Session 23 - Summary

Recap

On the morning of Neyavr 10, the party awoke at St. Andral's Church after a long rest and prepared to leave Vallaki for Wizard of the Wines. Irredel and Ember improvised a shield prosthetic for Sildir's missing arm; Dr. Rudolph van Richten loaned Sildir a manuscript about Lugdana and said he planned to leave Vallaki to avoid drawing Strahd von Zarovich's attention. (Session 23 @ 00:21:27) (Session 23 @ 00:35:50) (Session 23 @ 00:40:16) Henrik visited, praised the party's bonds, and gave Saturno the Double Buster ability. (Session 23 @ 00:25:53) The party said farewell to Ireena Kolyana and Father Lucian Petrovich, received an ordinary silver-feather medallion from Brom Martikov and Bray Martikov for their grandfather Davian Martikov, and left through Vallaki's western gate. (Session 23 @ 00:50:32) (Session 23 @ 01:01:53)

The party followed Old Svalich Road west, solved a riddle beneath a loose plank on a Luna River bridge, and recovered bolts, rations, and healing potions. (Session 23 @ 01:12:50) Mercurio's flute triggered a brief vision of mountain folk, and he identified it as the Flute of Silence. (Session 23 @ 01:26:50) (Session 23 @ 01:32:10) At a crossroads, a nameless Order of the Silver Dragon knight directed the party toward Sir Godfrey Gwilym at Argynvostholt and warned of living trees, vines, and twigs. (Session 23 @ 01:33:56) The party then survived a five-vine-blight ambush and found a wolf-and-three-pointed-star standing stone before reaching Davian Martikov's hidden cavern refuge near the winery. (Session 23 @ 01:52:53) (Session 23 @ 02:24:37) (Session 23 @ 02:55:35)

Davian explained that the Forest Folk had invaded Wizard of the Wines six days earlier with blights and three Greater Strix, supported by Baba Lysaga from Berez. He offered the Keepers of the Feather's aid if the party reclaimed the winery, and the party agreed to enter through a secret cellar tunnel after a short rest. (Session 23 @ 03:00:02) (Session 23 @ 03:03:19) (Session 23 @ 03:12:21) (Session 23 @ 03:17:34)

Key Events

The party confirmed a long rest at St. Andral's Church and brought Irredel up from the basement. (Session 23 @ 00:21:27)
Henrik visited the church, recalled fighting beside Father Lucian Petrovich, and granted Saturno Double Buster. (Session 23 @ 00:25:53)
Irredel's Smith's Tools check of 9 failed to affix a shield to Sildir's arm; Ember's check of 19 succeeded, preserving Sildir's AC but requiring maintenance after long rests. (Session 23 @ 00:35:50) (Session 23 @ 00:37:36)
Dr. Rudolph van Richten loaned Sildir a manuscript about Lugdana and planned to leave Vallaki because he feared Strahd von Zarovich's response to the Court of Wolves incident. (Session 23 @ 00:40:16) (Session 23 @ 00:42:51)
Irredel organized the church library with a Dewey Decimal system, labels, and a reference book. (Session 23 @ 00:41:25)
Ireena Kolyana and Father Lucian Petrovich said farewell in the church gardens; Ireena decided to remain in Vallaki and help there. (Session 23 @ 00:50:32) (Session 23 @ 00:53:38)
Brom Martikov and Bray Martikov, Urwin Martikov's sons, delivered an ordinary silver-feather medallion for their grandfather Davian Martikov. (Session 23 @ 01:01:53) (Session 23 @ 01:07:26)
The party followed Old Svalich Road west from Vallaki toward the winery. (Session 23 @ 01:08:38)
A chest hidden beneath a loose plank on the Luna River bridge opened when the party answered its riddle with “monster hunter”; it contained 20 silver-tipped crossbow bolts, two emergency rations, and two healing potions. (Session 23 @ 01:12:50) (Session 23 @ 01:14:49)
The party learned that the emergency rations provide the effects of a long rest but cause one level of exhaustion after eight hours. (Session 23 @ 01:15:36)
Mercurio played a calming tune for a fleeing mountain-folk shaman; his Performance check was 20, his Religion check was 17, and he briefly saw snow-covered mountains and similar figures. (Session 23 @ 01:23:39) (Session 23 @ 01:26:50)
Mercurio identified his amber flute as the Flute of Silence, which gives +1 to his Vicious Mockery DC and appears connected to the megalith melodies; further magic remains undiscovered. (Session 23 @ 01:32:10)
At a crossroads, a nameless Order of the Silver Dragon knight directed the party to Sir Godfrey Gwilym at Argynvostholt via the ash-grey path and confirmed that remnants of the First People remain in the valley's woods and mountains. (Session 23 @ 01:33:56) (Session 23 @ 01:38:08) (Session 23 @ 01:38:44)
The knight warned that trees, vines, and twigs had recently begun coming alive and consuming travelers. (Session 23 @ 01:39:19)
Irredel's Survival check of 18 revealed a camouflaged pit; throwing a rock into it exposed the trap before Saturno stepped on it. Five vine blights then attacked, and the party defeated them. (Session 23 @ 01:50:37) (Session 23 @ 01:52:19) (Session 23 @ 02:21:25)
The party passed a standing stone carved with a wolf above a three-pointed star; Irredel did not recognize the symbol, and the party left it uninvestigated. (Session 23 @ 02:24:37) (Session 23 @ 02:25:35)
Davian Martikov led the party into a concealed cavern containing members of his family and other refugees; he confirmed that he leads the Keepers of the Feather. (Session 23 @ 02:55:35) (Session 23 @ 03:02:23)
Davian said the Forest Folk invaded Wizard of the Wines at dawn on Neyavr 4, drove out the winery's inhabitants, and were accompanied by dozens of blights created from a cutting of the Gulthias tree and three Greater Strix created by Baba Lysaga. (Session 23 @ 03:00:02) (Session 23 @ 03:00:40)
Davian's scouting estimated four druids, eight needle blights, eight vine blights, dozens of twig blights, and three Greater Strix around the winery; the head druid's staff appeared to control and empower the blights. (Session 23 @ 03:11:02)
Elvir Martikov argued with Davian over the past deaths and family conflict. Dag Toranescu explained that a valuable family gemstone disappeared ten years earlier while Urwin Martikov was responsible for security, causing Davian to blame Urwin and driving him away. (Session 23 @ 03:19:28) (Session 23 @ 03:22:52)
Dag also explained that Elric Martikov, Elvir's twin, died after joining a rebellion that marched on Castle Ravenloft roughly three months earlier. (Session 23 @ 03:22:52) (Session 23 @ 03:23:46)
The party took a short rest in the cavern and agreed to reclaim the winery through the secret cellar tunnel. (Session 23 @ 03:17:34) (Session 23 @ 03:29:30)

NPCs Met

Henrik — visited the church, spoke about his history with Father Lucian Petrovich, and granted Saturno Double Buster. (Session 23 @ 00:25:53)
Dr. Rudolph van Richten — loaned the Lugdana manuscript and planned to leave Vallaki. (Session 23 @ 00:40:16)
Ireena Kolyana — said farewell in the church gardens and chose to remain in Vallaki. (Session 23 @ 00:50:32)
Father Lucian Petrovich — appeared with Ireena in the church gardens. (Session 23 @ 00:50:32)
Brom Martikov — delivered the silver-feather medallion for Davian Martikov. (Session 23 @ 01:01:53)
Bray Martikov — delivered the silver-feather medallion for Davian Martikov. (Session 23 @ 01:01:53)
Nameless Order of the Silver Dragon knight, whom the party called “Timmy” — gave directions to Argynvostholt and warned about living plant creatures. (Session 23 @ 01:33:56) (Session 23 @ 01:39:19)
Davian Martikov — found alive in the hidden cavern; identified himself as leader of the Keepers of the Feather. (Session 23 @ 02:55:35) (Session 23 @ 03:02:23)
Elvir Martikov — younger Martikov relative; hostile toward Davian and the party. (Session 23 @ 03:19:28)
Dag Toranescu — Davian's in-law; explained the Martikov family feud and the stolen gemstone. (Session 23 @ 03:21:28)

Locations Visited

St. Andral's Church — morning preparation, library, and farewell in the gardens. (Session 23 @ 00:21:27) (Session 23 @ 00:50:32)
Vallaki — streets and western gate. (Session 23 @ 01:08:38)
Old Svalich Road — westbound route toward the winery. (Session 23 @ 01:08:38)
Luna River — bridge where the party found the hidden chest. (Session 23 @ 01:12:50)
Wizard of the Wines — vineyard approach and hidden cavern refuge. (Session 23 @ 02:49:49) (Session 23 @ 02:55:35)

Quest Updates

Investigate Wizard of Wines — the party found Davian Martikov alive, learned of the Forest Folk invasion, and agreed to retake the winery through the secret cellar tunnel. (Session 23 @ 03:00:02) (Session 23 @ 03:12:21)
Seek Sir Godfrey Gwilym at Argynvostholt — an Order knight directed the party east and then south along the ash-grey path. (Session 23 @ 01:37:39) (Session 23 @ 01:38:08)
Depose Strahd von Zarovich — Dr. Rudolph van Richten planned to leave Vallaki because he feared Strahd's reprisal after the Court of Wolves incident. (Session 23 @ 00:42:51)

Loot & Clues

Lugdana manuscript — loaned to Sildir by Dr. Rudolph van Richten. (Session 23 @ 00:40:16)
Silver-feather medallion — ordinary silver; intended for Davian Martikov. (Session 23 @ 01:07:26)
20 silver-tipped crossbow bolts — taken from the hidden chest. (Session 23 @ 01:14:49)
Two emergency rations — provide long-rest effects but cause one level of exhaustion after eight hours. (Session 23 @ 01:15:36)
Two healing potions — recovered from the hidden chest. (Session 23 @ 01:14:49)
Flute of Silence — grants Mercurio +1 to his Vicious Mockery DC and is connected somehow to the megalith melodies. (Session 23 @ 01:32:10)
Double Buster — new ability granted to Saturno by Henrik. (Session 23 @ 00:25:53)
Head druid's staff — believed to be the source of the blights' strength and control; the party intends to destroy it. (Session 23 @ 03:11:02)

Open Threads

Enter the winery through the secret cellar tunnel and confront the head druid. (Session 23 @ 03:12:21) (Session 23 @ 03:15:00)
Learn where Dr. Rudolph van Richten goes after leaving Vallaki. (Session 23 @ 00:42:51)
Investigate Baba Lysaga's role in the Forest Folk attack and her connection to Berez. Party believes she may be influencing the druids. (Session 23 @ 03:14:26)
Investigate the Mountain Folk and First People associated with the southern mountains and the flute's visions. (Session 23 @ 01:26:50) (Session 23 @ 01:29:57)
Recover the stolen Martikov Gemstones and learn whether Urwin Martikov was responsible for their disappearance. (Session 23 @ 03:22:52)
Understand Elric Martikov's death and the continuing Martikov family conflict. (Session 23 @ 03:23:46)
Return to the standing stone marked with a wolf and three-pointed star. (Session 23 @ 02:24:37)
Choose a permanent party name; suggestions included “Mercurio and the Mercs,” “the Messys,” and “SEISM.” (Session 23 @ 00:44:44) (Session 23 @ 00:48:29)

Party Decisions

Leave Vallaki promptly to help Davian Martikov and investigate the missing winery shipments. (Session 23 @ 00:50:24)
Continue along the main road instead of taking the ash-grey south path, hunting trail, or northern Krezk fork. (Session 23 @ 01:20:23) (Session 23 @ 01:22:03)
Continue past the Mountain Folk shaman rather than pursue her. (Session 23 @ 01:30:25)
Leave the wolf-and-star standing stone uninvestigated. (Session 23 @ 02:26:12)
Trust Davian Martikov and enter the hidden cavern refuge. (Session 23 @ 02:54:43)
Target the head druid's staff instead of fighting the entire blight force. (Session 23 @ 03:12:10)
Take a short rest, then enter through the secret cellar tunnel. (Session 23 @ 03:17:34) (Session 23 @ 03:29:30)