Session 9 - Ivan Comes of Age

General Summary

Ivan wakes up and finds himself in bed with Bogdana. A hunched man, presumably Bogdana’s husband says hello to Ivan and inquires about his stay. Ivan explains that Bogdana was ill and he brought her back to the barn but doesn’t know where she is.
Back at the barn previously filled with black colored livestock, Irina sends Lada to look for Ivan since he did not return the night before. Lada leaves the barn and on her search for Ivan meets a young woman who calls herself Vesna, meaning Spring. She asks Lada some questions that she appears to already know the answer to and reassures Lada that most of her companions will have a home in this town, besides Irina.
Their brief conversation ends and Lada spots Ivan, who is wearing a hat with a ribbon on it, supposedly he had won someone’s favor. Ivan shares that he thinks it was Vesna who poisoned him and Bogdana. Ivan says he thinks it is best to leave town and shares that he does not feel much better than the night before. Ivan shares that he does not know where Feliks is, but assumes he is alright. The party decides that they need to heal before continuing their search, but before leaving ask their host one last question and request some food. As they enter their hosts hut once more, they find Vsevolod is eating animated vareniki. They amazingly levitate and make their way into his mouth, pausing only to pick up some sour cream along the way. Lada feels hopeful to one day experience this, hopefully out of sight from anyone who would disapprove.
Before saying goodbye, Irina asks the Svetlana about the old woman at the abandoned mill. “Is she a friend of your village?” – she asks. Svetlana replies that it might have been Morena who they saw and makes note of a spring sacrifice having been made.
The party leaves with no trouble, although Irina noticed that the silver rosary, found back in the forest near Aleksandrovka, is missing. On their way back they comes across a dead body and upon further inspection they see the body has a dogs head. Irina is eager to leave, and Vashti, Ivan, and Lada follow. Soon after they all come across a large boulder which appears to have blood on it, as well as simple carvings that look somewhat familiar. Even though most of them have injuries, they press on to return to their town. Ivan shares what he knows of Morena, that she is the goddess of death and winter. He says she is said to be part of a trinity of a maiden, mother, and crone. The story goes that the maiden sacrificed her lover at the summer solstice. The crone is believed to be cannibalistic and undead. Lada’s name gets brought up, but Irina doesn’t appear to look worried, and Lada concludes she doesn’t need more things to fear anyway.
As they return to town, not sure what they will share with their neighbors, everyone turns in to rest from their journey. Lada dreams of the boulder and finds herself feeling stronger the next morning. With Vashti’s help, Ivan and Irina also appear to be on their way to recovery.

Report Date

26 Jun 2022