Session 15 - Confrontation with Potap

General Summary

Vasilii rejoined the group just as the bear man was waking (as the rest of the group became involved in a conversation, and forgot about him). Angered, the bear transformed into a full animal and attacked Leontii, downing him immediately. Hrefna and Vladimir fled, and the bear chased Vladimir. Vadim, who was just returning from Bychii Brod, reentered the situation to find the bear attacking. Battle raged in the woods until the bear laid a furious attack on Vladimir, downing him. Hrefna, finally motivated by Vladimir's injury, tried to help.
Vadim revived Vladimir. The bear turned invisible to climb a tree. Things calmed for a moment and the group conversed with the bear. While the conversation took place, Vladimir continued to search for the bear to strike it with magic. The bear used magic on him in return, knocking him prone with laughter. The exchange of magical attacks continued back and forth while the conversation happens.
Hrefna told the bear how his son died, saying that she believes the priests of Perun must have driven him mad. The bear appears to accept this explanation. He says that the party cannot return to Ladan' with Anastasiya Sviatoslavovna. He asked them to swear but only Hrefna did so, swearing on Odin.
During this, the bear finally downed Vladimir once again, ending their fight. The bear climbed down to finish Vladimir off and the party finally intervened. The bear, satisfied that Vladimir had been punished, left. Vladimir was revived, angry at everyone for not backing him up in attacking the bear when they had previously decided to kill him. Vladimir brought up the possibility that the bear could easily betray them and bring people to arrest them.
Vadim told the party that he told Father Grigorii about them killing the guards and then vowed to take them back to Bychii Brod. Arguing ensued. The party then took a token from Leonty's corpse to give to his brother Stanislav. Then they buried Leontii.
Debate about what to do continued. Hrefna threw her runesticks, and afterwards declared she wants to head to the war front,, hoping that they can regain favor by being war heroes. Vadim was open to the idea, thinking that money from the war could get him into heaven after misunderstanding Vladimir's explanation. Vladimir did not want to travel with the party, as they did not support him.
Vasilii sent an animal messenger to his mistress in Ladan', holding back his vote on what to do until he gets a reply. The party went to sleep, with Hrefna refusing to take a watch.

Report Date

02 Feb 2025