The Monster Hunter

[Iosef, a scowling Vistana, comes forth to the fire]

Enough tales of times long ago, or things that may or may not be? Here - let’s talk about people who DO something with the short time given to them. Who look at evil in the face, say “[a Vistani swear!] and spit.

Let me tell you of The Monster Hunter - and his latest exploits.

[He speaks as if he was a town crier, or gossipy barfly retelling his heroes exploits.]

A year ago, a famed Monster Hunter came to our lands. This man is known by those who know. His story is one for the ages, but we do not have time for the tragedies of the past here. No this is about the victories of the present. He came here a year ago - to slay the Devil Strahd!

["ssshhhh!"]

But that is true, no? What a giorgio with balls of brass. The greatest hunt of his life. But he didn’t want to just destroy the Devil. He wanted to humiliate him first! And so, this Monster Hunter, he crept into the dark house of the Devil - Castle Ravenloft itself. He did not find the Devil, they say. If my cousin’s husband over in the Vistani camp in Vallaki is to be believed…

[He winks at Rina, using the same expression she did for her "source"]

… he knew someone who spoke with the Monster Hunter after he left the castle. And he said that there was no one there. That the whole place stood still, as if time was frozen. He stabbed monsters right through the heart and they died without a sound - no move at all! But still he knew that he could not try his luck, and while he could not get to his quarry, he stole out of there with tokens to show - he had done it!

["And where is?"]

["What did he take?"]

["What will he do next?"]

Who knows? Isn’t that the great part of it! No one has entered, and exited Castle Ravenloft and survived. The Monster Hunter is the first! A modern legend!

[Ursula: "Yes, except what hath his vainglory wrought? He sparked ideas among the locals with the story. And then a group of Barovians tried at Castle Ravenloft — whether to challenge, or just explore while the Devil slept — and never returned. It is possible your "monster hunter" woke the Devil, and the poor Barovians were the ones he ate for breakfast!"

There is increasing awkwardness as the Vistani realize these Barovians were likely villagers Ireena knew.

A quick bridge into next set of stories…]