11/9/21 Session 36 - "Ultimate Ultimatum of Ultimate Destiny"

The party makes it way out of the swamps of Berez and heads into the town of Vallaki to procure some supplies, Grinfiddeus Nobbles needs to restock on arrows. Upon reaching the armorer in town he is able to purchase what he needs, but the merchant makes note of a set of red and gold plate armor in the back. Adrid takes a look and begins to barter with the man but comes to the conclusion that he does not have enough money to pay what is being asked for the armor.
Marc Alt steps in and handwaves the situation, suggestion to the merchant that he sell the armor to Adrid for 100 gold pieces. The gruff merchant happily agrees and even refuses when Adrid attempts to pay more for the armor. Not fully understanding or realizing what just happened, he takes the armor and the party continues on from Vallaki deciding to visit Mordenkainen and Ireena Kolyanovich to potentially identify some of the new items they've found.
Upon reaching the area, our adventurers see that the catacomb has been vacated and Strahd von Zarovich is standing behind their friends Mordenkainen and Van Richten who are bound and unconscious. Ireena Kolyanovich is being held by his side and all of them are flanked by vampire spawn, dire wolves and a the ever-present Rahadin.
The group approaches slowly and begins to speak to Strahd von Zarovich. He gives the party an ultimatum: Let him leave there with Ireena Kolyanovich and he will spare the lives of Mordenkainen and Van Richten. The party notices that Ezmerelda is missing. Strahd von Zarovich directs Om Wolfash to make the decision on behalf of the party.
While deliberating, Grinfiddeus Nobbles sees Ezmerelda near one of the crypts behind everyone. He stealthily tells her to stay put unless fighting breaks out. Eventually the party makes a decision and Om Wolfash delivers the decision to Strahd von Zarovich: He may take Ireena Kolyanovich. He turns and takes her while mounting his horse and disappears into the mist.
The moment is not over however. Rahadin steps forward and challenges the party. They clash as many smaller wolves suddenly appear around them. Lilithus banishes Rahadin to another plane temporarily to gain the upper hand. The party dispatches many enemies before seeing Volenta coming in from the West. Marc Alt deftly casts Fireballs to make short work of many of the lesser enemies in the area.
Ezmerelda springs to action from behind and launches a surprise attack. As the crowd thins Volenta begins to take heavy damage and retreats as quickly as she can. The Adrid, Om Wolfash, and Balasar Norixius help to clear the area of the Vampire spawn. Once things have cleared for a moment, the party clears their unconscious friends from the area and make way for an attack on where Rahadin will re-appear. Once he does, the party give him no quarter. They quickly attack him and Adrid finishes him off with the Sunsword.
Lilithus removes the head of the man and seeks to preserve it for future interrogation. The party collects their friends and makes their way back to the tower where they met Van Richten. Ezmerelda seems to have found a way to defeat the dreadlord and is eager to share her news.