#ophelia the hobgoblin way of mercy monk

[briarbeets-kittypeats]

Chapter One: Ophelia Firedance

Ireena Kolyana Ireena peered out the back of the vibrantly decorated wagon, fingers picking at the gold embroidery of a purple silk pillow. Bits and pieces of Ismark and Ezmerelda’s conversation drifted back to her from the front. 

“...sorry about your father…” She couldn’t place the Vistana’s accent, and she wondered if it was another dread domain like Barovia, or if it was from the outside world. 

Before she could catch Ismark’s reply, the wagon came to an abrupt halt and she found herself pitched onto the floor, hand grasping wildly to try and catch herself. Unfortunately, she only managed to yank a blazing scarlet curtain right off the only window and onto herself. 

A knock from the front. “Ireena? Are you alright in there?” Ismark called. 

She flipped the curtain back from her face. “I’m fine. What happened?”

“Someone’s injured. Just wait.” 

Ireena sat up and carefully peeked out the window, growing frustrated when she couldn’t see anything. Sighing, she did her best to fix the curtain rod back into place. The back of the wagon opened and Ezmerelda helped a young woman with peachy red skin and dark magenta hair into the back of the wagon. Her thigh gushed blood from several puncture wounds, and claw marks marred her hip and arm. 

“What happened?” Ireena asked, dropping the curtain.

The girl glanced up with a sheepish smile. “Chasing some werewolves. I was going to go for something more tactical, but noticed they were trailing your wagon. Didn’t know if you could defend yourselves or not, so I bit off a little more than I could chew. They had no problem chewing me, though.” She indicated her wounds. “But I’m okay. I healed the worst of it, I think.”

Ireena and Ezmerelda exchanged a glance, but looking at the stranger’s round, spritely face, Ireena had the feeling the girl couldn’t lie to save her life. Though it was a tight squeeze with all three of them, she and Ezmerelda helped the newcomer onto the cot by the window. 

“It was reckless to take on those werewolves by yourself,” Ezmerelda scolded her. 

“I’m kind of known for it.” 

“Did you contract lycanthropy?” Ireena asked, casting an uncertain eye on the pale gray clouds above them. Night wouldn’t fall for several hours, but what would that mean for the girl? Could she control it? She appeared to be a monk, judging by her light clothing, lack of armor, and the fact she didn’t appear to carry any weapons. 

The girl grimaced. “Maybe you should leave me on the road. I think I can keep it at bay, since it won’t be a full moon for a while, but I wouldn’t want to hurt any of you.” 

“Not an option,” Ezmerelda said firmly. “I have a friend who may be able to help with your condition.” 

Ireena ran her tongue along her teeth with a small sigh. “Besides, you’re not the only ‘monster’.” She flashed her fangs. “I’m half vampire, myself.”

The girl gave a full smile, displaying her own canines - all four of them elongated, rather than just the two top ones. 

“Hobgoblins are considered monsters where I’m from. My name’s Ophelia Firedance.” She held out her uninjured hand. “What’s yours?” 

Ireena shook it. “Ireena Kolyana–” 

All three of them tensed at a distant howl. “We’ll get more acquainted in Vallaki.” Ezmeralda hopped out of the back, slamming the door behind her. Ireena hurried to try and fix the curtain, stumbling as the wagon lurched into motion. 

Trying and failing to hide a wince, Ophelia stood and helped her. Despite her injuries and the fact she was a few inches shorter than Ireena, the hobgoblin managed to fix the rod to the wall in a matter of seconds. Ireena helped her sit back down as the wagon picked up speed. 

“Why have you come to Barovia?” 

Ophelia blinked. “Is that where I am? I thought the place had a pretty crazy vibe, even outside of the heavy mists. I was tracking the werewolves at the request of a hermit living in the outskirts of Cyrengreen Forest. And then I ran into some Vistani, and they told me about the vampire lord that ruled this place and dropped me off in the forest. Don’t know where they went, though. One of them was named Arrigal, and honestly, he felt kind of off, but didn’t seem like the worst guy.” 

Ireena had never met anyone so talkative and open. It was the kind of behavior that could get a person killed by Vistani spies or Vampire Spawn. “You want to take on The Devil?” 

“Yeah, I heard that Str–” 

Ireena covered her mouth. “Don’t say his name!” She hissed. “It draws his attention, and I cannot afford to have his attention right now.” She carefully removed her hand. “Do you understand?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do.” Ireena ran a hand through her hair with a small sigh. “But killing him is a death wish. A powerful wizard already tried to lead a band of rebels to storm his castle.” Her throat tightened as she thought of poor Doru. 

“Didn’t go well?” Ophelia asked softly. She touched Ireena’s hand. 

“We lost a lot of good people. And our church was ruthlessly hounded by wolves and vampire spawn in retaliation, so we’ve lost even more trying to defend it and my father’s manor.”

“I’m still going to try.”

Ireena’s eyebrow twitched. “Are you an idiot?”

Ophelia shrugged. “Most people say so.” 

Ireena blinked at her. “I suppose that’s why you’re in this condition.” 

Ophelia nodded. “Yep.”

“You’re not even a little frightened? I mean, what can one reckless girl do against a tyrant who has been terrorizing this land for centuries?”

Ophelia’s lips pursed a little. “Well, not as much as I’d like,” she admitted. “But Arrigal said that once I crossed the mists, there’s no going back. So, I might as well do all I can for this land, right? Who knows? Even if I die, I might provide stepping stones for someone else to succeed.” 

Ophelia Firedance was so nauseatingly sincere that Ireena wanted to slap her. What kind of world did she grow up in, to look at such a hopeless reality and think she could actually do something about it? 

“What’s your plan, then?” Ireena finally asked. 

“You’re going to hate me.”

Ireena rubbed her face with both hands, inhaling deeply through her nose. “You have no idea. You really have no clue?” 

She at least had the decency to look apologetic. 

“Figured I’d assess the situation and start fixing some of the smaller problems before I take on the root, you know?” 

“And you came here alone,” Ireena added. 

Ophelia looked away. “Not my best move, I’ll admit. But can’t go back now. And I’m hoping to find a few like-minded people.” 

“You’re going to die. That doesn’t scare you?”

“Not really, no.”

“If you die here, your soul will never be free from here.”

“Arrigal said as much.” “And you’re still not afraid?”

“I mean, I guess I’m just scared of other things.” 

“Like what?” Ophelia winked. “That’s a pretty personal question for a stranger, don’t you think?” 

Despite herself, Ireena was fascinated. This mysterious, injured hobgoblin with her bubbly recklessness and lively aquamarine eyes. If death in a land that hadn’t seen the sun in Morning Lord knows how long didn’t frighten her, then what did? Ireena jumped slightly as Ismark slid the door to the wagon open. She’d fallen asleep, her head on Ophelia’s arm, and Ophelia’s cheek on her head. She hadn’t realized she’d nodded off.

“We’re in the Vistani encampment,” he announced. “Ezmerelda’s talking to Kasimir, now.”

Ophelia sat up with a yawn. “Who’s Kasimir?”

“A dusk elf ally of this encampment.” Ismark held a hand out to help Ireena down, then Ophelia. “Some rest should do you good.”

“I already feel much better,” she assured him. “Thank you.” 

Ireena looked around at the low houses built into the side of the grassy hill. They were elegantly carved, with decorative lanterns hanging from the sculpted eaves. Above the fog at the top of the hill, a ring of barrel-topped wagons surrounded a large tent. From the top of the tent, a large column of smoke poured out through a hole. She could smell the wine and horses even from this distance. 

Ezmerelda shut the wagon doors behind Ophelia. Ireena met Ismark’s eyes and drew her hood more tightly around her face. 

“Ophelia, you’ve already met Arrigal. His brother, Luvash, runs this encampment,” she said. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Say nothing of why you’re here until Kasimir invites us into his home. I need you to look me in the eyes and promise.”

Ophelia frowned slightly. “I promise.” 

Ezmerelda searched her face for several heartbeats before she finally nodded. “Alright. Hopefully, we’ve arrived before Arrigal.” 

Ismark looked at the wagon. “I doubt it. Doesn’t he normally just travel on horseback?”

Ezmerelda closed her eyes and sighed. “Well, there’s nothing for it. We need to speak to Kasimir. This way.” She circled the hill, leading them to the opposite side of it. 

Standing quietly in front of this house, bathed in the warm light of its lanterns, were three sullen, gray-cloaked figures. Their angular features and black, flowing hair were half hidden under their cowls. Ireena’s heart gave a little lurch. They reminded her of…something. A fleeting memory of her mother’s voice, but the more she tried to concentrate on the words, the more distorted the voice became. 

“Ezmerelda,” The one in the middle said. “We were beginning to worry you’d never arrive.” 

“We had a little trouble, though less than expected.” Ezmerelda glanced back at Ophelia. 

The guard on the left nodded. “Well, go on in. There’s been quite a bit of trouble here, as well.” He opened the door for them. 

After a glance at Ismark, Ireena stepped into the hovel. The vestibule was decorated with colorful fabrics, customary of the Vistani, but Ireena was more interested in the fire crackling from beyond deep violet curtains. 

She pushed them aside, locking eyes with an elf whose dark hair was streaked with gray. His eyes widened as she approached. “Patrina?” He whispered. 

Ireena pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry, I don’t know anyone by that name.” 

She couldn’t understand the grief in his expression. She hadn’t even known he’d existed until Ezmerelda had brought him up that morning. She looked over her shoulder as the others joined her in the sitting room. 

“No. No, I suppose you wouldn’t.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “We should proceed with the reading. Miss D’Avenir, if you would.”

Ezmerelda reached into the pocket of her scarlet jacket and pulled out a deck of tarokka cards. 

Kasimir indicated the table in the center of the room, then to the cushions surrounding it. “Sit, please.” 

Ophelia was the first to obey, settling on a bright yellow cushion and scooting closer to the table. She eagerly watched Ezmerelda lay out five cards in a cross formation. She closed her eyes and placed a hand on the card left of the center. “This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will help us to better understand our enemy.” She flipped it over, taking a deep breath. Ireena peered at the card: 6 of Glyphs - the Anarchist. “I see walls of bones, a chandelier of bones, and a table of bones - all that remains of enemies long forgotten.” 

Ezmerelda’s hand moved to the card above the center. “This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection - a holy symbol of great hope.” She flipped it over: 9 of Swords - the Torturer. “There is a town where all is not well. There, you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts.” The card to the right of the center. “This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight.” Was it Ireena’s imagination, or did Ezmerelda’s head tilt in Ophelia’s direction as she flipped over 8 of Glyphs - the Bishop. “What you seek lies in a pile of treasure, beyond a set of amber doors.” 

The bottom card. “This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.” Tempter. “I see a man who wields a hand of fire. Touched by evil, he is torn between two roads.”

Ireena and Ismark frowned at each other. Would they all be one puzzle after another, then? None of these clues sounded familiar. 

Ezmerelda placed her hand on the final card, sweat beading on her forehead. “Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him.” Innocent. “He dwells with the one whose blood sealed his doom, a brother of light snuffed out too soon.” 

Something stirred deep within Ireena. The faint image of a young man’s face, though she couldn’t make out the exact details. A longing she couldn’t explain settled deep into her bones.

Ismark took her hand as Ezmerelda leaned back, wiping at her brow. She opened her eyes and gathered the cards back into the full deck. She was a little paler now, but her shoulders had lost their tension. 

“So, why are we doing the reading in here?” Ophelia asked.

“My home is protected from the Devil’s prying eyes,” Kasimir said. He looked at Ezmerelda. “And I assume you wanted to spirit your friend as far away from Barovia as possible before night fell, which ruled out Madam Eva.”

“The Devil already knows we’re here, but the less he knows about our specific movements, the better.” 

“Why did you need to get Ireena away from Barovia? Also, I thought this was part of Barovia.”

“The town, Barovia,” Ismark clarified. “That’s where Ireena and I are from. The land itself is also called Barovia. Confusing, I know, but that’s how it’s always been. As for why the Devil wants Ireena…” He turned to her. “We don’t have to discuss it.”

“I’m not entirely sure, myself,” Ireena admitted. “All I know is that he’s bitten me once, after days of nonstop attacks on our manor.” Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her pants. “Ezmerelda showed up shortly after our father passed. She suggested that I take refuge in the church of Vallaki.” 

“The Devil is after you because you have the soul of Tatyana,” Kasimir said. 

That strange stirring in her chest again. “What makes you think that?” She asked carefully. “Who is Tatyana?”

“She was his younger brother’s fiance, but the Devil desired her. Hoping to woo her, he killed his brother and asked her to marry him, instead. Frightened of the monster he’d become, she fled from him and threw herself off the highest tower in the castle. Unfortunately, she was too late. The land was already cursed, trapping the souls of all who died here for the rest of eternity.” 

Ireena leaned away from the table as he studied her face. She found that she didn’t want to ask how he could tell whose soul she had. This core part of herself…it wasn’t even hers. Something had always felt…other. Vivid dreams of a blond smiling man she’d never met, whose facial features she could never remember. Ghostly laughter and the feeling of sunshine - real sunshine on her face if she stared at Castle Ravenloft through her window. But if she approached, she was struck by dread, grief, and fear that she couldn’t explain. The chill of wet stone at her back and a paralysis that left her trembling when it finally passed. 

Kasimir wouldn’t know those details, though. Not unless he had an omnipotence like the Devil’s. 

Finally, Kasimir looked away from her. “I suppose you’ll wish to rest here for the night–”

A cacophony of shouting from outside, and Ophelia was on her feet, running toward the door. Ezmerelda and Ismark followed. Ireena glanced at Kasimir, then chased after them, heart in her throat. Had the Devil come for her? Was Kasimir not as protected as he’d said? Or worse, had he been lying to lure them there? After all, hadn’t the interest he’d shown in her been suspicious? 

“A boat! Grab a boat!” A tall, muscular man yelled, pointing to where a man was holding a squirming sack. 

Ophelia ignored him, sprinting into the water and diving in as soon as it was deep enough. Ireena closed her eyes and dipped her fingers in the vial of holy water she always carried. As her skin began to prickle, she breathed a silent prayer to the Everlight. Light her path. Protect whoever or whatever is in that sack.

The fisherman turned and seemingly panicked at Ophelia’s approach, dropping the sack. Ophelia went under. Chest tightening, the bile rose in Ireena’s throat. She tried to cork the holy water, but her hands were shaking so violently, she nearly dropped the vial. 

Ismark’s hand covered her own as he took the holy water from her hands. “Get back inside,” he urged. 

“They’re both going to die. Ismark!” He pushed her inside Kasimir’s hovel and helped the muscular Vistana push a rowboat into the water. Ireena shot from the entryway and ran to the shore, squeezing through gathering dusk elves and Vistani to get a better view. 

The bag burst through the surface of the lake, and for a moment, Ireena saw the twin buns of Ophelia’s hair, but they and the bag began to sink. The bag resurfaced again as Ismark and the Vistana rowed furiously, and the latter grasped the mouth of the bag, hauling it out. 

Ophelia’s head resurfaced and she grasped the side of the boat, nearly slipping back in before Ismark caught her arms and pulled her up, losing his balance and collapsing with her into the boat. The hobgoblin lurched upwards, shoulders heaving as she leaned over the side.

She couldn’t hear what the fisherman was yelling, but he directed his boat toward the other. Ismark laid Ophelia down and drew his sword as the fisherman approached. The Vistana looked up from trying to undo the lip of the bag. Before Ireena fully registered him drawing any weapons, a hand ax was hurtling between the boats. The fisherman barely avoided it cleaving through his skull, and it landed in the water with a dull splash. 

Ophelia’s hand found the bag and she fumbled with the rope. Even from the shore, Ireena could see the strain in her expression. A Vistana next to her drew a bow and arrow as the fisherman drew level with Ismark’s boat and hefted a harpoon. She muttered a curse, evidently unable to find a clean shot. Still, she drew it back, dark eyes searching for an opening.

Ismark deflected with his sword, though the force of the fisherman’s thrust nearly sent him pitching into the water. The Vistana snatched the fisherman by the throat as Ophelia clung to the bag. 

Ismark managed to wrestle the harpoon away from the fisherman as the Vistana tackled him into his own boat. Ireena turned away at the dull thuds that ensued. The Vistana next to her lowered the bow, breathing a sigh of relief. 

“Honestly, the Fisherman is lucky,” she muttered. “Luvash is too drunk to take his time with him.” She hurried to meet the returning rowboat with Ismark, Ophelia, and the little bundle. By the time Ireena’s legs started moving, Ophelia had managed to get the bag open.

“Hi, you’re okay,” Ophelia assured her breathlessly as she brushed the girl’s hair out of her face. “We’ve got you. You’re fine.” 

The Vistana woman pulled the girl out of the boat, wrapping her own cowl around her shoulders. 

Ophelia sagged against Ismark as he helped her out of the boat. Ireena quickly supported her other side. 

“Are you alright?”

“The wolf,” Ophelia gasped, once they were back inside Kasimir’s hovel. “Everything was fine until I felt the pull.” 

“I forgot about that,” Ismark muttered.

Ophelia let out a stuttering laugh. “I didn’t.” 

“Lay her down here,” Kasimir instructed, indicating a pallet of cushions close to the fire.

Ophelia mumbled her thanks as Ismark and Ireena got her settled. 

“Well, it appears you aren’t all talk, after all,” Ireena murmured as she helped her undo the buns. 

Ophelia gave her a wan smile. “Thanks.” It quickly dropped, though. “I resisted tonight, but the full moon isn’t far off. I should probably go hide out in the woods somewhere, far away from anyone I could hurt.”

“We’ll worry about that later,” Ismark said firmly. He looked up as Ezmerelda reentered the tent. 

“Arabelle is going to be fine,” she reported. “Get some rest. Luvash and Arrigal want to speak with Ismark and Ophelia in the morning.” 

Ophelia frowned. “So, Arrigal did beat us here.”

Ezmerelda shrugged. “Nothing for it now. I’ll be in my wagon if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” Ireena called after her. 

Ismark followed Kasimir through a door to the left of the sitting room, leaving Ophelia and Ireena alone by the fire. 

It didn’t take long for the hobgoblin to fall asleep, curled up as close to the fire as practicality would allow. Ireena lay next to her, unable to get her mind to stop racing. This time last night, her father had been slain by a vampire spawn. She and her brother had fled with a woman they didn’t know. Everything in her screamed for her to run far, far away from the Devil. But what right would she have to run? Her father had died to protect her. Even if the tarokka cards were less than clear, Ezmerelda had given them clues to defeat the Devil. Ophelia, though naive, had backed up her every word, not hesitating to put her life on the line for a child she’d never met. 

Ireena turned and watched the firelight flicker across Ophelia’s freckled cheeks. Was she really going to sit by and let an outsider fight for her home without her? Her fingers tightened in her blankets. 

My father did not raise a coward.

[somethingsomething-kitty]

Currently writing for Curse of Strahd because my lil Katie brain is buzzing with projects and I really like the CoS campaign I'm in now.

Current Party members are all lvl 3.

Kyriel - Aasimar Paladin (Oath of the Watcher)

Nymosae - Succubus (Wrath, on the path to redemption) <Mr. Rexx has a fantastic homebrew build for succubi, devas, and ghosts. I really wanted to play around with the concept and most of his videos have links to purchase his lore pdfs>

Ophelia Firedance - Hobgoblin Monk (Way of Mercy; she's a slightly edited version of the character I currently play in my group)

Benji - Yuan-ti Monk (Way of Shadows)

This story is really fun to write because I'm incorporating actual ability checks to see where it goes and what the characters are capable of. It's actually a little fun, because I've already had unexpected results.

[briarbeets-kittypeats]

The Curse of Strahd campaign I join Sunday nights has wormed its way into my lil Katie brain, so I decided to make my own characters and write my own story for it. The dice have yielded interesting results so far, lol.