The Fifth Reading - Shasti
Shasti is standing in a crypt. A large stone chamber that feels like it’s underground. Crypt seems large enough to be half the size of the castle ground space. One source of natural light pouring in, though. Some tombs in place, but room for more. Couple dozen people are present. Most well dressed. Strahd, Sergei, Father Androv, Sister Markovia, Rahadin among the people she recognises.
A ceremony has just concluded. Shasti seems to be an invited guest. Approaches Sister Markovia. The light enters from a window which looks out over Castlefield. Crypt is in the cliff. Light shines on two tombs side-by-side. Effigies of an older man and woman, both wearing crowns.
Shasti asks Sister Markovia about what’s next. Markovia talks about the raids, and how they will reclaim these lands. Markovia lays a hand on Shasti’s arm, says she and Sergei have decided to set up a holy order in Krezk. Tells her to visit them there.
Shasti approaches Strahd. Gets a sense of grief from him, but now fresh. He seems more preoccupied. Strahd thanks Shasti for attending the ceremony. Says it’s sad his father and mother didn’t get to see Barovia for themselves, but at least able to lay them to rest here. Hard to arrange for their bodies to be brought here. Talk of the wars beyond the valley.
Even the bodies struggled to arrive in the valley - same struggle Strahd had. Peculiar but not worried.
Shasti asks if people have been struggling to leave the valley. People can leave fine, but returning/arriving is difficult. Shasti asks Strahd about Krezk. He says Krezk is safe enough. Shakes his head at “rumours from southern villages.” Sergei will keep the town safe. Strahd is upset at people being so afraid.
He feels like it’s his responsibility to do more. Promises to take action.
Shasti asks if she can help. Segei peaks up, saying others can step up and take action. Strahd smiles, says everyone has a role to play, but he must do this. Will take (a) guard(s). He must not fear to tread any part of the valley.
Rahadin is speaking to a woman accompanied with a young boy. Shasti says Strahd is not safe enough. Rahadin’s manner sharpens. Asks what danger she sees. Shasti says, in general - taking one guard on his next mission. Rahadin agrees, says he would send more but Strahd is no longer a child. He makes these decisions for himself. Strahd is able to defend himself, being a fine swordsman.
Shasti brings up magic. Rahadin says he’s no mage, but others have placed protections. He’s getting a bit suspicious. The woman with him looks over his shoulder. Shasti asks what troubles her. She says she was considering the matter of magical protection. Has been necessary at different places in the castle. Was running through what’s been done.
Shasti tries to persuade the woman about needing to know what’s been done. Rahadin says Lady Fidatov knows all about the castle and its protections. Says older structures than the castle are here. They’re an unknown.
Shasti hits on Fidatov (presumably to butter her up). Asks what areas she’s most proud of; throne room, private chambers, chapel all rank up there as her favourites.
Shasti looks around more and walks to the service entrance. Opens the door to reveal a long, narrow corridor. Gets a sense this is not where she should be.
Shasti goes to flirt with Father Androv. He looks disconcerted at first but recovers, but says it’s pleasant to be appreciated. Shasti says he’s been crucial to keep morale up. How can people protect themselves, more than just faith. Efforts are ongoing to make the valley safer, and this means some of the old ways must be dealt with. Wants to do more to take stronger steps to stop the druid rites and ancient magics. Strahd won’t let him. Says Strahd will come around soon enough.
Wants to put chapels everywhere. Pagans must have their places, but they are too numerous right now, too difficult to reach. Druids turned away from their peaceful ways.
Shasti asks where these places are strongest. Mountains to the south and north, and far to the west.
Shasti listens in to a conversation between Sergei and Strahd. Strahd says he is relieved his parents are at rest in the castle. Sergei says their father’s passage through the gate is not a certain one. It was their father who ordered the slaughter at Argynvosthold. Questions whether that was the god’s will.
Strahd is shook. Counters, and Sergei is not looking to start a fight, but has his doubts. The stories of the ghosts are not pleasant.
Tunnel of some sort in the crypt? Sergei wants to look into it more. His skills are growing faster than expected. The gate is secure, and no ignorant person should be wandering down here to stumble across it. There are wards on tombs so they are not vulnerable to such influence.
A ceremony has just concluded. Shasti seems to be an invited guest. Approaches Sister Markovia. The light enters from a window which looks out over Castlefield. Crypt is in the cliff. Light shines on two tombs side-by-side. Effigies of an older man and woman, both wearing crowns.
Shasti asks Sister Markovia about what’s next. Markovia talks about the raids, and how they will reclaim these lands. Markovia lays a hand on Shasti’s arm, says she and Sergei have decided to set up a holy order in Krezk. Tells her to visit them there.
Shasti approaches Strahd. Gets a sense of grief from him, but now fresh. He seems more preoccupied. Strahd thanks Shasti for attending the ceremony. Says it’s sad his father and mother didn’t get to see Barovia for themselves, but at least able to lay them to rest here. Hard to arrange for their bodies to be brought here. Talk of the wars beyond the valley.
Even the bodies struggled to arrive in the valley - same struggle Strahd had. Peculiar but not worried.
Shasti asks if people have been struggling to leave the valley. People can leave fine, but returning/arriving is difficult. Shasti asks Strahd about Krezk. He says Krezk is safe enough. Shakes his head at “rumours from southern villages.” Sergei will keep the town safe. Strahd is upset at people being so afraid.
He feels like it’s his responsibility to do more. Promises to take action.
Shasti asks if she can help. Segei peaks up, saying others can step up and take action. Strahd smiles, says everyone has a role to play, but he must do this. Will take (a) guard(s). He must not fear to tread any part of the valley.
Rahadin is speaking to a woman accompanied with a young boy. Shasti says Strahd is not safe enough. Rahadin’s manner sharpens. Asks what danger she sees. Shasti says, in general - taking one guard on his next mission. Rahadin agrees, says he would send more but Strahd is no longer a child. He makes these decisions for himself. Strahd is able to defend himself, being a fine swordsman.
Shasti brings up magic. Rahadin says he’s no mage, but others have placed protections. He’s getting a bit suspicious. The woman with him looks over his shoulder. Shasti asks what troubles her. She says she was considering the matter of magical protection. Has been necessary at different places in the castle. Was running through what’s been done.
Shasti tries to persuade the woman about needing to know what’s been done. Rahadin says Lady Fidatov knows all about the castle and its protections. Says older structures than the castle are here. They’re an unknown.
Shasti hits on Fidatov (presumably to butter her up). Asks what areas she’s most proud of; throne room, private chambers, chapel all rank up there as her favourites.
Shasti looks around more and walks to the service entrance. Opens the door to reveal a long, narrow corridor. Gets a sense this is not where she should be.
Shasti goes to flirt with Father Androv. He looks disconcerted at first but recovers, but says it’s pleasant to be appreciated. Shasti says he’s been crucial to keep morale up. How can people protect themselves, more than just faith. Efforts are ongoing to make the valley safer, and this means some of the old ways must be dealt with. Wants to do more to take stronger steps to stop the druid rites and ancient magics. Strahd won’t let him. Says Strahd will come around soon enough.
Wants to put chapels everywhere. Pagans must have their places, but they are too numerous right now, too difficult to reach. Druids turned away from their peaceful ways.
Shasti asks where these places are strongest. Mountains to the south and north, and far to the west.
Shasti listens in to a conversation between Sergei and Strahd. Strahd says he is relieved his parents are at rest in the castle. Sergei says their father’s passage through the gate is not a certain one. It was their father who ordered the slaughter at Argynvosthold. Questions whether that was the god’s will.
Strahd is shook. Counters, and Sergei is not looking to start a fight, but has his doubts. The stories of the ghosts are not pleasant.
Tunnel of some sort in the crypt? Sergei wants to look into it more. His skills are growing faster than expected. The gate is secure, and no ignorant person should be wandering down here to stumble across it. There are wards on tombs so they are not vulnerable to such influence.
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