Session 4 - Seekers of Truth, Righters of Wrongs
General Summary
The party wakes up in the manor of the majordomo of Zmiihorod. Each party member decides to do their own thing that day, as the celebration of the Week of Cheese is in full swing. Some meet with the troupers visiting the citadel, and listen to Volomir - its leader, provide entertainment and knowledge about the pagan roots of the celebration. Some chase tail, though one with more dedication (and success) than others. Some find work to do for the majordomo, and befriend a servitor named Vasia. Some look for where the horse and sled could’ve been taken, first speaking to the prince's stable master, and eventually convincing one of the local militia to direct them to the nearby village of Yasnyi, where the horse was taken. Lada searches the home of the medicine woman Vashti, learning it holds materials and items even Lada isn’t sure of their purpose, including an odd white powder. Amadeo de Luca lets the majordomo he will be back to help write and entertain for him, and dips a toe into hot water by flirting with Nadia, the majordomo’s daughter.
Once the party learns of where the horse was taken, they leave the next day. The majordomo seems upset that Vashti is leaving, breaking their implicit agreement, but Davajaav offers his services instead, at least until Vashti returns. This seems to placate the majordomo for now. Ivan and Vashti lead the party to Yasnyi, and on the way, find a familiar bag of oats. The party decides to read fortunes and play music in order to draw a crowd so they can find a place to stay the night. Ultimately, the friends of Khoma, Mishka and Grishka, let the party stay at their place. However, not before Ivan and Lada see the familiar face of the ruffians that attacked them before. Ivan and Irina track them quite obviously, and when the ruffians turn to confront them, Irina lets them leave, noting where they headed towards.
The next day, Irina and Vashti go around the village Yasnyi looking for their horse, for the second time in the last few days, and manage to threaten and trick Mitya the thief into returning the horse. With the horse safely in tow, the party decides to leave the sled behind, but not without some still upset by the decision. The party returns to Aleksandrovka, where Irina asks Lada to house the new guest Vashti, who accepts. As she makes herself at home, Vashti shares her vision of a gate that she associates with Khoma's flight, and Lada identifies it with Vlasovo - a hilltop village where many peasants have fled bondage, and a village that is rumored to have replaced into paganism. However, Pyotr knocks at the door, requesting Lada’s assistance and a discussion in private. Lada asks for Ivan’s protection, even if he isn’t allowed to hear the private discussion, and later asks for his protection tomorrow morning, in return for food. Ivan immediately agrees.
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