The Shard’s Warning and the Abbot’s Madness

Characters:

• Malron Lichtstrahl: Reborn Cleric of Lathander. A spirit medium who retains control over a cohabitating elven soul.
• Olfin Darning: Hexblood Paladin. A steadfast protector walking the line between light and shadow.
• Crusty: High Elf Sage Wizard. A brilliant scholar accompanied by an owl familiar, wielding a crystal-crowned staff.
• Aera shan Ravanór: Wood-elf Rogue. The party’s lead scout and a deadly archer with legendary trap-detection skills.
• Shabasta: Porcupine Bard. A dramatic performer whose music and prickly wit inspire allies and dishearten foes.

Summary:

Having concluded their business within the walls of Castle Ravenloft, the party gathered in the Brazier Room to determine their next move. After a brief discussion regarding the teleportation stones, they decided to return Gertruda to her home. They cast an indigo stone into the magical white flames, which turned the fire the color of the castle’s shade. One by one, the adventurers stepped through the flames, feeling a sensation like being pulled through their own belly buttons, and materialized in the cemetery of the Village of Barovia.
Note: [The players engaged in an extensive “Above the Table” discussion about eating bugs for money and peer-pressuring a friend named Skyler into eating one. The DM also shared his new hobby of collecting hi-fi equipment, specifically a 1960s amplifier.]

In Barovia, they were greeted by Ismark the Lesser, who offered them rest in the Burgomaster’s mansion. He expressed great relief and pride at seeing the growth in his sister, Ireena. During their rest, a grim message arrived: a snow-white feather from the Abbey of Saint Markovia landed in Krezk, signaling that the Abbot intended to collect the heart of Anna Krezkova at dusk the following day.
Note: [There was a meta-discussion regarding leveling up. The DM clarified that while they had “leveled up in heart,” they would remain at their current levels until certain tasks, like delivering goods, were completed.]

As the party departed Barovia, they were joined by a murder of ravens—or more accurately, an “unkindness“—who stood watch over them as an honor guard, having heard of their heroics from the Keepers of the Feather. Their journey toward Vallaki was interrupted an hour from the town gates when Aera discovered three corpses on the road. Two were local Barovians, but the third was a perfect, gearless duplicate of Aera herself. As they investigated, the “corpse” disintegrated, and the party was ambushed by six dire wolves and two scarecrows sent by Strahd to punish Aera for her “sneaking and stealing” in his castle.

The ensuing combat was chaotic. Aera was immediately paralyzed by the scarecrows’ terrifying gaze, and Malron was knocked prone by a wolf’s bite. However, the party quickly turned the tide. Crusty unleashed a devastating Lightning Bolt through the ranks of the wolves, and Malron invoked the Radiance of the Dawn, searing the enemies with holy light. Shabasta used a bouncing orb of fire to incinerate the vulnerable scarecrows. Though Aera was briefly knocked unconscious, Olfin stabilized her with a “wake-up” touch of Lay on Hands.

Upon reaching Vallaki, they found Baron Dimitri Krezkov waiting at the Blue Water Inn. Desperate and untouched by the inn’s revelry, Dimitri begged the party to intercede and save his wife, Anna, from the Abbot’s gruesome demand. The party agreed and set out for Krezk, pausing for a short rest near the Raven River crossroads, where a Revenant warned them of the “dark tidings” and the rage of Vladimir Hornguard following their assault on Ravenloft.

Arriving at the gates of Krezk, they were met by a grateful but terrified Anna Krezkova. As they prepared to ascend to the Abbey, the Icon of Ravenloft (the Shard of Divinity) spoke to them telepathically. It revealed the tragic history of the Abbot: a celestial being sent to restore the Abbey who had fallen into madness. Corrupted by Strahd’s manipulations and his own obsessive “flesh crafting” experiments to create a bride for the vampire lord, the Abbot now viewed the mutilation of others as a necessary sacrifice for a “holy” mission. The party steeled themselves, warned by the Shard to ready their steel for the confrontation ahead.

Key Locations:

Brazier Room (Castle Ravenloft): A teleportation hub featuring seven colored stones.
Village of Barovia: The party’s first destination, where they rested at the Burgomaster’s mansion.
Raven River Crossroads: Site of an encounter with a watchful Revenant who offered a solemn blessing.
Village of Krezk: The destination of their urgent mission to save Anna Krezkova from the Abbot.
Blue Water Inn (Vallaki): Where the party met with an anxious Baron Dimitri Krezkov.

Encounters:

The Roadside Ambush (Combat): The party was waylaid by six dire wolves and two scarecrows near a duplicate corpse of Aera. Outcomes: All enemies defeated; Aera knocked unconscious but revived; the party identified as a “nuisance” to Strahd.
Baron Dimitri Krezkov (Social): A desperate plea for help to save his wife from a celestial executioner.
The Revenant at the Bridge (Social): A warning that the phantom warriors of Vladimir Hornguard are watching the party’s movements.

Loot:

None this session. (The party discussed gems previously stolen from Ravenloft and their use as components for revival spells).

Notable NPCs:

Ismark the Lesser: Burgomaster of Barovia; relieved to see Ireena’s newfound strength.
Gertruda: Returned safely to the Village of Barovia.
Emil: The werewolf rescued from the castle who remains with the party as they head toward the werewolf den.
Baron Dimitri Krezkov: A noble driven to desperation by the Abbot’s threats.
The Abbot: A fallen angel residing in the Abbey of Saint Markovia, now a “flesh crafter” obsessed with creating a bride for Strahd.

Plot Points:

• The Abbot’s Demand: The party has until dusk the following day to prevent the Abbot from taking Anna Krezkova’s heart.
• Strahd’s Vengeance: The ambush confirmed that Strahd is actively targeting party members who “annoyed” him the most in the castle.
• Vladimir Hornguard’s Rage: The Revenants of Argynvostholt are aware of the party’s actions and may be planning a response.

Session Highlights:

• The Honor Guard: “You’ve got a whole murder of them… actually, it’s called an unkindness. That’s awesome.”
• Malron’s Efficiency: Malron’s Radiance of the Dawn and Spiritual Weapon combo decimated the ambushers, earning him “MVP” status for the encounter.
• The Shard’s Wisdom: The Shard of Divinity providing a detailed history of the Abbot’s descent from a holy healer to a grotesque experimenter.
• Olfin’s “Wake-ups”: Olfin managing his Lay on Hands pool as “35 wake ups” for maximum healing efficiency.