007_20260711 Session 7

sd# [[007_20260711 Session 7|Session 7]] ## Session Summary > [!tldr] [[007_20260711 Session 7|Session 7]] > Zar, Erno, and Andi embroiled themselves in a more-nefarious-than-usual drug dealing enterprise, and found Irina in the Durst Manor kitchen! ^summary --- ## Recap from Prior Session ![[006_20260626 Session 6#^summary]] --- ## Log ### Scene 1: The Streets of Barovia #### Morganta As the Gang prepared to check in on Mary before attending to the rest of their urgent business, they encountered [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]], selling [[Dream Pastries]] in [[Barovia (Village)#Ismark Plaza|the plaza]]. While purchasing a pastry, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] picked up strong necromantic energy from Morganta and so introduced herself with a fake name. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] was introduced as "Madame Candi Gribbels de Peeve"; [[Zar]] was introduced as "Count Macho Randy Man Savage"; and [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] as "Dr. Seuss, Travelling Dentist." Erno began engaging her in conversation and learned: - She bakes the pastries with her two sisters. - They operate out of [[The Mill|a mill]] in an undisclosed location "in the countryside." - When pressed, she admitted that she doesn't accept real estate as payment and that her clients find "other means" of paying their dues. Like many others in town, [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]] mentioned that something was brewing around town. She had "seen the goings on in the woods," just as [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] had seen a wolf prowling around the [[Barovia (Village)#Burgomaester's Mansion (E4)|Burgomaester's mansion]] earlier that day. #### Mad Mary's After they failed to barter for free samples, [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]] left to collect more dues, and the Gang headed to [[Barovia (Village)#Mad Mary's House (E3)|Mad Mary's House]]. [[Zar]] unlocked her door and took a quick look inside to make sure nothing was awry before they headed to [[Barovia (Village)#Bildrath's Mercantile (E1)|Bildrath's]]. ### Scene 2: Business Dealings at Bildrath's Mercantile [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]] recognized the Gang and inquired about the new furnishings, but they quickly changed the conversation to their main goal, of finding any clues to [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]]'s whereabouts. They learned that, about two hours earlier, she had purchased climbing gear (ropes, hooks), and that they might have better luck asking around at the [[Blood of the Vine Tavern and Inn|Blood of the Vine]] or the [[Barovia (Village)#Vistani Camp|Vistani Camp]]. Like [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]] earlier that day (in [[006_20260626 Session 6|Session 6]]), [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]] also mentioned unusual activity in the woods—that of [[Zombies]] that work for [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]]—that might pose issues for the Gang's [[Find and keep Irina safe|quest to hide Irina]]. When asked, he provided information about [[Gadof Blinsky]], who operates out of [[Vallaki]]. Then, a conversation designed to collect information about the [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|dream pastry sisters]] turned into [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] signing the Gang up as part of a [[Perchance to Dream Pastry... There's the Rub|drug dealing scheme]]. Ever eager to make more money, [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]] leapt at the (then fictional) chance to sell the highly addictive, highly lucrative [[Dream Pastries]] from his shop. With [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]]'s high deception roll (20), the Gang embarked on a [[Perchance to Dream Pastry... There's the Rub|new business venture]], collecting [[Party Gold|300 gold]] with promises of bringing back 100 pastries for [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]] to sell. When [[Erno Van Iche]] added to his bluff by suggesting that he could also help [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]] become the main supplier for the [[Wizard of Wines Winery|Wizard of Wines]], Bildrath became visibly emotional and hugged and kissed everyone. ![[ofmice.png|right|350]] In his glee, he even called out to his apprentice/bodyguard, [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)#Periwimple|Periwimple]]. Seeing this transformation from a cold, calculating businessman into a warm, affectionate businessman, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] began to rethink her whole strategy for making friends in [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]]. Meanwhile, [[Zar]] capitalized on [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]]'s sudden goodwill towards the party by talking him into providing [[Party Gold|12 minor healing potions]], after which [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]] invited the Gang to the [[Blood of the Vine Tavern and Inn|Blood of the Vine]] for vodka. On the way, it suddenly dawned on Erno that they now had to find 100 [[Dream Pastries]] for [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]]. Though he started with a lecture about thinking before you act, [[Zar]] ultimately helped ease Erno off an existential ledge: > **Erno**: (desperate) I just do things! > **Zar**: Just think of it like, you swindled 300 gold pieces. > **Erno**: (indignant) I didn't swindle! > **Zar**: Those pies can be purchased for 1 gold each, so we can just find the lady and buy 100 pies. > **Erno**: ...I bet we can get a discount for buying in bulk. ### Scene 3: Blood of the Vine The Gang returned to the familiar sight of the regulars at the tavern. [[Zar]] wasted no time and approached the hunters to ask about potential hiking/climbing locations in the countryside. They suggested [[Castle Ravenloft]] before also offering the possibility that someone might use climbing gear to break into tall buildings even in town. Without any leads about Irina's habits or motives, the Gang decided to passively look for tall buildings as they traveled to the Vistani camp. ![[rose&thorneDrust.png|right|350]] Before they left, two children entered the bar. Pale and dressed in finery, they looked like trick-or-treaters, and they appeared to be freaking out [[Blood of the Vine Tavern and Inn#Arik|Arik]], who handed over a small packet wrapped in paper. When Erno approached them, the children [[Find Alric at the Vistani encampment near Vallaki|seemed to recognize him]]. They said he reminded them of a "funny man" who was visiting town with the [[Vistani]]. Though they wouldn't reveal the contents of the package they were "picking up for their parents," they did hint that the Dursts had interest in learning more about [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]] and her sisters. They mentioned knowing the location of [[The Mill]] out of which the sisters operated, but did not seem to trust the Gang enough to say anything before introducing the Gang to their parents. When [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] complimented Thorne on the [[Gadof Blinsky|Blinsky]] doll he was clutching and showed him [[Find Gertruda|Gertruda]]'s, he began to say that the girl was his playmate and that he believed the "same thing happened to her that happened to Lucien" before stopping himself and muttering to [[The Durst Family#Rose and Thorne|Rose]] that Lucien may have been turned into [[Dream Pastries]]. Erno went: ![[shocked-surprised.gif]] ### Scene 4: In the Streets Again #### Vistani Camp It was 5 in the afternoon by the time they left the tavern. With only about one hour of "daylight" left, they were heading toward the [[Barovia (Village)#Vistani Camp|Vistani camp]] when they saw [[Blood of the Vine Tavern and Inn#Alenka and Mirabel, the ___ Sisters|Mirabel]] heading in the same direction. Not too happy to talk to them, [[Blood of the Vine Tavern and Inn#Alenka and Mirabel, the ___ Sisters|Mirabel]] confirmed for [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] that he was [[Find Alric at the Vistani encampment near Vallaki|the spitting image of a man]] who was brought into [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]] at [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]]'s request. She also apparently believed that the Gang had "escaped" from their [[Vistani]] kidnappers, and was visibly terrified at the possibility of appearing to be in cahoots with them. However, after a failed intimidation attempt by [[Andraste Amo|Andi]], [[Zar]] threatened Mirabel into revealing that [[Find and keep Irina safe|Irina had been seen]] for several days scouting [[Durst Manor]]. #### [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta's Collections]] As the Gang headed north from the camp toward [[Durst Manor]], [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] could hear the squeaking of [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]]'s cart moving along the street, as well as the sound of an altercation. A woman was falling on her knees, desperately begging for Morganta's [[Dream Pastries|dream pastry]], which she received in exchange for a young boy, who was seen being dragged out of the house, knocked out, and shoved into the cart by [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]]. This scene discomfited the Gang about their recent interaction with [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]]. And yet... They doubled down and requested a long-term arrangement between [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]] and [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]]. To ease her suspicions, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] presented himself as a man also of dubious background, who was more interested in profits than ethics. Satisfied, she was open to supplying [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)|Bildrath]] with 100 pastries per week provided no one but she was allowed to collect debts. She also seemed eerily interested in [[Bildrath Cantemir (and Periwimple)#Periwimple|Periwimple]]. ![[007_20260711 Session 7-1784746640192.webp|right|300]] As part of the Gang's payment, Erno requested [[Find Alric at the Vistani encampment near Vallaki|information about Alric]] and [[Find and keep Irina safe|the location of Irina]], which [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]] gave. Though [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] protested leaving the boy in [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]]'s cart, claiming they had 499 gold pieces with which to spare the lives of 499 children, the Gang began heading toward [[Durst Manor]]. ### Scene 5: [[Durst Manor]] ![[007_20260711 Session 7-1784750821813.webp|right|350]] Darkness settled in Barovia as the Gang approached [[Durst Manor]]. Though it was difficult to see, they could make out an eerie ectoplasmic light coming from the direction of [[Barovia (Village)#Church of St. Bogdan (E5)|the Church of St. Bogdan's]]. As the procession made its way through town, the Gang could see that the ghosts of the [[Battle at the Gates|Unwise Rebellion]] were armored and carrying improvised weapons. As mentioned by [[Father Dargos Donavich|Father Donavich]], this parade was a nightly occurrence and nothing to cause alarm. ![[Thriller.gif|right|250]] Approaching [[Durst Manor]] was a different story. The Gang witnessed a group of zombies on the lawn, dressed in the livery of [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]], much like the zombies they had [[Combat 2, Zombies at Sister Olivenka's|encountered in Sister Olivenka's home]]. These zombies, however, were dancing in unison, conducted by [[The Durst Family#Rose and Thorne|Thorne]], who used [[Gadof Blinsky|his toy]] like a voodoo doll to manipulate them. As this sight would not make it onto that day's "top five worst situations to leave unaddressed," the Gang began executing their plan to divide and conquer. With [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] making his way around the house, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] initiated tele-communications via Message as [[Zar]] prodded her toknock on the [[Durst Manor]] front door. #### Climbing the Ropes ![[007_20260711 Session 7-1784783601397.webp|right|250]]As he rounded the perimeter of the house, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] found evidence of someone having recently left a rope to the roof. Before making his way up the wall, he peered through windows and could see: - in the dining room, a formal dinner was being prepared. - in a smaller study, someone had recently been working at a desk cluttered with books and paper. In his haste to climb up the rope, however, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] burned his feet against the heat of what must have been a lit chimney, fell to the ground, and took 1 point of damage. Lying on his back on the ground, he could hear [[Zar]] ask from somewhere in the back of his mind, "Have you tried confidence?" #### Knock, Knock ![[Nicola Wachter-1784755479437.webp|left|250]] Meanwhile, the front door was answered by a young man of great but understated wealth. After [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] introduced herself and [[Zar]] as having helped [[Help Ismark with Irina's party|to organize Irina's party]] (and wished him a merry time in attendance), he let them in, assuming that they were attending that evening's ceremonies. He introduced himself as *not* ~~Snape~~the father of the Durst children, but [[Nikolai Wachter]] from [[Vallaki]]. As drinks were served, [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]] began to probe about [[Andraste Amo|Andi]]'s relationship to [[Kolyan Kolyanovich|Kolyan]] and her family background, saying that, for someone with ties to [[Kolyan Kolyanovich|the Burgomaester]], [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] wasn't familiar to him. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] muttered that she was from "out of town," which prompted [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]] to scrutinize [[Zar]]. [[Zar]] re-introduced himself as [[Andraste Amo|Andi]]'s "attaché" and [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] as [[Kolyan Kolyanovich|Kolyan]]'s niece, dismissing [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]]'s suspicions about [[Kolyan Kolyanovich|the Burgomaester]]'s sudden interest in supporting "their organization." No longer terribly interested in the guests at his charge, Nikolai returned to his books. #### By Hook and by Crook ![[007_20260711 Session 7-1784783763981.webp|left|180]]Abandoning the rope, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] fired (with critically successful panache) a rope arrow toward the attic. He climbed through a small aperture into a storage room full of furniture covered with dust sheets. The room smelled musty yet appeared to be frequently used by servants to store unused goods. In the dim glow of his lantern, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] stumbled toward a door on the other side of the room when he came upon the first covered furnishing without a perfectly clean dust cover. Instead, the cover was blood splattered and smelled of iron. Lifting the sheet, he saw [[Body in the Attic|the corpse of a woman in her thirties, with thirteen stab wounds]]. #### Snooping While Nikolai buried himself in reading, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] and [[Zar]] looked around. The front rooms were adorned with understated but expensive decorations. Of note:![[DurstCrest.png|right|220]] - The Durst Family's coat of arms depicted a golden windmill on a field of red (possibly linked to [[Morganta, Dream Pastry Lady|Morganta]]?). - Over the chimney was a ceremonial sword, also emblazoned with the Durst family coat of arms. - Portraits of a man and a woman to whom [[The Durst Family#Rose and Thorne|Rose and Thorne]] bear a great resemblance. - The hooks on the wall all occupied by ten(ish) cloaks, indicating that many guests were at the house. In an effort to ingratiate herself to the host (and possibly gain more information than she had to reveal), [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] turned her attention to [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]] and his apparent interest in magical studies. They learned: ![[Nikolai Wachter#^session7]] When briefly questioned about the great wizard [[Khazan]], [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]] became even more animated and revealed: ![[Khazan#^session7]] [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] promised [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]] she would let him know about anything she discovered if she "got permission" to seek out his tower. And when [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]] left to check on dinner progress, [[Zar]] swiped one of [[Nikolai Wachter|Nikolai]]'s books: one by [[Mordenkainen]] that included annotations about the [[Philosopher's Stone]]. > **Potential conflict**: This stone may be essential to both [[Save Doru]] and [[Retrieve a stolen gem for Stafania Martikova]] [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] learned about dancing in the woods. #### G-g-g-ghost! > As Erno examined the body under the dust cover, he learned: > - The body had been stabbed 13 times. > - Based on the clothing, it belonged to a nursemaid. > When he opened the door to leave the storage room, he was confronted by a spectre who frightened him. Though he asked her who she was and how she died, the ghost just moved closer to him, staring at her body until Erno covered it again. > ^atticBody In the next rooms, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] came across a guest room, where he found several letters, written in a language he did not recognize. He also came across a ceremonial red and black dagger, with a scaly decorative hilt. Of course, he took them all. ^loot #### Dinner Bell While reading Nikolai's book, Zar and Andi were called to the foyer where a servant offered them a glass of the best [[Wizard of Wines Winery|Wizard of Wines]]. This room was also adorned simply with expensive-looking paintings of dark hunting scenes with gory violence. Klaus had been in service with [[The Durst Family|the Dursts]] since childhood, as his mother worked her way up from being a cleaning maid. In turn, Klaus asked if [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] servants were paid well, which may indicate that he was looking for a new job. ![[teamrocket.gif|right|250]]As he shyly collected their cloaks and weapons, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] and [[Zar]] tried to claim that they were only armed with their good looks and massive guns, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] handed over her daggers and [[Zar]] reluctantly handed over his longsword--the only weapon visible. Klaus locked up their weapons in the wardrobe, which appeared to have a trap door leading to the floor below. Before Klaus left them, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] requested pre-dinner fruit. In his very direct way, [[Zar]] pulled Klaus aside and asked him about [[Retrieve a stolen gem for Stafania Martikova|the location of the gem]], even intimidating the poor servant into relinquishing the key to the wardrobe and skedaddling. Opening the trap door, [[Zar]] realized the "basement" was cavernous, seemingly opening up into the bowels of the earth--perhaps not a place to send [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] alone to find the gem, as originally planned. Anxious to collect fruit for [[Rictavio Van Richten#Piccolo|Piccolo]] as well as put Klaus off from tattling on them, [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] followed him into the kitchen, which was tidy and well-appointed. Klaus alone was preparing dinner. Behind him was a large dumbwaiter. He handed her cheese and figs as she apologized to him for [[Zar]]'s behavior. During her apology, she prestidigitated the impression of the key he had given [[Zar]], and slipped it into his pocket, as he also apologized profusely. Just then, [[Find and keep Irina safe|Irina emerged from the dumbwaiter]]! [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] messaged her to find [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] in the attic and stay together. ^Irina ## New Quests   - [[Hello Blinsky]] - [[Perchance to Dream Pastry... There's the Rub]] - [[Body in the Attic]] - [[Something Big Is Coming...]]   ## Quests With Deadlines   | Quest | Deadline | Days Left | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------- | | [[Fight in Lazarus's cage match]] | 0713-12-08 | 0.375 | | [[Help Ismark with Irina's party]] | 0713-12-08 | 0.375 | | [[Retrieve a stolen gem for Stafania Martikova]] | 0713-12-13 | 5.375 |  ## Time-Sensitive Quests   - [[Find Gertruda]] - [[Find and keep Irina safe]] - [[Protect Vito the Alchemist as he gathers herbs]] - [[Save Doru]] - [[Look for missing children in Stoya]] - [[Find a ride via the Burgomaester]] - [[Create a base of operations in Barovia]]  ## Social Calendar   | Event | Description | Date | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ---------- | | [[Siege of St. Bogdan's]] | \- | 0713-12-07 | | [[Irina's Birthday Party]] | \- | 0713-12-08 | | [[Wolf's Head Jamboree]] | \- | 0714-01-14 | | [[Ceremony at Yester Hill]] | \- | 0714-02-12 |