Session #8: Questionbomb

[istainion]

28 November, 2020  [7:00 PM - 11:00 PM+ (GMT+1)]

 

We woke up at the gipsy camp near Tser Pool. I was barely able to get some rest with the images flashing by of the previous day. The way those wolves neared me and pushed me to my limits was something I do not wish to experience again, as well as to disappoint my team with my performance. That sight of him is still haunting me ...

 

I woke up earlier than the others and used the opportunity to make a smooth escape. Or, so I had planned until fate told me to fail. I tripped over Tibirin and landed on top of him in the most unpleasant and embarrassing way. Of course, he yelled at me, saying "what the hell!" I have decided to go with it and behave as if it was planned as good as I could, returning him a "Good morning." To my luck, I haven't received anything but an order to get off of him and it was my pleasure to do so and get the hell away from the tent. It was such a shame that it woke the others as well but Shevat was too occupied with meditation and Yshvara took off without a word. A perfect opportunity to embarrass myself.

 

I went over to the neighbor tent in which Naedithas slept in, to my own luck, the guy was awake and he was quick to respond to my awkward signals and let me in. He told me, as usual, to keep my distance for reasons only he appears to know. I lowered myself to my knees and apologized for what happened yesterday. Of course, the guy couldn't help it to scold me like a father would but he at least said he appreciated the apology. I haven't heard a lot of positivity coming from his mouth, especially when it is aimed at me, but there's a first time for everything I suppose. Not to make the situation any more awkward, I quickly got back into the tent, seeing the others occupied with their questionable routine and Ireena snoring in the back. At least she is resting well ...

 

Shevat turned over to her when we decided to get moving and Yshvara also returned to the tent. He walked up to her and carefully nudged her. She woke up but how she did it was like a private show. The first thing she did was to raise her fist and throw it in his direction. Luckily, Shevat was quick enough to dodge and not once did he lose his attitude. It was as if nothing had happened but the girl herself did notice what she did and immediately apologized for the sudden reaction. She isn't used to being touched, she told us and I certainly know for sure, that I won't be the next one who will wake her up!

 

The six of us head back to the center of the tent where we are offered a warm portion of porridge. Damn, the taste was horrible. A broad man was in charge of the food. He has a slim beard, which commoners refer to as "goaty", bright eyes with a scar through one of them. Much like the chief, he was exceptionally cheerful. Damn, he was so enthusiastic about sharing his "delicious" porridge with us in a way that it could compensate for the Vistani guy back at the Inn in Barovia. Each of us was given a large portion (Hell yes ...) in a wooden bowl to munch on. Yshvara was looking in a certain direction during breakfast but I didn't notice anything when I calculated where her gaze was resting. Then all she did was to stare at Shevat, who somehow responded as if they spoke. I shrugged it off and looked over to the others.

 

The chief came to us and asked if we were enjoying breakfast. Of course, I couldn't help but to sarcastically give him a yes, especially after he told us it was like their traditional breakfast for generations in a row. Oh, yeah, I said, I can tell. (It's terrible) But somehow the man who previously handed us a portion came to me with another big spoon of porridge which I really did try to fight but ... It was too late. My bowl was completely full! Ugh ... I was already at my limit there. Eating even more may result in terrible happenings ... I even told him that! But he told me it is rude not to eat it, an insult to their culture. How dare I? ...

 

Shevat came to me and lied that he was still hungry and asked if I was willing to share. As much as a kind, generous guy I was, I gave him a large portion of it and damn, the guy even thanked me for it and ate it with that sweet, neutral face of his. I wish I was as strong ... Ugh ...

 

After this terrible breakfast, the chief told us that Eva is ready for the audience. We better hurry if her mood is as terrible as he described to us yesterday. We shouldn't keep her waiting ... Or well, the others need to go to her, I am fine without visiting her. I had enough fortune teller experience, even in my dreams ... I swear ... One of the guards, Leo, guided us to her and we were led inside a caravan, deeper inside into a room with cages around us. The birds inside the cage I have never seen before. Their dark feather gradually colors from a black to a blue. It was a beautiful sight and they seemed pretty calm as well. The curtain behind us shut again and we saw the woman sitting behind the table.

 

She looked awfully familiar. Much like the woman in our dreams, even according to the others. What a coincidence! Oh what a coincidence ... Her yellow eyes are also very trustworthy and even her words, nothing mysterious at all. The first that was told is that the Vistani is neutral. Yes, you keep telling yourself that, ma'am. I believe differently when her exact figure can access all our dreams to suggest us to hang out with the count. She gave us some clues for our mission to rescue Barovia from the count. Because, apparently, that became our main objective, besides bringing sweet Ireena to Valaki. She placed some cards on the table and requested us to pick one, on which she based her clues.

 

She spoke to us of an item that would be helpful for our mission, one that was made long ago, but we know nothing of the details. It could be anything. An ancient vineyard will offer us something helpful as well, we should visit it and our only clue is their label. It has an old Raven symbol on it. We could find some clues about it in the Wizards of Wine. Then came a powerful weapon, one of sunlight or vengeance which can be found deep in the mountain, after a long and lonely road. Someone in the lands of Barovia is assumed to be the enemy of the count, they could become a powerful ally to our forces to beat him. Last, came a Vistani woman who has lost her mentor. She is said not to stay in a place for long and travels alone in a hallowed, but holy place where Gods dwell.

 

Those are our only clues. She admitted that the man we may face at one time, Strahd, is a broken man. One who has lost the love of his life. None of his many concubines (haha, I knew it) can pleasure him for long enough for him to get bored. Such a spoiled, wealthy man he is. It is said that he has made the land as it is, renaming it after his father, King Barov. The castle is named after his mother, Queen Ravenovia. Both became land of Barovia and the Ravenloft Castle. The castle only offers a place for visitors with an invitation and she told us that there is a book written about both Strahd von Z. as well as the King. We may be able to find more information in the Abby of Sey Marcovia, located in Kresk. For the book about Strahd, himself, we may be lucky to find it in the castle itself. As if he will let us enter and leave ... I feel that even trying will get ourselves killed and I am sure that the many adventurers at their doorstep can confirm as much. But our hint for the book in the castle was a place of supplication.

 

Strahd is also the only vampire who is capable of transforming people into vampires if he succeeds to bite them after three times. That's such a relief! Ireena was only bitten once ... Right?! Well, that gives us some time to bring ourselves to safety. I don't think that Eva will lie about something this specific? Or will she? ... We might as well find ourselves some clues elsewhere to confirm it. Shevat mentioned a bird he saw during our travels, but hasn't mentioned to us before, she said that the bird means no harm and if we are in trouble, that she recommends us to follow it. Yes, just like I should follow the ravens, am I right? It's weird that an animal like that follows us around. Who does it serve, anyway?

 

Our session was over but both Yshvara and Naedithas had urgent business to discuss with her, so the rest of us left and waited for their return. Once they got back, we headed to an unknown caravan. It was Yshvara who took us there and when the door opened up after a knock landed on the door, another familiar face stood there at the doorstep. Nico ... As expected, he was as anxious as ever, knowing that he is in danger. While Yshvara tried to play it down and tell us not to question him as much, I couldn't bear myself to simply swallow in what danger they put us in. We need to confirm who is foe or friend in this world and if no one else is willing to go as far, then I will. He said that he would speak after he got his sister Ana, who is also here to our surprise. Well, not everyone's ... Some of us were aware of this but, again, they don't speak. I don't mean to question our teamwork, but I do anyway.

 

Ireena assured us that she will go with him to gather his sister and even threatened him in ways you would expect from a powerful woman, like herself. The rest of us went inside and met Stanlan, the man who we were suggested to visit by Ismark. We all have decided to wait for our team to be complete and not much later, Ana, Nico and Ireena returned. It was when I could use the opportunity to ask both Ana and Nico about the letter which Ireena and Ismark said that it wasn't their father's writing. I needed to know where they got it from and it was a very important moment, where we got some Intel about Strahd's core manager, Rahadin. He is one of the few dusk elves that live in Barovia. It was he who awaited Ana and Nico at the East gate before they went to the Carnival near Leilon. He handed them the letter with the quest. A rough description of him we received. The most trusted man of Strahd has long dark hair, a pale skin, dark green eyes and carries a scar on his forehead. Not many will fit this man's description and it's enough to know when danger is near.

 

Ana chose to accept the letter, with the thought in the back of her mind, that this might be an opportunity for her to see Barovia saved from the Devil's might. While I believe this is a selfish request, it couldn't hurt to inform us a little more about the dangers ahead! I would prepare myself a lot better than this! Like with real, reliable food, or something to scare away those creeps, maybe even something to hide behind! Anything! But instead, we're stuck here. She even used her reasons against me, saying that it would be an heroic deed of us to save Barovia. Sure, you're good with your words ... But the numbers of previously murdered adventurers will not leave my mind! I bet that Bildrath guy is awaiting our death as well to get his precious goods back!

 

Their father, Stanlan, was utterly upset when he heard that his children accepted the letter. They don't do business with them, he said. Ana apologized and explained as much as I have summarized. Well, if we die, then she can just go back and try it all over again. Like an endless cycle. Every year, that guy said ... I wonder how old this letter is ... Are we the first ones who were lured inside Strahd's little game? I am going to yell if everyone is just an illusion and all that he wants, is to just have our blood to live on for another while. I have seen enough of Durst's mansion!

 

After being a little nosey, I caught us a little bit of information as well. Most of our enemies are werewolves (what), wolves, berserkers and wild druids. We are likely to keep an eye on them and discover their weaknesses as quickly as we can before charging into battle. I have seen enough of the vampire that we have fought. Most of the werewolves are between Valaki and Kresk, so we may find some information in those places about what will await us. Stanlan could tell us that their weakness is silver, like the sword I found in the mansion. Vampires cannot cross water and they must be invited in an investment to survive, they are weak against sunlight and if they happen to sleep (in a coffin) it is possible to kill them with a stake through the heart. Maybe there is a way to put them to sleep?

 

I also asked Ana, if it is true that when any of us tries to leave, that we would die or get lost. It might as well be something she says to keep us here and fighting. So, we're actually here to sacrifice our lives to save theirs ... Well, not much else I expect from trying to seek for glory. It usually comes at the cost of life ... Ugh. But give me a break, why the paranormal? She told me, especially, that I should not follow an old lady with a small child. And I will make note of that if the team decides to do something reckless again! ... Ugh. And once again, the warning with the windmills but no single detail of "why". Do they have something to hide there? Then again, that dream of Yshvara was accessed by Madam Eva, so it may be related to the Vistani.

 

We went outside and headed to the chief to thank him for his warm welcome and allowing us to stay in their camp. When we did, I couldn't help but to overwhelm him with some of my questions as well. He revealed to us that there are multiple camps or places where the Vistani stay, it is because of their poor reputation, that they cannot live among the other people of Barovia. They are antagonized by them and they accuse them of working together with the "Devil", much like what Ismark said before he corrected his own words. We learned of the men from another camp which is led by two brothers and things are a little more rough there. In case we end up meeting them one way or another, it is helpful for us to say that we are friends with the chief for a friendlier meeting. He warned us that the younger of the two, Arrigal, is a man that we should be cautious around with. The man is said to be a snake and cannot easily be trusted. His appearance should match a sinister smile, long dark hair, green eyes with some facial hair, not as much as his much taller and broader older brother, Luvash. He has short hair, has a beard and mustache and it was important to notify us of his hairy body. His behavior should be grumpy and I guess he is the guy who takes care of all the violent business while his younger brother is in charge of the management. We kindly thanked the generous man for letting us stay and soon, we were on our way again.

 

Everything was going well until we made it to a bridge. The landscape gradually adjusted as well, letting us know that we are nearing the gates of Ravenloft, not too far from here. In the distance, we spotted three dire wolves coming our way. The team decided to lure them away from us by placing some meat near the bridge, while we head in a different direction in an attempt to sneak away. So far the plan worked well and the easy going wolves munched down on the meat of their own kind. Cannibalism is probably not much of an issue in this forsaken place. In the meanwhile, we tried to cross the stream on the other side and it really did work out until someone behind me slipped and caught the attention of the wolves that one-by-one, approached us for an attack. As experienced as I grew from the previous fight, I got the HELL away and crossed the stream again to the other side to land a safe attack on the wolves. We managed exceptionally well this time! No one was badly hurt ... We were so lucky this time ...