istainion | Entries tagged with recap

"After the final arrangements at Kryptgarden, Lady Sade led us to the edge of the forest, closest to Icespire peaks. There was still a road ahead of us to travel and our plan of approach was still unclear. We have been warned about the mountain and from the looks of it, another obstacle was yet to be discovered. The mountain was nearly invisible to the eye, covered by a blizzard.

When the lady druid left us, we decided to turn into eagles to make way toward our destination, following sister Yolantha. She discovered an alternative route below the building which may as well be the one we sought for. As soon as each of us landed there, Sidah suddenly fled with fear in his eyes. That place we're heading for, it may hold fearful memories. As an eagle, he flew back up in the sky, followed by Kyndel and Hemlock who tried to block his path and to reason with him with the limited methods they had. Eventually, it did work out and he returned. The spell ended, we could no longer fly away.

In front of us there was a type of undercroft, an underground building that is hopefully connected to the Icepire hold above. When we went inside, there were coffins in each room. In one of the rooms, there was an operation table with remains of blood and straps. It is unknown to us what may have been done here. The three rooms were all connected to an open space with a stairs leading to the upper floor. Once inside, we were exposed to numerous skeletal remains of both men and orcs. Their flesh was partly eaten. There was an open space in the ceiling which Kyndel explored with Punk, they discovered the Dragon above and a small group of kobolds performing a type of ritual. While in a room with necromantic energy, I do not anticipate meeting the outcome too soon.

Our discovery was put on hold when kobolds tried to enter the room, and we were forced into battle. More enemy troops followed and announced our presence for more of their forces to follow. May Torm be our guiding light! We mustn't fail our brothers and sisters!"

"When we returned from our underwater hell and arrived back to the coast of Lake von Zarovich, we stood eye in eye with two oddly familiar individuals, at least for a number of us. Stasia and her new experiment, previously known as Bluto the fisherman, now nothing but a half living being of an extraordinary size.

I watched them charge into battle while taking a rather defensive stance, hoping to keep an eye on each of their wellbeing, not to repeat what happened. The battle was rather overwhelming, each of them took severe damage, and it almost felt like things would go exactly as it went in the past, when Bluto was quick to hit the sand and our attention was aimed at the remaining enemy.

When Stasia took her position on top of a hill, followed by Pyre, she made it known how badly she wanted the cure for which we fought in the underwater temple. So much, that she was willing to bet her life on it when she gathered her life energy for what looked like a final attack. We observed the black blood pouring out to her when she moved her hand in Pyre's direction as she threatened us to hand over the vial or Pyre will meet her end. When Shevat, who held onto the medicine gave in and placed it down as requested for Pyre's sake, Tibirin suddenly charged toward Stasia, begging for forgiveness in advance and struck the enemy. Judging from her looks, she took a lot of damage and was quick to turn her hand in his direction instead to unleash the attack, which she prepared for Pyre, on Tibirin instead. Each of us was frozen on the spot, doomed to watch the fall of our companion.

Shadows swirl around them, fighting the intense light that came from Tibirin when he let his divine energy sink into Stasia's neck with his teeth with the last bit of his energy. When it caused an implosion, both of them were gone. Only Tibirin's sword remained. Each of us took a moment to ourselves, mourning over the loss.

Then, I drained Bluto from his last energy by their request, and we decided to cremate him when suddenly the Vampire Lord appeared in front of us. He wanted to take Bluto from us which he did manage, no matter my warding spell. Gone, he was, forcing both Pyre and Yshvara in a deep sleep. After a short rest, we headed back to Vallaki, curing Stella on our way and leaving her resting in the capable hands of a guard that seemed like a father to her. We continued our path to Ireena, crossing a lazy guard only to enter a messy office with no one but Muriel to find on the ground. Signs of violence were all over the place. When Muriel regained consciousness with Yshvara's help, the woman was quick to let us know ... That ... Ireena was taken by force."

"We moved deeper down the stairs of the catacomb to return the relic to its original spot. Once we crossed the river and reached the underground monastery, we were paused in our steps with multiple roads to go.

Eventually, we decided to take our first turn right to a door which revealed one of the many chambers. A room with beds, some bookshelves and a desk. It was quite the shame that these written books are no longer in a condition to be read. When my attention was drawn elsewhere, I noticed some magical circles on the walls that carry a warding spell against the undead. Hopefully, I thought, this spell is powerful enough to keep us safe.

We continued to a few storage rooms that were almost entirely empty. I don't believe that these crates would hold anything of interest, given the old state that the environment is in. We continued to explore and found a well outside the chambers where undead energy is located at both the left and right.

We decided not to head there yet, and in that moment, Shevat needed me close, naming me an expert on the field of the undead. Odd, but not uncomfortable. I moved to him until we reached an open space with two grates on the floor. We encountered an enemy with an odd appearance, its arms were long and pointy and it stood on two pole-like spikes. How it keeps its balance is a mystery to me but once Pyre and the creature locked eyes, a loud yell escaped it and the battle started against him and a number of other, questionable creatures. The fight seemed to go well until another one of those creatures climbed its way up from the grate to the surface to accompany the other.

The fight ended and we made it but only barely ...

After a short rest, we continued to explore the eastern part of the monastery, leading all the way to the north. We discovered an empty stable and another room with some stairs leading to another room. Given the poor condition of these wooden stairs, we were forced to pass one by one until Tibirin would follow. We knew that it would be difficult but I didn't expect to hear a loud snap and a thud when Tibirin broke through the stairs and hit the ground. We somehow managed to pull him all the way up with the rope that he tossed over the wall. Stuck in a new environment with a large stone door, we looked around and found only some urns standing around, one of which was knocked over and dirtied the ground with its ashes and remains. Pyre and Yshvara spotted a platform that was hidden in the stairs that would lead to the door.

We suspect that it is a trap, and with no clear method for us to open up the door, I reached for one of the urns that were standing around to check its weight. That was, until loud whispers reached our mind and four spectral grim reapers covered each corner of the room. There is no escape. I noticed Shevat's fierce glare resting on me.

Well, oops, I did it, again ..."

"The days have been pretty rough for all of us. Things have changed, some for the better, but most for the worst. And most of that all, I am convinced that it is my doing.

I woke up in the basement of the Wachter's noble family's house, fighting my tears from the loss of a valuable member to the team. Not only to the team, but especially myself. Naedithas has passed away in a battle in which he was possessed by the incubus we fought. Desperately trying to hold on, Tibirin needed to unleash his frustrations onto the walls of the room in which we fought. While I ... Was too busy crying my eyes out over the loss of my dearest.

We decided to head back to the Blue Water inn, to give ourselves a moment to think. When Tibirin and I walked out and were on our way, we crossed paths with Shevat and Yshvara who came back from their investigation at the Baron's mansion. They didn't seem to have found anything judging from their behavior. They asked questions about Naedithas, who was being carried by Tibirin but we decided to have a talk inside the inn room.

Once inside, I explained the situation, and added, once again, that it was my fault. Like Tibirin, they told me it was not, but I know better. All of them broke down in tears in front of me. It was nearly unbearable for me to listen and feel my guilt grow. Especially when Shevat simply passed out from the exhaustion ... The poor guy.

But ... That night was my appointment, it was a chance for me to turn things around. Unknowing of what will happen to me at that point, I was determined to make a change. No matter the cost. Even if I must join His side. Even if we both will, I didn't care. I was a fool, I've always been one and I felt that when I left through the door to walk through the night. Tibirin was already gone, I didn't know what he was doing other than that he asked for Naedithas' favorite liquor. I hope he's alright ...

I made my way to the mansion, contacted the shadow lady when I heard her voice suddenly from behind me. It is time, there is no turning back ... I knew it.

She seemed surprised with my attitude that was so different from before but she seemed to be willing to hear me out when I spoke of a request I have. To bring Naedithas back to the land of the living. When I mentioned it, I heard a second voice from the other side. At first, He had the appearance of Vasili von Holt until He dropped the disguise. Strahd. Both of them seemed to be perfectly up to date to the situation and the thought scared me. They truly know everything. I kneeled down in front of Him and begged for His support, in return, I said, I will come with him if he would let me. I would do anything, I promised. He let me live. He gave me a chance and let me leave with a plan to put it all in motion.

I returned to the inn with relief. Gave everyone my final smile and a good look, for this would mean our farewell. A knock coming from the window came and a voice sounded. "Can I come in?" I saw the look in their eyes right before I answered the voice. "Yes, you can come in~"

The window opened up and a shadow slipped inside to spread inside the room and took the appearance of Strahd. He greeted everyone, handed me the credits for the plan and put it in action until Tibirin interfered. He stabbed Naedithas with his silvered weapon, an attempt to stop what would happen. Fear spread inside of me until Strahd mocked him and took him by his throat. Yshvara, too, tried to fight it. "This isn't what you want", I remember Tibirin saying, but in truth, this is all I've ever wanted. Yshvara said to me that I should be happy that Naedithas is finally free, but as selfish as I was ... I told her that "Soon, I will be as well."

Free from the sorrow, free from fear ...

Tibirin was tossed against the wall and the spells were cancelled as Strahd prepared for us to leave when he laid his hand over Naedithas and the other reached out for me. I dropped my bag off and left my journal with the note, then I moved to him and gave the others a final look, but especially Yshvara who returned me a shocked expression and reminded me of the mistake I am about to make. I smiled at her, right before we disappeared.

I know."

"We only barely managed to deal with the guard and ruckus around the Vallakovich manor just when we got out. It was thanks to Yshvara's actrice skills, that we could make a safe escape to one of the back alleyway by tricking the guards. There we met up with von Holt's butler, Sebastian who had two hunters with him to help us carry them to safety. The guard was less fortunate with the memory loss he was given by Sebastian. He'll be that naughty guard who had a glass too many during his duty~

As for us, we were told to head to the inn. Near us, the streets are in chaos. Everywhere are guards and they constructed a check point where each of us was to enter our name and previous location before we could head to the inn. We aren't allowed to leave the room for the night, so we were quick to move upstairs and call it a night. The next morning, Naedithas ran into the room for a treat with a guard in the doorframe, he needed both Tibirin and Ireena downstairs for an interrogation with the chief of the knights. Izek ... I knew this would come ... I knew it all along ...

Afterwards, we headed straight to von Holt, where the others went inside and Naedithas and I had a brief conversation. I didn't cause ANY commotion, okay?! I didn't! When the others came back outside, we had a new mission await us. The food storage is running low. We need to check the fisherman and eventually seek for this vistani girl that went missing. Shevat was incredibly impatient about it and so was Naedithas when we made it to the lake and I noticed the boat at an island in the distance. The two of them just JUMPED into the water like it was an average exercize! Nobody commented on it! Is this normal for you guys?!

The rest of us went to a wooden cabin nearby and found some strong liquor, a buried doll and a short rope. Hopefully we'll find the girl. It looks like she was kidnapped and taken here. Blinksy’s dolls are everywhere, I swear! ... That reminds me ... I still need to pay him a visit. BLINKSY! I'M COMING FOR YOU!"

"I've never talked as much as I did that day, I swear ... But damn, it was fun ...

So, we woke up at the Vistani camp and were ... Blessed with the breakfast of our lives. The chief claims it's their traditional breakfast for generations long, but I can tell that their quality hasn't much improved over the last decades if it still tastes as it does. ugh ... It was a mistake to even mention that it was good, even if that was nothing but a lie. They offered me another portion of their very life fueling porridge. Thank the Gods for Shevat who helped me out there ...

So, our next objective was to visit Madam Eva. And her appearance was like the splitting image of the creep from my dreams! Of course, she would convince us that it wasn't her, who said that we should side with the count and she added that the Vistani is entirely neutral.

We learned a few things about Strahd, how he lost the love of his life and uses other women to temporarily replace her, and since the women that he keeps in her place aren't enjoyable enough, he now toys with our lives as well. Yeah ... I feel sorry for him ...

Madam Eva gave us some vague clues of items and people, which we can put to use to fight the man and release Barovia from the curse, but none of them truly rang a bell. I did make a note of each of these. After the private session for both Naedithas and Yshvara, we went to an unknown caravan where a familiar face showed up at the door and he was as anxious as ever to see us; Hi, Nico.

Nico and Ana are relatives of the man, where we were told to go to by Ismark. And when everyone was present, I addressed the letter. Ana told me that they got it from Strahd's right-hand man, Rahadin. The dusk elf stood at the East gate right before Nico and Ana left Barovia. They accepted it with the hope that some powerful heroes can save their homeland. We also learned some interesting information about the enemies that await us as well. I've noted it all down! Hehehe ... Everything ...

We left the caravan and met up with the camp's chief, Ulog, again. He told us that the Vistani live not only in this camp, but that there are other camps where they gather. He warned us about a specific camp, led by two brothers, that we must take caution with their rougher methods and refer to the chief as our friend to get a reasonable treatment.

He gave us a little more information about the vineyard we seek, not WHERE we can find it but a place which we may learn more about it. I needed to ask everyone here for information, we never know when there will be a next time where people are willing to share information with us without making us pay or are even kind enough to trust.

Our journey continued.

Ahead, awaited us three Dire wolves that we met near the bridge. We tried to lure them away with some of their own meat but it didn't last when we were spotted while crossing the river behind them for a safe escape. AND! We were dragged into battle again. To our luck, the damage we took wasn't severe and now, we must make our way past the Ravenloft gate without getting caught by Strahd's minions.

We'll probably just run for our lives and the bird that stalks us, can laugh at our pathetic attempt! It better be looking away!"

"Dear Diary,

You would not BELIEVE what happened today ... Wait, it is still happening ... I'm writing this while the others are occupied with exploring this place but I must add this chapter in my story. After we got back from the carnival event, we stayed the night at Leilon. Shevat said to us, the next morning, that he has a mentor which could help us cross the forests to reach Barovia. Our plans changed drastically when we took a break around the Kryptgarden Forest to SEEK for this specific mentor.

While I was keeping watch and ... Stroked Tibirin's soft ... But ... Also ... sticky Fur ... and got kicked in my side by Naedithas for touching him, we found ourselves surrounded by a thick fog.

From the distance we could hear a pack of wolves closing in on us. We could not see a thing and barely even breathe with the fog this thick. So, Mr. Guard actually came up with an exceptionally GREAT IDEA. To use the rope, we carried, to tie us together and to get the HELL away from the danger. While we went in a direction unknown, we found our way outside the forest with a path in front of us. Behind us there was a wall of solid fog and it was ... Odd. But what was in front of us was EVEN worse ... Somehow we ended up at the East Gates that led us to our destination. How?! You're asking?! I don't know.

We found ourselves at an open gate, which I thought was suspicious, and two children outside, desperately crying for their parents, which they said, are inside the house with a monster. So we made our way inside by violence ... Thank you, Tibirin ... And we rushed up the stairs. Only to find out that this is PROBABLY a trap that we got lured in!

Inside the house we found a number of letters, the corpse of Gustav Durst, the father of the two children which previously stood outside. And the children their SPIRITS ... Inside a kid's room and they moved and spoke ... It was terrifying. Right, there was yet another corpse of their nanny too. Moments later, a door unlocked and we found passage to the basement where we found eight beds and more notes, among them one letter came from a man named Strad, and a room filled with bones.

PLEASE TELL ME THIS ISN'T CANNIBALISM ... And this stuff about sacrifices at some alter is JUST a joke?! RIGHT?! I'm too young to be sacrificed for any Demon summoning! Have MERCY!"

Oct. 13th, 2020

Profile

istainion

June 2026

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Syndicate