Session 16 - Funeral and a meeting with Strahd

Yelling at the door from afar the party hears a untelligable muffled reply, manning up and heading to the door of the run down boarded up manner, the party knocks and are greeted by a female voice. "What is it what do you want?" The party explain they are looking for her brother, to which she scoffs and says he has not been seen for many moons, they tell her they just drank with them, and she said who Baermar? at which point the party realize they are talking with someone other than Ismarks sister. 

Sorting out the misunderstanding they are able to speak with Ireena (Ismarks Sister) who lets them in and shows them what is left of the mansion. After some discussion they determine that the Town Burgomaster has passed away and requires a proper burial, after discussing Ismarks request to help keep Ireena safe, they agree to escort his body to the church for a proper burial which Ireena makes clear she will not be going anywhere with them unless this is done. She explains that Strahd has taken a liking to her, and has bitten her twice. 

The constant onslaught every night by Strahds servants was too much and thats why her fathers heart gave out. The Party head to the church with a cart carrying the coffin and remains and arrive to see a very run down church with boarded up windows. They approach the doors and find them open, entering they see an older priest praying amongst the ruins of pews and other furniture. He rises as they enter, and introduces himself as Donavich and asks what brings them to his church, they explain that they need a proper burial for the burgomaster. 

 He says the ritual must be......a blood curdling scream comes from beneath the floor "let me out I am starving, let me out".....he continues ignoring the scream, an says oh yes the burial will be held at dawn but you will need to spend the night here guarding the body. Donavich explains his son has gone mad and is secured in the basement for his own protection, that they should under no circumstances let him out, as he will harm himself. The party agree and Donavich leavs before dark, they setup in the small bedrooms, and plan out shifts for watch. 

The wailing starts to intensify from beanth the floor after sunset. "Let me out" "I can smell your blood" "He will claim your soul" continues for hours. Eventually the party decided to search around the church and find two more rooms, an office and a room with a highly secured trapdoor. They enter the trapdoor room and are deciding if its appropriate to end Donavich's sons life or cast sleep on him in order to get some rest themselves. As they are debating this a spine chilling howl comes from outside the church, joined by several others, they hear clawning at the wooden door and secured windows. 

Snowball sends out Snowy owl to see whats going on, but when he recalls his familiar he is shocked to see that snowy owl has become undead snowy owl. Outside the Church are several werewolves standing on their hind legs attacking the doors and windows to find a way in. The party decide to hold off from a full frontal attack, and stand guard until dawn. After a couple of hours of howling, screaming and scatching at the door all falls silent. Snowy ZombiOwl reports that the werewovles are gone. 

As the Party revel in the silence, a voice calls from outside. "Come out travellers and greet me, there is no immediate danger" They open the door to a pale looking fellow dressed in very fine attire with very pointy teeth. "I am Count Strahd vo Zarovich" Snowball stands at the top of the steps and the party chat with Strahd, Strahd tells them that he brought them here as play things. During the conversation, he subtly casts a charm spell (as identified by Pallas) on Snowball and fails, shortly after trying again he successfully charms Grimdur who looked like he was ready to see how many pieces he could slice Strahd into, and suddenly stood at easy and started agreeing with everything Strahd said as if they were long standing allies. Strahd departs into the night leaving the party tired and fgeeling very uncomfortable. 

The party see the sun start to rise and relax a little enjoying the soothing screems of whatever is in the basement. Just before dawn they hear something outside. Its a wereraven and its alone, this time they take it down and are very lucky that Jamorin who charged in close was not infected by its err were peck attacks. 

 They complete the burial and Donavich suggest that they should take Ireena to Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk or the town of Vallaki to keep her safe from Strahd. They party return to the manor and find Ismark there sleeping off a hangover, and Ireena preparing to travel. 

They Wake Ismark and hit the road as its about 20miles and they want to make it while its still daylight. Along the way they encounter two topless men, who mock them, as they engage in friendly banter, the topless men transform into werewolves and begin to attack. They are able to take them down, and proceed along the road.