화요일 2026년1월20일	-	CoS, Session 2: Death in the Death House

We return to the Death House this session with our heroes: Costin
"Păcălici" Vaduva (Swashbuckler), Gideon Driscoll "The Phantom Walker"
(Bard), Reduvia "Lady Mantis" (Monk), and Zoaphiel (Investigator).

Having just discovered the secret door leading to the passage back to the
Den of Wolves, the group makes careful note of it in case the need arises
for a quick exit out of the dungeon level of the house. They then carry on
their investigation of the first level of the dungeon before finally
descending to it's depths. However, the two cult leaders, now malevolent
ghasts, strike hard at the group, and three of them are at various points
in the fight knocked unconscious, with Gideon being the only one not
downed. However, due to some timely healing, the group manages to overcome
the undead and uncovers more valuable loot, including some powerful cloth
armor.

Following the sound of cultic chant, they at last descend into the depths
of evil and, after some minor detours in the nearby prison block, enter the
ritual chamber. Here they are incredibly cautious, yet, despite their
precautions, were unable to discern the nearby lurking shambler.
Eventually, Lady Mantis takes a leap onto the dias, which prompts the
restless phantoms of the cult to cry out that, "One must die!". Refusing
the demand, the group momentarily catches the attention of Strahd, whose
disembodied voice comments that theirs was an interesting choice, but that
he would now see if they could survive it.

Following this brief commentary, the cult cries out to Lorghoth the
Decayer to fall upon the group for their infidelity and the shambler rises
out of the refuse and moves to attack. The group briefly attempts combat,
but soon realises they are outmatched by this foe and quickly begin to
retreat towards the first floor of the mansion. Tragically, not all of them
were as quick to react, with Costin pausing his retreat to try and aid
Lady Mantis in battling the beast. This delay proved costly, however, when
he was caught by Lorghoth and struck down by a single mighty blow from
which he could not recover, especially with the hope of aid vanishing with
his allies rapid retreat.

After some deft attempts at navigating the deadly blades that replaced the
doors after the rejected ritual, the group at last escaped the Death House
and were able to briefly mourn the loss of their compatriot. Time was
running out, however, as the sun began to set and the group needed to see
what could be discovered in the village. They quickly made their way to
the village square, where they found a sparsely populated tavern and
another clue, this time in the form of a person. It was none other than
the son of the Burgomaster, whose letter supposedly drew them into the
land of Barovia in the first place. Speaking quickly with them, Ismark
Kolyanovich discerned that despite the deception, these people could be
the ones he hoped for, people strong and brave enough to rescue his sister
from the clutches of the lord of the land, Count Strahd the vampire.

Here the session ends with the group resting at the manor of the
burgomaster. The group seems willing to take up the quest, but Ireena
Kolyana complicates it by insisting that her adoptive father, the
burgomaster, be given proper last rights, having recently passed away. Our
next session will also introduce a new hero, a native to the village of
Barovia and a stalwart friend of Ismark and Ireena.