[IC] Curse of Strahd Chapter 1: The Dark Lord Strahd

[Spore]

These horrible creatures are human bodies that have been resurrected into living death. Strahd's minions appear fragile. Their gray-green flesh looks soft, and even their bones seem brittle. Their eyes are dark, empty pits that somehow seem to see anyway. The zombie’s lips and cheeks have shrunk, revealing large, crooked teeth. Their hands end in sharp, talonlike nails that bear little resemblance to a normal person’s fingernails.

As you have at the creature, you slash off its left arm. It falls to the ground, landing with a wet sound. The attack unbalances the zombie enough so you can establish a defensive stance.

Next up: Orvin.

[Kirjath]

"Wretched beast!" Orvin hissed at the retreating figure of Strahd. It was all he could do. Orvin knew he'd made too many mistakes since his arrival in this town, assumed too many things should have been left to the local customs. Perhaps Kelemvor was now placing him in such a dire position as a form of correction. Orvin fumbled with the silver bell in his hand for a moment before rounding on the zombie next to him. With a flick of his wrist, a clear peal sounded out in the midst of the graveyard.

"Lord of the Grave!" He shouted as a bright flame descended from the sky. "Shine on this impurity!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Zombie next to Orvin must make a Dex save vs 13 or take (1d8)[5] radiant damage.

[Spore]

As you call out to the Judge of the Damned to smite these vile creatures, you hesitate a moment as you expected a bright radiant flame but your magic struggles to overcome the encompassing darkness. As a result you aim the flame at the place where the zombie was just a moment ago.

Meanwhile Ireena charges Strahd and strikes with her longsword deep into the Count's right shoulder. The vampire does not even budge but removes the sword with his left arm as if I were an annoying crease in his cape. The wound does not bleed.

Up next: Drastia, Kouran, Sprocketbox

[gargoyleking]

Sprocketbox finds him quite a bit more closed in than he would like. Fortunately, he was always good at getting out of sticky spots. Pointing his staff at the Burgomaster's corpse, he sprays a small, concentrated spray of ice, temporarily covering it in a rime of ice.

"Quick child, go stand in the corner of the wall by Drastia!"

For his part, the gnome moved to put his back up against the wall himself.

Spoiler: OOC

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Freezing Grasp: 1d20+5 24 1d8 4
Target cannot take reactions until the start of it's next turn.

Move to J10

[Wind-Up Citrus]

"These zombies need a funeral pyre. I'll offer them one right now." Drastia casts Bonfire directly under the zombie in front of Orvin.

Spoiler

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Drastia casts Create Bonfire N7
N7 Zombie must succeed a Dex Save or suffer 1d8 Fire damage.

All enemies must take another save if moving through or ending their turn in the Bonfire.

[Athaleon]

Kouran stepped up to the nearest zombie with a frustrated snarl. He doubted he could truly intervene against Strahd himself, after all he'd been told, but he might at least deal with his minions. And it seemed to him that whatever was going on, he and his companions were somehow beneath the dark lord's notice.

Spoiler

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Move to N11 and attack Zombie at O11.

Attack: (1d20+6)[21]
Damage: (1d8+4)[8] P

[Spore]

The cleansing fire of Drastia does a decent job engulfing the zombie. But it came out of the wet earth and thus its half-decayed body steams and gives off an awful smell. It returns the favor but towards Orvin. The first claw glances off his armor while he manages to parry the second attack.

As Kouran takes a jab at the undead, piercing its shoulder, it does also loose an arm. The arm drops on the floor but nevertheless tries to grab the half-elf who deftly dodges it and the zombie.

Partially frozen to his coffin, Kolyan climbs out of his grave but is unable to attack. Kyran's boy, frightened beyond reason ignores your plea and hides next to a tombstone, by his father. Another zombie sees the kid as an easy target and advances. Gladly the kid is nimble enough to dodge the incoming blows but he did not anticipate the creature biting him. He drops with a bleeding wound on his neck to the ground.

The creature stopping Ireena in her tracks lunges forward to slice open her larynx but is immediately stopped by a raven cawing loudly. The attack still connects but not as deep. The follow up attack digs deep into Ireena's abdomen but she is standing for now.

Spoiler

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Attacks
Vs Orvin: claws: (1d20+3)[12] (1d20+3)[14] bite: (1d20+3)[13]
Vs. Kouran: claws: (1d20+3)[11] (disadv) (1d20+3)[8] bite: (1d20+3)[11]
Kolyan Climb Check (1d20+3)[17]
Vs. boy (who dodges): claws (disadv) (1d20+3)[7] (disadv) (1d20+3)[5] bite: (1d20+3)[12] (disadv) (1d4+1)[5]
Vs. Clover: claws: (1d20+3)[19] (1d20+3)[14]; (1d6+1)[5] bite: (1d20+3)[19] (1d4+1)[4]
Vs. Ireena: claws: (1d20+3)[23] (1d20+3)[18]; (1d6+1)[2] crit (+1 damage) (1d6+1)[5] bite: (1d20+3)[8]

Everyone up next.

[gargoyleking]

Sprocketbox sprayed anorher small burst of frost at the zombie, but in his hurry to get away from it, he missed. Rather than risk a close encounter with it's claws and teeth, he cast another spell and dissapeared with a small popping sound. A moment later he was inside the chapel and moved to the front door, looking out at Ireena and the zombie attacking her.

"Oh, this isn't good..."

[Daishain]

Kyran stares as events unfold before him. He had been so focused on not reacting to the architect of so much pain in his life that the moment to react had missed him. He yells in anger and fear as his boy, his last son, falls prey to Strahd's minion.

He starts hacking at the zombie wildly, his sword flashing white with sudden heat as he activates a short lived enchantment he had prepared for it. "Nimira! Get something on his wound!, quickly!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Bonus Action to cast searing smite then attacking with both hands, (1d20+5)[14] (1d10+3)[7] (1d6)[1] fire damage

If struck, at the start of each of its turns until the spell ends (concentration up to a minute), the zombie takes another 1d6 fire damage if it fails a DC 13 Con save.

I hadn't expected to get much use out of this particular spell, its auto prepared by my archetype, but ranged combat is more Kyran's style. Still, this definitely seems like an appropriate moment.

[Wind-Up Citrus]

Drastia fires a shock arrow at the zombie around Orvin. She fears that if she doesn't start making these bodies drop soon they'll be overwhelmed and defeated before they can do any good in this forsaken land.

Spoiler

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To hit N8 Zombie with lightning bow
(1d20+4)[6]

damage 1d8+2
lightning damage 1d8

[Kirjath]

The zombies were beginning to overwhelm him, it was all Orvin could do just to fend them off for a second as they tore at his robes and his armor. It was a good thing he'd brought that old suit of mail with him or he'd have been almost certainly felled by the horrid creatures. Taking a moment to look behind him, it seemed that things were looking dire for the travelers as a whole. He'd even lost sight of Ireena and her brother, though he thought he could still hear the woman fighting in the distance. There were just too many zombies, and Orvin didn't have the power to help all who were with him.

Perhaps a curse was more appropriate then. The fire from Kelemvor had seemed delayed; Orvin wasn't entirely sure how Strahd managed to dilute his connection to the ultimate power over death, but the vampire's realm was an insidious one. Even so, he had to keep trying, there was simply no one else to call to. Orvin quickly ran a thumb across the edge of the shovel he had stashed in his backpack, and a drop of blood fell from his hand onto the ground.

"Mindless beasts, hear me!" He began chanting as a chime rang out from the bell he carried. "Cease your struggles, be laid to rest! The living will be the death of you."

Spoiler: Spell Cast

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Orvin casts Bane, he selects Zombies at N8, K11, O11, one of which should be the Kolyan Zombie. They must make a Charisma save vs DC 13 or, well: "Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw."

[Athaleon]

Kouran spared a glance at the fight behind him. Too many targets, and they'd caught the party dispersed. Nothing for it but to jab again at the zombie in front of him, trying to put it down so he could help Kyran get his boy to safety.

Spoiler

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Should have done this last turn, but:

Bonus Action: Hunter's Mark on the Zombie at O11.

Attack: (1d20+6)[15]
Damage: (1d8+4)[10] + (1d6)[1] P

[Chromascope3D]

Clover recoils from the blow, but grits his teeth and doubles back for another lunge. However, it would seem that someone else was in more dire straits than he. Stepping back, he points his blade not at his foe, but the one further beyond. He mutters an enchantment, and commands, "You who are dead! Do you not remember the fear you felt in life? How can you now make war against the living?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Clover draws his shield and casts Dissonant Whispers on the Zombie at I18 (The one attacking Ireena). DC is 13 WIS

[Spore]

As the battle rages on, you are brutally reminded of the effects of undead that they do not relent, no matter the circumstances or damage done. Clover successfully reminded one creature to repent, but after a few moments, the necromantic commands took over again. They even ignored magical or flaming attacks but what was useful was chopping off several limbs. While these undead appendages try to attack, they more or less flop and flail around. Orvin's call worked on the majority of his targets, convincing them to ease some of their attacks, clearly struggling against the occult powers forcing them into service. Most of you are calm and collected as you are used to battle beasts. Clover is bitten for 2 damage, as is Orvin (taking 2 and 4 for a total of 6). As his south opponent winds up for a bite attack, Ireena can charge back to aid them and lops its head clean off.

Kyran too beheads his opponent for daring to dig into his son's flesh. In his rage however, Kyran overextends his upper body, taking two mean claw attacks hitting a bit too close to his spine. The creature jumps him digging deep into his flesh, completely ignoring the flames enveloping it and rips 9 damage out of the smith.

His wife presses onto her son's wound, and she falls completely silent while doing so. I think it's working! she shouts. Get into here, quick! Donovich shouts from inside the chapel. Seal the entrance with runes, mage! Do something! he then commands in a voice not as much as frightened as it mixes being annoyed with actual fighting spirit.

Nimira takes her son into her arms and looks for a good path inside but can't stand leaving her husband out here. Go inside and take Adrian's bag. I packed something.

Spoiler: Combat

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Spoiler: Group interactions

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Zombie charisma saves vs. Bane.
(1d20-3)[6]
(1d20-3)[17]
(1d20-3)[6]

Save vs. Dissonant Whispers
(1d20-2)[6]
(3d6)[7]

Ireena's Opportunity Attack
(1d20+3)[10]
(1d8+1)[4]
Ireena's attack on the zombie that downed Kyran's boy_
(1d20+3) [15]
(1d8+1)[5] beheads the zombie

Save vs. Searing Smite
(1d20+3)[23]

Spoiler: Zombies

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M7: 5, 5, 22 vs. Orvin, dealing 4 damage (bite)
J15: 17, 14, 21 vs. Clover, dealing 2 damage (bite)
K11 -> E15 (Kolyan): moves towards Sprocketbox
N8: 5 (-2), 2 (-4), 1 vs. Orvin, dealing 2 damage (bite)
O11 (bane): 16 (-4), 5 (-1), 11 (-1) vs Kouran, dealing 3 damage (attached claw)
L14: 17, 21 vs Kyran, dealing 9 damage (two claws)
J18: moves towards Ireena

Spoiler: Required or incentivized rolls from players

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Orvin rolls DC 10 concentration or looses bane.

everyone, any order.

[Kirjath]

The moment Orvin began casting his spell, he knew he'd made a lapse in judgement. His defense against his raging assailants was now weakened due to his need to focus on summoning the magic from his deity, but he was taken aback by what answered his call. Not exactly Kelemvor, but something else. It wasn't nearly as effective, and at least one of the zombies moved on unhindered, but Orvin didn't have time to ponder what sort of being would be sending him aid as both of the zombies next to him finally slipped past his armor and sank teeth and claws into his left arm. He cried out in pain as he threw the creatures off of him; the sleeves of his robe tore as one of the zombies wasn't so eager to let go.

Orvin ground his teeth together in a rage as he turned from the two zombies attacking him. It was time to see if this otherly being was really on his side or now. With a yell, he rushed over past the freshly dug grave of the deceased father and into the middle of the graveyard. With one quick swing of his good arm, Orvin let a clear chime ring out over the hallowed grounds.

"Those above, I beseech thee! Aid us in this dark hour; let the dead know fear once more!" He called out to whatever power was listening.

Spoiler: Concentration check

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(1d20+5)[8]

Spoiler: OOC

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Orvin moves to K11, taking any opportunity attacks as necessary, before he uses Channel Divinity to Turn Undead. Each undead that can see or hear Orvin within 30 feet must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 13). If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.

A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from Orvin as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of Orvin. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.

[Daishain]

Seeing the zombie in front of him flinch and start to move away in response to Orvin's declaration, Kyran turns to his son while he had a brief opening. Neck wounds needed to be closed as quickly as possible, pressure alone wouldn't cut it for long. Retrieving what looks like a tuning fork from a pocket, he rings it against his blade and then brings the vibrating ends near the bite wound, which responds by beginning to close. "Take him and get to the church, I can't fight properly if you two are in danger. I'll be right behind you."

Spoiler: OOC

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Taking some liberties with this casting of Cure Wounds (1d8+3)[6]
To be specific, I'm urging the wife to take the withdraw action to avoid AOOs

[gargoyleking]

Sprocketbox looks oddly at donovich as the priest makes demands of him. "Darn it Don! I'm an engineer, not an Inscriptionist! You're a priest aren't you? Do something... HOLY! Also, get away from it!"

Then he reached out to the corpse which had followed him into the building and blasted it with another burst of frost. This time, most of the body seemed to freeze up entirely. The mage took the opportunity to duck past it and move back up the aisle.

[Spore]

Yes, I'm a priest. I give counseling. I don't ... There are zombies fleeing on the outside already. ... do that. I'm no mage.

[Wind-Up Citrus]

"To the pits with it" Drastia says as her Bonfire dies. She fires her bow into the air "Clover! Ireena! I'm going to do something reckless! Spirits of the Sky, I beseech you, Call Lightning!" A dark stormy cloud appears where Drastia fires, striking lightning down on the pair of zombies harming her friends. Drastia then gets to Orvin in case something happens to him.

Spoiler

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Drastia casts Call Lightning on J16

A creatures within 5 feet must take a dex save. Takes 3d10 Lightning Damage. Success takes half damage.

[Athaleon]

Kouran was surprised to find his prayer answered in a more direct way than he'd ever experienced before—he'd received blessings in many forms, but never spellcasting like the Clerics did. The spell didn't seem like Cayden's type of aid, either: it smacked of a killer's simple spite rather than a fencer's bravado. All this blurred through Kouran's mind wordlessly as he fought to put down the zombie in front of him and aid the others in their corners of the battle.

Spoiler

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Stab at O11 again:

Attack: (1d20+6)[9]
Damage: (1d8+4)[8] + (1d6)[6] P

If that finishes the zombie, move to K14 and Bonus Action to move the Hunter's Mark to K15.

[Spore]

As Kyran pleads Nimira to flee and then heals his son, she adds: I brought Adrian's crossbow. Follow me. Please! She is not commanding you but her voice almost breaks when pleading you to retreat. She has lost so much to Strahd already.

Orvin calls down the power remaining in this dark place, and to his surprise, they decide to help him, at least partially. You feel the fear of the zombies for a split second. Disobeying their master will end in eternal pain, that you are sure. If no divine force can enter Barovia, it must be impossible for lingering souls to leave this place. But opposing the dark force infusing you with divine power is a fate worse than crossing Strahd, so two zombies flee outright. Ireena's slash goes wide as the zombie almost tramples her.

Spoiler

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Grey zombies are turned. Opportunity attack for Kouran, Ireena, Clover and Kyran.

Drastia shoots into the sky, darkening it immediately. You all look above for a split second, and nothing happens until a single strike of lightning is called down to deal 11 and 18 lightning damage. A flash of light blinds you for a split second, and you smell burnt flesh and see the two undead cramping up. They are dismembered and almost completely decimated. You reckon they cannot take any more heat.

Kouran is surprised by the sudden disengage and his first stab fails to connect.

Sprocketbox however is cornered and deals with the Burgomaster himself. Seemingly unphased by divine interventions and even most of your magic, he continues his onslaught. Your small size and the fact that you conjured up an arcane barrier saves you this time tho. Inspired by Orvin's impressive display of divine power, Donovich tries to connect once again. Morninglord, hear my plea. Smite this vile creature. His voice is shaky as he extends his hand to command a searing light. As his hand shakes, and he wavers however, the light flickers and vanishes.

Lastly Clover lunges forwards to do battle with one of the last remaining zombies. With bravado he lunges forward to finish off the zombie...and misses completely. The satyr dodges to the side, away from the razorsharp teeth, right into one of the claws, taking 7 damage.

Spoiler

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Shortened map link: https://cutt.ly/ywI4nzA

Everyone else.

[Daishain]

Kyran slashes at the zombie as it backs off, then puts a hand on Nimira's back as he ushers her back towards the church. Seeking out Adrian's pack, he grabs his son's crossbow and quickly loads it. Turning, he fires at the zombie threatening Donovich and Sprocketbox.

Spoiler: OOC

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AOO attack with sword (1d20+5)[21] (1d10+3)[9]
Attack with I assume light crossbow (1d20+5)[18] (1d8+3)[11]
I have the sharpshooter feat, so partial cover does not benefit the zombie by SB

[Kirjath]

So it was true then. This place was either outside of Kelemvor's reach, which seemed unlikely, or something else was usurping his power here. The whole thing was distasteful to Orvin, and he couldn't help but feel even more isolated then he had back at the village. Whatever was there still seemed to answer his call to some extent, and that was something, but whether or not Orvin wanted to call on it was something he'd have to ponder over later. There were at least a few zombies who hadn't turned and ran, which meant the others were still in danger. Holding his injured arm, Orvin rang the silver bell again as he could hear Kyran and his wife retreating into the chapel behind him.

"Burn to ash, vile creature!" He spat at the unliving beast still attacking his comrades. It wasn't his usual supplication, but it would have to do. The dead would return from their mindless fleeing before long, and Orvin wanted to help as many of the others reach a more fortified position for as long as he could.

Spoiler: OOC

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Orvin will cast Sacred Flame on the zombie at K15. Dex save vs DC 13 or it takes (1d8)[1] radiant damage. It gets no benefit of cover for this attack. Afterwards, Orvin will wait on the others to retreat into the chapel and will head to I10 to try and barricade the door after everyone's inside.

[Athaleon]

Kouran held back a curse as his thrust missed his slow, staggering target. Perhaps it was the heat of the moment, or bloody-minded influence creeping in, as he grit his teeth and stabbed again at the zombie now staggering away.

Spoiler

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Attack of Opportunity: (1d20+6)[8]
Damage: (1d8+4)[10] + (1d6)[3]

If that kills it, Double Move to F15 and Bonus Action move Hunter's Mark to Zombie Kolyan.
If the attack misses, just do the Double Move to F15.

[gargoyleking]

Sprocketbox watched Donovich 'attempt' to smite the creature with his holy magic and then just fail. The gnome stared in consternation at the priest for a moment and then just as he turned to the creature to finish it off, a bolt basically flew out of nowhere and struck it. In sheer surprise, his spell went wide, spraying frost across the wall of the church, rather than his intended target.

[Chromascope3D]

Run? He could not retreat yet. What knight could run from a fight when there were still innocents to save? As the zombie recoiled, Clover found a chance to slip in a quick stab, before swinging around on his hooves to deliver another in rapid succession.

"Return to Pharasma's Halls, friend. Be now at peace."

Spoiler: OOC

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Reaction Attack: (1d20+5)[14] Damage: (1d8+3)[9]
Attack: (1d20+5)[19] Damage: (1d8+3)[10][/roll]

[Wind-Up Citrus]

Drastia attempts to finish off the Zombie Clover was attacking with another strike of lightning. "We shall lay your soul to rest!"

Spoiler

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Drastia casts Call Lightning on J16

A creatures within 5 feet must take a dex save. Takes 3d10 Lightning Damage. Success takes half damage.

[Spore]

Kyran slashes the fleeing zombie in the leg as it takes on speed, it falls down, the leg breaking at the point where the blade hit it. Clover chops off another arm leaving the actual corpse a few feet away trying to run away. To your feet, you can see a claw trying to rob away. The body is still animated and moaning but it is now struggling to move away from the dark power that turned it away. As you sprint towards your son's bag you see the light crossbow you built for your oldest son to go hunt small game. It has ever since been gifted to Adrian, both as a grim reminder to keep close to town, and as a 'gift' from his lost older brother. You draw it and insert a bolt, in mechanical precision. As soon as you load it, you release the shot, hitting Kolyan in the temple. A bit of brain matter spills onto the wall behind him, making the well preserved man stumble to the side. Sprocketbox misses the target as he dodges brain matter. As the undead breaks down, he whispers into Donovich's ear.

Spoiler: Sprocketbox

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The gnome is the only one close enough to hear the faint whisper. The whisper of a man both dying a second time and trying to break through Strahd's mental control:

You...coward...

Then the first of the town is the first to die here.

Orvin and Kouran struggle with the fight here. Maybe the absence of their respective deities is occupying too much of their active thinking. At the very least, Orvin manages to hit the zombie with a shred of light coming down from a small gap between Drastia's thunder clouds but its effect is barely noticable. Optimists would call that an improvement.

Drastia calls down Nature's wrath on Clover's enemy, hopefully breaking him out of his stupor. The attack hits, vaporizing the zombie and its remains as well as blackening the gravestone nearby. The remaining zombies run away.

Initiative ends.

Donovich is a trembling nervous mess in cowering in the corner. He is visibly shaking and holding back tears. The church falls completely silent, with the exception of the vampire clawing at the door. I smell BLOOD. I MUST FEED. he shrieks. But the doors hold, for now.

Spoiler

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You now have 8 turns, so a bit less than a minute to prepare for the returning zombies, probably a bit more since the turned creatures have to return to the chapel.

[Daishain]

Kyran kneels down to check on his son, wiping the blood away to look at the wound and listening to his breathing. He hugs him in relief, then stands and goes to Donovitch. "The Morninglord has been weak in these lands for a very long time, but he used to answer when you called for him. You have lost your faith haven't you? Strahd has broken you, you of all people. And he did it by giving you back your son, your foster child, the boy you love so much who disappeared a year ago."

"Your son is dead. As much as that hurts, and you know exactly how familiar I am with that pain, the thing behind that door is not your son. It is a trick, an abomination, a profound insult to your son's memory. The only power it has over your soul is that which you grant it. Think on that Donovitch, and try to remember your purpose here."

Shaking his head, the Smith turns to the others, We need to barricade that door, this situation will only get worse if that vampire gets loose at the wrong moment. And then we need to prepare for the zombies to return, we do not have long."

[gargoyleking]

Sprocketbox leans back against the wall, his heart pumping harder than it had innquite some time. He'd fought many undead in his time, but none quite so... inexorable. Even the individual bits of it seemed to keep moving after being separated, or frozen in place. After a moment, he looks to Donnovich.

"Aren't you priests supposed to stop this from happening? I've never heard of undead rising from a graveyard that was tended to by a priest."

Then Kyran speaks, and it all makes sense. Irritatedly, the gnome pushes past the priest, rather than going near the corpse. "If we have time to barricade, why not just deal with it first? If we can crowd up the others I have a little trick in mind that should deal with them rather efficiently. Maybe at the side door?