Session 11 Report
General Summary
Session Report: Threads of Fate and Shadows in the Mist
Session Date: 22/01/2025
Players Present: Billy, Charity, Oruzu, Shaggildorph, Raya
Summary of Events
The party delved deeper into the secrets of Barovia, their journey leading them to the Vistani encampment at Tser Pool. This being the camp that Ismark had requested the party go to seek the guidance of Madame Eva, as if anyone knew how to defeat Strahd and escape Barovia - it would be here. There, they encountered the enigmatic Madam Eva, whose cryptic words and dire warnings painted an ominous picture of what lies ahead. Between eerie revelations, moments of levity, and haunting sights, the night unfolded like a dream—and a nightmare.
Arrival at Tser Pool
The adventurers arrived at the Vistani camp near the Tser Poo. The encampment was alive with music and merriment, a stark contrast to the somber, haunted lands they had traveled through.
The party was greeted by Stanimir, the jovial elder of the encampment. With a wide smile and a twinkle in his eye, he welcomed them warmly, urging them to relax and enjoy the Vistani’s hospitality. He led them toward Madam Eva’s tent, where he promised they would find answers to their questions.
Madam Eva’s Tent
Madam Eva’s tent stood apart from the others, its fabric dark and rich, adorned with strange sigils and symbols. The air inside was heavy with the scent of incense and the faint crackle of a brazier.
Before she began her reading, Madam Eva leaned forward, her voice low and grave.
“A shadow is approaching my tent: a lone servant of Darkness. They seek knowledge of your future—secrets that I am sworn never to reveal to any but their keepers.
“Do not look, child, nor rush to greet them; if they learn of your true aspirations, all may be lost. Do not reveal, even, that you know of their true nature, for their master will know that I have told you, and his wrath will descend upon us all.”
Her warning was chilling, leaving the party tense and wary. Who—or what—was this servant of Darkness? And how close were they to danger?
Vistani Hospitality & The Dancing Fire
After their meeting with Madam Eva,
- Upon exiting the met by Eliza, a vistana women who was eager to here what they had herad from Madame Eva.
- A Vistani man by the name of Arturi approached the visitors and expressed his intrest for news of Rudolph van Richten.
The party returned to the campfire, to kill some time before meeting with Madame Eva at the crossroads, they were welcomed to share food, drink, and stories with the Vistani. Plates of roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and sweet bread were passed around, and wine flowed freely.
- Stanimir encouraged the adventurers to join the Game of Stories, where they would exchange tales. Each time a story is told, the other participants in the game must guess whether the story is truth, falsehood, or both. At the end of the game, the participant with the most correct guesses wins the pot:
- Stanmir - 1 treasure from anyone of their tents
- Eliza - A brass spyglass allowing the user to peer around corners.
- Arturi - A manuscript on Werewolves authured by Dr. Rudolph Van Richten.
- Ireen - A painted wooden hairclip in the shape of a sunflower that she once wore as a child.
- The party heard Stanimir’s Tale, where he spoke of a "cursed prince who once fought for his family and honor but fell into darkness, becoming a creature of the night." His story was heavy with symbolism, and some players suspected he was speaking of Strahd himself.
- They also heard Eliza’s Tale, a haunting story of a Barovian villager who tried to flee the mists but was turned back by the cursed land itself.
Unfortunately, the storytelling was derailed when Billy (a party member) consumed too much wine and began loudly interrupting, challenging the point of it all. The party, did not continue the game and did not win the prizes.
Midnight Meeting at the River Ivlis Crossroads
At Madam Eva’s request, the party returned to meet her in secret at the River Ivlis Crossroads under the pale light of the moon. They arrived undetected, moving cautiously and avoiding drawing the attention of whatever dark forces might be watching.
As the players spoke with Madam Eva, the March of the Dead began—a somber procession of spectral forms emerging from the graves next to the gallows . Ghostly figures, clad in tattered armor and carrying rusted weapons, trudged silently along the road.
She explained that these were the spirits of those who had once dared to challenge Strahd, doomed to march toward Castle Ravenloft for eternity, unable to find peace. The sight chilled the party, a grim reminder of the stakes they faced.
Before beginning the card reading, Madam Eva entrusted the party with a task: she handed them a ouch of gold pieces and asked them to purchase a gift for her great-grand-niece, Arabelle, as she will celebrate her tenth nameday in two days' time - from Blinsky Toys in Vallaki.
She advised that the players may enjoy speaking with Arabelle, as she is “a most interesting child”—and that the players may find befriending her family a gift in itself.
Card Reading
Madam Eva performed a Tarokka card reading, her voice growing distant and otherworldly as she laid the cards before the party. Each card revealed a piece of their destiny:
- The Traitor:
- “An ancient foe of an old and noble house. The lost soul will lead you to him.”
- This card tells of history - Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy
- The Myrmidon:
- “Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night.”
- This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope.
- The Bishop:
- “What you seek lies in a pile of treasure, beyond a set of amber doors.”
- This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight.
- The Mists:
- “A Vistana wanders this land alone, searching for her mentor. She does not stay in one place for long. Seek her out at Saint Markovia’s abbey, near the mists.”
- This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.
- The Marionette:
- “Look to great heights. Find the beating heart of the castle. He waits nearby.”
- Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. When the hour of judgment arrives, this card will lead you to him.
Return to Tser Pool and Rest
With the reading complete, Madam Eva bid the party farewell, urging them to use their gifts wisely and to stay vigilant. The players returned to the Tser Pool encampment, where they rested until dawn.
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