06 - 3/15 : Lighting The Spark

After a nights rest in the Svalich woods, the group continued the journey to Tser Pool. At the fork, the group stopped for a short rest and began to notice some oddities in the area. Qiao first noticed something odd when Fabian suddenly walked with frightening speed over to a stump without even noticing. Next a tree suddenly shed all of its leaves before immediately growing them back. Lastly a small stream cut through the trail almost in an instant and small bridge was suddenly on top. The group began to look around for any signs, and Qiao seemed to sense something strange over a nearby hill.
Ireena wanted to make herself more useful and offered to use her wings to fly up and see if she could spot anything. While judge protested, she insisted and took flight. Ireena reported that a strange women appeared to be casting a spell in some old ruin. While skeptical of what this was, the group decided to investigate.
The sight before them was exceptionally strange. A women wearing white and had iconography of spiders about her stood atop a large circular stone slab, surrounded by four large hounds. the group initially thought them undead, but upon closer inspection they *seemed* to be living. Upon approach, the mysterious women told the group to not bother her, she was intent on repairing the harm that had befallen this realm, and it was critical she continue her work. She spoke in both Celestial and infernal, and was answered a few questions just to get the group to leave her to her work. She revealed herself to be a Psychopomp, something that Judge had in fact heard of these mysterious beings before. Keepers of purgatory and ushers of souls along the river styx, they dealt with all manner of things related to fate. The group surmised that she must be doing something related to the mysterious time-effects that have been happening in Barovia, and content that she was not a servant of Morrigan, the group journeyed back to the fork in the road.
Before deciding on a path, a strange raven appeared and fluttered its feathers, seemingly beckoning the party to journey down. While distrustful of the raven, the group had intended to head that direction either way and decided to continue on their journey towards Tser Pool.

Tser Pool Camp

Upon arrival, the group was immediately met by a pair of Vistani. They seemed to know the party was about to arrive, and invited them to the fireside until the Monsieur was ready. They shared their drink, food and music with the party, as well as a tale of a mysterious Orator that led an uprising against Morrigan. Unfortunately her ill-fated venture was led in ruin, and the vampire cast the Orator off the falls. Finally the Monsieur was ready, and the group ventured into the tent where they met Danta.
The mysterious seer first offered a reading, pulling numerous cards from the strange deck. Each in turn seemed to indicate something that would aid the party in the struggles against Morrigan, but Danta was unwilling to divulge any more information.
Before departing, Danta offered one last draw from a different mysterious deck that he had. He claimed it used to hold significantly more power, but over the years in Barovia has lost some of it. He warned that none who drew from it would be unchanged, but if desired each member could pull one card from the strange deck. In turn each took one card, gained minor boons or curses for the journey to come.
Finally the group settled in outside the camp and prepared for a much needed nights rest. Ireena and Ismark set about to gathering wood for a fire. Wixley noticed Ireena struggling to light it, and offered some help. She was frustrated, was intent on doing it herself, but much to her surprise a flame suddenly lit in her hand. She looked horrified, and quickly through it into the kindling where it ignited the fire. Wixley calmed her down, and explained that others often have some inherent magical power they are unaware of. She had never seen it before, and was both curious and cautious about her newfound ability. She spent part of the night trying to recreate the effect, but was unable to do it again.

Tser Falls

After a much needed nights rest near the Vistani camp, the group gathered their things and set off north towards Vallaki. After a few hours of travel along the river, the group saw the bridge that headed towards Vallaki far overhead. It was an unsurmountable climb, and the grup suddenly wondered if they had to backtrack all the way around to get up there. From nearby, a familiar raven let out a loud caw and fluttered its feathers, as if beckoning the party forward. Wixley tried to communicate with it, but the raven disappeared into the brush. The raven had revealed a formerly unseen path that led to a set of steep switchbacks, which led up to the bridge over Tser Falls.

The Black Coach

Further up the road the group finally came to the junction to Castle Ravenloft. The foreboding fortress stood ominously in the distance, the road to it lined with a guresome display of Morrigans wrath. Bodies lined the road in 50' intervals, nailed to posts pointing in it the castles direction. At the base of the road stood a mysterious black coach , its door ajar and two black horses standing in wait. The group knew better than to accept the vampires invitation without properly preparing, and continued on the road.

Old Bonegrinder

The group made good pacing and saw one last thing before arriving at Vallaki. A fork in the road led to a strange windmill standing in the distance. The group briefly pondered if they should visit it, but the raven once again made a return. It let out an even more shrill caw, ruffled its feathers and seemed to beckon the party away from the windmill. While unsure what might lie within, the Raven had not led them astray yet and decided it best to continue on to the city before night fell.

Vallaki

Finally as the sun set, the group arrive at the town of Vallaki. The Guards initially were skeptical of the party, as they thought only servants of Morrigan would come back at night. But after claiming to be travelers and Judge showing off a light-emitting sword, they decided to let the party in.
After consulting with Ireena and Ismark on the course of action, the group decided first it was best to visit the local inn. It was late and they could formulate a plan going forward. The nearest one was the Blue Water Inn, and upon approach the group saw a familiar raven perched above the entrance. It flew off as the party approached, and the group entered the inn.
Inside were a few different individuals the group interacted with. A pair of brothers, seemingly the sons of a noble in town, were rowdy and boisterous. They tried to flirt with some of the group, include them in drinking games and pester the party with annoying stories and quips. Though irritating, the group did not provoke them considering they might be related to someone of importance. Wixley did break however, and poured mugs of beer over the duo. Unfortunately all it did was entertain the duo as they happily opened wide and cheered at the halfling.
Qiao offered to help the barkeep cook, who introduced herself as Corax. She seemed content after working with Qiao to entrust her with some further information, revealing that she had in fact been the raven that had followed the group west. She wished to speak more in the morning, and . During this time another strange individual entered the bar by the name of Corvus, though the party did not have time to introduce themselves with the bustle going on in the bar.
Lastly the group introduced themselves to a harsh looking individual in the corner. His name was Szoldar, a hunter and trapped who was quite capable of survival in the harsh lands of Barovia. He offered some information about the locations the Seer Danta had told the group about, but admitted to not quite knowing where all of them were located. He did mention that some of the strange locations might be known by someone named Rictavio. He was said to have a colorful wagon somewhere in the town, but he admitted to not being sure where it was at.
Ismark mentioned that the group had some options while here. They could try out the local Sun Goddesses temple where the clerics might provide some help. They could talk to the burgomaster, though he noted his father said he was a cantankerous bastard. There was the Wachters, he did not know them particularly well but perhaps the nobles might be able to provide some assistance. And in the morning there was the strange raven shapeshifter and the search for Rictavio.
With a lot of leads and places to investigate, the group retired to their rooms and prepared themselves for the busy day that lay ahead.

Portraits

Wixley - The small halfling fights with bow and is an expert in dealing with undeath. She has abhors cities and civilization and is much more comfortable in the wilds.

Fabian - A powerful sorcerer overflowing with magic, the aasimar sorcerer brings a potent suite of spells to the table to take down all foes.

Judge - The stoic worshipper of Muir, his combat expertise and righteousness leads the group to glory against all evil assailants who would dare challenge the group.

Qiao Tai - An astral monk from the distant realms of the Xha'en Hegemony, she has traveled far and found herself in the lands of Barovia. After resting at the Church of Solanus, she heard the commotion in the graveyard and quickly rushed to the groups defense to fight off Morrigan's undead. She now joins their group in the crusade against the vampire.

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Ismark Kolyana - Ismark was met in the Village of Barovia, Morrigan had become infatuated with his sister to some unknown sinister end, and feared for her life. He and his sister are now being escorted by the party to the nearby town of Vallaki for safety. He has done his best to put on a brave face, and with Judges help has been training to be better at combat.

Ireena Kolyana - The adopted sister of Ismark, she has been bitten twice by Morrigan and fears for her life. She knows not what the horrible vampire might want from her, but has joined the group in their journey to Vallaki in hopes of finding safety. She has some latent power that she has begun to exhibit, as she was able to light a campfire using magic, and after being attacked by Morrigans wolves she unleashed a devestating wave of force that killed them. She is trying her best to learn to control this energy, as well as to prove her usefulness to the group.

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Psychopomp Leader - The strange lady had spider motifs and bizarre decor. She spoke celestial and Infernal, and appeared to be performing some sort of magical repair to the lands of Barovia. Its unknown how long this will take or even quite what she is doing, but the party was content to leave her be when they discerned she was no friend of the Vampire Morrigan.

Psychopomp Hound - The mysterious hounds have ruffled feathers and a crocodile skull for a head. Despite their bizaree appearance, they were not undead nor did they appear to radiate evil.

Mysterious Raven - This raven appeared to the party at various intersections and areas where the group questioned their direction. While initially distrustful, it seemed to be providing adequate help and the group began to suspect it might be friendly.

Vistani Hosts - Before meeting the Monsieur, the group was entertained by the Vistani, enjoyed their drink, food and stories, and had a moment of respite from the horrors of Barovia.

Monsieur Danta - The leader of the Vistani at Tser Pool, the mysterious elderly half-elf possessed the ability to see the fates. He first read the characters fortunes, providing information on likely useful tools for the fight to come. He also allowed the group to draw from a mysterious deck, providing a variety of different effects (for better or worse!) to the group.

Vallaki Guards - The guards were reluctant to let the party in Vallaki at night, but when Judge shed light from his sword they quickly opened the gates.

Nikolai and Karl Wachter - These two rambunctious brothers bothered the party with unwanted advances, games and general tomfoolery.

Corvus - The mysterious man came into the Blue Water Inn, but the group has not yet had time to talk to him.

Corax - She was bartending at the Blue Water Inn and Qiao offered to help her cook food. While initially taken aback, she agreed and got to know Qiao. Once she got more comfortable, Corax revealed she knew that the party had come from the east, and revealed it was in fact herself that had tailed the group. She did not wish to discuss more tonight, but told Qiao to gather her group for a meeting in the morning.

Szoldar Szoldarovich - This rough hunter was paid for his information about the regions surrounding Vallaki. He did not know where everything was located, but offered some pointers to tracking down some locations hinted at by the readings given by Monsieur Danta.