Jasper's Journal: The Blinding Light

7th of Utkar, 1491 DR
 
After the encounter with the spirit of Argenvost, we decide that as a group it is best we take a quick rest before continuing with our quest. I suggest that the best place to rest would be the mirror tower, as it has only two directions to guard, and we could slip away through the mirrors in an emergency.
 
I begin to lead the way, but as I look into the familiar stairwell, I see the shadows from above having descending... But, as though they were alive, they seemed to notice me and recede back up the stairwell. I alert Morric, but he suggested we just press on. So, I walk up the stairs, and as I emerge on the roof I notice a revenant across the gaping hole, scouting for our location. With skilled hand maneuvers, I alert the group, and sneak to the entrance of our hiding place.
 
As I arrive back at the door, I am shocked with surprise to find that the door is locked! It was unlocked only a short hour ago... The rest of the group, save Sergei, sneaks over to join me, and Ezi uses a knocking spell to unlock the door. As we enter, Sergei trips over debris and alerts the revenant! Just as I was about to start cooking a classic Waterdhavian snack for us too... The rest of the group dashed out of the room to help the old man as I started unpacking my frying pan, so I dropped my belongings and dashed out as well. The party was just sitting and watching though, and Morric explained that the revenant had surrendered... Expecting a trap, I ran ahead of the group and prepared a sun bolt should the revenant attack.
 
However, much to my shock, the revenant does not attack but rather speaks! Somewhat awkwardly I may add... Though, he was very friendly and seemed to share our objective of restoring the tower's light. So, knowing people come from all walks of life, I invited him to eat with us while we rested! He was very pleased by this, in fact he even said it was the nicest thing someone had done for him in years! So, we settled down and I cooked food for the group during our rest, and had a nice long conversation with Sir Godfrey Gwilym.
 
As we continue to converse with this strange undead man, we learn that my tattoo gifted to me by Argenvost will only activate and have power when the beacon is lit, just as Argenvost had told me about the resurrection of my dear Piccolo. He also explained that we need the skull of Argenvost as the key to the beacon; luckily though, our beautiful new friend Ezi has it with her!
 
We continued to chat for some time, and Sir Godfrey explained to us that it would be a challenging task to return the key, as Sir Vladimir Horngaard's mind was broken when Argenvost died, and does not want the building reconsecrated. He also explained that lighting the beacon will alert Strahd and likely cause him to swiftly make his way here.
 
So, after much planning, I break the window, we tie some rope, and Ander and I descend to collect the skull. We get Ezi's cart where I befriend her horse, and we make our way back. We tie some rope, and being to climb and levitate the skull. The climb is perilous. Raind and lighting bear down upon us as we climb the tower, sandwiched together. On two occasions I almost fell because of the lightning and thunder, but with luck and fate on our side, we make it all the way up and deposit the skull on the landing.
 
As we do so, bright light blasts from the area, cleansing the darkness, and I am filled with pain as sunlit dragon wings burst from my back. I am levitated into the heart of the light, and then lose consciousness and fall to the floor...
 
As I begin to come around again, bright light covers my vision and I hear the voice of Argenvost call out to me, commanding me to be his light and to do his bidding. Then, the soft voice of a monkey whispers in my head: "Boss?" I open my eyes as the light fades, and find my sweet little Piccolo in my arms, in the middle of the chapel. I am overcome with joy I cannot even express with words. My dear, sweet Piccolo is back!
 
~ Jasper Solavich