Session Report: The Storm of Yester Hill

Summary

The battle atop Yester Hill reached a fever pitch as Strahd von Zarovich manipulated the very elements to hinder the party. Despite a devastating lightning strike that left the front liners at death's door, the group successfully destroyed the wooden effigy and recovered the magic gem. This prompted Strahd's bored departure, leaving the remaining party members in a desperate struggle for survival against the enraged druids.

Combat Continued

Alfbern maintained Moonbeam on the wooden statue, which sustained steady damage over time. However, the berserkers closed in quickly, hammering the party with melee attacks. Two berserkers pinned the wolf companion, Alvorada, in place, while another focused his assault on Linus.

The enemy casters utilized tactical magic to disrupt the party's formation. One druid disengaged from the ritual chant to hit Jon with Thunderwave, catching a berserker ally in the blast. Two other druids targeted Alfbern and Klildar with Thunderwave; while they resisted the first wave, a subsequent blast pushed Alfbern 10 feet away. Throughout the chaos, the remaining druids continued their chanting to ensure the ritual progressed.

The Will of the Land

Strahd intervened by asserting his dominance over the Barovian weather. He summoned heavy rain and gale-force winds, heavily obscuring the battlefield and forcing all weapon attacks to be made with disadvantage.

The attrition continued until Linus unleashed a Fireball, incinerating several enemies. When the initiative returned to the vampire lord, he ceased the rain only to call down a massive bolt of lightning. The strike hit Alfbern, Klildar, their steed, and two berserkers, dealing 30 lightning damage. The blast killed the remaining berserkers but left both the Druid and Paladin on the brink of death.

The Effigy Destroyed

Linus cast a second Fireball, clearing more adversaries and igniting the wooden statue. The effigy was finally destroyed, and the magic gem tumbled to the ground, its emerald pulse finally stilled. Seeing the ritual thwarted, Strahd appeared more bored than disappointed. Shrugging at the failed amusement, he took flight and departed the hill, leaving the surviving druids in a state of murderous rage.

The remaining druids focused their ranged attacks on the weakened heroes. Both Klildar and Alfbern fell unconscious under the assault.

The session concluded as a new round began, just before the Paladin and Druid made their first death saving throws.

Party Members

• Alfbern — Level 6 Elf Druid (Ziro)
• Klildar — Level 6 White Dragonborn Paladin (Fábio)
• Jon — Level 6 Human Ranger (Ricardo)
• Linus — Level 6 Human Wizard (Daniel)

Important Items & Events

• Destruction of the Effigy: The wooden statue of Strahd was destroyed by fire, successfully preventing the completion of the ritual to create a tree blight.
• Recovery of the Gem: The magic gem stolen from the Wizard of Wines has been released from the statue and lies on the battlefield.
• Strahd's Departure: Having witnessed the destruction of the effigy, the Count has retreated, leaving his followers to finish the combat.
• Dire Straits: Both the primary healer (Alfbern) and the frontline tank (Klildar) are unconscious and dying.