C2S8: A Wizard in Need (write-up)

General Summary

Dealing with Torinn

  Senlin points out to Taowhiri and Carric (in panther form) that a prophecy about Torinn tells of him saving worlds or breaking them. If Torinn has fallen to evil, he cannot be allowed to exist. Tao and Carric run off with the body but Ismark Kolyanovich and Senlin give chase, with Senlin killing the unconscious Torinn with spears thrown from a distance. Ismark promises justice for his sister, Ireena, and cuts off Torinn's left hand, the hand that delivered her to Strahd and her death.   Ismark leaves the party at the carriage, stating his intention to return back to the Village of Barovia and gather support, perhaps to march on the castle when he has the strength.  

Vallaki

  The party stored Torinn in the bag of holding and marched on to Vallaki.   Entering Vallaki, the party note the old decorations and speak to a small group of soulless older women who seem terrified of the questioning. Senlin identifies that they are parroting lines about the festivals warding off Strahd. As they talk, a strange old man, Bexley Reed, interrupts the party and accompanies them to the Blue Water Inn.   Tao orders wine from the barkeep and is severely disappointed with the quality, which tastes aged and at the end of its life, drawing a single-star rating on a score sheet pinned to the wall next to a group of older men playing cards. Urwin Martikov is offended but unwilling to argue, instead looking upset. The party spent the evening arguing how to dispose of the corpse, not wanting to fight Torinn if he returns. They decide on burning then burying him. Bexley also provides the party with some information:  

• The Blue Water Inn offers food, wine, and shelter to visitors. A stranger with pointed ears is staying there. He came to Barovia from a distant land, riding into town on a carnival wagon.
• The burgomaster, Baron Vargas Vallakovich, has decreed that the Festival of the Blazing Sun will be held in the town square in three days, on the 6th of Ravens Moon. The previous festival, which he called the Wolf's Head Jamboree, was less than a week ago.
• Vallaki has endured at least one festival every week for the past several years. Some Vallakians believe that the festivals keep the devil Strahd at bay. Others think they provide no protection or benefit whatsoever. Most consider them dismal affairs.
• Those who speak ill of the festivals are declared by the burgomaster to be in league with the devil Strahd and arrested. Some are thrown in the stocks, while others are taken to the burgomaster's mansion so that the baron can purge them of their evil.

 

Burying Torinn

  The next day, Bexley offered to accompany the party to dispose of Torinn. As Tao tried to cut down a tree for burning, being in a particularly damp part of the forest, the memorial service was interrupted by Vistani bandits, one of whom escaped. Their leader, a woman with a pink bandana, was captured and the party carried her back to the gates of Vallaki.

Rewards Granted

50 gp from Ismark for helping transport Ireena safely and for bringing down Torinn.   Coin on the Vistani bandits killed in the woods.

Missions/Quests Completed

Arrive in Vallaki

Character(s) interacted with

Ismark Kolyanovich
Darren Oronovich
Yosha Krezkova
Andrek Diavolov
Urwin Martikov
Katya Moldanya
Dietricht Nakalov
Desilav Nakalov - killed
Melov Melovovich - killed