When the unexpected breaks in your favor!

My players (all 9 of them) made it to Vallaki. One of them was playing Ireena, but they all found out the bones had been moved from the Cathedral when they talked to the St. Andral Orphanage Headmistress. No bones, no consecrated grounds.. so it isn't a safe haven anymore.

That's when they split up in the best way possible.

Three of them continued asking questions about the Bones, what happened to them? Who knew about it? Three of them were hiding from the guards, not realizing their pardon had already been secured by Ireena. And two of them were interviewing Milivoj.

That's when Ireena entered the Cathedral of St. Andral. I put on some Cathedral music, it was nice. Described it in great detail with the really high vaulted ceilings, enormous chandeliers hanging from on high, frescoes and painted glass of saints, pews of rich polished wood, and a red carpet leading to a dias behind which hung an enormous symbol of Lathandar.

A lone figure knelt below the symbol. Ireena approached, "Father Lucien.." she began. The figure stood and turned.. Strahd cast charm person and rolled a natural 20. "I am unsure of the Father's whereabouts, my darling, but you are welcome to join me!" He holds out his hand and she places her hand in his as they rise up unto the steeple, and out a panel onto the roof where Beacephalus waits.

The table gasped. It was glorious. Nice to have an amazing game :)