002_20260513 Session 2

# [[002_20260513 Session 2|Session 2]] ## Session Summary > [!tldr] [[002_20260513 Session 2]] > During the multi-day journey to the village of Barovia, the PCs camped with Madam Eva's family, met Sister Olivenka, and defended the caravan from dire wolves. ^summary --- ## Recap from Last Session ![[001_20260429 Session 1#^summary]] --- ## Log ### Scene 1: Caravan Ride We rode in Madam Eva's *[[Patthana#Vardo|vardo]]* to Barovia. It was a five-hour trip. - Through the windows, in the cold, impenetrable mist, we saw frightening (screaming) faces, which we later learned were the faces of souls caught in a kind of purgatory, frozen in agony. These souls are trapped in the [[Barovia (the Land of)|land of Barovia]], getting recycled endlessly. We were later advised by [[Stanimir]] not to stare at these faces; we would risk having nightmares. - Should Andi be able to do something about the trapped souls? Help them move along? #todo - The [[Patthana#Vardo|vardo]] came to an abrupt halt as we heard [[Stanimir|Old Stanimir]] shouting, "Kyrie Yaga" (?) #todo ### Scene 2: Vistani Camp ![[Session 2 Vistani Camp.png|right|340]] [[Madam Eva]]'s family set up camp in the woods, at a location they seem to frequent on trips to and from [[Faerûn]]. [[Zar]] later deduced we were somewhere in Eastern [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]]. From the site, he could see [[Castle Ravenloft]]. We met other members of [[Madam Eva]]'s family, [[Stanimir]]'s "children," who are all in their 20s and 30s: - [[Stanimir#Damia|Damia]], a snake charmer - [[Stanimir#Rakka|Rakka]], a musician - [[Stanimir#Veliza|Veliza]], the caravan's cook. She made our stew, which [[Bram the Quiet|Bram]] perceived was not poisoned. As we spoke with [[Stanimir]] and had stew, we learned: - about the faces in the mist - about the people of the [[Barovia (the Land of)|land of Barovia]], who are sad, empty - that [[Madam Eva]] brought us here "with a purpose," which he was not privy to - that [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] has eyes and ears all over the [[Barovia (the Land of)|land of Barovia]]; he *is* the land. ### Scene 3: Meeting Sister Olivenka The mist was heavy as the [[Vistani]] prepared for bed, and the PCs were warned to extinguish the fire lest we attract wolves (foreshadowing). [[Bram the Quiet|Bram]] searched for (and was given) [[Stanimir]]'s fragmented [[Tome of Strahd]] before joining [[Andraste Amo|Andi]], who sought comfort by taking care of [[Pelor and Midnight]]. As [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] pondered his predicament by the fire, Zar searched the camp. Facing south, he saw a major road and noticed [[Castle Ravenloft|a castle]] to the west when [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] approached him with questions about Barovia. ![[ring.gif|right|300]] As they spoke, the shape of a woman on all fours crawled out of the woods toward [[Zar]]. She later introduced herself as [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]]. Somewhere in the tangle of her worn animal skins and foliage, [[Zar]] could make out wore a pendant bearing the symbol of the [[Morninglord (Temple)|Morninglord]]. However, initially, she was wild, almost bestial, and attempted to persuade [[Zar]] to renounce the [[Morninglord (Temple)|Morninglord]] and, instead, "come to the woods." She ate stew by scooping it with her hands. During this conversation, - She was convinced [[Zar]] would not long keep his faith with the [[Morninglord (Temple)|Morninglord]]. - She believed [[Bram the Quiet|Bram]] would eventually succumb to the call of the wild. - She licked [[Andraste Amo|Andi]]'s face. The conversation ended with the party successfully appealing to her former more human, less crazed, nature and with [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]] declaring that she liked the PCs. Before she left, [[Zar]] imparted divine healing on her. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] and [[Bram the Quiet|Bram]] collected the kitchen scraps before extinguishing the fire for the night. Whatever isn't salvageable for future meals, Andi plans to compost for [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]]'s [[Ceremony at Yester Hill|party]]. ### Scene 4: The Caravan Ride The following morning, the party sat in the back of [[Madam Eva]]'s caravan again when [[Stanimir]], visibly "shook," stopped the carriage for a wolf that was blocking the path. The PCs chose to investigate. They succeeded in distracting the wolf with an illusory peanut butter lure. But when more wolves approached, they [[Combat 1, Defending Mme Eva's Caravan|engaged in combat]] and were rescued handily by [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]]. After their near death experience, ![[soap.png|right|200]] - the PCs are now level 2. - [[Zar#Fears|Zar]], [[Erno Van Iche#Fears|Erno]], [[Bram the Quiet#Fears|Bram]], and [[Andraste Amo#Fears|Andi]] all have a healthy fear of wolves, among other insecurities. - [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] gave [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]] a gift of aromatic soap. As we parted, [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]] gave us a key to [[Sister Olivenka's Home|her home]].   # ## New Quests - [[Ceremony at Yester Hill|Attend Sister Olivenka's Party]] #todo @{2026-05-13} ^4my8t8 - [[During combat, why did Toll the Dead cause the wolf's leg to disintegrate]] #todo #curse@{2026-05-13} - [[Visit Brother Donovich]] @{2026-05-13} #todo - Make compost for [[Ceremony at Yester Hill|Sister Olivenka's party]] #todo #Andi @{2026-05-13} - [[Look for Cloud Giants in Barovia]] #todo #Bram @{2026-05-13} - Extinguish every camp fire. #todo @{2026-05-13} - What happened to [[Zar]] during combat when his eyes started to flicker? Also has he fought wolves before? #nosy #todo @{2026-05-13} - [[Ceremony at Yester Hill|Attend Sister Olivenka's Party]] #todo @{2026-05-13} ^4my8t8 - [[During combat, why did Toll the Dead cause the wolf's leg to disintegrate]] #todo #curse@{2026-05-13} - [[Visit Brother Donovich]] @{2026-05-13} #todo - Make compost for [[Ceremony at Yester Hill|Sister Olivenka's party]] #todo #Andi @{2026-05-13} - [[Look for Cloud Giants in Barovia]] #todo #Bram @{2026-05-13} - Extinguish every camp fire. #todo @{2026-05-13} - What happened to [[Zar]] during combat when his eyes started to flicker? Also has he fought wolves before? #nosy #todo @{2026-05-13}