Act III: the Face of Evil

[Ikoma]

With the dwarf lying on the still wet ground, the group saddles up.  There are not enough horses for each to travel on their own.  The group skirts the wide open field north of the bridge, getting closer to the river with each stride.  The day is still gray and overcast.  But the rain has ceased and on occasion, the sun peaks out from behind the clouds.

Abrud studies the rings... something tickling the back of his mind.

Early in the day, well before noon, the group reaches the bridge.  At this point you can see the village of Barovia across the river and the farm lands.  Pleasant smoke rises... the kind that hearths create.... the kind where stout, filling food is cooked.  And the temptation to cross the bridge is almost overpowering.  A warm bed?  A good meal?  Or a swamp where some fane is located - one no doubt defended by another hag?

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius looked at the smoke and thoughts of gingerbread man filled his thoughts, but the fane awaited.  He looked to the group and focused his eyes on the swamp, pointing the group with his eyes.

[Valen & Abrud]

Abrud | lost track of HP | 1d20=1

Abrud does indeed study the rings. He scours his knowledge of all things undead to see if any of the rings are relics or symbols of undead practices he's heard of. He reflects on his research of famous undead to see if any of the rings may be actual trinkets owned by or somehow associated with any famous undead. Finally he reflects on his religious research and learning to see if there is any matrimonial or marriage significance to any of the rings.

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam rides on his horse, petting it and making sure that it is comforted.  The recent battle had the horse nearly die and Yemam is grateful the creature is alive.

The scout tried to pay attention to his surrounding, but the gloom of the environment was getting to Yemam.  The recent rain, the darkness, the ambush, and energy loss from the madman's touch all left the scout wanting to return to a nice sunny place away from Strahd. 

"So...the next fane is our target.  Do we have a plan friends?"

[unkabear]

Hassid knew that StarDancer was the best suited for sharing riders as she was in the best shape of the horses present.  As calling Gabriel was something precious for the time being Hassid shared StarDancer with Adam for the ride.

Adam was heavier than Hassid even before the armor, but StarDancer was built for a heavier rider than himself, but Hassid had used this extra strength to his advantage before for a burst of speed that would otherwise left him in a bad place.

Each time it was time for Adam to ride Hassid stepped up to StarDancer and gave her a few instructions, things such as not to buck the current rider and to not canter just to shake the man about.  And though he did not hold the reigns, she followed him as if he was leading her always to his right, one step out and pacing him...even if it was an excruciatingly slow pace for her, which ended up setting the pace for everyone else as well, allowing others such as Marius to scout ahead as was prudent.

[Valen & Abrud]

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius kept his eyes open and turned back to make sure Abrud was following.

[unkabear]

[Ikoma]

About noon, the sun high is the cloudy sky but burning through to shine a weak light over the world, the group finally arrives at the swamp.  The Iblis river, which has been on your left hand through the ride just opens up into a wide spot before become a large, shallow pond more than a pair of long bowshots across.  The banks are initially fairly well defined.  But soon, the ground becomes softer and muddier.  Instead of being able to ride higher, away from the water, the ground was impossibly level.  Reeds and grass were everywhere, getting higher and higher.  It was difficult to see the ground through the vegetation from the backs of the horse.  And whomever was afoot was finding it slow going as they begin to sink a few inches with each step.  The horses prove adept and finding the driest path - which isn't very dry.  Within a half hour of loosing the bank, you are past whatever pond there was and fully in the embrace of the swamp.  Bugs buzz everywhere and the horse tails twitch trying to keep the bugs off.  You are forced to swat and wave... unsuccessfully.  But it is cool.  And you realize that this place would be much, much more uncomfortable in a proper summer and not the late fall of the current season.

[Valen & Abrud]

As Abrud reunites with the group on his horse Crescendo, he says to Adam, "All of those rings are wedding bands, but none of them have any significance to me beyond that."

Abrud stays with the group as they wend their ways through the swamp. He waits for the tacticians in the group to suggest their next course of action.

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam stayed on his horse and looked out at the desolate swamp.  The bugs were distracting the scout, but at least the weather is not too miserable.  Yemam turned to Adam and Hassid.  "I will use my skills to try and notice anything, but where do you think I should look.  This....this is a lot of space."

[unkabear]

Hassid looked to Adam and Yemam.  "We need to find the spiritual heart of this swamp.  Though what to look for or where it might be eludes me." The words of the Dwarf haunted him though.  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  Hassid would be weary.  "We are looking for the Drowned Lady, perhaps that is our first clue."

[Yemam Silverman]

"Perhaps the Drowned Lady is in fact the spiritual leader whose remains are buried in the swamp.  However, maybe we can find the more dangerous part of the swamp and look there.  Granted, that would probably be where Strahd would have left the fane."

[Marius Ionescu]

The group was now even more focused and forming a plan, Marius listened.  "Hmmm ... Perhaps a little arcane sight might shine the way.  Marius focused on the magic with in - Detect Magic - now let us see what the swamp is attempting to hide."

[Valen & Abrud]

Abrud stays close to the group. He keeps alert - not wanting to repeat his folly in the last combative encounter.