Session 36

General Summary

Swamped

Ahrieya asked if Niza was feeling alright. Turning towards the elf, Niza explained that while she used to live here, the people here treated her well. Eventually, something befell a woman that Strahd was interested in, causing the flooding of the town itself and wiping everyone out. Then, this witch came and took something from her, leaving Niza to wander the woods for a long time until hearing what was described to Ahrieya as a familiar song, before finding herself in Var'Qana. Niza's form began to shift, but found that she wasn't completely able to. Perhaps later
Gio made a quick once over throughout the ruined town, finding no traces of the women they had found before, but did find a total of 4 entities resembling The Gardener, though deactivated. Idris and Ahrieya investigated the inert constructs, finding that there were three sets of runes that seemed responsible for their activation. The glowing green gem seemed to activate one set, while the application of blood would temporarily ignite the runes. Placing a toad inside allowed the runes to light up before the amphibian exploded. An understanding on how the first two groups of runes appears understood, though the last one rests inert.
Back inside the hut, as Niza began to remove and throw away various 'witchy' paraphernalia, the woman previously pinned to the ceiling of the hut woke up. Monotone and mildly irritated, the physically built woman named Laura thanked the group for healing her wounds and destroying the witch. Apparently she was taken from the road by Baba Lysaga, and would be bled and healed each night under the witch's care.
The party then reconvened for the evening, noticing that the swarms of insects began to grow less and less intense. Ahrieya messaged Ayduin, who very much seems off their back for the time being, so long as she doesn't die.

Finding Fiddy Pat

Preparing to head on over to Argenvostholt, Niza asked if it would be alright that she stay here. She is still trying to get used to having part of her returned, but also wishes to fix up her place before meeting back up with the party to continue onward. Agreeing, the party ventured northward.
During their trek, misty silhouettes of soldiers began forming to the north of the swamp. As the misty forms engaged in combat, a spectral dragon flew ahead towards the ruined keep presumed to be Argenvostholt.
Arriving at the ruined keep, the party slowly began and enter. Calling out, the party heard no response in the keep other than the familiar sounds of skittering from one of the rooms. Investigating, Ahrieya nearly got webbed. After a bit of planning and rushing into the room after a well placed distraction by Idris, the spiders were dispatched as the group continued to investigate the keep, lighting up every candle and opening every window. Ignoring the spooky darkened misty room adjacent to the dining hall, the party moved into a small study with a hearth. Inside, a small ember burned, and when fed fuel, continued to grow and grow until forming a small dragon-like blue flamed dragon with smoky wings. Almost as soon as it formed, it rushed upstairs, leaving behind a trail of frost and smoke.
Following the spectral form upstairs, Viggo tracked the entity upstairs where it was no longer a small dragon-like wisp, but now a towering spectral dragon not unlike the one the party saw when traveling here. Contemplating if they should approach, Idris eventually greeting the dragon before it suggested the group should follow the party to a more secure location. As most of the party followed, Viggo flew up to the roof and found the entrance to where the potential beacon was. Inside, Viggo found a nearly complete skeleton of a draconic-looking entity, though missing a skull.
Questioning the spectral dragon, the party found out that this was a part of Argenvost, the one who ruled this place. After a particularly devastating battle, the order was shattered, and he was slain. His knights fell to despair, and some lost to madness and forgot themselves. He knew that his magic was always what kept the beacon of this place lit, but doesn't know how it remained so after his death. Though, he is sure that repairing the beacon will remedy his knights' condition. Asking who Vladimir Horngaard is, Argenvost explained he was his highest commander. He has fallen to despair like the others, and though he can hear his knights' cries, the knights cannot hear him. After the questioning, the party began to see Argenvost fade, his essence trailing off towards Castle Ravenloft. Its strange, I feel like I am here, but also somewhere else. Gio, Nova, and Ahrieya recalled the ossuary Volentia had in the castle, and her notes on the massive crystal there and dragons themselves.
Opting to move upstairs towards the potential beacon, the party found that the door was barred. After Gio climbed over to open the door, the party investigated the 'beacon,' a chamber with a neat set of bones which seem to belong to a giant dragon with the skull missing. Making lights all in this tower, the party figured that perhaps bringing the skull is the way to reignite the beacon. Asking if Niza could bring it over, she responded that she might be able to, once she can shift forms.

Concerning Sendings

Deciding to ride back to the swamp for the night and bring the skull the next day, the party arrived at Niza's hut as she was wrenching the skull from the muck. The party then began their work; Gio and Nova chopped down some trees to make a makeshift sled, Ahrieya oversaw operations, and Idris and Ariadne caught some crawdads for some cajun gumbo. After Nova fashioned some harnesses for the horses and what would be summoned Brooklyn Supremes, Ariadne lifted the skull with some magic onto the sled and pulled it off onto one of the more drier parts of the swamp for the evening.
Idris took a moment to check in on everyone hes connected with. All the bands mates are in bliss, including Grim. Concerning. Sena is experiencing melancholy and minor despair. Okay very concerning. Escher is feeling worry. Oh FUCK.
With Ahrieya making another barrier from prying eyes, multiple sendings went out. To Far, in response to Gio's worry and desire to meet up, recommended they not do that, but appreciates the thought. Asking Sena how she is feeling, she expresses that she still feels a headache, but otherwise is doing fine. Asking if Isis or anyone else around her is experiencing headaches, she responded that she is not feeling anything at this time, but will look out for anyone other than Sena if they show symptoms. Sending to Escher, he responds by saying that he is watching them, and that they should choose their next move carefully.
Idris took a moment to try and contact Coryphian outside the barrier, only getting static. Gio tried as well, with nothing in response. Come to think of it, Ahrieya tried to contact Vaund earlier that day but got nothing. Coming back inside, Idris expressed frustration in this situation, proclaiming he does not want to lose the person he loves to what is happening. Should we abandon the skull and just go up the mountain? Well we need a guide for that. Should we go back to Krezk? As they tried to plan, it began to rain.
We all know what rain brings. Or maybe its just normal rain. Hard to tell anymore...

Report Date

13 Jul 2023