Hunt or be hunted... This was the lesson our adventurers learned in Barovia. They had followed the werewolves into the mist, yet they did not suspect that it would be that same pack of werewolves that would challenge their right to life as the menacing yellow eyes of a predator observed their every move, fidget, glance, even breath... What is the difference between man and beast? This philosophical query would haunt our adventurers as forged metal clashed with tooth and claw. Still, one beast became distinct from the rest. His hulking stature loomed just over his packmates, possessing a familiar malevolent gaze. One such gaze that kindled the wrath of a druid, Lucian, who recognised this beast as the one that ripped the throat from his valiant paladin friend Valarith. And as the druid's wrath manifested in storm clouds and furious lightning strikes, his tiefling friend Malchior found himself queried by Strahd von Zarovich regarding his pact, demanding he return the Tome of Strahd that he had stolen. Just when victory seemed to be in sight, having considered his pact with Malchior to have been treacherously broken, Strahd von Zarovich decided to make a personal appearance once more with several vampire followers in tow. Then, turning the adventurer's plans upon their heads, fireball for fireball. The sheer destruction toppled the Wizard's tower, killing Ireena, leaving Malchior utterly unconscious and the rest of the group holding on by a thread with their lives. As if answered by the Morning Lord himself. A scintillating light peaked upon the horizon behind what remained of the werewolf pack, as if it were a new dawn illuminating the skies. Like angel wings expanding across the horizon, this veil of light encompassed the field of battle. Then from the centre of the veil, as if to don these angel wings of light. The eyes of our adventurers were drawn to the refracting gleam of light upon shining armour and familiar tresses of platinum as none other than Valarith Silverune descended upon the werewolves with an unparalleled divine fury as if he were the Morning Lord's Archangel of Vengeance himself. The sight of the Morning Lord's paladin back from the dead with the bride, that Strahd most recently sought to take for himself, at his back left the Lord of Barovia exceptionally displeased, despite his usual impassive nature. With these two previous allies of righteousness joining the fray after their brief absence, the tide of battle turned once more to the favour of our adventurers. Through Valarith's holy retribution and Laela's fortifying contributions - the battle waged on. However it seemed that Strahd von Zarovich was far from finished...
