Ravenloft Game Log - Session 15
Spies and counterspies...
In the dark of the Barovian swamp, our heroes are laying low until Strahd's rage ceases, in the hopes that they will be able to rest before venturing out to the other two fanes. As Zidara completes her healing spells, a presence makes itself known outside the camp. It is Mikhail, the ghastly caretaker of the village cemetery. He and his ghoulish fellows report that Ismark has fled the swamp. Also, there are two other living beings that have wandered into the bog. Investigating, the party discovers two Vishtani who provide a less than convincing story. They were waiting to see what became of the party on their mission when they were attacked by wolves in the forest and driving into the bog. They agree to help the party, but do not seem particularly interested in risking life and limb to do so.
Another undead spirit makes itself known, the shimmering, barely visible form of a lady and her maidservant. She wears a ballgown and appears to have met a nasty end of an axe. While initially unable or unwilling to communicate, she speaks at last in Montaignese and offers her aid. Her servant is sent to investigate the Mountain Fane and see how it is guarded. Since the party still needs rest, a side mission is made by Rikard, Heironymus, and the spectre to retrieve Mad Mary's body from the Swamp Fane. As they approach, all is quiet. Mad Mary's still form lies where it has apparently been thrown against one of the stone pillars. However, sounds are soon heard from above, and the small group is attacked by dire bats. With the spectre Serephine's aid, they are able to slay all but one, who flees. Rikard sends Serephine to dispatch him before he can report to his master.
As the party resumes their rest, Niccolo, on watch, notes that Serephine has disappeared. Waking Rikard to summon the undead forces, the party realizes with dread that the four spectres who originally aided them in their battle against Strahd are all present, and none is Serephine or her companion! Their position revealed, they flee to another hiding place in the swamp. Inka reports that Strahd appeared in the form of a bat-like creature soon after, but the party has evaded his trap and successfully rests until morning when they can prepare new spells. Realizing that Serephine's servant was also a spy, the party sends another spectre to investigate Lysaga Hill. He reports that there are three people there: a nobleman, a noblewoman, and a barbarian. The party decides to seek out Madam Eva and see what she has found concerning the Forest Fane.
At the border of the woods, howls pierce the mist throughout the Zvalich Wood. Soon after entering, the party is set up by an entire pack of dire wolves. Quickly forming a barrier, the melee fighters hold off the wolves' constant attacks while Niccolo shoots arrows from the trees and Thorne hurls spells slowing the wolves and setting them aflame. After a pitched battle, the pack's morale at last breaks and they flee into the woods, leaving our adventurers to continue on...
In the dark of the Barovian swamp, our heroes are laying low until Strahd's rage ceases, in the hopes that they will be able to rest before venturing out to the other two fanes. As Zidara completes her healing spells, a presence makes itself known outside the camp. It is Mikhail, the ghastly caretaker of the village cemetery. He and his ghoulish fellows report that Ismark has fled the swamp. Also, there are two other living beings that have wandered into the bog. Investigating, the party discovers two Vishtani who provide a less than convincing story. They were waiting to see what became of the party on their mission when they were attacked by wolves in the forest and driving into the bog. They agree to help the party, but do not seem particularly interested in risking life and limb to do so.
Another undead spirit makes itself known, the shimmering, barely visible form of a lady and her maidservant. She wears a ballgown and appears to have met a nasty end of an axe. While initially unable or unwilling to communicate, she speaks at last in Montaignese and offers her aid. Her servant is sent to investigate the Mountain Fane and see how it is guarded. Since the party still needs rest, a side mission is made by Rikard, Heironymus, and the spectre to retrieve Mad Mary's body from the Swamp Fane. As they approach, all is quiet. Mad Mary's still form lies where it has apparently been thrown against one of the stone pillars. However, sounds are soon heard from above, and the small group is attacked by dire bats. With the spectre Serephine's aid, they are able to slay all but one, who flees. Rikard sends Serephine to dispatch him before he can report to his master.
As the party resumes their rest, Niccolo, on watch, notes that Serephine has disappeared. Waking Rikard to summon the undead forces, the party realizes with dread that the four spectres who originally aided them in their battle against Strahd are all present, and none is Serephine or her companion! Their position revealed, they flee to another hiding place in the swamp. Inka reports that Strahd appeared in the form of a bat-like creature soon after, but the party has evaded his trap and successfully rests until morning when they can prepare new spells. Realizing that Serephine's servant was also a spy, the party sends another spectre to investigate Lysaga Hill. He reports that there are three people there: a nobleman, a noblewoman, and a barbarian. The party decides to seek out Madam Eva and see what she has found concerning the Forest Fane.
At the border of the woods, howls pierce the mist throughout the Zvalich Wood. Soon after entering, the party is set up by an entire pack of dire wolves. Quickly forming a barrier, the melee fighters hold off the wolves' constant attacks while Niccolo shoots arrows from the trees and Thorne hurls spells slowing the wolves and setting them aflame. After a pitched battle, the pack's morale at last breaks and they flee into the woods, leaving our adventurers to continue on...