Ep. 11: Oh Brother Mine!
DnD Curse of Strahd Recap — Apr 23, 2021
Days Spent in Barovia:
- Aashuri & Therean: 7
- Jihyo: 373
Kidnapping Victor
Last session, our drupe troupe of three: Jihyo the half-elf fighter, Therean the half-elf bard, and Aashuri the aasimar sorcerer had infiltrated the mansion or Burgomaster Baron Vargas. After uncovering a few dark secrets involving the torture of citizens in the house, the party confronted Vargas’ son, Victor in the attic. After a tussle with the teenager, the party demanded that Victor come with them peacefully.
Izek Strazni
As the party prepared to leave the house, sounds of people could be heard ascending the ladder to the attic. The party found themselves confronted by Izek Strazni, Captain of the Vallaki Town Guard, and 4 other town guards. Izek was a tall and broad shouldered man with an angry and intimidating look, but most notable was his monstrous red, tiefling-like arm.
Seeing that guards have appeared, Victor immediately told the armored men that the party was attempting to kidnap him. The guards demanded the young master’s release, but it quickly escalated into violence. However, in the midst of the fight, it appeared that after a brief moment of internal conflict, Izek seemed to resolve himself. Without warning, Izek fought against his own men, turning on them and not even hesitating to assist the party in killing them. Throughout the fight, Jihyo was intent on keeping Victor in her grasp. At the request of the party, Izek also subdued Victor, knocking him down with a non-lethal blow.
With the battle ended, Izek rushed to Therean and embraced him, calling him “little brother” to everyone’s shock. Izek explained that since he was young he had recurring visions and dreams watching Therean growing up. When Izek was a child, his mother had birthed a stillborn and shortly after that Izek’s parents passed away. He somehow always believed that his baby brother was still alive and having found Therean, he now knows he was right.
Izek revealed that the town was under lockdown and curfew, and the party had drawn the attention of the burgomaster. Izek showed the party a wanted poster with their faces. The poster stated they were suspects in the death of Bluto Krugarov, the town drunk. The party decided they needed to take Victor to Wachterhaus and present evidence of Baron Vargas’ misdeeds to Lady Wachter. As Izek’s suggestion, the party donned the fallen guard’s armor to keep them safe as they moved through the streets.
Tension in the Streets
As the party moved through the streets, Vallakians expressed their discontent. Few people hid their unhappiness with the town guards and the Burgomaster, as it was now apparent that the festivals did nothing to protect them from attack. The party was struck by Molotov cocktails as they moved through the streets.
They made a stop at the Blue Water Inn to check on Arabelle and found that she was playing with the innkeeper’s children, Brom and Bray. Arabelle expressed that she would prefer to stay at the inn rather than return to Wachterhaus. The innkeeper Danika informed that she was happy to keep Arabelle at the inn for the night.
Returning to Wachterhaus
The party returned to Wachterhaus and found many darkly dressed people accompanying Ernst Larnak as he awaited the party’s return. There was some suspicion with Izek’s presence, but they allowed the party to enter to explain to Lady Wachter what they had found. The party was able to present Victor and his journal, but could not provide much more beyond that.
With evening closing in, the party resolved to see through whatever plans Lady Wachter had for the festival the next day. They gathered to discuss next steps. Aashuri and Therean confronted Jihyo’s strange behavior and her insistence that Victor remain in their custody. Although Jihyo ultimately did not fully explain herself, she revealed a little of what she had dreamt to Therean.
Aashuri decided she wanted to stay with Arabelle at the Inn, while Jihyo, Therean, and Izek remained at Wachterhaus.
Next Episode: (12) Festival of the Blazing Sun
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