004_20250918
Notes
We began our adventure last week at Madam Eva's camp. After being told our fortune we spent the night at the camp surrounded by partying Vistani. The morning showed the aftermath of the party: drunk Vistani everywhere in various configurations. Luckily for the party Madam Eva is (still?) awake, so we got a chance to ask some more questions. Madam Eva explained that she pretty much told us everything she could and can't explain fortunes any further. Leaving the tent Calenya noticed a Vistani by it who, surprisingly, is already awake. The party makes acquaintance with Sanira, who is eager to join the adventurers. The party shares a breakfast, during which Sanira explained that though she is a Vistani, she also can't leave Barovia because of her past history with Strahd. We woke up Varko and departed the camp, spending a bit of time figuring out whether we should borrow a tent from Madam Eva. We then walked through the remains of the forest ending up in a mountainous/canyon area, above the canyon. On the road we met a family of four, dragging a cart, exhausted from travelling. After learning that they are also going to Vallaki, we offered to travel there together. After some time we ended up at the crossroads (one path leads to the forest and the other leads closer to Ravenloft), of which Varko had no recollection. Edward flew up and found a cobblestone path that led to the gate (similar to one we've seen in the beginning of our adventure in Barovia). We went there, Varko recognized the cobblestone path and we continued onwards. After walking for a few moments we saw a carriage with no rider, but a steed with red eyes and misty breath, riding in the direction we're coming from. We ignored the carriage, assuming that it goes to Ravenloft.
We reached the gate with doors slightly open. We walked in and met a large man inquiring us whether we have silver weapons or not. After he started transforming into a werewolf a fight erupted. We killed one werewolf while the other fled into the woods. After traveling for an hour the party stopped for the night. Facing two alternatives: camping in the open or coming back into the forest and risking being attacked by the werewolves again the party decided to camp at the edge of the forest. During the night we noticed that Ireena started sleepwalking after hearing a soft voice and had no recollection of that after being woken up. While keeping watch she shared that she does not know her mother, her name, or anything about her; as well as rumors that other vampires exist. The night was also very cold, meaning that in the future it is good to have a tent or other ways to conceal fire if we don't want to reveal our location.
After traveling a bit longer the next day we saw a walled town by a mountain lake - Vallaki - and a windmill that we recognized as Old Bonegrinder - where Morgantha lives.