Session 034 - 2026-03-09
๐ Session 034 - 2026-03-09: The Roots of Ruin
๐ Summary
The battle for Yester Hill reached a desperate turning point as the party narrowly avoided a total wipe. Through quick coordination and a high-speed mounted pursuit, the heroes intercepted a corrupted druid at the base of the Gulthias Tree. By reclaiming the stolen Wizard of Wines gem before it could be absorbed by the roots, they successfully halted the ritual to summon the tree blight, Wintersplinter.
โ๏ธ Combat Continued
A Desperate Recovery
The session resumed with the stakes at their absolute highest: Klildar and Alfbern were unconscious and making Death Saves. On his turn, Jon used Cure Wounds to revive the Paladin, who immediately utilized his reaction and shield to protect the Ranger, reducing incoming damage to a single point. Using Lay on Hands, Klildar then stabilized Alfbern, bringing the entire party back into the fray.
The Chase for the Gem
Seizing the opportunity, a Corrupted Druid snatched the magic gem from the ground and fled toward the Gulthias Tree at the southern end of the hill. While Berserkers and other druids cast Entangle to pin the party down, Klildar summoned a Fey Horse via Find Steed directly beneath Jon. The mount's teleportation and speed allowed them to bypass the vines and pursue the fleeing druid.
Halting the Ritual
As the group reached the tree, they were ambushed by Vine and Twig Blights erupting from the brush. The lead druid lunged toward the trunk, screaming "Wintersplinter," and landed atop a magic battleaxe embedded in the wood beside a skeleton and dying. Although the gem was momentarily cradled by the tree's rootsโthe same roots that had supported the Strahd statueโJon managed to snatch it back and hurl it to safety, effectively breaking the ritual's momentum.
๐ค Party Members
- Alfbern โ Level 6 Elf Druid (Ziro)
- Klildar โ Level 6 White Dragonborn Paladin (Fรกbio)
- Jon โ Level 6 Human Ranger (Ricardo)
- Linus โ Level 6 Human Wizard (Daniel)
๐ Important Items & Events
- Recovery of the Vineyard Gem: The party reclaimed the magic gem stolen from the Wizard of Wines. Its removal prevents the completion of the ritual.
- The Yester Hill Axe: A magic battleaxe was discovered embedded in the Gulthias Tree; it is lightweight and exceptionally effective against plant life.
- The Gulthias Tree: The source of the blights in Barovia has been located. While the ritual was stopped, the tree remains active and will continue to create blights until it is uprooted.
- Kavanโs Legacy: The party is currently standing among the Berserker Cairns, where the spirit of the ancient chieftain Kavan is known to reach out to worthy warriors.