### **Echoes of the Ethereal** After the defeat of **Leo Dilisnya**, the party—along with **Victor**, **Lady Wachter**, and **Stella Wachter**—was pulled from the Ethereal Realm, returning to the basement of Wachterhaus. **Haliq** gently carried Stella down to the cellar, ensuring she was safe as she re-entered her body. The moment she awoke, **Victor and Lady Wachter embraced her**, a reunion long overdue. Lady Wachter, moved to tears, turned to the party and offered her deepest thanks. Stella, still dazed but aware, whispered something privately to Haliq before being led upstairs. Then Haliq returned—and presented the party with **two gifts**: - To **Komodo**, he gave the **Voidglass Orb**—an obsidian sphere cloudy and old, an heirloom said to be older than the Wachter line itself. - To **Dain**, he offered the **greataxe Raelstrom**, its blade carved with inlays, fully covered in rust and grime. The origins of these relics were lost to time—but the party could feel their weight, both physical and historical. With nothing left to keep them, the party made their way to the **Blue Moon Inn** for the night. ### **The Morning After** As the party awoke and gathered in the hallway upstairs, **Corvax** rejoined them—his return bringing both relief and a touch of tension. Descending to the common room, they were met with a **hero’s welcome**. Townsfolk cheered, food and drink flowed freely, and their recent deeds were the talk of Vallaki. But amidst the celebration, **Urwin Martikov**, the innkeeper, approached the party with a quiet request. > “Our wine shipments are late. Two days now. It’s not like Davian to be behind with no word.” The wine, a lifeline for Vallaki’s morale and economy, was supposed to arrive from the **Wizard of the Wines Winery**. Urwin asked the party to seek out **Davian Martikov**, his relative and the winery’s owner, to learn what had delayed the shipment. ### **An Invitation from the Devil** Before the party could respond, the door **swung open**—and silence fell. **Rahadin**, chamberlain to **Strahd von Zarovich**, stepped inside. The moment he crossed the threshold, a **chorus of screams**—the tormented souls of those he had slain—echoed faintly in the minds of those nearby. **Dain and Corvax**, having never encountered him, were visibly shaken. When Dain asked what he was doing to them, Rahadin offered only a smirk. > “Oh… you can hear them? Quite amusing. I have heard word of them—but I myself have never heard them.” With practiced elegance, Rahadin produced a letter—**an invitation to dinner** at **Castle Ravenloft**, scheduled for **six nights hence**. Though hesitant, the party was reminded of **Guest Right**—a sacred pact of hospitality that ensured their safety at and on the way to Strahd’s domain. **Corvax**, however, was not careful with his words. Rahadin’s disdain was immediate. > “I do not care for your tone. Watch it, little one.” After some tense persuasion from the rest of the group, Corvax held his tongue. The party, reluctantly, **accepted the invitation**. ### **Muriel Vinshaw & A New Journey** Once Rahadin departed, the party was brought into the **kitchen of the Blue Moon Inn**, where they were introduced to their next companion: **Muriel Vinshaw**, a former employee of the winery who knew the road well. She offered to guide them when they set out. But first, they had a promise to fulfill. The party made their way to the **town church**, where they reunited with **Ireena Kolyana**. After much discussion, it was decided: **they would escort Ireena to the Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk**, seeking sanctuary and perhaps answers. The party met up with Muriel. They decided that it would be best to leave today to reach Krezk, planning to rest there before departing for the **Wizard of the Wines** at first light.