Session 01: Into the Mists

General Summary

Journey to A New Land

Over the course of four days, the gang makes their way south from Waterdeep to Daggerford. A moment of respite after the insane tenday and a bit they just had (yes the entirety of WD:DH took place over 14 days).   The journey is uneventful for the most part, with the party simply enjoying the ride. Madame H also learns some things about Lycanthropy thanks to her book "Van Richten's Guide to Lycanthropy".

A Fireside Story

On the final night, on the outskirts of Daggerford, the party is invited to join the Vistani for dinner and are told a story that seems to be acted out in the flames of the bonfire...  

“We come from an ancient land whose name is long forgotten—a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads.”   The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man being knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.   Stanimir continues. “One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn’t say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn’t give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves.”   Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes.   “This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, ‘I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.’”   The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes its final foe, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.   Stanimir’s face becomes a somber mask. “A curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to leave his domain. We’ve traveled far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our dread lord’s curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will find our camp in Barovia and speak with her?”

  Some other things happen that night;

• Maisie asks around about her sister.
• No solid answers are given, as once people are transported to Barovia the Vistani don't necessarily keep tabs on them.
• Maisie is told that Madam Eva could help Maisie find her sister, as she is a seerer and could use her divination to help.
• She also learns the real name of Julio; Arrigal.
• Madame Hallelujah makes a "heartfelt" apology...before throwing the paper she wrote the rather short apology on into the flames.
• Garreak hands a letter to be given to the mail carrier the next time the Vastani group are in a major city, after giving money for the fare, he's assured that the letter will be passed on.

Arriving in Barovia

The next morning, the caravan party moves slowly through a thick, unseasonal fog; with the party feeling an unexplained sense of dread.

The Woods

• Once past the Gates of Barovia, the party is left in the Slavich Woods and given directions to the next settlement. They are also told to make their way to the Tser Pool Vistani Encampment to seek guidance from Madam Eva soon.
• Shortly after this, Madame Hallelujah notices the stench of death. The party follows this and finds a body, no longer than a week old.
• After some investigation, they find a letter penned by Kolyan Indirovich that paints a different picture of what they've gotten themselves into.
• They get moving shortly after, as they can hear wolves howling in the distance; and the man holding the letter had been killed by beasts.

Hail thee of might and valor: I, the Burgomaster of Barovia, send you honor—with despair.
My adopted daughter, the fair Ireena Kolyana, has been these past nights bitten by a vampyr. For over four hundred years, this creature has drained the life blood of my people. Now, my dear Ireena languishes and dies from an unholy wound caused by this vile beast. He has become too powerful to conquer.
So I say to you, give us up for dead and encircle this land with the symbols of good. Let holy men call upon their power that the devil may be contained within the walls of weeping Barovia. Leave our sorrows to our graves, and save the world from this evil fate of ours.
There is much wealth entrapped in this community. Return for your reward after we are all departed for a better life.

Kolyan Indirovich, Burgomaster

The Village of Barovia

A New Friend

• The party arrives in the Village of Barovia; among the bleak and oppressive surroundings, they are drawn to a gallows with two gibbets (one with a skeleton inside, the other violently torn open but empty).
• While investigating the torn open gibbet they notice signs that Gwen was here. But the blood, torn remains of a bandana and chunks of red hair don't bode well for her.
• Of course, the party investigates her bag. And grabs what little loot is left (see in rewards granted).
• After this, the party turns their attention to the skeleton. Noticing a red gem necklace and pouch.
• Maisie tries to pry the necklace off the skeleton with her scimitar but can't get quite the right angle. This only making the skeleton fall to the front of the cage.
• Kerberos, the genius he is, decides to tear the lock off.
• The skeleton then falls onto the ground, before springing back up, revealing it to be alive.
• Skeleton Archer immediately thanks the party for freeing him. He is now indebted to the party for their generosity.
• When questioned on what he is, or how he got here, he can't say much as his imprisonment in the cage has left his perception of time rather hazy.
• He reveals that he was imprisoned by "The Count" after he did something to anger him, and that his companions were now departed (dead, or might as well be dead).
• When asked about Gwen, he recalled for a brief time that she had been in the cage next to his. Had tried to steal his necklace and pouch. But recently was taken by The Count, he does not know what happened to her after that.
• New friend in toe, the party starts to explore the village. Barovians seem to scurry away from the strangers.
• While in wildshape, Maisie is able to sniff out the scent of undeath in some buildings (which she marks with her paw). She also senses that something is off with some villagers, like they have something missing.
• When looking at the villagers, Madame H notices that something seems to be missing from some (not all) of them; but concludes that maybe they're just depressed.
• Seemingly at a dead end for information, they go to the Tavern.

The Blood on the Vine

• The Party (with Skeleton Archer disguised) arrive at the tavern, which is owned by Vistani.
• Maisie, Madame H and Kerberos order some food and drinks.
• While the other Barovians seem to ignore or ostracize the party, one young man (who is getting similar treatment), is not.
• Maisie speaks to him, he reveals himself to be Ismark Indirovich and apologies as the village suffered a recent tragedy.
• His father, Burgomaster Kolyan Indirovich's heart gave out due to recent stress.
• His sister, Ireena Kolyana, has become the token of The Devil's infatuation for some reason. His family has been laid siege to on a near nightly basis.
• Maisie also shares that she is looking for her half-sister.
• Maisie shows him the letters;
• He confirms that the letter the party had been given can't be right; as Ireena was Kolyan's daughter and the handwriting does not match his father's.
• The letter found on the corpse is the real one, though Ismark seemed unaware of Ireena's adopted nature. He also says that his father had sent out a messenger to the Gates of Barovia a week ago (but the messenger never returned).
• He buys drinks for the party, Madame H also introduces herself and offers her fortune telling services. Ismark politely turns her down, saying that as fortune telling is connected to the Vistani, most Barovians would rather not participate.
• He invites the party back to the Village of Barovia Burgomaster’s Mansion, where they can discuss things away from prying ears.

At the Manor

• The party is taken to the family Manor, where they are introduced to Ireena.
• It is here that Ismark asks the party to do something; escort Ireena to safety in Vallaki or Krezk.
• Vallaki is the most populated, has a sizeable militia and has a church on consecrated ground.
• Krezk is the furthest away, and has an ancient Abbey that Ireena could shelter in.
• When pressed, Ireena reveals that she has already been bitten twice by The Count.
• Maisie recognises what's happening here, and promises to escort Ireena to safety.
• Ireena says that she will not leave the Village until her father is buried.
• She leads the party to where he is being held, and it becomes clear that he is in no danger of rising as undead (unless someone goes out of their way to raise him) and that he did in fact pass from a heart attack.
• Kerberos carries him to the Church.

Two Funerals for the Price of One

• The party makes their way to the Village of Barovia Church.
• Just like the rest of the Village, this place of worship has grown weary under the oppressive shadow of Castle Ravenloft.
• Once inside, Father Donavich greets them, before being interrupted by inhuman screaming coming from the undercroft.
• When pressed, Donavich begs the party to allow him to at least bury the fallen Burgomaster first.
• Then he will answer their questions.
• Once the grave is dug, a simple funeral is held.
• Madame H tries to contribute, but Father Donavich insists she don't (as the funerary rites are different).
• Following the funeral, he answers the party's questions.
• The screaming is that of his son, Doru, who became a vampire spawn following a failed siege on The Count. He has been praying for his soul constantly.
• Just over a year ago, a group of strangers came into the village; led by a mage, they rallied many of the young men in the village to lay siege on the castle. There were no survivors, His son returned to the village a few months ago, now a spawn.
• When asked, Skeleton Archer is unable to confirm if he was involved with this; it's plausible but he's not sure about the timeline.
• The Morninglord is worshiped in Barovia.
• He agrees that Vallaki and Krezk would be safer than the village for Ireena.
• Maisie is then brutally honest with Donavich, Doru is suffering as a spawn and no amount of prayer or wishing will cure him. Then the party basically offers to put him out of his misery.
• The party finds Doru on the celling of the rotting undercroft and acts quickly.
• Maisie casts radiant and lunar magic on Doru.
• Kerberos uses his javelins and fighter abilities to pin Doru down with fiery shackles.
• Madame H tries to talk to Doru, but in light of him being burned by fire and radiant magic, she resolves to cast another spell on him.
• Skeleton archer shows off his archery prowess.
• Garreak has a rough time.
• Even with advantage, he misses.
• So we get the first twist of fate of the campaign! More on that later!
• Finally, one shot hits him and it works.
• After a job well done Kerberos claps Garreak on the shoulder...who's finger then falls off...
• In the middle of everyone freaking out, Kerberos scoops up Doru's ashes into a waterskin.
• Upstairs, the scene Madame H saw upset her so much she flees outside.
• The party then tells Donavich the deed is done, and just before he collapses into sheer grief, Kerberos gives him the ashes.
• During this, Kendrick then licks Garreak's hand; which promptly falls off.

Back at the Manor

• The party makes their way back to the manor, where they spend the night.
• Garreaks hand starts to grow back as a tiny little baby hand (like Deadpool)
• Maisie and Skeleton Archer take watch in case there is another attack on the Manor (there isn't).

  The session ends with the party being disturbed by the March of the Dead; which they realises that these appear to be fallen adventurers, doomed to eternally march to Castle Ravenloft. Perhaps this is a glimpse of what is at stake should they fail whatever it is they are here to do.  

Session ended at 1am 14/9/735; 14th of Sintavr, 735

Rewards Granted

The party gained the following from Gwen's bag:

• Coinage (300gp, 27 ep, 5sp)
• Potion of Invisibility
• Alchemist Supplies
• 3 Potions of Healing
• Bedroll
• Messkit
• 10 days of rations
• Tinderbox
• 10 Torches
• Waterskin