Session 28

General Summary

The Journey Begins

Before leaving Krezk, the party decided it might be better to procure horses in order to expedite travel. They traveled to the stables they were referred to when they have initially arrived in Krezk. Arriving there, they found the familiar guard captain, whose name they learned was Ivan Yandovich, conversing with someone in leather armor. After a brief discussion, learning that the guards in Krezk are more volunteers a part of a night watch group, Gio informed to him that Ahrieya was dead and that they needed horses. Ivan gave them three horses: Dodger, Casper, and Kristie. Gio promised to bring back three horses.
Without much issue, the party discussed their game plan once more before heading out of Krezk.

Up the Tower

When the party arrived at the tower, Sena and Diem investigated the door while Gio and Ariadne checked out a wagon that was set up outside. Nova patrolled the base of the tower and stayed alert. Gio, noticing the sign that said "Keep Out" on it, saw that it was filled with interesting good and equipment as well as a multitude of rigged flasks of alchemists' fire set to when the door to the wagon was opened. Disarming the trap, Gio opened the door after also finding a trap door at the base of the wagon itself.
Meanwhile, Sena mimicked the positions the stick figures were in on the door to the tower, following the line traced on the symbol, and eventually causing the door to open. After the door opened, the party began to move the goods and items from the wagon outside into the base level of the tower.
Inside the party saw a small chamber without much in the way of decoration or furnishings. Though the entire tower seemed familiar to Diem, the floor itself seemed barren in comparison to her memory. Stepping onto the small platform in the center of four clay statues, they animated and began to pull the party up the tower. 
Upon arriving on the second floor, the dust here look recently shifted, pieces of furniture and decorations strewn about, albeit in an organized fashion; a music stand, some lutes, a bed and a desk. Hearing some scuttling coming from under the bed, Diem tried to pull them out with Mage Hand, and when the thing appeared to be heavier than what the hand was capable of, Sena pulled out a well groomed gnome from under the bed. Sena immediately recognized the man as Grim, as he explained his happiness in seeing Sena again, although she brought so many people with her. Apparently he is the manager of the band and writes all the music for them, at least most of it. He has been here for a few days now, brought in by a man who told him it would be safer in here than out there. He never let Grim up onto the upper floors, however. Where is Idris? He's with the rest of the band in Krezk, don't worry.
Moving up to the next floor, the party saw that, contrary to what Diem remembers, the floor was converted to an arsenal. A multitude of wonderous weapons and machinations, also there is a massive hole in the wall. Definitely wasn't there before. Trying to check it out, Diem triggered a a trapline which caused rocks to fall. She didn't die. Diem then moved out of the tower and spider climbed up to the top, to which she sensed a heartbeat waiting for them next to where the elevator will leave them on the top floor. Nova took no time in grabbing an axe off the wall, which seemed to be able to extend. Ariadne tried to cast detect magic inside the tower, only to have it fail. Sena also grabbed a pair of what looked like silvered brass knuckles. 
Moving up to the top floor, the party was greeted by a man in his later years learning on a cane with one hand and a trinket in the other. Staring down the party, he asked why they were here, to which Diem asked the same question. Apparently this place has been vacant for some time, trading owners at least twice. He listed off two names, Khazan and Exethanter, to which the latter seemed much more familiar to Diem. The floor itself as well seemed much more familiar to Diem as well, except for the strange black door installed at the opposite end of the room. Seeing that Ezmerelda was with you, the man dropped his guard momentarily as a magic ring around him dissipated, introducing himself as Rudolph van Richten. Gio took a moment to start fanboying, before Diem and Sena asked about potentially some jewelry that they are looking for. Moving towards a drawer filled with numerous pieces of jewelry, he handed one off to Sena, claiming it has no magical attributes to it. 
Frustrated that the group now knows his identity outside of Rictavio, the party questioned about what had happened with the Vistani in Vallaki. He claimed that after the attack on the town he left, and therefore has no idea about the issue. Although, it seems he is not telling the entire truth, as while it seems he was out of town by then, he is not completely unaware to what had happened to the Vistani. 
Diem stated that van Richten is allowed to stay in the tower for now as a squatter. When asked about the door with the golden mask on it, he claimed that it helps give him inspiration on how to craft the arsenal of weapons he is hopefully going to use to kill Strahd. When Ariadne first touched the door, she was ported into pure darkness before a giant red eye and eight spindly arms reached out, a golden mask at the center of the armed mass. As each arm grasped for her, she pulled back and found herself about a step away from the door. Trying again, this time with Sena, the two where asked what issue they would like to have solved. Ariadne asking for the truth about her mother, saw the image of the fallen tree with the door open as her view was pushed towards it. Sena, wanting to end the headaches, saw an image of Strahd beckoning towards her as well as an amulet with a raven sigil on it. Gio, Nova, and Diem then took some time to touch the door. Nova wanting to solve the food situation saw the wagons that were being ported to and from Krezk, Gio asking about stopping someone from pervading his thoughts, saw an image of an amulet with a raven sigil as well. Diem, asking about where her master is, saw a great white and amber structure at the top of a mountain.
Before leaving, Gio asked to talk with van Richten for a moment, but also asked him to wipe his mind after the discussion. Gio explained that Strahd wanted the party to kill him, to which van Richten said he overheard them talking about it. Asking about some way of preventing Strahd from reading his mind, van Richten claimed the tower negates most kinds of magic, and that its best to just avoid his gaze. When asked about the entity with Idris, the description matched something that might be referred to as a Dark Power, an entity that exits in Barovia that watch everything inside. They care little for mortals. When asked about the paladins, he explained that while they seem to oppose Strahd, they also kill those trying to kill Strahd. Finally, asking about armory, van Richten explained that they can take whatever they want from there. However, shortly after, van Richten wiped Gio's memory and the party descended down the elevator. Ezmerelda decided she would stay, but handed a sending stone to Diem. Upon exiting the tower, Coryphian shouted at Sena. Where have you been!!!?? The last person to disappear on me like that died. Sena exclaimed that once again, she would like to punch his face, but that she would like to do it in person. She'll be there soon...

Report Date

25 Mar 2023