The Walls of Krezk - Session 22

General Summary

Day 12 - Late Afternoon

Earlier Fidelia tested five potential blacksmiths, but only two were sufficiently talented right now to begin plating the town's weapons and forge various construction elements like nails and brackets. During that test, Nazgog, Sticky, and Jagger hewed down several trees just north of Vallaki to increase timber supplies. As the pale light flickered through the overcast sky, the party gathered in the meadow where the trials had occurred while Lars raced toward them.

Upon reaching the group, Lars words spill over the top of each other in his excitement, "Urwin, Birds scattered, Lysaga, attack"
Fidelia reaches out to calm him as she soothingly asks, "Easy Lars. What does Urwin need?"
A long breath exhales from the twitching city manager who then explains the situation, "Urwin needs help. He says the ravens are being attacked by Baba Lysaga at the Blue Water Inn."

The party rushes westward toward the center of Vallaki. Reaching the The Blue Water Inn, they see several scarecrows attacking ravens that seem to be protecting the inn by flittering around the strawmen. The party advances into combat with Nazgog rushing forward to intercept the nearest construct.

Jagger sings a quick tune that calls forth a whirling set of blades right behind the closest scarecrow as he edges closer to combat.

At the same time Fidelia unleashes her arcane energies and strikes the nearest scarecrow as Nazgog unleashes a heavy swing of her axe tearing through it's stuffing. Morgana calls out to Celestian as she hurls a bolt while Sticky darts toward the side of a building.

Reacting to the advancing party, all five scarecrows turn to face them as one of them unleashes a terrifiying gaze on Nazgog.

The scarecrow closest to Nazgog gets torn to shreds from the whirling dancing blades, but another move to strike Nazgog who easily parries the claws aside. Finally, the furthest strawman steels its eyes upon Nazgog and she feels her spine tingle in fear. So terrified by its gaze, she's unable to move or cry out.

The rest of the party recognizes the frozen posture of Nazgog and quickly concentrates their attacks on the furthest Scarecrow felling it within seconds. As the second construct falls, Nazgog resumes her furious attacks and the other three are quickly left as kindling upon the dirty and dusty street.
Nazgog slings her axe across her back and strides toward the tavern part of the Blue Water Inn. The rest of the party follows as she approaches Urwin and asks, "What were those things and why were they attacking this place?"
Urwin frowns then answers, "Those were constructs from Baba Lysaga. She apparently has discovered that the Keepers of the Feather oppose Strahd and so she's trying to eliminate us. I guess we'll need to stiffen our resistance a bit."
"Who's Baby Lasagna?" Nazgog asks.
A quick smile plays across Urwins face as he responds, "Baba Lysaga. Legends tell that when Strahd was just a babe long before Barovia was cast into the mists that he had two mothers. The first was Queen Ravenovia Van Roeyen who was Strahds birth mother. The second was the midwife, Baba Lysaga, a devout follower of the Mother Night. So taken with Strahd's potential for greatness with the darkness that Baba Lysaga placed the spark of magic within her while still tossing within her crib. Baba Lysaga would sing magical rhymes and cast protective spells on Strahd during the darkest and stormiest of nights. Baba Lysaga's unhealthy attentions did not go unnoticed by Queen Ravenovia, so one day the Queen cast the midwife out of their lives. But Baba Lysaga prayed to Mother Night that the Queen would make grand sacrifices while praying for illness to steal away the Queen's life. Eventually, Baba Lysaga got her wish when Lady Strahd overwhelmed the valley of Barovia. So she moved to be as close to Lady Strahd as she could get. To this day, she tries to protect Strahd from those that would harm her. Does this answer you?"
A bit of catching up on the town continues for a few minutes. The group then decides to check on Ismark and Ireena who are hiding in their room upstairs. After climbing the stairs, the party finds the pair inside their room relaxing. The party talks about their plans to head onward to Krezk and ask if Ireena and Ismark wish to join them. Ismark quickly opposes the idea, but the party presses Ireena who quickly shuts them down by siding with her brother.
After a few more tasks, like ensuring that the new craftsmen know Fidelia's expectations, the party retires for the night.

Day 13 - Morning

Early the next day, the party gathers in the kitchen of their manor and have a hearty breakfast before heading west out the gates of Vallaki. They follow the Old Svalich Road for most of the morning before stumbling upon a small trail leading northward. However, Morgana senses distress with the trail and recognizes a dead-fall pit hiding at the end so the party abandons it and continues westward.
An hour before noon, the party crests a small hill and sees thick fog gathering on the road ahead, clearly marking the western edge of the valley of Barovia. Looking around, they see a branch of the road leading northward that then climbs a rocky escarpment before ending at a twenty-foot high wall of stone that surrounds a small village. A bell somberly tolls in the distance drawing their eyes to a stone abbey clinging to the mountain side high above the village. The party then turdges up the switchback road toward a closed gatehouse.
Reaching the gatehouse, Fidelia calls out to open the gates. A man's face appears above the gates and shouts down, "No visitors! Be on your way!"
Confused, Fidelia tries again, "Call your mayor. This is Krezk yes? We've busniness to be had here."
"Already on 'is way, but 'e won't let you in either," responds the guard.
A moment later, a well dressed man becomes visible above the gate, he glances over the party then states flatly, "You've no business here, so be on your way."
Fidelia bargains with the man, "We've a friend that needs shelter, so we've come to discuss it with the abbey. What may we call you, my lord?"

"I am not your lord, but you may call me Burgomaster Krezkov. My family built this town and it's my job to keep it safe," he answers, "There is no reason for me to trust you. You could be allies of the dark Lady Strahd." Fidelia starts to protest, as Krezkov continues, "Worse you might be enemies of the dark lady and then where would be when she comes to collect you? Do you know anything about the Wizard of Wines? My town has run out of wine and their shipment is quite overdue. If you brought us a wagonload, then you'd have business here."

Morgana asks, "Burgomaster, you seem distraught. What troubles your soul? Is there something else we might do for you?"
Very briefly Krezkov's face shows the depth of sadness in his heart, before it returns to his imperial facade, "It is true. Merely a week ago, I lost my youngest son, Ilya, the last of the Krezkov's. Can you bring him back to me?"
"My god, Celestian, has the power," Morgana answers, "but I've not been able to tame that secret, yet."
"Then away with you," Krezkov spits, "Until you can do this town a service, you will not be allowed to enter."

Rewards Granted

Experience Points:

Facing Monsters - 200 xp/person
False Trail - 50 xp/person
Roleplay with Krezkov - 135 xp/person
Total XP/Person = 385


Characters should have 11,942 xp. Next Level 6 at 14,000 xp.

Related Reports

The Wretched Souls of Vallaki - Session 21

Notes

Incomplete Tasks/Quests:

Wizard of Wines for Krezk

Do you know anything about the Wizard of Wines? My town has run out of wine and their shipment is quite overdue.

— Dmitri Krezkov

Ilya - Last of the Krezkovs

Merely a week ago, I lost my youngest son, Ilya, the last of the Krezkov's. Can you bring him back to me?

— Dmitri Krezkov

Stellla Wachter - The Little Kitty

She is right. I bet we smell of earth, rotted wine, and blood! However, let's just close and lock this door and deal with this bit of crazy later.

— Jagger the Dagger

DragonCrush - Baba Lysaga

I'm positive these constructs are the work of the witch Baba Lysaga, but she's too powerful for us to confront directly.

— Davian Martikov

Champagne Du La Stomp - The lost varietal

Our greatest vintage, the Champagne Du La Stomp, is lost until we can find that gem again and I've no idea where to search.

— Davian Martikov

A Sister's Plea - The Amber Temple with Kasamir

The Amber Temple holds secrets beyond even Strahd's imagining. I offer the Sunsword as payment for accompanying me to the temple.

— Kasamir Velikov

A Tale of Woe - Izek's Dreams

Sometimes I dream about sister though. I get Blinsky to make images of her.

— Izek Strasni

Dream a little pastry - The Windmill and the old ladies

If you aren't here for a dream pastry, then you need to move onward. Vallaki is just down the road from here

— Morgantha

The Cards of Fate - Vistano the Vistani Tarot Reading

Where did Vistano put that blasted...ah yes, please hold...ah! here it is!

— Vistano the Vistani

Starving Son - The undercroft in the Church of the Morning lord

You would offer him your very life's blood??

— Father Donavich

A Brother's Plea - Bringing Ireena to Safety

I need to escort my sister, Ireena, to a nearby town, but it's dangerous to go alone.

— Ismark the Lesser

A Brother's Plea - Priestly Advice

You would do well to get her as far from Castle Ravenloft as possible. Perhaps the Abbey of Saint Markovia or at least the fortified town of Vallaki

— Father Donavich

Experience Points Calculation:

Monster	Qty	XP Per	Total XP
Scarecrow	5	200	1,000

Experience Points: 1,000 / 5 PLayers = 200 Xp for monsters

Campaign

Strahd the Sunless

Protagonists

Micaiah V

Report Date

05 Feb 2025