The Lands of Barovia

## Svalich Woods

The forest where the characters appeared. During their journey they smelled the stench of death. Following the source brought them across a body holding a letter.

*Hail to thee of might and valor, I, a lowly servant of Barovia, send honor to thee. We plead for thy so desperately needed assistance. The love of my life, Ireena Kolyana, has been afflicted by an evil so deadly that even the good people of our village cannot protect her. She languishes from her wound, and I would have her saved from this menace. There is much wealth in this community. I offer all that might be had to thee and thy fellows if thou shalt but answer my desperate plea. Come quickly, for her time is at hand! All that I have shall be thine!*
*Kolyan Indirovich*
## River Ivlis

### First encounter

The party first encountered this river while crossing a bridge outside of The Village of Barovia. It was clearer than any water they'd ever seen.

### Second encounter

Ismark informed the party that the river came from the Tser pool and was safe to drink. Harrow drank some and discovered that though it appears clear and magical, to him it is the same as drinking the water at the tavern where he was before coming to this land.

## River Ivlis Crossroads / Gallows

### First Encounter

Here sits a sign which points in three directions: Barovia Village to the East, Tser Pool to the Northwest, and Ravenloft/Vallaki to the southwest.

The unmarked graves are that of theives and murderers put to death for their crimes. Ismark does not honour them and believes the gravestones remain nameless because those burried here are not worth remembering.

Upon leaving a body appeared to be hanging from the noose. While the others saw an unrecognized face, Bizz saw himself. Believing the place to be evil, Numaria set fire to the gallows, and left it to burn.

### Second Encounter

After the Vistani encampment, the party realized the lands of Barovia had changed. They realized the best way to get back on track was to head back to the crossroads and check the sign.

Once they arrived, they found a new body hanging from the gallows. One of green scales and a severed head tied to its legs. They body was confirmed to be that of Biz and the head belonged to Felt. In blood, underneath them, was the word "Unworthy."

Aolth and Nymeria gave the two a soldiers burial after Harrow appeared to pray over their body - and act he had never done before.

The signs revealed that though the land had changed, the directions had not. The left the remains of their friends behind and continued on in their carriage.

## Tser Pool / Vistani Encampment

Vistani sat around a fire drinking ale, singing, and telling stories. The characters were invited to sit by a man who appeared to be too intoxicated to understand much.

One group spoke of a man named Rictavio. They didn't say much, only that he was strange, dangerous, mysterious, and that he was headed to Vallaki where he lives.

Bizz found a Vistani playing with a lock he was unable to open. The Vistani claimed to be able to pick any lock but this one. Strangely enough, he picked the lock on another chest just to discover this lock inside. Out of frustration, he gave it to Bizz and wished him luck in opening it.

One drunken Vistani stood and commaned everyone's attention so he could tell a story. Though he stuttered and had trouble remembering details, it went mostly like this:

“A mighty wizard came to this land over a year ago. I remember him like it was yesterday. He stood exactly where you’re standing. A very charismatic man, he was. He thought he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil Strahd. He stirred them with thoughts of revolt and bore them to the castle en masse.

*“When the vampire appeared, the wizard’s peasant army fled in terror. A few stood their ground and were never seen again.*
The party went to see Madam Eva. Outcome below.

After getting their fortunes read, Aolth witness Nymeria following a bald woman in a black dress into the forest. He watched the speak but did not hear what was said.

The party was given a tent to spend the night but Nymeria insisted it was time to leave. They weren't safe there and should find a carriage to continue their journey with.

Later that night, Harrow spoke with the drunken Vistani. He asked him about the Mad Mage and the lake where many say they've seen him. The Vistani told him he was on the other side of Lake Zarovich. His tip? Bring a boat. Because it's a long walk around.

*“The wizard and the vampire cast spells at each other. Their battle flew from the courtyards of Ravenloft to a precipice overlooking the falls. I saw the battle with my own eyes. Thunder shook the mountainside, and great rocks tumbled down upon the wizard, yet by his magic he survived. Lightning from the heavens struck the wizard, and again he stood his ground. But when the devil Strahd fell upon him, the wizard’s magic couldn’t save him. I saw him thrown a thousand feet to his death. I climbed down to the river to search for the wizard’s body, to see if, you know, he had anything of value, but the River Ivlis had already spirited him away.”*
### **Madam Eva's Tent**

Upon approaching the sagging tent, the characters were greeted by an attractive, scantily clad woman who told them that though they were once welcome with open arms, now there was a darkness present with them. She demanded a peace agreement or she would not see them. Dorian, believing he was the source of darkness, chose not to enter the tent. Neither did Aolth who would rather keep watch for Strahd or his minions.

Once inside the tent, Madam Eva addressed each member with a tidbit about their character before reading their fortune.

Both Nymeria and Harrow requested a private reading with Madam Eva. These readings were 1 on 1 and the other party members have no idea what was revealed.

### **Carriages**

The party approached the carriages only to find 3 guards watching over them. Their first instint was to fight but they quickly realized that without Dorian and Jythro, they would never win. They instead tried to negotiate but came to no aggreement. Instead, they only seemed to annoy the guards.

Not far away, Nymeria made use of the information given to her by Madam Eva and embraced her bear side. This allowed her to transform at will. Though she was not fully in control, it was enough to distract the guards and other Vistani. While they circled the bear, Aolth pretended to drive it off with his spectacular showmanship.

In the meantime, the rest of the team procured a carriage. Driven by Berdus, they picked up Aolth, Nymeria, and Ireena before riding out of the encampent. Once outside, however, the noticed the land had changed and they no longer knew where they were. they also realized both Felt and Biz had vanished in the chaos.

## Tser Falls

The party was halfway to their destination and had no other choice but to make camp on the bridge over the falls. This bridge was the one from the stories where the Mad Mage was tossed to his death. Once the fire was set, Ismark confided in Harrow about how he felt discouraged. They had barely started their journey and already Biz and Felt were dead. Was he even protecting his sister? Or leading her to something worse. Unable to look at her because of his shame, he and Harrow walked together to talk.

A few moments later, Harrow came running back to the party alone and covered in blood from a wound on his chest. He told the party that him and Ismark left the bridge to talk and they were attacked by a pack of wolves who pined Ismark to the ground. Harrow barely escaped with his life.

The party investigated the scene and found Ismark's mangled body. Though there were no signes of wolves, Berdus could smell something similar to wet dog. Once Ireena discovered what happened to her brother, she blamed Harrow for not protecting him. She drew her sword but quickly gave up, realizing the fault wasn't Harrows and was Strahd's. "Tomorrow, we kill Strahd," she said.

## The Windmill

A little after Tser Falls, the party found a branch off the road that led to an old, crumbling windmill with 4 stone pillars in front. Each pillar had a city carved into it. One covered in leaves, one in flowers, one in snow, and the other in sun. Ireene believes they may be the Four Cities. Which were cities from Paradise where the original gods resided. At the foot of one of the stones, the party found a pastry and a pile of children's teeth.

Ireena recognized the pastry as a Dream Pastry - a very addictive treat that sends those who consume it into a halicination where they feel asl though they are no longer in Borovia. Horrow ate the pastry, discovered quickly that it was rotten, but still went into his trance. While there, he saw a farm, a house, and a happy family.

The party soon discovered that the windmill was the home of 3 hags. The hags captured (or traded for) children who they ground up to make the dream pastries. Nymeria attempted to fight them but realized she was no match. However she did distract them long enough to free two children and get them out of the windmill. They decided to bring the children with them to Vallaki.