13 - 7/5 : Time for the Wizards of Wine

With yet another grievous defeat at the hands of Morrigan and with Ismark taken by the dread vampire, Wixley snapped at judge. She claimed him rash and his single-minded hatred of Morrigan clouded his judgement. Judge blamed only himself for the circumstances that had unfolded and the fate of Ismark, but the only course of action now was to continue on. With only the patter of the rain interrupting the deafening silence, the party continued until a suitable camping site was found.
After a much needed rest, the group awoke and began their journey anew in search of allies against Morrigan. Up the road a figure was spotted bound upon two large diagonal planks of wood. The figure was bearing the insignia of the Knights of the Silver Dragon, and appeared pierced in numerous locations by silvered spears. The party approached the figure, and to their surprise he let out a moan of agony!
The group decided it best to free the likely revenant, who was glad to be free of his restraints. He introduced himself as Sir Godfrey, who had went against his former loves wishes and sought to put a stop to Morrigan. He had recently crossed her enforcer, known only as the Lady of Death, who had strung him up as punishment for crossing her. Sir Godfrey had a single minded purpose, one of vengeance against Morrigan or any who would aid her, and set off in search of the Lady of Death. The group bid him well on his search for absolution, and continued on to Lake Baratok.
On a causeway leading toward the lakes interior stood a large, multi-story tower. A single colorful wagon sat in its shadow, and the party approached cautiously. There appeared to be a single locked door leading to the carts interior. Qiao thought the locked didn't look that strong, and easily broke it. However upon opening the door, the trapped mechanism was sprung! Dozens of alchemists fire were all wired to ignite and the cart violently exploded.
Though shaken from the blast, the party collected themselves and began to investigate the tower. On the front was no visible way of entry, but there were a series of symbols located on where the door might be.
Qiao deduced that perhaps one must make the hand gestures indicated, in the order displayed, to gain entry. After doing so, teh group was relieved as the door ground open. Inside numerous clay golems were standing by cranks connected to a platform. Seemingly harmless, the group cautiously approached and let the golems crank the gears and pull the party up the tower.
Various pieces of adventuring gear, especially the type used by vampire hunters, was found among the tower. It wasn't until the second sweep through that Judge noticed an out of place stone on the wall. Inside was a journal, seemingly penned by the vampire herself!
It detailed her arrival in what is now known as Barovia, after using the wish. The land she found herself in was dead, not a tree nor blade of grass could be found alive across the entirety of the realm she was now trapped in. Her subjects were all dead, and she lamented the loss of her friends. he was alone.
Morrigan grew hungry, and the journal entries stopped. An indeterminate period of time must have passed before that entry and the next, but Morrigan had rediscovered her journal and penned the next words. She was surprised to see trees and foliage again, and even some humans had wandered into her realm. Many centuries seemed to pass, with her ruling over the people as lady of the land and only feeding when necessary. The Vistani arrived, some stayed and some returned to the mortal realms. It seemed time had passed strangly, but Morrigan was unsure how. After a millennia, adventurers began to arrive seeking to put a stop to the monster of the land. She knew not why or how, but they revealed what she truly was to the people, who revolted against her. The passages end.
It seemed that the explosion attracted a visitor, as Wixley noticed someone cautiously approaching the tower. She looked alive at least, and Wixley decided to head down and investigate.
She introduced herself as Ezmerelda d'Avenir, apprentice of the infamous monster hunter Doctor Rudolph Van Richten. When the party mentioned Rictavio, she claimed this was none other than the man himself in disguise!
Ezmerelda lamented the loss of her wagon but claimed she had other supplies hidden she had hidden about. She wished to escort the party for the time being, who wished to head to Krezk, where the party could then decide to head south in search of the winery or the Jade temple.
Not far up the road, the sight of Krezks walls came into view, with the Abbey looming overhead.

Krezk

Unfortunately the welcome at Krezk was far from warm. The guards claimed that due to caravan attacks, the gates were currently closed. They were expecting a wine shipment, and would not be opening any time soon. Rather than confront them, the party decided it easiest to head to the Wizards of Wine Winery in search of what fate had befallen it.

The Wizards of Wine Winery

Not far from Krezk the fork to the winery was found. Before arriving, the group was waylaid by a man named Davian Martikov. Recognizing him as family of the Martikov Wereravens in Vallaki, the party took his warning. It seemed his family had escape a group of evil druids who had infested his vineyard, and he cautioned the group on the approach.
With this information the party launched the attack! Twig blights from the vineyard rushed in but were no match for the group. Inside more twig blights attacked, this time with help from the druids and their leader! After a flourish of blows from Qiao, she was able to stun the leader buying valuable time to shift the attacks focus. Unfortunately the side door opened, and a hag rushed in to join the druids!

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. Her signature ability is to use spirit bats to knock back her enemies.

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. During the trip to Argynvostholt, Judge revealed that he was none-other than Hanfred Vel, a famous Paladin of Muir. He had a great burden on his soul, and had returned to put a stop to the the tragedy that he believes set in motion.

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. In a recent fight against Morrigan, her right arm was obliterated by Morrigans necrotic magic!

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Ireena Kolyana - The adopted sister of Ismark, she has been bitten twice by Morrigan and fears for her life. Morrigan has offered Ireena join her numerous times, but she continues to refuse. She has discovered an affinity for fire and learned to control it, gaining fire spells. Later in her desperation to help her friends, she discovered she now had the ability to heal.

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Sir Godfrey - The former companion of Vladamir was found bound and tortured on the side of the road. He had crossed the "Lady of Death", Morrigans enforcer, and being unable to permamently kill the revenant had left him there to suffer.

Ezmerelda d'Avenir - She is the apprentice of the infamous monster hunter Doctor Rudolph Van Richten, who had met the party under the disguise of Rictavio. She was annoyed to find her wagon destroyed, but claimed to have other supply caches hidden and agreed to help the party.

Davian Martikov - The patron of the Wizards of Wine Winery, evil druids had infested his vineyard and pushed his family out. Thankfully due to their shapeshifting ability they were able to escape to safety.