SESSION 49: DAY 13: Ravenloft: 5 Days Until Full Moon, Waxing Gibbous

The Evening Closure

During Captain Peter's puppet show, the disguised Ezmeralda attempted to sneak up on Kee but it seems she's still getting used to her prosthetic leg. Kee flew up and suddenly jumped behind her instead. Ezmeralda got a chuckle out of it, telling Kee he was a funny birdman. He suggested he put something soft at the bottom of her false leg and she agreed it might be best. Ezmeralda quietly informed Kee it was best that they acted like they didn't know each other, so she would just act like she was interested in the exotic bird to fool any onlookers. She also introduced herself as Gabriella D'Arnier.

Hearing Ezmeralda fawn over Kee, Song briefly looked over with a raised brow, checking to see that Kee wasn't uncomfortable. Seeing that things were fine, Song pulled out the bottle of red dragon crush from before and looked at the empty contents with sadness. However upon hearing the name Gabriella, Song's attention was grabbed. She awkwardly butted into the conversation, asking if Gabriella had ever been to Waterdeep. Song admitted she once had a friend who tattooed his chest with the name of a Vistani with the same name (Kragg). Gabriella denied any such connection having always lived in Darkon and Song shrugged, accepting this and apologizing for the mistake before returning to her brooding.

Gabriella/Ezmeralda gave Kee some advice, warning him that the Wild Cards' success in the games and lack of fatalities might make them a target for the other groups. Kee insisted the Wild Cards were losing party members before it was cool. He also suggested it was better for the adventurers to join together because Strahd was always looking for ways to tear the parties apart. Gabriella/Ezmeralda nodded grimly, agreeing and stating that the Baron had similar tactics. Apparently, she had some sort of agreement with the Baron and suggested Kee keep things secret. Kee agreed. She then asked him how he ended up with the Wild Cards and offered to give him supplies. Kee explained lightly and gratefully accepted the materials. He would have given something in return, but Ezmeralda/Gabriella was content helping him out.

After the fight had blown out, Zarro caught Song in his sights and gathered up a glass of wine for her before striding up. He gallantly introduced himself and offered the drink to her. She accepted, didn't see anything suspicious in his eyes, and took a cautious sip. It was a variety of wine that wasn't from Barovia at all and was very fine. She offered her thanks. He congratulated her party's success in the game and mused over his own party's mistakes. Song commented her success was simply based on the old teaching of "you get what you get and don't throw a fit". She offered compliments to Zarro's moves, which he attributed to his times with the elves.

The very bloodied Geraldine approached the conversation and expressed hopes that she didn't beat up Zarro too badly. Zarro laughed it off and reciprocated the feeling. Geraldine also slyly commented that she didn't mean to pop a tentacle. Zarro chuckled again, commenting about the pricks from behind catching him by surprise. Geraldine mused over her upcoming performance while casting prestidigitation on herself while Song mended any breaks in Geraldine's outfit from the fight.

As the tension began rising in the crypts, Strahd cut through it by drawing everyone's attention on him once again. His voice was magically elevated with thaumaturgy. He announced that it was almost at the end of the gala and would be time for everyone to rest. The vampire lord congratulated the remaining living champions. Despite the adventurers' reservations, he insisted the dark lords treasured them a lot. A few adventurers gave some dark chuckles in the crowd including Song. "At the end, you will fall into despair or our scheme. There is no escape." He eyed the crowd with particular attention on the Wild Cards.

In response, Song nodded in understanding and somewhat mockingly raised her glass. Gerald stared back at Strahd emotionlessly. Everyone else gave a mixture of the two responses.

With that said, Strahd invited everyone to head back upstairs to the throne room for a final act. Strahd telepathically spoke to Gerald, telling him that he hoped he was ready and that a stage had been arranged for him. Gerald dismissed any concern, feeling ready. Song asked Geraldine if it was time and the drag show affirmed as such. The moon cleric blessed him and herself with Eagle's Splendor before beginning to head up.

All the flying creatures such as the devils shot up through the circular shaft in the center of the staircase they had used to come down. Everyone else walked back the way they had come and gathered in the repurposed throne room. Ludmilla had set up with music already and the throne area had been made up into a stage for Geraldine's performance.

The consort asked Geraldine if she needed anything and Geraldine was content with a glass of wine. Ludmilla called for Escher to bring a drink. Apparently, a level of servitude was Escher and Volenta's punishment for the evening. The accountant's room was set up as a backstage area where Geraldine poked some fun at the annoyed accountant before doing her warmups. Lovely tested the wine, which Geraldine drank after receiving an "it's all good, man" from Lovely.

While waiting in the audience, Song introduced herself to Zarro, having forgotten to do so earlier. She asked him what the Baron of Darkon was like and it seemed the Baron Alcio was more or less like Strahd. They had risen in power amidst the power vacuum left by Azalin Rex the lich. Zarro warned her it was just generally best to not get too close. Song smiled with fangs and told him that vampires tended to seek her out no matter what she did. She pointed out Escher in the crowd and commented that he had destroyed her bloodline.

Zarro asked how long she had been in Barovia and she told him that it had been about two weeks but it felt like years. She and a previous companion had been in a Vistani camp before waking up in a wagon with a horse in Barovia. Song dismally commented about losing both recently. Zarro told her that he had been in a sauna with a most attractive man before it got super misty and fuzzy before he woke up in a stable. Song chuckled and asked if he awoke with only a towel. Zarro said that whoever took him had left his things nearby but he had startled a milk maid who found him.

Looking over to the stage, Zarro expressed curiosity in Geraldine's performance. Song wryly commented that it should be a delightful drag show. This caught Zarro by surprise and he admired Geraldine's excellent acting skills.

Strahd stepped on the stage and quieted everyone down. He introduced the lovely Geraldine who slid onto the stage before everyone and announced the title of his performance as "Hex in the City". There were mixed reactions to his arrival, but Song offered a wolf-whistle to encourage Geraldine. The fabulous Geraldine went into a comedy routine over her experiences in Barovia. Minor illusion and prestidigitation was used to add enhancements to her performance. Her voice occasionally switched to imitate voices she had heard as well as her original man voice. Despite the hardened hearts of the crowd, the dark humor seemed to catch on, making people chuckle and laugh. Ludmilla briefly stopped the music when Geraldine made a joke at the brides' expense before continuing for Strahd's sake.

Geraldine drew attention to Zarro's flamboyance, doing a pirouette before inviting Zarro to the stage. Zarro gladly stepped into the limelight, showing off some more of his elegant blade-dancing moves. The audience seemed to enjoy it. Geraldine joked that this was why she stuck with eldritch blast before sending several towards Zarro in jest. Zarro gracefully dodged out of the way before being dismissed from the stage. He skipped back to his place.

For the final act of his performance, Gerald pulled out a lyre for a final song. He began strumming and layered different sounds over each other with minor illusion to create a haunting atmosphere. Images of people he had seen die faded in and out of existence. The dark dirge seemed to blow everyone away. Strahd von Zarovich led the applause and seemed very satisfied with what he paid for. Geraldine gave her bows and headed off the stage to the accountant's room. Captain Peter telepathically congratulated Gerald. People in the crowd were talking about their favorite parts.

Strahd stepped back up on the stage, reveling in the applause before announcing that there would be accommodations for everyone as arranged with the dark lords. He couldn't be happier on how this all turned out and bid everyone a good evening before disappearing into a vortex of bats.

"Gerald. Gerald. Gerald." The vampire lord reappeared in the accountant's room with Geraldine, congratulating Gerald on his success. He admitted that he had been expecting a musical number, and apologized for the building pressure on Gerald being the final act. Strahd also admitted that if Gerald had disappointed him, he probably would have killed him. Gerald gracefully dismissed the pressure, saying that it only inspired him to be better. Strahd then recalled Gerald had made a request for diamonds before putting a pouch in Gerald's hands. He gave Gerald an astonishing 1000 gold pieces worth of diamonds. Gerald stared at the contents before closing it back up. Strahd then told Gerald to rejoin the others and follow the curfew. Anastrasya would be leading the Wild Cards up to their rooms. Gerald thanked the count and began to head out. The last thing he heard Strahd say was "how much did we spend?" and the accountant looked at the count with the most deadpan expression.

Geraldine came back out and was warmly received by the crowd before he returned with the remaining Wild Cards. Everyone parted ways and Anastrasya began leading them downstairs and up a spiral staircase. Kee paused at the one floor where he knew Ireena was and suggested that the party check on Ireena before continuing. Gerald batted his eyes and mustache at Anastrasya who rolled her eyes and said only one person can go and it had to be quick. The invisible Lovely sat on Song's shoulder to keep her company. Song went on, following Escher and the Barovian nobles into the cake room and then the study. Escher idly waved towards a pair of double doors before continuing onward with the Vallakian nobles: Wachter brothers, Victor and his mother, and the Martikovs.

Ismark and the Krezkovs entered the master bedroom behind Song. They laid eyes upon Dr. Vasili, Gertruda, and Ireena who remained unconscious. Song approached the doctor and asked about Ireena's condition before apologizing for hitting Dr. Vasili. She claimed to have been upset due to raising her expectations for him. He read between the lines, having picked on it before. He made a comment about love being difficult to predict let alone control. She then brusquely told him that he shouldn't be too surprised if she talked to him less. The doctor seemed amenable to it. In any case, Ireena needed holy ground and therapy. Song tiredly pulled out a poem page from her book, folded it, and put it in Ireena's pocket. She didn't care who noticed.

You're like a reflection of me

That I wish I could still see,

Shining so bright in the dark.

Sharing the same death mark,

I want to shield you from fate

Being an old bluebeard's bait.

I see the love within your heart,

And I would hate to see it part.

You deserve to live a good life,

Free from this agonizing strife.

It may seem hopeless, but please,

Give us a chance to put you at ease.

I've seen the mistakes.

We have what it takes.

My people could not save me,

But my dear, just wait and see.

If I can save you from this hell,

Maybe I can be saved as well.

Song reminded the doctor to give Ireena a vial a day to keep her fed. As Song went to leave, she took in Gertruda and asked who she was. She made the connection of Gertruda being Mary's daughter. While in her charmed state, the girl seemed to think her mother was dead. Song removed the charmed state with her twilight sanctuary and only became more dismayed with Gertruda's delusions. The young lady was under the impression she was going to become a princess. Song then had an aneurysm, causing blood to seep from her nose. After accepting Vasili's handkerchief, she started to head out, telling the remaining guests to handle Gertruda. Ismark looked at her in exasperation, feeling like she dumped a problem in his lap. Song encouraged him to pull up his big-boy pants and take care of one of his own villagers. Doctor Vasili however seemed to be ready to help and encouraged Song that things would be fine.

Song left holding a handkerchief to her nose before returning to the others. Anastrasya was grumpy about waiting, but she continued to lead them up the stairs. They reached a landing with an ornate rug as well as an elegant portrait of a familiar face of Strahd von Zarovich. However, he looked far more placid with just a hint of color to his pale cheeks. His brown eyes seemed to follow the party's every movement. Anastrasya threw the door open and gestured for them to go in. They found themselves in an old lounge with faded, fine furniture. The windows had a view of roofs and gargoyles, beyond which was the drawbridge with the portcullis and broken controls. Anastrasya asked if they needed anything before leaving them. When she muttered about Strahd only keeping them around to hear them squeal longer, Kee gave a birdlike squawk in her ear to show her that he didn't squeal. The consort in red slammed the door in his face and locked the door behind her. "Either that, or he's getting tired of hearing just her squeals," Song muttered.

At long last, the Wild Cards were finally alone. Geraldine took Song aside to reveal his winnings for the performance. She looked upon the diamonds with wide eyes as Geraldine put the bag in her hands. Song idly muttered about this changing her plans. When asked about what her plans were, Song reluctantly admitted that she had planned to get Strahd to invest in her with diamonds. If she ended up being the last Wild Card standing, she would be his and be more powerful for having stayed with the Wild Cards longer.

Flying creatures flew by the window, catching Kee's attention.

Gerald went into a tale about a partnership he had once had. The partner had fell deep into debts and had drunk most of his money away. Gerald had found him passed out, and chose to help him. He stood good with the debtor and made sure the partnership was able to continue. Gerald informed Song that he had been down below to see what had happened to her. He had rescued her from the situation and he wanted to ensure that there was trust and a partnership between them. He had not often been a man of faith, but recognized it was important in a situation like this. They needed to help each other.

When he indicated faith, Song woefully commented that she had faith in her goddess, but found her faith in people to be quite shaken. She then explained that trust was likely when both parties needed each other. Song also told Gerald that she always did what she needed to in order to help-as much as she could for as long as she could. She didn't find her actions to be inherently selfish if it had gotten them the diamonds they needed.

There was smoke out by where the drawbridge was. Spells were slung and flying creatures moved about in the air. Kee opened a window to take a better look only to be quickly corrected by a spider-climbing vampire spawn on the outside wall. Anyone that went outside would be considered as food. After making a rude noise in bird language, Kee brusquely shut the window and commented about creepy bitches on the walls.

Geraldine and Song moved on to see the next room which was a singular bedchamber with several divans and a four-poster bed. Song suggested they all gather on the bed and be safe under her tiny hut. Geraldine agreed but also noted it would be a good idea to search the room for anything fishy. He opened another door and announced it was a storage room. Song asked if he meant a closet. Peering in, she recognized a trapdoor in the ceiling of the closet. It would not budge and she backed out. After fussing with the one hook with a cloak on it, Geraldine barely missed being hit on the head by the falling trapdoor as it swung open.

Geraldine sent his familiar upstairs to see what was there. Lovely found several miscellaneous ingredients like frog's breath and eye of newt. Ever curious, Kee snuck upstairs with Lovely to check out the doors. Song sighed and prepared her ritual for casting a tiny hut over the bed since it would take eleven minutes anyway.

Kee opened one of the doors upstairs and spotted several clawed up couches. From the shadows, three pairs of feline eyes gleamed in the dark before the cats let out angry noises. A Barovian witch asked who was looking for trouble as she stepped out from another room. Kee closed the door and stated he wasn't looking for trouble. He just wanted to know where this went. Three other voices seemed to echo beyond the woman. Kee attempted to hide while the invisible Lovely prepared an arrow.

When Gerald voiced his concern about trouble, Song moved over to the closet, preparing to close the trapdoor if Kee came running back in. However, the witches found Kee and ganged up on him. They invisibly shot spells at him before appearing out of thin air. Thankfully, Van Richten ran into the room and cast Confusion over the witches. Gerald and Song also climbed up to offer cover fire. Song put some witches to sleep before waking up Kee. With their combined efforts, the tired adventurers and Van Richten managed to kill most of them.

However, one turned invisible and went to run. Song used her last spell to make her eyes turn silver in order to see invisible creatures. The moon cleric chased after the witch who took a few blind potshots from Kee with Song's guidance. The witch managed to evade Song by going downstairs instead of up and Song muttered a curse as the witch laughed at her, getting away.