RECAP: Curse of Strahd Session 9, 2-1-26

Les Hostetler | February 3, 2026 | Curse of Strahd | No Comments

Recap of Previous Dungeons & Dragons Session: Durst Mansion Exploration

The players had just completed an adventure in the Durst Mansion, where they encountered and defeated a vampire spawn named Radu chained in the basement as punishment by Count Strahd.
The mansion became hostile, with the house seemingly “speaking” and demanding a sacrifice to allow escape. The party refused and escaped just before the house became unstable.
Outside, an ornate, horse-less carriage awaited with wine and a note inviting them to Strahd’s castle as guests, hinting at potential political intrigue and danger.
Constable Vasha Diminski watched the players and intervened, showing concern for their safety and clarifying suspicions about their intentions.

Overview of Barovia and Key Locations

The town of Vallaki is a walled city where the players currently reside, including key locations: the Blue Water Inn (lodgings), Durst Mansion (haunted house), Constable Vasha’s residence, and other estates such as the Wachterhaus.
The carriage was parked near the mansion’s entrance, and Vasha’s house has a direct line of sight to the mansion, facilitating his surveillance.
Vasha confirmed seeing cloaked figures watching the mansion, assumed to be Strahd’s men, and expressed relief that the players were not allied with them.
Vasha was unaware of some deeds and ownership details relating to the Durst properties.

Legal and Historical Information from Constable Vasha

The Durst family mysteriously disappeared about 15 years ago; the mill linked to their estate has not been used since.
Vasha suspects the Count or his men were involved in the disappearance or removal of the family, as those taken by Strahd’s forces never return.
Documents reveal the Count reclaimed the Durst mansion due to no living heirs and transferred ownership to his estate.
Vistani presence: The Vistani are described disparagingly by Vasha as unwelcome, thieving nomads camping south of Vallaki, known for petty crimes and horse theft.
Vasha warns to avoid Vistani camps and not carry valuables near them.

Madame Eva’s Tarot Cards and Mystical Clues

The party reviews tarot cards given by Madame Eva, which provide cryptic guidance:
Five of Swords: Points to “den of wolves” and treasure linked to “Mother Night,” interpreted as werewolf clan matriarchs in the hills overlooking Lake Baratok, or possibly Lake Luna.
Four of Stars: Refers to a fallen house guarded by a great stone silver dragon named Lord Argynvost, who once led an order of knights opposing the Count but was defeated and taken to Castle Ravenloft. His stronghold is called Argynvosthalt.
Wizard Card (“Master of Stars”): Points to a wizard’s tower on a lake (Lake Baratok), associated with a lich who was a legendary experimenter and worked for the Count.
Other cards reference: The Tome of Strahd (a powerful book), the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind (a powerful artifact against Strahd), Ireena Kolyanna (the “evil’s bride” and potential ally), and Strahd himself, the ultimate enemy residing in Castle Ravenloft.
The party plans to visit Madame Eva and investigate the old mill next.

Strategies and Next Steps

The group agrees to first visit the blacksmith to get chain mail altered and possibly craft silver weapons, then visit Madame Eva for further guidance.
The blacksmith is wary of silver due to its rarity and illegality; silver belongs to the Count, and possession can draw unwanted attention.
A recommended blacksmith, Vladek Morvayne, is introduced. He is a dwarf like Grughilda and is known for good craftsmanship.
Hunting wolves is discussed as a potential side activity before the upcoming festival.

Breakfast with Constable Vasha and Local Insights

After a night’s rest, the party shares breakfast with Vasha, who advises operating during daytime to avoid danger since many of the Count’s supporters prefer the night.
Vasha reveals the Borgomeister (Baron Vallakovich) is fearful of the Count and hosts frequent mandatory festivals to keep the populace “happy” and avoid Strahd’s interference.
The upcoming Festival of the Blazing Sun in three days is a major event with forced participation, intended to placate the Count.

The town’s populace exhibits forced smiles and cheerfulness as a survival mechanism, with public pessimism punishable by imprisonment.
The Borgomeister’s change in demeanor after meeting the Count is noted as significant and ominous.

Encounter at the Town Square and Constables

The party notices a man in stocks for “public pessimism,” who maintains a cynical outlook despite forced joviality.

Two constables question the party about vandalized festival posters marked with “Lies.”

The constables maintain the façade of forced cheer but reveal underlying tension and fear of subversive elements.
The man in stocks is a cobbler, punished for refusing to feign happiness, mourning his deceased wife.

Visit to Madame Eva’s House

Upon arrival, Madame Eva’s house is locked and appears empty, with closed shutters and no signs of recent activity.
The party decides to leave a note and plan to return later, moving on to visit the recommended blacksmith.

Meeting Vladek Morvayne, the Dwarven Blacksmith

Vladek Morvayne greets the party warmly, surprised to see an unfamiliar dwarf in town.
He agrees to alter the chain mail for Grughilda, estimating a three-day turnaround, just in time for the festival.
Vladek offers a discount due to shared heritage and values the scale mail highly.
Payment is negotiated in electrum coins; electrum is essentially silver in local currency, with roughly 10 electrum = 1 gold.
Vladek hopes the party stays in Vallaki longer, suggesting further business opportunities.

Preparations and Incoming Requests

The party discusses plans to unload gear and possibly sell or store a heavy crossbow.
A local woman named Magda approaches the party nervously, asking for help with strange activities near Heinrich’s coffin-making shop.
She reports nighttime deliveries, scratching noises, and disembodied voices near the shop, causing fear for Heinrich and herself.
Magda trusts the party over the constables, fearing that official channels are compromised or unhelpful.
The party promises to investigate discreetly after their planned “wolf hunt” and mill exploration.

Return to Constable Vasha and Equipment Planning

The party attempts to meet with Vasha but finds him away for constable duties; they plan to visit him again before nightfall.
Upon return, Vasha reports that Lucien Moroz, a blacksmith at the larger shop, is willing to discreetly craft silver weapons for the party.
The party discusses silver coin holdings collectively, estimating about 30 silver pieces total, just enough to craft a silver bastard sword weighing approximately 2.3 pounds (alloyed, not pure silver due to softness).
The sword is planned for Grughilda who uses a bastard sword as her preferred weapon.

Meeting Lucien, the Secretive Blacksmith

The party locates Lucien working in the back of the blacksmith shop, shoveling coal.
They discreetly approach and discuss crafting a silver bastard sword, showing him the silver coins.
Lucien is initially shocked and fearful due to the danger of possessing silver, but diplomacy checks and a 10 gp bribe convince him to accept the commission.
Lucien agrees to work discreetly, aiming to complete the sword by the end of the Festival of the Blazing Sun.
He conceals the silver and gold coins carefully to avoid detection.

Key Insights and Themes

Vallaki is a town under oppressive control, with forced public happiness masking fear and repression orchestrated by the Baron in response to the Count.
Silver is a rare and controlled resource, crucial for combating supernatural threats like vampires and werewolves, but possession carries extreme risk.
The party’s main goals include: investigating the Durst family mysteries, securing and modifying gear (especially silver weapons), navigating local politics and festivals, and exploring potentially dangerous locations such as the old mill and wizard’s tower.
The Vistani and other factions are viewed with suspicion and hostility by locals, adding complexity to the social landscape.
Mystical elements (tarot cards, legends of dragons and werewolves) provide clues guiding the party’s next moves.
Local resistance and unrest are hinted at through vandalized festival posters and public pessimism arrests, suggesting brewing tension.

Quantitative and Comparative Data Table

Item/Concept	Details/Values	Notes
Silver Pieces Held	~37 silver pieces total (approximate)	Equivalent to ~2.7 pounds of silver alloy
Weight of Bastard Sword	2.4 – 4 lbs (historical average)	Bastard sword is versatile weapon (1 or 2 hands)
Chain Mail Alteration Cost	16-18 electrum coins (dwarven currency)	Electrum ≈ silver; 10 electrum = 1 gold
Festival Timing	Festival of the Blazing Sun in 3 days	Mandatory participation; forced cheerfulness
Blacksmiths & Locations	Vladek Morvayne (dwarven blacksmith), Lucien (secret smith)	Lucien crafts silver weapons discreetly
Wolves & Werewolves	Common in hills south and east of Vallaki	Dangerous areas marked on map; hunting possible
Vistani Camp Location	1.5-2 miles south of Vallaki	Considered thieves and unwelcome