It's early evening, and our 'mostly good' party has taken things into their own hands in the town of Vallaki and murdered Baron Vargas while he slept. Will they follow through with the messy business of regime change and install Lady Fiona Wachter as the new Burgomaster of Vallaki?
Our dramatis personae:
Ser Alys de Rouge of House Starbright (a half-orc Fighter with a soldier background, currently the leader of the town militia of Daggerford), played by Tom (Guvnor). Lawful Neutral. Imagine a slightly greener take on Grace Jones... Married to Ser Adon.
Ser Adon of House Starbright (a half-orc Paladin, from a knightly background, with two human retainers and a priest), played by Paul (dr_mitch). Lawful Good. Married to Ser Alys.
Kelwarin (Kel) (a half-elf Sorceror flush with the powers of wild magic, an outlander), played by Graham (First Age). Chaotic Good.
Gaddock Teeg (a halfling wizard and former prizefighter), played by Alex (Doggetay), Neutral Good
19th November 2021
The party searched the Baron's library as he lay there on the desk, blood slowly trickling out, dripping to the floor, pooling with that flowing from the bodies of his two beloved Mastifs. Two books turned up which were of interest; one arguing that vampires and other creatures of the darkness were the true rulers of the world and that the gods of the light and goodness were interlopers, and another showing the heraldry of the families that had come to Barovia with the Von Zaroviches. They confirmed that Lady Wachter did have a tentative claim to rule Vallaki, and they also observed that a Lady Anastrasya was recorded in the book, looking near-identical to the very charming woman they'd met at the Wachterhaus.
Leaving the room, they became aware of footsteps approaching from the stairs. Two guards coming around on patrol. Ser Adon put on the Baron's chain of office and declared to the guards that "All has not been well" and "A new dawn is coming to Vallaki". using his force of will to get them to help in the transition of power. One of the guards asked if the Young Master would become Baron, and the party knowingly looked at each other. The guards took them to the master bedroom, which had a ladder to a loft, cluttered with discarded furniture and knick-knacks.
There was a door with a skull carved on it, and a door handle with a sign hanging on it that said 'All is NOT well!". The guards nervously called out to the 'Young Master', and a petulant young voice told them not to bother him and to go away. They explained that he had visitors, that something had happened to his father, and then Ser Adon spoke up reassuringly. The boy, Viktor, told him to come in, the door is open.
As Ser Adon opened the door, a surge and crackle of electricity erupted from the skull and markings appeared all around it, blasting through the handle into the metal armoured knight. Not even having a chance to say anything, he went down hard, charred and smelling of burning. [Fumbled save vs Glyph of Warding resulting in 10d8 damage and 47hp loss]. Enraged at the fate of her husband, Ser Alys burst through the door while the guards tried to help Ser Adon. One rushed to find Lady Lydia to help, the other desperately tried to save the knight.
Without hesitation, Ser Alys smashed into Viktor who backed away into the corner of the room, saying it was only a joke. The half-orc warrior ignored him and went in for the kill. Viktor panicked and tried to cast a spell to turn the warrior away but it was no good. The battle-axe clove him in twain and Ser Alys turned around to see a multitude of bone cat skeletons deanimate. She rushed to her husband's side. Gaddock and Kel were soon there and between them all they managed to bring Ser Adon back, using healing potions and some self-help.
Searching the room they found a spellbook, robes, a magical ring and more. They realised that the servants who had gone missing had been used to try out a circle of teleportation that Viktor was trying to get to work, and died horribly.
Hearing noise downstairs, Gaddock headed down and intercepted Lady Lydia, stalling her until the rest of the party got back. She had brought two friends and a basket of first aid cures to help. She was clearly worried about what her son had got involved in. Ser Adon, drawing on the Lady's faith to console her, broke the news that her husband was dead and her son likewise and that now they would be establishing a council to run the town going forward. Unconsolable, Lady Lydia broke down.
The party went downstairs and got the guards to summon Izek back, telling them to arrest him if necessary, if he resisted. They got drinks and a snack; Father Lucian arrived and was convinced by Ser Adon and Kel that this was for the best. He went to console his sister, offering to help in a smooth transition of power to prevent anarchy and vampires. The town crier was sent out to announce the following:
"Following the sad demise of the beloved baron who passed away last night in his sleep, we the Council of Four, have been beseeched by several citizens of note to manage the transition to stable civic society.
All Has Not Been Well
All laws, property and rights and obligations are protected, as are the rights to worship as previously granted"
Izek arrived, bellowing and challenging the party, about an hour later. They came outside to face his insults with Ireena, who had her rapier at the ready. As he postured and threatened, Gaddock webbed four of his six allies; Izek responded by throwing a bolt of fire at Ser Alys, which she shrugged off. Kel blasted scorching rays at Izek and two of his guards, hitting his henchmen, but being targeted with thrown spears as a result. Ireena ran the guard through and then Ser Alys and Ser Adon joined the fray. Whereas Izek fended off much of Ser Adon's attack, he was no match for Ser Alys' ferocity; together the newlyweds finished off the guard captain, aided by Kel's witch-bolts and Ireena's rapier. As quick and brutal as he was, they were more ferocious, and Izek was finished off cleanly by Ser Adon. Quietly he turned to his wife, saying "So perish all tyrants" and then "Darling, you were magnificent tonight".
The camera cuts away, up into the night and above the roofs of Vallaki, where small pools of light stand hardily in the face of darkness.
--
GM Notes: The escalation continues, with the initial coup completed. Now all they need to do is ensure that power transitions to the new council without chaos descending and Lady Wachter seizing power. It was interesting to see the reaction to Ser Adon's electrocution. Gaddock has found a trove of spells, spell components and some magic items in Viktor's effects, which should prove useful.
The danger of the two half-orc warriors has become very apparent; they can deal huge amounts of damage in a short period, but do they have the staying power for a longer fight?
7 April 2021
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