M2S26

## The Fallen Order

The party infiltrates Argynvosthold, lifting the curse of hatred of the revenants there.

## Party Experience

### XP Gained

**+4500** (Combat, Milestone, Exploration, Social)

## Continuity

### Next session

Session 27

“
*-Vladimir (upon Lo-Thak trying to Polymorph him): "I am wily as to the tricks of your master Strahd. You shall not do as he has done to me."
 - Aellun: "... Strahd tried turning you into a frog?"
 - Lo-Thak: "More likely into a red puddle, but what do I know?".*
”

**The Fallen Order** was the 26th session of the Strahdborne campaign. In this session, the party infiltrated and confronted the fallen order of Silver Knights, lifting the madness of hate that had poisoned them after their leader's demise.

## Summary

### Infiltrating Argynvosthold

The party clears its way through the forest tracks of Barovia, seemingly evading detection thanks to Aellun's pass without trace. They approach Argynvosthold, a fortified but ill-maintained mansion, taking advantage of the poor maintenance of the grounds that has allowed tree cover up close. Aellun uses a magical rope to facilitate the infiltration through a ruined tower's roof, thus avoiding the danger of climbing slippery and mossy rock.

Within, the party parleys with a fallen Silver Knight. The knight is convinced that the party are minions of Strahd, though they are able to persuade him to at least grant them an audience with their master.

However, Vladimir Horngaard - current Grandmaster of the order - is even less understanding. After only short deliberations, he decides to attack the party. A fierce battle ensues, with the party caught out of cover and positioned out in the open, prey to a myriad attacks from all directions.

However, Thalia and Aellun's attacks wear down the stout fallen Paladin, while Lo-thak provides some measure of crowd control against the rest of the foes. Eventually, Aellun discovers that the sunlight blade can dispel the curse of hatred poisoning the Paladins, and uses it to vanquish Vladimir Horngaard. Their leader defeated, the paladins consider standing down, but a newly-healed Vladimir instructs them instead that they are now to consider the party as allies in the war against Strahd.

Horngaards shares a part of the story of the Silver Knights, as well as their ultimate downfall at Strahd's hands. He also shares what he knows of Strahd's modus operandi regarding stranded adventurers, as well as the location of the Amber Temple.

Vladimir reflects upon Aellun's previous words, recognizing that his knights have been too passive in the war against Strahd.

### The Curse is Lifted!

However, the moment is interrupted when Esmeralda barges in, having run a marathon from Castle Ravenloft to where ally Raziel (The Abbott) had messaged her they would be. Understandably, the party is suspicious, but as it would happen she does not appear to be a deceit of Strahd. She warns that Strahd is coming but is mistaken - in fact, it is only a carriage driven by Rahadin, who invites the party to Strahd's nuptials to be celebrated that very night.

"My master is not in the custom of taking 'no' for an answer," says the drow as he observes the party's reluctance.

## Quests

### Ongoing

* **Treasures of Yore (Everyone):** Recover the other two gems of the Wizard of Wines.
* **Under New Management (Everyone):** Investigate the coven of hags at Old Bonegrinder mill.

### The Deck of Fate

* **The Symbol of Hope (Everyone):** Claim the holy symbol by finding the tomb of a great wizard with a famous staff. Possibly located in Castle Ravenloft.
* **The Shadow of Barovia (Everyone):** Defeat Strahd. Optional: Suplex Strahd.
* **The Moon (Aellun):** Find the place filled with bones, for the clues you seek lie there.
* **The Headsman (Gromash):** Find the fortress within the fortress, which contains the treasure you seek.
* **The Phantom (Lo-thak):** Find the location of the one who gave birth to evil, for she is the key to your goals. Could this be Baba Lysaga, tormentor of the wilds of Barovia and resident of Berez?
* **The Balance (Thalia):** Discover the whereabouts of Lautrec and Gascarde.

### Completed

* **Argynvost's Legacy (Everyone):** Free the Paladins from their curse and discover the location of the Amber Temple.

## Quotes

* Thalia: "Hardly the most suitable ground for a duel, is it?" (Disengages and runs fast as she can)
* DM: Vladimir's features red with hatred... I don't think he knows any other emotion. Probably not.
* Aellun: "I've lived most of my life in chains, but no more. You shall not take my friends. I shall take my life in my hands, and if that means I must take yours, then so be it."

## Reflections

* **Character name:** Reflection.
* Thalia: "I don't know what I expected of the haunt of a dragon, even a supposedly 'good' dragon, but this was simultaneously far better and far worse. A horde of undead is a foul enemy, but one we can deal with. To see what were once noble knights and paladins, reduced to rabid specters...Strahd truly has much to answer for. Only now I fear we will never get to the Amber Temple - the wedding is due, and if we turn it down I doubt we'll have any chance to enter Castle Ravenloft. At least going now, we could find an entrance to use later - and I might have a chance to find what has become of Lautrec and Gascarde. For now though, I must keep a very close eye on Esmeralda. Strahd may have been lying when he said he'd caught her, but he wouldn't have thought to mention her unless he'd detected her intrusion."

## Appendix

Strahdborne Sessions
**Chapter 1: The Gates of Barovia**
 Session 1 · Session 2 · Session 3 · Session 4 · Session 5 · Session 6

 **Chapter 2: The Fall of Vallaki**
 Session 7 · Session 8 · Session 9 · Session 10 · Session 11 · Session 12 · Session 13 · Session 14 · Session 15 · Session 16 · Session 17 · Session 18 · Session 19 ·

 **Chapter 3: The Muster at Krezk**
 Session 20 · Session 21 · Session 22 · Session 23 · Session 24 · Session 25 · **Session 26** · Session 27 ·