Book 3: The House of Lament; Session 11 Barovian Travelers

General Summary

Along the Svalich Road

As the group leaves The Carnival, the black and white tents seem to disappear beyond a thick wall of mist. Quantarius pulled out a map of the land and led them along the Old Svalich Road that winds through the land of Barovia. He asked them about the fortune they received and if they believed it or not. The group said hoped it would lead them back home if they fulfilled it and having no other options, would see if they could find the fractured artifact and piece it together once more.
When asked if such readings were common, Quantarius said they were highly unusual as the Vistani typically do not interfere with the true rulers of the land or with the concern of outsiders from the Mists. Amoiety asked what the rulers are like, if they are benevolent or something else, Quantarius turned that question to Kass. Kass said she only knew of a couple and they weren't exactly benevolent, but what ruler would be? They have so much power.
Their conversation was cut short when they came across a large, dead tree covered in hundreds of ravens calling, seemingly in agitation. One of the birds flew from the tree and landed on Amoiety's staff. After hopping from his staff to his head, Victor used Speak with Animals to communicate with the bird. The raven warned Victor of "danger" and asked for their "help", then told them to follow it and flew off. Since it was heading in the same direction they were, the group followed.

The Old Bone Grinder

The raven led the group to an decrepit windmill standing on a precipice and informed Victor that "kids will die". Not overly concerned for the state of Raven chicks or eggs, Amoiety and Norikami asked for more details and when Victor asked the raven said "two-leggers" kids, so the group decided to further investigate.
With a large group of ravens flying overhead and squawking, they were able to scout out the windmill without being noticed. Norikami climbed up two floors and saw very old ladies wearing blood stained aprons and dresses that appeared to be stitched from flesh. He also saw a single child in a cage.
Upon sharing this information, Quantarius expressed concern and said this is a hag coven, which is highly dangerous. He suggested the group distract the one hag on the lower level while he deals with the other two. The group agreed to his plan and he disappeared before their eyes.
After some difficulty, giving the thickness of the Hag's skin, the group does defeat the one hag as v took on the other two. Victor, however, fell unconscious during the fight and Quantarius , though defeated the other two hags was quite hurt from the battle. Having no other way to heal Victor, Quantarius used a spell that appeared to harm himself, yet heal Victor.
The kid they rescued was scared and uncertain but said their name was Edwin, but had no family. Edwin said they stayed at an orphanage in Vallaki at times, so the party dropped him off at the gates of Vallaki and moved on the Zeidenburg.
Treasure found in the windmill: 6 pieces of jewelry (25 gp each 3 "potions" - Youth, Laughter, Mother's Milk.

Zeidenburg

The group, wary after battling the hags went straight to the Grizzled Boar Inn in Zeidenburg. There they enjoyed a dinner of sturgeon roe on sunflower bread and a small bowl of a hardy vegetable stew to go with drinks of ale and tuica.
Over dinner, Amoiety told Quantarius he was impressed he took on two of the hags alone. Quantarius simply replied that it would have been easier if the child wasn't in the same room they did battle. Then Amoiety asked how old he was as he appeared much younger than he was yet already amassed such power. Quantarius only said he was older than he appeared and studied for many years under a master.

Report Date

06 Mar 2022