Session 23 report

General Summary

Preparing for the festival

The party wake and find a bunch of presents outside their door accompanied by three letters.
One from Blinsky, one for the Burgo master and the other from Lady Wachter.

The Blinksy one thanks the party for bringing happiness to the town by performing today and wishes them luck. He hopes they like his gift.
It is accompanied by a toy stocks containing a donkey headed prisoner. The tag reads "Is no fun is no blinsky". Quill is upset to discover it is not a bobble head.
The next letter is from the burgomaster and informs the party that they are to meet him at his house this morning to go and perform in the festival. He lets them know that he we give them the signal to perfom when the time is right.
The next letter is from Lady Wachter. It informs them that if they want to participate in the coup, they should dress in their robes and hide. The coup will take place when the wicker sun is lit.
The party discuss their options and summise that they could perform and then scatter when the sun is lit.
The other packages contain:
A rabbit outfit with only one lopped ear (the burgomaster must have enacted his preference) - Quill brudgingly takes it.
A shining sequined sun themed suit - Fassi takes this
Some fancy shiney dancing shoes - Markadoo takes these
A turnip mascot outfit - Kriz takes this
Kriz and Quill wear cult outfits under their festival clothes. Fassi puts a mask for Fassi in her satchel and Kriz stuffs Markadoo and Fassi's robes into his turnip outfit.
Danika comes to their room to great them.
Danika: Good morning, I see that you'll be participating in today's festival.
Quill: what gave it away the rabbit outfit?
D: Yeah, I mean it would have been better if both ears were lopped though.
Q: I KNOW!
Quill tries her hardest to bend the straight ear but it boings back up.
D: *Chuckle*, anyway I was thinking about what you were talking to me about last night. With the bird masks and the... uprising?
Q + K:...yes
D: Urwin and I had a discussion afterwards and we were thinking it might have something to do with the cult that's in town. Though we don't know much about them. They wouldn't have anything to do with these bird masks would they?
Q: Potentially, I mean there is a bunch of people wearing the same masks and outfits...
K: We don't really know the factions in this town.
D: Given that we are yet to have found these members, where did you spot them?
Q: *Gives a vague description of the area around lady wachter's house"
D: Alright well as long as you don't know any more about this. They aren't responsible for the uprising are they?
Q: Do you think they might be, what's your concern?
D: Well we don't know too much about them, only whispers of activity. We are a little concerned.
Q: Do you need us to do anything about this?
D: We have gathered some of the keepers of the feather to keep an eye on the festivities today.
There are only two people we wouldn't want to take control of the town. One is the coffin maker, he is quite a grim fellow and the other would be lady wachter.
Q: Oh we know her, she runs the book club
D: Well we do have concerns about either of them running the town, but there are so many people in town, what are the odds?
Q: What are the concerns about the coffin maker?
D: We are concerned that if he were to take over there would be no more happiness. He is a very grim fellow.
Q: And Wachter?
D: We have reason to believe she enjoys the company of Strahd
Q: ooooh
D: No,no she worships him, as much as she may want to I don't believe they've ever "BEEN" together.
Q: IF she took over the town what do you think might happen?
D: I mean he would have free reign.
Q: hmmmmm. We'll I did manage to get one of the masks, maybe that will help you figure out more about this potential cult? She hands over Fassi's mask.
D: So where did you get this from again? The area close to Lady Wachter's house?
Q: Well we did see when she invited us over to read some books (well she didn't have any books so that was a waste of time). Anyway I did nick this one so shhhh.
D: You got this from Lady wachter's house?
Q: I did but I didn't make the connection until you just reminded me.
D: I wonder if Wachter has anything to do with the cult, well we will look in to it. Worst case, if she were to try to take the town today we would intervene.
Q: Do you need any help?
D: Well since you were made honourary recruits last night, you have been more than helpful but feel free to jump in if anything were to happen.
Q: Could I just have that mask back. I'm just a bit concerned that I might get called out for stealing it. It seems that it's from a potentially problematic cult.
D: sure
Q: Do you know how I could get this ear down by any chance?
D: URWIN!
Urwin comes up the stairs
D: Urwin can you help our friend bend this ear down?
Urwin grabs the ear and manages to bend it down. Both ears are now lopped.
Quill gives Urwin a big hug.
Q: Thanks so much, I would have looked like such a fool!
Urwin and Danika excuse themselves to tend to the bar as there will be a lot of drinkers today.

They go back in and close the door.
Q: Shit guys we really have to figure out who we are aligning with because there are three different factions here.
Markadoo wakes up and the others fill him in.
M: I don't want to have to say I told you but...
K: It sounds like the burogmaster will probably get knocked out by wachter, and then the bird guys will take her out. And then we take over the town?
M: If we did that we would be totally against Strahd. If we did that we would paint a target on our backs.
Q: I like sitting on the fence :(. Well this is hard because Fassi's in love with Strahd and i'm quite fond of him but it seems like he's kind of bad.
M: He did kill a silver dragon
Q: It feels like the whole reason we've been brought to this place is because we should be fighting against Strahd. But Strahd's made some very compelling arguments and it seems like a fair chunk of our party is kind of on board with Strahd.
K: I mean he did have a tragic backstory but he killed a dragon.
Q: I feel like we need to stop the burgomaster from being killed right?
K: We can become the new burgomaster can't we?
M: Then we can't secretly work against Strahd
K: Right now the burgomaster survives by paying tax right?
Q: Well if we let them take over the town, the town becomes miserable but we can still work undercover and work to undermine him right?
M: Well then we can just go hang out at the winery... wait we forgot about Ireena.
Q: No we still have to take care of her, that's number one.
Markadoo tries on his shoes
Q: I don't want to be a burgomaster, i've got other shit to do.
K: Maybe we can elect a new burgomaster from outside. Also, we killed Izek, that's still a big issue.
M: Maybe taking over the city is the safest option we have at this point.
K: What if we make a puppet burgomaster
M: Who
K: BLINSKY
M: he would never agree to it
The party argue back and forth a bit but land on the fact that it could be a good idea.
M: Make him arrest the cultists and then you can hae the library
Q: They didn't have a library, it was just one book. They tricked me.
K: WE can have blinsky make us a library
Q: YEAH. Ok i'm for Blinsky now. OK I think the plan is visit Blinsky, free Ireena, then do festival.
M: Wait can't we just ask the feather people who would be a better leader?
Q: OK let's go ask Danika.

The party go down and through the back door of the inn. She spots Urwin.
Q: Hello Urwin
U: Oh hai
Q: If lady Wachter is trying to take over the town what happens if all hell breaks loose and there is no one to look after the town? Do you guys want to? We are just wondering what happens.
U: We prefer to keep a low profile, the last thing we want to do while keeping a watch over Strahd is to stick our neck out like that.
Q: We were thinking that we might approach Blinsky as a backup.
U: That would be hilarious, if you cna pull that off then go for it.
Q: I mean I hope nothing happens but it's always good to be sure.
U: I don't even know what you're on about anymore but I love the enthusiasm.

With that the party head to Blinsky's.

Dropping in on Blinsky

As the party walk down the street in their costumes, people smile and wave except for some that they take to be soulless.
The party wave back but are short on time and proceed straight to Blinsky's.
Fassi talks excitedly about the festival on her way. Particularly about Fassi fanatics.
Quill knocks and Blinsky welcomes her in.
She is happy to see the monkey and Blinsky is happy it brings her happiness. The rest of the party enter behind.
Quill pulls out the toy he made for the party and compliments him on it.
Blinksy smiles "I'm so glad it made you hyappy. How can I help you."
Fassi: Blinsky, you are a man of great talent and we have a little proposition for you have you ever considered leadership?
Blinsky: no I have not
Fassi: Wouldn't make the entire town happy to see you leading?
Blinsky: I haven't thought much about it. I suppose I could bring people happiness as a leader. What do you propose.
Quill: Well we heard thetown might need some new leadership soon and if there is anyone we would want to see lead the town it would be you. Anyway we would be your biggest supporters if that opportunity ever arose.
Blinsky: I can't disagree. How are you proposing that this would happen? I would like nothing more than to spead happyness through the town and I try ot do that through my toys but people don't seem to be interested in buying toys these days.
Quill: You could build fun statues around the town...
K: Or a library
Q: OR A LIBRARY! and we could help you
F: Like apprentices!
The party continue to convince him
Blinsky: So what do we need to do?
Q: To be honest it might not happen...
Blinsky deflates
Q:... but we'll try as hard as we can to make it happen.
K: We heard some concerning rumours about the festival today so keep yourself safe
Q: What will you be doing at the festival today?
Blinsky: To be honest I don't think people are as happy as they seem. The burgomaster forces them to be happy. I would love to have a go at it. So if the opportunity did ever arrive, you let blinsky know. Today I will just be at the festival watching the smiles on peoples faces. Genuine or not I like to see them.
Q: Keep safe and stay out of the main crowds if you can.
K: When the sun catches fire you should be careful
Blinsky looks concerned.
F: No no, don't worry this will just be a fun afternoon!
Blinsky: Ok, level with me are you intending on killing the burgomaster?
Q: Gosh no, we just heard rumours that some people might be. We are going to try to help as much as we can, the towns folk are out focus.
F: And we want to keep everybody "hyappy", is that how you say it?
Blinsky nods as does his monkey.
F: Look at the smile you two bring to my face
Blinsky: It's hard to tell, i'm not used to reading the expression of birds. I will take your word for it.
F: Ok, you stay safe and should the need arise we can call on you. Yes?
Blinsky: Tentitevly, This all a little vague and concerning but it sounds good in theory. See you at the festival, good luck with your performances.
Q: Thanks again for the toy! *pats monkey on head*
Blinsky smiles

Let the festival begin!

The part leaves Blinsky's and heads towards the burgomaster's mansion.
As they approach, they see the festival procession ready to go and the burgomaster looking around impatiently.
There's a bunch of children dressed as flowers, men and women holding up the wicker sun and the Burgomaster and his wife on horses at the rear.
F: Hello, so sorry were late we just had to put on our costumes. They are hard to move in but look amazing right?!?
Burgomaster: Thanks for showing up... what happened to yours?
He does a side eye at Quill
Q: What do you mean
Burgo: both ears are lopped
Q: Oh is it? Oh it is!
Burgo: I'm going to assume that broke in the post
Q: Must have
Burgo: are you all ready to participate in the procession?
F: Oh goodness yes, i've been looking forward to it all day. Let's not wait another moment.
Burgo: You will walk beside me and the Baroness
Kriz: AS that imediately, like now now? Or in some time?
Burgo: I have been waiting for you, what do you mean in some time? Either come or don't come.
F: Shhhh Kriz, we're on *Grabs colour changing lipstick and puts it on as blue*
M: Can I have some lipstick?
F: Yes everyone! As much as you can, it's fabulous!
K: Can we just quickly freshen up and dress up?
Burgo: No, you're in your outfit and good enough, we're going now or you're not coming at all.
Q: You drive a hard bargain sir
Burgo: Well everyone is waiting for us and the festival has never been late since i've been in charge so I am really going out on a limb for you guys.
Q: We'll just be a minute, I just don't want lipstick on my nose
Burgo: You can apply lipstick here
Q: *Puts lipstick on her nose*
Q: Look what you made me do
Burgo: Good now you have lipstick lets go
Q: ...nosestick
F: big breaths

Under threatening skies, a parade of happy children dressed as flowers trudge through the muddy streets, leading the way for a group of men and women with painted on smiles carrying a ten-foot-diameter wicker ball. The burgomaster and his smiling wife, who holds a sad bouquet of wilting flowers, follow the procession on horseback. As weary spectators watch from their stoops, the ball is borne to the town square. There, it is hoisted and hung from a fifteen-foot-high wooden scaffold, and townsfolk take turns splashing it with oil intending for the wicker sun to be set ablaze. Ravens sit on rooftops surrounding the square. Lady Wachter watches intently from a nearby balcony.
Burgo: And now our heroes that saved the winery so we now have wine to drink today, they are going to do a performance for you. Take it away!
The party awkwardly shuffle around and find their positions
Kriz starts drumming on his chest
Quill pulls out her disco ball
The crowd gasps, they've never seen anything like it.
Someone in crowd: Wow what beautiful makeup they are all wearing
Markadoo makes a little breeze with his druid craft to spin it.
Fassi sings as Markadoo jigs along.
One of the guards shouts, that's the jig master!
The crowd is enthralled.
Fassi: Fanatics are you feeling me?
The burgo master looks pleasently surprised
The crowd starts chanting "Fassi! Fassi!"
Fassi just has tears streaming down her face, she has never been happier.
Guard: KEEP JIGGING!
the sky tears open in a sudden downpour and fog rolls in. “All will be well!” cries the burgomaster as he brandishes a sputtering torch and marches defiantly through the rain toward the wicker ball. Lady Wachter leans forward watching, the ravens grow restless and the towns people hold their breath in anticipation. As the Burgomaster thrusts the torch towards the sun, it goes out. There is silence for a few moments before a singular laugh comes from the crowd.
“Arrest that man for malicious unhappiness!” yells the burgomaster.
The rolling fog thickens slowly at first but with increasing speed until it piles up and dissipates, revealing Strahd.
The townsfolk watch on petrified with horror.
“What a glorious day for a festival” Strahd raises his hands to the sky and the rain stops. Did you really think that happiness could keep me out. Your antics have been amusing but I now have cause to make a visit. Where is Izek?
The guards begin to whisper to one another. “Lord Strahd, I was informed he was with you. Please don’t be too hard on him, he is like a son to me”.
“YOU WOULD TELL ME HOW TO RULE, It has come to my attention that he has hidden away Tatyana and you more than anyone, that is unforgivable”
I see how hard you have been trying to keep me out and I can’t say I care for that kind of attitude. Baron, You tell your people to be happy in the face of dire circumstances, let’s see if you can do the same. Why don’t you climb up into the beautiful sun you have constructed to keep me away. The burgomaster hesitates.
M: Should we tell Strahd that we interogated him?
Q: Nope, nope we should just stay out of this...
M: He'll find out eventually!
Q: Nope nope
Strahd takes hold of the baroness.
F: If we aren't going to stop this do we signal lady Wachter?
Q: Nope
K: Isn't she going to signal us
F: Shouldn't we show them we are on their side?
Q: Nope
The party notice Victor (Baron's son) attempt to sneak up on Strahd but Rahadin appears and stabs him in the back before dragging him away.
F: oooh how tasteless
M: Let's take out Rahadin, let's see where he goes
F:... you follow him suppose
M: i'm not going to do that
F: Quill can you follow him?
M: We can go together and I can cast pass without a trace on us.
The party notice that Rahadin just stands in the crowd holding Victor.
M: Maybe I can fuck with him and disguise myself as Victor to draw him out
Q: so why are we doing this?
M: I dunno we can assassinate one of Strahd's main companions?
K: Probably not the best thing to do in front of Strahd
M: I can disguise myself as victor, fuck with him and then we can go somewhere else.
F: *goes to speak*
M: OR I CAN DIGUISE MYSELF AS IZEK THAT WORKED SO WELL LAST TIME
The party don't make any action before the comotion continues.
Seeing his wife being held captive, The Burgomaster climbs into the sun
Strahd: “I have cause to enter your mansion, will you allow me?”.
In a last act of defiance the Burgomaster refuses.
Strahd: “it’s ok. It’s time for a new burgomaster anyway”,
Strahd runs his hand along the baronesses neck. She chuckles nervously before Strahd looks the Burgomaster in the eye and rips out the baronesses throat.
F: oh shit
“Burgomaster, you are frowning. You know what that means”
Strahd holds his hand out and shoots a burst of fire into sun.
Q: I think Ireena is in danger, I think he is going to go for her.
M: *Casts pass without a trace on everyone*
Quill, Markadoo and Kriz work their way through and out of the crowd.
Fassi gets spotted by some adoring fans who want to greet her and she gets caught up.
As she's leaving, Quill looks back to see if she can spot Blinsky. She spots him looking on horrified.
Q: Blinsky, let's go it's super dangerous, we need you to bring happiness to the town
Blinsky agrees and leaves with her.
Q: Should some of us stay behind to try to control this situation?
M: What's there to control? Let's go
Q: I dunno are the ravens going to do something?
M: The ravens will die if they try to fight against Strahd, they aren't that foolish
Q: alright
K: we should just rush
Stahd: “Behold, the blazing sun!, DO YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DEFY ME”. Lady Fiona Wachter. I have seen your devotion as I see everything that happens in these lands. I leave this town in your hands. As the new burgomaster do you give me permission to enter the burgomaster’s mansion?
The party sprints towards the Burgomaster's mansion.
Lady Wachter steps forward basking in the screams of the old Burgomaster, “Of course”.
With that Strahd walks away in the direction of the burgomaster's mansion.
Fassi manages to free herself from the crowd and begins to hurry towards the mansion.
Lady Wachter: It is the dawn of a new day, where frowns will be welcomed. No book will be banned and no one will need to hide their thoughts any more! We will worship Strahd as the magnificent leader that he is. For too long we have shunned the Vistani and what they have to offer. They will be welcome.
The cloaked cult members step out. This is the last Fassi sees or hears of what is going on as she flees.

Saving Ireena

Markadoo, Kriz and Quill arrive at the burgomaster's mansion after sprinting through the streets. They left Blinsky in an ally to hide.
M: In, in, in, in, in!
The party barges in and enters and Fassi approaches the mansion.
The party makes it up the stairs as Fassi enters the house.
The party make it to the bedroom corridor as Fassi makes it up the stairs
The party pause for a moment to try to remember where the room is. Fassi catches up panting.
There are three doors in the corridor. two parralell and one at the far end of the hall.
They remember it is one of the parallel rooms. Kriz checks the far room just in case.
The door they want to enter is locked. There are dog barks coming from the room opposite and the door is budging.
Kriz does his best to hold it closed.
M yelling at the dogs: WE are friends of the burgomaster
Dogs: You don't belong here, get out of here! Our master isn't home! INTRUDERS!
M: Someone is trying to get the burgomaster we will let you out to attack them
Dogs: Yes, let us out, let us out!
M: Fuck you
Quill picks the lock to Izek's bedroom door. For a moment she is happy before the party hear someone step into the house on the lower floor.
Q: Oh fack
She opens the bedroom door.
Dolls. This room is full of pretty little dolls with powder-white skin and auburn hair, some of them dressed beautifully, others plainly. Some of the dolls fill a long bookshelf, and others are arranged in neat rows on wall-mounted shelves. Still others are piled atop a bed and a heavy wooden chest. What’s most odd is that all of the dolls, apart from their clothing, look the same. They all look like Ireena Kolyana.
Ireena is bound and gagged in the corner of the room.
Q: Ireena quickly come!
Quill drags her out of the room and starts dragging her down the hallway.
At that moment the other door bursts open and Kriz is confronted by two dogs.
They hear someone coming up the stairs.
Kriz realises he doesn't have his mace he squares up and grabs one of the dogs by the jaws before ripping their mouth open like a pez dispenser.
He goes to punch the other dog but misses. As the dog watches his companion bleed out on the floor Fassi calls it a "sham poodle". The dog whines.
Markadoo doubles back and helps Quill with Ireena. He cuts the ropes on Ireena and insists they follow him into the attic.
The dog attacks Kriz who freaks out realising he is not wearing his armor. The dog bites him in the leg.
Kriz: My turnip costume, no! Alright you little shit, i'm going to smack you again!
With that Kriz pokes the dogs eyes out with his fingers and the dog dies of shock.
meanwhile Markadoo and Quill are trying to take Ireena into the attic
Q: What's our plan, won't we get stuck up there?
M: We'll go up there, we need to cause a distraction for 10 minutes and I can make it look like Ireena is dead.
Q: I think he'll see through it
M: Trust me. Quick quick, Come on Ireena
Meanwhile downstairs Kriz and Fassi see Strahd round the corner.
Strahd: What are you guys doing here?
K: I was fighting some dogs
S: You were fighting dogs?
F: We were trying to get changed from the performance, i'm sure you saw how wonderfully it went, anyway those dogs did not like my voice at all.
K: I'm sick of my turnip costume
F: You certainly made an entrance
S: The festival is not yet over
F + K: stumble on words
S: look, I don't care. I came for Tatyana, you told me she's here yes?
F: ...yes
K: That was our secondary objective, to help you scout around
F: We are doing a ruse, that's why we had costumes so we have access.
S: Ok so you'll help me retrieve her?
K: well we were looking around... if we find her we'll let you know but so far we haven't.
F: We went down that hallway and all we found were dogs. There's less here than you think. Izeks room is real freaky, you should come see it.
Back up in the attic, Markadoo, Quill and Ireena are legging it for Victor's room. The door is still missing As they enter the room the skeletal cats his at them.
Downstairs, Fassi and Kriz see Strahd look up as he hears the noise.
F: Bird farts do sound weird
Strahd narrows his eyes
Back in the attic MArkadoo is talking to the cats
M: You are probably pretty smart if your owner was a wizard but your master is dead and Strahd killed him
The cats look at each other
cats: Who will feed us?
M: Do you eat food?
Cats: No but it's still nice
M: If we get out of here alive you can follow us
Cats: What else is there to reanimated death but food.
M: You have to stay with us because people will be freaked out by you
The cats seem convinced.
Markadoo casts wall of water across the entrance to the room.
Meanwhile Strahd finishes narrowing his eyes at Fassi and walks down the hall towards Izek's room.
F: Yeah that room is super weird wait til you see the dolls. You might like them seeing as you like Ireena.
Strahd steps into the room and starts trashing it.
F whispers to K: What the fuck do we do?
K: we make him believe that Ireena isn't here I guess. We make him believe Izek ran off with her.
F: Strahd, wow, you're very angry I see. Let us know if you need a hand or some water or anything.
Strahd turns around and steps out. The room is trashed
Back up stairs.
M: Ireena you have to be quite, Strahd's after you. I'm going to cast a spell.
Q: Wait, Markadoo, he'll take her body.
Ireena looks back and forth and back again before starting silently crying.
M: I think if he thinks you're dead he will be respectable to you. In the stories you always come back to life. But he has always been respectful of your wishes.
Q and M argue a little over whether or not Strahd would respect Ireena's dead body.
M: What other choices do we have, can she climb out the window?
Q: Maybe I can tie a rope to her and we can lower her down?
Back downstairs Stahd seems to calm and he smiles at Kriz
Strahd: What's really going on here? You told me Tatyana is here, now you are telling me she isn't. You abandoned the festival early... what happened.
Kriz: We knew because we killed Izek and we knew that Izek was holding Tatyana and that's the main reason. We came back here to save her. We got here just before you got here and we found her chained up in Izek's room. So we saved her and they are actually escaping right now. Where to, I couldn't see but they are escaping right now and that's about all I know.
S: Why are they trying to escape from me?
K: I don't think they were escaping you I think they were more escaping the burgomaster
S: Did they not see the burgomaster go up in flames
K: Yeah and I think that's when they decided it would be a good chance to save her.
Fassi is nodding along the entire time
S: Thank you for being open with me.
Upstairs Quill pulls out her rope and ties it to a chair before dangling it out the window, allowing Ireena to climb down.
Quill follows.
The cats peer down from the window sill.
Quill holds out her hands to catch them.
Strahd: Thank you for being so helpful, where did they go.
Fassi: we aren't too sure but I think they may have gone down these stairs *points to stairs that go back down*.
Strahd: If you aren't sure where they are I think I heard some noises upstairs. I will go and check it out.
Fassi: Sure!, we'll tag along.
Upstairs the cats look down at Quill. The three cats eager for the promise of food all jump out at once.
Quill catches ones, then the other. The Third flies down past her hands and shatters.
Hands full of cats Quill apologises and starts to run
Quill: Ireena let's go!
Quill runs out towards the closest house she can fine.
Inside the house Strahd enters the master bedroom and sees the staircase used to enter the attic
S: Hmm
Strahd goes up the ladder
Kriz: Be careful of the dickhead of a son up there
Strahd: What do you mean dickhead of a son?
Kriz: We met the burgomasters son...
Fassi: DICKHEAD.
Strahd: It's ok, I believe that Rahadin has taken care of him.
Fassi: woo
Kriz: yay
Strahd: yes, well if you'll excuse me.

Report Date

08 Apr 2024