Session 5

General Summary

Before the Trek

As the group woke up, Idris and Ireena had already been at work disguising Ireena to a point beyond recognition. Dying her hair, giving her makeup, the works. While Ireena stitched together a ramshackle dress to wear, Ariadne took some of Madam Durst's clothing and dusted the walls, ceiling, and floors to make them look much worse, venting at the rude old woman while doing so. At least they have a plan B outfit. Before departing the room to join the rest of the group, Ariadne gifted Ireena some moss agate she found, supposedly used to help emotional balance and tranquility to help her on the journey, along with a dream pastry that was refused.
Meanwhile, Ahrieya, Nova, Gio, and Ismark went to Bildrath's Mercantile to purchase a few more supplies for the journey. Bildrath seemed not to know who had taken the yellow metallic necklace the night prior, but mentioned that the party should let him know if they see anyone with it. After purchasing supplies, the group went to visit Mary, the mother of the missing child Gertruda, the child whom was Patcha's owner. Being given a detailed description of Gertruda, the party said they would help try and find Mary's daughter, and check out the windmill on the way to Vallaki.
When the party reconvened, Ismark said his goodbyes to Ireena, having the party swear to keep her safe during the journey. And with that, the group took to the Svalitch Road westward towards Vallaki.

The Darkened Road

The party left the Village of Barovia, and within about 45 minutes Ireena seemed a little uncomfortable. About 2 hours in to the trek, the party came across some old gallows as well as a signpost that pointed in three different directions: Barovia Village to the east, Tser Pool to the northwest, and Ravenloft/Vallaki to the southwest. Upon moving northwest towards Madam Eva's encampment, Nova turned towards the gallows to briefly see a corpse hanging from the rope; hers. On second glance, it seemed to just be a typical Barovian, and after a brief discussion, decided to just keep an eye on the corpse as they followed the road. Some time later, Idris asked Ariadne if his eyes were brown. Upon examination, it seemed one of his eyes looked irritated and red, and the iris had a bit of orange/yellow in it. When being told this, Idris asked Ariadne to punch him in the face to try and cure it. Reluctantly, Ariadne threw a punch, and though landing a solid hit, didn't seem to change much. Idris then turned to Nova and asked her to punch him, and without a second thought she threw a punch and knocked him clean across the chin. Blinking quickly and checking again, it seemed like it had gone away. Asking why, Idris explained that the last time that happened to his eyes, his friend Sena punched him and it went away. When being questioned about the tune, and what happened to Doru within the basement of the church, Idris explained that while he used to be able to play a multitude of songs on his bass, now he can only play the same song on his mother's rebab. With Ireena wiping the blood from Idris' face, the party kept on moving.
After some time, the party began to hear growing and rapid footfalls coming from the northern and southern sides of the road from the forest. After forming a protective circle around Ireena, the party took a protective stance as five large wolves approached, eyes glowing yellow and red with shadows cascading down its coat. As they encircled the group, a larger wolf appeared from the woods with a silver and black coat, as it barked at the others to commence the attack.
Pairs of wolves took to some targets, laying into Gio and Idris as another wolf and the larger one took to Nova. Enraged, Nova held her axe high to bury it into the silver wolf, only to not have the weapon pierce its hide. In kind, the wolf delivered a blow which dug into Nova's skin and festered. As the fight went on, maniacal laughing could be heard coming from the northern part of the woods. As the wolves were taken out one by one, the source of the laughing revealed herself to be a woman in a golden ballgown with a skeletal mask, asking if the party was enjoying their time with her 'doggies'. Eventually it was just the silver wolf and her, and the woman called them off to check in on the group. After Nova threw another blow at the woman, she asked if Nova wanted her to "bite her back?" Deescalating the situation, the party talked to woman who introduced herself as Volentia, Strahd's 'Numbah One'. Supposedly she is one of Strahd's brides, as he seemed to have three (and a husband). She was apparently sent to see how the party was doing, and to check in on Ireena, though for the later objective she seemed much more irritated. Looking over the group, Idris clever convinced her to leave after donating a bit of his hair to her in order to keep track of him and his 'fiance' Cecilia. On the way out, Volentia was irked by a comment Ariadne made. Standing face to face with the vampire bride, Volentia stated that if she wasn't with Strahd, they might have had a chance. Getting out of this close call, the group hurried towards Madam Eva's camp.

The Fortunes of Ravenloft

As the party pulled into the camp near the Tser Pools, they saw a few wagons and tents set up along the river banks, as a handful of colorfully clad individuals quickly identified as some of the Vistani were seen dancing, singing, and playing music in the center of the camp. As the group approached, a thin-looking man whispered something to his dance partner before greeting the party and asking if they needed anything. Looking at their condition and after being asked, the thin man introduced himself as Lee and went to go get some bandages and healing supplies for them. Supposedly Madam Eva has been waiting for five people vaguely fitting the group's description.
As the group was waiting for Lee to return, another Vistani named Vorash came and began to ask about the group and where they came from. When Lee returned to the camp, the party began to heal whichever wounds they had mounted during the battle on the roads. Though treated with some kind of salve, Nova's wound didn't seem to get any better, but a large black vein in her arm seemed to be pumping much more vigorously since she was bitten. When asked, Vorash claimed there were tales of people bitten by large wolves in the Svalitch Woods that cause people to turn into mad beasts and monsters that roam Barovia, though there may be a godly person in the west, supposedly in Krezk, who can heal people.
As a Vistani woman tended to Gio's wounds, she introduced herself as Rina, and claimed that instead of any payment for their services, that they would like to have a story they can tell. In order to give inspiration, Rina told a story in turn to Gio.

"A mighty wizard came to this land over a year ago. I remember him like it was yesterday. He stood exactly where you’re standing. A very charismatic man, he was. He thought he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil Strahd. He stirred them with thoughts of revolt and bore them to the castle en masse. “When the vampire appeared, the wizard’s peasant army fled in terror. A few stood their ground and were never seen again."
"The wizard and the vampire cast spells at each other. Their battle flew from the courtyards of Ravenloft to a precipice overlooking the falls. I saw the battle with my own eyes. Thunder shook the mountainside, and great rocks tumbled down upon the wizard, yet by his magic he survived. Lightning from the heavens struck the wizard, and again he stood his ground. But when the devil Strahd fell upon him, the wizard’s magic couldn’t save him. I saw him thrown a thousand feet to his death. I climbed down to the river to search for the wizard’s body, to see if, you know, he had anything of value, but the River Ivlis had already spirited him away."

After talking a bit more, the group decided to go in and talk to Madam Eva. When approaching the large tent, a creaky old woman's voice called them inside as they were ushered into the darkened interior of the tent, littering with celestial and starry motifs along with a set of black vellum cards and a crystal ball as she asked if the group was ready to have their fortunes told.
Madam Eva said she was expecting the party as they approached, and began to read their collective fortunes, exclaiming they were all meant to be heroes of Barovia, though fates may sometimes change with the influence of great power. Drawing some of the black vellum cards and setting them out in a cross formation, she began to draw them one-by-one...

"This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy."
"The Guild Member... I see a cemetery under the sun’s vaunted celebrations, watched over by a being of caged soul and burlap skin. Look not to the graves, but to its grave keeper. He has been let in."

"This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope."
"The Healer... I see a fallen house guarded by a great stone dragon. Look to the highest peak. The light must shine once more in halls once hallowed."

"This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a weapon of sunlight."
"The Enchanter... I see a faceless god. He awaits you at the end of a long and winding road, deep in the mountains. Where the pieces of light must gather."

"This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness."
"The Broken One... A loquacious soul rests below the madman’s vessel. Her lost soul will help break the madness of this place."

"Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him!"
"The Darklord... He lurks in the depths of darkness, in the one place to which he must return."

After reading the group's fortune, she began to give each individual in the party their own personal fortunes...

For Nova, The Bishop was drawn first. Protected by a god, her people were taken from her when its promised protection seemed lost. Though traces of its power still linger. The second card revealed itself as The Beast. A curse wracks you, child. Corruption runs rampant, but westward you will find a ritual hill where the denizens there and the life itself might aid, though it may not end the way you might expect.

For Ariadne, The Evoker was drawn first. Summoning, transporting; a bloodline influenced by another land. You do not know where you came from, do you child? The second card revealed itself as The Raven. A den of beasts will help you figure out what you, and a cult of ravens will help lead you to them.

For Idris, The Avenger was drawn first. Vengeance will be enacted, though not for you, someone else. Not someone, some thing; an idea.The second card drawn was The Seer. Plunge deep into murky darkness, someone may help dull the madness, though they may be afflicted as well. Tread with care.

For Gio, The Charlatan was drawn first. Another life that was once lived has caught up; mixing one with another, keeping things to yourself. Are they all what they seem? The second card drawn was The Ghost. Your family is split? Outside a great town of superstition I see one, and the others are found in the moor under a godly man.

For Ahrieya, The Paladin was drawn first. Someone follows you with a righteous cause though, at least they seem to think so. Conviction most strong, you have strong ties to them, don't you. The second card drawn was The Executioner. There is only one way this ends, and you know this. While fate may be altered, it takes powerful forces outside our natural order to shift it. Though, you seem like someone who might be able to change things... if you are strong enough.
With all fortunes read, Madam Eva claims that she made a great risk helping the party. Strahd gives her people safe passage and a haven here in Barovia, and she doesn't wish to risk the safety of all the Vistani. She then addresses Ireena's role. She is the key to Strahd's curse, bestowed upon him by mysterious powers. He will never harm her, as he is infatuated with her.
Without any more questions, the party left the tent to see Ireena sitting aside a bonfire with the other Vistani, smiling as they dance and sing, seemingly clapping along as well. The party looked on with dour faces as they prepared to bed down for the night, awaiting what might happen tomorrow...

Rewards Granted

The party received their fortune readings by Madam Eva, giving them clues on ways to help them in their journey.

Missions/Quests Completed

Meeting Madam Eva and leaving the Village of Barovia, the party is moving closer and closer to Vallaki. Though the road is certainly dangerous, and seems to keep delaying their journey.

Report Date

16 Aug 2022

Primary Location

Tser Pool Encampment

Secondary Location

The Village of Barovia

Related Characters

• Bildrath Cantemir
• Granny Morgantha
• Ireena Kolyana
• Ismark Kolyanovich
• Madam Eva
• Volentia Popofsky