Thank you Z, your assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated. Garrick will command Striker to hide out in the wagon with the real Ireena and Chipper, while Garrick will ride next to the real Ismirk a little ways back, but not too far.

Kessintra will quickly freshen up her Ireena makeup with her disguise kit and mirror. (Tools roll= 20 with proficiency and adv from deception)

She will then pick a spot a little ahead of the real Ismirk, recalling that Ireena didn't shy away from the last battle even once Strahd revealed himself.

You all set off for Villaki. You follow the dirt road as it clings to the side of a mountain and ends before an arching bridge of mold-encrusted stone that spans a natural chasm. Gargoyles cloaked in black moss perch on the corners of the bridge, their frowns weatherworn. On the mountainous side of the bridge, a waterfall spills into a misty pool nearly a thousand feet below. The pool feeds a river that meanders into the fog-shrouded pines that blanket the valley. You follow a slick bridge across and to another crossroads with two paths. Z takes the left one, leading to a massive gate, much like the one from when you first entered Barovia. To the right, miles away, you can see Castle Ravenloft in its full malicious glory. 

The gate opens and closes for you like it did at first. Following the road, you come a across and old windmill a little ways away. Moving past that, you are once again enveloped by the forest, as you see the walled city on the horizon. 

The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber.

The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves’ heads impaled on them.

Z parks her wagon right outside the gate and starts to talk with guards right inside the walls.

Despite the ever-present oppressive atmosphere of Barovia, Kessintra can't help but be struck by the land's natural beauty as they travel, though she is only able to see it in shades of gray. The waterfall and pool below are particularly breathtaking. Running water...The sight of the castle looming in the distance gives her a chill and makes her spirits cry out, so she tries not to look at it too much. It is quite far away now; perhaps Ismirk is right, and the vampire's power won't be so pervasive around Villaki. The rest of the journey is tense, but tinged with hope.

Kessintra allows a small smile of approval to cross her face as the walled town comes into view. Impressive defences, and she appreciates the added touch of the impaled wolf heads as a warning and signal of defiance against the vampire lord.

"This place...Ismirk, I think you're right. If she'll be safe anywhere, it's here." She will move closer to the gate, trying to hear what Z and the guards are talking about.

Perception 19

Amelia narrows her eyes at the wolf heads impaled on the spikes.

“It seems we might get along well with the people of this burg. We share the same enemies…”

With that, she follows Kessintra, clutching her amulet and whispering a prayer to the Elffather, seeking his guidance.

Chipper and Kessintra:

 The gate slowly opens, the wagon drives in, and the gate closes behind them.

((Did they let us all in or just the wagon?))

Just the wagon

Kessintra will approach the gate. "We're with Z. Extra security for the high priority package."

Persuasion 23

Garrick seeing the guards letting the wagon into the city, speeds up to reach the guards with Ismirk and the others. Hello there, we would like to enter this good city of yours to rest and recover after our journey!

"Oh, you're with Z? It's odd she didn't mention you. Oh well." They open the gate in time for you to follow Z's wagon to the town square. 

The shops and homes that enclose the town square are decorated with limp, tattered garlands and painted wooden boxes filled with tiny, dead flowers. At the north end of the square stands a row of stocks, locked in which are several men, women, and children wearing crude, plaster donkey heads.

In the center of the square, peasants in patchwork clothes eye you suspiciously as they use cups and vases to draw water from a crumbling stone fountain. Standing tall at the center of the fountain is a gray statue of an impressive man facing west. All around the square are posted proclamations:

hmmm... that seems... exceptionally strange, Garrick says. Always suspicious when they need to explicitly tell you things will "all be well".
Garrick moves over to the stockades and asks them what they have done to deserve such treatment. (While keeping his gaze on the wagon)

A buff man approaches you with keys on his hip. His left arm is red and covered in scales, just like a devil. Behind him are two guards holding a pile of signs. They start taking down the old proclamations and replacing them with the new. The buff man responds, "Malicious unhappiness."

The new signs read:

"COME ONE, COME ALL,

to the greatest celebration of the year:

THE FESTIVAL OF THE BLAZING SUN!

Attendance and children required.

Rain or shine.

ALL WILL BE WELL!

—The Baron—"

Zan looks around, zealots? This could be dangerous for us. he reaches out with his divine sense for undead within 60 ft.

Kessintra gives a frown at the idea of people being punished simply for feeling a certain way. Noting the keys at the...hm, perhaps half-tiefling man's side, she will attempt to get more information.

"Malicious, eh? Did they harm anyone in their 'unhappiness'?"

You sense an undead in a house about 30ft away. 

The man replies, "They spoke out against the festival. Their unhappiness blocks our way out of this dreaded land."

"The festival will let your people escape this land?" Kessintra tilts her head; it would certainly be great for Ireena if that were true, but the drow has her doubts. "The new one--Blazing Sun, I mean. Did the wolf head one not go as planned?"

Z, who was eavesdropping, steps out of her wagon with Ireena and walks up to you while answering your question. "It was fun. Just like the others." The man's eyes widen, and he stampers as he speaks. "Uh- yes. It is the Burgomaster's belief that joy will free us. Each festival brings more and more joy. Eventually, we will escape."

Zan eyes the house, making his way over to Amelia, keeping his voice low just between the two of them, he nods toward the house, that house, undead, stay sharp.

He then joins the others addressing the buff man, this seems reasonable. Punish them for their unhappiness can only instill happiness. All the while you harbor the undead in your houses. Tell me good sir, how do you ensure the happiness of the undead in your town?

Kessintra notes the man's somewhat nervous reaction to Z interjecting, figuring it is because she's Vistani and he thinks she works for Strahd.

"I see. Joy...Well, I think these people have learned their lesson. They will feel overjoyed at being released," She motions to the poor souls in donkey heads. "Can't have them still being unhappy when the festival starts, right?"

Persuasion 14