "Its the head! Let's get out of here!"

We follow the tracks into the woods, and it is creepy and dark and misty. I can almost smell Ireena's perfume so we are probably going the right way... hopefully. We don't get very far before the sound of howling fills the air, and within moments we are surrounded by 21 snarling, big wolves. We were warned not to enter the woods...

It's a tough battle. Some of these wolves are really beefy... more so than normal. When all lie dead, we watch as 9 of them transfer into dead humans. Werewolves! Moving on, licking our wounds as we go, Cheeks finds another bundle of clothes much like we found on the way to Vallaki. Naturally, she hangs them in a tree. As she says, if the guy is dead it's a memorial, if he's alive it's hilarious. There seems to be a lot of naked people running around Barovia, but the only ones I've seen have been dead.

Almost two hours later we come to a clearing in the woods and ahead see a big cave shaped like the gaping maw of a great wolf. Mike sends her skeletal owl ahead to scout, reporting back that there's a sacrifice circle up top. She then sends him into the cave mouth, and sees some wild looking women... they attack, and she snaps the owl away.

There's no use hanging around outside now that they know we are here- so we go in. Right in the snoot of the wolf cave. We see the feral women, and start shooting at them... then they start howling and back away. There are answering howls, and we move further in. Soon we are surrounded by wolves... and some obvious werewolves! Not as many as last time, but still... we aren't in the best shape for another big fight.

Steinbjorn gets his Spirit Guardians up, which have saved our collective hides a few times over... but it's not long before he goes down, overwhelmed by wolves and werewolves. Mike goes down, still surrounded... things are not looking good. Fortunately I dispatch the wolves on me, and a werewolf, and I turn my attention behind me just in time to see Cecil get bitten. And then the two werewolves stop attacking him, sniffing and... smiling? Oh... oh, no. That can't be good.

"YOU WILL RESPECT THE PACK MASTER!!!"

Soon all the werewolves and wolves lie dead... well, except for Cecil. My mind is already whirring with plans, and I know everything is going to be okay. This minor setback could be a great tool in defeating Strahd! Imagine... a small, corgi sized wolf! I could use him as a personal attack... Weregnome. I love it. I approach the gnome, who already looks a bit ill but in good spirits.

"Cecil... I have a plan!"

Things are looking up for the Dawn Breakers.


~ Z. F. S.

[Chris]

Werewolf Den
Underground Spring
Deep Caves
Ring of Stone
Shrine of Mother Night
Krezk
Winding Road
The Abbey
North Gate
Otto and Zygfrek Belview
The Abbot
Abbey Entrance
Courtyard
Mishka Belview
Main Hall
Something Borrowed
Vasilka
Barracks
Ezmerelda
Guests of the Abbot
On the road to Vallaki


Time at end of session: Day 12, 12:20:8pm, Year 735?



MVP Kyla Falcon as Chekasha "Cheeks" of the Abandoned Bog




our plays on RPG Geek rpggeek.com/plays/thing/192136?userid=1168080

[Jeff]

It saddens me whenever trust is broken, and that’s exactly what has happened with Cecil, who claiming to have been charmed by Strahd, stole the Sun Sword and gave it to Strahd. Even though I’ve developed a friendship with Cecil, he was still the one I predicted to be the most likely to turn on us. His underlying motivations always seem to be about fame and notoriety rather than doing good for others. People like that can be seduced by power, so I’m fairly sure he was charmed by Strahd, but I’m not totally convinced that he wouldn’t have done it on his own volition if Strahd has promised him a position of power and that’s why it’ll take a long while to trust him again. I still trust Zola, Steinbjorn and Chadwick, and I believe that they trust me, so I’ll take solace in those relationships.

Even though I’m saddened by this turn of events, there is no time to waste—we have much to do, and even though our task has become much more difficult we must persevere. I need to take some time to meditate and quiet my mind as there are many thoughts racing around:

Strahd has been trying to lure us into his castle; we’ve refused until now, but we’ll have to enter that evil place sooner than planned to try and recover the sword.

The Abbot is a strange and I believe evil or at least misguided person who must be watched. I don’t buy his argument about trying to get Strahd to marry the flesh gollum; it makes no sense since Strahd wants Ireena. The Abbot is powerful and did heal some of the party members, but it disturbs me that he is always looking for something in return. And his work “creating” life is an affront to the Morninglord. And this business of finding a dance instructor is absurd.

We need to get Ireena to a sanctified area to keep her away from Strahd, and the children, all 9 of them, need to be brought to safety.

We have learned that Strahd’s enemies are in a nearby temple. We’ll have to head that way; it would be nice to have more allies, although I have my doubts.

I believe we also have some business in the Amber Temple, but I’m unclear as to what that may be.

We still need to find the two remaining seeds and get them back to our friends at the Wizards of Wine.

We also have a debt to repay to the elf who gave us the Sun Sword; we need to honor that.

I still believe we have unfinished business in Villaki; I don’t know what or even why. It’s just a nagging feeling.

I would like to rebuild the gazebo and clean up the statue of the Morninglord. This is a personal thing and can certainly wait, but it’s something I’d like to accomplish.

So we carry on the fight to free the people of Barovia and see justice done.

Peace,

Rideyr

[Aileen]

Exhausted, injured and barely holding ourselves together, we move further into the cave in search of somewhere less exposed to rest. We find a cave with a rock shelf containing crates, and a big pool of fresh water. It's as good a place as we are going to find.

The crates only have lame Barovian clothing in them, sadly. We start getting water from the pool, and that's when our rest is disturbed by a werewolf that we apparently missed. Cecil struts forward, probably talking to it telepathically, then speaks to us.

"She's a priestess, and wants us to stand down!" He reports.

Mike and Rideyr move forward, weapons at the ready, so I can't really get too close. I move up as much as I can and talk to Cecil.

"Tell her to change to human form so we can talk," I unclasp my cloak. "She can borrow my cloak so she's not nude. I mean, unless she's comfortable with it. I'm okay with it."

I guess something I said pissed her off, as she leaps forward and attacks Cecil.

"You b****!" I sputter. No one messes with my Gnome friend.

Steinbjorn hits her really, really hard with his clerical magic, and then Chad finishes her off.

"She died because I called her a b****." I say, smirking at Stein. He rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, and that toll the dead I did." Creed adds. I knew she would.

We examine the now naked human body, and obviously she has nothing on her. She does however have a lot of black kohl under her eyes, and holy symbols on her skin. Hmmm.... I take some of the kohl off with my finger, and put it under my eyes. I don't know what I'm thinking, other than it might look cool, and I get a lot of sounds of disgust from the Dawn Breakers.

"What? It will keep the sun out of my eyes!" I snap.

"What sun?! We're in Barovia!" Stein snaps back.

I shrug. They're just jealous that I look like a priestess now. We settle down to rest, and heal up our wounds. Then we move on, heading back and down the other tunnel. There are bones littering the floor, and the remains of a campfire. Steiny looks for magic items but finds none. We ask Cecil if he finds the bones enticing, still unsure whether he is a werewolf or not. He isn't interested. Yet. Moving on, we come to a fork in the cave.

"Poppov, left or right?" I ask.

"Left!" It's clearly Cecil, but at this point I'm not even sure that Poppov and Cecil are separate entities.

We come to a cave with a big curtain, and upon closer inspection find that it is made of human skin. These werewolves are beyond depraved. Aren't they half human?! Have they no decency? Oh well. They're dead. Chad takes the skin and rolls it up as respectfully as possible, and we all go up the stairs. It comes out to the top of the cave where the sacrifice circle Mike's owl saw is. Chad buries the skin, and blesses it, and the others investigate the bloody spears. I take in the fresh Barovian forest air, trying to clear my head. I've never been more happy to be outside, we could have all died inside this nasty, dark cave.

Heading back in, we take the other route at the fork, and come down into another cave. The smell hits me first... rot, decay. Then we enter the room, and are met with the stares of several horrified children. They're in cages, and one is separated from the others. My party members are worried he might be a werewolf, even though he looks just as innocent as the others. On the floor lies Ismark, Parriwimple, and Ireena. Two maggot eaten corpses are hanging, the source of the smell. There is also a statue of a woman with a wolf's head, surrounded by treasure.

Steinbjorn starts freeing the children, and they all cling to him. My heart melts... as if I needed any other reasons to find Steiny so... such a good person. That's all. I tear my eyes off him, and proceed to the most important thing in this room.

Ireena is unconscious and unresponsive. This is my chance to get revenge for her stealing Parriwimple and the attention of every single guy we've run into. Her long, beautiful hair falls over her shoulders. Not for long.

I take my sword, and hack off the left side of her hair, as short as I can get it without actually hurting her. My sword is not meant for cutting hair, so I do a terrible job, which was kind of the idea. A hand grabs my shoulder, and I'm pulled to my feet roughly.

"What did you do?!" Creed looks from my hand clutching a couple feet of long, beautiful hair, to Ireena. She looks like she's holding back laughter as she takes me away from Ireena. "I think that's enough, Zola."

"Yes, it's a masterpiece."

"No, you just broke girl code!"

"Oh, please," I roll my eyes. "She broke girl code by stealing my man!"

I brush past Creed, and hide the hair remnants behind the cages. I doubt anyone will look there. I brush off my sword, hiding the last of the evidence, and then join the party in raiding the treasure pile. Chad plays soothing flute music for the kids while Creed speaks to the corpses. I'm not sure she gets any good information out of them as they have been dead for a while. After that, we hustle up the kids and drag our unconscious friends back to the nap cave.

I make a watch rotation, and for once feel like I've done something right. The kids are safe and washing up in the pool, the clerics get their prayer time, and the Barovian crew starts waking up. Parriwimple wakes up first, and sits by Ireena's side, holding her hand. He has never looked more unattractive. Steinbjorn on the other hand... I have to look away as he catches me dreamily staring at him. What a man.

Finally the brother and sister wake up, and Ismark snorts with laughter when he sees Ireena's new look. She doesn't seem to notice, and I really hope she doesn't see her reflection anytime soon. Maybe she will blame Poppov and not me? I should have framed the little guy...

The Barovians tell us that they were attacked and taken by the pack, and never even saw Van Richten at the tower. The werewolves said something about sacrificing them to Mother Night, and thankfully never got to actually doing so. I don't know what I would have done with myself had something horrible happened to Ireena! Finally I drift off, exhausted, having a couple hours before I have to be on watch.

I have a horrible nightmare about wolves tearing me apart, and am more than thankful when Rideyr shakes me awake for my first watch. I sit up for the hour, listening to the snores of my companions as Cecil and I sit watching the tunnel. We talk quietly, trying not to laugh too loudly and wake anyone up. It seems like others are having bad dreams or sleeping restlessly judging by all the whimpering. The children and the Barovians are peaceful, at least. Finally I switch off with Cheeks, and go back to sleep. I have watch again in a few hours, but I'm looking forward to more rest and better dreams.

---
I'm wearing a beautiful gown... a white one. I'm walking barefoot in a massive courtyard of stone, starless night overhead. In front of me, a pool with a statue... my grandfather. This is home, but it isn't. I approach, and a man appears, holding out his hand.

"Come to me, Zola."

His dark hair frames a pale, stern face, but he smiles. His teeth are perfectly white, but as I approach and reach for his hand, they turn to fangs. I can't scream, even as he pulls me closer.

"This is what you want, is it not?" Strahd whispers into my ear, holding me tighter.

I try to talk, but my lips still won't move. Fangs sink into my neck, and I look down as blood covers my wedding dress. I look up at the castle walls as ravens begin cawing in unison. I try to scream to them for help, but they can't hear me! I'm pushed down to the ground, and as I hit the stone it begins to crack like ice.

"You are not worth my time, Zola." Says Strahd. He disappears, replaced by mist. I start to choke, and the stone finally gives out. I'm falling into blackness, and then my back hits dirt, cushioning my fall.

"I've been waiting for you." Eliza?

I turn my head, and see my cousin. His skin pale, dead. A maggot crawls out of his mouth, falling in the dirt beside him. Something begins falling on me, and I look up. I'm in a grave... and I'm being buried alive.

"It will be over soon," Eliza says. "I've been down here a whole week. You get used to the worms."

I scream and scream, the sound ripping out of my throat as the last of the air leaves my lungs, replaced with dirt.

---
I shoot awake, lashing out at the hand shaking my arm. I gasp for breath, tears running down my face.

"Its just me!" Creed grabs my other shoulder. "Breathe! You're okay."

"I had horrible dreams!" I sob. "I saw Eliza-"

"I think we all are having nightmares. There's something about this place. The good news is, it's your watch now."

She helps me up, and I'm a bit taken aback when she wraps me in a hug. I have to admit, it helps, and I let it happen.

"I know you miss him," she says. "It's hard losing someone you love. I will do anything in my power to get him back."

"I don't think we can... but thank you."

Creed goes off to sleep, and I go take my post. Cecil is sitting and writing in his journal, but gives me a smile and a nod as I take the watch. I'm lost in thought, feeling awful after getting fitful sleep. Something tells me it's going to be a very bad day, I'm tired and cranky, my eyes are burning from crying, and now Ireena is back.

I rub at my eyes, the kohl irritating them now that I've been crying. Maybe I should wash my face? I look up, check the door passage again, and then go towards the water's edge. It takes me a moment, but I realize that Cecil is no longer sitting and writing. Looking around, I realize he isn't here at all. I only looked away for a moment, didn't I? I hurry to Mike, and shake her out of her trance.

"Is it my watch already?" She asks.

"Cecil's gone!" I whisper.

She springs to her feet, and we look around. Its then that we see there's a folded up note on Rideyr's chest as he sleeps. Mike wakes up Cheeks, and I go over to Rideyr.

"Rideyr, wake up!" I shake him gently, and he wakes up looking well rested. The same can't be said for the rest of us.

"What's wrong?" The parchment falls onto his arm, and he reaches for it.

"Cecil is gone, I was on watch and I looked away for a second and he wasn't there. I didn't see him leave."

Rideyr opens the note, and his expression changes to shock, and then rage.

"That little f***!" He gets up in a hurry and rummages through his gear. "He took it! He took the Sunsword!"

Next thing I know we are running out of the cave, and tearing through the woods. Someone found tracks, and we are hot on his trail. I can't help but feel this is my fault- it was my watch, and I was distracted. I should have seen him taking the Sunsword, but I didn't. I could have stopped him if I had! I just hope we find him before Strahd does.

Unfortunately, his tracks lead to a set of hoofprints, and then nothing. The flying horse! Strahd has him. Strahd has the Sunsword. We are doomed.

"I'm sorry, I looked away!" I gasp, catching my breath.

"Its not your fault," Rideyr says. "We have only Cecil to blame."

Creed trips on something, and looks down at the pile of leaves she's standing on with a weird look. She kicks some leaves away.

"Found him!" She calls, and starts digging.

The gnome has Poppov in one hand, and a sizable bump on his head. Looks like Strahd didn't need him anymore now that he betrayed us. I grab Poppov, and see he now has fangs drawn onto his mouth. Strahd's idea of a joke?

We take Cecil back to the cave and tie him up. Creed keeps trying to stop us and protect him, but Steinbjorn confronts her. I don't think she realizes how dire this betrayal is. Cecil finally comes to, and Rideyr gets him talking. He tells us Strahd charmed him, back when we were fighting the tree. He took the Sunsword to Strahd, and was flying up on the horse to go to the castle with him. Strahd reconsidered, and pushed him off.

Maybe he was charmed, maybe he's just insane. I'm livid. I've never felt such betrayal, such rage. I hold Poppov up to Cecil, by the neck.

"Do you know what happens to traitors?" I hiss, turning and walking over to the pool.

I hold Poppov face down in the water, my eyes locked on Cecil's, wide in horror. I'm a bit alarmed at how good it feels. Mike joins me, stabbing Poppov with her sword as I hold him under. The water begins to turn red as though with blood, and I remember Cecil had put some kind of wine system inside of Poppov.

"Betray us again, and this will be you!" I growl in Orc speech. I don't think anyone in the party has heard me speak it, I only ever do with dad and Uncle Grahz. It sounds a lot more threatening than common.

Finally the bubbles stop, and I pull Poppov up. Mike takes one arm, I take the other, and we tear him in half. Cecil slumps over, babbling slightly incoherently. I think he got the message. I throw my half of Poppov to the ground, and retreat up to the ledge. Hiding behind the crates, I put my head in my hands and cry. I feel horrible about what I've done, but at the same time I feel vindicated.

Someone sits next to me after a while, and a comforting arm wraps around my shoulders. I look over through bleary, tear filled eyes, and see the last person I would ever want to see.

"Are you okay, Zola?" Ireena asks, smiling warmly. Dammit, why is she pretty? Why is she so sweet?

"No," I sniffle. I really don't want to talk to her.

"Everything will be fine," she brushes my hair out of my eyes with a perfectly manicured hand. "Do you feel better after murdering that puppet?"

"A little," I laugh. "I went a bit overboard."

"Just a bit."

Ireena gives me a hug, and I feel a little better. Still hate her, though. I regroup with the others, and we talk about the nights events. Everyone but Rideyr was plagued with nightmares and horrid visions. Chad determines that because Rideyr was the only one not to take any of the treasure from the shrine, and is perfectly fine, that the rest of us are cursed. We are all exhausted, and if this keeps happening, we will die.

Steinbjorn has the power to heal two people a day, but cannot get his spells if he can't sleep. We need to get Stein healed so he can heal us, but who can heal him? The Abbot, we think... but the Abbot won't speak to us unless he gets what he wants.

"We need to get that dress, but we can't get in Vallaki. They're still looking for Cecil."

"Not just Cecil," says Steinbjorn. "Strazni knows all of our faces now, and he knows Chad charmed him. You and Creed were ordered under arrest just for talking- the man is clearly insane."

"Maybe you can send your friends a message, Zola." Rideyr suggests.

"If they even come. I can try. We can always send Cheeks if she's willing."

Cheeks, fortunately, is very willing. We make for Vallaki, and sadly my raven friends do not come when I call. I worry that I may have done something to make them mad, although I have one of their pine cones. We camp out in the woods as Cheeks goes off with Mike's owl, wishing her the best.

We are there all day, all of us cranky and exhausted. If we can't get the dress, if we can't get healed, death is inevitable. Only Rideyr will be left to carry on our legacy, to see this quest to free Barovia through. With the Sunsword gone, I have never felt more hopeless.

It's already night by the time Cheeks gets to us, but she has the dress! We saddle up, and ride out to Krezk, not caring that it's the dead of night. The Burgomaster needs the dress to keep his kid alive, there is no way he won't let us in the gates. We reach the gate without encountering any creatures, and the guards are not happy to see us.

"Who goes there?"

"Its the Dawn Breakers!"

"Dawn Breakers? It's the dead of night!"

They let us in once our business is stated, and the Burgomaster greets us enthusiastically. Well, he is a little concerned that his wife is not with us, but Cheeks assures him that she is safe at the Blue Water Inn. He sends us to the Abbot to deliver the dress, and we set off up the road to the high ledge the Abbey stands on. The ground is dusted with snow, and it's much colder up here than in the town below. There is an iron gate, but it stands unlocked, so we go in. A great squeak of metal alerts the voices speaking in the guardhouse. We go in anyway.

"Who's there?"

"The Dawn Breakers, we're here to see the Abbot." Cecil announces.

"Stand still, don't move- we're coming out!"

Two weird creatures come out. They're vaguely human, but made up of parts of creatures haphazardly stitched together.

"Hello!" Says the little donkey skinned one. "My name is Otto! As you can see, I am very beautiful!"

I. Love. Him.

"Yes, you are stunning!" I say. "Nice to meet you, Otto."

The other one looks female, and has cat paws and lizard skin.

"Don't listen to him. He's an idiot." She says.

Apparently that ones name is Zygfrek, and she seems to have confidence issues or something.

"Cecil has a potion of youth and beauty, not that you're not already beautiful." I suggest, blabbering.

"I think you need that more than I do, thanks."

Wow. What a b****.

We are escorted into the courtyard with a well with a short little humanoid with batwings, and some storage sheds. Whatever is in them all start screaming.

"Pay no attention to them," says Otto. "Wait here. Don't go near Marzena."

"Who's Marzena?"

"Our sister." Says Zygfrek.

"Don't drink any water," Otto adds. "In fact, you seem nice- don't go near the well."

They scurry off, and soon come back with the beautiful, handsome Abbot.

"You have brought me the dress? Let's see it."

Cheeks pulls it out, and hands it to me.

"Come now, show it for me."

"I could put it on and model it-" I suggest, but he cuts me off curtly.

"No, you will not wear it. Hold it up, girl."

I hold it up, and he starts walking... nay, gliding, around and watching me.

"Alright, spin!"

I spin in a circle, trying not to trip on the voluminous skirt.

"It moves nicely."

"Are you saying yes to the dress?" I ask.

"It will do. Come in, all. You, carry that dress higher."

I hold my arms up above my head, gateful I'm tall and preventing it from dragging on the ground. The Abbot seems to have a short temper, and I fear what would happen if I ruined the dress.

"Wait, let me see your hands." He glides over to me.

I hold my fingers up, my thumbs the only thing keeping the dress up.

"Nails?" He frowns. "Is that blood?"

"No. Wine."

"Have you eaten anything recently?"

"No, not yet."

"Good, wash your hands before you eat anything. They're filthy."

Any attraction to the Abbot is now gone. I hate him already. However, he is our only hope for healing our curse. I need to do everything he says.

We go inside, and can hear beautiful music being played on a string instrument. We come to a fire and candlelit room, where a woman with alabaster skin and auburn hair is.

"This is Vasilka." The Abbot says.

She stands up, and awkwardly curtsies. It looks like there are seams in her skin, but I'm trying not to look too closely. It's best not to know everything sometimes.

"So who is the lucky guy? Or girl." Mike asks.

"Strahd!" The Abbot says.

I panic.

"Alright, we gotta get a dress fitting going!" I yelp, coming forward with the dress. This is all a little too creepy. I'm really scared one of us is going to say or do the wrong thing, and this guy will go crazy on us.

I am ignored, still holding the dress up.

"Can any of you dance?" The Abbot asks.

A few of us can, but he asks to see Creed. She goes ahead and shows off some moves, and she's actually really good. He now wants to hire her on as a dance instructor... private lessons with Vasilka for the next month. That's a no-go!

"Well, you have brought me what I wanted. What do you want from me?" He asks.

"Can I put the dress down now? My arms are really tired."

"No. Your exhaustion amuses me."

Steinbjorn and Chad explain that we were cursed, and cannot sleep. Stein asks that he be healed and then he can start healing us in the morning. The Abbot agrees to heal three tonight, and three more tomorrow. He heals the three clerics. At least some of us will sleep tonight.

"I'm impressed that you have not asked about the wedding." The Abbot says.

And then Creed opens her mouth.

The Abbot explains that the bride of Strahd is the key to lifting the curse, and the Morninglord himself told him. So at least he has similar goals to us... but, he is clearly insane. Unfortunately someone mentioned the kids being left behind, and now he is curious about that. The only info he gets is that they're in a cave in the woods. He also seems very interested in keeping Cecil for experimentation. As mad as we are at him, that is not going to happen.

We are given a tour of the Abbey, and then brought to have rabbit stew. I'm still holding the dress the entire time, and my arms are beginning to cramp. Finally he allows me to put it down, and I hungrily eat down some stew. It's actually not bad. While walking around, Creed passed a note to the Abbot, so now all of us are a little miffed with her. Is she going to come work for him?

Finally we retire to the barracks, and when we go in we meet the other guest we were told is staying here.

"Who the hell are you?" She asks us.

We introduce ourselves as guests of the abbot.

"I'm The Abbot's guest too. Doesn't mean much, he's insane."

She has dark hair, and dressed like a Vistana, with a wooden leg. I notice she is also rocking a red bandana around her head, and now I feel like I'm copying her. She's awesome!

"I'm Ezmerelda." She says. We all gasp. "I guess my name precedes me."

"Yes! We didn't touch your wagon."

She raises an eyebrow at me.

"Who are you people?"

We tell her we are mercenaries, and our main game is defeating Strahd. That warms her up a bit.

"What did you think of the bride?"

"She's very quiet." I say.

"Well of course she's quiet, she's a flesh golem!" She laughs.

"What are you doing here?" Stein asks.

"I'm waiting for Strahd. I'm going to kill him."

"By yourself?"

"Well, you're here now... and you're mercenaries. It seems I don't have to."

We clearly don't impress her very much, as she tells us to come back when we are stronger. We all are tired, what does she expect?

I'm up all night, trying not to sleep to keep the bad dreams away. Steiny, Chad, Rideyr and Val all look so peaceful. I'm busy keeping an eye on Cecil and talking to Cheeks and Mike. If Cecil tries anything, us "Big Girls" are supposed to rein him in. I don't think he will do anything else, Strahd got what he wanted. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, Creed comes to me.

"I asked the Abbot about bringing back Eliza." she tells me. I perk right up.

"And?"

"He says he can do it. But for a price. He wants a woman, someone we have already met. If we bring her here, he will bring him back. I don't know who."

I know exactly who he wants. The woman everyone, especially Strahd, wants. Ireena.

"That's too bad. I wonder who it is?" I lie.

Give the Abbot Ireena, and I can have my cousin back? That seems a fair deal.

I can't do that to Ireena. I can't betray her and all my friends.

I could have Eliza back, though. This is hard.

In the morning, we go to leave the barracks, and the Abbot is standing at the door.

"Who needs healing?" He asks.

"Do me!" I cry.

He touches my head, and I feel slightly better. He does have wonderful magic, I don't want to question the source. He heals some of the others and Stein gets Creed. Before we leave, the Abbot demands Creed either stay or we find a dance instructor. If we do not bring one in five days, he will rain death and destruction over Krezk and kill all of us. We leave shortly after that threat with promise we will return. On the way out, we run into Otto and Zygfrek. I give Otto a hug, and he really likes it. Steiny has to drag me away from him, and we get out of there.

We rendezvous at the shrine to the Morninglord, where we can talk and not be bothered by anyone. They ignore this part of town, anyway. Stein tells us that Ezmerelda told him to "seek out Strahd's enemies in Argynvostholt." I think that's the name of that place we stumbled across when looking for the winery, but nobody else is sure. So that's just another thing on our massive to-do list. I'm preoccupied on getting the other two glowing pine cones, but Creed is worried about getting a dance instructor. After talking to the Burgomaster, we find there are no suitable dance instructors in Krezk.

We set out for Vallaki, hoping we can get in. I just want to see my raven friends again, and I'm worried I did something to make them abandon me. I will do anything to help them, and if I have to go to Berez alone, than I will. I just hope we can get everything done that needs doing- someone is waiting for us at Castle Ravenloft, and he has our Sunsword.

~ Zola

[bxtreme]

Journal Entry 18

I was working on Poppov, like I always do during nap time. I look down and realize I made more progress on Poppov than I did a moment ago. Am I losing time? I'll have to borrow Creed's watch to keep track. Her watch is weird though, it loses time too - she should let me fix it.

I wonder if they know you're real Poppov...but you need to speak. That's the only way they'll believe it. Speak Poppov! Speak Damnit! I shake Poppov and his head slumps forward. A gear loosens, the compression clip comes loose and a spring decompresses. The knife in Poppov's mouth slices my hand. Did you do that on purpose Poppov? I stare at the blood...my shame...my failure. Poppov apologizes, but I tell him it wasn't his fault.

Poppov takes notice to the defeated look on my face. He puts his hand on my shoulder. He tells me what he thinks about when he feels down. He brings me back to the time I first started school as a child. The memory washes over me like a cold splash of water and suddenly I'm there. My mother walks me to the entrance, assuring me I'm going to make so many new friends. But I was a sheltered child and not well socialized. Her words couldn't comfort me. But where words failed, a security blanket would succeed. She looked at me and smiled warmly. My mother hands me Poppov and says it was given to her as a child and she thought it was a perfect time to pass it down. "When you're scared, hug it tight and Poppov will give you strength. You'll be able to do anything with Poppov by your side." Poppov, are you sure you were there? Something feels off...

The memory subsides. I think I lost more time. It's Zola's turn to take watch with me. I better hurry these repairs on Poppov. I know what I'm about to do will upset the Dawn Breakers, but I just know this is for the best. Every time I go through the plan in my head, I feel more certain this is the right thing to do.

Journal Entry 19

I wake up from an unconscious state. The last thing I remember is Strahd...Strahd pushing me off of his flying horse! Damn it, I've been duped! Charmed by Strahd!

As I open my eyes, I realize I'm restrained and the Dawn Breakers have drawn their weapons to me, most notably Mike's blood spear about 3 inches from my face. Creed tries her best to protect me, the only one on my side apparently. I explain to the Dawn Breakers what happened, but I don't think they all believe me. They take their anger out on Poppov.

"Not Poppov, please stop! You monsters!"

They slash, stab and tear him to shreds. Just before he was split in two, he gives me one last look and a smirk, as if to say "Good Bye, old friend".

Every memory of I've ever shared with Poppov flashes in my mind. Suddenly, I see white and my ears are ringing. Then it hits me, this is all Poppov's fault! I remember the fangs on his little puppet face - how did they get there? They appeared after giving Strahd the Sun Sword. Could it be? Poppov you bastard! You were planted as a spy in my family before I was even born. My mother gave me Poppov thinking he would make a good security blanket for young me. The fangs were proof that you were promised a position of power by Strahd. Well how does it feel now Poppov? The Dawn Breaker tore you apart for your betrayal. Was it worth it?

I'm ashamed, truly. I've broken the trust between the group and myself - most notably Ryder who put so much trust in me. How can we all repair this relationship?

I must say though...since Poppov's death, I feel like I can think more clearly. Also, I might not be a werewolf after all.

[Jeff]

We take a moment to rest as we make our way to Villaki, and I sit against a tree and close my eyes for a second. As I start to relax I get a vision of the Sun Sword, as if it’s reaching out to me from Strahd’s castle. It’s difficult to grasp, but the sword would communicate with me, and it was clear how much it wanted to destroy Strahd. He now has it, and we need to head to his castle before he can destroy it. I don’t know if this is real or a vision, but it’s clear what needs to be done, and I’m prepared to do it. The blade of the Sun Sword appears and I wake with a start as it flashes in my brain and I hear a scream—maybe it was me but maybe it was someone else. Zola rushes over to check on me, and I tell her what I saw. She assures me that we’ll recover the sword and defeat Strahd and I’m grateful for her kindness and reassurance. A s my eyes start to focus, I see Cecil sitting about twenty feet away looking at me with concern. I make eye contact with him and shake my head letting him know I’m all right. He smiles and gets up to get some water and bring it over to me. I drink deeply and thank my friend who holds out his hand to help me up as it’s time to continue our journey. I get on my horse and hold out my hand to help my gnome friend up. I’m filled with a brief sense of hope as we gather ourselves and move out.

[Jeff]

As we continue to make our way to Villaki, I become more convinced that I need to find my way into the town to speak with Father Petrovich. I’ve long believed that Villaki holds something of importance to our mission, and I need to find out what it is. I can trust Father Petrovich to tell me the truth. At the very least I believe we owe it the people to free them from the oppression they are forced to live under which would mean battling Strazny, a formidable opponent to be sure but a fight I believe worth undertaking. He is evil, and his reign of terror must stop. I don’t believe the Burgomaster to be much better, and maybe we can make the people’s lives more tolerable.

I would also like to get into the Blue Water Inn to check on our friends. They may know what has become of the Martikov family after the winery was destroyed. This weighs heavily on our minds but none more than Zola’s. I know she is very concerned about them as well as the absence of the Ravens. They have been our staunch allies here in Barovia, and Zola has called to them on a number of occasions to no avail. I feel for her and hope that nothing has happened to them.

[Aileen]

As we rest in the woods, waiting for Cheeks to come back with the dress, I work on a will of sorts. We are all doing pretty poorly, and if we are not cured in the next few days, we are going to be very dead. I never thought I would be writing a will at 17, and have no idea what I'm doing, so I write a letter to Rideyr. If anyone is going to make it out alive, it's him. When we are all gone, he will have to carry on the mission and the legacy of the Dawn Breakers. I can only hope he will be able to defeat Strahd with whatever new party he can scrape together. When I'm done writing, I hand the letter to him in embarrassment, and hope he doesn't think less of me.

My dear friend, Lord Rideyr Storm-

Should I not live through this, and you make it out of Barovia, can you bring word to my parents of what transpired here? They are Karsilene Stormwyk and Runar of Waterdeep, but you know that already I'm sure. They will be devastated that I'm gone, but I want them to know that I was happy, and I found the adventure I wanted to find. And most importantly, friendship.

I've never had friends like all of you. I admit I've been spoiled and a bit sheltered my entire life, and coming here has been more than I possibly could have imagined the rest of the world could be. I never knew people could live in such sadness, and I want more than anything for the Barovians to be free. I know you will free them.

It's been a good 17 years of life, and we've had a good run. Take care of the Martikovs for me, and never stop feeding the ravens. They will do good for you if you do good for them.

I don't care what happens with my body, when I'm gone it's no longer me. My soul will go to the Raven Queen when its freed from this land, and I'm okay with that. Just make sure I look prettier than Ireena when I'm burnt, or buried.

Keep her safe. I know I claim to hate her, but she's not that bad. She will never give Strahd what he wants, and I fear if he gets her he will only grow angrier... it would be very bad for Barovia. I wish I could have been as kind and beloved as she is, and I've tried, but I'm not sure anyone will remember me when I'm gone.

Please don't let anyone know I told you that. I can't tarnish my reputation, its already so fragile.

I love all of you very much, and I am grateful that I was able to fight beside every one of you. I wish you luck and good fortune. Make this place better than we found it.

Love,

Zola Farsight Stormwyk

[Jeff]

I see Zola sitting by the river tossing pebbles into the water and make my way over to her. I pick up a few pebbles along the way and toss them in; she quickly turns around.

“Hey” she says and quickly turns away obviously feeling a bit embarrassed about the letter she gave me.

I sit down next to her, “another sunny day in Barovia I see.”

She laughs a bit uneasily and maintains her gaze on the river.

After a short period of silence and a few more pebbles hitting the water I say, “you realize that every great warrior I’ve ever known has written a letter like that.”

“Really?” Zola asks.

“Really” I answer.

“And you?”

“More than I can count” I reply.

We both laugh a little bit easier, and I see small tears gathering in her eyes.

“It’s important for us to know that everything is in order and to express what we need to say in case we don’t make it, and I am honored to be the one to tell your tale and carry out your wishes. Rest assured that I will do everything in my power to get to your parents and deliver your message if the worst happens—“

“Oh thank you so much, I—“

“But it’s not going to, because I’m going to do all I can to make sure you make it out of here. You have an amazing future ahead of you, and I don’t believe it ends in Barovia.”

Zola’s smile widens as I continue.

“You know if I had ever had a daughter, I would’ve liked her to be just like you.”

“Really, why?”

“Well, you’re kind, compassionate, strong and you have a good heart, not to mention you have more courage than any of us,” I reply.

“Oh please!” She says scoffing.

“Oh okay, who dove off the boat to save the Vistani child? Who jumped through the hole to chase the Druid at the winery and broke the staff? Should I go on?”

“I just did that stuff without thinking—“

“And that’s what courage is...acting in the moment for something bigger than yourself. Doing what you’re afraid to do because it’s the right thing to do,” I reply.

“Are you afraid? She asks.

“All the time,” I answer.

Zola looks at me and makes a face of disbelief. “Oh please, you’re a knight, a soldier, a lord, you were the High Dawnknight of the...ummmm...”

“The order of Aster, but none of that means I’m not afraid, and those are just meaningless titles.”

“How can you say that?” she asks.

“Because I would trade all of it for the family I’ve never had.”

“Truly?”

“Very truly,” I reply. “You see, orphaned as an infant, I’ve never had a family. I don’t know what it’s like to have a mother, a father, brothers and sisters. I know what it feels like to serve the greater good, which I’m very thankful for, but I also know what it’s like to strive for rank and recognition, and I made it all the way to the top only to find it a hollow, lonely victory.”

“Is that why you walked away?”

“Mostly,l I reply.

“What’s the rest,”

“I did find love...once...and she was taken while I was out fighting another damn war; I left to find her.”

“And you never found her?”

“Never, but I still have hope.”

“Really?”

“I still love her.”

We sit in silence and throw a few more pebbles into the river.

“But I don’t want this to be about me,” I add, “this conversation is about you. You are a great warrior, and I know your parents are very proud if you. I know I am. But this life is very hard, and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did, so I’m going to ask you to listen to your heart and not your head regarding your life choices. Your head will rationalize things and factor in what others think you should do. Cut through that chatter and listen to what your heart or your gut, if you prefer, tells you. It will never steer you wrong.”

Zola smiles and nods.

“And just be yourself. Don’t try so hard. Just be Zola and everything will fall into place.”

“Thank you Rideyr” as more tears gather in her eyes.

“Enough now, just know that I always have your back.”

“And I have yours,” she adds.

“And that gives me great comfort,” I say as I start to get up and move away.

“Hey Rideyr,” Zola calls after me, “ if you think of me like your daughter what do you think about Cecil?

“Oh that idiot,” I laughingly reply, “that would make him that pesky, younger brother who I always have to try and keep out of trouble.”

We both share a laugh and I add, “Consider what we’ve talked about this morning and know that I’m always here for you.”

I walk away and see Cecil in what I can only surmise is him doing some kind of mind experiment on a tree.

“What a family” I think to myself as a smile takes over my face.

[dragonforgotten]

I wake up from my nap in Cecil wine barrel still alittle tired and stiff but I will survive. I found my friends deep in the bowels of a cave filled with dead werewolves now people. Lots of them. No! I missed the party! Apparently our other friends have been kidnapped. That’s no good. They need so strahd cant have them. Also I kind of like them. Not the kids though. They need to go home. We’re not a day care and I anit no baby sitter. There adorable with their soft fleshy dimples but we can’t have kids hanging around like a pair of dead geese. I’m so bummed. I missed the excitement! We walk farther into the cave and find a pool and boxes filled with garbage. I rub at my eyes with a yawn showing off my long unseen fangs, tail dragging the floor unseen behind me
Every decided they should take a nap, there tired after fighting the werewolves I missed so I just mop near the pool pouting. I wanted to kill some werewolves but I also could use more naps. Since no ones moving or talking I find my eyes drifting close, lulled by the silence...
I snort awake Suddenly my ears catch movement in the entry way. What do you know. Someone has come to play. A female werewolf stands in the door way and I’m pissed. I don’t appreciate company right now. I’m really cranky today. I was about to get some god damn sleep!
“Guess it’s Time to die.” I set my hands ablaze and throw two hot balls of crackling energy as they slam into her. She yells, pained as her fur burns and she twists in pain. I ready another blast.
“Stop don’t shoot!” Cecil cries waving his hands. What?
“But why? She woke me up?”
“Just let me talk to her.” I growl snuffing my hands, placing them in my hips. He walks up to her doing his mind thing. She says she’s willing to talk. Oh no she isn’t. she’s trying to attack him. Time to die for real. Send a bombardment upon her as everyone else descend and cut her to bits. She falls over dead just the same turning into a woman. Zola takes some of her eye make up and smears it on. She needs to ease up on that make up. We already have dark bags under the eyes by now, no need to highlight them. We’re rest in peace and carry on to the next room to find more children in cages. What is with Barovians and caging their children, is it a custom or they just so sick of them they lock them up? I jest.
Theres a apair of poor dead souls chained to a wall together. Poor dears. Theirs also a massive pile of treasure surrounding a statue of a wolf lady. Oh look your missing friends. their out cold so were leaving them there as we explore. Someone did some sacrificing upstairs, its a tad messy with all the blood and bones. Nothing new there. Chad starts destroying the ritual circle and I cringe. Bad idea to break circles. You never know what it was keeping in.
I go back down stares to the poor souls and take a knee.
"Hey creed! Wants some gold?!"
"Ya, sure, fine." I say off handedly as I'm given a thick pouch and i slide it into my pack and continue my work. The two speak to me as chad waits for me to be done, hovering over me like a shadow. They tell me their names. They were a couple trapped here for so long by the werewolves. Poor things. They've been here longer then the kids so they couldn't tell more me more then that but as they their voices once again leave this world Chad now has a name to engrave on their markers and that will hopefully bring some peace. now they can rest instead of hanging from their wrists. I help bury them with stein and chad. As i'm dusting my hands I catch Zola chuckling kneeling next to Ireena.
"Zolaaaa Whatcha doing-." She turns around holding a half her hair. I almost burst out laughing and try to scowl at her because thats more socially expected but i'm still grinning and my good eye is twitching holding it back.
"What did you do?!" i say tiring to me motherly grabbing her arm as my unseen claws tickle her skin.
"I think that's enough, Zola."
"Yes, it's a masterpiece." she says as i drag her away.
"No, you just broke girl code!"
"Oh, please," I roll my eyes. "She broke girl code by stealing my man!"
She still mad about Parry, wasn't a huge lose. Boys dumb as bricks.
Stein has a tiny hoard of children holding tiny money bags. He should learn not to feed the children. They keep following us. We grab the dead weight known as our kidnapped pals and wait for them to awaken as the children wash up in the little spring of water. They wake up and tell us what happened to them. Ireena takes a little longer to awaken as Perry holds her hand. Thats very cute in a very cheek pinching fashion. Iskar starts chuckling when Ireena wakes up but she cant see what happened to hair so she's blissfully ignorant. Zolas gonna get it when she finds out. Hair is sacred among ladies! Zola goes sulk behind the boxes and Ireena goes to speak to her to my surprise. they come down a little better but I lay my bedroll near Zola. Things trouble that girl. Most likely the spirit of her cousin still clinging to her. It hurts still to look at him. His time is short. It's running out. I check my watch as we settle down for bed and i cant help but sigh. Im so tired. We're doing shifts tonight as well. Maybe tonight will finally be a good night. I lay my head back, and close my eyes as the disguise spell slips off my form.

------------------

I lay on the table feeling sick and near death. Grandpa places a box on the table besides me. I know that box..its.. He's talking to himself again, staring at the chalk board.
"Hmmm. I wonder. If he could do it why can't I? Surely it can be replicated without the side effects. Hmmm. It would be a break through for all our kind. Better than death surely." I hear the tick ticking of bones rapping bones. He turns to me, i can barley see him, vision hazy with darkness curling along the edges. I close my eyes till suddenly numbness sets into my bones that i cant move and my skull bursts with pain as I'm rendered blind.
"Grampa! Stop! Its hurts!"
"We must act now child. IF you want to survive this is nessacary. I'll remove these memories later. Now hold still. "
I shriek as he cuts into me.... My head writhe in pain as my eye is taken from me and i scream. My vision returns as the heavy numbness falls over me. With my one remaining eye i watch him place it in a jar staring at it forlorn as places it on a shelf. 
he then opens a box and takes out something shiny and glowing green before my vision goes black.....
------------

I jump forward from bed clutching my eye. NO, NO! Bad dream! Very bad dream! I choke back some fear as I hear Zola struggling. I shake her awake but she lashes out at me to my shock
"Its just me!" I grabs her other shoulder. "Breathe! You're okay."
"I had horrible dreams!" she sob. "I saw Eliza-" Ah.
"I think we all are having nightmares. There's something about this place. The good news is, it's your watch now."
I helps her up, then wrap her into a hug. She stiffens and then relaxes. I think we both needed one.
"I know you miss him," I tell her
"It's hard losing someone you love. I will do anything in my power to get him back."
"I don't think we can... but thank you."
She goes off to watch with sleepless Cecil. She needs to have more faith. Such magic exists. It's just where and who. I check my watch staring at it in my bedroll. Im not sleeping. Im not having that nightmare again. I glance at the other sleeping bodies and everyone looks the same except for Ryder who's sleeping like a baby. My eyes flutter....
I snort awake to the sound of yelling.
"UGH! WHos f***ing yelling this early!?" 
"Cecil gone!!" 
"What?! HOW?!" my head swings back and forth. He's really gone! Im so confused! why! Did the werewolf delusions make him wonder?
"Little f***er! he took the sword.
"He took the What!?" My head swings to Ryder. I'm really confused! After shuffling into our metal pants were following gnome feet through the woods till we hit a dead end. The tracks... just stop with scorched horse shoes. The trails cold as Zola. Im pacing in circles freaking out. Oh no. oh no! Cecils gone! Strahd has him! We're f***!ed He's f***ed! People are arguing and i don't like it! I'm walking in circles clutching my horns as my tail lashes about. Suddenly i step on something. I look down to see a tiny gnome hand. Oh no! the werewolves eaten him and left only the hand! NOOOO. Oh wait. theres still a body attached to it. I push the leaves out of the way and i see our unconscious gnome with Popopve, little vampire fangs on his face. The group descend upon him red with rage as they tie him up and drag him back to the cave still out cold. I don't like were this is going.
We wait an hour for him to come to. Im next to him, my tail curled protectively around him as the group strews in seething anger that even i can feel it. He wakes up and tells us he was under Strahds control. He was charmed by Strahd back at the big tree. He ended up giving Strahd the sword as feared and then flew him on his horse before changing his mind and throwing him to the ground. I never realized vampires had such powerful charms, A note has been made. Im silent as i process this bad news.
Suddenly Mike raises her spare to his face and i wrap my arms around the gnome snarling as my tail lashes back and forth.
"Don't you touch him! He's our friend!"
"He stole the Sunsword! He betrayed us! What if he's lying!?"
"I believe him!" I snarl, claws digging into him as he winces, eyes not leaving Mikes.
"Creed, step aside." the rest tell me and I'm ready to listen till Mike talks more.
"I will kill you to get to him." Chee steps forward showing off her daggers. I can feel my hackles raise. Im tempted now. She thinks I'm weak. I could curse her but no. I could curse her with my dying breath. My grudge is eternal and runs deep but thats not how i should use my powers. Grampa asked for me to be better then him. Suddenly Zola grabs cecils puppet. he squirms against his binds but i hold him back keeping him close to my chest.
"Do you know what happens to traitors?" she hisses, walking over to the pool and proceddes to drown him. Mike joins in on this, stabbing Poppov with her sword as she hold him under. They puncture the wineskin inside him as the water turns red, Cecil screaming and babbling in my arms. Im sorry my friend, better him than you.
"Betray us again, and this will be you!" she growl in a speech I don't know. It's threatening but not as scary as infernal or abyssal. First time I've heard her speak in it. Weird.
Finally the bubbles stop, and she pull Poppov up and the both of them split him in half Cecil slumps over, going catatonic. Zola throws her half of Poppov to the ground, and retreat up to the ledge. Hiding behind the crates, I hear her cry. This is aweful. We're standing their awkwardly when Ireena goes to her. I scowl at the group.
"You broke him." I say with venom, scowling at Mike and the rest before retreating with Cecil slung over my shoulder. He cant speak now. Someone has to watch him while he repairs his head.
-----------------------------------------

We gather around and come to a bad realization. We're all cursed. How? When? The bloody gold. S***! At this rate we will not last the week and theres only one person who can help us. the Abbot. But we need the dress. Stretched thin as we are we have no choice but to rely on the gang to bring the kids home as risky as it is. As they go off I hope we find them again. We wait outside Vallaki for Cheeks to steal the dress. Ive abandoned my vibrant beautiful human disguise for a sullen haggard woman in a shawl, still beautiful but the lines are there. Im just tired, sick of waiting and watching. I watch Ryder talk to Zola and i cant help but feel a pang of jealousy and sorrow. I want to be accepted.... My claw traces my eye patch....
--------------------------------------

Cheeks got the dress and off we rush to the Abbot to save our skins. We meet a bunch of strange creatures and as I'm staring at the bat lady I'm just thing how cool it would be if i had wings. That would be pretty metal but gramps didn't believe in modifying beyond a creatures natural function. I think him and the abbot would have liked to swap notes. He greets us and forces Zola to hold the dress for a long time as we walk around, the sounds of music vibrating around us. Im suspiouse, i don't know what to think of him but non of my thoughts line up nearly to the truth. We then meet her, a woman with alabaster skin and auburn hair.
"This is Vasilka." The Abbot says.
She stands up, and awkwardly curtsies. It looks like there are seams in her skin and i cant help but to rub at my shoulder,
"So who is the lucky guy? Or girl." Mike asks.
"Strahd!" The Abbot says.
Ah, i see. He is not our enemy, he is simply misguide if extreme. He's like Grandpa, hmmm, sort of.
"Alright, we gotta get a dress fitting going!" Zola yelp, coming forward with the dress. She's ignored, still holding the dress up.
"Can any of you dance?" The Abbot asks.
No one answers and i start to think maybe this will get us good for being healed and helped. we need it.
"I can but i cant say I'm good." I say simply. His brows come together.
"Show me." 
I get into the first stance, i raise my arms high together and proceed to perform the Dense Macabre, a series of dance to call forth the restless dead for one night before they return by morning, narrating an ancient story lost to time. It's a violent, beautiful and disturbing dance. I twist and spin about wildly, as hands weave and feet stamp. I use to dance for grandpa and boys, to bring them to him but mostly for myself. It makes me forget my woes when it gets too much. I don't realize I've been going at it for awhile till I stop panting. The Abbot doesnt look that impressed but my groups jaws have dropped. Well...
"Your hired."
"I am?" 
"Yes. You shall teach her to dance in one month."
"One month!? I would love to but i cant put everything on hold like that! Im sorry."
"I see." He looks the same but i feel like I've screwed up. In the end he heals our clerics so they can help us, promising to fix more of us in the morning. As everyone is talking about I pass the Abbot a note.
'please help me. I lost a friend a while back and i wish to save him from this fate. He only has a four days left. In all my travels I've found nothing but you to have the power to bring him back from the beyond. It hurts to see him like this and fills a hole in hearts. I beg of you please.' He looks at me and then proceedes to humilate me by holding the note up to him were everyone glares at me. 
"I can do that. But you must bring a certain someone the the kryest pond."
"I don't know who you'r talking about." I lie, knowing full well what he means.
"you know." He ends omniously.
---------------------------------

We meet the elusive Esmeralda and find we have more allies in the crumbling castle with the dragon statue. Nice! We also learned it was a good idea that we didn't touch her wagon. Now I lie awake in bed plagued by those words. sleeps a waste on me now. I don't want to relive trauma again. I know what he means but am I the type of person sacrifice another person just so i can gain from it. The same type as my parents. I close my eye thinking. No. Im not. But i am not his blood even though we are both teiflings. I cant keep this knowledge away from her. I roll off of bed and shake Zola awake, Cecil lost in thought. I don't know if he can hear me but it doesn't matter. I trust him still. Zola grumbles as she wakes up.
"Creed it's late!"
"the Abbot said he can bring him back."
she stops talking eyes wide.
"really?"
"yes but at a cost. He want's Ireena. Probably to marry off to strahd should his replacement fail."
Zola goes silent as i watch her, waiting. What will she do?
"Why tell me?"
I sigh.
"Its not my place." I tell her simply. She looks conflicted.
"Theres some time for now but not long. Just try and get some sleep." I ruffle her hair curling back to bed as I search my eye for any spirits to watch voiding the obvious one. I wont talk to him. To talk to him would admit he's gone.
I open my watch. Checking my time. It still hasnt stopped yet.

Creed

[Jeff]

We make our way towards Von Richten’s tower battered and bleeding from our battle with the hag and the moving hut. My body is in excruciating pain after being hit and stunned by the hut, but I push my horse ahead and check in with each of the party members making sure they’re okay. Everyone’s spirits are a bit low but we are all alive and making our way to a safe place.

I see Chadwick riding ahead of me, and I catch up to him.

“I can’t thank you enough for coming back for me when I was down; I’m in your debt,” I humbly say to him.

“Just doing what I do and anyway, you’d do the same for me,” he replies.

I agree and we talk for a while longer until I move forward to catch up with Zola.

“Hey, how’re you feeling?” I ask her.

“My wounds will heal; I just hate backing off from combat,” she replies.

We ride in silence for a bit and I say, “It’s a hard thing backing off from a fight—“

She keeps riding in silence— staring straight ahead.

“But sometimes it’s necessary—and back there it was just that—necessary to keep us all alive,”

“But we left the fight; we were defeated,” she says.

“Yes we did and yes we were,” I reply, “ but a good soldier knows when it’s time to retreat. It’s a legitimate battle strategy, and it’s what we needed to do today. Look at me.”

She reluctantly looks my way.

“You’re brave, but there’s more to it than that .”

Zola looks away, obviously upset.

“None of us would have made it out of there alive if we had stood and fought. Today we were outmatched, but we learned something and tomorrow may be a different story. Whatever the case, we’re all still here and we’re all still in this fight.”

“I know, but I was pushing us to go there. It would have been all my fault if—“

“No, we all agreed to go there; it’s not on you.”

“But we didn’t get the seed and all those ravens were killed.

“We’ll try again and next time we’ll be successful. As for the ravens, we’ll hold a ceremony and honor them properly, just as you requested. We were trying to save them, and unfortunately we weren’t successful. Losing trusted allies is something you never get over, but it happens, and we have to move on. It’s not right, but it’s the way of things. We have to feel this loss and then move on to complete the mission. It may feel harsh, but there’s no alternative at this point.”

“I guess.”

“There’s the tower. Let’s get this little gnome off my back and you can coach up his dance moves so we can get in there.”

“Hey Cecil, wake up!” Zola yells. “I thought he didn’t sleep?”

“Ah, he’s full of surprises, that one.”

[Aileen]

With so many options of where to go and what we have to get done set in front of us, the Dawn Breakers are doing what we do best. Arguing.

"We really need to get Ireena and crew somewhere safer than the cave." I suggest.

"The kids, too." Steinbjorn says.

"I told them to take the kids home." Chad says. Well that was information I never received.

"And I really think we need to get the other pinecones." I add. I've been trying to get us to go to Berez for a while now, and we keep being sidetracked.

We keep tossing back ideas of where to go, what needs prioritizing... Villaki, checking on the Martikovs, finding a dance instructor Argynvostholt, Berez, going to find our Barovian crew... I can't stand the indecision! I speak up once more, remembering what my mother would do in these situations. She's a commander, and could get any group of soldiers to do her bidding without a bunch of bulls***ing.

"Alright, we're putting it to a vote!" I announce. "Our options are Vallaki, Argynvostholt, or Berez. All for Vallaki?"

It works! Everyone shuts up, and they actually take me seriously! Is this what power feels like? After everyone votes, it is decided.

"Berez it is!" I clap my hands together, happy to have gotten my way. This is going to be a good trip!

We ride out, heading down the road again. Everything is as good as can be, despite no sunshine in Barovia. I'm happy to be riding on my nice horse, wind in my hair, with my good friends. Everything is great until a scarecrow dives out of the forest, shambling towards us. Rage grips me when I see several ravens shoved into its gut, dead. I kick Oskar forward, but he rears straight in the air, neighing like a fool. I just barely manage to stay on and get him under control as others move in on the scarecrow.

It goes down quickly with Mike and Cheeks absolutely obliterating it, and I don't even get an attack in. Too bad. I wanted revenge. I trot Oskar forward and halt him by the corpse of the scarecrow, dismounting. Rideyr rides up to my side on his big grey mare, sword drawn and keeping watch as I begin pulling the poor dead ravens out of the scarecrow. Their lifeless bodies still feel warm, beaks and eyes open in fear. My poor sweet babies, they deserved better!

"Zola, watch out!" Rideyr calls.

I look up, and there are seven more of the scarecrows. I'm the only one on foot, everyone else is still mounted up. I'm grateful that Rideyr and his mount stand between me and the scarecrows, because now I feel incredibly exposed. My stupid, bleeding heart made me disregard any semblance of caution, and now I'm going to pay for it.

Most of the scarecrows converge on Rideyr, and they're hitting hard. I stop my recovery operation, and grab my axe just as a scarecrow jumps me. It starts clawing at me, but I get my shield up just in time for its nasty claws to scrape across it. I hear Steinbjorn shout out a spell, and suddenly there's immense heat behind me, and I see another scarecrow go up in flames just out of the corner of my eye. I didn't even see it sneak up on me!

"Getting a little hot behind me, Steiny!" I call to him. I hear him laugh. The scarecrow in front of me doesn't laugh, and attacks again.

I start swinging, four brutal strikes from my axe. They cut through the straw like butter, and the scarecrow crumples to the ground.

"That's how it's done!" Rideyr cheers. "Now help me out, kid!"

I go for one of them attacking Rideyr, and soon all of the scarecrows are downed by us. Rideyr is looking rough, they really wanted to take him out it seems. I'm extremely grateful he shielded me, but I don't like seeing him hurt. Steinbjorn goes to him, and I get to work pulling all of the ravens out of the scarecrows. Seeing what I'm doing, Chad helps me, and soon we have a pile of dead scarecrows and a pile of murdered ravens.

"Can you bless them?" I ask Chad, my voice giving away that I'm now crying my eyes out. "I don't know how."

"Of course."

Chad does a short prayer, and I send a prayer of my own to the Raven Queen. I don't know if she can hear me, but I'm sure the Shadowfell has some reception from Barovia- why else would there be so many ravens here? When Chad finishes, he lights them aflame, and I say one last goodbye before turning away. The scarecrows get a less honorable sendoff. As I walk back to Oskar, patiently waiting for me with his big brown head hanging low and looking as sad as I feel, I stop and grab the head of one of the scarecrows that Cheeks sent flying. Its stuffing is gone, but it still has a garish face decorating it. I tie it to my saddle, and stick a raven feather into the top of it.

"Are you trying to scare the ravens away?" Creed asks me.

"No. I want the scarecrows to see it and know not to f*** with me."

I swing back into the saddle, and squeeze Oskar forward into his prancy trot. The sound of straw crunching under his hooves is beyond satisfying.

We make it to Berez, and it's clear upon arrival that this place is bad news. The scent of evil and murky water fills the air, cloyingly so. Black flies swarm everywhere. This village of sinking cottages looks like it's been abandoned for a long time, and I'm afraid to ride any further. The others have similar feelings.

"I'll send my owl. I don't like the looks of this place." Mike says, taking the owl out. She raises her arm up, and the owl takes off.

She reports back what the owl sees. Abandoned cottages, a ring of standing stones, a woman standing on the other side of the river with a lantern and a dagger, and a hut with two cages of ravens hanging in the front. My heart drops- we need to save them!

We ride into the abandoned village, leaving the horses standing together. We are lucky they are so well trained, I can't thank the Martikovs enough for lending them, and I may be a little attached to my pony boy. Cheeks sneaks ahead, and we fall in a ways behind her. She mage hands, and when that fails she moves in and uses her thieves tools on the raven cage. It opens, and they fly out cawing furiously, and go right into the hut.

"Ah! How did you get out of your cage?!" A woman's voice yells.

The old hag runs out and sees us. She cackles as she jumps into the upside down giants skull outside the hut, and it starts levitating upward. Valkyrie starts throwing fire at it, but it doesn't seem to do much, and it's hard to see the woman since she's inside it. Creed blasts at her to little avail. The woman commands the hut to attack us... what?! She goes to cast a spell, which Creed tries to counterspell, and it fails. Then the old witch casts a fireball on us, and thankfully it just scalds my hair and hurts a little. I know it could have been deadly.

I advance slowly through the muck, heading straight for the hut. Cheeks is alone, and the ravens are in danger- I want to be there already but it's just so hard to run! Steinbjorn and Rideyr join me, and Steiny mutters a spell, extending his hand over the land. Suddenly it's not so hard to move, and I can actually run. He shield bumps me, and the three of us, followed closely by Chad, run straight into trouble. It's where I feel most comfortable. I draw my axe, and as we get into range of the looming hut, I swing at one of the tree legs. I hit hard, but apparently this isn't a normal plant... thing. I was really hoping I could wreck it with the axe of Plant Slaying.

I feel good about this fight! Crazy Valkyrie is flying in the air and some of them are casting at the old bag in the flying skull, the ravens inside are creating a great caw-cawphony of noise, and Rideyr, Steinbjorn and I are going to wreck this thing! Rideyr hits it, Steinbjorn casts his awesome cleric magic and hits it with his Spiritual Hammer, and I know we are going to free my raven friends, hopefully find the seed, and wreck this evil old hag!

Valkyrie falls out of the sky, stunned and laying motionless on the ground. Creed really seems to have pissed the hag off trying to counterspell, and she moves back in the flying skull and points at her and only her.

"You're causing me trouble!" She cackles.

Creed is hit by something, screams, and falls over seemingly dead. I can see from where I am that she's still breathing, so I don't worry too much. She wasn't really fit to fight today to begin with, none of us are.

I focus on the hut, readying another swing with my axe. I feel good fighting beside my friends. A branch shoots out, and I raise my shield with one hand and try to catch it with my axe with the other. Big mistake. It slams into my axe arm, too strong for me to block. The cracking sound is alarming, and it hurts like hell as my arm snaps under the force, nearly knocking me backward. I hold my ground, but I'm in so much pain. I felt so confident about this fight, but I think I overestimated my skill. Rideyr snaps his attention to me as another branch coils up to attack.

"Get out of here, Zola! Retreat!"

As much as I don't want to back out of combat, I obey his command. As I run back, passing a worried looking Steinbjorn standing his ground, I hear Rideyr cry out in pain. I consider turning back to get him, but Chad gives me the signal that he's got him.

I feel healing magic helping me, but it's not enough to completely dull the pain. It's enough to allow me to escape, as much as it kills me to do so. Creed is back on her feet, stumbling to the horses, and she gets to them before the rest of us. She grabs a couple at a time by their bridles, and sends them in our direction. Oskar lopes over to me, and I quickly and with a bit of difficulty get my foot in the stirrup and already have him cantering off before I'm fully in the saddle.

And so the brave Dawn Breakers have been outmatched and escaping with our lives. I gallop ahead of the party, eyes blurring with tears and trying to keep my head held high despite the immense shame I feel. I begged to go to Berez, I wanted to find the seed, my precious pinecone. I led us into a trap, and now we are cowards. I only took one hit from that hut, and it nearly cost me my life. Some warrior I am. The party will never forgive me for this mistake, I should have voted for Argynvostholt. And those poor ravens are still trapped, so we completely wasted all our efforts!

Eventually I hear pounding hoofbeats drawing closer, and out of the corner of my eye I see the big white head of Rideyr's horse draw up. I can't even bring myself to look at him as he speaks to me, until he tells me to. His words bring me comfort, but I still feel responsible for this travesty. The loss of so many ravens weighs heavily on my mind, and my heart is breaking for them. He gets me laughing by the time we reach the tower, so I try to be a little less broody. This land is depressing enough, and me feeling sorry for myself won't help anything. I've definitely learned something about the burden of command, and I'm not sure I like it.

As we ride onto the tower island, we hear ravens up in the sky. I look up, and they are way up high, flying in V formation. One by one, they peel off, diving to the ground in some kind of choreographed routine. It hits me that it's a dedication to the ravens who died this day. My heart breaks a little more, and I start crying again. Rideyr pats me on the back reassuringly.

We dismount and let the horses graze while we go up to the tower. It's safe here now with the werewolf pack gone, and we need rest and lots of it. I coach Cecil through the dance once more, and we make it into the tower without any electrical damage. I then remember that when we left, after I had said the name on the door, that something had moved upstairs! Curiosity outweighs any sense of danger, and I speak it aloud once more.

"Khazan!" I say loudly in the entranceway.

Chad glares at me, and I see other party members tense up as something moves upstairs.

"It might be the head!" I grab Creed's arm, and she hisses in pain as I pull her toward the elevator. "You have to see this, Creed!"

"It smells like lavender!" Mike adds.

We ride up to the top, and the others call the lift back down. As I step into the room, the suit of armor that was once standing silent watch over the room has moved. It turns and looks at me, and I feel fear grip me for a moment, until it snaps its arm to its visor and renders me a salute. I smile as I salute back.

"High five!?" I say, holding my hand up toward it. It does nothing. "Hmm... step forward!"

The armor clanks forward.

"Guysimadeafriendcomeseehim!!!" I yell in a string of unintelligible words. I'm just too excited!

Everyone comes upstairs and settles in. It's a little cramped, but comfortable up here. I show off my new metal friend, and then have him stand guard downstairs before I return to the top to sleep. His name is probably Khazan, but we all brainstorm potential names for him before drifting off to sleep.

In the morning, we go out to the lawn and with the help of the clerics and Rideyr, and attended by everyone else, I conduct a ceremony for the ravens we lost. I gathered some feathers, not finding many, and had put them in a pile on the ground, surrounded by the prettiest shiny rocks I could find. I'm sure everyone is making fun of me on the inside, but they're all respectful as I speak.

"Dawn Breakers, friends of the Ravens, we gather here today to pay respect to those brave ravens who gave their life in the battle against evil. May they rest in peace. Fly high, beautiful birds!"

Chad sets fire to the pile of feathers, and we all bow our heads as I sing an old elvish song about ravens that my mom taught me when I was little. I'm sure my voice is horrible, but everyone maintains somber dignity until I finish. I just hope that we won't have to do a funeral for any of us, or any of the actual wereravens.

I thank Rideyr for believing in me, even now when I doubt myself, and give him a hug. It doesn't seem like anyone is mad at me for making the decision to go to Berez, but I can tell that everyone else feels bad about running too. However, we are all alive, and if we had stayed we would not be all gathered here together.

"So... Argynvostholt?" I ask Steiny.

He nods.

"Yeah, I think we are in need of more allies. We might find them there."

"Very well. Do you want to announce it to the party so it's your idea?"

He laughs, and gives me a hug. Wow... muscles! I leave Steiny and go over to Cecil as we pack up to head out.

"Hey, Cecil. I'm sorry about Poppov."

"I'm not." He says with a shrug.

"If we go back to Villaki, I'll buy you any puppet you want. Maybe a Strahd puppet!"

The glint in his eye and smirk coming across his face tells me that's a great idea. Imagine all the fun we could have with a Strahd doll?

"I like the way you think, Zo. We do have to go get our outfits from Blinsky."

"That's right! I'm not going to dinner at the castle without my dress. Gotta look my best."

"You could look even better with this!" He holds out the youth potion.

"I'm really tempted..."

"Wow, you're easy! Ok, here!"

Rideyr sees the gnome hand me the potion bottle.

"No! Zola..." I really don't want to disappoint him, but...

I open the stopper and sniff it. It smells delightful! Creed walks over, looking eager.

"I'll drink it!" She says. No, I'm not listening to her whine about being sick again, she's already moaned on and on about almost dying to the Finger of Death.

"Nope!" I take a sip, then close the bottle. "Do I look prettier?"

I don't feel any different. Cecil scrunches up his face, but doesn't say anything for a moment.

"Hmmm... not any different, but you're not ugly. How do you feel?"

"Fine!" I hand the bottle back to him. "Let's save that for the castle."

"We could give it to Strahd. I wonder what it would do to him?"

"Make him younger and hotter!"

Rideyr sighs.

"We talked about this, Zola."

"I'm only kidding!" I walk away with a sh*t eating grin, and out of the corner of my eye I see Cecil pull out his notebook and jot something down, glancing at me as he does. He's a strange one, but I no longer question his loyalty. He's a great friend.

It's another beautiful day in Barovia, and time for us to hit the road and find more adventure. Hopefully this time it won't nearly destroy us!

~ Zola

[Jeff]

Taking some time to go off by myself and get cleaned up. It feels so good to take off my armor and clean my clothes as best as I can in the river. As I remove my shirt I see the scars that have come from too many battles. I don’t want the others to see, because I’ll be asked about them and war stories are too often romanticized by the listener. There is nothing romantic about battle and death; they only cause sorrow and leave wounds on the body and psyche that never fully heal. I live everyday with the physical and mental pain from what I’ve gone through, even though I hadn’t picked up my sword for years—the pain never seems to end. But for now I’m just going to clean up as best as I can and take a moment before we carry on.

My mind turns to this family dynamic that seems to be developing at least to me; they may not feel the same. Of all people, I’ve come to think of Cecil as a younger brother. He can be infuriating at times, but he has a good heart, and I feel very protective of him. And Zola feels like a daughter to me, and I’m very protective of her as well. I get concerned when she wants to drink potions to make her more attractive, as I don’t believe it’s healthy both physically or mentally, but I should probably just back off and leave both of them be. I’m not their brother or father, and I’m fairly sure they don’t want me meddling in their business. It won’t be easy, but I’ll try. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to either of them, or anyone else in the party for that matter, but that’s going to be quite difficult here in Barovia. That’s something to be concerned about when it happens. For now I’m going to lie down under that tree, close my eyes and listen to the water flow by in the river; it’s important to find peace where I can.