You all met in Daggerford, hiding away from the storm in a barn. Suddenly all of these “relics” that you own started pulling you and guiding you in a direction. Masque, your scarf flew off and out the window. Reginald, the feather you keep flew away. Omnom your “cape” (the banner) pulled you in a direction and you heard wardrums. Ray, your medallion flew onto the floor and started rolling away as you begrudgingly followed it.
You all followed and chased, with all of the relics guiding you to a large house. There you also met Krampus, who was looking into some dissappearences related to the house. As you entered the house, you were presented with a task. Slay the beast beneath the house by midnight, or become its food. You all searched the house, learning more about each other, its history, and the mysteries surrounding it. You met Rose and Thorn, the ghost children who starved locked away in the attic. They guided you to the dungeon of the house, where the cult practiced. You explored a bit and ended up finding Walter. But Walter was not friendly. You fought Walter the Graveborn, and freed him from his torment. You took the remains of Walter Rose and Thorn as the house started falling apart around you. You all buried their remains outside with three small graves to mark them. You found a nearby run down tower to spend the night, and it is the next morning here that we pick up.
You all wake up, slowly at first. You aren’t woken however by the Sun. There is no sun here, only cloud and fog. Everything is gray like a winter day. As you all stir awake, at first confused and then remembering the events of the last night Where are you going to go? What are you going to do?
Player XP is at 1000, next level is at 2700
On Da Road
- Ireena took two healing kits
Recap of the journey to Tser Pool
After defending the Village of Barovia from its nightly siege. You have now been tasked by Ismark to deliver Ireena to St. Andrals Church in Vallaki, for it is supposed to be Hallowed Ground. Ismark recommended that on your journey to Vallaki you stop at Madam Evas tent in Tser Pool, to receive a fortune and maybe a glimmer of hope on how to defeat the devil himself: Strahd.
You began your journey, encountering some scouts from Barovia searching for a missing family. A bit further down the road you found that missing family…having turned into zombies lulling around where Van Richtens cache was. You laid them to rest, retrieving Van Richtens cache and continued.
You then had a fateful encounter with the devil himself. Strahd von Zarovich descended from his carriage and entertained your questions while asking some of his own. He agreed to overlook Ismarks transgressions, as well as yours against the cult of Death House. He said he would not make any judgmemts about you all until you have taken action against him directly. And he said he would allow Ireena to depart the crossroads safely, but could not guarantee anything past that. He bid you farewell and continued towards the castle.
You continued towards Tser Pool, and encountered the raven with blue feathers again. You saved it from the many Strix chasing it, including the giant one which Aum Naum promptly took off a small cliff. He took its head.
Most recently, you arrived at Tser Pool meeting Stanimir. Three Vistani who reside near the encampment. You met Madam Eva, who said that she could not help you with your fortune yet. She asked you to meet her down at the River Ivlis Crossroads tonight at midnight, and to not be followed. THe last thing she said before you left her tent, was to be weary of a lone servant of Darkness outside. You stepped out of the tent, meeting Eliza a cheerful Vistana and Arturi, a more reserved quite man. They invited you to join them for dinner and rest, and after dinner of course Stanimir said you were now obligated to play in the game of stories
“Tell a story that could make a man weep or laugh. We each will put into the pot an item of small value, whether sentimental or monetary or even informational. Whoever can guess correctly the most times whether a story was true, half true, or false will win the pot. Are we ready to begin? I’ll go first…” Game of Stories
Player XP is at 1000, next level is at 2700
Recap Tser Pool
You all journeyed to Tser Pool, being told by Ismark it was a good stopping point along the road to Vallaki. There you met Stanimir, Arturi, and Eliza, three of the Vistani who reside at the encampment. You also met Madam Eva, the famed fortune teller for all of Barovia. Speaking to her, she said she could not yet give you a reading, but to meet her out by the crossroads at midnight.
Afterwards, you had dinner and joined the Vistani in the Game of Stories around the campfire. Everyone told a tale. Stanimir spoke about the origins of the Vistani in Barovia and the deal they have with Strahd. Arturi regaled a tale of a Fox trying to help a poor bird, whose parents took revenge for the foxs failure, only to find the fox to dleiver an even bigger vengeance and rage back. Eliza recited a poem surrounding the ravens and a holy symbol of Lugdana, a brave warrior of the Morninglord. Ireena recalled a dream she often had, visiting a lake and seeing a dire wolf, neither of which she knows of.
Between all of their stories, we had your stories. Ray told the story of two gnomes, locked in a love that they knew was forbidden. Krampus recalled their stealing of a bandits coinpurse in a daring tale, which was entirely true! Masque explained how they lost their eyes in Ancient Rome. Reginald recalled his time he faced the Skelebutler following after his friends. And Aum Naum enlightened everyone as to where he was before meeting you all in a tavern in his pirate adventure where I believe he ate a friend crab?
Regardless, the time came for your meeting with madam Eva so you went down to the crossroads. Upon arriving, Madam Eva notified you there was a follower, a spy of Strahd from the camp! As Masque went to dispatch Eliza, Aum Naum stepped in trying to save her. In a confusing and turmultous back and forth, Eliza was thrown in a river, brought out, almost backstabbed and then saved, set on fire maybe? and then ultimately Madam Eva just said screw it and sent her to the ground. After that debacle, she invited you to watch the March of the Dead. Tens, hundreds of ghosts of adventurers all marched towards the castle, in an endless quest to defeat Strahd. They always fail. Madam Eva asked if you were truly determined and up to the task. You said yes.
“Very well. I shall read the cards. Let us begin” The Tarokka Reading
Player XP is at 1000, next level is at 2700
The Fortune Telling
We started with a fortune telling from Madam Eva. Quick review. The card of history, knowledge of the ancient: Nine of Glyphs the Traitor. “I see the ancient foe of an old and noble house. The lost soul will lead you to him”. The card of a holy symbol of great hope: The Five of Swords - The Myrmidon. “Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night.”. The thrid card, a card of power and strength. A weapon of vengeance: a sowrd of sunlight. The Eight of Glpyhs, the Bishop. “What you seek lies in an amber prison, where the devil fears to tread. This weapon is long hidden. The house of the fallend ragon can lead you there.” The Fourth card tells of an ally who will help in the battle aginast darkness. The Mists, “A Vistana wanders this land alone, searching for her mentor. She does not stay in one place for long. Seek her out at Saint Markovia’s abbey, near the mists.”. The final card. When the hour of judgment arrives, this card leads you to him. The Marionette. “Look to great heights. Find the beating heart of the castle. He waits nearby.”
After the reading you went back to Tser Pool to rest. In the morning you left towards Vallaki once again. You encountered a skeletal rider along the crossroads, headed towards the village of Barovia. You continued your journey, stopping at a Watchtower along the way. Here Masque picked up a small amulet that was unnaturally cold to the touch. Further on the path you encountered some wolves who attempted to push you over into a ravine. After dispatching them, Regi noticed two slightly larger ones watching from atop a mountain crag in near distance. After seeing them they turned and left. We pickup here…
PLAYER XP AT 1500 next level at 2700
Recap rest of journey
After Madam Evas card reading and a battle with some wolves, you all continued on your journey towards Vallaki. You met a revenant, standing steadfast in the middle of a bridge. He warned you of the ones who walk in the skin of wolves prowling the woods ahead. Afterwards you met Morgantha, a nice old woman selling dream pastries. Aum Naum was immediately hooked, and is in fact still feeling a tad drowsy right now. You all suspected her hagness and confronted her in the windmill where a train veered you back i mean she threatened you and clearly was out of your reach currently. After that Ireena was bamboozled but the existence of the lake from her dreams, even though she has never actually been to it. She didn’t even think it was real. But sure enough, here it was in front of her. A little later, the werewolves came down upon you, ambushing you from both sides. You all quickly demolished them, and made your way towards the Town of Vallaki itself. As a reminder of your objectives, you were tasked by Ismark to escort Ireena to the town of Vallaki and more specifically to St. Andrals Church, since it is supposedly a holy place Strahd can’t reach. You were also asked by Madam Eva to buy a toy from Blinsky Toys for her great grand niece Arabelles birthday. You were given 10 gold pieces, I don’t know who has them, to buy the toy and were told to keep any remains. She lives in the Vistani encampment Southwest of Vallaki, and the toy was to be delivered by noon on her birthday.
PLAYER XP AT 2750 next level at 6500
Recap Start first day in Vallaki
You all started last by receiving a letter from the man himself, Strahd von Zarovich. After that you stepped outside the Blue Water Inn and saw the Baron Vargas Vallakovich and his main henchman Izek Strazni. They were riding in a procession through the town, proclaiming that All Will Be Well and to be ready for the Festival of the Blazing Sun in four days time. You all made your way to Arasek Stockyard first to sell off some wolf scalps. You met Gunther Arasek and WIFE (Yelena), and learned about Gunthers lack of magic views. Just outside of the town walls here, Aum Naum found some more of the amazing dream pastries, unable to resist their delightful smell and the temporary hit points they offered. You went from there to the other end of town to seek out St. Andrals Church. Ray’s medallion glowed as you approached, and then you bumped into Henrik, the coffin maker. A short exchange later you entered the church and spoke with Father Lucian. He told you that the bones of St. Andral did indeed protect the church and made it hallowed ground. However, recently the bones were stolen. If they are not returned within 4 days, by the day of the Festival of the Blazing Sun, the church would be at risk of attack and no longer a safe place within Vallaki for Ireena to stay. You all accepted his request, and Father Lucian is ready to show you the crime scene. As a reminder of some of the other things you have, Ireena will be leaving you all when you depart the church so she can go speak to the baron directly about the Barovian refugees outside. Madam Eva did give you a bag of gold to purchase a toy from Blinsky for Arabelle to be delivered to the encampment outside Vallaki for her nameday which would be tomorrow. Today is currently Neyavr the 3rd, it’s about late morning right now, nearing lunch time.
Thimduls Armaments is making a Silvered Maul for Aum Naum - Will be complete Neyavr 5 around 12 ish. Also silvering Masques Rapier - Will be complete Neyavr 4 12
Aum Naum next Con save for addiction is Neyavr 4 at 12
PLAYER XP 4000 NEXT LEVEL 6500
Letter from Wachter to Ellisandre de Yerevan Meeting with Baron Vargas tonight Midafternoon next session
St. Andrals Bones Recap
You all were tasked by Father Lucian to retrieve the bones of St. Andral. You investigated the crime scene, finding a strand of black hair. You traced this back to Milivoj and spoke to him at his house. He admitted to stealing the bones, but he did it specifically for Henrik the coffin maker. You all went to a couple shops and then headed to the Coffin Makers Shop. There you broke in, found Henrik and demanded to find the bones. You went upstairs, and triggered a noisemaker of IS NO FUN IS NO BLINSKY. The vampires awoke. Volenta and her two vampire spawn attacked and the fight commenced. Krampus showed up from their sidequest to retrieve a toy, and then nearly died. Volenta called Masque a bitch and then completely missed. Aum Naum grew in size and busted a hole in the floor. Eventually you all with the help of Father Lucians floating suns defeated the vampire spawn and severely wounded Volenta. She ran off as the town guard approached the chaos. Izek invited you to meet with the baron so he may hear more of your deeds. Oh and Aum Naum ripped Henrik in half, so St. Andral took the bones and forbid him from entering the church ever again! Masque also messaged a watcher who said “await a letter from my mistress back at the blue water inn”. It is here we pick up.
You have a meeting set up with Baron Vargas tonight, a toy to deliver to Arabelle (and optionally can all go visit Blinsky) and a letter to retrieve back at the inn. Weapons are being worked on at the smithy, the first due to be finished tomorrow at noon. Ray, father lucian had yeska looking into your medallion should you wish to follow up on that. It is about mid afternoon, Neyavr 3, a few hours til dinner time.
Dinner Recap
You all had dinner with the Baron last time. You formally met Baron Vargas Vallakovich as well as his family. You all had dinner, leftovers from the Wolfs Head Jamboree festival the previous week. The Baron clearly takes pride in the festivals, even if no one else does.
He let you search his library for some information on the signet ring found near Arabelles kidnapping. While you were unable to find anything from the books, you did find some information from his son, Viktor. Viktor brought you to his magical laboratory of a room where he was learning all kinds of random spells and magics. He explained that it was a symbol of the mage Khazan. He suggested you go to see Szoldar and Yevgeni out by Lake Baratok as they would be able to give you better directions to the mad mages tower. He only requested that you bring him back any relics from the tower should you find any, especially a wizards staff. And to not tell his father about his wizardry.
The Baron also requested you investigate a potential haunting in his manor. You all are smart enough to realize the “haunting” is really just Viktors magic but didn’t investigate at the moment leaving it for later.
You returned home to receive a letter from Urwin back at the Blue Water Inn. It was addressed to you all from Lady Wachter, inviting you all to her house for a dinner the next night. You have slept through the night and woke up, got your meals and are ready to start the day. Presumably Ray has spoken to Father Donavich about his medallion already (I think I gave you the updated item Luke). You also have a weapon to pick up at the blacksmiths shop which we can say you grabbed for the sake of brevity so Masque now has a Silvered Rapier. Aum Naums weapon is next to be silvered, and will be finished the next day at noon.
Crossroads
- Aum Naum resisted addiction
- Party met Szoldar and Yevgeni, got directions to the mage tower
- Started on the road
- Aum Naum found fabric piece with RVR embroidered on it
- Fought scarecrows and twigs at the crossroads, after masque and krampus peed on them
- Now ready to move towards the mage tower to the north something
- Day is Neyavr 4, early afternoon current time
PLAYER XP 4100 NEXT LEVEL 6500
You all arrived at the mage tower of one Khazan. Inside you found it mostly barren, the walls destroyed and the floors rotted. On the top floor though, you were able to find traces of the missing Vistana girl Arabelle. You also found some very clear clues as to where she is being kept - Rictavios Carnival of Wonders. His wagon you last saw at the Arasek Stockyard in Vallaki. Before you all departed you entered the wagon parked outside, eventually somehow setting it on fire and leaving with some of the valuables inside including a chicken who Aum Naum is currently holding within its cage. On the way home you were attacked by two werewolves, looking for an easy meal. However, they misjudged your skill, as well as your wielding of silver. Well, a silver rapier and a silver ewer. But it was enough. You dispatched the two werewolves, preventing them from returning to their den. You now carry on your journey, and after about an hour arrive back at the gate of Vallaki once again, around mid to late afternoon now. What shall you do?
- Neyavr 4
- Aum Naum resisted addiction for this day, check Aum Naum Addiction for next day/dc
- Aum Naum is infected with lycanthropy, full moon on Neyavr 8