19 - 11/1 : A Show of Force

After putting an end to the werewolf menace of Barovia, the group continued on to the next destination in search of the prophecies foretold by Danta. After resting in Krezk, the group headed south towards Mount Ghakis.
As our heroes traversed the narrow route, the group passed through the deadly Tsolenka Pass. A large gatehouse flanked by walls spanning the path greeted the party and barred the way further into the mountains. A large iron portcullis as well as a wall of fire barred the way forward. The walls appeared to have stone gargoyles atop the 20' walls. Wixley decided to try using her magic to teleport through, and was able to safely pass through the flaming barrier. Judge impatiently approached and decided to walk through, while the flames did some damage he was un-phased and wished to press onwards.
First the others would need to pass, so Judge suggested that Ireena simply fly over, but as she passed over the walls threshold the gargoyles revealed themselves to actually be Abashai! While the fearsome devils animated and swept in to attack, the groups devastating attacks landed with extreme precision and quickly fell the foul creatures.
After using some rope and Qiaos ability to walk up a sheer surface, the group scaled the wall and continued on. Ahead was a large chasm with a stone bridge. Seeing no other route, the group approached cautiously and began to cross.
From the other side a woman appeared riding a large, flaming horse. The vampire was Robin, Morrigan's first victim and her eternal enforcer. She had no time for games nor did Judge, and combat began! She began by calling forth the spirits of the damned, and a small army of Wraiths appeared!
As the group clashed, Robins expertise was matched by Judge and the two dueled over the flaming bridge while the rest focused on the wraiths. Wixley shot a pair of silver arrows into Robin and sent Robin hurling over the edge, but at the last second she grabbed ahold of the edge. Judge took his axe, and sent it clean through her head! The vampire vanished into a cloud of mist and departed back to the hole from which she came.
Next a final blow was struck on the Nightmare that had continued to kick relentlessly at judge, and in its death-throws it exploded in fiery ichor showering judge. Uncaring and unflinching, he marched back and the group fight raged on against the wraiths.
From the gatehouse, an evil voice was heard as Morrigan one again made her presence. She cursed the party, and wished them depart her realm once and for all. She took her scythe, and with one motion swung it down and shattered the bridge! As a show of force, she proved that she was indeed master of the realm, and on the edges of the bridge more of her wraiths appeared, uncaring and faceless they simply stood their as the group passed. With a swoop of her cape, she departed along with the wraiths, and said should the party wish to meet their demise, she would be at Castle Ravenloft.
With the bridge disintegrating before their very eyes, the group quickly made their way across to safety. But unfortunately an absolutely mammoth bird descended from the mountains to claim an easy meal! The roc tried to grab as the party fled, but Judge jumped on its back and forced it to retreat. As it flew off, Judge quickly realized he needed to jump, and plummeted down to the river below.
The group looked down in horror, hoping their friend has survived the perilous fall. But Judge marched from the depths and onto the shore, and soon rejoined the party. With Robin defeated and the way forward open, the group continued on to the Jade Temple.

Portraits

Wixley - The small halfling fights with bow and is an expert in dealing with undeath. She has abhors cities and civilization and is much more comfortable in the wilds. Her signature ability is to use spirit bats to knock back her enemies.

Fabian - A powerful sorcerer overflowing with magic, the aasimar sorcerer brings a potent suite of spells to the table to take down all foes.

Judge - The stoic worshipper of Muir, his combat expertise and righteousness leads the group to glory against all evil assailants who would dare challenge the group. During the trip to Argynvostholt, Judge revealed that he was none-other than Hanfred Vel, a famous Paladin of Muir. He had a great burden on his soul, and had returned to put a stop to the the tragedy that he believes set in motion.

Qiao Tai - An astral monk from the distant realms of the Xha'en Hegemony, she has traveled far and found herself in the lands of Barovia. After resting at the Church of Solanus, she heard the commotion in the graveyard and quickly rushed to the groups defense to fight off Morrigan's undead. She now joins their group in the crusade against the vampire. In a recent fight against Morrigan, her right arm was obliterated by Morrigans necrotic magic!

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Ireena Kolyana - The adopted sister of Ismark, she has been bitten twice by Morrigan and fears for her life. Morrigan has offered Ireena join her numerous times, but she continues to refuse. She has discovered an affinity for fire and learned to control it, gaining fire spells. Later in her desperation to help her friends, she discovered she now had the ability to heal.

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Robin Oweland - Morrigans first victim, she has served faithfully by her masters side since their time back in the Plains of Mayfarrow. She is humorless, uncaring and savage from her lifetimes spent in agony and torment, but proved to be no match for the groups martial prowess.

Morrigan - The devil herself and curse upon the lands of Barovia. She has confronted the party once at the Village of Barovia and her minions have been a constant thorn in the parties side. She set in motion the events at Vallaki, appeared before the group on the return from Argynvostholt. Most recently has appeared at the ruins of Berez, where she tried to ward the party away from a statue of a moth woman that bore a striking resemblance to Ireena. Morrigan has consistently tried to recruit the party to her evil deeds and seeks out Ireena, though for what purpose is unknown. While she remains an incredibly powerful force, the parties improving martial prowess is beginning to challenge her might.