3 Ancient Tales and Knowing Cards

The Hanged One

Ismark informs the party that the path to the Tser Pool connects back with the other road and is slightly shorter, which is why the group decides to follow that road. As they are about to leave the crossroad behind them, they hear a creaking noise coming from the gallows. When they turn around, the corpse of a stranger dangles from the previously empty gallows.

With a shaky voice, Amethyst asks the others whether they see "this" as well and when the others confirm that they see a corpse, she specifies that for her, the person hanging at the gallows is herself, which nobody else can confirm.

Unnerved and on edge, the party carries on and follows the path alongside the stream.

While they are following the path, a dire wolf cuts the party off and readies for the attack. The party dispatches it with relative ease and manages to cut some rations off of the body, before continuing on the path, where eventually, they reach the Tser Pool, at the shore of which they find a group of Vistani that have made their camp there.

A knowing Stranger

When the people around the campfire notice the party, they invite them to join them and one of them tells them that "Madam Eva foretold their coming", adding that she awaited them. The group is pointed towards the largest of the five tents and when they enter, they are greeted by an elderly woman that urges them to come inside. As she greets them, she calls each of them by name and alludes to their pasts, notably using Amethyst's given name, rather than her chosen one, then she urges them to sit.

Eva tells them that she has foreseen their coming and then offers to read the cards for them to tell their fortune, which they accept. The crone lays out five cards for them, 3 of which reveal the location of treasures that will help them in fighting their enemy, while the fourth will reveal the identity of an ally that will be instrumental in fighting Strahd and the fifth should tell them where Strahd himself can be found.

There are treasures that will aid you in your struggles against the Devil Strahd. The cards shall reveal where they've been buried, whom you might turn to in search for aid and where your enemy may be found.

This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy. - What you seek lies at the crossroads of life and death, among the buried dead.

This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope. - I see walls of bones, a chandelier of bones, and a table of bones - all that remains of enemies long forgotten.

This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: A sword of sunlight. - A wounded elf has what you seek. He will part with the treasure to see his dark dreams fulfilled.

This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness. - I see a dead man of noble birth, guarded by his widow. Return life to the dead man's corpse, and he will be your staunch ally.

Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him. - Look to the father's tomb.

— Madam Eva

Once the reading is complete, Eva bids them farewell. Before leaving the tent, Amethyst stops in her tracks and asks her whether there's a chance that her mentor is still alive, to which Madam Eva replies that she does not know and could only read their fortunes.

Outside, the party meets back up with Ismark and Ireena, who were waiting by the campfire, and together they decide to stay for the night and share their rations with their hosts, who - in return - offer wine and bread, as well as tales, one of which recounts a wizard's crusade against Strahd, which ultimately failed, as the peasants he rallied fled and he was finally bested by Strahd.

During the evening, the group realizes that according to the reading, one of the treasures might be at the crossroad that they just passed through earlier that day and plans to return there after getting some sleep, before turning in for the night.

Sometimes, to move forward, you have to retrace your steps

After sharing breakfast with the Vistani, the group goes back the way they came. From the bushes springs a group of needle-blights and attacks the party, but is quickly dealt with. After catching their breath, the party continues on their way,