VIBI-05

Link to Episode on Spotify

### Summary

The party finally enters Krezk and discovers the strange occurrences coming from the Abbey of Saint Markovia. Pip reads many headstones in the graveyard while Hecktor acquires the best weapon in the game: a shovel.

### Intro

>
> *Although you see no water for miles around, we are, nevertheless, marooned. Trapped in this nightmare of my homelands, a place called Barovia. While my people may come and go as we please, for you these mists are as walls, and the vampire Strahd von Zarovich your warden. But fear not, for Strahd’s heart may no longer beat, but it is still a good place to stab him.*
>
>

### Recap

As the party begin to leave the werewolf den, Pirrin speaks directly to Hecktor. "There is a non-zero possibility that there is no hope for these children. I need to know that under those circumstances you will pick the party and not the children." Hecktor replies in the affirmative and Pirrin accepts this. Meanwhile Pip hopes that rescuing the children will be enough to him entry into Krezk.

The children are bit in various places, mostly arms and legs but a few on the torso; all the bites are very visible and appear fresh, though this is a natural function of werewolf bites. None of the children appear capable of speaking, responding only to yes or no questions. A few weakly nod when asked if they are from Krezk, though not all do so. Hecktor is optimistic that the people of Krezk will welcome their own back, while others have reservations about this.

They search the body of the praying women slain previously, and find a medallion of the same figure as the statue that had been toppled by Ezmerelda.

As the party departs from the caves, a raven in a nearby tree watches them, taking flight and tracking the party until they reach Krezk, when it flies away. As they approach the village the same guards as were encountered previously appear to be on the walls. One of them responds to Pip with his full name, giving Hecktor to pause, and then question whether Pip is the general he heard about; Pip claims he is only a chicken farmer, as they enter the gates to Krezk.

Burgomeister Dmtri Krezkov and some guards approach from the closest building, and it is clear they mean to defend the settlement if anyone takes advantage of the situation. When Dmtri spots the children and their bites he stops and demands an explanation, which Hecktor gives.

Pip explains it was pertinent to bring the children back before carrying on with the mission, despite them obviously being bitten, hoping that it’s recent enough to cure them. Some townspeople rush forward and are held back by guards, which the children react to, but the Burgomeister commands the guards to bar them from each other. Both parents and children sob.

Hecktor demands to be taken to the Abbey, while Pip explains that they need powerful divine magic to stop the curse. The guards exchange dark looks.

A fine looking woman steps forward and stands next to the Burgomeister - clearly his wife - explaining that the Abbey is a cursed place, though it may still contain a cure, which the party may speak to the Abbot about. As if to punctuate the menace in this offer, a non-werewolf howling noise comes from the direction of the Abbey. The Burgomeister's wife explains that “Bad things happen within the abbey. Cursed things. But it is said people’s wishes will be granted.”

Hecktor asks if anyone has been into the Abbey since it has been cursed; he is answered that the Abbey is inhabited by the Abbot and by the Belleview family, who can be sighted around the town at night robbing graves.

Hecktor asks Pip how far Vallaki is. He answers that, unimpeded, city is approximately five days away, with no guarantee that they will be helped on arrival.

Hecktor has a private word with the Burgomeister, promising to meet with the Abbot and leave the children in his care, and swearing he will have his head if he hurts them. The Burgomeister swears not to harm children. With this, the party proceeds into the Abbey, though not before Pip seeks more details about this "cursed" location. He is informed that the Abbey was once a shrine and place of worship for the Morning Lord, which Pip knows as a superstition to some Barovians.

Pip also knows that, With the exception of Hecktor and a seldom few others, most Paladins and Clerics lose their connection to the Divine when they arrive in Barovia, and most of the exceptions have had a connection to the Morning Lord.

Burgomeister Dmtri Krezkov explains that the Abbey of Saint Markovia was once run by a person of the same name, who was a devout worshipper of the Morning Lord. It had been a convent a hospital, a place of magical healing and wisdom. But because Markovia opposed Strahd, he struck her down and cursed the land. That is why evil spirits haunt the land and dwell within the Abbey. The people of Krezk then sealed the Abbey shut.

Later, a strange man came to the area, claiming to be sent from the gods - perhaps a cleric or a paladin. He seemed pleasant at first, asking about the Abbey and investigating its nature, invoking good feelings from the villagers, who listened despite themselves. He brought hope and happiness despite these being strange feelings in Krezk. He appeared to deliver his messages through a direct connection to the Divine, less than magical or deceptive in nature. He eventually set himself up as the new Abbot. Around the same time the Belleview family was struck with a malady and sickness, and sought out the Abbot for help. That is when the howling and shouting began, all of which was before the current Burgomeister's time. In living memory, members of the Belleview Family appear in the area, seeming mostly human, but with strange features, and often moving about on all fours.

> *The mist-shrouded village beyond the wall is nothing more than a scattering of humble wooden cottages along dirt roads that stretch between stands of snow-dusted pine trees—so many trees, in fact, as to constitute a forest. To the northeast, gray cliffs rise sharply, and the road winding up to the abbey is easy to see from this vantage.*
> -Curse of Strahd, Chapter 8, S3
>
>

Pip feels that although strange, this does not sound as if it comes from a specifically dark place. Hecktor is aware that the idea of someone connected to the Divine can spread an aura of Good that brings a similar air of calmness and peace, and that this might be connected to a type of Holy Angel. He is also aware that Fallen Angels happen with unfortunate frequency, and raises this as a possibility.

Alongside this, Ezmerelda mentions the existence of a well stocked library within the Abbey, famous for both its hospital nature and wealth of knowledgeable tomes, and there may be some documentation of Saint Markovia and their combat with Strahd that may be helpful. Pip, proclaiming himself "not the police" of the library adjacently approves of this use of the Abbey. More interested in information about the spirits attached to both Abbey and library, Pip wonders if they have been known to posses anyone, or have been known to make specific noises. Various sources tell of intangible spirits, hard to touch, perhaps coming from distorted minds through time. Described as shrinking from the light, Pip wonders if they are mostly of the "Soft Undead" type, as opposed to "Hard Undead."

At this, various guards offer different stories about what may be found in the graveyard of the Abbey. Some of these remind Pip of a Monster-comma-Frankenstein (also known as a Flesh Golem). As they proceed to the Abbey the guards tell of many disparate stories they have either experienced firsthand or heard of through other parties.

Joel Zammit gets a Good Boy Card (Polyglot - magically learn a new language) for being able to tell that it is impossible to tell the difference between stories that seem likely, and completely tall tales. (In Meta speak, they decide that in the context of the story, Hecktor already speaks most of the likely languages, and so the less likely to arise language of Abyssal is decided upon.) It is eventually decided that these collected tales cannot refer to one entity, and are either entirely made up, or refer to several awful entities within the Abbey.

Before they enter the grounds of the Abbey Hecktor requests armour for himself and is refused, then uses Lay on Hands to heal himself a bit. Pip attempts some alchemical preparations while Ezmerelda fumbles with her own premade potions.

Squatting over a beaker, Pip combines:

* Ectobloom (for ghost touch)
* Ooze sweat
* A raven feather (for adhesive)

But due to a botched (Nat 1) roll the beaker drops and the ingredients spill.

* Ectobloom
* Raven feather
* Infused into an Aquamarine to make a grenade

It vibrates. He holds it very gently and places it into a bandolier, insisting that no one touch him while he holds it.

Pip explains to the party that "Hard Undead" require pure bludgeoning damage (such as Hecktor's club) or Radiant damage (which weakens their regenerative powers). Whereas "Soft Undead" require magic or a magical item to hurt them, as no physical attacks will have any effect.

> *The road from the village climbs above the mist to the wide ledge on which the abbey is perched. A light dusting of snow covers the trees and the rocky earth.*
>
>
> *The gravel road passes between two small, stone outbuildings, to either side of which stretches a five-foot-high, three-foot-thick wall of jumbled stones held together with mortar. Blocking the road are iron gates attached to the outbuildings by rusty hinges. They appear to be unlocked. Viewed through the gates, the stone abbey stands quiet. Its two wings are joined by a fifteen-foot-high curtain wall. A belfry protrudes from the rooftop of the closer north wing, which also sports a chimney billowing gray smoke.*
>
>
>
> -Curse of Strahd, Chapter 8, S6 'Areas of the Abbey - North Gate'
>
>

Pirrin stops short of entering the gate, and excuses himself, claiming to wish to look after the children. “This is either haunted, or there’s an angel in there. Either way I’m not the sort of person who should be in there.” Pirrin is confident that he can give the guards the slip, and find himself useful elsewhere.

Pip approaches the Burgomeister and asks if his entry into Krezk is assured now that he’s returned the children. The Burgomeister looks pained and says Pip can stay in the village for a short time. Pip clarifies that if he manages to clear out the Abbey he may achieve a more permanent residence. The Burgomeister counters that if Pip wishes to stay longer in Krezk he must deal with the werewolf problem, more pressing than the issue with the Abbey. Pip re-joins the party with a sour expression.

As they walk past the gatehouses Hecktor investigates them. One is empty, the other contains two cloaked and hooded figures, sleeping back to back, armed with shovels, who are snoring. Ignoring these figures for the time being, everyone proceeds into the graveyard.

A story told earlier about a person who had their heart stopped in order to prevent them from having poison flood their body is identified as "Disgraced" Brother Valen, whose grave is discovered by Sir Hecktor. The gravestone reads “May  you find in the afterlife the peace you never had in life.” Hecktor casts Divine Sense to see if there are any undead around; he finds the presence, but they are not there currently, though it is unclear whether this is because Undead have visited the area recently, or are dormant underneath the ground. The energy does seem focused on Brother Valen's grave.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, in the cemetary, Pip has discovered some disturbed graves, though he can’t tell if bodies were removed as they have been reburied. As this goes on, Ezmerelda stands around observing, and A'Gogash stands near Hecktor with a peaceful expression; he seems to think the place looks pretty.

Ezmerelda gestures to a grave which appears different to the others. Not all graves have a headstone; this one does, and it is decorative and well looked after, far more than any of the other graves present. According to its date it also appears to be the oldest grave, but remains free of moss or other markings. The name on the grave is Petrovna. Hecktor eventually converges with the group around this grave.

At this point it is made clear that it is about 17:30, and Pip comments that if there are undead present, "Night time is their morning time."1

At this point the party splits in two; A’Gogash stays with Pip in the graveyard, commenting: “It is, despite everything, peaceful here. I like quiet moments.”

Ezmerelda is evidently impatient with the lack of activity, and is eager to accompany Hecktor back to the occupied gatehouse. They strategize how to deal with the two Mongrelfolk present. Hecktor tries to take their shovels without waking them up. He successfully obtains both of them, but this results in his having a shovel in each hand with his weapons and shield stowed as both figures awaken and stand up. They remain back to back, facing Ezme and Hecktor who surround them.

0f the first figure the text reads...

> *“He looks like a beardless dwarf with patches of donkey flesh covering his face and body. He has one human ear and one wolf’s ear, and a protruding wolf’s snout and fangs. His arms and hands are human, but his legs and feet are leonine, and he has a donkey’s tail.”*
> -Curse of Strahd, Chapter 8, S6. 'Otto Belleview'
>
>

When he speaks he has a donkey’s bray as a tic. He demands to know who they are.

Of the other the text reads:

> *The left side of her face and body is covered with lizard scales, the right with tufts of gray wolf fur. Between these tufts is pale human skin. One of her eyes is that of a feline, and her fingers and hands resemble cat’s paws with opposable thumbs. She has a gruff voice and wears a gray cloak with black fur trim.*
> -Curse of Strahd, Chapter 8, S6. ‘Zygfrek Belview’
>
>

The latter introduces herself as Zygfrek and her companion as her brother Otto, of the family Belleview. They claim that their appearance is the result of being cured of the maladies or illnesses that their family suffer. Zygfrek asks if they are here to speak to the Abbot, then demands the shovels back. Hecktor eventually gives the shovels back to both of them. Ezmerelda is clearly ready to fight at a moment’s notice, though Hecktor urges her with body language to pull back.

Zygfrek mutters madly as Hecktor tries to get some sense from her. He asks for the Abbot’s name, but she can’t seem to tell him. When he asks what they should bring to the Abbot, she mutters “something old, something borrowed, something blue, something new, find them, find them!” over and over, occasionally adding “and a face, find a face! A good face!” Then as she sees the sun is setting she exclaims and cries out that they must go. Hecktor and Ezme allow them to run past and into the night. They move with uncomfortable speed, sprinting on all fours while carrying the shovels.

In the gatehouse, Hecktor finds musty animal furs, nets, and a shovel. Hecktor grabs the shovel and makes as if to wear one of the animal furs; Ezme intervenes and offers him her cloak instead, which he dons. It is far superior to the musty animal hides.

Meanwhile, Pip is waiting in the graveyard to see what happens, looking for undead, whether "Hard" or "Soft." He stands over Brother Valen’s grave with his crossbow pointed at it expectantly.

As the darkness covers the graveyard, two hands explode from the dirt and a dead thing emerges. As soon as its head appears Pip fires a bolt into it, with Defensive Shot enabled. Both bolts strike the creature, with no apparent effect.

Disturbed from his meditation, A'Gogash engages in Initiative.

As the Creature drags itself from its grave it proclaims “Time to be killed little hunter!” and swings at Pip, who steps back and avoids being struck. Pip notes that this Creature is humanoid and therefore probably not a ghoul. He fires a Radian crossbow bolt, hoping to determine if this is a Bogman Zombie, but misses. His second (non-Radiant) shot hits but does nothing.

A’Gogash teleports behind the creature, Rages, and swings his axe, striking twice but appearing to do no damage. Aghast, Ag'Goash proclaims "I have never met such a creature!" but determines he must simply strike it harder and more frequently. Pip warns him not to get hit by it. The creature cries out “Poor dragonborn. Join me!” and grabs for Pip, who feels himself become sick. He takes 15 points of damage *and* has the same amount reduced from his maximum hitpoints.

(In Meta, Joel hopes it is not a Bogman, because if so he will have to cut off the damaged limb immediately or be turned into a Bogman, which is an "Undead-comma-Revenge-Seeking.)

Whatever the situation, Pip knows that the attack has drained his life-force/essence.

At this realisation, Pip uses Flame Breath. The enemy makes a successful Dex save, only taking half damage, but this attack definitively hurts him. Hearing a loud -thunking- noise, Pip is relieved to be able to possibly recognise what he is fighting.

### Notes

1"Night time is his/their morning time!" This is a reference to a *much* earlier season of DNDIFN where the familiar Mr Fists was frequently disturbed by the characters' being awake in daylight hours when the familiar would more regularly be asleep, and thus "night time is his morning time!"