Krezk

''This town can barely be considered a hamlet. Small houses huddle close to a large slope, fenced in by rough stone walls. Sheep can be heard within, and every so often a watchman passes atop the walls. Dark green trees poke up over the top of the wall, and a thin trail winds up the slope to an imposing shape with a high belfry, stretched up against the watery sky.''

--

Krezk is a tiny settlement in the northwestern edge of the valley. A reclusive settlement headed by the Krezkov's, Anna and Dmitri, the town is protected by the shadow of the Abbey of St. Markovia. The Abbot is a legendary figure, unnaturally long-lived and with great healing powers, his influence is said to protect the Krezkites from Strahd.

Krezk residents are slow to trust. They don't tend to allow groups inside—particularly unusual or well-armed parties.

NPCs

 * The Krezkovs: Anna and Dmitri Krezkov are the leaders of Krezk. They have a rather tragic family history, with several children falling ill or being killed by the many hazards of Barovia. Their last-living son, 12-year-old Ilya recently fell ill with pneumonia and died. The Abbot restored him to life, but something was missing. He returned with an odd presence latched to his soul, the spirit of gluttony. Eorlin saved him by appealing to Lathander, after the party and Ezmerelda killed the Abbot.
 * Olivia: One of the Abbot's "patients". Olivia was sick with a life-threatening illness. She came to the Abbot for medical treatment. He cured her illness then took her hand as payment, promising he would replace it with a newer, better hand soon. Quiet dusk rescued her and her putrid hand from the infirmary, but she fled after an encounter with Ilya in the Sheepfold near dusk.

Key Locations
Locations in Krezk

The Abbey of St. Markovia
Home to the Abbot and his mongrelfolk, and a number of unusual graves.

The Abbot
The Abbot of St. Markovia has been in Krezk for what locals estimate to be at least two hundred years. Despite this, he appears young and handsome. A corrupted deva with a penchant for experimentation, the Abbot has been working to "save" Barovia from Strahd for some time. His most recent plot has been to make a new bride for him, one that's nearly indestructible. He's been on the look out for a red-head to snatch a soul from and implant it in his flesh golem, Vasilka.

Being in Barovia, surrounded by abject despair for so long has twisted his mind. He has no conception of pain and doesn't seem to get that operating on people and replacing their limbs with animal limbs is tantamount to torture.

The abbot revealed himself to be a bleeding Deva on the gang's first visit. He decimated Ismark and forced the gang to flee.

Later, the gang returned after getting a little more experience and an ally in Ezmerelda. They confronted him, intending to have him heal Ilya. Instead, they had to kill him when he revealed Ismark, raised as a zombie, hoping to capture Ireena. Instead, Ireena put Ismark out of his misery and the Abbot attacked.

Vasilka
Vasilka is a flesh golem with some rudimentary manners and sign language. She resembles Ireena, but the stitch-work on her skin is obvious within five feet of her. She is still at the abbey as of now. She did join the abbot's initial attack when commanded, but the moment she experienced pain she hid in the corner, overwhelmed.

Clovin Belview
Clovin is one of the Abbot's mongryllfolk. A two-headed man-creature with a gift for the viol, he organizes and ensures the other mongryllfolk are fed.

Mongryllfolk
Of the Abbot's victims, you have met a number of Mongryllfolk. Zygfreek and Otto seem to be the leaders. Both were killed in the battle of Session 19.

The Sheepfold
Ilya ate all 38 of the remaining sheep in one night. Luca, the young sheepherder was blamed, but thanks to the party, the real culprit was revealed.