Blessed are the Accursed...

As the company closed in on the beleaguered city of Krezk, Sir Mercurion and Zarhys took a different path. The paladin and the priest journeyed into the looming grey mountains, winding they way back to the Abbey of Saint Markovia. The Gundarakites seemed to have largely moved on, likely due to a lack of food, but the Belview clan was still there. Claus rallied his brothers and sisters by tolling the great clanging bell: a feast was to be had. Once again, a holy beast was summoned from the woods to feed the faithful flock, and after it was brought down and messily devoured by the misshapen Abbey-dwellers, the faithful performed signs and miracles. Mercurion cured fevers and festering wounds, while Zahrys healed those most unwell in mind and body. Among them was the great tentacled Otto, the insectile but cheery Zygfrek, and Marzena, the winged girl with teeth like needles. These were made disciples, each given visions of the Goddess Ezra as witnessed by Mercurion. As the night drew on, torches were lit, and the paladin of Ezra addressed the assembled once-men and women.

Mercurion held aloft the sunsword, and as it ignited the holy blade's incandescent fury burned brighter than any torch. The Borcan proclaimed that Ezra held all of Barovia under her sacred protection; no more would the wolves scratch at the door. No more would the hungry dead creep free of their tombs.  

No more would the devil Strahd work his vile designs upon the land. It mattered not that the family of Belview had been cursed for their sins- for now, if their hearts belonged to the Goddess, then the land was theirs to inherit. Mercurion beckoned, pointing toward the city below, besieged, the campfires of the enemy burning like old, malignant stars. Behold, the enemy is upon the doorstep- will you be the sword and shield of the Goddess?

The monstrous clan clapped and roared and stamped their mismatched feet in an ululating cacophony... if these cries still carried hints of the Belviews' madness, Mercurion was deaf to it. The kitchens were raided, as were the toolsheds and the workshop. The beastfolk were armed with knives, hammers, scythes. The larger ones dragged heavy chains, and Otto carried a plough blade wrapped in his many arms. Old bedsheets were repurposed as ragged banners, sprigs of belladona were woven into crowns and wreathes, and the throng made ready to march that very night...