Session 4

General Summary

The Finer Details

After following Ismark to his family manor, clearly beaten and broken due to outside attacks, the party met Ireena Kolyana, the late burgomaster's daughter and sister to Ismark. Hesitant at first, the young woman sheathed her blade and welcomed the group inside before barring the door once more. Inside, the home clearly exemplified finery despite its current ragged and run-down appearance. Moving the group through the halls, everyone could smell the faint scent of decay as one of the only rooms not boarded up also seemed to house the corpse of the late burgomaster, still resting in a wooden coffin. Sealing the coffin, Ismark gestured for the group to sit before trying to hash out any details of the job.
The job is to escort Ireena to safety, as it is not safe to stay so close in proximity to Castle Ravenloft, the home of Count Strahd von Zarovitch. Whether this be to the nearby settlement of Vallaki, or further west towards the settlement of Krezk. Both are stringent on who they let inside the walls, having tests for outsiders such as having them in close proximity to garlic, and having them hold a silver coin. When asked what sorts of minions Strahd has under his control, Ismark mentioned that all beasts other than ravens serve Strahd, as well as the undead that roam Barovia.
While Ahrieya, Ariadne, and Idris went over the details of the job, Gio and Nova went outside to test Ireena's survival and combat skills. Being raised in a wealthy noble household doesn't necessarily provide the best experience when it comes to roughing it in the wild, or doing well in fights. Though, through it all, Ireena insists that she will not be a burden to the party no matter what. Unfortunately, Gio determines her swordsmanship leaves much to be desired, and Nova nearly broke her wrist testing her strength (though proving that she, in fact, is not a snitch). When going closer to the forest to find some wild vegetation that might be used to test Ireena's survival skills, Gio picked one that was DEFINITELY poison, and another that should be fine. When brought back, Ireena was actually able to identify both the berries as poison. Running her through some example scenarios, Ireena seemed to understand what situations might be sketchy and what to avoid, but seems to be prone to running into situations if it means helping someone. She then asked Gio if the party and him could help Ismark and her give their late father his funeral rights at the church in the northern part of the village. Agreeing, the pair followed Nova's lead back inside the manor.
Inside, Ahrieya, Idris, and Ariadne showed Ismark the letters they had received along their journeys. He was easily able to identify his father's handwriting on the latter marked with a 'B', while also mentioning that the other mark that was found on the other letter was the seal of Castle Ravenloft. Additionally, Ismark mentioned that he would give the party 600 gold pieces to do this job, and was willing to front any costs for supplies they might need for the journey. Ahrieya mentioned that she wanted a yellow necklace from Bildrath's Mercantile, and asked if Ismark could distract the owner so she could steal it. While he shares the group's disapproval of the shopkeeper, he, as the acting burgomaster of the Village of Barovia, didn't want to be directly associated with any sort of stealing. Ariadne asked if the group could stay in the manor for the evening, and head out in the morning, to which the sibling obliged and set up some rooms. Idris suggested that they disguise Ireena the best they can in order to better hide her when they leave, and offered to dye her hair, hide her scent, and change her outfit. Ireena mentioned that she could provide sewing supplies, as she seems to embroider in her spare time.
The plan was to have Kolyan Indirovitch's funeral now, steal the amulet, and then rest for their journey in the morning. On the way to Vallaki, they are going to stop by the Tser Pools in order to meet with Madam Eva and get more information about these lands.

A Brief Heist

As Gio, Nova, and Ismark carried the wooden coffin to the northern church, with Ireena following closely behind, the others took a turn towards Bildrath's Mercantile. Sweeping around the perimeter, the group discerned that the shop owner probably lives in the back of the shop, and that it is definitely closed. Identifying a small hole in the building, Ahrieya summoned Viggo inside the shop as Ariadne and Idris started coming up with a plan. Before the two could finalize the details, Ahrieya had Viggo shove the amulet through the hole and summoned him back to the bag. Baffled, the group debated whether or not they should try to steal more from the shop, though Idris and Ariadne noted that they should be heading off to the funeral, since they were asked to attend, after all. Quickly looking to see if there were any witnesses, Ahrieya noted that Granny was leaving the village along the western road. Though she expressed worry about Granny travelling in the dark to her home outside the village, the old woman insisted that she would be fine, and though worded very strangely, allowed them to visit her home in case she wasn't there if they needed shelter.

Unwelcome Guests and Afflicted Souls

Gio and Nova accompanied the siblings to the church, where they found the building in a sorry state, similar to that of the manor. Entering, the broken, ransacked interior housed no supplicants or acolytes bar for one haggard-looking man praying at the altar. All seemed relatively normal, until unearthly screams could be heard coming from somewhere in the church. Approaching while trying to ignore the screams, the man praying with a horse voice, who revealed himself to be Donovich, agreed to give Ireena and Ismark's father. Going to get shovels to bury the burgomaster, Gio asked about the obvious screaming. Ireena mentioned that Donovich's son was taken by Strahd at some point, and returned afflicted with something that made him more bestial. Donovich prays to the Morning Lord at all times of the day for him to heal his son, as no one knows of any way to cure Doru's affliction.
Eventually, Donovich came back with shovels, and escorted everyone to where they would be burying the late burgomaster. Out in the graveyard, the crypts are all crumbled and desecrated, and there seemed to be many recent graves, the soil still loose. The burgomaster was to be buried next to his late wife, Indira. After the hole was dug, the burgomaster was slowly lowered into the grave with Ismark holding his crying sister.
Meanwhile, Idris, Ariadne, and Ahrieya entered the church and heard the horrible screaming as well, before meeting up with the group. As the funeral service was being held, everyone could hear footsteps approaching from the church. While most turned to look, Ahrieya tumbled behind a grave. The pale, elven-looking man wearing fine clothing and leathers with a fur-lined cloak approached the party. Upon seeing him, Ireena shouted at the stranger, claiming that all this is his fault. Despite this, the man introduced himself as Rahadin, Strahd's chamberlain and servant. He came to express his condolences on his master's behalf, and bid the party welcome to Barovia, hoping they enjoy their stay. Nova and Idris both blocked him from getting any closer, and as they got closer they could hear hundreds of screams of men, woman, and children. Nova, hearing his voice and the screams coming from him, suddenly came to a realization, and crying out in fury moved to strike the stranger. Unflinching, Rahadin claimed he came with the best intentions, and Idris moved to try and intercept the furious gnome.

The party managed to restrain and convince Nova to control herself. She reluctantly surrendered, and promptly moved away from the group as she cried. As Gio moved in to console her, Idris told Rahadin that now might not be the best time to be here. Agreeing, he mentioned that he would like to formally be introduced to the party at some point, that he would very much like to meet Ahrieya whenever she decides to get out of hiding, and then handed Idris a letter to give Ireena.
When Gio approached Nova, the gnome exclaimed that Rahadin is the bad guy, the one who took everything. Though, he didn't seem to have anyone else with him this time. Gio mentions that it seems we all have some reasons for being here, and that he might need her to help him with his. He then showed Nova a locket, which when opened revealed a jolly looking Gio with a wife and children.
Tailing a bit behind Rahadin, Gio wanted to mark the man to see where he was going. Looking back from around the church, all he could make out was a black coach riding off westward.
With everyone a bit of a wreck at the moment, and the service finally concluded, Idris reluctantly gave Ireena the letter that Rahadin provided. Upon reading it, she claimed the count was mad, and threw the letter to the ground. Idris was curious, so he looked at the letter. It read...

Dearest Ireena,

It is with the deepest grief that I learn of the death of your kind and noble Father; and, especially, that it is affecting your young heart beyond all sensation. In this sad world of ours, sorrow eventually comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with the bitterest agony, because it so often takes them unaware. Your elders, no doubt, have learned to ever expect it.
I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You surely realize now that you will never smile again, is not this so? And yet it is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say; and you need only believe it to feel your heart warm once again. The memory of your dear Father, instead of an agony, will yet be a sad sweet feeling in your heart, of a purer and holier sort than you have ever known before.
Please present my kind regards to your afflicted brother.
Your lord, master, and love, Strahd von Zarovich

Love?!?! Why was Strahd referring to her this way. Ireena hesitated for a moment, but then revealed to Idris that he had visited her before, though he has trouble remembering what happened. She then revealed a bite mark on her neck, covered by the scarf. She claimed nothing has happened despite having the mark for some time now, and that she will let him know if anything changes in that regard. Ismark knows, but never told anyone in fear of it scaring people off. Before leaving, Idris insisted that she should tell the group, so that there are no more secrets held between each other on this job.
Before leaving, Gio and Idris had a talk about Donovich's son. Clearly they can't leave him like that. Coming up with a plan, they settled on posing as someone who might be able to identify Doru's affliction and cure him. When bringing this up to him, Donovich was ecstatic and immediately agreed to let them see him. As they approached a trap door with an iron padlock, Donovich explained that he wasn't able to tie up his son, and told the party not to hurt Doru; he is his son after all.
In the dusty basement, the screaming was echoing in the nearly empty room. In the corner, a gaunt humanoid knelt, cupping his face in his hands. Smelling the blood in the room, Doru turned towards the group and began to approach, claiming how hungry he was for blood. Idris convinced Doru to stay as he cut his hand into a cup and gave it to the starving boy, drinking it quite quickly and demanding more. With hunger in his wild eyes, Doru lept at the tiefling and tore into him. Immediately the party began to try and subdue to afflicted boy while Gio and Ahrieya tried to discern what was wrong with him. Quite easily, the group was able to tell that Doru was affliected with vampirism.

Nova and Gio swung at the boy as Ariadne blasted into him with eldritch blasts. Idris tried to cure Doru with a lesser restoration spell only to see orange energy spread throughout Doru's body, lighting up his veins. After a few more well-laid blows, and a worried father making the situation only slightly worse, Doru was knocked unconscious.
As the party quickly tried to think of what to do, Doru's unconscious body snapped back into place and just sat there, face covered once again in his hands. Though this time, instead of begging for food, he began to hum a tune that was very familiar to Idris. Distraught, the tiefling left to smoke as he met back up with Ireena and Ismark outside. Ahrieya expressed her frustration with Donovich lying about knowing his son's affliction, though he insists he thought the party was going to help. He should really try to feed Doru every now and then, though certainly be careful about it.
Gathering everyone up, the party returned to the manor after Gio made sure that Rahadin had left. With everyone in their own rooms for the evening, watch was had. Ahrieya looked around to see a bustling town square outside with joyous townsfolk enjoying each others' company. As she scraped against the boards that covered the window, the outside returned to the dreary village. As Gio took second watch, he noticed that Nova had the biggest smile on her face as she slept. Though nothing seemed to come to the house during watch.
As Ariadne slept, she was met with a wonderful dream. Back at the Snuggly Duckling, the little café was bustling, all her friends there entertaining and serving a multitude of customers. Then suddenly, Zilyana, a lovely tiefling woman, came through the door and claimed she has returned from her long trip on a boat and made SO MUCH MONEY. They can finally leave and start their life together. Overjoyed, the two embraced as the denizens of the café cheered, applauding the couple as they moved into the sunset.
As Nova slept, she was sitting in a throne of furs and leathers, wearing a golden bear pelt. She presided over the village, everyone moving about and smiling. At her side, Koom'a smiled at her as the previous chief saluted to her. Behind her, three heads from hulking monstrosities were on display, skewered with spears with gore dripping down the shafts. Then, a handful of warriors brought a captive to her; Rahadin. In one swift motion, she grabbed her axe and moved towards the pallid elf to cut off his head, easily cleaving it off and watching it roll.
Idris was awakened by Gio, and upon groggily getting ready, went off to Ireena's room to prepare her for the journey.

Rewards Granted

The party was given 600 gold by Ismark. Ahrieya had stolen another of the yellow metal amulets, the magical properties of which are difficult to discern.

Missions/Quests Completed

The late burgomaster of the Village of Barovia has been buried, and the job to escort Ireena to safety was accepted. Doru's affliction was identified, though it was not cured.

Report Date

12 Aug 2022

Primary Location

The Village of Barovia

Related Characters

• Donovich
• Doru
• Granny Morgantha
• Ireena Kolyana
• Ismark Kolyanovich
• Rahadin