Session 38

General Summary

Bad to Worse

As the fighting continued, Sena seems to have flipped sides. Ariadne casts telekinesis on Strahd, lifting him off the ground. Perturbed by this, his eyes flash red and all the remaining undead turn on Ariadne. However, the party continues to cleave through the remaining undead. Ahrieya resuscitates Idris with one of her relics via Viggo, and the party turns on Strahd. Striking him, a glass/mirror like barrier begins to crack around the man, seemingly keeping him unphased despite being held in sunlight.
Mad archer Billy in the back continued to shoot blindly into the crowd, and though consistently hitting Strahd's minions, eventually locked onto Ireena, pelting her with arrows before downing her. Irate, Strahd immediately began lighting Billy on fire. Meanwhile, Sena kept darting around, hitting and insulting the party. Strahd, looking at the party while restrained, admits he may have underestimated the party. After snapping his fingers, the party was eventually joined by a giant ghostly dragon with numerous vampire brides and consorts riding its back, including a reluctant Escher. The fight went from bad to worse as the party ran out of spells, and the minions eventually took down Ariadne, releasing Strahd. Ahrieya struck Strahd with her rapier, piercing through the glassy barrier around him and digging into his flesh. Strahd seemed impressed. Ludmilla tried to dominate Gio, and while she succeeded, was immediately knocked out of concentration by Nova.
Idris attempted to dispel the effect that seems to be on Sena, though unable to do so until help from Ahrieya came. Her vision returned as she held Idris in a headlock just moments before a breath weapon knocked most of the party down. Ludmilla then turned to Sena, and targetted her with another dominate spell, to which the woman cluched her head again as her eyes flared red again. With Ahrieya the last one standing, she sent Viggo off to hide Rahadin's necklace somewhere before she too eventually fell as she could hear muffled cries coming from Ireena.
Suddenly, Idris came to, healed. Ahead, he could see Ireena, Strahd, and Sena all riding on his flaming steed, as all the brides returned to riding the spectral dragon. Strahd stated that the party is lucky that his love has a kind and gentle heart. But not kind enough to sway him from tormenting Idris one last time. A red-eyed Sena stroked Strahd's face before he remarked on how the party kept his love from him for so long, now its time to return the favor. As Strahd and his entourage left, Idris rushed around the scene to heal those he can, and make sure everyone is still alive. Gio and Ahrieya came back to consciousness, while Nova and Ariadne were still unconscious. All the bodies from the fight remain, sans for one Rahadin.

Dreaded Realization

As the mist faded and the party found themselves beaten in the rain, they began to walk towards Krezk. Idris tried to call and vibe out for the horses, and after a few minutes managed to luckily attract them back, albeit with the yellowish/orange eyes. Hauling their unconscious members onto the horses, the party rode back to Krezk. Upon arrival, the guards remarked on how some of the group of women had left earlier to come find you. Hopefully they turn up soon. Nothing else particularly strange happened since.
Pulling up to the burgomasters home, walking inside Gio was met with all his children running downstairs to greet him. Gavin asked him he and mom found what they were looking for, and Gio Jr. said that he Gio came back looking for mom to find something important. She's just running a bit late she'll be back soon. Inquiring further with Anna, Gio apparently showed up alone a while ago to convince Isis to help him find an artifact that would be used to help defeat Strahd. So much for His Lady's blessing of protection.
Idris and the children brought up Nova to the bed, and Idris eventually returned outside to take in Ariadne and put her on the couch. The party had a bit of a talk outside the burgomaster's home. That was awful, and definitely seemed personal despite him saying the contrary. Idris said that he will not give the dick in the castle the satisfaction of his misery, and will put on a face that he is absolutely fine, and suggests that Gio does the same. The party also concludes that it was definitely something with Strahd and another Dark Power that seems to be blocking the party's connection with their respective Dark Powers. The party then splits, Ahrieya going to commission the cold weather clothing while Gio goes to talk with the Abbot after trying to talk with his Lady. Idris walked outside, trying to contact Coryphian, only to fall face first into the earth.
In darkness, Idris found himself in front of a door. Opening it, he could find Coryphian, cramped in the space of a broom closet, frustratingly beckoning Idris to enter. Upon entering, Coryphian remarked on whatever seems to be blocking him from communicating. Its like him but not him. The only reason he can do this is that the gift that was given to the horses provided the 'horsepower' to make this closet. Asking what he did to Grim, he remarked on how he eventually came to Coryphian's side, whether or not it was by persuasion or magic remains understood, but at least they're tapping into an untapped gold mine now: Ska.
Gio formed a connection with Par'Thalia. Bound by thorns of her grove in an ever-cramping space, she remarked on how she felt her protection on Isis shatter moments ago. Gio suddenly came to a horrible realization from the fight moments ago. Asking if there is anything she can do to help, she imparted one final blessing onto Gio, her only champion. Before the thorns completely entangled her, Gio came to.
The party, at Gio's behest, rides back to the scene of the fight as some rats have begun to pick at the corpses. After unmasking the black armored figures, Gio found his wife Isis, unbreathing and staring straight ahead. Idris played a somber song as yellow/orange flames buried into Isis, the diamond turning to dust, and Isis' eyes flaring to life, albeit with a yellowish tint in her eyes. Isis remarked on how Gio came to get her, then luring Diem to the woods to kill her. Looking at the other bodies, one was revealed to be an undead Diem, as well as an undead Father Donovitch from the Village of Barovia, with a throat torn out. Neither of the bodies had items on their person.
Returning to Krezk, Isis was put in bed with her children, and apologized for what transpired. She should have been wiser. Gio reassured her, and recommended she get some rest.

Coats and Confrontations

Ahrieya went to Mr. Swift's shop to commission some coats. The man remarked on how she seems familiar, and when told that she does have a brother, remembered that yes, he saw some man who looked like her come through town a while ago. After paying a small sum of gold, Mr. Swift promised the coats would be ready by tomorrow with some alterations. Moving down to the Wonder Emporium, Ahrieya got some enchanted inkwells and potions for the coming journey.
Meanwhile, Gio went to visit the Abbot. After bribing the gate keeper, met the Abbot sewing or hemming a dress. Gio asked if he knew anything more about Dark Powers, to which he unfortunately had nothing more to offer. When bringing up St. Markovia, the Abbot brought him to her tomb, which would have held her bones had Strahd not taken them to keep in his crypt. She truly had the Morning Lord on her side when she fought him. When asked about the Fanes and the gems that had been gifted to them, the Abbot said that Strahd was brought around the valley and that the Abbot suspects he desecrated their shrines. However, he will not part with his gem. With nothing more to add, Gio left, and ran into Ahrieya on the way to visit the Abbot as well. Ahrieya moving towards the Abbot was greeted by a similar gatekeeper that reluctantly allowed her entry. Upon greeting the Abbot, he was powdering someone sitting next to him. Ahrieya asked him to listen to reason. What if Ireena is with Strahd right now. Then perhaps the valley will know peace, at least for a time. She must have finally understood her purpose, and that perhaps my discussion with her is no longer needed. If he grows tired of her, a new bride will be needed to appease him. Ahrieya insists that he will ONLY want her, not a cheap replica. Her pleas seem to have struck something in the Abbot.
Idris, meanwhile, stood over a stove making soup. As it bubbled over and burned, he stood motionless staring into the pot.
In the morning, Ariadne awoke to find in her room a beautifully hemmed dress with flowery embroidery resting on Ireena's bed. Convening downstairs, the party collected their outfits and prepared for their journey up the mountain.

Report Date

29 Jul 2023