Image Source: https://patch.com/california/pleasanton/calendar/event/20161029/45875/dungeons-dragon-halloween-game-the-death-house
The Death House.....
It's what started everything, we had appeared outside of it not knowing where we were or why we were there. It had taken lives of two of us. First Howler died in the dungeon after falling down a spike trap, then Iliad died as we were escaping. The saddest part about that was that he was not even 50 feet from the exit, he choked to death on the toxic fumes and never made it out alive.
We covered Iliads body with one of the spare sheets we found in the closet with the broom then headed back out to figure out where we were. No one was able to identify any of the landmarks or stars, it appeared as if we had been transported to a different land. We were probably standing out side the house talking for about five minutes when we noticed that there was someone standing in the woods watching us. I don't know how long he was there but it had to have been a while.
We introduced ourselves to him and invited him to come over and join us. I made sure to have a spell ready incase he tried anything, you can't be to careful in this place after all the crap that has happened so far. He came over and introduced him self, I can't remember his name but he did say that he was a Vishtani. They were a people that traveled the lands. He told us that we were about a day away from Brovia, the capital city of this place which was also called Brovia. As he was explaining this to us 5 other people all came out of the woods, all were dressed in leathers and had swords and crossbows. Turns out they were out hunting when they came across us.
After introductions were made they offered to escort us to the town as they were stopping by there anyways. Figuring that we had no idea what we were doing there we accepted his offer and headed down the road. We had been walking for about two hours when we came across a figure. Once we got closer to him we saw that it was a tiefling, he looked similar to Iliad and seemed confused as to why he was there. I introduced my self and found out that he was actually related to Iliad and he had no idea why he was there. He said that his name was Maven and that all he knows it that a mist appeared and when it was gone he was standing here on this dirt road.
We were about to head off when Maven suggested that they have a fist fight to get to know each other. Gorza and the cat quickly agreed while Lyrudar decided to sit it out and well I was going to have no part in it. The fight started, Gorza and Maven were trading blows while the cat stood back and watched. They were going at it for a while until they both decided that they should take the cat out first. As soon as Gorza swung at the cat he exploded into motion. Two quick jabs into Gorza then a spinning kick right into the side of Mavens head. It was over almost as soon as it started, the cat standing over the two unconscious forms. Lyrudar and I healed the two idiots just enough to get them on there feet then we all headed off.
It took us about four hours but the town started to come into view. One thing that we noticed immediately was the huge imposing castle on top of a large cliff towering over the town. Turns out that was Strahd's castle, didn't mean much to us at the time but it would be where everything ends. We got to the gates and thanked the Vishtani for leading us to the town and headed in to find some lodging. We were heading down the street to the center of town when we saw it, the Death House was there in the town. I don't know how it got there and still wonder to this day, but all i know was it was there and it turned out to be completely harmless. We ended up heading in to spend the night and figure everything out come the morrow.
We didn't know that this would be one of the last peaceful days that we were going to have for a long time....