The Curse of Strahd

Session 5: Strahd von Zarovich

As told by Helios Winston

  • The figure introduces himself as the ruler of this land, Barovia, as Count Strahd von Zarovich.
  • Helios thanks Lord Strahd for having them in his land.
    • Strahd ignores him and walks up and talks to Utztec.
  • Strahd tells the group that he expects great things from them and if we entertain him enough, he may let us go home.
  • After some communication and Helios getting choked out, Strahd  points down a path and tells us to go to the village of Barovia. Strahd disappears into the mist.
  • We follow a path through the forest. No fog, but it is a very dense, sleepy hollow type forest.
  • We walked for a few hours, down the path.
  • We end up at a clearing with a massive gate up ahead, with giant, headless statues.  The gate swings open slowly and creaks as it opens.
  • Utztec leads us through the gate and through more forest until he notices the stench of death.
  • After a while we noticed what might be light in the trees ahead.
  • As we approached we were attacked by a group of Dire Wolves that flanked us in front and back. Combat Begins!
  • The group won the encounter. Helis was knocked unconscious and should have been out for quite a while. [REDACTED]----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a round of combat, Helios stands up, and with determination continues to kill two dire wolves and damage a third. To note, Helios was embracing the new look of his Eldritch Blast and pulling the screaming black dust from the ground and not staring to the heavens.
  • The group takes a short rest but Helios gets stressed from the impending storm.
  • We trek another hour through the forest until we reach a village.
    • Old village
    • Light from buildings is sparse
    • Age and time has not been kind to the village.
  • Helios looks into a window to see a couple, who shuts the blinds as they notice Helios.
  • As we get close to any buildings, the lights go out.
  • We find a tavern
    • Blood on the vine
    • However the “n” is scratched out and replaced with an “f” to say Blood of the Vine
  • We head inside
    • There is a bartender
    • 3 colorfully dressed women
    • A man in the corner drinking wine
  • Utztec finds info on a place to get things appraised
  • We are treated to wine and to sit with them in the corner who we find out is named Ismark.
  • We talked to Ismark to find out info. He is no fan of the devil Strahd.
  • The three ladies are vistani “loyalists of Strahd”
  • Ismark also asks for help
    • Strahd wants to call on Ismark’s sister and has a keen interest in her.
  • Helios goes to the bar to get a drink and [REDACTED]----------------------------
  • Ismark asks the group to get his sister to the village of Vallaki.
  • He suggests we go to an appraiser there as well, as Billdrath Cantemir ,the owner of the shop that Utztec found out about, is an asshole and we won’t get fair prices from him.
  • Helios tries his luck with the ladies again as Utztec and Tadg continue to talk to Ismark.
  • After Helios gets a drink poured over his head, he heads back to the table.
  • Ismark tells the group he will meet up with them tomorrow and leaves. One of the vistani follow after him.
  • They all go to their rooms and go to sleep.