SESSION 5: DAY 2: Barovia: 16 Days Until Full Moon, Waning Crescent
Strahd's Delight and Barovia's Woes
The weary party sat in silence, mostly speechless and tired after the battle. Song told everyone she was thankful that everyone was here and offered to buy a few rounds if they found a working tavern. Vladamir shared in the sentiment. After sheathing his silvered shortsword, Kragg investigated the pile of refuse that was once Lorgoth and found many different varieties of humanoids including gnomish remains. At Song's suggestion, the party destroyed the altar by pushing it over together. It smashed onto the steps and into the water. The house released a series of growls and a low bass vibration shook the house. The party then departed from the chamber, destroying the thirteen idols in the gaudy museum. This seemed to make the house madder still. Song idly suggested possibly burying the place by knocking down the supports, but there was concern that the entire building could collapse. Burning the house down became the agreed upon suggestion.
Leading the party back to the room with the statue of a man and wolf, Kragg looked over the walls, seeming concerned that he missed something. There was one wall without a skeleton chained to it. The dwarf investigated the wall and realized it was hollow. Vladamir managed to break the wall down after several tries. Beyond the wall, they all discovered a set of muddy stairs leading upward. Karl struggled to remove the orb from the statue's fingers. Song questioned its value. Kragg agreed with the thought but declared that "loot is loot". The moon cleric shrugged and decided it was probably best to disfigure this idol as well. When Karl could not achieve it, Vladamir pried out the orb with a crowbar. The orb was sent flying out of the statue's hand as its fingers broke off. Kragg slid across the room, attempting to catch the orb but it smashed on the floor into a million pieces. Song offered to mend it, but no one seemed interested anymore.
The party went up the passage, finding themselves in the den. All the house roared in fury, shaking violently as the windows began to brick themselves up. The fireplace began to spew poisonous smoke. All the doors of the house were replaced by swinging scythes that threatened to slice into anyone that dared to pass. Everyone immediately rushed out the house, struggling against the smoke and taking their strikes from the swinging scythes. Karl fell unconscious after taking one last slice from the front door, but he was quickly stabilized by Kragg who grabbed one of Song's healer kits.
The cart and horse awaited them. Kragg quickly and gently calmed Casper the horse. Vladamir placed the stable but unconscious Karl inside the cart. The group found the fog had risen and turned dark in the air, further blotting out the sky. All the outside of the house writhed and pulsed as if it were a living organism before it slowly began to rot away. Shadowy figures stepped out of their houses to watch the scene from afar. The figures were all dressed in dark clothes and looked quite curious but sad. Some seemed to gaze out blankly and soullessly. Song waved at them, but none offered a response in return even when she spoke to them.
As they looked around and hoped for a sign of someplace to stay and rest, they began to hear the clopping of hooves in the distance. The people that had been watching the party and rotting house recoiled and ran at the sight of a black carriage. It was an ancient, ornate, and dark carriage pulled by two, strong, black horses with no driver. The carriage drew towards the party and pulled to a stop at a distance. A carriage door opened and a regal figure with ringed fingers stepped out.
Vladamir stepped forward and readied his sword in anticipation with Song at his side. Kragg quickly put a potion in Karl's mouth to wake him up and get him into action.
The figure from the carriage began to soundlessly approach with a commanding and captivating presence. He was dressed in crimson and dark noble clothes with ornate pauldrons and a long fur-trimmed cape. A longsword was sheathed at his side. His skin was pale and flawless, countered by his long, dark hair. With eyes like dark red, burning suns; he gazed at the four with a powerful, magnetic gaze. He looked exactly like the statue they saw in the catacombs of the Durst Manor.
Everyone drew closer to him as he stopped at a distance, unable to help themselves. It was as if a dark destiny had brought them together. Seeming pleased with their reactions, the regal figure closed the carriage door from a distance with a simple wave of his hand. The black horses pulling the carriage snorted and began to take the carriage back the way they had come. The regal man introduced himself with a smooth and chilling voice as Strahd von Zarovich and congratulated the party on their accomplishments in destroying the Death House. He was quite pleased to have them all here as his fresh and lively guests. Strahd prided himself on being a collector of stories and saw potential in all of them.
Song and Vladamir were immediately on edge, offering cutting words. Song suggested this might be the last chapter. Kragg stepped in front of Vladamir, smoking his pipe in anticipation of deterring a fight. Karl drew up with the party as well. Before anything further could happen, there was a flash of red from Strahd's eyes as each of the party felt him seep deep into their minds on varying levels. With each one of them, he had a private conversation in a realm of darkness. Vladamir's scowling face became serene. Karl's face stared unblinkingly while thinking. Kragg chewed on his pipe aggressively with a bead of sweat running down his forehead. Song's tense face became lost in Strahd's gaze.
After having his fun, Strahd proclaimed that he was an orchestrator and that the party were all actors in the play. This entire realm is an extension of his will. He wished to be challenged and wants them to face the darkness, suggesting they may find hope yet. Then, he compelled those charmed by him to kneel. Vladamir had already knelt, pleased to please. Song knelt as well, a small tear trickling from the corner of her eye. Not long after, Karl and Kragg followed in kneeling.
With a gracious farewell, Strahd was consumed by a vortex of bats and disappeared into the night, releasing those charmed by him as he went. Vladamir and Song stood back up in fury at being controlled. Song furiously called Strahd a "son of a bitch" and Vladamir shared in the sentiment. The moon cleric lamented the fact that after searching for vampires for nearly eight years, she so easily fell under this one's spell. Then again, it had been more powerful than any charm she had ever felt. Karl questioned whether or not Vladamir was still under Strahd's control, and Vladamir truthfully insisted he wasn't. Song proceeded to explain how vampire charm worked. If one falls under a vampire's spell, they cannot be freed for 24 hours unless the vampire releases them, the vampire hurts them, or one of the vampire's allies hurts them. She also has an ability that can help remove the effect if she can channel her divinity, and regretted that she hadn't used it as soon as Strahd showed up. Song also mentioned that vampires often had control over bats, rats, and wolves.
Ever weary, the party looked around for respite. They could see a few chimneys billowing with smoke as they headed towards the town center with Casper and the wagon in tow. Kragg and Karl approached a lit building with the sign that says, "Bildrath's Mercantile". They knocked and a very friendly and kinda short merchant with a strip of facial hair on his chin (and a bit of a Borat voice) invited them to come in and close the door behind them. The merchant commented that he had not seen a dwarf in a long time and often does not get trade here. He also declared that "Bildrath's is also the only store in town". Vladamir attempted to tell the merchant the party was there to vanquish evil, but Bildrath claimed to have heard that many times before. Song questioned him about a few locations such as a possible inn and the chapel in town. Bildrath told them where the inn is and that the chapel was dedicated to the Morninglord. However, Bildrath did not seem familiar with the fact that the Morninglord is named Lathander. He was not very religious to begin with. Bildrath also claimed that most Barovians aren't particularly religious. Karl questioned how many HE took in a month. Bildrath immediately became uncomfortable and claimed to not know what Karl was talking about. Kragg made a request for a shovel but came to the astonishing surprise that Bildrath would sell one for 20 gold pieces-a most outrageous amount. The dwarf then threatened to leave the body he had collected from the catacombs in the shop.
This upset Bildrath and he called forth Parri, a large, well-built, younger man with a bad posture who seemed very content to help Bildrath. Vladamir smoothed down the tension, not wishing for a conflict. Song questioned Bildrath on if there were any more places of interest in town. Bildrath mentioned the burgomaster's mansion and told them they could find it to the south. Kragg attempted to make a joke suggesting the burgomaster was a cook and Bildrath did not quite get it until Song explained it was a play on words. Bildrath warned them that most Barovians didn't have much of a sense of humor. Not wishing to stay any longer, the party left and Bildrath encouraged them to come back soon.
The party then moved on toward the inn for some much needed respite. It's the largest building in town and has a sign that says, "The Blood on the Vine". Inside, they found a place with a blazing fire in the hearth. Three Vistani (two women, one man) sat at the centermost table playing with dice. A lonesome man with silver-gray hair sat alone at a table in the corner. Lastly, a barkeep stood at the bar, cleaning glasses and staring out blankly.
Karl approached the bar and attempted to get the barkeep's attention. Kragg stepped ahead, proclaiming to know how to get the barkeep's attention before waving a copper piece. The barkeep looked at Kragg dully and asked what he wanted. Kragg stated that the party wanted rooms and food. The barkeep stated that it would cost 4 silver and the inn had only two rooms. After Kragg agreed to the terms, the barkeep continued to stand where he was, continuing to clean glasses that were already clean. He had to be reminded to give the party the room keys and even then did not think of going to the kitchen for food.
Meanwhile, Song approached the table of Vistani, greeting them. One of the women greeted her warmly in return, stating Song was quite young and pretty. Song politely thanked her and asked if they knew about Madam Eva. The one that responded to her immediately recognized the name and questioned if Song was seeking out a reading. Song suggested perhaps she might and heard Madam Eva knows all. The Vistani agreed and told Song that she could find Madam Eva down the road to the right at the fork at a Vistani camp. Madam Eva also never leaves this land. The Vistani woman also told the party not to mind Erik as that was the way he usually was.
Karl suddenly approached Song and pulled her to the side to speak with her, quietly asking her to tell him everything she knew about vampires. She did so to the best of her ability: mentioning that vampires could turn into a bat, a rat, a wolf, or a cloud of mist; but could not maintain such abilities under sunlight. Vampires also turn into mist and float to their coffin when they fall unconscious, but die when they do that under sunlight. They cannot enter private residences without permission of the owner. They cannot cross running water. If they are staked in the heart at their resting place, they are paralyzed. They can regenerate themselves but that can be tempered with sunlight or radiant energy. They are resistant to non magical weapons and necrosis. If they drain a person completely, they are turned into a vampire spawn under their control. The vampire spawn can be turned into a true vampire if they drink their master's blood amongst a few other ways. Vampire spawn cannot typically turn into mist or animals or control animals. All vampires must rest in the earth that they were interred in. They can also walk on walls and ceilings. However, their reflections cannot be seen in mirrors. Song stated that was most of what she knew about vampires. She also knew more regarding nosferatu and hopping vampires, but determined that to be unnecessary since Strahd himself was clearly just a true vampire with more advanced abilities.
Karl mentioned that he had previously been with his mentor Logan before he lost track of him.
In the meantime, Kragg spoke with the Vistani table and discussed the prospect of food. A woman offered to cook for him, but Kragg simply asked for permission to cook himself. She welcomed him to do so while the barkeep was stuck on autopilot. Kragg then approached the silver-gray haired man in the corner to speak with him. However, the man immediately turned him and Vladamir away, whispering, "not here, speak outside". Shrugging, Kragg and Vladamir moved to the kitchen and put together a meal for the party and a fine spread of finger food for the Vistani table playing dice games. The woman at the table thanked him and invited the party to gamble with them later.
The party sat at a table in the other corner of the room and ate a pleasant lunch. As the silver-haired man departed from the inn, Kragg clocked the movement. Not long afterward, he declared that he was going out for a smoke. Vladamir seemed unusually eager to go as well. Song, catching the unusual behavior, stood up to follow them outside with Karl in tow. The party followed the man down an alley, ducking behind some crates.
Introducing himself as Ismark Kolyanovich, son of the burgomaster; the silver-haired man sought the aid of the party and questioned if they were of good intention. Song said she was and immediately connected him to Kolyan Indirovich, catching Ismark by surprise. He questioned how she, a foreigner, knew that and informed the party that Kolyan was dead. When Song gently pressed on how the father died, Ismark declared that his father had not been bitten by a vampire but suffered a worse fate. Song pulled out Kolyan's letter. Ismark took a look at it with confusion on his face. He then declared that the letter had not been written by his father and was in fact a forgery. His father knew there was no point in making a plea like this. Ismark questioned where the party had gotten the letter. Song explained it was found in the woods with the body of a dead man. Song compared the forged letter from Kolyan to Strahd's letter to see if the handwriting matched, but found no conclusive connection. When she cast guidance, Ismark made the connection that Song was a cleric and she confirmed as such. The moon cleric also told Ismark that she hated vampires more than any other creature in existence. He shook her hand firmly, sharing in that sentiment.
Ismark informed the party that they were now all stuck here like everyone else here. He then told them that his adopted sister Ireena (don't tell her she's adopted) is at home and no longer safe here. She needs to be taken somewhere else. Song asked if Strahd had permission to enter the burgomaster's mansion, explaining a vampire could not enter a private home without permission. Ismark darkly chuckled at the idea and said that Strahd could go wherever he pleased as he owned everything. However, Strahd had not gone after Ireena for a couple of weeks now oddly enough. Song said that Ireena needed to be moved to holy ground where Strahd could not touch her. Ismark seemed uncertain in this as he didn't really believe in the gods, but seemed interested in anything that might protect his sister and heard in passing of a few places.
The unofficial burgomaster questioned if the party would help him. All of the party seemed willing but were also in dire need of rest. Most of them were still quite injured and determined that they would visit Ismark tomorrow. Ismark seemed weary but willing to accept their aid tomorrow. Song questioned if he would feel safe until then, but he declared that he was never safe as he walked away. Feeling sad for him, Song began to follow and apologized to the party before catching up to Ismark. Reluctantly, the party followed after the healer.