DnD Adventure Log Finishing up at the vineyard

Characters:

• Oogway: A serene and wise turtle Wizard Bladesinger who wields magic and blade with precision.
• Olfin Darning: A Hexblood Paladin navigating the balance of light and shadow through their oath.
• Liren: A fierce Dragonborn Barbarian loyal to their companions and protective in battle.
• Gumbo: A pragmatic Half-Orc Rogue with a knack for stealth and unexpected solutions.
• Aera shan Ravanór: A cunning Wood-elf Rogue adept at stealth and navigating complex situations.
• Veyren: A skilled Druid drawn into the party’s journey after the loss of their sibling, Shabasta.
• Malron Lichtstrahl: A Reborn Cleric of Lathander with a connection to spirits and the undead.

Summary:

The druids worship Lorgoth and are seeking a missing stone believed to hold significance for their rituals. They warn that Winter Splinter—a devastating entity—is coming to demolish everything in its path. The party encounters a tree in the room that resembles the one growing on Yester Hill, where the druids are preparing for a ritual.

The druids have captured ravens, suspecting them of being spies for the shadow lord. One druid declares their possession of the shadow lord’s staff, but the party defeats the druid and successfully destroys the staff.

Forest folk launch an attack, revealing their animosity toward Damien, who belongs to the Keepers of the Feather, an organization opposing Strahd. The Keepers aim to guide and shelter rather than engage in direct conflict, using ravens as part of their methods. Irwin Martikov is revealed to be another member of this group.

Damien recounts a tragic incident involving his younger son, Elvier, who defied his father’s warning and joined an ill-fated assault on Castle Ravenloft led by Doru.

The party learns about the winery’s reliance on three green gemstones with plant-growing magic for producing wine. Ten years ago, one gem was lost or stolen, while Baba Lasagna stole the second gem three weeks ago, and the druids took the third gem, halting production entirely. Damien believes the party can reclaim the gem stolen by the druids on Yester Hill but warns they are not strong enough to face Baba Lasagna.

Damien suspects the druids are preparing a ritual to summon Winter Splinter and advises the party to reach Yester Hill before dawn to recover the gem.

After a long rest, the party is woken up two hours before dawn and begins their journey. Maren secretly plans to meet a contact named Kaven, whose reputation Damien disapproves of. Swarms of ravens accompany the party, and Olfin attaches a token to one of them.

Veyren reads druidic runes about Kaven the Blood Drinker, while Mira uses her regenerative abilities to summon Kaven by dripping her blood. Kaven appears wielding a long wooden spear.

The party senses something watching them from the forest—a powerful and ancient presence with a crimson light. They investigate and discover a shape in the shadows that seems to observe them intently.

The party suspects a gemstone might be hidden within a statue’s chest, potentially tied to summoning Winter Splinter. Radiance magic slows and burns the tree on Yester Hill, aiding the party’s efforts.

Sverog offers a wand to Kaven in exchange for a powerful weapon. Amid the chaos, Strahd appears riding his fiery steed, greeting the party ominously.

Key Locations:

Yester Hill: The druids’ ritual site and home to the tree resembling Winter Splinter’s form.
Forest: A foreboding location filled with crimson-lit mysteries.

Encounters:

Combat: Defeating the druid and destroying the shadow lord’s staff.
Social/Combat: Mira summoning Kaven, leading to an intense interaction.
Social/Investigation: Unveiling the presence watching the party in the forest.

Loot:

Radiance Magic: Used to slow and burn the tree on Yester Hill.

Notable NPCs:

Damien Martikov: A member of the Keepers of the Feather, guiding the party.
Irwin Martikov: Revealed as a fellow Keeper of the Feather.
Kaven the Blood Drinker: Summoned by Mira and offering a deal involving powerful items.
Strahd: Appears dramatically riding a fiery horse.

Plot Points:

• The druids worship Lorgoth and are preparing to summon Winter Splinter.
• The gems vital to the winery’s production are intertwined with Baba Lasagna’s and the druids’ actions.
• The Keepers of the Feather seek to oppose Strahd using indirect methods.
• Kaven’s motives and connection to Mira hint at further intrigue.
• Strahd’s appearance signals an impending confrontation.

Session Highlights:

• Destroying the shadow lord’s staff and defeating the druid.
• Veyren decoding druidic runes and Mira’s intense summoning of Kaven.
• The foreboding encounter with the crimson light in the forest.
• Strahd’s fiery entrance, heightening the stakes for the party.