Endur's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[Goddess FallenAngel]

"I think that we should head back - we managed to avoid most of the undead on the way here, so we should be able to do the same on the way back. I don't know how well we will rest there - it was very crowded and loud - but I would rest easier having more people around. Either way, I don't believe that we should stay here. And I hate to say this, but the girl will have to wait until morning... we aren't in any condition to rescue her, if she is even still safe. Also, there is the fact that Ashlyn was waiting for Mathilda and Thendrick... let us be sure that no one else wanders off on their own." Alessandra looks around at the party.

 

[Rhun]

Skorl Darkskull, HP: 51/56

"Hokay, we go back." Skorls gives a fanged smile to his companions, gathers up whatever gear and valuables that his friends cannot carry, and heads for the door. He look a little humorous with two greatswords criss-crossed acrossed his back, but the muscular warrior obviously believes two heavy blades are better than one.

 

[industrygothica]

Willow gathers her gear and prepares to leave with the others. She is armed with her quarterstaff.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

Outside the church, Dareios has finished to arrange his new belongings and to girt his new weapons.

His face hiden under the hood of Nikolai's blood-stained cloak, he is waiting for the others outside the temple, mounted on his fellow stallion Dammerung.

While outside, he has prepared two torches out of the garbage that lies around, and, as his companions exit the desecrated church, asks:

"Shall we burn this cursed place? - This might end or at least limit the undead plague."

 

[Endur]

Outside the old church, the mist has condensed and transformed into a light rain. The fog no longer obscures your vision.

Lightning in the distance lightens up the village. You don't see anyone moving, shambling, or plodding on the village streets.

Adjacent to the church is the village graveyard.

Strider attempts to lick Darieos's hand, but his tongue passes right through the hand.

Nikolai and Ricven are looking a bit transparent, but otherwise unharmed.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

[Are the others with me already? - Did we already set the temple on fire?]

For a moment, Dareios is just paralyzed by the shock.

Then, tears begin to fall from his eyes and he falls on his knees.

Sobbing, he tries to hug his faithful dog, but, again and again... But in vain...

"I swear that I will not rest before I destroy what haunts these lands! I swear! What do you want to tell me, my friends? - What must I accomplish until we can put your souls to rest?"

 

[Rhun]

Skorl merely shakes his head upon seeing his former companions and Dareios' dog returned in spectral form. "It is no good thing, when spirits walk. The dead deserve rest." Again the half-orc remembers his own youth, and the necromancers that ruled the mountain orcs. They had no respect for the dead, raising them as undead for their own foul purposes. Skorl knew that this madness had to be stopped.

"I help set things right," the warrior spoke, dropping a large hand on Dareios' shoulder.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

Dareios, still crying, stands up and takes Skorl's hand.

"Thank you, my friend. We are no noblemen, and most people may look at us as cutthroats or killers for hire, but we know about the meaning of friendship. Neither will I let the death of our companions go unavenged, nor will I leave the people of Barovia defenseless against whatever may plot their destruction. I would consider it an honour to fight at your side."

"Now -" says Dareios, as he cleans his face from the tears.

"Let's go and rest - and tomorrow, to hunt some ghoulish lords!"

 

[industrygothica]

Willow looks up at the sky and lets the rain fall on her face. The only refreshing thing I've seen since we've been in this wretched place, she thinks to herself as the rain glues her stringy hair to her face.

After seeing the ghosts of the fallen, her sense of urgency returns. "Come, let's move quickly while it is clear. Who knows what horrors may fall with the rain," she says as she pulls her hair from her face and brushes it back over her head. For the first time, without her unkempt locks masking it, the party can see her full elven face glistening under the moonlight.

 

[hafrogman]

Cedric shudders at the sight of the ghosts of the fallen, and hurries after the others, ready to retreat to what passes for civilization here.