Session 15
General Summary
The Aftermath
With the fight finished, the party slowly comes together to lick their wounds and address the situation. Gio and Ariadne rush to Ahrieya who laid in a pool of her own blood as Nova and Idris watched their surroundings and the fallen tree monster. Gio quickly realizes that her vitals have long gone, and Ariadne profusely apologizes for not giving enough to her and doing what she could to save her. Idris and Nova both see that the massive light green gem that was once embedded now lies on the ground near a floating orb of light. Nova trapped the orb in a small jewelry box and grabbed the large gem as Idris returned to Ahrieya. Soon, a bride of Strahd, introducing herself as Anatrasya, shared her condolences for their fallen comrade and complained as to why the party had thwarted what was happening on the hill; now the forest folk wont come back. Asking if the party would like help to raise their friend, Anatrasya explained that she knows a VERY powerful spellcaster that might be able to help, and would LOVE to have the party owe a favor to them. Interested in seeing this individual, the party waited as Anatrasya disappeared. The party moved down the hill to collect themselves. Ariadne and Ireena shared some words about Ahrieya as they weighed their options on what to do with Ahrieya as Idris played a soothing lullaby to Ahrieya. Leave her? Who can bring her back? Nova talked about the mote of light with Gio as he asked Dennis about it, getting no response. Additionally, Ariadne detected life magic coming from the large green gem, and a similar essence that was embedded within the red crystal retrieved from the hags. Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of the party.Not You...
Turns out the spellcaster Anastrasya was talking about was Strahd. He stated its a shame what happened happened, and though the party stated that Strahd gave his word to keep them safe on the road to Castle Ravenloft, Strahd retorted by stating they are no longer on the road, and this is quite a long way from the castle. Though, he said that he would be willing to ressurect Ahrieya under two conditions: Strahd would be given time with the body and he would feed on one of the party. The party weighed their options once again as Strahd flaunted the diamonds in his possession in their face. Coming to a conclusion, the party agreed given that Strahd would obtain consent from Ahrieya. Though agreeing, Strahd immediately shifted his form into Kasimir, and proceeded to question Ahrieya's corpse before placing a diamond on her chest to begin the spell.Duplicity in Shadows
Ahrieya found herself in inky darkness as large shadows moved about before Kasimir appeared out of a rift and reached a hand towards Ahrieya. Pulling her into his hovel, he began to question her about an entity reaching out to them, and asking her questions about them. Does the name Ayduin mean anything to you? As the questioning finished, Ahrieya saw a shift in Kasimir's look. She then found herself in the same murky darkness as the giant shadows began to encroach upon her. Then, a tome fell. And another, slowly revealing strands with books resting on them as well as massive pink and fleshy arms and a giant gold mask. Then, the form shifted into the shadows before returning as a dark skinned woman with solid gold eyes, a pipe, and a tome before tugging on a thread bringing Ahrieya right to her. Upon having smoke blown in her face, the Ahrieya found herself alive once again, before Strahd had casted the spell. Curious, Strahd looked puzzled at Ahrieya as Idris stepped in quickly to snatch the diamond and promptly ask him to leave. Curious, though with the slight look of frustration on his face, he and Anatrasya departed as the party once again recouped themselves. Ahrieya noticed that the scar on her face had healed where the woman had touched it.Lost in the Storm
The party realized after Ahrieya's return that they never did what they came here to do. Moving back up the hill, they saw a massive mist wall which seemed to show depictions of one's life, as well as a large shadow moving through. South, they saw a large black tree oozing blood red sap guarded by some wood-like individuals sporting similar blackened vein-like vines to Nova. Nova's vein seems to have extended and spread, almost as if trying to tear out of her. Reaching for the axe lodged in its trunk, Nova grasped it only to immediately lose sight and fall. She then saw herself on a snowy mountaintop as a storm raged in the distance. Wandering through the storm and calling out to the party, Ursor, or anyone, she slowly sank down into the snow as a booming voice rang out from the mountain, Mt. Ghakis. Ursor is weak, and only Nova will hear him now. Come to me when you are ready. The path is clouded by mist. Coming back to her senses, Nova felt powerful with her new axe. As the party went to leave, they noticed that there were many more ravens following them, and that the trees parted for Nova and her axe.Parental Reunion
As the party returned to the camp, they were stopped by Gio's brother Far. Nothing much has changed around the camp, and they set out to scope out the winery only to see a small group camped outside the vineyard itself. Returning to the camp, Vankirk and Talma both talked with Gio about what happened at the hill, claiming he looks a bit more stressed than usual. Ahrieya asked Far what it was like to die, and upon stating he did NOT see giant moving shadows, she grew a bit concerned. Idris, Ariadne, and Nova set up camp as Ahrieya went to sleep and Gio took first watch with his siblings. Soon, Zarah appeared as her watch was ending and aggressively tended to Gio's wound as she berated him for leaving the family. Though there seemed to be regrets on both sides, they're glad that each other are still alive and doing RELATIVELY well. Noticing the large amount of ravens eying the party, Gio investigated to find at least two dozen, one of which baring white-tipped feathers. Upon waking Nova, her features seemed more sharp and feral as her blackened vein kept spreading. Bringing Nova to the ravens, she began to speak to the white-tipped feathered one as it spoke, claiming that they've been watching them. They seem to be allies of the Martikov clan. Nova went to wake up Ariadne and Ahrieya. As she opened her eyes, Ariadne had a purple, almost galaxy looking darkness that completely filled her eyes before having them blink away. Not commenting, Nova returned to bed. Ahrieya went to steal from Talma only to find her wake up as she approached. Stating she could have asked for something instead of stealing, Talma asked for Ahrieya to go nicer on Gio. Though he may not seem like it right now, he still probably thinks of you as a friend. She then gave Ahrieya the magical ink. Ariadne talked with some of the ravens, though the one she talked to seemed much less eloquent than the one Nova talked with. Ahrieya and Ariadne then took the rest of the night to practice spellcasting as Ariadne showed her friend how to Summon Spectral Steve. Ariadne chose to surprise Idris upon waking him up, swapping watch. Ahrieya took this time to summon back Viggo. Idris and Ahrieya then had a long discussion about responsibility, enduring, and childish behavior. Though what he is doing is awful, perhaps it is best to do what he says, how he says it, at least until we can fight back against him. Ahrieya seemed to get mixed signals as she then briefly talked about the entity she saw while she was dead. Suddenly, Flameo Hotman appeared out from behind Ahrieya's back as her face began to take on different appearances. Dark hair and skin, blue tinged hair and a goatee, and scales that began to cover her face, before all disappearing at once. As Idris left to his tent to get some rest, the figure appeared once again before him, though now as a disfigured form of Senna. As Idris scolded the entity for appearing like that, it responded with only two words; "They're here..." Off to the Winery!!!
Report Date
23 Nov 2022
Primary Location
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