Strahd's Invitation - Session 26

Day 16 - Afternoon - Vallaki

  Having returned from the Abbey of St. Markovia, the party was discussing the abbey with Ireena and Ismark when hurried steps were heard racing up the stairwell outside.
  Bursting through the door, Lars excitedly exclaims, "Great you are here! There's a carriage at the east gate and the driver has tasked me to deliver this envelope."
  Opening it, Fidelia reads a hand-written note inviting the party to dine with Lady Strahd Van Zarovich.
  Sticky immediately responds, "Would we all go? Maybe it'd be better for one or two of us to stay here as protection for Ireena."
  Fidelia hedges, "I don't know. I feel we should act together in whatever we.." Piercing the discussion, an aching howl echoes from the distance as she continues, "Is this a warning to us?"
  "I think those howls confirm my concerns," answers Sticky. "If we leave, then those wolves will attack the town."
  "You could be jumping to conclusions," responds Morgana. "Their appearance could be a warning that if we do not go, then they'll attack. Without someone able to answer our questions, there's just too much guesswork."
  Sticky continues, "Why would she invite us to dinner? Who are we to her? Are we the dinner?" As he continues to talk, the howls seem to echo from all directions.
  "Let's go talk to driver," suggests Nazgog.
  The party heads out of The Blue Water Inn leaving Ireena and Ismark behind. Upon reaching the main road crossroads, Sticky turns north and says, "Let's just detour to the north gate so we can see what's around us."
  As the party ascends to the top of the north gate of Vallaki, they see several wolves burst from within the woods and lope across the road while howling. As the wolves plunge back into the woods east of the road, one of them comes to a halt, turns its head toward the party and stretches out into a hybrid form of man and wolf. It howls long and slow before darting eastward to rejoin the pack.
  Fidelia states, "Well that takes away any uncertainty that these are just ordinary wolves. I guess we should head toward the east gate and see if the driver has any more information for us."
  Upon reaching the top of the East Gate, a tall thin dusk elf steps down from the carriage to address the party, "Greetings! Have you decided to accept the invitation to tonight's dinner?"
  "What assurances do we have that both us and the towns will be safe?" Fidelia asks.
  The dusk elf bows in respect, then answers, "Truthfully, there is no assurance that could be made that would satisfy you, but my Lady's invitation includes a passage of peace. No action against this traitorous town, Vallaki, will be made this night if you dine with her."
  Sticky retorts, "No action? Then why are the wolves circling?"
  "Master Johnny Millson," the dusk elf responds, "there is no reason to fear these creatures. They are here for Vallaki's protection."
  "Alright," Fidelia declares, "We accept the invitation, but allow us an hour to prepare."
  The dusk elf deeply bows, then says, "It shall be as you say. I will wait here for your return."
  Descending from the East Gate, the party heads toward the open field where the blacksmith apprentices continue to work. Approaching them, Fidelia calls out, "Harkus! Zandra! We'll be heading out tonight, but we're concerned about retaliation. How are you progressing with the silvered weapons?"
  After a few minutes discussing logistics, the party turns to their city manager, Lars, with Nazgog telling him, "Make sure every patrol has at least one of these silvered swords. The town must hurt any that attack. Once every patrol has a silvered weapon, then focus on ensuring all in a single patrol have silvered."
  The group then checks on Ireena at the Blue Water Inn. Morgana informs her, "We are heading to dinner with the Lady Strahd. That means, that our trip to Krezk will be delayed until tomorrow. Be ready."
  With everything in readiness, the party heads back to the East Gate where it slowly creaks open revealing a resplendant carriage with the dusk elf holding open a door. He greets the party, "I trust everything is in order? I am Rahadin and please call out to me if you need anything during our journey."
  Jagger returns Rahdin's bow and then climbs into the carriage. Upon sitting, he runs his hand across the couch feeling the soft and luxurious lamb skin covering, before stating, "Now this is a ride, regardless of anything else, the Lady does have taste."
  The rest of the group follows before Rahadin closes the door and ascends to the box. Pulling away from the town, the road slowly climbs up the mountainside, then winds back on itself to ease the grade. Another hour passes on the switchbacks before an old decrepit windmill comes into view. As the carriage speeds by, an old crone sweeping the doorstep looks up at the passing carriage.
  Onward and upward the carriage goes, past the tall gates and then beyond the crossroad leading to the Village of Barovia. As the carriage careens around another bend, the party can see the massive structure rising above everything. Suddenly, lightning flashes across the sky illuminating the high towers of the castle before plunging it back into darkness. Then the carriage turns back left and passes beneath a gatehouse before the horses skid to a halt in cobblestone courtyard.
  Rahadin scrambles down from the box and opens the carriage door closest to the castle. The party climbs down into a miasma of thick cold misty fog. Torches flicker with wan light revealing two large ornate doors hanging open to the cool night air.
  Slowly, carefully, the party follows Rahadin through this entry hall into a grand octagonal room dimly lit by sputtering torches in iron sconces. Four ornate columns support a ceiling beyond the flickering torchlight, but the party can see another set of double doors ahead of them as well as a grand staircase to the left and a wide opening to the right.
  Rahadin leads the group to the right into a large vaulted hallway lit by fluttering torchlight. Ahead of them, a narrow stairway leads upward to the left. In addition, a small hallway opening is on the left wall, but Rahadin leads them toward double doors on the right where soft lyrical music from an organ swells periodically.
  Upon reaching the doors, Rahadin swings both wide revealing a long wide room with a large table dominating it. At the far end of the room a single caped figure pounds away at the keys of a large ornate pipe organ. Seated around the table are several persons that include a stern-looking lady as well as a pinched face elderly man.
  As the group enters the dining room, the seated figure pounds out a climax to the song, then stands and greets them, "Good evening. Please be welcome in my humble abode and allow me the honor of introducing you to other guests. First, please make the acquaintance of my accountant, Lief Lipsiege. I'm not even sure why he is here."
  The man bows low, "As my lady suggests." He then heads out the double doors and closes them as he leaves.
  "Next," continues the lady, "may I present the Lady Fiona Wachter, I believe you know of her, but never had the pleasure to meet face to face."
  The severe looking lady turns to face the group as she spits, "Pleasure? These mongrels killed my sons in cold blood. I want theirs as payment."
  The organist calmly strides toward the table, picking up a table knife along the way, then quickly grabs Lady Wachter's throat and uses the table knife to slit her throat. Blood gurgles from the opening as Lady Wachter's eyes fly open in shock before she tumbles dead to the floor. The remaing lady says, "I warned her that this was to be a pleasant evening. Perhaps, it is just as well that we dine alone. I am the Lady Countess Strahd Von Zarovich. Please sit and eat well this night."
  The group slowly settles into chairs as Lady Strahd sits at the head of the table. After everyone sits, Nazgog heaps food from various platters onto her plate while Fidelia, Jagger, Morgana, and Sticky take a smaller sampling. While most of the group politely eats from their plates, Nazgog eagerly devours hers, and Sticky just pushes his food in circles with his fork. Meanwhile, Lady Strahd genially describes several of the adventures the party has endured, including liberating the Wizard of Wines winery and their initial journey to Krezk. Then she asks, "What did you think of the Abbot?"
  Caught with her fork midway to her mouth, Morgana responds, "Who told you that we visited the abbey?"
  Strahd smiles wide as she answers, "It's a small world. How could I not hear of the exploits of such mighty heroes."
  Beaming with pride, Morgana says, "The Abbot really means well, but why are you not eating with us?"
  "This meal was prepared for you, not me. I'll eat in due time," Strahd replies.
  Fidelia starts coughing then says, "Sorry, I had something caught in my throat."
  Morgana asks, "So you said you'll eat in due time, what do you prefer to eat?"
  "Fresh blood," replies Strahd, "is always welcome."
  "Umm," stalls Morgana, "We were chosen to come here. Why?"
  Strahd smiles knowingly and, as she lightly caresses Nazgog's bulging biceps, says, "I rely on the Vistani to bring worthy persons into my realm and they choose based on their readings to see who is the fittest."
  Smitten Nazgog blurts out, "Fittest? Allow me to demonstrate how fit I am! Would you like me to do pushups with a handclap?" Nazgog then leaps out of her chair and falls toward the floor but catches herself with arms outstretched for pushups.
  Pleased, Strahd continues, "I mean more than just physical fitness. I'm looking for someone who can rule with me or perhaps even take over after I've gone."
  Grunting, Nazgog pushes herself back to her feet and raises her hand to volunteer while Sticky asks, "And how exactly can we prove ourselves fit to rule?"
  A smile like that of the Chesire cat spreads across Strahd's face as she ruminates for a moment before saying, "Well, I'm looking for a troublemaker. I've reason to believe that Dr Van Richten walks my realm, perhaps you could find him for me so that he and I could chat."
  Warily, Sticky clarifies, "What? Why can't you find him?"
  "He's a master at disguise," replies Strahd. "And if need be, I can find him, but it'll be better for everyone if he were to reveal himself voluntarily."
  Nazgog asks, "We've been searching for the Seeds that belong to the Wizard of Wines Winery. Do you know where they might be?"
  "Pah," Strahd responds, "I have no interest in growing grapes of drinking wine. Why would I have?"
  Fidelia chimes in, "And what will you offer us if we joined with you?"
  Strahd spreads her hands open offering the lavish dinner as she answers, "Everything the sun doesn't touch."
  "Can you clarify," asks Jagger, "is this deal for your heir or is it for your companion?"
  Strahd shrugs as she answers, "To me there is no difference. If I gain a companion, then perhaps that companion will assume my duties and I would then be free to leave and therefore they would be my heir."
  "But hasn't the Abbot," asks Sticky, "already offered you a bride?"
  Scoffing Strahd responds, "He thinks animated meat could woo me? What a silly man, but it has been quite delicious fun getting him to betray his own mores."
  Jagger interjects, "What do you know about Izek. Is he one of your offspring?"
  Strahd shrugs, "I don't personally interact with every body within the valley. What care I about a random person."
  Sticky quickly responds, "Then not just any girl would work for your bride? Why do you pursue Ireena then?"
  Strahd's eyes glint with fire as she responds, "Tatyana is not just any random girl. She is the other half to my story and at some point Ireena will know she is my other half allowing the façade of this life to drift away."
  "How?" presses Sticky, "How will she know that she is your other half?"
  Irritation flashes across Strahd's face as she warns, "You should shut your companion's mouth. It would be a shame for an accident to occur."
  Mesmerized, Nazgog tries to switch the conversation by asking, "What do you know of the lady Ezmeralda d'something?"
  Puzzled, Strahd asks, "I'm not sure. Who is she? How do you know her?"
  Nazgog continues, "Well, we met her at the Abbey and she's also searching for this Van Richten guy. "
  Strahd's eyes widen for second, then she answers, "Ah that I could welcome such a lady to my dinner table. Alas, she likely would resent it." Turning toward Jagger, she continues, "You had such a lovely song of your introduction to my world. I'd love to hear it personally one day and perhaps afterward we could play together. It would be such fun."
  Fidelia whispers to Morgana while pointing to the dead woman just a mere foot from the dining table, "Is that the mother of the crazy cat girl?"
  Strahd looks up from her conversation with Jagger to interject, "Cat girls can be orphans too." Then she stands, "Did everyone get enought to eat and drink? If so, then our gathering is almost at an end."
  Nazgog raises her glass toward Strahd while stating, "A toast to our most gracious host."
  Strahd smiles, then says, "Thank you for your kind thoughts, but I do not drink wine."
  Morgana asks, "Well what do you drink?"
  Smiling Strahd says, "It appears everyone has had their fill, so now it is my turn! Observe what I drink!" She then walks over behind Nazgog, lightly caresses Nazgog's neck, then pushes her head to the side, before leaning over and sinking her teeth into Nazgog's exposed flesh. After a small moment of drawing blood, Strahd raises her head and then lightly kisses Nazgog on the cheek leaving bloody lip prints behind. Turning her back on the dinner table, she walks straight through the wall in front of her.
  As Strahd vanishes from view, Nazgog places a hand to her cheek as she says, "She kissed me." Then, regaining her senses Nazgog glares at the wall.
  Rahadin appears at the doors leading back to the entry hall and decalares, "Dinner has now been completed. If you will follow me, I will return you safely to that crude village of Vallaki."