Curse of Strahd Session 15: Secrets in Vallaki

Following their victory at Yester Hill, the party returned to the Wizard of the Wines to restore the stolen magical seed to Davian Martikov. Davian rewarded the group with two large barrels of enchanted wine and provided crucial intelligence regarding the land's history. He warned them of Strahd's prowess as a wizard and directed them toward the Amber Temple for deeper answers, while also mentioning potential leads in the ruins of Berez and the town of Kresk. The party then traveled back to Vallaki, arriving at nightfall just as the local church was closing. At St. Andral's Church, the party met Father Lucian Petrovich, who shared his concerns regarding the upcoming Festival of the Blazing Sun and the political tension between the Burgomaster and Lady Wachter. He specifically highlighted the danger of Izek Strazni, the Burgomaster's enforcer with a monstrous arm. As they departed, Chaya spotted a suspicious young man, later identified as the gravedigger Milovaj, sneaking out of the church, though he evaded her pursuit in the dark alleyways. Returning to the Blue Water Inn, the party encountered Gadof Blinsky, a flamboyant toymaker with a pet monkey named Piccolo. Gretch discovered that Blinsky had been commissioned to create dolls with an uncanny resemblance to Ireena Kolyana, confirming Izek's unsettling obsession. The party purchased several macabre toys and learned that the monkey was a gift from a mysterious storyteller named Rictavio, who may be the ally mentioned in Madam Eva's prophecy. Late in the evening, Gretch utilized a spirit board to commune with the local ghosts, seeking clarity on their objectives. The spirits confirmed that the final missing seed is located in Berez and provided cryptic hints regarding 'Dallian' and a dungeon. The session concluded abruptly when an obnoxious knocking at the inn door revealed no visitor, only a mysterious letter left on the doorstep, leaving the party on high alert as the festival morning approached.