Session 7

The party picks up in Madam Eva's tent, where they ask her a bunch of questions about Strahd and about the land. She gives them some information, but the party is left distrustful in her some of her non-answers. They learn from Madam Eva:

• A vampire must rest in its coffin during the day
  • At night, it can summon wolves and vermin to do its bidding
  • A vampire can transform into a bat, a wolf, or a cloud of mist
  • In its humanoid form, it can dominate you with its powerful gaze
• Many strangers have been drawn to Barovia over the years, but they all die or disappear before long

After speaking with Madam Eva, the party leaves her tent to sit around the fire with Arahja, Rina, and about a dozen other Vistani. Arahja asks the characters about their intentions in Barovia as well as for more information about their lives outside of Barovia. Bardolf shares this information freely, much to Pelanil's disapproval.

Shalooti plays Lizzo for the group, who applaud vigorously. And one of the Vistani recounts a story to the group about a mighty wizard who rallied a mob to take on Strahd. The wizard was overthrown by Strahd and fell a thousand feet to his death, and his body was washed away by the river.

The party all turn in for the night. Anakir, again, has the sweetest dreams. This time, even better than before. The rest of the party, except for Pelanil, all have unimaginable nightmares where they dream of Strahd riding on a flaming horse

The party set out early in the morning to make their way toward Vallaki. Bardolf doesn't stir, so with the help of Ireena, Pelanil ties him to Molly (Metarlos gained a new name). Shalooti fetches a med kit from Madam Eva, and the party sets off.

Along the road, the party is met with some wild looking people while Bardolf continues to sleep tied to Molly. Eventually, he's bucked awake by Molly, and Ireena unties him. With the party at full strength, they're able to overpower the foes. Having taken damage, Pelanil spends the next hour healing and riding Molly.

The party pass through the River Ivlis Crossroads again, make their way across the bridge spanning the river at Tser Falls, travel through the western Gates of Barovia,

At around noon, after travelling along the ridgeline, Shalooti is the first to see the mountains open up to a valley below and a walled town near the shores of a great lake. And just off to her left, a branch in the road that leads to a Windmill. One that matches the description of the deed she picked up at Death House. After some discussion and input from a tired Ireena, the party decides to investigate.

Shalooti hears whistling coming from inside, and Elora climbs a rope provided by Bardolf to peek in the second floor window. She sees inside a large millstone, and an old woman in an apron covered in flour and blood. She's whistling to herself as she sweeps up debris, stirring up a cloud of white dust.

As she climbs back down, Elora's foot gets stuck in the scaffolding, and she dangles there upside-down. The party come to her aid, and she's able to quietly make her way back down.

Meanwhile, Bardolf splits off to inspect the Megaliths near the edge of the forest. He find that each of them are carved with images of cities, each one depicting a different season. He also notices that there are ravens circling and picking at something on the top of one of them. He climbs the megalith to find that they're picking a pie.

As he's walking back to join the party, he steps on a pile of teeth, that he brings back to the party for inspection. Pelanil recognizes that they're smaller than his teeth.

Spooked at this point, the party considers turning tail and continuing their journey. And before anyone can act, Anakir is suddenly struck again with an inescapable craving for pies, and having smelled the scent of one on the air, he bursts inside The Windmill, opens the oven, and shoves his face into a molten pie.

The party barge in after him, Pelanil acting as if they're searching for a lost child. Just as the party enters, they hear a shout from above, "Mother, is that you?" and the sound of footsteps descending the stairs...