The road was eerily quiet as Sordia Vignti travelled, the heavy mist clinging to their every step. Even the faint rustling of leaves seemed muffled, as if the land itself conspired to keep its secrets hidden. The party walked in uneasy silence, the weight of their predicament pressing down on them. Finally, [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] broke the quiet. “So... we’re in Barovia. Anyone else feel like we’re pawns in some twisted game?” “It’s more than that,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] muttered, his tone grim. “This place feels... wrong. Like the magic here has a mind of its own.” “And what about Pirate?” [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] asked, her voice tinged with worry. “We dragged him into this. He’s just a kid.” [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s jaw tightened. “I know. We’ll protect him, no matter what. He’s our responsibility now.” She glanced down at the hat in [[Qwimby|Qwimby]]’s hand. “He’s tougher than he looks, but even so... this place isn’t meant for children.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] nodded, his horns gleaming faintly in the mist. “Whatever this Barovia is, it’s clear we weren’t brought here by chance. We need to stay sharp. This land isn’t going to give us any favours.” After some time, they came across a weathered signpost at a fork in the road. The wooden planks pointed in several directions, their lettering faded but legible. The marker for Krezk stood out, its arrow pointing down the left path. “Looks like we’re on the right track,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] said, relief evident in his voice. But as they stepped closer, the relief turned to horror. Hanging from the post by a crude rope was the lifeless body of a child. The small figure swayed gently in the breeze, its face pale and eyes wide in a frozen expression of terror. “By the gods,” [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] whispered, covering her mouth. [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s hands clenched into fists, her anger boiling over. “What kind of monsters would do this?” The party stood in stunned silence, the weight of the sight pressing heavily on them. Suddenly, a rustling from the nearby bushes broke the spell. “Stay alert,” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] warned, his staff at the ready. The rustling grew louder, and within moments, a pack of wolves leapt from the undergrowth, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Their snarls echoed through the mist as they lunged at the party. [[Ellette|Ellette]] was the first to react, casting an Ice Knife to block as one of the wolves snapped at her. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] unleashed a blast of fire, scorching one of the beasts as it lunged at [[Qwimby|Qwimby]]. “Get off me!” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] shouted, firing his revolver point-blank at the wolf. The creature yelped and collapsed. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] summoned thorny vines from the ground, ensnaring two of the wolves. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] played a quick tune on her flute, her magic sending waves of healing energy through the group as they fought off the pack. The battle was brief but brutal. When the final wolf fell, its body dissolved into black mist that quickly faded into the air. “They weren’t natural,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] said, wiping blood from his brow. “Something’s controlling them.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] stared at the hanging child, her expression unreadable. “Let’s move. The sooner we’re out of these woods, the better.” The party’s steps quickened as the road led them to towering stone walls. The gates of the walled city stood open, their iron hinges creaking softly in the wind. As they entered, the mist seemed to thin slightly, revealing a modest village surrounded by farmland. Despite the faint light, the streets were eerily empty, save for a single figure standing in the centre of the square. The man was tall and imposing, dressed in fine but understated clothing. His pale complexion and dark eyes gave him an otherworldly aura, and his movements were unnervingly graceful. He turned to face the party, his gaze piercing and unreadable. “Welcome to Krezk,” he said, his voice smooth and commanding. “I trust your journey has been... enlightening.” The party exchanged wary glances, their hands drifting toward their weapons. “Who are you?” [[Ellette|Ellette]] demanded, her tone sharp. The man’s lips curled into a faint smile. “A friend, perhaps. Or perhaps not. That depends entirely on you.” The wolves’ howls echoed faintly in the distance, a chilling reminder that they were far from safe. [[Chapter 58. Strahd's Game]]