Session 2: Village of Dread Report
General Summary
The party sought refuge in Granddad's home to rest and prepare for their meeting with the Burgomaster's Mansion in the morning. Zea gazed out the window at the desolation of Barovia's streets, catching a glimpse of Morgantha, an elderly woman selling pastries. However, her seemingly innocent guise concealed a sinister secret as she abducted a young boy named Lucian Jarov, leaving behind a distraught family.
Morning arrived, and as the party gathered over a humble breakfast of potato water, they began to open up to each other. Balance revealed his past in a cult, Gareth's presence was driven by vengeance, and the Hellsing brothers aspired to rid Barovia of its supernatural oppressor.
Once nourished, they made their way to the Burgomaster's Mansion, where an eerie, desolate scene unfolded. The twisted, rusting iron gates, trampled weeds, and foreboding atmosphere hinted at the darkness that lay within. They knocked on the door and encountered Ireena, a woman deeply scarred by her encounters with Strahd and his minions, hesitant to trust anyone.
The party's persuasiveness prompted her to summon her brother, Ismark, who welcomed them inside. The mansion's interior bore signs of both elegance and wear, featuring boarded-up windows and an unusual profusion of holy symbols.
The party's attentiveness led them to the tragic sight of the burgomaster, Koylan, lying in a simple coffin, awaiting a long-overdue burial. Ismark and Ireena, unable to find help in the village due to Strahd's menacing presence, implored the party to assist in the burial and protect Ireena. Intriguingly, Strahd had shown no interest in their family since their father's passing a week ago.
After investigating Koylan's demise, the party discovered he had succumbed to a heart attack, likely the result of the immense stress brought on by Strahd's threats. Moreover, they suspected that Ireena and Ismark might not be biological siblings, raising questions about Ireena's true origins.
With the siblings' request, they embarked on the journey to bury Koylan, leaving Donavich, the church's priest, to offer his prayers. The party and Donavich left the siblings alone to grieve, and Donavich implored the party to take Ireena to the Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk for her safety.
As they returned to the tavern to wait for the siblings, they were drawn into another grim encounter. Two frightened children, Rose and Thorn, approached them, revealing a sinister presence in their home. The mists surrounding them intensified, separating Perseverance Hellsing from the group.
Trapped within the ominous Death House, the party began to explore its secrets, searching for the elusive basement. On the luxurious second floor, they encountered macabre decorations and a hidden room, exposing the dark history of the house. Amid a disturbing scene of fiend-summoning rituals and cult practices, they found a tragic skeleton who had fallen victim to a poisoned dart trap.
The skeleton clutched a letter from Strahd von Zarovich's Letter Death House himself, denying any messianic purpose and condemning the trapped souls. A chest held valuable items and documents, including deeds, a will, and spell scrolls.
This revelation marked the session's unsettling conclusion, leaving the party with a profound sense of dread and an ever-deepening mystery to unravel in the heart of Barovia.
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