The Dunking

With a disgusted Fen waiting with the villagers at the entrance to the temple, the rest of the savages proceed to dunk themselves repeatedly in the dark “gifts”. Orrrs, Bran (bearing a new milky white eye to match his green one, hiding most of his head under a cloak), Sarandiel (now permanently redheaded and cloven footed, in all her forms), and Dorvil (scorpion tail, red eyes, spiked spine, goat legs, deep hunger) are on Fen’s shame list. Saran’s particularly displeased by her cosmetic changes persisting through all attempts at shapeshifting.

In and out of character, I do not look at your feet. – Fen

It seems the Exethanter, back when he had fewer x’s in his name, was a wizard tasked with sealing off the evils of the temple from the world, but over time, the mission changed. He offered to convince Dwayne the Roc to give us a ride out of the freezing hellhole of the mountains and to the wooded hellhole of mainland Barovia.

Bran is only half Xenonort

We rest over night at the tower of Khazan, continuing our journey the following morning. On our way to the lodge, we spot our cart guards - tied up, though at least they still have the dragon skull! … but as the eyes begin to glow blue…

Shadow Dragon Rises

The clearing’s shadows start to quiver and shift, and from out of the gloom they coalesce: shifting, formless, each racing toward a central point in the clearing – coalescing into the angular, intimidating form of a dragon… formed entirely of Shadow.

• The dragon opens the engagement with a shadowy blast of death, wounding many and knocking Gerggwen out cold, with her shadow turning to ice
• Bran lights up his Sword of Sunlight, with some help from Dorvil, causing the dragon to shy away, he runs in and slashes the dragon
• The dragon retaliates with smacks form its mighty tail, tooth, and claw.
• Fen lights his lantern, by whose light lifts the guard’s fear, and summons a holy weapon in the shape of a great dragonslaying ballista - which then pistol whips the dragon (can’t just have a ranged Spiritual Weapon!)
• Misha, seeing the dragon obliterate a guard beside him, runs up a tree and leaps off, with a two-handed plunging strike into the core of the Shadow Dragon. If that was a real sword, it’d be really effective!

  no Misha’s claws are on his feet, he has normal hands remember

• The dragon lets out a mighty roar, fearing some party members and the remaining guards
• Bran cleaves the huge shadow dragon with his Sword of Sunlight, pairing it with a flavourful dry Rosé in the form of a great smiting sword piercing down from the heavens
• Orrrs applies his *magic hands* to the dragon

  wait shit why did I just punch the dragon 8 times, I have a sword - and a spear, and that shadow weapon - so many better options – Orrrs

• The dragon blasts its wings at those near it, bludgeoning and knocking over everyone near, including brave dragon-rider Misha, before taking flight
• Misha flees in fear, clambering up the nearest tree like a scared cat, pathetically missing with his toy (magic) sling
• As the dragon gets up on its haunches and launches its dragon breath; Bran, hastened by Dorvil and gripping the Sun Sword tight, unleashes a flurry of blows and smites, obliterating the misty dragon and leaving behind nothing but a nuclear shadow burned into the ground.

Vampiric touch would require the scared wizard to actually approach the dragon… yet chill touch is not a touch attack - and doesn’t even do cold damage!

Returning the dragon’s skull to the Lodge’s resting place, the Lodge’s tower bursts into bright light, as a beacon burning across all of Barovia, imbuing those who stand against Strahd with holy energy (The party gets +1 AC and +1 to all saving throws while in Barovia). The Lodge’s ghostly knights are finally at peace. Looking through the temple, we find the greatsword belonging to the Captain of the knights, but Misha gets his grubby little normal hands on it, much to Sara’s disgust.

– Compiled by Darkwalker Fen von Stoker
Zombie Cleric of the Moon (and non-evil lycanthropes) and Sarandiel, keeper of song and epochs

Previous Chapter: Into the Amber

Dramatis Personae

• B - Darkwalker Fen von Stoker, Zombie Cleric of the Moon (and non-evil lycanthropes)
• T - Bran ‘green eye’ von Stoker, Deathlock, Strahd’s Favoured
• N - Orrrs, Murderhobo, Sensei to Misha, Werewolf Alpha, Bearer Donor of the Spear of Khevan
• N Bishop - Normal Hands Misha, spiderful sidekick
• M - Sarandiel, Shapeshifting culture vulture, Irena #3, Keeper of Songs and Epochs
• D - Dorvil the Blue, Artificer of Splendifourous Gadgets, Mechanoplaneswalker
• T - Gerggwen, Panic Fireballer and keeper of the cat Bonedaddy

With Guests

• Van Richten, aka Ricktavio, seasoned veteran of Monster Slaying, Loremaster
• Exethanter, The Lich