Session 5: Pogonotrophous Excellence

Leaving the Village

The party headed out on the Svalich Woods, headed to Vallaki by the way of Tser Pool encampment. Outside the village Ireena retrieved a chest she had buried long ago. Inside were several personal keepsakes and an ancient silver bracelet. Ireena said that she had been adopted by Kolyan when she was five years old. She doesn't remember anything about her life before Kolyan found her lost in the Svalich Woods, but she does know she was wearing this bracelet.
"Tarnished and clearly hundreds of years old, worth 100 gp and bears an intricate pattern of the moon and stars along the exterior, with a moonstone gem embedded at the center of the moon and five lapis-lazuli serving as the stars. On the inside of the bracelet, in tiny, elegant script, the folliwng message is engraved in Common: 'Tatyana: May you find your path, and may you find light even in the darkest places - Mother & Father.'"

Ireena doesn't know who Tatyana is.  

Zombie Fight

Doru's directions led the party right to van Richten's supply cache, as well as the rotting husks that used to be the Lansten family. According to Ireena, the zombie at the head of the pack was the leader of the undead raid. Horace and Ireena flanked the zombies while Sylvar and Cedric took their ideal range. The battle kicked off with a suprise round, and the party was able to quickly dispatch one of the zombies... Or so they thought. Throughout the fight the zombies would show remarkable Undead Fortitude, popping right back up after lethal damage. Horace elected to engage the leader zombie, shrewdly equalizing the height distance with a shove and raining a Flurry of Blows from above. Unfortunatly, despite the zombie being prone, it was still able to land an attack when Horace tried to get out of the plague spreader's aura. A momentary hush fell over the battlefield... Horace locked eyes with Cedric, shook his head, and succumbed to his necrotic injuries. Fortunatly Ireena had packed a (slightly old) health potion and was able to heal Horace while Cedric drew the plague spreader's ire. Meanwhile, the remaining zombies shambled after Sylvar. Showing off their cunning action and newly acquired magic, Sylvar disgengaged and blasted zombies with Thunderwaves. With the rest of the small horde occupied with Sylvar, the party soundly defeated the plague spreader and all four zombies. After the battle, the party's rogue swiftly uncovered van Richten's cache. Inside there was a light crossbow, 20 silvered crossbow bolts, two healers kits, 1 herbalism kit, a recipe for a healing potion, 2 healing potions, and 2 vials of holy water. Horace harvested a nearby hemlock plant and the party moved on down the Svalich Road.

Meeting Strahd

With a healing potion recipe in hand, the party split up and took an hour detour to gather Mistleaf Vine and Wild Garlic. While searching for the garlic, Ireena learned a little bit more about the group dynamic. She also confessed to being fascinated by Horace's perpetually quaffed tache and made a 4 electrum bet with Sylvar to see who could uncover the mystery of Horace's pogonotrophous excellence first. But the party would not get the time needed to fully explore this crucial topic, as shortly after they reconvined, Sylvar heard something coming down the road. Cedric cloaked Sylvar in mist so they could invisibly scout ahead. Dread began to set in when Sylvar laid eyes on a black carriage. It was close, but Sylvar was able to report back moments before the carriage came across the party. Ireena was frozen in fear and the party decided to hide. The carriage stopped just as it began to approach the hiding spot. There was a pause... Then the sound of a door opening. and then Strahd von Zarovich addressed the party for the first time.
He implored the party to come out from hiding, that he wished to welcome them to his kingdom. The party begrudgingly acquiesed, but left Ireena concealed. Strahd said that it was his pleasure to great the newcomers in his domain, and that his friends had told him so much about the party. He lauded the party's "heroic and compassionate spirits" for their actions in the Durst Manor and then asked if there was anyone missing from their party. Some obfuscasion was attempted, but Strahd would have none of it. He asked the party not to make the mistake of concealing knowledge he already possessed. Hearing this, Ireena left her hiding spot, not wishing to further endanger the party. Strahd smiled, an uncomfortable sight for all that mearly showcased his fangs. He then took the measure of the party by asking several questions. Strahd stated that he had claimed Ireena, and twice marked her as his own. Why shouldn't he take her with him now to Castle Ravenloft? Ireena asked that she be allowed to ascertain the well being of the refugee villagers. Strahd lamented the neccesity of the undead raid on Barovia, saying they needed to be taught a lesson and that their discipline was a kindness few others would entertain. After the party answered all of Strahd's questions, he bid them farewell and stepped back into his carriage. As he did, the six dire wolves moved into formation and flanked the carriage. Strahd noted that he and "his friends" shall see the party again - perhaps very soon. The carriage then departed for Castle Ravenloft.