[D&D 5E] Curse of Strahd

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The Continued Story
After several tense minutes of arguing with Ireena, the group finally was able to get her to open the door. She talked with them for a few moments, and then she stood off to the side to let them enter. The group, at first, did not understand what was going on and asked her if they were invited in. Of course, vampires cannot enter a house uninvited, and Strahd is no different. She refused to explicitly invite them in, still fearing that they were minions of Strahd sent to bring her to him. But they eventually figured out they could just walk in, and so they did.

Ireena led the group through the house, which was completely darkened save for light in the dining room. They get to the dining room only to find every square inch of the walls covered in crosses and religious symbols, which Ismark and Ireena believe - for whatever cockamamie reason - will keep them from harm. The group sits down to enjoy dinner and drink, at which point they are told Ireena's story, from the point of view of Ismark. Strahd has, for a reason unknown to him, decided that Ireena is to be his for all eternity, and he's already feasted on her blood twice. He believes the only way to save her is to ferry her to the town of Vallaki, which is out of the watchful eye of the vampire lord, and he begs the group to help cart her there. After a few questions - not the least of which is "You'd leave your village to the depradations of this madman to save one woman" - the group agrees to escort them to Vallaki in the morning. Of course, the journey is going to be days - if not weeks - but they don't know how far it is yet.

During the night, Owyn has a rather prophetic dream. He sees the Wachterhaus, and he hears the scratching of a cat on a door (which is nothing more than Stella Wachter, who is insane to the point where she thinks she's a cat). He sees the interior of the master bedroom, as well as the wedding dress that needs to be taken to the Abbot (which is in the possession of Lydia Petrovna, the Vallaki burgomaster's wife). Because of this dream, Owyn's rest is a bit fitful, but he does get the benefit of the long rest.

Morning comes with Ismark and Ireena both awake and moving about before any of the characters can wake up. Breakfast is served, and they are about to head out of Barovia towards Vallaki.

To Be Continued...