Session 002 - Welcome to Barovia: Part I

You travelled from Old Svalich Road, where you encountered shapes within the mists that oppressively hugged this realm. You don’t know what the figures represent, but you have a feeling that they mean something; an avian shadow, a dragon silhouette, a tall slender figure with feathered wings, a broad silhouette with the shadow of an axe across its shoulder, and a tall, cloaked silhouette sitting atop of horse with flames for its mane.   Travelling along the road, you witnessed the Gates of Barovia where you saw two headless statues of armed guardians, as tall as mountains, with the gates slamming shut as you passed through them. There you entered the Svalich Woods, where you found a dead body of a young man and his horse, along with a curious character who introduced herself as Ash.   Investigations of the body occurred, and you opted to follow signs etched into a nearby tree, which led you into the mists. You came upon a clearing with another tree with more etchings directing you further into mist, along with obvious signs of werewolves on each dead horse you found. At a point Magnus convinced you all to throw him into the air, and it almost caused his death, with unfortunately no new information gleaned for his efforts. After passing four trees and their clearings, you eventually arrived back on the main path of the woods, and a quick look told you that you arrived in the exact location that you left the path, but now the body of the young man and horse were gone.   You then continued your journey through the woods, eventually leaving them without any further issues. You found the Village of Barovia, which you decided to enter. This is where Ava took interest in a raven with blue-tipped wings, who took flight and led you to the Blood on the Vine Tavern, where you met Ismark Kolyanovich. Ash provides information to Imsark on the body of the young man, and the fates of the horses. Impressed, Ismark asked you escort his sister Ireena Kolyana to St. Andral’s Church in Vallaki to the west. You agreed to help the concerned Burgomaster and mingled with the locals to obtain new information. You met Mirabel, Alenka, and Soryia, three Vistani women, who recommended that Heffie visit Madam Eva at Tser Pools for help in finding his mentor Ingrid.   After some time in the tavern, Ismark escorted you to the run-down and damaged mansion where his sister and he resided. Heffie spent some time to undertake some repairs of the structures much to the sibling’s gratitude. You met Ireena Kolyana, and your first impression was of a strong and stubborn young woman. Ireena is furious that Ismark had asked for an escort and they have a heated argument in a separate room, however many of you heard the discussion clearly.   Ismark left the mansion to gather a search part to locate Gertruda, the daughter of Mary, who informed Ismark that she had suspicions her daughter has gone to Castle Ravenloft. Ireena helped you to get settled in, setting you up into a guest room, and offered little bits of information, including the fact that Strahd von Zarovich had visited her one night and fed on her blood. You all promised Ireena that you would not tell her brother, due her to fears of his overprotective nature. Ismark returned at dusk with no news of Gertruda and you all have a very adequate meal before heading off to bed.   During the night, all of you, even those who do not need to sleep, are pulled into a shared ream where you found yourself in a colorful tent in front of an elderly lady by the name of Madam Eva.   She spends majority of the time informing you that Strahd is aware of your presence in Barovia and asked you to travel to Tser Pools to meet her. She then cut the dream short when a shadow dimmed the tent, warning you that Strahd had sensed her presence and begs you to keep your meeting her a secret from the vampire.   You each woke up with your heart beating and covered in sweat. You witnessed the March of the Dead, an occurrence where the spirits of dead Barovians march from the Village to Castle Ravenwood. Ava you also noted that two swarms of bats were on the eaves of a nearby home watching you.   Eventually you all fell back into your sleep or meditation. Now it’s a few moments before dawn and Ismark is knocking on the door to wake you all up.