Session 08: Under the Blazing Sun

General Summary

The Festival of the Blazing Sun

A Defiant Laugh

• In the early hours of the morning, a parade of miserable Vallakians lead the party to the town center.
• There, they doused a wicker sun in oil; ready for the Baron to set it ablaze!
• Just as the Baron goes to light it, the begins to rain heavily...and his torch goes out.
• A sardonic laugh comes from the crowd of spectators; a member of the militia.
• The furious Baron has Lars arrested for "spite".

Petah, the Horse is Here

• A horse is brought to the town square, with Lars bound behind it with the plan of dragging him around while the Baron rode the horse.
• This obviously didn't fly with the party.
• Maisie prepares to cause a scene, but Kerberos beats her to it.
• Through magical means, he becomes a giant and scares the shit out of everyone.
• Quickly, a fight breaks out and the wicker sun is lit by Maisie.
• And shit hits the fan from there.

(Racist) Tiger on the Loose!

• In the midst of the fight, the sabretooth tiger owned by Rictavio runs into the festival, chasing after Lady Fiona Wachter's sons!
• While Rictavio works on gaining control of it, the towns folk run away.
• In the chaos, Lady Fiona suffers a fatal case of "stabbed in the kidney" thanks to Garreak...
• I'm sure its fine.
• The chaos ends with only one fatality!

A New Face

• The Party also meets its newest member, Everdeen Swiftskip!
• She also received an invitation to dine at the Castle and seems very shy.

Farewell to Vallaki

• The party is told they have until nightfall to leave Vallaki, and are not welcome back.
• Rictavio also states that he will be leaving town, the party can find him at a lone tower on the shores of Lake Baratok.
• He reveals that the protégé of a legendary vampire hunter is in Barovia; a Vistania named Ezmerelda d'Avenir. The party would be wise to make her acquaintance.
• New friend in tow, y'all make your way towards Castle Ravenloft.

Welcome to Castle Ravenloft

A Black Carriage

• As you near the Castle, deep in the woods you see a black carriage with no driver.
• The doors swing open and you all get in!
• It brings you up the climb to the castle gates, as a storm begins to roll in.
• Despite how ancient the drawbridge looks, y'all make it across and head inside.
• You also realize the castle was built on a pillar of rock, with a sheer drop into the mists below. That's comforting!

Symphony of the Night

• The Party is greeted by the Dusk Elf chamberlain Rahadin...he seems cheerful...
• He tells the party that the rules of noble hospitality apply here. As long as the party doesn't go out of their way to harm, steal from or disrespect the royal household, no harm will come to you.
• Inside the castle, the dim candles cast strange shadows on the stone walls. The air is thick with dust and decay, and cobwebs cover almost every surface.
• It's clear just how ancient this place really is.
• The Party is escorted to the dining hall, where Strahd is dramatically playing the organ.
• It's giving Phantom of the Opera by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber...
• You have a brief parlay with him, as Rahadin leaves the room.
• He welcomes you to his abode, which is named after his mother Queen Ravenovia von Zarovich.
• You were welcome to help yourselves to the light refreshments before the proper dinner is served.
• When you all try to question him, he doesn't respond, and the truth is revealed...that was an illusion!
• All the candles go out, the drawbridge is raised and all open doors slam shut. Y'all are trapped.
• At least the food is nice and gives you temp HP!

Looking into the Darkness

Main Floor (Ground Floor)

• Maisie relights the candles, summons a cat and notices that the organ is a secret door.
• Behind it is an archer's post with a bunch of mirrors piled against the floor and wall.
• Luckily, there's a staircase that leads upstairs.

Court of the Count (First Floor)

• The Party finds themselves in an abandoned Audience Hall, its clear that this room hasn't been used in some time.
• Kerberos sits on the throne though!
• You all find a small study, where a human man named Lief is chained to a desk.
• He's been Strahd's accountant for a very long time, he can barely remember a time when he wasn't in that room.
• Unfortunately, Strahd isn't very forthcoming with what is in his treasury.
• Kerberos is enraged over this man being chained like this, and is barely talked down by the party and Lief from freeing him.
• As thanks for caring, he reveals one of the treasures (The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind) is currently in Argynvostholt.
• After passing through a hallway rigged with a mannequin depicting Strahd, you come to a grand balcony overlooking a decrepit chapel.
• It appears you aren't alone as two Zombies emerge from the thrones overlooking the chapel!
• Y'all deal with them easily.

Session ended at 10pm 18/9/735; 18th of Sintavr, 735