<< [[CoS Summary 4|Previous Session]] | [[CoS Summary 6|Next Session]] >> # Curse of Strahd: Session 5 ## Fortunes, Curses and Accordions ### Players [[Arbane Elkhorn]] [[Bea Boglak]] [[Bol Boglak]] [[Destry]] [[Pip]] [[Squan Dron]] Destry arrived in Barovia mysteriously. Brought to this land in a wagon driven by a Vistani man named Petra, he was told to wait by the fire at the Tser Pool Camp and that others would soon arrive before his questions would be answered. The adventurers arrived at the camp and introduced themselves to Destry. Petra, a Vistani man at the camp shared a tale about a battle between Strahd and a Wizard, who was defeated and fell down the mountain into the Ivlis River below. Petra climbed down the mountain to find him, but his body had been spirited away by the river. The group then had their fortunes read by Madam Eva, who gave them more insight on why they were here in this awful place. Lord Strahd himself brought them here and is also trapped in this land. He is cursed, and is looking for a heir. He has lured many adventurers here but is yet to find one worthy of replacing him. She shared that perhaps their only hope of leaving this place is to defeat the devil Strahd, removing the curse that has fallen on this land. She also recognized the dreams Squan and Destry have had are visions of places in this land, far to the west. Madam Eva performed a Tarroka reading for the players, revealing to them clues about their futures and where to find that which they would need most if they are to take on Strahd. After the reading, the group chatted by the fire and shopped at Petra's cart. Destry bought a sickle, and after some persuasion in the form of an epic Grung boogie around the fire, Pip finally compelled Petra to lower the price of an accordian to be affordable.  After a mean comment from Squan, Petra gave him an evil eye, temporarily blinding and deafening Squan for the night. Arbane fell into a deep trance after eating a pastry from the old lady in the Village of Barovia, and dreamed of dancing on an island with a half-orc girl. Late that night Pip was still up with the Vistani, and a little after midnight a green glow through the trees caught his eye. Pip saw a large group of translucent green people walking along the Old , taking to arms and marching over the river Ivlis bridge nearby. He woke up the others and explained what he saw. One of the Vistani overheard their discussion, and explained to them that they come from the Village of Barovia and march to the castle every night. In the morning, Ismark discussed returning to the Village of Barovia to honor his duties as Burgomaster. He trusted the party to ensure Ireena makes it to Vallaki safely. They travelled back to the Ivlis River Crossroads, and on the way they avoided stepping in a wolf trap which Destry disarmed and put in his pack. Bea found the hilt of the Sunsword buried under a grave at the crossroads marked with a sun symbol. The sword spoke to Arbane through sentient emotions, wishing to go to a shrine in a village beneath a snowy mountain. Ismark headed back to the village while the adventurers, Ireena, and Lucian aka Basket headed out to Vallaki. On the way they crossed a bridge next to a huge waterfall. Bea knocked a couple of frowning gargoyles off of their pedestals, sending them tumbling down a thousand feet below. This spooked Ireena, who was not trying to catch the attention of Strahd who could be in the castle above. They continued their path to a fork in the road, where a black carriage that was familiar to Arbane was parked. The two black horses attached to the driverless carriage started to walk away towards the castle, leaving Arbane behind before he could take a look inside. Emerging from the forest near the castle, the party was overlooking a large valley. They found a backpack on the ground, containing a pocket watch which Bea took. They found an old windmill as they entered the valley, and stopped there to check it out. They were greeted by Bella, who welcomed them in and offered them pastries. The group suspected foul play after realising this is where the dream pastries they’ve encountered are made. They demanded the ladies leave the windmill as they had possession of a deed to the place. Bella insisted that her mother Morgantha would be there soon, and could answer any questions they have, but tensions rose and as the group argued with Bella, a raven knocked hard into the window, cawing incessantly to those inside.