Ravenloft Game Log - Session 16
Gotta write my summary quick, 'cause I'm going to Disney World!
Having defeated Strahd (for now) the party seeks to take advantage of whatever time he needs to recover by seizing the last of the fanes, the Mountain Fane! Unfortunately, they still require a witch to complete the ritual. So Niccolo and Thorne head out to find one. They find the girl whose behavior during Zidara's sermon was somewhat suspicious. She does appear to know a lot about witches, claiming that they dance naked on the top of Lysaga Hill and summon demons, but she displays no signs of being a witch herself. Fleeing her mother's outrage at her impudence before her guests, the girl heads up Lysaga Hill herself, and fearing for her safety, the two investigators follow. They meet up with the girl's brother, Conrad. He is a shepherd and, hearing of their need for someone who can speak with the land, believes he may be able to help. He agrees to meet the party at the tavern.
In the meantime, the group assembles to question their prisoner, Lucien. It appears that he was a servant of a wizarding family in Avalon, and, upon the death of the last of their line, presented himself to Strahd for employment. He claims to be merely a loyal assistant and is hopeful that he will be ransomed back to his master. He appears unmoved by the idea that service to an evil, tyrannical vampire is far from a noble calling. The party decides to leave him in the chapel for now.
Conrad arrives at the tavern and proves that he is, indeed a warlock. He claims that what he knows is "sheep magic" taught to him by his father, but hopefully it will be sufficient for the ritual. The party heads up to Lysaga Hill to find out.
Arriving at the Hill just before sunset, they find that the entrance has been covered with rubble. However, a quick spell to cause all of the party to become as giants for a short time makes short work of the boulders. Inside, they discover that Strahd has left minions to protect the fane: giant spiders, ettercaps, and a huge golem made out of webs! It is a difficult enough battle, but as the party decends to fight the monsters, they are attacked from above by the Ussuran vampire, Kavan, who is seeking revenge for their last meeting. The spiders and ettercaps harry the party with webs, and the web golem seems nigh indestructible! Finally, the enemies both above and below are defeated, Kavan once again fleeing as mist back to Castle Ravenloft.
Hurrying to complete the ritual, the party decides that Thorne should be holder of the Mountain Fane. He and Conrad begin the ritual, but instead of a magical circle of symbols, Thorne finds himself in complete darkness. Through his other sense, he is able to navigate the circle and arrive at the center, where he is bestowed with the shield of the Barovian Mountains. It is just past sunset, and Strahd's power outside the castle has at last been taken!
Having defeated Strahd (for now) the party seeks to take advantage of whatever time he needs to recover by seizing the last of the fanes, the Mountain Fane! Unfortunately, they still require a witch to complete the ritual. So Niccolo and Thorne head out to find one. They find the girl whose behavior during Zidara's sermon was somewhat suspicious. She does appear to know a lot about witches, claiming that they dance naked on the top of Lysaga Hill and summon demons, but she displays no signs of being a witch herself. Fleeing her mother's outrage at her impudence before her guests, the girl heads up Lysaga Hill herself, and fearing for her safety, the two investigators follow. They meet up with the girl's brother, Conrad. He is a shepherd and, hearing of their need for someone who can speak with the land, believes he may be able to help. He agrees to meet the party at the tavern.
In the meantime, the group assembles to question their prisoner, Lucien. It appears that he was a servant of a wizarding family in Avalon, and, upon the death of the last of their line, presented himself to Strahd for employment. He claims to be merely a loyal assistant and is hopeful that he will be ransomed back to his master. He appears unmoved by the idea that service to an evil, tyrannical vampire is far from a noble calling. The party decides to leave him in the chapel for now.
Conrad arrives at the tavern and proves that he is, indeed a warlock. He claims that what he knows is "sheep magic" taught to him by his father, but hopefully it will be sufficient for the ritual. The party heads up to Lysaga Hill to find out.
Arriving at the Hill just before sunset, they find that the entrance has been covered with rubble. However, a quick spell to cause all of the party to become as giants for a short time makes short work of the boulders. Inside, they discover that Strahd has left minions to protect the fane: giant spiders, ettercaps, and a huge golem made out of webs! It is a difficult enough battle, but as the party decends to fight the monsters, they are attacked from above by the Ussuran vampire, Kavan, who is seeking revenge for their last meeting. The spiders and ettercaps harry the party with webs, and the web golem seems nigh indestructible! Finally, the enemies both above and below are defeated, Kavan once again fleeing as mist back to Castle Ravenloft.
Hurrying to complete the ritual, the party decides that Thorne should be holder of the Mountain Fane. He and Conrad begin the ritual, but instead of a magical circle of symbols, Thorne finds himself in complete darkness. Through his other sense, he is able to navigate the circle and arrive at the center, where he is bestowed with the shield of the Barovian Mountains. It is just past sunset, and Strahd's power outside the castle has at last been taken!