Act II: Ill Fortunes (the fourth day)

Veroth says, "Maybe not just vampire. Maybe he has one of those, what do humans call it, third party templates? Is that right?"

"He is powerful but even Strahd cannot stand within the flames of Sarenrae. With her divine guidance we will cleanse this land of him."

" He appears to play by his own rules, or has become so powerful he can overcome some of these weaknesses. That is why we are here, there is supposed to be a weapon here that can help. A sun sword."

Mark asks Shandra, Is killing Strahd what you wish to do now? Or passing interest? Mark seem to curious.

"Well, I only wanted to go back home, after having spent so many centuries in captivity. But now it seems I cannot because this Strahd is controlling the mists and who gets to leave or stay. So it seems this Strahd stands between me and my ardent desire to return home. Plus, aren't vampires evil creatures of darkness? Aren't we good-inclined folks supposed to stand up to such evil?"

Indeed we are. Have you heard anything about a magical sword in this place in all your time here?

Mark smiles, Well it would be great to have you travel with us. Do you have any needs right now that need to be attended to. You have been locked away for a long time.

Shandra first turns to Roland.

"No, sadly. As you could see, my centuries of imprisonment were limited to four teleportation circles, three of which were in that old laboratory over there. And my memories of the complex from when I first cam here centuries ago, only to fall into a trap are pretty limited. But given the half-melted state of that door over there, I do believe this was the room where the fire elementals were imprisoned... Hmm, now that I think about it, this sorcerer sure had a thing for imprisoning extraplanar beings..."

She then turns to Mark.

"Thank you. I do not really have any need which needs to be taken care of right now. Not needing to eat or drink is a great boon, I guess... As for accompanying you I'd love too, but I'm not entirely sure of how much help I'd be. Most of the spell I know are mostly utilitarian. I was more of a scholar, you see... I was always so curious. Had to prod and search everywhere so I could know anything about everything... I guess this is why I was so easy to lure and trap here... Also, centuries of imprisonment might have left my social skills a bit rusted..."

He replies back I'm sure you will be fine. I don't believe any here are looking for you to save the day with some unknown fantasy magic. But I'm sure presence alone here would be of some aid.

He adds on And when we get out of here, I get to some place civilized that I sure your taste for finer cosine can be satisfied.

"Well, we spent a lot of the day here already, I think we should barely have enough time to go check the Lygasa Hills for that book we're looking for, if we leave right away, that is... The nights are not safe..."

"Leave" we have seen only two rooms of the whole dungeon. Why would we leave it unexplored?"

"Honestly, I think that's all of it. My memories are a bit vague, bu I do remember the underground complex wasn't big... I mean, you can always explore the areas where the otyughs laired, I know it leads out somewhere: I used to see them drab back in fresh kills from time to time... I'm just not sure how useful that exit would be to us..."

"If all that remains is the lair those things dwelled in, then perhaps we have seen all of note. It just feels there should be more."

Not leaving any stones unturned is what I have always heard.

"It seems as if this whole place is his home," he says in response to Shandra's worry about Strahd breaking the rules, "so he doesn't need permission to do anything."

"I'm ready to head out as well," he says to Ireena, "Let's try to find that book."

"I will do as the group wishes, if we are to look through the otylughs lair I would be happy to use a detect magic to find the more valuable items."

"Let's check the rest of this place. There isn't much left, it won't take long."

Veroth flies over to the other side and begins checking the room for traps, trapdoors, and secret doors. Of the others need help crossing that pit, he'll anchor a rope for them.