[[1491-01-15 I|<< 15 Hammer 1491 (Part I)]] | [[1491-01-16|16 Hammer 1491 >>]] ## 15 Hammer 1491 The gates to Vallaki were open when we arrived in the afternoon. Much of the town was outside, enjoying the sunlight that they had never before seen. In the town proper, Blinsky was outside, handing out toys to children. We were partway to the church when Rictavio’s wagon stopped behind us. Urwin got out, as did Yesper and Sorina. They thanked us and then headed for the Blue Water Inn, presumably to go honor the Keepers we had lost. Ireena was outside the church. She was beaming and crying - though the tears may have been from staring at the sun. Whatever the case, she was more than happy to see us. She told us that she knew the moment Strahd died, and not just because the sky cleared up. I gave her the sunsword; she recognized the spirit of the man who came out of it. They spoke for a short while. Then, Ireena’s appearance seemed to cycle through a few different people who looked very much like her. When Ireena was Ireena once more, she smiled at Sergei. Tatyana’s spirit separated from her - Tatyana was to go with him. Tatyana thanked us, and Sergei did too - he was glad that his many years of anger were over. He thanked me specifically for our time together. It was perhaps an inappropriate thing to be thinking about, but I was worried for a moment that the sword was going to become useless. Thankfully, it’s the same as it’s always been, except now it doesn’t have a ghost in it. Which is how I prefer it, honestly. Sergei and Tatyana embraced, kissed, and then faded into light. Ireena seemed happy with how things turned out. I was too - I’m glad that they were together in the end, just as Vladimir and Godfrey were. Ireena, Skoll, Nia, Ezmerelda, and I loaded up in Ezmerelda’s wagon. I was tired and bloody and already starting to scar, but we had a victory tour to complete. Luvash was ecstatic to see us. The Vistani were celebrating, the dusk elves with them - Kasimir included. When I asked about his plans, Kasimir said that he wants to go out and meet some more elves. Kasimir asked the same question of us in return. Skoll had an answer prepared, thanks to a request of Godfrey’s: he’s headed for a place called Valentia - wherever the fuck that is - to retire Vladimir's sword. Nia’s thinking about going to Neverwinter, though she wouldn’t say what for. Ireena and Ezmerelda didn’t really have an answer. I didn't either - but that’s a worry for some other time. Right now, I’m busy enjoying the fact that I’m not dead, and that Strahd is. On the way to the Village of Barovia, we stopped at the Tser Pool Vistani camp. Despite the fact that we would’ve been fucked without her, we almost forgot to check in on Madame Yva. She was in her tent as if she had never left the place. I felt a little bad that I didn’t appreciate her help at the time she offered it, but I made sure to thank her this time. Madame Yva threw one last curveball at us: she’s Strahd’s sister. It’s honestly one of the less surprising things I've learned in Barovia, but I’m still having a hard time believing it. In the village, Ismark was being celebrated by the townsfolk. He was surprised to see us, and to see Ireena. It was then that it occurred to me that we really didn’t tell this guy a single thing that was going on in the last few weeks. Still, he thanked us. He even bought us all a drink after we checked up on Freek and Myrtle. It turns out that he replaced the racist barkeep - nice of him. He did charge me for water, though. We got a table and caught Ireena and Ismark up on everything that they had missed. Ismark had a lot more to learn than Ireena - I guess I didn’t realize just how much shit we’ve been up to in Barovia. Tonight, we stay in the village. Ezmerelda is headed up to the tower for the night, but will be back in the morning. Then it's off to Ravenloft to pilfer what is left of the castle. I still can hardly believe we did it, but my wounds speak for themselves. Today happened, Strahd is dead, and Barovia is free. I am safe; most of my friends are, too. I should sleep now. But I will try to hold onto this feeling - this feeling of contentedness, this feeling that I didn’t run away, that I have done something good here. --- ## Page Tags/Properties **Tags:** #Journal **Category:** [[Journals and Writings.base|Journals and Writings]] **Character:** [[Krue d'Avenir|Krue]] **Campaign:** [[Curse of Strahd]] **Date ([[Calendar of Harptos|Harptos]]):** 01/15/1491