Session 25 — Screenplay

Scene 1 — EXT. Wizard of the Wines — NIGHT

(Session 25 @ 00:07:50)

The sun has set. The party stumbles out of the winery's front door into the aftermath of the assault. The grounds are quiet now, but the threat of the druids still hangs over the tree line and the open sky.

Sildir is battered from the fight, though he keeps himself upright. Irredel carries a deeper frustration: her companions have risked themselves for her again, and she believes she should be the one keeping everyone healed and safe.

SILDIR
I'm a little beat up. I definitely participated in the fight, and it shows. But I could keep going. I could do this all day.

IRREDEL
I'm deeply unhappy. I am very capable, and I feel that everyone has already been at risk enough because of me. It would be better if everyone protected themselves. That would lessen my responsibility in the end.

Three figures crest the hills. The familiar green cloak of Davian Martikov leads the group. A young man and a young woman accompany him.

SILDIR
How many others do we see?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
He scans the winery grounds, taking particular care with the tree lines and the sky. The party has driven the druids out thoroughly.

Did you catch where they went?

IRREDEL
All the druid blights are gone. We took out the leader and the staff he used to control them.

SILDIR
The place is cleared.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
He turns to the younger man beside him.

Adrian, go check if it's still there.

Adrian Martikov ducks into the winery. Davian faces the party again, ready at last for a more frank conversation.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Did you learn anything from the druids? Anything to suggest what plans they had?

SILDIR
They seem to not like you very much.

IRREDEL
It's hard to see why, but it seems to be drummed up mostly by Baba Lysaga.

SILDIR
She seems to be behind this. They think this land is theirs for some reason.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Yes, well, the Forest Folk have never been particularly kind neighbors to us. They've always wanted this land and this area for themselves. They did not take kindly to my grandfather establishing this winery here.

SATURNO
When did you set up shop here?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
It was a few generations ago that my grandfather established this winery here. This winery, as you may already know, produces the wines that are supplied to the whole of the valley. We produce three vintages: Purple Grape Mash No. 3, Red Dragon Crush, and the higher end of our vintages, Champagne du le Stomp.

The grapes that we use to make this wine are grown with the magic of three gemstones that were gifted to us, the Martikovs, years and years ago. It seems Baba Lysaga and now the druids are after these gemstones, and I suspect that is the true reason that they have attacked us. For what end they seek to use these, I cannot say.

Adrian Martikov emerges from the winery. He looks to Davian and shakes his head.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
It seems that the last of the gemstones has been taken. Did they mention anything about a stone or a treasure or anything of the like?

SATURNO
I don't recall.

MERCURIO
They just weren't too happy to see us, really.

MERCURIO
They did mention one concerning thing.

MERCURIO
Even though we defeated them, they were kind of gloating that this loss doesn't matter because Winter Splinter is coming. Do you have any idea what that means?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Winter Splinter. I can't say that I'm familiar with this name, although Winter Splinter is coming. That's what they said.

IRREDEL
Several times.

SATURNO
Like, too many times.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I'm not sure what this could mean, but perhaps it's related to why they took our gemstones.

SATURNO
What purposes do your gemstones provide?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
We use them to grow the grapes for our wines, and without them, our wine production will be severely lagging.

SATURNO
So it helps them grow?

MERCURIO
But you need gems to grow wine?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Yes. The farmlands of Barovia are notoriously difficult, and in order to produce the vintages of wines that we offer, we need the blessing of these gemstones. Without them, it is still possible, but much, much more difficult.

Adrian Martikov crosses to Davian and whispers into his ear. They confer in hushed tones.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
It seems Adrian has just informed me that we received some intel from our scouts. The druids are gathering for some sort of ritual at Yester Hill. We suspect that the gemstone that they just stole from us may be involved.

MERCURIO
Could all three gemstones be there?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Ideally, we would be able to recover all three gemstones to restore the winery's production to its former peak. The first of these gemstones was taken ten years ago, and it was under Urwin Martikov's watch. He claims that it was stolen by a raven, which is nonsense.

Davian returns to the theft from ten years earlier.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
All of the ravens in the valley are friends to us or known to us. It doesn't make sense that one of our own would steal and abscond with a gemstone, but he was adamant about it, and I threw him out.

The second of the gemstones was taken a mere five days ago, when the druids and the witches' forces took the winery by force. That gemstone, we know, lies with Baba Lysaga herself. Now it seems that the third gemstone has been taken from us as well, probably being used for this ritual.

SILDIR
Then I assume you want us to recover it.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I fear that I must ask a great favor of you once more. Baba Lysaga may prove too great a threat for either of us at the moment, so recovering that gemstone may not be an option. But considering how you were able to send these druids here packing, you may be able to recover the gemstone at Yester Hill. I don't expect it will be an easy fight, but I ask that you take this task for the good of the Barovian people.

IRREDEL
It is possible all three gemstones are at Yester Hill.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
If that should be the case, then you may have a great task before you indeed. These gemstones bear great magical properties, and if all three were used for some kind of ritual—whatever this Winter Splinter is—I can't say. I fear it would be a very dangerous ritual.

SILDIR
Who blessed the gemstones?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I know that the gemstones were blessed many, many years ago, much before my time, and given to my grandfather when he established the winery.

SILDIR
But blessed by who?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
He called her The Seeker. But I don't know much about folklore, I'm afraid.

SILDIR
Do you mean to imply that the Seeker is supernatural?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
There are tales of ancient deities that inhabited the valley before the time of Strahd. The Seeker was one of them.

SILDIR
One of the old gods?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I suppose, in some fashion.

Davian explains what the winery's wines mean throughout the valley.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
The wines that the winery produces have become a source of comfort and hope—well, maybe not hope, but a source of comfort—for Barovians all over the valley. It is thanks to the blessing of the gems that this is possible.

SILDIR
What about Elric?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
The other son, that's Elric. This happened about three-ish months ago, around when Doru and a group of others marched on Castle Ravenloft to overthrow Strahd. Strahd awoke from his slumber and slaughtered them all. Elric was among that group.

I thought Elric was foolish to try to fight Strahd. When he suggested it, I told him he was a fool and never to come back.

SILDIR
How are you and Urwin these days?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
We keep in touch only to maintain our shipments and to exchange intelligence in our network.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Why do you ask?

MERCURIO
He's been worried sick about you. You should send word immediately.

SILDIR
Sorry to ask, but it's true. For a faction with the potential influence that the Keepers of the Feather have, we want to see you united.

MERCURIO
For such an important group in Barovia, this squabbling doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence.

Behind Davian, Adrian Martikov and his sister exchange a look. They motion for the party not to press the matter.

EMBER
I can see you, you know. Your faces. The expressions you're making.

Davian turns. He sees his children standing behind him and looks exasperated before facing the party again.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
It is no business of yours to get involved in our family affairs. We appreciate you liberating the winery for us, and we owe you a great debt. But our family matters we can handle ourselves.

SILDIR
I have one term for recovering the gemstone.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Name it.

SILDIR
Welcome Urwin back to these vineyards.

Adrian facepalms. His sister, Stefania Martikov, tilts her head thoughtfully and places a hand on Davian's shoulder.

STEFANIA MARTIKOV
Father, perhaps it's time. It has been long ten years.

Davian shrugs her hand away.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Welcome him back—well, maybe when he returns the gemstone that was stolen under his watch.

SILDIR
You've lost two gemstones on your watch. Why don't you exile yourself?

STEFANIA MARTIKOV
They have a point, Father.

Davian throws up his hands.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Not you two. All right, fine. Please recover the gemstones, and I'll speak with my son. Are you satisfied?

IRREDEL
I think the terms you proposed were to welcome him back to the vineyard, but a conversation is a start. I think that is all those two will need: to talk it out over a return to the gemstone.

SILDIR
Urwin doesn't see this whole interaction as just making sure that his part of the franchise is running properly or that he is informed of the winery's condition. He clearly still cares deeply about this place and everyone here.

Davian looks into the distance, briefly lost in memory.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I suppose it might be good of me to meet my grandchildren as well. But we'll see when the time comes.

He snaps back to the present and reaches toward Adrian.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
You have a great task set before you. I think you will likely need all the help that you can get.

Adrian presents an old but elegant bow. Davian takes it in both hands.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
This belonged to my grandfather, Livius Martikov. He used it to slay many enemies of the good people of Barovia. I hope you can put it to good use. I see that among you already there is an archer.

He offers the bow to Ember.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Carry on the legacy.

EMBER
I'm honored.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I trust you will do the Martikov name proud.

The bow is called Shadowseeker. It is a +1 short bow that can cast Invisibility once per long rest.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
In any case, it is getting late, and I think it would be wise for you to set off for Yester Hill as early as possible. Ideally, if you can get to Yester Hill and stop the ritual by dawn, that would be ideal. It is a couple hours' march from here. You are welcome to rest here within the winery.

We will look after you as best we can while you are in our care, though I must apologize for the state of the place at the moment.

SILDIR
What time is dawn?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
About 5:30.

SILDIR
Then we should sleep now, wake around three or four, eat with the Martikovs, and leave strong in the morning.

SATURNO
Sounds good.

IRREDEL
What do you have for food around here? We want to leave strong in the morning.

SILDIR
Is anything on a tree blight edible? We have plenty of those laying around.

Davian looks around at the withered, ashy remains of the blights that shriveled when the staff broke.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Is this some kind of humor that I don't understand? Tree blights?

SILDIR
I'm not from these lands. All I know is that they are extremely rough. I thought maybe you were resourceful even with something like this, but I realize now—

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I'll have Adrian check the larder. Perhaps the druids haven't ransacked it too thoroughly.

Davian ushers the party inside.

Scene 2 — INT. Wizard of the Wines KITCHEN — NIGHT

(Session 25 @ 00:37:25)

The winery was home to many Martikovs before the occupation. Even cramped and stripped of supplies, the kitchen makes room for the party.

Adrian Martikov searches the larder and returns with what remains: a modest stew and bread. The party settles around the table.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I realize this may be an insensitive question, but it is rare for there to be outsiders and visitors to Barovia. Might I ask where you all come from? How did you come to be here?

MERCURIO
The Mists brought us.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Yes, that does seem to be how it always happens. I can't say that I know exactly how the Mists work. All I know is that the Mists are the boundary that keeps us all within the valley. No one is able to pass through the Mists, really, save for the Vistani.

For some reason or another, the Vistani have been spared the curse of the devil. They say that centuries ago they lent him aid in his time of need. For that, he has spared them.

MERCURIO
Sounds like they really messed it up for everyone.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
You think so?

MERCURIO
If they hadn't helped Strahd, maybe he wouldn't be the ruler of these lands.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Ah, I take your meaning now. Yes, perhaps it was rather short-sighted of them. I can't say that I know the details of what happened, but perhaps if things had worked out differently, we might be in a very different position here today. You have a point, Mercurio.

SILDIR
Speaking of myths, what do you think of our theory that Ezra brought us here?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Ezra. That is a name that I've only heard whispers of. Ezra, the supposed goddess of the Mists?

SILDIR
That's right.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I can't say that I know much of Ezra. There are many rumors. One particular rumor says that Ezra was destroyed many, many years ago, and the Mists around us are her remains.

I can't confirm or deny any theory that you might have. I truly don't know much about folklore or religion in the valley. I'm curious: where did you get this idea?

MERCURIO
A friend told us an interesting story. Just folklore.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Not a dangerous friend, I hope.

MERCURIO
Idle chatter over drinks at a tavern.

SILDIR
Does Ezra scare you? You didn't seem to have the same concerns about the Seeker.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Isn't this something I should want to know more about?

SILDIR
Well, I can understand the suspicion. Maybe this is arrogant of me, but there is a part of me that thinks someone or something brought us here to cleanse this land.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Perhaps. You have certainly proved yourselves in some ways, and perhaps you might continue to do so in the future. But if you truly mean to cleanse these lands—to destroy the devil of Ravenloft—then you have your work cut out for you.

SILDIR
I'm oathbound.

Sildir indicates the symbol of Torm on his armor.

SILDIR
I know that swearing a couple of oaths doesn't mean you get to beam with radiant power all the time, but I feel like my prayers aren't reaching Torm from Barovia.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Perhaps. It is rare for a paladin to be found here in Barovia, and perhaps there is a reason for that. Maybe that is related to why you are having difficulty reaching your god.

SILDIR
Or maybe Strahd von Zarovich is tampering with them, after what happened with Lugdana.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
To think that he might be powerful enough to tamper with the wills of deities is a terrifying thought.

Dinner continues in the cramped kitchen until Davian shows the party to hastily prepared rooms.

CUT TO:

Scene 3 — INT. Wizard of the Wines GUEST ROOMS — NIGHT

(Session 25 @ 00:46:14)

The party settles in for a long rest. As Mercurio lies in his bunk, a familiar melody calls to him from the Tome of Strahd.

MERCURIO
I hope nobody was counting on getting good sleep tonight.

He draws out the tome and opens Chapter 2. The pages flutter. Mists pour from the book and coil through the room.

TIME CUT:

Scene 4 — EXT. Argynvostholt APPROACH — HISTORICAL VISION

(Session 25 @ 00:47:14)

The party finds itself within another vision, joined once more by every companion. The voice of the Lord of Ravenloft speaks from the mist.

STRAHD VON ZAROVICH (V.O.)
I was the warrior. I was good and just. I thundered across the land like the wrath of a just god.

The mist coalesces into the shape of Rahadin, the Dusk Elf seen in the earlier vision. He has not aged a single day. Chatter and the clank of metal rise around an enormous war tent.

Inside, a colossal rectangular table supports an intricately carved, two-scaled map of Barovia. Model mountains climb nearly five feet above the tabletop, while valleys sink deep into it.

A man in scarlet armor stands beside the table, angelic feathers etched in gold leaf across his armor. Alexandra Gwilym steps before the model of Barovia. She and Sir Godfrey Gwilym are siblings; he commands the opposing knights.

ALEXANDRA GWILYM
The Order is proud and plans to fight rather than be starved out of their castle. The manor itself sits high on a cliff overlooking the valley, and the knights will have nowhere to go but down toward the village outside.

The people of the village are commoners who will not stand in the way, and we will do what we can to protect them. Lord General Strahd will hold the rear of the forces from the village. Commander Rahadin here will hold the base of the hill and monitor the tree line to ensure that we are not routed.

I myself will ride up the hill to the castle and challenge the remaining forces directly. It is up to you all, my lieutenants, to decide which force you shall lend your aid to. Who do you think should need assistance in this plan?

IRREDEL
Why does it have to be an all-or-nothing thing? If this is already a two-pronged assault, why don't we do some calculations on where the most forces will be and split proportionally?

ALEXANDRA GWILYM
Very well. What do you suggest? You wish to divide our forces?

IRREDEL
Which front has more combatants?

ALEXANDRA GWILYM
My forces may intend to take on the bulk of the forces, and Commander Rahadin's forces will be watching the perimeter to ensure no stragglers escape.

SILDIR
Perhaps some of us should go with Rahadin and some with you.

Rahadin scoffs.

RAHADIN
Hmm. I think I should have this task well in hand, but if you wish to aid me, then I will not object.

MERCURIO
Let's split up.

SATURNO
Splitting up is fine, but we should be cautious.

EMBER
I agree.

ALEXANDRA GWILYM
I will suggest to you that splitting up here may prove to be dangerous.

MERCURIO
Well, Rahadin has it then.

SATURNO
I think so, yes.

MERCURIO
Is everybody on board?

EMBER
Yeah.

SILDIR
Yeah.

SILDIR
Before we break up, let's see what info we can get out of Commander Gwilym.

IRREDEL
Mercurio, you're a proficient actor. When we're riding with the commander, pretend to fall from your horse, hit your head, and lose your memory. You can ask questions without arousing suspicion.

MERCURIO
I've filled a few roles in community theater. I think I'm up to the task.

SILDIR
It will be just like when you finally had one too many glasses of wine.

MERCURIO
You wouldn't remember.

The camp's conversational murmur builds to a roar. The party blinks—and now stands amid a quaint farming village, many of its buildings wreathed in flame.

Dozens of soldiers marked with ravens fight knights in silver and blue armor. Strahd von Zarovich rides a stocky black mare, points his blade forward, and shouts.

STRAHD VON ZAROVICH
Advance!

A javelin strikes Strahd in the side and knocks him from his horse. Ahead, Rahadin and Alexandra gallop toward their posts, unaware that their lord has fallen.

Scene 5 — EXT. Argynvostholt CASTLE GATES — HISTORICAL VISION

(Session 25 @ 01:02:10)

Alexandra leads her force up the rocky crag toward the castle. The Order of the Silver Dragon has the terrain advantage. Boulders tumble down the hill. Soldiers with pikes hold defensive positions as the charge struggles upward.

The party rides behind Alexandra. Mercurio pulls a hood over his head and uses minor illusion to create a terrifying visage beneath it. He draws his sword and charges.

The knights recoil. Some stumble backward, shouting at the thing beneath the hood, before the horses carry the charge through them.

At the gates stands Sir Godfrey Gwilym. He wears battle-worn silver armor marked with blue dragon emblems. His sharp, angular features are framed by shoulder-length silvery-blond hair. He holds a silvered longsword and meets the party with piercing blue eyes.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
You will not take this castle. We stand for the honor of Lord Argynvost.

Two infantry flank him. More forces burst from the gates, engaging Alexandra and carrying her into another battle. The party is left to face Godfrey.

EMBER
She raises Shadowseeker and fires.

The arrow pierces a chink in Godfrey's armor near his shoulder. He barely flinches.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
Come at me, then. I'll face you all.

Sildir steps forward, wounded but defiant.

SILDIR
Why don't you just surrender? Why are you loyal?

Strahd is a fair and just ruler. He's the one there, sparing your people in the village. You could have ended this by laying down your arms.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
Lord Argynvost has already laid claim to protection around these lands. Your Strahd is an invader, seeking glory for his own.

SILDIR
Bring it on.

Sildir weaves a spell to compel Godfrey to a duel. Godfrey's mind is a steel trap; he shakes off the magic. Sildir follows with a sword strike. Godfrey parries it effortlessly.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
Is that the best you can offer?

Godfrey answers with two sword strikes. They crash into Sildir's armor. Then Godfrey's fist ignites with silvery flames.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
Fall before the might of the dragon, you villain.

The holy fire burns through Sildir. He coughs blood and staggers, blinded.

SILDIR
Is that all you got?

Saturno swings her halberd. Godfrey bats the first blow aside.

SATURNO
That's kind of gross.

She tries again. The second strike breaks through Godfrey's guard and catches him in the chest. He stumbles back, surprised, then steels himself.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
Perhaps that coward has sent a worthy soldier in his place. Very well, then.

Irredel raises a hand and commands Godfrey to drop his weapon. He resists the spell.

Mercurio throws up his hands. Shadowy magic spills over the battlefield. The two infantrymen shake beneath the spell's weight. A flaming skull flickers beneath Mercurio's hood and bears down on Godfrey.

MERCURIO
Is this the best the Silver Dragon has to offer?

Godfrey takes a step back, brandishing his longsword and shaking his head as if to break the spell.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
What devilry is this? What cursed power do you wield?

The infantry rush Sildir with spears, but Mercurio's magic leaves them unsteady. Their strikes go wide.

Ember fires again. She drives the attack into Godfrey and adds a second, closer strike. Godfrey bleeds but remains standing.

Sildir falls to the ground, coughing blood. His eyes glaze with blindness. He presses a fist against his breastplate and forces himself upright, recovering his strength before the watching knights.

Godfrey is impressed despite himself.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
Fate has made us enemies on this day, but perhaps in a different life we could have been allies. Nevertheless, you stand with my enemy, and for that I must destroy you.

His sword swings twice through empty air. His flaming fist fails to break Sildir's resistance. Sildir stares at him through blinded eyes, opens his guard, and lets the punch land.

When the blow is spent, Sildir's sight clears. He looks Godfrey dead in the eye and headbutts him.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
A worthy adversary indeed.

Sildir's headbutt leaves Godfrey shocked. A ghost of a smirk touches the general's face.

Saturno closes with her halberd. Sildir taps Godfrey on the shoulder. Confused, Godfrey whips his head around—and Saturno strikes from behind. Sildir follows from the opposing side.

The double blow knocks Godfrey from one side to the other. Blood touches the corner of his mouth. He plants his feet again.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
Well, well. It seems we have a fight before us after all.

Irredel retreats to create distance from the opposing forces and reaches for another spell. Godfrey braces as the magic of Hold Person seizes at him, then breaks free with a roar.

Mercurio's flaming skull cackles. Godfrey's next attack comes at a disadvantage, and both strikes miss Sildir. Godfrey's infantrymen cannot find their mark either.

Ember draws Shadowseeker once more. The shot lands with terrible force. The arrow tears into Godfrey's gut, and he stumbles backward, blood spilling from the wound.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
The Order of the Silver Dragon will not fall on this day.

Sildir raises his sword. He calls upon his vow and gains the advantage he needs. His blade descends in a burst of divine fire.

The fire reflects in Godfrey's eyes. He falls to one knee, coughing more blood. His silvered longsword slips from his hands and clatters into the mud.

SIR GODFREY GWILYM
What kind of strength is this?

The battlefield falls silent beneath a divine cacophony of thunderous booms. A cold shiver runs from the mansion high on the hill. A blood-curdling roar tears through the air.

The sun glints off silver wings and claws rising above the castle turrets. Argynvost, the silver dragon, fills the party's vision.

STRAHD VON ZAROVICH (V.O.)
The war years and the killing years wore down on my soul as the wind wears stone into sand.

The battle ends. The vision fades.

Scene 6 — INT. Wizard of the Wines GUEST ROOMS — PRE-DAWN

(Session 25 @ 01:46:02)

The party wakes from the vision. Sildir finds Godfrey's Silvered Longsword in his possession. The hilt bears the symbol of the Order of the Silver Dragon, and its battle chips match the fight they have just survived.

SILDIR
How did this get here?

A dark voice whispers from the back of his mind.

DARK VOICE (V.O.)
My champion. In your hour of need, don the ring, and seal our bond.

Sildir recognizes the voice that has promised him power and strength and urged him toward vengeance.

SILDIR
This is Godfrey's sword. But how?

SATURNO
No one really slept last night.

SILDIR
No, and I must apologize for the way I behaved. I really got into my role as a soldier. But I've got the sword now.

SATURNO
No need to apologize. These dreams are freaky.

IRREDEL
I have a feeling it was needed for us to survive. I don't want to imagine what would happen if we didn't play along.

SATURNO
I don't get used to the shared dreams. They're so strange.

SILDIR
It feels like Strahd himself is watching us in those dreams. Not just dream-Strahd. Real Strahd.

Sildir examines the sword. The chips in the blade match those made during the battle. The Order's symbol marks the hilt.

SILDIR
I wonder what will happen if we show this to Tommy. Perhaps it will grant us access to whatever remains of Argynvostholt.

IRREDEL
Perhaps the bridge knights will recognize it.

SILDIR
Godfrey was loyal to the fault. I couldn't shake him, even when I was acting my scariest. His men all seem to be the same. I think perhaps the power of their oaths is what's keeping them standing on those bridges to this day.

IRREDEL
What a beautiful thing that would be, especially in this dark place.

The party remembers the knights bound to their posts by oaths.

SILDIR
God, I need to focus in. It seems that I'm wrong, even if I'm right about Torm, which I might not be. It seems that oaths have great power in this world. The gods are watching. And don't say anything silly, Mercurio. I know they're your cousins or whatever. I still think they're watching.

MERCURIO
I'll bite my tongue here, Sildir.

MERCURIO
Is there some wine god or something I can swear an oath to?

IRREDEL
Can't help you there. Indeed, that's kind of the opposite of my whole thing.

SILDIR
I don't think you need to swear an oath to drink a glass of wine every night.

IRREDEL
A glass?

MERCURIO
Maybe he could gift me a bottomless bottle or something. I'm just asking for some wine.

MERCURIO
You get all kinds of little gifts, like this sword.

SILDIR
You know, strangely enough, maybe it's time you guys know this. I don't think this sword really came from the god that I've sworn oaths to.

SILDIR
Yeah, there's been another god who's been taking some interest in me. And Torm hasn't paid me much attention since we've gotten to Barovia.

IRREDEL
You can't just abandon your oaths or switch things up.

SILDIR
I would never abandon my oaths. But it has been strange. Now that I hear this god more clearly, I think he has been watching me since the beginning, since I took my oaths.

IRREDEL
Your oaths link you to Torm in the same way that my devotion links me to Tyr. You pick one, and then you're done. That book is closed. It is very neat and orderly that way. Things get way too confusing if there's more than one god involved per person.

SILDIR
Well, Irredel, I certainly respect your desire for order. For the most part, I think you're right. This whole thing is a little weird. But what I swore myself to were my oaths. If one day I have no choice, and my only way to keep them—my only way to even have a chance of keeping them—is to make a deal with another god, I might just do that.

IRREDEL
I feel like your oaths should—wait, how does that work? I thought your oaths were sworn to a specific god. Your power can't come from the oaths themselves, does it?

SILDIR
Maybe I should ask the knights on the bridges. See what they have to say. See who they're sworn to.

IRREDEL
We should investigate this further. We have to make sure that you don't endanger yourself or your principles. You've already lost so much being here. A lot of it on my behalf. I don't want to see anything else change for you.

SILDIR
I know it's not without risk, and I know it's not pretty. I've been asking for help, and I haven't been getting it. I've been loyal to Torm. I just didn't want you guys to be in the dark on this anymore. Now I'm getting mysterious sword gifts, but no help from Torm in combat. I've sworn myself to oaths under his watch, so it's a tricky spot I'm in.

MERCURIO
Maybe Torm is giving you the silent treatment for shopping around.

SILDIR
I don't need him, but I sure would like his help.

IRREDEL
I think you're overplaying the lack of help you've been getting from Torm. There have been many amazing things you've done in combat. I don't think your power has dried up completely. I just think maybe this other figure is tempting you with excess power, beyond what we need or beyond what you would want.

SILDIR
I think the stories of Lugdana have me scratching my head. I feel like this land needs another Lugdana. But I'm not doing that right now.

IRREDEL
Well, how could we? We've been here a matter of weeks. How many years did it take Lugdana to grow into her power? And look at how many of us there are?

SILDIR
Yeah, you're right.

IRREDEL
Working together will be incredibly effective, regardless of the strength of power offered to you.

SILDIR
Well, I can promise you this. I'll be patient.

IRREDEL
That sword has great utility. I feel like accepting objects probably can't hurt. Accepting any changes in vows is different.

SILDIR
It could be from Hoar. It could be from Godfrey himself. It could be a gift from the vision. Who knows?

MERCURIO
He did say that in another life we could have been pals.

SATURNO
Maybe this is the closest thing he has to a friendship bracelet.

The party remembers the bridge knights' directions.

SATURNO
They told us to meet Godfrey if we oppose Strahd. Our interests may align.

IRREDEL
Perhaps he survived somehow. Perhaps there is a fragment of him we can talk to.

SILDIR
If his knights are still standing, perhaps he is too. His resolve was among the strongest I've seen.

IRREDEL
After we deal with the druids and Baba Lysaga, Argynvostholt can be next on the list.

SILDIR
The ever-growing list.

IRREDEL
Don't worry, I do have three copies of the list. Just in case something happens to the original, I have a backup, and then I also have a second backup, which I have put into one of you all's knapsacks.

MERCURIO
Hello.

SILDIR
Wow.

MERCURIO
Yes, I also have a backup and a backup backup.

IRREDEL
Oh, fantastic. Redundancy is phenomenal, especially when we're keeping track of our progress.

MERCURIO
Progress. Well,

IRREDEL
Progress.

MERCURIO
I was talking about the wine, but...

Irredel keeps the exact location of her backups to herself. They are hidden in one of the party's bags as a redundancy measure.

IRREDEL
All right. Well, I was not going to say where I've stashed the backups because I thought it would be better if no one else felt that burden, but it was simply hidden in one of their bags as a kind of redundancy factor. But I will candidly admit, I did not put it in Mercurio's bag. The risks of spills were too high.

IRREDEL
I have stashed it with one of the people I have deemed the most organized and trustworthy.

Sildir says nothing, but he is certain the backup is with him. He silently insists that he is organized and trustworthy.

Ember frantically searches her belongings. Saturno grows sweaty and nervous; she does not want to check her bag or know whether the backup is there.

EMBER
Oh, I want to know.

Ember checks her bags while she searches.

MERCURIO
You can't trust me, but you can trust the old man having his fucking midlife crisis over here.

Ember finds the backup and pumps her fist in the air.

SILDIR
That's crazy.

IRREDEL
I think I want to put it with Ember's toolkit, you know, like the crafter's tools or whatever, just because that seemed like a very organized thing.

IRREDEL
There was like a little roll where a missing tool was previously kept, and it's rolled up on a little piece of parchment tucked into that slot.

SILDIR
Do you show that you have it?

Ember brandishes the backup and waves it in everyone's faces.

Sildir does not openly show his disappointment, but anyone paying close enough attention can see that he is hurt.

Saturno insists that she really does not care.

SATURNO
I am organized. I am responsible.

SILDIR
We're going to have to make a support group, us two.

IRREDEL
Oh, goodness. See, this is why I kept it hidden. I did not want to sow discord.

SILDIR
Discord. No, everything's fine, it's all good. I agree.

Ember rolls the backup up and puts it back in her bag.

SILDIR
Ember is very organized.

IRREDEL
You know that Ember's tools are color-coded?

EMBER
Yeah, look.

IRREDEL
Look, not only are they color-coded, but if you look,

MERCURIO
Hmm.

EMBER
Yep, I cleaned.

IRREDEL
There's also a maintenance schedule tucked away specifically for each tool and all components of it.

EMBER
Mm-hmm.

SILDIR
Yeah, I mean, I have a maintenance schedule too.

IRREDEL
Sildir, I'm your maintenance schedule. I'm the one who makes sure that your larder gets cleaned out back at home.

SILDIR
It's whenever my armor gets dinged up. That's the schedule.

The party remembers the moments during rests and downtime when Ember has performed regular maintenance on her mechanical arm.

SILDIR
You are tinkering with that thing a lot. What are you doing?

EMBER
I mean, it's my limb.

SILDIR
Are you upgrading it or are you just taking care of it?

EMBER
Taking care of it. Making sure it works. Making sure it's not banged up from all the battles you've been doing.

SILDIR
Yeah, I imagine it helps drawing that big bulky bow you have now.

EMBER
Yeah.

SILDIR
That draw weight on that thing's got to be quite heavy.

EMBER
Yeah, for sure.

SILDIR
Was there any secret tricks you have up your sleeve with your arm? Anything you don't know?

IRREDEL
It is a striking piece of equipment. Really phenomenal technology.

EMBER
My mentor made it for me when I had the accident, and he taught me everything I knew. Tricks? I mean, yeah, I'm still learning about it as I go.

SILDIR
Is there a secret—

SATURNO
Oh. Oh.

SILDIR
I don't know, secret compartment?

SATURNO
No.

MERCURIO
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.

SILDIR
Maybe oil in a flame or something that'll shoot out of it?

SILDIR
Or are you going to keep that all to yourself?

SATURNO
You have like a secret extra finger.

EMBER
No, I don't have a secret action. Although, that might be useful for when I use my arrows. But yeah, there's some oil involved.

SATURNO
I've seen that shit happen.

IRREDEL
You'll have to tell us more about your mentor. They sound like a wonderful person.

EMBER
I mean, they took me a while after my parents died. And my sister as well.

SILDIR
How old were you?

EMBER
And then I was 16 when it happened.

IRREDEL
Oh my, that's far too young.

Saturno considers Ember's story while Ember continues explaining.

SILDIR
What's your mentor doing now?

EMBER
He's back in the kingdom. Well, since I had to run away, he's been keeping a cover up for me, keeping me safe. He still works for the king, though.

EMBER
He creates armor and weaponry for the armies back there, which is why he was able to make me this one—my arm.

IRREDEL
How did you end up connected with the king's armor?

EMBER
Well, I was a royal guard, you see, and I accidentally—well, something, I feel a spell took over me one day. I don't know what it was, and I accidentally ended up killing the prince, the royal heir to the throne. I had no idea how to do it. Everyone was after me, so I had to hide.

IRREDEL
Oh my.

IRREDEL
But what a deep level of irony. Mercurio and Saturno wanted to kill a royal, but didn't. And you didn't want to, but did.

EMBER
Yeah, funny how that worked out, huh?

MERCURIO
And then our families all died.

SATURNO
Yeah.

EMBER
Basically.

MERCURIO
What a lovely story.

Mercurio takes a swig from his bottle.

IRREDEL
Are all of you here orphans, except for me?

MERCURIO
Oh, look at Miss Family over here, bragging about her twelve siblings. You know, some of us would kill to have just one, okay? So how about you chill out with that?

EMBER
Thank you.

IRREDEL
I can give you at least three on loan.

MERCURIO
You're going to keep your stinking siblings. I don't want yours.

IRREDEL
They're excellent for farm labor. You would not believe the chore charts I have created for my family.

SATURNO
Mercurio is just about like the family I have at this point. But I do feel like everyone else here has become family.

IRREDEL
Yes, of course, we all have each other.

EMBER
Thank you.

MERCURIO
I guess found family is something.

SATURNO
We tried taking down a royal, but it didn't go so well.

IRREDEL
And wait, no, Sildir, of course, I forgot. Your mother's still alive, right?

SILDIR
No. Sadly. I too am a form of an orphan now. Not saying I was an orphan, but yes, my mother has passed away.

MERCURIO
Are all old people orphans? Yes.

SILDIR
Well, I was abandoned, I guess, by my father, who's probably still alive, and my mother has passed. That's the half-human part.

MERCURIO
Yeah, elf dads. They live forever but never make any time for you.

SILDIR
Yep. They live forever but never make any time for you. Ridiculous.

SILDIR
That's what it feels like.

IRREDEL
Speaking of milk, I'm about done with breakfast. I guess, are we ready to hit the road?

SILDIR
Yeah, I guess so.

MERCURIO
Yeah, all this talk about family has me wanting some nice, quiet road time.

The party's thoughts turn to the road ahead. Outside, the night is almost over.

Scene 7 — EXT. Wizard of the Wines — PRE-DAWN

(Session 25 @ 02:18:57)

At roughly four in the morning, the party hastily puts away its bowls. The Martikovs collect them and escort the party to the boundary of the winery's land. The party has been given leftover stew, travel rations, and only a few hours to reach Yester Hill before dawn. Davian wishes them luck on their quest to deal with the druids at Yester Hill, stop the ritual, discover what Winter Splinter is, and recover the gemstone.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
I know we've asked a great deal of you, but it is well. We're putting our hopes on you, and I want you to take this.

He presents Raven Whistle, carved from dark wood in the shape of a raven.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
When you blow this whistle, you will call one of ours. They can deliver any message across the valley with great haste. Use it wisely.

SATURNO
I think someone responsible should keep this whistle.

IRREDEL
Saturno, why don't you hold on to it?

SATURNO
No, I really don't want to.

MERCURIO
If you insist,

IRREDEL
You're highly responsible.

Saturno opens her bag, revealing it to be full of rocks.

She cannot trust a bag full of rocks with the whistle.

MERCURIO
I'll take it. I mean...

MERCURIO
No, it's okay, guys. I know the ravens love me. So it only makes sense that I would take this.

Mercurio steps forward and accepts the whistle.

SILDIR
I think Mercurio will be fine with it. He has a raven.

SILDIR
Why don't you let Pepito hold on to that, actually? I bet Pepito will keep track of it.

MERCURIO
No, no, you can't trust a bird, you know.

SATURNO
What the fuck the hell?

SILDIR
Don't say that too loud. Davian's right there. He loves the birds.

MERCURIO
I mean, he's a familiar, you know, so he's imaginary.

SILDIR
Okay, he's not as good. Right, right, right. Perfect.

MERCURIO
Does this thing work more than one time, or is it a one-time thing?

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
There is no limit to how often you can use it, but do not use it too freely. Our members are willing to serve our allies, but it would be unwise to pull them from their posts too frequently.

SILDIR
I'll be like the party who cried Raven.

IRREDEL
Better than crying wolf.

MERCURIO
Yes, I'm glad we're past that. Hmm?

SILDIR
What's this voice in my head questioning my friend's decisions on what we're past? Do you guys hear that?

IRREDEL
No, I've been too busy calculating the odds of the statistical improbability of almost everyone here being an orphan. It's highly anomalous.

SILDIR
Torm? The odds of what?

IRREDEL
If you think about the rates in the average population versus this party, it's statistically significant, that difference.

They prepare to leave. The conversation turns toward a name for the group.

MERCURIO
Well,

SATURNO
Irredel.

MERCURIO
It's worth noting that, you know, with me and Saturno, it was like a package deal. Like, our families were killed in the same revolt, so...

IRREDEL
Yeah, yeah.

SATURNO
What if the group is called Irredel and the Orphans?

EMBER
My family was killed in a raid too. Parents at least.

SATURNO
Irredel and the Orphans. Maybe that should be our group name.

SILDIR
Uh-huh.

IRREDEL
I think Mercurio might strangle me in my sleep if we went without it.

SATURNO
Thank you.

IRREDEL
For my own sake, I'm going to say we should stick with Mercurio and the Mercs. Mm-hmm.

SILDIR
Well, if Mercurio was strangling you in your sleep, that would mean we actually got some sleep around these parts, which lately seems impossible.

IRREDEL
Mm, you're right. That does afford me a certain manner of protection.

EMBER
Mistwalkers.

SILDIR
Hmm.

EMBER
Just a thought.

IRREDEL
Ah.

MERCURIO
Mercurio and the Mistwalkers.

SILDIR
Huh.

MERCURIO
That's a good ring to it.

SILDIR
Maybe we'll be called...

IRREDEL
I think that's a stroke of genius.

MERCURIO
The Mistwalkers.

SILDIR
We were brought here in the mist.

EMBER
Thank you.

SILDIR
Born of the mist, almost.

MERCURIO
The Mistwalkers.

SILDIR
Perhaps we could be the Mistborn.

MERCURIO
The Mistborn.

IRREDEL
Oh.

SATURNO
What if then they make fun of us by calling us the mist wankers or something?

MERCURIO
Well, I mean, any name we pick, someone could just put Wanker on the back of it and...

SATURNO
That's true.

SILDIR
Mercurio and the Wankers.

MERCURIO
Mercurio and the Wankers.

SATURNO
You're in the way. Maybe that shouldn't be our name.

SILDIR
Well,

MERCURIO
Irredel and the Wankers.

SILDIR
I like Ms. Wankers.

MERCURIO
The Wanker Orphans.

EMBER
All right, that's all.

SATURNO
Don't wake your orphan.

MERCURIO
You have to put Wanker in front of that one, not in the back. Otherwise it takes on a completely different meaning.

SILDIR
Yeah, you can't put Wankers in the back end of that. It's not good.

IRREDEL
So: Mistwalkers. I'm glad we decided that democratically.

MERCURIO
I like it. I like it.

SILDIR
This might be a good place to put a bookmark.

The party turns toward the road as the darkness begins to thin.

DAVIAN MARTIKOV
Good luck.

The Mistwalkers depart the winery for Yester Hill.