Session 6 ... The Blood-Drinker & The Foretelling

Having buried the late Burgomaster, I have returned with my companions to the fallen church of the Morninglord. We have convinced Father Donovich that his son Doru should be released from his torment. For the last year he has been caged like an animal in the basement, crying and howling for blood. He is a vampire spawn, one killed but not turned by one of the fell Vampires.
 
Descending into the darkness, we meet a wretched creature, more animal than man. He begs us to allow him to feed on us, or to free him from his confinement. This we cannot do, and so battle commences.
 
It is a vicious fight, with both Griff and Tobias receiving punishing blows, where Doru's claws rake and tear the flesh. We seem to have the upper hand, with the spawn beginning to show signs of falling, but it is at this stage that the creature shows the true horror of his curse. He grapples our brother Tobias and begins to feed on him, draining the blood invigorates Doru allowing him to attack with renewed vigour. Tobias will bear the scars of this violence going forward. When one final attempt to restrain and hold him fails it is clear he must be put down, like any rabid creature. Tobias, filled with the holy light of his god, lands the final blow. Smiting with such radiant strength that the creature is blasted to dust. Wishing to offer Father Donovich some sliver of peace, I gather some of the cremated remains in an urn and return his son to him for burial.
 
When we bid farewell to the priest, he gives us two people of import to seek out:

• Father Lucien Petrovich, the priest of Saint Andral's in Velakki


• The leader of Saint Markovia's Church in Kresk

 
While still in the village, we see Bildrath wrestling and trying to restrain his nephew Periwimple. The merchant berates us for giving a pie to his nephew. The pies are supposedly dangerous. Could this be linked to Griff being unable to wake after he had eaten one? While Bildrath is distracted with his nephew, and my friends helping him, I sneak into his store. Searching around the back I find a ledger itemising the store's inventory and the associated providence. I read an entry on a Ring of Borrowed Time, and noted mention of the suit of armour and sword too. I make my escape before being caught. It looks like the creep actually has items of significant value!
 
With the warning about the pies still ringing in our ears Scraps, a constant companion since rescuing him from the haunted manor, takes off at speed, ignoring all our calls and shouts to heel. I guiltily remember feeding him one of those same dangerous pies! I have noted his direction of travel. I would dearly hope to find him.
 
With that we meet with Ismark and agree to escort his sister Iryena to safety. In return I insist he step up to do more for his people, aided by Kig, I hope to strengthen his will.

We will protect your sister, but who will protect your people?

— Jaeden D'Avore

 
In the first leg of our journey Iryena speaks to Griff about his brother. She tells him he came over a year ago, he was handsome and charismatic. He convinced a group of hunters and trappers to join him. They travelled to Velakki and were never seen again.
 
On our journey we come to a crossroads where a grim gallows stands, a frayed noose swaying dolefully in the wind. A signpost marking landmarks stands at the fork in the road. A small plot of mist shrouded grave markers lies behind the gallows. As we turn for Saor Pool, and a campsite of Vistani, Kig recoils. Kig's Vision

 
Even though the sun never shines in this cursed land, what little brightness we have begins to fade as we near Saor Pool. As we approach the clearing signs of campfires and large red tents are seen, with horses tethered to the side. We are greeted by three of the Vistani; Bibick, Peter, and Lika. They welcome us to their encampment, saying that Madame Eva is expecting us. It is a merry gathering, with children playing and songs being sung. I am reminded of the urchins who used to play outside my master's home in Baldur's Gate. I plant one my pitons in the ground and join them in a game of tossing horseshoes.
 
As the rest of my friends, bar Vegar who remains insensate, make their way to the tent of Madame Eva, some sort of fortune teller, I remain outside. I am afraid of what she will tell me, and if it is bad I am too proud to share my flaws in front of the others.
 
Madame Eva greets them all by name. She knows us all! She proceeds to do a reading from a deck of tarot.

 
And to each she gives a private reading.

Griff's Reading

Kig's Reading

Tobias's Reading

 
As Kig, Griff, and Tobias return to the campfire, each with a somewhat haunted look, lost in their own thoughts, I make my way to the witch. She is off course expecting me. She must have answers for me! Who or what is granting me these found powers? What am I doing in this cursed land? Madame Eva does not answer my demands directly, instead she draws a card ... Jaeden's Reading

 
I ask further on my patron. I offer her my signet ring in payment. Madame Eva was not able to offer any specifics, but she was able to discern something ...

Look for the man with the monkey. He is more than he seems.

— Madame Eva

 
Frustrated, and not a little shaken, I retreat to the comfort of the dancing flames and the songs of the Vistani, absently toying with where my signet ring would normally be, twisting the memory of it out of habit.
 

Long Rest