New Friends in the Mist

The party wakes to find the Vistani gone and a heavy fog rolling across the campsite. As they gather their things, Zarkoth notices a small, ethereal figure curled up near the treeline. The creature’s brown hair is tousled, and its pale skin glimmers in the early dawn light. No more than two feet tall, it radiates a quiet, peaceful aura.

Before anyone can investigate, a sudden scream cuts through the mist. A robed figure sprints toward the campsite with something barreling after it. A young woman approaches the party, gasping for help.

Zarkoth steps forward, raising a hand as the creature behind her lunges into view. “SIT!” he commands.

To everyone’s surprise, the creature obeys. The wolverine plops onto its haunches and stares up at them. Zarkoth calmly approaches, scratching it behind the ears as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

“Zarkoth shouted ‘SIT!’ and, against all odds, the monster listened.”

The robed figure introduces herself as Raven Snow, thanking the party for the timely rescue. Once the danger settles, the group turns back to the sleeping figure beneath the trees. This, they learn, is Dr. “Doc” Docinsin, an Aasimar Barbarian who has mysteriously appeared in the fog.

After a short conversation, both Raven and Doc join the party.

Behind the DM Screen

This whole sequence had been planned in advance. The wolverine is Zarkoth’s animal companion, and I wanted to introduce it with a bit of chaos and comedy, so having it chase Raven into the party felt like the right energy.

Raven and Doc were the players absent during the first session. Raven arrived with a detailed backstory—one I’m excited to weave into the ongoing campaign. Doc’s player, meanwhile, joined the group spontaneously last week. Instead of giving him a slow introduction, I wanted something dramatic.

Doc’s Introduction (Read-Aloud)

“As you step out of the dimly lit tavern, the cool night air offers a brief moment of relief. Suddenly, rough hands grab you from behind. A coarse bag is shoved over your head. Darkness. Panic. The muffled chant of arcane voices.

“You’re dragged into a rattling cart that reeks of damp earth and rotting wood. Hooves pound against uneven ground. Every jolt sends a new spike of fear through you. You don’t know where you’re going—or why.

“After what feels like hours, the cart stops. More arcane muttering. A cold wave passes through your body as the world fades away.

“You awaken at dawn, surrounded by fog and unfamiliar adventurers, the events of the night swirling in your mind like half-remembered nightmares.”

“Doc didn’t walk into the adventure. He woke up in it, already neck-deep in the fog.”

The Svalich Road

With introductions made, the party sets off down the Svalich Road. They still believe they’re heading toward Daggerford, unaware of the land they’ve been drawn into.

The trees grow denser. The fog thickens. The road feels less like a route and more like a funnel, drawing them toward something unseen.

This session didn’t cover much ground mechanically, but everyone was laughing and interacting. Sometimes that’s a success in itself.

“Younger players don’t derail the story; they show you where the fun lives.”

Through the Gates

Eventually, the massive iron gates of Barovia creak open as the party approaches. The fog pools around their feet as they pass through cautiously, the weight of unseen eyes pressing in from the trees.

On the far side, the road feels different—same dirt, same ruts, but now the air hangs heavier, like the land itself knows they have crossed a threshold.

Soldiers on the March

Further down the road, the group encounters a patrol of soldiers. Armor clinks softly beneath cloaks beaded with mist. The men confirm that the nearest settlement lies ahead, though their grim expressions suggest that reaching it may not be as simple as following the road.

The encounter is brief but unsettling. The soldiers answer questions, but never quite relax. It’s the kind of conversation that leaves more unease than comfort behind.

Bandits!

Before long, shapes appear in the fog—silent at first, then rushing in with sudden violence. Bandits surge from the mist, blades flashing and voices raised in desperate threats.

Steel rings. Spells ignite the fog in flickers of color and light. The party scrambles to form a line as the road becomes a battlefield.

We end the session there: surrounded by fog, steel drawn, and the creeping realization that the Mists are far more dangerous than they first appeared.

“We didn’t cover much ground this session, but everyone laughed and met the fog on their own terms. That’s still progress—just the story kind.”

Allow Play

Running a mixed-age table—especially one with younger players—means embracing a looser, more flexible pacing rhythm. Kids often have shorter attention spans, and that isn’t a flaw; it’s just how their brains explore new experiences. They’re scanning for excitement, humor, and connection, and if the moment feels slow, they’ll naturally drift toward side shenanigans or table chatter. Instead of fighting that current, it’s often better to redirect it. Give them something to grab onto: a creature to pet, a puzzle to poke at, a weird sound in the fog, or an NPC who reacts dramatically to their antics. These “micro-scenes” act like anchors that pull their focus back into the story.

You can also keep younger players invested by rotating spotlight moments quickly. Every 5–7 minutes, try to redirect the action toward a decision, a description, or a roll. Offer choices with visible consequences. Reward curiosity. Let them try big, chaotic ideas. When the game adapts to their pace—not the other way around—they stay engaged, excited, and ready for the next beat of the story. This session had plenty of shenanigans, and that’s perfectly fine; sometimes the best moments at the table come from letting the chaos breathe a little.