We start a new season following the party's visit to Castle Ravenloft to get the measure of Count Strahd. They have decided that they need to recover the skull of Argynvost the Dragon from the ruins of Berez and also deal with the threat of Baba Lysaga. They also hope to somehow free the Swamp Fane from Strahd's control, although they realise they may need the forbidden knowledge of the Amber Temple to do so. Fortunately, they plan to visit the temple next, perhaps discovering the fate of their companion Roscoe Tosscobble.
Our dramatis personae:
Ser Adon de Rouge 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
Ser Alys de Adon-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.
also featuring:
Ireena Kolyana (a human warrior, daughter of the Burgomaster of Barovia, Twice-Bitten reincarnation of Strahd's unrequited love, Tatyana) - upgraded as a sidekick.
with :
Alexei the Vistana (a young human expert, sent to pay off his debt to the party by his Vistani elders after they rescued Arabelle from certain death when Alexei lost her in town. A late teenager who is so taken by Ireena and the excitement of the adventure that he's forgotten he planned to be sulky and surly for his 13 moon exile) - upgraded as a sidekick.
All characters have just levelled up to 7th level, including the sidekicks.
8th December, 13 days to the Solstice.
After the late night at the Castle, the party enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, only for Ser Alys to realise that there was noise outside. Looking out, she realised that a crowd had gathered, some armed with pitchforks and looking deeply suspicious. Munin, the head guard, told her that they wanted to see Ser Alys and Ser Adon as they were concerned that they had struck a deal with the Devil Strahd. The headed outside.
The mood of the crowd was uncertain, but it was clear that they could be swayed either way. Ser Adon began, explaining that they'd been to the Castle to understand what Strahd wanted and to see how they could ensure the independence of Vallaki. After a few moments, he handed over to Kelwarin, who smoothly emphasised Adon's honest truth with a well-told tale linking in Barovian lore and the fact that safety was a thing of the future, not the past. Between them, the crowd started to settle, but were then unnerved when Ser Alys ordered the town guard to present arms to parade. She'd hoped to show the burghers of the town that they were protected, but it just looked like a crass display of force. Fortunately for her, Gaddock was circulating through the town, charming people with his wit and humour and liberally but wistfully passing out the second and third breakfasts he'd prepared for their trip. Calmed, the crowd dispersed, fed and persuaded that they were safe and hadn't been sold out.
After breakfast, the party decided to split up [always a GM favourite] because they were conscious that the solstice was only 13 days off and the tithe would become due, especially as the three alternative missions that Strahd had offered didn't seem viable (effectively hunting themselves down, capturing a Vistani killer called Van Richten, or handing Ireena over to Strahd).
Ser Alys and Kelwarin were to head to see the Vistani, perhaps even Madame Eva to try and find out where King Barov and Strahd's brother Sergei were buried. Gaddock would talk to Jeny Greenteeth to try and find out what Berez was like and gain intelligence on Baba Yaga. Ser Adon would see Lady Wachter and offer the opportunity to resurrect her son, Kurt, with the Abbot in Kresk. They'd regroup in two days time.
Gaddock headed to Jeny's shop. The older woman looked delighted to see him, throwing him a warm and lavious smile. She offered him cake and tea, which he gladly accepted. She closed the shop and took him to the back parlour. Over fine cake and hot sugared tea, Jeny shared what she knew about Baba Lysaga and Old Berez. She looked concerned about the plans to deal with Baba Lysaga, saying that the witch had taken one of her childhood friends, Laura, who had tried to oppose her. They talked and flirted, and flirted and talked. Gaddock was convinced that Jeny was sub-consciously holding something back, but couldn't work out what it was. They circled each other in conversation, and eventually it seemed the most natural thing in the world for Gaddock to spend the rest of the two days with Jeny.
Ser Alys and Kel decided to visit the Martikovs before they went out to the Vistani encampment to see Luvash and Arigal. Ser Alys talked to Danika, who was pretty certain that Strahd's Father and Mother were buried in the crypts under Castle Ravenloft, but she wasn't sure about his brother Sergei. When asked about Baba Lysaga, she told them to avoid her because she captures and tortures ravens for fun. While they talked, Kel had a glass of wine and noted that Ez, the woman they'd rescued, was in deep conversation with Rictavio. Perhaps their paths would cross again in the future.
Collecting Alexei, they started out of town to seek the advice of the Vistani. Alexei had been strangle reticent about visiting; they discovered why when they got to the encampment and he was refused entry until he'd served his exile for loosing Arabelle when he was meant to be looking after her. They left him by the gate guards looking forlorn in the rain.
Luvash and Arigal seemed pleased to see the pair of them, and opened the drinks. Ser Alys explained the information that she sought, and offered to engage in a race or sporting activity for the chance to get the introduction to Madame Eva. Luvash suggested cards, and they ended up settling on a boxing match. Ser Alys started to limber up, remembering the moves that Marcus of Queensbury had taught her. Soon, the Vistani champion arrived, hooded. As the fight started (to the knock out), the champion's hood was removed, revealing a scared looking Alexei. Ser Alys swung, but Alexei dodged the blow. Alexei tried the same move again, but ended up planted on the floor, caught unexpected and knocked out. Luvash and Arigal burst out laughing; this seemed like just deserts to Alexei trying to break his exile. Expecting a letter, or a token, to convince Madame Eva, Alys was surprised to be led out of the tent to a caravan by Arabelle, who had dressed in a very gothic looking dress, accentuating her pale skin and dark hair. She sat Ser Alys at a table and drew their hands together with a shiver of electricity. Using the crystal ball in the centre, Ser Alys felt Arabelle take hold of her fingers, pressing them against the cold glass surface. Almost immediately, she felt as if her consciousness slipped out of the room, up into the sky and then across the land of Barovia. At the Tser Falls, it fell down again, into a chimney and then into a body. Madame Eva replacing Arabelle in her vision.
The conversation began; Madame Eva re-explained where the King, Queen and Strahd's Brother Sergei were buried; in the crypt of Castle Ravenloft. Her previous prophecy had covered this, but it may not have been apparent to a non-native of Barovia. In discussion about Baba Yaga, it was revealed that she had been around in Strahd's youth and she seemed to consider that she was his mother in some way. They speculated that she could have been his wet-nurse. All to soon, the session was over, and Ser Alys found herself back in the tent with a tired looking Arabelle. She headed back to her colleague, finding Kel in conversation with one of the Dusk Elves who was explaining the tragedy of their race when Rahadin and Strahd turned on them and killed all the women and children.
Meanwhile, Ser Adon went to see Lady Fiona. He gentle pitched the opportunity to resurrect her son, explaining about the fallen angel who they'd brought hope back to. He explained that this wasn't unlike, but true redemption. He could see a calculation crossing her eyes when she learned of this. She swore him to secrecy, and showed him something she hadn't revealed to anyone else; her husband Nikolai's body lying on the marital bed, perfectly preserved by her magic since he was slain by foul means by Baron Vargas. She told Ser Adon that she would support them against Strahd provided they didn't risk the town if he'd bring back Nikolai as well. Ser Adon agreed, and soon after they headed out of town.
Meeting the Abbot, their hopes were initially dashed when he said he could only bring one person back that day. He questioned the darkness on Lady Wachter's soul; she committed to changes and Ser Adon gave an impassioned speech about the need for redemption just like that offered to the celestial. Somehow, he persuaded the fallen angel, and he raised her son, and at sunrise the next day he also brought her husband back. Lady Wachter was happy and uncharacteristically quiet on the return journey.
They all rendezvoused back at the Burgomaster's Mansion on the afternoon of 9th December. Gaddock had a packed lunch from Jeny, enchanted to bring healing if needed. He also had a spring in his step. They plan to set out to Berez the next day, with only eleven days remaining to the Tithe.
GM Notes:
Illness thwarted us a fortnight ago, and poor data connections last week, but we're back in what will probably be the penultimate season. We experimented tonight and used full AV in Roll20 and it managed fine; some glitches but more from people's connections rather than the platform.
Several skill challenges in a very talky and investigative session. The party are being cautious, which is a good thing. They noted several useful items of information on Baba Lysaga, but no silver bullet to deal with her definitively.
As a session, this didn't go quite the way that I expected, but that was fine. I'd expected them to have a short period at Vallaki and then dive into Berez, but the party decided that research was a good route forward (which I endorse, much better than the rushing in that's been their hallmark before). I'd plans to retcon research with some flashbacks but never had to use them. It's the first time that the party has split into different routes quite a much, something that would be inherently dangerous in some parts of Barovia.
That said, they are ignoring the potential to draw on the support of some supporting NPCs who will be useful if and when they go against the Count.
25 May 2022
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