Act I: Inauspicious Start

Looking around at the gathered Lightbringers (and Kayleigh), Weiryn motions for their attention. "Everyone, please, follow me. You as well, Kayleigh. We need to discuss a few things before we set off to find our missing brothers at the Church."

Shutting the door behind him once everyone is in, Weiryn cuts right to the heart of it. "Be advised, my friends. Last night's attack with the worgs at Lady Ireena's house has strengthened my belief that this Strahd is a vampire who has taken up a study of the arcane. The stories about him being able to enter homes undetected, walk about in broad daylight, and now the attempted collection of blood and personal belongings all lead me to believe that this...creature...is studied in the arts of Divination, Enchantment, and Evocation. All three schools of Arcane magic could grant him the abilities we've been told of."

Looking to Ashlyn, he continues. "Lady Ashlyn, is your plan still to search the church for our guild brothers, so that together we can all see this Madame Eva to learn the best route to take in clearing this land of its taint?"

"Well, my colleagues went to the small church despite the town folks' warnings to talk to Madam Eva first. We can still go to the church as we are more numerous and stand a better chance, but if you feel we would simply be repeating the mistakes of my missing colleagues and you judge it preferable to seek advice from this wise woman first, I'm willing to wait a few more days before mounting an assault against the church. I just hope it is still not too late for Thendrick and Mathilda... I trust in your judgement brother Weiryn."

"The advice of a knowledgeable local could be the difference between life and death. I recommend we seek out the wise women." Roland holds back his sickness so as not to disturb the room they have borrowed. "Might i suggest we make hast though, as we know the vampir knows we are here and we know he doesn't seem real fond of us."

"We are more numerous," Weiryn replies, "But there is a malady working against Roland and Kayleigh that I do not know how to cure. None of the magicks at my disposal are powerful enough to remove their affliction, and it is as though they've passed the incubation stage and went straight to the sickness. The villagers believe that the scourge began at the church...if that is truly the case, then I want us at our full strength when we assault it."

He sighs before continuing, pulling one of the letters from his pouch and passing it to Ashlyn. "And then, there's the matter of Lady Ireena. I know the reasoning behind her not wanting to be here with the other villagers...she has been under the sway of this Strahd, and he calls to her regularly. She claims that her excuse is to sit vigil over her father, but I believe it is because she does not wish to endanger the villagers here if he came to call. If he is not destroyed quickly, I fear for what will happen to her. I've done what I can to protect her, but it may not be enough."

"Sound reasoning, brothers. I, too, think we should seek out Madam Eva first. If your friends are not yet dead, it is because something wants them alive, and I doubt much that a couple of days will change that fact much."

Lady Ashlyn takes the letter and reads it, her brows frown in a thoughtful manner...

"This is big. I wish I had knows about this sooner, perhaps I could have convinced my friends to go check out on this woman instead of the church... It seems this creatures has big plans, but the question is what are they and what is our role in this..."

"My guess would be a scrying artifact attuned to "His" land. He probably sits atop his little hill and watches those around him suffer for his own amusement. Vampires, they are all children at heart. Spoiled, selfish, ruthless children with far too long a life span and nothing better to do than treat humans like ants with a magnifying glass. And now he has set his sights on Ireena, a new toy, a new fun game." Roland coughs, fighting back the sickness. "He is using whatever magics he can to toy with us as well. He finds this all amusing. That is why the worgs were after blood and clothing instead of death, because their master wants to play."

"Mind you, this is only a theory, but I believe that Strahd has made of study of Divination magic. With that, and a few personal belongings, he would have the ability to look in upon almost anyone in the area, should he so desire." Weiryn nods at Durgrim. "If I am correct, Hammer of Torag, then he has a strong connection to you already with the bloodied rag that the worg took from you last night," as he continues, Weiryn looks around the room at the others. "Enchantment magicks could improve a vampire's already formidable domination abilities, to the point where he could use a Suggestion spell to get himself an invite into someone's home and making them forget about it, perpetuating the rumor that he doesn't require an invitation...and I myself know how to cast an Evocation spell that protects one who is sensitive to sunlight from solar harm for a short time, which could be why he is able to walk in broad daylight."

"Aye. Yer argument is sound. He's a caster allright." Durgrim looks thougthful for a moment.

"Can ye do anything to shield us from his eyes? And is it wise that I'm privy to this meeting as long as he might.. Use me as a looking glass? Mabye it's best if I go, and ye just tell me what to do when it needs doin'. As Lightbringers I trust ye with me life, brothers. Just say it is so, and I'll busy meself outside."

Weiryn shakes his head for a moment. "We are discussing nothing here that hasn't been discussed amongst the villagers before, with the exception of Lady Ireena's condition and my theory. And while there are Abjuration spells that can supposedly protect someone from Divination spells, I am not currently capable of casting them...yet."

"Domination you say. This means that at any moment, one of us could become one of his unwilling puppet... the situation is far more dire than I had originally thought..."

"Not necessarily. As I understand it, the ability to work Enchantments through a divination is a potent spell indeed... Not to mention the need to form a connection to and familiarity required for such a working. No, I believe Strahd has to be standing nearby with a clear line of sight in order to control someone. "

"I will go visit this wise woman. Perhaps she can tell me how to cure this affliction for Roland and Kayleigh."

"I'd like to go, but I heave misgivings about the vampir spying through me. Could she shield us from prying eyes while I'm there?"

"It is your call to stay or go, Brother," Weiryn says. "However, if you let yourself be controlled by the fear of whether or not this creature can spy upon you, you may as well be dominated into staying away. The focus of blood and possession makes forming a link easier, but not a surety," Weiryn smiles as he continues, "Come, and you can serve as our watch if nothing else."

Durgrim nods at Weiryn's words. "Wise words, brother. I will come with you, and let it be up to the wise woman if I should be in your council."

He then adresses Orin: "Cousin. Will ye also join, or will you stay in the relative security of this town? I can ask the wise woman on your behalf should you want to stay. I know not what is the safer choice."