Background
Fleeing the Ascadian Empire, the party headed west from the Sundered Crown, into easternmost Uldenor, specifically the principality of Innistrad.
Innistrad has long been ruled by the house of Varcolai, but recently, the rightful prince Dragomir has gone missing, and is presumed dead. His widow, Narcissa of Cantria, rules Castle Sandoval in his stead, over the protestations of Dragomir's younger brother Sorin. Rumor has it that one Ileana Cosânzeana--who is either a benevolent sorceress or an evil witch, depending on who you ask--has manipulated the entire thing to suit her own purposes. Certainly, the innumerable visages of her notoriously beautiful form throughout the city and castle of Sandoval would hint at some connection.
The party arrives first in the small village of Ullgrad, on the outskirts of the principality, unaware of any of these events.
Dramatis Personae
Story
Session 1: So Many Werewolves
Arriving in Ullgrad, the party fights a pack of Wargen, and has their first run-in with the Pricolici. Afterward, they rest, recuperate, and re-equip themselves, scoring a pack of horses to ease their journey.
They pass through the Dead Bog, narrowly avoiding a foolish venture deep into its misty depths to investigate the sunken elven city of Harodhai.
Finally, they arrive in Sandoval, shack up in a fine inn, and stop by for Sainday mass...at which they witness a horrible abomination, as the Good Faith is subverted to pagan idolatry and the worship of a mortal witch. Almost as if sent by divine wroth, the Pricolici makes his second appearance, crashing into the church and having his way with the parishioners.
Session 2: The Twisted Tower
:Main article: The Twisted Tower
Despite interference from Ileana, using the bishop as a proxy for her wicked spells, the party triumphs over the Pricolici, subduing him within the sacred ground of the cathedral. Arriving fashionably late, hot on the heels of the beast, are the strange white wolves...who transform, revealing themselves to be human, and their leader to be Sorin Varcolai, brother to the missing duke. He personally slays the beast, only to restore it to its natural form...that of his brother Dragomir.
The Duke of Innistrad is restored, and he begins setting things to right, arresting the collaborators and cleansing his city of Ileana's image. He calls upon the party, pleading their aid in combating the witch, whose power he cannot hope to best with sword alone. Dalia, suspecting the issue to be one internal to her order, is quick to accept, and they set off.
Clued in by the locals to its location, Dalia first seeks the chapterhouse of the Sisterhood of St. Devorah. It has been thoroughly burned, and all therein destroyed...but a secret revealed in its depths hints at the quiet suffering of one Cosmina, one who dreamed of throwing off an oppressive Mother Superior and striking out on her own.
Onward they march, to Blackthorn Castle, thought to be the headquarters of the witch and her ilk. There they find a simple structure, a humble home for the witches who follow Ileana. But Tamlin removes its veil, seeing its true form: a massive, twisted Elder Tree, so enchanted to lure fools who would oppose Ileana to an untimely death. With the illusion uncovered, they enter, face down the apprentices, and climb the tower toward the perpetator herself.
The final guardian proves to be an Esper, Fulmina, who Nyx bonds with after her defeat. So bereft of minions, Ileana stands alone. She calls upon her contract with Balaur to empower herself...but her might cannot stand against the Champion of Light, the Wind Serpent, the Effigy, and the Stone Giant. Tamlin declines to harness his Esper, but it proves unnecessary. Ileana falls, and Dalia chooses to spare her, severing her bond with Balaur and taking her prisoner.
Session 3: Lady in the Water
:Main article: Lady in the Water
The witches are put to the torch...except they aren't. The people of Sandoval are treated to a display of their oppressors burning at the stake, but the witches themselves are spirited away to the Twisted Tower, as part of a deal with Ileana to aid the party in re-sealing the raging Balaur.
The party journeys to Harodhai in the Dead Bog, to speak with Ondine about how they might accomplish such a feat. Along they way, they learn much of Ileana's past, and how these events came to be.