Session 2 - Sep 14, 2022

You follow the dirt road as it clings to the side of a mountain and ends before an arching bridge of mold-encrusted stone that spans a natural chasm. Gargoyles cloaked in black moss perch on the corners of the bridge, their frowns weatherworn. On the mountainous side of the bridge, a waterfall spills into a misty pool nearly a thousand feet below. The pool feeds a river that meanders into the fog-shrouded pines that blanket the valley.

We see some people in the distance, similar to gypsies we found before (Arrigul), the ones that gave us the letter.

We approach them, they are relaxing. They notice us, they don't ask surprised.
Most people in this area are suspicious. These folks are not worried.

at the Tser Pool Encampment

The road gradually disappears and is replaced by a twisted, muddy path through the trees. Deep ruts in the earth are evidence of the comings and goings of wagons.

The canopy of mist and branches suddenly gives way to black clouds boiling far above. There is a clearing here, next to a river that widens to form a small lake several hundred feet across. Five colorful round tents, each ten feet in diameter, are pitched outside a ring of four barrel-topped wagons. A much larger tent stands near the shore of the lake, its sagging form lit from within. Near this tent, eight unbridled horses drink from the river.

The mournful strains of an accordion clash with the singing of several brightly clad figures around bonfire. A footpath continues beyond this encampment, meandering north between the river and the forest’s edge.

Etienne spoke with - Joe The Old Man "the old man".

Kolyan Indirovich Burgomaster is in the town, very close

Madam Eva - reads future

The Wizard of Wines - mentions that there is trouble with production - farm far from here. (WEST)

we see two large Ravens and a lot of Crows

Etienne follows Aurora to talk with Madam Eva

Magic flames cast a reddish glow over the interior of this tent, revealing a low table covered in a black velvet cloth. Glints of light seem to flash from a crystal ball on the table as a hunched figure peers into its depths. As the crone speaks, her voice crackles like dry weeds. “At last you have arrived!” Cackling laughter bursts like mad lightning from her withered lips.

she lays down 5 cards in a cross
we all roll 1d10 and draw a card

fortunes of Ravenloft

Arcus rolls a 9

[!important] 9 of Swords—Torturer

There is a town where all is not well. There you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts.

Aurora rolls a 7

[!important] 7 of Stars—Illusionist

A man is not what he seems. He comes here in a carnival wagon. Therein lies what you seek.

Balin Parnak rolls a 1

[!important] 1 of Coins—Swashbuckler

I see the skeleton of a deadly warrior, lying on a bed of stone flanked by gargoyles.

Etienne rolls a 9

[!important] 9 of Glyphs—Traitor

Look for a wealthy woman. A staunch ally of the devil, she keeps the treasure under lock and key, with the bones of an ancient enemy.

"she says maybe you get help, maybe NOT, the fate has been drawn."

Madam Eva draws a 5

[!important] Darklord (King of Spades)

Ah, the worst of all truths: You must face the evil of this land alone!

"This land is cursed, no one can leave until it is broken. The Baron of Barovia can allow us to leave. Strahd is his name." For a split second the entire camp gets quiet. In the distance we hear thunder. "He is always in his Castle."

The family that runs the Inns: Martikovs

There are other settlements in the area as well. The main places include Vallaki and the Village of Barovia.

Three other settlements:
Argynvostholt
Village of Krezk
Berez

fight with Aurora last night turned into a werewolf

head out in the morning - go to Village of Barovia

we pass an all wooden gallows - some corpses hanging
one of the corpses looks like Arcus to Arcus - but no one else
Arcus tries to use lightening to pull the body down
body dissolves into fog and disappears -- the rest of the bodies dissolve as well. close to where the foot of Arcus body, white flower, ray of light came from clouds and hit flower. looks beautiful and out of place, and in an instant, the light is gone and it's dark again.

we keep going and approach the bridge outside of the village - village doesn't look like it's in good shape. there is no wall or defense around village. people in the streets move away when they see us. we enter the city.

as we head through the main street we hear screams and the sounds of a cart being pulled.

we head to the Inn - barman - Arik the Barkeep - we ask for Kolyan Indirovich Burgomaster - he passed away three days ago! he has a son and daughter - son is by the firefox - name is Ismark the Lesser. He states that the Baron Strahd 's seal is on it, so it must be a trick.
Etienne hear's "it looks like it's going to rain".
He tell's us we can not leave. Vistani can go back and forth, but they are they only ones.

Ismark the Lesser said he may have something for us to do. Maybe we can help with his sister. He needs to move her quickly from here. It's difficult, needs safe passage to Vallaki or Krezk.

he said Vallaki don't like strangers. Strahd wants her sister Ireena Kolyana.

Balin Parnak casts detect good/evil and detects Etienne - Balin Parnak and Etienne walk off and speak for a bit.

We head to Kolyan Indirovich Burgomaster's house, where Ireena Kolyana is located.

when we exit the inn we continue to hear crying and wailing. and we see an old woman pushing a cart and knocking on doors.

[!quote] A moaning sob floats through the still, gray streets, coloring your thoughts with sadness. The sounds flow from a dark, two-story townhouse.

she lost her daughter a month ago and she lost her mind.

Ismark the Lesser states that the old woman should be avoided and she is peddling pastries.

Aurora chooses to try and help the crazed woman Gurtruda that lost her daughter. She wants her to find her and bring her home. She hands him a ragged doll, it belonged to her daughter.

The malformed doll has a strange leer and wears a sackcloth dress. It belonged to Mary in her youth and was passed down to Gertruda.

Stitched into the hem of its dress is a frayed tag bearing the words “Is No Fun, Is No Blinsky!”

we continue on, and run into old woman. she drags a kid from house and puts it into a sack. two adults at door, don't do anything

hag runs off leaving kid in bag on ground. Etienne opens bag and let's kid out. Balin Parnak puts the kid (Tim/Tom) on top of Rocco.

When we get close to the house, we see two more kids.

Balin Parnak starts playing with a piece of wood (toy) with them.

The kids mentioned a "monster in the basement". They move to North East house in city.

We head back down to Ismark the Lesser and Ireena Kolyana's house on the south side of the city ...

to be continued ...