10 - The Broken One

General Summary

Conquest of Karazhan

The party shook after their confrontation with what they thought was the mad mage of Karazhan; Medivh investigates his belongings (see loot in the previous session). Finding his gateway to his library underneath the altar at the far end of the mages personal gallery, Nadarr leads and investigation of the artefact when suddenly they hear a slow clap echoing from the doorway.
Strahd Investigating the surprising intrusion into his tower chuckles when he sees the group before I'm, the meddling adventures who have set his plans back decades. Inquiring into their reasons for being at this tower, Strahd attempts to read the minds of several party members unsuccessfully, and his line of questioning is cut short by Nadarr. Nadarr seemingly attempting to deflect Strahds ire name drops Tatanya and in doing so sends Strahd into a barely contained rage. Wanting to slay his former mistress and his abomination of a daughter Scylla leaves the group to be destroyed by the jailor of Medivh; Slygostraz.
The FIght with Slygostraz is hard-fought, but with Durzo's divine magic leading the charge and the small army of minions at their disposal, Slygostraz is slain the final blow delivered by Durzo splitting the Eldritch horror in-two droppings to the forest floor below. Upon the beasts death, Mists dragon mark seared with pain, edging him on to investigate the beast. Casting Daylight seemingly purified the once noble beast into its true Silver dragon form were emblazoned upon its forehead the same dragon mark that marks mist was etched. Mist received a vision upon touching the dragon of his adopted father Gegorary but is unsure what to make of it. Finally, Durzo and Mist harvest the Dragon for materials, Mist wanting to preserve this once noble beast into a weapon worthy of his heritage.

The Broken One

Sleeping in Medivhs quarters after the epic fight with the draconic beast, the party awakes to see Nadarr and Gondalin snuggled up upon a conjured bed of fey grass. With their preparation complete the Regime activates the Discovered teleportation artefact which has them transported to Medivh's true form and the infamous Library of Karazhan . The Library seems to be a pocket dimension Medivh created to hold the endless works he has collected over the years.
Medivh has aged while bound to this pocket of reality since time in this place moves at about half the speed as it does in the material world. And just as their Tarot card reading prophecised this mage was a broken man but proved to be an invaluable ally.

Information gathered

Medivh informed them of his battle with Strahd, and how when Strahd was about to loose he seemed to surrender something of himself to his master to bind him to this Tower. Medivh further Hypothised that Strahds true goal has something to do with the Ancient Arch-Druid Kalithan since it is the only notably historical entry for the woodlands, even Medivhs' imprisonment makes no sense since Medivh is so powerful risking a confrontation doesn't make sense unless the forest has something Strahd needs and since he is not a spell caster skilled enough to manipulate the ley-lines around Karazhan the only answer for Strahds presence has to be Kalithan.
The Party were informed of Vampiric lore so they might be better prepared for their fight with Strahd:

• Forbiddance. The vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants.
• Harmed by Running Water. The vampire takes 20 acid damage if it ends its turn in running water.
• Stake to the Heart. If a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into the vampire's heart while the vampire is Incapacitated in its Resting place, the vampire is Paralyzed until the stake is removed.
• Sunlight Hypersensitivity. The vampire takes 20 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on Attack rolls and Ability Checks.

They were informed of Strahds master, Shrub-Niggurath The Black Goat of the Forest with a Thousand Young. This Eldritch horror is akin to a deity from beyond the astral sea and in ancient times of long-forgotten histories when the gods still walked among the material plane, there was a war with the heavens and these entities. Furthermore, on this, They were told of a weapon that was so ancient and powerful that its key was locked behind a box crafted by Galedion, The Oracle herself and hidden within the Material Plane somewhere.  Medivh also bequeathed two extremely powerful artefacts upon the party, one to Nadarr who has shown himself somewhat of a prodigy with his fast advancement as a spell caster, and the other on loan to the group thanks to Mists convincing. Firstly the Great tome that Tatanya asked for was bequeathed to Nadarr a present snuck to Nadarr as they left. This tome is known as "The Grimoire of Infinitus". And Secondly, the great mace dubbed "Pyremaul", a long lost artefact of a champion of Uriel, the Lights Dawn from the wars of a long-forgotten time. 
The Pyremaul seems to have caused some conflict, as Durzo didn't want to part with the weapon of his Lord but Mist wishes to Study it and unlock its secrets.

Rewards Granted

• Grimoire of Infinitus (EGW p.g. 271)
• Pyremaul (TCS p.g. 171)
• Efreeti bottle; 2 charges of a genie servant
• Dragon parts; Teeth, scales, Heart (Silver)
• several spells to nadarr
• ??? XP granted 

Character(s) interacted with

Strahd - Investigated the party but was sidetracked when Tatanya was dropped. He seemingly has plans for these modellers. 
Medivh  - The made mage gave them a lot of information about Strahd, and the area and helped speculate on the Tarot card readings. And gifted them two extremely powerful vestiges to aid in their fight.
Gondalin  - has a weird crush on Nadarr but has seen enough adventuring as he is clearly not cut out for the style that the Regime undertakes.

Current date: 12th Wrynimir 448 p.d.
Events took place on: 11th Wrynimir 448 p.d.

Report Date

01 Oct 2020

Primary Location

Karazhan