- Orlan uses teleportation to return the group to the keep after their adventure with Anora-Lynn - There is a rumour spreading around Alexandria about us - using our new namesake, The Stormcalmers “Up in the Spine, the storm never ended — until they came. They spoke to the dragon who carried a corpse upon her back. The blizzard died that night, and the mountains have been quieter ever since.” - Orlan informs Ellette about Anora's cursed skull - Kyo mentions the undying body the group found that is allegedly a prison for something. Anora attacked it - Orlan reads a book called Fun Facts on Mystra, while Kyo looks to learn more information about Myrkul, Bane and Jergal - We hear the sound of a woman screaming, upstairs - coming from where Nissa took Vastian - A huge bestial man in dark armour throws Nissa across the room, before taking Vastian and disappearing through a portal - a growling voice grumbles "Blood calls to blood", seeming to speak to Graxen - Ellette fetches Isolde as Graxen checks on Nissa - Kyo uses Divine Sense - feeling a Dark Lord resonance - Kyo heals two huge claw marks on Nissa's neck, using Lay on Hands - Black salts lays along the ground where the portal was, along with concealed mist - A mark remaining on the ground resembles an eye - the sigil of House Varrow, Graxen's family - Isolde advises that we speak with the Vestani - the only group who know how to enter and leave Barovia. Ellette protests that she has not seen these people since her last visit to Ravenloft. - Ellette argues with Isolde, demanding that the keep be made more secure against unwanted teleportation - There is a sound of boots running down the hallway, a guard bursts into the room. - He announces that someone has arrived, seeking an audience - The doors behind him are flung open - and there stands a tall figure in ragged robes. The temperature in the room falls - The figure speaks "too late... The child is already across the vail. The seam is cut, it's still warm" - The man pulls back his hood, revealing himself to be Zargathax - Zargathax believes that Graxen's mother has taken the child. He assures that he can transport us all to Barovia - He believes the barriers between the material plane and the dread domains are breaking as a result of Sordia Vignti's actions when last in Barovia - Zargathax offers to aid us in defeating a "greater threat" - he mentions Valeria Varrow, The Blood Siren, by name - Zargathax can bring us to Barovia, but we must travel to an ancient temple and must each offer up an item of significant importance - Kyo surrenders Eladra's staff (and takes disadvantage in Animal Handling) - Graxen gives up his brother's coat (and takes disadvantage in Religion) - Ellette gives up a locket that holds a family portrait (and takes disadvantage in Medicine) - Orlan gives up four of his skills (taking disadvantage in Performance, Animal Handling, Nature and Deception) - Steve surrenders her and Big Guy's wedding rings (taking disadvantage in History) - Zargathax mentions the time dilation - and how much quicker time passes in Barovia. Vastian may have already been gone a full year in the time since he's been taken from the Material Plane - Orlan takes the information for the location of the necessary ritual temple - opening a portal to bring us there - We arrive at ancient ruins - Ellette recognises a wildly overgrown fountain - Ellette is reminded of Chyrst, a town in Barovia - Zargathax begin placing magical seals on the ground, which cause necrosis as they spread - We each place our significant items on the ground. Zargathax surrenders a stream of white essence - Steve feels a sentiment of innocence as she observes this essence - The pile of items disintegrates, a portal tearing open in their stead. Five spirits flood forward, landing on the ground before us - Four remain in spirit form, while one transforms into a tattered, wretched human body with an enlongated jaw - This creature, a Bodock, speaks in the voice of Graxen's mother - claiming Vastian as hers - The group charges forward, attacking the Bodock and its spirit minions - After defeating the group, Zargathax finishes the ritual to open the portal to Barovia - urging us to enter - We arrive in the misty deminplane of Barovia - Zargathax grasps Ellette's shoulder as he passes through the portal, claiming he is unable to pass through alone - A massive behemoth of a creature, appearing to be a fusion of skin, muscle and stone architecture tramples across the valley before us - a walking fortress - There is an ominous feeling of being watched as we take in our bearings - Zargathax breathes in deeply, seeming to enjoy the atmosphere of Barovia - Orlan, who has been openly distrustful of Zargathax since his arrival - sparks the lich's ire, and is almost drained entirely of his vitality in return - Both Ellette and Graxen recognise the ruins of Castle Ravenloft amongst the sinew and flesh of the walking fortress - We decide to make our way towards the nearby town of Barovia - Graxen notices the sound of an old Barovian rebel song coming from the town - As we approach, Zargathax takes his leave - promising to keep an eye on our progress