Day 34: Corruption, Contrition
General Summary
Day 34 (Xololuna 10, 735/?)
Once it's established that trying to get out of the carriage or fuck with the carriage may not be in their best interests lest it trigger a combat they're in no shape to succeed at — particularly with a drunk Ismark and a charmed Ispati to worry about — the party settles into an uneasy rest for the evening, some struggling more than others. Chuckles, in particular, is awake late into the night, and suffers for it. Sylvain attempts to get out of the carriage to walk, and discovers that that's not allowed. A pit stop is made as they try to figure out why a little bit of diamond dust just floated by on the wind, and looking over the frost-covered humanoids pulling their carriage, they come to the conclusion that they are vampire spawn — no living person could survive the state they're in — and they're dealing with exhaustion, with Calorfin likely using restorative magic at Strahd's behest to keep them going. Finally, they reach the crossroads, and Sylvain is given another unwelcome revelation: two of their "steeds" are former Waterdeep residents, kidnapped and turned as Strahd's behest to hurt him. One of them — Lizeth Reed, a guard at the Jewels of the Deep — states that she thinks "he" was trying to take people who would hurt Sylvain less, and that Strahd was upset about it. Sylvain guesses Arrigal was likely the culprit, and sits with that for a while — literally, sitting on the low stone wall surrounding the crossroads' unmarked graves. There is a brief discussion about where to proceed from here, and the party agrees to go with Ismark back to the village of Barovia to regroup. Once there, various discussions are had, Bodaway unintentionally Misty Steps then turns invisible for a hot minute, Ispati angrily comes back to himself, a solid half of the party figures out Ismark is lying about his mysterious resurrections, and they have dinner. Some people get drunker than others. Bodaway apologizes for his actions regarding his visions, reflects on his deeds with the ball he built after his encounter with Arabelle, and gets a free night-time talk with a halfling necromancer as a reward, complete with ruthless flirtation. Osrin shoots a message to Alandras and is extremely bewildered to discover that for him, maybe a few minutes have passed since their last conversation. Sylvain confronts Ismark about his new undying form and has an unpleasant revelation. Ri-An and Sylvain have a brief argument including but not limited to non-con Lesser Restoration. Ayduin and Ismark discuss the windmill.
Report Date
09 May 2022
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