The Struggle for Vallaki
Hook
Fiona’s cult has suffered another defeat, Watcher House has burned with its household inside, and Izek intends to return to the burgomaster. The company holds evidence of her conspiracy as the burgomaster orders smiles over the fire’s aftermath.
Evidence
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Festival morning arrived with new posters naming the Festival of the Blazing Sun and requiring attendance. The inn’s boys expressed weariness with the frequent festivals; the company visited the stockyards before attending. No festival events have yet been recorded.
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The next morning, militia milled around covered bodies at the smoldering house. The burgomaster passed with two huge mastiffs, demanded smiles, and announced a parade and festival for tomorrow.
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A woman at St. Andral’s said her shoemaker son was imprisoned for speaking against the burgomaster at the last festival.
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Mordenkainen said Burgomaster Vargas Vallakovich dominates Vallaki with continual festivals.
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Ernst Larnack called the burgomaster self-important and convinced by his own lies, then invited the party to Lady Watcher’s House.
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Urwin said the burgomaster orders the town to remain happy.
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Fiona Watcher recruited through a supposed book club, promised rewards to acolytes, and praised Strahd as Barovia’s only source of power.
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An imp flew upstairs when the party entered Fiona’s house.
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Izek said Fiona’s previous plan culminated in the basement.
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He said a new plan involved taking control of Vallaki through something concerning the burgomaster.
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The party found five notarized property deeds signed by Strahd, Fiona’s devil-worship manifesto, and The Grimoire of Four Quarters in a hidden library chest.
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A second hidden chamber beneath the house held four principal acolytes and lesser cultists performing a ritual while invoking Strahd.
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The company killed the four principal acolytes and broke the rite. One lesser cultist survived but was horribly maimed by Rage.
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Fiona’s two sons arrived outside during the search, where Izek attempted to turn them away.
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The party judged Fiona’s sons ignorant of the cult and told them the house was theirs.
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The arriving cultists were killed in the stairwell riot.
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Watcher House animated and burned, killing the household NPCs left inside.
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Izek said the burgomaster would accept him back; Ignatius requested his support but received no recorded commitment.
Current understanding
- Fiona’s sons were judged uninvolved in the cult, then died in the house fire with the maids and David.
- Izek fought beside the party and departed intending to rejoin the burgomaster; his future allegiance remains uncertain.
- Siv was asked to watch the burned house. His report is still outstanding; militia and the burgomaster have since been seen at the ruins.
- The deeds and recovered writings remain potential evidence of Fiona’s plans.
Open questions
- What did Fiona intend for the burgomaster, and what land do the deeds concern?
- Who will investigate the burned house or seek revenge?
- What will today’s Festival of the Blazing Sun bring, and will the burgomaster investigate the company’s actions?
- Will Izek help the company if it opposes Vargas?
Next steps
- Address compulsory attendance at the Festival of the Blazing Sun.
- Follow up on Siv’s watch and watch for further consequences of the deaths and fire.
- Study the recovered deeds, manifesto, and grimoire.
- Assess Izek’s loyalties and his response to the purchase of his commissioned dolls.
- Determine whether any acolytes remain active elsewhere.