RECAP: Curse of Strahd, 5-26-26

The discussion begins with reflections on the ongoing Curse of Strahd campaign, marking the group’s 15th session. The campaign is noted to be extensive and long-running, humorously suggesting it might continue well into the 2030s.

The party just finished an event at the coffin maker’s place, uncovering vampire spawn hidden in crates, raising questions about their origin and transport. The coffin maker, Heinrik, fled with a large locked box, avoiding confrontation with the party. Pursuit led Akutagawa to a modest apartment where Heinrik met a younger, dark-skinned man, likely Vistani. Both evaded capture after a failed attempt to break in. The town of Vallaki exhibited general unrest and distrust, especially after the conclusion of the Festival of the Blazing Sun, with even constables neglecting their duties.

While wandering back to the Blue Water Inn, the party spotted a woman known from an earlier location, the Old Bonegrinder, now disguised as a young woman and carrying a basket of pastries. She smiled at them but vanished down an alley. Hex’Sanguinate identified her as the youngest hag of a known coven, hinting her presence in Vallaki may be to continue nefarious deeds.

The group then met with Constable Vasha who revealed he reunited a young boy, Luca, found earlier at the windmill, with his family of glovemakers in Velaki. The family gifted the party masterwork leather gloves to show their gratitude—non-magical, but finely crafted.

However, the young girl, Raia, possibly of Vistani origin, remains orphaned, placed with a trusted matron by Vasha, as no family or claimant has surfaced. Her backstory involves her uncle “Arry” upposedly abandoning her at the windmill, which Vasha suspects was a trafficking or sale, reflecting his distrust of Vistani. Raia’s traumatic experience at the mill, where hags were turning children into pastries, casts a grim tone on the situation. The children narrowly escaped being used as food.

The smith Vladek completed modifications on the party’s armor, delivering a high-quality, masterwork chain mail that fits perfectly and likely provides a +1 bonus to Armor Class (AC).

The party discussed delivery timing and potential wielders for the new silver swords, noting silver’s effectiveness against werewolves and vampires, hinting at upcoming combat with these creatures. Money and silver supply limits complicated the creation of multiple such weapons.

The group received a formal dinner invitation from Lady Fiona Walker, a prominent noble in Vallaki. The invitation praised the party’s conduct during recent events and sought a private conversation away from town festivities. Lady Walker’s estate is large and positioned close to the Durst Mansion. The invitation’s tone suggests that she is aware of the party’s actions and sees potential utility in them.

Constable Vasha confirmed Lady Wachter’s family as one of the oldest and wealthiest in Vallaki, possibly predating Count Strahd’s arrival. However, he was uncertain about her allegiance, noting that no powerful figure in Barovia operates without some concession to Strahd. The burgomaster, despite his long-standing local roots, is likely also entwined in similar politics.

The party planned their immediate next steps:

• Investigate the missing locked box carried by Heinrik.
• Look into the hag in town believed to be continuing evil activities.
• Attend the upcoming dinner with Lady Walker.
• Check the Church of the Morning Star about the missing relics connected to Hinrich.

Constable Vasha informed the party about the impending Festival of St. Andral in two to three weeks—an important local event with a parade bearing the bones of St. Andral, a patron saint of the church. Vasha suspected Heinrik’s missing box could be the reliquary containing St. Andral’s bones, which were stolen recently, though no report had been filed.

Discussion included missing persons ranging from outspoken political dissidents (who frequently disappear after opposing Strahd), youths from poor families (the primary victims), and children like Luca and Raia, often involved in sinister affairs, possibly being turned into vampire spawn or servants like the Renfields. The coffins and vampire spawn tied to Heinrik could be part of this darker underbelly.

The coffin maker’s modest apartment and last known whereabouts were not clearly known by Vasha, who also noted such dwellings typically housed working-class people with frequent occupant turnover. The party considered revisiting the neighborhood and checking with Heinrik’s neighbor for information.

The party discussed a strategy to discreetly inquire about the hag seen selling pastries by asking around indirectly, hoping to avoid drawing attention. It was noted that the hag’s method involved turning people, including children, into pastries, which was a particularly cruel form of predation.

Vasha had helped dispose of vampire spawn bodies and returned vampire fangs as tokens to the party, which indicated they had slain vampires—thus marking them as enemies of the count and possibly granting some trust among anti-Strahd groups. The party was warned to be cautious showing off the silver sword, as it might draw unwelcome attention from Strahd’s spies. Discussion about the sword’s magical nature revealed it might contain a spirit or old magic from before Count Strahd’s time, adding a mystical dimension to its power and personality.

Constable Vasha confirmed awareness of Ireena, a local resistance figure with ties to the village of Barovia. The party was encouraged to seek her out as a potential ally. It was also revealed that Strahd’s castle would be the eventual confrontation location and that the party, as outsiders, may be uniquely positioned to change the region’s fate.

The party, after resting, visited Vladek’s smithy, where Vladek greeted them warmly and showcased the completed masterwork chain mail armor, which fit perfectly and granted a +1 AC bonus. His dedication to quality craftsmanship impressed the party. Vladek invited them to stay for mutton and ale after their church visit.

The adventurers proceeded to St. Andral’s Church, a large Gothic-style building with a graveyard. They met Father Lucien, the pastor who knew of the stolen bones but kept it quiet to avoid panic. He described the bones as invaluable relics kept in a chest within the crypt. Father Lucien acknowledged Heinrik’s role as a longstanding parishioner and coffin maker but was perplexed by his possible involvement or coercion by vampire spawn.

The party disclosed the presence of the hag and her sinister activities in Vallaki. Father Lucien was shocked but promised to inquire discreetly and keep an eye out for new bakers or pastry vendors, noting that missing children were unfortunately common in Vallaki. Father Lucien shared the story of his servant boy Yenska, whose parents vanished mysteriously. The church serves as a sanctuary protected against the count’s servants, though he admitted no one is certain of what breaches might still be possible.

Lady Fiona Wachter was mentioned by Father Lucien as a discreet but impactful patron of the church who funded repairs but never attended services. Her sons, Nikolai and Karl, are known local troublemakers, whom Father Lucien once caught sneaking into the graveyard unsanctioned. Father Lucien does not believe they have access to the crypt, but their suspicious activities raise concern.

The party inspected the crypt, a deep subterranean chamber below the church. The large chest that previously contained the relics showed signs of forced entry with scratch marks and a bent fish hook nearby, which was later recognized as a lockpicking tool. Father Lucien confirmed no secret passages into the crypt were known, but acknowledged the possibility that unknown intruders could have accessed it.

Before departing, Father Lucien gifted the party copies of “The Blessed Life of St. Andral”, small black-bound books detailing the saint’s legacy, reinforcing the belief that the party was chosen to aid in the recovery of the bones.

Later at Vladek’s smithy, conviviality returned as the party shared ale and mutton with the dwarves. Vladek recounted the story of “Dawnbreaker,” a legendary sword imbued with the power of the dawn, wielded by a paladin who fell fighting vampires. The blade is said to shine with a golden glow and never rusts. Vladek explained the forging process, crafting blades only during the longest days of summer at dawn. He noted that magical weapons in Barovia usually contain imbued spirits, though he does not personally have the power to enchant blades.

The party set off early the next morning towards Lake Zarovich to locate Blaro, a fisherman and fishing equipment supplier suspected to have connections to the bent fish hook. The vast lake and surrounding fishing village presented a bustling environment mostly occupied by men. To gain entry to Blaro’s shop, the party used intimidation (a silent glare) to clear out lingering customers. Inside, Blaro was nervous but claimed ignorance about the lock picking and any connection to theft, insisting he only sells fishing gear.

Investigating the smith who crafted the fishing hooks, the party learned that the hook in question was handmade and likely months old. The smith was a young, skinny man with hints of Vistani heritage named Viwe. He confirmed this particular hook was his work but deferred sales responsibility to Blaro. The smith admitted to occasional illicit dealings, acting as a fence for stolen goods but denied regular involvement. He offered to facilitate introductions to a locksmith or thief contact in town. This contact appeared to be a figure of influence within the less lawful segment of society with potential Vistani ancestry.

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Count Strad remains a pervasive threat controlling Barovia with spies and servants, including corrupted locals like the coffin maker Heinrik.
• The missing relics—the bones of St. Andral—are central to the religious and social structure of Vallaki, stolen likely under coercion or threat.
• The party holds key roles as outsiders and potential liberators fortified by prophetic tarot cards, important weapons, and emerging allies.
• Lady Fiona Wachter’s invitation signals possible political intrigue, with uncertain allegiance but potential for a powerful ally.
• The hag and pastries mystery connects supernatural evil with human suffering, notably children.
• Vladek’s craftsmanship and the infusion of pre-Count magic into weapons and armor equip the party for the challenges ahead.
• The lake fishing village and Blaro’s hooks connection offer a foothold into the underworld tied to theft and lockpicking, possibly linking to the missing relics.
• Father Lucien appears a key trustworthy NPC with deep local knowledge, providing crucial context and aid.