<span class="mu-s">Recap (5/5)</span>
Your meeting with Lady Wachter made sense of all of the events in Vallaki. She said that the people were fed up with the Baron's false narrative of happiness, which believed was the only way to lift the land's curse, and that she was using this unrest to lead a takeover from the shadows. She also revealed, not-so-subtly, that she was on the side of Strahd; she sees him not as a tyrannical ruler, but more like a neglectful landlord, a man who needs to be appeased in order for things to continue running smoothly... and thus, she had Strahd's support. She said that your stunt killing the Baron was the best surprise she could have hoped for, and that it single-handedly justified her decision to free you from prison. She said that she could clear your name, but only if you agreed to be on call for favors in the future. You agreed, but only on the condition that she help you fulfill your goal: finding your sister, the reason you came to Barovia in the first place.
Like some kind of divine joke, she recommended the last person you would have expected to help you find your sister: The Lord of Barovia himself, the Devil Strahd von Zarovich. She claimed that he kept tabs on the whereabouts of every adventurer from beyond the fog who arrived in Barovia, and that if she was alive, he would know where she is. Fiona claimed her connections could grant you an audience with him as soon as tomorrow if you accept. There were many reasons she cited for why Strahd may want to help you, and some of them seemed plausible enough, but you were still stunned at the offer.
Questioning everything you have heard about the feared ruler of Barovia since arriving at the gates, you pondered her suggestion, wondering whether you were walking directly into the jaws of hell. But your sister came first in your mind. You accepted to help Fiona, and accepted the meeting with Strahd. That brings us to the present... whether or not you made the right choice will be revealed now.
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Should you wish to read the first thread (although this is not necessary) it is archived here:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5195343/Some of the events not featured in the recap include: the purchase of a mysterious pastry that turned out to be more than meets the eye, a brief confrontation with an undead knight who recounted the fall of his ancient Order and explained why he still serves it after death, and the full series of unfortunate lapses in player reasoning that lead to Aranuel murdering the burgomaster of Vallaki on day two of visiting.
