Ok we're out of danger, lets throw down a tiny hut and take a long rest, we can deal with Strahd during daylight hours tomorrow. Snowball starts the spell only to have it countered. As the party deliberate on what to do next they decide to try once more to cast the tiny hut, and this time as Snowball starts the spell once again to have it countered, the party hear someone moving around outside the door, and prepare to defend themselves again.
Knock Knock Knock.
The doors open and Cyrus the mongrelfolk from the larders is standing hunched over. He raised his head to face the party and says "The master would like a word with you"
Baromar charges at him kicking the poor defenseless mongrel in the head. He falls to his knees and yells "Master they are attacking" then puts his hands up in complete submission, the kick to his head had almost killed him.
As the party decide if they should kill him, search him or let him go, Strahd appears flanked by 4 of his vampire servants.
He stands with his arms crossed and says "The time for fighting is done, now we need to discuss the terms of your success."
Strahds minions are holding 10 greater potions of healing, and Strahd says "Please take these and heal, they will not harm you, to prove this feel free to choose one at random and I will have Cyrus here drink it"
The party choose a potion and Cyrus drinks it without hesitation, immediately looking better as the footprint in his face slowly fades. The party heals up and puts three healing potions in the bag of holding.
Strahd says "Now that is settled please join me in the Chapel, we need to discuss the future."
He motions to the organ at the back of the dining room, and a door slides open to the side, out comes a vampire, who picks up an unconscious Tatyana and carries her as the party follow Strahd to the Chapel.
They enter the room, flanked by Strahds Zombie servants, and a bunch of vampires. Strahd walks to the dias, and stand behind a table covered in a white cloth.
He faces the group and smiles, clapping his hands slowly he says "I congratulate you on making through every test I have faced you with. You have earned your lives, but before we proceed I need to tell you of a problem I have. Barovia has a finite number of Souls, there are more people born here than we have souls for, and as such I have planned a series of campaigns for the Vistani to venture into the world to bring more souls to Barovia."
He reveals the contents of the table, A suit of armor, a wicked looking battle axe, A swirling black orb on a silver chain, a shining rapier and a gleaming gold harp.
"My proposal to you, as you have proven your worthiness is for you to become leaders of the Vistani armies, Lieutenants of my squads who will venture forth and bring more souls to Barovia. You would be equipped with these powerful artifacts. Denzel this armor will ensure your foes immediately recognize who they are dealing with. Grimdur this Axe will increase your power ten fold, and allow me to return my fathers soul from the sun sword to hits correct resting point. Gnarvick this rapier will serve you in ways you are yet to imagine, Baromar this orb will increase your wisdom, and give you sight in the darkness. And Pallas.....I don't have an item for you but I hereby offer you the station of Head Librarian and keeper of my magical texts. "
The party weigh up their options, Fight, Flee or Accept, and as Strahd watches them closely he realizes that he has yet to let them know a key point here.
"I can see some of you are struggling with the choice to serve me. I can understand this, I know what I am. To this point I pledge to provide you with save passage through the mists and back into the world, where you will be released unharmed"
The party decides.
Gnarvick is not interested in a military position, he chooses to leave.
Grimdur is interested in the new found power the axe would give him, he accepts Strahds offer.
Snowball is scared of Strahd and has no interest in serving him, he declines.
Pallas seeking power, in the form of knowledge has no choice but to accept.
Baromar, decides to follow Snowball and declines.
Denzel feels he could make a change from within Strahds ranks, and lead a resistance to overthrow him from within. Denzel accepts his offer.
Those who accepted collect their rewards, realizing at once something is not right, the Axe cannot be put down, or the armor taken off. They have become part of Denzel and Grimdur, and as for Pallas, he could never have refused that offer anyway.
He turns to Ismark "You have fought valiantly, as you have seen Tatyana no longer contains any trace of your sister, return to Barovia and take the role of Burgomaster as per the old agreements, but I warn you fight me again and it will be certain death for you."
Ismark hangs his head a broken man, his companions planning to either go their separate ways or join Strahd, he leaves the room head hanging lowly and returns to the village of Barovia.
Grimdur asks Strahd for use of a mount, and he summons a black as night hell horse, with glowing red eyes, Grimdur, Pallas and Denzel escorts the party to the Blue Water Inn, where they enjoy an night of drinking and recovery.
They learn of Mulberry who was arrested for selling "Concoctions" to Minors, and cause quite the scandal after enjoying the company of Blinski a little too much.
In the morning the party say their farewells, a knot of Vistani come to collect Snowball, Baromar and Gnarvick. They escort them past Krezk and out the west road, entering the fog, the last time they will ever see Barovia.
4 Years later.....
A small town tavern bustles with activity, its mid afternoon, and a group of children can be heard yelling in unison from the back room.
Snowball slowly cleans glasses, and prepares a tray of wooden cups of water which he takes out the back. Standing in a room filled with all sorts of weapons, Baromar is showing the kids how to kick and punch, they break for water and as Baromar looks over the group of kids he thinks of the children of Barovia, destined to lead a life of misery.
Snowball walks back to the bar smiling, he will spend the night singing ballads and adventure songs telling the tales of Grimdur the destroyer, Gnarvick the sneaky, Baromar the brave, Pallas the powerful, Denzel the destroyer, and of Mulberry the Spicy.
This was the end of our Curse of Strahd Adventure, it has been a lot of fun and challenge to run this game. Thanks to the players for My learning to be a DM, and showing up most Saturday nights for almost a year to live in a world of grey and gloom.
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