014_20260904 Session 14

# [[Session 14]] ### Scene 1: Preparations at Tser Pool At around ten in the morning, the Gang prepared to split: - [[Zar]] and [[Erno Van Iche|Erno]] would travel to [[Castle Ravenloft]]. - [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] and [[Irina Kolyanovich|Irina]], disguised as **Natalia**, would help search for [[Arrigal|Arabelle]]. Before leaving: - [[Stanimir]] revealed that Strahd had recently restricted Vistani travel through the Mists, preventing him from delivering Andi's letters. - He suggested that someone in [[Vallaki]] may know magic capable of communicating beyond Barovia. - A [[captive harpy]] claimed that her people once served the **Iron Devil**, knew secrets about Strahd's power, and might know something about Arabelle's disappearance. The Gang was then summoned by [[Arrigal]]. Arrigal revealed: - he shares leadership of his tribe with his brother [[Luvash]]; - Luvash is ambitious and may benefit politically from Arabelle remaining missing; - Arabelle may have wandered away, encountered the Dream Pastries, or fallen into danger near [[Lake Zarovich]]; - he would help confront [[Morganta]] if the Gang could first provide proof that Arabelle or other children were being held at the Mill. Andi and Natalia were therefore assigned a Vistani hound and sent toward the Mill. After negotiations, Arrigal also agreed to provide the captive harpy as a magically restrained scout in exchange for the Gang's continued assistance finding his daughter. Before the meeting ended, Arrigal connected the ancient powers of the Dusk Elves and the Mother of the Night to the old corruption of Barovia and possibly to the origin of Strahd's supernatural power. ### Scene 2: Shopping with Novgor Before leaving [[Tser Pool]], the Gang returned to **Novgor** to look through his merchandise. They learned: - a copied travelogue by **Kolchek** contains useful information about old Barovia, including the [[Iron Faith]], hags and fey, cloud giants, and the Three Fanes; - Kolchek was said to have helped introduce the Iron Faith to dwarves and encouraged them to migrate into Barovia; - Novgor's copy was full of spelling and calligraphy mistakes because it had been handwritten by his children. Andi haggled the book down to **50 gold**. The Gang also examined: - schematics for constructs made from bone and flesh; - a bell connected to the **Order of the Silver Dragon**, which led to new information about [[Argynvostholt]] and Argynvost; - and several other specialty items they chose not to purchase. They did purchase **four hooded lanterns** for the wagon. ### Scene 3: More Questions for Madam Eva Before leaving [[Tser Pool]], [[Andraste Amo|Andi]] returned to [[Madam Eva]] with several more questions. Madam Eva refused to explain the mysterious **Amber Temple**, saying that it was not yet time for Andi to know and that she would learn from another source. When Andi asked about Eva's estranged brother, Madam Eva said: - they had not spoken in many years; - she still loved him and tried to help him; - the Gang would meet him soon; - there was still **kindness** in him; - in some ways, he was still a child; - and they should not be afraid of him. Andi also asked about [[Doryan (Doru) Donavich|Doru]]. Madam Eva believed he was hiding somewhere in the woods, unable or unwilling to cross the surrounding waterways or guarded bridges. She described him as frightened, missing his father and Irina, and feeling guilty. ### Rictavio When asked about [[Rictavio Van Richten|Rictavio]], Madam Eva said she did not know anyone by that name, but clearly knew whom Andi meant. She warned that he: - had spent so much time around monsters that he had become one himself; - was narrow-minded and self-interested; - might break his word when convenient; - and should not be trusted without verifying what he said. Madam Eva also said the Gang would meet an old friend of hers the following day who could tell them more about Rictavio. The group realized this was likely the mysterious **Conjurer** they had been told to find. ### Sister Olivenka Finally, Andi asked about [[Sister Olivenka Alastroi|Sister Olivenka]]. Madam Eva revealed that Olivenka had been deeply affected by her encounter with the Gang: - she had nearly abandoned the last remnants of her old faith; - she now kept her old priestly garments and sun symbol, though somewhat ashamedly; - she was still planning to go to [[Yester Hill]]; - and the Gang had restored at least some of her belief that people—and Barovia itself—might still be capable of improvement. The session ended at approximately noon, with the Gang still at Tser Pool and preparing to finally depart on their separate missions. ## New Quests   - [[Find Arabelle]] - [[Find the Conjurer]]  ## Quests With Deadlines   | Quest | Deadline | Days Left | Hours Left | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------- | ---------- | | [[Retrieve a stolen gem for Stafania Martikova]] | 0713-12-13 | 2.5 | 60 |  ## Time-Sensitive Quests   - [[Find Arabelle]] - [[Find Gertruda]] - [[Save Doru]] - [[Look for missing children in Stoya]] - [[Create a base of operations in Barovia]]  ## Social Calendar   | Event | Description | Date | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------- | | [[Boy Dinner at the Castle]] | Strahd sent a formal invitation for Zar and Erno to dine with him at Castle Ravenloft, promising safe passage and hinting that he may be able to help them return home. The visit will mark the Gang’s first formal meeting with Strahd and may reveal more about his interest in them and the larger mysteries surrounding Barovia. | 0713-12-10 | | [[Wolf's Head Jamboree]] | Rictavio and Mahiji invited the Gang to an event in Vallaki to help everyone celebrate as they conquer their fear of wolves. | 0714-01-14 | | [[Ceremony at Yester Hill]] | Sister Olivenka invited the Gang to a ceremony to be held on the 12th of Fivral in the year 0714 at Yester Hill. According to Zar, this may also be Strahd's birthday? | 0714-02-12 |