#session 35

Erei is thriving on the dragonnel, talking about flying, conversing with the dragonnel directly, chatting up with Caradoc, talking about the Catacombs, just vibing. Meanwhile, Becklin and Levin are just... ready for the mission. As ready as they can be.

Mallori and Nimako come across trouble. They try to just leave it, but well... Mallori is fast. Nimako gets knocked out, and Mallori decides to stalk the captured Nimako. She manages to pretend to stay unconscious after being stablized: the army wants more magic users, like her. She's set in the camp: the commander draconian is going to scout ahead, and the two guards are watching the ""sleeping"" Nimako.

With the 4squad, becklin learns of Kay's crush... and will let xem down later. And, Levin is explaining the mission to the others. They need to just gather information, cause some problems, and get out.

Levin prays again. he get's a response.

"What anger leads you to me?" "They committed a crime i cannot forgive. they tried to hur tthose i care for most." "I see. And you wish to defeat the Dragon Army of Kahsisis.[missing]" "Yes. this kind of thing can not be allowed to continue." "I see. You are already a paladin. And yet, you ask for someone else's help." "You say as if they help me to begin with." Chuckles. "Well. I value you strength above all. I value- ruthlessness, and, with an iron fist, regardless of your side... Repritubtion takes no sides. What is your name." "DragoLevin Thereal." "A tiefling and an elf. Well then. Which nation of elves do you come from?" "Sylvanesti" "then you may know me as king talus. [sic]" Levin does not. The breath ghosts his ear, and moves to the other, breathing across his face, smelling of charcoal. "Oh. you don't recognize me." "I wasn't taught well for my heritage." "Many know me as sargonnus, the willful. I do not allow for Cowards to become my Palladins, and you have broken your oath before, despite i do not agree with the one who gave you teri sstrength. If you wish, I will giv eyou my power, you will vengence and show no mercy. you shall gain power and strength and hold it with honor. from now on, be loyal to those who are loyal to you, destroy those who betray you, and you will make a new oath, for me." "I can do that." "Then you will repeat; strength above all, rule with an iron fist, and douse the flame of hope." Levin does. there is a searing pain he feels, no flame, but the burns are reaching with in levin. pure pain with nothing else. "It is not enough to defeat an enemy in battle. Your victory must be so overwhelming your enemies shall fear before. You shall destroy every single one of your enemies, and you will do that, even if your own allies do not follow you. your will is the only one. You will be branded to me forever, your weapon while serving me, will be a symbol to all."

Levin is just . on the floor in pain when Becklin comes to get him for his shift.

I played Sly 3 (PS5 version)

Here's my session 35 set.

the whole bit in the coffin shop was really fucking fun because they were basically doing a whole bunch of espionage. the fight was also. kinda tough (i did add more vampires) but im trying to be harder on them. doru had the bones and the changeling paladin pretty much instantly shieldbashed his face and snatched them and put them in her bag of holding (she will apologize later) so the rest of the spawn started focusing her.

getting to the church was a mad dash since a bunch of vampires attacked the city and were wreaking havoc. i got the brides involved trying to slow them down (including volenta who has a huge crush on the tiefling paladin, and escher who got mad because the changeling said he smells bad) but they were DETERMINED and just kept barrelling forward

they juuuuust weren't quite fast enough tho, and strahd and his cronies burst into the church and killed father petrovich before taunting the party and leaving (this was also fucking awesome and im really glad my players enjoyed it) anyway there was also a huge argument about whether they should behead the priest, and the sorcerer (surprisingly?) stopped an angry mob from stoning vargas to death in the aftermath

Standing on landings, ringing around the room, are soldiers. Motionless figures made of clay, stone, metal, and wood, designed much like puppets. What draws my attention, however, is a dais in the center of the floor.

SESSION 35

Veiled hats are for mourning.