Session 8: Shadows Over Barovia
General Summary
Session 8 resumed amidst a fierce battle with Dusk Elf bandits who had abducted a baby owlbear from Rictavio. Hader led the charge, incinerating a bandit with his flaming sword. Saphira called upon her divine powers, engulfing the enemy caster in holy fire. Dorian landed a critical hit on the bandit leader, Zendar, striking him across the head with an eldritch blast. Dameion unleashed a wave of acid, covering three more adversaries. Overwhelmed, Zendar surrendered.
During their interrogation, the party uncovered the tragic history of the Dusk Elves: victims of Strahd's cruelty, with all their women slain by his hand. Forced into exile, they survived in the forest out of necessity. Moved by their plight, the party invited them to settle in Bastion as its first inhabitants. Grateful, Zendar agreed and presented Dorian with the Risky Ring as a token of goodwill.
They then released the baby owlbear back into the wild. However, in an unexpected twist, Dorian accidentally formed a magical bond with the creature, which he affectionately named Potato.
That night, Dameion was haunted by a vivid dream—the sole memory of his father. In the dream, his father abandoned him, claiming that staying was "too dangerous." The scene escalated when his father struck his mother, prompting a young Dameion to rush to her aid before the dream abruptly ended.
The next morning, the party arrived in the village of Barovia. Ismark informed them that the village had been plagued by nightly undead raids. He offered to assist them in finding the Vistani if they helped defend the village during the impending attack. They agreed and began preparing in their own ways.
Before Ismark could depart, Mad Mary approached in distress. "Master Kolyanovich—I apologize for interrupting you and your guests. But I haven't seen Gertruda since last night, and Nori isn't in the stable. I think Gertruda's gone to the castle—alone." Concerned, the party sent Bob the Skull to track her down.
Meanwhile, Saphira and Dorian ventured into the woods to hunt, hoping to feed Potato. During their excursion, Dorian officially named the owlbear cub.
Hader headed to the Burgomaster’s mansion to collect bottles of Firewine but was met by an angry mob. They demanded that the Burgomaster surrender his daughter, Ireena, to Strahd to secure peace. Demonstrating remarkable diplomacy, Hader managed to calm the crowd, convincing them to disperse peacefully.
Dameion visited Bildrath’s Mercantile alone. Bildrath provided him with a pearl to cast Identify on the mysterious amber shard he had acquired in Durst Manor. The shard radiated evil magic and appeared to be part of something much greater; its true purpose remained unknown without the other pieces. Before leaving, Bildrath asked Dameion to deliver crates of supplies to the barricades, enlisting his strong yet simple nephew, Parriwimple, to assist with the heavy lifting.
During their interrogation, the party uncovered the tragic history of the Dusk Elves: victims of Strahd's cruelty, with all their women slain by his hand. Forced into exile, they survived in the forest out of necessity. Moved by their plight, the party invited them to settle in Bastion as its first inhabitants. Grateful, Zendar agreed and presented Dorian with the Risky Ring as a token of goodwill.
They then released the baby owlbear back into the wild. However, in an unexpected twist, Dorian accidentally formed a magical bond with the creature, which he affectionately named Potato.
That night, Dameion was haunted by a vivid dream—the sole memory of his father. In the dream, his father abandoned him, claiming that staying was "too dangerous." The scene escalated when his father struck his mother, prompting a young Dameion to rush to her aid before the dream abruptly ended.
The next morning, the party arrived in the village of Barovia. Ismark informed them that the village had been plagued by nightly undead raids. He offered to assist them in finding the Vistani if they helped defend the village during the impending attack. They agreed and began preparing in their own ways.
Before Ismark could depart, Mad Mary approached in distress. "Master Kolyanovich—I apologize for interrupting you and your guests. But I haven't seen Gertruda since last night, and Nori isn't in the stable. I think Gertruda's gone to the castle—alone." Concerned, the party sent Bob the Skull to track her down.
Meanwhile, Saphira and Dorian ventured into the woods to hunt, hoping to feed Potato. During their excursion, Dorian officially named the owlbear cub.
Hader headed to the Burgomaster’s mansion to collect bottles of Firewine but was met by an angry mob. They demanded that the Burgomaster surrender his daughter, Ireena, to Strahd to secure peace. Demonstrating remarkable diplomacy, Hader managed to calm the crowd, convincing them to disperse peacefully.
Dameion visited Bildrath’s Mercantile alone. Bildrath provided him with a pearl to cast Identify on the mysterious amber shard he had acquired in Durst Manor. The shard radiated evil magic and appeared to be part of something much greater; its true purpose remained unknown without the other pieces. Before leaving, Bildrath asked Dameion to deliver crates of supplies to the barricades, enlisting his strong yet simple nephew, Parriwimple, to assist with the heavy lifting.
Report Date
25 May 2025
Primary Location
Related Plots