06/29/21 Session 22 - "The History of a Hazardous Headless Hag Hostility"

After speaking about some tactics, adventurers set out for the Village of Barovia in hopes of ambushing Morgantha or one of the other hags on the road or near the small town. The idea arises to leave Ireena Kolyanovich with her brother Ismark Kolyanovich at the burgermasters mansion while the group takes care of their hag issue. Upon arriving in town, it's decided that the party will cut around the edge of town to avoid being seen and then enter the mansion to deposit Ireena Kolyanovich.
Reaching the burgermasters mansion and knocking on the door the party is greeted with silence, nothing and no one seems to stir inside the home. Opening the door and entering, Ireena Kolyanovich discovers that there appears to have been a struggle and that her brother is missing. Things start to click in a moment of clarity, she mentions that their "friend" at Castle Ravenloft was likely Ismark Kolyanovich, and he must have be taken prisoner by Strahd von Zarovich. Saddened, the party vows to rescue Ismark Kolyanovich, but they must find a safe place for Ireena Kolyanovich first.
Our adventurers then head off to the church up the road and enter only to find yet another grim sight. Father Donovich has hung himself, likely out of grief at the loss of his son. The party takes some time and gives him a proper burial and searches the church. They find several books of interest but not much else. After leaving the church, the party comes to terms with the fact that the safest place for Ireena Kolyanovich is with them for the time being. They begin to plot their attack on the Hags in more detail. First they need to know the whereabouts of "Granny". They head to the "Blood on the Vine" tavern and partake in a wine while making some decisions. They end up asking locals about "Granny's" whereabouts and learn she hasn't entered town yet, but she may later.
The party decides it's best to head out of town near the bridge on Old Svalich road to confront her instead of risking being seen in town. They head out, find a suitable hiding place with good sightlines, and use their newly found raven friend "Muriel" to help scout for the hag. Muriel eventually gives the signal and our heroes pounce on the Hag and give her no time to react, they dispatch her quickly and remove the head from her body and burn the corpse. The party returns to the burgermasters mansion in the Village of Barovia to rest and plan their next hag hunt.
Part of the reason for removing the Hags head was to allow Lilithus to question it after a brief reanimation. The party decides on a set of questions and allows Lilithus to work her magic and reanimate the head. Lilithus finds, and shares with the party, that:

The pastries were sold to create an addiction among the masses so they were easier to manipulate.

That the Hags are (supposedly) not connected to Strahd von Zarovich.

That there is (supposedly) nothing special about the windmill the Hags reside in.

That the hag (supposedly) does not know anything of a "Sword of Sunlight".

That the hag (supposedly) does not know anything of the "Seeds/Wards" used to protect the Wizards of Wine Winery.

Nothing is clear as the head has the ability to lie. The party then rests and takes turns keeping watch in the mansion. During the night Balasar Norixius and Grinfiddeus Nobbles are both afflicted with unpleasant dreams and nightmares and wake up feeling drained, no doubt attacked by the other Hags in some way. The adventurers intend to quicky seek out these Hags and end this madness once and for all.