M2S4

## A Deadly Ambush

“
*Well, will you look at that, the next round of carpeting showed up!*
”
— Lautrec during the ambush.
**A Deadly Ambush** was the 4th session of the Strahdborne campaign. The session covered the characters' introduction to Strahd and their plot to transport Irina to Vallaki.

## Summary

With Strahd in attendance, the deceased Burgomaster is buried. Strahd departs the scene, promising to allow the Kolyanovich siblings a day to grieve. The siblings and the party take the opportunity to prepare everything for immediate departure.

Once again, the party encounters the pastry seller on the streets: she collects a young child as payment. After much hilarity, Aellun and Lautrec manage to free the child. However, they soon learn that the pastry seller is only part of a much larger operation.

The combined Vistani-Kolyanovich convoy departs the village, aiming to pass the night at Tser Pool encampment. This will allow the characters the chance to finally meet Madam Eva. However, the caravan is ambushed by a ferocious pack of wolves led by two werewolves. Their leader cries for the wolves to slay all, but to spare "the woman."

A fierce battle ensues on the shores of the Ivlis River. The swarm of wolves leaps down from the cliffside, only slowed by Aellun's traps. Stanimir and his son Ratka are turned into proto-werewolves; most of the other Vistani are slain by the predators.

The party fights courageously: Lo-thak and Razortooth slay many wolves, Lautrec tosses one of the werewolves into the rocks below, dashing it to pieces, and Aellun delivers powerful ranged support. However, by the time the last wolves retreat from the scene, the convoy is destroyed, and most Vistani are dead.

During the fighting, the werewolves push three of the four wagons into the river, destroying them. Irina falls with one of those, and Ismark jumps to her rescue. Whether she is still alive or not is unclear, though she managed to avoid being dashed against the rocks, so there is some hope.

## NPCs

* Ismark Kolyanovich: Encouraged by Strahd to become Burgomaster of Barovia, Ismark decides to flee with the party and his sister instead.
* Irina Kolyanovich: Irina does not want to go gentle into that good night. After what Strahd has done to her, she will have his head, or die in the attempt. She plummets into the Ivlis River with one of the carts during the fighting, whether she is alive or dead is unknown, though Ismark jumped to her rescue nonetheless.
* Father Donavich: Killed by Strahd, in what the Count saw as an "act of mercy."
* The Pastry Seller: A hag of the coven located at Old Bonegrinder, of which Ismark and Irina had heard stories.
* Strahd von Zarovich:

## Quests

### New

* **Under New Management (Everyone):** Investigate the coven of hags at Old Bonegrinder mill.

### Ongoing

* **A Dangerous Journey (Everyone):** Listen to Ismark's proposal. Escort Ismark and Ireeena in their journey to Vallaki.
* **The Deck of Fate (Everyone):** Find Madam Eva's people. Find Madam Eva and obtain a reading of the future.

### Completed

* **A Belated Burial (Everyone):** Bury the late Burgomaster of Barovia.
* **Dreams and Shadows (Everyone):** Investigate the mysterious pastry seller of Barovia.

## Reflections

* **Example:** "Example"
* **Aellun:** "I can scarcely believe what's happened. Lord Strahd appeared right before us, exactly as I remember him so many years ago... in appearance, at least. The more I spoke with him, even as we reminisced about things so long past, things I never thought I'd speak about again, the more I realize this being only bears the trappings of the count I once knew. Certainly, he bears many of the same mannerisms, of dignity and forceful self-confidence, but all that is merely wrapping for the vampire's sadism. His very bearing towards Irina is proof enough of that. He takes what he wants and knows none will oppose him, indeed it's how he can maintain that gracious facade knowing his very presence is as good of a threat as anything he could communicate. It disturbs me on many levels, to see a friend's face on this thing, a facimile of life and color in a land he's drained of both, where parents must give up their children just to see themselves through the day... I cannot defeat him. None of us can, at least, not yet. One can only hope Madam Eva holds some answers, and perhaps can tell us of this curse that so plagues him and Barovia. It doesn't seem like Strahd is going to let us proceed so easily though, what with all these wolves he has had hound us. Was it he who had the pack lead us to the Dunn manor, and if so, what for? Was it a test, perhaps, or a game for his own sick amusement? I'll be keeping some rocks and traps stocked, just in case. It's too late to apologize to Stanimir or the Vistani, but it seems large groups will not avail us here, and I'm not going to get any rest to recover from the last great bout."
* **Lo-thak:** "This man, Strahd, as he is called - never before have I seen his face, yet the sight of him stirs up something from deep within me. I feel almost as if we are connected from the distant past. Even as I say these words, I see how nonsensical they are, and yet I feel they have some sliver of truth. He has the air of a predator, a creature who hunts for sport even with a full belly. He is not a beast we can chase carelessly if it comes to that. I only hope my companions don't make rash decisions, having placed too much faith in a head of garlic. As good as it is to be leaving Barovia, I fear we are not out of his hunting grounds - we will have to be especially careful in these coming days."
* Lautrec: "Well, Strahd didn't invite us to tea, but he did invite himself to Old Kolyanovich's funeral. Now that I've seen and met the man, I can say I certainly respect his power - and that's the only thing respectable about him. Barging into the funeral of the man he murdered and making himself a coffin bearer, he's lucky he's a vampire or we'd have needed a spare coffin. Bloody narcissists, they're the worst - and worse, he's no fool. He knew we'd use the day to escape and sent his wolves after us. Joke's on him though, that bloody fool of a werewolf knocked Irina into the river. I probably did that fleabag a favor throwing him in after her - no telling what Strahd would have done to him - but sod it, how are Irina and Ismark gonna make it out of this? I thought I was doing Ismark a favor convincing him to leave the town behind and come with us, but now he might drown too. And all the Vistani, torn down by wolves! Bloody hell, we can't protect anybody, can we?!"

## 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 ·