The Bride of Strahd - Session 25

Day 15 - Afternoon - Abbey of St Markovia   The group gathered out in the abbey's north garden has just finished battling several animated wights while retrieving the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind.   Morgana slips the chain over her head as Sticky asks the Abbot, "How does this help? How can a trinket hurt this Strahd creature?"   The abbot muses a moment then replies, "I'm not entirely sure, but legends tell that the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind can unleash the sun. There are other legends that state it'll hold a body against its will. However, no one living has seen this symbol and these are only legends. That is no mere trinket, but an artifact out of time. I hope that you will learn to unlock its glory. Shall we continue our tour?" The Abbot leads the party toward the double doors across the courtyard.   Fidelia quickly responds, "Yes! Let's go meet this bride of Strahd that you've, umm, created." Speaking under her breath to Morgana, "I wonder if she looks like our friend."   The Abbot, overhearing Fidelia interjects, "My creation looks like Tatyana. It is only by bringing the past to present that I'll be able to offer true love to the dark mistress. This is why the wedding dress is important. If I can get Vasilika to emulate Tatyana, then Strahd will never be able to resist her charm."   Opening both doors, the party steps through into a large hall with gentle-sounding music drifting down from above. The large room stretches fifty square feet with arched glass windows set within the side walls. Two corners hold stairs with one heading up and the other heading downward. A wooden table stretches nearly across the room with several chairs surrounding it. Behind the table a large hearth simmers a fire with a cauldron hanging above it. A tall pale woman with auburn hair stirs the cauldron.   The Abbot quickly crosses the room and introduces the woman, "This is Vasilka. Say hello my dear."   The lady turns away from the cauldron and curtsies to the party, "Greetings noble persons. How do you do today?"   As the party approaches, they see that the body is a patchwork of different bodies stitched together. Intrigued Nazgog approaches her and slowly lifts her right hand and gently pokes the construct. Fidelia looks sharply at the Abbot while asking, "When you say created, you literally mean you created her from parts?"   The Abbot nods, "Yes. I've imbued her with life and am now instructing her in etiquette so she'll be the perfect bride. Although, I do still need the bridal dress though."   "Umm, Okay, well," stammers Fidelia, "What's down those stairs?"   "Oh just a wine cellar," answers the Abbot, "would you like..."   Nazgog's and Fidelia's faces light-up as they rejoice, "YES! We definitely want to see that." The party quickly descends the wooden stairs into a cellar that currently holds ten barrels and an l-shaped rack filled with bottles. After quickly scanning the barrels and recognizing the Wizard of Wines label, Fidelia asks, "Why do you have wine while the Krezk needs it?"   The Abbot answers, "The town often tithes a barrel and some bottles whenever they receive wine. I don't drink, so it collects and they don't ask for it back."   Suddenly, Fidelia pulls out a bottle without a stopper and reads the label 'Champagne du le Stomp', then hurls it toward the floor in disgust. The bottle shatters and a scroll rolls across the stone floor that Fidelia quickly pockets. Nazgog passes a broom to Fidelia stating, "You break, you clean."   "I guess we head upstairs now," Morgana suggests. Shrugging, Nazgog tromps up both flights of stairs to the loft where unlit lanterns hang from a pitched roof. The room fills with beautiful music. A melody so enchanting that it adds warmth to the otherwise freezing room. A black shroud covers a humanoid shape on a table and a cot heaped with furs sits in the northeast corner. Illuminated by an oil lamp, the party sees a squat creature grasping a viola with a crustacean-like appendage as the other arm glides a bow across the strings. Most peculiar, the creature features two heads; the right head fully formed and normal while the left head is half-formed and features a cherubic face.   Fidelia inquires, "Why are you here?"   The grotesque man replies, "I bring warmth and music to those around here."   "Okay," continues Fidelia, "but why are you up here and what's under this?" as she yanks the shroud aside revealing dozens of cold severed body parts.   Sticky quickly intercedes, "Where do you get the body parts?"   The mongrel looks at the Abbot who replies, "The mongrel folk bring them."   "From where!?" demands Sticky, "Aren't you worried?"   "The bodies are never warm. I'm sure that the mongrels are just recycling for the village," the Abbot answers.   Heading back downstairs, Ezmeralda states, "It's time I headed onward. Remember, if you need me you can find my wagon on the shore of Lake Baratok."   Morgana responds, "I wish you luck on finding your mentor."   Ezmeralda smiles sadly as she answers, "Finding him is not possible. He is a master of disguise. I'm just doing what he's taught me to do so that when he does reveal himself, I'll be able to assist him."   "Um," Sticky asks, "before you go, how do you kill a vampire?"   "Don't believe all the tales," Ezmeralda explains, "not all of them are true, but you can kill a vampire, if you can keep it still long enough. So you want to utilize things like running water and sunlight to prevent them escaping or regenerating and then eventually you'll need to stake them through the heart."   Continuing, Sticky asks, "You say you've been in the castle? Can you tell us where Strahd's inner sanctum would be?"   "The castle is enormous," answers Ezmerelda. "There are multiple floors above and below ground. I've only explored a small section of the castle. I'm not even sure I've explored all of the main floor. What I can tell you is that you enter through a gatehouse where you then cross a bridge to reach interconnected courtyards within the massive stone walls. I know there are at least four sets of stairs. The grand staircase leads up to a landing on the second floor. I'm still exploring though and the weird thing is I can not shake the feeling that the castle is somehow alive with a beating heart."   "The night draws near," Ezmeralda states, "I need to leave now or else be caught out in the night. Farewell and remember when you are ready come find me at Lake Baratok, but be wary. Both the tower and wagon are trapped."   Day 16 - Morning - Abbey of St. Markovia.   After resting in the barracks, the party gathers in the main hall of the abbey. The Abbot welcomes them, "Good morning to you all. If you look closely, you can see the rising sun glinting off the Shrine of the White Sun below in Krezk. That shrine has existed longer than I've been in Barovia and the locals say it was founded to honor the Morning Lord long before Strahd arrived. To have survived this long speaks of the blessings it must have."   Morgana asking, "Does Strahd ever visit the abbey herself?"   The Abbot replies, "She does occasionally drop by. She's always very polite in her visits."   Fidelia looks aghast as she inquires, "You said the abbey was safe. If Strahd visits how could our friend by safe when it is Strahd hunting them? You are still saying they'd be safe?"   "But of course," the Abbot answers, "Within these walls all who seek sanctuary are granted it. Their privacy will be honored. Remember, if you bring me a wedding dress for Vasilka, I can help in your journey. I've strength enough to resurrect up to three times."   The party then follows the Old Svalich Road back toward Vallaki. Several uneventful hours pass before they reach the western gates of Vallaki. The guards immediately open the gates as the group strides forward. The guards relay that three werewolves slipped over the gate last night and murdered three residents near the Blue Water Inn.   Morgana blanches as she says, "Ireena! We should talk to her immediately." The party heads directly toward the Inn and up the outside stairs toward the Ismark's and Ireena's room. Knocking upon it, it's soon answered by Ismark, "You've returned. What news do you have for us? Is the abbot strong enough for the abbey to provode safety?"   Fidelia responds, "You both should hear this. Yes the Abbot is stronger, but safe is still up in the air. May we come in, both of you should be involved in this decision."   Not waiting for an answer, Nazgog pushes the door wide while Ismark backs away stating, "Come in, I guess."   Ireena stands up as the group enters, "What do you mean safe is still a question."   Morgana explains, "The abbey is very fortified and the Abbot is a powerful being. However, the Abbot's grip on reality is a bit tenuous and he hosts Strahd on occassion."   Ireena gasps as Morgana reassures her, "He states that your privacy would be respected and you'd never see Strahd there, but we can't make this decision for you. It is your life at risk."   Ismark interjects, "You'd have her trapped in the abbey where Strahd could easily get her? How is this what we agreed?"   Fidelia responds, "There is no safe place within this valley. We've been from your village of Barovia in the east all the way to Krezk in the west and there has not been one place of absolutely sanctuary. Last night! Last night werewolves roamed the streets of Vallaki and killed three people. Did you know that?" Seeing Ismark glance toward Ireena, she continues, "You did! And yet you didn't share that with your sister."   Ismark remarks, "Her knowing doesn't help us do anything."   Ireena speaks up, "Perhaps I should see the abbey for myself and make my own decision, brother. " Turning to the party, she continues, "Would you be willing to escort us there and potentially back here?"   Sticky answers, "We would, but that's a full day trip. We should wait until tomorrow to start."   Suddenly, the group hears footsteps rushing up the outside stairs, then the door flies open with someone breathing heavy at the entryway.