Ep. 3: Drupe Troupe vs. Dire Wolves
DnD Curse of Strahd Recap — Jan. 29, 2021
Days Spent in Barovia:
- Aashuri & Therean: 4
- Jihyo: 370
Still in the Windmill
Last session, our party of three: Jihyo the half-elf fighter, Therean the half-elf bard, and Aashuri the aasimar sorcerer, found themselves having an awkward overnight stay with two older women, Bella and Offalia, in their makeshift windmill bakery. Jihyo decided to make a last ditch effort to sneak upstairs. With Aashuri’s assistance, they took off Jihyo’s cumbersome armor. But when Jihyo began her attempt, she had nary taken a step before accidentally kicking her armor with a loud clang. The chickens in their coops were greatly startled and clucked loudly.
Bella and Offalia came downstairs to greet the party and offered more pies for their journey before departing to Vallaki. While Aashuri and Jihyo were reluctant to trust the women and their pies, Therean was happy to purchase a few more. After all, he had a extremely pleasant dreams during his sleep after consuming the pies. The party reassured the women they would look into the issue of the Vasili and the orphans at St. Andral’s in Vallaki.
The Forest Folk and the Monolithic Ruins
Upon leaving the windmill early morning, Aashuri noticed a kindness of ravens circling over something in the woods. Having encountered ravens and found them to be good and agreeable creatures, the party decided it would be a good idea to investigate. Therean also reminded the party that Madam Eva’s fortune made mention of a “nest of ravens” in which they may find a holy symbol of hope.
It took less than an hour to reach the clearing in the Svalich Woods where the ravens circled overhead. However, as soon as they entered, the ravens disbursed and flew westward. Within this small clearing amidst the trees were four ancient, moss-covered stones standing 10 feet apart from each other and erected in a semicircle. The stones had no symbols, words, or etchings on them; just flat, rough stone.
Immediately noticeable was a person dressed in leathers and furs in the center of the the “circle” of the stones. They were kneeled down and appeared to be praying. When the party approached, the skittish human pulled out a knife and spoke in a language the party could not understand. Jihyo informed the party that this person may be one of the “forest folk” that live in the woods. They are seen by the Barovians as primitive and barbaric pagan worshippers. While the party bickered on what to do, the forest folk individual fled back into the woods.
Unable to glean any more clues about the mysterious stone structures, the party decided to return to the main road and continue their journey to Vallaki. Jihyo collected some raven feathers for the party as good luck charms.
Drupe Troupe
The party fortunately did not encounter any dangers during the day. As the sky turned dark, they decided to set up camp in the Svalich Woods. Therean and Jihyo went to forage for some food and water with relative success. They found a few wild fruits that bled blood-red juice, and they debated on the nature of the wild species (berries or drupes?). They returned to the Aashuri at the camp with a new idea for a team name: Drupe Troupe.
As the night proceeded, the party took turns on night watch. During the first watch, Therean encountered a harmless white bunny. However, during the second watch, Aashuri noticed some strange movement in the low trees and prepared a shocking grasp spell in case of danger. A low growl from the wood was enough to trigger her fight response. But while Aashuri was successful in the surprise attack, five grown Dire Wolves approached and surrounded the party in no time at all. Aashuri cried out the loudest “Jinkees” she’d ever made. Her allies awoke and began to fight.
Fighting the Dire Wolves
The wolves were the size of grizzlies and the party was quickly overcome by the incredible strength of these wild creatures. Nonetheless, the party decided to hold their ground rather than flee or disengage. Therean focused his magic and inspired his allies as best he could with the twang of his new instrument. Aashuri attempted to push these enormous wolves away with magical gusts of wind. However, she underestimated the strength and speed of these creatures, and the wolves were not deterred. They were able to bring her down to unconsciousness after several vicious bites.
The Voice in Jihyo’s Head
Jihyo struggled to make her first attacks, smacking herself in the face with a bowstring before giving up on that tactic. Abandoning her bow, she proceeded forward with her scimitars and cut down a wolf, but there were too many and her allies were falling. Despite her surges of power and multiple slashes, Jihyo found it difficult to land an attack. In the middle of what she knew would be another failed hit, Jihyo suddenly heard a voice speak to her. In its snark, it ridiculed her abilities, but Jihyo found her weapon guided by what seemed to be a supernatural force. She slashed down, killing another wolf.
Although empowered, Jihyo could see that her allies were not faring well. She considered luring the wolves away, but decided to continue holding her ground. She was able to land several more hits by her own skill, which the mysterious voice commended. But the voice expressed its impatience, and almost as quickly as the fight began, it abruptly ended. Inexplicably, the remaining wolves seemed to writhe in agony before dropping dead at the parties feet. One seemed to come back as undead for just a brief moment, before falling still once more.
Jihyo confessed to the party that she had heard a voice speak to her, and that this voice may be the one responsible for finishing off the wolves. The party speculated on what it could mean, but they could not deduce any concrete answers on who or what the voice might have been.
Resuming the Watch
The night continued with everyone finishing their rest and respective watches. During Therean’s second watch, he had noticed a bat fly overhead. It did not seem to stop to observe the party, thus the encounter did not seem notable enough for him to inform his allies.
Arrigal
As morning came and the party prepared to continue westward on the road, they heard the clopping of hooves coming from the road behind them. A Vistana man who introduced himself as Arrigal greeted them. Arrigal seemed friendly enough, if a bit reserved, but happily traveled alongside the party for the remainder of their journey to Vallaki. During the walk, he related that Vallakians don’t exactly like the Vistani, so Vistani don’t usually go within the walls.
However, Arrigal knows of Blinsky, a famous toy maker who lives in the town. Arrigal told the party that his niece, Arabelle, has a birthday coming up rather soon and that he’d love to get the girl a present from Blinsky’s. Arrigal offered to pay the party for both the toy and a little extra if they deliver it to him at the Vistani camp south of Vallaki later on. The party agreed to assist. The list of errands for Vallaki grows long.
Next Episode: (4) The Many Walls of Vallaki
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