Ravenloft Wedding

Curse of Strahd 

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Session 64 – 2022-06-25

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Cliff notes:
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Snoggly mostly, but the rest of us some, talked to various people gathered here. We learned some things. There are people here that are prepared to support an uprising should we satart something and there are people here who support Strahd. Misty got a Raven Globe from Blinsky. Rinn still some stuff. We ate a little snack at the dining table while Kyanna met with Ireena. Ireena asked her to be a bridesmaid which she accepts. She quietly told her that she didn’t want to marry Strahd, begged Kyanna to save her. She would sooner die than marry him. Strahd offered to lets us leave the mist if we didn’t stand in the way of the wedding. He told us the whole reason we were brought through the Misty was to escort Ireena to Vallaki where he would eventually have access to court her. He expected us to stay there and protect her but we went off to create mayhem all over Barovia. While Kyanna was retuning to the group downstairs, she passed Strahd near the top of the stairs. At the same time, Strahd was finishing up in the dining hall with the rest of the party. He went to the back wall and paused of a second and then walked through the wall, We still don’t know how he did that. We discussed the options Afro stopping the wedding. Snoggly’s suggestion was to cast polymorph on Ireena turning her into a fly so she could escape. Then of course, we would die. At the wedding, Ireena showed upo but was obviously under some sort of control. Strahd must have done that when he went upstairs. When they got the the part, “If anyone objects tho this marriage, let him speak now or forever hold his piece. Snoggly spoke up, turning Ireena into a giant fly. Strahd seemed to know we were going to do something. He had Rahadin escort her out of the chapel while he planed to slaughter us. Rahadin did teleport her away, she offered no resistance. The battle ensued and well, I don’t think we’ve hit him yet. Kyanna tried the Holy Symbol of Raven Kind on him, casting a Hold Vampire spell which succeeded, but Strahd used a legendary action to nullify. Four people turned into werewolves, four turned into wereravens, there are four Vistani, and your dusk elves,m each ion opposite sides. We are mostly unarmed and unarmored.

Zack suggested that this might have all been just a dream. 

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It seems you knew from the first time you set eyes on this castle, high above the humble village of Barovia, that one fateful day, you would enter its walls. You have journeyed much since then. Thru mists from which you could not return.. thru Barovia village and the vampire child, you met the mysterious Vistani and Madame Eva read the Tarroka .. then on to Vallaki to deliver and protect Ireena. to conceal her from the Lord of the castle and land, Strahd Von Zarovich. , You entrusted her to the now late Vargas Vallokovich., From the Bluewater Tavern you met millovaj and the demon in the orphanage, Liberated the Wizard of Wines Winery and befriended the Martikov family, Stopped some dark ritual at Yesterhill and felled the Gulthias Tree slaying Mortilla and the evil druids there, Krezk and the Abby of St. Markovia. The abbot and his construct bride along with grounds filled with mongrelfolk. Ezmerelda and he Tome of Strahd. The abandoned tower of Khazan apparently used for a time recently by the famed monster hunter Rudolph Van Richten, Werewolves, Then the ancient keep of the Kights of the Silver Dragon Argynvost. The swamps of Berez and the witches that live there, You slew Baba Lysaga in an epic battle. Restoring the light f Argynvost, Whiteclaw, and into the Baratok mountains where you encounterd a mage named Mordenkainen. Or Khazan… powerful but lost in some madness after a dual with Strahd. And the story grew. You met the ancient Dusk Elves and made the fateful journey to the Amber Temple. Reuniting with Ezmerelda at Tsolenka Pass. At the Amber Temple you gained the Sword of Sergei Von Zarovich and restored the temples Caretaker, Exethanter. A Lich once a wizard seving Strahd himself. And then an eerie carriage ride through the country side to attend a wedding. The wedding of Strahd Von Zarovich to Ireena Kolyana. He found her after all. You know he is no mere villan or monster but an entity .. one with the land and a being beyond understanding. Your destiny foretold by Madame Eva came to pass. You enter Strahd’s very home.. at his invitation and his escort. Strange days indeed.

As the thunder and lightning accompany a steady rainfall outside the air inside is damp and musty. The castle is clearly quite old. The area is filled with hushed conversations. As you enter virtually everyone looks your way. Then there is a return to their discussion but clearly stealing furtive glances in your groups direction. There is an array of expressions. Some seem disinterested, others repulsed, while others intrigued. Some faces are familiar to you, but many are not. Regardless, your arrival has stirred an air of anticipation. The tenson is palapable. Or are you just imagining it as your try to calm your heightend state. It is sure the Tabaxi and the Dwarf seem to garner the most glances followed by whispers, gasps, giggles and mild disgust. You take it all in as best you can. The room returns to a buzz of conversations

As they stop and turn to look at us, Snoggly took out his flask and raises it saying, “To your health”. There was a group of Dusk Elves on the staircase to the north. There were trays of food and drink floating around as if carried by invisible servants. We saw the two Matikov children from Blue Water Tavern. Erwin Martikov, Davian Martikov from the Wizard of Wines, Adrian Martikov who went to Yesterhill with us. Ismark, Ireena’s brother was to the north of us, Father Donovich. Up the stairs and around the corner were many Vistani. To the east was there Vallaki delegation. 

Snoggly approached Ismark to ask him how Strahd got ahold of his sister. Ismark explained that by hiding her in Vallaki, at Saint Andrals, the bones had been taken and were never recovered. Without their protection, it was overrun by vampires, and they found her inside. He was fighting his own demons in Barovia and was unable to do anything about it. That is about the time that we noticed that he and everyone else was still armed. He asked, about this time, “So, what is the plan?”.  Snoggly suggested that there is no plan, that we are just here to observe the wedding like everyone else. Ismark exclaimed that , “I Will not let my sister marry that monster, I thought you might help!”. Snoggly told him that the main reason we are here was to find out, from Strahd, why we are even here. Ismark thought that was a good question. He assumed we had an invite. Snoggly affirmed that. Then came the question of presents. He didn’t really think to bring a present as we were never at a place where we could shop.

Ezmerelda went up the stairs and disappears around the corner. Snoggly called for Kassamir and come back down to join us. He asked Kassamir if they were cooking up some sort of a plot to which Kassamir replied, “We’re preparing…”. Upon seeing Father Donavich so close, he stopped talking. Then he said, “You know of what I speak!”. Snoggly confirmed. There are kids running around being kids. 

Snoggly moved south toward the group of Martikov’s, who were all wearing blue attire, clustered in a small group. They are also a little jumpy themselves. Snoggly asked about the wine business and then about the whiskey business. Adrian and Davian indicated that the wine portion of the business was doing well and the whiskey side of it is still being worked on. Davian asked how our group was fairing. Snoggly told him that at this point, we are doing well, but later tonight, that may changed. Snoggly asked how they got invited to this shindig. Davian pointed out that they are the wine makers. Davian asked about us meeting Mirriel. Snoggly couldn’t place the name right off and asked Davian to refresh his memory. He mentioned that we next her when we were traveling with Kassamir, and that there were a lot of Ravens around. Snoggly replied, ”She’s not here tonight, is she? I’d have thought she had more since than to walk in the front door, like we did.”. Davian indicated that she was not here. 

Davian said, “It can be no accident that’s you are here. Do you have a plan?”. Snoggly answered that mostly we are here to find out what he brought us here for, and then we’ll see how things play out. Davian seemed to think he invented us here in order to gloat. Snoggly points out that we have not met the man yet. Davian said, “If you are of a mind to, come back and see me. Snoggly confirmed he would as he walked away, back towards the rest of the group. Snoggly seemed a bit perturbed that no one else was mingling. Soggily the pointed out another lady with a fine necklace on, Anna Kreskov. She and her husband, Dimitri Kreskov, are the Baron and Baroness of Kresk. When Snoggly and Dain made eye contact, they quickly look away. Snoggly marched up and asked if they’d had any more trouble with the wolves lately. Dimitri pretended to have just recognized us, feigning remembering Snoggly’s name. Snoggly pointed out that he seemed a bit nervous, asked if there was a problem. Dimitri replied, “It’s not everyday that on attends the wedding of Lord Von Zarovich.”. I would just as soon be away from their other invitees. I’d just as soon be away from here as quickly as I can. I don’t want any trouble.”. 

Zanfyr went up the steps looking for Ezmerelda. He hear’s more voices up stairs and and spots a Blinsky. The phrase immediately strikes him, “Is no Blinsky, is no fun!”. He is struck by the great job Blinskly did with his branding. He is dress flamboyantly with a monkey on his shoulder. Rinn takes this time to walk up to and introduce himself to one of the guests, while simultaneously using a Mage Hand that’s he had precast to lift something from him. Bjorn was his name. Rinn started some simple small talk while unbeknownst top the unawares Bjorn, Rinn’s mage hand picked his pocket. From this victim, Rinn got a little box, he learned later contained fishing line and lures. He did the same to Karl Wachter and Nikolai Wachter. From them he got a silver coin that was more than a simple silver coin, it was a coin of luck When flipped, if it lands heads, the flipper gets advantage. If it flips tails, the flipper gets disadvantage. You can one do this once a day. He also got a gold coin. Both of these coins had image of Strahd on them. The business card he got was a Blinsky  business card.

Zanfyr headed up the stairs, looking for trouble. The stairs rise to a landing 20 feet wide by 40 feet long. Stone arches support a ceiling covered in fresco’s, 20 feet overhead. The fresco’s depict armored knight on horseback.  Their finer features faded beyond recognition. At each end of the south wall, stairs rise into the darkness, between the stair cases are twin alcoves, each containing a suit of armor, covered with dark stains. Each suit of armor clutches a mace, the business end of which is shaped like a dragons head. Words written above the armor have been scratched out. Ezmerelda is talking to the Vistani, most of whom, came from the camp near Vallaki. He recognized, Arrigal, Luvash, and Arabel. He remembered that Arabel was a little girl and Luvash is her dad whom Ezmerelda saved. There are about 6 total Vistani there as Zanfyr approached, they cheered him a little. Zanfyr greeted everyone. He indicates that he is uncomfortable in a gathering like this but Parigal spoke up about being here at this celebration. He tried to indicate that even Ezmerelda was here to celebrate. She smiled but was obviously not enthusiastic. Zanfyr also noticed signs at the foot of each stair case reading, “All guests are ask to remain on the main floor. Trespassers will be punished accordingly and guest right revoked.”, similar to the signs we saw earlier. On the stairs were some of the animated armored beings. Zanfyr noticed that some of the Vistani had visible weapons while others might have had them hidden beneath their clothing.

Misty, band even Dain were feeling a little objectified as people kept looking at them. Begin the odd races here, it makes sense though. Misty decided to have a little fun and pulled out a potion and drank a little of  it. When Rinn was talking to Karl and Nikolai Wachter, they brought up the rumor that somewhere in the castle, there is some of the Champagne du le Stomp. That is the best wine that the wizard of wines ever made. They haven’t made any in many years. They suggested that we sneak downstairs to get some of it. Rinn suggested that we are being watched to well for him to go with them. ”They are being extra vigilant when it comes to the members of our group.”, Rinn told them. In true teenage fashion, they indicated that he wasn’t cool and continue planing to sneak away. While they are talking to me, they are eying Misty. She strolled over and fired off a question, “So, like what you see? You sure have been staring a lot.”. The young men seemed to find her very attractive, hot actually. She hold out her paw and flexes her claws and says, “Yeah, I wouldn’t mess with me if I were you!”, and she walks away. One of them said, “I think she into like that dominatrix like stuff”. Snoggly walks up and says, “Lads, let me tell ya something, If you like the kitty, you just need to go up and pull her tail. They asked if she got off on that. He told them that she does. They asked, “You wouldn’t be bullshitting us would ya?”. Snoggly told them he would never do such a thing. He proceeded to teach them the virtues of drinking whiskey. It’s about now that we noticed that Misty’s eyes flicker with lightning. The two children, Brom and Bray, started talking to Misty, fascinated by her eyes. They let slip to her that they were to be the ring bearers. She also learned that the chapel was down the eastern hallway. She and Snoggly began making their way in that direction. Snoggly glancing at Karl and Nikolai and back to Misty’s tail. As she passed them, one of them reached out and carefully touched Misty’s tail. She spun around quickly and gave them the evil eye. They pretended as if they hadn’t done that.

As Misty approaches the people in the eastern corridor, the people in the hallway back off. Apparently this tall walking cat is freaking them out. She strolled up to a group of Vallaki representatives and asked when they were going to let us in. They didn’t know. Snoggly noticed an older gentleman he hadn’t seen before and introduced himself. The gentleman backs off a little and and says, ”I didn’t do anything!”. He is from Vallaki. Snoggly said something about hearing that there had been some changes there recently. Heinrich looked over to Fiona Wachter and back. Snoggly asked if she was the new mayor. Heinrich corrected him stating that she was the Baroness. After stating that, Heinrich told Snoggly that he preferred that Snoggly not talk to him. When pressed, he just said, “I don’t want to talk!”. Misty strolled up to Fiona and introduced herself. After getting over her initial discomfort with at this cat talking to her, Fiona introduced herself as well. Misty asked who she was to the town and Fiona told her that she if the Baroness. Misty said, you weren’t the Baroness when we were there last, to which Fiona responded by telling her that Vargus Vallakovich was executed. Misty asked why he had been executed. Fiona told her it was because he betrayed his people. The people rose up and over through him had him executed. Misty asked what caused them to do that. Fiona told her that Vargus was a foolish man. She goes on about the festivals, promoted positive thoughts so things would go well, and that Strahd was someone to be hated and reviled. Strahd is not the beast that many make him out to be. She said that his inability to protect his people finally caught upo to him when the town was assaulted by vampires. Several towns people were killed and then a revolt. Misty asked if since Fiona took over, if the vampires were gone now. Fiona replied that we ave no more trouble. Misty suggested that she should come back by and visit some day. Ernst Larnack was introduced as her Chamberlain.

Snoggly walked up to two people that didn’t seem to be with anyone. He introduced himself and they introduced themselves as Yuri and Anton. They are from outside Krezk. Snoggly mentioned we took care of the wolf problem there. They were not very talkative. 

Misty headed up the stairs and as she does, she see Bliinsky and his monkey which is wearing a pink tutu. As she approaches, his eyes open with amazement he asks, “Who are you?”. She introduces herself and they discuss him monkey. He wondered if she was a mechanical creatures but Misty assured him she was real and tells him she is a Tabaxi. He tells her that she is magnificent. Misty in her modesty tells him that she doesn’t think of herself that way. He reaches in his cloak and pulls out a little snow globe. Instead of snowflakes flying around, it has ravens flying around an old dead tree. He points out it’s a Blinsky toy. After a little more small talk, he asked a favor of her. That if she saw a clock work man, he would be little, he is rumored to be somewhere in the castle. Misty said she had met someone like that before. He told her his name would be Piddlewick to which Misty replied that she had seen him before. He became very excited and asked to have her bring Piddlewick to him but Misty pointed out, that she hadn’t seen him here, but maybe a month or so ago. He asked that if she saw Piddlewick again, to please bring him to him. He would pay her, not in coin but maybe a toy or something. He said he was quite fascinated with Piddlewick. He didn’t make him but wanted to study him. Misty asked who did make him, Blinsky said, “He was made by my protege, a great inventor call Fritz Von Verge. His finest creation, made for the lady of the castle.”. He had hoped me might be here. Misty said she would send Piddlewick to him if she saw him. She learned that is has a toy shop in Vallaki.

About this time, Rahadin came from the southern hallway from the stairway. He announces that a storm approaches, it is still too far away to hear. Rahadin approaches Kyanna and Haldar, he said, “Count Strahd would like a word over wine. A last toast before the ceremony. He is expecting you in the dining hall.”. Looking at Kyanna, he says, “The bride has  a favor of of you, as well. She is preparing in a guest room in the tower.”. He begins making his way south, expecting us to follow. Haldar and Kyanna quickly gather the group together and we follow. Everyone gathers, even Ezmerelda, but not Kassamir. Rahadin opens a door to the west, in the southern portion of this main area, and ushers everyone in but Kyanna, as he indicates that he would like her to follow him to see the bride, once again guaranteeing her safety saying, “Guest right, you will be safe!”.  Everyone but Kyanna enters the room where Strahd is waiting. We take seats around a large dining table. Kyanna and Rahadin continue off to the stairs.

The table is set and in front of each of us is a goblet with an amber liquid with a delicate, tantalizing, fragrance. There is also food set out on the table. One place setting has a flask labeled Kudegile’s Fine Whiskey. Strahd says, “Good Evening. Welcome to my home honored guests. I regret we had not met earlier as was my intention, but I was otherwise engaged. Even so I have knowledge of your deeds since arriving in my beloved Barovia. You have accomplished much. I am impressed.” He bids us to eat. Snoggly gives the Whiskey in front ofhim, a sniff and a taste. He is pleasantly surprised by how good it is.  

Kyanna and Rahadin continue up the stairs in the tower. The silence is tense, broken only by the long-lost wails of the countless men and women the elf has slain. If he notices, he does not show it. Kyanna finds herself holding back, just to escape the periphery of that deathly choir. Outside thunder cracks, and the cold rains patter upon the windows, but here in the staircase the air is stale, stifling. Rahadin clears his throat and leads you into a nearby room. Thunder shakes the tower, answered by groaning beams that one day won't be able to take the ceiling's weight. Bookcases line the wall. There is a woman standing here that is clearly a vampire. (Sasha) The other woman is Rinn’s sister. On an old and faded couch lounges a handsome young man dressed in elegant but faded fabrics. Rahadin gives the young man a dismissive glance. "Escher," he says. "How is our bride?" The man sneers, "Heart's still beating." Rahadin rolls his eyes and knocks at another door. "Ms. Kolyana? You have a guest." Rahadin Turns and says, “One moment!”, then enters the room, closing the door behind him. Kyanna approaches Alestra and whispers to her, “Asre you okay?”. Alestra looks back and says, “I’m fine, who are you?”. Kyana lets her know that she knows Rinn and he is downstairs. Alestra seemed excited tp hear that. She asked about him and told Kyanna to tell him that she is okay. Kyanna asked what she was doing there. Alestra didn’t know, but she has been treated well. Rahadin returns and says, “The bride will see you now”. 

Ireena Kolyana sits on a divan as Danika Dorakova fusses with the bride's hair—this woman from that dismal village below the mists is simply breathtaking. The devil has clearly lavished his fiancé in gems and gold since seizing her. A golden locket sporting a ruby the size of a pinecone drapes Ireena's neck. Her smile is as bright as the sun of the distant world you dimly remember. "You've come," Ireena says. "You've actually come." Her eyes glance beyond you; Sasha followed you in.  

Back down in the dining hall, there was a little small talk. Finally Snoggly ask, “Why have you brought us to this little shindig tonight?”. “Is it not obvious?”, Strahd replied, as he sips his wine non-chalantly.. “You were to escort my beloved Tatyana safely to Vallaki of course. For this I am grateful.  I could not risk her coming to harm. Ismark, though couragous, could not keep her safe and that was of the utmost importance. From Vallaki she would be protected. I could meet here face to face and begin a courtship that would lead to this moment. I suppose I did not anticipate your actions afterwards. I thought you would continue to be her protectors, but you quickly left her with the Baron and departed the city. It mattered little. She was in a place where I could more easily and discreetly protect and woo her. Thank you!. Snoggly said, I don’t think that was our intention but, glad we could help you out!”. The biggest question came next, whey were =we brought to Barovia, through the mists. His answer was the same. That was apparently what he wanted all along, for us to bring her safley to a place where he could access her. Snoggly suggested that since Ismark put us up to bringing her to Vallaki, then he must work for Strahd. Strahd corrected him stating that Ismark doesn’t work for him. There was more small talk before it came back around to Ireena a gain. Strahd said, “You have spent so much time chasing adventures and coin that you have not enjoyed the sweetest fruit of the vine I am afraid. I was once like you. To simply ‘take her’ as you loot the less fortunate, would not be becoming a nobles upbringing. She was to be courted, nurtured, enraptured, until her every thought would be of our wonderful life together. And so it has come to pass. Tatyana is to be my bride. Let us rejoice at this glorious time.”. We drank to that and then he added, “On this night I have a gift for you.”. The devil Strahd offers a fanged smile. "Celebrate with us tonight, be at peace, and at dawn tomorrow, you may leave Barovia forever. Whatever bad blood there is between us, consider it washed away. So long as I have Tatyana, I need nothing more in this life. We were meant to be enemies but let us part, perhaps not as friends, but as equals.". 

Cutting back to Kyanna, She reaches out to Ireena and hold her hand, it’s cold, and she is terrified but puts on a brave face. She clings to a desperate hope that all will be well. She told Kyanna, “Strahd promised that during their marriage, the vampire will see that her people are clothed and fed, and her brother equipped with the tools and funds to improve the village. I do not believe him, but it's the only consolation she can find.”. She tells Kyanna that she brought her here to be one of her bridesmaids, to which Kyanna replied, “I would be honored!”. With that, Ireena spoken up, “Oh, that will be glorious!”. She huge Kyanna and as she embraces her, Ireena Kolyana whispers in your ear, "Do not let me marry that monster. I would rather die a thousand deaths than be his. He calls me… Tatyana. That is not my name. Kyanna tells Rahadin that she will need to go back downstairs top tell the rest of her party that she is okay and that she will be a bridesmaid. Rahadin leads her back out and down the stairs. As you start back down the stairs, you pass Strahd coming up. He says, :”Good evening, I trust that Tatyana was pleased to see you. You were very gracious to attend. Your stay, I hope, has been pleasant?”. Kyanna replied, “Yes, I was just heading back downstairs to get some food before it starts.”. Strahd bids you good evening and continues up the stairs. 

Back in the dining hall, Strahd says, “You have nothing to says?”. Snoggly asks, “So you say that if he wedding goes off without a hitch, you’re gonna let us go?” Strahd indicated that he wouldn’t have phrased it that way but yes. Snoggly wondered why we should believe he would keep his word. Strahd points out the obvious that we would be dead already had he wished that. Snoggly asked why he kept referring to Ireena as Tatyana. He said to us, she may be Ireena, but to him, she is his beloved Tatyana, returned to him. He said it was a long story. Snoggly said, ”We’ve have plenty of time!”, too which Strahd replied, “But I do not!”. With that, Strahd walks over to the wall and stands for about half a second, and then just walks through it. At the same time, Rahadin opens the door and Tatyana enters the room. Rahadin looks into the room and says, “The master’s already gone?”. Dain replied, “He just now stepped thorough the wall over there.”, pointing to the area where Strahd was last seen. Rahadin said, “Very well, they will begin seating momentarily.”. Kyanna asked if she stil had time to eat which Rahadin replied, “But of course.”. He leaves and closes the door. 

Rinn goes to the spot in the wall where Strahd left from (David remembered while typing this that he has a wand of secrets. He probably should have used that) and searches is, finding nothing. Kyanna movedback to the door and keeps an eye out for anyone coming. Kyanna the tells Rinn that she saw his sister. She told him that Alestra had told her she was fine. As far as Ireena goes though, she does not want to marry Strahd, she’d rather be dead than marry him. She had asked Kyanna to be in the wedding party and she’s told her she would do it. Kyanna then said, she had no idea how we could stop the wedding. Snoggly said he had an idea but it would likely get us killed. Kyanna said that when she came in that We had said that Strahd had just left. She said she had passed Strahd earlier upstairs. Snoggly said, “He gets around a lot, doesn’t he?”. Speculations abound on what that means, super fast?, two Strahd’s?, a disguised individual making a move on Ireena now?, it all seems quite strange but it is Barovia after all. He is the ancient, he is the land. Rinn cotinues searching the wall, but doesn’t find anything. Thinking back, it looked more like he just walked through the wall. Snoggly had Rinn check more spots, but still he finds nothing. Rinn tries to push through the walls at several spots, still nothing. Kyanna asked what the plan was. 

Snoggly indicated that we can’t let him go through with this. “How do we stop this?”, Snoggly asks. Rinn suggested that we could attack and stop the wedding, but we’ll likely die as we are mostly unarmed. Another possibility is to let the marriage happen. Theoretically, it won’t. The curse will some how stop it. We don’t have to do anything but wait and watch. The other possibility is that he succeeds and the marriage happens. Since the curs states it will never happen, would that break the curse? Zanfyr suggests that if we wait for the wedding to fall apart, then Strahd will be distraught and as such may be more vulnerable. About this time, we start hearing pipe organ music begin to play. This pipe organ doesn’t appear to be playing. Snoggly says the music indicates that it is time to go in. Again, Snoggly indicates that he has an idea on how to stop it but we’ll likely be killed. Dain asks what his plan is. Snoggly says he has a spell up his sleeve. He could change her into something else. He suggested he could turn her into a toad. Zanfyr asked, “A polymorphism spell>? “Yes!”, he replies. He suggested that he could turn her into a frog. Not sure that would help. He is magical enough that he would know that he would only have to slap or kick her to make her return to her normal shape. Snoggly suggested that he could turn her into something that could easily escape. Kyanna suggests that she can help with that, but not how. We’ll have to just play it by ear.

We hear a knock at the door. It is time and we are to be seated. We are escorted into the chapel. We are seated and waiting. After a long time, the music picks up as the chapel doors swing open. Out from the flickering torchlight and dancing shadows comes Ireena Kolyana, escorted by her brother Ismark. The devil's bride is beyond lovely, her radiance on full display. Her hair is radiant in the torchlight, and a ruby glows in a golden pendant around her neck. The crowd hushes. Men leer, women glower. Rahadin claps Strahd on the shoulder and the two brothers share a smile. But who isn't smiling? Who amongst this flock of fools and sycophants has nothing to wear on her face? Ireena Kolyana. Her eyes are dull and distant, her lips lax. Without so much as an expression, she lazily marches down the aisle, every step light, every motion as graceful as a brain-dead doe. Ismark grimaces as he holds his sister for what might be the last time before delivering her to the monster that stopped his father's very heart and wrought havoc on his people. Yet when he glances to you, dear heroes, hope burns bright in those eyes. Rahadin tells Strahd, "She's beautiful, my lord." "So she is," the devil agrees. "My beautiful Tatyana returned after all these years apart."

Father Lucian Begins, "Dearly beloved, and dearly despised, we are gathered here today to witness the wedding of Count Strahd of House von Zarovich and Ireena, daughter of Kolyan Indirovich. We are here today to witness history in the making. To witness the culmination of a courtship that has spanned four centuries and more—but this is not the final chapter, oh no. "The warmth of Strahd and Ireena's love shall echo throughout Barovia like the thunder of a just god. It shall rain down and nourish the hopes and fortunes of Barovians everywhere. Their love shall shine as a beacon of hope and prosperity across this bleak land of ours forevermore. "Would if Ireena's father could see the joy in her face this day. She comes now as an orphan—just as our Lord Strahd has lived these past centuries. From their shared sorrow the seed of joy will bloom evermore. "Count Strahd—he is the Ancient; he is the Land, the warrior, the conqueror… Yet the one thing has he never conquered has been his own heart. And now, under storming skies, and before our honored guests, he will make do on a vow made so long ago. Now he shall be reunited with his lost love, and their fates shall be entwined together for all time."
The priest clears his throat and asks: "If there is any amongst you that have just cause for why these two ought not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Snoggly rises and says, “I object!”. All eyes turn towards Snoggly. He says, ”Look at her, she’s not what you think she is.”. He casts polymorph on her and turns her in to a giant fly. Strahd attempts to counter the spell but fails. While this is going on, Rinn rolls off his bench and casts invisibility on himself. Ismark was reaching for his sword already. Father Lucian steps back.  

Who is not surprised by this turn of events. Why it's the groom himself, who simply clasps his pale hands together and offers you his infamous fanged smile

“Well now.. it would appear treachery is afoot. I welcomed you into my home. fed you from my table. I offered you mercy out of a sense of practicality and the utmost respect for your accomplishments. And yet you would throw it all away out of some sense of self-rightous  justice. It will be an understatement to say I am disappointed. To find you no different than the hundreds before you who thought it wise to betray the crown. The mists begin to creep through every crack and fissure of the walls and windows. The floor is covered in a misty veil and torches sputter in their sconces. 

The air grows cold and dense as the undead emerge from the shadowed places.. (Oh yea.. I forgot about them on the battlemap..)

“I truly hoped, on this joyous occasion, we may part peacefully but I am afraid I have no choice now but to declare you traitors to the crown.”

With the voice of a king, Strahd orders, "Rahadin, my brother, take my bride to my bedchamber." Spare her the sight of this execution. The devil turns to the room and in the voice of a battle commnder he proclaims "In the name of your king. my men, women, and children of Barovia. Know that all of you who refuse to follow me and obey my command will meet the same fate as these fool-hearty heros. My people. Defend your King, defend your land, your homes and your families. Those of you still loyal to the lands of beloved Barovia, Bring me their broken bodies and let none survive!" 

The Hour of Night has finally dawned. Weapons are drawn.. roll for initiative

The huge battle begins, some of the guests turn into wereravens, some into werewolves. Some of the people flee, Rinn moves around to next to Misty and Ezmerelda before losing  his invisibility by casting protection from good and evil  on himself. Misty pulls extra weapons from her robe of useful items. Zanfyr casts protection from good and evil. Rahadin steps up to Ireena and puts out a hand, she takes it with an insect leg and they blink out of the room. Fiona Wachter casts a spell at Snoggly but it has no affect. Dain gets attacked by most of the Vistani. Luvash is trying to push his way through carrying Arabel. He is unable to get through and leave. Kyanna pulls the Holy Symbol of Raven Kind and casts a Hold Vampire. It succeeds on Strahd but he uses a legendary action to succeed in his save. The only other vampire succeeds. Kyanna casts casts a flare to interrupt an attack. Arrigal attacked Snoggly and luckily didn’t strike a direct hit.

Haldar casts Zepher Strike on himself and moves to attack Strahd with a stake. The first attack misses but the second strike does hit. It doesn’t seem to have an effect. Snoggly unloads a wand of magic mussel into Strahd and it has no affect. Strahd takes a legendary action and tries a gaze attack on Haldar. Ezmerelda casts Mirror Image on herself. Sasha hits and bites Kyanna, she loses 7 of her max hit points. Davian turns into a wereraven. Ernst Larnack attacks Father Donovich and kills him. Panic ensues as those not involved in the fight, flee. Karl Wachter attacks Ezmerelda. Kassamir casts a magic missile. Dain uses the spell Command and orders Vistani number 2 and say drop. Then he grabs the scimitar. Ismark moves to attack Strahd and is unsuccessful. Father Lucian calls out for peace and calm. He then casts a Spitual Weapn and palaces if near Sasha and attacks her. Escher moves up and attacks Haldar, tries to bite, misses with his natural 20, He does 29 total damage,. His total hit point max is reduced by 16. Vistani number 3 Attacks Dain and both attacks hit. Nikolai attacks Misty And misses. The dusk elves haven’t attacked yet.,

Zack suggested that this might have all been a dream.