Breaking your fast, you take your leave of Barovia once more, taking the road to the west of the village that runs south-west, straight as the path of an arrow to the  bridge of ancient stone that crosses the turgid Ivlis River, then following its twists and turns to the south making your way back to the crossroads.

The old wooden gallows creaks as you again read the signpost opposite, this time electing to follow the road to the west that purports to be "Castle Ravenloft".

The path does not look well-travelled and is in poor repair, but as it turns north once more the forest parts around a large hill, a spur of bare rock jutting up from the earth.

Near the hill's highest point, you can see a blackened tower of crumbling stone, the ruins of some ancient site.

Storm clouds churn in the sky overhead ...

The young woman shudders as she raises her eyes to the peak high above.

"This is it ... this is Lysaga Hill, home to witches."

"It is said that this was once a holy place, sanctified by Saint Ecaterina who built her monastery here.  Even after she died and the tower was destroyed it was revered ... but its reputation darkened as more and more villagers met grisly ends upon this hill.

Zertin gazes up at the blackened ruin at the top of the hill and scowls.

"We shall certainly get our quota of exercise today, climbing that hill! Quite a defensible spot, wouldn't you agree?" he comments, directing that last question to the various sword-wielders in the party.

He takes a moment to cast a spell upon himself before they set off up the hill.

OOC: He cast Mage Armor on himself. If anyone else is unarmored he will offer them the Bracers of Armor he is carrying.

Ashlyn grudgingly allows it is as Zertin surmises, though ...

"I'd be happier agreeing with you if I was the one charged to hold that tower, rather than beseige it," she notes grimly.

"Perhaps the passing of the ages and the elements did what no army could not," the paladin adds, noting the sad condition the building is now in.

"We should save our breath for the climb ... and keep an eye out for any witches who might still defend this hill which bears their name !"

"While evil is as evil does, witches are more your province than mine, Zed," Qvar notes. "I'll follow your lead if we run into any."

The priest eyes the climb with typical serenity, keen to see this place that 'once was holy'.

Caesius studies the decrepit tower for a few moments, before observing, "If what we need is up there, then climb we must.  I see nothing moving."