Ismark was right when he said that undead would be attacking the town soon. We barely had enough time to set up a barricade along the eastern road into town before a thick mist roiled in, obscuring nearly everything from sight. Then, the lumbering forms of the formerly deceased were on us.
For whatever reason, my family heritage seemed to be very off-putting to Avery. I'm not sure why. On the battlefield, magic was flying everywhere! Bolts of green and golden and violet light struck the lumbering undead right and left, so why should wings be a big deal to a man who can create fire out of nothing.
Regardless, we are geniuses. The oil traps worked great! They did an excellent job of funnelling the monsters into a set path. Only a few zombies tried to come up around the sides through the trenches, but Cassandra was at the ready on her rooftop. Simultaneously, Allynia had a magical weapon called into existence flying around the battlefield, hacking and slashing at the rotting beasts! (She is so badass.)
All told, everything was going fairly well until this putrid monstrosity crawled straight out of some rancid demon's butthole. At least, that's what it smelled like. Honestly, it's very existence was some sort of war crime against humanity. Within seconds of being near it, I could feel my life torn away from me, and it was a fight to get back to consciousness because of the impending assault on my olfactory senses. But I didn't have any choice: the fetid gas ghast was advancing on my friends, and they needed help. Taking to the air, I brought my longsword crashing down, cleaving into it until it met its final rest.
As much as I wanted to take a rest of my own after that, we could hear sounds of combat coming from further in the city. After taking only a moment to catch our collective breaths, we pressed on to find Ismark fighting alone. More zombies were attempting to surround him, as his own comrades were spread out on the ground, dead or dying. Worst of all was that there was another butthole demon. Total war crime. A stern letter of protest should be written to the government about them.
With our additional assistance, Ismark was able to finish off the last of the undead in the center of town. Those versed in the healing arts took a few minutes to stabilize the wounded, giving aid to those who could be helped. And yet, there was still no rest for the weary: runners came to say that the burgomaster's manor was also under attack.
Unfortunately, we arrived too late to give aid to Kolyan. In the centre of his chest was a smoking, circular wound, evidence of some unnatural attack that had ended his life. Ireena cradled his lifeless body, and it was so hard to tell her that nothing could be done to help him when so much magic had been used already that day to help so many others. As sounds of combat seemed to have stopped for the time being, everyone moved inside where there was at least the illusion of safety.
Cassandra did her best to console the grieving family. While Ireena cleaned and prepared their father for burial, Ismark asked us for a favour: to take his sister far away from the village, to take her somewhere safer. Needless to say, Ireena had some choice words to say to her brother about men treating women like chattel.
I think I really like Ireena. She has chutzpah.
Oh, and Ismark finally admitted to some of what has actually been going on in the village over the last two years: shortly after the priest's son led an attack on Castle Ravenloft, Lord Naughty Bedroom Eyes very specifically turned his attention on Ireena. There is a non-zero chance that this has, in some way, been prolonging the attacks on the village.
Ismark says he actually saw Lord von Zarovich approach his sister one evening, that that vampire told Ireena how happy he was to see her, how he misses her. To his credit, Ismark attempted to defend his sister from an insanely powerful vampire lord and is still alive today; however, Ismark relates this more to having been seen as so laughably non-threatening that he wasn't even worth killing. He had to watch as Lord von Zarovich drank from his sister--
But then Lord von Zarovich left without Ireena. That I don't understand. Why not just take Ireena with him? Is he hoping to somehow woo the girl, court her? If so, he's going about it completely the wrong way. Killing a girl's friends and neighbours is not the way to her heart. Steak dinner, loaded mash, puff pastries stuffed with cheese. A poached fillet of brill with a white wine reduction. I'm not saying I'm easy, but if evil vampire lords were trying to woo me? Start with more puff pastries and less murdering.
Ultimately, Ireena did agree to come with us, despite angry, hushed words with her brother over things like "running" and "hiding". I suggested to her that she might benefit from coming with us to see Madame Eva. Everyone we've met so far seems to agree that this woman is wise and has some sort of knowledge about things going on. Perhaps she can offer some advice or direction to Ireena as well. If nothing else, traveling together will be safer for her. It would also be interesting to see if the attacks against the village stop once she leaves. If they do, then Ireena could perhaps help her townspeople in other ways, like encouraging and fostering trade between towns. If they don't stop, then she could make a case to her brother that she would be a useful set of hands back in the village protecting their people.
Either way, we have a few things we need to take care of after we rest briefly. Ireena and Ismark need to bury their father, and we need to find a final resting place for Rose, Thorn, and Matilda. It would also be wise to get a few supplies in town: some food for the road, any healing potions or alchemical concoctions available (if there are any), and frankly, I'm done with walking. I want a horse and wagon. Maybe Ismark can hook us up with a contact who will give us a deal.
Oh yeah! And Ismark was kind enough to give us a proper map, so that was helpful. Scratch that off my to-do list.
