Session 5: Misty Visions

## Misty Visions

Madame Eva gives the party their reading, giving them clues as to how to defeat Strahd. After the reading, Ireena drunkenly flirts with Seril, Menyn learns about the wizard who had attempted to fight Strahd, and Bogdan and V attempt to steal from the chest, but fail. After a night of revelry, V is awake to see Strahd enter the camp and overhears his conversation with Madame Eva, but is caught in his line of sight briefly. The next morning, V urges the party to leave, but Seril speaks to Madame Eva before doing so and is given a cryptic message about her niece. V, after failing to pick the lock, steals the chest Eustace told her to steal from, and then tells the party about Strahd being in camp. An argument ensues, and the party walk through the rain with tensions high. They come to a windmill along their way, and Menyn disguises himself as a child in order to garner sympathy and find them a place to rest but instead finds himself in the grips of a hag. The party attacks and a battle ensues, in which Bogdan rescues a child who was meant to be baked into a pie, Menyn nearly dies, and Seril relives traumatic events from her past as she is once again forced to run and leave people behind. Menyn gets the killing blow on the hag that nearly killed him and manages to escape. Bogdan and V attempt to go back for one of the hags' victim but Morgantha joins the scene, and they flee the windmill to try and catch up with the rest of the party.

## Synopsis

### The Tarroka Reading

As Madame Eva gestured V, Seril, and Bogdan closer, V noticed Eustace had slipped out and disappeared.

Madame Eva took Seril’s left hand and spoke briefly about the threads of fate. Madame Eva then gestured Bogdan and V forward and they looked at each other reluctantly before stepping forward.

Madame Eva then positioned them with Seril in the middle, V on her right, and Bogdan on her left, then told them to join hands. Everyone was deeply hesitant and Seril was annoyed to take Bogdan’s hand. Bogdan chided her and Madame Eva pleaded with them to just connect their threads.

As V intertwined hands with Seril, V's consciousness branched out into an echo that had happened to her before. A haze settled over her eyes and then cleared to see a left hand clutching onto a young woman. The young woman was around seventeen years old, with stark white hair, pale and sickly, and was struggling to keep up as they ran through a snowy forest. The brush scraped against them. The young woman’s hand had a raven in flight tattoo matching her own. In her right arm, she held onto a baby. They came into a clearing and distantly she could see a figure there, waiting, but before she could make out who it was, V snapped back to Madame Eva’s tent.

As they clasped hands, Menyn closed the tent at Eva’s request. She then pulled out a deck of old, worn cards. She removed the top fourteen cards and set them off to the side, before she shuffled the rest of the deck seven times. She set the deck down, closed her eyes and held her hand over the deck. The air in the space became thicker, more humid, and the flames of the candles rose and swelled of their own accord. The sounds of the merriment and river became muffled and mute as the space in the tent became more isolated. There was the feeling as if the tent had become more real than the outside world.

Madame Eva slowly and carefully drew three cards from the top of the larger deck and two from the smaller deck. She laid them in the shape of a cross, then opened her eyes and looked at the three of them, with the air of a performer putting on a show for an audience.

She looked at Seril first and said “this is card; it tells of an ancient history, knowledge of your enemy, to help you understand and defeat them.” She then revealed the three of stars. The illustration on the card was of a figure with a staff in their hand glowing in white light. Around the figure was a ball of fire to the north, a ball of water to the east, a ball of earth to the south, and a ball of wind to the west. A light danced across the card as she explained it as “portending the elements. This card, I see a book; a book of darkness, hidden away, underneath a mountain, inside of a castle - a decrepit castle - but it has been preserved; it has fallen, been encased in a shell of amber.”

She finished her reading of the card, then moved to the card in the middle of the cross. She looked at Bogdan and said, “This card it tells of a powerful force for good and protection. A holy symbol of great hope for the people of Barovia.” The card was the one of swords. The illustration was of two figures, one shrouded in darkness, sitting on a mound of skulls, the other drawn in yellow light with a single broken sword at their side, looking up defiantly at the other figure. “This card portends the avenger. This treasure lies deep within the house of a dragon, in hands that were once clean but are now corrupted.” Her figure seemed to shrink as she exhaled and the fog of her breath accumulated like a cold winter night and then dispersed.

Madame Eva moved to the third card and looked at V. As she hovered her hand over the card, all the candlelight briefly vanished, but just as quickly as it had left, it returned. The candles burned with a fierce, white searing light that was almost painful to look at. The blinding light was something Bogdan and V had never seen in Barovia before but it reminded Seri and Menyn of the sun. Madame Eva then spoke, “This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance. A sword of pure sunlight.” She revealed the two of coins. The illustration was a bag of coins overflowing from the top, with an individual sitting at a desk in a room, covered in boxes and equipment, and coins and ledgers, and stacks of papers on the desk, falling off in a waterfall. “This portends the philanthropist. I see an area of darkness, which used to be of light, this place that was once of healing and purity is now a den where sickness and madness are bred. Where children once cried, the treasure now lie.”

She moved to the fourth card, the bottom most one, and hovered her hand over it for a moment. She then began to trace small circles idly, back and forth with her hand in the air over the card, as she hummed quietly to herself. Magical flames began to lick and dance where her finger has traced over. The flames surmounted in a swirling vortex of light violet figure. As she finished, the vortex remained for a moment before dissipating over the card. She turned to address everyone, “This card shines light on an individual, who if found will help you greatly in the battle against the darkness.” The card - a spade - has an illustration of a queen’s crown with a dark, desolate road being encroached on every side by mists. The mists seem to converge onto the road but then return to the original position after a blink of an eye. “The queen of spades. It portends the mists. Through the mists I see a woman, a young Vistani, who is searching this land alone for her former mentor.” Madame Eva then grabbed V’s right hand and looked into her eyes as she said, “She must be kept as your right hand for us to succeed. Search out this Vistani. Give her our aid and she will return the favor.”

She reached for the fifth, and final card, and almost touched it, but recoiled ever so slightly and nearly retched. Sweat began to build on her furrowed brow. The wrinkles on her forehead seemed more present, as if someone was drawing them on her forehead. The shadows behind her began to circle in the candlelight until the light dimmed. The shadows began coalescing, as a shadowy figure rose up behind her. Two deep red modes of light peered out from the darkness, along with the flash of light reflecting off fangs. Madame Eva attempted to speak, but could not manage much louder than a whisper. “Your enemy is a creature of darkness whose powers are beyond the mortal coil. If my readings are correct, this card will lead you to him and tell you where your final confrontation will begin.” Her previously deft and dexterous fingers turned ham-fisted as she flipped the card, revealing a diamond and a crown; the queen of diamonds. The illustration showed a woman in a nightgown standing in front of a balcony draped in moonlight, her back arched in a seductive way with her hands on the railing. The illustration clad in black and white, except for the long, auburn hair of the figure. “The queen of diamonds. This card portends the temptress.” She began to look around, as if seeing somewhere else. “Yes, I see a place, a secret place. A vault of temptation, hidden behind a woman of great beauty. The devil lies there, waiting, atop his tower of stolen treasure, blood, gold.” With that, she fell back in her chair, her body seizing, her eyes rolling so only the whites show. She then snapped back with a gasp, sweat pouring down her face. The candlelight seemed to be breathing with her as she caught her breath. After a few moments, the light in the room returned as it was before the reading. Madame Eva is left exhausted, skin and bones, breathing heavily atop her table.

Seril reached out to touch her gently. Madame Eva's skin is cold to the touch, like snowy ground right after a fresh snow. Despite this, Eva assured her it was alright, she just needed a moment, and Seril nodded. Eva then asked Menyn to fetch her some hot water for some tea, and Menyn agreed. He exited the tent and headed out to the campfire to ask for water from those around the fire. The storyteller guided him to a pot of water and ladle.

While she waited for Menyn, Madame Eva addressed Bogdan and asked him to retrieve her tea leaves from the bottom drawer. Specifically, for the green ones with purple edges. Bogdan finds what appears to be freshly dried leaves. He brought them to her and she began to prepare tea for everyone.

“That was interesting to say the least. I’ve had the threads guide me before but never so clear. Any of the places I’ve seen, are they familiar to any of you?” she asked, and they all respond in the negative.

Seril said that these items will help them fight the darkness and Strahd, to which Eva tells her to not mention his name. He has spies everywhere, and they don’t know if he knows yet about them. It's important they also be careful considering the woman they have accompanying them.

Eva told them all to rest, and assured them there is food and wine, as well as boar in the forest for Bogdan if he needs it. He thanked her and said he might have some later in the morning. Seril seemed annoyed but said nothing. It was at that point that she realized V was gone; V had slipped out a moment prior.

“We lost the nervous one again,” Seril said.

“Yes, she is jumpy,” Eva agreed.

“Though that’s not the worst trait to have.”

“Might be wise in Barovia,” Seril agreed.

After some time and tea, the color crept back to Madame Eva, though she still looked exhausted. Seril asked if she needed anything, and Eva said she just needs time and some rest. She told them before they leave the camp completely to come talk to her if they need anything. She said to stay the night and rest and everyone agreed. She then offered them a tent on the opposite side of camp for all of them to share. Menyn ensured a distressed Seril that the tent has compartments.

### The Vistani Camp

Bogdan politely thanked Eva and wished her a good night, before leaving the tent, with Menyn and Seril behind.

From her spot under a tree, V could see Morgantha pushing her cart down the road. Her cart was empty save for empty pie tins, an errant sack or two and a barrel. Morgantha smiled and waved at V. As she passed by, the cart hit a rock and jostled back and forth for a brief moment. As the cart settled, the burlap sack seemed to move slightly, but Morgantha left the camp before V could investigate.

The rest of the party emerged from Eva’s tent and found Ireena alright dancing rather sloppily around the fire, with a tankard in each hand, one with wine, the other upside down. Seril approached Ireena, who didn’t notice her immediately and almost grazed Seril with her tankard. When she noticed Seril, she excitedly called her name and asked how the reading went, but then interrupted her and asked if Seril likes wine. "They have good wine here." She told Seril she should get some wine, but “wait wait”, first there’s someone she wants Seril to meet. She dragged Seril over to a man with a well-oiled, curly mustache.

“Ludovick, this is the girl I was telling you about with the loud wand things that explode. Show him, show him!” Ireena said as way of introduction to the storyteller.

Ludovick asked Seril her about the gun and she began to explain until then Ireena interrupted. “Don’t tell him, show him.”

Seril then walked a bit away and shot vaguely into the forest as a demonstration. Ireena began to clap, Ludovick marveled at the demonstration, and a few of the Vistani gathered around cheered before everyone returned to the merriment. Seril then attempted to right a very unsteady Ireena, despite being nearly a foot shorter than her.

Menyn balancing a bunch of tankards on his lute, approached Ludovick and asked for the story of the wizard.

“You know Barovia, nothing interesting ever happens here. The outside world is more colorful and interesting. But recently a man came to town, calling himself a wizard. Very charismatic, very driven. He was convinced he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil and come out on top. He guided them to the castle en masse, farmhands, husbands and wives, older children, still fresh-faced individuals. He guided them to the castle, marched them straight up to the gates. After a good amount of siege and great loss, the vampire finally appeared. Seeing the wizard, some of the army of darkness fled in terror. After that, from a distance, I could see the wizard and the vampire having the most exquisite battle, throwing spells back and forth. They flew around the castle, crashing into it. Lightning and thunder struck. As the battle continued, they flew up the mountain side of Mount Baratok, still engaged in heavy battle. But almost as an act of god, lightning came from the heavens and struck the wizard. Still, he stood but the devil fell upon him and the wizard fell a few thousand feet down the mountainside. I took it upon myself to search for his body, this man who stood against the vampire. But it seems the river swept the body away before I could recover anything.”

Menyn asked where the lake was and Ludovick told him where the lake was, and that he had already strayed far from home and didn’t investigate it further for that reason.

Ludovick then asked Menyn for a story in kind and Menyn told a story of a wizard with a very large, wild cat and the only way you could visit the wizard was through a large chest of drawers. "The Tiger, The Wizard, and The Chest of Drawers," he called it.

He then told Ludovick about the reading. Ludovick said Madame Eva had been going on for days about the three of them.

Menyn asked for clarification as “some things she said confused me; since sometimes she talked about things that seem real and some that didn’t. Is there a place in all these lands that is so bright and wonderful that not even a little bit of darkness could touch it ever?”

Ludovick chuckled and said, “Friend, every corner of Barovia has been touched by some form of darkness. But if you’re talking about some of the last ones to fall, perhaps some of the churches. I know the church of Barovia fell only a month ago. There’s the church of Vallaki, which I believe the father is still operating. The last one is the Abbey of Aaint Markovia over in Krezk.”

Bogdan caught V’s eyes and then disappeared behind Madame Eva's tent. After checking to ensure nobody was watching, V followed. Bogdan apologized, and said he knows V was hesitant but he thinks they need the item. V agreed and explained that she was going to wait until everyone was asleep but they’re all drunk anyway, so may as well. She attempted to pick the lock, but found it more intricate then expected. After trying for a few minutes and she failed to open it. In frustration, she handed her tools off to Bogdan, who then gave it a try, but he was unsuccessful as well. They decide to come back later and try again.

They returned to where V was sitting earlier on the outskirts of the camp and Bogdan said; “So I know there are dark things here, know magic is real, but I’ve never been through anything like that. You?”

“Not really? I don’t do magic so much so-“

“Right.”

“I don’t know the line between magic and…ghosts can help me?” V said with a bit of a flinch in her voice.

“Listen, I am not one to give bullshit about having a big thing people judge,” Bogdan assured her. He then asked her if the ghosts helped her understand the reading.

V hesitated, stumbling over her words before she said, “Yes and no…it’s complicated. Um no. I don’t think.”

Bogdan dropped that line of questioning, to V's relief, then gestured around at everything. “It’s a lot.”

“Yeah, this is so much," V agreed with a sigh. "I’m used to being on my own kind of.”

“I get that. I’m used to being me plus one; very specific one. Also new. Also very, very new.”

After a moment of hesitation, V asked, “This might be…don’t answer if you don’t want to but…your very specific one?”

“Mother. Me and mother. I couldn’t really be a lot of places because-” he said, gesturing at himself “-so we live on road; live on road run away from vampire father, from Strahd. Um….she passed recently so um…”

“How recently?”

“Uhhh. Fifteen minutes before-or not fifteen minutes, but I finished burial fifteen minutes before.”

“O-oh," V said, seeming confused, and then more alarmed, "Oh! I’m so sorry”

“Yeah I mean…da, it sucks…no way to really…da it’s… a lot for a few days. Figure out how society works. Dead mom. Quite a lot. Oh, traveling with person who wants to put metal between your eyes any moment.”

“Yeah that’s… wow oh…I…are you okay? I mean-“

“Grand scheme of things probably no, but I have mission and that’s keeping me grounded. Must kill Strahd then I can break down as needed," Bogdan said.

“I’m so sorry. I-I don’t really know what to say or do to-but I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. I don’t know that’s there much you could say to-you know, this is beyond mortal help.”

"Yeah.”

“Thank you though, means a lot.”

They lapsed into silence for a beat, before V said, “This all sucks didn’t it?”

Bogdan laughed softly and spoke with a quite sort of amusement in his voice. “Barovia sucks.”

“Yeah,” V sighed.

“I’ll do this land one service and kill Strahd then never return. You?” He asked.

“I haven’t thought that far," she admitted. "There’s things I need to do here… but I suppose leaving wouldn’t be too bad.”

“Da. I don’t think so either.”

“I don’t know where I’d go”

“I think that’s part of the mystery. Part of the allure even maybe. Anywhere but here.”

“Yeah, it’d be nice to get out of here," V said wistfully.

“Well, maybe we follow fucked up story and we get there, hm?”

“I mean, I don’t think we have much other choice at this point.”

“Yeah well, choice is overrated anyway, apparently,” he said jokingly.

“Yeah, apparently we’re all tied together anyway.”

Bogdan laughed. “By fate. If fate is real I’m going I kick fate’s ass.”

V said she thinks she might believe in it, fate that is, and has been “looking for something for so long and then fate is like 'here it is'.”

Bogdan asked if he can ask what she’s searching for. V stumbled over herself, saying she shouldn’t have brought it up, and apologizes. Bogdan assured her it was no problem, but she still seemed uncomfortable.

"No, it’s good," Bogdan assured her once again. "It’s good um…well, when do you think we should try chest again because I don’t know…Eustace crazy old man but I do like sound of new toy. New thing sounds nice. Whatever may help, I mean odds are terrible.”

V said if it's useful they should probably use it, but they should rest first. Bogdan agreed and suggested they wait for when Madame Eva is asleep. To which V explained she was considering doubling back after the group left camp, that way they'd have an alibi.

Bogdan said, "I don’t know how we explain this to Menyn but that is bridge to cross later."

They looked out at the camp, and V remarks that it seems as if this is the calm before the storm. "How can they all be so happy and cheerful with everything hanging over them?"

Bogdan pondered for a moment before he said, “I think I don’t get it because I’m only half human, but I think being plagued by death makes you closer to death. We are less apt for this”

“Yeah…” V sighed.

They watched Seril hold up a very drunk Ireena. Ireena put her tanker down after a long swig, stared for a moment, then puked at Seril's feet.

“I don’t get this," Bogdan said, gesturing towards Ireena, to which V agreed.

"Dancing looks fun though,” V said, and they lapsed into silence.

After a moment, Bogdan said he’s going to go to bed, and will maybe hunt early in the morning. V told him she’s going to crash there on edge of town, and offers Bogdan a spot beside her. He agreed and they discussed potentially sleeping in shifts, but Bogdan assumes it's not necessary so close to the camp, especially when they're not the main targets. With that settled, they bid each other good night.

Back in camp, Seril helped settle a very drunk Ireena down into the tent to the sound of Menyn drunkenly singing. As Seril tucked Ireena into bed, Ireena blearily muttered, “Thanks, Ismaark” before passing out. Seril, reluctant to sleep just yet, returned to the party to watch as Menyn continued on. He eventually passed out by the fire after singing all night long. One of the less drunk Vistani managed to get Menyn into the tent and Seril followed after. finally ready for the night.

### A Visit from the Devil

Despite having bid Bogdan goodnight, V sat on the outskirts and watched over Bogdan as he rested, still awake herself. She watched the party die down, and the camp become still around one in the morning.

From the road to the east, a carriage, all black, drew into the camp itself and stopped in front of Madame Eva’s tent. From her position, V could make out a driver with fairly pale skin, slicked back white hair, and pointed ears. He opened the door, letting a black robed individual out of the carriage and into Madame Ava’s tent.

V slowly approached, giving the carriage a wide berth as she darted around behind the back of the tent. Despite her efforts to remain stealth, she accidentally stepped on a stick close to the tent, drawing the attention of the rider, but she managed duck back and avoid him.

As she approached the back of the tent she could hear a muffled conversation between Madame Eva and a man, but couldn’t pick out the entire conversation, as the outside world is blocked out from the tent through Madame Eva's magic.

“I need to find her, can you find her?” asked the man.

V couldn't make out Madame Eva's quiet response, but heard the man speak once more. “Would this eye work from him?”

“Very well," he said, after a muttered reply. "I will return in forty-eight hours for her location”.

The tent flap opened and the man stepped out.

V poked her head around the tent and saw the pointy eared individual holding the carriage door open for the man. The back of his black robe was embellished in silver, with an illustration of a single raven perched on a tree.

As he turned, V caught sight of extremely pale skin, and sunken cheeks. His long black hair is slicked back, revealing a prominent widow's peak.

Though V had never seen him before, her mind screamed at her that this was the devil.

He turned his head and his pupil-less red eyes land on V. She froze even as her body screamed at her to run.

The devil stared at her for a moment, before he turned to Madame Eva and said, “Thank you for your work. I look forward to the results in two days.”

The devil entered his carriage, and the driver began along the cobblestone road, heading to the east.

V, finally unfrozen, returned to Bogdan. Shocked, as if her body had been thrown into an ice bath and then immediately into an oven after, she laid down with her back pressed against Bogdan's and managed, somehow, to rest.

### A Speedy Retreat

In the morning, Bogdan noticed the tracks and decides to inquire about it later, but went hunting first. He found a boar in the trees, as Madame Eva said he would, and feeds. On his way back he saw Morgantha with fresh pastries, pushing her way through the encampment towards Barovia. When he returned to their little encampment, V snapped awake and frantically told him they have to go.

Bogdan nodded and went to the tent to get the others as V began packing up. Seril asked why they need to go and Bogdan said "V said so and I trust V, so…" Seril said she needs to ask V, but she’s not leaving Bogdan in the tent with the others so Bogdan helps her wake the others.

Seril woke a very hungover Ireena, and explained that they need to make a hasty exit. Ireena, out of it, agreed. Seril gave her a pat on the shoulder, then went to gather her things.

Bogdan shook Menyn's shoulder and Menyn woke saying “what’s the deal with fairy ring food?” Still half-asleep, he managed to get his things gathered though Bogdan had to help him lace up his leather armor.

"A bard needs to keep his clothes on since everyone is always trying to take them off,” Menyn quipped, making Bogdan laugh. "Am I still asleep?" Menyn asked himself.

Once she had finished packing up, Seril went to V to ask what’s going on.

"I can’t explain. Not here," V said. Seril insisted but V does too. "I promise I will explain everything once we leave, but I can’t tell you while we're here."

Seeing how freaked V is, Seril leaves her be, then says "I was going to go ask Madame Eva something. Is that alright?"

V asked about what, and Seril explained it's personal; about searching for someone. "A woman?" V asked.

"A girl.”

V apologized then said it should be alright. "Just... be careful."

“Of Madame Eva?”

“Yes.”

With that cryptic warning in mind, Seril made her way to Madame Eva's tent.

Once inside the tent, Seril noticed a jar with a blue eyeball in it. She pointed it out, and Madame Eva said it was given to her last night. Seril doesn’t press and instead asked Madame Eva if she can help her find a girl, who would be eight years old now, named Meena, though she might not know that. "She had dark hair," Seril said, as it was all the information she had.

Madame Eva asked to see Seril’s left hand and after initial hesitation, she reluctantly took her glove off, revealing a tattoo on the back of her hand. The tattoo is of a white-winged raven in flight.

Madame Eva traced the tattoo, then said “follow it. Follow the people and places that have it and they will guide you to the individual. I cannot follow the threads exactly but the threads that connected you and the girl’s mother are strong. Follow those."

Seril thanked her for her help, then thanked again for the previous night. A pained expression flit over Madame Eva's face before she urged Seril to keep Ireena hidden. Seril assured her she would, then returned to the group and they leave camp.

Once far enough outside camp, V asked if anyone told the Vistani where they were going.

"Technically no," Menyn said, in reference to the churches Lodevick had informed him about.

"Figure out where to go and keep walking. I'll catch up," V said, before she broke off from the group. She snuck back into camp unnoticed and made her way behind Madame Eva's tent once more. Shaky and frightened, she attempted to pick the lock on the chest but failed, her hands trembling too hard from the night before. Frustrated, she grabbed the chest and made a run for it. As she ran, Madame Eva caught sight of her, but despite her thievery, gestured for her to go. V mouthed “I’m sorry” and ran with the chest to rejoin the group.

“I’m not sure what V is doing but I’m very curious how this will play out,” Seril said. Bogdan distinctly said nothing.

When V returned, Menyn immediately demanded, “did you steal?”

“Eustace told me to!”

"Is this why you told us to leave camp?” Seril asked,

“No this is a separate thing. Eustace told me to steal this. There’s a different reason we have to leave.”

As they bickered, Bogdan took out his crowbar and attempted to pry the chest open but failed. With a scoff, Ireena walked over and easily opened the chest.

"Well done," Seril said.

"It wasn't difficult," Ireena said. Bogdan and V both groaned and rolled their eyes.

"Have you two tried this before?" Menyn asked.

"No," they both responded, fooling no one.

Inside the chest lay a steel dagger, with a crescent moon on the pommel. Beside it lay a corked vial that appeared to be empty.

Seril asked "Why do we need a knife and a vial?"

"Eustace didn’t know what would be in it, only that we would need it," V explained.

"That's all well and good, but why exactly are we leaving again?" Menyn asked.

"The devil was in camp last night.”

"Okay, and we're running," Menyn said in a panic as he began to do just that.

"Why didn’t you immediately tell us when it happened?" Seril demanded.

"It was the middle of the night! It would have been too obvious if we'd left! Besides, I'm telling you now!" V objected.

She then explained what she had overheard and Seril tells them Eva had an eye in a jar in the tent. They agree that Eva seemed reluctant to be working with the devil, but she is working with the devil. They then wondered what the eye is for and Menyn thought it might be for divination of some sort. Menyn explained that divination works with eyes in order to keep their eye on somebody. He explained how divination and that divination can work on the spot and wouldn’t need forty-eight hours, which means Eva might be giving them time. Seril pieces together that the eye might be Ismark’s eye. Seril and Menyn quietly discussed the possibility so Ireena doesn’t overhear.

Ireena, still holding the chest, asked what she should do with it. V took the vial and the dagger and Ireena chucked the chest into the trees when they decide there's nothing better to do with it anyways. When holding the vial, V could hear liquid sloshing around inside despite not seeing anything. She tells the rest of the group but nobody knew what it might be.

Seril then asked if the devil was with anyone else and V told her about the driver.

"But, um... the devil did... see me," she added, hesitantly.

"Again. Why did you not immediately tell us?" Seril demanded

"It didn’t seem like a good idea," V snapped.

"Well, Menyn and Ireena were drunk anyways," Bogdan pointed out. "They wouldn't have been coherent or able to leave."

Seril, angry, objected, saying V still should have at least told her and V argued it would have been pointless. They argue a bit longer until eventually they all huffily let it go and keep walking as it begins to rain.

Bogdan and V fall back from the rest of the group and Bogdan apologized. "I know I was more adamant about the chest than you were, and you got roped into it."

"It's fine. I'm normally better at this sort of thing but... I've just... I've been struggling lately," she sighed.

"Not to worry, it happens. Though, I'm sorry everyone sort of ganged up on you." He remarked on it being weird and V said "it's really not that weird for this group."

"For me sure, but I’m part vampire.” He then leaned down towards her and said, “team half-dead against the world, huh?” making her smile softly. He then added that Menyn seems okay with them and will come around and Seril… well Seril seems okay with V, usually.

"Bogdan, anyone who’s afraid of you because of your fangs and not your ability with your sword isn’t paying close enough attention. Don’t let her get under your skin.”

"Thank you."

As they walk, Seril approached Ireena and asked, "Do you want to be left alone or would you like some companionship?"

"I don't really want a conversation but I wouldn’t mind somebody to match steps with me."

"Well, I can’t quite match steps since you're significantly taller than me."

Ireena laughed. “Every other step, then,” she said, and they fell into companionable silence.

Menyn pulled out the mirror with Eustace in it and grumbled angrily, “wait until you wake up”.

After a couple of hours, it began to pour heavily. Menyn pulled out his map and says if they push on for another hour or two they can make it to a windmill which will give them safety and warmth. They all agreed it's better to stay somewhere dry, so they press on despite the rain. By the end of the walk however, Seril looks exhausted. Ireena offered her shoulder which Seril gladly accepted.

A few more hours passed before V and Seril noticed a singular tall windmill, through the fog and the rain. The windmill wasn't moving, just standing at the base of a small hill with a stable on the side of it, as well as a cart and a few barrels. Candles lit the windows of the mill.

### The Old Bonegrinder

Perched underneath the awning of the windmill, a singular raven stared down at them and squawked loudly. Seril, having been the one to spot it out, pointed out the bird to the others but it flew off before she could say anything else.

They awkwardly stared up at the windmill for a moment before Bogdan eventually said, “well gang? Somebody should go talk to whoever’s there and it shouldn’t be me.”

Everyone agreed it should be Menyn but he scoffed and said, “should I get teary eyed too like some little child stuck out in the rain?” and then after Seril's encouragement and challenge, he disguised himself to look like a child. He then pulled a wig out of his disguise kit to give to Ireena so she can wear it and hide her auburn hair. He also told her to call herself Gladys instead.

Menyn told everyone to stay back, he’ll speak for everyone, and then went to knock on the door. Almost immediately somebody on the other side yelled, “one second!” A peephole opened and a pair eyes peered through. “Who’s there? What do you want?” At the sight of child-Menyn, the harsh tone turned gentle. “Oh sweetheart, what are you doing here?” A woman in her late thirties with a messy bun, wearing a plain dress and a flour covered apron opened the door.

Menyn spun a story about them being a family of farmers who were attacked by wolves and they’re trying to make it to his uncle in Vallaki’s, though he stumbles over the name and the woman politely corrected him. As he explains his family is right behind him, V leaned over to Bogdan and whispered, “does this mean we’re a family?” “Apparently,” he said.

Menyn asked if there is anywhere they can stay for the night and the woman says of course. He asked about if they were a wheat farm.

"Oh, no, we only work with bone meal," she said, then cast Suggestion on Menyn and told him to come inside, which he gladly did. She looked back at everyone once Menyn was inside, then slammed the door shut and locked it. She then knelt down next to Menyn and said “you’re so adorable and just the perfect size. Mother is going to love you. Come meet the others.” Menyn followed her up the stairs to a room with pies, including one with a whole human hand wearing a ring.

Seeing the door slam, Bogdan immediately ran up the wall to the third floor.

Meanwhile, Menyn, who managed to break free from her spell, said, “ma’am I have a gift for you” and cast Thunderwave, blowing the door out. “Kill her quick, she’s going to eat me!”

V ran in and stabbed the woman, using the dagger she had recovered from the chest. The dagger glowed with moonlight as it pierced the woman's skin. The woman’s face contorted, turning wrinkly and ancient and angry, revealing herself to be a hag. V then ran up the stairs to block the hag from escaping. From her spot on the stairs, V could hear footsteps that she was about to deduce weren’t Bogdan's.

Bogdan bust through the third story window into a bedroom, with another woman, nearly identical to the hag downstairs. Against the wall, two crates jostled and seemed to move. As he broke in, the woman swiveled around to look at him. He whipped out his tinder box and started a fire on the straw bed then immediately jumped back out the window and went down a floor.

The hag on the bottom floor threw a Witch Bolt at Seril and Menyn, severely injuring them both.

Menyn then shouted out “*Spells and magic ban from sight -Arcane dispelled from the night!"* and cast Silence, cutting the hag, and himself, off from casting spells.

Upstairs, Ophelia the hag, tried to grab the bed and throw it out the window to stop the flames but struggled and burned herself.

V brought both daggers down on the hag downstairs, Bella, who tried to scream out but the Silence stopped her.

From his position outside, Bogdan caught sight of a familiar figure with a cart making her way towards the windmill.

Bella grew claws and attacked Menyn, slicing him down.

Ophelia attempted to throw the flaming bed at Bogdan’s shadow but missed.

V managed to get a healing potion into Menyn and helped him back up.

Bogdan then appeared on the first floor and told everybody “mother is on the way. We need to get out of here. I have business on the third floor” and then switched places with his shadow. He then went at the wiggling box. He cracked it open with his crowbar after a second try and found a thirteen year old boy who was trapped in the box. The boy started asking where he is and Bogdan hushed him, assuring him that they’re going to escape, but he needs to stay quiet.

Menyn attempted to run out but Bella grabbed him. “*Second verse, same as the first -Once again quiet, but a whole lot worse!"* he yelled, casting Silence once again.

The hag then slashed at Menyn and knocked him out once more. His bag fell, spilling out the mirror with Eustace and the rest of his items.

Ireena tried to wrest Menyn's unconscious form away from the hag but failed. She turned to Seril in a panic, and Seril told Ireena to run. Ireena hesitated, clearly upset, but after a moment, turned and ran from the mill.

V attacked Bella, once again, then yelled at her to try and draw her attention away from Menyn. V then ran up the stairs, trying to get Bella to chase her. With Bella momentarily distracted, Seril was able to run out after Ireena, and still get a shot in at Bella.

Bogdan handed the child to Ireena and urged Seril take them both out and run. Seril hesitated, clearly distraught, then told Bogdan not to die before she ran with Ireena and the boy.

Bella attacked Menyn’s unconscious form, while Ophelia attacked V on the second floor. V jumped out the window, down to the ground, then sprinted over to Bogdan and told him to grab Menyn.

Bogdan ran in, saw the healing potion on the ground, grabbed it, and fed it to Menyn.

Ophelia attempted to cast Suggestion on Bogdan, telling him his friends have left him, and he should help her finish off the rest. Bogdan almost failed his save but was given inspiration to pass it instead. Bogdan shook off the effect, and said his one friend is still there, so she can go fuck herself.

Menyn, awake, cast Thunderwave on Bella. The force of the spell blew her backwards, skewering her onto one of the many meat hooks hanging from the wall. As her body dangled from its hook, Menyn rolled, staggered up to his feet and limped out through the door, Ophelia's enraged screams following him out. V pointed to where Seril and the others went and told Menyn to run. After he left, V went back in for Bogdan.

Ophelia dropped down the stairs and attacked Bogdan but he dodged out of the way. Bogdan shouted out to V, telling her of another person trapped upstairs. V ran past both of them, up the stairs, and narrowly avoided an attack from Ophelia.

Bogdan stepped back out of Ophelia’s reach and her attack, letting his shadow run out and up the wall to the third floor, then switched place with his shadow. Bogdan jumped through the window, joining V in the room in time for a raven to fly in with them.

As V attempted to break the lock on the crate, the raven's form shifted and changed into the form of Morgantha, the pie dealer. Bleeding and shaking, V couldn't break the lock. In the face of certain death, V jumped out the window, down to the second floor, yelling Bogdan's name. Bogdan followed after her, running straight down the wall as she gracefully jumped down to the ground.

As they ran from the windmill, V looked back and saw Morgantha in the window, watch them for a moment, before she turned back inside. Through the open front door, Bella's body still swung from the meat hook.

## Locations

* Vistani Camp
* Madame Eva's Tent
* The Old Bonegrinder

## Featured Characters

### The Party

* Bogdan
* Menyn Kaynen
* Seril Dren
* V

### New

* Bella
* Ophelia
* Lucien

### Returning

* Madame Eva
* Ludovick
* Strahd
* Morgantha