A Mixed Morning
The group awoke to find Barovia in the midst of a blizzard, two feet having accumulated since they went to bed! It showed no signs of stopping. A few of the Lords also discovered Relic missing, having gone off to handle Aldric and the forest fane alone, so consumed by Heaven's zeal. Thamior was distraught and wanted to mount a rescue immediately, but Diana insisted keeping level heads so as to have a better chance of finding and/or rescuing him. That hardly sat well, and it seemed during the night Kaylan had some revelation, her demeanor lighter and more mellow, her love of the goddess greater than ever before. She doted on everyone, especially the girls, though she had no gifts as fine as Fog-eye's: expensive applique and velvet clothing given to Chiela and Christina, dressing them up like small princesses.
The Most Important Meal of the Day
Undeterred by snow, missing friends or current events, the group had breakfast (after some complications with the innkeeper's wife) and a group meeting in the beer hall. Diana led proceedings, contending with Kaylan's new-found mellow mood and talk of prophets.
The sorceress postulated what Mara's intentions might be, concluding the devil witch was using them on a number of levels. Most obviously, she wanted her rival Aldric destroyed and the rise of Triglav foiled, thereby allowing her to come to power in Barovia and ultimately take the would-be exarch's place. Mara as a demigod caused several to shudder. In order to have final dominion over the realm, the witch first needed her old powers back, the one's Count Strahd stole from her and locked away in his Tome. But the book was hidden somewhere in Castle Ravenloft and accessible, according to Kaern, only by a blood relative of the von Zaroviches. Izzy would be a perfect candidate (Angelique her aunt and Strahd her grandfather), explaining why their use of the fanes didn't bother Mara either. Talk was lively, and the fallen angel, in all the hubbub, forgot to conceal her identity! The dozen patrons in the beer hall couldn't help but listen, and certainly took notice of a girl with golden skin and silver hair...
While the others finished their meals and got ready to leave, Thamior stewed and nearly left alone. He couldn't understand how casual his friends could be in the midst of a crisis. Relic, his brother, was out there somewhere in the storm and endless night, braving impossible odds alone.
Group gathered, Fog-eye summoned a giant, jade riding snake which proved invaluable traversing the deep snows. On its back they made good time to Kolyana Manor, where Maggie welcomed them warmly. A brooding Thamior was last to enter, but the grandmotherly maid was quite persuasive, and a hell of a good baker besides, as told by past visits and the wonderful smells wafting from within.
At Kolyana Manor
While the old woman took the girls into the kitchen, followed shortly after by Portia and Rogar ( and which ultimately led to a food fight), the rest of the group discussed their current situation with Ireena. She looked as radiant as ever, and was joyed to see the ladies of the group well. She apparently already knew Kaern, as well, and embraced her fondly.
However Kaern admitted telling them about the noble's current plight, to say that rightful burgomeister was more-or-less under house arrest by the occupying Lightbringers. Ireena, ashamed, made no excuses for her current predicament, but the group bolstered her resolve with encouraging words and a promise to restore her to her proper place. She wanted to return to power, as the people had chosen her as replacement to the long line of burgomeisters that came before, some of their likenesses hanging on the wall: her father, her brother, and, had he survived, perhaps her one-eyed, tiger-raising uncle.
When asked, Ireena agreed to take both Chiela and Christina under her wing for as long as the group needed, having known the little Belmont's parents from childhood. Kaylan asked if the girl had any surviving blood relatives, which Ireena suspected she did, somewhere on the plains of Nova Vasa to the east.
Does Dessert Makes Bad News More Palatable?
Around this time the girls, covered in sugar and dough, skipped out of the kitchen and into Tyvis and Kaylan's arms respectively. At Maggie's behest, Portia, covered in jellies and flour, walked out lively with a few trays of pastry and square cakes. Rogar emerged last, similarly covered, carrying tea, coffee and coco. Refreshments were had, looks and smiles were given, and talks continued.
Diana discussed the local politics and of foiling Mara, ultimately suggesting the burgomeister align with Countess Angelique. Ireena almost immediately refused, not having the heart to trust the daughter of Strahd von Zarovich. Diana delicately tried to reason that she might be judging Angelique too harshly because of what she was more than who she was, and Ireena admitted hating and fearing the children of the night, who had been the cause of nearly every misery in her life.
Hoping to absolve the noblewoman of her prejudices, Diana bravely revealed that she was in fact a vampire, a display of fangs that shocked Ireena, as well as Chiela and Christina. Despite the support of her friends, Diana felt exposed, and her gambit proved to only shock and upset Ireena. She quickly excused herself and fled to her room, calling out a meek apology before shutting her upstairs door.
Again they had outstayed their welcome in the noble's home, though the unsuspecting Maggie returned to see them out, wishing them luck and safe return. Before leaving, Tyvis asked his sister to comfort Diana with a hug, to show that not all felt as Ireena did about vampires. The girl did so gladly, though Christina would not even look at her, much approach her. Kaylan said her goodbye and slipped out after Thamior, who'd again gone to brooding outside in the snows. Brother then said goodbye to sister, and they were off...
Through the Hungry Woods
Rogar leading, Portia lighting, Fog-eye driving, and the others helping where they could, the group began the ten-mile trek through the Svalich Woods, painfully aware that Ivan Koreshev was missing and ghouls ruled the semetary. Yet neither did they meet, just darkness and cold, for over an hour.
Then savory and delicious smells wafted up ahead, just before the appearance of an unusual yellow mist. The group suspiciously moved forward, despite Diana's reservations. There was no apparent source for the smells, just an increasingly intoxicating set of aromas.
Thamior could sense the fane on through the mist and insisted on pressing through quickly, while the sorceress thought to turn back, and others to go around it. In their confusion and hesitation, the fel abandoned them with an angry curse. Relic could be out in this and that notion nearly drove him mad.
Before anyone cold stop him, Thamior was swallowed by the yellow swirls, even as Kaylan screamed his name and moved to follow. The fallen angel was there, unwilling to let the priestess off on her own, and together they followed. Fog-eye, in turn, was unwilling to lose sight of his beloved. Thus the whole group moved still deeper into the mist...
Lunch, Anyone?
Hunger began to gnaw at them, unimaginably so, and when they moved to sate it, they found all their rations, drinks and potions were rotten and spoiled. They came upon a blood trail, and eventually a family that had eaten themselves alive. There was nothing but a sobbing, slurping, over-stuffed father powerless against his hunger and shoveling everything into his mouth. His wife and daughter shared death's embrace. The party couldn't help drooling at the sight, stomachs knotting, the mist exuding such incredibly delicious aromas.
Rogar lost control entirely and, despite the weak protests of the ravenous group, bit down and ended the gorged traveler's misery. He was completely lost to his hunger and began devouring the man, even as the others barely contained their urge to join him.
Kaern and Fog-eye managed to identify this yellow vapor as Famine Mist, a despicable Cadaveran manifestation that infected the body and the mind and drove men mad with hunger. It's weaknesses were fire and light, and in the cold, sunless land, it had become a vast bank.
The fallen raised her sword hilt and summon a blade of pure light, warding Kaylan, but unable to protect the party as a whole. Kaern herself seemed immune, her belt taking on a magical sheen.
Somewhere in the jaundice haze, Thamior wandered alone, suffering the same effects as the others...
Experience: XP 571 each (27, 972 total)
Outstanding Session RP, 500
+ Session 47 Summary, 3500
Money: -1 sun (Diana), -3 moons (Thamior)
Magic, Loot: paper pirate hat (Rogar)
Note: All rations, liquids and potions are spoiled.
New Hazard
Famine Mist
Active Quests
- Isabella's Ashes (2/3 complete; group): Attune Izzy's remains to the three Barovian fanes in order to resurrect her.
- Triglav Lives! (group): Prevent the Shadow Prophet from completing his fane rituals and resurrecting the new exarch of Hecate.
- Rising of the Sunsword (Kaylan, Kaern, group): Uncover what you can about the missing Sunsword and help return day to the lightless realm.
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