[[The Curse of Strahd]] | [[CoS Summary 2|Next Session]] >> # Curse of Strahd: Session 1 ## Title ### Players [[Bea Boglak]] [[Bol Boglak]] [[Squan Dron]] [[Pip]] ### Scene 1 ## Introduction ### Saint's Circus The story of our party started in Daggerford, where a vaguely foreign set of half-orc twins [[Bea Boglak|Bea]] and [[Bol Boglak]] lives as performers for Saint's Circus was more than it seemed. An assassination plot designed by the circus was successful thanks to the Boglak's performance that night. Unfortunately it seemed to have drawn unwanted attention of Duchess Morwen, who sent a carriage for the twins after the performance concluded. Upon arrival at what seemed to be some kind of dinner party, the twins were relieved that her intentions were not of retaliation, but instead a request of their services. The town had been bothered by a traveling group of outsiders, camped outside of the city walls. These [[Vistanis.png|Vistani]], as they called themselves, were causing trouble in town; harrassing townsfolk and demanding money and wine. Rumors of hexes placed on those who don't pay up have been spreading. She wanted the Boglak's to deliver a message to them, wishing to avoid conflict but making the message very clear, "If they don't leave before dawn, I'll burn their wagons to the ground." The twins set out to investigate the camp expecting a tense encounter ahead, but instead are met by a group of friendly and welcoming travelers, dressed in colorful clothing and dancing to music while enjoying fine wine. To the surprise of the Boglaks, the leader of the group **Stanimir** agrees to leave without resistance, on one condition; that they would listen to a story. He invites them to gather around the fire to hear his tale ![[Stanimir.gif]] *Stanimir's troubling tale* > [!important]+ Stanimir's Tale > “We come from an ancient land whose name is long forgotten—a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads.” > >The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man being knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side. > >Stanimir continues. “One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn’t say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn’t give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves.” > >Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes. > >“This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, ‘I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.’” > >The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes its final foe, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers. > >Stanimir’s face becomes a somber mask. “A curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to leave his domain. We’ve traveled far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our dread lord’s curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia with us and speak with her?” After some discussion, and a few drinks and dancing around the fire, the Boglaks agreed to help this strange group. They headed out with the caravan of wagons, creeping their way into the mists of the night. The landscape seemed to transform as they traveled through the dense fog, and before long they found themselves in a horrible land of twisted trees and swampy lifeless earth, and the very mists that engulfed them would be the boundries of their new prison, the **Land of Barovia**! ### The Invitation Somewhere along the Sword Coast [[Squan Dron]] the Aasimer; a wingless angel, was minding his own business in another nameless tavern in another dull town. He found the company of a stranger [[Pip]]; a distinguished young Grung traveling through town, whose conversation was a welcome distraction from the troubles on his mind. Outside the tavern, a fog lay over the town that evening. The damp, cobbled pavement glistened as the lights of street lanterns dance across the slick stones. The fog chilled the bones and shivered the soul of anyone outside. Yet inside these tavern walls the food was hearty, and the ale was warm and frothy. A fire blazed in the hearth, and the tavern was alive with the tumbling voices of country folk. Suddenly, the tavern door swung open, and a hush fell over the room. Framed by the lamp-lit fog, a form strode through the doorway. His heavy, booted footfalls and the jingle of his coins shattered the silence. His brightly colored clothes were draped in loose folds about him, and his hat hung askew, hiding his eyes in shadows. Without hesitation, he walked up to the duo's table and stood proudly in a wide stance with folded arms. In an accented voice he said, “I have been sent to you to deliver this message. If you be creatures of honor, you will come to my Master’s aid at first light. It is not advisable to travel the Svalich Woods at night!” He pulled from his tunic a sealed letter, addressed to the pair in beautiful flowing script. He dropped the letter on the table. “Take the west road from here some five hours march down through the Svalich Woods. There you will find my master in Barovia.” ![[Crest.png|300]] *An unfamilar crest* Amid the silent stares of the patronage, the man strode to the bar and said to the wary barkeep, “Fill the glasses, one and all. Their throats are obviously parched.” He dropped a purse heavy with gold on the bar. With that, he left. The babble of tavern voices resumed, although somewhat subdued. The letter is lying before you. The seal is in the shape of a crest you don’t recognize. ![[Kolyan Indirovich Letter v1.jpg]] *Kolyan's letter* > [!summary]+ Kolyan Indirovich's Letter > Hail to thee of might and valor. > >I, a lowly servant of Barovia, send honor to thee. We plead for thy so desperately needed assistance. > >The love of my life, Ireena Kolyana, has been afflicted by an evil so deadly that even the good people of our village cannot protect her. She languishes from her wound, and I would have her saved from this menace. > >There is much wealth in this community. I offer all that might be had to thee and thy fellows if thou shalt but answer my desperate plea. > >Come quickly, for her time is at hand! All that I have shall be thine! > >Kolyan Indirovich >Burgomaster