Recap of Not Curse of Strahd Session 12
Welcome back to the recap of Not Curse of Strahd! Session 12 saw a dramatic and potentially final confrontation with Strahd, as well as significant decisions about the future of Borovia.
The session began with the party still in Sergey's tomb, where Redondo (Rogue) investigated the statues in the alcoves but found nothing of interest. Despite some party members having abilities that would refresh on a short rest, they decided to forego it. Redondo did use his Second Wind to recover some hit points.
Suddenly, the fog in the catacombs swirled, and Strahd himself appeared, expressing his anger at the party for defiling the tombs. Combat immediately began.
- Strahd started by casting Fireball, hitting Grandma and Argan, who both made their saving throws for half damage.
- The party responded with Grandma taunting Strahd and casting a first-level Guiding Bolt. Argan dashed forward. Is Mark (controlled by Esky) readied his shortbow.
- Redondo attempted a risky maneuver to get behind Strahd for a sneak attack but missed.
- Strahd dropped his illusion and transformed into his vampire form. He then landed a devastating unarmed strike on Redondo, dealing 46 necrotic damage.
- Combat continued with the party attempting to close in on Strahd while he used legendary actions to move away. He cast Fireball again, hitting multiple party members.
- Radon produced the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind and attempted to cast Hold Vampire on Strahd. Strahd failed the initial save but used a legendary resistance. Radon then cast Fly on himself.
- Chaos (controlled by Audia) charged and hit Strahd. Esky (as Is Mark) attacked with Booming Blade and used Action Surge for another attack, dealing significant damage.
- Radon used the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind again, and this time, Strahd failed his save and was Bained, receiving a -4 penalty to attack rolls and saving throws.
- Grandma taunted Strahd with a wooden spoon. Argan used Zealous Presence, granting the party advantage on attack rolls and saving throws for the next turn.
- Despite being Bained, Strahd landed an unarmed strike on Argan.
- The party continued their relentless assault. Redondo finally landed a sneak attack.
- Argan used a high-level spell slot for a maximum Smite, hitting Strahd hard, followed by another attack.
- Grandma struck the final blow with a guiding bolt, defeating Strahd.
Upon reaching zero hit points, Strahd turned into mist and retreated towards his coffin. However, Grandma had already emptied and (in the previous session, though not explicitly stated in this session's recap within the transcript) seemingly staked his coffin with a wooden spoon. Despite this, Grandma staked him again in mist form with the wooden spoon.
The party then discussed the Wish spell they possessed. After consideration, as it was her family and land, Grandma decided to use the wish.
Grandma cast the Wish spell, stating that the lands of Borovia and all its inhabitants would return to the material plane, and all of Strahd's deals and pacts would become null and void.
The castle shook violently, a surge of magical energy filled the air, followed by a brilliant flash of light, indicating a plane shift. The wish seemed to have worked, canceling Strahd's deals and reverting him to a human. Despite being human, Strahd was still staked. Radon healed the now human Strahd after pulling out the wooden spoon.
The session concluded with a discussion of the characters' plans for the future now that Borovia had returned to the material plane:
- Jonas (Redondo) planned to move on to the next treasure horde and potentially start a thieves' guild.
- Esky (as Is Mark) and Irina would likely stay in Borovia to help rebuild.
- Radon intended to establish his order of Monster Hunters in the castle with Grandma's permission and invited Is Mark and Irina to join.
- Grandma would continue to rule Borovia, seemingly ageless.
- Argan planned to retire to Saltmarsh.
- Audia (Chaos) was also likely to join Radon's Monster Hunter lodge.
The DM indicated that this was the end of this adventure, with a potential one-shot before the next campaign, “Crown of the Oathbreaker”.