Session Twelve: Wintersplinter Walks, Valaki Burns
Poisoned visions, burning vineyards, and the soft voice of Strahd in the storm.
Date: June 14, 2025
Players: Sean D. (Sören Ironwood – Aasimar Paladin), Chris (Radley – Human Fighter), Carey (Traxidor – Half-Elf Cleric), Trip (Daermon Cobain – Half-Elf Rogue)
Filed Under: Curse of Strahd, Gothic Horror, D&D Recaps, Campaign Chronicles
Previously in Barovia...
Twelve days in the Mists. Five consumed by the Death House. Three since Valen’eir's hanging in the square.
The Martikovs' vineyard was blighted and nearly lost. A Gulthias Tree bled and spawned horrors. A magical gem was recovered—but only after the druids awoke something ancient atop Yester Hill. Something large. Something walking.
And Strahd? He watches. He waits. And now... he’s spoken.
The Effigy Begins to Walk
Traxidor wakes in the Wizard of Wines and learns his companions have gone to Yester Hill. Weary but determined, he shoulders his pack and marches south.
He arrives just in time to see a nightmare: Wintersplinter, a massive effigy of lashed wood and primal hatred, animating and turning its gaze toward him. Even worse—Strahd, astride a flaming steed, circles the hill like a sovereign inspecting his creation. Traxidor vanishes into the woods, unseen.
Meanwhile, on the hill’s southern slope, Sören, Radley, and Daermon evade a cluster of druids and wild-men drawn to their earlier battle. The party reunites and watches in tense silence as the towering effigy stomps away—north, back toward the winery they’d just saved.
A Vision in the Mist
With the druids gone, the adventurers ascend the now-vacant hilltop. At the edge of Barovia’s western border, the mists shimmer. A vision emerges—a breathtaking valley of waterfalls and alabaster towers, radiant and serene. A dream.
Entranced, they fail to notice Strahd’s approach until it is too late.
He emerges from the stones, calm, pensive, and unhurried. He speaks of the Whispering Wall, of ancient gods and exhaled memories, of futures folded into fog. The vision, he says, is of his ancestral homeland—before Barovia. Before the dark.
And then, with theatrical grace:
“Do not skulk away like petulant children. Go. I give my permission for you to take your leave.”
The adventurers retreat—but not without punctuation.
Sören, possessed by either sacred irreverence or gastrointestinal urgency, pauses in the central stone circle and defecates on one of the druids’ sacred rocks. The desecration is immediate. The relief, reportedly, profound.
The Battle for the Winery
The party races back to the Wizard of Wines. They arrive just as Wintersplinter reaches the vineyard, smashing fences, flattening fields, and battering the glassblowing workshop until its roof collapses.
Combat erupts.
Radley charges and is swiftly flattened by two crushing blows, his body thrown aside into the mud. The others try ranged attacks, but the effigy’s enormous reach punishes them still. Traxidor conjures a Spiritual Weapon, revives Radley with a Cure Wounds, and launches Guiding Bolts—some hit, most fizzle in the storm.
Then the effigy’s gnarled vines wrap around Traxidor, squeezing the breath from him.
Sören, wielding the Gulthias axe, charges. He lands a devastating blow. The tree-monster shudders, then retaliates—biting Sören nearly in half and spitting him unconscious onto the ground.
Victory teeters on collapse.
Until Daermon sees it: a bluish glow inside the construct. He looses a single arrow. It flies true.
Wintersplinter collapses, shattering like a dying forest.
Wine, Gem, and Gratitude
Daermon pulls the magical gem from the wreckage. Davian Martikov weeps with joy. The winery—again—can be saved. The adventurers, battered and unconscious, are carried inside. They spend the rest of the day in healing and rest. The Martikovs offer food, shelter, and a wagon escort to deliver the wine to Vallaki.
For one fleeting day, there is warmth.
Day Eleven – A City in Ashes
Vallaki is not as they left it.
The gates hang open. Houses lie burned. The Church of Saint Andral is razed.
At the Blue Water Inn, Danika tells them what happened:
During the Festival of the Blazing Sun, rain extinguished the Burgomaster’s torch. The crowd laughed. Then the vampires came.
They attacked without mercy, leaping from rooftops and alleys. Blood was spilled in the streets.
Strahd arrived and demanded Ireena. The townsfolk surrendered her.
Then came the mob.
Lady Fiona Wachter incited the crowd. Blamed the Baron. They stormed his mansion. Stripped and lynched him and his wife in the square—naked, their heads covered by donkey masks. Fiona declared herself Vallaki’s new Burgomaster and pledged loyalty to Count Strahd.
Rictavio and the Brandy of Darkon
Daermon and Radley meet with Rictavio. He offers brandy from Darkon, a place outside Barovia. They question him about the bones of Saint Andral, but he feigns ignorance.
When they mention vampires, Rictavio closes the door and asks,
“How do you feel about vampires?”
Daermon answers with polite ambiguity.
Disappointed, Rictavio dismisses them.
The Devil’s Letter
That evening, a stranger enters the inn. He delivers a sealed envelope, bearing Strahd’s crest. He says only:
“I came by it from an agent of the devil.”
The letter reads:
My friends,
Know that it is I who have brought you to this land, my home, and know that I alone can release you from it.
I bid you dine at my castle so that we can meet in civilized surroundings.
Your passage here will be a safe one.
I await your arrival.—Your host,
Strahd von Zarovich
Next Time...
The party has faced monsters, trees, mobs, and gods.
Now comes the hardest question yet:
Do you accept Strahd’s invitation?
🕯️ World & Campaign Overview
Barovia
Barovia is a mist-shrouded valley surrounded by impassable mountains. Time feels unstable here. Days pass, but the sun barely shines. The land is cursed, the people cowed, and hope a rare commodity.
It is ruled by a tyrant, Count Strahd von Zarovich, a figure of myth and dread—both host and hunter.
The party was brought here without consent and has since learned that escaping Barovia is not simply a matter of leaving—it is a matter of power, fate, and invitation.
🧛 Known Factions and Forces
The Martikovs
A family of winemakers who run the Wizard of Wines.
Secretly wereravens who resist Strahd.
Guardians of ancient magical gems that once sustained their vineyard and the land’s fertility.
Allies of the party.
The Druids & Wild Men
A chaotic cult dedicated to nature’s darker aspects.
Desecrated Yester Hill with rituals and constructed Wintersplinter, a walking effigy animated by dark magic and one of the vineyard’s stolen gems.
Worship Strahd as an avatar of the land’s power.
Lady Fiona Wachter
A Vallaki noblewoman who staged a coup, blaming the burgomaster for Strahd’s wrath.
Now claims to lead the town in open fealty to Strahd.
Strahd von Zarovich
The vampire lord of Barovia.
Charismatic, eternal, cultured, and terrifying.
Watches the party closely and has now sent them a personal invitation to dine at Castle Ravenloft.
🛡️ The Party (as of Session 12)
🗡️ Radley Fullthorn (Human Fighter – Eldritch Knight)
A brilliant mix of brawn and arcane bite.
Known for his sarcasm, bold charges, and recent decision to defile a sacred stone with bodily protest.
Knocked unconscious by Wintersplinter’s brute force.
🌟 Sören Ironwood (Aasimar Paladin – Oath of Vengeance)
A divine warrior marked by radiance and wrath.
Swings a sacred axe recovered from the Gulthias Tree.
Nearly swallowed whole by Wintersplinter’s maw.
Carries the weight of vengeance like a torch and a curse.
💉 Traxidor (Half-Elf Cleric – Life Domain)
The party’s spiritual backbone.
Wields healing, Guiding Bolt, and Spiritual Weapon.
Has been knocked unconscious, revived others, and delivered key divine blows.
Rejoined the party on Yester Hill after recovering from the previous battle.
🕴️ Daermon Cobain (Half-Elf Rogue – Swashbuckler)
A charming duelist and new arrival to Barovia.
Quick with wit and quicker with a blade.
Landed the killing blow on Wintersplinter by striking a glowing heart within the creature.
His mysterious past and cool exterior hint at deeper motivations.
🌲 Known Creatures & Constructs
🌿 Blights
Plant-based undead spawned by cursed trees.
Variants encountered:
Twig Blights: swarm attackers
Vine Blights: entangle and crush
Needle Blights: ranged piercing attacks
🌳 Gulthias Tree
A vampire-tainted tree born from the stake used to slay a vampire named Gulthias.
Its blood-sap and twisted form nurture blights.
Sören now wields a vampiric axe pulled from its roots.
👹 Wintersplinter
A living effigy, empowered by druidic rites and a magical gem.
Towering, brutal, and terrifying.
Nearly killed multiple party members.
Destroyed by a well-placed arrow to its glowing core.
✨ Known Spells, Magic, & Relics
Cleric Spells Used
Cure Wounds: heals allies
Guiding Bolt: radiant damage + advantage
Spiritual Weapon: floating spectral force
Sanctuary, Bless: used earlier in the campaign
Paladin Powers
Divine Smite: radiant burst on melee
Lay on Hands: healing
Vow of Enmity: Oath of Vengeance feature
Radiant aura & undead-hunting abilities
Eldritch Knight Abilities
Magic Missile, Shield, Thunderwave
Spell + blade synergy
Arcane Defense, War Magic (Level 5)
Swashbuckler Features
Rakish Audacity: adds CHA to initiative, avoids OA
Fancy Footwork: hit-and-run melee
Solo dueling prowess
Magical Gem (Recovered)
One of three tied to the vineyard’s power
Recovered from the wreckage of Wintersplinter
Returned to the Martikovs
Axe of Gulthias
Cursed or sacred? Still unknown.
Clearly powerful against Wintersplinter
Bound to undead energy
🧭 Locations Unlocked
Wizard of Wines Winery: Now safe again
Yester Hill: Site of druid rituals and the Gulthias Tree
Vallaki: Recently overthrown, under new rule
The Whispering Wall: A mystical veil in the western mists, showing visions of Strahd’s ancestral homeland
✉️ Recent Developments
Strahd has invited the party to Castle Ravenloft—politely.
Ireena has been taken from Vallaki by Strahd.
Fiona Wachter rules Vallaki and has declared allegiance to Strahd.
💀 What the Party Doesn’t Know (and You Didn’t Ask 😉)
This guide is current through Session Twelve and contains no spoilers beyond what the characters have seen, heard, or suffered. Future horrors, twists, and revelations await—beyond the Whispering Wall and beyond the gates of Ravenloft.
Log Provided by Sean Scanlon, Dungeon Master
Session Twelve - June 15, 2025Players: Sean D. (Sören Ironwood - Aasimar/Paladin), Chris (Radley - Human/Fighter), Carey (Traxidor - Half Elf/Cleric) and Trip (Daermon Cobain - Half Elf/Rogue).Traxidor wakes at the Wizards of Wine and is told by Davian Martikov that his friends have gone to Yester Hill to seek the gems stolen by the druids. He dresses and gathers his equipment before making a hasty march southward to catch up with his companions. Meanwhile, the rest of the party had just finished fighting the blights when Traxidor arrived at the northern side of Yester Hill. Traxidor immediately recognizes the unmistakable fiery mount of Strahd on the hill abovevhim. He also sees the enormous effigy, at the center of the ring of stones, as it begins to walk and turn towards him. At that moment, Strahd rides around the west side of the stone circle at the top of the hill and disappears from view. Traxidor dashes to the eastern wood line to avoid the effigy and Strahd’s attention. Once concealed he begins traveling southward. Meanwhile, at the southern slope near the Gulthias Tree, the remaining adventurers retreat to the southern wood line, to evade a group of curious druids and wild-men who were attracted by their spell casting when they were fighting the blights.The party reunites and watches the effigy the druids call Wintersplinter stalk down Yester Hill and north on the road they came on. Seeing all the wild-men and druids that had gathered at the hilltop now departing to the east, the adventurers decide to investigate the vacant hilltop themselves. Just before reaching the circle of stones their attention is drawn to a shimmering in the mists that mark the western border of Barovia. Within, a vision of a beautiful valley coalesces. The valley is surrounded by peaks with cascading waterfalls. At the center is an alabaster city of gleaming domes and delicate spires. Mesmerized by the vision, the party is distracted and doesn’t notice Strahd;s approach astride his burning nightmare until he trots from around the stone circle. He addresses the party in an almost casual tone, saying, “The ancient folk of this land called the mist the Whispering Wall, and it is said within it they could hear the whisper of voices from the past and the future. Some believed that an ancient god gave up his divinity to preserve the world from destruction and that his last exhalation produced this mist. Within it were all his memories of the world and all his visions of its possible futures. But now it only shows the vision of my ancestral land, where my family ruled before I came to Barovia. Strahd continues to stare into the vision as the adventurers tentatively back away. Almost absently Strahd says, “Do not skulk away like petulant children! Go, I give my permission for you to take your leave.” And rapidly the party retreats from the pensive lord of Barovia. While passing through the central ring of stones, Radley stops to defecate on a rock in protest to the sanctity of the Druidic’s ritual site. If nothing else, he immediately feels relieved having vacated his colon. Fearing whatever mission the druids had for Winter Splinter the party hastens back north. They catch the animated effigy as it reaches the Wizard of Wine, as see the destruction where is tore through the rails of the vineyard as it crossed the fields. It the begins hammering at the wall of the glassblowing workshop. The central part of the roof collapses and part of the wall is stoved in. Charging across the fields the party casts spells, hurls javelins, and shoots arrows at Winter Splinter. Having attracted the enormous effigy attention, it turns and stalks towards the party. As Radley rushes to strike the giant figure rains two consecutive blows against him. His unconscious form is thrown asides and he lands heavily in the muddy field. Seeing their sturdy companion so easily cast aside the adventurers pause for a moment. They attempt to stand off and attack at range, but with Winter Splinter’s tremendous reach it still lands crushing blows against them. Traxidor invokes his Spiritual Weapon, and then he casts Cure Wounds on Radley. Subsequently he casts several guiding bolt spells. But only one hits the creature, and the remainder go streaking off into the low overcast above them. Then Traxidor is grasped by gnarled vines that reach up from the ground and his breath is nearly crushed from him. Soren charges to attack and chops at Winter Splinter with the axe he had retrieved from the Gulthias Tree. It bites deeply into Winter Splinter and the effigy shudders from the blow. In retaliation, the effigy gray maw bites Sören nearly swallowing him whole, but it then spits him to the ground where he lands unconscious. However, the party’s relentless attack begins to take a toll on the effigy, and as it seems the party is on the verge of disaster, Daermon seeing a bluish glow from within the creature. Knocking an arrow he shoots at the light as his mark and unerringly strikes the blow that fells the effigy. Winter Splinter crashes to the ground as a giant heap of branches and lashed twigs. Released from the crushing vines, Traxidor binds the wounds of Radley and Soren to ensure they are stabilized. Meanwhile Daermon recovers a gem from within the heap that was Winter Splinter. The Martikov family had gathered to watch the battle through the hole Winter Splinter created in the winery’s wall, and are elated at the creature's destruction. Moreover, Davian dances when Daermon presents him with the gem. He exclaims that their livelihood is saved! The unconscious Radley and Sören are made comfortable in the winery and the party passes the remainder of the day convalescing. Davian volunteers his son and son in law to assist transporting the wine that was given to the adventurers tomorrow. Day ElevenAdrian Matrikov and Dag Tomescu drive the wagon transporting the last of the Wizards of Wine’s potable vintage of Purple Mash Number Nine to Valaki with the adventurers. When they arrive they find that several houses had been burned, and the gates to the town are open and unattended. When they pass the Church of Saint Andral they see it has been razed. They then head to the Blue Water Inn and find it empty of patrons. Danika and Urwin come to the taproom when the party enters and greet them solemnly. Adrian and Dag begin speaking in an unfamiliar dialect with Urwin, presumably relating the recent events at the winery. Whereas, Danika answered the adventurers' questions about what had happened in Valaki. She tells them that yesterday minions of Strahd attacked the town during the festival of the Blazing Sun. It had begun to rain when Baron Vargas Vallakovich tried to ignite the wicker ball, and the downpour doused his torch. The crowd laughed and angered the Baron. Then there were screams. At first, the people thought it was because the Baron’s guards were beating those who were laughing. But soon they realized it was because vampires were leaping from rooftops, out windows, and sprinting out of alleyways. They fell upon anyone at hand and savaged their bodies. They drank their blood and mutilated the corpses. A panic swept across the square. The Baron was livid. Raving, he blamed the people for the attack. He accused them of making light of the festivals and not harboring true cheer. But all brave enough to stand against the fiends were ripped apart in moments. Most people fled to their homes, barred their doors, and shutter their windows. As they hid they could only listen to the sounds of the slaughter coming from their neighbor’s houses. Then Strahd arrived. He commanded the people to bring Ireena Kolyana to him. The terrified townsfolk entered the inn and took her into the streets. Strahd took Ireena, and his minions withdrew from Valaki. But the mayhem was not over! An angry mob gathered outside the Baron’s mansion. At first they jeered, threw stones, and demanded that the Baron come out. But none dared cross the cordon of guards until Lady Fiona Wachter arrived. She addressed the crowd, blaming Baron Vallakovich for their misfortune. She said that Vargas’s ridiculous festival had insulted Count Strahd Von Zarovich. How else could a ruler respond to such a challenge to their authority? She told the mob Vargas had brought this reprisal upon them. With that, the people stormed the mansion. The guards were trampled, Baron Vargas Vallakovich and his wife Lydia Petrovna were dragged out, stripped of their finery, and beaten. Finally nooses were tied, and the pair were lynched naked, with their heads covered by plaster donkey heads. Their corpses hang in the square still. At the forefront of the spectacle of murder Lady Fiona Wachter declared herself the new burgomaster of Valaki. She promised safety, by ensuring Count Von Zarovich enjoyed the fealty he is owed from these subjects from now on. Then she withdrew, stating she would issue new edicts in the days to come.Daermon and Radley go to see if Rictavio is in his room and determine what he might know. At first Rictavio is hesitant to speak with Daermon. After inviting them into his room he goes to a closet and withdraws three glasses and a decanter. He pours them each a glass of brandy and explains that he had brought it with him from his home of Darkon. It’s not a spirit they distill in Barovia. They spend some time asking him about the bones of Saint Andral, but he tells them he knows nothing of the local beliefs or the power of Barovian relics. They tell him that they were taken from the church or Saint Andral, and were purported to protect the town from Strahd and his vampire minions. But they had been stolen, and Valaki was left unprotected from the vampires. At the mention of vampires Rictavio checks the hall and closes the door before asking, “How do you feel about vampires?” Suspiciously, Daermon replies that he supposes they are alright. An expression of disappointment briefly passes over Rictavio’s face, and he asks whether there is anything else he can do for them? After a pause, he then rises and opens the doors before bidding Daermon and Radley good day. The two adventurers then depart.Soon after the party is discussing their options in the taproom. Before long a stranger arrives, and Danika welcomes him in. He withdraws a letter from a satchel and tells the party it is for them. With a warning he tells them he came by it from an agent of the devil Strahd. Upon taking it, the stranger departs the inn. Examining the envelope they find it sealed with the crest of Count Strahd Von Zarovich. It reads:“My friends,Know that it is I who have brought you to this land, my home, and know that I alone can release you from it. I bid you dine at my castle so that we can meet in civilized surroundings. Your passage here will be a safe one. I await your arrival.Your host,Strahd von Zarovich”End Session Twelve