Your Carriage Awaits
Curse of Strahd
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Session 63 – 2022-06-18
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Zanfyr began the session by dropping his eagle form. Then we decided to head back to the Tsolenka Pass. It took a big part of the day, to get back down to the pass. At around 9:30 in the evening, we had to make a discission about whether we should stop for the night or continue on, it was decided to continue on. As we neared the bridge, we saw large statues on top of the two towers on either side of this end of the bridge, they were statues of dragons. One was whole and the other was only the hind-quarters portion as the rest of it had crumbled away. Misty gave Snoggly, Dark Vision. As we continued down the road towards the bridge, Snoggly suggested that we move into one of the gate houses and rest for the evening. As we approached the bridge, we heard a loud booming voice from atop the bridge, from the one remaining statue, saying, “Vile Creature, you carry the evil of the Amber Temple, The Light or Argynvost reveals thee. Even now, thy servant awaits thee, but thou shall go no further.”. Snoggly asked who they were talking to. He received no answer. Haldar and Snoggly moved down and walked in, nothing happened to them. Kyanna followed with no incident. Kassimir started down, and Ezmerelda looked at him apprehensively.
The stoney head of the dragon turned towards Kassimir and a cloud of gas flowed from its mouth in a cone shape capturing several of us in its path. Rinn, and Ezmerelda were paralyzed. Figures began to form within the mist. Fantom warriors with spectral long swords, barring the armor and heraldry of the Knights of the Silver Dragon. Dain pulled out the Sword of the commander of the Knight's of the Silver Dragon, Hornguard's sword, hoping it would have some affect on them, but it didn't seem to. At first we believed we were all targeted but quickly realized that they were focused only on Kassimir. We guessed, because of the gift of Fekra that he carried within him. They were quite relentless in their pursuit of him, we fought them off and killed many of them but they kept coming. Just when we thought we were about done with them, a new wave of them appeared.
We tried everything at our disposal to fend them off and to protect Kassimir. He hoovered, near death, constantly, but Kyanna managed to keep him up. A Mirror Image spell, and a Protection From Good and Evil spell were also instrumental in keeping him alive. Rinn was paralyzesd for most of the battled as his saviong throws sucked. Zanfyr freed him, thank goodness. When we reduced the enemies numbers enough, Dain yelled for Kassimir to make a break for it, run across the bridge. Before he could make the break for it, he fell. We finished off the warriors, Dain dumped 10 points of healing into Kassimir, and we took off across the bridge, Rinn and Dain carrying him. No fantom warriors gave chase. As Haldar exited the bridge on the other side, he found, parked underneath a tree nearby, a large black carriage drawn by two black horses. The side door of the carriage, swung open silently. It looked as though, Strahd sent a Limo for us.
Snoggly says, “I think our rides here lads!”. Snoggly marched up to it and looked inside and asked if there was anyone inside it. He received no response. Rinn joined him. It was empty and seemed to be larger on the inside than it was on the outside. Misty rode on top. The rest of us climbed in, Ezmerelda was very reluctant. Kassimir said, “If it gets me to Patrina faster, I will ride!”. Ezmerelda pondered a little longer. She checked out the horses and Zanfyr decided to get back out and check them as well. They seem to be real, living, horses. Ezmerelda moved to the door and said something about, this may be the end, but she boards the carriage anyway. Zanfyr decided to ride outside with Misty, carefully watching where we were going. The door slammed shut and the wagon began proceeding toward the gate with the green flame. Rinn was ready for a rest and settled into it right off. He figured we were safe for the trip. No one would mess with Strahd's carriage. What none of us had thought about was what would happen as we passed through the flame at the gate. Those of us inside were protected and fine. Mist and Zanfyr. on the other hand, didn't fare so well and took a bit of fire damage. The horses were completely unaffected though.
The carriage continued on and the suspension on this machine mades for a comfortable ride. It moved along at a steady pace. Those of us inside the carriage get a nice long rest, Dain even removed his armor, figuring that Strahd wanted us at the wedding so we were, for the moment, under his protection. Dain’s 20 point reduction in hit points went away and he returned to normal. After his rest, he armored back up. Zanfyr was able to complete a short rest outside the carriage. It was a brisk night but those of us inside the carriage were comfortable. We traveled all night, then all day the next day. The horses had no need for rest. Zanfyr and Misty finally joined the others in the carriage and started their long rest. We continued traveling throughout another night and another day. We eventually come to Vallaki and the carriage passed through this village, unmolested. We saw that the old, “All will be well” banners were gone, replaced with pro-Strahd banners and banners that proclaimed the wedding of Strahd. The people stopped what they were doing as the carriage rolled through, backing away, but watching it. The demeanor of the people is not bad, they looked active and bustling. We had also been seeing ravens all along the trip back. We continued on through the night, Misty offered some fried fish. It was at this time that Dain noticed, on his map, that Castle Ravenloft was relabeled to “Bastard on the Hill”.
A storm started about this time and rain fell. We came to a split in the road and the carriage took the Eastern route. We have never been up this road. We began going up the hill to the castle. We continued on in relative silence save the sound of the hooves striking the road, as the day darkened into dusk, and the wind began to howl, like a neglected child, the rain swelled from mir tears to a storm. The roads do not turn to mud here and they do not worsen. It seems that the closer we draw to the castle, the quicker the wheels turn and the faster our mounts move. We finally crest the last hill and the spire of the tallest tower rose before us. A draw bridge spanned the gorge that connected the mainland to the castle. Long spooky speech followed by a Du-Du-Duuuuu were heard. We all checked our equipment in preparation for our arrival. As we approach the castle, we heard a demonic scream from the sky where we saw some sort of great winged beast. The cartridge continued on. Snoggly offered a the whiskey to everyone, for a shot of courage. Rinn accepted that and began using his prestidigitation spell to clean up the road-grime from everyone and himself, pressing out wrinkles, polishing armor, all to make us as presentable as possible. Proper etiquette must be observed. We dislike the idea of being here but it must be done. Zanfyr and Dain each also took a swig of the liquid courage.
A thick cold fog swirled in the courtyard, lightning flashed in the clouds over head, thunder shook the ground. Through the drizzle, we saw torch flames fluttering on each of the keeps opened doors. Warm light spilled out of the entrance flooding the courtyard. High above the entrance was a round window with shards of broken glass lodged in its iron frame. A hunched figure sheltered from the dismal rain nearby holding a lantern as we pulled up. His monsterous face came into view. Scales lined his left cheek, panther ears protruded from his hood, and one foot was that of a duck. When his yellow gob opened, we found his voice to be as grating and hideous as his face. He said, “Ah, it’s you, yes, yes! Welcome to Castle Ravenloft! Your arrival has been anticipated. Anticipated indeed.“. Snoggly said something about him having spent time with the Abbott. He replied, “Indeed, I know the Abbott! … Welcome!”. He rubbed his hands together. He told us that’s he would take care of our horses. He pointed to the doorway and said, “Into the keep with you! Most anticipated…yes!”. The hideous mongrel reached out for the horses and took their reins. Even they seemed a bit repulsed. Cyrus pointed us to the keep. The main doors were ajar as warm light spilled out onto the courtyard. Rinn pressed out any wrinkles that had gathered in our clothing as we got out and made our way to the door.Misty licked her fur, getting the kitty bed head look under control.
Rinn and Dain stepped in first. The others followed. The light was almost blinding as we stepped from the dismal rain into the entry, but it was hardly inviting. Cold and distant music floated from the innards of the keep. Overhead in the vaulted foyer, dragon statues glared down. Their glossy eyes flickered in the torchlight. Armor stood in the corners of the room, and a familiar Dusk Elf motioned us forward, Rahadin, Chamberlain of Castle Ravenloft, honorary brother to Strahd himself. Snoggly said, “Fancy meeting you hear, lad!”. Rinn was ever on the lookout for his sister, Alestra. As we moved in, making space for the rest to come in. Haldar, Dain, Rinn, and Snoggly had to make wisdom saves. As we approached Rahadin, we heard screams in our heads. Rahadin helds up a hand and told us to keep our distance. The scream caused 10 points of psychic damage, just from getting close to him. He stepped back and told us to step back.
Rahadin’s voice intoned, “Our most anticipated guests, please step forward and be recognized in the house of Zarovich!”. Snoggly asked about food and then about our safety. Rahadin indicates that there is food within and then said, “As honored guests of Count Strahd, there are expectations to be had. Guest rights will not be ignored, and you must swear to the oath of hospitality tonight, for we celebrate this union. No harm shall come to you in these halls unless you provoke it. So the lord of this house expects the same. Swear to me, here and now, at this hour, swear to me as brother and servant of Strahd of House Von Zarovich, Lord of this house, Lord of Barovia, swear to spill no blood, unsheath no weapon, respect thine host, and obey his laws. Swear to it all or be gone now.”. We understood that Guest Right and the Oath of Hospitality mean we must relinquish our arms and armor. The suits of armor stepped forward and held out their hands to receive the weapons.
Snoggly went first, handing over his weapons and introducing himself.
Dain was next, handing over all of his weapons.
Haldar followed suit, doing the same.
Rinn began unloading weapons like he was a walking armory. He did not relinquish nor indicate that he had the Sunsword hilt hidden in a bag. That stayed with him. He turned and walked into the room, introducing himself as Rolen Amastasia, you may call me Rinn. He said, “My sister is here, Alestra, I would like to speak with her as-soon-as possible.”. Rahadin acknowledged Rinn and said, “We will see what can be arranged. Welcome Rinn!”.
Kyanna followed suite and introduced herself. Rahadin asked, Servant of the Morning Lord are you?”. Kyanna answered, “Yes!”. Rahadin wasn’t openly hostille, but his disdain for the Morning Lord did show.
Kassimir came in and he was prepared, throwing his items on the pile. Rahadin said, “So the fool has arrived!”. Both he and Rahadin are similar as they are both Dusk Elve’s. Kassimir responded, “Yes Elf brother!”. Rahadin said, “Welcome Kassimir!”. Kassimir moved on.
Misty moved forward and laid down her staff and a dagger, hiding a dagger within her boot. Deception roll 17, meets it, beats it. She Introduced herself and proceeded in.
Zanfyr turned over all of his weapons and moved up and said, “I am Zanfyr!”, and tells him what region he is from and promised to abide by the laws and guidelines while he is here.
Ezmerelda came up, reluctantly began handing over her weapons, slowly at first but sped up and finished. She stepped into the room and introduced herself as Ezmerelda d’Avenir. Rahadin said, “Ah, Vistani blood, but not Vistani any longer!…Welcome Ezmerelda!”.
With that, we were all present and ready. There were other people already in the room where we were. Rahadin approached us, as a group, and eyed us menacingly. He said, “No doubt, you have some plans, some dellusions of grandeur, a scheme up your sleeve and doomed hope in your hearts. Listen to me and listen we’ll. This is the day of my brother’s wedding. A wedding he has waited for, for four hundred years. For Strahd, I slaughtered my own people. I cut down the very last mother holding the very last child. Should you endanger this wedding, ask yourselves what I will do to you. I hope we have reached an understanding.”. Rahadin then excused himself.
We saw the guys carrying ours weapons and stuff move past us, south to the end of the hallway and turned East. Rinn and Haldar moved to the end of the hallway to see where the guys went. They saw a stairway leading down. There was a sign at the top of the stairs stating that “All guest are asked to remain on the main floor. Trespassers will be punished accordingly, and guest right revoked!”. There was a door to the West, a passageway to the North, another passage way to the East of the chamber we were in.