Session 8 report

Blinsky's shop

The feathers on the back of Fassi's neck stood up.
Blinksy mentioned that he noticed the players are interested in his monkey.
He recounts how a stranger gave him the monkey because they could tell he was unhappy and that monkey brings him much happiness but he would trade it for a toy named Piddlewick II. He would give them the monkey and make them any toy they wished.
He mentioned that Piddlewick II was made his idol Von Weerg ( now deceased). The toy was modeled after a man named piddlewick. The toy is so lifelike that almost seems it is alive. He also mentioned that he was glad the monkey couldn't understand him. He could be found at the top of one of the spires in castle Ravenloft. The group clarified that castle Vallaki is actually castle Ravenloft.
During the conversation Fassi was still shooting rainbows when she talked, Quill is still sticky, Heehoo is sitll polite and Kriz can throw his voice.

The bald / arm guy commeth

As the conversation wraps up, a large bald man in a cloak enters the shop and asks Blinsky for the rent (the Ireena doll). He comments that the doll is getting closer and to make her eyes bigger next time. As he reaches for it the players notice one of his arms is giant and black with spikes coming off it.
He asks the players to introduce themselves. Fassi talks about how they are a band of sad travelers. The man asks for clarification as to if they are all sad at which point the characters back peddle. They manage to convince him that they were actually happy. The man squints as Fassi shoots rainbows out her mouth. He lets the players know that they had better keep their noses clean or he will come for them and as he says this he snaps his fingers causing a flame to emerge briefly.
He tells Markado to jig for him as he had heard that he was an amazing jigger. Markadoo does a poor job of it. The man remarks that the rumors were over rated. He says he is suspicious that they may be unhappy but he trusts the judgement of his men but they had better behave. He examines the Ireena doll once more and walks out.
The party discuss the event with Blinsky who informs them that he makes this man a new doll every week for fear of him burning down his shop. He mentions that he gets closer to creating what the man is requesting every week. He mentions that the man is haunted by dreams of the woman (presumably Ireena) and that he feels that if he could the physical manifestation of her the dreams might stop. Blinsky has been doing this for the last four years. The players considered that if they were to show Blinsky a portrait of Ireena it might help him create the doll and make the man stop hassling him.
The players asked if he could make them an Ireena doll and he said he would for 9 copper. The players discuss the pros and cons of helping to satisfy the bald man and land on that they think it would be best to not help him. They talk about informing Ireena that she has another "admirer".
Blinsky heard them talking about Ireena and enquired. Fassi explained that Ireena was her band's drummer with strange facial deformations. Blinsky asks if the doll looks like this Ireena and the party mention that it does have a likeness. They learn that While Ireena has black hair the dolls have red hair. They tell him the doll has the wrong hair colour. Kriz remarks that she may be drenched in blood and Blinsky questions his devotion to spreading happiness.
Heehoo asks why everyone should be happy. Blinsky informs them that maybe if everyone is happy then they can leave Barovia. He would really rather not be there. He mentions a rumor that the Vistani are able to leave. Blinsky relays that if a single person isn't happy then leaving Barovia won't work. They ask if the bald man is happy and Blinsky says he generally is, just not when he is threatening to burn down the shop or when dealing with outsiders. Blinsky agrees that the man burning down his shop would not be a happy thing and notes that this means it is best for him to continue to make him dolls.
Blinsky asks the party if they would like to help spread happiness and Heehoo mentions they would as they my want to leave one day if they don't start a business. Blinsky mentions he thinks business isn't so great as no one seems to care about dolls these days. He mentions that he thinks the tavern owner is having some trouble. That she isn't quick to ask for help but if pressed she may mention the issues she is facing.
The party agree to go see her.

The Tavern

Fassi burst through the tavern door and quickly walked across to the bar. The bar was pretty packed and the bar keeper was quite busy so she was overwhelmed by the Fassi's enthusiasm, however Fassi declared that she wanted to buy everyone drinks and the bar tender was pretty happy to oblige, rolled up her sleeves and got to work. This cost Fassi 4 silver and 8 copper. The people in the tavern were very happy about this. Heehoo and Markadoo walked off and sat at their own table.
Fassi brought up the fact that the tavern owners may be having some trouble. The bar tender tells Fassi that they can talk in the back once she is done pouring the drinks. Fassi mentioned that the music is nice but not as good as the music the Fassi Fanatics are talking about. Bar tender says someone came in and tried to sell her an autographed Fassi poster. She weakly lies that she bought one. Fassi is too excited to think that she could be being deceptive. She calls out Urwin to help her start pouring drinks. He opens the door to join her and two little boys came running out and chased each other around the tavern.
Fassi asks if the children are hers and the bar tender confirms it. Fassi says "I don't know much about children but I happen to be one and they seem to be having a great time". Bar tender raises her eyebrow at this and thinks twice before pouring her another drink. Fassi convinces her that she is being responsible and the bar tender shrugs and keeps pouring drinks.
After a time the drinks are handed out and she gestures to Fassi to join her in the back room. Kriz joins them. She tells them that their supply of wine is running low and their next shipment is delayed. She tells them that the shipment of wines come from a winery to the west and that they should be able to find it by following the old windy road and reading the signs. She mentions it is called the Wizard of Wines.
She says she can offer to pay the party or offer them free accommodation if they would go and see what is holding up the shipment. She mentions she ordered three barrels full. Krish asks if they are behind on payments and she assures them that she isn't. Kriz asks if she has anything they can provide as proof that they are going on her behalf and she provides them with a note. Fassi goes to shake the bar tender's hand and when she does she does a very complex hand shake involving fist bumping and a multitude of actions. The bartender smirks a little bewildered and Fassi remarks on the fact that she has finally smiled.
They come out and spot Quill drinking milk at one of the tables. Fassi is very excited to tell her that she has got a job to do and that someone brought her poster in to sell. Quill asks what's involved in the job and grows frustrated when she finds it involves more wine and asks where the milk factory is. Kriz is confused as to how she could be sick of wine. Fassi mentions that perhaps there will be some goats along the way.
The party realises that the potions have worn off except for Quill's.

The carnival owner

The party sees a bar patron go and buy someone a drink.
They go and eves drop on the conversation happening between the patron and the other man. He is dressed more vibrantly than the other patrons. They hear the patron being excited about the mans upcoming show.
Quill puts forward to Fassi that they may be able to get more exciting work than going to winery. Quill and Fassi reason that Fassi should try and impress him. Fassi gets up and finishes her drink before climbing on to the table. Fassi announces herself and the music stops. Everyone looks at her. They are welcoming as Fassi had bought everyone drinks. Quill and Kriz lay down sick beats and Fassi sings managing to impress the tavern.
Fassi introduces herself to the colourful man at the bar. She learns his name is Ricatavio. They drink wine together. Meanwhile Quill is designing a Fassi fanatics symbol while asking for Kriz's opinion. Rictavio offers to buy her wines all night. He refers to her as the star of the show and makes no attempt to bond with Quill and Kriz. Fassi laps up the attention and refers to the others as her "roadies". Quill overhears and pockets the logo she was working on. Kriz is offended and suggests they should move to a different part of the tavern.
Fassi learns that he heads a travelling carnival, Fassi touches his arm in an attempt to flirt, and while he doesn't seem super in to it he also isn't angry. Quill checks in with Heehoo and finds the sock is not yet attuned. Kriz talks to other bar patrons who advise him to be happy and not mention Strahd. They are looking forward to a performance by Ricatavio but are yet to see one. They have heard good things, mostly from him.
Fassi is invited to perform in his show and they learn he is staying in the same tavern. He also notes that he has no intentions on sleeping with an underage bird. Fassi trys to sway him but fails and starts to walk away in shame. He tells her to wait a moment as he is interested in the Toy maker she had been talking about. He showed interest in how the man was doing and mentions that he gave him the monkey to cheer him up. Fassi yells out to the others in excitement. Ricatavio seemed concerned about the attention Fassi was drawing. Kriz and Quill reluctantly go and join them at the bar.
The bartender brings them more wine and Markadoo brings Quill another tankard of milk. Quill pushed away her empty tankard in excitement for the new one and it falls to the floor. Markadoo asked that she look after the tankards as he only has a few and picks it up. Quill appologises and says he is amazing. Rictavio side eyes the new members. Fassi talks them up and Quill pipes up "oh we are skillful now?". Kriz leans back to get out of line of sight and Rictavio does an "awkward" face. Fassi tells them they will discuss it later. Quill goes back to stone facedly lapping her milk. Kriz starts lapping his beer.
Ricatavio mentions that Fassi friends are interesting and Fassi quietly agrees. Quill overhears and slams the milk down on the bench giving a very pointed look at Fassi. Kriz pretends he isn't there. Fassi buys Rictavio another wine and attends to Quill. Fassi tells Quill she thinks of her as a friend now to which Quill replies "I guess i'm not the only one who abandons their friends but you weren't even in danger". Fassi cops it and convinces Quill (reluctantly) to let her refer to them as roadies in the presence of Rictavio. As fassi re-seats herself Kriz stirs the pot and tells quill "we are roadies to this guy today, who knows if she will call us roadies to the next guy". Quill gets riled up again as Fassi mouths "why, why, why" to Kriz. Fassi from that point on refers to them as "friend roadies".
Fassi asks him about the monkey and he recounts that he was at an animal shelter and saw dogs and cats and then there was this monkey. The monkey inspired his travelling show. The monkey was his righthand man but he had since gotten other performers with the profits from his show. Kriz hears profits and enquires as to why he would give one of his star performers to Blinsky. Ricatavio recounts how sad he was and that if they had seen the sad toy maker they would have wanted to cheer him up too. He mentions the monkey is on loan.
He mentions when travelling he sticks to the roads and travels in daylight but has had some close encounters and so has stationed himself in Vallaki for a bit. He has only been in Barovia for a few weeks. They asked what he did before he became a performer and looked towards Fassi and says "does one truely live before they become a performer?". He mentions that he saw himself in Blinsky because he used to sit around moping before he got the monkey. Quill agrees and mentions the cow in her party cheers her up.
The group enquire about joining his show and ask when it will be. He said he wasn't sure yet. Fassi enquires about a contract and he agrees to draft one for her and her beatboxing friends. Rictavio says they are all friends at the bar "and not roadies" adds Quill as she raises her glass for a cheers which Kriz obliges. Quill is still sticky. Heehoo comes over and catches up. Fassi mentions the contracts and Heehoo is intrigued but says he has no talent. Markadoo shows his talent by turning in to a cow, destroying the stool beneath him and drawing gasps from the nearby patrons. Rictavio is more than happy to create a contract for him too. Heehoo thinks of something he can do. Rictavio assembles a focus group. Addressing everyone in the tavern "everyone, watch this cat. If he does anything entertaining cheer". Heehoo casts "cause fear". His eyes go all scary looking and a lady runs out of the tavern screaming. Rictavio remarks that he doesn't seem to be cut out for show business. "I did warn you" Heehoo replies, doing a hero pose. There is very slow fearful claps that come from the other patrons before they all stare in to their drinks.
With that Rictavio promises to draft contracts and the group head to bed. Rictavio waves as they leave, Heehoo does a slight evil eye face harkening back to his performance, Rictavio gives him an awkward smile and a finger gun. Fassi and Quill make amends in the bedroom. Quill shows her the logo and they excitedly discuss it. The party are all in one room and each have a bed except Quill and Fassi who decided to cheap out earlier and share a bed.

The sun shines-ish on a new day.

The party agrees that they would like to learn more about Rictavio. Though as they leave the room they realise that downstairs is empty except the bartender. They learn it is often pretty deserted in the morning as the locals would rather spend their money on drink than food. They learn Rictavio headed out earlier. They find out it would be likely that Rictavio would set up in the town square once his show is ready. They are informed that to stay in the Tavern it would be 2 gold a bed again. They are informed that they would be able to make it to the winery and back in the day.
The party comes across the old lady with the pie cart. Markadoo and Fassi on seeing this don't even realise what is happening before they have pies in their hands and begin eating them. The duo then pay for the pies. They feel re-invigorated. The party asks where the dreams come from but the old lady said she would not tell them or everyone would be able to make the pies. They find out she produces them in a location between the village of Barovia and Vallaki but doesn't want to disclose the location as junkies may hassle her.

Ireena in the church

The party runs in as Quill yells "Ireena where are you?". The priest and Ireena great the party.
The congregation is made up of a bunch of sad people. "Why are they all crying?" asks Quill. The priest tells her that this is where people go to vent when they can no longer pretend to be happy. Quill requests a side room and the priest obliges. The party enter and Ireena joins with an apparent hangover. Quill is keeping her eyes out for bones or anything that looks out of place. Quill begins to explain about the bones to the party but realises the priest is right there in the room next to them. Heehoo convinces him to give them some privacy. When he leaves Heehoo stands at the door to make sure he isn't listening.
Quill relays that the church was protected by "bones or something", then opens the door to another room at the back of the church to dig around. Meanwhile Ireena asks the party what the heck happened last night, she remembered getting plastered in the tavern and waking up in a church. Quill tells her to be quiet as they are busy and Ireena just holds her head and sits in the corner. As quill enters the new room she sees a bunch of religious books and seating. She investigates the room while the others talk.
Fassi asks about the whole red hair thing and Ireena informs them that she dyes her hair because red hair is deemed unlucky in Barovia, only Ismark knows that she dyes it. She doesn't know if Strahd knows or not. Heehoo informs Ireena about the creepy guy in the doll shop that wants dolls of her. Ireena is annoyed be fact that there is now another guy aside from Strahd who is obsessed with her. Fassi asks if the church seems like an ok place to drop her. Ireena seems fine with it.
Quill notices that in the side room the books all look legit and are to do with the morning lord. She also saw a man outside the window digging graves. Everything else seems legit. She takes a religious shiney orb. She walks back in to the room and pulls out a piece of cloth and fashions it in to an eyepatch for Ireena to wear to "hide her identity". Ireena thanks her and puts it in her pocket. Quill insists on showing Ireena how to wear it. She is convinced that it looks stylish.
Heehoo asks about the man with an interesting arm. He is told his name is Izek and he is the captain of the guard and that he reports to the burgomaster.
A lady walks over from the congregation and explains that her son Udo the shoe maker has gone missing. That he has recently been complaining about all this pretending to be happy and that he has since disappeared. She is upset, Fassi notes that she shouldn't act too sad and is informed that it is ok to be sad in the church as if the town had no where to vent they would explode. She informs them of malicious unhappiness, some offenders end up in the stocks and some just disappear never to return. Quill clarifies and the mother makes it clear that Udo was voicing his concern publicly. Quill asked why he was unhappy and is informed it was just at Barovia in general. Kriz clarifies that the stocks are in the town square. He went missing three days ago. She says he could have been taken by Izek or any member of the town's guard. He has brown hair, handsome man, grown, the hands of a shoemaker. He has a broken nose that has since healed. He also has pecs.

On the road to the wizard of wines

The party leave town and head towards the Wizard of wines.
They come across a broken road sign pointing in four directions. Heehoo finds the top part in some bushes nearby and manages to re-attach it. The sign says Kresk/ Tsolenka pass southwest, Lake Baratok northwest, Vallaki and Reavenloft northeast and Berez southeast.
As they head towards Lake Baratok they notice a weathered old paladin preparing to execute Papusza who is lying down with his head on a stump and his arms tied. The paladin is lining up his sword with his neck when the party yell "STOP". The paladin warns them not to interfere. He informs them that Papusza is in league with Strahd and so he has been ordered to destroy him. The party try to reason with the paladin but to no avail. Fassi would also see that the paladin does not appear to be like any paladin she has met before and is quite battle hardend. Heehoo asks who is working for and the paladin says it is none of your concern. He is destroying Papusza because he eases Strahd's torment in some way.
Quill sprints forward and tries to knock the sword from his hand and fails before being warned for the last time by the paladin. She grabs Papusza and runs off with him past the party. Heehoo slashes the paladin with both claws. Markadoo shoots an ice knife at him, it misses and when it explodes the shards miss too. Fassi asks if he is willing to end the fight and he just replies "I warned you", Fassi mocked him but he just laughed. It is around this time that Heehoo noticed he has managed to attune the sock and his foot is now invisible. Quill hides Papusza in the trees then runs back towards the group and hides in the bushes nearby. Papusza leaves cover and continues to run off down the road. Kriz tries to hit the paladin with his morning star but it glances off his armour.
Heehoo swipes twice but misses, Markadoo uses frostbite and the paladin is visibly shivering. The paladin misses his next sword swing but manages to punch Kriz in the face. He does a "whatup" head movement and says "I did warn you". Quill offers him the religous orb she took in exchange for information on why he wants Papusza and he replied that he had already told them. He didn't care about the orb. Quill ran over and hit him with her rapier but her sword sword glanced off. As she ran he yelled "coward" and she yelled back "no, intelligent". Kriz swings his morngstar and hits the paladin right in the funny bone.
Heehoo swung and managed to slash the paladin, his other claw glanced off the armour and almost hit Kriz.
Markadoo turns into a cow.
Fassi flys over to Papusza and tries to convince him to stop running, he is not convinced so she physically blocks his path. DM drunkly decides everyone has inspiration now. Kriz swings his morning star and it hits the paladin in the helmet and does nothing. The paladin remarks "why are you event trying". Heehoo claws him in the leg with both claws. The paladin looks at the party and says "What is wrong with you, are in league with Strahd?" to which Heehoo replies "no". At this moment Markadoo charges the paladin and winds him. He backs up which causes the paladin to swing his sword at him and cut his forhead.
Fassi asks Papusza why the paladin is trying to kill him. He says :I have no idea, I was walking along the road and all of a sudden he attacked me. Fassi convinces him to stay put. The paladin swings at Heehoo and misses but then says "fuck this" and pushes Heehoo in the jaw. "You should have just taken my warning" he says. Quill asks if the paladin is against Strahd to which he replied "yes, I thought that was obvious". Quill asked how he was helping Strahd and the paladin told her that he helps ease Strahd's torment which is what the paladin lives for. Quill asks if he will work with them to defeat Strahd, but he declines as killing Strahd would end his torment. Quill turns to the party and says "maybe we should just let this happen". The paladin drops his sword down and says "If you pass me the prisoner now I will let this go.
Papusza is still yelling from down the road "guys please I painted portraits of you". The party argue but ultimately decide they don't want to fight the paladin. Fassi asks if he would fight Strahd and he declines but says he will kill things that ease his suffering. They offer to not get in his way but he refuses anything but them bringing him back the prisoner as they let him go in the first place. When they refuse to bring him back he begins to raise his sword again so they say fine and Fassi flies over to Papusza, managing to convince him that the conflict has ended.
She brings him back at which point he realises the paladin is still very much angry and turns to run. Kriz shoots him in the leg with a crossbow and drags him over to the paladin. The paladin drags him a small way before dropping him on the ground. He tries to crawl away but the paladin lops off his head. He then continues down the road towards Kresk/Tolenka pass. The party loot Papusza and get 5 gold, two paint brushes and a pot of red, blue and green paint. They notice that some wolves are in the bushes nearby and Heehoo kicks Papusza's head in to the bushes, satiating the wolves.