Adventure 4 - In which our heroes attend to A Family Matter

 As the Heroes enter town the church bells ring out and the Barovian townsfolk flood into the road, their hearts suddenly full of emotion. Everyone it seems has come out to witness the glad tiding, Even the barman Erik - otherwise dead inside can’t help but smile. The Sonnleiter’s overjoyed to thank the heroes profusely. Donovich too is pleased that this story has a happy ending especially after his own son didn’t have…

Donovich trails off and excuses himself. He takes the north road towards the church. Our heroes shake hands with a few more villagers before they think that there might be one more problem in the village. Witches they've stopped, but time to help the faithful.

When they take the road to the church they see Donovich in the doorway politely declining to help a young golden haired boy. Izmark, it turns out, has come to ask Donovich for a house call, his half sister is ill…. “Adopted sister,” Donovich corrects Izmark, but it is clear that the boy’s senses are not all there.

Donovich again refuses, encouraging Izmark to please with the newcomers who just saved the lost children. Donovich excuses himself and closes the door. The last thing anyone can hear is a voice from inside calling, “Father I need you.”

The boy with golden hair asks the heroes if they are doctors. He explains that his sister Ireena is not well and asks them to visit the Burgomeister’s home in the south. They all agree to visit just as soon as they can, but first they need to keep an appointment with the priest.

Inside the church is not nearly as well kept as the outside. While it holds onto 4 walls and a roof. The interior is cold and lacks decoration. The pews of the chapel also are in need of repair, many moldy and splintered. At the far side of the Church Donovich prays to the Morninglord. He seeks guidance and affirmation of the goodness of people. He has been troubled since his son died a few days ago, and he hasn’t been sleeping well.

While Zeff and Garrik question Donovich, the other two explore the church. Snooping around the other rooms. They find 2 bedrooms, one for the priest and the other for his son. They also spy on Donovich's office, all objects of any value long since sold off. Magnolia finds a trapdoor in the far corner of the church. It is barred and locked. When she touches the lock she hears a voice from below as if gasping for air “Father please, I’m so hungry!”

Donovich’s voice comes sharply, “Leave that alone, you don’t know what you do.” The heroes explain that they came to Barovia to help fight evil and stop horrible things happening. Donovich refuses to let them into the basement, he has just recently suffered heartbreak and won’t go through it again. “I buried my son 3 days ago, he will be at rest. We just need to pray that the Morninglord ends this nightmare soon.” He won’t let the heroes interfere in this matter, and he won’t look at his son having already given a goodbye.

Garrik believes that Donovich must be the holy man he needs to realign on the righteous path. Garrik says that if this “nightmare” is a passing thing then there is no harm in letting them all witness a terror that will end. Says that . Donovich agrees that we should not deny our faith just because things don’t turn out the way we like. His faith was not shaken and won’t be. He gives them a key to the basement, and our heroes descend into the undercroft.

Doru’s cries cease as they open the trapdoor to the basement. They go into the crypt below where they find it . Doru seems to be harmless, would perhaps intend to be peaceful - but the hunger in his eyes overpowers the senses. He pounces on the heroes. A quick battle begins, although Doru demonstrates speed and strength beyond what a mortal man should command, our heroes are ready for him. They dispatch the vampire Zeff incinerate him until nothing is left but black ash and wisps of smoke that trail away on an non-existent wind.

Garrik deposits a few coins into the poor box by the door. All exit the Church, its walls and floor now quiet. They all agree that its long past due to meet Ireena. They head south towards the Burgomeister’s mansion. A maid lets them in and tells them to wipe their feet.

The Burgomeister explains that Ireena has had many visits from a late night caller - a Mr Holz. Holz does seem to know what Ireena likes and brings fresh roses, but the Burgomeister doesn’t like the look of him; doesn't trust a man who only appears after sundown. He dresses too well, and spends too lavishly on gifts. Something isn’t right for foreigner to try so hard. Their curiosity piqued, our Heroes ask to see Ireena. The maid shows them to her room.

Our heroes ask Ireena about her late night caller, and she admits it is flattering to meet someone with such a keen interest in her and in the world in general. “Holz is an enchanting fellow she says, he knows so many things and likes so many things, and likes me too.” While she agrees with her father that she is too young to get married, she is no longer a child. Perhaps it is right that she goes to live with the count. It might be time that she grows up and leaves home, just as she is too old to play with dolls. Some dreams don’t come true.

Ireena stands out in her bedroom, her eyes alight with interest in the world. She appears like a woman who has grown up too fast - the color leaving her skin, though her inner fire and desire to live a full life is obvious. Ireena cannot explain what is making her ill - Neither could the Priest Donovich after several visits. Ireena feels unwell in general, as if she doesn’t feel right in her own skin.

Neither Magnolia or Kai can make sense of what is wrong, though they agree she is suffering in some unusual way. Zeff questions the other people at home but they cannot explain more. Izmark is too simple to identify what is wrong, although he knows it intuitively. The Burgomeister does explain that he adopted young Ireena after a childhood tragedy. “She was lucky to be alive when we found her winding out of the woods… perhaps these happy years have been a blessing above what we could expect.”

Ireena was found as an orphan by Izmark when they were children. She remembers having a brother, but nothing more about her childhood.

As the conversations continue and the clock ticks by, the Burgomeister refuses to let them stay the night, not even for dinner. If he is uncomfortable with a late night caller after several visits, he won’t open his doors to 4 strangers. Our heroes politely excuse themselves, but agree they need to stick around for when Holz is bound to arrive.

Hiding in the doorways of some empty houses our heroes await Ireena’s gentleman caller - Holz. A fog rolls up after sunset, the moisture from the muddy road blanketing the town. In the distance a Horse Clip-Clops its way down the road to the Burgomeister’s house. Just as the rider is about to pass them Garrik hails out in the silence, waving his arm friendly.

“Good Evening,” the reply follows. Spoken by a handsome man in top-hat and rising coat. The rider’s black horse rears up once before settling down like a well-trained steed. The rider pets the horse's mane and asks Garrik what he is up to tonight. He speaks like a well educated gentleman.

Garrik and then gentlemen trade many questions about Ireena, Barovia, and the lands beyond. Where do you come from, what’s your business here, have you ever met Count Strahd von Zorovich? Equally they ask, and just as important they both try to not reveal any truths.

The Gentleman says he is here to deliver some flowers that he had heard she had taken ill. Magnolia takes note of how vibrantly red roses are. They cut through the bleak fog and the drab colors of the countryside.

Holz believes it would be good for Ireena to stay with the count, so she could get a quality education. He finds her to be a captivating woman - whose personality shines through all the stronger for lack of comparison. “I have never met anyone like her in my lifetime…”

Garrik knows intuitively that it was his magic that saved him from the hypnotic eyes of Holtz. The pair stared down at each other both aware that the other is far more than they appear to be. Holtz, or should we say the count himself, races away from the Heroes on his black horse disappearing into the night.

A minute or so later, the heroes are discussing what Holz truly meant to say, and what his intentions are. He cannot be trusted, but they puzzle why he hasn’t just asked a thug to smash the door and kidnap the girl… Just then, wolves cried out in the night. Because the fog still obscured their vision they stumbled their way back to the Inn, slowly weaving through the alleys.

They arrive at the Inn wolves on their heels and just manage to lock the door in time. In the chaos Magnolia was surprised to hear one of them speak, “Get the she-wolf it said. A chilling phrase, but more so that it was uttered in the secret language of Druids.

Mysteries for another day perhaps Happy that they have a warm bed that night, they rest for the evening. The Ghostly parade fills their dreams, less macabre the 2nd time.

When our heroes awake the next morning the see several Barovians had come into the tavern that morning for an impromptu ceremony. Priest Donovich thanks them again for the return of the children, and for giving attention to his own personal concerns. The Barovians have decided to reform the town watch and not hide behind their curtain alone anymore.

Erik the barman even expresses interest in attending church on Sunday. As surprising as that is, They ask Garrik is he will be honorary Nightwatch captain. Garrik agrees and Donovich anoints him with oil “repeat after me….”

Garrik took an oath to the town to look after them through the night and to keep the peace. Erik the barman rewards Garrick with an ancient battered pot helm as a symbol of his office . Kai happily points out that it is magical!

After a few toasts from the inspired Barovians Donovich asks the heroes a question they weren’t expecting, “Where will you go next?”

Strahd Main Page

Adventure 3 - In which out Heroes Thwart a Coven of Witches…

Adventure 5 - In which our heroes see more than they wanted…