Session 05 — Blood and Barricades

The party arrives in Barovia village to find it under siege by Strahd's undead forces, awakened just three months ago by a failed rebellion. They must intervene in a desperate mob demanding human sacrifice, commit to defending the village's nightly attacks, and confront the moral cost of their choices.

Pre-Session Recap

The party departed the Vistani camp with crucial knowledge: Strahd awakened from dormancy three months ago following Doru's failed rebellion. The Vistani have safe passage through the mists due to an ancient favor, but outsiders cannot leave. Aleric has become internally distressed about his possible oath to Strahd, and the party travels west toward the Village of Barovia.

Session Summary

Opening

After an hour's journey from the Vistani camp, the dense dark woods fall away to reveal the Valley of Barovia. The landscape transforms into gloomy, misty terrain dotted with thick fog. Lightning occasionally illuminates Castle Ravenloft, a dark twisted structure standing atop a lone pillar of stone above the village. The party travels through yellowish grass and farmland toward a small, humble settlement nestled in the earth, with a clear river flowing into the valley.

At the Blood on the Vine Tavern, the party meets Ismark Antonovich, the young burgomaster's son, who welcomes them warmly. He reveals that just three months ago, Doru, a local named Father Donovich's son, raised a rebellion against Castle Ravenloft hoping to free Barovia from its misty prison. The revolt failed catastrophically and awakened Count Strahd from a dormancy lasting nearly a century. The vampire has since sworn vengeance. Beginning six nights ago, Strahd's undead forces launched nightly attacks in waves, isolating the village from the world—undead infest the woods to the north, west, and south, while the mists block passage to the east.

Middle

The party ventures to Kolyan Anderovich's home, where they encounter a mob of approximately seven desperate villagers gathered outside. The mob demands the sacrifice of Irina, claiming that legends say Strahd preys upon red-haired women and that offering her blood might appease him. Kolyan, elderly and bearing fresh wounds from the siege, refuses this madness, declaring his people do not turn on their own. Daisy suggests in her characteristic directness that they could simply dye someone's hair red instead—a horrifying idea that doesn't deter the mob.

The situation deteriorates when combat breaks out. Aleric finds himself grappled by a villager and, attempting to escape, inadvertently throws his attacker hard against a wall, breaking the man's neck and killing the elderly mob leader Alenka. The remaining villagers back away in shock, calling Aleric a murderer. Though Daisy and Ria offer support, the situation is morally complicated—the villagers attacked first out of desperation, but an innocent has still died.

Closing

Inside the manor, Kolyan invites the party to rest and provides hospitality. Irina prepares a meal of turnip and rabbit stew. Kolyan shows the party a crude map and explains the undead assault pattern: dozens attack each night in waves rather than all at once. This suggests strategic direction—either to preserve food sources, break the village's will, or ensure they remain trapped and fearful. The party theorizes that Strahd is using psychological warfare rather than direct assault.

Kolyan reveals that Doru's rebellion was a response to desperation—Doru believed direct action might free Barovia from the curse. The failure cost many lives and awakened the vampire. Kolyan feels responsible for the disaster, having encouraged villagers to stay and defend their homes, not realizing the true power arrayed against them. The party agrees to help defend the village during the nightly siege before continuing their quest. Kolyan expresses gratitude and offers them shelter in the manor.

Key Events

• Arrival in Barovia Village — The party discovers the village under siege by Strahd's undead forces
• The Mob Demanding Sacrifice — Desperate villagers demand Irina's blood to appease the vampire
• The Accidental Killing — Aleric kills Alenka in self-defense during a grapple attempt
• The Burgomaster's Hospitality — Kolyan welcomes the party and provides crucial tactical information
• The Strategic Revelation — The party learns that Strahd is using psychological warfare through controlled wave attacks
• The Party's Commitment — The party agrees to defend Barovia during the nightly siege

Decisions Made

NPCs Encountered

Locations Visited

Combat & Encounters

Combat Breakdown — The Mob Demanding Sacrifice

Phase 1: The Confrontation

• Party makes way south toward Kolyan Anderovich's manor
• Encounter mob of approximately seven desperate villagers gathered outside burgomaster's home
• Mob demands sacrifice of Irina Kolyana, claiming legends say Strahd preys upon red-haired women
• Rationale: offering her blood might appease the vampire
• Kolyan Anderovich, elderly and bearing fresh wounds from ongoing siege, refuses the madness
• Kolyan declares: "We are Barovians. We do not turn on our own."
• Party pushes through crowd
• Daisy, in characteristic directness, loudly asks if they could simply dye someone's hair red instead (horrifies Irina but doesn't deter mob)

Phase 2: The Standoff

• Ria and Daisy take intimidating stances in doorway
• Party attempts to defuse situation through force of personality and presence
• Crowd backs away
• Elderly woman (Alenka) warns: "there'll be time" and that party can't guard them forever

Phase 3: The Escalation to Combat

• Situation deteriorates when combat breaks out
• Villagers attack party
• Aleric finds himself grappled by one of villagers
• Attempting to escape the hold, his strength inadvertently throws attacker hard against wall
• Attacker's neck breaks; villager dies
• Elderly mob leader Alenka is discovered dead
• Remaining villagers back away in shock, calling Aleric a murderer

Phase 4: The Aftermath

• Though Daisy and Ria offer support, situation is morally complicated
• Villagers attacked first out of desperation
• But innocent has still died
• Irina provides testimony: "Though I mourn for Alenka and the losses that she suffered, I will bear witness to the fact that it was justified and he acted in self defense."

Outcome: Combat brief; Alenka killed by Aleric during grapple escape; party retains village support despite moral weight of accidental killing; village accepts self-defense justification

Loot & Rewards

Memorable Moments

"We are Barovians. We do not turn on our own."

— Kolyan Anderovich, refusing the mob's demand for sacrifice

• Daisy's Directness — "Can we just dye someone's hair red instead?" horrifying but not deterring the mob
• The Accidental Killing — The moral weight of Aleric's strength inadvertently killing a villager during escape
• Kolyan's Vulnerability — The burgomaster's moment of asking the party to describe oceans and beaches, revealing Barovia's profound isolation
• The Blue-Tipped Crow — A mysterious corvid that accepts copper coins and rejects silver, suggesting sentience or magical connection
• The Tactical Revelation — The party's realization that Strahd's siege is psychological, not meant for immediate destruction

Plot Threads

Threads Opened

• The Siege of Barovia — Nightly undead attacks will continue; party committed to defense
• The Missing Gertrude — A potential side quest to find Mary's daughter
• The Blue-Tipped Crow — A mysterious intelligence that accepts copper and rejects silver
• The Tarokka Deck — A card reading showing "Innocent" crossed out; implications unknown

Threads Advanced

• Aleric's Oath — The party knows with certainty that Aleric swore an oath to Strahd (or his imposter)
• Strahd's Awakening — The vampire has been awake and active for approximately three months

Threads Unresolved

• What is the nature of Aleric's oath and what does Strahd expect of him?
• Why does Strahd use psychological warfare rather than direct assault?
• Where is Gertrude and what is her fate?
• What do the various items collected (necklace, gold rings, orb, stake, goblet) truly represent?
• What is the extent of Strahd's intelligence network?

PC Highlights

GM Notes