Curse of Strahd - Episode 12 'The Seed'

The players attempt to enter Krezk but are denied, they must find suitable wine as an offering... but something terrible has happened at the Wizard of Wines.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

Thank you all for joining us for episode 12 of our Curse of Strahd Adventure. Last episode we began as the players left the town of Valocchi on their way to meet our nemesis Strahd Von Zarovich for dinner at Castle Raven Loft. Per their invitation, they were promised safe passage. And that is what they experienced as they spent a few hours on the road that normally is accosted by werewolves, vampires, mystical omens, things along those lines. But they safely arrived at the foot of Castle Ravenloft, escorted by a black carriage driven by black horses, crossing the drawbridge over safely to Castle Ravenloft. When they arrived, they met Rahadin, the chamber chamberlain of Strahd, and met Strahd himself for dinner as he asked them about their adventures so far and established essentially established his dominance over them and called into question their motives a little bit before disappearing and letting them know that they are no longer guests in his domain, they are prey. And he toyed with them as they tried to leave, set sticking his dragon statues on them to breathe fire and almost kill all three. Luckily, Quickdraw was able to avoid some of the flame and was still up, just barely enough to heal Leo, who in turn healed Liriel. Looking back, they saw Strahd perched in his tower above, and let he motioned to his castle essentially to let them leave. Upon leaving, a bit of vengeance was spurred into them as they headed back towards Velaki, passing the old bone grinder and the site of the three knight hags, who they then quickly killed. This triggered them to level up to level six once they arrived in Vallachie. They also spoke with Arena and Father Lucian about Estrad, about the holy symbol of Ravenkind that Lyrial now possesses, and decided that in the morning they would take Arena further away to the abbey of Saint Markovia in Kresk, which was recommended to them by Donovich from the church in the village of Barovia. So that is what they set out to do the next morning, with the help of Soldar and Yevgeny yet again. On this trip, they encountered a soldier of the Order of the Silver Dragon from Arden Vostolt. He recommended that they are if they are against Strahd, they should go and meet up with his leader, and he would help them in some way. Yes. But their mission on this day was to get Arena to Kresk safely, so that will be for another day. So they currently are outside of the village of Kresk, hoping to kind of drop Arena off here at the Abbey, and then head to Yester Hill to recover one of the magic stone seeds that they need. Because they gotta get this winery back up and running, or else the entirety of Barovia is going to be without what they call the lifeblood of Barovia, this wine from the Wizard of Wines. So as you are now quick draw driving the wagon, you are now right outside of Cresk. As for the first time you have seen snow accumulation as you are kind of up into these mountains, it's getting a bit chillier. The air is growing colder as you approach this walled settlement. Two square towers with peaked roofs flank a stone archway into which way into which is set a pair of twelve foot tall iron bound wooden doors. Carved into the arch above the doors is a name, Cresk. The walls that extend from the gatehouse are twenty feet high. Atop the parapet you see four figures wearing fur hats and clutching spears. They watch you nervously. Nervously. Yutha Institut names and business Wow. We are the terrific trio and company.

SPEAKER_05 6:28

Oh that's how you're workshopping that.

SPEAKER_03 6:30

We seek the Abbey.

SPEAKER_02 6:32

Soldar and the Atgeny. Arena.

SPEAKER_03 6:40

What do you seek? Sorry, that was the wrong voice. And what is it you seek? The Abbey. Like I said.

SPEAKER_02 6:55

We will need to check with the Burgomaster Krezkov in order to let any new faces in town.

SPEAKER_03 7:04

Quick draw.

SPEAKER_05 7:06

Okay, it's understandable.

SPEAKER_03 7:08

All these procedures. We will be with you in a matter of minutes. We must fetch him. You see, uh, one of the guards runs off and goes to fetch him, returning a few minutes later. They look a little nervous, don't we?

SPEAKER_05 7:26

Yeah, like they were expecting someone else or something else.

SPEAKER_03 7:32

Well, they're ready to defend their town, that's good.

SPEAKER_05 7:35

They may have a wolf problem as well of Strata sending people here.

SPEAKER_03 7:41

I wonder if his treachery reaches this far. Well, it's probably does. But I wonder in what ways.

SPEAKER_04 7:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 7:55

He shakes his head no.

SPEAKER_04 7:57

Oh. Best we snuggle up then, I guess. Larry. Larry I was looking at you going.

SPEAKER_03 8:04

Do you put your arm around him? Can I like vibe? Scooch closer. Make an inside check. Scooch closer.

SPEAKER_04 8:13

Ooh. God damn it. I can do math, I swear. 13.

SPEAKER_03 8:23

He it seems like he's interested in the warmth. It's hard to say if he's interested in your warmth specifically.

SPEAKER_05 8:32

Don't let it don't let it distract you. You're in. I'll do it. Do it.

SPEAKER_03 8:37

You put your arm around him and he kind of scooches in a little bit.

unknown 8:41

Yeah!

SPEAKER_05 8:42

Larry all, like, you see like a real smile kind of on her face for a little bit. She's like, he looks at you and he's like, I know.

SPEAKER_00 8:51

I know, right?

SPEAKER_03 8:52

Soldar looks over at you. Are you cold? No, I am not. Thank you for asking. I was not talking to you.

SPEAKER_05 9:04

I'm alright.

SPEAKER_03 9:05

Are you sure about that? Yes.

SPEAKER_05 9:09

I'm alright, Soldar. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 9:11

You know, I'm still a little cold. I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 9:14

Uh Soldar comes over next to you.

SPEAKER_05 9:17

Oh my fucking god.

SPEAKER_03 9:19

Quick draw.

SPEAKER_01 9:20

No lord.

SPEAKER_02 9:22

No, we are the trio.

SPEAKER_04 9:23

Yeah, we're the trio.

SPEAKER_02 9:26

Yes, we're the trio.

SPEAKER_05 9:27

After she says to Soldar like that she's good, she is gonna turn back towards the front and just be like, just kind of give Quick Draw a look of like, really? Really?

SPEAKER_04 9:36

Leo's got the biggest fucking grin on his face right now.

SPEAKER_03 9:43

Yes. Yevgeny looks like so they're on either side of you, and Yevgeny kind of puts his head back to like talk to Soldar behind your head.

SPEAKER_02 9:55

And you hear him go, should we invite the pretty lady over here too?

SPEAKER_00 10:01

No.

SPEAKER_02 10:03

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't hear no you can hear that. Soldar goes, no more talking, Yevgeny.

SPEAKER_03 10:11

Shut up. Just then cigars keep me warm. Bergamaster Dmitry Kreskov commands your attention at the top of this wall. Announced by one of the guards. Bergamaster Dmitry Kreskov demands your attention.

SPEAKER_05 10:35

Do we clap? I don't know what the proper waiter.

SPEAKER_03 10:39

He, with his chin up, looks down at you.

SPEAKER_05 10:43

Oh god.

SPEAKER_02 10:45

Are you enemies of Strahd or allies of Strad?

SPEAKER_04 10:51

Enemies. Enemies. Absolutely enemies.

SPEAKER_02 10:56

Either way, I've seen adventurers like you come and go through this place, and we cannot afford any allies or enemies of Strahd. Be gone. We're not staying.

SPEAKER_05 11:12

We're just here to hopefully leave one of our companions here with you. In your abbey.

SPEAKER_02 11:21

One of your companions must be an enemy of Strahd as well, if they're with you, and we cannot afford any allies or enemies of Strahd. It will spell trouble for my town of Crisk.

SPEAKER_05 11:38

I don't want to say she's neither, because he's specifically after.

SPEAKER_02 11:43

If you would like for us to house one of yours, I could arrange it in exchange for a favor.

SPEAKER_04 11:56

Okay, what's the favor?

SPEAKER_03 12:00

If you can secure a wagon load of wine from the Wizards of Wine's.

SPEAKER_02 12:08

We have been without wine for days, and the la the next delivery is long overdue.

SPEAKER_05 12:15

Well, uh lucky enough for you, that's ex that's our next stop. That's exactly where we're headed.

SPEAKER_02 12:22

Good. Well return here with a delivery, and I will house your friend.

SPEAKER_04 12:28

Perfect. She's gonna have to come with us.

SPEAKER_01 12:33

Are you serious? Oh my god.

SPEAKER_03 12:36

You have a uh hallow spell over your abbey. I am not sure what you mean. It's a protection spell that wards off evil. I do not believe so, no. Should we take her back?

SPEAKER_04 12:58

She might have to go back.

SPEAKER_05 13:01

And we can't and he probably wouldn't even know, so we can't get in to check because he's being an asshole.

SPEAKER_03 13:08

Yeah, enemies or allies we can't house, but what if how can you not be one or the other in this place?

SPEAKER_05 13:17

I know, and what does it matter? If they were allies of him, I would hope they wouldn't let them in. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 13:23

I don't know. Maybe they're just he was just kind of getting you to say if you either way, if you're an ally or an enemy of him, he can't deal with it either of them. Yeah. If you would have been indifferent or no relation, then possibly, but weird.

SPEAKER_04 13:42

Is fantasy Russia okay with gay people?

unknown 13:46

What?

SPEAKER_03 13:47

Well, first of all, it isn't Russia, but yes. Well, they're champagne, so fantasy France exists.

SPEAKER_04 13:53

Yeah, yeah. This they're wearing hats. This is Russia, and it's cold. Russia! Let's go home to Russia!

SPEAKER_05 14:02

They're wearing fur, they're wearing fur hats, and it's cold. This is Russia. Yeah. I don't think all right.

SPEAKER_04 14:08

I've never been to Russia.

SPEAKER_03 14:13

Will you take our friend, daughter of the burg daughter of the late burgomaster of Barovia in your abbey?

SPEAKER_02 14:24

Kolyan and Direvich has passed. Yes.

SPEAKER_03 14:28

Yes. Not two weeks ago. This is the curse of the land we live in.

SPEAKER_04 14:33

Ah, yes, the curse of Strahd, one may say. That was quite good, Leo.

SPEAKER_03 14:39

Jesus Christ. I liked that baby. Ismark has taken over Bergamastership, and his sister Irina is here with us, and we mean to house her in the abbey here. And we will go get your wine, because that's where we're headed to s to fix the mess. Yes. I I apologize to you, miss. I know how you feel. My son has just passed recently as well. My my thoughts and my prayers go to your father's soul. Return with this wine, and I will house not only your friend, but all of you.

unknown 15:28

Oh.

SPEAKER_04 15:28

Lovely. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 15:31

Can you house her now by chance? While we take the trip, we mean her to We mean to not put her any danger, and I'm afraid danger is where we're headed. Make a persuasion check for it.

SPEAKER_05 15:42

Maybe we should keep her before before you do. Is the way that this wagon is set up, just so I can visualize it. Is it like front bench, little half wall, and then the back wagon where we're sitting? Like there's nothing in between like the driver.

SPEAKER_03 16:00

It's sort of like a two-seater truck where there's like the seat in the front and then there's like the bed.

SPEAKER_05 16:07

But like I could reach towards the driver. So as soon as you say that, sh they're all doing their thing on their bench. She is gonna lean forward and give you a quick kiss on the cheek and cast guidance.

SPEAKER_04 16:24

Ew!

SPEAKER_03 16:26

Good luck. Oh, I didn't know you two were together.

SPEAKER_05 16:30

Oh no.

SPEAKER_03 16:32

He is so red right now.

SPEAKER_01 16:39

That is a seventeen.

SPEAKER_03 16:44

I am sorry, but we cannot house any enemies or allies of Strahd right now, especially while tensions are high. We are out of wine, the lifeblood of our our village. And we cannot uh we just simply cannot do it.

SPEAKER_04 17:05

I think that maybe it's actually good if she stays with us because we don't know. Maybe we should like check out the abbey before we drop her off. We don't know. Maybe Strahd could be the Abbey. Just because it's far doesn't mean it's protected.

SPEAKER_03 17:19

Well, you can't really check it out. Well, not now. You mean once you return with line? Yeah, yeah. She uh Arena goes, uh I've brought my weapons and my armor. I can I can fight with you. We might need it, depending on what we get or still. Don't tell his mock.

SPEAKER_04 17:38

I would never betray your brother, so it I'm not going to be the one to say that you can or cannot fight.

SPEAKER_03 17:45

Are you truly in love with him? And Yevgeny turns and looks at you.

SPEAKER_05 17:51

Lyrielle has a hand over her mouth in shock. Not love.

SPEAKER_03 17:57

Lust, then.

SPEAKER_04 17:59

Sure. Yes. He's very handsome. Lyriel's gagged. She's like, oh my god, this is all happening at once.

SPEAKER_03 18:06

Well, next time I see him, maybe I'll tell him for you. Oh, Givgeny.

SPEAKER_04 18:13

Givgeny, it's okay. It's okay.

SPEAKER_03 18:15

Just put a put a hand on his thigh.

SPEAKER_04 18:17

Yeah, that's exactly what I was picturing. God, Leo's gone from no bitches to too many bitches. You've gone from nothing to a roster. Keep him on rotation. We didn't need to figure out how to get back here. Well, bye. After we get boofed back.

SPEAKER_03 18:37

By your orders, Oh Ha and Mighty Burgomaster, we will be back with your one. My greatest thanks.

SPEAKER_04 18:48

I like that this conversation happened in front of these guards.

SPEAKER_05 18:53

It's alright. It'll be alright.

SPEAKER_03 18:59

So we turn around. You head to Yester Hill.

SPEAKER_05 19:06

Leo. What is happening, Lyre? I don't know, but I love it. You need this. I feel you do need this. What? Don't worry about it. We'll fill you in later.

SPEAKER_04 19:18

Quick draw. You're gonna need to have a room to yourself tonight. Hopefully. Excuse me? Hopefully. I mean, I'm going.

SPEAKER_03 19:27

He kinda he kind of does this like. And he sees like your hand on his leg, like, uh-huh. Alright. And I I steal another look, turn over and look at look at Lirio backwards and and just kind of look back towards the front.

SPEAKER_04 19:47

Longingly.

SPEAKER_03 19:49

Alright. Checking for an encounter as you head south towards Yesterhill. You will pass the Wizard of Wines on the way. Just as a note. No encounters for the first half hour.

SPEAKER_00 20:06

I was scared.

SPEAKER_03 20:08

No encounters for the second half hour. Wow. Continuing on. Continuing on the water.

SPEAKER_06 20:19

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_03 20:20

And one more check.

SPEAKER_01 20:26

An owl bear emerges.

SPEAKER_05 20:32

The wagon you've been riding on, it's a mimic. Right. We've been a mimic the whole time.

SPEAKER_03 20:39

Thirty-six needle bites.

SPEAKER_05 20:42

They've unionized. They're coming to you.

SPEAKER_03 20:46

They've unionized. They've all have they all have reflective vests and hard hats on. So as you are traveling without any encounters towards Yester Hill, you pass the winery. And as you look across, you see grapevines have been absolutely trampled and destroyed. And then as you round the corner a little bit, you see the winery is in complete ruins. Smashed to bits. Dang. On the road, you see build again, right? These massive tracks leading up from the winery towards Yester Hill.

SPEAKER_04 21:42

Of course. I knew that was lovely. I knew it. My nightmares came true.

SPEAKER_03 21:47

Make a survival check. Shit.

SPEAKER_04 21:55

God.

SPEAKER_03 21:55

Natural twenty for twenty seven. Okay. You've seen twig. Blights, you've seen needle blights, these tracks are from a tree blight, an entire tree cursed and turned by these druids. As you continue up this trail, you can see it from behind, walking up Yester Hill slowly, its limbs creaking as a tree's wood and stomping onto the ground, creating more tracks sinking into this wet and cold earth. We did figure out that they're vulnerable to fire, right? You have not fought the tree blight with the needle blights we have. Yeah, those those other ones were. Okay. Can't hurt to try. As you approach, it senses your presence behind it.

SPEAKER_06 23:01

Excuse me!

SPEAKER_03 23:02

And turns around, and you see its massive mouth opens and screams this deep guttural disgusting noise. And it starts running towards you.

SPEAKER_05 23:17

Oh my god!

SPEAKER_03 23:18

Oh, how far away is it?

SPEAKER_05 23:19

I hate the forest.

SPEAKER_03 23:20

Uh it is about 60 feet away.

SPEAKER_05 23:22

Let's run! It's it!

SPEAKER_03 23:24

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_05 23:24

I actually I hate the real initiative.

SPEAKER_03 23:27

Fuck.

SPEAKER_05 23:27

I hate the forest.

SPEAKER_03 23:28

It's a plant. Can we get out of here? Can we book it?

SPEAKER_04 23:36

12.

SPEAKER_03 23:38

Alright, 22.

SPEAKER_04 23:39

Oh my god, and we have the hunters and irena.

SPEAKER_01 23:42

Twenty-two.

SPEAKER_04 23:45

Twelve. Two. Ooh. Is this technically a creature?

SPEAKER_03 23:54

Uh monstros game. Everything is a creature. Yeah, everything's creatures. Creatures.

SPEAKER_00 24:00

Creature. We're doing a few things.

SPEAKER_03 24:01

The creature featuring the creature. I think this thing is wise. Um, it's a big ol' fucking tree. Quick draw, you are up first. Uh arena rolled 15 and the scouts rolled tens. Okay. Bonus action. Hunter's mark. And it will reach because it's 60 feet. Nice. Uh that'll add an extra 1d6 to each of my attacks. I'm going to attack twice. Uh that is, those are def those definitely should both hit. We got a 27 for the first hit and a 23 for the second. Yep. AC is 15. Brilliant. That's not bad.

SPEAKER_01 24:47

15 plus. 15 plus 8 is 23 damage.

SPEAKER_03 24:53

Nice. Okay. You shoot it with was that three hits or two hits? Two. You shoot it twice with your crossbow and you see it shrieks as some of its branches and limbs start to fall off.

SPEAKER_00 25:09

Cool. Kill it with fire!

SPEAKER_03 25:13

Is that your turn? Yes. You can on your with your movement, you can move the since you're leading the the the wagon, you can lead it. Uh it's got a speed of 40 feet.

SPEAKER_01 25:26

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 25:28

I you melee guys gotta get up there, huh?

SPEAKER_05 25:34

To be of any help, you're going to have to move in it a bit, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:36

So come on, Jaquez!

SPEAKER_05 25:37

Yeah!

SPEAKER_04 25:41

Um, are you sure that's a good idea?

SPEAKER_05 25:43

I d uh otherwise I won't be able to get up there.

SPEAKER_04 25:46

You could get off and run though.

SPEAKER_05 25:47

Not far. I wouldn't make it to it. Yeah, that's that's it.

SPEAKER_03 25:50

So you're gonna move 20 feet closer? Or you're moving up. I am 40 feet. I am 40. I moved 40 feet. I'm 20 feet away from that. Alright. So I moved 40 feet essentially. Alright.

unknown 26:03

Okay.

SPEAKER_04 26:06

I hope this thing rolled low.

SPEAKER_05 26:08

I rolled a two. It's definitely going before.

SPEAKER_03 26:11

Um Okay. The tree blight is going to reach out, uh, shooting a root out and under the earth and then up through through the bottom of the wagon, and it's going to grab Leary. I need you to make a strength saving throw. The DC is 17. 17, damn. It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.

SPEAKER_05 26:44

It's a slutty 20.

SPEAKER_03 26:46

Nice, nice, nice, nice. Okay. Uh, you save this. You are not grappled. Ugh, I hate being grappled. Um, and it's going to take two swipes at the two in front. Oh god, which are Arena and Quick Draw. I should not be in front. Arena is going to get hit. And Quick Draw, it's going to miss with an 11.

SPEAKER_06 27:17

Oh.

SPEAKER_03 27:18

Arena is probably gonna go down here. Oh my god. Doesn't she? Almost an instant death.

SPEAKER_00 27:32

Holy sh.

SPEAKER_03 27:34

As it does.

SPEAKER_00 27:38

Put it in reverse.

SPEAKER_03 27:40

It does 17 damage. It needed to do 18 to put her in the grave instantly.

SPEAKER_04 27:50

Nine fucking hit points.

SPEAKER_03 27:51

As you see this branch reaches out. Yeah, nine hit points. As you see, this branch branch reaches out and slashes her, and she falls unconscious onto your lap. Oh, that's I'm gonna kill that burgamaster at Cresk. That's going. I'm I'll do death saves for her because these are important NPCs that you need to keep alive. Her turn is right after the tree blight. There's no way we can outrun this thing, is there? You have a horse. That's a success. Leo.

SPEAKER_04 28:25

Um, healing her. Absolutely. Um. She only has nine hit points, right? Okay, I'm gonna cast a healing word at her. I lad, I'm gonna cast a cure wounds at her. Um, I like reach up and I grab her. Um and she gets 15 back.

SPEAKER_03 28:48

Okay, so that puts her back up to full as uh you reach and touch her quick draw. You see uh her. As the wounds on her chest and face begin to heal, the blood uh pools back and drips off of her clothing. Um as the wounds fully close. Get me out of here! Yeah. Um I can't have Ismark haunting me.

SPEAKER_04 29:18

Can I can I retcon that and do a healing word instead for 12 instead of fifteen?

SPEAKER_03 29:25

Why not?

SPEAKER_04 29:26

Okay. Because I want to also cast um a firebolt at it. Um that's a 19 to hit.

SPEAKER_03 29:36

That's gonna hit.

unknown 29:48

What the fuck? What the fuck?

SPEAKER_04 29:51

I'm so scared. Nine. Uh 14 fire damage.

SPEAKER_03 29:56

Okay. It does not seem to damage it any more than quick draws arrows did. Is that your turn? Are you gonna move at all?

SPEAKER_04 30:07

Um, I'm gonna go in front of Arena and shield her.

SPEAKER_03 30:10

Like swap in places with her?

SPEAKER_04 30:12

Yeah. Can I do that? Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 30:17

Uh, Soldar and Yevgeny are both gonna hop out and hide behind the trees if you want to put them on opposite back.

SPEAKER_00 30:23

Don't kill them. I beg you. Hop out! Please don't kill them.

SPEAKER_03 30:27

Get in the carriage. We're losing. Take cover. We must kill this thing.

SPEAKER_00 30:32

Yevgeny, be careful, please!

SPEAKER_01 30:34

It destroyed all of the wine.

SPEAKER_03 30:38

Well fire! I guess we're not running. Uh, you can run. They'll hop on if you turn it around and run away, but they're gonna, while they can, they're gonna hop out and take some cover. They're each gonna make two longbow attacks. A Nat 20 for Yevgeny. Nice. And one hit for Soldar. Not bad. Not terrible, but could be better. Could be better. Should we run?

SPEAKER_05 31:15

Probably. But before we do, I'm gonna do something a little stupid.

SPEAKER_03 31:20

Didn't somebody just say we can't run from another fight?

unknown 31:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 31:23

I did.

SPEAKER_04 31:24

You did. I didn't say f I said from another fight.

SPEAKER_03 31:27

I mean, we've got we've got precious cargo that has 9 HP. Together they're going to do 16 damage.

SPEAKER_06 31:35

That's it.

SPEAKER_03 31:37

Which uh hurts the tree blake quite a bit. Uh and it's losing some bits and pieces of chunks. We can do this. Um yeah, uh, it's been one round and it's pretty hurt already. I think we could do this.

SPEAKER_05 31:50

Yeah, it's fine. Just keep it.

SPEAKER_03 31:52

Leary hasn't even had a turn yet, and we saw what she could do to the uh keep the bag.

SPEAKER_05 31:57

Suspicious the wagon. The bags. I'm going to hop out.

SPEAKER_01 32:02

What?

SPEAKER_05 32:03

And it only takes me 15 feet to get to him. Um I'm going to vow of enmity to give myself advantage. Yeah, that's a 23 to hit. And then an 18 to hit. Um, one of these is what the fuck? Opened the wrong tab again. Um of these is gonna be a divine smite at second level. Seven slashing, and that was a six.

SPEAKER_03 32:51

The seven will bloody it. Oh, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. We're good, we're good, we're good.

SPEAKER_05 32:56

Math, hold on. Uh, 13 radiant, and then the second hit will be a divine smite at just first level. 11. Slashing and five more radiant.

SPEAKER_03 33:14

Bro, as soon as Lyrielle got extra attack, man. Holy shit. On your turn. Heladins, baby! Uh, is that your turn then?

SPEAKER_05 33:24

I'm going to. I know it's gonna get an attack of opportunity on me. I'm gonna use I only used 15 to get up to it. I'm gonna use my last 15 to get back in the wagon.

SPEAKER_03 33:33

Okay.

SPEAKER_05 33:38

It's fine.

SPEAKER_03 33:39

Um, it's gonna make a branch attack at you. Does a 19 hit. I ya. Okay.

SPEAKER_04 33:50

You sound like naja from what we do in the shadows echo locating.

SPEAKER_03 33:57

21 bludgeoning damage. Yahya. Okay. As this branch reaches out and smacks, crushes three of your ribs.

SPEAKER_00 34:06

Oh! Oh! Why would you come back? Because you said we're going to leave.

SPEAKER_03 34:13

No, I'm killing this thing! Alright, three attacks. Um we'll have advantage. Because of my fucking thing. Vex. Uh, first one will not hit, so back to regular. It's not gonna hit either. You said it's 15 AC?

SPEAKER_06 34:34

Mm-hmm.

unknown 34:34

Fuck.

SPEAKER_03 34:34

Okay, yeah, I rolled 14, 12. There we go. 17 to hit. You have hunters mark on. I do have hunters mark on.

SPEAKER_00 34:43

I did.

SPEAKER_03 34:44

Damn, that's it. One one little measly hit. Uh, 10 damage. Okay, it's very hurt.

SPEAKER_04 34:52

And now it's its turn, right?

SPEAKER_03 34:55

And it is its turn. Oh, Jesus. I should have moved. Fuck!

SPEAKER_04 35:00

I'm shielding her.

SPEAKER_03 35:01

Quick draw. I need a strength-saving throw. Oh! DC 17.

SPEAKER_05 35:06

You have a plus three because you're in my aura. Oh!

SPEAKER_03 35:08

So I have plus five.

SPEAKER_01 35:12

Oh!

SPEAKER_03 35:14

Uh, 24. Shit. Uh, okay. You manage to uh escape this grasping root as it shoots up from the ground again. Um it's going to make two branch attacks. Are you within 15 feet there, Leary?

SPEAKER_05 35:35

Yep.

SPEAKER_03 35:36

Okay.

SPEAKER_05 35:36

Exactly.

SPEAKER_03 35:38

Um, taking that 36 damage from you, it's going to turn its attention to you now.

SPEAKER_05 35:43

Yeah, that seems about fair.

SPEAKER_03 35:45

A dirty 20 to hit.

SPEAKER_05 35:47

Yep.

SPEAKER_03 35:48

And then a natural one. Oh, goody. Um the hit is going to do 18 bludgeoning damage. Okay. And don't say. Okay. Like it's nothing. If it would have hit a second time, you might be down, but it does not have hit a second time. As it's reaching, trying to get you as you're running away from it. Uh, slips and falls prone onto the ground. Oh, shaking, shaking the ground. You see the wagon lifts up for a second and and hits the ground again. God, as it's.

SPEAKER_05 36:28

I shouldn't have thought that my ribs.

SPEAKER_03 36:30

Um, but then it's going to use its movement to press itself back up, uh, ready for a fight. Arena is going to fucking fucking move. Going to use her action to dodge. She's like, I can't let it hit me again.

SPEAKER_04 36:47

Good. Good.

SPEAKER_03 36:49

Uh and you're planning on she can use her move. No, she can't use her movements because she will be opportunity attacked.

SPEAKER_05 36:57

I took 31 damage, like it was nothing.

SPEAKER_03 36:59

Yeah, and she took how much everyone.

SPEAKER_04 37:05

I'm gonna. It's really hurt, you said.

SPEAKER_03 37:07

It's very, very hurt, yes.

SPEAKER_04 37:09

I'm gonna cast a guiding bolt.

unknown 37:11

Oh man.

SPEAKER_03 37:12

Larry getting up there and hitting it twice just.

SPEAKER_04 37:15

Yeah, that hits. That's a 16 plus seven.

SPEAKER_03 37:18

That hits. That's a what?

SPEAKER_04 37:20

16 plus 7. 23. Yep. Oh my god. I'm not I'm I'm too dizzy to do math right now. No, I was saying, oh my god, it uh that boys.

SPEAKER_01 37:31

Meh, make a deal.

SPEAKER_04 37:33

16 radiant damage.

SPEAKER_03 37:34

Nice. 16 more damage. How do you want to do this?

SPEAKER_04 37:38

I'm so like locked in on the fact that like Leo's so locked in on the fact that he might get fucked. He's like, I can't ruin this for myself.

SPEAKER_03 37:46

I got it, Prince.

SPEAKER_04 37:48

Shoots it and hits it right in the face and it just like explodes.

SPEAKER_03 37:52

Uh yeah. Winter Splinter is no more.

SPEAKER_05 37:57

Winter Splinter!

SPEAKER_03 37:59

Winter Splinter.

SPEAKER_05 38:01

Is that its name? Did it give itself that name?

SPEAKER_03 38:03

That's its name. Okay. What the hell? Winter Splinter.

SPEAKER_00 38:06

I now create the winter splinter. Oh, and die.

SPEAKER_04 38:13

So I imagine the druids.

SPEAKER_05 38:15

Leo, that was really cool. My ribs are broken.

SPEAKER_04 38:18

He touches you. He touches my ribs are broken. My ribs. You get 17 back. And he touches your ribs. It's not like a weird thing.

SPEAKER_03 38:28

You know what? Never mind.

SPEAKER_04 38:31

What? He kills it, goes up to you wordlessly, and just heals you.

SPEAKER_03 38:35

He's a better healer. Although I do have a little bit of healing magic, too. If you ever need it.

SPEAKER_05 38:41

I mean, you're welcome to. I'm still missing quite a bit.

SPEAKER_03 38:48

He swallows really hard.

SPEAKER_05 38:50

Right.

SPEAKER_03 38:51

Yep. And he will touch you. Cast cure wounds for 21.

SPEAKER_05 39:00

I'm gonna touch you. That's almost exactly what I needed.

SPEAKER_03 39:04

Nice.

SPEAKER_05 39:05

Note to the audience Lyrielle does have lay on hands and could have healed herself. Yeah, but you try to heal yourself when two boys can touch you.

SPEAKER_03 39:12

You don't want to waste that.

SPEAKER_05 39:13

And I've always said that.

SPEAKER_01 39:15

And I've always said that. Clip that for the timeline, real.

SPEAKER_05 39:24

Yeah. She when Leo does it, it's like a like thanks, buddy. Like, thank you. When you do, do you do the same thing?

SPEAKER_03 39:32

I go ever so like the gentlest touch on your ribs and concentrates this subtle sage glow from his hands.

SPEAKER_05 39:43

She puts her hand over yours. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 39:48

You'd be alright. Pulls his hand away, scratches the back of his head. Alright. Everybody alright? Boys, get back on. Come on. We gotta go.

SPEAKER_05 39:58

Yes, what are you doing? Get back on the wagon.

SPEAKER_03 40:01

As you slay winter splinter and it crumbles onto the ground in a mess of trunk, branch, and leaves. You hear the cawing of ravens as they fly and settle on its dead body. And then a bright green light tumbles onto the field. Glowing with a bright light. Oh, cowers, but up cowards. You see a magical green gem.

SPEAKER_02 40:45

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 40:47

I knew there was gonna be something in it!

SPEAKER_03 40:49

And you see the ravens caw and hop in excitement.

SPEAKER_05 40:54

Larry, I'll kind of hoff a little bit with them. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 40:57

Quick draw will.

SPEAKER_05 41:00

I believe that's what we're looking for.

unknown 41:03

What do you think?

SPEAKER_03 41:05

Quick draw will hop down and run over to it.

SPEAKER_05 41:08

We need those for the winery. Exactly what we're coming to look for.

SPEAKER_03 41:11

Do you pick it up? I do. As you pick it up, a sense of great power within your hand emits this is it. This is one of these magic seeds they called them.

SPEAKER_05 41:28

I got it! Amazing.

SPEAKER_03 41:34

And you see these ravens start to flap in celebration and then fly up away.

SPEAKER_04 41:42

Leo does it too.

SPEAKER_03 41:43

And towards the lineary.

SPEAKER_04 41:50

Yeah. Evgeny, did you see how I killed that thing?

SPEAKER_05 41:55

Yes, Evgeny, did you see how I killed that thing?

SPEAKER_03 42:00

He nods.

SPEAKER_05 42:01

Oh, he's back on the no-speaking thing.

SPEAKER_03 42:04

He's got him in trouble. That was incredible work by everyone. Thank you again, Leo. I uh literally wouldn't have survived without you.

SPEAKER_04 42:17

You're welcome. How are you feeling? Do you need to be able to do that?

SPEAKER_03 42:20

I I I honestly it's surprising. I feel good as new. Just a rush of adrenaline, I'm sure, and and this magical p power that you've bestowed upon me. Quick draw. Yeah, that's right. See that it's in shambles right now. Yes, I I'm not sure how they're going to r repair it uh even with the seed. If the wine does grow, well it might take some work to get it built. Yeah, well, that's the only that's the downside, is they'll have to rebuild the actual building, but once we are able to plant these seeds, it'll basically banish everything evil in there, pretty much, and we'll allow it to grow a new and beautiful vineyard.

SPEAKER_04 43:10

It'll be even better than it was before.

SPEAKER_03 43:12

But we need to get one more seed. Which is good to hear. I we uh I just hope they didn't destroy any of the existing wine or how uh Oh, they definitely have.

SPEAKER_05 43:21

Well, there may be some in the world.

SPEAKER_03 43:22

Well, how will we get to Kresk if we don't have any wine to deliver?

SPEAKER_04 43:26

I mean, maybe if we find the three gems, then they'll be happy enough to let us in because we saved the town's entire flow of wine.

SPEAKER_05 43:35

We only we only sold the winery destroyed from iron level. The basement could be fine.

SPEAKER_03 43:40

Yeah, there could be some other barrels on there. It's probably poisoned, but I just hope it was not poisoned like the rest of the wine. Yeah, we'll check it out. We'll have Leo look at it. What is that?

SPEAKER_05 43:57

What is what? What are you doing?

SPEAKER_03 44:00

One uh one of the ravens breaks off from the group that was flying towards the winery and f floats down into the forest. And then out of the forest you see a ware raven.

SPEAKER_05 44:21

You're back. Hello.

SPEAKER_03 44:29

You see he lifts up his arm and points looking at you, Quick Draw. Points at Yester Hill. And he says Go. And then walks backwards back into the forest, and you hear a f flutter as he returns. Well, that's where we're headed now, isn't it?

SPEAKER_04 45:11

Do you think he meant the tree went there already and destroyed things? I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 45:17

I don't know. What tree? Make a history check. It's dead.

SPEAKER_04 45:21

Now it is.

SPEAKER_01 45:23

Sixteen.

SPEAKER_04 45:28

Thirteen?

SPEAKER_03 45:31

Quick draw. An evil tree grows atop a hill of graves where the ancient dead sleep. It's in Yester Hill! The ravens can help you find it. Look for treasure there. It's the tree in the graves on the Yester Hill. Of course it is. Why didn't I put that together? Hill Graves Tree Yester Hill. Oh God. Hello.

SPEAKER_00 46:01

You gotta clip that.

SPEAKER_03 46:04

As you return to the wagon and head up towards Yester Hill, you hear not a memory this time, but a whisper in your ears quick draw. A deep voice carried on the wind as you arrive in Yester Hill.

SPEAKER_01 46:32

Long have I waited for one who is worthy. My spear hungers for blood. Retrieve it and rule these mountains in my stead like the mighty warriors from the early days of the whispering wall.

SPEAKER_03 47:05

And you feel a pull towards one of the cairns on the hillside.

SPEAKER_04 47:14

Quick draw, you look like you've seen a ghost. Can't you shower the class?

SPEAKER_01 47:19

Uh a voice spoke to me.

SPEAKER_03 47:22

Tell me to retrieve a spear to to rule these lands or something just like the warriors before. I put a deep voice, one I've never heard before. But it sounds like it doesn't sound ominous. It sounds like a like it like it's meant to help.

SPEAKER_05 47:50

Okay. Okay. Do you want to follow it? Is it telling you to go somewhere specifically?

SPEAKER_03 47:57

Yeah, this year, Kairn.

SPEAKER_05 48:00

Okay.

SPEAKER_04 48:01

I feel like we're saying that wrong. Did you Google it?

SPEAKER_03 48:03

Yeah. C-A-R C-A-I-R-N is cairn, yeah. Okay.

SPEAKER_04 48:08

I've just never seen it. Is that like a grave?

SPEAKER_03 48:13

Mm-hmm. Dirt trails run along two concentric rings of cairns that encircle the hillside. Each cairn is a ten foot-high mound of slimy black rocks. These burial mounds are so old they predate even the arrival of Strahd and these druids. Whoa. Buried under the rocks as you start to sift through are the moldy bones of an ancient tribe of berserkers that once lived in these mountains. As you go through a few of them, you start to be drawn even further to a specific one a bit higher up on the hill. The rocks of the cairn are heavy but can be rolled aside. So you push it. It starts to roll down the hill. And you see lying above lying amid moldy bones of Kavan. Kavan a blood spear. Whoa.

SPEAKER_06 49:41

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 49:46

Do you take it?

SPEAKER_04 49:48

I don't like that face.

SPEAKER_01 49:50

This must be the spear he was talking about.

SPEAKER_05 49:53

Um before you before you touch it, can I do some sort of either like religion or arcana or something?

SPEAKER_03 50:00

It's just a spear, Lyriel.

SPEAKER_05 50:03

I don't like the way it looks.

SPEAKER_03 50:04

You can, it's not gonna tell you much. Identify or detect magic is gonna be a good thing.

SPEAKER_05 50:08

Oh, I have to detect magic. I'm gonna use one of my charges of detect magic.

SPEAKER_03 50:22

You do feel a sense of magic emanating from this spear. But it does not feel evil.

SPEAKER_06 50:36

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 50:37

So you feel a sense of safety with whoever this voice and the spear to give to Quick Draw.

SPEAKER_05 50:50

Okay. I wanted to make sure that you know, if you touched it, you wouldn't like shoot up into the sky or get pulled down below or something.

SPEAKER_03 50:57

That'd be hilarious.

SPEAKER_05 50:58

No, it would not be. It would be a little funny.

SPEAKER_03 51:02

It will be a little funny.

SPEAKER_05 51:04

Fashion up into the sky. It's but it's safe to touch.

SPEAKER_03 51:10

So Alright. I will grab it. As you pick it up, a vision comes over you. You see through the eyes of Kvan, a ruthless chieftain whose tribe lived in the Balanac Mountains centuries before the arrival of Strahd. Although he was very much alive, Kvan had some traits in common with vampires. He slept during the day and hunted at night. He drank the blood of his prey and he lived underground. In battle, he wielded this spear stained with blood. His was the first blood spear, a weapon that drains life from those it kills and transfers that life to its wielder.

SPEAKER_00 52:03

Oh hell yeah.

SPEAKER_03 52:05

Imbuing you with the stamina to keep fighting.

SPEAKER_04 52:08

It's like Sara Box weapon.

SPEAKER_03 52:11

So you can add blood spear to your inventory.

SPEAKER_05 52:15

That's really cool. So sweet.

SPEAKER_03 52:17

And as the two of you, not magically drawn to this specific one, are kind of looking around, you see the tree. At the south end of the hilltop is a sickly growth of trees and bushes. A grove of dead trees and shrubs with huge misshapen with a huge misshapen tree at its core. Blood oozes like sap from its twisted trunk. Skulking around the tree are six gangly humanoid creatures covered with needles. Embedded in the tree is a shiny battle axe, beneath which lies a humanoid skeleton.

SPEAKER_04 53:08

This is the evil tree.

SPEAKER_03 53:11

This is the evil alive. Did I know it was alive? I don't remember it being described as alive.

SPEAKER_04 53:19

It was just described as evil.

SPEAKER_03 53:20

Yeah. Yeah.

unknown 53:22

Evil.

SPEAKER_03 53:24

Below the battle axe, you see a tome. One foretold by Madame Eva.

SPEAKER_04 53:37

Okay. Gimme.

SPEAKER_03 53:40

And that's where we're gonna end our episode.

SPEAKER_04 53:44

No, we gotta play it again.

SPEAKER_05 53:49

Come on. Do a little bit longer.

SPEAKER_03 53:55

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of Chaotic Naturals. Find us on all social media platforms at Chaotic Naturals or reach out to us by email. Chaotic Naturalspod at gmail.com. New episodes every Saturday. Listen wherever you find podcasts.