Story Thread

[bxtreme]

Journal Entry 21

Argynvostholt is quickly becoming one of my most hated places in Barovia! Dealing with the Revenant knights was quite a challenge. But during our search of the mansion, we found the Chief pain-in-the-ass Revenant knight. He apparently served directly under Argynvost and hates Strahd as much as we do! He hates him so much, that he wants to ensure Strahd remains tormented in this land for all eternity. We thought we could leverage this and make him an ally. I tried appealing to this strong sentiment of his and told him we wanted help in "intensifying" Strahd's torment. I even resorted to flattery! But this guy was so damn cranky that none of us could get through to him.

Creed really pissed off PITA Revenant by impersonating one of his knights. He told us at the very least, Creed must die. I tried talking him down and apologizing for Creed, but that didn't dissuade him. The conflict was at an awkward standstill for far too long. I was crippled by indecision. On one hand I must defend my friends against an enemy that was surely about to strike. On the other hand, I didn't want to sour a potential relationship with an ally against Strahd.

We start disengaging from the combat. I use my new powers to create a wall of ice between us and the Revenant. I chuckle at the fact that the Revenant will inflict damage on himself if he decides to pursue us and strike the ice wall. He does, of course, and the unexpected happens. 9 ghostly PITA's show up to aid the head PITA.

A lengthy combat ensues. Steinbjorn falls several times in combat. Chad keeps him from bleeding out. I use my abilities to bolster my defenses and continue to Mind Thrust my enemies to death. We emerge victorious thanks to the efforts of all the Dawn Breakers.

Upon reflection, two things are bothering me. First, I feel I didn't do as well as I could have in combat. My tactics were thrown off by our indecisiveness. Now more than ever we need to be unified in our goals and approach. If we were, I might have been able to give us an edge in the beginning of that combat. Second, Creed seemed really concerned about the Revenant coming back and hunting us down for all eternity...valid concern I suppose.

[Aileen]

The bats surround Steinbjorn, but the brave cleric does not panic. We swiftly deal with them, and Steiny weirdly seems happy about his new gift. We search the cart, and he climbs into the coffin.

"It's a tight fit." He announces. I nearly fall off the cart laughing when I see him lying in it, squeezed in there.

We see smoke issuing from one of the lower rooms, so we head back inside to investigate. Khazan pushes the door open, and I enter with him followed by the party. A draconic, fiery shape emerges from the hearth and grows larger. We all hold our weapons but do not attack. It unfurls it's great wings.

"My knights have fallen into darkness. Save them if you can- show them the light they have lost!"

It disappears! We all ponder what he meant about the light... nobody really knows. I'm thinking some kind of physical light, like a chandelier or a lamp. I probably sound stupid suggesting it, but I don't do well with cryptic messages.

Moving on, we come to another room with a half open door. Khazan leads, and it seems safe, so I join him, everyone else following. There's broken beds and a fireplace, and Val goes straight for the fireplace. Two more fiery draconic shapes fly out, filling the room with ash as they ascend. Once more we don't attack, and they fly over us. They don't give us any messages this time. They fly into the hall, and Steiny calls back that he is going to follow. All of us but Mike and Val follow after. Creed flies up ahead, actually flying like my mom sometimes could (and I hated joining her, I don't do heights!). She goes well ahead of us, and we lose sight of her. We stop in front of a rubble filled room that seems a bit unsafe to traverse across.

Creed returns a moment later and reports that there's a man slumped in a throne in a great throne room. Oh, and he has a big sword. We definitely want to check it out. I put one foot on the dangerous looking floor, and Rideyr holds onto me as I put half my weight onto it. It doesn't even creak.

"I think it's okay, I'm going in."

I make it across fine, and we all go one at a time, everyone making it across. As we enter the throne room, I suggest we bow as we approach.

"Good thinking. Offer proper deference," Rideyr says. "Even if the guy's dead."

We walk towards the throne, and stop, bowing low and respectfully.

"Go away." The figure speaks.

Okay. I'm good with that. The others don't seem to be. Creed decides to talk. She says we are enemies of Strahd and want allies. The guy says he was the head of the Knights here, and wants Strahd to suffer, and basically hates anyone who wants to kill him. We never exactly said we want to destroy Strahd, we just want to free Barovia. She keeps talking, and he rises from the throne, gripping the greatsword as he approaches us. We don't move, and it takes everything in me to stand fast as he comes up, standing face to face with me. I can now see his great sword, which is absolutely massive, has a beautiful crosspiece in the shape of a dragon's wings, and the pommel a dragon head with a black opal in its jaws.

We all try talking ourselves out of this hole we have potentially dug for ourselves, but the revenant, which he clearly is, wants us gone. Unfortunately, Creed speaks again, and changes her appearance to that of a dragon knight.

"HOW DARE YOU!" He bellows. "Take on the appearance of a noble knight? You at least shall die!"

Rideyr and Cecil try talking him down, to no avail. My heart is ready to pound itself out of my chest- we have to go, now!

"Oh great knight, I am sorry for my friends not respecting you," I say with a bow. "We will be leaving now."

I make it to the door, not breathing until I get there. He was way too close for comfort. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it away from him and we can't decide if we are staying or going. He attacks Rideyr, and it's on.

"Rideyr, Steinbjorn- run!" I scream.

They start moving to the corridor, and Cecil gets his mischievous look on his face.

"Watch this!" He says to me, and holds his hands out.

A massive wall of ice appears separating us from the revenant.

"Cecil, that's awesome!" I gasp. We are saved!

Well, apparently not. A hole is smashed through the wall, and ice shatters everywhere. The revenant stands there, and nine ghostly knights appear. I wait for Steiny to reach me, and we run into the hall. Unfortunately, we don't make it very far before the spectral soldiers fly through the walls and move in on us. Now it's a fight for our lives.

I start hitting them with my axe, and soon Creed moves in to blast. They start going down, but not without hitting all of us. Steiny keeps going down since he used Spirit Guardians on them, but Rideyr gets him up. Mike and Val arrive, and I realize that when I sent Khazan down to get him i didn't exactly phrase it right, so i am without him for this battle. Too bad.

Stein gets to his feet, and the revenant is right in front of him. He looks at him, head on, and reaches for the holy symbol of the Morninglord.

"You don't deserve to wear that." Stein says, and grabs it. He falls again.

I keep getting hit, and the ghostly things hurt a lot, surprising for something incorporeal. Cecil moves beyond me, giving me an opening on the revenant. I move in, hitting him over and over with my axe. He gets me back in kind, and the greatsword slashes me within an inch of my life as he repeatedly pummels me. I keep hanging on, more worried about Stein who is down again, than myself. Rideyr moves in behind the revenant, assisting me. I can always count on him to be there for me. I hit once more, and my axe strikes true. The revenant freezes, his hateful eyes staring into mine.

"There will be no rest for you in this land." He says, and then falls limp. I cheer- I killed the revenant!

Rideyr and I shield bump. I do enjoy fighting alongside my new family, even when the odds are so bad like this. We somehow always pull through. Well, except for Berez. I try to repress that memory. I reach down and grab the sword, and damn is it heavy!

Stein is back on his feet now that the ghosts are gone and the revenant dead, and casts detect magic on everything we found on the body. The sword is magic!

"Do you want the sword?" I ask Rideyr.

"No. You keep it if you can use it."

I try it out, swinging it around. It is way too big for me to use with one hand, which is what I'm used to. I stow my shield, and practice with it two handed. It actually feels good, despite it being nearly as tall as me. It's then that I realize how beat up I am, and have to put it away. We decide to rest up here after a search, and its then I remember I forgot Khazan downstairs.

"I forgot Khazan!" I exclaim, running for the stairs.

"Zola, wait!"

Rideyr runs after me, and we go down to the fireplace room. Sure enough, Khazan is just standing there in front of the fire.

"I'm so sorry, Khazan! Let's go back upstairs!"

We head back up, Rideyr chuckling.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing. Just how you talk to Khazan. He is just animated armour, you know."

"I know. I just like to think he's one of us."

We go to the throne room, and rest. I clean the greatsword as we rest for the hour, cleaning the blood off of it. Most of it is mine, some Rideyrs, and some Steiny's. This blade is brutal, and I hope I can do some good with it. I pull out the axe, and bring it over to Rideyr.

"I want you to take this." I say. "Can you use an axe?"

"I can. Are you certain?"

"Yes, it's yours now. She's a good axe. Treat her well."

"Thank you, Zola."

"Any time!" I smile and return to cleaning the sword.

We are soon healed up and ready to move along. I suggest going to Vallaki, as Rideyr and I really want to A) find Ireena and crew and B) fight Strazni and take the city back for the people. Nobody really likes our idea, so we are staying here to explore more and figure out this light situation.

We check more rooms, finding nothing of interest save a cool painting of who we think is Argynvost in human form. We come to a T intersection, and I follow behind Khazan as we go left and approach a door. Steiny walks next to me, and Rideyr behind me in his usual spot. I feel safe with them at my side. As Khazan approaches the door, suddenly a wall of stone pops up behind us, separating Khazan, Steinbjorn, Rideyr, Chad and I from the rest of the group. Eleven spectral knights appear, and attack. I draw the greatsword, and stand ready. It's time to see what this baby can do!

Truth be told, I am a little worried about what the revenant said to me before dying. I know from what the holy rollers told us about them that they will never stop hunting those who they seek vengeance against. Not until they're dead. If he comes back, will he hunt me down? I have his sword, too. I can only hope his hatred of Strahd outweighs his hatred of me. I didn't even want to fight him, and I put him down. I guess he is right, I will never find rest in this land.

~ Zola

[Jeff]

Following a failed attempt to ally with the greatsword-wielding revenant knight, he attacks and we start to move out of the room to give us the option of finding better ground to fight on or retreat if necessary. Cecil casts a spell that creates an ice wall between us and the knight. I look in amazement and catch the gnome’s gaze as he smiles with satisfaction and nods his head. He’s definitely full of surprises, and I’m impressed as we start to move out of the room. Behind us we hear the knight hit the wall twice as he breaks through.

“I tried,” Cecil says apologetically.

“You did well my friend,” I reply, “that was amazing but get moving.”

Just as I say that the knight moves out of the room and a bunch of spectral revenant knights appear around him. We are cut off and have no choice but to stand and fight. If this is it, then we’re going to fight to the end. I’m surrounded by four of them on the right flank of the battle. I parry their blows and keep their attention on me as the others engage my comrades. The others and the leader attack Steinbjorn who has done damage to them with a spell, and he goes down. I move to my friend and lay hands on him so he can get up, which he does valiantly fighting on. The leader hits him again, and Steinbjorn falls after the crushing blow.

I start to move towards him, but Chad yells, “I got him,” and I move in on the leader, sword raised. I call on the Morninglord and gather his divine strength and strike a crushing blow on the leader who turns towards me, his red eyes blazing as I prepare to strike again with divine energy. My sword strikes true as I can feel his energy force waning, and I know he is near the end. Just then Zola strikes him with a killing blow from her axe, and he falls. I smile approvingly at Zola and she smiles back as we bump shields and breathe deeply in relief. But our satisfaction is short-lived as the revenant knight looks directly at Zola and says she will never find rest in this land. I look at Zola and her face is stricken, and I can tell she is shook.

“Rideyr, what if I’m cursed now, like you were with that hag?” She asks.

“I don’t think you are,” I say reassuringly, not sure of my words, “but if you are, we’ll get it fixed. Don’t you worry about that.” Her visage doesn’t change much and I can see she is worried. “Don’t think about it—if it happens, we’ll deal with it then. No need to imagine trouble, we have enough around us as it is.” I say looking at her and shaking my head, “okay?”

“Okay,” she agrees.

I’m generously offered the knight’s greatsword, but I suggest it goes to Zola who immediately agrees to wield the mighty weapon. She generously gives her magic axe to me, and I’m grateful to have it. I’m better suited to fight with a one-handed weapon and shield; she’s young and strong and will wield the greatsword valiantly.

After catching our breath, Zola and I make our case to head to Villaki; we want to check on our friends at the Blue Water Inn and see if Ireena and Ismark have made their way there. We also feel that Villaki has other secrets to divulge and other items that may help us on our quest. Both of us feel that Strazni is evil and oppresses the people there, and that needs to end. The others don’t agree, so we decide to push on and see what else is waiting for us here in Argynvostholt.

[jasonandsleep]

Act. Two Scene three of the Untitled Mike and Cheeks buddy comedy.

Int. Argynvostholt; a crumbling, dust-filled ruin of a castle.

Mike: Did you see it? Did you see? my head was on that pedestal!

Cheeks: Yeah Mike, we all saw your head up there, it was messed up.

Mike: I mean it must have been an illusion right, no way it was real?

Cheeks: Well I'm pretty sure your real head is still where it's always been but you can go back and touch it if you want.

Mike: Ick, no, pass. Still, you have to say it...I'm firk! ding! blast!ing hot right?

Cheeks: (taken aback) surely you've looked in a mirror before?

Mike: Yeah, of course, it's just getting a 3d view like that...damn.

Cheeks: Sure, whatever, hey Mike wanna help kill these bats?

Mike: Bats? what bats...Oh gos se! (Eldrich fire erupts from her hand as a swarm of bats swoops in)

Ext. Courtyard of the great decaying mansion, a short fight ensues as bats flutter around the party, in front of the mansion is a cart with a coffin in it that bears the name of Steinbjorn, one of the party members. Also, someone peed on a post for no reason, it is gross. In time, all the bats are destroyed.

Mike: Hey why is Steinbjorn getting into that coffin, that's pretty emo, even for him.

Cheeks: I think he's checking to see if it's tailor-made for him or something.

Mike: I mean Strahd probably has a bunch of coffins lying around right, he's a vampire there's probably three in every room.

Cheeks: Yeah I guess.

Mike: Hey Cheeks, what do you think of Valkyrie?

Cheeks: (puzzled) In what sense, I mean she's a capable fighter if that's what you're asking.

Mike: Right sure, totally fierce, but she's also really cute, right?

Cheeks: (exasperated) Mike c'mon were in a giant death mansion, is now really the time for a love connection?

Mike: Yes! we'll probably all be dead or undead in a day or two! And besides i've only been with like (Mike pauses to think) five Assimar before and some of those we're Fallen which don't really count. I don't mean to be a snob but those leathery wings just aren't as attractive to me.

Cheeks: (says nothing)

Mike: And besides it's been like Eleven days! Eleven days! The last time I went that long without any loving I had Scarlett Fever!

Cheeks: Fine, whatever, follow your bliss, just leave a sock on the door, I don't want to walk in on it.

Mike: You sure? Might learn something.

Cheeks: You have nothing to teach me pointy ears.

Mike: (Laughs)

Int. A bedroom inside Argynvostholt, for reasons known only to the DM, two smoke dragons fly out of the fireplace, go over the party member's heads and fly out of the room and up some stairs. Most of the party starts running after them like the dragons stole there wallets, But Valkerie offers to search the room and Mike offers to help.

Mike: So, um is there a Mr. Valkerie?

Valkerie: No.

Mike: So your single, cool, cool I was thinking maybe...

Valkerie: No, I mean no to whatever you're doing right now.

Mike: (taken aback)Oh, right.. you know usually this is much easier.

Valkerie: Nothing is ever easy in Barovia.

Mike: Man ain't that the truth, I was...

KlANG, KlANG, KlANG. The two women both turn to see the animated armor standing in the doorway.

Valkerie: The firk! ding! blast!...

Mike: It's Zola's metal boyfriend! Why is it just standing there?

Valkerie: Hello there armor! Hello, You can leave now!

Mike: Is it... judging us?

Valkerie: firk! ding! blast! nevermind, let's just actually search this room.

Mike: (lifting up a comforter) Okay.

Cheeks: (running into the room out of breath) Holy gos se y'all, holy gos se! There's like a spooky guy up there and everyone tried to make friends with him but he was like really mean and these ghosts came out and then Cecil put up an ice wall but it just made him angry.

Mike: Cool! It's Pokin' Time!

Cheeks: What, what was that?

Mike: It's my battle cry... It's Pokin' time!

Cheeks: (rolling her eyes) Sure it is sis.

The three women run out of the room.

Scene.

[Stephen]

Argynvostholt…… where Strahd’s enemies can be found. Least that’s what Esmeralda's note said. We certainly found enemies. Revenants. Poor creatures, suffered so harshly in life that not even death could end their pain and the oaths they swore to see Strahd suffer.

Seeing my name chiseled on a coffin was.... interesting. I opened it to see what was inside. Was it a copy of me like one of Mikes head? Just a swarm of bats. I climb into the coffin to see what it feels like. A tight fit but it will do in a pinch. We head back inside and continue the search for Strahd’s enemies.

We finally come to a throne room of sorts and see a large armored revenant sitting upon a throne. Unfortunately, the big guy and us have different views on how to deal with Strahd. We try to talk and reason with him but it doesn’t seem to matter much. We back out of the room and Cecil puts up a wall of ice giving us some time to escape. He is full of surprises! The revenant uses his two-handed sword and breaks the wall down, it implodes and damages him. With a wave of his hand, nine ghostly warriors appear around their lord and move into attack us.

We do our best, but I feel as though some of us are holding back. It angers me. The revenant angers me. His minions anger me. This place angers me. Strahd’s touch has corrupted this land. The revenants’ attack against me hurts. A lot. His sword must be magical. His painful attack pushes me over the edge. A rage builds up in me and I begin to cast a spell.

“You don’t deserve to wear the symbol of the morning lord!!” I roar at him and unleash a dark power of my own. The necromantic energy surges up my arm as I grasp and pull the symbol of morning lord off his armored chest. The energy crackles across his upper body. The discharge would kill a normal man. Alas, the revenant seems to absorb most of the energy. Much too my dismay.

The fight continues, I summon spectral guardians to attack the ghostly warriors. The warriors in turn focus all of their attention on me. I get bombarded by several of them. Assuming a defensive posture, I block many attacks with my club and shield but some get through. I get slammed twice and see stars. The next thing I know Chad is pulling me up from the cold stone floor and shoving me back into the fight. Down I go again, my aggression and desperation getting the better of me. The rest is blur.

Resting after the fight with the revenant and his guards I can barely contain my anger. Leaning against a cold stone wall catching my breath I feel frustration raising in me again. I am so frustrated with this land. With its people. Turning the holy symbol of the morning lord over in my hands, formerly belonging to the revenant, I take cold comfort in knowing that Strahd will never bend me to his will like he does this land and most of its people. It will be a warm sunny day in Barovia before I let him corrupt me or mine.

Some of us want to leave this Argynvostholt even though we have not finished exploring. Perhaps there are secrets to be found here. Something to use against the devil. Eventually the argument to stay and explore outweighs the converse. Arguing, I snort with frustration. We do almost as much arguing as we do battle lately. We push on even though the sun is beginning to dip below the horizon.

Maybe this place and all its dreariness is another one of Strahds powers. The chill in the air. The cloudy weather. All designed to crush people and keep them complacent. Is that what I feel? Is that why I am not as happy as I was when I first entered this cursed land? Maybe it is affecting my friends too. We should start liberating the people and showing them the light. I know of a certain Captain of the guard in Vallaki with a weird dragon arm that could use a permanent rest.

Suddenly behind Zola, Rideyr, Chad, Khazan and myself a stone wall slams down separating us from the rest of the party. More ghostly warriors begin to fill the hallway. I sigh. We look at each and prepare for the fight. Hopefully the others can figure out a way to break through the wall between us.

[dragonforgotten]

As I blast the last bat and Stein whacks one out of the air all bats are now dead.
Curious stein wiggled his way into the coffin. He looks very squished with his armor but with it off he’d defiantly would fit. I don’t know how to feel about that. He’d have to know our exact measurements. Does this old vampire inspect us while we sleep. How scandalous.
Stein looks very happy about his coffin. If he happens to croak inside the castle we'll def have to bury him in it. It’s too nice not to.
We exit the carriage but catch the flicker of fire in one of the windows. Like a moth to the flame were drawn back inside. As we step into the room the fire place roars, its flames growing as it takes the form of a large dragon. Everyone tenses up, ready to strike but i step forward.
"Arganvost! Is that you?" I don't get an answer but its obvious to me.
"We've come to put you to rest. How the heck do we do that?"
"My knights have fallen into darkness. Save them if you can- show them the light they have lost!" He then fades away and the fire returns to normal. Now that was exciting. Havent seen that before. It's clear though that to save the revenants we fought its going to be a pain in the neck but if we save them we'll get friends in this friendless realm. Gods we need friends. We also need a win. Moral is s***. We explore this place further till we find a bed chambers with a picture of a hudsome man. He's pretty hot so maybe its Arganvost as a human. Next room we check has a fire place and as Im waiting outside in the hallway two little fire dragons come streaking out of the room as cries go out from the people inside.
"I got it!" I channel my magic and i begin o fly. Not bound by my weak legs I kick off against the floor and fly after them. They zip up the stairs and then past a tattered curtain. Beyond is a decayed old hallway as I glide over the floor. It is then i reach a door way. A great hall stands majestic and wracked with age, chocked by cob webs. A body sits upon a dragon throne and I watch as the dragons Ive chase fly into its body and its eyes flares a vengeful red, its bones popping as it tightens its grip on a massive bastard sword with a dragon adorning the pummel. Is that? Arganvost?? Nawww, maybe. The heck if i know. 
"Leave now or would you perfer to taste my blade." I back off, Im not starting this s*** alone. I turn around and fly back as i hear him call out.
"Wise choice coward." Like hell, I'm not a knight. cowards live. By the time i leave the hallway the gang is already up the stairs.
"Oh hell you guys! Theres a dude! He's has a massive sword and is a massive a*****."
We gather together minus three of the gang and make our way back through the corridor i came from. The dead knight stands up from his throne eyes a blazing.
"Go away."
"We just want to talk! hear us out!"
He then tells us of his orders downfall, his lover, and his ever burning rage and desire to see Strahd suffer endlessly and that he will not allow us to kill him, thus ending his suffering....I can feel my frustration growing, we didn't say we were going to kill him. Everyone else begins trying to convince him but he doesn't seem to want to listen... Is he stupid or just want to pick a fight?
"Thats fine! We were not planning to kill him but increase his suffering and freeing the people of this terrible land. Hear me out!" Says Cecil.
The man begins walking towards off with his bog overcompensating sword. S***! What the hell.
"We don't want to fight you! For f*** sake! We can imprison his soul! Are you even f***ing listening! We don't want to kill him!"
He doesn't stop and i reach my boiling point. He's not evening listening, he's all wrapped up in his anger.
"Your lost to your rage. If you wont listen then watch! Remember who you were!!"
I change my appears to look like one of the dragon knights and the man loses it!
"HOW DARE YOU!" He bellows. "Take on the appearance of a noble knight? You at least shall die!"
"firk! ding! blast! you to mate!!" I shout at him flipping the bird. That went bad. I thought i could shake him, bring out his humanity but apparently this man is too much of a try hard , blow heart, sissy to wake up. Cant say we didn't try.
"Oh great knight, I am sorry for my friends not respecting you," Zola says with a bow. "We will be leaving now."
Fine then. If he wants to sulk i here by himself he can f*** do it! Its Gramps all over again! Ryder, Stein and Zola try to do damage control but it seems this a*** wants a fight. We begin trying to back out of the room. Poor Ryder gets a nasty slash from his sword. We all make it back into the hallway, Stein guarding the doorway with Ryder. Before the revenant gets closer an ice wall blocks his path and I catch a clever smirk on Cecils face.
"Way to go little buddy!" I shout at him from the air. Suddenly the section of ice breaks as the revenant captain steps through as the ice blows back into him shredding him to pieces. Karma at its finest. His eyes ignite and nine spector knights crawl from the ground, ceciling and floor. So he's a little b*** as well! 
"Its your own damn fault you bastard! Your want a fight so bad! Now you have one!" I back off to the back of the line and begin tearing apart the spectors one by one. Stein grabs the mans holy symbol, says something really really cool and makes him bleed but unfortunately with his ghost warriors helping to rip up the hoard he becomes the prime target and is ripped to shred. He falls over and over as Chad helps keeps him from deaths door. As i begin to make progress the missing three rejoin us and renew our efforts to bring the pain. I stare hard at the reveant as he steps up to Zola. should i use it now? Everyone would see it though. Ryder would see it. I reconsider as the gang easily dispatch the ghosts and gang up on the revenant. they got this s*** locked down. Zola lifts her axe.
"Zola wait! Dont k-!" and then it drops into the undead knights skull as he wheezes and stares straight at her eyes flaring.
"There will be no rest for you in this land." The undead slumps as Zola kicks him off her axe. I land in front of the redead knight glaring. This isn't over. Far from it. Five very pissed off, unkillable soliders. What to do, what to do. This would make me gleeful, more toys to break after all but I'm not in the mood to play. I'm tired and out of s***s to give. It stops being fun. Now I'm furious. We came here for peace but instead they spit on us and hurt my cleric. I want to help Arganvost but now i don't want to help these pathetic lot. I cant stand bad listeners after all. I kick his face to the side so i can glare at him in the dead eyes. I wonder if he can hear me? Doubt it but it feels good.
"So mister knight. You wont be my friend. You made a sorry mistake targeting a kid. Want to know why?" I lean into his ear.
"Because I'm going to make damn sure you and the rest of our lot wish you could die. Never know peace you said? I'll send you five into hell if you touch a hair on her."
The gang begin sorting out the knights gear, sadly no one can wear the cool armor. Zola though has traded up weapons. Theres a quick spat on what to do next. Zola and a couple others wan to leave right now but we cant. We don't have all the answers here. Pieces are missing to the puzzle if we want to free Arganvost. Theres talks to going to Valaki. They want to over throw the Burgermaster. Where the heck did this come from?
"Well need Iskar for that." I inform them.
"Im not interested to rule a town and I don't want the entire stack of cards crumbling once it devolve into lawlessness."
Why are we bloody going there now? We need to find the gang first. The one we foolishly sent off by themselves! I check my watch.
"Its dark now. The sissy squad will but up by lunch so let's just comb this place and go to bed."
It's an agreement. No one wants to travel at night. We walk down a hallway till suddenly a wall drops inches in front of my face. Well.... Im stuck with Mike and Chee. S***.

-Creed

[Aileen]

Part 1- The Beacon of Argynvostholt


Khazan is gone. He took hit after hit, and I swear he looked at me as he fell into pieces.

"KHAZAAAAAN!" I scream, and put all my rage into hitting these ghosts. They killed my best friend!

I swing my new greatsword for the first time, and it feels amazing. It cuts into the specters with little effort. I only miss once in 4 swings! The ghosts move in to attack us all, from front and in back, and I'm shocked as one moves right through me. Everything goes ice cold for a second, and I feel faint, but it's short lived. I shiver, and shake my head back into the fight. The ghost soldiers just can't seem to hit me, but they get Stein. He takes a brutal blow, but grits his teeth and shakes it off.

I destroy the one on me, and then attack the one on Stein. That's when the sound of stone breaking fills the room, and I hear Cheeks shouting that she's here! We are saved! I see Steinbjorn hold up his new holy symbol, and suddenly the ghosts start to retreat. I hit the one in front of him as it retreats, and it turns back to attack me. I hit it again- nice try, ghostie! I destroy that one too with another powerful blow, and turn and smack Stein on his a**. He flinches, but I can see the ghost of a smile.

"GET 'EM, STEINY!" I shout, rallying him.

He moves, and casts what looks like a mini fireball past my head. Awesome! Mike barrels in and destroys the ghost Stein hit. Where are the others, though? Only two remain, and Chad kills one a second later. I see an opening, and charge towards the last ghost.

"FOR KHAZAN!"

I run it through, and it is destroyed. I keep running toward the door where two other ghosts disappeared into. There are clear sounds of a struggle on the other side, and Rideyr tries to open the door, but it's locked.

"Don't worry friends, we're here to save you!" I hear Cecil call on the other side.

Cheeks takes out her thieves tools, and manages to get it open, and we barge in. Creed is raking her claws across a ghost's face. Stein mini fireballs it, and Rideyr finishes it off with a crushing blow. I know the ghosts that killed Khazan went the other way, through the other door, so I run back that way. I don't get far before Steinbjorn grabs my armor and yanks me back roughly.

"Zola, where do you think you're going?!"

"They killed Khazan, I'm going in the other room!" I scream at him.

"No. Wait. We need to get everyone healed up before moving on. They will come to us."

I'm a little bit injured, but I've had worse. I need to get revenge for my metal friend. I start turning back to the door, but Rideyr steps in and puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Come on, we're going to rest. Running into battle won't bring Khazan back. Okay?"

I sigh in defeat, and we go to the room with the beds to rest. I sit by the door, fuming. I don't want the party to see me cry, and the only way I can hold back the tears is by fueling my rage. Steiny healed me up, of which I'm grateful, but I need to get back in the fight.

Creed plops down next to me, and wraps me in an awkward hug. It is comforting, at least a little.

"I'm sorry about Khazan," she says. "I know you're having a tough go of things. We all are. But I'm always here if you want to talk."

"Thanks, Creed."

Cecil sidles over and sits on my other side, and I know he's up to his scheming again.

"Hey, Zo. So I was thinking, and-"

"Yes, you can make a puppet out of Khazan. But let me try something first."

"Wow, that was easy! You won't regret it."

After an hour, we all rally a little. I'm raring to go, and I want to get back to my friend's remains.

"Can anyone help me put him back together?" I ask.

With everyones help, and after Cheeks checks the hallway for ghosts, we get Khazan rearranged in his former shape.

"Khazan- I order you to rise!"

He doesn't. He's not even attached. Rideyr puts an arm around my shoulders, and we somberly look down on our metal friend. If my dad were here, he could fix him. I wish I had his skill, I just never could catch on. Cecil looks at me expectantly, and I nod. He grabs the head gleefully. Steinbjorn reaches down and starts fiddling with the guantlets, removing the bracer part. He brings them over to me.

"Give me your arm." He says. I hold out the right one, and he attaches the metal bracer to it, and then the same for the left. "Now when you fight, you always have him fighting with you."

"Thank you, Steiny."

He nods and walks away. I finish saying my goodbyes, and we retreat to the room to rest. The night is spent telling ghost stories, which in turn makes me jump at every little noise, and talking about our lives. We haven't had much chance to get to know eachother, the past week has been so hectic, so it's nice to have some quiet. This place is haunted and creepy, but we make the best of it.

Creed makes a pillow fort and tries to get Rideyr and I in it, but I'm not feeling it. I'm too old for that kind of thing. I know she means well, but I'm just too down and I don't know if I'll ever find joy in the things that once did ever again.

Cecil is tinkering away with parts of Khazan, but I can't bring myself to watch. He served me well, and I may have humanized him more than I should have. I find myself reduced to tears, and cover my face with my blanket as I once again mourn friends and family gone too soon. This land is taking everything from me, and I don't know if it will ever stop.

The next morning we rise early, ready to finish exploring this place and get going before the revenants wake up. Cecil presents his new project, which is a puppet with Khazan's head. His mouth opens and is a lighter. I don't know whether to be offended or impressed. Somehow the conversation turns into Khazan's mouth being able to be used as a brand... and I agree to let Cecil try it on me.

"That's permanent! Why would you want a brand?" Creed asks.

"It's free!" I reply, and hold up my shirt.

"Ready?" The gnome asks.

"Yes, do it!"

"No!" Creed tries to stop him, but I put my hand on her forehead and she physically can not move forward.

There is a quick, scalding pain of hot metal against the skin of my lower back, and it's over as soon as it begins. My flesh stings painfully, and I wince as Cheeks and Mike inspect it. I don't think their laughter is a good sign.

"Who is Nosnor?" Cheeks asks.

"What?!" I twist around, and see freshly burnt skin and the word NOSNOR imprinted on me. "Cecil, I thought it was going to be Khazan's smile!?"

Rideyr comes over and pulls me aside, leaving the others laughing. I can't even look him in the eye.

"Why would you let him do that to you?"

"Sorry," I say. "I just wanted to remember Khazan."

"Well, you will. And NOSNOR too, apparently. Are you okay, Zola?"

"No. I suppose not. This place is getting to me. All any of us do is argue, and I'm tired of it. Tired of being treated like a child that can't make her own decisions. I'm tired of us constantly failing to help anyone. I'm just..."

"Tired, I know. I feel it, too. We all do. Just keep pushing on. We are all here for eachother, and you know I have your back. Always."

When we are all armored up and breakfast consumed, we head to the t-intersection. I suggest we all get in the room before heading to the door, and luckily the stone wall does not appear. We approach the door, and just as Rideyr and I step ten feet from the door, the wall is back! The ghost that I thought went in the room appears, and attacks! Mike gets a good hit on it, Chad gets a spell in on it, and I finish the job. Khazan has been avenged! I go to kick the door open, and end up just thudding my toes into it really hard.

"Nice one, Zola. Now how about I open that like a civilized person?" Cheeks says, stepping up with her thieves tools.

The tabaxi easily picks the lock while giving me a condescending look. This room has more broken stuff everywhere. We toss it anyway, and Stein finds a wooden coffer. Upon opening it, there are four potions!

"Sippy time!" Stein announces.

"My dad is a potion maker, I am clearly an expert!" I announce, moving in to grab one from Stein. "Shots!"

"No, Zola!" Stein stops me. "Sips!"

"Sips!"

Rideyr, Stein, Creed and I try them. Mine tastes good. Not a healing potion, but I can't quite pinpoint what it is. Fortunately Stein is able to identify them all as Potions of Resistance. The others stow them away, but I know I'm pretty good at avoiding damage in a fight. I hand it over to Cecil. The gnome seems very grateful. He's the only one in the party that seems to get me right now, and I would like to keep him safe.

We move along, and come to a room with a lavishly carved wooden table, chairs topped with dragon heads. There are faded war banners, so this must have been a war chamber. Seven bodies are slumped in chairs, dressed in tattered chainmail. As we enter, they turn their heads.

"Why do you the living disturb the dead?"

Chad tries diplomacy with them, saying we are seeking enemies of Strahd.

"The Order is in tatters. We serve Vladimir."

We come to determine that Vladimir is the revenant we fought in the other room. I quickly hide his sword under my cloak, and hope they didn't see it.

"While we appreciate your reasoning for being here, we cannot help." Speaks the revenant again.

Cheeks asks if they would answer to Argynvost if he were here, and they say yes. They then get angry and tell us to leave, and we are not making that same mistake twice. As we leave, they turn back to the table.

We go next to a bedroom with a taxidermy bear and dire wolf by the door. Creed takes a look at the bear, and turns to me.

"Zola, you should take him! Might make you feel better."

I bust out laughing.

"Creed, that's like four hundred pounds! And not even on wheels."

Searching the room we find nothing, and move on, without the bear. The next room we come to we find an old book that seems to be a devotional for knights of a land called Valentia. I ask Rideyr if it is anything he knows about, but even he has never heard of Valentia. As we stand looking at it, there is a soft flapping noise behind us. Chad bends down and picks up a piece of parchment. He immediately gets excited.

"Its in draconic!" He announces, and starts reading. "My knights have fallen..."

He reads the entry which seems to be Argynvost's last will and testament. It speaks of his bones, and knowing that they may be taken, although his body should lie in the mausoleum. His spirit living on in a beacon of light... yet can't if his bones are gone. Everything is starting to add up!

Steinbjorn goes over to a slashed picture on the wall, and smooths the flap back up. It's a painting of this mansion, and the top of one of the towers is a silvery beacon. Now we know exactly what the fire dragon meant by the light! We surmise that the bones, if they were indeed taken, are probably at Ravenloft. Strahd seems like the type to take souvenirs of his exploits.

We search the rest of the place, and come to a rooftop where there is a silvered gargoyle of a dragon wyrmling. It speaks as we approach.

"When the dragon dreams its dream, within its rightful tomb, the light of Argynvost will beam, and rid this land of gloom."

Unfortunately it doesn't speak again. A very cool trick, and very informative. We head down to the mausoleum next to see if we can find the dragon's bones. Above the entrance of the mausoleum reads a sign, ARGYNVOST.

"Well, at least he planned ahead." Says Creed.

Steinbjorn opens the door, and the interior is dark. And very, very empty. On the wall is an inscription, again in Draconic. I swear I'm the only member of my family never to learn the language, my mom didn't want me to after winning the dragon war. I do know how to swear in it though, that's what's most important.

"Here lie the bones and treasures of Argynvost, lord of Argynvostholt and founder of the Order of the Silver Dragon." Chad reads aloud.

Finished with this place and now with a pretty good idea of what we need to do, we set out towards Vallaki, ready to go find our friends and see to business there. We don't get very far down the road before we run across a traveler walking toward us.

"Hail, traveler!" Stein greets him.

Nothing. Just keeps walking towards us. Then, he stops, and holds out an envelope. I can't get a good look at him under his cloak, but this has to be a servant of Strahd! Steinbjorn approaches, and takes the envelope.

~ Z

[Aileen]

Part II: The Dawn Breakers go to Ravenloft

---

Steinbjorn finishes reading the letter. Strahd has invited us to dinner, and wants us to bring our friends. Friends that we cannot locate. Either that or Strahd already has our friends...

"He needs to be more specific," I complain. "Is this for tonight? Do we have to bring Ireena and crew? What are we going to wear? How do we get there?! I'm stressing out!"

I have to take several deep breaths to calm myself. I am a little too excited about going to Ravenloft, and the prospect of a decent dinner, but the details are so jumbled. The traveler who delivered the letter is no help, and just walks away when Steinbjorn says we accept the invite.

"Are we stopping in Vallaki to get our outfits?" I ask the group.

"We really should," says Cecil.

"If the dinner is tonight, we need to get going now. Vallaki will have to wait." Rideyr says.

"I can't believe he didn't send a ride this time," I complain. "And I look awful."

Cecil falls into step next to me.

"You know, I still have that potion," he offers.

"Oh yeah. I'll take it!"

Next thing I know I've got Steinbjorn in my face, and he looks pissed.

"You're not taking strange potions just to look prettier!" He all but shouts. "You don't even know what it will do to you. Who are you trying to impress?!"

"My self." I hiss, pushing past him. "Fine. I won't take it."

Creed tries confiscating the potion from Cecil, but he talks her down. I don't understand why nobody will let me make my own decisions. If I get poisoned, that's on me.

After a long walk down the road, we come to a familiar crossroads. Much to my relief, the black carriage and horses stands there. The door opens as we approach.

I go up to the pretty black horses and pull out a ration. I offer it to them, but they don't even try to sniff their treats. No normal horse says no to a cookie! I pat the one closest to me on it's great arched neck, but it doesn't even react to that.

"Oh, horsey, even you're both depressed here!" I whisper into its ear. "I can free you! We can run away together!"

"Zola, let's go!" Rideyr calls, waiting at the carriage door.

I watch as Steinbjorn climbs up into the empty driver's seat, casting a light spell on his shield. The moment he sits down, my horse friends turn and look at him in the most condescending way that horses can. He slowly gets back down.

I slide into the carriage, and am impressed by how big and comfortable it is. Lord Strahd spares no expense! I sit across from Creed, who is disguised as a gorgeous woman in a fancy dress.

"Wow. Way to outshine all of us." I huff.

"You look fine, Zola."

We all get in, and the carriage starts moving. I watch out the window as the countryside rolls by us, until I see Cecil watching me from next to Creed. When he knows he has my attention, he flashes the potion bottle at me. I nod.

"Wow, look, Creed!" I point out the window.

"What?" Creed looks out.

"There was a bear!" I lie. I reach across to Cecil, and he puts the potion bottle in my hand.

"I don't see it." Creed says, disappointed, turning back to me just as I uncork the potion of youth. "No! Don't you dare!"

The potion is down my throat before anyone can stop me. Everyone is staring now. They want a show? I'll give them a show.

I grab at my throat, gasping and choking, and roll my eyes back into my head before slumping in my seat, going limp.

"Zola!" Rideyr grabs me, fingers on the pulse in my neck. "She's freezing cold!"

I open my eyes, laughing. He rolls his eyes, and sits back down.

"You little s***!"

"How do I look?" I ask the group.

"Like a spoiled brat idiot," Steinbjorn says. "Why did you take it?"

"Did it work?!" I ask excitedly. I must look beautiful!

"Yes. It worked. You look, oh, about thirteen. Nice going, Zola." Stein turns away from me, fuming.

"Thirteen?" I ask.

Creed nods.

"You're adorable," Mike reaches over and pinches my cheek. "Maybe Strahd will have the kids' table set up for you."

I slap the elf's hand away, and turn back to the window. I can just barely see my reflection, but I look like I did four years ago. Pretty, but younger than I'd like to be. I feel like the biggest idiot in all of Barovia, and now Steiny hates me. I'm nothing but a disappointment to the Dawn Breakers.

The carriage pulls up to the castle by the time the sun goes down, and pulls in to a courtyard. The door opens, and we get out. Looking in the distance, storm clouds are rolling in. Lightning lights up the sky, and it begins to rain. We see torches fluttering by the entrance, and make our way to it. Mist fills the courtyard, and a howling wind blows. I avoid looking at anyone in the party. They all hate me, I know they do. I've disappointed Rideyr, Steiny will never like me back... and now I have to meet Lord Strahd von Zarovich not looking my best, but as a much younger me. This has been a massive failure of a night.

The main doors are open, and we go in to find another set of doors. The doors swing open, and we walk into a grand entrance hall. Four statues of dragons with flickering eyes glare down at us from above as organ music fills the air. There is dust and cobwebs everywhere, and I'm a bit disappointed. I live in a castle back home, and it's always clean. Where is his staff?! If I were Lady of Barovia, I would have this place shining like new, and twenty times more grand than it already is.

"My master is expecting you." A voice says, startling me.

A dark skinned elf with long black hair walks down the grand staircase, so silently we didn't even hear him appear.

"Who are you?" Mike asks.

"I am Rahadin. The Chamberlain."

Hmmm. He looks like a Dusk Elf. No wonder everyone in Barovia seems racist against me and the other half-elves and Mike. I could almost pass as one of them, but they don't seem to have any female Dusk Elves.

We follow Rahadin down the hall, the overdramatic organ music growing louder as we go. We pass a suit of armor standing at attention, and I stop dead in my tracks.

"Khazan..." I whisper, my eyes brimming with tears.

A hand at my back gets me moving again, and Rideyr gives me a sympathetic look. We enter into a magnificent dining room, with three huge chandeliers overhead. The table is covered in platters of delicious looking food, the likes I havent seen since leaving Daggerford, and places set for each of us. Seated at the organ, playing his heart out (if he even has one) is Strahd himself. As we enter, he stops playing, the sounds in the pipes fading to a low whine, and turns to us.

"Welcome, my friends!" He greets us.

I smile at him and try to remember everything my mom taught me about how to act at formal dinners. Of course, the last one I was at I was high on brownies. He invites us to sit down and eat, and we go to sit, but not everyone in the party seems keen on it. I drink from the glass of amber liquid in front of me, and it's a delicious wine.

"This wine is amazing!" I say, and realize Strahd is looking at me. I suddenly feel nervous.

"A very fine vintage," he says. "There are barrels of it in the basement."

"Really? I would love to see!"

"It would be my pleasure to show you," Strahd answers. He gives me a once over. "You look younger."

Ugh. Great. There goes my first impression.

"Thanks," I finish off my glass. "I um... good skin, I guess."

Strahd starts talking about the castle and his family history. It's fascinating, but I really only care about this delicious wine. And the food! What an amazing host he is. Steinbjorn is piling his plate with more meat.

"What brings you here?" He asks the group.

"Your buddies the Vistani." Creed says.

"They are not my 'buddies'," he replies. "Will you be my buddy?"

"Maybe." She says, sipping her wine.

"I don't get many visitors," Strahd says.

"Really? That's sad!" I say, not even realizing I'm conversating. The wine is giving me a good buzz, and Strahd is so easy to talk to.

"I know!" He glides over to the table.

I notice others are not drinking their wine, and start helping myself. As I reach for Chad's glass, Creed grabs my wrist.

"No, Zola!"

Strahd comes over and stops her.

"If she wishes to enjoy the finer things in life, that is her choice." He says to her. "You must let her make her own decisions."

"Thank you, Lord Strahd." I give Creed a smug look.

"Zola's made lots of great decisions today." Cecil says.

"Yes, she has," Strahd says, turning to me. "And yet, you seem to have made some very poor choices."

He stares at me, an eyebrow raised and smirking, and then disappears! Suddenly the lights all go out, the flames blown out, and we hear doors slamming. I finish off my current glass of wine, unaffected by the darkness. Cheeks and Mike run off toward the door, and I have no idea what they're trying to do. Steinbjorn does locate object spell, and I see him looking down at the floor.

"Great. And none of us know how to play the organ." Cecil says.

"I do!" I announce, standing up and walking over to it. I crack my knuckles, and sit at the bench. "I'm about to blow your minds."

What not everyone knows is that I, Lady Zola Farsight Stormwyk, daughter of Count Runar and Countess Karsilene Stormwyk, have lived nearly my whole life in a castle. I learned to play the pipe organ out of sheer boredom, and I have mastered it! My skill rivals Lord Strahd von Zarovich himself, and I aim to prove that!

I start playing, warming up to get a feel for this organ. It's much larger and fancier than the one we have at home. I pound some chords, beginning a song to rival the dramatic one Strahd was playing. My foot changes pedals a few times, and then suddenly when depressing one of them, the organ slides back! I jump off the bench. A secret passage!

"Guys! A secret door!" I shout.

"Good job, Zola!" Cecil calls, running over.

I go in, and the party slowly joins. This room looks like an archer's post due to the arrow slits in the walls, but it is full of mirrors leaving against the wall. I look into one and fully see myself now, and I am ashamed. I am beautiful, there's no denying it, but I do look very young. I really hope the potion wears off soon. I learned my lesson. At least Strahd stood up for me. Pretty sad our enemy is my only ally.

"I'm going down to find the Sunsword, I'm not leaving this place without it." Rideyr says.

"I'm with you," Stein says.

"Me too." I whisper.

We look down into another room, and see what looks like a book suspended in midair. We begin to approach it, wondering if this could be the Tome of Strahd we are looking for. Or, maybe a trap. Ravenloft is a place of many mysteries, and I look forward to unraveling them.

~ Z.S.

[Jeff]

Listening to my gut, it tells me that Strahd is the most evil being that I have ever come across, and I don’t take my eyes off him as we sit down at the table. I don’t eat any food or drink any of the wine, but I keep quiet about it and take in my surroundings. My years of experience kick in and I spend my time looking for an advantage—a weakness. Strahd is vain and pompous—that much is clear. I also get the sense of sadness that emanates from him—a sense of boredom almost. My suspicions that he has just been playing games with us this whole time have been justified, and my mind searches for a strategy to defeat him. I know that if I just keep gathering information that something will come to me, but I need to confer with Zola and Steinbjorn.

I look over at Zola who has drained her wine glass, and is looking for more. I shake my head as she looks like a young girl after drinking the youth potion that Cecil gave her. I wish she would understand how great she is and stop trying to “improve” herself to impress others. I want to tell her that if she’s just herself, she’ll attract the right people. She’s young, and she’ll learn from her choices. I know she’s still upset about Khazan, so I just try to be understanding and supporting of her.

I lean over towards her and ask, “how’s the wine?”

“It’s the best,” she replies, “so good!”

“We need to find the Sun Sword,” I add, keeping my eyes on Strahd.

Just then Steinbjorn adds in a low voice, “the sword is somewhere below us,” as he explains about casting a locate spell.

Cecil comes over and looks at me saying, “I’m going to get the sword back my friend; I feel so guilty about what happened.”

I put my hand on his shoulder and give him a reassuring nod.

“We’ll all work together and get it back,” I add softly, “I’m not leaving this place until we have it back.”

All three of them nod in agreement, and a feeling of hope comes over me. I know that the four of us are committed to this mission and would do anything to take care of each other in the process.

”Anyway we have to be victorious and make it out of here, so the three of us can start our adventuring ‘concern’ and do good around the lands,” I say smiling as I look at Zola who takes a sip of wine and smiles back, raising her glass and shaking her head.

I exchange looks with Cecil who sports a wide smile, gives us the thumbs up and pronounces, “and famous too...don’t forget famous!”

”Oh how could I forget that.” I say thinking that the two of them have really become family to me, and I feel a sense of happiness that I haven’t felt in years. 

[bxtreme]

Journal Entry 22
So, we meet again Strahd! While making our way to Vallaki, we get invited to dinner in Strahd's castle. On our way there, Stein attempts to sit at the driver's seat of the carriage. The horses give him a strange look - probably not a good idea. I think my gnome-ish shenanigans are starting to become contagious.

The place is huge, old, yet well maintained. We aren't greeted at the front as we would expected to be. Only after cautiously walking into the main entrance to the castle are we met by what appears to be a dusk elf - I forget his name, not a memorable fellow.

We are brought to the dining area where we see Strahd dramatically playing with his organ...I feel like there is a joke to be made there. He stops and greets us. He speaks with us in a very polite manner, claiming he doesn't have many guests and seems genuinely excited to have us. We are all on edge, uncertain when dinner could become a fight for our lives.

During our conversation, Strahd vanishes and all of the doors we previously walked through to get to the dining hall close! Strangely, the first one we check isn't locked. After fiddling a bit with Strahd's organ, Zola uncovers a secret passage behind the large instrument. Is this all planned? Is Strahd toying with us?

Regardless, it is an opportunity for a scavenger hunt. One that could help us find the sun sword and the automaton Blinsky told us about.

Oh, I almost forgot! Kazan was destroyed in our most recent combat. Zola was devasted, but out of a loss comes creation! I made a puppet in honor of Kazan. This one will be less back-stabbing and more handsome. I was able to install a lighter in its mouth and use it to create a brand! Zola gladly offered her lower back to me for testing. It worked quite well. Zola also drank the youth potion which made her look about 13. She is quickly becoming my favorite test subject!

I really hope the others never read this journal...

[Aileen]

Omg I forgot about the clockwork man... soon Zola shall have her monkey!!!! And hopefully he won't die too 😂

[dragonforgotten]

I’m staring at a wall dumbfounded as I hear the sounds of combat behind it. They stone walled me out of a good fight! I try blasting at it but it merely turns into a puff of smoke once it hits the wall. Ugh! My godly powers are nothing to a peice of brick and mortar! I glance at the room next to us. There was a window in there. I look at my hands and smirk. I cast fly on myself but find I still have energy to Bistow this to one more person. Cecil’s standing next to me look worried and alittle bored.
“Hey Cecil. Want to fly?”
“Yes!!” I then tap him and he begins to float in the air. He’s so giddy with excitement that he zips off into the room and I hear glass shatter. I move into the room to see a gnome shaped outline in the broken window. Looks like I created a monster. I fly through and circle the battlement when I spy another window! Just as I take an axe out Cecil comes crashing through it like a bullet! Wow! Perfect timing. I drift into a barracks, the sounds of ghostly moans and battle beyond the door.
“Ready to kick some ***?” He nods raising his tiny fists. Suddenly two very frightened spooks come drifting in and viscously year into Cecil with mix success. One manages to get a swip on my after it has a moment of hesitation and I draw my claw out.
“I’m ready to dance!” My claws froze longer and I swip one in the face as it wails, clutching its face as the acid bits into its etcoplasm.
The b****** continues to claw into Cecil a i tear into him and the spooks buddy tears into me. I feel it but I don’t care for his s***. The one I’ve been working on doesn’t look good. Just one more strike should do it. Suddenly in all his shiny glowing glory is Ryder!
“You came to save me!” I faked swooned.
“Creed! Stay serious! We need to show them that we got this!” Whispers Cecil to me. I always got this. Stein then steps in front of him into the room and drops a pillar of holy fire on the spook, killing him. Soon enough they destroy the last one. We mill about looking for stuff in this room but don’t find anything. Zola looks sad as we head back to the room and I find out quickly it’s because her giant metal man is very dead. Or at least he’s run out of magic juice. I don’t know a thing about that. Maybe gramps would make her one if he’s not being dramatic. Either way Zola’s devastated. As we all get ready for bed I come up with an idea. I start making a pillow fort out of the bed.
“Hey zola! I made a fort! Come on in!”
“No, I’m not in the mood. I’m too old for that anyway.”
“Im 35 Zola! Your never too old for anything.” I rest my chin into my hand feeling annoyed. Then I notice Ryder getting ready for bed so coy smirk.
“Want to come join the fort club.” He scowls.
“If rather die, then hang myself off the battlement.” He then rolls over away from me as I huff. No fun paladins.
“Stein?”
“Pass.”
“Cecil?”
“I’m alittle busy.” He says tinkering with kazons head. I glance at chee and mike.... pass. I sigh, tail falling to the ground.
“You guys are no fun.” I roll over on my bed roll quickly drift off to sleep.
—————

The next morning Cecil brands Zola with kazans head. Told her it was a bad idea. Didn’t listen. Tried to stop the stupid. Just held my horns back while she got it. Case close and now she gets a scar that won’t leave. That one spook we missed came back. We got rid of him really quick and then found some invincibility potions which stein gave me one to keep. Sweet. We wonder the castle for abit, stumbling upon a meeting room filled with skeleton knight. They turn their heads as we step in.
“Why do you disturb the dead?”
I shut up this time as chad talks. It seems I can’t talk to revenants without igniting there rage.
“The Order is in tatters. We serve Vladimir” Zola starts to sweat as I catch her low key hide the giant great sword under her cloak.
“While we appreciate your reasoning for being here, but we cannot help.” They speak again. Well, this ones rather nice then the last one. I can appreciate a reasonable undead.
Cheeks meantioned if they take orders from arganvost and they say yes. Some of our time has some burning questions but it seems their tempers are short because they all get up.
We leave not wanting add five more unkillable pissed off knights.
We moved on hope for clues.
We go next to a bedroom with a taxidermy bear and dire wolf by the door. I take a look at the bear. A teddy bear. I look at Zola pointing at the bear as I nudge her.

"Zola, it’s a teddy bear. You should take him! Might make you feel better."
She bust out laughing as I rooster my head confused
"Creed, that's like four hundred pounds! And not even on wheels."
Oh right. Can’t have a teddy bear without wheels. Moving on.
No one wants to talk to us and they all hate us. Chad opens the door to an office and as we step into the room. There’s an open book on the desk meantion stuff I’m not familiar with. Suddenly in a falling of wings and a quick darting shadow a note falls from the book case. I look up at the circling searching.
“Is that you arganvost?” As chad reads the dragon writting it becomes clear that we found our lead now. Find the old dragons bone, return them to its home! Brilliant! We get more confirmation when the stone dragon statue starts speaking! More great news! There’s one more place we have to visit!
We all stand in front of a majestic mosulem.
It’s gorgeous! Marvelous! The time! The money! The artistry of a fine grave!
Above the entrance of the mausoleum reads a sign, ARGYNVOST.
Place my hand on my chin admiring the work. This is what I should inspire towards! Screw that s****y wooden box back in vallaki!
"Well, at least he planned ahead." He mentioned feeling the marble. I’m starting to really like this dragon. He had class unlike his reagade knights!
Sadly his bones aren’t home. It almost brings me to tears. We must bring him home again. I would love to talk to his beautiful skull. We also need to find the gang. It seems I’m the only to remember them. They are important after all.
We head out to Valaki. Everyone seems so wrapped up in getting those bloody dresses. I know finding a teacher for the flesh golem is important but I can’t rest until all my hens are back home. I don’t want strahd taking things that are mine. We leave the castle behind but are stopped on the road by a roped figure with a letter. Stein takes it and it’s an invitation to strahd! He might also have our friends as well. We’re finally going to see the spooky castle! I’m so excited! I can’t wait a moment!
“But we need our unifor-.”
“Castle away!” I point forward ignoring Mike.
————-

we march towards the fated castle people meantion still going to Valaki. No! Nope! Castle! We can make do! Destiny calls!! I want go to the castle filled with skeletons and cool s***!
I catch Cecil trying to give that bloody potion to Zola. She agrees and I try to take it but she finds my horns despite my disguise and I can’t get an inch near her. Drat! Foiled! How does she know the teifling one weakness! I give up huffingz
“Blood hell’s Cecil! I’ll drink it at this rate.” It’s bad on me but I’m hoping it’s a dud. I would love to be 20 again and if it’s real then I had poisoned myself just for it to be wasted on someone who doesn’t need youth. I’ll be peeved.
The black carriage returns! I magic myself up my disguise and change my face again. I’m now a beautiful human countessa. Long flowing black hair, ivory skin with a black and green dress. A red skull with green gem eyes pinning a black cloak to my shoulders. It really pulls the look together. I’m already inside before anyone can stop me.
“Hurry up! I’m not getting any younger! Everyone eventually slides in as I cross my legs in a lady like fashion. I with I had a fan to really work with this outfit.
My hand passes through my fake extensions as I earn glares from all the ladies in the carriage.
“What?”
“Wow. Way to outshine all of us." Zola huff. I lean over and pat her cheek and I know she can feel my claws through the faked manacured nails.
"You look fine, Zola."
Oh I feel bad now. I forgot. I was too wrapped up in the pannash! Gramp always encourages presentations.
“Maybe strahd has a wash room and I can do something with.... this. You look beautiful either way.” I gesture to everyone. Then men I wrinkle my nose at in the grim and dirty covered armor. Ya we need a spa day. I may look like a lady but under all this I’m as grimy and disgusting as the rest.
The carriage moves on and we make our way to the castle. Zola yells at me pointing outside so I press my face to the window.
“There’s nothing out-.” She has the potion to her lips
“No don’t you dare!” She chugs it and cough. It’s instant. I’m stareing back at a zola but Zola’s now a even younger girl, barely out of childhood. She makes a show of it and pretends to die but I’m not buying that.
“What the f***!? Cecil! You wasted the only good potion! It’s made from bloody baby’s!”
He shrugs and I scoff. I’m peeved!
“How do I look? Do I look beautiful?” She asks us. I really don’t want to break the new to her. When she finds out how old she looks she freaks out. Mike chids her as she slaps the hand away.
I put my claw back on her face to title her head side to side.
“Hmm. I guess you have a radiant glow about you. You shouldn’t have done that though. I’m sure he had tons of dresses to borrow and a wash room.”
She sulks the rest of the way looking more like a brat. Ugh teenagers. Well kids now!
We pull up the the castle just as thunder and lightening strikes and the rain comes down! It’s humors as I get drenched but it does not effect my disguise. Under it I’m as cold and wet like a drenched cat. We enter the lavish forya as a dusk elf shows us the the dinning hall. Mike is jumpy as we walk in. The sound of the organ ringing in our ears. Strahds really trying his damnest isn’t he. We enter the room and there’s the man, playing away on his organ while the land suffer and the ghosts rasp at his door. I catch the shade of Eliza hiss and clutch onto Zola in rage and pain, those black tears falling to the grounds as his tail lashes about, fangs bared. I’ll save you, I haven’t forgotten. Before us there’s a large buffet laid out for us. Haven’t seen real food in a long while. Barvians practically get s***.
“Welcome, my friends!" He greets us.
“Please, partake in the food and wine.”
We take a seat and he sits at the table.
“In lighten me. What brings you to Barovia.” I glance at the spirit of Yan looking awkward in this setting.
“Oh, I don’t know. Why don’t you ask your buddies the Vistani.” I tell him, pilling on the glazed ham.
“They are not my ‘buddies’. Would you be interested in being my buddy.”
“We’ll see.” I say playful, smirking behind my glass of wine. I feel the eye pulse with hunger behind the eye patch. It thrusts for power. I guess misery loves company. Strahd begins to devolve into details of the castle and it’s history. I nod respectfully. Good lord he’s just like gramps. Always putting on a display.
He begins speaking with Zola. Really laying it on thick. And I thought her turning into a child would keep her safe from his interest. Apparently not. I wonder where he keeps the happy brides here?
I catch Zola trying to steal Chads wine and I catch her. How unlady like.
I give her a quick no but to my surprise strahd of all people stops me.
"If she wishes to enjoy the finer things in life, that is her choice." He says to her. "You must let her make her own decisions."
"Thank you, Lord Strahd." What a smug look. What does she think she’s doing playing with the undead.
"Zola's made lots of great decisions today." Cecil says.
"Yes, she has," Strahd says, turning to her. "And yet, you seem to have made some very poor choices."
Ah! He has noticed. Suddenly he vanishes as I’m piling on more ham. All the lights vanish and we’re plunged into darkness as lightening crashes.
“Wow! That was dramatic. I’d give it a 8/10. The ham a 10/10.” I wipe my lip with the napkin standing from the table as my boot heels kick. Everyone is thrown into a flurry of movement and spells. Cheeks and mike head towards the doors.
“Well looks like the party’s over.” I step far away from the table, my face hidden from the gang. I peel back the eye patch just alittle and take a peek through the walls. Hmmmm. Nothing of interest. I replace the patch just as Stein declares he knows the swords location and Zola accidentally finds a secrete passage way behind the organ.
“We should leave while we can!” Mike tells us.
“Why in the nine hells would we do that? The runs just started and this is were we are needed.”
With a new path opened we walk in to find a room filled with mirrors. Oooo. I pocket a small one. You know, why not. Traveling down a long corridor a book floats in front of our faces. Oh no! not the haunted dairy!

-Creed

[Chris]

Castle Ravenloft
Dining Hall
South Archer's Post
Turret Post
Turret Post Access Hall
Guards' Stair
Guards' Run
Guards' Quarters
Hall of Bones (meet some Vistani)
Servants' Hall
Kingsmen Hall
Kingsmen Quarters
Chamberlain's Office



Time at end of session: Day 14, 11:51am, Year 735?



in the Chamberlin's office as 3 swarms of bats flood into the room




MVP Don Smeed as Valkyrie


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

[Aileen]

Rideyr and I lead the way into the octagonal room, heading for the floating book. I hear the party whispering, worried that it might attack or something. Creed thinks it's a haunted diary. I walk up to it.

"Zola, be careful!" Creed warns.

"Oh no, not a book!" I mock, grabbing it.

It feels like something is pulling it back. I scrunch my face up, and pull harder. Whatever force is holding it back lets go, and I go flying backward, hitting something solid. It's Steinbjorn. Stein pushes me back, steadying me as I hold the velvet covered leather book. I open it up.

"Aww, Zola, you can read?!" Cecil says. I roll my eyes and start reading.

"Ravenloft Nights, an erotic love story by Strahd von Zarovich," I pretend to read.

Rideyr sighs, shaking his head.

"Sorry to disappoint you all, its actually a spellbook."

I read off all the ones I can read, which is all but a few. Too bad we don't have a wizard. I go to put the book in my backpack, but realize I've got a lot of stuff, and don't want to crush the glowing seed I'm still carrying around. Creed says she will hold onto it.

We move on, coming to some stairs, and descend into a chilly corridor. Coming to a room lined with alcoves of skeletons, Mike sends Eisenhower the owl in to investigate. The owl makes it to the end of the rows, and the skeletons spring to life! Well, not life, but they are moving.

Rideyr boldly goes in, and the skeletons start flocking to him. I hesitate, standing in the hallway as the group starts mobilizing around me. The skeletons come out, attacking Stein, who explodes one right in front of me. I start hacking at them with my greatsword, and the first one I hit also explodes in a flurry of bones! Mike set a bonfire under the one next to me, and I can feel the heat coming off it as that one explodes. He moves the fire into the room on another skeleton. Cecil kills one with his mind, Stein one with shillelagh, and Creed with a blast.

"I'm sorry!" She says, and sounds legitimately sad about killing the skeleton.

I move into the room, going to help Rideyr. I'm sure he thinks he's got it under control, but I've got to protect him at all costs. He is family afterall. I destroy another one, but then there's a bonfire between me and the next skeleton. So, naturally, I walk right into the flames and stand in the fire. I immediately regret my decision when the flames lick my legs, setting my clothes on fire, but it's fine.

"OW THAT'S REALLY HOT!!!" I shriek.

"Zola, you idiot!" Mike moves her bonfire, and the pain lessens.

I hit the last skeleton, and Cecil finishes it off. Rideyr helps me pat out the flames on the bottom of my cloak as Stein starts casting detect magic on the room.

"You know who is going to have to explain every crazy decision you make here to your mother? Me." Rideyr huffs.

"Don't worry, my mom is cool. She's a warlock... and commander of the Waterdeep Guard."

"So it's your father I have to worry about?"

"Well, he's a half-orc and an artificer, he's very easy going. It's really my Aunt Omen you have to be wary of. She's going to kill me when she finds out about NOSNOR."

Rideyr starts laughing.

"You should probably get that covered up."

"Nobody's going to see it." I shrug.

We watch as Creed starts moving bones to the cots in each alcove, talking to them as she goes. I'm pretty sure she is just scattering the remains even more, there's no way to know who's bones belong to whom.

We find nothing after a search, so go to the next door. Stein says he hears voices behind it, speaking in thick accents.

"I think there's Vistani in there," he says. "Give it a tug."

I snicker as I open the door. We go in, and there are three Vistani standing around talking. This room is absolutely covered in bones- the walls, the ceilings, the doors.

"What are you doing here, Vistani?!" Cecil demands.

"That's incredibly racist, non-Vistani," One says. "We escaped from the dungeon."

"Oh! Do you know where the wine dungeon is?" I ask.

They look at me funny.

"If we did, we would not be up here, little girl- would we?"

"So where is the regular dungeon?" Asks Cecil.

"Downstairs. Which one of you is older?"

"He is." I say.

"I am." Says much smaller Cecil.

I look around, and my breath catches as I see a big dragon skull hanging above a set of double doors. I grab Creed's arm in a death grip, and she smiles.

"It has a mouth, I can talk to it!" She whispers.

"Not in front of them!" I hiss back.

Mike gets friendly with the Vistani, and we find out that they were imprisoned by the Chamberlain, Rahadin, and we found them mid escape. They don't know how they came up from the dungeons, which is incredibly unhelpful. We tell them the way out, but they seem to want to stay with us. They say they will follow behind us and be backup, and even offer to carry the dragon head that Mike, Creed and I lifted down from the wall.

"Wait, I need to do this first!" Creed casts a spell, and the dragons mouth opens while being held up by the Vistani. They of course drop it in fear.

Creed asks her five questions, and we confirm that this skull is in fact Argynvost, and we only need one bone- the skull- to put in the mausoleum. The only problem is, we have to carry around this 250lb skull. At least the Vistani are okay with hauling it, but I don't fully trust them. The Martikovs warned us that not all Vistani are good, and we have run across some nefarious ones. These guys might be using us to get out and then just stab us in the backs. Maybe Mike offered them a freebie, who knows.

Opening the double doors, we come to a passageway filled three feet high with fog. A giant shadowy figure shambles down the hall towards us, and as it draws closer it turns out it's a very short, hunched mongrelfolk carrying a lantern.

"Ah, ah- you're in this room!" He seems excited.

"Actually, we are in the doorway." Says Cecil.

I walk into the room, the fog at waist height, giving the others space to come in.

"Ah- now you are in this room!" He giggles. "I am Cyrus Belview. You should be in your room in the tower!"

"We don't have a room." Says Cecil.

"Nonsense, all guests of Strahd are given rooms! Yours is this way, come!"

"We're really not tired," says Stein. "Where are the stairs going to the basement? We need to find... something."

"No, no- you must go to your room!"

Creed asks if he has ever been to the Abbey, and he says that he was born in Krezk.

"Do you know Otto?!" I ask.

"Yes, I remember Otto. He was annoying."

Then I remember one important thing we've been looking for.

"Cyrus... can you dance!"

"Dance? Of course I can dance!"

He does some strange twirl, and then falls on his back, flailing.

"Help me! I can't see!"

Creed and I hurriedly get him back on his feet.

"Oh, it's the fog!" He sighs in relief.

Cyrus still wants us to go up to our room and wait for dinner. He is adamant we go, which just makes us want to go even less.

"We already had dinner." I tell him.

"You had brunch, Madame. You would know because of the Mimosas."

"There's mimosas? That was just wine!" I'm a bit disappointed we missed out.

"They didn't put out the mimosas?! Someone will pay!!!" He starts slapping himself, and then starts stroking his ears and giggling again.

Creed tries talking to Cyrus about the eyeball around his neck among other things, and he says he fears for her safety. More in a threatening way than actual concern. As cute as this creature man is, I and the rest of the party are getting annoyed. We just want to know where the damn basement access is.

"Look, Cyrus," I try my best to sound adult, but I'm sure he doesn't take me seriously. "It is highly inappropriate for all of us to share a room."

"Yes, there are ladies among us!" Cecil agrees.

"I don't see any ladies," Cyrus says, pointing at Creed, me and Mike in turn. "She's not, you're a child, and that one-"

"Definitely not a lady." Agrees Mike.

"Alright, fine," I huff. "If we let you take us to our rooms, will you show us the stairs?"

"Yes!"

"And you're not just going to take us upstairs and then say the stairs are now going down?"

He deflates.

"Well, I was but now it's not funny anymore, is it?! You've ruined it!"

Thoroughly annoyed with our host now, we leave the hall and go back the way we came. As Mike closes the doors behind us, Cyrus just stares at us. The next room we go in is littered with bones and broken furniture, and broken pieces of plate mail. We proceed into the door straight ahead, and Rideyr and I enter. This room is in stark contrast to the previous ones, as it is very clean and neat. On the wall are swords and shields with the Barovian Crest emblazoned on them. I make a beeline for the big table with a quill and inkbottle on it, hoping to find documents that may help us, but I don't get that far. A quick intake of breath from Rideyr to my right turns my attention to him, and I see the elf that greeted us when we came into the castle, standing off to the side as if waiting to jump us unawares. Rahadin.

"Ah, you've found my study," says Rahadin. "I've slaughtered thousands to protect the Zarovich line. What is eight more?"

Rideyr's face looks pained, and I wonder what's going on with him. Cecil, behind us, casts another ice wall, separating us from Rahadin.

"No one's ever teared down these walls!" He shouts.

"What?" We hear, muffled on the other side.

Rahadin disappears, and suddenly my head is filled with screams. Men and women, thousands of voices crying out in pain and fear! So that's what Rideyr was reacting to- it's horrible! Even more horrible is the scimitar that slices into me as Rahadin is now next to me. He hits two out three swings, and it hurts a great deal. Rideyr moves in to my aid, attacking the Chamberlain. Shaking off the injuries, I start swinging. I get four swings in, only one glancing off his armor, and then reach out to Rideyr, rallying him.

"Take him down!" I scream.

Stein casts his Spiritual weapon and sends it in along with Cecil's Khazan Puppet Shadows, while mike sets a bonfire under Rahadin. Thankfully Rahadin turns his attention from me to the shadows, and I can take a quick breather. The screams get louder, and I double over screaming in pain as my head feels like it's going to explode. When it ends, it looks like everyone else was affected by it as well, but I guess I got a stronger dose. I attack in a daze, hitting Rahadin twice with brutal force and then channeling all my energy into a second wind. It makes some of the pain go away, and I'm ready to wreck this guy. Stein casts spirit guardians, and the elf disappears, misty stepping away.

"COWARD!!!" I scream, running for the door with Rideyr.

I don't even make it through the door, and a flash of radiant holy energy nearly blinds me. Val is standing over the elf. Rahadin's eyes turn white as he gasps his last breath.

"The voices... are quiet." He dies.

"Theres some kind of shadow, be careful!" Val warns us.

I run out into the middle of the room as everyone else flocks around the door. A demonic looking shadow creature appears, and the party starts hitting it with spells and mind powers. It reaches its shadowy hands out, and flies towards Val. The Khazan Shadow that wasn't defeated by Rahadin takes it down, and it disappears!

I'm nearly in tears from the pain of the scimitar wounds, and my head is pounding as I watch some of the others searching the Chamberlain's body. I'm afraid to ask Steinbjorn for healing since he still seems annoyed with me, so I go into Rahadin's study and start searching with those that aren't raiding the body. We find nothing.

The others come back in, and we close the door so Stein can ritual cast healing on us. I feel a little better, but it's not enough. I allude to Stein that I need more, but he's too busy talking to Val and he seems dismissive of me as he gives me a few Booberries. I wish I didn't ruin things with him, I really like him, but he wants nothing to do with me. Did I not do massive amounts of damage to Rahadin with my sword? All the credit goes to Val since she got the final blow with her Guiding Bolt. I'm once again just the dumb little girl who can't do anything right. I'll show them I'm worthy, that I am a great fighter! They will see.

Cecil hears a pitter patter of little feet sound on the other side of the door, from the room we just left. We debate what it could be... vampire spawn, spiders... whatever it is, I'm not afraid. Stein wants to rest twenty more minutes in here to cast detect magic, and we oblige. I sit by the door, keeping to myself. I'm ready to move on and prove my worth.

There's some debate from the group on how we are going to approach this potential threat. Stein takes charge, saying we should ready attacks for when the door opens. It's not really a feasible idea, and I'm not afraid of anything. If we are going to have to fight something, I'm going to face it head on. As he is talking, I spring to my feet, and open the door. He yells at me to stop, but I ignore him.

Three swarms of bats fly in, screeching. I guess the pitter patter of feet was actually the flapping of bat wings. I laugh that everyone was so afraid, what are bats going to do to us? They're tiny little sky puppies! Besides, Stein was attacked by them before and came out fine, he has nothing to be afraid of!

~ Zola von Stormwykovich

[bxtreme]

Journal Entry 23

It seems my assessment of the floating book was incorrect. It wasn't a book suspended in a gelatinous cube, nor was it an animated book with a thirst for blood. Something had hold of the book, but once it was pried from the "phantom's" grip, it was ours. A lot of excitement for nothing though...a spell book which non of us had any use for. So we continued, further into the belly of the beast.

My curiosity has piqued ~ Strahd's castle is filled with strange things...erm, people...I think they count as people. Hard to tell. We found a group of Vistani that seemed very suspicious. They were wandering around Strahd's dungeon. Instead of running for the way out which we assured them was clear, they opted to stay with us. So we made them our pack mules. They will help carry the head bone, also known as a skull, of Arganvost (thanks to Creed, we were able to confirm this).

We ran into a peculiar thing man named Cyrus. He was instructed to take us to our rooms, however we weren't ready to call it a night just yet. After much debate we parted ways and came across that forgettable fellow who I now only vaguely remember by the name of Rahadin. He apparently suffered from what used to ail me - voices in the mind. We ended his life, swiftly. We would have committed him to a mental institution, but those don't exist in Barovia. Also, some of us have an inclination toward violence (I'm looking at you Mike). That's what I love about the Dawn Breakers, you never know if we will attempt the pacifist route or just lay waste to everything in sight. It's...exhilarating at times.