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Message: <blockquote data-quote="not-so-newguy" data-source="post: 9806997" data-attributes="member: 6786140">[ATTACH=full]423124[/ATTACH]RECAP of the RECAPSDaggerfall, Sword Coast in Faerun<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wildthorn High Elf Cleric ->Thalion Human Paladin ->Elyrion High Elf Rogue</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Yor Kenku Warlock ->Thordin Halfling Paladin ->Sleeps Tabaxi Monk / Cleric</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Skarther Goblin Druid ->Grant Shifter Ranger</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Roos Drow Rogue ->Mamol Hill Dwarf Cleric</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Moss Human Druid</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Smugly Dragonborn Monk</li> </ul>Five adventurers were in Froggy’s Smithy getting one of their weapons silvered when they were interrupted by a Vistani named Arrigal who delivered a message from Burgermeister Koylan of Barovia Village. The letter described a father worried about his daughter who suffered from some ailment from some villainous menace, and it promised lots of money. Although they had never heard of the place, Arrigal assured them that Barovia Village was only a day’s trip to the east. They agreed and left the next day.Enter the Land of Barovia, Southeastern Edge of BaroviaThe Gang traveled east as promised and after about a half day of travel, they found themselves swallowed up by an unnatural mist. Unbeknownst to them at the time, the Gang had been transported to the Land of Barovia, a dark demi-plane that functioned as a prison for the vampire Strahd Von Zarovich. They passed through the Eastern Gates.They were later joined by Skarther, a Goblin Druid and former companion of the Gang, who had entered Barovia separately. They attempted to camp out in the wilderness but discovered that they weren’t in Faerun anymore and the environment was much more dangerous. Somehow, they managed to survive.Durst Manor, Southeastern BaroviaThe first sign of civilization in this strange land was a lone estate whose grandeur had long since faded. Near this manor were two children who pleaded with the Gang to kill a monster inhabiting their home. They reluctantly agreed.They ended up trapped in the home and the kids were mere apparitions. The Gang investigated the building since they had no other choice. They discovered that the home had a dark history involving starvation and cannibalism. Its former inhabitants had dedicated themselves to something named Strahd Von Zarovich. Many of these former inhabitants were still around in the form of tortured undead, spirits could be heard “He is the Ancient, He is the Land.” Even the Manor itself seemed alive. Eventually the Gang discovered Durst Manor’s twisted heart, which had coalesced into a Gibbering Mouther. They defeated it and escaped.Village of Barovia, Southeastern BaroviaThe Gang entered Barovia Village looking for a place to rest. The village was as creepy as everything else in this land: The streets were empty and buildings displayed evidence of recent violence; blood, torn clothing, broken windows, deep gouges in buildings, predatory animal tracks, etc. After spending some time in the local tavern, they met Ismark who offered a safe sleeping spot.He explained that the Village was under nightly attacks of Strahd’s minions of wolves and ghouls. He went on to tell them that Strahd was after his sister Ireena. He pleaded with the party to escort her north to the town of Vallaki where she’d be safe in the Church of St Andral. The Gang agreed. Their night’s rest was interrupted by harassing ghouls and wolves, but they managed to get the sleep they needed.Church of the Morninglord, Barovia VillageIreena insisted on burying her adopted father, Koylon, in the local cemetery. The nightly harassment had proven too much and his heart had failed. The gang carried Koylon in his coffin to the local church where Father Donavich could preside over the burial.The church was small and run-down with a bell tower. They entered and discovered Father Donavich desperately praying at the altar. A scream could be heard downstairs, “FATHER! I HUNGER!” The priest froze and said nothing. The Gang demanded answers. Donavich confessed that the screams were his son, Doru, who had been turned into a Vampire Spawn. He pleaded with the adventurers to not harm his son. They delayed deciding on Doru and followed through on burying Koylan. Afterward, they pressed Donavich on his son again who ignored them and went back to desperately praying.The Gang decided to investigate the basement and found Doru. The approached the agitated Vampire Spawn who lashed out when the got too close. A fierce fight played out. They killed Doru, but Wildthorn also had died. They burned both bodies with Moonbeam. Father Donavich dropped into a dissociative state and said nothing when he discovered that they had killed his son.Madame Eva’s Divination, Tser Pool EncampmentThe Gang left Barovia Village with Ireena. Their goal was to get to Vallaki before nightfall. Along the way they decided to take a side trip to Madame Eva, a Diviner they were advised to meet.They reached the Encampment and met Thalion, a Paladin from Faerun who had been summoned by Madame Eva. They all went into Madame Eva’s tent to receive their Divination:“The first card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy.”She flipped the first card.“The Elementalist. The treasure is hidden in a small castle beneath a mountain, guarded by amber giants.“The second card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope”She flipped the second card.“The 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.“The third is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: A sword of sunlight.”She flipped the third card.“The Missionary. I see a garden dusted with snow, watched over by a scarecrow with a sackcloth grin. Look not to the garden but to the guardian.“The fourth card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.She flipped the fourth card.“The Innocent. I see a young man with a kind heart. A motherless boy! He is strong in body but weak of mind. Seek him out in the Village of Barovia. “Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This last card will lead you to him.”She flipped the last card.“The Executioner. I see a dark figure on a balcony, looking down upon this tortured land with a twisted smile. That is all I can provide. The divination is finished.”Introducing Strahd, Southeastern CrossroadsThey left Madame Eva and headed back to Barovia Village where they hoped to find the Ally as divined in the Fourth Card. Their journey was interrupted by Strahd and his Consorts. Strahd declared his intentions for Ireena and promised that the “only safe space in Barovia for her is by his side.” To prove his peaceful intentions, he would invite the Gang (her protectors) to dinner. He invited Ireena too but assumed that she would decline. He also promised not to harass her or the Gang. Yor thought this was BS and challenged Strahd to a duel. With a flick of his hand, he Charmed the Kenku and then all the Vampire turned into bats and flew away.Parriwimple, Bildrath’s MercantileThey returned to Barovia Village and went to the Bildrath’s Mercantile where they sought Parriwimple the stockboy who they thought was their Ally. Bildrath, his uncle, refused to let the Gang take him.Dream Pastries, Streets of Barovia VillageSome of the Gang bought Dream Pastries. The Kenku and Dragonborn ate one. They got high. Roos bought a half dozen or so.They traveled to Vallaki without incident.Vallaki, Central BaroviaVallaki was a strange town, like something out of Handmaid’s Tale. Everyone insisted on saying “All is Well” with every sentence. People were in stocks who were accused of superfluous crimes such as “saying unkind things about the Burgermeister.”They visited St Andral’s Church seeking protection for Ireena. Father Lucian agreed to allow her to stay but needed the Gang to find St Andral’s Bones. Someone had stolen them. Thalion took the lead and, after some persuading, discovered that they were being held by some vampire spawn at the Coffin Maker’s Shop. The Spawn yielded the Bones because of Strahd’s Pact.The Baron invited Thalion and Ireena for dinner while the other, non-human, party members were invited as their servants.Dinner at the Baron’s Mansion, Western VallakiWhen Thalion arrived with Ireena into the Baron’s Dining Room, Izek, the Baron’s right-hand man stood up with a zealous look in his eye. “YOU!” He said to Ireena. “The one of my dreams… I must possess you!” The party resisted him and were forced to kill Izek. It should be noted that the Baron and the rest of his retinue were just as shocked as the party.Exiting Vallaki, Central BaroviaUrwin, the Inn owner, asked the Gang to investigate the delayed wine shipments. His supplier was the Wizard of Wines to the west. The Gang agreed and left the next morning. While leaving Vallaki, they spotted someone trailing them. Roos got the jump on him. The conversation went like this:“HAH! GOTCHA!”“AHHH!” The man squealed.“What are you doing following us? Who are you?”“Um, uh, I was hired by Lady Wachter. My name is Ernst. Your group interests her greatly. I’m sure she would like to meet with you.”“We’re busy right now. Tell her we’ll meet with her in three days.”“I will, sir.”Roos met up with the Gang, and they continued with their journey.The Wizard of Wines, Western BaroviaThe Winery was invaded by evil druids and dozens of Blights. Davian the Winemaker and his family were hiding in a copse of trees. The Gang agreed on the condition that they would get free wine for life.They cleared the winery fairly easily and managed to capture the Gulthias Staff. Moss claimed the magical item for himself. Unfortunately, the Player had a schedule conflict for the next 4-5 sessions.At the beginning of the next session, the Gang realized that clearing the Winery was the easy part because now they were besieged by 50 or so Blights. Skarther discovered that the Gulthias Staff could control the Blights. Then, he destroyed the Staff which in turn, destroyed the Blights.The destruction of the staff would unwittingly be controversial.During the siege, some Druids had kidnapped two of Davian’s Clanmates and stole the Wine Gem. It was believed that they were taken to Yesterhill, a location where the evil Druids held rituals. Davian revealed that he and his family plus others scattered across Barovia were Wereravens. They were a clandestine group dedicated to thwarting Strahd.On the Road and Yester Hill, Western BaroviaThe Gang was taunted, but not attacked, by Strahd riding his flying Night-Mare, Bucephalus, as they traveled to Yester Hill. When they reached Yester Hill, Strahd messaged them that they had “exactly three minutes and forty-two seconds before all hell uproots itself.”Roos and Skarther hopped on Thalion’s Steed and the trio raced up the hill. Smugly and Darsha the Wereraven NPC followed closely behind. At the top of the hill, a powerful Blood Druid was forcing the mother Wereraven to watch her son be sacrificed to the Gulthias Tree. The Gang’s irregular charge gave the powerful spellcaster time and distance to react. Using powerful spells, he nearly killed all four.The Gang, however, managed to barely survive. They even got a nifty magical spear in the process. But they weren’t done yet. Up ahead the Druids and Berserkers were about to finish some ritual which would result in the death of the Wereraven son.The Gang rushed forward again despite being depleted of hit points and powers, albeit with a little more discretion this time. The discretion didn’t help and they all died, except Darsha who retrieved the Blood Spear and Wine Gem. She witnessed Strahd taking Thalion’s corpse.Smugly and Moss survived because the Players weren’t there.Hunting Werewolves, Northwestern Edge of Barovia<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Elyrion the High Elf Thief</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mamol the Hill Dwarf Cleric of Twilight</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Grant the Shifter Monster Slayer Ranger</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Thordin Lightfoot the Halfling Oath of Vengeance Paladin</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sleeps the Tabaxi Monk Cleric [REPLACES THORDIN]</li> </ul>Four Harpers from Faerun were hunting Werewolves near Daggerfall and entered Barovia from the western edge. They discovered the Village of Krezk and sought refuge. The leader told them that he’ll allow them to enter only if they deliver a delayed wine shipment from the Wizard of Wines.The new Gang travelled south to the Wizard of Wines, and they were attacked by a pack of wolves led by a dire wolf. Thordin got killed and the goodly Harpers allowed their comrade’s corpse to rot in the field with the rest of the carrion.The Wizard of Wines, Western BaroviaThey reached the Wizard of Wines and found their fellow Harper Sleeps the Tabaxi already there. They also met Davian, the Wereraven leader. Moss, Smugly, and Darsha with Stephania returned from their Yester Hill disaster.The new members were fully informed of their predicament:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Strahd and his obsession with Ireena.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Madame Eva’s Divination.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Winery and the two missing magic Gems</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The clandestine group of wereravens who secretly oppose Strahd.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wintersplinter attacked Vallaki and destroyed part of the southern wall.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The political coup by Lady Wachter in Vallaki</li> </ul>Vallaki, Central BaroviaThe Gang found the Symbol of Ravenkind in the Baron’s attic. They also freed the Baron and his wife. They subsequently got a threatening letter from Lady Wachter. The Gang infiltrated her home and killed Lady Wachter and her entourage. Baron Vargas was reinstated as Burgermeister.Yester Hill, Western BaroviaThe Gang traveled back to Yester Hill. They dispatched the Berserkers and Druids there. They spotted a nifty axe plunged into the Gulthias Tree. Moss communed with the tree. They left.On their return trip, they came upon a pair of Vistani. They shared some wine. The pair said they were from a Vistani Camp just outside of Vallaki and informed the group that Arrigal was their leader. The same Arrigal that delivered the fake letter to the Gang waaay back in the first session.Wizard of Wines, Western BaroviaThe Gang help the Martikov family finish bottling the wine.Krezk, Northwestern BaroviaThe Gang delivered the wine to Krezk and they were allowed entry into the small town. Krezk was a small communal society where currency was meaningless. Labor and resources were shared as needed.Rahidan, Strahd’s Chamberlain, arrived at the gates of Krezk and delivered a message to the Gang. It was an invitation to dinner next week.The Abbot arrived from the Abbey in Krezk and invited the Gang to dine with him that night. They went up there and had dinner. The Gang found out that the Abbot cast Raise Dead on Thalion as a favor for Strahd. Later, they explored the area and found a book about the Amber Temple. They also recovered the Sun Sword Pommel after fighting some wights.The next day, at the urging of the Sun Sword Pommel, the Gang discovered the Holy Pool. The ghost of Sergei (Strahd’s brother) appeared and granted Elyrion attunement with the Sun Sword. Sergei also shared a bunch of lore about Strahd.Krezk and Vallaki, BaroviaThe Gang went back to Vallaki and bullied the Burgermeister into giving them his wife’s wedding dress. Then returned to Krezk and gave it to the Abbot. The Abbot promised to cast Raise Dead for them.Castle Ravenloft, Eastern VallakiThe Gang arrived for dinner, but the whole situation was off. The DM was unprepared (shame on me) and some players were missing. The dinner with Strahd was rescheduled.The Gang decided to travel to the Amber Temple since Madame Eva’s divination hinted at important knowledge being hidden there.Tsolenka Pass, South Central BaroviaThey were attacked by Gargoyles which they defeated. They freed a Werewolf named Emil. The Gang promised that they would help him overthrow the Pack Leader who was harassing Faerun. Then Ludmilla and her monstrosity appeared and attacked. Elyrian damaged her with the Sun Blade and she fled.Amber Temple, Southern Edge of BaroviaThe Gang began exploring the Temple, received a bunch of fireballs to their faces, and left.The Old Windmill, Central BaroviaThis was where Morgantha and her sisters made Dream Cakes. The Gang ambushed Morgantha and killed her. They attacked the other two sisters, but they escaped. They freed some children and burned the Old Windmill to the ground.Barovia Village, Southeastern BaroviaThey delivered the children to Ismark. Bildrath agreed to allow Parriwimple to join the Gang if they can get two strong workers to replace him.Werewolf Den, Northwestern BaroviaThe Gang reconnoitered with Emil near the Werewolf Den. They helped him defeat the Pack Leader and his followers. The Gang found a Robe of Useful Items. The Gang struck a deal with Emil: Two Werewolves will pose as humans and help Bildrath run his store. This will allow Parriwimple to join the group.</blockquote>

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