Session 7: Hope You Have Nightmares, Dickhead

## Hope You Have Nightmares, Dickhead

The group tries to navigate 'downtime' for the first time since becoming a party. Menyn and Rictavio bond. Lucien beats Seril, Ireena, and Bogdan at card games. V finds stores that might come in handy later, then asks Menyn to inquire about the man who had run into the party earlier. Menyn finds out his name is Bluto and he's the town drunk. Seril and Bogdan have a conversation in which Seril apologizes to Bogdan for her previous attitude towards him and ends up telling him about her past in the bloodfarm. Bogdan is sympathetic and apologizes to her for his own behavior towards her. They find out the vampire who ran the bloodfarm was Bogdan's father, Primorsci, and the two bond over wanting to kill him. V and Ireena discuss the fact that they have the same face. Bogdan has a nightmare about his mother's death. Seril realizes something is amiss and finds Rictavio standing over Bogdan, preparing to stab him. Seril shoots him, convinces him that they aren't thralls, and stops him from killing Bogdan. The group then learn that Rictavio is actually a disguise for the vampire hunter, Rudolph van Richten, who they make a very rocky alliance with after some very tense words.

## Synopsis

### The Bluewater Inn

Behind the bar of the Bluewater Inn, a woman who looked a bit like Irwin assisted him in bringing food to various customers as Menyn, Bogdan, and Seril finished their discussion. At his own table, Rictavio pulled a drink out of his top hat and waved Menyn over to come join him. Menyn excused himself from the others and went to sit with Rictavio, who lit up.

Menyn complimented him for being punctual and Rictavio said his tongue has a good taste for time. He then asked if they made it to the church and Menyn said no, they got distracted. Menyn then showed Rictavio the sheet music he bought. Rictavio pulled out some glasses that didn't have lenses, and Menyn heard the faint clanking of wood inside Rictavio’s pocket, but didn't say anything.

Rictavio paid Menyn a compliment, then asked how he’s enjoying the wine, though Dragon Crush is below his standards. After a bit of discussion, they decided to go on a wine tour in the future.

“In the spirit of new friends, can I share something with you?” Rictavio asked before pulling out a scuffed platinum flask. He said it has stores of his favorite whiskey. Would Menyn like to take shots with him? Menyn was blow-back and complimented but worried since it’s all he had left of home and the last of his fond memories. Rictavio said fond memories are in the past and better spent enjoyed with friends in the present. Menyn agreed to a glass.

The whiskey was strong and goes down smoothly. Though Menyn wasn’t much of a whiskey drinker, he could still tell it was well made. After their drink, Rictavio asked if Menyn’s friends are just as friendly and Menyn said; “I’ll be honest, if you’re looking for light-hearted laughter, that’s not a conversation you’ll have over there. Good solid people with good solid morals and good adventurers but of the finer things I’ve had a hard time relating to them.”

Rictavio said they are lucky to have Menyn and then asked to exchange stories. Menyn agreed and told a story about a magical academy that took in young wizards and sorcerers, including one who was the son of a pottery maker (which ends up being a hairy potter joke). Rictavio then told a few stories of his own, all the while keeping them both supplied with wine.

Meanwhile, Seril awkwardly sat at the table with Ireena, Bogdan, and Lucien, not sure what to do. Lucien was reading the book, impressing Bogdan with how literate he is. Lucien explained the father of the church taught them and his son, Doru, helped out a lot. Seril and Bogdan both winced at that.

Bogdan asked what they’re supposed to do to pass the time. It's the first time they’d had the time to just sit and idle and they’re not sure what to do. Seril, also not knowing what to do, asked Lucien about the book he was reading. Lucien excitedly recounted what he’d read so far. When he finished, Seril asked if he needed food and water, and commented on how she had no idea how much a kid his age is supposed to eat. He said he wouldn’t object to food so Seril went to get him some.

Watching, Ireena smirked and Bogdan asked what’s so funny.

“She’s really awkward, isn’t she?” Ireena laughed. Bogdan laughed as well and agreed.

“You’re a bit awkward too,” she said, not unkindly, making Bogdan laugh again. She commented that everyone is a bit awkward and Bogdan said “well, everyone but Menyn.”

Seril returned with food and said, “it's meat and potatoes, which is good for a small growing person who hopefully won’t be small for too long unlike me. I was always small.” Lucien thanked her then asked for a bookmark and they all fumbled about for a moment until Seril ripped off a clean strip of bandage for him to use. With his place securely marked, he went to town on the food.

Seril remarked that the inn is nicer than the previous one. Bogdan agrees but said he’s not sure what makes an inn good. Seril didn’t know either and made vague comments about it having “beds”, therefore it’s good. They fumbled awkwardly for a moment longer before Ireena said, “okay, I can’t take this much longer. I’m going to go get some cards.” She went to the bar, got some cards, shuffled the deck, and asked if they know how to play Three Dragon Anti. Seril did, Bogdan did not, so Seril quickly explained the game to him. Bogdan picked it up very quickly and they played a few hands. Seril openly cheated with no attempts to hide it.

After people watching for a while, V went back inside and hovered awkwardly to the side of Menyn until he noticed them. He excused himself from Rictavio then went to talk to them. V asked if he can ask about the large man who ran into them. Menyn asked if he’s supposed to ask Rictavio, and they said they doesn’t know, that’s his expertise. He agreed it was a good point, and assured them that he would handle it. V then asked for some money and explained that they wanted to buy some healing potions. He handed them pouches of about two-hundred gold and tried to tell them to look as if they're trying to buy something else in order to get the healing potions cheaper. They gave him a pained look, and he remembered who he was talking to so dropped the suggestion. He gave them the money, then went back to ask Rictavio.

Rictavio said that sounds like Bluto, the town’s angry drunk who’s the brother of some dead fisherman or something. He didn't know too much more, as he hadn't been in town long, so Menyn went to Irwin. He first ordered a glass of Purple Mash #3, then asked about Bluto. Irwin immediately asked what he did to him. Menyn said he’s not sure, as it was his party member who was asking. Menyn then said if he’s going to be a good friend in this scenario, he should confirm who that person is they’re talking about and figure out where he is now. Accepting this reasoning, Irwin said he’s not sure where Bluto is when he’s not in the bar begging for drink. However, he’d probably be at Lake Zarovich not catching any fish. Irwin further goes on to say it's best to keep his time in the bar to the minimum.

With that information in mind, Menyn asked if Irwin could fill a flask in case they need to appease Bluto. Irwin agreed and filled Menyn's waterskin with wine. Menyn thanked Irwin then returned to Rictavio and offered him the drink. He explained to Rictavio that he really only purchased it as payment for the information. Rictavio waved his hand over the glass and changed the shitty wine to a nice chardonnay. Menyn asked what he needs to do in order to learn that spell and Rictavio said ‘just your friendship’. Menyn realized the clever trick was a prestidigitation cantrip.

After getting the money, V headed out into town. Along the way, they eavesdropped and managed to overhear people talking about the Arasek Stockyard in the northeast. On the way to the stockyard, they did come across a storefront with plants sputtered about inside, called Into the Weeds. The herbalism shop was closed for the night, but they made note of it to check back in the morning. They then continued on towards the Arasek stockyard and came across a large rot iron fence that surrounds a warehouse type building, however it was also closed.

Back at the inn, Bogdan, Seril, Ireena, and Lucien played a horrible game of Three Dragon Anti and somehow, despite never playing before, Lucien swept the table. Bogdan and Seril both complimented him and he beamed. Ireena, mildly frustrated, got up to go get wine. Bogdan laughed about it and Lucien asked if he needs to apologize. Bogdan said no, he doesn’t. Seril said she was going to offer to teach him how to cheat but he doesn’t need it.

“You were cheating?” Bogdan asked. Seril assumed he was joking, as her cheating was very obvious.

“I know, it was so subtle too. I’ve always been a master of the game,” she said, as more cards fell out of her sleeve. Lucien pointed it out to Bogdan, who hadn’t noticed. Seril said next time they need to have a watch, maybe Bogdan should just rest.

Lucien gave a big yawn and tried to hide it but Seril said “even Bogdan can see that yawn” which got a “hey, watch out Seril” from Bogdan.

Bogdan decided to take Lucien up to his room to let him sleep. Before he left, Seril said she’d like to talk to him later. He agreed, then took Lucien up to the room they shared. Bogdan began to read to Lucien but he fell asleep pretty quickly. Bogdan locked up the room and left Lucien to sleep before heading back down.

Seril asked Ireena if she wanted to share a room with her. Ireena said okay, but there better be two beds.

“I thought we’d paid for that” Seril said.

“Was that a joke? It’s hard to tell.”

Seril said she hasn’t been around the pirates in a while and she’s out of practice. They flirted a bit more and then Seril went to put her things in their room.

V returned to the inn to give Menyn back the money but found him drunkenly singing at the top of his lungs. They decided it was best to give him back the money in the morning.

Menyn drunkenly asked Rictavio if he can call him Tavi and Rictavio said only his partners can call him that. Menyn said he doesn’t think he knows Rictavio well enough yet for that. Seeing how drunk Menyn is, Rictavio led him over to Bogdan and V and said his night is probably coming to a close. They took Menyn from him, thanked him, then took Menyn up the stairs.

Menyn told them he’s grateful they came back to save him cause he thought he was dead. They assured him they wouldn’t have left him but he said he thought he was letting himself die. He eventually passed out and Bodgan and V managed to carry him up to his room and tuck him in for the night.

With Menyn safe in his room, Bogdan asked how V was, since they had been absent. They said they're not sure but they’d find out when Menyn is awake. They told Bogdan they had tried to go shopping but the the stores were closed, which was probably for the best. Bogdan agreed since neither of them know how to barter. V tried to explain Menyn's explanation of bartering but barely understood it themself. Bogdan then let V know he was going to go talk to Seril and V asked if he'd be okay. He assured them he would be then bid V goodnight and knocked on Seril's door.

### A Truce

Seril let Bogdan in then assured him she won’t threaten to shoot him this time. "That’s an improvement," he said.

She said she still doesn’t really trust him but she was unfair to him previously. She had made an assumption. When he fought Doru, Bogdan tried to talk him down. At the mill, he sent her, Ireena, and Lucien to safety and was willingly to sacrifice himself for them and her. She also saw how he had bonded with Lucien.

She admitted she still had a hard time being around him and she’s sorry for that since it’s not his fault. The circumstances of his birth and all. She still doesn’t like vampires because it’s Barovia, but he’d only shown himself to be helpful and she hadn’t given him a chance and she’s sorry for that.

There’s a lot she has gone through and she showed him a scar on her neck that looked like puncture wounds, before she covered it back up with her scarf. She told him that she grew up in a farm where they were fed on, her sister and her sister’s husband included. She didn’t leave until she was seventeen and spent all that time being food for a vampire general.

She admitted she didn’t know why she was saying this. "I'm not good with words and I'm making a fool of herself. I don’t know if it’s an excuse or what I’m doing by showing you and I'm not sure why I showed you but possibly because I'm panicking over the course of the conversation."

Bogdan said he forgives her and thought her original hatred was "general Barovian hatred" but he could see from the marks that she has a long and storied past.

She said it still doesn’t make it right; she assumed the worst of him. He said most people do and she could have shot him and would have been within her rights, knowing what he does now. Seril pointed out she almost did shoot him on sight.

She said she’s still not sure where they stand and she won’t lie and say she doesn’t have residual difficulties. She is terrified of him and has a hard time holding that in around him. She thanked him for his understanding and that she wants him to know going forward that they’re good.

“Even if we aren’t friends, I have your respect,” Bogdan said.

She agreed and said he’s an impressive fighter with the shadow thing and she’d like to ask him more about that later. She said that he, V, and Menyn are all a bit flashier than her but Bogdan countered, saying the gun was pretty flashy as it nearly blinded him.

She said wait until he sees the sun. He hoped it's not fatal and she suggested getting him an umbrella. He said he doesn’t know much about the shadow, except it’s "a fucked-up consequence of half-life/half-death."

Seril said she is "surrounded by people who are very good at poofing about."

After a moment, Bogdan said he doesn’t mean to pry into terrible memories but asks which general.

“Primorsci,” she said, then “why do you ask?”

“Vell, that is dear old dad,” Bogdan said.

“Oh. Oh. Oh shit.”

Bogdan apologized and Seril said it’s not his fault.

“I think we both want your father dead.” Bogdan agreed. “Kill your father, might be a good starting point for a relationship.”

She then joked that killing him can’t be too hard, right? Bogdan admitted he’s slightly blind-sided because he hadn’t been able to run into a lot of leads in the area.

He assures her he’s not asking her to go back. She told him it's where she grew up, south of here in an old farming settlement. She hasn’t been able to make herself go back near it and is a bit of a coward, but Bogdan said no, she’s not a coward.

She said she’s going to call him Primorsci instead of “your father” so she’s not associating them as she imagines he doesn’t want to be associated with him. Bogdan said that it’s hard for him to escape.

Seril then explained that she and her sister lived underground and they were taken in rotations for a week to be fed on. She attempted to go on but Bogdan stopped her, hearing how upset she is. He said he has more than enough information to be able to scout and she said she’s with him on this one and is in the same boat.

Bogdan said Primorsci must pay for what he did to his mother.

“Sorry, it’s my turn to pry. What happened to your mother? You don’t have to tell me.”

Bogdan said that Strahd found out about the relationship between Primorsci and his mom, and told him to kill her when she was pregnant with him. Primorsci instead put her in a cart and sent them out to live life on the road where he learned about the “gifts” he got from being half-vampire. He fed off bandits and grew up on the outskirts of civilization.

One day, far away from civilization, his mom got sick and he tried to make it back to town in time but they were so far out that they didn’t make it. He gave her a quick roadside burial. "It wasn’t what she deserved but it was all I could do. Then I heard wolves."

Seril, shocked, realized he was burying his mother shortly before they met him. (“15 minutes,” Bogdan explained.) Seril was apologetic, as she had immediately threatened him with guns after his mother died.

Bogdan said she didn’t know and he didn’t know her situation and they pushed each other’s buttons. "We were both fighting with barbs. No use in worrying about past, just accepting better future."

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for your loss. It’s horrible to lose a family member in that way,” Seril said. Bogdan thanked her and said if he had been a bit faster, a bit closer, maybe… But they’d heard word of increased activity and needed to stay farther away from the cities.

Seril said looking back on these things and wondering what could have been done is a pointless misery. There’s nothing he could have done, don’t dwell on it. She admitted she needed to take her own advice but she understands it will only drive him crazy. It’s not something he should engage in. There’s nothing he could have done.

She asked his mother’s name and he said, “funnily enough, Ireena. Apparently, a common name in Barovia.” She apologized, not sure why she asked that, she’s not thinking clearly. But he said, "no, it’s good."

They both learned about each other and they’re on similar footing now and know each other better. Seril offered her hand out and stumbled over why she’s offering her hand and what it means but he accepted her hand.

“I’m in your corner moving forward. We want the same things,” she said and hoped maybe they can become friends and not just allies in killing his father and Strahd.

“Good stepping stone,” he said.

She made a joke about how killing one’s father is a good way to form a friendship and he joked friendships start with murder.

She told him to take care and she was going to go but realized it’s her room and she’s accidentally shooing him out. He said he understands and bid her goodnight.

### Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

V approached Ireena, who was already a few drinks in, at the bar. Ireena offered some of the drink to V and drunkenly said, "it’s terrible."

"If it’s terrible, why are you drinking it?"

Ireena said it is her unhealthy coping mechanism and then asked how does V handle being sad? V gave a nervous laugh then said, "very poorly. I’m the wrong person to ask.”

Their conversation eventually came around to Ireena noting that Ismark was a bad listener. V said she is a good one, but a terrible talker. V offered to listen if Ireena ever wanted to talk and Ireena said she might have to take her up on that offer sometime.

They discussed how the two of them haven’t talked much. Ireena admitted she has spent most of her time with Seril.

“What do you say to someone with the same face?” V asked, as explanation of why they hadn't really talked much before.

“Yeah I was hoping we weren’t gonna have to deal with that.”

Ireena asked if V has run into anyone else with “our face.” V said no, they hadn't.

After a bit more of commenting on how strange it was that they had the same face, V said, “Um, if you don’t mind me asking how long has the devil been after you?”

“The direct visits have only been happening for the past month or so. I don’t know how long he’s been watching me. Sometimes when I was at home I could feel it, the feeling when nobody else is in the room with you but you know someone is watching you,” Ireena said.

Ireena asked if Strahd had been after them as well. V said no, and that they wonder why he's fascinated with Ireena and not them. “I can’t help but feel like I should be able to do something to help you. I don’t know I’d wear a wig or-but you’re so much taller than me. Maybe some really tall boots.”

Ireena suggested a wig of Bogdan’s hair, since it’s a similar color to her hair, which made V laugh and object to wearing Bogdan’s hair as a wig.

V suggested Ireena cut her hair and dye it black

“Don’t you dare suggest that again,” Ireena said. She then noted that black hair works with V’s… and trailed off a bit before saying ‘vibe’.

V teased her asking, “Were you about to say complexion?”

“I was gonna say facial structure and then it hit me.”

“But hey you know you’d look good with short hair.”

“That’s true. Normally you have to cut it off to see.” Ireena then pointed out that means V would probably look good with long hair.

V admitted, somewhat reluctantly, that their hair was long in the past but they prefer it short.

Ireena asked what happened to make V want to cut their hair and V said they felt like a change so cut it off. Plus it’s easier to fight with short hair; long hair gets in the way.

Ireena said that Ismark used to have much longer hair, and when he taught her to fight he taught her to swing her sword in just the right way so hair swings in cool way and swishes around the sword.

V teased her about putting her hair up, it’s easier and Ireena objected.

“Whatever this," Ireena said, referring to their face situation, "is I’d like to figure this out.”

"Yeah, I would too.”

“I don’t know where to start,” Ireena admitted.

“It can’t be a coincidence.”

“It really can’t, right?”

Ireena said she doesn’t even know who to ask about it and that it’s probably some weird magic shit. V agreed that maybe it is. Ireena said she is going to drink on it

“Don’t drink too much ‘cause we just sort of bonded and it would be sad if you drank yourself to death just now after we finally talked to each other.”

Ireena promised it won’t be to death.

They sat in a companionable fashion, as V let Ireena talk at them. Ireena talked about how much she liked her life in the village but how boring it could get. While that life was boring, the excitement she'd had might not be better than the boredom. Still, she liked being with the larger group.

“I guess we have a day ahead of us tomorrow, so I’m going to turn in,” Ireena said once she finished her drink, and they said their goodnights.

Ireena stumbled her way into her's and Seril's room and kicked her shoes off and asked Seril “was it a good conversation?” Seril joked she killed him and buried the body outside which made Ireena laugh. She said he seems like a nice guy and Seril said they have reached an accord. She then asked if Ireena was alright. “I’m fantastic but the room is slightly spinning,” Ireena said, then decided it was best to go to bed.

Sleep found everyone pretty easily, Menyn even better with the help of the alcohol. Seril, on the other hand, stayed up late, until the last minute of exhaustion, as she always did.

### A Nightmare and a Dickhead

As Bogdan attempted to fall into sleep, his past weighed heavily on his mind. His conversation with Seril brought up thoughts of his mother, her death, his father, their relationship, how that will affect them moving forward. When he finally fell asleep, his dreams began with a memory of him in the woods with a light snowfall. The snow stung his cheeks with piercing cold. He was running on a dirt road with trees lining the sides, the mists licking off the trees as tendrils that pull at his legs. He was dragging a wooden handcart behind him, his mother inside. She had a blanket over her and was very, very pale, but he could make out a faint mist coming from her. She was still breathing, but very sick, and he was trying to rush them to a settlement. He could see the road stretching out. A small light dotted the end of the road with a large black castle. With every step he took, the light never got closer and the road seemed to elongate, the light seemed to get dimmer and dimmer as the castle got larger and larger. He noticed that as the light almost fully dimmed, two deeply red eyes stared at him from above the castle as he frantically ran on the never-ending road.

After running for some time, he tripped over a rock and smashed to the ground. The dream changed and he found himself no longer running with the handcart, instead he was on his knees, above his mother’s grave he had just finished digging. The grave, however was empty, the stones as a marking kicked to the ground. There was a chill on the back of his neck and he heard a twig snap behind him. His mother stood there in a white gown, fully alive, but her skin was pale as it was when she was sick. Her hair covered her face, her hand outstretched as she approached him.

“Mother?” he asked as he stepped forward towards her. She took his hand and pulled him in for a hug. Her head reared back and where her eyes once were, there are two red orbs. She sank her fangs into his neck.

Seril, sitting in her room, mulled about and enjoyed the quiet of the late night. As she did, she noticed that the comforting silence turned into a deafening one where she couldn't hear anything at all, similar to when Menyn had cast silence in the windmill. She looked out the window but didn’t see any movement on the outside.

A hand on her gun, she slowly stood while avoiding the direct line of the window. She checked on Ireena then walked up to the door and laid a hand on it as she peeked through the keyhole. While she didn’t see a figure, she did see a shadow to the right of her door, walking away either down the stairs or into a room. Seril slipped out of her room and saw the shadow disappear into Bogdan’s room, the door open and ajar, whereas previously it had been locked. She peeked through the door and saw a figure, in a comically colorful coat and large top-hat, standing over Bogdan. He pulled out a wooden stake with a silvered tip. Seeing this, Seril pulled out her pistol and shot him in the hand, making the stake fly from his hand and out the window. Seril immediately shot him again in the shoulder.

Rictavio turned around, surprised and dejected, then tried to say something but Silence is still up. However, Seril still managed to read his lips and understand he said, “dammit, I should have known the thralls would intervene.” He then closed the distance between them and slapped her in the chest with a glowing white light. Healing magic washed over her in an attempt to dispel a vampiric thrall.

“I’m not a thrall, moron,” she mouthed to him. He squinted at her and cocked his head to the side.

“I’m not his thrall. He’s not your enemy,” Seril said, her words still covered by the Silence spell. He snapped his finger and dispelled it.

“Alright, so I believe there’s been a misunderstanding,” she said.

“Is that not a vampire over there?” he asked.

Seril explained that is Bogdan, and he’s a friend and shouldn’t be staked in the middle of the night, but yes, he is a vampire. Rictavio seemed confused but Seril asked if he purposefully got Menyn drunk. He explained that he had sensed a vampiric presence. He introduced himself as Rudolph van Richten.

Hearing a hushed conversation, Bogdan woke up and asked what the fuck is going on.

Seril said not to worry, hold on, then turned back to Rictavio. She said she understood where he’s coming from but it's rude of him to try and kill one of her friends in his sleep.  (“What?!” from Bogdan.)

Seril then introduced them and Bogdan said, “the pleasure is all mine.”

“Well, he was going to stake you in the heart.”

“It was sarcastic.”

Seril then explained to van Richten that they’re on the same side.

“Vampire," van Richten said, turning to Bogdan, "when was the last time you fed on human?”

Bogdan thought about it for a minute before he said, “last month I was attacked by a bandit on the road.”

Van Richten asked how often he feeds on humans, and Bogdan said only when he’s attacked by humans, so van Richten is lucky. Van Richten then asked how well he can control himself.

“Pretty well so far,” Bogdan said. Van Richten then purposefully flexed the hand Seril had shot, in order to drip blood from it. Seril, noticing Lucien awake and stock-still, assured everyone in the room that they’re safe. She then grabbed van Richten’s hand to stop him from shaking the blood out. Seril pointed out that Bogdan was sleeping in the same room with Lucien who is unharmed and not a thrall, and also, she’s not a thrall. She then said she appreciated his attempts to save her from her non-existent thrall-hood but they need to have a polite conversation as adults.

She dragged van Richten to her room, leaving Bogdan to check on Lucien. Van Richten seemed irritated, but it was hard for Seril to tell if it was at her or himself. Still, he followed Seril willingly. Once in her room, he healed his hand and Seril said “that’s a nice trick.” He objected, saying that it’s not a trick.

At the sound of people talking, Ireena woke.

“Don’t worry, Ireena, this is van Richten. He just tried to kill Bogdan but it was a terrible misunderstanding,” Seril assured her. Ireena then headed off to get Menyn and V, leaving Seril to watch van Richten.

Ireena went and shook Menyn awake, telling him “there’s a situation.” Menyn, half-asleep, looked for his shoes, as Ireena explained that Rictavio tried to kill Bogdan.

“Pinch me,” Menyn said. Ireena pinched him. Assured he was awake, Menyn asked if Rictavio tried to kill Bogdan on accident. Ireena admitted she doesn’t think so, unless Seril horribly misread the situation. Either way there’s still a situation.

With Menyn awake, Ireena went to V’s room. V was already standing up before she finished explaining, and the moment Ireena said something happened to Bogdan, V took off running towards Bogdan’s room, running past Menyn in the process.

In their room, Bogdan asked Lucien if that woke him. Lucien said "yeah, but are you okay?" Bogdan said he’s alright, then asked Lucien if he’s okay. He knows it was quite scary. Lucien said he’s okay, and asked if that was a bad guy.

“Scared, very scared man. Bad? To be determined. People don’t make the best decisions when scared.” He explained most vampires can’t control their curse and leave terrible memories in their wake.

Lucien sat up and went through his things, then took out the fantasy art of war book and handed it to Bogdan. “Try giving this to him. It might work.”

Bogdan tussled his hair and told him to get some sleep. “I have some grownup talking to do.” He left Lucien and found Menyn and V outside.

Menyn said he can’t remember, was Bogdan the one who got shot? Hearing that, V freaked out and start checking Bogdan and asking if he’s okay. Bogdan said he’s fine, Seril caught Rictavio over his bed with a wooden steak. (“Medium rare?” Menyn asked.)

They all gathered in Seril’s room and find van Richten sitting down in a chair, with Seril holding his shoulder and squeezing in a faux-friendly manner. Her hand faded through the image of his coat, and she realized he wasn't actually wearing them. Instead, he wore a simple yellow leather jacket with very plain brown pants and all manners of vials and vampire hunting tools. She pointed it out and van Richen said he has found it's very easy to hide under the guise of a colorful fool. Unfortunately for him, she doesn’t sleep much. He said he’ll remember that for next time, and she said next time better not be Bogdan.

The group entered the room and Bogdan moved to the corner, arms crossed over his chest as he glared at van Richten. V stood next to him and glared as well. Menyn, on the other hand, sand a quick healing word to fix up Rictavio’s shoulder. Seril snapped at him that Rictavio just tried to kill Bogdan in his sleep. Menyn, still a bit drunk, half-asleep, asked in confusion about what’s going on and Seril snapped at him.

“Ms. Gunslinger, in his defense he drank enough to put down three goliaths,” van Richten said. He then explained he didn’t know Bogdan was a dhampir, not a vampire.

Menyn then asked who van Richten is, and the man in question introduced himself as “Rudolph van Richten, vampire hunter.”

Seril explained to the group that she hadn’t fallen asleep, sensed the silence, went to investigate, found him standing over Bogdan with a stake, shot van Richten, and that he seemed to think they were all thralls. Which saved them from a situation where they would have tried to kill him.

V asked to clarify if he was a bounty hunter and he amended “vampire hunter”.

Seril asked if he just thought Bogdan was really bold. Richten said he assumed they were his thralls and he was hiding behind them. Seril joked that they’re all shorter than Bogdan so it would be hard for him to hide behind them. (“I resent that,” Menyn said.)

Richten then explained that thirty-six hours ago, his wards he had around the town broke, signifying the presence of some greater undead and he assumed it was Bogdan. The group explained they’d only been here for a few hours. Van Richten asked Menyn if that’s true, which annoyed Seril, but van Richten countered with, “Menyn has not stabbed me.”

“You attempted to stab Bogdan,” Seril pointed out flatly. (“You attempted murder,” Bogdan added).

“Anyways, there is something in this town and I assumed it was that one,” van Richten said. He and Seril agreed that they're concerned.

Menyn pointed out the last time they dealt with undead, it was hiding under the church, perhaps something similar is happening here. Van Richten said it could be possible, but unlikely. The church’s father was a good holy man and the church has been protected for a century by ancient magics and he doubted a creature would appear there so easily.

Seril asked how long Richten had been in Vallaki. He said Vallaki for about five months, Barovia for two and a half years.

Seril then asked for clarification about the wards he drew. He explained they took him about a month to set up. They don’t keep things out, just told him if something came in. Seril asked if this had happened before and he said no, it’s the first time its happened in Vallaki.

“Well that’s bad news. We can all agree on that fact,” Seril said, and everyone agreed.

Menyn asked if he can detect the danger level and Richten said anything above the level of vampire or spawn would trigger his wards. V then asked if the ward detected Bogdan, and he had assumed yes they had, but upon learning Bogdan is a dhampir, realized no they had not.

Seril and van Richten got into another debate about Seril shooting him. Menyn made a “bullet point” joke that made van Richten smile faintly. Van Richten eventually conceded that he’s not dead, so he’s fine.

Seril then suggested they work together to figure out what’s going on and what triggered the wards. She also made sure he promised to not do anything to Bogdan. Van Richten promised to not hurt Bogdan as long as Bogdan doesn’t hurt an innocent. V snapped “what if I hurt an innocent? You don’t care?” and he said yes. V got mad at him, but Menyn and Seril both calm her. Menyn, a bit annoyed and upset by everything, said he’s tired and took his exit.

Seril said she hopes they can work together, since he seems to have more years and experience on them. He agreed and then went on to insult them and said they don’t seem prepared, considering they’re traveling with a vampire. They didn’t have any stakes or holy water or silver, at which Seril told him they do have holy water. Bogdan also pointed out he’s the one who has the silver.

Van Richten then said if they were one of his students, they wouldn’t even be bait. Seril then completely laid into him and pointed out he mistook Bogdan for something else and she gives zero fucks about his opinion. V noticed him shake his head with a grin, seeming as if he’s been through this sort of thing before.

He stood up and said goodnight, letting them know he’ll be in the tavern some time tomorrow at dawn.

“Hope you have nightmares, dickhead,” Bogdan called after him.

As van Richten left, V heard him mutter under his breath “just my luck find another one like Esmerelda,” in refence to Seril.

After leaving, the three discussed what they’re going to do and V decided to stay in Bogdan’s room for the night to make sure van Richten doesn’t try anything.

## Featured Characters

### The Party

* Bogdan
* Menyn Kaynen
* Seril Dren
* V

### Party Companions

* Ireena
* Lucien

### Returning

* Rictavio
* Irwin

### Mentioned

* Bluto
* Primorsci