The Curse of Strahd

Yafira will never get used to the feeble dawns that break over this world. She wondered how the humans could see where they're going. About as well as she could navigate her dreams last night, she assumed. She searched for clues but was only met with fog.

As she dressed, she took the white rook out of her belt pouch and slipped it over her head. She could fully appreciate its weight as it settled against her heart. Was it the magic, Liam's memory, or something else? Yafira couldn't decide. All she knew is that she would play the game and find answers along the way.

Yafira smiled when she saw Irena approach them wearing armor and with a sword at her hip. Yafira knew that there was more to that woman than meets the eye.

Yafira slowed and faced the chapel when she heard the screams. "Do we do Donovich a favor or do we keep going?" she asked Jasper and Yoru. Yafira didn't have a strong opinion either way.

(Does Jasper want to pipe in, or does he not care one way or the other?)

(Alright! So assuming you all are moving on, let's move on!)

You leave the small, miserable town with Irena, who despite her hesitance is indeed a decent tracker and guide. Not that there is much to track or guide through at the moment, as you are simply following the main road as it winds into the woods.

The trees loom overhead once more, nearly connecting over the road, as if they do not like that sunlight, whatever little there is that is filtered through the heavy clouds, is touching the ground.

Around noon, you come to a fork in the road. An old wooden gallows creeks in a chill wind that blows down from the high ground to the west. A frayed length of rope dances from its beams. The well-worn road splits here, and a signpost opposite the gallows points off in three directions: Barovia Village to the east, where you have come from, Tser Pool to the northwest, and Ravenloft/Vallaki to the southwest.

The northwest fork slants down and disappears into the trees, while the southwest fork clings to an upward slope. Across from the gallows, a low wall, crumbling in places, partially encloses a small plot of graves shrouded in fog.

Irena indicates the northwestern road. "That is where the Vistani, and Madam Eva are. It can be...dangerous working with them. But they seldom attack travelers, and will often feed and aid them in small ways. But if we want more information on Strahd, there is no one who knows more than Madam Eva...the choice is yours."

{You can go to the Tser Pool to talk with this Madam Eva, or you can go on to Vallaki, the next town on the map. What do you do?)

"Hopefully she has tea." Yoru muttered. She started to regret constantly starting up random conversations along the journey. Now her throat felt like someone was lightly strangling her.

As the group leaves the area, you hear a creaking noise behind you, coming from the gallows. Where there was nothing before now hangs a lifeless, grey body. The breeze turns the hanged figure slowly, so that it can fix its dead eyes upon you.

[To Yafira and Jasper, the figure looks to be some unknown woman. But to Yoru, the body is her own!]

"Ouch," Jasper moaned and swung round to have a go at the situation. Instead Yoru’s stare after her reaction to the dead body told him to back off a little. “What’s the matter with you?”

Turning from the gallows, the four move on along the path.

They don't get far. A snarling wolf the size of a grizzly bear steps out from the fog on the road. It's hackles are up, and it is staring at you with hatred in its eyes. Not hunger. Hatred.

Another steps out onto the road behind you, cutting off your retreat.

Roll Initiative.



(For those who do not know, roll a D20, and add your Dexterity Modifier. This number decides who goes first. Since there are only two wolves, I will roll them separately.

Wolf 1: oxKUeDrs1d20+2
Wolf 2: 1d20+2

On your turn, you can move up to your speed (usually 30 feet) and make one action. You may also make one bonus action, if you have one available. Not everyone does.

A note on spells: Most spells are one action, some are a bonus action, but if you cast a spell on a turn, be it a bonus action or a full action, then you cannot cast another spell on that turn. In other words, you cannot cast a spell on your action, and then another one on your bonus action. The exception is Cantrips, which can be cast regardless.

Example:
1. Casting Bonus Action Spell = Can only cast Cantrips with your Action, or do something else with your Action.
2. Casting Action Spell = Cannot cast a spell with bonus action

Possible actions are Disengage (allows you to run without them being able to attack you while moving past them), Dodge (Gives disadvantage to any attacks against you until your next turn), Help (gives advantage to an ally), Attack (Attack with a weapon), Cast a Spell (...Casts...a spell...).

If you beat the wolves' initiative above, go ahead and post your turns. Have fun!)1d20+2·1d20+2

Jasper studied the wolves. The hatred they sent off made him want to step up and do something. His mind went straight to Poison Spray. It might not do much but it was worth a shot.

He eyed up a wolf and stretched out his arm. A sudden cloud of smoke erupted from his palm towards the snarling creature.

2PwOICOC1d20+41d20+4