C2S6: The Mad Mad Heart of Barovia (write-up)

General Summary

Breaking Camp

  Radu Radovich runs into the woods, holding off a restricting Command word and disappearing amongst the trees. In the early morning, Carric and Senlin are unable to gather their wits and quickly lose the trail. Returning to camp they find a number of their items stolen in the night: Senlin's prayer book, Taowhiri's three wooden stakes, Torinn's remaining dagger. With the party fully awake they head to the bridge from the night before, collect their weapons and some loot and head off down the road.  

Strahd's Carriage and Bella Sunbane

  At the fork to Castle Ravenloft a horse-drawn carriage presents itself, door swinging open unaided to invite the characters along for a journey to the castle. Hiding from searching bat swarms, the party re-emerge. Looking in the carriage they note a silver platter and six goblets, where Torinn drinks from a corked wine bottle and tastes sweet, spiced blood. Passing through a second set of gigantic gates like those through which they entered Barovia, the company quickly move on. Carric buys a pastry from an old crone, "Bella", on the way, stopping to examine its gravy-laden mince meat interior.¹  

Strahd Encounter 3

  Heading deep into the woods Carric and Senlin sense an ambush as the shadow of Strahd astride a flaming steed crashes down through the interwoven canopy, even as Carric transforms into a wolf. Strahd demands 'Tatyana' come to him, at which Torinn executes a pre-planned manoeuvre and holds a blade to her throat, threatening to slay her. A stand-off ensues, where Ismark waits on Torinn's move and Torinn bids Strahd offer him power lest he kill Ireena, seemingly trying to fool the vampire. Senlin and Carric rush the steed, only to be grappled in the arms of two Berserkers shadowing the party from the treeline. A charmed Taowhiri suggests to Torinn that giving Ireena to Strahd may be the only way out. Strahd promises Torinn power and to let his friends live if Tatyana is given to him. Torinn shunts Ireena toward the vampire. Ismark Kolyanovich howls and leaps forward, only to be held in place by Torinn's magic as the charmed Tao's greataxe is buried in his chest. Tatyana, trancelike, moves toward Strahd and, grasping his hand, mounts the Nightmare. With a smile the vampire offers his tutelage to Torinn, before turning to ride for his castle.   An enraged Ismark breaks free of his bonds and, absorbing magical energies from the caster, cuts down Torinn, who is brought back to life by a Carric asking Ismark "what could we do?". Ismark coldly states "he killed my sister" before bringing his swords down again. Torinn launches firespell after firespell into Ismark's face until Carric summons grasping vines to swallow the entire road and restrain the warring individuals. Temporarily trapped, Torinn shouts for Strahd to return to him, which causes Senlin to lose all hope in Torinn's redemption and attack. As Carric tries to restrain the group, Torinn escapes and runs into the treeline, with Ismark in close pursuit. Carric laments being abandoned for the second time in his life and slinks away as a black panther into the shadows. Senlin, trapped in his vines and unable to escape, curses Torinn for setting himself against the light which he tries so desperately to protect. Carric, hearing this, re-questions his decision and heads back to the road, releasing the trapped dragonborn who immediately turns toward Castle Ravenloft, hoping to get ahead and stop Torinn before it is too late. In the woods, Torinn slips into a rotten tree trunk and avoids Ismark's pacing steps. He waits for the coast to clear before setting off to find his new master. On the road, a heartbroken Carric waits silently for Tao, who stares in charmed-wonder into the mists through which Strahd von Zarovich rode.

Rewards Granted

None

Missions/Quests Completed

Escort Ireena to Vallaki [Failed - handed over to Strahd]

Character(s) interacted with

Bella Sunbane
Ismark Kolyanovich
Ireena Kolyana
Strahd von Zarovich