After meeting with the Baron, the party traveled to Lake Zarovich to investigate the mysterious “Mad Mage” who had been summoning lightning bolts to catch fish. To their surprise, they discovered that the Mad Mage was none other than the legendary Arch Wizard Mordenkainen.
Mordenkainen revealed that Ezmerelda had once been a member of his adventuring party, alongside Syndra Silvane, during the campaign that defeated Strahd von Zarovich. He explained that Acererak had been hunting Ezmerelda, seeking to add her to his ever-growing collection because she had once been Strahd’s mistress. Before sending her into the Svalich Woods to hide, Mordenkainen also shared the names of Acererak’s three most feared lieutenants: the Nightwhisper, the Bloodfang Butcher, and the Scourge of the Night. Known collectively as the Marshals of Dread, they are among Acererak’s most prized trophies and loyal servants.
The Marshals of Dread rule over Barovia, and each possesses a fragment of the Voidgrave Rune. When all three pieces are reunited, the rune will transport its bearers directly to Acererak’s hidden location.
Armed with this knowledge, the party ventured into the Svalich Woods. As night fell, a violent storm swept through the forest, forcing them to seek shelter in the cabin of a seemingly kind couple named Edgar and Anne.
During the evening, Anne offered the party a strange warning: make sure the bed sheets were to their liking. Though puzzled, the adventurers retired to their room for the night. There, they made a horrifying discovery the sheets were soaked in fresh blood. At that very moment, the storm outside suddenly ceased, and an unnatural magical darkness engulfed the cabin.
The party rushed downstairs and found the body of Edgar hanging from a noose. It was then that the truth was revealed: Anne was actually the Nightwhisper, one of the dreaded Marshals of Dread.
A fierce battle erupted within the cursed cabin. Despite the Nightwhisper’s deadly power, the party emerged victorious. Upon her defeat, the adventurers were instantly transported back to the edge of the Svalich Woods. Beside them lay the body of the Nightwhisper, no longer the terrifying Marshal of Dread, but once again in the human form of Anne.