Verus Arcanum

It's a birthday party!

Our party makes their way through the underground cavern beneath the Amber Temple. As they proceed, they begin to have visions of things from the past. Garbin recalls the death of his crew at sea. Ug'te and Cedric recall the death of Cedric's wife - at Ug'te's hand. Eneith sees a vision of her people making a deal with a priestess. Aurora lives through a priestess's sacrifice of her child. As they surpass the trials and the following combat they find themselves at their destination. As they enter the ruined underground temple a voice calls from the depths of the pit. As it begins to take form, it relays some news to the group before setting its eyes on the druid - who it ends with a singular word. What does this mean for our group? Will they be able to take on this apparent evil that has risen from the depths? Why was it so keen on Eneith dying?

The party has moved to the heart of the swamp following some mysterious music to find a large tree with a ramshackle hut. As Nyx approaches, and subsequently falls on his face, the music stops. Garbin approaches and begins conversation with the huts inhabitant, Baba Lysaga. After some cordial conversation, they are interrupted by the actions of Eneith who attempted to remove a stone from the trunk of the tree. After some painful spell flinging, including a well aimed Power Word Kill to Garbin and Power Word Stun to Ug'te, the team has worn the tree and Lysaga down, but can they survive to see the end of the fight? May the gods have mercy on their souls

As the heroes begin their rest for the evening to recover from the tribulations of their recent fight, Garbin and Aurora pay respects to their respective gods before Garbin does some preparations around the manor that would have unexpected results as they slept. Each of the members who kept watch noticed their new regular companion - the mist approach to harass them. During second watch, Nyx found himself entertained while Ug'te found himself confronted by an unlikely opponent. The next day our adventurers interacted with the dragons who have promised their aid in the future and everyone proceeded to the marsh village. What will the village of Berez hold? What did the dragons mean by their warnings? I hope everyone has their galoshes on!

Our adventurers make their way out of the swamp and make their way to the south. As they rest, they celebrate with alcohol they had taken from the winery - which has some ill effects on the cleric. They also re-encounter the fog which is acting even more strangely than before - almost seeming to strangle the barrier they have put up. Cedric decides to test the fog with tremendous results for his prosthetic hand. As they finally make it to the temple, they find themselves captivated by it's otherworldly nature before being beckoned inside by the Seer Rhaima. After providing some much needed answers about their past and potential futures, the party takes a rest with him keeping watch - only for some to awaken somewhere else. The rest of the party ventures into the depths of the Amber Temple to not only face their trial but hoping to re-find their friends. What will these trials entail? Will they all make it out alive? Only time will tell - I hope they keep their heads about them.

As our party found themselves face to face with the man that helped end the resistance against Strahd before, they find themselves outnumbered by his undead cohorts. As things began to turn in their favor, Vlad made a quick escape out the window to set up another defense - a larger defense. Upon overcoming the dangers inside, the party come face to face with long dead remnants of the Silver Scales - now undead and turned against them. With some quick thinking by Aurora to focus their attention on the one controlling them, the team manage to slay Vlad and release the dragons to wherever they'll go. They manage to locate the second artifact - or what's left of it and some nifty trinkets.

Our adventurers come across some hijinks afoot as local drunkard Bluto attempted to dispose of a body in the nearby lake.... a very much living body.... of a young girl. This is Arebelle of the Vistani who recently went missing and the heroes return her to her very appreciative father, after picking up some trinkets at the local toy store. They find out that the missing Ireena was recently spotted at the church. After finding her there praying, they leave Satori and Toby to watch over her while they watch the festivities, where things went from bad to worse. As the festivities got underway, the sky opened up and a deluge of rain came down... and hands came up from the ground to start grabbing at people. This also occurred as Nyx felt his shadows disperse and Aurora heard a scream in her head signaling that something had happened to Satori. They race back to find the injured Satori and the dead priest... along with some pointy teethed friends. These church services bite...

ur adventurer's meet the Burgomaster of Vallacki and are less than impressed. While looking for information, our heroes learn of a ton of goings on around town including: Missing Children, Wolves harassing the town, a crazy mage zapping fish in the nearby lake and constant festivals going on in town. Ug'te, Garbin and Cedric investigate a mysterious wagon being harassed by some youths. Upon getting through the door they meet Nelly.... A large saber tooth tiger that was being kept locked up and quickly become acquainted with her owner Rictavio. They retreat to the Inn to discuss the goings on and make their next plans. What all does this festival entail? Who is Rictavio and how does he know the information he does? What is with the Burgomaster's reticence to "ruin the festivities?"

Our heroes just barely survived their encounter with the Night Hag pie makers. They also found some nifty new items and learned some things - including hints on their next destination through discovering one of the Tarokka cards. Battered and beaten our adventurers resolve themselves to sleep in the windmill for the night...and eat the remaining pies. Eneith and Ug'te find themselves in dreamland much sooner than the rest... but what will they experience?

Our adventurers have made their way towards Vallaki and have taken a detour to the Old Bonegrinder mill; the home of Morgantha and her daughters and their bakery business. The heroes discover this is the origin of the trance inducing pies they found (and Cedric makes a snack out of one). Sensing something is not right, Garbin tries to usher his friends away - just to be stopped because he's trying to keep Morgantha from eating her snack. Battle ensues and its getting bloody. Will our do-gooders make it out alive? Or are they destined to be made into the next batch of Dreampies?

Our adventurers make their way from the Vistani camp and make their way downhill to the North following the river. As they progress, a storm picks up and things get crazy. After an "illuminating" run in with a treasure chest, our adventurers end up tripping after having some tasty meat pies found inside. Chaos ensued and eventually our friends made camp and made some additional discoveries. What happened in Berez? What's up with this crazy lake? Who was following them? Most importantly, can we have more pie?

Our Adventurers have learned that the mirage they saw of the gallows just a short while ago might have some harrowing secrets. They spent the night at the Vestani camp before setting their course back to town, their route taking them through swamp land. We shall see how they fare on the next adventure.

.In this shorter session, our travelers have reconvened at the Vestani camp to sort their wares and meet with Madam Ava.

Our party finds themselves hopelessly outmatched as enemies surround them with the intent of making this their final resting place. What could be driving this to happen? Is this one of Strahd's machinations? Or something else? Will our heroes find a way to survive or become more unwilling victims of this curse-blighted land?

Our adventurers make it back to town and find that it has recently been the site of a gruesome attack. They discover that Strahd's hordes had attacked in search of "someone" before leaving merely hours ago (coincidentally around the time he encountered them). They visit their companions and learn that the items contained in that box were meant to lead them to powerful relics that would help them take down Strahd once and for all. They work with Leonid to enact a plan to Santify the town with a large Hallow spell and deliver the necessary instructions to the head priest of the church. While there they pay a visit to the graveyard and meet the maiden herself mourning a recent loss. They soon find out that they aren't as alone as they thing as they overhear the rustling of stone and leaves nearby. What is coming for them? Will they be able to survive long enough to put their plans in motion? Guess we'll find out next time

Our adventurers made it to the core of the Murder House to a cultist altar and a terrifying beast. After a bloody fight, our warriors managed to limp away with their hard-won spoils - including a mysterious note and a magical set of Tarokka cards. As they escape the house, they are assaulted by Strahd and three mysterious women who had them attack each other and steal the cards for him. He quickly set them ablaze and left them to their pain. As the heroes regain their composure and save what remains of their cards, they seek the wisdom of one of their allies to figure out their next steps in stopping Strahd's ambitions. Where will the road lead next?

Our mighty adventurers drifted asleep following their previous tribulation to wake up surrounded by MIMICS! With a heavy heart, Nyx charged into battle alongside his friends, mourning his best boy and following a message from their companions in town. As they fight their way out they're joined by the bestest boy - after an infernal upgrade - and they continue to the furthest depths where a dungeon and a crypt awaited. There seems to be something much worse waiting in those waters... Can our adventurers survive?

Our adventurers have entered the Murder House. The bard had an impromptu surgery performed by their newest party member as she removed his hand's remnants and replaced them with a prosthetic. As they adventured into the house, they discovered that everything was more than what it appeared as suits of armor and dolls began to attack the party. As they climb through the house, they face off against the spectral children from before - who reveal that they may not be doing this entirely of their own free will. What does this mean for the party, and what will happen next? I guess we shall see soon.

Our adventurers have entered the Murder House. The bard had an impromptu surgery performed by their newest party member as she removed his hand's remnants and replaced them with a prosthetic. As they adventured into the house, they discovered that everything was more than what it appeared as suits of armor and dolls began to attack the party. As they climbed through the house, they faced off against the spectral children from before - who revealed that they may not be doing this entirely of their own free will. What does this mean for the party, and what will happen next? I guess we shall see soon.

After a hard night of drinking following combat with Strahd, our adventures are plagued with nightmares and dreams. While some of them have had these dreams of the dark depths of the ocean and the feywild, none of them were prepared for what they experienced, and one didn't walk away unscathed. They awakened to a nightmare with strange visitors in their rooms to haunt them, which no one else saw come or go. While they entrusted their furry friend to their new companions to rest. The team ran into the childish Satori and her robotic bird friend, Kiki, who is joining them to play. They go off to Watcher's Alley to gather information, where they meet the blind elven woman, Cassandra, who provides them direction on where they are to go next - The Murder House. Adventurer Beware - you're in for a scare.

Our adventurers have survived their deadliest fight yet - with themselves AND the lord of the land, Baron Strahd. During this fight, they finally put a face to the evil that is plaguing the land and found new allies who are willing to help them. They also believe they may have insight into a way to end Strahd's tyranny for good. Who are these mysterious guardians who fought beside them? What could they possibly find to help combat him? Why did it feel like he was holding back against them? Are any of them safe from his powers? We shall see - until next time.

Our adventurers left the Vistani camp behind with a few items and cryptic fortune tellings from Madame Eva. As they enter Barovia, everything seems a little off. The dead trees, burned houses, and birds watching the road. Some peculiarities come to light as our adventurers discuss their next steps at the local tavern. What's with the strange mercenary and the pale man in the corner? What is going on with the cryptic message left by Eneith on the table? Or the gift of wine given to Aurora? Who has it out for Nyx? I guess we shall see. Is it Thursday yet?

After a few days' journey, our mighty adventurers are set upon by the remnants of the bandits who helped bring them together (and their pets). After a long and harrowing fight, our adventurers stood tall over the corpses of the wolves that attacked while the bandits managed to sneak away. Will they meet again? Will Toby get revenge for his dead parents? What do their fortunes hold for them? Find out next time!