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Masks of Vallaki
After leaving the coffin maker’s shop, the party stopped by Blinsky’s toy store to find a birthday gift for Arabelle. Inside, they discovered shelves of unsettling toys—including a doll that looked eerily like Ireena, commissioned monthly by Izek. Unnerved, they purchased a more appropriate doll and left. Outside, they spotted Izek posting flyers for the upcoming festival. When Caspian tore one down, he discovered older festival posters layered beneath it, suggesting this celebration is being forced upon Vallaki again and again. Back at the Blue Water Inn, the party rested and split up briefly. Upstairs, Caspian revealed something deeply personal to Kaz: dark, shadow-like markings crawling across his hand. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he allowed Kaz to heal his wounded knuckles, the two sharing a quiet and intimate exchange before rejoining the others. The party then traveled to the Vistani settlement to deliver Arabelle’s gift—only to discover she had gone missing the night before. Her father, Luvash, was beside himself with grief and rage. The only clue left behind was a mysterious signet ring, now held by the dusk elf Kasimir. He confirmed the ring bears runes of evocation and necromancy magic but could not identify its owner. The Vistani suggested the Baron’s library might hold answers, though they themselves cannot enter Vallaki. With the ring in Avery’s possession and new questions looming, the party returned to the city and approached the Baron’s mansion once more—this time seeking access to his library, and perhaps the first real clue to finding Arabelle.

Question for DnD start

Something your character can do, but no one would guess?

Masks of Vallaki

• It was around midday when the party stepped out of the Coffin Maker’s Shop and back into the streets of Vallaki. As they walked, they decided to stop by the local toy shop Blinsky Toys to purchase a birthday gift for Arabelle, Madam Eva’s granddaughter.
• Inside, they were greeted by a cheerful man with a monkey perched on his shoulders. He introduced himself as Gadof Blinsky, the shop’s owner. The shelves were packed with toys—though many looked more unsettling than suitable for children. Caspian took the lead, asking if Gadof Blinsky had something appropriate for a ten-year-old girl. The toymaker guided them to a shelf of dolls. Among them stood a striking replica of Strahd and another red-haired doll that bore an uncanny resemblance to Ireena. When questioned, Gadof Blinsky explained that Izek commissions a custom doll each month—and this month’s was the redhead. Unsettled, the party chose a doll that seemed relatively normal and made their purchase.
• Outside, they spotted Izek in the street, flanked by guards as he hung posters announcing the upcoming festival. After he left, Caspian tore one down—only to discover another identical festival poster layered beneath it, this one from the previous week.
• Returning to the Blue Water Inn, the party rested and discussed their next steps over bowls of Danika’s stew. After the meal, Caspian quietly asked Urwin for a bowl of water and headed upstairs. Soon the group split up: Avery went to the blacksmith, Sophia stepped outside, and Kaz followed Caspian to their room.
• Inside, Caspian was halfway through removing one of his gloves when Kaz knocked and entered. After some hesitation, Caspian admitted that if he were to show this to anyone, it would be Kaz. With a promise of calm and secrecy, Caspian removed the glove fully. From his fingertips to his knuckles, dark, shadow-like tendrils crept beneath his skin. What followed was a rare moment of vulnerability. At Kaz’s gentle invitation, Caspian placed his hand in his. Kaz covered it with his other hand, and a soothing warmth spread through Caspian’s injured knuckles. When Kaz pulled away, the wounds were gone. Shortly after, Kaz left him to clean the dried blood from his hand and glove. When they rejoined downstairs to head toward their meeting point, Caspian seemed to walk just a little closer to Kaz than usual.
• The party then traveled to the nearby Vistani settlement outside Vallaki. The scent of wine and horses lingered in the air as they approached. While Sophia and Kaz entered the large central tent, Caspian busied himself greeting each horse he could find.
• Inside, they witnessed a heated scene. A man named Luvash was shouting in anguish about his missing daughter, Arrigal, restrained him. Sophia explained they had come on Madam Eva’s behalf with a birthday gift, only to learn that Kasimir Velikov. The Vistani suggested that the Baron’s library might hold answers about the ring’s origin—but as Vistani, they could not enter Vallaki themselves.
• The party sought out Kasimir Velikov in a nearby dwelling. Inside, the walls were lined with books and elven artwork. A scarred and bruised man rose from meditation before the fire and introduced himself as Kasimir Velikov. He admitted he could not identify the signet’s owner, but recognized the runes carved into it as belonging to evocation and necromancy magic. He handed the ring to Avery.
• With a new lead in hand, the party returned to Vallaki. As they approached the Baron’s mansion once more, Avery stepped forward and knocked, hoping to gain access to the Baron’s library—and perhaps uncover the truth behind the ring and [[Arabelle]]’s disappearance.

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