D&D 5E A Middling DM Runs Curse of Strahd

[not-so-newguy]

thanks for still taking the time for the recaps!

Thanks! I appreciate it

 

[not-so-newguy]

Game Prep Thursday June 12​

We’ll spend some, maybe all, of the next session tying up the loose ends in Vallaki. This is also a chance to revisit Barovia Village and the Winery. For this session only, I’m going to ignore random encounters while traveling between the villages and winery to expedite things.

When we’re done with all that, the group will need to decide where to go next.

Vallaki​

Fiona Wachter: Believes she’s a cat. Needs Greater Restoration. Stays with Father Lucian at first, eventually adopted by Baroness Lydia Petrovna.
Nikolai and Karl Wachter: The Venture Brothers. Irresponsible and dumb, but not malicious. Take over the estate.
Baron Vargas: Negotiate with PCs about Influence in Vallaki. The loss of Izek and the traitorous Captain Korga, plus the coup, has greatly weakened the Baron. He is vulnerable to another coup. Maybe Vasili?
Father Lucian: With the addition of Fiona, who needs her own room, Ireena is now sleeping on a pew. Not the best of living situations, but safe.
Ireena: Her Hope Rating is 14. The Rating will dwindle until there’s a resolution. With things resolved amicably in Vallaki, moving to Krezk is an unnecessary risk as far as she’s concerned. Even if the PCs find the hallowed area there.
Morgantha: Elderly lady who sells Dream Pastries. She’s said to live in the Old Windmill. An NPC shares the story of Baker Valentine from Barovia Village.

A couple of years ago the Baker’s two teenage daughters named Ophelia and Bella went missing. His wife died of a broken heart. Soon after that, Valentine decided to start a new life in Vallaki. He hired some folks to accompany him.

When they passed near the Old Windmill, he was greeted by Morgantha who was flanked by the Baker’s daughters. The trio invited the baker to the decrepit windmill. The rest of his hired guards were too scared to go. They pleaded with the Baker to come to his senses. He refused and they parted ways, the Baker to the windmill and the rest of the crew to Vallaki.

Rictavio: I indicated that he’s an important NPC, but I don’t know what to do with him. He just seems like a distraction at this point. Any ideas?

Wizard of Wines​

Davian: Best source of setting info
Stephania: Barely functional. Needs Greater Restoration
Help Shipping Wine (Final visit Krezk)

Village of Barovia​

Bildrath
Ismark is here. The raids have stopped, but things still suck.
Sad Mary committed suicide. Victor is secretly squatting there now.
Church is abandoned. POTENTIAL ENCOUNTER: Two Vampire Spawn live in the basement. They work for Ludmilla and are tasked with gathering five peasants.

Letter from Strahd. ​

Rahidin leaves Ravenloft with the written invitation from Strahd. He is tasked with searching for the party. This is his itinerary:

• Village of Barovia (8am) (Blood on the Vine and Ismark)
• Valaki (12pm) (Blue Water Inn and the Baron’s Mansion)
• Krezk (2pm) (Outside the Gate)
• Wizard of Wines (4pm) (Davian)

The day of his departure is undecided at this point. He will repeat this route every day until the PCs are found. Anybody dealing with Rahidin will be traumatized and will remember him. I still need to write the letter.

The PCs next move​

After the above is addressed, the PCs have five apparent choices. But who knows? They might decide to storm Ravenloft.

1. Krezk
2. The Old Windmill
3. Werewolves: A tribe of humans suspected of being werewolves live North of Krezk.
4. Berez: Swamp and home of Baba Lysaga. The most powerful Hag in Barovia. The suspected location of the Red Dragon Crush gem stolen from Wizard of Wines.
5. Yester Hill. Location of the Gulthias Tree. A well-known gathering place for evil druids and barbarians.