The adventurers began this session crammed into the cellar of a decrepit Vallaki house, hidden by the wereraven Dannika Martikov after their chaotic escape from the gallows. Radley Fullthorn, the Human Eldritch Knight, and Daermon Cobain, the Elf Arcane Trickster, were unconscious, dragged to safety by allies while Urihorn Tenpenny, the Halfling Beastmaster, and his panther kept watch. Above, Wachter’s patrols rattled doors and questioned villagers, searching for fugitives.

When Radley and Daermon regained consciousness, the group debated their next move. Their companion Traxidor, the Half-elf Cleric of Light, had been executed. Worse, his body was strung up in public. In Barovia, corpses are not only reminders of mortality but tools of terror. Radley recalled earlier visions of hanged comrades — Valen’eir’s ghost and Baron Vallakovich’s lynching — all echoes of this grim moment. Barovia repeats its cruelties, each cycle sharper than the last.

The group considered a desperate plan. Perhaps the Abbot at Krezk could resurrect Traxidor, if they could reclaim his body. Dannika scouted the gates, reporting guards and wardens everywhere. She armed Radley with studded leather and a raven-crested shield, a sign of the Keepers of the Feather, the wereraven resistance. Urihorn revealed he could heal and offered Van Richten’s potion. Plans set, they waited for nightfall.

At the square, Traxidor’s corpse swayed in the dark. Four guards stood watch. Daermon and Radley approached disguised as drunks, hoping to lower suspicion. Urihorn, hidden above with bow drawn, covered them. The ruse worked. Guards jeered, ready to shake down “drunkards.” The ambush was swift: Daermon slid a dagger through a heart, Radley crushed another, Urihorn’s arrows dropped the rest. One fleeing man burned alive from Radley’s fire bolt, another fell pierced by arrows. No mercy tonight.

Then laughter echoed. Lady Wachter’s voice boomed unnaturally loud, mocking their efforts as predictable. Her image shimmered nearby. Daermon lunged, cleaving her form — but his blade passed through. She was only an illusion.

The air rippled. From portals spilled fiends: Spined Devils, winged horrors firing volleys of burning barbs, and a towering Barbed Devil, stinking of brimstone, its hide covered in jagged spines, its eyes glowing with malice. Lady Wachter had summoned servants of Asmodeus, lord of the Nine Hells.

The battle turned desperate. Spines rained. Hellfire burned. Radley’s fire bolt splashed harmlessly against the devils’ infernal resistances. Urihorn loosed arrow after arrow, panther snarling. Daermon dodged, struck, and poured Van Richten’s potion down Radley’s throat to keep him alive. The cleric’s corpse swung like bait, pierced by spines meant for Radley.

Urihorn found a mark — one devil burst into ash. But more pressed on. Radley cut the noose, slinging Traxidor’s body over his shoulder. Spines pierced the corpse but missed his living flesh. Devils chased them down alleys, fireballs crashing, barbs flying. Together, the adventurers staggered toward the Blue Water Inn, wounded, burdened, pursued. The city itself seemed to close in.

Barovia always twists rescue into torment. They had slain guards, claimed Traxidor’s body, even destroyed a devil. But they remained hunted, battered, and uncertain if they could even reach sanctuary. Wachter’s laughter still rang in their ears.

Heroes

• Radley: Human Eldritch Knight, fighter with sword and fire magic.

• Daermon: Elf Arcane Trickster, rogue with stealth and illusions.

• Urihorn: Halfling Beastmaster Ranger, partnered with a black panther.

• Traxidor (fallen): Half-elf Cleric of Light, executed by Wachter.

• Sören (fallen): Aasimar Paladin, slain earlier by the Reeve.