Session 5

Blood on the Vine Tavern

After meeting up at the Blood of the Vine Tavern, the party order wine from Arik the Barkeep who doesn't seem to be completely there. Bardolf volunteers to buy a round for the entire group.

The Vistani Owners

Suspicious because of their resemblance to Arrigal who first delivered the fake letter, Pelanil approaches the three Vistani women sitting near the door to learn more about them. He tells them about the party's escape from Death House and asks why they're dressed the way they are.

The Vistani women see Pelanil's pie from Granny and say they don't indulge in such things. We learn that the women actually own the tavern, and take offense to Pelanil's questions. As the conversation between Pelanil and the Vistani women gets heated, the man sitting alone in the corner of the bar steps in.

Meeting Ismark

Ismark Kolyanovich invites the party to join him at his table. He overheard them talking about their experience with Death House and is impressed. He really thinks that they may be able to help him and his sister with a problem their having. From Ismark, we learn the following:

Ismark is the son of Burgomaster Indirovich
For some reason, Strahd is attracted to his sister, Ireena and desires her above all others
The women in the corner are Vistani spies for Strahd
Strahd Von Zarovich is a vampire, and he dwells in Castle Ravenloft
Arik the Barkeep acts the way he does because he is "mist-touched"
Wine is the only strong drink found in Barovia, and the grapes barely grow
- All the wine comes from the Wizard of the Wines winery near Krezk
Lancelot is actually Gertruda's childhood pet, but she recently went missing
- Her mother, Mary Swilova, has recently gone mad because of the disappearance of her daughter
The first letter the party received from Arrigal is not in Burgomaster Indirovich's handwriting, but the one they found on the corpse is his father's

When the party presses for more details on Ismark's and Ireena's situation, Ismark recommends they continue speaking at the Burgomaster's Mansion for privacy's sake as he indicates towards the Vistani spies in the corner.

Shalooti, having been performing for the small crowd, elicits applause from Ismark who says that it's rare for there to be such joyful music in this dreary place.

Pelanil makes a scene, acting as if he will not help Ismark and Ireena, and leaves the tavern, secretly heading toward the mansion.

The Burgomaster's Mansion

Arriving first at the mansion, Pelanil sees that there are claw marks on the walls, the windows are boarded up, and that the weeds around the house have been trampled. He knocks on the door, and a young woman peeks through the peephole and asks who's there. Pelanil explains his intentions to help and his meeting with Ismark, but Ireena, who seems to be terrified of strangers, does not believe him and asks him to leave.

Very soon after, the rest of the party arrives with Ismark who Ireena is happy to let inside. Ismark explains the party's experience with Death House and tells Ireena that they may be capable of getting her to safety.

Upon entering the house, the party sees Burgomaster Indirovich's corpse in a wooden coffin with wilted flowers and the scent of decay surrounding it. Pelanil does a little magic to bring the flowers back to life, and noticing the absence of a cross among the various religious iconography around the house, offers one to Ireena while he spreads the gospel of the half-elf Jesus from the village of Nazareth.

From Ireena and Ismark we learn:

Strahd has bitten Ireena twice within a fortnight
- She doesn't remember much about her encounters with Strahd though
Strahd doesn't seem to be able to enter residences without invitation
Burgomaster Indirovich died from a heart attack after wolves and other terrible creatures under Strahd's command attacked the house night after night
Strahd has taken multiple consorts, but ultimately turned them into vampire spawn
Others have stormed Castle Ravenloft, only to have been killed or turned by Strahd
- Notably, Donavich's son Doru
Moving Ireena is a gamble, but Ismark hears that Vallaki is well guarded and ultimately worth the risk
Anyone who attempts to leave the land of Barovia begins to choke on the fog
- Those who don't turn back perish

Ismark offers the party 50gp to transport Ireena, and they agree to do so. The party is ready to set out at once, but Ireena refuses to leave until she see's her father properly laid to rest in the village cemetery. Ismark recommends the party leave first thing in the morning to carry the body to Donavich at the church.

Just to make sure things were in order, Bardolf and Pelanil head to the church that evening to inform Donavich that they'll be back first thing tomorrow for a funeral. They find Donavich exhausted and hoarse from praying all day for his son Doru who was apparently turned by Strahd when he attempted to storm Ravenloft.

Some Long-Deserved Rest

All back at the mansion, the party lie down for the night. They all have the same exact dream of a woman asking them to join her at Tser Pool for a card reading saying that their distance has rendered her "Sight blurred and obscured."

All the party members except for Pelanil had the most wonderful, peaceful sleep they'd ever experienced, only to wake feeling drained and incredibly sad.