Curse of Strahd Session 4: The Windmill Screamed

The session begins at the Burgomaster's Mansion in Barovia, where the party awakens after a chaotic night involving a vampire attack on Ireena. Chaya inspects Lucian, who remains under a magical charm but is released from his chair to assist the party on the road. Ismark and Steinman provide a briefing on Vallaki, describing it as a fortified, more vibrant settlement compared to the depression of Barovia. The party prepares the cart and departs with Ireena and Ismark, aiming to reach Vallaki before nightfall. As they leave the village, they are intercepted by Morgantha, an elderly woman selling meat pies. Despite Ismark's visible irritation with the vendor, Gretch and Stoick purchase and consume the pastries, which smell unnaturally delicious. The journey continues for several hours to a crossroads where the party turns northwest. During this trek, Gretch and Stoick become increasingly lethargic and experience vivid, strange dreams, a side effect of the 'Dream Pastries' they consumed earlier. At a second crossroads, the group discovers the mangled remains of a human traveler. Gretch performs a survival check, identifying that three large wolves were responsible for the kill and have retreated into the nearby brush. Choosing not to linger, the party reaches the iron gates marking the border of Barovia's immediate territory. Ismark expresses concern that they will not reach Vallaki before dark, as the city is still several hours away through dangerous woods. The party decides to seek shelter at 'Old Bonegrinder,' a decrepit windmill on a hill suggested by Ismark. Upon arrival, Chaya ritual casts Detect Magic and senses a permeating magical fog across the land, as well as a specific source of illusion magic moving within the windmill. Riordan scouts the building and spots a young woman inside. Gretch negotiates with the resident, a 15-year-old girl, who grants them permission to camp on the lawn. The session ends with the party setting up camp and Gretch purchasing more 'bespoke' pastries from the girl.

Artist Credit: Frank Brangwyn. Windmill, Dixmuden, 1908. The Art Institute of Chicago.