SESSION 47: DAY 13: Ravenloft: 5 Days Until Full Moon, Waxing Gibbous

Dinner and a Show

Lovely saw a magical flash in the ghastly kitchen of Ravenloft. Escher suddenly arrived, eyeing the unconscious Song before giving Volenta a look. He asked what happened. Volenta shrugged and told him Song had simply lost her appetite. Escher asked if Volenta minded if he partook in Song. Volenta shook her head, calling him nosy and claiming Song as her responsibility. However, the blond vampire corrected her, saying that Strahd sent Escher to collect Song since she had passed out. A subtle wink was in his face. Volenta reluctantly relented and allowed Escher to drag Song's body away.

Escher dragged her down the corridor and up the stairs in a dusty room with covered furniture and skeletons in guard uniforms. Briefly glancing around, the blond vampire's image fell away to reveal none other than Geraldine, the warlock in drag. Breathing a sigh of relief, Geraldine set down the magical chest of interdimensional space and placed Song's unconscious body inside. Geraldine made off with all her acquired booty safe at hand, retracing her steps back to the party.

The warlock went out the servant's door, into the courtyard, through the chapel window, down the hall of knight statues that stared, and back into the foyer. To her chagrin, Geraldine saw Rahadin in the foyer, gazing upwards at the grand staircase as he waited for the remaining guests to come down. Frowning, Strahd's loyal dusk elf servant scrutinized the warlock, asking her why she was wandering around like a bad guest. With a sigh, Geraldine diplomatically told him the affair of the duel had left her distraught and she had simply sought a private spot to regain her composure in order to perform properly. Rahadin was surprised and seemed to think Gerald, as an adventurer, would be used to death by now. However, the dusk elf decided to accept it and inform Gerald that the master was now waiting for everyone to arrive for dinner. Geraldine reapplied her face powder with a compact mirror, content to wait with Rahadin for the remaining guests.

Kee, the aarakocra ranger eyed the door with some concern after fighting the throngs of rats. His deduction and senses seeing nothing logically wrong with the door, the birdman opened the door to a dusty dining area veiled in lacelike cobwebs. It had clearly once been a place of fine dining set to serve a fine cake that had been left to turn green with mold and rot. On top of the cake was a small figure of a woman. The room also had a cobwebbed chandelier, a heavily curtained window, a dusty lute, and a cobwebbed harp.

Using his wings, Kee hovered over the floor, sending some layers of dust and cobwebs this way and that as he followed the tracks of Vasili, Ismark, Gertruda as well as the drag marks of Ireena. Passing through a door, he entered a by far more clean and lived-in room with tasteful carpet and bookshelves on the wood-paneled walls lined with books. It was lit and warmed by candelabras and the fire of a roaring fireplace, making the shadows of elegant armchairs, couches, and divans dance. There was also a table with a book on alchemy upon it. Over the fireplace was the painted portrait of a beautiful, auburn haired woman who looked astonishingly like Ireena.

Kee studied the portrait for a moment, tilting his falcon-like head and narrowing his golden eyes. It looked years old. He scanned for shiny things in the room but nothing really grabbed his attention. Then, he looked around at the four doors around him. He had come out of one, following the trail of the others. In the carpet, he could see the drag lines and smudges of dust from the old cake room. Kee approached the double doors and was met by a gasp from Gertruda.

He found his quarry all in a decadent master bedroom with candelabras and a curtained window. A sweet scent filled the air. Ireena lay sleeping within the confines of a great canopied bed with sheets and blankets of silk and velvet. A large Z was carved into the headboard. The young and naive Gertruda sat beside Ireena, thoughtfully watching over her. Vasili and Ismark stood off to the side, watching Kee enter.

Kee asked how Ireena was and Vasili shrugged, saying that Ireena was sedated for now. Ismark immediately regarded Kee with suspicion, questioning why he had left them alone. Kee retorted that he had gone to find Song with no luck. This worried Ismark as he now only had Kee left to protect his sister. Kee briefly told them he had just got done fighting rats outside the old cake room.

The men then decided to usher Kee out into the study to discuss matters away from the ladies. Ismark pointed out that the portrait looked like his sister. Kee agreed and picked up the entire painting off the wall to look even closer at it. "Put that back lest I consider you a bad guest." The birdman suddenly felt Strahd's voice invade his mind. Kee asked who the portrait was of. He was met by silence. "It's rude not to answer," Kee commented as he put the portrait back over the fireplace.

Then, the aarakocra idly picked up the clean poker next to the fireplace. The three individuals in the study were suddenly startled as they heard the sound of scraping stone. The back of the fireplace had opened up to a hidden passage after what Kee had done. Kee quickly put out the fire and ducked inside to see what was hidden. Ismark followed, bidding the doctor to stay behind to protect Ireena. Inside, they found a small room with a chest surrounded by coins and two sconces on the walls. One had a lit torch in the sconce while the other was empty. Also in the room was a skeleton in ragged adventuring martial clothing and armor. One hand held a torch while the other hand held the remains of his neck.

Kee squinted at the skeleton. The death did not seem to be due to any physical wound. "Do you think he choked himself out?" He asked Ismark jokingly. "I think something in the room did," Ismark remarked. The burgomaster of Barovia thought it best to just leave the room lest the same fate befall them. They backed back out and crossed the study to meet back up with the doctor in the master bedroom. They told him about the secret room and some of its contents. Overhearing this, Gertruda seemed intrigued and commented that she never knew about it. Kee commented that it was because the secret room was "secret". Gertruda thought Strahd wouldn't like them going around taking things like chests full of shiny gold as Kee put it. Kee asked aloud if Strahd minded them taking his chest. Strahd didn't respond.

After that, the three decided that Vasili would stay behind to protect Ireena since the rest of them were expected to go to dinner. Ismark begrudgingly admitted that it would be very bad for the burgomaster of Barovia to not show up and Kee was an honored guest. Vasili also stated that he was a bit winded from carrying Ireena upstairs but insisted that didn't make him less of a man. Kee cheekily commented that Vasili was as much of a man as Kee thought he was. Gertruda idly commented that Strahd never slept in this room and had given it to her for the time being, so it was perfectly safe. Kee asked the men if they trusted Gertruda, who in turn commented that it was a rude thing to say.

Settling with things as they were, Kee and Ismark reluctantly left and retraced their steps back to the throne room. Kee attempted to give the accountant a rat to eat. "Oh my god!" The accountant was immediately repulsed, knocking it off his table with an object other than his hand and asking Kee to take it back. Kee took it back. The throne room where the gala was held was completely empty. They headed downstairs where the nobles of Barovia waited along with Geraldine who briefly flirted with the tipsy Wachter brothers. Also waiting was Rahadin and three of the consorts sans Volenta. Volenta suddenly appeared looking quite flushed and more than a bit intoxicated.

Rahadin narrowed his eyes, the math not adding up in his mind. "Where is Song?" He asked, looking at Volenta. The little masked woman chuckled and wryly said that she had gone off to have late-night fun with an old friend. Volenta smirked in Escher's direction. Escher was immediately puzzled at the suggestion and denied it, claiming to have been upstairs with the others the whole time. Rahadin furrowed his brows at the incompetence.

Geraldine piped up, saying that they couldn't just wait forever. Perhaps, Song needed some alone time. Rahadin immediately narrowed in on Geraldine, reminding her that he only took orders from Strahd. The dusk elf wearily expressed some hope in Strahd not being too angry at Song's sudden disappearance. Rahadin commanded Volenta and Escher to find Song since they seemed to be the last ones involved with her. He also grimly reminded them of what disappointing Strahd meant. Volenta and Escher immediately went to work to find where the dhampir moon cleric had disappeared to.

In the meantime, Rahadin martially led all the guests down the hall where there was an oiled suit of armor and a spiral staircase going up and down. He opened up the already partially opened doors to reveal the dining hall where organ music played at a graceful volume. It was a decadent place with three grand chandeliers, a fireplace, and a long table with a white tablecloth decorated with plates of delicious, mouth watering foods and fine goblets with amber liquid. At the head of the table was a cloaked, dark-haired man who sat at a great pipe organ. The pipes went all the way up the high ceiling and the organ was lavishly decorated by angelic statues. The organist rapturously played the chords, putting his triumph and anguish into every note.

Rahadin invited the guests in, marched in, and stood stiffly to the side in a soldierly manner. As the remaining guests filed in, Strahd von Zarovich stopped playing, turned away from the organ, and laid his eyes upon them. A heavy silence fell over the hall. He welcomed the brave souls dinner and expressed hope in having discussions about Barovia over a lovely meal. Strahd's burning eyes scanned the crowd, noting that two of his consorts and Song were gone. The vampire lord asked if something was wrong. Rahadin tensely spoke up, informing Strahd that Volenta and Escher had somehow lost Song and that they were looking for her. Anastrasya and Ludmilla looked amused, purring into Strahd's ear about the young ones being untrustworthy and out of control. They subtly suggested that he was too patient and it was silly that he needed anyone more than them.

Strahd focused and flexed out his arms as he gathered a bit of fur in his hand and cast an incantation. Magic flared and subsided. The vampire lord's eyes flared bright red with fury, declaring that Song was no longer in the castle. His furious gaze fell on Kee and Gerald as he demanded to know where Song had gone. Kee honestly shrugged and commented that last he knew, Song had gone to see Strahd himself. Strahd von Zarovich grew irritated with Kee, dismissing his input. He demanded to know, stating that the party or the consorts will be harmed if no one tells him what he wants to know. Seeing that Geraldine was being quiet, Strahd pierced into Gerald's mind and recognized that he was holding a secret.

Geraldine let out a whimsical sigh and admitted defeat before setting the magical chest on the ground and pulling the comatose Song out with a flourish like a rabbit out of a hat. Strahd's impending wrath immediately turned to gleeful amusement as he clapped at Gerald's magic trick. The Barovians looked on with shock and astonishment.

The vampire lord congratulated the performer on making fools out of his consorts. Geraldine cheekily commented that the consorts had done that to themselves as she dragged Song's body over to one of the remaining chairs and propped her up. Strahd frowned and questioned why Song was unconscious. Geraldine commented that she thought Song would eventually come to. Unfortunately, she had found the moon cleric in a scenario that didn't make for polite conversation.

Strahd commented that he felt bad for what he did downstairs and had been counting on four honored guests. Song being unconscious was a problem and she absolutely needed to be awakened. Since it worked the last time Song didn't wake up, Geraldine used her shocking grasp. Song remained comatose and limp despite the electrical harm. Geraldine fed her a goodberry Song had given her earlier, but that didn't seem to work either. Song would not wake up. Her state perplexed everyone. It was then revealed Song had fainted in the kitchen before she almost drank her friend's blood. Geraldine again reiterated it wasn't polite conversation to mention this.

Then, a wave of calm suddenly washed over the room affecting many Barovians as well as Kee and Song. The moon cleric finally awoke with fatigue and asked where she was. She was informed she was at dinner. Song wearily held her head after her experience. Kee asked her if she was all right and Song asked him to not ask her again.

It was around this time that Escher and Volenta returned. Volenta immediately and loudly expressed her apologies to Strahd and confusion on what had happened. She insisted it wasn't Escher and hers fault. Strahd gently shushed her and told her to take a seat and she did so obediently. The vampire lord then chided Escher on making a fool out of himself, noting that Escher didn't like him. Escher sat down. Then Strahd gave Geraldine one last bravo before initiating the dining.

Everyone began to eat the delicious food and drink except for Song who only made idle motions to feign interest in anything. Not even blood seemed to interest her. Gerald ate politely. Kee dropped his rat on a plate and began eating that.

Strahd noted that he was less acquainted with Kee and asked him about how he joined the Wild Cards. Kee regaled Strahd with how he had been flying about before coming across the Wild Cards fighting wolves. As Kee disliked wolves, he saw fit to join them in their fight and help them. Strahd asked Kee if he had any interest in returning to the abbey. The Krezkovs raised their brows at the mention of the abbey. Kee replied he found the abbey boring and that the Abbot was hard focused on his own devices. Strahd chuckled and agreed, saying the Abbot was full of himself.

The vampire lord went on to ask Kee about his kind and where he came from, having never seen an aarakocra before Kee. Kee informed Strahd that as he told him before, the birdman was from the Plane of Air and had been sent to the Material Plane on a mission by his people. Strahd seemed intrigued, considering that most of his guests were usually residents of the material plane. Kee further explained that he needed to find an artifact to help defeat an Ancient Green Dragon.

Strahd wryly informed Kee that he had once killed a dragon. Song wearily verified that it had been an Ancient Silver dragon. The vampire lord seemed bemused that Song was familiar with the circumstances and asked her to enlighten Kee for him. Song went into the details regarding the noble Argynvost who had a fortress called Argynvostholt and started the Order of the Silver Dragon to guard people from entering a mysterious place called the Amber Temple. The forces of Strahd and Argynvost clashed until a final battle at the Argynvostholt fortress, where the dragon was ultimately killed by Strahd himself. The dragon knights were devastated and heartbroken. When they fell in battle, they rose from the dead as revenants and still live on out of sorrow and a desire for vengeance for their lord. Strahd dismissed the revenants as dull annoyances at worst. Song also mentioned that Vladamir had actually had a dream about it the night before. This amused Strahd.

Strahd then went on to say that he planned to explain matters to the Barovians as these adventurers had gone poking around in certain matters. He then asked the Wild Cards to talk about themselves. Based on how much they revealed about themselves, Strahd would match their sincerity in his own background. Having just spoken not too long ago, Song suggested Gerald go first.

Geraldine beamed and mused about discussing different experiences with Monarchs. However, Strahd had no interest and wanted to know about Gerald personally. Gerald sighed and went on to explain how he didn't remember much before joining an acting troupe. He worked his way through the backstage work until he found himself as a performer. Gerald often found himself type casted as the villain. He also mentioned that the stage was also where he met his wife. Strahd seemed surprised that Gerald had a wife. Kee picked through the entrails of a rat, making some people uncomfortable. Gerald continued, musing over his darling Elisa and his son. When asked how he found himself here, Gerald explained that he had been simply escaping his problems and sadness.

Since Kee and Gerald had spoken about their lives, all eyes fell on Song who sighed and swirled one of the goblets. She continued to lack any appetite for the banquet before her as she recalled her own tale. Song had been born in the countryside, the second born of four golden-haired, blue-eyed, aasimar children with human parents. She had an elder brother, younger sister, and younger brother. They were all raised to be good and great in the eyes of the gods. Her brother was becoming a paladin and she was training to be a cleric for a sun god. Song explained that she was quite dedicated to her duty and family.

Strahd interrupted with a smirk, asking if she had been dedicated then why she had run away? Annoyed, Song commented that she was getting to that part. The moon cleric described herself becoming quite ill and it was eventually realized that a vampire had been attacking her in her sleep. Her eyes narrowed in on the foppish Escher who gave a vicious grin. Her father and older brother had made the unfortunate plan of setting a trap for the vampire by waiting for him to come for her. Escher interrupted, commenting on how that didn't go well at all. Song reluctantly agreed, saying that he had set fire to the fields. She herself had actually tried to get up and help but she hadn't gotten very far before Escher arrived.

Escher interrupted again, wanting to reveal a surprise for Song. Very aggravated, Song furiously demanded that Escher stop interjecting and allow her to finish her damn story. Escher huffed and looked over at Strahd who agreed with Song's request. The vampire lord allowed her to continue.

Song explained how she awoke to see the vampire and her older brother fighting outside. As dawn drew close, the vampire suddenly killed the young aasimar. Then, he saw Song in the window, bowed, and turned to mist. Everyone returned to the scene to find the eldest aasimar sibling dead. The high cleric had the father cut his son's head off to make sure he never rose to undeath. When Song was discovered to have been turned into a dhampir, her community and half her family were up in arms to kill her. Her mother was reluctant, but her younger brother screamed at her to run. So, Song ran as far as she could; ragged, wretched, and alone until she found the Silver Ladies who took her in.

Song managed to withhold her thirst for two years before beginning to supplement herself. However, her hunger for revenge could not be held back so she wasted her time looking for Escher and learning about vampires. Then, she heard a rumor in Daggerford and found herself in Barovia. She declared that one of her major regrets was giving even a single thought about the worthless epitome of disappointment that was Escher Belasco.

Escher then gleefully pressed to unveil his surprise at long last. He summoned several servants in the room. Among them were Barovian vampire spawn as well as two vampire spawn with curled hair that were shockingly familiar to Song. Her short, stout, and tomboyish little sister Seren and her tall, lanky and clever younger brother Rex. There was no recognition or expression in their eyes. Song's mind snapped at the sight of them and she narrowed her eyes on Escher, declaring to him that he was incapable of frightening her or hurting her in any way. She was Song Guine and she has no family. Song hurled every single vicious insult she could at him until Strahd intervened and the spawn were sent away. The vampire lord reminded Song that his offer still stood. She did not respond, slouching back into her chair and ignoring Escher's existence.

Strahd then went on to describe everyone as prisoners of Barovia, even himself as the designated King. When he first laid eyes on the valley, he knew that it was the rightful seat for his family legacy. Despite everyone that stood in the way, he defeated them all. After the war, Strahd lost his sense of purpose. He grew conflicted and was poisoned by despair. He tasted human blood and became a vampire with no master.

Song spoke up, asking if it had been Sergei's blood. Strahd asked her why she was thinking that. Song explained that was what Ireena had screamed at Strahd at the gala. "You killed your brother-my love!" Strahd accepted this and reasoned that he was not afraid to admit that Sergei was the first. With all that said, the way things are now is the way things are. The Wild Cards deserve recognition for their work but he warns the Barovians against thinking that the heroes are their salvation. Even the Wild Cards had their secrets and flaws. Strahd claimed to do everything he could to keep things happy in Barovia.

Song spoke up, saying "raise your hand if you feel happy". No one raised a hand. Strahd then asked the Wild Cards what they would do to be better. There was no point in fighting the prison. Kee mentioned creating a council of elected leaders. Strahd said that was what the burgomaster system was for. Song idly commented that nothing in Strahd's actions makes her think he wants to make her happy. Ludmilla murmured to Strahd about how he was still seen as a villain no matter how hard he tried. The vampire lord dismissed this, claiming that Song only thought this way because she had an outsider's perspective. He expressed thanks to Gerald for his entertainment. Kee spoke up, asking if Escher could be punished for violating Song to maintain balance. Strahd denied the request, stating that Escher was simply doing what he had been told.

Strahd then went on a discussion regarding taxes and how he's never made a request for them. Song commented that the civilians paid their taxes in blood. This amused Strahd and he went on to ask what the Wild Cards would do if they were collecting taxes from someone who said their harvest had been short, but they are dressed quite finely. Song said it depended on the person's prior history. Gerald went into a tangent about leaders being unpaid if they didn't do well. Sometimes they would lose their head and be replaced by someone else. Kee felt he had a sheltered perspective and said it was just important to contribute to what society needed as a whole.

Strahd mused over not being able to please anyone from monsters to man. He asked how the party would handle things as a monarch. In terms of handling things as a monarch, Song suggested having more care in the local Barovians and just hunting outsiders instead. Gerald gave Song a confused look, trying to understand her state of mind. The actor gained some insight into her depressed, untrusting, and stoic condition.

Strahd also asked what they would do if a wizard came attacking with an undead army or if an assassin arrived, got scared, ran, and got caught. Geraldine commented that killing a monarch is attacking the nation itself. Then, Gerald asked Strahd if he was a man or the monster that killed the man. Strahd was befuddled by this for a moment before going into a rant about Rudolph van Richten who had killed him once before. He asked the party if they knew where the monster hunter was. Kee and Song did not answer. Geraldine suddenly shouted "he's behind you!" Strahd turned his head around and then looked back to Gerald in amusement at being tricked.

Strahd asked if everyone felt fed before proceeding to the next occasion. Geraldine offered to do a performance to give everyone a moment to settle. Strahd raised a brow, thinking that the drag show was supposed to be later. Geraldine insisted it would just be a shanty as a warmup. He encouraged Ludmilla to play some music with his song, and she does so badly. However, Geraldine's performance shined through.

"Oh, Daring Geraldine, in Barovia's haze,

She'll make you laugh and stagger in her wicked ways,

With a wink and a grin, she'll steal your last coin,

In the land of the night where the dark ones conjoin!"

(Verse 1)

"In the shadows of the tavern where the drunks all brawl,

Lived a lass named Geraldine who would charm and enthrall,

With a dress cut low and a laugh so loud,

She'd turn a solemn crowd into a rowdy crowd!"

(Verse 2)

"She'd flirt with the gents, and with a swish of her skirt,

Leave 'em aching and dreaming, with their pockets all hurt,

With a flick of her eyes and a dangerous tease,

She'd bring a proud knight down to his knees!"

(Verse 3)

"One night in the fog where the moon's a cold sight,

Geraldine revealed a trick that was sure to ignite,

With a flourish and jest, she danced on a table,

But the truth that she shared was far from stable!"

(Verse 4)

"For the lass who would tease and make lovers pine,

Was a rogue with a secret, and a riddle divine,

like a great mighty paladin I before the dungeon door

Only to find this maiden had hardwood floors"

The captivated audience applauded Geraldine and Strahd seemed quite delighted. The vampire lord then led his guests on a castle tour back into the hallway with the oily knight before heading to the chapel. Song approached the Krezkovs to inform them their son had been taken to the werewolf den. They freaked out a little. Dmitri went catatonic for a moment until Song sighed and cast Lesser Restoration on him before moving up through the crowd. The four consorts trailed at the back, making sure no one wandered off.

While they passed through the armored statues, Strahd noted all the architects and engineers he had brought into making the castle. All the armors were different and related to different regions and noble families of old.

They entered the large, dusty chapel with broken and boarded up windows. Strahd reminisces about this place once being consecrated in the name of the Morninglord that had once been important to his family line. He asked if the Wild Cards had faith. Song as usual mentioned the Moon Maiden. Kee and Geraldine had nothing in that regard. Strahd mentioned that faithlessness was often the way in Barovia. He led them up the northern staircase past two knight statues to reach the high balcony that overlooked the chapel. Two thrones with slouched figures were turned away from them.

Then, they headed down the King's hall where they heard mournful moans of sadness and despair. Strahd pointed to a tapestry hanging on the wall and asked who was being depicted. There was a great regal figure with a wolf-headed helmet and a sword of sunlight. Kee humorously pointed at a random figure behind the most distinct figure and asked who that was. Strahd chuckled and commented that it was probably one of his father's squires. He pointed back over to the primary figure, saying that it was King Barov von Zarovich, Strahd's father. Song asked what he was like. Strahd said, "tyrannical". Song asked what he was like as a father. Strahd repeated, "tyrannical". Kee asked if this was why Strahd didn't have children. Strahd explained that it was physically impossible for him to have children as a vampire. The same went for dhampirs as well. Song didn't look particularly bothered by the news.

The tour reconnected to the throne room. Strahd announced that the tour was over and that it was now time to move on to the next stage. Rahadin arrived, pulling a misshapen, humanoid figure by a chain. The person had a bag on their head. Then, the dusk elf pulled off the bag and revealed a scared man with strange head-like lumpy growths on his body. Strahd declared this part to be a test for the Villakian candidates for burgomaster. This man was a convicted murderer who used a wooden beam to crush his spouse and her lover in a murderous rage. In Barovia, adultery is punishable by death but should civilians be allowed to conduct their own justice? Song wryly commented that adultery was fine if the marriage was agreed upon to be open, briefly eyeing the consorts before looking at Strahd. Strahd chuckled in amusement.

Song then scrutinized the growths and asked why the criminal was so mutated. Strahd explained that there were some in Barovia that dealt with darker powers. Those that do often find their bodies corrupted by the powers that be.

After some discussion of what some might do, everyone waited to see which person would rise to cast judgment and be the burgomaster of Vallaki. After a pregnant pause, the somewhat intoxicated Nikolai Wachter II stepped forward to kill the man. Kee immediately raised his bow and shot the man in the throat. The criminal gasped, condemning everyone else around him, saying that they were no different than him and could just as easily be corrupted. "You carry its stink. Does it whisper to you?" Then, he collapsed, dead.

Kee asked if he was the burgomaster now. Strahd stated that Kee was not a viable candidate and asked why he didn't let Nikolai do it. Kee commented that he thought the drunken Wachter brothers were incompetent. Gerald then spoke up suggesting that the one who wanted to do it the least should be the leader. Song warned that the person would probably neglect the duty if they didn't want it. But Gerald's reasoning held up. Strahd declared that Victor Vallakovich was now the burgomaster. Though he may not want the position, he had the mental capacity. The vampire lord also suggested that the Vallakoviches and the Wachters let bygones be bygones. "Your parents were crazy." Then, he nodded to the Martikovs stating that he could count on them to keep up the cheer in Villaki. Urwin Martikov made a nervous but polite noise in thanks.

Strahd was about to have the party proceed elsewhere when the glass window suddenly shattered from a violent burst of force. A great boom, flash of light, and a plume of black smoke was unleashed somewhere within the castle from one of the high towers. The smell of burning ozone filled the air.