Survived Strahd

Unarmored, caught nearly unaware the party has survived an attack from the Devil himself.

Not a victory? Lost has a completely different feeling about their encounter, and that is made clear by the strong straight line of her back as she watches over the sleeping members of their team. The blonde woman has never looked more pleased with herself. Even the strike from Strahd that has caused bruises to emerge on her golden tan skin isn't enough to diminish the clear glowing pride and pleasure the wood elf exudes at the moment. She has faced Pholtus' intended target and as far as her opinion is, emerged victoriously. The devil now knows there is someone coming for him, clearly knows their intents at his ultimate end, and their capabilities. Of course she's aware they didn't manage exactly what they thought they had against him, her inner hunter able to detect those hidden gifts he wanted them unaware of, but... It was enough that it was he who left their presence, empty handed. Her lips curve up in pure undiluted pleasure as she paces circularly, eyes on the slumbering members of the group. She thinks again to Strahd racing up the tree like some freakish undead spider to suddenly present itself in her face, yet not as hideous as said insect... to falling back to the ground after Anak's swift intervention, and to taunting him openly as she baited him into chase, and she feels the eager wanting welcoming of Pholtus' warmth racing expectantly through her body even before her mind drifts towards His holy presence. I faced him today, My Lord. I faced him, and confronted by Your Light, Your Weapon, he ran. He ran like a coward. My... A pause as the unfamiliar terms try to resolve themselves in the wood elf's mind. There is a friend, and perhaps, unusually, a 'guardian', a cohort? ...  Companions... also shone light, whether Yours or their own false gods, they shone. We together were a lighthouse in the middle of the darkness this devil has cast over the land. No... We didn't just shine like a lighthouse, some ambivalent circulating aimless ray. We were as a ray of Your divine sunlight through the shadowy leaves of forest, focusing on the one element of corruption among nature. He more than felt Your presence, My Wonderful  Lord Pholtus, he was burned badly by it. He knows that I, Your Vassal, among others, come for him. I will be his end, by Your wishes. Please. Pholtus, show me now that I am on Your right course? By the dawn's light, we go to appease a holy man of some other god's dim light, but after that we seek stronger weapons, items to thrust into Your foe's weakened form when we end him in Your name.

Meanwhile at Castle Ravenloft, a tall proud figure stand on a balcony overlooking the valley. "Rahadin, have our servants repair and return the carriage. And have an invitation made, Lets give these adventurers a chance to behave civilly. Invite them to Dinner in three days." Rahadin bows silently. To Cecil Corly of the Church of Pholtus and companions  Losterial of Lorewellen, Elder Turi, Sir Eric Horngaard, Dawnlord Grenvel du Elavil and Anak Illir. My apologies on our recent quarrel, as your host I am mortified to have been so rude to have come upon you unawares. I completely understand your violent response as well as accept the damage to my property and loss of my servant as my responsibility. Please forgive me and accept my invitation to Dinner three nights hence at sundown at my Castle.  I will Host a grand dinner in your honor, I will not accept any refusals. Sincerely, Baron Strahd Von Zarovich Lord of Barovia

Guess we better knock out the amber temple and silver dragon mansion in about 2 huh lol

((If we kill the messenger and don't read the note, he cant be mad at us. We are still on high alert.)) @GM  In the morning, Before we hit the road, Cecil would like to see if he can't attune to the animated armor or uncover its activation word.  Mostly trying to get it to walk on its own instead of carrying it around. 

@Cecil ((it is not an attuneable item, there is typically an activation word......))

@DM  ((Should I Investigate or Arcana to attempt to find it? Or is it a lost cause?))

@cecil if you need a hint roll a history check

@DM ((HA! Got a 2))

@ Cecil maybe attune to the necklace before Grenvel has second thoughts lol

Gildas' head flagged as the night wore on, the bruises and mental strain from the Baron's attack left him more than simply sore and exhausted, but troubled as well. Strahd had caught them of guard, and was far stronger that he already suspected him to have been.  Placing a hand in his chest, the druid recalled with sickening detail the sound of the vampire's fist impacting on his body and the searing pain of his ribs shattering, shards of bone scraping against his innards, perilously close to puncturing his own heart... Strahd had overpowered him, and if not for the timely intervention, would have killed him... Cutting through the trauma of the ordeal was the sense of pride that in the face of this powerful foe, he did not falter. He stood tall, unflinching untill his body gave out and protected his allies from almost every blow the baron dished out. Now... there was a fear that crept in, he remembered his words right before losing consciousness, bidding Lostariel to escape. A useless statement, knowing his Huntress' demeanor, she would breathe her last before retreating from a hunt.  Now under the blanket of clouds that his his moon did he worry that he had overplayed himself, letting his emotions get the better of him and endangering her further by calling attention to his feelings in the heat of combat. He prayed silently that this went unnoticed by their adversary before sleep claimed hours senses.  Gildas' dream haunted him. In it, years had passed. He couldn't be sure the number, but by the reflection of himself in the pond told him it had been many. That face, now that of a literal silver wolf stared back at him, worn and tired eyes had lost much of their old vigor and clarity. Now far passed his prime, he was no longer willing to show his withering human body to the still beautiful and eternally youthful Huntress that knelt at the water beside him, and so resigned his last remaining years to the forms of his spirit beasts. The vision that was Lostariel stood, giving the wolf an absent pat before turning to resume chasing her prey. Slowly the beast that was once Gildas rises to his feet to follow, ever the loyal companion to his maiden Huntress, painfully aware for years that the Turi line was at its end. It was before the dawn when the druid awoke from his troubled slumber, not fully rested, but too shaken to sleep further. As his mind cleared, he wondered if his dream was either a prophesy, or a warning of what his life was to be if he continued down this path... if even she would have him still at her side when the day came that he could no longer meet her pace. As melancholy his thoughts were, Gildas knew that his path was already chosen by his own hand. He would stay at Lostariel's side until he was finally and permanently cast away from her, even if it did mean the end of his family lineage.  @Lostariel Once he rises, Gildas seeks his Huntress, offering her his water skin and berries.  "The day sees you well, Lostariel. Have you had a chance to rest? "

@Turi Lostariel has lost only a little of the glow last night's attack brought to her, or perhaps simply replaced it with the brightened rays of the coming dawn. She spent the predawn hours proudly guarding her resting companions, and then as the treacherous Vistani camp came slowly to life around her, on her knees in prayer to Pholtus about their upcoming days. By the time Turi's human form allowed him to wake, she was back on her feet pacing around them, golden eyes watchful of these dark featured natives who had done little more than panic last night. Well... There was that brief, oh so brief interlude when the elven woman used her inkwell and an angel feather, and quite literally marked Strahd's cart with not only Pholtus' holy symbol, but also the warning that next time, fleeing in alarm would be met with an arrow to his back. Either way, by the time Turi addresses her, she is alert and still smiling almost joyfully. "No, unfortunately. The devil came after my own rest, and someone needed to watch over you all so you could finish your own evening. I will be at a disadvantage today should we encounter trouble. I hope you, however, were able to recover the rest of your evening?"

@Lostariel "I was not able to rest as well as I had wanted to after the encounter, but I did better than I had expected... So I will take it." There was not one bit of a chance that he would let on the things he had seen in his dream. After all, it was just a dream. And I will be telling myself that for months to come... There was always a chance of there being a happier fate in store for them both, slight though it may be. His posture shifted, considering her words for a moment before returning her gaze with a slight smile of his own. "Well, I will take over for the time being if you would like, and you can rest on my back as we make our way to Barovia. Hopefully that will make up the difference? I will even trade for a blanket and pillow so you can rest comfortably in my antlers? It's a thought at least." Not terrible for a moment's thought...

@ Turi She considers, head tipped to the side. Having her magic back before they enter that miserable little town they started this adventure in would likely be handy. Pholtus' gifts were powerful, indeed, and though she could fight while taxed, she'd rather not risk it if at all possible. She gives a decisive nod, allowing her own stance to relax slightly. "I will take you up on that. Thank you, Elder Turi. The comforts aren't likely required though. Unlike when your kind rests, when mine does we can do it standing, if we had to. Just riding along your back will do me well enough." The elf gives him an appreciative nod, and then turns to make her way back to her preferred sleeping spot... Before she must pause, and recognize the tree now lies along the ground. With a furrowed brow, she searches for a new spot high above these people, and climbs into it's branches to meditate before the others grow ready to be off.

"Gildas." He reminds her with a kind smile as he removes the greatcloak from his back, moving to drape it astound her shoulders once more.  "Then use this to keep the chill off of you while you rest and we head towards Barovia."