Disclaimer: Based on the characters from the TV shows Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel created by Joss Whedon and his team.
MAIN TITLE: Back To The Beginning
Part of: The Unfinished Trials Of The Slayer
Written By : (Me) Graham Duke
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Chapter 4 - Ravenloft
Back in a different place and time. A perpetual rolling blackness of thunderclouds casts a grey pall over the land. The darker silhouette of Castle Ravenloft looks over the valley from it's 1,000 foot pillar of rock. Castle Ravenloft dominates the small dead village below. The castle stands high atop a natural pillar of rock against the cliffs to the north of the village. The dark Rumanian woods surround the village and cliffs.
The road to the village and lands goes through ancient iron gates, controlled by the will of Count Strahd, There are only two gates , one east of the village and one west of the castle cross-roads up the mountain. There is a deathly stillness in the Rumanian woods. Yet the woods are patrolled constantly by the wolves and serving beasts of Count Strahd.
No one has left the lands around Ravenloft for centuries. This is because of the trapping fog that exists everywhere around Ravenloft. Once it is breathed, it infuses itself around a persons vital organs as a neutralised poison. The fog does not taste or smell any different than normal fog. It does not harm a person as long as they continue to breathe the air in the lands around Ravenloft.
However, when they leave the woods, the poison becomes active. Any person leaving the woods will start to cough and choke and unless they return within 48 hours they die. The choking stops as soon as they breathe the fog again. Only Count's henchmen and demons can come and go as they please, as a potion was given to them by Strahd that cancels the effects of the fog.
Inside the study of the castle, Count Strahd was sitting back in his overstuffed chair, staring into the blazing fire. the study itself is a place of tranquillity, a harbour for the mighty and powerful. It is a place of wisdom, warmth and despair. A large fire place and mantelpiece dominates the room. A portrait of a young women with long blonde hair wearing a white dress hangs above the mantelpiece. The door to the study opens with a creaking noise as a dark hooded figures enters the room and crosses the floor to stand next to the chair in which the Count was sitting it.
Count Strahd did not look up at the hooded figure but continued to look deep into the blazing fire. The hooded figure spoke to the Count in a soft low voice, " The Witch has been released Master ". Strahd nodded his head, " Good, all is as it should be, is everything ready for are visitors? " Strahd asked the hooded figure. " Yes every thing is in place as you ordered. " Replied the hooded figure, again speaking in a soft low voice. Count Strahd stood up and walked to the fire place and looked up at the portrait above the mantelpiece. " Then bring me my guest's. " Strahd told the hooded figure. At this last command the hooded figure nodded and left the study leaving Count Strahd once again alone in the room.