Chapter 10 - In Which our Heroes discover they are too late…
Exethanter - The Curator of the Amber Temple
Inside the Amber Temple our heroes step carefully. Within the dark halls they are wary of booby traps, illusion, and monsters protecting dead secrets.
In one room our heroes are chased away by a demonic dog that barks lightening. In a second space they encounter a 10 foot statue made of polished Amber that nearly brings down the roof.
Slowly our heroes make their way to the back, trying not to touch anything. They know that Madam Eva had prophesized this location to Kai specifically. Zeff is confident that somewhere they will need to hand off his necklace to someone or something.
Far from the entrance our heroes enter a library, the books ravaged by time, covered in cobwebs. A mummified curate rests its head on a desk, raising itself up, and with cold lifeless eyes examines the heroes.
"Do I know you?" It asks.
Immediately suspicious of another possible trap our heroes rush for their weapons. However, the mummy makes no threats to them. No recognition alights its eyes, the mind within - empty.
Garrick spies a faded painting on the backwall that looks suspiciously like Kai. "Blackthorn" the plaque says. Zeff wonders what the connection must be. He offers the Amber necklace to the frail body at the desk. A withered hand takes hold of it. As the hand does so is rejuvenates. Still clearly dead, but now with strength and Memory.
Exethanter, sorcerer and protector of the Amber Temple rises from his desk and welcomes the Heroes. He guides our heroes through the Amber Temple, the ancient sorcerer calls its various guardians to heel. He explains that other visitors have made pilgrimages in the past. Brave souls seek the powerful secrets locked within the Sarcophagi below in the Amber Temple.
Exethanter tells them that Strahd Vonn Zorovich was one such a visitor long ago, He envied his younger Brother's youth and his lovely bride. Strahd was always a warrior and fought to take what he wanted. He wanted Tatyana and coveted to make her a trophy if necessary.
To accomplish this evil goal he needed only time & strength. He accepted the Dark Gift of Vampirism and has attempted, over many generations, to convince Tatyana to accept it too.
The young woman never has, her desire for a blessed life is too strong. But if she feels there is no other option, she may accept an evil life as the Devil's Immortal Bride.
Exethanter provides them with a copy of Strahds Journal. The sorcerer says, "He has not changed in 500 years. His enduring thought of every midnight is that he will have her. That she belongs to him. That was the agreement we made with him."
Garrick and Zeff compare notes and realize they need to return to the valley immediately. They may have protected Barovia village before, but Strahd nearly overran Vallaki and he will try for Ireena again! As our heroes leave the Amber Temple they find Rahadin waiting for them outside.
He followed our heroes with the help of Arrigail & Luvash and a dozen Visanti bandits. Rahadin tells the heroes they are too late. "Strahd knows everything and he won't allow you to pester the master of Barovia further. You are too late to save the Girl and he will destroy the hiding place of the so called Vampire Slayer."
Rahadin turns to the Brothers. He pays Arrigal, "As promised! Your service to Castle Ravenloft has earned you a reward."
"Go, do it now. Kill them!" Rahadin instructs Luvash. The older Brother hesitates remembering how our heroes helped him in the past... "Don't be surprised," Rahadin commands. "You've done work like this before and you'll do it again. Nobody comes into and goes from Barovia as they please..."
Rahadin - Chamberlain to the Devil Stradh Von Zorovich. His crimes nearly equal that of Barovia’s Terrible Vampire Master
However, Luvash doesn't break the Trust of Garrick & Zeff. "I'm tired of people telling me what to do, the Visanti have no King!"
Frantic fighting breaks out. The Two Brothers draw swords against each other and the other Visanti turn to one side or the other.
Garrick and Zeff fight desperately against Rahadin. The Elf is old and practiced. Rahadin's skill has been tempered by many would-be heroes. Garrick is able to challenge Rahadin blade to blade, but he and Zeff find something more sinister has come to the field. As Rahadin's furry grows, horrible wailing follows him. Screams of his countless victims call from beyond the grave and chill our heroes to the bones. Zeff is nearly overwhelmed by the sound, and he was just about to be brought down by Rahadin's strike.
Mercifully, in the nick of time, Luvash defeats his younger Brother Arrigal, but spares his life. Luvash and the other bandits turn on Rahadin and the Elf faces justice at the hands of outlaws.
Luvash tells Garrick and Zeff to run as fast as they can. Barovia Village cannot wait a moment longer. Our heroes race down the mountain. They fight the winds and the snow to get to Ireena before it is too late.
One of their party doesn't follow, Kasamir turns away from Garrick and Zeff. He reenters the Amber Temple to make his own deal with Exethanter.
As our heroes twist their way through the mountain, as Kasamir signs on the dotted line, as Ireena is woken by a bump in the night, and as Luvash cradles his brother... each of them pray that they're not too late to hope.
Out of the Swampy Valley, Baba Lysanga’s Creeping Hut walks to the Village of Barovia