IC: Curse of Strahd, Chapter 2: The Road to Vallaki

[The Commander]

Ireena smiles through her sadness.

"You are noble souls indeed to help a stranger with such a delicate request. Thank you. Donavich is the local priest. He will perform the necessary rites to ensure our father is laid to rest. Morninglord knows he's had to bury many a Barovian." Her smile fades to sadness again and she goes quiet.

Ismark speaks quietly to fill the void:

"If you will carry our father I will escort you to the cemetery and observe the burial. I would also advise purchasing any supplies you made need before we return here - the villagers may not want to deal with you in Ireena's presence." Ismark looks disdainful of his last statement.

Ireena speaks again after a moment: "I will remain here and pack our things for the journey ahead. When you return we can plan our route to Vallaki."

(Who, if anyone, is carrying the coffin?)

[puzzler7]

Kyril tilts his head in acknowledgement, bowing slightly.

"Of course we shall put your father to rest.
He should stay lying in his wooden chest;
The dead should not once again walk the earth
Death is painful, but that fate is far worse.
None shall wear your father like a dread mask
Your father's burial is our next task."

Stepping forward to bear the coffin, Kyril struggles to lift it even an inch off of the ground. Releasing his grip, he turns to the party.

"Would one of you friends aid me here?
I've not the strength myself, I fear."

[Spore]

Bearing a coffin is a task of teamwork and dignity, not one of strength my friend. Askan checks Kyril's physique up close. But maybe it is best you aid us with playing a funeral march. I trust you know one or two?

This is not the time for eager planning but I hope you would have time to plan your road towards Vallaki before actually leaving? I know many stories about this realm and if only half of them are true, Strahd is but a fraction of the dangers on the road.

[The Commander]

Ismark responds to Askan:

"We have a proposed route, but I know you seek Madam Eva at the Tser Pool. If she is indeed camped there with her clan it would make an ideal place to rest for the first night of the journey, as it is not too far off our proposed route. Otherwise we would follow the Old Svalich Road all the way from the village to Vallaki. It would take roughly five days to reach Vallaki; assuming there are no... complications.... The roads are safer than the woods, but still contain dangers. We would also be passing beneath Ravenloft for most of the journey. There is no way to avoid that, unfortunately."

[Minescratcher]

Kyril tilts his head in acknowledgement, bowing slightly.

"Of course we shall put your father to rest.
He should stay lying in his wooden chest;
The dead should not once again walk the earth
Death is painful, but that fate is far worse.
None shall wear your father like a dread mask
Your father's burial is our next task."

Stepping forward to bear the coffin, Kyril struggles to lift it even an inch off of the ground. Releasing his grip, he turns to the party.

"Would one of you friends aid me here?
I've not the strength myself, I fear."

"I'll help. Though I agree you probably ought to stand aside, so you don't hurt yourself."

Erevan stepped to the other side of the coffin and wrapped his hands around it.

[Squadfather42]

"I'll gladly help my friend."

Lucian moves up and stands by the coffin.

[Daishain]

Kyran steps up as well, he doesn't say anything, just helping shoulder the burden.

[Spore]

Ismark responds to Askan:

"We have a proposed route, but I know you seek Madam Eva at the Tser Pool. If she is indeed camped there with her clan it would make an ideal place to rest for the first night of the journey, as it is not too far off our proposed route. Otherwise we would follow the Old Svalich Road all the way from the village to Vallaki. It would take roughly five days to reach Vallaki; assuming there are no... complications.... The roads are safer than the woods, but still contain dangers. We would also be passing beneath Ravenloft for most of the journey. There is no way to avoid that, unfortunately."

Askan nods in response. Well, I just hope the rest of you folks haven't done anything to upset our Lord Strahd. Because having his undivided attention could surely spell our doom. Alas, 2...1...heave! He lifts the casket along with the other men with some trouble but he manages.

[puzzler7]

Kyril follows behind the group, pulling out his viol and playing a funeral dirge as they walk.

Spoiler: Song

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[WMO?]

Nestor provides himself as the fourth bearer

[The Commander]

(Nestor finds it hard to lend his support carrying the coffin due to his size, but helps as best he can. Between four of you this is an easy task, the Burgomaster is not heavy and the coffin is simple wood)

The lid to the coffin is placed on top and sealed.

Ismark and Ireena walk you to the door. Before you leave Ireena places a hand softly against the wooden coffin and whispers through streaming tears:

"Goodbye father. Thank you for everything. I love you."

Ismark unbars the door and unlocks it with his own key before heaving the heavy door open. You did not notice whilst inside the mansion but it has now started raining and lightning cracks in the distance, briefing illuminating the oppressively grey sky. Ismark leads you from the mansion and Ireena closes, locks and bars the door behind you.

As you begin your funeral march through the streets of the village the sound of Kyril's viol brings the villagers from their homes. In their dozens they line the streets. As the procession passes the men remove their hats and bow their heads and the women cry softly and reach out from afar towards their Burgomaster; sad to see what once must have been a great man passing. Ismark struggles to keep his composure at the head of the procession and the crowds part before him like a great sea. Even the sobbing you heard from the townhouse earlier stops as you pass.

After a short march you approach the church. Atop a slight rise, against the roots of the black rock cliff that supports Castle Ravenloft far above, stands a grey, sagging edifice of stone and wood. This church has obviously weathered the assaults of evil for centuries on end and is worn and weary. A bell tower rises toward the back. The rafters strain feebly against their load and there are several holes in the shingled roof. The heavy wooden doors of the church are covered with claw marks and scarred by fire. Ismark approaches the doors and pushes them open.

The doors open to reveal a ten-foot-wide, twenty-foot long hall leading to a brightly lit chapel. The hall is unlit and reeks of mildew. Four doors, two on each side of the hall, lead to adjacent chambers. You can see that the chapel is strewn with debris, and you hear a soft voice from within reciting a prayer. Suddenly, the prayer is blotted out by an inhuman scream that rises up from beneath the wooden floor. Ismark appears perturbed and looks at you unsure, but resolves to see his current task done before worrying about anything else and brings you inside before closing the church doors. He then brings you into the church proper.

The church is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which kneels a priest in soiled vestments. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower. From beneath the church floor, you hear a young man's voice cry out:

"Father! Im starving!

The priest doesn't seem to react to this voice, but does hear your approach and turns quickly and fearfully towards your group, brandishing a holy symbol of the Morninglord. Immediately upon seeing Ismark, the coffin and your group he calms down. His voice is hoarse and strained, but he manages:

"Ismark? Is that you? And who have you brought with you?"

You get the feeling the priest is referring more to the occupant of the coffin rather than yourselves with that question.

Donavich's Appearance:

Spoiler

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"Greetings, Donavich. These are brave and noble adventurers who have taken it upon themselves to keep Ireena safe. For now, we have come to bury my father. We have come to bury Kolyan Indirovich."

The priest visibly saddens and steps towards Ismark. He reaches out and places a hand on Ismark's shoulder.

"Your father was a good man. Perhaps the best of us here in Barovia. I will make sure the Morninglord knows that in my prayers to him."

He turns to the rest of you.

"Come, it will be midday soon, when the sun is highest in our dark sky. We have much work to do and little time to do it. Give me one moment...."

Donavich rushes off back to the hallway and you hear another plea from beneath the floor. The priest enters the first door on your left, inside the hallway you just came from, and returns a moment later with a book, an ink quill and some ink. He places the items on a stand and flicks through the book quickly before settling on a page and writing some things down. He then closes the book.

"Ismark, there is a box full of shovels by the door. Grab as many as you can and follow me out to the cemetery. We will need every hand to help dig a grave for our Burgomaster."

Donavich leads you out of a back door to the main church, whilst Ismark collects the shovels. You enter into the cemetery.

A fence of wrought iron encloses a rectangular plot of land behind the dilapidated church. Tightly packed gravestones shrouded by fog bear the names of souls long passed. All seems quiet aside from the rain and distant crack of thunder. Donavich walks through the cemetery on a winding dirt path, counting to himself until he reaches a bare plot of earth and nods to himself.

"Set the Burgomaster down and dig here. I will begin performing the necessary rites and preparations."

(Is anyone wanting to do anything else before digging? If you are helping to dig please make me an Athletics Skill Check)

EDIT: Added the effects of Kyril's performance to the description of the funeral march

[Minescratcher]

Erevan quietly looked around the old church, taking in the ramshackle interior. He started at the sudden screech, nearly dropping his corner of the coffin.

"What in the world was that?"

---

Out in the cemetery, Erevan gently lowered the coffin to the ground, drew his cloak closer against the rain, and began to dig.

Spoiler: Roll

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Athletics: (1d20+5)[12]

[The Commander]

Donavich responds to Erevan after being startled and speaking to Ismark, a look of shame and distress on his face:

"Those pleas that you hear are from my son. I will be happy to explain his condition to you once we have laid the Burgomaster to rest."

[Squadfather42]

Lucian reverently carries the coffin as the group heads to the chapel. Upon their arrival, Lucian follows the directions given to the group.

Taking a shovel from Ismark, Lucian sets about helping to dig the burgomiester's grave.

Spoiler: Athletics check

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(1d20+5)[7](7)

[Spore]

Your ... son? Askan's face is one of disbelief. If there is not a very convincing reason that Kolyan's funeral has to proceed as soon as possible I would like an explanation, if a short one.

The hunter has heard of spirits that were never properly buried and that haunt the place of their demise. He has even fought and destryoed a few corpses that an alchemist has experimented on. But a holy man unable to consecrate his son's remains is ... entirely new.

[Daishain]

Kyran shakes his head at Askan, saying, "This land is cursed, we are cursed. The one thing we have is our kin, and even that can be a source of unbearable pain. His story is not one to be rushed. Give him time."

Kyran takes up a shovel with the others, though his slight frame is not built for such work.

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d20-1)[16]

[puzzler7]

Spoiler: Perform check

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(1d20+5)[22]

Kyril continues playing his somber march as his companions dig, singing eloquently as he does so.

"Here does lie Sir Burgomeister, Kolyan Indirovich, the master of men.
Here does lie the man of all men, whose life has come to end."

Spoiler: OOC

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Sorry for short posts, schoolwork has been a pain recently. Should lighten up after the month ends.

Song is roughly to the tune of "Do you know the muffin man", but slower. (Which doesn't fit the song I posted earlier, but that sounds better.)

[Irish Musician]

Ciardha Kane, Aasimar Warlock Level 3 Hexblade Warlock | AC:18 | HP: 25/25 | Slots: 2/2 Ciardha does not help carry, he does not trust even the dead to stay that way, nor does he help dig the grave...he has done enough of that and his strength isn't physical. But he keeps his eyes open and is on guard the whole time, calling upon his blade from its dimensional hiding spot. Ciardha's eyes narrow as the priest talks about his son being "cursed". He had heard that term before, and it never ended up being anything good. "What is your son's affliction? In my experience, curses are rarely good things. For the afflicted, or the afflicted's family." Once again Ciardha speaks a few words and waves a hand, calling upon his powers of seeing the arcane, and looks around the cemetery.

[Spore]

Askan tries to adhere to the general etiquette during a funeral and tries to remember the parts and especially the length of the prayers. Meanwhile he also tries to check the area for monster tracks or oddly loose dirt in case of zombies. When this place is cursed it may be possible that the area has living dead.

The hunter prays to the Nightmother to not disturb this man's funeral with a monster attack.

Spoiler

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Survival (or Perception) to subtly check for tracks and dirt (1d20+6)[25]
Religion to know what to do when during a funeral (1d20+3)[4]
Religion to know about zombies (1d20+3)[22]
Charisma check to behave "funerally"(1d20)[17]

[The Commander]

(Added the villager's response to the funeral march in my previous post)

Donavich looks flustered as Askan presses him for more information.

"We have already missed the dawn, but the midday sun, when it is highest in the sky, is the next best time to ask the Morninglord to deliver our Burgomaster from these cursed lands. If you must know though...." Donavich takes a deep breath. "A little over a year ago a wizard in black robes came to our village. He was from a far-off land, although I do not claim to know where exactly. He stirred up feelings of revolt in some of the villagers against Strahd..." As he says that name he makes a holy sign across his chest and quickly mutters: "A curse upon him." He then continues: "And despite my best efforts to persuade him otherwise, my son joined with these villagers and stormed the Castle. Such foolishness cost them all dearly. By all accounts the wizard and the villagers were slain... or worse...." He trembles. "I awoke one night to hear banging on the door. I assumed the worst and prepared to defend myself until I heard my son's voice through the door. I was overcome with relief to think my son may have survived his foolish endeavour and opened the doors for him. My son had returned. But not as he had left. Strahd, a curse upon him, had turned my boy into a creature of the night. Into a vampire! He attacked me and we struggled. Eventually I was able to wrestle him into the church undercroft and lock him down there. He has been crying out to be fed ever since, but has never tasted blood after being locked down there. I pray constantly that the Morninglord will reveal to me a way of saving my son. To bring back the beautiful Barovian boy I once had. He is no harm to anyone locked in the undercroft."

Almost as a reply you hear, pleading from beneath your feet:

"Please... I am starving! Feed me father! Feed me!"

(Feel free to question more, but I will deal with the funeral aspect now)

Those of you that do help dig begin in earnest. The rain patters hard against you, but you push on through to get the job done. Lucian begins to get tired quickly, but with the combined efforts of the rest of the party you dig a respectfully well dug grave just before the sun reaches it's zenith in the sky.

Donavich looks pleased with your work and returns with some rope a moment later to help lower the Burgomaster into the grave. Between you all you have no trouble lowering the coffin into the grave.

Ciardha:

Spoiler

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You detect no magic within the cemetery

Askan:

Spoiler

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You check for tracks in the dirt, but find none except your own and those of your companions that you expect to find.

Although you may be a man who appreciates religion you have no idea how to perform a funeral and what prayers are appropriate at which point and how to prepare a body, etc, etc. Luckily for you, Donavich seems confident in what he is doing.

What you do know, however, is how to fight zombies. You've trained for this, studied the necessary texts and heard plenty of advice on your travels. (You know anything/everything from the standard Zombie monster template, do you want to know anything specific? Otherwise you are free to look at this.) You've heard from a reliable source that Strahd utilizes a special kind of zombie, resurrected from the once living guards of Castle Ravenloft. These zombies are suffused with terrible necromantic energies that allow severed body parts to continue functioning even after they have been removed from the zombie's main body. You've heard accounts of limbs and heads being easily taken off during a fight, only for those body parts to continue trying to fight the attacker. Otherwise they behave and attack as any other zombie would, except that once the zombie has taken enough damage it stays dead, unlike regular zombies that you know sometimes manage to survive long after their reanimated corpses should of died from wounds (mechanically, Strahd Zombies do not have the Undead Fortitude Trait).

Despite your earlier apprehensions about Donavich, the party, and this place, you respectfully allow proceedings to continue uninterrupted and carry yourself with dignity throughout.

The funeral does not take too long. Donavich cries out to the Morninglord to deliver the Burgomaster's soul from Barovia so that it may know peace and that his body may rest eternally. He gestures and pontificates grandly over the coffin. Despite the rain and the small company it is genuinely a touching ceremony. As Donavich finishes the rain begins to abate and he bids you to fill in the grave.

(No Athletics check required for filling the grave back in, but I would like everyone to make me a Perception Check please)

[Spore]

To an experienced onlooker Askan seems to be caught in thought during the ceremony. So his son is lost. Now how do I convince Donavich that his son can gain salvation only through death? It is irresponsible to house a vampire amidst a town of these hapless creatures.

After finishing up the ceremony Askan shakes his waxed coat to remove a bit of rainwater from it.

Spoiler

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Perception(1d20+6)[25]

[Squadfather42]

Lucian stands there as the ceremony concludes. Once it is complete, he helps to fill in the grave with his comrades.

Spoiler: Perception

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(1d20)[4]

[WMO?]

Nestor mutters what he thinks is the right prayer for a funeral, missing the presence of the gods he knows. He thinks he can add some legitimacy to the service, as he's somewhat suspicious and curious about the novel "Morninglord". He asks Donavich, "I'm sorry, but I am not from your land and do not know your worship. Who is the Morninglord? What is his domain?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception: (1d20+2)[21]
Religion: (1d20-1)[12]

[The Commander]

Nestor makes a half decent attempt at adding his own words to the funeral. They're nice enough and wish peace upon the Burgomaster's soul, but are too generalised to apply to any particular Gods for kindness or protection.

Donavich explains:

"There are two divine forces that watch over all Barovians: The Morninglord, and Mother Night. Before the curse of Strahd, a curse upon him, befell the land, the Morninglord watched over us from sunrise until sundown. Now, the sun has not shone unobscured for centuries, and the Morninglord rarely answers our prayers and pleas for deliverance. I still have faith though...." Donavich nods to himself. Is he trying to convince you or himself of that statement? "The Morninglord will find a way to save us. He will find a way to save my boy. As for his domain it is Light and Life, for this is what the dawn brings these lands."

[Daishain]

Kyran nods at Donavich's words, pulling an amulet with the symbol of the rising sun upon it out of a fold in his tunic to show the others. "Yes, the curse upon these lands has kept us from his light for far too long. Some still keep the faith, we will see light and life visit these lands once more. But waiting becomes harder every year."

[Spore]

Reverend. You still wait for the Morninglord and your unwavering faith is admirable. Even though the sun does not shine brightly or protect from vampires, it does however keep them at bay. I think they only hunt at night, in the time of the dreaded Nightmother. Now your son's efforts and the efforts of the late Burgomaster Indirovich will be futile if this peaceful town is attacked by a vampire from within. Askan pulls a wooden stake from his bandolier under his rain coat and holds it in his right hand. Not as a threat but merely like a craftsman would hold a tool. Donavich. Deep down you KNOW your son is long gone. Deep down you know the creature you hold down there is a monster he never would have wanted to become. Yet, to keep your faith, to have a reason to wake up every day, you have shackled this beast under the floor boards. Because you fear that all hope is lost once it dies. But hope is not lost. Not until Strahd has snuffed out the breath of life in each and everyone of us. And we will persevere. Against all odds, against Strahd and against all dark powers in Barovia.

Spoiler

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Another charisma check (1d20)[8] e: So I really hope you take my written inspirational speech instead of that pitiful roll :P
Insight to gauge Donavich's reaction, to see if Ireena or Ismark would ally themselves with my idea (1d20+4)[17]

[The Commander]

Askan:

Spoiler

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(Your speech was wonderful, but ultimately the end result would of been the same, so don't beat yourself up too much for the roll)

From your Insight roll, Ireena isn't here so you can't judge her reaction. Donavich's reaction is incredibly obvious - it's distress and panic. He doesn't want to lose his son, despite the fact he's a vampire. There is a wild look in his eyes that suggests he isn't completely mentally stable either. Ismark's reaction is one of caution - like you he doesn't appear fond of the idea of having a vampire in town, but seems to have other priorities at the moment; you see him occasionally looking back towards the village and his home. You think he would join your side if the issue was forced though.

The priest immediately becomes distressed at Askan's words. He scrambles up to the monster hunter and pleads desperately:

"Oh no, no no! Doru isn't a threat to anyone! He is locked beneath the church and has been for a year! He has harmed no-one since then! I know the Morninglord can show me the way to change him back. The Morninglord works in mysterious ways! This is just a test for me. A test for all of us! If I keep praying and being a good servant to him, the Morninglord will show me the way! Perhaps once Strahd, a curse upon him, is defeated my boy will return to what he once was! Why waste time with such an inconvenience? Don't you have more important things that need to be doing? Like keeping your sister safe, Ismark?"

Donavich looks pleadingly to Ismark. Ismark simply stands beside his father's grave, his jaw clenching and unclenching, returning Donavich's stare without a word.

Donavich turns to each of you, trying to find a supporter amongst you.

"Please, some of you must have family, right? Friends? If they were sick you'd try to help them right? Because deep down you're a good person and you have faith that they will get better! My boy will get better. Whether there is a cure, or through faith, or starvation of blood, or the death of that devil Strahd!" This time Donavich points an accusing finger towards the Castle far above and begins shouting. "YOU DID THIS TO ME! YOU DID THIS TO MY BOY! I SWEAR I WILL RESTORE MY SON AND YOU WILL ONE DAY BE DESTROYED! THE MORNINGLORD BE MY WITNESS!" Donavich then falls to the ground, coughing and hacking, clearly not being used to raising his voice like this in a long time. He crawls to Askan's feet and begins sobbing. "Please.... please.... have mercy.... have mercy...."

[Spore]

Askan pauses to think a bit, then turns to his new companions. What are your thoughts on the matter?

[puzzler7]

Kyril fiddles uncomfortably with his fiddle. "I ..." He begins haltingly, before considering his words carefully.

"I am no stranger to evil
And yet I must dissent.
The dead should stay dead when they're dead;
On that, you are correct.

But evils trapped in a body
Are not there for their gain.
To slay a person kills the man
The evils still remain."

He takes a quick swig of wine, visibly nervous.

Spoiler: OOC

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OOC, I'm all for killing the vampire. However, Kyril is familiar with carrying an evil burden, and would like to believe there's still some hope for him.

[WMO?]

"Um, ah, faith and justice are tricky things. It is difficult even for godly creatures to know what is right to believe and to do..." Nestor's hesitant pronouncement peters out. He casts about for words.

"I think your trust in your son's redemption is a beautiful thing, Donavich. I think your love is beautiful. But this fellow –" Nestor's brow quirks as he scrambles mentally for the new name, "– Askan is right that you endanger precious lives. Is there anyone who can help you, to ensure that this twisted version of your son is kept away from others and safe until your hope is fulfilled? Any small lapse of yours in securing him could ensure the necessity of his destruction."

Spoiler: Persuasion

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(1d20+3)[12]