Session 10

## Session 10 (February 12, 2023) - Day 6 - Most of Us Were Very Sneaky

The group left the orphanage to go back to the church.

Hairy deduced that his mind has been affected, likely charmed. He recalled that Strahd didn’t make any visible or audible gestures to cast any spells

We show Father Lucien Petrovich the locket and tell him the full story, he concludes he has no idea what to do. The shadow demon feeds off people’s souls. He provides us with 2 vials of holy water. We learned of the backstory of St. Andral.

Father Lucien tells us Lady Fiona Watcher is one of the powers of Vallaki, doesn’t come to church. They own many things. Involved politically. Some tension between her and the burgomaster.

We head to Burgomaster (Baron Vargus Vallakovich) - 20 min travel

On the way, Tarlet pursues La Flambe in his mind. “Failure is always a way of learning. If you are ever in such a time, call on me. I can aid you” He reached out toward Tarlet, “got your nose”, and fixed his beak. **Tarlet feels luckier! He now has 1 luck point for 24 hours.**

Orio notices there is something on the roof nearby, like a small owl creature that he has seen before. He tries to greet it, it moves toward him. “You are different reacting with me than others” Orio tries to tickle the owl’s feathers, feels like dense mists. The owl’s name is “Appy”. “If you want me for…. Real reasons… call for me”.  Flies off as a large owl.

Koa sees a slim female figure taller than her. The figure feels more solid. Says she can help Koa find her sister. Her name is “Ohana'nani”. She feels very apart from Koa right now.

Stubbs looks over her shoulder and sees a large figure. Looks like a Giff. There is a small connection between the figure and her.

We arrive at the Burgomaster’s manor. He has kind of brown grass and overall subpar landscaping. But everything is a bit better than the plebeians in this town. He lives in an old mansion which shows obvious signs of previous renovations. Everything is pristine, and curtains are all shut. There are no guards.

Ireena knocks, and the door is opened. We meet the Burgomaster’s wife first. We are invited into the parlor. While waiting for tea, Hairy, !!, and 777 decided to follow the noise down the hall, which seems to be of many ladies. Hairy turned into a spider and snuck into room “C”.

777+!! Going to 2nd floor. One of them (777) is not very sneaky. Discovers room full of dolls with a -strong resemblance to Irina- south of room L. Also under bed in the room is empty bottles of Purple grape mash #3 wine. 777 Steal a doll and an empty bottle. Room L emits growling noise as 777 + !! pass by.

First time lady of house came out with tea, Orio intercepts, and alert everyone exploring of their presence.

After awhile, lady of house + maid coming out from kitchen again. Everyone is back in the room aside from Hairy. Hairy as spider is landed in Lydia’s hair. Ireena says there are no doll makers in Barovia town.

Lady of house, Baroness Lydia Petrovna (Father Petrovich’s sister). Goes upstairs into Room L, with Hairy in her hair

Baron Vargus - unaware of death of burgomaster of Barovia. Gruff. Lady seems to be shaken by speaking with the husband.

Koa, Ireena and Stubbs are going to use the Lady of the House bathroom (Room P)

We learned that they are looking for another butler and general servant, because butler + servant ran off together? Even though they have not been displaying strange behaviours.

Baron has 2 dogs that are regularly walked by the maid/butler. They appear to generally reside either near Baron or in room L.

Nearly twenty years marriage between the Baron and Baroness

We officially meet Baron Vargus Vallakovich in Room E. He sits directly underneath the mounted bear head.

Somehow we managed to volunteer to incriminate Lady Fiona Watcher

Captain Strazni lives in the manor! Apparently considered by the burgomaster like a son

We receive directions to “Blinsky toys”

Vistani not welcomed in Vallaki.

Someone will be following us closely make sure we are in line.

Each festival is different. There are volunteers to help with decor.

We got on well with the burgomaster, who allowed us to stay and wait for Captain Strazni. While we are waiting, 777 and Koa went to explore the attic. The rest of us waited for the Captain.

777 + Koa pretended to be newly hired servants, and knocked on the door to Room T to try to see what's going on inside, as they could here some chanting or talking. The person made them wait before opening the door, inviting them in to "help with a spell". The sign on his door said "**All is not well**".

* The young man is telling 777 to get in the magic circle and chants, and the circle is starting to glow
	+ 777 knew that spell went wrong, took 3d10 damage and feels like his particles have been pulled apart
	+ The man implies he has screwed up and burned multiple people into cinders
* Orio decided to check in on them to see what's going on, posing as a member of the servant agency. He was not very sneaky and was very quickly found by Victor, who "Suggested" him to get in the circle. Orio couldn't resist, and took 3d10 damage since the spell was still wrong
* Victor was convinced that 777 is a servant, and told him "don't come up here until I call for cleaning"

Izek Strazni (the captain) comes back. !! follows him to see where his room is. He enters the room with the dolls. He is in his late twenties. Well chiseled, normal looking face. Huge left arm, whole way up his shoulders completely red. Looks brick-like. Sees Ireena and staggers back right into the wall. “You! How! You! Here?!” Rushes over towards Ireena.

“You know me right? You see me in your dreams!” Ireena has never seen him before

He was born with a strange arm. Taken in by the Baron at a young age. His parents were cultists. He remembers his family being attacked by wolves, and he thought he was the only one who survived. He claims Ireena was his sister. Mrs. Patrovna (letter found in Durst manor) was his mother!

Ireena was found in the forest when she was a young girl (3-4 yo). She doesn’t remember anything before.

Ireena requests space. Strazni can be found at the burgomaster’s manor, or one of the guardhouses. “Family is everything, I will do anything for you”. Ireena is very put off and scared by this.

Their eyes look similar?

We encourage Strazni to give Ireena space to process this issue

We return to the inn, Rick Tavio, without his monkey, is telling a story. Supply wine is nearly gone, next shipment is overdue. The vineyard is a day to the west. Urwin would like us to investigate what happened. A couple dozen barrels of wine. Wine comparisons: Purple grape mash #3 < Red Dragon Crush < Champan de le something (discontinued). We find a map of the area finally.

As we go up to the room, Rick Tavio corners 777, !!, and Tarlet. Get warned about Lady Watcher. Rick gave the monkey away to the local toy maker, he owns a circus! He seems to be a spy! He has a wagon. Willing to trade information for information.

Rick Tavio thinks the dream pie witches are hags. We told him they live in the Bonegrinder

Victor may have something going on with the daughter of Fiona Watcher, not kosher! No one has seen the daughter of Fiona Watcher for awhile. Fiona has a “very interesting” group of friends.

??? Is it possible Victor is trying to teleport into the Watcher daughter’s room ???