Session 10 — The Crossroads

The morning after Madam Eva's haunting vision, the party gathers supplies and confronts harsh truths about their unpreparedness. Eliza's mysterious surveillance deepens suspicions, while a skeletal horseman emerges from the mists at the crossroads, blocking the path to Vallaki.

Pre-Session Recap

The party spent the previous night at Sorrow Pool with the Vistani, experiencing Madam Eva's revelation of the eternal procession of failed adventurers. They learned they must journey to Vallaki and prepared to depart at dawn.

Session Summary

Opening

The morning after Madam Eva's nocturnal trance, the party woke to find Irina had taken a cold bath in the river despite 37-degree weather and thunderstorms. After breakfast prepared by the Vistani—cornmeal polenta, stuffed cabbage rolls, and fried bread—Aleric began addressing the party's critical supply shortage.

When Aleric asked Stanimir about procuring horses or a carriage, he learned a harsh truth: the Vistani's animals are integral to their lifestyle as a traveling people. Their horses are draft animals with "bowed and broken backs" unsuitable for riding, and they maintain only two spares for emergencies. Surrendering a carriage would be "like giving you the house." Stanimir directed them to the Arasek Stockyard in Vallaki for acquiring mounts.

Stanimir's gentle exasperation at the party's priorities—asking for horses and houses but not blankets—led to a practical negotiation. When the party requested a tent after losing their equipment to werewolves, Stanimir initially offered only a 15x15 foot oiled canvas tarpaulin. Learning they fled werewolves, he agreed to craft a proper tent from the canvas. Daisy offered one silver coin—described as "wealth beyond riches" since silver is outlawed in these lands. Stanimir bit the coin to confirm its authenticity, accepted it as payment, and crafted a tent with stakes and 50 feet of hempen rope.

Middle

A growing subplot emerged with Eliza, the Vistani woman who had been caught following the party the previous night. Over breakfast, Aleric directly confronted her about her surveillance. She deflected with ambiguous responses ("Maybe you had a dream") and shifted uncomfortably, her Insight check revealing active deception rather than simple lying. When pressed, she escalated by loudly declaring to nearby Vistani men: "I am a married woman!"—effectively calling for backup and making Aleric appear to be pursuing her romantically rather than investigating.

Throughout the day, Eliza shadowed Aleric with perfect awareness of his position, appearing and disappearing around tents. Each time he cornered her, she employed the same trick—loudly announcing his pursuit to make him look inappropriate. The party noted her behavior was definitely suspicious, though Ria suggested she might simply be extremely nosy. The unresolved nature of her surveillance carried forward as a plot thread.

Aleric asked Irina to spar with him to improve his combat skills. Irina agreed enthusiastically and drew a greatsword, immediately scoring a hit across Aleric's cheek in a surprise round before combat formally began. The match ended with both bloodied and bruised, Irina notably unimpressed by Aleric's single-handed swing attempts.

A charming late-evening conversation followed where Aleric, Ria, and Irina engaged in animal metaphors for each other. Aleric became the "owl"—wise but sleepy, making "who?" sounds. Irina is the "fox"—quick and intelligent. Ria is the "honey badger"—cute but vicious. Daisy, the warm, snoring minotaur cleric, became the "mama bear," fuzzy and protective.

Before departure, Aleric attempted to thank Madam Eva for her services, but Stanimir intercepted him to report that she had been up all night doing mysterious work and had retired to her tent. Stanimir reciprocated Aleric's thanks warmly, emphasizing that the party had earned the Vistani's generosity through their intention to free the land from evil. He also mentioned that the Vistani traverse the mists regularly—a privilege most cannot claim.

The party realized they had significant supplies on hand: Aleric had 13 days of rations, Ria had 23, and Daisy had 15. Ria purchased 20 crossbow bolts from the Vistani for a silver coin, replacing ammunition depleted earlier in the campaign.

Closing

As the party set out from Sorrow Pool heading north toward Vallaki, they approached the crossroads where they had previously encountered Strahd. On this third visit to the location, a mist arose at the western crossing. Through it came a skeletal warhorse and rider, both clad in ruined chainmail. The rider held a lantern that shed no light. The spectre was not immediately hostile but simply walked down the path the party intended to travel, heading north.

The party's preparation for potential combat was pragmatic: they discussed using alchemical fire bottles (Molotov cocktails dealing 1d4 fire damage per turn to affected creatures) to create barriers. Daisy wanted to throw one before combat started, while Ria considered waiting. The DM explained that fire bottles can be thrown up to 20 feet and would burn longer than normal fire despite the heavy rain. The session ended with the party having positioned themselves strategically and ready to deploy the fire, with specific choices to be confirmed via Discord.

Key Events

• The Supply Negotiation — Stanimir provides practical wisdom about the party's unpreparedness, offering tent and supplies for one silver coin
• Eliza's Persistent Surveillance — The Vistani woman continues following Aleric, employing manipulation tactics to avoid confrontation
• Character Bonding Through Sparring — Irina and Aleric spar with live steel, demonstrating her combat mastery and their growing trust
• Animal Metaphor Game — The party defines their roles through animal symbolism: owl, fox, honey badger, mama bear
• The Skeletal Horseman — An undead figure riding a skeletal horse emerges from the mists at the crossroads, heading north

Decisions Made

NPCs Encountered

Locations Visited

Combat & Encounters

Encounter 1 — Skeletal Horseman Approach (Not Yet Engaged)

• Enemy: One skeletal warhorse and rider, both clad in ruined chainmail
• Status: Unengaged; the creature walked north on the party's intended path
• Party Preparation: Alchemical fire bottles positioned to control approach vectors
• Outcome: Combat pending; specific fire bottle placement to be confirmed

Loot & Rewards

Memorable Moments

"One silver is wealth beyond riches."

— Stanimir, biting the coin to verify its authenticity

• The Silver as Currency — The shocking revelation that silver coins are so valuable and rare in Barovia that one coin can purchase a hand-crafted tent with supplies
• Ireena's Combat Prowess — The realization that Irina is a formidable warrior in her own right, teaching Aleric lessons through live steel
• Eliza's Manipulation — The repeated social pressure tactics employed by the suspicious Vistani woman, creating a sense of unease about her true intentions
• The Animal Game — A moment of levity and bonding as the party defines their roles: the watchful owl, the clever fox, the fierce honey badger, the protective mama bear

Plot Threads

Threads Opened

• The Skeletal Horseman — An undead figure of unknown origin and allegiance has appeared at the crossroads, blocking the path north. Its relationship to Strahd or other powers remains unclear.
• Eliza's True Purpose — Her persistent surveillance and evasion tactics suggest she is either gathering intelligence for an unknown party or driven by personal curiosity. Her methods are increasingly concerning.

Threads Advanced

• The Journey to Vallaki — The party is now actively traveling north toward the town, facing obstacles and environmental challenges

Threads Unresolved

• Who or what is the skeletal horseman?
• What does Eliza truly want from the party?
• Will the party reach Vallaki safely?
• What lies ahead on the northern road?

PC Highlights

GM Notes