The party, weary from their battle with the hags and their fiery escape from the mill, found refuge in an abandoned building within Barovia. Each member retreated to separate rooms, seeking a moment of solitude amid the chaos. The night was still, but a palpable unease lingered in the air. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] bolted his door, the faint sound of bells and footsteps echoing in his mind. He shook his head, convincing himself it was nothing. As he approached the window, his breath caught. Strahd stood outside, his presence both magnetic and terrifying. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] felt an inexplicable pull toward him, as though invisible strings guided him forward. Without hesitation, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] unlocked the window and began to crawl out. The allure was irresistible. In the hallway, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], still restless from the night’s events, heard the commotion coming from [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s room. He tried the door, but it was locked. Muttering a curse, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] wildshaped into a tiny fly, buzzing through the keyhole. Inside, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] was halfway out the window, his gaze fixed on Strahd. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] shifted back to his natural form and reached out, grabbing [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] by the shoulder. To [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], however, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s hand appeared as a malevolent claw. Panicked, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] unleashed an _Eldritch Blast_, the energy searing past [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] and cracking the window frame. “[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], stop!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] shouted, his voice urgent. “You’re not thinking straight. He’s not here to save you!” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s eyes remained fixed on Strahd. “He’s the only one who understands,” he muttered, his voice distant. Realizing he had no other choice, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] grabbed a small vial from his belt—a sleeping potion he had kept for emergencies. With a quick motion, he smashed it against [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s face. The fumes overwhelmed [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], and he slumped forward, unconscious. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] peered out the window, his heart pounding. Strahd moved with impossible grace, cutting down werewolves as if they were nothing. The sight was both mesmerizing and horrifying. Strahd paused, his eyes briefly meeting [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s before he vanished into the mist. Shaking, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] dragged [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] into the main room where the rest of the party slept. He explained what had happened, his voice trembling slightly. Despite their unease, the party agreed to continue their rest, knowing they needed their strength. When morning came, the party stirred, only to realize Ireena was missing. Panic set in as they searched the house, eventually finding her collapsed on the floor of another room. She was near death, her breaths shallow and laboured. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] knelt beside her, her voice tight. “She’s burning up.” Removing Ireena’s armor, the party recoiled. Her skin was red and blistered, as if her armor had been heated to boiling point. They worked quickly. [[Ellette|Ellette]] used her magic to mend the warped metal, while [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] cast healing spells with her lute. Ireena’s breathing steadied, and her eyes fluttered open. She groaned, sitting up slowly. “What happened?” “Someone’s trying to kill you,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] said bluntly. “Nothing new there.” Ireena, still weak but recovering, scowled. “Next time, wake me up before they try.” While the party focused on Ireena, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] had other priorities. He wandered to nearby corpses and began collecting arms and legs, muttering to himself about "just in case" preparations. When [[Ellette|Ellette]] noticed, she turned away in disgust. “We’re trying to save people, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], not build more abominations,” she snapped. As the party regrouped, Ireena’s gaze fell on the sword [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] had been carrying. Her expression changed, her brow furrowing. “That blade,” she said, pointing. “It’s speaking to me.” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] raised an eyebrow but handed her the sword. “Be my guest. It hasn’t said a word to me.” Ireena gripped the weapon and, without hesitation, struck it against the ground. The blade shattered, the sound ringing through the room. The metal fell away, revealing a map etched into its surface and a new, gleaming blade underneath. The party gathered around the map, studying its markings. “Mount Baratok,” [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] said, tracing the lines with her finger. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] grinned. “Well, I guess we have a goal now.” [[Chapter 75. Path to the Temple]]