The group got out of sight as Escher returned to the castle. Once he was gone, Johan and Bramo went out to confront the wagon driver before he departed. The driver was Maynard Belview, another beast of a man with animal parts and deformities hidden from sight with a large cloak. He spoke in a grunting, growling voice, but was able to hold a conversation better than Cyrus could. He had no reservation asking the questions put to him and freely provide what he knew.
He was here to make the deliveries and relay information to the Abbot. The Abbot was building a gift for Strahd, a living bride made of flesh and blood. Maynard wasn’t sure how the Abbot was making the bride or where the parts came from, but he knew that the Abbot was very powerful and could accomplish great things. He always came here each week and met with Escher. He wasn’t sure how long he had been coming here or how long the Abbot had been working on the bride.
The pair relayed this to the rest of the group. They decided they needed to speak to Escher and see if he could fill in some of the blanks for them. They weren’t sure how that would go or if this constituted a betrayal or not. They have Rahasia return them to Escher’s suite and remain outside in the other room.
Escher was pleased to see them again, hoping for some excitement. The group told him that they had heard some things recently. He was anxious to hear any gossip they had. They told him it was about him, and he was intrigued that they were going to air his dirty laundry. The group told him they had followed him and overheard his conversation with Maynard. Escher admitted playfully that he had been “sneaking around being a naughty boy” and now “daddy Strahd” was going to “give him a spanking.”
The group asked him if he was worried about Strahd’s punishment, but Escher didn’t believe he had done anything wrong. He explained that the Abbot had come up with the idea that rather than wait for the cycle of Tatyana’s reincarnation to play out again, that he would build the perfect bride for Strahd in order to make him happy and break the cycle. This perfect bride would serve as the vessel for Tatyana’s soul. The Abbot, however skilled he was at creating life, was no artist to recreate Tatyana’s likeness and had reached out to Escher for help in that area. Escher had been feeding him information for some time now based on the painting of Tatyana and the other reincarnations Escher had seen over the years.
Escher’s thought was that helping the Abbot achieve this would either result in making Strahd happy, for which Escher might be praised, and maybe even released, or Strahd would be so offended it would create entertaining drama for Escher. Either way, it wouldn’t be boring. The group tell him they have to inform Strahd of this and he seems indifferent to it. He isn’t sure how Strahd will see things, but Escher can only wait and see.
The party feels bad for Escher, but they also believe this is the betrayal they were meant to uncover. They decide no matter how they feel about it, they need to honor their deal with Strahd. They return to the dining room and give Strahd the news. Strahd is somewhat surprised to learn that Escher is involved. The whole thing seems out of character for him. He is less surprised by the Abbot’s meddling. He is grateful to the group for their help and thanks them. He will deal with the parties involved swiftly in his own way. Strahd intends to honor their agreement and grant them their boon at this time.
The group discusses a number of different boons they could ask for including leaving Elora and Ireena alone, a set of tinker’s tools and a pearl, lots of treasure, a promise not to marry Ireena or Elora without consent, access to Strahd’s library, or removing Riley’s cursed tattoo. They finally settle for information about the whereabouts of the Martikov gem stolen by an angel. Strahd is amused by this request and tells them they need to speak to the Abbot about that. The group thanks him and they leave. Before they depart, Strahd kisses Elora and Ireena’s hands and tells them he hopes to see them again soon.
The group gets back into Strahd’s black carriage, and it drives them out of the castle back towards Vallaki. Elora is shaken from her experience in the castle, finally letting out the anxiety she was holding in. Ireena is relieved saying it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be; Strahd was actually nice to them. The group reiterates to Ireena what a monster Strahd is listing off some of his crimes such as genocide. They tell her he wasn’t nice; he was just being civil with them. Ireena explains that she was just expecting Strahd to be more of a monster, and she was surprised that he was nice to them.
The group reaches Vallaki just before dawn, and they quickly enter the gates and head back to the Church of St. Andral’s. There, Father Petrovich is rising to perform services in honor of the Morninglord. He is overjoyed to see the group return in one piece, exhausted, but alive. Bramo asks Father Petrovich where he might be able to find some “domestic pets” in Vallaki, listing off the ingredients Jeny asked him to find. Father Petrovich immediately realizes what Bramo is asking and tries to steer him away from black magic and witchery. Bramo tries to justify his actions saying he doesn’t think it’s inherently evil to enchant a magic rod, and Johan tries to support his case. Father Petrovich thinks they both need the guidance of the Morninglord and entreats them both to join him in prayer which they do.
Elora speaks to Milivoj and tells him he doesn’t need to deliver her letter and can just return it to her. Milivoj is confused, telling her delivered the letter yesterday as he promised. Elora had intended him to deliver the letter only if she didn’t return, but Milivoj had misunderstood her. He apologizes profusely. Elora is vexed, but she forgives the boy. She asks if he can do her the favor of returning 2 gold pieces to the blacksmith Dragomir, she had not meant to charge him for the pies she gave him and would like his money returned. Milivoj promises to take care of it right away and Elora realizes she needs to see Kasimir and explain that she is all right.
The group doesn’t want to spend the day resting but realize that they need to get some sleep. The agree to rest for 4 hours and awaken in the late morning. The group heads over to the Blue Water Inn where they meet Elvir and Dag. Elora wants to head over to the Vistani Camp to let Kasimir know she is all right, but the two men don’t want to go to the camp empty-handed. The group also doesn’t want to leave the men or the wine shipments unguarded, so they agree to return to the Wizard of Wines with them.
They return to the winery where they are chastised by Davian for being away so long. They were worried something had happened to the group and the vineyards are already starting to wither away. The group explains they were unavoidably delayed by Strahd’s invitation and had to intend. They need to return to the Vistani Camp with a shipment of wine, and then they will come back to the winery. They intend to rest for the night and head to Yester Hill in the morning. Davian is concerned that the vineyards are running out of time, but he agrees to go along with their plan.
The group brings a shipment of wine to the Vistani Camp and are greeted by thunderous applause! The Vistani come rushing out to meet them, shouting and cheering for their shipment of wine. The group are praised again as heroes. Luvash welcomes Bronwyn and thanks her for her gracious help. He again offers the group something from their treasure wagon for their help. The group is very interested in a crate of potions that Luvash has, but he tells them not to select those and that they should choose something else. He says that the potions are not as effective as they claim.
The group is confused and press him further, eager to have the potions. Luvash finally concedes that the potions are fakes. They claim that the potions allow you to travel safely through the mists, and they sell them to gullible strangers for money. The group doesn’t completely believe him, but they decide to choose a wooden chest instead. Inside of the chest are over 1000 electrum coins each bearing the visage of Strahd on them. The group is overjoyed at their influx of wealth and plan how they will spend it. Luvash compliments Bronwyn again, and the two of them sit and drink wine in his tent while flirting with each other.
Elora, Ireena, and Riley all go to see Kasimir at his home. On her way inside, Elora speaks with the guard Paeyth. She apologizes for being short with him the other day and explains she was under a lot of stress at the time. Paeyth is gentle with her and explains that with all he and his people have endured over the years a little rudeness is nothing he can’t handle. They have a pleasant chat and then the group goes inside.
Elora cries out to her father, and he answers, calling her Irezora. He rushes to embrace her and stops to compose himself at the last second. She throws her arms around him and they embrace. She can feel he is frail beneath his robes. He tells her he has been worried sick about her and feared the worst. He was preparing to head up to the castle and use all of his magic to tear down the walls themselves to get her back! Elora apologizes and explains the misunderstanding with Milivoj. She didn’t mean to worry him, but she wasn’t sure how things would play out.
The two of them are somewhat awkward together, but both eager for a relationship. They explain that they are not ready for this to end as they are only just starting to get to know each other. Ireena comments to Riley how cute the two of them are together and tears up watching them. Elora is traumatized by her visit and shares some of the details with her father. Ireena tells him it wasn’t so bad and that Strahd was nice to them. Elora tells Ireena to stop calling Strahd nice!
Elora mentions to Kasimir that he spoke about the Vistani family that helped smuggle her out of Barovia. Kasimir recalls them fondly as they were dear friends of his. Elora tells him that Riley was that little girl he knew as Rahela. Riley is uncomfortable being put on the spot, but she acknowledges the truth of it. Kasimir is surprised and overcome by the coincidence that the two should both return here together to the place of their birth. He approaches Riley, embraces her, and awkwardly kisses both of her cheeks in an imitation of a Vistani greeting, telling her she is most welcome in his home. Riley awkwardly accepts this greeting while trying to explain she doesn’t know anything about her people or their culture.
Kasimir asks about how her parents Nicolae and Gildi are doing in the other world and wonders why they have never returned. Riley explains that her parents are dead. Kasimir is sorry to hear that and asks what happened. She explains that they were killed in a carriage accident when she was very young. Kasimir is horrified as he begins putting the pieces together, realizing that her parents died transporting his wife and daughter. Kasimir is distraught and apologetic, cursing himself for his sins and blaming himself for their deaths.
Riley explains that it’s fine. She’s okay. It’s all right. She had a fine upbringing. Elora is horrified that Riley is downplaying all of this. Kasimir is overwhelmed with guilt. He explains that Riley’s parents were like family to him, and that she should consider him a second father to her. She can always rely on him, and she is always welcome in his home. He will do anything he can to make this up to her and atone for his sins. He awkwardly hugs her again and kisses her cheeks. Riley tells him that it’s fine, it’s not a big deal.
Elora tells Kasimir her plans to head to Yester Hill and retrieve something there stolen from the Martikovs. Kasimir is curious about what was stolen from them, but Elora says it is not her place to say, and he respects that. Kasimir tells her Yester Hill is an ancient burial place of the Wild Folk and that it was once a holy place honoring the Ladies Three. He tells her that the hill was once the Mountain Fane honoring the Huntress, but the site has been desecrated. He warns her that she is sure to find unholy creatures there. Elora tells him she will be careful. They have another awkward goodbye, and she departs.
On her way out, Paeyth speaks with her asking how she is and making sure she is okay. Elora explains that everything is fine. Paeyth tells her it was nice seeing her again and he is available if she ever has need of him. Elora thanks him and departs.
As they climb the hill towards the Vistani Camp, Arrabelle appears and takes Elora’s hand. She asks how her dinner with Strahd went. Elora says it was all right, and Arrabelle tells her she knew it would go well. Arrabelle is really looking forward to getting her new doll, and Elora and Riley assure her it will be best doll in all of Barovia. Arrabelle wishes them well on Yester Hill. Elora tells her they are planning to go their tomorrow morning. Arrabelle is disturbed by that and says that’s okay if that’s what she wants to do. Elora is worried and asks if there is a problem. She thinks it’s more dangerous to go to Yester Hill at night and wants to know if Arrabelle thinks something different. Arrabelle tells her that is true, it will be worse for the group to go at night, but it will be worse for others if they wait to go during the day. Elora takes the warning to heart and agrees to discuss it with the group.
Elora delivers Arrabelle’s warning to the rest of the group. They talk about it and decide that they need to go to Yester Hill right away. Arrabelle’s predictions are always true and she has never misled them. Despite the dangers, they will go.
By the time they return to the Wizard of Wines, the sun is already setting. On their walk through the forest leading to the hill, it becomes fully dark. Along the way they run into one of the Wild Folk, another woman in horns and animal skins commanding a large group of the twig blights. Ireena moves into position waiting for the blights to come to her. Lancelot rushes into battle barking loudly at the blights and frightening some of them. Elora and Bronwyn keep their distance and attack the blights and the wild woman with fire and eldritch magic. Johan rushes to the front of the battle to keep Lancelot from being surrounded. McCoy follows behind with Piddlewick on his shoulder while Bramo circles around the enemy through the woods.
Riley has to sprint to catch up to Lancelot and they face off against the blights. The blights close in around them and attack, but the groups keeps from being surrounded. The wild woman rushes into the midst of the group and casts a thunderous explosion which seriously injures Lancelot and Piddlewick knocking both of them back along with McCoy.
Bronwyn kills the woman with her magic blasts, allowing Riley to cut her way through the blights. Johan and Elora support her picking off the remaining blights on the hill as one of the blights closes in on Bramo! Bramo is wounded in the exchange but manages to incinerate the blight with magical fire. McCoy attacks the final two blights by seizing one of them and using it to batter the other. They are both smashed into splinters and destroyed!
The group rests up and they use healing kits on both Lancelot and Piddlewick. Lancelot is also given one of Granny’s dream pastries to heal him further. Riley sits down with Lancelot and has serious talk with him. She tells him that she knows he wants to help, but he needs to stay by her side and let her protect him. He can’t go rushing ahead all the time and getting into trouble. He needs to stay close to her. Lancelot barks in acknowledgement and agrees to obey. The group gathers themselves together and prepared to reach Yester Hill.
Curse of Ravenloft 