Arvie was especially dismayed by this news he didn’t want to bring his family to a realm ruled by a vampire. When asked about this devil Strahd, they said he’s the ruler of this domain, and he’s a vampire. They were dressed like women because they believed that the devil Strahd’s wolves only killed women. They were hunters, out thinning the wolf population. They begged for their lives, explaining that they worked for the burgomaster of the village of Barovia, Kolyan Indirovich. Jessup requested some healing for himself, and they gave him a basket containing half a dozen small mincemeat pies.Ĭato whispered to the two prisoners that he worked for the devil Strahd, which was a lie, but it terrified them, even bringing one to tears. Apparently the five men had paid them to heal some horses, which they did, but then they were accused of getting their powers from “the devil Strahd,” which they denied. The two women said their names were Bella and Offalia, and while they were grateful for being rescued, they were very eager to be on their way.
Remy and Jessup tied up the two men who survived the encounter so they could be questioned. One of the men tried to flee, but Arvie swooped down and tackled him. Jessup fired his pistols and shot one of the men with both barrels, while Arvie, flying above, brought divine fire upon them, and Cato blasted one with eldritch energy, and Remy knocked one out with his staff. The three adventurers splashed along the muddy road to confront the five men, who immediately turned on them. The rain was not a cool refreshing rain, but a cold stinging rain, heralding an early winter. Cato, Jessup, and Remy all disembarked as well. The Vistani were about to stop and make camp for the night when voices from around the corner gave them pause.Ī group of five women - wait, no… men dressed as women - had cornered two women against a hillside, brandishing staves and clubs at them.Īrvie launched himself from the carriage, flying toward the commotion. Giant trees loomed on both sides of the road, their branches clawing at the mist. Now, as evening approached, and darkness crept over the land, it also began to rain. Ratka, the driver, called this the Old Svalich Road, which led into the realm of Barovia. Earlier that day, the Vistani caravan had split off from the Coast Way, taking a rougher road leading east. It had been a cool autumnal journey from Baldur’s Gate thus far the sky was overcast, the fields were ready for harvest, and the forests on either side of the road had put on their somber brown and yellow.
After three days of being jostled around inside a cramped carriage, the adventurers Arvando Darkfeather, Cato Wathull, Jessup McMasters, and Remy were all equally surprised when it suddenly lurched to a halt.