Session 34

General Summary

The Beast from the Mountains

The party decided to go to the Vistani in order to rest for the evening before trekking out back towards Krezk in the morning; though they will need to come up with a plan to get their horses back. When they approached the camp, the jolly atmosphere that was suffused throughout the camp was mellowed and dour. The beast they presumed to have wreaked havoc on the camp was now hoisted high on wooden pikes; it seems the Vistani were able to dispatch the creature on their own. Nova found the creature familiar, something she may have ran into, but its rarity seemed to befuddle her. Gio helped identify the creature as a sabre-toothed tiger, something very uncharacteristically from a habitat like this, more akin to the colder mountain regions. Idris asked around, discovering that both Mount Baratok and Mount Ghakis are quite cold. Asking more and listening to passing conversations, many people seem to still be missing from the attack, and at least two people have yet to be found.
Moving into the tent, Ahrieya found herself looked upon and tailed by multiple Vistani. Inside the tent, Ahrieya found Luvash and Arrigal, seemingly in discussion. Asking about what happened and how they are faring, Luvash explained that the beast simply attacked the camp with no regard for a particular target. They managed to bring it down, but not before it caused significant damage. Currently, they do not know who had sent the beast, but it was armored. Showing Ahrieya the armor, she found no markings are signatures, but the quality of the make was impressive, unlike anything she has seen in Barovia thus far. Ahrieya was also able to discern that Luvash has been sending people out to both scout for the lost Vistani and see if Vallaki was behind the attack. Ahrieya warned about striking without proper evidence, as the person who had done this was intelligent. Luvash swore he has simply been gathering information, but Ahrieya had her reservations. Soon after, some Vistani came in to ask if the outsiders could perform an autopsy on the beast. Ahrieya left with Arrigal to oversee the operation.
As Nova yanked a tooth out of the beast, she saw something buried in its neck. Pulling it out, it was determined that it was some kind of censer with the scent of what seemed like the Vistani camp here. Digging into the beast, the stomach revealed contents of previous victims, as well as food remnants wrapped in a similar looking Vistani cloth. Whatever device that was inserted into its neck seemed to have been there for some time. Taking the device outside of camp to investigate, Gio and Ahrieya ended up finding that inside the bomb-censer was a small piece of colored cloth that held the scent of the camp. Second guessing putting something from their bag in the censer, the party convened once again to rest for the evening. Although before doing so, Idris and Nova deboned the cat to be used as a potential bait to lure out Volentia.
Idris briefly took a moment to check in on everyone. Joy from most, annoyed irritation from Grim, and intrigue by Escher.

Ghost Kidnapping

As the new day began, the party came up with a heist to get the horses back from inside. Ariadne and Ahrieya dimension doored into the orphanage, to which they were promptly approached by children. Ahrieya told them to follow her if they wanted to see something cool, and as the two went to the horses outside, the children looked on in awe as Ariadne turned them both invisible. 
At the same time, Idris approached the gate looking kind-of wounded but also kind-of old. Asking the guards if his party came through here. Looking through their papers, he seemed to write something down before opening the gates. As the invisible horses approached, two of the guards seemed to begin turning towards the noise they were making before both Ahrieya and Ariadne spurred their horses into action. As Ahrieya rode past Idris, he felt a tug on his collar as he was hoisted up onto the back of the horse like a sack of potatoes before he promptly disappeared from view. The guards cried out as the ghost kidnapping occurred, and as they tried to pursue, one was promptly knocked on their ass via telekinesis. 
As Gio and Nova looked upon the scene from a hill, Gio turned to Nova stating they're going to need to install a puppet regime in Vallaki in order to get back in.

A Safe Road

As they road towards Krezk, Nova began noticing Ravens all along the road watching the party. Asking them what they're doing, the blue-feathered raven responds that they're watching them. They also informed Nova that the path ahead is clear. Gio asked Nova to see if the ones caring for the ravens are welcome to visitors. Well, you can certainly ask them.
Further along the road, Nova and Gio both notice some humanoid entities deep in the woods. Reaching upwards, or possibly performing an interpretive dance, the party decided lets just not interact with anything new. We rarely meet anyone good. Diem will remember this.
Reaching a crossroads near both the tower and the bridge over the river adjacent, the party saw a shield baring a silver dragon emblem resting against the sign post. Immediately worried about.. Ser Patrik Fyngold (right thats his name), the party looked around, finding that his dragging footsteps seem to be moving towards the south, where they know the Order of the Silver Dragon, Argenvostholt, is. Figuring he just went home, they continued onward to Krezk.

Back Home, Private Talks

Arriving back at the burgomaster's home in Krezk, Ireena could be seen doing arts and crafts with Gio's children. Nova decided to join in on the fun with the wax as Ireena was happy to see Ahrieya alive again. As discussed before, Ahrieya learned that Ireena and Nova had both read her journal. Ahrieya figured that with everything inside, she ought to talk to Ireena about it. Perhaps later, lets just enjoy having everyone back together for a moment. As Idris moved into the kitchen to start cooking, questioning now his position as a potential housewife, Gio, Nova, and Ariadne moved outside the retrieve Ahrieya's things from the sarcophagus, and Ahrieya began going upstairs to check on the burgomaster. Outside, Isis was glad to see Gio again, though with now more time to think about what happened to their son, seemed much more distressed about the entire situation in Barovia. She seemed to just be creating furrows in the yard, making sure she wasn't terribly out of practice when potentially the time came. She also informed Gio that the burgomaster spoke a few words the other day.
As Nova and Gio pried open the sarcophagus, the now entire gold and masked statue of a body was on fully display. Nova quickly jumped in a threw all of Ahrieya's things out before she started hearing skittering coming from inside the golden statue. Jumping back up and closing the sarcophagus, they could all now hear skittering and clawing coming from inside the sarcophagus. Freaked out, Gio called out for Ahrieya as a long spider-like leg started poking out of the air hole. When Ahrieya came down, and the tomb pried open once more, a newly transformed Viggo emerged, looking a bit more spidery before than usual... yaaaaay.....
Idris annoyed by the commotion the grave robbers were causing closed the window to the kitchen. Sena joined him, remarking on his proclivity towards cooking all the time while in the home. She remarked again on her headaches, and while Idris promised he'd try to fix it, Sena insisted it wasn't that much of a big deal. She also informed him about the words that the burgomaster spoke; he was calling out for his son Ilya. Sena then asking if Ahrieya seemed all together up there, and Idris confirmed so. Sena will remember that. The two remained in the kitchen, preparing soup.
Ahrieya went upstairs to check on the burgomaster. Discerning his condition, something magical seems to definitely be preventing proper healing. Casting a spell with one of her relics, Ahrieya observed a golden halo shatter around his head before he returned to consciousness. Anna, overjoyed at her husband's return, embraced him as Ahrieya asked him to recount what he remembers. A beast, an overflow of emotion, hurrying back to the house, a pistol, and green smoke. Idris and Gio then came up later with some food. As Gio talked with the burgomaster, Anna and Idris talked outside. Perhaps you should bring it up that his son is a statue. Make sure you let him know before he starts wandering. 
Meanwhile as the rest of the home was eating, Ahrieya seemed to struggle to remember quite how. Sena: I thought you said she was fine!
After dinner, the Ahrieya made a private sanctum in the backyard to avoid prying eyes and ears. Upon entering, the party started to discuss their plans. Could our dark powers or patrons work together? Vaund seems chill, and the rest just don't trust each other. Don't know a whole lot about Dark Moon yet. By the way Vaund called you the fey Ariadne. Wait... what?! No further explanation was provided.
Gio explained that he simply cares about getting him and his out out now as well as everyone important to the party, not so much about anyone here. Idris broached the idea that they might not even be able to leave, and perhaps we shouldn't burn every bridge we come across. Ahrieya actually wanted to try and make this place better. Nova still needs to see why Ursor wants her to go into the mountains, and Ariadne has no idea what Dark Moon is up to now that he is potentially free. 
After discussing where to go next, everyone in the group took a moment to exit the sanctum in order to converse with their patrons or entities.

Report Date

26 Jun 2023