Session 15
Once he has the bones in hand, Strahd proceeds to go on about St Andral while the party heckles him. Unperturbed, he tells the story of how Andral was once one of his men. When Strahd first gained immortality after Tatyana flung herself from the castle walls, Andral was the guard who shot him in the back. Strahd pursued, only to find Andral and his counterparts holed up inside the house that once stood on these grounds. Unable to enter without an invite, Strahd was never able to punish Andral for his cowardice. And with the protection the bones of St Andral provided to the church, Strahd was never able to enter.
Now, Strahd says, without the bones, this church can no longer resist him, and he fireballs the bones into ashes.
With the brightness of the blast as cover, Strahd is able to run past the party and scoop up Ireena. As he carries her toward the door, Pelanil is completely convinced that her fate is to be turned by Strahd and live out her life as yet another of his evil consorts.
Still reeling from the reality of the decision he was forced to make, Pelanil sees that Strahd's full attention is now on him. Strahd raises his hand and mutters some words as Pelanil feels a necromantic energy wash over him, draining all the vitality from his body. Pelanil falls flat, his body withered and lifeless.
Still processing these events, the party sees Strahd touch Ireena, and then both disappear. Seconds later, they see what seems to be a rider-less Beucephalus take flight towards Castle Ravenloft as the vampire spawn once again embrace disorder. They set fire to the sanctuary and dart into the streets once again.
Elora, briefly expressing her grief before rushing into action, places her look-alike doll in his lifeless hands.
The party and Izek rush into action to save the parishioners at the church and the children at the orphanage before the fire can spread too far. They're able to save Father Lucian, Yeska, Freek, Myrtle, and Pelanil's corpse before the fires close in. Multiple other children as well as Dr Velasco perish in the blaze.
Inspired by their heroism, the town guards and bystanders rush in to extinguish the flames before they are able to consume the entire town.
Father Lucian offers the party St Andral's Votive Candle for rescuing him and the children.
Dazed from their losses, the party find themselves wandering the streets of Vallaki, contemplating leaving town immediately. They're approached by Danika Martikov who is saddened to see Pelanil's body being carried by Metarlos. She offers the party a safe place to rest after their encounter, and upon learning Ireena had died, tells them that she left a package for them.
Back at the Blue Water Inn, Danika gives Shalooti a wrapped package. She says that Ireena had a bad feeling about her safety, and left the package should something happen to her. Inside, the party found a 6 healers kits as well as a needlepoint for each person:
Father Lucian mentions that there is a rumor that The Abbot at the Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk has been able to bring someone back to life. At this news, Danika asks the party to come upstairs to talk with her and her husband, Urwin. The group follows and leaves Pelanil's body with the priest for him to tend to.
Upstairs, Danika leads the groups into a secret room where Urwin and a couple other people wait. Inside she tells the party that what she's about to tell them may sound incredulous, but that she would like to provide them proof that they can trust her.
Danika spreads out her arms, her face grows feathers, and her body shrinks as she transforms into a raven.