Allison Hargreeves

Warrior
Allison Hargreeves
Origin	The Umbrella Academy
Royales	Dungeons & Dragons Royale (14th of 14)

“

I heard a rumor... — Allison Hargreeves

”

One of 43 children miraculously born from a woman with no prior signs of pregnancy, Allison Hargreeves was adopted by inventor and secret alien Sir Reginald Hargreeves in an experiment to utilize the most unique powers to create a team of children superheroes. With her power to control others via vocal commands, Allison was dubbed Number 3, developing a childhood attraction to her adoptive brother Luther and friendship with her other brother Klaus. When she was still a child, Reginald forced her brother Viktor to believe that he had no powers, a secret she held into her adulthood. While the team of superheroes, known as the Umbrella Academy, was initially successful for a decade, the combined "Jennifer Incident" and Viktor's tell-all book eventually caused the family to disperse, with Allison becoming a celebrated actress and marrying Patrick and having a daughter, Claire. When Claire was four, Allison used her powers to stop one of Claire's tantrums, which was witnessed by a horrified Patrick. Allison and Patrick divorce, with Patrick gaining sole custody of Claire, when Allison learns that Reginald has died.

Initially suspected to be suicide, Allison and the rest of the Hargreeves learn that Leonard Peabdoy, a former fan of the Academy that was publicly humiliated by Reginald, had murdered him. During their investigation, Viktor learned about Allison's role in his power suppression, causing him to slit her throat non-lethally in a rage. The family also learns from their time-traveling brother Five that Viktor, now reawakened to his powers, would cause the apocalypse by blowing up the moon. Allison reunites with her siblings and communicates Viktor's plan to destroy the moon during his concert, with the group reconciling with Viktor but unable to avoid a stray blast from hitting the moon, bringing about the apocalypse Five witnessed.

Failing to avert the apocalypse, the entire family teleports back in time, though are scattered, where Allison is teleported to Dallas in 1961. After settling herself in town and marrying Raymond Chestnut, Allison becomes part of the Civil Rights Movement. Allison eventually reunites with her siblings, working with them to rescue a captured Viktor to prevent the Cold War from escalating to nuclear armageddon. Five teleports them back to their time, only to find the timeline altered. With her daughter erased from the timeline, Allison has a mental breakdown, allying with this timeline's version of Sir Reginald to destroy and reset the world to get her daughter back. After realizing the effort would kill her siblings though, Allison decides to kill Reginald and reset it herself. In this timeline, the Hargreeves family is born without powers, with Allison reuniting with her daughter Claire and Raymond.

Dungeons & Dragons Royale (by MovieStuff65)

Session 1: Into the Woods

Agil Frontuva takes a deep breath, drawing back the string of his bow with the calm and experienced strength of a lifelong hunter. His quarry remains unaware of him, nibbling on what few pieces of green exist in this valley. The hunter gives a silent prayer of thanks to Mother Night, blessed not just with his mother’s soul upon her death but the keen elven eyes that let him see in the dark.

He exhales, slowly, then looses the arrow just as the first drops of rain patter onto his hooded frame. The stag turns its head towards the noise just as the arrow pierces his side, burying its head firmly in the stag’s heart. The beast takes a few feeble leaps away from Agil before collapsing, dying.

Ignoring the nagging chill of the rain, Agil approaches his prize, hunting knife drawn. The thundering sky bellows above him, yet he still kneels down, solemnly putting the beast out of its misery as he slices the blade across its throat. Finally, a flash of white light blinds Agil’s vision as lightning demands his gaze.

Blinking several times, Agil looks up in horror as he realizes his doom: Castle Ravenloft, which was before a constant but distant symbol of terror barely visible from his small cabin near Vallacki, loomed over him. “No, I’ve kept my distance. I always…” He says, half to himself and half to his gods above, gazing at the empty battlements.

And, a figure stands upon its ramparts, illuminating by the lightning under his very command. His cape billowing behind him, his eyes boring into Agil, his fanged mouth a sculpture of dispassionate justice. Yet even in night, the shadow cast by this figure seemed to surround Agil, darker and colder than any winter evening of his thirty-five years. The shade of his lord swallowed him, snuffing out the moon itself with his presence.

Another flash of lightning blinded Agil, and when his vision returned, the figure was gone. Agil got on his knees, tossing his bow aside and screaming over the thunder. “Please, my Lord. I am Vistana! I am one of your chosen people! I did not know!”

To answer his pleas for mercy, a husky voice whispered in his ear, “You have hunted upon your Lord’s land. The sentence is death.”

The pain was quick, instant, and fatal, as Agil felt a blade slice the back of his heel. He whimpered, cowering and falling to turn behind him, seeing nothing. Rising with a struggle, Agil grabbed his bow, limping towards the west. “Please forgive me my Lord! I did not know! I did not know!”

Agil ran, back to his patch of dirt, back to his cabin, back to his home; the sound of thunder and lightning at his side, and the howling of wolves from behind.

---

As he strolled his castle’s battlements, Strahd von Zarovich sighed in boredom. Though Strahd had not known the pleasure of taste in centuries nor the pains of hunger ever, he knew on an intellectual level that starvation could lead reasonable creatures to unreasonable actions.

But he was lord of these lands. If his subjects were to respect each other, they must respect him; and to respect him, Strahd must enforce his laws over all without mercy or anger. Agil’s mother had been a fine seamstress and his father a capable leatherworker from what his spies in Vallaki had reported. They were good and honest workers, and until this evening they had raised their son to be so too; but Strahd’s law was the law.

“A useless loss.” He thought to himself, peering once again into the haunted woods beneath him. Whispers breach his mind, disrupting the silence, and to focus, Strahd ceased the storm, the weather returning to an eerie, empty night.

“Have you brought more to me?” he mused, muttering a few ancient words to look through the eyes of his servants in the woods. “When will you learn the futility of these adventurers?” He settles upon a crow, plucking out meat of a discarded stag’s carcass, compelling her to take flight.

As the raven took to the sky, Strahd gazed over the vast darkness of Barovia. A glimpse of light from a campfire caught his attention, and the crow descends, settling onto a branch. Strahd watched with clinical curiosity at the assembly of Vistani crowding around the warm blaze, unaware that eyes of their lord were upon them.

“Did you hear about the new visitors that Arrigal is bringing? Enough for a whole caravan!” a younger woman says, eyes alit with mischief reflecting the dancing flames.

“Pfft, he says that every time. Every giorgio he brings, that’s another ghost for the march,” An older one says dismissively, tossing another log onto the pyre as he drinks from his wine bottle.

“Still, who knows? That many outsiders ought to be entertaining.” The third replies, picking at his nails. “At the very least, it’s more stories for the campfire.”

Strahd, resigned to his role in this game, merely sighed from atop his castle ramparts. He dismissed the crow, looking over the Svalich woods. “Very well, then. Let us see if they can succeed where others have always failed.” With that, he turned his back. The thunder, the lightning, the rain, and the howling of wolves began anew, a symphony of noise for the newest victims of Barovia.

---

The mists dispersing as suddenly as they had appeared, Amaya Jiwe stopped her careful, disciplined walk through the woods. Momentarily stunned by the rapid change, the veteran hero took a deep breath; years of training in the Zambesi plains and U.S. spec ops took over, and she observed her surroundings with a calm, intelligent eye.

The dark woods were briefly illuminated as the misty shape of a bat surrounds her, sounds undetectable from her human ears slowly filtering through to her. Off in the distance, the distinct sound of a crackling fire and the snarling of creatures caught her attention, as well as a voice ordering commands. With a temporary goal in place, she follows the sounds.

After a quick and quiet trek through the forest, Amaya breaks the tree line to see a dozen decomposing, shambling corpses in a clearing. Atop a fallen log, a youngish man gave her a nervous wave as a strange flying white creature hovered around him.

“Hello! I seem to have myself in a bind!” Volo yells, as his Togekiss breaks right and slashes its wing in a diagonal, a blast of air solidifying into a blade before it sliced the leg off an approaching zombie. As the leg fell to the side, the zombie hopped forward, with the missing limb soon following behind it.

The superheroine leapt into action, breaking into a sprint as a spectral rhino surrounded her. Amaya barges through the horde on the other side of Volo, tossing several zombies into the air as she charges. Arriving beside him, she skids to a stop, backhanding an approaching zombie to cave in what fragments of skin and bone it had left on its head.

With the stranger protecting his flank, Volo hollered another command, “Togekiss, Moonblast!” The flying Pokemon conjured a glowing pink ball, then launched it at another zombie, blowing a hole through its chest. The undead shambled forward, and Volo grimaced in annoyance as Togekiss hit it with another blast, taking it out at the legs.

Hitting an approaching zombie with a gorilla-powered palm strike to send it hurtling backwards, Amaya grimaced as the corpse stood back up, undeterred. She thought for a moment, searching for guidance from the ancestors or her memories. Her mind wandered to an argument Nate and Mick got into on the Waverider about movies. While she didn’t care whether the one in London or Pittsburgh was better, she did remember the rule they kept talking about.

“Aim for the head!” she yells back to Volo, quickly going up to a zombie and smashing its head with a double hammer fist. The zombie crumples, down for good, and Amaya gives a confident nod before making short work of the horde.

"Aha! Excellent deduction!" Volo replies, retrieving Togekiss and unleashing Lucario. The Aura Pokémon leaps into battle, a flurry of kicks and punches in Close Combat dispatching the remaining zombies. Sighing in relief, Volo laughs as Vixen turns to him. “Wow, talk about good timing!” He offered a hand, placing his other hand on the Pokéball on his hip to retrieve his Pokémon. “My name’s Volo! I’m a merchant with the Ginkgo Guild.”

She gives a soft smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, before she feels a tight grip wrapping around her ankle. Vixen looks down at a zombie who refused to die, its rotten teeth mere inches from biting her leg. However, the creature’s already slow speed turns glacial as ice surrounds it, before freezing solid entirely.

“Nasty things, zombies. Refuse to stay down, and they almost ruined your wonderful boots too,” a voice stated from the trees, before Dorian Pavus revealed himself to the two other adventurers. “Shall you do the honors, or shall I?”

Vixen, smirking, raises her foot and stomps, shattering the zombie into icy shards. “I can handle myself, stranger. Who are you?”

“Straight to the point. Normally I would expect a bit of gratitude for the person who just saved you from a rather nasty undead infection. But, given the circumstances, I’d wager some caution is appropriate.” The mage replies, stowing his staff and giving a slight bow. “Magister Dorian Pavus, of House Pavus, at your service.”

Amaya rolled her eyes, with Dorian’s smirk only growing at her annoyance. “Amaya. Just Amaya.” She looked between the two men, clearly judging each of them. Dorian’s smirk softened into a gentler smile.

“If I may be serious for a moment, I know we’re all supposed to be after the same thing. Or, rather, the same someone.”

“But that doesn’t mean we have to fight each other. Not now, anyway. If at all,” Amaya finished, nodding at Dorian. “There is safety in numbers…”

Interrupting the conversation, Volo raised a finger. “I do hate to interrupt the introductions, but perhaps we could walk and talk? I don’t think we’ll be alone much longer.”

The sound of howling wolves confirmed Volo’s suspicion, and the two others nodded in agreement. “You seem quite the frontierswoman, Amaya. Perhaps you ought to lead the way.”

As they turned their backs on him, Volo’s smile slipped into a thin frown. He’d hope the zombie that “slipped” his vision would’ve taken care of one competitor ahead of schedule, but it seemed he’d have to be more careful for this. Especially if the others proved as annoyingly friendly.

“Wait for me!” He’d say, voice raising in false anxiety as he gave his hefty backpack a jingle and kept pace with the others.

---

Rocket whispered a string of curses beneath his breath, ruining his attempt to move subtly through the woods. Lifting his injured foot from the root that had stubbed it, Rocket readjusted his grip on his blaster rifle and scratched his posterior. The sound of yelling caught his ear, replacing his annoyance with caution.

Reluctantly laying his rifle against a tree, Rocket scurried up, hopping from branch to branch to investigate. Unholstering one of his pistols, Rocket looked down at a large human covered in primitive metal armor, yelling louder than the three wolf-like people in front of him.

Achilles, catching the shaking of leaves above him, snarled back at the growling werewolves, retrieving his spear from their slain pack mate. "Your master sends dogs to fight me? By the gods, I will feed him the bones of you hounds for this insult."

A werewolf digs her claws into the ground, preparing to lunge, only for Achilles to leap through the air first. The monster can only raise her hackles in surprise before Achilles' spear finds its mark, impaling her through the heart. Her mate attempts to avenge her, swinging his claws across the shield on Achilles' arm, sparks flying. The demigod roars, swinging the shield into the werewolf's face, sending teeth, spit, and blood flying from his jaw as it collapses, unconscious and unlikely to wake again.

"Pathetic mongrels! Pups to the slaughter!" Achilles boasts, unfazed as the last werewolf leaps onto his exposed back. She snaps at Achilles' head, fangs cracking down upon his helmet as he attempted to shake her off. The warrior dropped his weapon and shield, grabbing the werewolf by the scruff of the neck. With his godly strength, he threw her onto the ground, ready to land the finishing blow, only for two blasts of light to emerge from the sky, taking his kill as they burned through her chest.

“Real impressive, pal,” Rocket said, making himself known as he cautiously lowered the now-smoking blaster pistol to his side. If this madman could take on these beasts by himself, he’d make a good meat shield for this job.

“A talking rodent? With a bow that shoots beams of Helios?” Achilles asked, yanking his spear from the werewolf’s body. “Yet another minion of this Strahd Von Zarovich, sent to vex me?”

“Hell no, I ain’t no one’s minion, human,” Rocket yelled back with an indignant shrug. “You call me ‘rodent’ one more time and it’ll be your turn to get two plugs to the back.”

“Watch your tongue, beast,” Achilles threatened, tensing his knees as he prepared to leap. “Still, if you do not work for my foe, then you are my competition. And I will not share this boon with any.”

Rocket laughed, jumping from the tree and holstering his pistol. “Cool it chrome dome. Don’t be tossin’ away a favor when you get one for free.”

As he observed the strange creature before him, Achilles’ glower eased. “I have heard the gods send their favor in animals. Who is your divine master, creature?”

“Uh…Kev Vin Bay Con.” Rocket offered, hoping that all that muscle didn’t reach his brain.

“Hmm…a local god, then. Very well – you shall aid me in my quest, rodent. What shall I call you?”

Smiling at his luck, Rocket strolled towards his abandoned rifle. “Rocket. We’re gonna have a lot of fun.”

---

In yet another corner of the woods, Luke Castellan looks solemnly into the small campfire he’d built. He’d already been making good time, falling into a familiar groove back as he wandered aimlessly, slaying the occasional werewolf or zombie. As much as he hated the bastard, Luke was thankful his deadbeat of a godly father was the god of travel and not something more useless like “metalwork” or “festive greeting cards”.

A rustle in the darkness interrupted his musing. He calmly stood, wrapping his hand around the grip of Backbiter as a young woman – maybe a year younger than himself at most – emerged, a hammer in one hand and three nails in the other.

“Stay still, stranger," Nobara demanded, cursed energy building within her. The blond teenager remained standing, his piercing blue eyes contrasting with his sickly pale skin. Even as he just looked at her, Nobara faltered as he seemed to look through her, causing her to involuntarily flinch before steadying herself.

"You haven't tried to kill me yet," Luke offered, Backbiter in hand but dangling loosely at his side. "Which means you and I can help each other. Sit down, relax. I won't hurt you."

The tense standstill was interrupted further still as another teenager entered the firelight. "Thank goodness! Finally, some friendly people!" Chie says with a grin, only to raise both her hands in surrender when they turn on her. A glowing blue tarot card appears in front of her, as the large, armored form of Haraedo-no-Okami appeared behind her.

After seconds that felt like minutes, all three teenagers begin to laugh, relaxing as they lay their weapons aside and power down. Chie smiled and took a seat by the fire, rubbing her hands together for warmth. "Jeez, ten minutes in the woods and we're all trying to hurt each other. That's crazy."

"You can't be too careful," Luke replied, sitting back down. After looking the other two over, Nobara sat as well.

"I bet I would've won, though."

"As if!"

The demigod watched the two other girls, a smile creeping on his face. Annabeth used to be just as excitable as this Chie, while Nobara's cool confidence reminded him of Thalia. Before he could keep wandering further down memory lane, Nobara snapped her fingers in his face.

"What's your name, dude? Are you even listening to us?"

"Luke. Luke Castellan," he said, seeming to satisfy Nobara as she left it alone.

"Now, have either you two had any luck finding food? I'm starving!"

Chie's grin fell into a sullen frown, the rumbling of her stomach answering for her. "I'd give up my left arm for a beef bowl or a grilled steak. Maybe even my copy of Trial of the Dragon."

"I set up some snares awhile ago, maybe they've-" Luke started as he stood up, only for Nobara to hush him.

"Trial of the Dragon?! I love that one," Nobara said, moving closer to Chie. "Have you seen it, Luke?"

The boy shook his head, an amused smile on his face, and the girls started to talk over each other, praising whatever this movie was. Shrugging, Luke sat back down, listening and talking with his new companions into the night.

---

Trekking through their woods, a clan of five mountain folk druids silently march. Their lord had told them of new adventurers in this valley, and the mountain folk did as Mother Night's champion commanded.

The lead druid, Podrick, held up a raised fist, bringing the clan to a halt, as a bat fluttered into view. He pointed his hand at the beast, muttering ancient druidic words, before speaking to the bat. "What have you seen?"

"A tall folk, but not like you. I can take you to her."

"You shall," the druid commands, and the bat flutters off. The clan begins to chant, moss-covered bark forming around their skin. Prepared for battle, they march, unaware of the crouching Evie Frye observing from the shadows.

"Best not get involved," she thinks to herself, stepping backwards and away from the druids. As she slinks away, the scent of fire and death overtakes her, forcing Evie to stop and cover her mouth to suppress a cough. Her vision shimmers into shades of blue, her Eagle Sense highlighting the last of the druids leaving in red.

She looks above her, where the scent seemed to come from, spotting a figure lit in green perched in the trees. "On the other hand…"

Unaware of the Assassin, Scorpion watches the druids process through the forest. He teleports down, quietly hiding behind a tree as they walk by. He loosened the chain of his kunai, preparing to launch his ambush should he be discovered, and watched as well.

"Up ahead, she rests." The bat says, now hanging from a branch on the very tree Scorpion hid behind. The druid nodded, pulling out a handful of plump grubs as the bat's rewards, leaving the creature to fly off with its feast.

"Ludvic, Vanesa, go ahead of us. Kill her quietly," the lead druid commands. "We shall wait here if she attempts to flee or fight. Glory to Lord Strahd."

The two druids nod, taking a few steps forward, only for a cloud of ash and brimstone to obscure them. Scorpion, his suspicion about these minions of his target confirmed, thrust his kunai into Vanesa's throat, letting go of the blade as the druid chokes on her dying breath. Scorpion spins and delivers a swift, fire-infused blow to Ludvic, stunning him, before grabbing him and violently snapping his neck

The druids panic, with a pair forming small balls of fire in their hands. Unimpressed, Scorpion pulls on the chain of his kunai, bringing the dagger back into his hand, before throwing it at a druid. The kunai strikes true, slamming into the druid's skull, before Scorpion teleports past Podrik and beside the other druid, drawing his katana and slicing open the druid's stomach in one smooth motion.

Podrick, the last man standing, loudly chanted as he brought his hand along his staff. The weapon glows in golden light, and he points it at Scorpion. "You will not find me as easy to best, outsider."

"Stay your hand, demon!" a voice calls out, and Scorpion instinctively teleports back several feet, narrowly avoiding a downward slash from Sophitia as she dashes into the fray. "I know not why you fight, but I will not let you kill in cold blood again!"

Scorpion teleports, swinging his katana, and Sophitia raised her shield, deflecting Scorpion's fiery blade. She stabs her short sword forward, missing the wraith as he teleports behind her, sweeping the leg and knocking Sophitia on the ground. He thrusts his katana down for the killing blow, but Sophitia rolls and deflects with her shield, sending the blade into the dirt.

She quickly rises as Scorpion abandons his weapon, the wraith delivering a sudden combo of kicks and punches. She jumps backwards from each blow, before dashing in when Scorpion misses an uppercut, slamming her shield into his chest. She follows up with several quick slashes, with Scorpion only narrowly dodging each. Sophitia finishes her combo with a downward slash, defiantly yelling "For the gods!" as her sword slams into Scorpion, who raises a pair of kunai to catch the blade. "You fight well, but none best the Shirai Ryu!"

The pair stay locked in, neither relenting, before a blast of concussive thunder shakes them both. The two fighters separate but hold their ground, turning to see the frustrated druid with his staff raised. He mutters another incantation, causing vines to sprout around the pair and entangle them.

"Now that you have exhausted each other, I shall bring you both to-" the druid taunts, before a cloud of smoke obscures them all. The coughing of the druid is quickly silenced as the warriors hear a quiet click of a blade unsheathing. The smoke and vines dissipate, revealing Evie, one hand wrapped tightly around the druid’s mouth and the other pressed against his neck. Evie removes her hand, sheathing her Hidden Blade as blood flows freely from the fatal wound. She lays the dying druid down, pulling down her hood and looking at the surprised warriors. "Are you done fighting, now, so that we may make proper introductions?"

Sophitia sheathes her sword first, a small smile of embarrassment on her face. "My apologies, sir. I did not realize what fight I had been walking into."

"Save your apologies, girl. Any servant of this Strahd is my enemy, and any ally in that fight shall be protected."

"I'm glad that's settled," Evie stated, already bending down to search the pockets of these travelers. Though she didn't expect anything as helpful as a correspondence or journal, she at least hoped to find out more about where she was and the people she'd be dealing with.

"You would loot the dead?" Sophitia asks, to which Evie shrugs as she discovers her prize. She jingles a small sack in her hand, the clink of gold apparent. "They're not going to use it." Scorpion grimaced, but silently joined as well, collecting some coin himself, a pouch of berries, and bundle of salted meats.

"We should move and find shelter," Sophitia offers, looking at the corpses and offering a silent prayer to Hades. Her less scrupulous companions stand and nod, with Evie standing and activating her Eagle Sense.

"I can handle that." She offered, following the glowing trail highlighting the path ahead by her Eagle Vision. "I'm Evie Frye, by the way. A pleasure, and not just given the circumstances."

"Sophitia Alexandra, servant of Hephaestus and wife to Rothion."

"I am Hanzo Hasashi, of the Shirai Ryu. I can see the symbols on your robes, Evie. What order claims you?"

"'Servant of Hephaestus'?" Evie asked, avoiding the question. "I've seen some queer things lately, but gods of antiquity? I'm surprised there are any who still worship them."

Scorpion remains silent, awaiting more, while Sophitia briefly catches the distraction. Deciding it would be better not to push for now, she continues. "Why would I not? Hephaestus has been graceful with me; a fine husband and good health for me and my loved ones. Do you not worship them?"

In spite of herself, Evie smiled and looked back at Sophitia. Given the clinking of Sophitia's armor, stealthy traveling was unlikely. It was best to get to know her new companions while she had the chance. Besides, she could use the conversation.

---

Allison Hargreeves suppresses a groan of frustration, taking one awkward step after another as she follows a cliff's face. Her boots barely kept her feet drier than damp in this wilderness, let alone help her climb a mountain for a better view. The pitch black darkness didn't help either, she thought as she tripped over a rock she hadn't seen. Landing clumsily on the ground, she finally yells out her frustration and slams her fists into the dirt. "Stupid! If I find out Viktor or Five had something to do with this…"

"It seems J'Zargo has found a companion," a purring voice says from nowhere, before a bright orb of white light illuminates the woods and reveals the Khajit, leaning on the cliff face that Allison had been moving her hand along for support. Allison immediately scoots back in surprise, ordering "Back off, furball!" J'Zargo, to his confusion, immediately walks backwards and hits his head on the stone wall.

"What magic do you use to control one as wise and intelligent as J'Zargo?" he asks, each hand crackling with elemental magic. Allison, seeing the attacks, brings one foot up before launching herself at J'Zargo, whose spells go wide as she tackles them both back to the ground. She puts him in a chokehold, but lets go as J'Zargo reaches back with his claws, slashing at her forearms.

"Enough! I heard a rumor you calmed the hell down!"

J'Zargo goes limp in her grip, allowing her to resume the chokehold. "I think we got off on the wrong foot, J'Zargo. Why don't you help me out?" The Khajit's eyes glaze over, before a friendly smile appears on his face.

"J'Zargo agrees. It is better to work together for survival, he thinks."

Allison lets go, offering a hand up. "There we go. I'm Allison."

The wizard brushes himself off as he takes her helping hand. "J'Zargo. This one was going to explore an abandoned cabin he found, but J'Zargo heard your scream, so J'Zargo came to see if you were friend or foe."

The actress laughs, putting a friendly hand on his shoulder. A talking cat man should be stranger, but after Pogo and Christopher, Allison couldn’t really be surprised by much anymore. "Well, I'm definitely a friend. No harm in checking it out."

J'Zargo waves his hand, creating another orb of light, and leads the way. Just as J'Zargo described, a dilapidated cabin emerged from the woods. Though the door had fallen down and mushrooms grew upon its paneled walls, the roof seemed fine, and that was enough for now. Before either could step inside, the sound of gentle crying catches their ear. The two look at each other, before J'Zargo's fists begin to crackle with lightning. He steps forward as Allison looks for a weapon, spotting a hefty tree branch that had fallen down. "Careful, Allison. This one will lead the way to protect you."

She rolls her eyes as she bends down, grabbing her improvised club. Out of the corner of her eye, a splotch of red catches her attention. Dismissing it, she follows J'Zargo inside, catching up to him as he stares at a small, hunched over shape. Even in the darkness, Allison recognizes the crying of a small child. Judging from her height, she couldn't be older than five or six, just like Claire.

Her instincts taking over, Allison drops the chair leg. "Shush, shush," Allison coos, going up to the girl. "J'Zargo, go start a fire. She's shaking like a leaf," she orders, looking back as she bent over. Seeing the khajit still standing with his magic ready, Allison glared. "Goddammit, help her."

Placing a hand on her knee, Allison reached out to the child's shoulder. "Why don't you tell me where your parents are?" She asks, going to place her hand on the girl's shoulder. Allison gasps as her hand phases through the child, who turns to look at her would-be savior.

She faces Allison, a smile on her bruised face matching the long, deep cut across her spectral throat. Drops of ghostly blood solidify as the young, dead girl reaches out, wrapping around Allison in a hug. She gasped as the child grabbed her, any warmth from her coat and pants freezing away in the child's grip. "Please don't tell my ma and pa that I let you in." She begs, staining Allison's shirt with more blood from her crimson tears. "I'm not supposed to let strangers in. Even the nice ones like the last man that came in."

"Of course not sweetie," Allison said through chattering teeth, looking at J'Zargo for help, only to see him absent-mindedly spraying flame into a long-abandoned fireplace. She tried to pull herself away from the ghost, but the little girl held on tightly, far stronger than one her size or age should be.

"You're not going to hurt me, right? The last man said he wasn't going to hurt me, but then he did. He said my pa was mean to him, so he had to be mean to me."

"J'Zargo, help m-" Allison starts, before the ghost grabs her throat. Despite the intangibility, the girl's grip was as cold and solid as ice. "You said you weren't going to hurt me. I can tell you're lying. And ma says you shouldn't talk if you're going to lie."

The ghost tightens her grip, and Allison's skin begins to dry up as the withering touch of the ghost drains her. She tries to swat at the ghost, her hands vainly phasing through the intangible body. Allison's struggles end as the ghost flares with blue energy, extracting the last of her life, tossing the corpse aside.

J'Zargo's mind returns to him, and he quickly turns the Flames back at the ghost, who merely walks forward through the magical fire. "Why does this not work? Undead should always fall to J'Zargo's magic!" The ghost does not respond, instead floating briefly into the air. She lets out a screech, blood from her throat flowing like a river as it cascades towards J'Zargo. Steeling himself despite the fear gripping him, J'Zargo creates a Ward in front of him, blocking the blood, and tosses a ball of holy light at the ghost. She screams again, this time out of fear, and she phases through the wall.

He turns to flee as well, sprinting out the door. Fearsome as J'Zargo was, some undead even he could not face alone. He stops as a piercing pain slams into his shoulder, forcing him to stop as he steps outside. Looking at the wound, several needles and thorns protrude from the wound. The trees surrounding him turn into people, their wooden arms glowing with a dim green energy.

The needle blights wordlessly prepare another volley, launching a hail of thorns and wood at the khajit, who hastily raises another ward. "Do not think J'Zargo will fall so easily!" He forms a spike of ice in one hand and fire ball in his other, dispatching two needle blights in quick order before more emerge.

"Mister, why are you being mean to the trees?" a small voice asks, forcing J'Zargo to turn around, spotting the girl again. She reaches out with her hand, hoping to destroy him as she did Allison. J'Zargo backs up, pulling out a scroll, and casts his Flame Cloak spell. The incantation finishes just as she grabs his wrist, causing both caster and target to explode in a blast of fire.

Knocked to the ground, J'Zargo weakly groans, looking up to see pieces of ethereal dust where the ghostly girl once stood. "J'Zargo has done it again, excellent." He boasts just as the remaining needle brights surround him. The wooden monster raises its arm, allowing J'Zargo only a moment of realization before it swings, sharpened claws quickly digging into his throat and silencing the khajit forever.

Content with their work, the remaining monsters disperse, seeking out others to destroy. A few moments later, a pair of large dire wolves emerge, sniffing at the body of J'Zargo. One ignores it, entering the cabin, while the other grabs J'Zargo's leg. After waiting briefly for its companion to return with Allison's body, the pair trot away with their prizes. The master would be pleased.

Session 2: Welcome to Barovia

The constant, pitter patter of rain filled the silence as Luke and his companions walked on a poorly tended dirt road. He shivered, and looked enviously at Nobara's long-sleeved jacket. While his jeans kept his legs reasonably dry, his t-shirt had become thoroughly soaked by now.

"How are you not freezing, Chie?" Luke asked, breathing what little his warmth his breath could create onto his hands.

"One of the benefits of my Persona. It won't help if it starts to snow or anything, but a little rain is fine for me." She answered cheerily, either unaware of or ignoring her companions' obvious discomfort.

"I've been meaning to ask about that. Both of you, actually." Nobara started, the raised tone of her voice revealing the hanger she had warned her companions about. "I mean, I kind of get yours, Chie. Inner self, out in the real world. But why the card?"

Chie shrugged. "Beats me. My buddy Yu made a card appear in his hand and I sorta…did what he did, I guess. How do your powers work, since you're asking?"

"Jujutsu sorcery. Basically, I channel negative emotions into energy. Then I put that energy into nails, and take out any monster that looks at me wrong." The sorcerer then turned to Luke, who had remained quiet.

"What about you, Luke? We've fought a couple monsters now, and all I ever see you do is swing that sword of yours."

"Yeah."

Chie spoke up. "Are you, like, super strong? Like 'smash through a wall with a hiya!' strong?"

"I mean, I'm stronger than most guys my age thanks to being a demigod. But not that strong."

"What about fly?"

"In a plane, but I don't think any of those are around. Besides, I don't think Zeus would take kindly to me flying in his domain."

The two girls slow down, looking at Luke with curiosity and concern. "No way. You're just some guy?!" This time, Luke stopped, turned, and smirked, before he kept going.

"Hold on mister! You don't get to act all cool and mysterious like that! You're gonna at least tell us about yourself." Chie gently grabbed Luke's shoulder, stopping him. "You must have some really powerful friends if-"

Luke promptly spun around, grabbing Chie's wrist as he turned around with a glare. Chie instinctually recoiled and Nobara's hand drifted to her hammer.

"Enough."

Catching Chie fall back in surprise and hurt, Luke sighs and softens his frown. "I'm sorry. It's just…friends are a touchy subject. I'm not in the mood to talk about them." He'd learned by now not to go down that particular spiral of angst too far, but he had a feeling Chie wouldn't back off if he didn't give her a bone to chew on.

"Oh, I'm sorry Luke. There I go, putting my foot in my mouth again." Chie apologized, walking back beside Luke. "Well, once we get out of this, maybe we can be friends. I think you'd get along with all my friends, especially Kanji-kun."

"Sheesh, yeah. No need to get all dramatic, Luke," Nobara said dismissively, though not harshly. "I've already got one knucklehead and one grump for friends. I don't need more."

The three laugh as the fog seems to break, revealing an end to the dirt road. A small town, lights barely flickering between haunting, sagging buildings awaited them. A solitary bat flies over them, breaking their stunned silence.

"That's super creepy." Chie states, pulling out her glasses and placing them on her face.

"Probably a trap." Nobara states, readjusting her tool belt to place her nail pouch closer.

"Try definitely. You couldn't get more Wicker Man if you tried." Luke agreed, taking his hands out of his pockets and placing one on Backbiter's. "Shall we?"

---

Achilles scanned the empty, silent village of Barovia, the eerie quiet sitting poorly with his thirst for battle. How great could this Strahd be, to leave his subjects abandoned and alone, with neither banner on their walls nor soldiers on their streets.

"Can you quit standing so stills? You're makin' me uncomfortable, Achilles." Rocket grumbled, his blaster rifle held up as he stepped onto the cobbled path.

Moving the barrel of his blaster from rooftop to rooftop, the muted sound of shuffling feet hit Rocket's keen ears. He spins, turning his blaster down a dark alley, where a lone figure emerges from the dark void. The shadows desperately hugged the stranger's silhouette and Rocket felt the air go from chilly to blisteringly cold.

As he opened his traveling cloak, revealing a fine red shirt with finer gold embroidery lacing together his family crest, Strahd Von Zarovich gave a polite bow of the head.

"At ease, Achilles, son of Peleus, and the one known as Rocket. I am Count Strahd Von Zarovich, son of Barov Von Zarovich, and liege lord of Barovia. I welcome you with the hospitality befitting every honored guest of my lands."

Amazed at his luck once again, Rocket raised the barrel of his rifle as Achilles to planted his spear in front of him. "I do not request such rights from my enemies, lord of Barovia. I am here to kill you, and will not be swayed from doing so."

Unfazed by the declaration, Strahd stepped forward. "I do not deny your purpose, and though I clearly do not wish to die, I would not insult you by flattering you into peace. But," he said, brandishing a simple but fine rapier and laying it upon the ground before the demigod, "As lord of this land, it is my duty to offer it to you all the same."

"C'mon, let me blast this blowhard and get us the hell outta here," Rocket insisted, moving past the spear and aiming. Strahd frowned, waving his hand, and Rocket yelped as the blaster started to burn his paws. Achilles pulled his spear from the ground and stepped forward to fight, but a single, solitary clap of thunder broke the tension. The demigod looked to the sky in fury, met with deafening silence.

"It would not be right by the gods," Achilles stated bitterly, stowing his spear beneath his shield. "Ease yourself, Rocket. We shall respectfully accept the lord's hospitality, before we slay him as honorable men." Strahd grinned, turning his back to the two and approaching the door of a house.

"Hey, if you wanna give up on the prize, that's on you," Rocket says with a shrug, drawing a laser pistol. Achilles grabbed the raccoon by the scruff of the neck and firmly yanked the pistol from his grip. He tosses it to the ground and steps on it, bending the barrel into the ground. "Do not forget yourself, servant of Kev Vin Bay Con. As you serve your god, you so serve me. And we will honor our host's offer."

"Alright, you win. Now put me down, this is humiliating."

Strahd firmly raps his knuckles on the door twice. "Please, open your doors, for your lord and his guests seek shelter on this cold night," Strahd proudly declares, with a middle-aged woman granting his request as she flings her door open. "What is your name, young lady?"

"I am Mary Lahovary, my lord. You are welcome," she stuttered out, bowing deeply as she hustles back inside. Behind her, a younger woman with soft blue eyes and brown hair in a bun rises from her seat, going into a low curtsy. Her mouth opens in surprise, before an impatient cough from her mother gets her attention. “Gertruda, my lord.”

Achilles and Rocket reluctantly follow into the dark house, filled with a single table, chair, bed, and unlit fireplace. With his night vision, Rocket saw the threadbare blanket and smelled the stench of rotten potatoes. A pang of pity crossed his mind, but he shoved that down as he laid his no longer smoldering rifle against the doorframe.

Visibly nervous, Gertruda shuffles away to light a candle, but Strahd raises his hand first. Her meager fireplace bursts into a bright, vibrant flame, filling the room with light and warmth. "Please forgive me my lord. Trade from Vallaki and Krezhk has been slow, and the ground is not as kind as His Grace."

Strahd disrupts her pleading, merely retrieving a sack from his belt. "The 'Blood of the Vine' is still open, correct?" Mary nods, and he drops the sack on the table, where it lands with a heavy thud and the clinking of many coins. Rocket's eyes flash with greed, quickly looking over Strahd's appearance for any more goodies, as the lord speaks. "Fetch us two bottles of the red dragon crush, a bottle of the champagne du le chomp, and whatever meal is being served. Keep what gold is unspent."

Practically crying with gratitude, Mary takes the money and runs from her home, leaving the four alone. Strahd waves his hand, levitating the table and moving it aside. He sat on the ground, crossing his legs, and gestured for the two warriors to do the same. "There are not enough chairs, but many years ago I learned to eat as they do in Zakhara. We shall do so as well, as equals."

Achilles placed his weapons to the side, sitting as Strahd did. Rocket glances over to the young girl, watching her as she remains still. Seeming to finally notice her presence, Strahd beckons Gertruda to do the same. “Sit, girl. A woman of your beauty and grace should not be made to stand in her own home.”

Rocket swallows a nervous breath while Gertruda does so. He didn’t like this, not at all, and as he reluctantly sat down, he reached into his pocket and started to tinker as quietly as he could.

---

Dorian twirls his staff, drawing the ambient magic in the air into the head of his staff, before slamming it down. A circle of lightning conjures around him, before wildly coursing through the ground. A revenant, his sword raised to strike Vixen's back while she dispatched another undead warrior, goes still, paralyzed by the lightning. The bolt arcs to the other monster, who similarly locks up as Vixen lands the final punch.

"You got us into this mess, Volo! Be a dear and clean it up, please." The mage yells, creating a magical barrier over the scholar and his animal companion. Arcanine growls in Dorian's direction on her master's behalf, before slamming her paws into the ground. Chunks of stone and earth rip out of the dirt road, sliding into a trio of revenants and putting them to a temporary rest.

"Wow, what a fight! This sure is exciting," Volo says, smiling gleefully at his two companions. Dorian rolls his eyes as Vixen walks beside him, ignoring the hapless scholar. Volo frowns, pretending to fiddle with his Pokéball as he eavesdrops.

"I don’t suppose we could leave him behind? We can’t go five minutes without the clanging of those pots and pans of his waking up every loose patch dirt around us."

Though she’s tempted to agree, Amaya looks back at Volo. Her stoic frown loosens as he affectionally pets his large Pokémon. The Arcanine barks with pride and Volo makes a show of it, burying his face into Arcanine's mane. "Not yet. Judging by the tracks on the road now and that light in the distance, I’d say we’re about to hit a town."

Dorian rolls his eyes, ready to make a witty counterargument, before Volo puts his hands on each of their shoulders. He steps beside them – more like pushes them apart, Amaya notes to herself – and breaks into the conversation. "That’s great news, Amaya! I’ll have Togekiss scout ahead."

Before either could stop him, the Fairy Pokémon flies above and past them. Satisfied he’d put a stop to any plans to ditch him, Volo innocently peers down at Amaya’s chest. “I must admit, I’m fascinated by that necklace of yours, Amaya. Where did you get it? And Dorian, that staff of yours is intriguing! Is it the source of your abilities?”

"It’s a relic of my family-"
"My dear Volo, the magic is entirely-"

Letting the pair stumble over their explanations, Volo listened with genuine curiosity as his distraction worked yet again. He didn’t love how talkative these two were, and he could tell Amaya particularly was starting to study him more closely.

“Amaya, you were right yet again. We’ve finally found a village.” Volo exclaims when Barovia came into view. As they walked through the gate and onto its streets, Togekiss returned to the group. She circled around them twice, both Volo and Amaya understanding her requests to follow, before flying away.

The trio follows, walking for one minute and arriving a decrepit, hollow tavern. Above the door, a simple sign dangles, with the name "Blood ofn the Vine" etched on it. The paint may've once been a vibrant red or purple, Dorian theorized, though now it was a faint, chipped brown.

"Lovely little spot," the mage muses, observing a human woman rapidly pushing through the door. "At least there's a chance to put up our feet and warm our bellies." He confidently strides in, followed by the other two.

A fireplace flickered with light, barely enough to keep the room illuminated and providing what could only technically be described as warmth. In addition to the woman who had entered before them, Vixen noticed the others present in this poorly kept tavern: three teenagers, each in modern, earthly clothes; a trio of adult humans, two with hoods over their heads while their armored companion gave a friendly wave; and the woman from before, talking with a human man cleaning glasses behind the bar. All except the bartender quickly turn to the new arrivals.

"Cheery place." Dorian quipped, breaking the tension as Luke and Nobara smirked at their table. Satisfied nobody would try to kill him yet, Dorian walks up to the bar. The woman quickly slinks away, Dorian raising an eyebrow but dismissing the oddity. "Evening, my good man. Tell me, is it only swill on tap or do you have a decent vintage available to those with means?"

The bartender stares at Dorian blankly. "One copper for a glass. One silver for a pitcher."

"Of…?"

Nobara scoffs, waving a hand dismissively as she drinks from her cup of water. "I wouldn't bother with that guy. He doesn't say anything except what's on the menu." She gestures to a nearby table, and Luke stands up to drag it over. "You can buy the first pitcher."

Meeting only cautious, analytical glares from Scorpion's table, Dorian shrugs, placing a gold coin on the counter. "I'll take two pitchers of your finest. Keep them coming; I'll be starting a tab."

As one group of adventurers joins another, a woman with flowing black hair emerges from a side room within the tavern, carrying two pitchers, while a similar-looking woman follows with several cups. "Welcome to our humble inn, travelers. I am Mirabel, and this is my sister Alenka," the former says, placing the drinking set down. "If you need anything, please let Arik know."

As Volo takes a seat, he feels a hand in his pocket. He subtly turns, spotting a winking Alenka as the two return to wherever they hid away before. Strange, he thinks to himself, before pulling out a small, pen-sized scroll. With his companions distracted by introductions, he reads it, eyes widening.

"Volo of Hisui, servant of Giratina, you are invited to meet my chamberlain Rahadin outside. Sincerely, Count Strahd von Zarovich."

---

"Are you sure we shouldn't join them? The more allies we have, the better our odds," Sophitia asks her companions, who remain stoically quiet as they watch the lively table of other adventurers.

"More does not always mean safer, Sophitia. I have traveled with you both, and you have proven both honorable and effective," Scorpion replies, taking notice of the teenage boy. He recognized the intensity hiding beneath the boy's neutral surface, even as he seemed to speak candidly with the others. "We do not need to be burdened by others."

"Hanzo's right, though I think he's got his eye on the wrong mark," Evie perks up, briefly nodding at Volo. She filters her Eagle Vision on, seeing him outlined in yellow while her companions were shades of green and the other partons were blue. "Sophitia, you're a good judge of character. Keep them distracted while we tail him," she orders, already rising with Scorpion as Volo walks out. Sophitia nods, bringing their pitcher in her hand as she goes to introduce herself.

As the two step outside, Evie's Eagle Vision flickers again, spotting Volo's yellow footsteps in the ground. Evie points them out to Scorpion, starting to follow, before the footprints disappear and a new set illuminate with her Eagle Sense. "What's this…" she mutters, following the tracks to see the peasant woman from before turning a corner.

"What is wrong, Frye?"

"Don't know. Volo went that way," she states, pointing to an alley beside the inn. "Something important is happening here, so it's best we split up."

Though tempted to question her further, Scorpion nods as Evie raises her wrist. The grappling line shoots to the roof, propelling Evie upwards, while Scorpion slips into the shadows.

Finding the wandering scholar wasn’t difficult, with each footstep and tingle of trinkets in his backpack revealing his path. Scorpion stuck to the ground, teleporting from shadow to shadow as they passed house after house. He briefly considered a higher vantage point, but the heavy footsteps of a purple, dragon-like creature jumping above him from house to house rewarded his caution.

Before Scorpion could consider how to take out Volo's guardian Pokémon quietly, a voice broke out in the darkness. "Volo, I assume? I am Rahadin."

As the Garchomp dashes from its current perch to another rooftop, Scorpion slinked ahead, attempting to catch up with his target. He hides behind a stack of barrels, catching sight of Volo speaking with a thin, tall elven man, with a pair of scimitars by his side. A glance at the sparse building and its creaking, ancient sign read "Bildrath's Mercantile". He strains, able to catch the end of the figure's sentence.

"…and the woman's power is in her necklace, then?"

"That's what I've been able to gather. I think Amaya and Dorian intend to ally themselves with the children."

The figure pauses, as if listening to a hidden speaker, before continuing. "Very good, Volo. Do not interfere with this alliance. Learn what you can."

"And when I get them to the castle gates?"

"I will be waiting, with a proper retinue. After that, my lord will reward you handsomely for your service. Perhaps even a chance to leave his domain for the Distortion World?"

Volo's smile revealed his intent. Scorpion leaps into action, teleporting between the two men with his katana swinging towards Volo's neck. The scholar screams, raising his hand in a feeble attempt to block the blade, only for the sound of steel hitting steel to save him. Rahadin emerges from mist with one scimitar blocking the blade. He lazily pushes forward, using his other hand to draw his second blade.

The elf swings at Scorpion's side, forcing the wraith to teleport back. Rahadin closes the distance, a whirlwind of steel lashing out Scorpion. Though his blade blocks and parries, Scorpion winced as one slash goes through his defense, nicking his bicep. He teleports behind Rahadin, sword sheathed and fists wreathed in hellfire, but a large figure slams into Scorpion. Garchomp’s claws, glowing with blue and red energy, slash into Scorpion, with the wraith coughing up blood as he is flung into a house.

Scorpion rises quickly, facing down Garchomp and Volo. Rahadin, sheathing his swords, whistles. A spectral horse conjures itself by his side and the elf gracefully lifts himself into the saddle. "Deal with this one, Volo, before you rejoin the others. Strahd is watching."

"With pleasure," Volo replies as Rahadin gallops away, tapping the seals on his pokéballs. Lucario and Arcanine charge towards Scorpion as Roserade and Spiritomb join Volo by his side. Togekiss, soaring above the area, dives into the alley, making the first move as she forms a blade of air. Scorpion ducks and teleports onto a rooftop, then above the startled Togekiss. As she turns to face him, Scorpion falls, burying his katana in the beast's chest and teleporting back to the level ground.

Scorpion looks over at Volo, momentarily stunned when his dead companion crashes in front of him. The ninja silently takes a battle stance as Volo, tears of rage in his eyes, yells to his other Pokémon. "Don't just stand there! Kill him!"

Roserade unleashes a tornado of petals at Scorpion, who replies with a blast of fire that burnt through the flowers and torches the Rose Pokémon into kindling. Spiritomb twirls and elongates its spectral form, striking at Scorpion's mind while the other Pokémon charge.

Lucario encases his fist in steel and delivers a blow to the briefly stunned Scorpion as Garchomp slashes. The ninja takes both blows before Arcanine traps Scorpion's arm in his maw. The Legendary beast drags Scorpion away, who retorts with a kick of hellfire that strikes Lucario. Yelling in pain, the beast falls in agony, steel spike on its chest melting and forcing it to the ground with an unceremonious clunk. Scorpion teleports out of Arcanine's grip, stepping beside Garchomp and teleporting back to Volo.

The trainer steps back, beginning to run as Spiritomb moves to protect his owner. Scorpion grabs the stone base of Spiritomb's body, purifying it with another surge of hellfire, before tossing the dead rock at the leaping Arcanine and knocking it out mid-air.

"Help me! He's trying to kill-" Volo yells into the streets, only to stop as Scorpion's kunai pierces Volo's back. The wraith drags Volo back, a line of blood covering the cobblestone. Scorpion heard the footsteps of Volo's remaining beast and spins. He throws a pair of kunai at Garchomp, who swiftly ducks below them.

Volo's last Pokémon sails forward, claw glowing, while Scorpion flicks his wrist. The chains of the kunai twirls around, wrapping around Garchomp's neck and choking the dragon. The wraith pulls Garchomp towards him, lets go of the chain, and punches, burning a hole through Garchomp's chest. The stunned Pokémon collapses, leaving Scorpion alone.

As Volo stares up into the empty, dark sky, his vision fading in and out, he merely smiles. "It doesn't matter. I'll be in the embrace of Giratina soon," he says, coughing as Scorpion reappears in his field of vision.

Scorpion nods in satisfaction, drawing another kunai. "A quick death is the only mercy left for you."

Volo nods, muttering "I've done my part," as Scorpion buries the kunai into his heart. As he breathes his last, gasps behind him force Scorpion to turn around. The rest of the adventurers look at the dead Volo and Scorpion's bloody dagger in shock, including Sophitia.

"We heard fighting from inside. Hanzo, what did you do?" Sophitia asks, looking nervously as Dorian, Chie, and Vixen begin to glow with their magic.

The wraith frowns, nodding solemnly at Sophitia, before teleporting out of sight, alone in the night again.

---

"Alright Evie, you're not in London anymore. Just stick the landing like you're back in Crawley." The Assassin takes a few steps back, before leaping from one house with solid brick onto wet, loose thatch. She thrusts her Hidden Blade into the roof, clinging on, before pulling herself up. Steadying her grip, she crawls forward, careful to keep quiet as she peers over the other side.

Though her mark had already returned to her house, Evie could hear faint whispers within. She slides down the other side of the roof, gripping its edge before gently and quietly landing on the ground. She continues along the wall, hiding beneath a window, and peeks inside.

"Your daughter has kept us wonderful company, Mary. She'll go from beautiful to ravishing any day now," Strahd says with a smile on his face, a baked potato and slice of bread untouched on his plate. Across from him, the woman and her teenage daughter nod enthusiastically.

"Of course, Count Von Zarovich! Gertruda is…flowering into quite the woman!" Evie puts a hand to her mouth to hide her gasp of surprise, ducking to ensure she remains undetected. Her target was three feet and a pane of glass away from her, and she knew she'd need to be more careful.

"Your hospitality is appreciated, Count Strahd. But the time to break fast and act as fellows has ended," a different voice, male and with an accent resembling Greek, Evie noted. "We ought not fight in the home of your subjects."

Evie looks back in, spotting with confusion now as the final figure inside made itself known – a walking raccoon, a strange gun in his hands. Stranger yet, it spoke. "'bout friggin' time. Been waitin' to blast this asshole into the sky for the last thirty minutes."

The vampire merely raises a hand, looking Achilles directly in the eye. "You are too hasty, Achilles. There are others to be dealt with, so this may truly be a battle between you and I." Strahd turned, looking into Evie's eyes. "Like the woman eavesdropping on us. Take care of the beast while I deal with her."

Evie hastily falls back, drawing her revolver and a smoke bomb as Strahd turns into mist. The women inside scream as the charmed Achilles grabs Rocket, wrapping his hands around the raccoon's throat. "What! Ya! Doin'! Asshole!" Rocket yells between gasps, reaching into his pocket. He tosses small discs onto Achilles' breastplate with one hand, the other pulling out a small metal rod with a button. Rocket presses the detonator and the small discs crackle with electricity, tasing Achilles. The demigod convulses briefly, throwing Rocket through the front door as he tears at the small devices.

As Rocket picks himself up, Evie runs by him. She falters for a moment, muttering "Bloody hell…" as she picks him up. The thief mutters a thanks as he draws his second, unbroken laser pistol. The pair raise their guns at Achilles, who hunkers behind his shield at a barrage of laser beams and bullets. The hairs on Evie's neck stand as mist coalesces around her, surrounding the Assassin. She turns around, swinging her Hidden Blade, but Strahd catches her wrist as he reforms. He flexes, breaking the blade from the gauntlet and shattering Evie's wrist beneath it.

Evie tries to step backwards, but Strahd moves faster, slashing her face with his claws. She screams as the claws tear her eye from its socket and nose from her face. He puts her into a headlock and exposes her neck, tracing a thin line along her skin and drawing blood. "I apologize for the rushed introduction. In another time, you may have proven yourself a worthy bride," Strahd laments, whistling to get Rocket's attention. "Run along little creature." He orders, before burying his fangs into Evie's neck.

Rocket pulls out a small grenade from his bag, closing his eyes he pulls the pin on his flashbang. The bright flash fazes neither Achilles nor Strahd, only throwing off the former's aim as his spear plants itself beside Rocket. Not waiting to get caught again, Rocket flees, firing blind shots behind him as he runs away. Achilles roars, retrieving his spear and pursuing.

Strahd tosses the drained corpse of Evie aside, retrieving a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his mouth clean. Towards the town square, he heard the sounds of screaming and combat, and smiled.

Session 3: The Silent Night

Amaya runs over to Volo's corpse, desperately putting pressure on the wound on the scholar's chest. "It's no use, Amaya. He's moved on," Dorian mutters between chanting beneath his breath. Volo's body glows with green energy and wisps of smoke begin to rise around them.

"Fortunately, the Veil between our world and the Fade is quite thin here. A bit of twisting here, a flare of mana there… aha!" Dorian finishes muttering an incantation and an opaque, spectral image arises from the body.

"What ungodly magic…" Sophitia grimaces, drawing her sword and pointing it at Dorian.

"Oh fantastic, a philistine."

Nobara quickly took Sophitia's side, hammer in hand and glowing with cursed energy. "I never met any good person bringing people back from the dead. Especially idiots with nice hair and that use big words."

"You like my hair?"

"It's alright."

A cough from Luke broke up the banter, with Dorian gesturing vaguely towards the spirit. "If it makes you feel better, I didn't bring him back. I simply grabbed a little fragment of him before he took the long nap and bound it to a spirit. The spirit follows its killer, so that-"

Blasts of fire and bullets disrupt the relative peace of the group, turning their heads as Rocket flies towards them. He skids to a stop mid-air and he gestures wildly behind him. "Listen up jerkwads, either get ready or get lost because one pissed off hunk of metal is making his way here."

On cue, a yell of rage echoed through the village of Barovia as the lone figure of Achilles stomped down the street. The clouds above release drops of rain, which turns into a downpour, as the demigod roars through the weather, louder than the thunder. "None of you are worthy to win this bout! Come, test your strength of arms against the greatest warrior of history, Achilles!"

Sophitia, Chie, and Amaya instinctually head towards the front, the former more gleefully. "Achilles? As in the Achilles? I am Sophitia, champion of Hephaestus!" She exclaims, none noticing the scowl appearing on Luke's face. "I accept your challenge!"

The baker's daughter sprints forward, sword crackling with electricity, while the terror of Troy charges, long spear aimed at Sophitia's heart. As the two meet, Sophitia dashes forward, flicking her sword to deflect Achilles' spear and strike her shield into his. Her excitement gives way to concern as the aspis, backed by Achilles' strength, slams into her. A sweep of his spear knocks her off her feet. He raises the butt spike, preparing to skewer her and move on to his next foe.

"HIIIIYAH!"

Chie jumps into the fight, kicking the spear off its mark. Achilles attempts to slam his aspis into the teenager, but a glass shield conjures into existence and reflects the attack at Achilles. Though unsure where or how, a powerful blunt force batters Achilles' chest, though the demigod holds firm. He pulls his spear out of the ground and backs up, getting space as Chie picks Sophitia up. "Amaya, you're up!"

The demigod turns as Vixen charges, a spectral elephant shimmering around her. She builds up speed as the weight of the animal takes over, daring Achilles to face the rush of an elephant or get out of the way. "You fool! I have fought gods and monsters. Beasts of this world are nothing!" Achilles taunts, grinning as he thrusts his spear into the dirt.

Vixen's eyebrows rise in shock, unable to slow down, as Achilles steps to the side and raises his arm, clotheslining the hero. The spectral elephants shatters as Amaya grasps her throat desperately, struggling to breath. He retrieves his spear from the dirt and stabs downward, stopped by a turquoise barrier forming around the stunned Vixen's form. Dorian twirls his staff as a bolt of lightning spontaneously strikes Achilles, paralyzing him long enough for Vixen to crawl backwards and stand back up.

"Hey, meathead! Over here!" Nobara yells as she launches three nails infused with cursed energy at him, each digging just enough to stick into Achilles' helmet. He spins and throws his spear at the young girl, only for Luke to cover for his friend by knocking it aside. "Cutting it close, Luke," Nobara teases, the demigod only chuckling as he advances towards Achilles.

"Surrender, Achilles. We can still work together." Vixen demands.

The demigod glares at those surrounding him – the young boy and three of the girls surrounding him in a square, while the red-headed girl and the sorcerer cowered behind them. The raccoon hovered above, aiming its strange fiery crossbow at him. Achilles smiled.

"Finally. A fight worthy of my talents."

The air hangs with intensity, everyone waiting for someone to make the first move. A clap of thunder breaks the standstill. Achilles dash towards Sophitia to his north, avoiding the large explosion of icy crystals and fire created by Chie and Dorian. She jolts into action, backstepping to avoid a thrust from his xiphos and countering with an overhead slash. He quickly raises his sword to parry while lifting his shield to block a flanking blow from Luke.

Achilles, both arms raised, spins to face Luke, the edge of his shield catching the back of Sophitia's head while he turns. Achilles swings in a downward thrust at Luke's neck. The boy steps back, nimbly avoiding Achilles' attack while using the longer length of his sword to thrust past it, aiming for the neck gap in the man's armor. Achilles twirls his sword to parry while readjusting his stance, pivoting away from Sophitia and outside the square, leaving just as Chie's Persona swings its red curved blade where he just stood.

He kicks up, flinging mud and stones at his two opponents, distracting them as he turns. Achilles presses into the ground then leaps, barreling towards Dorian and Nobara. The former casts Fade Step, narrowly avoiding the decapitating blow, while Nobara steps to the side.

She places her feet on Achilles' shield, using it as a springboard to jump away, launching a nail at Achilles to buy space. He ignores the small hardware tool hitting his shoulder as he grabs his thrown spear, swinging its haft into Nobara's chest. She grunts in pain but goes with the blow, flipping mid-air and sliding into a crouch. Nobara pulls out a straw doll and nods to Vixen.

Luke catches up to Achilles first, swinging Backbiter at Achilles' spear. He feints a step forward, waiting for Achilles to push him back with the shield as he did with Sophitia. He takes the bait, shield barreling towards where he'd thought Luke would be. With the shield extended, Luke quickly dashes around, striking at Achilles' elbow. The warrior moves his arm, clumsily blocking the blow with his gauntlet, and turns to face Luke. "You fight well, boy. As if trained by Chiron himself."

The boy smirks as he parries a spear thrust and ducks beneath a follow-up swing of the haft, quickly darting under Achilles' spear to land another glancing blow off his arm. "Thanks. And I was." Achilles' grimace turns into a snarling grin.

Several small projectiles slam into his back as Rocket shoots him, bullets clanging harmlessly off the cuirass. "Contemptible rodent," Achilles grumbles, before throwing his spear at Rocket. He pivots in the air, and the spear glances the jetpack's thruster instead of impaling Rocket. "You freaking dirtbag!" he yells as he crashes onto a nearby roof. He holsters his pistol and takes a canister off his back, which deploys into another rifle. He continues taking potshots at Achilles, though most land harmlessly in the mud or against the unbreakable shield.

Chie launches herself at Achilles, her Persona forming a giant fist as she casts God's Hand. The spell descends towards Achilles' shield, forcing him to break his clash with Luke to protect himself. He looks past his shield as Dorian and Nobara begin a barrage of attacks, cursed nails and bolts of fire pummeling away at the shield. "Futile! This is a weapon of your beloved god, Sophitia! It shall not break!"

"That's what I'm counting on," Vixen moves in as the flurry of projectiles stop, the form of a gorilla appearing over her. Vixen grabs Achilles' shield, attempting to wrestle it away from his grip. As she does so, Nobara slams another nail into the arm of her straw doll, and black spikes of cursed energy pulse from Achilles' arm. He screams but only grows angrier, his torn up arm still strong enough to begin shoving Vixen inch by hard-fought inch towards a wall to pin her.

Luke and Sophitia go on Achilles' flank, forcing him to stop pushing Vixen and defend himself with his sword. While he parries Sophitia's slash aimed for his neck, Luke's sweep at his knee strikes true, slashing the back of his leg open. He kneels down briefly, but with just enough exposure as Chie eagerly sprints forward. "Here's our chance! Let's do it!"

She jumps into the air and kicks Achilles in the head, knocking the helmet off. Luke dashes in, slashing across Achilles' arm, cutting the shield's straps. Vixen grabs the shield and throws it aside, before landing a gorilla-powered haymaker on Achilles. Sophitia whispers a prayer, before her shield becomes cloaked in lightning and she uppercuts their foe into the air. Sophitia throws her sword, burying it to the hilt in Achilles' chest before it explodes in a final bolt of lightning.

As the Greek falls to the ground, body bleeding, bruised, and singed, the remaining combatants unsteadily look at each other. Dorian glances back to Volo's own body, the ghost long since departed. "Well, there goes that bloody lead."

Rocket climbs down from his perch, despondently collapsing his blaster. "I was looking forward to putting one between his eyes." The animal turns and unzips his pants, relieving himself on the corpse. "At least I get to do this." Eliciting laughs from the children and a groan from Amaya, the group returns to the tavern, tired but victorious.

---

That evening, as she retires to her room, Sophitia doffs her armor, trading it for a simple pair of pants and tunic provided by the inn's owner. Amaya, her roommate for the evening, had made her mistrust of Sophitia apparent during dinner. I cannot blame her. I had vouched for Hanzo and Evie, and they found him over the body of their friend. Evie is still missing. Sophitia walks over to the foot of her bed and pours herself a glass of water.

"Sophitia."

She covers her mouth to keep from spitting her drink out, before swallowing without facing him. "Hanzo, why did you run?"

"Because I had killed a traitor, and they would not believe me if I told them it was so." Scorpion removed his hood, wiping drops of rain from his rugged face. "You spoke with them; do you think they would have trusted me so easily? With my blade still wet from that man's blood?"

She briefly thought on it; while Dorian and Luke might have been willing to listen, she knew he was right about the others. "Even so, you talk of honor. The virtuous thing to do now is return, explain yourself." She takes another sip from the glass, coughing as it goes down.

Scorpion shook his head. "There is a greater injustice than that to my character. Evie is dead." Sophitia finally looks up at him, muttering a mere "Oh gods…" as she takes in the news. The night felt colder somehow, though she felt heat begin to radiate from Scorpion.

"What Von Zarovich has done to this valley is unforgivable." Scorpion explains, smoke starting to rise from his shoulders. Sophitia's hand instinctively went to her blade, though she dared not strike yet. Something about this was different than the malfestation she had been sent to dispatch years ago.

"Hanzo, together we can-"

"No, Sophitia. This alliance has reached its conclusion." He promptly stands, smoke dissipating. "I am better suited to go alone. I will be quicker and quieter. You can join me or stay with them: I do not judge."

After a brief cough, her silence answers his question. "Very well, Sophitia. I wish you luck, and that one of us will destroy this evil."

She stands with him, bringing him into a hug. "I don't know why you think this is your burden to bear alone, Hanzo. I won't stop you, but know you have an ally and friend in this valley."

He awkwardly hugs her back, before teleporting out of the room. Left alone, Sophitia coughs again as her head begins to ache. She grabs the foot of her bed, coughing and face turning blue. Her vision goes blurry, but she glances at the pitcher, realization striking. "I have…to warn…the…" Sophitia stammers out, reaching for the door before falling, unconscious.

After a few minutes, the door to her room opens and Rahadin walks in. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned up the spilt water. As he stood over the incapacitated Sophitia, he weighed his choices. On one hand, he knew that his master was still in a toying mood. However, this woman had proven insightful from what he overheard from the room next door, and such a good judge of character would need to be dealt with.

"He won't begrudge the loss of one pawn," he determines, hand going towards his scimitar. Recalling the strange throwing daggers his hellish foe had used in the fight against the scholar, Rahadin drew a pair of darts. He stabs both into the back of Sophitia's head, ties a rope around each, and drags her body towards the window. Rahadin retrieves the darts and admires his handiwork. "And that's one more disposed of." Rahadin picks up the pitcher and cup, leaving the scene otherwise untainted for the others to discover.

---

Despite the gloomy atmosphere and damp, cold seats, Luke felt a familiar joy as he watched the others celebrate their victory. Bickering between Rocket, Dorian, and Nobara was enough noise to fill the otherwise empty space, while Amaya and Chie were discussing something else in the corner. It looked fairly serious, so Luke simply enjoyed his drink and let his mind wander. Just like camp… He briefly thought, but he suppressed those memories a bit further for now.

"Talk about a party!" Percy Jackson said, taking a seat by Luke. The older demigod nodded to his friend, clanking his cup against his.

"Shame you weren't there, Percy. Could've used your help with the rain."

"I'm gladdened that you all were able to defeat the barbarian all the same," Percy eloquently states. "He could have been quite the hassle later on. A martial challenge, perhaps, but certainly the least interesting one"

Luke nods, then frowns. Something was off. He stopped listening to Percy, focusing on the others for the first time in awhile.

"Womp womp womp womp, womp womp womp womp!" Rocket said through a mouth of sharper, glistening teeth, followed by distant, echoing laughter. Luke looked around, spotting a blazing fire and fine meats and fruits not there before. Large, amorphous blobs of shadows resembling people walked throughout the place.

He turned to Percy, who had turned into the smiling and fawning face of Annabeth Chase. "Please Luke, say something. I do not wish for this to be a one-sided conversation." The demigod sprang out of his chair and drew his sword, as the mirage of the Blood on the Vine tavern dissipated, leaving a hazy and dark bedroom in its place.

Luke blinked in confusion as he saw Dorian in his bed, fast asleep. "Don't seem too surprised, Luke Castellan. Dream messengers are hardly an uncommon method of communication with your Greek gods."

Luke turned to the voice behind him, seeing a finely dressed man sitting at the foot of a bed, in which Luke himself sat sleeping. Strahd smiles as he folds one leg over the other, placing his elbow upon his knee and resting his head on his fist. "I do not believe we have had the pleasure. I am Strahd Von Zarovich."

Sighing in relief, Luke sheathed his sword and frowned. "Whatever you're here to offer, I'm not interested. You're just another monster who likes the sound of his own voice."

The vampire tsked, wagging his finger with its long, sharp claw. "Has your father not taught you manners?" He smiled wider, exposing a pair of long, blood-covered fangs. "No wonder he found you unworthy."

Luke lunged, arms reaching out to choke Strahd, but the vampire turns to mist and reforms standing beside the sleeping Luke's head. "Normally, I would kill a man for daring to attempt to strike me unprovoked," Strahd explains, remaining lax as Luke draws Backbiter and swings. "But my father was a cruel and selfish man as well, not unlike your own." He lazily raises his claw, flicking Backbiter to the side as he strolls away, showing his back to Luke.

"Being beholden to powers greater than you, forced to dance and jump at their whim." Strahd turns his head, both to look directly at Luke and to duck beneath another swing in a graceful bow. "Aren't you tired of it, Luke?"

The demigod finally stops attacking, uneasily looking the vampire over. Strahd's smile widens. "Finally, you're willing to hear me out. That's all I want you to do." He looks into Luke's eyes, gauging how receptive the boy truly was. "Whatever has sent you all to me is beyond even my power. They trapped me here centuries ago, just as they trap you here. Different powers, the same disdain for people like us, Luke. "

Luke unknowingly and barely nodded, and Strahd's friendly smile turns smug for the briefest second. He's mine, Strahd thinks, before continuing aloud. "You don't have to listen to them. You are your own man, Luke Castellan. We need not be foes."

"Really? We're all here to kill you, and you're just willing to let bygones be bygones?"

Strahd shrugged. "I have no desire to kill you at this time. In fact, I find you and several of your companions quite interesting."

Luke scoffed. "Of course you find us interesting. We've putting your cronies down left and right alone, and now we're together."

"And together, you have impressed me so. I'm sure you'll make your way to Castle Ravenloft in time. When you do, I will be waiting for you as a friend."

"I wasn't born yesterday. This is clearly a trap."

"Only if you come with ill intent. Besides, you shall be…I believe the commoner expression is "on my home turf"? I have no need for such deceptions nor would I debase myself with such methods." Strahd watches, Luke's unease apparent. "Additionally, should my hospitality be unconvincing, I think you are about to learn the risks of not dealing with me sooner."

The haze, once silent and still, begins to shake erratically and dissipate, faint voices echoing from the darkness beyond. Strahd closes his cloak as he feels Luke begin to awaken. "I fear our conversation will have to be cut short, Luke. When you enter my hallowed halls, simply suggest splitting up. I will spare those who remain with you if you do so."

The young man merely glowers silently, but Strahd could tell – he was tempted, considering. That is all he needs. "Farewell, Luke. Sweet dreams."

---

Luke wakes up with a start, to the sound of screaming. Dorian rises up, hands crackling with lightning, as Chie busts down their door. "Amaya just found Sophitia murdered!"

They spring out of bed and follow her, where Vixen, Nobara, and Rocket look down at Sophitia's body. "I should've gone to bed with her," Amaya says bitterly. "I should've known that bastard wouldn't leave her alone."

"But why would this Hanzo guy kill his friend?" Chie asks nervously. "I mean, Volo I kind of get. He didn't know him. But Sophitia? They've been traveling together for days."

Nobara scoffs. "There's two logical explanations. First, he's eliminating the competition for whatever this prize is. Which isn't very smart, considering how out of our depth we all are. Second...he ain't trying to win."

The meaning of Nobara's second point permeates in the group; if one alleged outsider was actually meant to sabotage the rest, there could be a second among them. "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. I'll ask her what she says, at least," Dorian says, smirking at everyone's confusion. "What, like it's hard?"

Letting the necromancer step forward, Dorian begins casting a spell, before Sophitia's body rises and her eyes go green.

"That's a neat trick, Dorian. Makes my skin crawl, but neat."

"Thank you, my dear Rocket. Even if she can't appreciate my talents in death, I'm glad someone here does."

The ghost of Sophitia rises, staring blankly at the ceiling. Dorian clears his throat, before asking, "Did your former companion kill you?" At her silence, Dorian shrugs. "It isn't always perfect. Do you know how you died?"

"…Poison…Drink…"

Dorian and the others look over the room. Amaya kneels down, touching a spot on the wood, feeling a splotch of damp wood. She brings it to the others' attention, before standing. "So clearly we can't stay here."

As the others agree, Luke thinks back to his dream. He recognized the divisive play that Strahd was going for, and judging by Amaya's glares at everyone else in the group it was working. He glanced over at Chie and Nobara, the former giving him a tepid thumbs up in encouragement. I've got to protect them, at least. Maybe Strahd can help me do that.

Session 4: Castle Ravenloft

Strahd opens his eyes, another dreamless sleep coming to a merciful end. He contemplated lying in slumber for longer, enjoying the quiet darkness of his coffin. The scuttle of feet and exhausted, laborious panting broke that notion. Even the Lord of Barovia had duties to attend to.

The lid of his coffin unseals, dust shaking off as he floats out of its soft, velvet interior. As he had done every morning for the last two centuries, he simply raised his arms upward, allowing a pair of bats to lower his shirt upon his body. He lowered his arms, allowing the bats to place his cloak on his neck. Slightly annoyed by the slow process, Strahd opened his eyes, the bats receding to the darkness in a chittering panic.

"Master! Master! Your breakfast!"

Strahd groaned inwardly as his servant approached – hunched and heaving, earning the name of "mongrelfolk" that his kind had been dubbed by the commoners. The mongrel, with its scaled face and matted dog fir, the stout Cyrus bowed deeply and presented a silver tray on his furry hand with a single goblet upon it. "Master has told me that guests will be arriving today. Cyrus has brought the good vintage to celebrate! The rashemaar, from Baldur's Gate! Cyrus has-"

The vampire swiped the goblet from the tray, forcing Cyrus to flinch as his master's hand swung swiftly in front of his face. Strahd took a single, tentative sip from the glass. "This is…sufficient." Strahd commented, already regretting the compliment as the beast visibly quivered in joy.

"Enough, Cyrus. Is Rahadin awake?"

The mongrelfolk snarled, muttering some curse under his breath. "Master's steward is up. He plays with the mutt in the dungeons now. Cyrus heard the mutt sings quite beautifully, now that the mutt's kin and its pups have joined the fun. One pup still blind, Cyrus heard!"

Ignoring the ramblings of his servant, Strahd walked through his catacombs. He found himself beside his brother's tomb, reading the words Sergei von Zarovich – Beloved Brother. His walk slows, the vampire feeling the centuries weigh on him as he observes the chiseled, beautiful statue of his young brother. A low, primal snarl escaped his lips, causing Cyrus to yelp and skitter away from his master.

"What is wrong, Master? Did Cyrus do wrong?"

"Not yet," Strahd scolded, turning on his heel with great speed, as if to shove the grief off of him. "Cyrus, go to the spawn pen." He ordered, straightening his back and striding confidently towards his study. "Release them, throughout the castle. Tell Escher to stay in his quarters."

Cyrus begins to laugh, a howling cackle that echoes through the catacombs. "Yes, Master! Yes! The heroes die tonight! My Master wins once again!" The mongrelfolk totters off, jumping and skipping with insane glee.

For his part, Strahd approaches a brazier, taking a stone and tossing it into the white flame. He disappears in a flash of red smoke. He teleports back into his office, where a large scrying pool sat undisturbed for the day. He looks up pensively, admiring the massive painting of his beloved Tatyana hanging over the roaring hearth.

"Soon, my beloved. You will be returned to me, and you shall be given the chance to love me as I love you." His purpose renewed, Strahd removed a strand of blond hair and placed it in the water. Muttering the incantation under his breath, Strahd cast a scrying spell, taking his vision away from his castle and out into his valley. "Show me…yes, there he is. There is my heir."

---

"Wake up, Luke. It's your watch." The demigod rose swiftly, hand shifting ever so slightly towards Backbiter until he spotted his newer companion. Vixen catches the move, her neutral frown dipping into a slight scowl. "They say suspicion haunts the guilty mind, Mr. Castellan."

"My name is Luke." He stands up, meeting her gaze with his own. "If you can book us a room at a Motel 6, I'll sleep easier. Until then, I'd rather be too cautious than dead."

The superhero huffs and walks away, going to rest for the evening. Left in the quiet, Luke unsheathed his sword and began silently practicing. As he settled into stances and maneuvers ingrained into him, Luke's mind began to wander over the past few days. He didn't like how big their campsite had gotten. When it was just him and the girls, the walking had been monsters and banter. Sure, having to break up conversations with the odd werewolf or skeleton wasn't great, but he got along with them.

Snap.

Luke swiftly spun around, Backbiter raised in a defensive stance. As Chie walks up to him, eyes closed as she yawns, he hastily lowers it. Either unaware of or more likely ignoring the hostile action, Chie stretched her legs. "I can't sleep. Mind if I stay up with you for a bit?"

He shrugged, continuing to swing his sword at imaginary opponents. She watches for a bit, then asks, "You look distracted. What's up?"

The demigod doesn't reply at first, concentrating on his drills. Feeling her looking at him, Luke stops. "It's…weird. We went from being attacked every five minutes to wolves not even howling at the moon. Something's off."

She laughs. "You're complaining about not getting attacked? Sheesh, learn to lighten up Luke."

"I probably should be grateful. Hard to be, when you've got Amaya constantly looking at us like we've got hands in the cookie jar."

"Do you blame her? Sophitia was killed-"

"By Hanzo. Or so she says, anyway."

"And what do you think? That she's lying?" Luke's silence answers her question, getting her to gasp in shock. "No way. Nuh uh. Luke, that's crazy talk."

It probably is, Luke thought to himself, but he pushed that out of his mind for now. "I'm not saying she did it or anything. I'm just saying, she's the one who found her body. And you heard what Sophitia's ghost said. She was poisoned, not stabbed or anything."

"That doesn't mean Amaya did it."

Luke shrugged. "Just because she didn't do it means we should trust her. After all, she trusted that Volo guy, who left in the middle of dinner for who knows where."

"Yeah, a guy who that Hanzo guy killed! We all saw it," Chie said, her voice raising slightly. Luke glanced at the others, who laid still, save a flash of auburn hair emerging from a sleeping bag.

"Could you two shut up already? I need my beauty sleep," Nobara grumbled, burying her face deeper into her bag.

"What do you think, Nobara?" Luke asks, doing his best to maintain a nonchalant tone. Judging by Nobara's annoyed groan and Chie's inattention, he'd done so.

"I don't really care guys. On one hand, yeah, that wraith killed a guy. But Sophitia trusted him, despite him being bad news. I'm surprised you didn't see it with those glasses, Chie – I could feel that cursed energy coming off of him like a barbecue."

Chie grinned, gesturing out with open hands in triumph. "If Nobara trusts Amaya, so should we."

"I doubt they had an easier time getting to that village than we did," Luke counters, satisfied as Nobara nods in agreement. "But Sophitia still trusted him. Enough to talk him up to us at dinner before the fighting began. And who do you think is a better judge of character? A servant of the gods," Luke said, hoping that the sarcasm in his head didn't show itself in his voice, "or a trained soldier like Amaya?"

He hated having to coerce his friend like this, but if he was going to get them to trust him more he'd have to press now. "We should be careful, is all. Just keep an eye on her."

Nobara shrugged and climbed back into her bedroll. Chie, though, stood uncertainly by her friend. "I don't know Luke. It might be better if we just trust them all the same."

Luke smiles sadly, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I hope I'm wrong too, Chie. But we're the only ones we can trust."

---

Silently making his way through the Svalich Wood, Scorpion's solitary voyage had been uneventful so far. It seemed that the beasts of this wood, once unrelenting and numerous, had grown complacent. He did not mind this change, save for the knowledge that they likely only did so at the command of a higher power.

That higher power made itself known as the woods went from quiet to noiseless. The only sound remaining was the fluttering of wings as a single bat emerged from the canopy. Scorpion subtly slid a kunai down his arm, preparing for battle, as the bat shift. Its wings spread out further into a cape, as its body grew and changed to a fine red shirt.

"Strahd Von Zarovich."

The vampire smiled, bowing his head slightly. "Hanzo Hasashi."

"You risk much showing your face so openly, tyrant."

"And you risk as much traveling alone, Hanzo. You underestimate me, a crucial mistake."

"If you make such a claim," Scorpion says, holding out his hand to a combative stance, "Then prove it so in combat."

Strahd laughed, dismissively waving his hand. Scorpion felt his body seize up as Strahd cast Hold Monster. Paralyzed, Scorpion fought with his will as the vampire closed the gap, drawing his sword and stabbing the wraith. "Where is your rage, Scorpion?" Strahd taunts, retrieving the blade and ending concentration.

Scorpion roared as he lit himself on fire, flaming fists swinging at Strahd. The vampire moved faster, blocking the first punch and deflecting the second. Scorpion jumped and kicked, which Strahd caught. He threw the wraith at a tree, rubbing his hands together in vicious glee.

"I am disappointed, wraith!" Strahd dashes forward as Scorpion drags himself up, punching a stunned Scorpion. His hand glows with green magic as he casts Blight, though Scorpion's flames burn brighter, most of the necrotic magic burning away. With an opening, Scorpion draws his katana, slashing at Strahd's chest.

Strahd's eyes flair as he casts Shield, the sword bouncing harmlessly off the magical ward. His eyes blaze as he backs away, giving Scorpion the chance to throw a fireball at him. Strahd raises his cloak, dispersing the blast and hissing in annoyance as the mantle burns away. He tosses it aside and raises his sword again, smiling and glowing with yellow energy as he casts Haste.

The vampire lunges, slashing in a diagonal as Scorpion throws his kunai at Strahd, who knocks it aside and continues rushing forward. He leaps and stabs down, forcing Scorpion to step away. Strahd drags his sword upward, flinging dirt and loose stone at Scorpion. He then runs around distracted Scorpion, who teleports blindly to avoid the decapitating blow.

For the first time in many years, fear creeps into Scorpion's mind as he continues to teleport. Every time he reemerges from smoke, Strahd is there to meet him, fangs flashing and sword swinging. Fear quickly turns to anger, flames beginning to burn through his mask.

"Enough!" Scorpion stops teleporting, allowing Strahd's sword to sink into his shoulder as he combusts, hellfire spewing in a blast around him, forcing Strahd to relent. Lethargic, the vampire stops as Scorpion gathers himself, before ripping off his mask and exhaling a line of flame at Strahd. The blast collides, sending Strahd sprawling to the ground for the first time.

And Strahd laughs, standing back up, as Scorpion cools down, gathering his strength for another push. "Indeed, enough. This has been enlightening, Hanzo." The vampire waves his hand again, and a matching hand of soil and earth rises from the ground, restraining Scorpion in an earthen grasp.

"You are good, Hanzo. But not good enough." Strahd taunts, dusting himself off. "I would continue this bout, but I have other guests to attend to. Please, make your way to my castle promptly. I want to pick this up again soon."

Strahd shifts once again into a bat, leaving the humiliated Scorpion alone in the woods once again.

---

The group of adventurers travels in silence up a winding dirt road, flanked by massive trees. The sky, overcast and still, shrouds them in dim light. As Amaya led the way, every instinct of herself, her ancestors, and the animal spirits within her necklace told her to flee. She'd been through worse, she told herself, and besides, this Strahd was just a vampire. Not even the strangest monster she'd faced in her long life.

As her confidence renewed, she walks along the path's bend, only to see a towering, gargantuan cloud of thick, cold fog swirling before her. Several yards ahead, two ancient watchtowers stood vigil over a portcullis and drawbridge, leading into the misty unknown.

"Well, that ain't ominous at all," Rocket says sarcastically, looking through his scope through the mist. "I can't even pick anything up with my thermal scope in there. This is a trap if I ever heard one."

"Most likely. Be careful," Vixen says, nodding to Dorian. The mage taps his staff on the ground, casting a barrier over their group. "Luke, how about you and the girls take the one on the left? Me, Dorian, and Rocket will go right."

The boy nods, and the children split off to check each tower. Amaya walks onto a cold stone floor into darkness. She channels a wolf, listening intently for occupants or traps, to be met with silence. "Give me a light, Rocket." The mercenary pulls out a small pill-shaped object, twisting its cap to turn it on. Bright fluorescent light swarms into the tower, eagerly swallowing the darkness to reveal a flagstone floor before them and a hollow tower stretching high above them. The room was empty, save for a lever attached to various mechanisms and gears.

"I'd guess that's how you lower the bridge." Dorian approached, giving it a strong pull, though the lever remained firmly stuck. "Get outta the way Earthling," Rocket taunts, climbing up the gears and sitting on top of the lever. "Not that you got any muscles to be using, but let me show why all them books still don't give you brains." The raccoon begins to hop on the lever and prepares to catch himself as it falls. Instead, the lever remain still, and Rocket slips off.

"Looks like genetically modified rodents shouldn't throw stones from glass burrows. You're stronger than the two of us together, Amaya. Why don't you give it a try?"

Amaya attempts to pull the lever down, finding failure as well. She channels a gorilla and an elephant, trying in vain to push the lever down. "I…can't seem to get it either. Magic, you think?"

"Likely so. Step back then, Amaya. I might be able to dispel it." Dorian waited for her to walk away, before muttering an incantation. A gush of wind fills the room as an invisible force slams over the lever. Satisfied with his work, Dorian walks over and pulls the lever, noticing it was stuck but not locked.

"Well, two towers likely means two levers. I'll go over to the children and fix it too." Rocket tosses a small earpiece to the mage. "I got one too – when you want us to pull the lever, give us a holler." Dorian walks out from the tower, leaving Vixen and Rocket alone. The latter leans against the wall, looking Amaya up and down with a smirk.

"Is there something wrong, Rocket?"

"Oh, nothin' wrong. You just remind me of someone is all. Real uptight type, no fun but knock ya halfway across the galaxy if she wanted."

She smiles softly, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. "I'm going to take that as a compliment. When my teammates first met me, I think Mick called me an uptight jackboot pig? Something like that." Amaya would say ruefully, getting Rocket to laugh at her.

"Sound like a bunch of assholes, and that's comin' from me. Why you stick with 'em?"

"For the same reason you stay with your friends, I guess. I've met your type too – crass, mean-spirited, greedy…"

"Is there a compliment in there?"

"…And a good person." She'd smile softly at Rocket, who kicks a loose rock and looks down in embarrassment.

The small device would beep, as Dorian's voice would speak from the communicator. "Alright, the magic has been dispelled here. On the count of three…"

After a few moments, the adventurers regroup as the portcullis slowly lifts and the drawbridge slowly lowers. Beneath the rhythmic clanks of the moving machines, falling rocks echo before the group. Vixen is the first to spot the pale, emaciated hand reaching over the edge. Long, crooked nails bury into the stone, before another claw clamps down on the ledge. Pulling itself up, a gaunt elf climbs over the ledge. Wearing tattered clothes, the vampire spawn leers at Amaya, its fangs buried deep within its own lower lip and covered with the smallest flicks of blood.

It sniffs the air, its lips curling in delight, and it charges, claws raised to tear out Amaya's throat. Nobara acts first, retrieving and launching a nail into the spawn's neck. The creature falls forward with a screech, a symphony of matching screeches filling the air.

"We need to move, now!" Vixen yells, sprinting to the ledge. Beneath her, the fog dissipates, revealing dozens of vampires climbing up. Rocket quickly takes her side, pulling out his laser rifle and firing into the horde. On the other side of the bridge, Dorian releases a flurry of spells as Nobara knocks nails down.

Barking and howling overcomes the screeches, as Vixen turns to see packs of wolves sprinting around the very road they'd just traveled. "Luke! Chie!" She yells, channeling a rhino to meet them as Luke and Chie leap into action behind her. The young girl leaps into the air, her Persona forming behind her and swinging its halberd into the ground. Chunks of stone and dirt rise into the air then bombard the pack as Chie casts Agneyastra. She wipes a drop of blood from her nose as several wolves fall, while Luke and Amaya take over the rest.

"Get off me ya rotten freak!" Rocket drops his rifle as a pair of vampires climb up to him, slashing at his chest. He falls backwards, drawing his pistol to shoot one in the face. The bullets weakly slam into the spawn, the undead monster unfazed as it buried its fangs into Rocket's shoulder.

Luke, retrieving Backbiter from the body of another wolf, turned as Rocket yelled in pain. Now could be his chance – no one else could reach Rocket in time, and the spawn already had him in its grip. Nobody would blame him if Rocket died.

And yet, Luke charged, quickly crossing the distance and plunging his blade into the spawn's chest. It released Rocket, who pulled out a syringe and jammed it into his shoulder. The spawn swung desperately at Luke, who easily stepped back. He decapitated the spawn in a fluid cut, continuing the swing to strike another spawn attempting to take advantage of the distracted Luke.

Grabbing the dazed Rocket by the scruff of his neck, Luke yelled to the others, "Group up! Dorian, buy us time!" He slashes into the air with Backbiter, a tear in space opening a portal into mist and fog. Before Rocket could question him, Luke tossed him in. Seeing the plan, Dorian touches the tip of his staff to the cliff face, a wall of fire forming a barrier. Amaya and Nobara quickly jump into the portal, while Chie sprinted to Luke.

"Luke, get going!"

"I need to stay on this side to keep it open. Go ahead, I'm right behind you!"

Chie nods, jumping into the portal, leaving Luke and Dorian alone. The demigod glances over his shoulder just as Dorian looks at him. He frowns, intent clear, turning his back to Dorian as he steps into the portal. "You little shit…"

As he steps halfway through, he hesitates, looking back at a furious Dorian, giving Dorian just enough time to finish casting Winter's Grasp. Luke's remorse turns to surprise as he freezes halfway through his own portal. Twirling his staff, Dorian dispels the magic, the portal rapidly shutting, bisecting Luke down the middle.

"The nerve of that boy, trying to abandon me," Dorian mutters, reinforcing the barrier as more wolves and spawn surround him. He glances over the drawbridge, at least low enough now to begin walking on. The mage shimmers into a misty form, breaking into a sprint when he reforms. As the bridge continues to lower, he sees the fog retract to reveal a grand courtyard. The frozen other half of Luke revealed itself first, a grisly display as the others gasp in horror or sorrow. The fog recedes further, with everyone looking at Dorian with new suspicion. Oh, bother. That's going to be difficult to explain. The mage sighs in disappointment but continues to run, preparing to jump away from the horde of monsters behind him.

Then the drawbridge stops. Dorian skids to a halt, barely keeping himself from tripping over the still suspended edge. He turns, coming face to face with dozens of spawn. He briefly turns, a painful smirk on his face as he ignites his hands in lightning.

"Don't get too upset, darlings!" Dorian yells, flinging spells at the rapidly approaching horde. "Just give the bastard a special hello from me!" Nails and bullets slam into them from behind him, but the numbers overwhelm too quickly as a spawn tackles Dorian. The monster sinks its fangs into Dorian's neck, shattering the magical barrier. The momentum of another pair of spawn tackle him over the edge, falling hundreds of feet below in their desperate hunger.

Vixen runs over to the ledge, yelling "Dorian!" as she vainly reaches out to catch her friend. Thunder is her only answer, reverberating through the void of a fall before her. Lighting flashes through the sky and rain pelts the group. The remaining spawn look down on Amaya from the suspended drawbridge, silent, glaring, and still.

Nobara looks around, the first to get over the shock of their two dead companions. The courtyard before them, once shadowed in fog and mist, had become brightly lit. Above them, a once fabulous stain glass window illuminated the area with the light within. Behind them, two massive wooden doors swung open, torches leaping with light to beckon the adventurers enter. A long, dark shadow of a man filled the light, as a man exited the castle.

Holding a parasol in one hand and with a young, blond-haired man in purple clothes on his elbow, Strahd Von Zarovich gives a taunting smile to the adventurers. "Welcome, travelers, to Castle Ravenloft. Congratulations on your finding your way here. As the lord of this land and your gracious host, it would be my humble request that you join me for dinner."

Session 5: Dinner with the Count

Chie felt the rage build up in her, already shifting her feet and taking a fighting pose. "The nerve of this guy…" she mutters, wiping tears. This jerk had gotten her friend killed and was hurting all those people in that village, and no dinner was gonna fix that. "Screw your manners! I'm gonna kick your butt!"

Strahd sighs, shooing away his companion as Chie leaped at him, a kick aimed at his chest. He calmly lifted a hand to knock aside Chie's attack, stepping slightly to the side as she crashes beside him. Stubborn and quick, she gracefully lands on one foot while lashing out with a high kick using the other. The vampire leans back and catches her foot.

He dangles her by the heel, asking "Are you done, child?", and as her Persona shimmers into existence, he mutters an annoyed, "Very well." He throws Chie behind him into the castle, before opening his parasol to block several cursed nails. "Escher, darling, please go inside and let Rahadin know I'll be in shortly."

He closes the umbrella to spot Vixen charging, the spectral form of a panther dissipating as she leaps. She grabs him by the collar of his shirt to throw him into the ravine. Vixen makes the mistake of glaring into Strahd's eyes. The pupils, black and soulless, flicker with a faint pink glow, as she feels her body loosen against her shrinking will. "Calm down, Ms. Jiwe. Now." He orders, straightening his shirt after she limply lets him go.

The two teenage girls look at each other confused as Amaya relaxes. "Strahd has a point. We just lost two of our friends; maybe we need to take things slowly and mourn them." Strahd nods, casually raising a magical shield as Rocket fires a volley of lasers from his blaster. The vampire narrows his eyes at the blasts of light, a slip in composure that only Nobara catches. He turns and approaches Chie, calmly ordering "Amaya, please be a dear and kill the raccoon. We know his type; he's going to betray you all so he can keep this alleged prize for himself."

Amaya grimly nods but Nobara quickly intercepts, swinging her rubber mallet as she gets in Amaya's space. "Rocket, get out of here! Something about lasers freaks him out." Vixen aims a paw strike at Nobara's chest, the spirit of a grizzly bear roaring behind her. Nobara cross her arms and buries her heels in the ground, skidding several yards but still standing. Glancing over her shoulder, she sighs in relief as Rocket scampers away, disappearing into the greater courtyard.

Nobara retrieves four nails, knocking them at Vixen's knees and feet to try to pin her down. The superhero raises a spectral shield, blocking the projectiles, but stops her advance. The sorcerer glances behind Amaya in dread as Chie and her Persona strike Strahd with shards of ice, tearing at his fine clothes but drawing no blood. "I'm definitely hitting him! Why is…is…" Chie grunts, before going slack. Her Persona, its glaive inches from taking Strahd's head, disappears.

The vampire turns to Nobara, fangs glistening in the moonlight with a wicked grin. "Now now, Kugisaki-chan," Strahd charms, his words laced with magic. "Don't be as frustratingly stubborn as Chie. I just want to have you all for dinner. And if you don't submit," Strahd says, striding behind the entranced tomboy. He coyly begins to tap his claws along her shoulder, grazing her neck as he walks behind her. Chie shrugs her shoulder, matching Strahd's playful energy as she lightly brushes him off. "What's on the menu? I ain't had a good meal in days. C'mon, Kugisaki-chan."

Nobara fumes, the charm not sticking, as she watches Strahd laugh innocently and remove his hand from Chie's person. "You needn't worry, Chie. My chefs are the best in any of the realms." The vampire smugly crosses his arms as Nobara angrily stows her hammer. "As long as everyone's on their best behavior, we're going to have a meal worth dying for."

---

Rocket sprints through the courtyard of Ravenloft, the sound of fluttering wings close behind him. A swarm of bats descends upon him, their tiny fangs picking away at his skin. He stops, standing up on two legs as he lashes out with his claws, scrapping at the beasts around him. "Friggin' flying rats! Get the hell offa me!"

The bats ignore him, continuing to bite at the raccoon, before a blast of fire scatters them. Rocket grumbles at his singed fur and turns, only to be greeted by a cloud of brimstone and smog. "Oh sh-"

Scorpion grabs Rocket and teleports him away, reappearing on the castle walls. He keeps the squirming creature in his hands as Rocket yells and tries in vain to reach for his pistol. "Calm yourself, tanuki. This fortress crawls with enemies."

"And? Yer one of 'em, pal."

The wraith growls, lowering Rocket to the ground but arms still locked in place. "You have been deceived. My sole mission is to kill Strahd to free us and this land from his tyranny."

"Oh yeah? And I'm just gonna take yer word for it, earthling?"

"Trust me or do not."

Scorpion release the raccoon, who hastily draws a pistol and backs away. He grunts, undeterred, and begins to walk further down the ramparts. Rocket thought for a moment. Screw it, he figured, not like he had any other options anymore. "So, what's the plan? Or you one of them silent and stupid types?"

The ninja doesn't respond, simply crouching and gesturing for Rocket to do the same. The silence is broken by a soft chittering, and Rocket turns in its direction to see five large spiders crawling along the wall. He aimed his blaster rifle, hoping to get the drop on the creatures, but Scorpion's hand grabbed the barrel. "Whaddya mean? It'll be fish in a barrel."

"And loud. It will draw the attention of others." Scorpion warns, before pointing at the broken window that stood over the doors of Ravenloft. "If you want to free your friends, we must get closer and be unnoticed." Reluctantly, Rocket nods, following Scorpion as they got closer.

Scorpion teleports them inside, where a great room of chilly, brooding darkness envelops them. Scorpion’s hand flickers with flame, revealing nothing but cobwebs and a large wooden throne atop a marble dais. The wraith moves silently within the shadows, Rocket quietly keeping his pistol trained in every nook he could barely see.

The pair open a set of large wooden doors, the hallways of Castle Ravenloft greeting them. Around the corner, a light thu-thump, thu-thump pricks Rocket's ears. "Aye, smokey, you hear that?" After Scorpion briefly listens and shakes his head, the mercenary points vaguely down a hallway. "Might be somethin' over there. Let's check it out. Unless you gotta destinations in mind?"

Taking his new companion's silence as acceptance, Rocket leads the way, following the sound to reveal a grand spiraling staircase. He mischievously grins at the stoic Scorpion. "Hope you can climb as good as you fight, pal. Gonna be a bit of a hike from here."

---

Strahd walks his guests through his entry, finding himself proud for the first time in centuries. While he had hoped more would have survived to this point, the adversaries that made it this far were quite talented and engaging. Getting rid of the raccoon, or at least his laser rifle, would be essential, but he was confident that the rodent would be caught shortly. Besides, it had been ages since he'd gotten to play host to adventurers; such opportunities ought to be savored.

"Talk about nice décor," Chie mutters, looking admiringly at one of the four stone dragon statues that flanked their arrival.

"Thank you, Chie. They were a gift from a colleague many years ago," Strahd states, smiling innocently as he turns to give a tour. "Traditionally, such pleasantries are handled by my steward, Rahadin. But I find you are all special guests." He opens the door to the proper entry, revealing a great hall filled with lit torches and gargoyles in frightening poses above them. Amaya takes a moment to admire a fresco, depicting an armored knight bravely charging against a horde of shadowy foes.

"Quite the scene, isn't it Amaya?" Strahd asks, allowing himself a moment of nostalgia. "A great if gruesome day; my first foray into this valley when it was held by more wicked beings."

"Unfortunate, then. Still, I'm not exactly a stranger to having to get my hands dirty against a greater foe," she responds, nodding in solidarity with the former soldier. Strahd's false grin grows sincere as Nobara visibly holds back a gagging motion. His relishing in their current defeat is interrupted as Escher reappears, a vapid grin on the man's face.

"Strahd, my beloved, shall we?"

"You haven't introduced us yet, Strahd. Who is your…boyfriend?"

The human man dramatically rolls his eyes and groans, embarrassing himself with his antics. "I am far more than Lord Zarovich's 'boyfriend'. I am his closest companion, his paramour, his lov-"

"This is Escher. My date."

Nobara watches as Escher pivots immediately, laughing insincerely to disguise clear pain and fear. "Oh darling, you tease! Someone's in a mood." Escher deflects, quickly removing his arm from an unamused Strahd. "Anywho, if you'll follow me…"

Escher leads them to the dining room, where three enormous crystal chandeliers brilliantly flood the chamber with light. For the first time in nearly a week, the three adventurers find themselves in a bright room, covering their eyes in primitive instinct. Before them a long, heavy table covered with a fine white satin cloth greets them, adorned with delectable foods. At the head of the table, standing behind his master's chair and in front of an organ taking up the entire wall, Rahadin bows his head in greeting.

"Holy moly! Guys, this is awesome!" Chie says, practically sprinting to a seat. The dusk elf sneers at the mannerless child, prepared to speak up, but a firm glance from Strahd holds his tongue. The others take their seats, and Rahadin claps. An unseen servant begins to play the organ as the food is served.

"So, where to begin?" Strahd asks, folding his hands and viewing his guests, plate untouched. Between forkfuls of boar and spoonfuls of baked apple, Chie gave a simple thumbs up. Amaya, maintaining some decorum, answers, as Nobara stubbornly keeps her plate empty.

"I'll start. As you know, my name is Amaya Jiwe, of the Zambesi tribe."

"I assume that tribe is where your necklace came from, then?"

"Indeed it is. My Spirit Totem is a gift from my ancestors, to protect the Zambesi people."

"May I see it, Amaya? I have seen and briefly wielded its sister, the Death Totem."

Vixen reluctantly looks at her necklace but, trusting her close friend, removes the totem from her neck. She hands it to him, nervously glancing as the vampire admires it. An elbow from a shocked Nobara catches her attention. "Amaya, are you crazy? I can't believe you just gave that away!"

"Don't fret, Nobara. I shall return it," Strahd says reassuringly, putting it in his breast pocket. "Eventually. It wouldn't be sporting to keep it from you for too long, after all." The teenager looks at the woman across from her, who merely shrugs uncomfortably.

"What's wrong with you two? Don't you remember why we're here?"

Strahd leaned forward, raising his hand. "Indeed, I have been wondering that myself. Tell me – what do my people yearn for? Barovia is a prosperous and bountiful land, but no man is perfect." The count smirked. "I do come close, though."

Chie shrugged, wiping her chin with a napkin. "I don't know Count. I gotta admit, the village could use some help. It's super foggy and dark all the time from what we heard, so maybe some street light?"

Escher laughs dismissively, putting down his own wine glass. "Please, those peasants couldn't tell flint from steel. Better let the pissants wallow in their own filth than-"

"Shut up, Escher." Strahd commands, a sideways glance at the man silencing him instantly. The vampire laughs, stroking Escher's cheek and lowering them to the man's chin, which he forcefully grips. "Forgive my consort," The vampire says, looking back to his guests. "He is stupid, arrogant, and talks too much. I grow more bored with him by the day, if I am to be honest. He does not have the intelligence to match his faux eloquence. I've met more interesting stable hands."

"How dare you talk to him like that?!" Nobara yells, standing up. She reaches down for her hammer, only to find her tool belt removed and a dagger prodding her in the spine. Rahadin snarls a "Sit, girl." as he jabs her once, causing Chie and Amaya to stand up.

"At ease, Rahadin. Nobara would not strike me," The vampire brags, finally releasing Escher from his grip. "All that being said, he's still pretty. And he knows his place and that I would never hurt him. Right, darling?"

The man smiles, a confident smirk emerging on his face that doesn't reach his eye. "Of course, beloved. He teases me so, but that just makes…other parts of our relationship more exciting."

Strahd leans forward, soaking in the discomfort of everyone else at the table. He turns to Chie, who fiddles with a piece of meat on her plate. "Chie, I believe you are still in schooling, yes? Tell me, what's your favorite subject?"

---

As he and the small animal companion ascended yet another spiral of stone stairs, Scorpion grunted in annoyance. "This is pointless. I will not delay my quest to defeat this monster further. Join me, or wander at your own peril."

Rocket ignores the wraith's ultimatum, the beating only growing louder as he continued to walk. "Cool yer jets pal. I know there's something here, I just-"

The black chasm of the tower breaks away above them. A reddish light flares high overhead, briefly blinding the two adventurers, before returning to a dull, pulsing red glow. As the spiral narrows, the truly massive height of the tower finally becomes apparent.

"Told ya there'd be something up here." Rocket taunts, though a sudden tremor around the pair stops him from bragging further. The tower awakens, seeming to bend and twist around them for intruding into its space. Scorpion slips off the edge, but teleports back onto the stone with a thud. Rocket soon lands beside him with slightly more grace as he rolls onto all fours.

"Are you hurt, tanuki?" Scorpion asks, looking down at the groaning Guardian, who replies with an annoyed "Feelin' peachy."

The sound of metal singing through the air catches Scorpion's attention, and the wraith turns to see an arsenal of swords, halberds, and axes flying toward him. He quickly teleports further back up the spiral, the edged weapons burying their various heads into the stone where he once lay.

Familiar snarling and screeching reveals several ascending vampire spawn below. Rocket begins firing his laser rifle indiscriminately as he runs, for once thankful to be smaller than everyone around him as the halberds and swords fail to notice him.

Scorpion teleports beside Rocket, hastily lifting him into the air as a spear embeds itself where he was. He coats his foot in flame and kicks down, breaking the haft in half, before drawing his katana and parrying a flying dagger aimed for his heart. Rocket continues climbing, stowing his blaster and sprinting on his hands and feet.

He makes it towards the last bend, sitting in awe at the massive crystal heart before him. Aside from what appeared to be a chunk of frozen ice sticking to it and a couple dents - he could probably buff those out - the large gem looked as expensive as it did foreboding. "Oh boy…finally, a real treasure. An honest to goodness treasure…" The tower shudders once again, tossing the distracted Rocket over the ledge.

Scorpion shoots another fireball at a floating axe, looking up to see a screaming Rocket falling past him. Grimacing in annoyance, Scorpion dives to save his ally. The wraith catches Rocket mid-air and teleports them down their descent, absorbing each fall for Rocket as they fall.

When they finally land with a crash and thump, Rocket rolls over and groans in pain. He stands up, looking at the unconscious Scorpion beside him and hearing the sound of the approaching enemies from above. "Shit…shit," Rocket mutters, slapping Scorpion to wake him up. This fails. "Sorry, pal," Rocket mutters, putting a small tracker in Scorpion's mask and then scampering deeper into the castle, leaving the wraith to his fate.

---

Strahd claps his hands, conjuring more unseen servants to carry away the plates of his guests. Chie looks enviously at Strahd's untouched dinner, but a full stomach and manners told her not to say anything. The young girl stretches, yawning and looking at Strahd. "So…uh…what happens now?"

"Coffee? Or brandy, for you Ms. Jiwe?" their host offers, another floating tray with various post-dinner libations emerging from seemingly nowhere. "In Barovia, dinner is never the end of the evening."

"I'm afraid I have to decline, Lord Zarovich," Amaya answers, looking across the table at Nobara, who had been suspiciously quiet since her last outburst. "Are you alright, Nobara?"

"She's fine, Amaya. A mild paralytic; relatively painless, aside from the occasional spinal cramps due to the administration method."

Rahadin chuckles, unsheathing the dagger from earlier. "She was reluctant to eat, which would have been far less painful."

Chie and Amaya gasp, shocked at Strahd's betrayal. "Jeez, no wonder Nobara didn't like you."

The dusk elf and Escher glance at Strahd, who nonchalantly wipes a smudge from his goblet. "No need to be concerned. Our guests and my new friends may disagree with my methods, perhaps strongly; but they can't hurt me."

In her mind, Amaya feels competing urges, her rage at Strahd's treatment of the others and bestial instincts to protect her pack and friends, constantly submerged by a strange tranquility. "It's time to stop beating around the bush, Strahd." She manages to state, triumph hard to hide as Strahd stops fiddling with his drink.

"Regardless of how we feel about each other," Chie says, a similar bravado starting to return to her, "the rest of us need to figure out a way out of here. We were all told we had to…y'know…kill you for that. But I don't wanna do that. Can you help us, Strahd?"

The vampire pouts. "Why so eager to leave? Have I not been a hospitable host to you?"

"It's not that, Strahd. But we have lives to get back to. I have my village to protect, Nobara and Chie have their friends."

Before he can answer, the door to the dining room opens. A lithe human woman, wearing a maid's uniform over her pale skin, gracefully bows before speaking. "The spawn have apprehended the wraith, my Lord. The raccoon still wanders your halls, unfortunately. I believe the steward's talents may be required."

"Thank you, Helga. Your work is noted." Strahd sighs, standing and stretching his arms. "You two-" he says, gesturing to Amaya and Chie, "Rahadin will lead you all to your cells. Please carry your companion."

Chie scoffs, crossing her arms. "You’re kidding, right? I'm so not sleeping in some spooky, musty old dungeon."

He turns with a snarl, all pretenses of politeness gone. "I am not kidding, you foolish child. The only one of you even close to being worthy of replacing me was that blond boy, and he was too weak to finish betraying even one of you. Now, do as you are commanded and get. To. The. Dungeons."

Compelled by his vampiric charm, Chie and Amaya walk towards the paralyzed Nobara, picking her up from her chair. The vampire takes a calming breath, approaching the organ. "Leave me," Strahd barks to Escher and Rahadin, the former slinking from the dining room and the latter with a twisted grin and humble bow. Left alone, Strahd sits upon the bench. He presses down on keys in trepidation, which creak from age and non-use. Then, inspiration strikes, and he plays.

The somber silence of the castle is replaced with the thunderous music, filling the halls with despair and magnificence. The ecstasy of his victories overwhelms him, pounding away at the keys in rapture. Then, just as suddenly as the euphoria had struck him, Strahd stops playing. He turns to an empty dining hall, no joyful audience to revel in his victories and no great foes to curse him.

Once again, as he is cursed to be every night, Strahd Von Zarovich is alone.

Session 6: Flee, Mortals!

Scampering up yet another flight of stairs, Rocket wonders aloud when exactly his luck is gonna turn around. "Should've stuck with my gut and put a blaster hole right in that royal prick's mug. Now I gotta crawl around like a filthy animal. Can't trust anyone but me." Rocket glances up at the fallen ceiling above him as he climbs the last stair. Overcast clouds linger in the air before a bolt of lighting illuminates the alcove above him. Ten stone faces, locked in visages of horror and sorrow, reveal themselves to the thief, who shudders at the grotesque statues. "Ew. I'd hate to be stuck with that ugly a mug."

He moves over to the shadows as another set of footprints catch his ears. Rocket hides behind a statue as two individuals walk by, an elf with a pair of scimitars on his belt and a woman in a simple grey dress and golden headpiece. The thief considers drawing his pistol, but the tail end of a conversation was worth waiting for and snooping on.

"…was quite whiny today. I think the man is beginning to wear on the Master's patience."

"Unfortunate. I had hoped Escher would last longer than his last lover. I've only just molded Anastrasya into something halfway useful. Getting that fop something to do is going to be impossible if I'm scouting for another plaything."

"I don't envy you, Ludmilla. But you're in luck. There's another girl that's caught his eye, in Barovia…"

The two continue their conversation further down the hallway, passing a wooden door. Once he felt sure he was alone, Rocket went and opened it. Inside, was some sort of library. with a blazing hearth and large painting of a redhaired woman hung prominently above it. Two large chairs sat beside the fireplace, and slouched in one was Strahd Von Zarovich.

"Good evening, Rocket. Sit."

The raccoon immediately pulls out his blaster rifle and fires. The vampire sighs as he raises a scroll, which fizzles and turns into an arcane shield to block the blasts. He pulls out another, and Rocket yelps as his blaster instantly heats up. "It was not a request." Strahd orders, gesturing to the seat as Rocket drops his weapon and blows on his paws. Reluctantly, Rocket does so, awkwardly lifting himself up into the chair.

"Whatever you're offerin', it ain't worth the prize of me putting you down and getting' out of this damn valley."

Strahd snaps his fingers. The wall behind the fireplace slides up into the wall and the flames die to embers. Behind the fireplace, a massive chest sits opened, overflowing with platinum and gold coins. Rocket's jaw drop before a greedy smile crosses his face. "You do get pretty close, though."

"Then allow me to sweeten the bargain. I am the lord of this land, and contrary to whatever information you received upon your arrival, you may only leave if I will it."

Rocket gets out of his chair and approaches the treasure. He carefully feels the chest's surface, finding no mechanisms for traps or surprises. "What's the catch? Want me to kill the others for ya? This gold got some type a curse or charm on it?"

"No catch. The other adventurers are all currently in my dungeons, awaiting their fate for challenging me so openly and brazenly. But you, Rocket...you are a creature like myself. Shrewd, intelligent, practical. You may take as much coin as you can carry and leave. Alone."

Rocket, in-between shoving handfuls of coin into his bag, looks over his shoulder. "And what about the others?"

Strahd smiles and rises from his chair. "As I said, you leave alone. Take the door you came in, leave my castle, and go into the mists. You'll find yourself back from whence you came. Choose to stay, on the other hand…" Strahd says, his smile deepening at the visible conflict playing out on Rocket's face. "And you may join the others."

Picking up a small stone, he briefly lights the fire once again. "Take as much time as you need. I trust you'll make the right decision," Strahd states, tossing the stone into the flame and disappearing in a cloud of red smoke, leaving Rocket to his choice.

---

Drip. Drip. Drip.

One cold drop too many manages to wake Vixen, whose first instinct is fear as she opens her eyes to total darkness. She reaches for her totem, though cold iron manacles keep her hands from moving. More concerningly, a familiar weight that should have been draped around her neck was missing – her totem, gone.

In the darkness, a voice, gruff and unfamiliar, calls out. "Finally, you are awake. I am Hanzo Hasashi, of the Shirai Ryu. Together, we must-"

"Don't try to act innocent, Hanzo. I saw you kill Volo, and know what else you did."

"I do not deny that I killed the so-called merchant. He meant to betray you to Strahd. But I will not accept blame for whatever accusation remains unsaid. I have kept to myself because I knew you would not trust me."

Amaya scoffs, struggling to keep from fruitlessly lashing out from her chains. "You speak as if you have honor and nobility, but you killed Sophitia. Poisoned her, like some type of cowardly assassin."

The wraith snarls, eyebrows furrowing and small licks of flames forming around his limbs. "I did not kill Sophitia. She was a virtuous and noble woman. I had crossed blades with her days before, where she proved my equal in battle with a kinder heart." Scorpion inhales slowly, calming his rage. "Were it not for her guidance, I may have used such tactics to eliminate you. But I did not, because she told me that a greater evil like Strahd would require allies."

Amaya rolls her eyes. "So you're saying you could've used your ninja skills to kill me or one of my friends, but you didn't use them on the person that actually did die? Not exactly a great start to making friends."

"Ugh, I will tell you as I told the tanuki. Believe or do not – her death was not my doing. My word as headmaster of the Shirai Ryu will have to be enough."

"I don't know that clan."

Scorpion thinks for a moment, before making a greater offer. "I swear on the souls of my wife Harumi and my son Satoshi."

She softens at the invocation, muttering a reflexive but sincere, "My condolences," to Scorpion. He nods in gratitude, even if the gesture was unseen in the darkness of their cell. "I sense in you a burden I am familiar with. The burden of leadership, and the weight of sins committed in the name of duty. I once devoted myself to vengeance, to killing those who slaughtered my clan and family."

"And how did it feel?"

"It did not end the pain or bring my loved ones back. It was justice, but not peace."

The two sit in momentary silence, Vixen thinking over the words and Scorpion giving up his futile attempts to teleport out of or burn through his restraints.

---

Awkwardly pulling a small wagon with several sacks of gold behind him, Rocket grimaces as he arrives at his newest foe: stairs. While contemplating how to proceed, a creeping fog rises up the steps, beckoning the thief to escape for safety. Behind him, Rocket hears whistling and the distinct sound of steel on stone.

The elf from before strides into the hall, sharpening the kind of knife that Rocket was familiar with from the High Evolutionary's lab. A chorus of screams and cries pierced into Rocket's mind, forcing him to keel over as Rahadin seems to notice his presence for the first time.

"Oh, rodent. I see you have accepted my lord's offer." The elf taunts, sheathing the blade. "I would say I was disappointed-"

"Sorry to let you down. Oh wait, no I'm not."

"But I would expect nothing more of a rat like you." Rahadin explains, letting the pain of another song keep Rocket from standing. "My lord told me you were a thief, so I knew to expect you to run. There is some utility in cowardice, I suppose."

His rage bubbling up, Rocket's hand drifts towards his blaster, so Rahadin ends the song. "Nevertheless, I will not act against my master's word. He only wished that I express his mild disappointment but sincere gratitude for your whisking away." A cruel sneer of a smile stretches across Rahadin's face. "If you ever wish to return to the valley as a guest, Castle Ravenloft shall welcome you to its doors. Now, I shall leave you and tend to the lord's other guests." Rahadin pauses, bringing a contemplative finger to his chin. "I'll take your counsel – the cries of children are much sweeter, but I do love breaking heroes like Ms. Jiwe. Who shall I handle first?"

A glowering silence from Rocket elicits only a chuckle from Rahadin. "Very well. They shall all suffer in due time regardless." The elf walks away, whistling again, leaving Rocket alone. Whisps of smoke trickle towards Rocket, beckoning him away from the valley. He looks into the fog, hefting his cart of gold into his hands, before taking one last glance behind him.

The mist recedes, as Rocket drops the cart in its place. "Screw it. I'll show that pale freak what kind of thief I am."

---

In a different cell in the dungeons, Chie continued to struggle against the chains around her wrists. Her efforts to summon her Persona had been fruitless so far, and without it she couldn't even break through the rusty iron. Across from her, Nobara stirs awake, her initial drowsiness broken as Chie bursts into an apology.

"Kugisaki-chan, I'm so sorry. I don't know how he got to me."

The older student grunts, attempting to shrug, though her arms already being raised by the manacles made it more of shoulder bump. "That's vampires for ya. Don't feel too bad about it – even Jiwe fell for it."

"Still, I had thought after all this time, I'd gotten strong enough to protect my friends." Chie sighs in disappointment. "But stupid me, right? Even with my Persona, it didn't matter. Now we're stuck in this stupid dungeon with no way out."

"Will you quit whining?" Nobara barks, catching Chie off-guard. "You can punt wolves into the stratosphere and you can summon a ghost that freezes monsters to death. You're nice without being a pushover and you have good taste in movies."

"I don't see how that last part's-"

"My point is, dummy, it doesn't matter if you screw up. Just use that dumb, thick head of yours and don't quit on me now."

Chie tears up a little, blinking rapidly and smiling. "Gee, you sure know how to…" she starts, before distant and soft sound of shaking stone behind their cell door. "Wait, do you hear that?"

---

As he descends into Ravenloft's dungeons, Rocket carefully peeks into the first room before him. Aside from a pair of golden statues and a brazier, little caught his attention except the door before him. Seeing the coast was clear, the expert thief sneaks through a set of red velvet curtains and onto a balcony. He shuddered looking below into a room filled with still, black water and large chains.

"Ain't no way these idiots are worth getting my fur dirty," he grimaces, before quietly climbing down. He looks through the darkness, spotting another hallway leading out of the room. The water ripples as he moves through. Several zombies rise from the water, their slime-gray arms clawing towards Rocket. He merely says "ugh, gross", before unholstering his blaster pistol and easily shooting the undead monsters.

"So much for the quiet way," he mutters as another pair of vampire spawn arrive. They dive toward him as Rocket takes a deep breath and submerges. They land with a splash beside him, but he nimbly swims around their flailing bodies. He turns and tosses his taser into the water, flipping the switch just as he climbs out. The vampires jolt and shake as the blast of electricity burns them.

Rocket looks around his environment; a hallway filled with arched doorways with locked iron doors. Seemingly alone, he walks and steps onto a submerged elevated plate. A slight weight shifts under his feet, only giving him moments to react before the magical trap activates. In a flash of blue energy, Rocket gets teleported in a cell. He screams and whips his pistol around, pointing the barrel at a shocked and similarly screaming Chie.

"Holy crap, Rocket! You're here to save us!"

"I knew he would find his way here eventually."

"Don't get all warm and tingly. If it were up to me I'd'have left ya hours ago. Thing is, you're all still pretty useful to me for taking down that Strahd fella. That's all." Rocket takes out a small disc, searing off Chie's manacles with a laser. She lands on her feet, giving a triumphant elbow pump as Rocket frees Nobara.

"Do you know where the others are, Rocket?"

"Somewhere in here, probably. You all ready for a fight?"

After a few minutes, the trio locates Vixen and Scorpion. The former gives Rocket a soft smile, remarking "Not so bad for a thief," as the latter's arm alights with hellfire, illuminating the dungeon. "So, hero, what's the move from here?"

"Well, I don't have my amulet, so I'm left to fighting hand-to-hand until I can find a weapon. It seems Chie and Hanzo are fine, but what about you Nobara?"

The younger woman looks around, picking up some rocks. "It won't be too pretty, but I should be able to imbue my cursed energy into these."

"And I'm startin' to get a little low on the gear department. Not that you asked me, even after saving all yer behinds."

Amaya nods, gesturing to the door on the other side of the dungeon. "Hanzo and Rocket, you two should take the lead. You two probably know the castle best and how to get out of here. Chie, you stay behind to cover our backs. I'll protect Nobara in the middle. Good?"

The group agrees and step out of the dungeons. Opening a door, they find a massive room filled with crypts. The castle rumbles, and the stone doors of the buried dead shudder out of place. Dozens of undead, an array of skeletal warriors, ghostly specters, and vampiric spawn emerge, as the screams of the damned burst into the minds of the adventurers.

"Oh, wonderful," Rahadin taunts, emerging from the shadows with a pair of scimitars drawn. "I was worried that you all had given up. Finally, my master has given me permission to strike. Do try not to disappoint me."

As the adventurers prepare to fight, Rahadin dashes forward, aiming one scimitar at Vixen's neck while using the other to parry the scythe of Chie's Persona. The superhero steps backward, avoiding the slash and giving Scorpion space to summon his kunai, tossing them at the elf. Rahadin turns into mist and teleports away, reemerging behind the horde of the undead. He sheathes a scimitar and unclasps a trio of darts from his belt, disappearing into the shadow as he gives a simple order: "Attack."

The horde closes in, though the first wave of the rushing vampire spawn are reduced to ashes when Scorpion removes his mask and breathes a wave of fire. Another wave are quickly repelled as Chie's Persona casts Agneyastra, chunks of the ceiling crushing a dozen skeletons into piles of bones. Rocket holsters his pistol and scurries beneath the legs of the shambling zombies, chuckling as they slowly bend down to attempt to grapple him. He climbs up a crypt and looks around, spotting a set of ascending stairs through the darkness. He pulls out his last flare and chucks it at the stairs, lighting a beacon for his allies to rally to.

"Everybody, get movin'! Yer gonna get surrounded just-" Rocket yells, before throwing himself to the ground as darts fly above him. Rahadin leaps up to the crypt with Rocket, aiming a scimitar for the raccoon's heart. A thrown dagger manages to deflect the blade before it kills Rocket, while Nobara tosses a stone at Rahadin's chest. The rock flares with cursed energy as it slams into Rahadin's chest, sending him reeling off the crypt. The elf scowls and rolls into the shadow, disappearing into the darkness once again.

Fighting their way through the crowd of monsters, the adventurers reach and trek up the spiral stairs. As they round the first bend, a swarm of bats descends upon them from above, biting and scratching at them. Even with a few fireballs and blasts of ice, the swarm swallows the adventurers, bringing their escape to a halt. "Scatter into the hallway!" Vixen yells, swatting a bat aside as she stumbles out of the flying mammals' ambush. She surveys her surroundings, spotting a door opening. Alit by green fire dancing from a cauldron behind her, a hideous woman in tattered grey robes and covered in boils cackles. She raises a bony finger, preparing to cast a spell at the shocked Amaya. Nobara intercepts by chucking a rock at her, the cursed energy singeing her face and knocking the witch unconscious.

Another melody of screams pierces the minds of the adventurers, forcing Rocket to his knees while the rest shake from the pain. They look at the opposite end of the hall, where Rahadin emerges from a pair of double doors. "Going somewhere, meat?" He taunts, tossing more darts as he sprints to his prey. Rocket tosses a cluster of metal rings onto the ground, which form into a net that expands to cover the hallway. It crackles with electricity, forcing Rahadin to stop to keep from getting shocked.

"Move it before he breaks through, people." Rocket warns as Rahadin slashes at the net. Though the metal wires hold firm, Rahadin chants beneath his breath to cast Magic Weapon. The animal goes on all fours up the stairs, leading the group up the steps before them and another set after that. The second set traps the party in a small, dirt-caked bedroom filled with broken furniture. Looking around, Nobara spots an indent in the dust behind a broken mirror. "A secret door, over here." She moves and opens the mirror, revealing a ladder.

The party climbs, which takes them to a larger spiral staircase. "Wait a minute – Hanzo, don't this look like…" Rocket mutters as the tower begins to shake again. "Hold firm, my companions. This tower shall try to sway you to your death if you do not move swiftly and surely." Hanzo warns, reaching out to grab a teetering Vixen and pulling her to safety. The party ascends, wrapping around four times until they arrive beneath a massive crystal heart. Nobara and Chie stop in temporary awe when a wall of force surrounds the artifact. A clap of thunder beckons the entire group to look to their left, where a bolt of lightning blinds but illuminates, revealing a short hallway that leads out to a balcony overlooking the entire valley of Barovia.

With his back to them, Strahd von Zarovich sighs. He turns to face them, longsword in one hand and Amaya's necklace in the other. "I commend you for your efforts so far. You have been an excellent distraction, and I genuinely appreciate the entertainment you have all provided so far." He tosses the necklace to Amaya as the group warily approaches. "I am an honorable man, Ms. Jiwe. I would not force you to fight at your weakest."

"I have no use for the honor of a monster," she retorts, though she picks up the necklace all the same. "But I won't turn down the mistakes of pride."

"It is my pride that lets all of you still breath. Have I not been a gracious host, in letting you regain your strength through rest in the dungeon? For giving Rocket the chance to escape with a hefty sum of gold?" Strahd states, placing the tip of his sword into the ground and laying his hands upon its pommel. "I am the master of Ravenloft, and it is my pride that gives the mercy of an honorable death."

"Rahadin, do arm our guests as well. They have earned that dignity," the vampire orders as Rahadin arrives up another set of stairs. The elf tosses Nobara's tool belt and Scorprion's swords to their owners, before taking his master's side.

"Unfortunately, as is always the case, it must come to an end."

"Oh shut up, Strahd. Let's get this over with." Chie says as she starts to bounce on the heels of her feet. Nobara wraps her tool belt around her waist and unholsters her hammer, while Scorpion unsheathes his own katana and Rocket begins sorting through what remained in his bag of gear. Vixen places her totem upon her neck, breathing a sigh of relief as she feels the familiar strength of her ancestors behind her.

Strahd chuckles, hefting his longsword in hand and pointing its tip at Chie. "Very well then. You have been judged, and I find you all guilty. Of the crimes of attempted regicide, attempted murder, destruction of royal property, and trespass. The sentence is death."

The winds around him swirl, his cape billowing behind him and shrouding the entire balcony in shadow. The adventurers that remained hold firm, unafraid and unbroken.

"Let us begin."

Session 7: The Curse of Strahd

Nobara takes initiative, moving first in combat. She reaches for her belt, retrieving a nail and throwing it into the air. She spikes it with her hammer, aiming for Strahd's heart glowing with cursed energy. The vampire raises his cloak, blocking it, but Nobara ignores this as she sprints forward, successfully catching Rahadin by surprise as she slams the hammer's head into his chest. She takes advantage of the elf's shock to springboard off him, narrowly avoiding a retaliatory slash from Strahd's longsword to gain space.

Despite the calm and relaxed look on his face, Strahd pursues with staggering speed, a lethal thrust aimed at Nobara's heart. She barely parries with her hammer, able to deflect the attack to slash her shoulder instead. The sword flares with black energy, and Nobara winces as necrotic magic burns in the cut. Strahd follows up by slamming the pommel into Nobara's face. A welt fused with more undead magic rapidly forms over Nobara's left eye. Satisfied, he walks away and faces the remaining adventurers approaching him.

Vixen, already running to meet him, roars as a spectral gorilla forms around her. The bestial spirit dissipates as Vixen slams both her fists into Strahd's shoulders. He moves, choosing to lean into one blow as he avoids the other. The superhero hears Strahd involuntarily grunt, a pained smirk on his face. She hears another sound behind her and turns as the heart flares behind the wall of force. A large bruise forms on its surface, matching her blow. "He's holding a shield over the heart! When it's down, target that!"

The vampire growls, validating Vixen's instinct, and backhands her. She nearly collapses as his clawed hands slam her across the face, her jaw aching and nose bleeding. Vixen sways unsteadily as she strikes a boxer's guard to protect herself further.

"You need an attack?" Chie says excitedly, leaping forward with a kick. "I got an attack for you!" She sends a trio of kicks at Strahd; the first he easily avoids by stepping back, but winces as the second forces him to raise his arms in defense to block the kick. As the third kick attempts to sweep him off his feet, he snarls out "Insolent child!" as his concentration finally falters, the wall of force disappearing.

With legendary speed, Strahd sprints past Chie. He moves as if he were a blur, before slowing as he takes his place behind Rocket. Panicking as the shadow of the vampire surrounds him, the raccoon disengages and runs. He skids over beside Nobara as he aims his blaster at the crystal heart. Facing a glaring and now unamused Strahd, Rocket takes a breath and steadies his aim, waiting for opportunity or a better shot.

Using another burst of movement, Strahd closes on Scorpion, ready to face the wraith head on.

Scorpion meets his challenge, drawing a flaming katana aimed at Strahd's chest. The blow connects, flames licking away at Strahd's shirt, though the vampire remains unhurt. Behind him, the heart catches fire as the hellfire burns away at the artifact in Strahd's stead. Scorpion follows up with a flaming fist, which Strahd manages to parry with a strike of his own. Scorpion teleports behind Strahd, moving towards the heart as the tower shakes in protest.

The final warrior to move, Rahadin steps into the center of the balcony. Nobara, Rocket, and Chie hear the deathly choir at full volume, the sounds of death and torture echoing through their heads. The three adventurers buckle, unable to resist the pain as the psychic magic tears through their minds. Taking advantage of their pain, Rahadin gives each of them a slash with his scimitars; while Chie's Persona forms a spontaneous glass shield that deflects the damage back to a surprised Rahadin, Nobara resorts to deflecting the blow aimed for her neck into her already wounded shoulder while Rocket rolls, each taking a deep cut.

Before they can continue, Strahd shifts downwards through the floor, briefly disappearing. For the briefest moment, a pit forms in Strahd's stomach as he looks down upon the valley below. This brush with mortality went away as he clung to the bottom of the stone balcony with ease.

A confused Nobara shrugs and sprints back to the tower. She grunts in pain as Rahadin pursues with a glancing blow to her back, before launching a pair of nails at the heart. Each connects, and the heart shrivels into a husk of itself, though remains intact. "Oh come on!" She spins and turns, prepared to continue the fight on the balcony.

Unbeknownst to those above him, Strahd adjusts his stance, now standing upside. He could feel the heart strain to sustain itself, so he dismisses the tether between them. While he doubted that his prey knew of its properties and suspected they would destroy it regardless, Strahd knew better than to treat a setback as a guarantee. He moves along the ceiling, climbing along the railing to hide his presence and wait for the time to strike.

Without the vampire to target, Vixen switches her focus to Rahadin. He defensively raises his scimitars as Vixen charges, a spectral kangaroo standing around her. The elf raises a quizzical eyebrow as Vixen leaps up and over Rahadin. She invokes the spirit of the bear as she strikes in the back of the head. She grabs him in a literal bear hug, grappling Ravenloft's steward in place.

Trusting his steward to hold a little bit longer, Strahd climbs up the railing and peeks over, biding his time.

Chie, hoping to take advantage of Rahadin's predicament, gives an excited "Take this! GALACTIC PUNT!" The teen girl charges forward and delivers a mighty kick to Rahadin's chin. The blow forces Rahadin from Vixen's grip as he sails into the air. Her Persona follows up by swinging its scythe, sending a shocked Rahadin over the railing. An equally surprised Strahd watches as Rahadin falls past him, forcing the vampire to wave his hand. Feathers form around Rahadin, who nods gratefully as what was once a lethal descent turns into an agonizingly slow one instead.

Things move agonizingly slow as Rocket, Scorpion, and Nobara wait for their foe to return, preparing weapons and magic. Strahd vaults over the edge, casting a magical shield that blocks Nobara's nails and Scorpion's fire, though a laser blast pierces through. As the light energy slams into his shoulder, Strahd roars as his regeneration slows. Ignoring the pain for now, Strahd mutters an incantation beneath his breath. His shape begins to split apart, with three figures mirroring his image taking their place beside him as he marches towards his foes.

Vixen moves to intercept, a spectral bat forming around her. "Impressive intuition, Ms. Jiwe," Strahd taunts as she locates the true vampire amidst the illusions. She throws a haymaker at him, which he catches with his own fist, before trying to follow up with a kick accented by the neighing of horse. She connects, forcing Strahd to painfully grunt as he feels his ribs bruise. The superhero grinned as she watched the arrogance slip from the vampire's face.

Strahd retaliates swiftly, slashing with his longsword at Vixen. She manages to raise a misty shield in time, her totem protecting her from a blade aimed for her neck.

"Come on Haraedo-no-Okami! Let's power up!" Chie yells triumphantly, as golden dragons surround her allies and bolster their physical abilities. She moves forward, delivering a swift but weak kick to Strahd's side. One of his illusory clones intercepts the blow, disappearing with the attack and causing Chie to stumble off-balance when her kick flies through thin air.

"Do not think I have forgotten you, child." Strahd states, taking advantage of Chie's momentary confusion as he thrusts his sword where the mirror image once stood. The blade strikes true, with Chie letting out a painful gasp as he casually stabs the longsword into her heart. Relishing in another foe vanquished and the shock of his adversaries, Strahd swiftly withdraws the blade and flicks it through the air, splashing blood onto Vixen's face as Chie falls to the ground.

While Nobara and Vixen temporarily reel from their companion's sudden and crude death, Rocket simply yells and fires, another flurry of laser blasts to strike at Strahd. The lasers blast apart another clone, leaving Strahd with a single shimmering duplicate and a bloodthirsty grin. The vampire casually approaches the thief, blood dripping off his blade. "Do you regret denying my offer, rodent? Shall you beg for mercy?"

"Do not yield, tanuki! We must prevail!" Scorpion yells, his form shimmering with hellfire and smoke. "They will not die in vain!" He teleports between Rocket and Strahd, breathing a massive blast of fire. The vampire effortlessly lifts his cape and shifts in place, dodging the brunt of the flames even as the heat blisters his pale skin.

Barovia thunders and rages as its master does battle, who commands its shadows to take shape. Beneath his paws, Rocket's shadow rises, tearing at his back with dark tendrils. Necrotic energy drains his strength, with Rocket staggering as his blaster and pack grow heavier.

Spotting the new, lingering threat, Nobara turns and pounds nails at the shadow monster, which barely damages it. "Don't let that ghost thing get Rocket! The cursed energy isn't working on it as much." She faces Strahd with a wild look of anger and prideful glee, daring him to approach. Rocket's shadowy foe lashes out again, though this time he manages to avoid it by rolling from its grasp.

Rather than move, Strahd lowers his sword and looks at Scorpion. "Aid me, Hanzo, and I can bring back your family." The wraith falters, temporarily swayed by persuasion if not magic, but the flames only burn brighter as the charm attempt fails. "I have heard the tainted offers of necromancers before, and never again will I fall for them!" Strahd grimaces, analyzing which of the others would make for potential allies.

Vixen goes to grapple Strahd again, the bear forming around her growling. The vampire nimbly shakes off the superhero, keeping her from acquiring a grip by sidestepping. She responds with a sideways chop, which Strahd catches within his claws.

Strahd responds by yanking her towards him, using his other fist to slam the pommel of his blade on her knee. She screams as the blow shatters her bone beneath, leaving her feebly hobbling backwards as he dismissively releases her.

Rocket abandons his pack on the ground. He takes aim at his own shadow, taking two quick laser shots that reduce the shadowy monster to ash and dust. He reloads and looks briefly through his pack, finding little to help the fight anymore.

"Is this the best you can muster?" Strahd asks aloud, ignoring the pair of fireballs Scorpion throws at him. The vampire raises his hand, absorbing the elements and lighting his sword in flame. The wraith teleports in Strahd's face, unrelenting in his pursuit.

The count moves past Scorpion, dashing past the others to close in on Rocket. He brings his now-flaming sword back, preparing to strike down the thief.

Nobara pursues Strahd, hammer glowing with cursed energy as she takes two swings at the vampire. Both connect as Strahd turns and raises his forearm to protect his head. He could feel his bones break, and to his own disgust, the wounds were beginning to tire him. Nobara smirks. "What's the matter, tough guy? We're only just getting started."

"You have no idea how right you are, Ms. Kugisaki." Strahd retorts, twirling his claws. From Chie's corpse, a ghostly specter emerges taking her visage. The specter grabs onto Nobara, draining her life force before disappearing as quickly as it was conjured. "I grow tired of this farce, fools. My foul servants, to me!" He yells, strolling into the spiral tower, daring the adventurers to follow him, wounds starting to heal once again.

Vixen, already wounded but stubborn to the end, channels the eagle. As the bird spirit forms around her, she gives a knowing glance to Rocket and Scorpion. "Make sure the bastard stays down." She lifts off into the air and soars towards Strahd, hands outstretched to shove him down the tower's height. He nimbly avoids her attempt and makes a grab for her necklace, missing by inches as she awkwardly lands across the gap from him. As she wobbles on the steps, screaming in agony as she lands on her wounded leg, the sound of howling wolves ascends the staircase, signaling the arrival of reinforcements.

Strahd swiftly follows, leaving the remaining adventurers behind as he makes his way towards the superhero. However, a cloud of smoke arrives to greet him as Scorpion teleports in his way, katana flaring with fire. The first slash carves through Strahd's chest, burning more of his clothes and searing the flesh beneath. A second slash glides towards the vampire's neck, but Strahd parries it with his own sword.

Rocket trudges along, initially taking a shot at Strahd that goes wide and burns a mark in the tower's wall. However, hearing the approaching wolves, Rocket looks over the ledge and fires, thinning the arriving pack. He briefly looks to check on Amaya, wincing as Strahd lashes out with his arm and brings Vixen into a headlock.

The wolves arrive just as Nobara takes her place next to Rocket. She takes one last nail and, taking careful aim at the distracted Strahd, hits it towards him. The vampire turns in enough time to raise his hand to block the nail, which embeds itself into his palm. Nobara triumphantly pulls out a straw doll, stepping backwards to avoid Strahd's attention.

As the wolves arrive, Strahd mutters an incantation and throws conjured pink dust into Vixen's eyes. Weakened and tired from her fighting, Vixen falls into a magical slumber. "Hmph. Do you see the futility of resistance now, you three would-be heroes?" He beckons, allowing the sleeping Vixen to fall from his grip and into the hungry maws of his wolves. As the first beast tears out her throat, Vixen awakens screaming in pain as another tears at her leg. She channels her amulet, begging for peace, only to feel the empty darkness of Strahd's hold over these beasts awaiting her in the final moments. Satisfied, he walks off of and then under the staircase, descending the tower with the safety of cover.

Beneath his mask, Scorpion smiles as he teleports directly beneath Strahd. The vampire gives an impressed raise of the eyebrow as Scorpion throws his kunai at him, each dagger connecting with Strahd's shoulders. Hanzo drags Strahd off the roof, knocking him prone on the steps before him. Strahd swiftly stands and continues backing away with a defensive stance.

Rocket continues shooting at wolves, leaving the count to his companion. Two more wolves fall to laser blasts, leaving a single creature to protect its master.

Nobara looks down on Strahd, detecting the hint of desperation masked by his intimidating aura. She snaps her finger and triggers her hairpin technique, as the nail placed in Strahd's hand explodes in cursed energy. "Been keeping that one in the pocket just for you, Strahd!" She taunts as he recoils in pain, though she was disappointed to see the vampire's magical nature keeping his hand bruised and bleeding rather than truly destroyed.

Strahd glares and points a finger at Nobara, muttering another incantation. "Yo, kid! Out of the way!" Rocket yells, instinctually leaping up to take the blighted spell for her. A wave of necrotic magic leaves Strahd's hand, slamming into Rocket. Rocket's body shrivels up, fur going grey and blood drying up within his body. Nobara catches Rocket as he falls, looking into the empty eyes of a dead man. "And then there were two." Strahd remarks, sheathing his sword. "Surrender."

Scorpion responds with a flurry of punches and kicks, flames alit with the rage of the Netherrealm. Each blow connects, bruising and burning Strahd as he teleports around the vampire from various angles. To his surprise, Strahd stumbles, fazed for the first time as Scorpion burns away at his health with hit after critical hit. Strahd moves past Scorpion, too fast for the wraith to hit.

The sorcerer picks up Rocket's blaster, giving it a heft. She takes the briefest moment to consider trying a shot on the fleeing Strahd, but knew herself better than that. Instead, she takes a step back and leaps towards him. Nobara's ankles protest in sharp spikes of pain as she awkwardly lands on her back in front of Strahd. At point blank range, Nobara lifts Rocket's blaster and fires, kneecapping Strahd with a laser that burns with light.

"You foolish child! After I have killed your friends and allies, still you try!" Strahd roared, kicking Nobara in the ribs. They break with the blow, and Nobara could feel bruising of some of the bone piercing the organs they were meant to protect. She meekly tries to block her face as Strahd stomps down. Her arm breaks enough of the impact to keep Nobara barely alive, even as she felt the stone beneath her head indent ever so slightly. "Do you not see the futility? Why do you fight, girl!"

As Strahd prepares the coup de grace, Scorpion appears over Nobara in a cloud of smoke. He tosses his kunai at Strahd, feinting another attempt to grapple the vampire. Strahd leans back casually, expecting to avoid the blow, as Scorpion teleports behind him, katana outstretched. The surprised Strahd throws himself backwards into the blade, impaling himself upon it. The blade surges with hellfire, burning away at the last fragment of Strahd's life.

With their foe barely clinging to survival, Nobara takes one last nail and shoves it into Strahd's foot. She triggers another hairpin. The combination of cursed energy and hellfire burn away at Strahd's body. The vampire turns to mist, defeated in battle but not dead.

As the cloud of Strahd floats away towards his coffin, Scorpion offers a hand to Nobara. She shrugs it away, holstering her hammer and Rocket's gun. "I don't know where his coffin is, but I know that that isn't the last we've seen of him. I'll just slow you down; go finish this up, Hasashi-san."

Stoically nodding, Scorpion quickly descends down the tower. Skeletons and spawn attempt to stop him in vain, with his sword and hellfire carving a path through Ravenloft with ease. He teleports floor by floor, leading back to the catacombs and dungeons. Through the mausoleums and bodies of the undead minions that remain, Scorpion arrives at the tomb of Strahd. Teleporting his way to the coffin, Scorpion tears off the lid, revealing the paralyzed and dying Strahd before him. Unable to move, Strahd can only watch in silent horror as Scorpion draws his katana a final time. This was impossible, inconceivable. He was Strahd von Zarovich, he could not die. He was Ancient, the Land, and he could not die.

Until Scorpion, a specter of vengeance for his family, the innocents of Barovia, and his allies, plunged his katana into Strahd's heart. The vampire screams in agonizing pain as his body burns away to the very cell. In moments, Strahd von Zarovich was no more, leaving behind ash and bone. With victory at hand, Scorpion humbly sheathes his blade, teleporting into smoke and disappearing into the night.

Expert's Opinion

• 14th Place: Allison Hargreeves, 22 points. Allison had one of the most powerful and useful powers in the entire royale, but it was a power incredibly reliant on there being people around her to use it. Unfortunately, the nature of the royale started Allison alone in the woods, where without anyone to Rumor she was just a skilled actress with some martial arts training.
• 13th Place: J'Zargo, 23 points. J'Zargo's magic and adventuring experience ensured that he could defend himself against most minor threats with ease. However, his lack of social skills ensured that he had nobody to watch his back, and his curiosity ensured that he stuck his nose in challenges or fights that he couldn't win on his own.
• 12th Place: Volo, 40 points. Volo's Pokemon were versatile and effective monsters to defend him, while his social abilities and intelligence let him set-up the seeds for some long-term plans and schemes. However, he was ultimately just a man, and getting past his Pokemon to attack him was not a challenge for the more intelligent minions of Strahd or the more insightful cast members that saw past his hapless merchant persona.
• 11th Place: Evie Frye, 41 points. Thanks to her stealthy abilities, tactical intelligence, and social charm, Evie could have thrived in a longer, less pressing campaign. Her Eagle Vision especially would have helped to spot treasures, discern friend from foe, and identify key areas. However, she was hurt most of all by her lack of magical weaponry in a valley where most monsters she faced were at least resistant to her entire arsenal. Combine that with a lack of superhuman physical abilities, and Evie couldn't keep up.
• 10th Place: Achilles, 47 points. Achilles would have been an absolute monster and the runaway winner in a more direct, combat focused royale. His armor protected from any attempt at a physical attack, while his demigod physicality ensured he could dish out as much pain as he could take from the occasional magical attack. Unfortunately, he was also the perfect target for manipulation by Strahd, taking him from a decisive winner to an only semi-challenging miniboss.
• 9th Place: Sophitia Alexandra, 60 points. Sophitia had a lot of variation in how voters thought she would do. Some pointed out that she was a skilled combatant with enough magical abilities and equipment for her to be able to rely on those alone to make it far; others were not as convinced that a sword, a shield, and some lightning would help her once the fights started to get more dynamic. This ended up putting Sophitia in the middle tier of contenders; strong enough to make it to Ravenloft, but not to make it too far in.
• 8th Place: Luke Castellan, 63 points. Much like some of the preceding warriors, Luke could have performed better if given more time to develop alliances and plans. His fighting skill alone would have ensured he could fight every monster or minion aside from Strahd himself easily, while his penchant for manipulation and sympathetic motives combine for key alliance building. However, what ultimately dragged Luke down is that he possessed several key emotional weaknesses that a master manipulator like Strahd could take advantage of, either forcing him to fight alone after betraying his party or agonizing about that choice long enough for Strahd to plant the knife instead.
• 7th Place: Dorian Pavus, 65 points. In a recurring theme, Dorian's magic ensured that he could hold his own in a fight against most minions at this point. He's an experienced adventurer with a smart head on his shoulders, and he's also a naturally gifted people person who attracts all kinds to becoming his allies. It's at this point where the little weaknesses made the difference, and in Dorian's case it was a lack of mobility and durability that made him susceptible to crumpling against foes that could get past the initial barrage and shatter this glass cannon.
• 6th Place: Chie Satonaka, 76 points. Chie is a character that had decent odds of dying or surviving the fight that depended exactly on how the final confrontation with Strahd went. In her case, the fact that she relied on getting close to the extremely skilled vampire and her best attacks drained her health meant she was at a constant risk of overextending herself in a fight. Unfortunately for her, Strahd's speed, durability, and magic ensured that her already small margin of error in that strategy was practically nonexistent.
• 5th Place: Vixen, 83 points. Vixen's totem gives her deceptively simple powers, but with her experience and the help of allies, those simple powers helped her power through the threats within Ravenloft easily. Where she fell was a combination of having to rely on her totem - something the notably cunning, stealthy, and underhanded Strahd could acquire - and having to serve as the primary tank of her allies. Her heroic nature meant she was engaging with Strahd head-on while her allies tried to chip away at him, and unfortunately she just fell before the vampire did.
• 4th Place: Rocket Raccoon, 88 points. After an initial lag out of the gate, Rocket proved himself an incredibly important component of the adventurers' victory over Strahd. His blasters and gadgets ensured that, even despite their nonmagical nature, Rocket was doing lots of damage to Strahd in the fight that he couldn't resist. This did put a target on Rocket's back, making him the last of the adventurers to fall to Strahd in the end.
• 3rd Place: Strahd von Zarovich, 107 points. The big bad evil guy himself and the star of the show, Strahd von Zarovich was predictably an incredibly dangerous foe and villain for the party to fight. His total control of the valley of Barovia let him pick away at the weaker cast members early, while his many minions and ability to magically surveil the stronger cast members made sure that he was thoroughly prepared to fight those that remained with every advantage. It helped that he had many advantages; he was a master warrior with centuries of combat experienced, a mage with potent magical abilities that could batter away at any foe, and a vampire with superhuman physical attributes that break men's bones with a flick of the wrist. While the number of adventurers meant the deck was ultimately stacked against him, Strahd proved worthy of his title by taking as many down with him as he could.
• 2nd Place: Nobara Kugisaki, 114 points. Nobara possessed the right mixture of abilities and traits - experience hunting monsters, vaguely superhuman physical condition, and a mixture of ranged and close-up combat options - to survive the entire campaign. The only reason she didn't secure the kill against Strahd was her lack of mobility options and her cursed energy not doing enough damage on its own to kill the vampire.
• WINNER: Scorpion, 118 points. Scorpion possessed all the right traits to win the royale. While he wasn't a social butterfly by any means, his stoic and honorable attitude kept him from making enemies and let him make an occasional ally. His hellfire, stealth, and mastery of physical combat also let Scorpion be a constant, persistent threat in battle against Strahd and many of his allies. Most importantly, though, Scorpion's teleportation gave him a huge asset, giving the wraith the mobility and the unpredictability to actually keep up with the notoriously mobile Strahd. All these traits combined - plus enough cast members to keep the focus off of him when he needed it - ensured that the dice were in Scorpion's favor for this campaign.

To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.