(Dan: As we left the house we made 3rd level) As we took stock of our escape, we were introduced to Zeb the Paladin.  He claimed we had encountered him on the way out.  All assumed he was a character for Brian to play to give him a voice in the action.  Plus, we could use all the help we could get, especially with some extra healing.  He was welcomed with suspicious arms. Next, we encountered Madame Strahd, leader of the land.  She welcomed us and made everyone nervous by the amount about us that she knew.  (Dan: We initially ignored her as we discussed what to do with the loot and the children's bones.  It was strongly hinted that this was the wrong thing to do so we shaped up and gave her our attention). She gave everyone a gift, as the mansion collapsed onto itself and then left.  (Dan: The gifts were a picnic basket and a lot of fancy clockwork toys that revealed that she knew more about our background than we did.  She mentioned my grandfather who was a silver dragon and Ambrus' people who she had personally forced to the edge of extinction... in this corner of the Shadowfell at least.)  Since the common theme of our visions before coming here we about freeing the land of her tyranny, we weren’t sure what to make of it. (Dan: She also gave Karn a rather obvious bite on the neck, even leaving bloody bite marks.  Karn being the lady's man he is, didn't notice.  Everyone else did but it didn't rile anyone up.  The undead paladin Zeb was okay with it too.) But that was a common theme so we just moved on.  We debated about what to do with the bones and decided to take them to the church in the village we were heading for.  We had a breakfast of Good Berries and headed out.  At some point, Zeb slipped away.  Evidently, he was a doppelganger and once he realized we weren’t going to camp before reaching town, he gave up his evil plans.  So evidently, he was there to amuse Brian. (Dan: The predicted 3-day ride was magically reduced to 4 hours.  Karn told us he believed it was due to the goodwill of the Countess, who we haven't pissed off yet.  By some miracle.  Before we left we checked out loot and most of it had changed into rotten mulch.  Weapons, armor, and magic items remained usable.)

Once in town, we went to the church.  It was battered and beaten with massive claw marks on the doors.  The priest was helpful and the bodies were interned.  The spirits inside Lord Q and Arlo were finally put to rest.  We did a Detect Magic and Identify on the stuff we had and took the rest to the only store in town.  On the way, Lancelot, the dog, eagerly identified his home.  The lady inside told a sad tale about her missing daughter.  Loki cast his Speak with Animals spell but all he really got was that she had left.  Lancelot was asked to lead us to her and started back to what we figured was the mansion we had just come from.  So that led nowhere.  When questioned, the mother implicated the son of the local Baron somehow.  Back to the store.  He’d sell for the usual half worth but his prices were 10x normal.  This offended all but he was the only game in town.  There was talk of finding a black market or going to another town however we had the money and had the need for basic stuff like backpacks and such and so most just ended up paying.  He did not carry weapons, however. We then went to the local tavern.  Kharn flirted with the 3 owner ladies.  Zolton got a lead on a job, escorting the sister of the son of the local baron to the next city. 

We were allowed to bed down for the night in the common room (our only option) and we did so.  (Dan: Karn slept upstairs with the 3 sisters.  What happened up there cannot be spoken of... but at least it didn't keep anyone else awake.  Dave made a pretend fort to sleep in, made out of the benches and slpt in it alone with his servants).  Those with fatigue were finally allowed to recover.  In the wee hours of the morning, Arlo heard a scream, and being the heroes fated to heal the land that we were supposed to be, we leaped into action.  We ended up 3 blocks over.  A lady’s husband had been killed and her daughter taken by some monster.  We gave chase, catching up to it outside of town, by a small stream.  We stopped there. (Dan: We did actually see it was a Fiend.  It was late and we didn't want to start a fight.)