11/16/21 Session 37 - "Long Lost Pals"

Our adventurers rest up but Van Richten and Mordenkainen both require more rest before they're able to get up and move. Ezmerelda shares some information about an Amber Temple to the South being the source of Strahd von Zarovich's power. She informs the party that it is cold there and supplies them with cloaks. She agrees to go into hiding with the others once they are well enough to travel.
The party takes the cloaks and heads off to the South toward their destination. Along the way the encounter what appears to be a fortified gate or outpost crowned with grotesques shaped like dragons. The gate itself is a wall of green fire. Balasar Norixius casually runs through the fiery gate taking some damage. Om Wolfash blinks across and they each search for a way to turn the fire off. While looking they manage to awaken two of the grotesques who go about attacking the party. After dispatching them, the fire seems to gradually turn on and off at a slow pace. The rest of the party makes their way safely through the gate. On the other side they see a small guard tower with a locked door. Adrid forces the door open and they step inside. Grinfiddeus Nobbles and Adrid search upstairs and find a shivering werewolf locked in a makeshift jail cell. They are shocked to find that this is actually Ismark Kolyanovich.
Before alerting the rest of the party to their discovery, they step up to the roof to speak about their next set of actions, but before they are able, several skeletons spring to life and attack. They yell out to the rest of the party, but before they can make their way up, the duo takes care of the threat. As they descend back to the floor where Ismark Kolyanovich is being held, they are interrupted yet again by an unexpected visitor. None other than Ludmilla has suddenly appeared on the first floor of the guard tower. The party immediately engages with her to fight. As they do, Adrid slowly makes his way down the stairs and puts a decisive end to Ludmilla with the Sunsword. On her they find a key, likely belonging to the sell upstairs.
The party makes their way back to Ismark Kolyanovich to figure out what to do next. Lilithus reaches out and removes the curse handily. The now human Ismark Kolyanovich is naked lying on the floor of the cell exposed to the harsh elements. The party quickly takes him downstairs and lights a fire using Ludmilla's body. They cloth and feed him as well. Adrid, Om Wolfash and Balasar Norixius go out to chop down a tree to use as firewood. They notice a large feather in the snow but pay no mind at that time.
They bring the wood back to the guard tower and set Ismark Kolyanovich up as best they can to survive there for a few days. Van Richten, Mordenkainen and Ezmerelda should be on their way following the party in a few days’ time and he should run into them. They also deliver the bad news that his sister has been captured by the dreadlord. The group bars the door and leaves him there while they venture forward toward the temple.
Our adventurers approach a battered bridge spanning a high valley. In the middle of the bridge stands a hooded rider. They call out to the rider but they receive no reply. Upon approaching they find that it is none other than Strahd von Zarovich. A cold blast of air hits them as they look in the distance and see a dragon flying toward the bridge. The party braces themselves for combat.