Sunny Barovia

 2/20/24 Once Oloch called back to us, the newcomers stopped, aware that they had been seen.   They moved off into the tree line, south of the road.   They never got close enough for us to get a good look at, but it seemed as if at least one of them was carrying some sort of spear or polearm. The guardsmen who had been helping with the meat processing, put down their tools and picked up their crossbows.   Most of our party moved into defensive positions in case the visitors decided to close on us under cover of the tree line and emerge with hostile intent. Sgt. Merrill indicated we had about 2/3 rds of the animals processed and packed.   After a group discussion, we decided it was wisest to pack up with what we had and head back to the village. After all, there were 40-50 townsfolk here who came to gather meat, not fight.   We stood guard while everything was made ready.   All except Laz.   He had taken it into his mind to head into the t...

 2/13/24 Despite their speed on approach, the fight didn’t last long.   I felt the familiar tingle of magic (besides my own) as Wolfram activated his Mace of Terror.   Several wolves immediately fled the area, tails between their legs.   Lady Ireena summoned her ghost guardians while Laz danced between the giant canines, stabbing with impunity.   Dasco utilized his Bloodspear to great effect while Oloch and Wolfram might as well have been lumberjacks clearing a grove of trees.   I hovered above, taking potshots where I could. At one point Walter looked like he was about to go down, but he healed himself and got to a safer area. After the pack had been dispatched, I landed and we confirmed everyone was reasonably healthy, given the circumstances.   We now had an abundance of wolf meat and hides, which would be quite welcome in Vallaki and Krezk.   The problem is how we would get a dozen horse-size corpses to either village. Wolfram asked if...

 8/8/23 Between the zombie fight and the tour of Ireena’s past lives, we decided that we really weren’t up for a confrontation with Baba Lysaga right now, if we could possibly help it. I was exhausted, Connell even more so, or so it looked. It was getting late, but we figured we could likely make it back to Vallaki by nightfall.   I was still in the hellhound form, so I scouted forward to lead our little group, which now included the goat, apparently.   We waded back through the muck of the swamp and finally got back to solid ground. My spell dropped and I regained my normal shape and faculties. After about 45 minutes or so, we came to the part of the path where we had seen glimpses of an old castle through the fog.   Laz raised a finger as he looked about, clearly listening for something.   We paused, then from the south the sound of hoofbeats.   Many hoofbeats. Getting closer.   Soon, a dark banner designating some unrecognized military unit ...