Luna River

What It Is

The Luna River flows west of Vallaki, eventually feeding into Lake Zarovich. A clearing along its banks became the site of Arabelle’s abduction.

What the Party Knows

The party visited the Luna River in Session 13 to investigate Arabelle’s disappearance:

Approaching the Site

• The party crossed an old wooden bridge spanning the rushing waters of the Luna River
• The age-worn planks groaned under their weight
• Halfway across, Fig spotted a white handkerchief monogrammed with “R.V.R.” caught on a tree root downstream
• The river tumbles over smooth stones, bordered by gnarled bushes and trees

The Riverside Clearing

This clearing is where Yan was killed and Arabelle was abducted:

• Savid, a dusk elf guard, discovered Yan’s decapitated body here three days prior
• The clearing showed clear signs of a violent struggle
• Trampled grass and disturbed earth marked the site of combat
• Yan’s headless corpse was already beginning to decay when the party arrived

Evidence Found

Fig’s investigation revealed:

Three Sets of Footprints in the Muddy Ground:

1. First set: came from the north, ended abruptly in the grass (Yan’s - he died here)
2. Second set: came from the north, continued southwest to a tree trunk 30 feet away, then went UP into the canopy (someone fled by climbing)
3. Third set: emerged from the western woods, showed signs of fighting with the first, then led toward the riverbank carrying something heavy and child-sized (the abductor)

Physical Clues:

• A torn shred of expensive silk fabric caught on a tree branch 20 feet up (where the second person fled)
• The silk carried faint undead energy (detected by Arden’s divine senses)
• A platinum signet ring bearing Khazan’s sigil, dropped during the struggle (now with the party)

The Party’s Conclusion: The evidence pointed to Escher, Strahd’s vampire spawn, as the one who carried Arabelle away into the river. The person who fled into the trees remains unidentified (though the “R.V.R.” handkerchief found upstream may be connected).

Location

• West of Vallaki, accessible via the Old Svalich Road
• South of the Luna River Crossroads (where the party fought twig blights and scarecrows)
• The clearing is reached by following directions from Luvash at the Vistani Camp

Appearance in Sessions

• Session 13 — The party investigated the riverside clearing where Yan was killed and Arabelle was abducted