The Eleventh Reading - Varis
The image solidifies in some kind of council chamber. Strahd is clearly not human anymore, and Rahadin is battle-scarred. Artemis Fidatov is also present, son of the architect Fidatov. In total, there are 6 people around the table, including Varis. In the centre of the table is a large, wide dish of water.
A guard is giving a report nervously. Says a large group has left Vallaki, intending to march on the castle.
Strahd doesn’t look surprised. He smiles at the guard and promises he will issue orders soon enough. He does not punish people for speaking the truth. Orders the captain to get his men ready and wake the thralls.
The guard leaves. Strahd says this is not a surprise, but asks for thoughts. Varis asks what could have caused the group to march on them. Rahadin says it is not the people, but Sister Markovia has been a trouble maker and Andral is respected among them. Once he is dead, peace will return.
Strahd doesn't think the rebellion will persist once the leaders are gone. Strahd says he is the land now.
Varis warns against making martyrs of the leaders, and of arrogance getting to them. Varis gets a strong sense of tension and nervousness. There’s a strong sense of danger from Rahadin. Strahd is relaxed, however, saying Varis speaks wise words. Martyrdom is what they seek, and he doesn’t object to giving it to them. They could be a comforting symbol to the people.
Andral was loyal once, and if Strahd’s actions at the fanes broke him, granting him a martyr’s death is something he could grant Andral. It would make Strahd’s rule more secure.
Artemis Fidatov says he needs the bodies. With the magic he has gathered from below, he can make something extraordinary. Strahd says he can have Markovia’s remains, but not Andral’s.
Strahd says he risks losing everything he was when he came into the valley, so he will not give up Andral to A. Fidatov.
Varis asks Fidatov what he does/can do. Fidatov says he has skills the prince needs, that only he can provide. There’s an artifact that can replicate the light of dawn, which is a danger to Strahd. Fidatov can offer a measure of protection. Someone who has died in sanctity can provide a lot of value.
Strahd, in discussing his army, mentions how the thralls are not as good as he’d like. He’s learned how to bring people in from beyond the mists, which would allow him to create better thralls and shore his power.
Strahd does not need help scrying on the land now, but he shows the others an image through the water on the table of Sister Markovia and Father Andril leading a group of people. They are much older than the last time seen in the book. They don’t expect to win, like they’re making a last stand.
The rumour of a needle troubles Strahd. He will only get involved if needed. Rahadin can handle the battle to come.
Rahadin explains Andril blames Rahadin for his role in what Strahd has become. Andril regrets his cooperation with them. He had no love for the fey, what happened the fanes disturbed his mind and he has become bitter.
Varis asks Fidatov about the artifact that could put them at risk. Asks what it is or where it may be. Fidatov says it is blessed by Pelorian saints. Brought to the valley by Andril. Another council member suggests they would have seen it by now.
Andril visited the house of death and consulted the Lord Commander, but what about Fidatov doesn’t know. Strahd says he knows what Vladimir said; Strahd’s current state is punishment enough. Strahd says if the artifact exists, he will find it and place it in the vault designed by Fidatov. Artemis Fidatov is pleased at the recognition and is eager to do more.
Varis gets the sense that a mix of human soldiers and thralls are manning the outer defences of the castle. The attackers will be allowed closer and an attack will trap them between the ravine and the castle. A reverse ambush, almost.
A guard is giving a report nervously. Says a large group has left Vallaki, intending to march on the castle.
Strahd doesn’t look surprised. He smiles at the guard and promises he will issue orders soon enough. He does not punish people for speaking the truth. Orders the captain to get his men ready and wake the thralls.
The guard leaves. Strahd says this is not a surprise, but asks for thoughts. Varis asks what could have caused the group to march on them. Rahadin says it is not the people, but Sister Markovia has been a trouble maker and Andral is respected among them. Once he is dead, peace will return.
Strahd doesn't think the rebellion will persist once the leaders are gone. Strahd says he is the land now.
Varis warns against making martyrs of the leaders, and of arrogance getting to them. Varis gets a strong sense of tension and nervousness. There’s a strong sense of danger from Rahadin. Strahd is relaxed, however, saying Varis speaks wise words. Martyrdom is what they seek, and he doesn’t object to giving it to them. They could be a comforting symbol to the people.
Andral was loyal once, and if Strahd’s actions at the fanes broke him, granting him a martyr’s death is something he could grant Andral. It would make Strahd’s rule more secure.
Artemis Fidatov says he needs the bodies. With the magic he has gathered from below, he can make something extraordinary. Strahd says he can have Markovia’s remains, but not Andral’s.
Strahd says he risks losing everything he was when he came into the valley, so he will not give up Andral to A. Fidatov.
Varis asks Fidatov what he does/can do. Fidatov says he has skills the prince needs, that only he can provide. There’s an artifact that can replicate the light of dawn, which is a danger to Strahd. Fidatov can offer a measure of protection. Someone who has died in sanctity can provide a lot of value.
Strahd, in discussing his army, mentions how the thralls are not as good as he’d like. He’s learned how to bring people in from beyond the mists, which would allow him to create better thralls and shore his power.
Strahd does not need help scrying on the land now, but he shows the others an image through the water on the table of Sister Markovia and Father Andril leading a group of people. They are much older than the last time seen in the book. They don’t expect to win, like they’re making a last stand.
The rumour of a needle troubles Strahd. He will only get involved if needed. Rahadin can handle the battle to come.
Rahadin explains Andril blames Rahadin for his role in what Strahd has become. Andril regrets his cooperation with them. He had no love for the fey, what happened the fanes disturbed his mind and he has become bitter.
Varis asks Fidatov about the artifact that could put them at risk. Asks what it is or where it may be. Fidatov says it is blessed by Pelorian saints. Brought to the valley by Andril. Another council member suggests they would have seen it by now.
Andril visited the house of death and consulted the Lord Commander, but what about Fidatov doesn’t know. Strahd says he knows what Vladimir said; Strahd’s current state is punishment enough. Strahd says if the artifact exists, he will find it and place it in the vault designed by Fidatov. Artemis Fidatov is pleased at the recognition and is eager to do more.
Varis gets the sense that a mix of human soldiers and thralls are manning the outer defences of the castle. The attackers will be allowed closer and an attack will trap them between the ravine and the castle. A reverse ambush, almost.
Comments