Looking at the elk-turned-wizard, Ada notices he bears a strong resemblance to Hayden. She calls out to him, but he only responds with “You think my magic has grown weak? Think again!” before beginning to chant.
Ireena and Corinna immediately take cover. Mondross casts Calm Emotions on Hayden, but it does not seem to work. Ada calls out, “We do not doubt your power, and we are not your enemy. We came to look for your help!” This also does not work.
As Hayden continues to chant, visible power crackles around him. He points and a bolt of energy shoots from his hand, hitting Elmer straight in the chest. Elmer is blasted backward into a pile of rocks before falling unconscious.
At this point Ismark and Elgian take cover and Corrina drags Elmer behind a large boulder. Mondross attempts to cast Sleep on Hayden, but it has no effect. Ada uses the healing kit to stabilize Elmer.
Hayden shouts, “Tell your dark masters they can break my body but they can never break my spirit,” before casting a new attack spell on Mondross who barely manages to maintain consciousness.
Ismark takes the opportunity to begin sneaking closer to Hayden and Elgian joins Elmer, Corrina, and Ada behind the boulder. Corrina uses Disguise Self to make herself resemble Hayden. She then jumps up from behind the boulder and says, “We have the same goal! To hurt us is to hurt yourself!” This appears to confuse Hayden somewhat.
Mondross begins to sing the epic tale of the wizard as we have heard, electing to end with the wizard fighting back against the forces of darkness with the help of a ragtag group of adventurers.
Hayden yells, “Run! Run back to the devil!” and a translucent hand appears which picks up the boulder the group is hiding behind and casts it aside.
Elmer casts Light on his holy symbol and Thaumaturgy on himself before launching into a sermon about the bringing of light. He pauses briefly and shines his light on Corrina who says, “We don’t want to return to the darkness, we are adventurers of the light! We seek to save this land as you almost did.” Elmer then casts his light onto Ada who says, “We know you tried to help the people of Crystal Springs, we know you tried to help the people of Barovia. Now we want to help you toward these ends.”
Hayden appears confused and says, “Crystal Springs? I know nothing of this!” then grabs Elmer with the translucent hand before grabbing his own head and screaming. He then begins chanting, his skin turning the color of stone.
Having finally made it all the way behind Hayden, Ismark tackles Hayden as un-aggressively as possible, fully restraining him. After a brief struggle, Elmer escapes the grip of the hand. Hayden shocks Ismark with a jolt of electricity, but remains restrained. The group slowly approaches Hayden and Ada again call out to Hayden who only responds, “Who is Hayden? I don’t know of what you speak.”
Corrina begins to bind Hayden’s hands with rope as Hayden yells, “Unhand me! I will never bend to the devil’s will!” and disappears, reappears some distance away.
At this point, Elmer notices three Abjuration auras around Hayden: a weak aura surrounding him, a stronger one emanating from him, and an impossibly strong aura coming from his head. Elmer informs the group that he believes these spell auras are the reason for Hayden’s confusion.
Corrina takes one of Hayden’s journals and approaches him, asking him to trust us and remember who he is, saying, “You’re under a spell! You have to fight the spell, not us!” She then drops the book at his feet and backs away.
Ada call out, “We seek the downfall of the devil Strahd! We need your power to achieve this goal.” Hayden responds, “Yes! My mind is protected by my powers! I do not know this Hayden you speak of. I can’t remember anything!”
Mondross begin singing the contents of the other journal, but Hayden yells, “The spies are everywhere!” and the group hears barking but cannot see the source.
Elmer then notices a transparent, yellow, shimmering, four-legged creature in front of Hayden. The barking seems to be coming from this creature.
The group decides to disengage and come back when they figure out how to dispel the spell auras surrounding Hayden. As they begin to leave, Elgian, who had been closest to Hayden, feel a large creature bit down on his face, pick him up, and throw him.
Elmer and Mondross stabilize and heal Elgian. Hayden picks up the journal and begins to move away. The group scurries down the mountain and makes its way back to Vallaki.
Once back to Vallaki, the group decides to take Ireena (still disguised) to Blinsky’s shop. As the group passes through town square they see Izek and two guards carrying a twelve year old boy toward the stocks. Isaac looks toward the group just as Ireena’s fake mustache falls off and, recognizing her, begins walking toward us.
Ismark steps between Izek and Ireena and draws his blade.