The morning has been well and good. Mid afternoon--Stanamere turns to Kenji and they talk a bit about travel. Kenji states that we stole a pirate ship. Yozsu grins, and Vikta tries to hold in her laughter.
We have been headed towards a large forest. “The woods may swallow you otherwise.” He warns us to stay close. The team just shrugs and goes along with it--what else are we gonna do?
Kenji: That’s a good warning.
Maple/Oak forest. Silence after an hour of walking...eerie. The warm bright sun,is barely able to be seen through the trees.. The forest sucks away all the light of the day. A thick fog and mist curls up--floating around all of us.
Stanamere makes us move faster. Looking perturbed at the mist. We are all told to get on the wagons--as the mist tries to grab at us--or so it looks like.
Wis save--we all feel a swirling presence all around us. It feels like the fluid in our heads is swirling--we feel lightly dizzy.
Stan calls out that we’re safe for now. The team is paranoid. Kenji is
The land is gone behind us--rolling thunder clouds hang around… deathly stillness claims the land and the fog. We can see about 100ft into the fog. A crow nosedives and dies. The sun seems muted. It is darkened.
Stan says “Welcome to Barovia”
The whole team is a bit spooked/paranoid.
Yozsu gets on top of Sehir’s wagon.
Trees stand like a wall, the giant trees loom branches claw at the mist.
7pm roughly in game.
Leo and Ember stick together.
There is a west and eastern gate. These looming large massive gates. High stone walls. Headless Statues. Their heads at their feet.
We’ve reached the gates of Barovia--the gates open with an unseen force… Once we pass through--we hear the rusted iron close behind us.
Dunal--has the shits from the puff puff pass in session 9&10 XD lol
We see more woods before us. The area gives the feeling of a silenced grave--of a scream not sounding. Vikta smells blood, an anguished voice of a young man. 20’s dead young man. Further up on the road is discovered. Around his body in the mud is giant paw prints.
Letter:
Vikta scoops up this letter and opens it and Yozsu shares that the wolves are near by. We go back to the wagon.
Letter is from the Burgermister--his Irena has been bitten by a Vampire. He’s become “too powerful to conquer”. Give us up for dead--create a barrier and return only for our wealth when we are gone.
Vikta assumes the vampire is why my “boss” wants us here. Stanamere. He says it is interesting.
Howling sounds around us--and we need to get moooooving!!! A dire wolf lunges out and clamps unto the body before looking up at us maw bloodied looking up at us--eyes glowing.
4 more direwolves approach. We come to a river. Ivaless the river is clear--a arching stone bridge spans across it one near us--and another towards a far off location.
Around 10pm
A crescent moon hangs over the cloudy starless sky. Little glowing eyes watch us from the brush. Vikta shivers in the cold, Ember hands her a cloak to wrap up further in.
Ember can smell firewood and cooking food.
We have found a village! It is a silent village--there is mournful sobbing echoing.This is the Village of Barovia.
To an Inn!
Stan mentions he needs a bodyguard when Kenji mentions sticking to him like glue.
Something is up between our “friends” the Vestani and the locals. We’re all a little confused. Vikta is paranoid. We see people around who look gaunt and dour sort. Some look mournful--fearful--disgusted.
“Very welcoming people” -Yozsu
“Oh”-Ember “Fuck you too”-Cynder
We are taken to the Blood of the vine tavern. (Blood on the vine)
As we walk in the fires are blazing--and it gives scant warmth.
Barkeep keeps cleaning glasses almost robotically it seems. 3 Vestani females at the one table are laughing and joking.
Back corner is a man who is in leathers and nursing ale and food.
Tender nods to us, the girls have school girl reaction, the man in the back looks at us with wonder and amazement.
Ember goes with Shiva across the street to the stables. Vikta watches out the window to be sure Ember is safe. The locals give the pair a wide berth. Visibly avoiding people.
Ember is made aware that non-humans in Barovia are feared and shunned.
This place is serious and grim...One villager makes a comment against Shiva--and Ember intimidates them. Shiva, “My hero” As Ember cools down (i’m getting Hades from Hercules vibes with fire hair and smoking huffs.)
“Ignore the vermin” Stanamere.
Everyone is charming… so charming here…
Kenji at the bar chose to sit there and asked for water.
Ember braided flowers and ribbons into our hair and onto Yozsu’s tail.
Vikta and Ember talk about the ribbons in her own hair. Vikta gets a little flustered at being complimented by Ember.
Leo CAWS outside how dare Ember leave him outside. Ember lets him into the tavern.
Leo is shocked to be “home”, he is unsure if it was a good idea to come back…
Leo “belongs” to another?? One of the Vestani a kindly old woman. Hrmmm interesting.
Ember goes to tell Vikta who volunteers to go with immediately and then jokes with Yozsu about “scaring” the locals.
The guy from the back comes to sit next to Kenji. He asks if Kenji is from around here, he wants to hear stories of the outside world.
Kenji says we are “very strong willed women”.
The man has a need for aid? Kenji looks at him and then us ladies.
Ember and Vikta are approached by the man, and then while he is getting Ember a drink--The pair talk and Vika is blushing yet again. Ismark--son of the Burgomyster. Oh dear lord.
WHERE’S MY OVERTIME!!!!????
He’s asking for aid… XD
Vikta senses something from her Dark Doomy Undead Sugar Daddy of a patron. And uses a signal to Yozsu, to alert the party that his got a feeling about it. He goes to ask Stanamere and the party hears the man get told that he’ll be helped for a price.
Ismark “The lesser” is his name… oh boy that’s interesting..
((signs so far, 3 knocks is danger and playing with fingertips is the sign of “undead sugar daddy” has sent a message))
Stanamere asks Ismark for 10% of his estate.
Kenji barters along with Ember for spreading our name, food and drink, paid, and possible items as well.
The ladies join us at our table after we clear up a miscommunication. They talk to us about seeing Madam Ava. we agree to that--as we’re already headed there.
They ask about Ember’s past as she brings up her circus days… and then dancing is asked...and Ember gets ready to dance. Vikta is dragged into Ember’s dance.We put on quite a performance as a pair. The owners of the tavern are entertained.
Ember hugs Vikta atfter the dance and praises her again--Vikta manages to not blush.
Ismark goes back to Kenji, and they discuss the “ladies’” talents.
YOZSU STILL HAS THE ROTTING HEAD!! XD She is AGING IT XD
Ismark offers info like a tour guide.
Vikta asks about the Vampire.
He’s pure evil, devil incarnate. It came to this land and cursed it with his presence. Before they came...the morning lord watched over the land. The sun has not shown unobscured for centuries. Morning lord no longer answers prayers.
Count Strahd. The Devil Strahd. He’s visited the village in the last 2 weeks… terrible perils follow his visits. Undead, wolves, bats galore. The stress of this killed the old man.
Strahd is “devoted” to the cause of making her his. His sister is currently at the Burgermasters manor. She is currently tending to their father’s last rights. Towns people shun them, believing she is tainted and cursed by Strahd
1000ft tall pillar and a castle on top is where Strahd lives.
We’re asked to help lay the father to rest.
He gives us 5gp to enjoy our night at the tavern.
Local chapel there’s been screaming.
Kenji Takes 1st watch, 2nd Vikta, Ember 3rd, Yozsu takes 4th. Before noon departure time--10am.
Kenji’s watch: torches flicker, and there’s a loud gust of wind lots of little sounds stack.Sounds of multiple wings and chirping...the window to the tavern BURSTS as a swarm of bats fly in.
Bats attack Kenji--and Kenji catches a rose petal from the flowers in his hair as a rose falls to the floor. Kenji casts sleep.
All are hit by the spell and all fall unconscious.
Vikta is like: They’re dead.
Kenji is like: No they’re sleeping.
Vikta is like: No, Kenji, I mean they *will die*.
Yozsu is like: *picks up big dick energy Bat and ties him up.*
Ember and Yozsu try to get information from the Bat. It SCREECHS.
Eerie silence falls over the village.
Kenji puts forth a good point… the Burgurmisters kids might be a target…
And Yozsu eats the head of the bat. XD
We leave the tavern to see a direwold chowing down on a commoner and well… Vikta shoots an eldritch blast at it.
Villager is dead.