Session 10
General Summary
Begin the Feast
As the fanged figure stood in the doorway, she heckled Henrik that she should have kept the locations of the bones secret, while turning to Ariadne and saying she might be interested to her lord; for a time at least. Meanwhile, upstairs the gaunt figures began to break out of their crates as the party decided to start running downstairs. Ahrieya took a quick moment to cast a spell on the doorway before remaining in the room. The figures seemed mostly uninterested in the party, opting to break down one of the windows and jump out into the streets of Vallaki, or try to run past the group. While most of them left through the window, a few stayed inside to fight with Idris, who seemed to be blocking their way downstairs. Ahrieya, noticing one of the figures had a burlap sack with them, assumed they housed the bones and jumped out the window to chase them. However, finding that they were especially fast, and being the only one chasing after the bones, she ceased her chase after hearing the cries and shouts of townsfolk throughout the town. Idris, however, remained in combat with the figures, and as they dragged him through the doorway, both the figure as well as Idris took damage as he fell unconscious. The figures took this opportunity to run downstairs and exit the shop Downstairs, Gio and Ariadne began fighting the dark-skinned woman downstairs. Ariadne felt a brief wave of weightlessness as she began to act strangely and turn against Gio and Ireena. Gio landed a strong hit against her as Nova ran around back to flank her. Being assaulted for long enough, the woman stated that she had held them off long enough, and promptly disappeared from her space in front of the doorway. Briefly taking a moment to revive Idris and assess the situation, they believed they should run after the figure carrying the bones, as Viggo was trailing the figure carrying them. As they ran through town, they saw the remains of guards and townsfolk around some of the homes and shops. Moving west, following the bones, the party heard clashing and fighting coming from the south towards the town square. Hoping everything is alright, they kept moving. Moving past the Blue Water Inn, Idris and Ariadne chose to stay behind to try and see if they can help those being attacked in the inn. Sending a few strikes into the inn, the two gaunt figures inside tormenting and murdering patrons turned to face them, and began to chase the due through the streets. Further westward, Gio heard cries coming from the south once again. Choosing to follow them this time, he was brought to a toy shop where a man's cries could be heard from inside. Figuring he doesn't need to help anyone he doesn't know, Gio left the man and continued south towards the cries of combat coming from the burgomaster's mansion. Inside, he joined the fray along with Izek and his retinue of guards defending the Baron from any assault. Ahrieya, Nova, and Ireena kept chasing the figure with the bones, gaining on the figure. As they were running, however, whatever semblance of light that existed in Barovia quickly began to shift towards darkness, as a figure riding a pitch black horse with a fiery mane began to approach the town from the direction of Castle Ravenloft. As the chase continued, the trio gained more and more ground, though the figure had now landed and dismounted outside the church. Nova heard cries coming from the orphanage, and returned to the building they were at earlier that day to hear shouts and screams coming from both Milovaj's room as well as Claudia's office. Choosing to help Milovaj, she ran in and began to attack the gaunt figure threatening him.The Dark Lord's Arrival
In a last ditch effort, Ahrieya told Viggo to try and grab the bag, through he didn't seem to be strong enough to pry it from the grasp of the figure. With their one chance lost, she tackled Ireena into the bushes as the bones were handed off to the figure and they began to walk towards the town square. The two moved towards the orphanage to help Nova dispatch the figure attacking Milovaj, but as Nova checked on Claudia, noticed that she had perished during the altercation. Gio and Izek fought off the figures attacking the Baron's home, and before leaving to catch up with the others, told Izek to remind him who helped protect him, as well as was told to make sure the commander of the guard's sister, Ariadne, is okay during all this. On his way to meet up with the others, Viggo latched onto Gio and told him that Strahd is here, and that they need to meet up. Idris and Ariadne fled through the streets, and eventually dispatched the two gaunt figures chasing them as he frantically asked for something to work, only to have the figures rupture and explode behind him, hearing the faintest breeze. Moving towards the church, two pair saw a noble looking figure carrying bones in his hand. The figure, seemingly reminding them of someone very important upon recognizing the raven sigil on his pauldron, took a moment to hide and trail the noble from a distance. The noble seemed to be making their way to the town square, and when the pair moved to meet up with the party, was told to meet them near the Blue Water Inn by Viggo, and that Strahd is here. Meeting up, the party figured that their best course of action is to leave since Strahd is here, though he seemed to be going to the square for a reason. As the discussion continued, a massive projected face of the figure appeared above the town square, asking for those who helped bring him this gracious gift come join him in the square to be rewarded. Ireena, Nova, Gio, and Viggo decided to stay behind and start leaving town, as Ariadne, Ahrieya, and Idris moved towards the square. Ariadne took a moment to find a spot where she can watch from a distance, and snipe some spells if she had to, while the other two approached the gallows where the noble was standing, as the entirely of the town seemed to be gathered around it as well. The figure gave the two a brief history about the bones before quickly disintegrating them into dust, turning to introduce himself as Strahd von Zarovitch. Very pleased with the delivery of the bones, Strahd said that this was a time for gratitude and not punishment. Though, the true star has yet to reveal himself. Out of no where, Strahd conjured a portal and spoke Gio's name, and in an instant brought him to the gallows. Strahd thanked him personally for the location of the bones, as well as what the party was planning on doing and what he knew about them. Gio terrified, knelt as Strahd told him the creature he has been chasing that took his family, the Eidolon, was of his creation, and that you've already gotten a taste of what it might be able to do, though claimed that Gio already knew all about it. Finally, in thanks, Strahd held his hand to the sky as the moon itself shrank, shifting from a near-full moon to a waning crescent. It seems that it will be some time once again before the full moon. Turning to Idris, Strahd said he might be a good source of entertainment; for a time at least. When it seemed like Idris refused, Strahd's eyes flashed for a moment as Idris suddenly became much more compliant. Unpleased with simply knowing about Gio's family, asked Idris about anyone he seems to hold dear, and listening with a grin as Idris named them all off one by one as he was examined like a dog. Approaching Ahrieya, he moved to clasp her face as well before she snapped at him, telling him not to touch her face. His eyes flashing once more, Ahrieya seemed unaffected. Claiming that she would take the hand that touched her, he promptly back-handed her, leaving a mark of desiccating and decayed flesh across her cheek. When prompting her to take action, or her friend from the rooftops looking at him, Ahrieya stated that she will have that hand one day. Before leaving, Strahd said he would visit his to-be wife, before riding off, with all the pale, gaunt figures that assaulted the town leave along with him. Panicked, Gio began to run towards the orphanage as Ahrieya shot him, stating that he has betrayed all of them. Back at the orphanage, Strahd appeared and when walking inside, his eyes flashed once again and Nova began to think he was a great guy. After being told she wasn't a rabid beast like Rahadin had said, and that instead she is more like a domesticated dog, Nova pointed out where Ireena was hiding. Taking a moment with her, Strahd told Ireena that more people will suffer, and that no one can keep her safe; no one except for him. After this, Strahd left the orphanage.Tension
As the party returned to the orphanage, the children seemed fine, albeit a bit traumatized. Ireena cried that people are dying and suffering because of her, though Ahrieya spoke up that she did nothing of the sort, Gio had actively betrayed them. Gio doesn't remember doing anything or saying anything, though doesn't seem to doubt that something might have happened. Peering into his mind, Ariadne saw a moment that didn't quite fit in his memory. Outside Madam Eva's tent, Gio looked down towards the dirt, only to look up and back to see footprints that weren't there a second ago, and a blur that seemed to block out parts of the moment in his memory. Relaying this to the group, Ahrieya asked what was so important that would warrant him betraying the group. Gio showed her the locket of his family, saying that he wants to find them, thinking that they are here somewhere. Ariadne had also noticed a figure of glowing light in Gio's memory, and when brought up, Gio mentioned that it was someone named Dennis who is looking for his brother. As the figure materialized in the room, albeit only for Gio, he began to move towards and embrace Ireena, trying to comfort her. Frustrated, Ahrieya ran upstairs as her vision began to shift back and forth from the orphanage to a burning house; her old home. Locking herself in the attic, she cried and paced as the visions kept shifting over and over, from another person's perspective. In the kitchen, Gio and Idris began cooking again, as Nova and Felix chose to taste test. Ariadne distracted the children by playing with them, giving enough time for the party to bury Claudia's body, explaining to the children that she went to fight off those bad guys who were here before. Before going to bed, Idris comforted Ireena. She kept saying how this is all her fault, and that she never should have asked the group to do such a thing. Idris once again claimed that she is not high on her list of issues, and that the feeling of failing over and over again and causing harm to others is only part of growing. You can always do better once you've grown. Idris returned upstairs to play some music, and this time, played some songs his band used to play, feeling and hearing the wind blow through the room as he did so. Today was supposed to be a good day...Before you roll...
As Idris slept, he awoke to find himself on a beach, the waves slowly crashing against the sand. Off in the distance, a keep floating on clouds resting upon the waves could be seen. Standing on the water in front of him, the robed figure from before, now instead of wearing the flowing orange and yellow robes, sported more of a modern, leather cloak bearing the same patterns and coloration. As the lights shined upon them, the entire sequence felt very theatrical to Idris. The figure began to speak..."Along the shore the cloud waves break,Picking up on what was happening, Idris softly tried to play along with the reading. As it ended, the figure vanished as two large, circular voids covered the keep, resulting in darkness as Idris remained on the beach, listening to the waves crashing against the shore...
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Var’Qana. Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies
But stranger still
Is lost Var’Qana. Songs that the higher queens shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard
In dim Var’Qana. Song of my soul, my voice is dead;
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die
In lost Var’Qana."
Report Date
05 Oct 2022
Primary Location
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