Argynvostholt II

## Summary

The party returns to the Blue Water Inn with Warwick being a little sick from the dive in Lake Zarovich. Talice gives the bartenders some tea leaves to boil for Warwick. Meanwhile Jade looks for Dr. Rudolph van Richten via scrying. She doesn't get in contact with him but she does see Castle Ravenloft.

She relays what she found to the party and they head out to the Werewolf Den first. Along the way, Krik notices that one of his bone arches was taken down and buried. Krik sighs and rebuilds the arches while writing a sign that says to not touch. He also finds a book in the pile but he can't read it so Jade looks over it. She notes that it's like Talice's book but constitution is needed instead of wisdom. Warwick is given the book to look over as he coughs.

At the den, Krik approaches Emil in the back. After Emil finishes his prayer, Krik lets Emil know of an imposter roaming Barovia. He gives him a codeword that he'll use, 'chariots.' Krik also notes the bone arch that was taken down and asks how to control the transformation. Emil promises he'll do his best to keep up the arches but has no advice for the transformation. Krik gives him advice to help the townsfolk so they'll take down Strahd soon. Emil then tells Krik he'll need to find a mate and Krik takes it in stride. As he leaves, he sees some of the werewolves have more than respectful looks for him.

The party travels to Argynvostholt next and heads around south. Using Gregarius and Krik's strength, Jade lights up the spider webs in the crumbled tower. Large spiders come out of the tower ready to attack. The group takes most of them down with Ezmeralda D'Avenir taking out the remaining ones with a single lightning bolt. Warwick gets one vail of poison from the spider's corpse and gives it to Jade.

As they head inside, Krik makes an arch out of spider legs. Jade spots some figures praying at an altar so the group decides to avoid that room. Talice uses pass without trace to make Baymax stealthy. She uses him as a scout to check for monsters ahead as the party looks for a way down. The sun begins to set as they enter the stronghold. Talice calls out to the dragon Argynvost and it hissed at her through the shadows. They notice the hostility of the being that responded as Jade wanders towards the dining hall that is lit. The party decides not to fight the worshippers and head to the second floor.

Their first stop is the northeastern guest room. As soon as they hear a hiss from the fireplace they send Baymax into the room to investigate and a smoky dragon comes out of the fireplace. It eventually leaves and weaves between the party before heading upstairs. The party begins investigating the room with Talice falling into the soot-covered fireplace. Jade investigates the door ahead only for the doors to shoot open. A blood-curdling scream fills the hallway and several phantom warriors begin attacking. The party fends them off with Jade and Krik needing to heal. After some goodberry picking, Talice and Sorin search one of the rooms the warriors attacked from to find a white theater mask and a music box. Talice gives the mask to Jade while holding onto the music box. Jade tries on the mask only for it to copy whatever expression the wearer has.

## Notable Events

* AeonOfDreams was unable to make it to the session
* The party stops by the Werewolf Den
* The party returns to Argynvostholt