Post by gavmeister on Jun 25, 2017 15:28:25 GMT
As the party leave Blinsky’s shop they run into a striking young woman in Vistani dress, Sasha Ivliskova, who tells them she has wandered alone to Vallaki. She promises to catch up with them in and around town.
Pankas offers to help pay off part of Theo’s debt to Jeny Greenteeth. Jeny asks him to bring her a small white puppy, a large brown cat and an aged rooster. All alive and well, mind. No need to ask why. He sets off on his personal quest for the old lady.
The others head back to the Blue Water Inn with Ismark and Ireena. Ravens perch on the roof once again. They chat to the laconic wolf-hunters, Szoldar Szoldarovich and Yevgeny Krushkin.
Ireena makes herself scarce when Izek Strazni turns up to invite Bran for an audience with the Baron. Unable to find Ireena, Strazni tells Giselle she’s wanted at the Baroness’ tea party and that she’ll have to wear a frock. The Blue Water Inn’s barmaid, Muriel Vinshaw, lends Giselle a practical and sturdy dress but the rogue isn’t happy.
The Baron and Baroness
Giselle and Bran make their way to Baron Vargas Vallakovich’s mansion. Bran is summoned to meet the burgomaster and his mastiffs in the library. The Baron tells Bran his allegiance has been noticed and asks him to help preside at the forthcoming Festival of the Blazing Sun, where “all will be well”. Bran agrees to help out.
Giselle is ushered in to share tea and cake with Baroness Lydia Petrovna and her ‘special friends,’ who turn out to be semi-starved townswomen. The Baroness fusses around nervously as plans are made for children’s costumes and decorations for the forthcoming festival. Giselle hates every moment of the polite conversation; and is unmoved by concerns over some missing servants. The Baroness is offended. Giselle doesn’t care, and stomps back to the Inn with Bran at the first opportunity.
The great ‘Rictavio’
Meanwhile Ricken, Theo and Ismark return to the church of St Andral to follow up clues about the missing bones. Father Lucian Petrovich confesses that he told the altar-boy, Yeska, about the Bones of St Andral to reassure him. Yeska is fetched and eventually reveals that he in turn told Milivoj, the young grave-digger. Father Lucian tells them that Milivoj is a good boy, hard-working, but desperately poor. He promises to send them word when Milivoj appears. They return to the Inn.
At the Blue Water, the flamboyant Rictavio appears in person. The investigators engage him in conversation. As top priority they ask about Piccolo; Rictavio confirms he gave the monkey to Blinsky as the Martikovs won’t allow animals to stay at the Inn. Eventually they reveal sufficient about themselves to alert the ‘carnival-master’ to their heroic destiny. After first warning them that Strahd is probably Scrying on them using their lost trinkets, he takes them to a quiet corner. Rictavio reveals himself as Rudolph von Richten, the legendary vampire-hunter. He has come to Barovia on a final mission to take down Strahd. Von Richten’s son was kidnapped and sold to a vampire by evil Vistani decades ago; he is also determined to take down as many of the gypsies as he can. He urges them not to let Evil go unchallenged, and the adventurers welcome him as a valuable ally. However they must not get too close to him as all who do so are doomed.
Von Richten tells them more about the three artefacts which Madam Eva spoke of at the Tarokka reading.
• The Tome of Strahd is an ancient work authored by the vampire himself, telling the tragic story of how he came to his fallen state. It is rumoured to contain rituals and other magic writings.
• The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind pre-dates the worship of the Morninglord and Mother Night. Legend says it was brought to a paladin named Lugdana by a giant raven, or perhaps an angel. It is said to be highly potent against vampires. Prior to Strahd’s arrival was for many years wielded by the High Priests of Ravenloft.
• The Sunsword was once possessed by Sergei, Strahd’s heroic brother. It was said to have a platinum hilt and guard, and a thin crystal blade. Khazan, a lich-wizard, was employed by Strahd to destroy the sword, but the hilt was stolen by an apprentice and lost.
Von Richten tells them he has taken over Khazan’s abandoned tower on the shores of Lake Baratok. Theo asks him about the Amber Temple. Von Richten warns him that the wizard Khazan destroyed himself after spending years there. The vampire-hunter considers Kasimir Velikov’s plan to travel there to be the folly of an embittered madman.
One of the townswomen from the Baroness’ tea party turns up to ask for Bran’s help. Everyone is very worried about the missing butler and lady’s maid. Town gossip whispers of mysterious goings on at the old Markov house, where many years ago the town butcher brutally murdered his wife. The new owner doesn’t seem very friendly. Could he be to blame? Bran promises the party will help as soon as they can.
Yeska arrives to tell them that Milivoj has appeared at St Andral’s. The adventurers return to the church to interrogate him. Bran finds it necessary to scare the lad. Milivoj confesses that he stole the Bones and sold them to the town coffin-maker, Henrik van der Voort, in return for thirty silver pieces to buy food for his siblings. After leaving the church, Giselle notices a rat-faced little man following them. He disappears down an alley when she looks at him.
“Say Hello to Mr Pointy”
They make their way to van der Voort‘s workshop, where von Richten catches up with them to lend a hand. The carpenter is unwilling to see them but Giselle picks the front door lock and they march in. He folds immediately, and tells them he still has the Bones hidden in his bedroom wardrobe upstairs. He also warns them of a nest of vampires in the upstairs store-room, brought by a nobleman, Vasili von Holtz (“Strahd” sighs von Richten) in old coffins a few nights ago. They recall the recent incident with the vampire’s Black Coach on the Svalich Road.
The party make their way upstairs and retrieve the Bones. They quietly creep into the coffin-maker’s store. 6 soiled crates lie amongst a jumble of stores.
Ricken Blesses the party. Von Richten casts Death Ward on Bran and Ismark. Then Bran gingerly prises open the first crate, while Ismark sweats beside him. Before the encased vampire can react, Ismark gets a firm grip and plunges a stake through its heart. Then five other vampires burst out of their crates and attack. Ricken Turns Undead, forcing three of the monsters to the back of the room. Ismark is clawed and bitten badly; Bran swears his Oath of Enmity and launches himself at the other vampire with a mighty Divine Smite. Unfamiliar with the party’s tactics, van Richten cuts across Bran, and banishes ‘his’ vamp back to Castle Ravenloft with Dispel Evil.
Theo’s Eldritch Blasts take their toll; Giselle does what she can with her bow; and Ricken goes for the vampire’s weak spots with Guiding Bolts and Sacred Flames. Another vampire is dusted. While they hesitate over what to do about the other vampires, Sasha Ivliskova crashes through the window and launches herself at one of them. The fight is back on.
Sasha battles one vampire while the party take down the others one by one. Finally only the vampire fighting Sasha is left. They make short work of it. Sasha appears to have escaped without any serious injury. The party thank her and she disappears into the night, catching Theo’s eye and flashing a smile. Ricken leads a Prayer of Healing for Ismark and Bran. Ismark is in a bad way so von Richten helps out with Cure Wounds.
Theo and von Richten leave to return the bones to St Andral’s church.
Van der Voort pleads with the others not to turn Milivoj and him in to the Baron and Strazni.
Pankas offers to help pay off part of Theo’s debt to Jeny Greenteeth. Jeny asks him to bring her a small white puppy, a large brown cat and an aged rooster. All alive and well, mind. No need to ask why. He sets off on his personal quest for the old lady.
The others head back to the Blue Water Inn with Ismark and Ireena. Ravens perch on the roof once again. They chat to the laconic wolf-hunters, Szoldar Szoldarovich and Yevgeny Krushkin.
Ireena makes herself scarce when Izek Strazni turns up to invite Bran for an audience with the Baron. Unable to find Ireena, Strazni tells Giselle she’s wanted at the Baroness’ tea party and that she’ll have to wear a frock. The Blue Water Inn’s barmaid, Muriel Vinshaw, lends Giselle a practical and sturdy dress but the rogue isn’t happy.
The Baron and Baroness
Giselle and Bran make their way to Baron Vargas Vallakovich’s mansion. Bran is summoned to meet the burgomaster and his mastiffs in the library. The Baron tells Bran his allegiance has been noticed and asks him to help preside at the forthcoming Festival of the Blazing Sun, where “all will be well”. Bran agrees to help out.
Giselle is ushered in to share tea and cake with Baroness Lydia Petrovna and her ‘special friends,’ who turn out to be semi-starved townswomen. The Baroness fusses around nervously as plans are made for children’s costumes and decorations for the forthcoming festival. Giselle hates every moment of the polite conversation; and is unmoved by concerns over some missing servants. The Baroness is offended. Giselle doesn’t care, and stomps back to the Inn with Bran at the first opportunity.
The great ‘Rictavio’
Meanwhile Ricken, Theo and Ismark return to the church of St Andral to follow up clues about the missing bones. Father Lucian Petrovich confesses that he told the altar-boy, Yeska, about the Bones of St Andral to reassure him. Yeska is fetched and eventually reveals that he in turn told Milivoj, the young grave-digger. Father Lucian tells them that Milivoj is a good boy, hard-working, but desperately poor. He promises to send them word when Milivoj appears. They return to the Inn.
At the Blue Water, the flamboyant Rictavio appears in person. The investigators engage him in conversation. As top priority they ask about Piccolo; Rictavio confirms he gave the monkey to Blinsky as the Martikovs won’t allow animals to stay at the Inn. Eventually they reveal sufficient about themselves to alert the ‘carnival-master’ to their heroic destiny. After first warning them that Strahd is probably Scrying on them using their lost trinkets, he takes them to a quiet corner. Rictavio reveals himself as Rudolph von Richten, the legendary vampire-hunter. He has come to Barovia on a final mission to take down Strahd. Von Richten’s son was kidnapped and sold to a vampire by evil Vistani decades ago; he is also determined to take down as many of the gypsies as he can. He urges them not to let Evil go unchallenged, and the adventurers welcome him as a valuable ally. However they must not get too close to him as all who do so are doomed.
Von Richten tells them more about the three artefacts which Madam Eva spoke of at the Tarokka reading.
• The Tome of Strahd is an ancient work authored by the vampire himself, telling the tragic story of how he came to his fallen state. It is rumoured to contain rituals and other magic writings.
• The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind pre-dates the worship of the Morninglord and Mother Night. Legend says it was brought to a paladin named Lugdana by a giant raven, or perhaps an angel. It is said to be highly potent against vampires. Prior to Strahd’s arrival was for many years wielded by the High Priests of Ravenloft.
• The Sunsword was once possessed by Sergei, Strahd’s heroic brother. It was said to have a platinum hilt and guard, and a thin crystal blade. Khazan, a lich-wizard, was employed by Strahd to destroy the sword, but the hilt was stolen by an apprentice and lost.
Von Richten tells them he has taken over Khazan’s abandoned tower on the shores of Lake Baratok. Theo asks him about the Amber Temple. Von Richten warns him that the wizard Khazan destroyed himself after spending years there. The vampire-hunter considers Kasimir Velikov’s plan to travel there to be the folly of an embittered madman.
One of the townswomen from the Baroness’ tea party turns up to ask for Bran’s help. Everyone is very worried about the missing butler and lady’s maid. Town gossip whispers of mysterious goings on at the old Markov house, where many years ago the town butcher brutally murdered his wife. The new owner doesn’t seem very friendly. Could he be to blame? Bran promises the party will help as soon as they can.
Yeska arrives to tell them that Milivoj has appeared at St Andral’s. The adventurers return to the church to interrogate him. Bran finds it necessary to scare the lad. Milivoj confesses that he stole the Bones and sold them to the town coffin-maker, Henrik van der Voort, in return for thirty silver pieces to buy food for his siblings. After leaving the church, Giselle notices a rat-faced little man following them. He disappears down an alley when she looks at him.
“Say Hello to Mr Pointy”
They make their way to van der Voort‘s workshop, where von Richten catches up with them to lend a hand. The carpenter is unwilling to see them but Giselle picks the front door lock and they march in. He folds immediately, and tells them he still has the Bones hidden in his bedroom wardrobe upstairs. He also warns them of a nest of vampires in the upstairs store-room, brought by a nobleman, Vasili von Holtz (“Strahd” sighs von Richten) in old coffins a few nights ago. They recall the recent incident with the vampire’s Black Coach on the Svalich Road.
The party make their way upstairs and retrieve the Bones. They quietly creep into the coffin-maker’s store. 6 soiled crates lie amongst a jumble of stores.
Ricken Blesses the party. Von Richten casts Death Ward on Bran and Ismark. Then Bran gingerly prises open the first crate, while Ismark sweats beside him. Before the encased vampire can react, Ismark gets a firm grip and plunges a stake through its heart. Then five other vampires burst out of their crates and attack. Ricken Turns Undead, forcing three of the monsters to the back of the room. Ismark is clawed and bitten badly; Bran swears his Oath of Enmity and launches himself at the other vampire with a mighty Divine Smite. Unfamiliar with the party’s tactics, van Richten cuts across Bran, and banishes ‘his’ vamp back to Castle Ravenloft with Dispel Evil.
Theo’s Eldritch Blasts take their toll; Giselle does what she can with her bow; and Ricken goes for the vampire’s weak spots with Guiding Bolts and Sacred Flames. Another vampire is dusted. While they hesitate over what to do about the other vampires, Sasha Ivliskova crashes through the window and launches herself at one of them. The fight is back on.
Sasha battles one vampire while the party take down the others one by one. Finally only the vampire fighting Sasha is left. They make short work of it. Sasha appears to have escaped without any serious injury. The party thank her and she disappears into the night, catching Theo’s eye and flashing a smile. Ricken leads a Prayer of Healing for Ismark and Bran. Ismark is in a bad way so von Richten helps out with Cure Wounds.
Theo and von Richten leave to return the bones to St Andral’s church.
Van der Voort pleads with the others not to turn Milivoj and him in to the Baron and Strazni.