romania ♔ in the end of the night i can feel you breathe

[pickyourbattles]

♬ Night - Zola Jesus

WHO || Willow, Paige, Nathan, Henry, Aurelius, Dovan [Closed]
WHAT || The Knights travel to Romania to investigate a mysterious, magical fog
WHERE || Romania
WHEN || April 11th [back dated]
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread, don't worry about maintaining tagging order.

February in Romania isn't very comfortable, so hopefully everyone bundled up for this little trip into the countryside.  The appearance of a mysterious bank of fog into which several locals have gone inexplicably missing upon entering, has caused Wynn to speculate that it might be connected to the mist that appears when the Veil brings people from other worlds.  Could this be the first instance of a door going the other way?  If so, here's hoping it's a round trip...

Comments

[autorevive]

[at aurelius, being helpful as ever:] I don't think she's going to be under that rock, mate.

[wanttobeahero]

[ Henry nods that he's all right, tucks his weapon back into his pack and just quietly joins in on the search. He smiles softly and he's just relieved everyone is still standing. And...commence with the searching - 12 for that. ]

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[Willow's keen eyes discover a partially hidden trap door. Inside, there's a ladder stretching down through a narrow shaft in the rocky earth. The shaft opens into a larger cavern, dimly lit by flickering purple flames in braziers. Herein they find the last remnants of an ancient altar, covered in blood and defiled. This is the "Mountain Fane" detailed in Strahd's manuscript, once holy to Saint Ecaterine it's power now serves the lord Strahd. A night spent here in solemn prayer, with the Icon of Ravenloft laid upon the altar, will re-consecrate these grounds and sever Strahd's connection to them, transferring the boon to the party - as was details in the Tome of Strahd.]

[somepagesturn]

[Paige follows the group into the cavern, clutching the Icon in her hands.] I... I need to stay here with this.

[pickyourbattles]

Well, if that's the case, we're all staying. We can... keep watch, in case they return.

[olreliable]

Of course we'll all stay. There's enough of us to take shifts if we need to.

[autorevive]

If those gypsy witches think about comin' back, I've got another grenade with their name on it!

[that's the spirit, nathan.]

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[Just moments into their vigil, the sudden jarring noise of applause cuts through the air, echoing around the dank cellar. Strahd slowly walks forward, having appeared in the basement as if from out of nowhere.]

I knew you could get the job done, with the right... motivation. [Strahd stops clapping, and folds his arms, and stares at the altar.] I trust you don't intend to try anything foolish, now. We were just beginning to get along... [A wicked fanged grin cuts across his face.]

[somepagesturn]

[Paige's eyes snap open as she realizes they're not alone. She stands slowly, shielding the altar with her tiny body.]

We didn't do it for you.

[olreliable]

[gdi strahd. They didn't even have time to rest and regain spells. You're the worst.]

We did what you asked. Now help us find our friend.

[That was why they were doing this right???]

[autorevive]

Yeah! Fair is fair! [right....???]

[pickyourbattles]

As they say. [ aurelius eyes him nervously, one hand going to the hilt of his sword b/c he doesn't trust this cocksucker lbr ]

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[Strahd paces ominously for a moment...]

Of course. It would be rather uncouth to not uphold my end of the bargain.

[Strahd concentrates for a moment, and opens up a portal. The familiar black iron gates that bar the passage into and from Barovia are visible through the magical vortex.]

If you'd be so kind as to follow me... [And he strides through, arms folded.]

[pickyourbattles]

[ aurelius looks at the others, uncertainly. ] I don't see what choice we have. [ with a shrug, he turns to follow him through. ]

[autorevive]

[nathan shrugs and follows with a] I can't say I haven't done more arsebackwards shit than this.

[somepagesturn]

[PAIGE LOOKS LIKE SHE'D RATHER DO... ANYTHING BUT THAT, and keeps holding onto the Icon and looking at the altar like but... but... Ritual??? Until it occurs to her that this wasn't really what they were here for, and Dovan could die before they actually save Barovia, so... Into the portal she goes.]

[wanttobeahero]

[ Henry is...just as uncertain as Aurelius, but they'll do this as a team, like everything else they've done here. If one person goes, they all go. So, he steps through the portal as well. ]

[olreliable]

All for one, one for all. [Willow mutters as she brings up the rear.]

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[Strahd looks them over as they step out, seemingly amused. With a wave of his hand, the gates of Barovia groan open, and the strange mists that surround the place seem to stretch and grope their way out of the gate like large foggy tentacles.]

Your friend has been walking in circles in the mists for... quite a few days now. Nothing gets in or out of Barovia unless I will it, but I'll see to it that he stumbles across your path on your back home.

[somepagesturn]

[PAIGE LOOKS SO MORALLY OUTRAGED RIGHT NOW.]

So Dovan's been safe this whole time? [well. safe is relative in Barovia, but.]

[autorevive]

Safe except for his bloody hands!!

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[A wry smile crawls across Strahd's face.]

Actually those particular Dwarf hands belonged to an underling of mine named Varikov. You might recall barging into his home unannounced, and killing him. Useful, even in death, it seems.

Yes, Dovan is safe - though I would imagine quite frustrated and rather hungry.

[somepagesturn]

[Paige literally looks like she's going to scream and hurl herself at Strahd's throat at any moment, and the only thing stopping her from doing it is the fact that she doesn't want Strahd to murder anyone and also a 26 will save.]

Then this is good-bye. And, if you'll pardon me being extremely impolite, good riddance.

[pickyourbattles]

Wait. [ aurelius speaks up, looking troubled. he glances over at willow, before turning to strahd. ] My sister.

[olreliable]

[Willow moves over to Aurelius' side and gives him a little nod, trying to convey that she'll totally stay behind with him to find his sister if need be.

And to Strahd:]

She wasn't with the witches- so where is she?