Act III: the Face of Evil

[Ikoma]

The dwarf's answers are short and too the point.  But you get the sense that this is a personality trait and not any attempt to withhold information.

"How many vampire followers does Strahd have?  List the names of the ones you've assocaited with, seen and heard of.  Do they all live at the castle?"

"I don't associate with many.  Just Kavan the Grim.  You just staked him.  Well, and spawn he's created.  Those never last long.  Strahd has numerous spies across the land.  With four legs or wings.  I met Sasha once or twice but I haven't seen her in a good long time.  No vamps live outside the castle.  I would know."

"Do you know of any vampires or Strahd's minion's that live outside the castle?"  "Where is their location?"  "What other allies does Strahd have beyond his vampires and their minions?"

"No vamps, I said.  But lots of minions.  The witches of Lysaga hill.  The Drowned Lady lives in the Ivlis March and she is surrounded by so many things that want to kill you but they are natural and do not serve any master but their own nature.  The vistani downstream at the Tser Pool.  At any given time, there are other mindless tools loose in the woods.  Shambling dead at the like.  They have no home and move until the decay or are destroyed."

"What is the function of the sun medallion wore by the vampire we slew?"

"No idea.  I didn't give it to him."

"Have you been to Castle Ravenloft?  Can you draw of map of the places you've been?"

"Never been inside.  No desire to be inside... anything."

"How does Strahd defend his castle?"  What creatures and monsters roam the halls?"

"Sorry.  No help there."

"Do you know what happened to the Burgeomaster's daughter Ireena?"

"Who?  I know I haven't hunted her."

"Have you ever heard of Fanes or special places that give Strahd power?"

"You mean the three holy groves?  Never knew they gave power to Strahd but I ain't surprised.  They hum with the power of the hunt, if you listen to it.  Lysaga Hill, Ivlis March and the Svalich Woods."

“How does Strahd normally deal with his enemies?”  Why did he send you to attack us?”

The dwarf looks at you with a quizzical look, "To kill you.  What other reason is there?  He doesn't bother me much.  Let's me hunt.  But when he calls, it's best to obey.  Kavan stopped by my cave and said Strahd needed my skills.  He'll either use you or kill you.  Same as he does to us all.  If it's all the same, I don't need no last meal.  And I don't want to be buried.  Just leave me out where my friends can get at me.  Though I would call it a mercy if you can ensure Strahd won't use me as a puppet."

[unkabear]

Hassid finds himself listening even while brushing the horses.  He was just as interested as the others in how to cripple Strahd.

In the end, he found himself gathered with the others trying to figure out what this all really meant, and how would they best face it?

How would they best face it?

[Marius Ionescu]

"looks like we still don't know much about the castle on the hill.  I'm beginning to wonder if anyone outside the castle does.  My friends, let us prepare, I believe the fates await!" Marius spoke his thoughts out-loud, perhaps even out of turn.

Marius bowed his head to the dwarf as a sign of respect and good-bye, he may have been a foe, but the dwarf deserved respect for his skills.  The archer walked over to Hassid to help prepare the horses for their soon to come departure.

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam looks at the rest of the party.  "Well, I'm not sure we have too much more information then we did before this.  But at least we know where to go for the holy sites.  Strahd seems to be getting more and more annoyed at us to send his minons after us.  What shall we do next? Castle Ravenloft again, or one of the holy sites?"

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

"There's... um.... still the matter of our guest with the short pants."

Ioan's brow is furrowed, the worry plain on his face. He isn't comfortable being party to killing someone helpless. Not even a mortal foe.

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius looks to Adam, "if there is nothing else, perhaps you should go help Ioan put out the fire," he winks, "I'll help Hassid with our promise.  Then Ioan can sanctify the body and keep it from Strahds hands."

[unkabear]

"By Adam's words, the choice would be his.  Who am I to make anyone a liar.  Though I will promise that if you choose my blade that I would make it most painless, as deserved by a foe with honor."  Hassid said placing his hand on Marius's shoulder.

[Adam Godson]

Adam agreed with Hassid and will let the dwarf choose who would be his executioner.  He committed to the dwarf that they would bless this body so that Strahd couldn't use him in the afterlife and then leave it out in the wilds for the animals to consume.  Adam believed that they should continue pressing toward the swamp.  Now they had a name and some warnings about the dangers that lay before them. 

[unkabear]

The Dwarf looks upon the group with a stoic gaze.  Hassid met that gaze with his own.  If requested Hassid would make it fast and quick.  The workings of his mind did not reflect upon him.  Perhaps it was his prowess, or his words, but in the end the Dwarf finally spoke. “Let th’ blade do it.  Mind you make it quick.” Then looking to Ioan, “And ye keep your promise too” he said before closing his eyes.

Hassid guessed that he would have bowed his head if he were kneeling, but tied as he was, it was all he could do.

Stepping forward time seemed to slow for a moment as Hassid stepped forward.  In one smooth motion Hassid reached back, grabbed his blade, brought it around in one smooth arch and returned it to his sheath.  If someone was to move to stop him they would not have had the chance as the motion was so swift as the blood of the Dwarf was not even given a chance to stain the blade.

Of the Dwarf the eyes remained closed, which was a relief as the head rolled to a rest a bit away from the body.  Unlike the vampire the body did not turn to smoke, but remained as the mortal that he was.

Hassid then knelt down by the body and whispered “rest well and let the Sorshef guide you.”  Then turning to the others looked to Ioan.  "Please honor his wishes and bless that he would not return as a spawn of the devil of this land.” Hassid’s voice held respect mingled with ice.

One could tell that he was ready to ride once Ioan did what he did, blessed the site, corpse or cast a spell.  Such was not his.  While Ioan was given time to do his thing, he mounted StarDancer and pointed her South, toward the next fane.

And toward their next strike at Strahd.

[Marius Ionescu]

Clean off Hassid's blade made a quick death.  Marius looked at the dwarf bowed his head and held a moment of silence - You were a worthy foe.  Hope you're finally free, be at peace.    Marius turned, mounted and followed in suit.

[Adam Godson]

As Adam watched Ioan offer the final rites he looked around the camp and noticed again the remains of his horse.  It was a good mount and had served him well.  His mind drifted to the merchant's wife, Lady Maugren, that lent the stead to him.  She provided them horses in an effort to aid them in searching for her lost husband.  Then it hit him like a bolt from the blue, inspiration from the Father to help a suffering child!!!  He ran a shipping business and was investigating mysterious attacks along the roads of Barovia.  She feared he was dead and hoped without faith that at least the wedding ring could be retrieved. 

Calling quickly to the bard.

"Abrub, do any of the rings on that string happen to be a wedding band?  Is there any mention of the word Maurgen or some mention of a women?  If so, we may be able to relieve the suffering of another if we ever get out of this accursed place." 

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

"Hang on, folks. One more thing to do, here."

Ioan takes the dwarf's head and begins mumbling. Some of Ioan's friends may recognize this prayer. He's used it once before.

"What lies did you tell to Adam when he questioned you?"

The head has no lungs attached, but Ioan can read lips just fine.

[Ikoma]

The eyes flicker as if they are trying to open.  The lips have already lost color.  They twitch.  But no words come out.

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

"Then be at peace, noble enemy. Forgive the indignity."

Ioan releases the spell, and sets the dwarf's head in place at his shoulders.

"Adam, let's get short-pants here in the ground, and make sure Strahd can't bring the poor guy back."

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius took his regular position towards the middle as the group rode, they had some information, and the next fane awaited.  Strahd had no doubly used his spies ... Marius concentrated and prepared his mind for the upcoming battle.