Session 23

General Summary

Dennis Lightman

The man of light seemed confused, though kept asking more and more about Tatyana, though his memory still seemed foggy. Allowing the final mote the party had enter Gio, the form of Vasili finally remembered who he was, introducing himself as Sergei. The party pieced it together that this is Strahd's brother, the one he had killed on his wedding day with Tatyana. Explaining the situation, Sergei took a moment to collect himself before gripping the hilt of what seemed to be a bladeless sword on his side. When asked if there were any more motes, he explained that he still felt something was missing. When asked about the sword, he explained it was a gift from Tatyana, which was given to her by someone who went by the name The Warden. Suddenly, Gio felt ill, and began puking up what looked like pure light, as well as felt a burning sensation coming from inside. Asking if he could try to ease this pain, Sergei stated he will try to dissipate for now, slowly turning into motes of light as the pain subsided.
After that concerning session, before going to bed, Ahrieya took a moment to look at the journal once again, pulling it out after quite a while, uncovering two more chapters. During watch, nothing of note happened at first. Then Ariadne and Ahrieya took their watch. Taking Ariadne outside, for a moment, her 'space eyes' returned, as well as a complete layer of peach fuzz that encompassed her entire face. Closing her eyes revealed the similar outline of Ahrieya again, and the two found that stepping out of the moonlight seemed to have it dissipate. Wanting to try something new, maybe contacting someone who might be able to relate to her, Ariadne took a moment to howl out towards the werewolf den. After a short while, a howl returned, and remained, getting slowly closer and closer, but still quite far off. Startling him awake once again, Ahrieya transferred watch duties to Gio and Nova before sneaking off into Idris' bandmates' room. Sneaking into Sin's bed, Ahrieya woke them up and somehow convinced them to let them sleep in the same bed. 
As Nova slept, she found herself on a mountain top, thunder roaring all around her. A voice boomed from the clouds. "You are weak. Do you want these ones to turn out like your entire village? Embrace that burning hatred, the want for revenge." As the voiced echoed, the hulking, pustule-ridden figure, familiar to Nova appeared behind her. Gripping her throat, a burning, sickening feeling began to wash over her before she broke free with all her might, only realizing she had been sleeping, and it was Gio's arm she grasped, nearly broken.

During watch, Gio and Nova both heard the howls of the werewolves after being warned by Ahrieya that might happen. Frustrated, disappointed, and confused, Gio and Nova continued their watch. Without much else happening, watch transferred once again from Nova to Idris. When told about the werewolves and Ahrieya sneaking into Sin's bed, Idris vocally expressed his immense frustration with the ENTIRE situation before hearing a thump from upstairs. Ahrieya seemed to have fallen out of the bed. However, the two managed to take this opportunity to check on the runes again that were made by the Battlehands. When noise could be heard from Ireena, Ariadne, and Ahrieya's room, the pair investigated to find Ireena awake and mobile. Ireena complimented Idris on his speech, and that the party truly are beginning to look like proper heroes, despite what the two managed to believe. 

During Ariadne's rest, however, she found herself on a stone balcony in the middle of a downpour. Opposite her position, she saw a pale man with slick back black hair; Strahd. As he beckoned her close, he asked if she had ever been in love. Was losing that love painful? Imagine that feeling over and over again. It seems that the party doesn't understand that pain. Thus, he is asked for Ariadne to return the favor he granted before. Pick one of your friends to die, to which he will come to collect in two days time. If you do not pick one, everyone will die. If you tell the party about it, everyone will die. With a wave of a hand, Ariadne found herself awake. Frustrated, she took the Strahd doll and threw it against the wall. 

Agricultural Alternatives

As Idris (disappointingly) prepared soup downstairs, Ariadne stayed upstairs, thinking about what she had to do. Gio took a moment to talk with Isis, explaining that he died. Frustrated, Isis slapped Gio and grew to regret that his old life had finally caught up to him. Still seeing that golden ring around her head, they briefly discussed options for bolstering the food supply before going downstairs with Nova.
The party took a moment while eating soup to see what they were going to do. Ahrieya was to check out the surrounding area for suitable places for growing crops, as well as transcribe plant growth into her grimoire, Gio and Isis were going to check out one of the places inside the walls to see what could be done, Nova would build a hunting ground training area, and Ariadne would help Ahrieya with the transcribing. Idris took this opportunity to catch up with the band.
Ahrieya flew up high, finding suitable areas both inside and out of Krezk's walls, as well as a massive open area with fields, and a huge tower adjacent to a lake. Upon returning to convey the news, Ariadne took a moment to try and draw out the discussion that was had between her and Strahd. However, Ariadne's artistic abilities leave much to be desired.
Gio and Isis looked on the field inside the wall. Certainly suitable for growing crops, however Isis reminded Gio that while the spell will improve crop yield, it wont let them grow in conditions they otherwise would not be able to, as well and not increase the rate in which they grow. Gio took a moment to find the stock of seeds the town has to make sure they have crops that may potentially survive the winter. Allowing their kids to play outside in the woods and field, Gio heard a voice complimenting Gio on the beauty found within his family.
Nova took some time to clear out some trees with ease, chopping and fashioning them into target dummies surprisingly well. A familiar large man, Luca, came out and began to help the gnome move and build this quality training ground. After it was completed, Nova decided to go on a hunt outside the walls. At first, she had a hard time, only running across an elk torn open with wolves feasting on it. Avoiding the beasts, Nova managed to hunt an elk fawn as well as two pheasants before returning into the walls. 
Idris had some time with his band. Apparently they tried to have the band play with a 'replacement' named Faulkner, but that didn't seem to go well. When things looked their worst, Sin admitted their guilt got the better of them, and took a boat to try and go visit her parents (Don also came along for the ride). Grim still managed to write more songs, a lot of which Idris will need to start learning, and Sena explained that she found herself drifting back into unsavory crowds; some old 'friends'. 

A Noble Attempt

After talking about their options, the idea of visiting this Marilena Fidatov to see if she had food to spare. Figuring now would be a good time to visit, early evening, the party asked if Anna knew anything about the woman. With an apparent glint of frustration in her eye, she claimed she knew nothing about her, though agreed that it might be worth a shot. Gathering themselves together, the party set out towards the manor. 
As they broke through the woods, the land opened up to a set of fields that surrounded an elegant manor off in the distance. At first glance, it seems like the lands have a plethora of food sources that might be able to help Krezk. Asking one of the local farmers, he explained that he didn't know much about the situation in Krezk, and that Marilena Fidatov would probably help if she were asked. Though they are having a party this evening. Before bidding the farmer farewell, the party was gifted some food. The party then took a moment to insect the food, everything seeming fairly normal. 
Approaching the manor, the party entered to find a thin, older man with the permanent look of a stomach ache waiting for them in the foyer, donning a mosquito mask. Asking for an invitation, the man introduced as Taltos explained that they may enter to discuss the matter with the lady, though they must wear a mask as the theme of the night is masquerade. Ariadne, Gio, and Ahrieya took masks while Nova and Idris posed as professional chefs to gain entry. Ariadne took the turtle mask, Gio the oak tree mask, and Ahrieya took the fox mask. Upon wearing the mask, the individuals, while looking almost entirely the same, seemed like they were completely different people, though only when looking at them.
Entering the manor proper, Idris and Nova were ushered into the kitchen while the rest waited for Lady Fidatov to arrive. The doors in the manor seemed to be mechanized, requiring codes to open. Ahrieya watched Taltos open the main door to the upstairs section, remembering it for later. Inside the kitchen, Idris keyed out a particularly tired looking chef and took over for his position. Wondering if these were the chefs brought in by Taltos, Nova was interrogated on her butchery knowledge, simply saying yes to every question asked of her. As Idris took over slicing bread into specific widths, Nova was brought downstairs to begin butchering cuts of meat.
Moments later, a dark skinned and elegantly dressed woman walks down the center stairs, introducing herself to the party. Lady Fidatov asked about each of the party members' noble lineages, stopping at Ariadne's in particular, stating if her family was so well known for tailoring and fabrics that she might have worn something nicer. Smiling, Lady Fidatov exclaimed that she would be giving the party a tour of the premises.  
What could go wrong...

Report Date

16 Feb 2023