The party set out from Krezk, following the instructions Esmerelda and Demetrius had given them. The road south was flanked by looming trees, their twisted branches clawing at the overcast sky. A cold wind whistled through the forest, carrying with it a faint sense of dread. After a couple of hours, they came across a grim sight. Nord’s carriage, once immaculate, lay shattered on the roadside. Splintered wood and torn fabric were strewn about, and the horses were nowhere to be seen. As the party approached cautiously, a guttural snarl erupted from the surrounding trees. Werewolves emerged, their yellow eyes glinting with malice. “Looks like Nord had some company,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] muttered, drawing his revolver. “No sign of him, though,” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] noted grimly as he prepared his staff. The werewolves lunged, their claws gleaming in the dim light. [[Ellette|Ellette]] moved first, her blade flashing as she deflected a swipe aimed at [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] unleashed a wave of fire, the flames forcing the creatures to recoil momentarily. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] summoned thorny vines that lashed out at the attackers, while [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] fired precise shots, each bullet finding its mark. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]], standing her ground, played an inspiring tune on her lute, bolstering the party’s resolve. The battle was fierce but brief. One by one, the werewolves fell, their bodies collapsing into heaps of fur and blood. “No sign of Nord,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] said, kicking over a piece of the broken carriage. “He’s either dead or taken.” “We can’t waste time searching,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] said, his tone firm. “The winery is our priority.” After a quick search yielded no further clues, the party pressed on. The road opened into a clearing, revealing an old, run-down building that once might have been charming. Now, it looked like it hadn’t seen care in decades. The fields in front of it were filled with aging berry bushes, their fruit shrivelled and unharvested. As the party approached, the eerie silence was broken by chittering noises that grew louder with each step. “What’s that?” [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] asked, clutching her lute tightly. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s eyes narrowed. “Rats.” From the bushes erupted a horde of rats, thousands of them, their beady eyes glinting with hunger as they swarmed toward the party. “Run!” [[Ellette|Ellette]] shouted. The party bolted toward the barn, the rats hot on their heels. They barely made it inside, slamming the heavy doors shut behind them. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] shoved crates against the doors while [[Ellette|Ellette]] cast a spell, freezing the edges to seal the entrance. “That won’t hold them forever,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] said, glancing at the gnawing sounds coming from outside. “We need to get higher,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] suggested, pointing to a ladder leading to an upper platform. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] nodded and began playing a soothing tune on her lute, attempting to calm the horde. The rats paused briefly but soon resumed their frantic scratching and gnawing. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] conjured plant-based platforms, lifting the party to safety as the rats began to chew through the barn’s wooden walls. The party climbed higher, making their way toward a small office at the far end of the platform. The office door creaked as [[Ellette|Ellette]] pushed it open. Inside, five robed figures sat around a table, their appearances desiccated and ghostly. The air was thick with the scent of decay, yet their eyes glowed faintly with a pale light. “Welcome,” one of the figures rasped. “We are the Wizards of the Winery.” The party stood frozen, unsure whether to trust the spectral beings. “You don’t look like you’ve been making much wine lately,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] said dryly, his hand hovering near his weapon. Another wizard chuckled, a hollow sound. “Our efforts have been... hindered. The gems that power the winery’s magic are missing. Without them, production has ceased.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] crossed her arms. “Where are these gems?” “One was stolen by the Forest Folk,” a wizard explained. “They are performing unspeakable rituals at Yester Hill. Another gem is in Strahd’s possession. The third... its whereabouts are unknown.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] frowned. “So, if we get these gems back, the winery can produce wine again?” The wizards nodded. “Yes. The wine is not just sustenance. It is hope. Without it, the hearts of Barovia’s people grow darker.” The party huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. “We should start with Yester Hill,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] said. “If the Forest Folk are performing rituals, it’s better to stop them sooner rather than later.” The others nodded in agreement. Turning back to the wizards, [[Ellette|Ellette]] said, “We’ll handle it.” As the party made their way out of the barn, the chittering noise had ceased. The once-ravenous swarm of rats was gone, leaving an unnatural silence in their wake. “That’s unsettling,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] muttered, his eyes scanning the empty fields. “It’s Barovia,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] replied grimly. “Everything here is unsettling.” The party adjusted their gear and headed down the path toward Yester Hill, the eerie atmosphere pressing in around them. The air was thick with foreboding, but their resolve was unshaken. The Forest Folk’s rituals had to be stopped, and Sordia Vignti would face whatever horrors lay ahead to restore hope to Barovia. [[Chapter 61. Yester Hill]]