011_20260807 Session 11

# [[011_20260807 Session 11|Session 11]] ## Session Summary > [!tldr] [[011_20260807 Session 11|Session 11]] > The Gang left Barovia behind, uncovering new allies, new secrets, and new complications on the road to the marshes. After deceiving the Keepers of the Feather to keep the gemstone for Doru, they crossed the River Ivlis—and promptly found themselves fighting for their lives in the swamp.^summary ## Log ## Scene 1: Into the Woods The Gang left [[Barovia (Village)|the village of Barovia]] in their [[Vistani]]-style wagon, heading toward the [[River Ivlis]] and the marshes. [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] drove with [[Zar]] beside him, while [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] and [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]] rode inside. [[Talbot, the Halfling Head|Talbot]] came along as well, hanging near the driver's seat so he could talk to whoever was up front. The long ride gave everyone time to talk. **Zar** - Was taken in and trained by [[Jander Sunstar]]. - Originally entered [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]] to investigate the current state of the land. - After reconnecting with [[Jander Sunstar|Jander]] at the [[Carnival of the Mists]], he was sent back to help start a rebellion against [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]]. (What a relief that Andi wasn't listening in for this part.) **Erno** - Entered the Carnival while trying to leave his old life after a job went badly wrong. - Usually avoided violence in his work, preferring theft that left no one hurt. - Still does not know why people in [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]] seem to [[Find Alric at the Vistani encampment near Vallaki|recognize him as his supposedly dead father]]. **Irina** - Grew up exploring the woods around [[Barovia (Village)|the village of Barovia]]. - Said [[Doryan (Doru) Donavich|Doru]] had once served as an altar boy and genuinely wanted to help the village. **Andi** - Told [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]] about her upbringing in the temple and her mother's work performing funerals and burials for [[Kelemvor (Temple)|Kelemvor]]. - Admitted she was still struggling with what had happened the previous day and with what being a hero actually meant. - Had written a letter to [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]], hoping she might keep an eye out for [[Doryan (Doru) Donavich|Doru]]; in response, Irina remembered a messenger named [[Dalvan Olenski]], who used to carry letters throughout rural [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]]. As the Gang continued toward the marshes, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] noticed something suspicious beside the road: a mound of earth, roots, and branches that looked deliberately camouflaged. He slowed the wagon. ## Scene 2: The Courier's Cache Suspicious of the camouflaged mound, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] stopped the wagon while [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] sent out a newly summoned owl to scout the area. The owl spotted two things of concern: an [[Muriel|unusually large raven]] deliberately following the Gang and a small, heavily built rider moving quickly through the woods toward them. A closer look revealed that the rider was actually heading for the suspicious mound rather than the Gang. With about fifteen minutes before he arrived, [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] and [[Zar]] investigated. Beneath the camouflage they found a traveler's cache containing provisions, clothes, writing supplies, and a small locked box. [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] opened the box and found several letters. Its interior was lined with lead to prevent scrying or divination, and the name **[[Dalvan Olenski]]** was engraved on it—the same missing rural messenger [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]] had mentioned earlier. Two letters caught the Gang's attention: - A year-old letter from [[Mordenkainen]] to an unidentified **"Miss M"** near [[Vallaki]] urged her to convince her parents to join his rebellion, warned that druids were moving against them, and asked that her family's gemstones be entrusted to him. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] suspected the recipient might be one of the [[Stafania Martikova|Martikovs]]. - A second letter addressed to [[Kolyan Kolyanovich|Kolyan]], written by an elf living near the [[Vistani]] camp outside [[Vallaki]], claimed to know the truth about [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]] and insisted that he needed to see her. The Gang disagreed over whether they had any right to take Dalvan's correspondence. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] argued that the letters were private, while [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] and [[Zar]] considered the information too valuable to leave behind. With the rider rapidly approaching, the Gang took the two important letters, restored the cache as best they could, and hurried away through the woods. As they found a place to hide, they finally got a clearer look at what was coming: a **headless dwarf riding through the forest**, carrying a light where his head should have been. The large raven continued following them. ## Scene 3: Birds of a Feather With the letters in hand and the mysterious rider closing in, the Gang hurried away from [[Dalvan Olenski]]'s cache. [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] guided the wagon into thicker woods while [[Zar]] extinguished the exterior lights, allowing them to hide long enough for the rider to pass. From a distance, they watched the headless dwarf tear open the cache, collect its contents, and even take the granola they had left behind. ![[011_20260807 Session 11-1786715199686.webp|right|300]]The Gang's relief was short-lived. Something heavy landed on the roof of the wagon: the large raven [[Owlfred]] had noticed following them. It revealed itself as a humanoid raven named [[Muriel]], who admitted that her people had been watching the Gang and wanted to know what the newcomers were doing in [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]] and whose side they were on. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]], deciding that diplomacy was best handled with snacks, offered [[Muriel]] some granola. Muriel accepted. The conversation revealed: - [[Muriel]] knew about the Gang's recent activities in [[Barovia (Village)|the village of Barovia]], including the siege, their negotiations with [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]]'s forces, and [[Doryan (Doru) Donavich|Doru]]'s escape. - She identified herself as a **Keeper of the Feather** and servant of the **Raven Queen**. - [[Keepers of the Feather|Her group]] shared the Gang's opposition to [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] and offered to exchange information at the **Blue Water Inn** in [[Vallaki]], where they should ask for **Danika Dorakova**. - [[Muriel]] had been sent because the Gang possessed the gemstone recovered from [[Durst Manor]], and because her matriarch was interested in what they were doing. [[Muriel]] offered **6,000 gp** for the gemstone. While [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] dealt with the payment, [[Zar]] and [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] privately reconsidered giving away something they might need to cure [[Doryan (Doru) Donavich|Doru]]. Andi instead created a convincing **fake gemstone**, which they handed over in exchange for the gold. [[Muriel]] accepted it without apparent suspicion. Before leaving, [[Muriel]] warned them that the marshes ahead were the domain of **Baba Lysaga**. As she transformed back into a raven, she caught sight of [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]] through the wagon window and appeared to recognize her. Neither said anything before [[Muriel]] flew away. Once she was gone, the Gang was left with the real gemstone, a bag of gold, and the knowledge that they had just sold the [[Keepers of the Feather]] a fake. ## Scene 4: The River Ivlis After [[Muriel]] left, the Gang moved quickly. The fake gemstone would only last about an hour, and if Muriel discovered the deception before they were gone, she could easily return. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] looked particularly guilty about the lie, prompting [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] to accuse her of becoming a "filthy liar." Before continuing, they returned for the remains of [[Dalvan Olenski]]'s lead-lined chest. [[Zar]] realized that if they repaired it, the chest could hide the **real gemstone** from magical divination. Once fixed, they locked the gem safely inside. The discovery also revived the running concern that Zar and chests simply did not mix. [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]] was uneasy about the way Muriel had looked at her. As the Gang explained what had happened, they learned a little more about the [[Martikov Family|Martikovs]]: - They are wealthy landowners best known for their wine. - Their family holds significant property in western [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]]. - The letter from [[Mordenkainen]] to "Miss M" was addressed to one of their properties; Irina thought that if Mordenkainen wanted the family's support, he would more naturally have written to **Angelica Martikova**, the family's mother. [[Zar]] then explained the gemstone situation to Irina, including that the Gang had discovered it might be one of the three gems needed for the [[Philosopher's Stone]]. When Irina began to fear they had traded away a possible cure for [[Doryan (Doru) Donavich|Doru]], Zar revealed the real gem inside the chest. After assurances by the rest of the Gang, Irina visibly relaxed, thanked them, and told them she trusted them and was glad she had come along. ![[Mia-reverse.gif|right]]With [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] still looking for her, the Gang used a disguise kit to make [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]] appear as plain and unremarkable as possible. Meanwhile, Erno and Zar privately discussed the second letter from [[Dalvan Olenski|Dalvan]]'s cache—the one from an elf named [[Kasimir]] claiming to know the truth about Irina. They decided **not to tell her yet**, believing she was already overwhelmed and that the information was not immediately necessary. Around four in the afternoon, the Gang finally reached the [[River Ivlis]], where they had arranged to meet **Vito**, the snail rider. Waiting for them was [[Vito]] and a giant snail roughly the size of a horse. ## Scene 5: The Snail Rider At the [[River Ivlis]], the Gang found **Vito** waiting with **Maria**, a giant snail roughly the size of a horse. Vito greeted them enthusiastically—and somewhat slimily—after petting Maria and immediately offering everyone a mucus-covered handshake. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] accepted before quietly cleaning her hand with Prestidigitation, [[Zar]] opted for a fist bump, and [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] committed fully to the experience. [[Vito]] confirmed that their job was straightforward: escort him through the marshes while he harvested ingredients from **corpse flowers** and a **devil bow**, protecting him if anything dangerous appeared. The Gang was less than thrilled by the errand, but it was on their way and paid extra. When [[Zar]] asked what they might encounter, [[Vito]] warned them that the marshes were filled largely with undead, including ghosts, zombies, and bodaks. Anything effective against undead should serve them well. The **dark fey** were another matter; Vito advised against provoking them if they could be avoided. The Gang left the wagon and horses secured on the safer side of the river and continued on foot with Vito. Maria could move easily through the swamp, and Vito provided the others with boots to make the crossing somewhat less miserable. [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] rode atop Maria with him while [[Owlfred]] continued scouting ahead. Then they entered [[Marshes]]. ## Scene 6: Quick, Easy Money About two hours into the [[Marshes]], the terrain had grown so thick and dark that the Gang could no longer orient themselves without Vito. Even [[Owlfred]] struggled to see much ahead. Then the Gang was asked to roll initiative. Their supposedly simple escort job immediately went wrong. A fleshy root or vine wrapped around [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]]'s leg and grappled him while Vito explained that Maria needed to reach two nearby **corpse flowers** for him to harvest. Despite the fighting around him, Vito and Maria continued their slow crawl toward the ingredients. As the session ended, **three more creatures were moving to grapple Maria**, leaving the Gang still in the middle of the fight. ## New Quests   - [[Meet the Keepers of the Feather]] - [[Tell Irina about Kasimir's Letter]]  ## Quests With Deadlines   | Quest | Deadline | Days Left | Hours Left | | ------------------------------------------------ | ---------- | --------- | ---------- | | [[Retrieve a stolen gem for Stafania Martikova]] | 0713-12-13 | 4.67 | 112 |  ## Time-Sensitive Quests   - [[Find Gertruda]] - [[Save Doru]] - [[Look for missing children in Stoya]] - [[Create a base of operations in Barovia]]  ## Social Calendar   | Event | Description | Date | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ---------- | | [[Wolf's Head Jamboree]] | \- | 0714-01-14 | | [[Ceremony at Yester Hill]] | \- | 0714-02-12 |