1. Session, Welcome to Barovia Report

Our Heroes converged at an enormous rusted iron gate, after having traveled through an unnaturally thick fog that seemed almost… intelligent. After a messy introduction, Grace opened the magically sealed gate with a seemingly harmless cross-gesture. Our Heroes find themselves on an old cobblestone road named The Old Svalich Road, and before long the treeline recedes to allow a view over The Village of Barovia. After encountering a blue wing tipped raven while seeking shelter from the rain, they continue through to the village, but lingering at the entrance are seven undead creatures. They are quickly dispatched, but in the midst of battle all sight of Walther is lost. The remaining Heroes narrowly escapes a horde of undead attracted by the commotion, by jumping up a ladder to the two-story inn, Blood of the Vine.   In newfound safety, our Heroes are introduced indifferently to Arik Lorensk, who is the owner of the establishment, and with surprising warmth, also the Burgomaster of The Village of Barovia, Ismark. He answers the party’s questions and relays certain pieces of information:   1) To the West are the Wine Wizards, who supply the inn with Wines. 2) Further to the West lies a very safe, but small, city named Krezk. 3) The greatest city is named Vallaki, and lies to the north. 4) The biggest chance of obtaining a map is buying one in a city 5) Travelers named the Vastani are roaming the lands - legends say they are able to travel outside the Fog. The most powerful one of them is called Madam Eva, and is… well, very powerful.   The Burgomaster wants his village saved - either by evacuation, or by cleansing it from the undead roaming the streets. If either objective would be pursued, the first step should be to gain the support of the village priest Donavich, since he could lead the people way more than Ismark, whom people viewed as having failed them.   Our Heroes make their way to the church easily, and find the priest behind the giant door. From within, something emits an unexplainable stench. Donavich asks our Heroes for help in curing his son, who is sick. Adrastia steals his church-journal and leaves a hasty replica, before they set down into the basement where his son Doru is located. Our Heroes find the source of the stench in Doru’s cell, which is filled with untouched rotting food, even though he keeps whimpering about how hungry he is.   A deadly curiosity from Adrastia sends the ‘Vampire’ Doru tearing through the cell door, and combat ensues. In a great tragedy, Elise makes the ultimate sacrifice, resulting in the Vampire Spawn getting destroyed. Our heroes find themselves now down one in both enemy, and friend.