%% parent:: [[62.02.02 Session Overview]] %% # Session 05: The deck is stacked against us. > [!INFO]- > date-session:: [[2021-08-08]] > prev:: [[S04_2021-07-25]] > next:: [[S06_2021-08-15]] > > --- > campaign-date:: Day 3 > pc:: [[Arvid]], [[Arya Emberlight]], [[Dorian de Lamonia]], [[Rychell Qinrel]], [[Owlaf]] > npc-active:: [[Ismark Kolyanovich]], [[Ireena Kolyana]], [[Lyssa (Two and a Half Strahds)]], [[Vasili von Holz]], [[Danika Martikov]], [[Madam Eva]], [[Arahja]], [[Gregory]], [[Josef]], [[A Revenant|a walking dead man]] > npc-discussed:: [[Bildrath Cantemir]], [[Fiona Wachter]], [[Rahadin]], [[Vargas Vallakovich]] > location-active:: [[Barovia (village)]], [[Old Svalich Road]], [[Vistani Encampment at Tser Pool]], [[Tser Falls]], [[Windmill]], [[Vallaki]], [[Blue Water Inn]] > location-discussed:: [[Vistani Encampment near Vallaki]], [[Castle Ravenloft]], [[St. Andral's Church]], [[Town Square]], [[Arasek Stockyard]], [[Blinsky’s Toy Shop]] > monsters-or-creatures:: Lots and lots of wolves, [[Muriel Vinshaw|blue-tipped raven]] --- ## Session Summary ### TL;DR The party sets off for Vallaki with Ireena, but first make a stop to see Madam Eva at the Vistani camp near Tser Pool. The party have their ominous futures read, including a surprise for even Madam Eva. A mysterious man waits for them on the road, disappearing during a wolf attack. They meet a woman who looks strikingly like Ireena, but is cold to the touch. Next they encounter a dead man hunting wolves, followed by a noble being chased by wolves, before finally making it to the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki. ^tldr %% tldr:: The party sets off for Vallaki with Ireena, but first make a stop to see Madam Eva at the Vistani camp near Tser Pool. The party have their ominous futures read, including a surprise for even Madam Eva. A mysterious man waits for them on the road, disappearing during a wolf attack. They meet a woman who looks strikingly like Ireena, but is cold to the touch. Next they encounter a dead man hunting wolves, followed by a noble being chased by wolves, before finally making it to the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki. %% %% - Arvid offers the blue-tipped raven a favour as thanks - Party sets off with Ireena for Vallaki - Decide to not pursue Bildrath’s side quest looking for a lost package - See a tree full of ravens, and learn it’s bad luck to kill a raven in Barovia - See an empty gallows at the fork in the road, as they walk by - Arvid & Rychell see the body of a man hanging - Dorian is disinterested - Arya sees herself hanging from the gallows - Ireena and Owlaf see an empty rope - Party goes to Vistani encampment near Tser Pool - Meet Arahja who is surprisingly cordial and invites them to sit - Gregory tells the tale of a mighty wizard who came to Barovia one year ago, and challenged Strahd. He was thrown 1000 feet but his body was never recovered. - The four meet with Madam Eva who tells their futures - [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]] draws **The Torturer**: “There is a town where all is not well. There you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts.” It will share history and knowledge about their enemy. - [[Arvid]] draws **The Avenger**: “The treasure lies in a dragon’s house, in hands once clean and now corrupted.” This will help them discover a powerful force for good and protection, and a symbol of hope. - [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] draws The Miser: “Look for a fortress inside a fortress, in a place hidden behind fire.” Her card represents power and strength, and a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight. - [[Arya Emberlight|Arya]] draws **The Darklord**. [[Madam Eva]] shudders. “Ah, the worst of all truths: You must face the evil of this land alone!” This card was supposed to represent the party’s ally, but they must face [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]]. - The fifth card, [[Madam Eva]] says, is supposed to indicate where their final battle against [[Strahd von Zarovich|the Devil]] will be. She tells them it’s more bad news as **The Mists** represent uncertainty. It remains unclear as to where or when the party will face [[Strahd von Zarovich]]. - Five more cards appear beneath their cards, which is weird. - Under [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]]‘s first card, he draws **The Innocent**. [[Arvid]] draws **The Marionette**, while Rychell’s reveals **The Horsemen**. Arya’s card is **The Executioner** - Gregory mentioned there had been a silver dragon in Barovia and an order of knights, but they had died 100s of years ago. - They find a dead horse at the side of the road, which leads them to a wagon (5 soldiers, 1 noble dead; vampire bite marks) - A man with a white beard sits by the road and reads a book. He was waiting for the party. - Sends four dire wolves after them; party kills 2, two run - Man leaves them a note that says “well done” - A second set of really big gates - Arya spots a person up top, who jumps down without injury - Lyssa » looks JUST like Ireena, but different clothes & natural red hair - Skin cold to the touch; walks off towards Castle Ravenloft - Walk towards the windmill, but blue-tipped raven freaks out and they keep going towards Vallaki - They pass a boat house by a lake but don’t investigate - They round a bend and see a dead man fighting wolves. He walks back towards Barovia. - He tells them that Strahd wears many disguises, and to be careful - They come across a noble being chased and attacked by wolves - The party fight and save him - Vasili von Holz - Rychell takes a shine to him, Arya doesn’t think he’s bad looking for a noble - Vasili vouches for them with the guards, and enter Vallaki - Festival of the Blazing Sun is happening in a couple of days - Baron keen on festivals, keeps the Devil away (100+ years) - Party read the rules of the town - Drinks & dinner at Blue Water Inn, owned by Danika Martikov - Inn surrounded by ravens, including the blue-tipped raven - Rychell continues to ask exposition-based questions to Vasili — including introductions to the Baron — and a list of places to visit - Girl with brown hair, blue tips walks in. Goes uncommented by the party. - Half-elf at the bar is a staying at the Inn; party doesn’t meet him - Party splits into two rooms — Arvid/Dorian; Ireena/Aria/Rychell %% ### Detailed Summary At the dawn of their third day in [[Barovia]], [[Arvid]] goes for a morning jog, with [[Owlaf]] soaring high above him keeping watch for the [[Blue-tipped Raven]]. He spots the bird, and stops to thank it for it’s continued help. If the bird ever needs a favour, he offers their favour as thanks. The party gets up and comes downstairs, and is greeted by the smells of [[Ismark Kolyanovich|Ismark]] making breakfast. They sit at the dining room table to discuss their next steps, while [[Ireena Kolyana|Ireena]] packs and gets ready for her move to [[Vallaki]]. [[Ismark Kolyanovich|Ismark]] serves breakfast and joins the party, thanking them again for agreeing to protect his sister. Over breakfast, [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] asks about the diversity in [[Barovia]], after only seeing a single elf ([[Rahadin]]) since arriving. He tells the party that there are only a few elves left in [[Barovia]], and they live at the [[Vistani Encampment near Vallaki]]. [[Ismark Kolyanovich|Ismark]] clears up the dishes as [[Ireena Kolyana|Ireena]] comes downstairs and is eager to get on the road. The party sets off on [[Old Svalich Road]], as [[Arya Emberlight|Arya]] continues to scan the sky for any sign of [[Raven|ravens]]. She is in a foul mood that morning, though no one in the party actually notices that she’s being more surly than usual. At the first stone bridge just outside of the [[Barovia (village)|village of Barovia]], [[Arvid]] sends [[Owlaf]] to scout for the package that [[Bildrath Cantemir|Bildrath]] was looking for. Surrounding it, he sees unnatural mounds surrounding it along the riverbank, and the party decides it’s not worth pursuing. [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]] is completely uninterested in it, as he seems to be about most things. The party continue and sees a large dead tree filled with ravens, including the [[Blue-tipped Raven]]. [[Ireena Kolyana|Ireena]] tells them it’s bad luck to kill a raven, and [[Arvid]] makes a joke about the tree being a conspiracy of ravens. ([[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] completely misses the joke, thinking he’s just correctly naming the flock of ravens, and [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]] continues to look unimpressed with the whole party.) The party comes to an old wooden gallows at a fork in the road. A sign post points to [[Barovia (village)|Barovia]] to the east, [[Vistani Encampment at Tser Pool|Tser Pool]] to the northwest, and [[Vallaki]] to the southwest. They see the empty frayed rope of the gallows blowing in a light breeze. After they’ve passed by, they hear a creaking sound and [[Arvid]] and [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] turn to see a man’s body hanging from the rope. [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]] doesn’t turn, not interested to see what the sound is. When [[Arya Emberlight|Arya]] turns, she sees herself hanging from the rope. She seems shaken, but more pissed off than anything. [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] and [[Arvid]] don’t know what she’s talking about, as it’s a man’s body hanging there. [[Ireena Kolyana|Ireena]] speaks up and says she sees nothing at all, just the rope. The party follows a path off the main road, following the river towards the [[Vistani Encampment at Tser Pool]]. The path opens up into a clearing, with five colourful tents and the sounds of accordion and song in the air. There is a large tent by the water, and eight unbridled horses nearby. A Vistani man, [[Arahja]], welcomes them and offers the party wine. [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]] declines, and no one notices [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] not take any. He introduces them to the other [[Vistani]] members around, including [[Gregory]] sitting by the fire, and [[Josef]], playing the accordion near a wagon. [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] goes and makes small talk about [[Vistani]] culture with [[Josef]] before [[Gregory]] calls them all over to the fire to tell them a story. [[Arahja]] tells the four party members that [[Madam Eva]] was expecting them, but was not yet ready to see them. [[Gregory]] tells the tale of a mighty wizard who came to [[Barovia]] over a year ago who thought he could rally the people of Barovia to fight [[Strahd von Zarovich|the Devil]]. Those who stood against [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] were never seen again. The wizard and [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] fought, and while the wizard survived both a rockslide and lightning, he could not survive the darklord. He was thrown 1,000 feet down into the river, but his body had already been washed away by the time [[Gregory]], who had seen the battle with his own eyes, had reached the river. [[Arvid]] asks what the wizard’s name was, but [[Gregory]] has forgotten. ^madmage [[Arahja]] announces that [[Madam Eva]] is ready to see them, and the party leaves [[Ireena Kolyana|Ireena]] and [[Owlaf]] outside, and head into the large tent. The old woman greets them all by name, and invites them to sit down, offering to read their futures. She spreads four cards out in a diamond, and a fifth card in the centre. She asks each party member to pick a card, and she proceeds to tell each their fortunes. [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]] draws **The Torturer**: “There is a town where all is not well. There you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts.” It will share history and knowledge about their enemy. [[Arvid]] draws **The Avenger**: “The treasure lies in a dragon’s house, in hands once clean and now corrupted.” This will help them discover a powerful force for good and protection, and a symbol of hope. [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] draws The Miser: “Look for a fortress inside a fortress, in a place hidden behind fire.” Her card represents power and strength, and a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight. [[Arya Emberlight|Arya]] draws **The Darklord**. [[Madam Eva]] shudders. “Ah, the worst of all truths: You must face the evil of this land alone!” This card was supposed to represent the party’s ally, but they must face [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]]. The fifth card, [[Madam Eva]] says, is supposed to indicate where their final battle against [[Strahd von Zarovich|the Devil]] will be. She tells them it’s more bad news as **The Mists** represent uncertainty. It remains unclear as to where or when the party will face [[Strahd von Zarovich]]. [[Madam Eva]] concludes the reading, only to realize there are five additional cards hidden under this first deck. This is unusual, and isn’t supposed to happen. It appears as though their fate is more complicated than originally thought, and their future is unclear. Another realm draws their attention, but her vision of it is obscured. The position of cards have meaning, of course, but it remains to be seen what they mean. Their futures may be changed based on their actions here in [[Barovia]]. Under [[Dorian de Lamonia|Dorian]]‘s first card, he draws **The Innocent**. [[Arvid]] draws **The Marionette**, while Rychell’s reveals **The Horsemen**. Arya’s card is **The Executioner**, and features a hangman’s noose illustrated on the card. ![[62_Tarokka.png]] The party leaves the tent and discuss the reading with Ireena. She has not heard of dragons in Barovia, but has heard that the [[Vargas Vallakovich|baron]] in [[Vallaki]] has a library. (Rychell’s eyes light up at this.) Gregory, however, has heard of the legend of a [[Order of the Silver Dragon|silver dragon, and an Order of knights]], though they all died off four or five centuries before. Rychell asks if there are any other knights in Barovia, [[S02_2021-07-04#^relics|thinking about the relic she pocketed from the Durst basement]]. He tells her she should go and ask at the [[Castle Ravenloft|castle]]. As they take their leave, [[Arvid]] scans for the man who cursed him, but does not see him anywhere. [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] bows and thanks the [[Vistani]] for their hospitality. [[Arahja]] tells the group that they are always welcome among the [[Vistani]]. The party continues along the river and rejoin the [[Old Svalich Road|road]] at a bridge right near [[Tser Falls]]. It is a thousand foot drop down into a canyon below. Stone gargoyles flank either side of the stone bridge, but the party passes without incident. All the while, Arya keeps searching for ravens. They come across the carcass of a dead horse along the side of the road, with deep drag marks that lead into the surrounding underbrush. Arvid since Owlaf to investigate, and he finds the wreckage of a cart, a second horse carcass, and the bodies of six humans. Arya investigates both the horse and human bodies, and finds that the horses had been slashed by claws, and the human necks had two puncture wounds on them. It was clear the humans had been killed by vampires. The party make their way to the cart, and Rychell uses her mage hand to poke the bodies, worried there may be movement. There isn’t. Arvid and Rychell try to use their mage hands to open the containers, but don’t have enough force. So Arvid and Arya head forward to investigate, finding the contents of the cart decimated. This includes a box of jack-in-the-boxes shaped like coffins, with ”[[Gadof Blinsky|Is no fun, is no Blinsky!]]” stamped on them. While the women talk about Blinsky, Arvid pockets a copper chain from the neck of the noble’s dead body. (The other five humans wear chain mail, and appear to be guards.) ^blinsky As they round another bend, the see a man with a white beard sitting and reading in a chair. “Ah. Good.“ He says to the party. ”There you are, now we can get started.” He motions and four dire wolves appear and menace the party. The party fights with the dire wolves, killing two and scaring two off, though not before Arya takes some damage. They glance towards the man, but find the chair empty, save for a piece of paper, and four electron coins. Arya reads the paper aloud to the group: “Well done” the note simply states. The party exams the coins, and note a face stamped on the back of the coins, whom Ireena identifies as [[Strahd von Zarovich|the Count]]. While they take a moment, Rychell casts prestidigitation on Arya’s bloodied clothes. They approach another foreboding set of gates, [[S01_2021-06-27#^gates|as tall as the ones that surround the lands of Barovia]]. Arya notices a female figure high on top of the gates, but notices there does not appear to be any clear way to ascend to the top. She notices a flash of red hair, as Rychell calls up to the woman and waves at her to come down. In one swift jump, the woman gracefully jumps from the top of the stone gates, easily a sixty foot drop… and yet, she does so with ease and is unharmed. Other than the clothes look different, and the different hair colour, this woman looks exactly like Ireena. Arvid introduces himself, and she tells them her name is [[Lyssa (Two and a Half Strahds)]]. The party continue to talk with her, amazed and confused by her appearance, and the feat they just witnessed. They discuss if [[Lyssa (Two and a Half Strahds)]] knows the Count (she says she isn’t afraid of him), and why would the Count be so interested in their friend, Ireena (she guesses it’s a matter of personal taste). Arya, usually quite skilled at it, tries to gain insight on this woman, but finds she is unable to read her. As she says her goodbyes, Arya offers to shake the woman’s hand and finds that it’s ice cold. [[Lyssa (Two and a Half Strahds)]] walks off towards [[Castle Ravenloft]]. ^lyssaintroduction The party discuss her after she’s out of earshot, and wonder if perhaps she were a ghost, or a vision like at the Durst house. As they begin to walk, the large gates open on their own, just like before. The continue to follow the winding road, and see a windmill ahead. They discuss, and decide to veer off briefly from their journey to [[Vallaki]] to visit the [[Morgantha|nice old lady who makes pies]]. As they walk up the path, the [[Muriel Vinshaw|blue-tipped raven]] dive-bombs them and lands on the path ahead, trying to block their way. Suspecting it’s an omen, Arvid tells the bird to caw twice if it’s dangerous, and once if it’s safe, and it caws twice. Arvid and Arya begin to argue about the raven, while Dorian assumes they both have absolutely lost their minds. Ireena breaks up the argument, suggesting they keep heading towards town. As they walk, they hear wolves in the woods and Ireena suggests they stay on the main path. As they round the bend, the sounds of wolves grow louder and they hear the sound of a person fighting. Rychell suggests they should help the person, and as they follow the winding path, they see [[A Revenant|a man]] strike down the last wolf. He turns, and they see his body is decaying, and he is undead. He turns to the party, and plainly asks if they have seen more wolves. They point backwards, and tell him of the two dire wolves they killed, and two more who had ran off. Arvid describes the old man who had sic the pack on the party, and the undead man tells the party to be careful. Strahd wears many disguises before he walks off in search of more wolves. Ireena is surprised, as she assumed all undead were followers of Strahd, and yet this man seemed opposed to the darklord. They pass a rotting boat house at the side of a lake, in a clearing just off the road but decided as the afternoon is pushing on, that they should keep heading towards [[Vallaki]]. As they walk, they hear the snarl of teeth coming from the north, and the sound of a person running. They brace themselves as they see a young nobleman come running from the woods, with a pack of wolves lead by a dire wolf close on his heels. The party comes to his aid, as wolves slash at him, and attack other members of their party. Both Arya and Arvid heel the noble’s wounds over the course of the battle as Dorian strikes down the last wolf with his blade. The young noble catches his breath and introduces himself as [[Vasili von Holz]], from the nearby town of [[Vallaki]]. He had been out in the woods because he had bet some friends that he could survive a night outside of the city walls, though openly admits the party had just saved his life. He is very handsome, though Arya notes that she doesn’t usually have a thing for nobles. Rychell, meanwhile, does like nobles, but doesn’t usually have a thing for humans, though this one does seem to catch her eye. Vasili accompanies them to [[Vallaki]], telling them it’s too bad that the Wolf’s Head Jamboree, a city-wide festival, is already over. The Festival of the Blazing Sun is coming next, and the party asks why [[Vallaki]] has so many festivals. The noble tells them it’s how the city keeps the Devil away. Strahd hasn’t been seen in Vallaki in over a century, he tells them, as they approach the Morning Gate at the east end of the city. Vasili asks the guards to let the party enter, and they begrudgingly do so for the noble, but not before telling the party the rules of Vallaki, beyond the normal ones like no murder, and no stealing. They include: - No speaking the Devil’s name, nor holding any documents by him - No speaking ill of the Baron or his festivals, nor holding any documents that counter them - Participate in the preparation and cleanup of festivals - Every man, woman, and child (resident, or visitor) must attend the festival on festival days. ^vallakilaws If they violate the laws, then they may be charged with Malicious Unhappiness and face time in the stocks, or more severe, depending on the laws broken. The next festival will be in three days. Vasili then walks with the party, recommending they stay at the [[Blue Water Inn]], but suggests that [[St. Andral's Church|the church]] may also be a place to stay. As they walk, Rychell asks if it’s true that the Baron has a library, which he tells her it is. She asks if he would be able to make introductions for the party, and he agrees to, though may need to take a day or two to arrange such a meeting. She continues to ask questions, asking Vasili where he lives, and he tells the party it’s a couple of houses away from the [[Vallaki Burgomaster's Mansion|Burgomaster's mansion]]. As they reach the [[Blue Water Inn]], Ireena tells the party that she will spend the night with them, and they can go to [[St. Andral's Church|the church]] in the morning. Arvid and Arya notice several ravens settled in and around the entrance, including the [[Blue-tipped Raven]]. The windows of the inn have thick shutters and iron crossbars. The party enter, and seat themselves at a large table. A [[Danika Martikov|well-dressed woman tends the bar]], and appears to be talking to %%\[[Rudolph van Richten]]%% a half-elf seated at the bar. Two large hunters sit at the far end of the bar, and two well-dressed young noble human men sit at a table in the centre of the bar. %%[[Karl Wachter]], [[Nikolai Wachter]]%% Vasili again thanks the party for their help, and buys a round of drinks and dinner, and calls the woman over to take their orders. She introduces herself as [[Danika Martikov]], and asks which of the two wines they have available: *Purple Grapemash No. 3*, and the nicer *Red Dragon Crush*. She leaves with their orders, disappearing into the back of the bar. Rychell asks Vasili about the noble houses of [[Vallaki]]. There are the [[Vallakovich]] family (headed by the Baron), the [[Wachter]] family (headed by [[Fiona Wachter|Lady Wachter]]), and then he describes himself as a lesser noble of Vallaki, with few family remaining. A man makes several trips from the kitchens with their drinks and meals. Rychell continues to make small talk with [[Vasili von Holz|Vasili]], asking about where they should visit in [[Vallaki]]. He begins to name several landmarks in the town: - [[St. Andral's Church|the church]], which he mentions is also holy ground and may be the safest place in all of Barovia - The [[Town Square]], which has several retail establishments should they be looking for anything - The [[Arasek Stockyard|stockyard]] - [[Blinsky’s Toy Shop]] (in which Rychell says “Is no fun, is no Blinsky!” after recognizing the name) - The [[Vistani Encampment near Vallaki]], though outside of the city walls. (The [[Vistani]] are not allowed within the city itself, as many suspect they may be servants of [[Strahd von Zarovich|the Devil]]) As they talk, several party members notice [[Muriel Vinshaw|an attractive young woman]] walk through the bar and immediately enter the kitchen, disappearing from view. No one in the party comments on her dark brown hair tipped with a light blue colour. As Vasili takes his leave, Arvid asks how they will be able to find him in [[Vallaki]]. He tells them again where his house is, but that he’s typically around. If they are looking for him, ask one of the merchants, and he reveals that he’s essentially an accountant. The party decide to get two rooms for the night, splitting the party in half between a two-bed room, and a four-bed room (5 electron pieces in total). As they begin to leave the bar to head upstairs, the half-elf from the bar gets up and heads up his room by the staircase on the inside of the bar. Watchful members of the party see that he casts a glance at them from across the raven-motif balconies above the taproom before shutting the door behind him. Owlaf spends the night outside sleeping with the ravens, while Arvid crawls into bed, sharing a room with Dorian. Ireena, Arya, and Rychell settle in for their own long rests. %% ### Notes - “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 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 lvlis had already spirited him away.” - Tarot - 1 Dorian - The Torturer - There is a town where all is not well. There you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts. - 2 Arvid - Powerful force for good and protection, symbol of hope - The Avenger - The treasure lies in a dragon’s house, in hands once clean and now corrupted. - 3 Rychell - Power and strength, weapon of vengeance, sword of sunlight - The Miser - Look for a fortress inside a fortress, in a place hidden behind fire. - 4 Arya - The ally - Darklord - Ah, the worst of all truths: You must face the evil of this land alone! - 5 (centre card) - Enemy is creature of darkness, card will bring us to him - The Mists - The cards can’t see where the evil lurks. The mists obscure all! - Bonus cards beneath - 1 The Innocent - 2 The Marionette - 3 The Horsemen - 4 The Executioner - The Laws of Vallaki - None shall speak Strahd’s name aloud or carry written documents bearing his name. Vallakovich believes that to speak his name is to summon his attention or presence. When they must, Vallakians refer to Strahd simply as “the Devil.” - None may speak ill of the Baron or his festivals, nor hold any documents that present either in an ill light. The Baron believes that happiness is the key to the town’s safety, and severely punishes any resident that threatens to harm “morale.” - All visitors and residents shall assist with the festivals. This includes both preparations and clean-up. These duties rotate through the general public on a random basis, in a manner similar to jury duty. - All visitors and residents shall attend the festival. Guards routinely go door-to-door in the time before and during a festival, and patrol the streets to ensure that no attendee has been left out. %% --- [[S04_2021-07-25|← Previous session]] | [[S06_2021-08-15|Next session →]]