It is with a heavy heart that I write the events that took place today, as it was earlier today that everything started to fall apart. How I wish that I could go back to more simpler times, away from this cursed land, for I would still have some of my old friends by my side.
Disaster struck when we woke up and searched the rest of the house for possible treasure. In one room, we found a statue of a man holding a dark orb. Titus reached up for the orb as the boy touched the statue. I’m not sure what triggered it, but afterwards, we were assaulted by five shadows. They surprised us and focused on those two and I, as I fought to protect them, with Eliza and Len firing magical spells. We had to be careful when facing their blows, or else they would drain us of our strength.
During the battle, I was left with a choice: I could choose to save Titus, who was drained multiple times by a single shadow, or save the boy, who faced two of the creatures at once. In that moment, I fought to aid the boy, hoping that I could deal with his shadows fast enough to save Titus. In the end, I was not fast enough to save my old friend, who fell to the ground when he no longer had the strength to support his armor, and was promptly struck down.
The shadows were defeated but we had lost one of our own. We made the decision to leave the house with Titus’ corpse in tow. That proved to be difficult as the house tried to kill us by emitting poisonous smoke from the chimneys and trying to cut us down with spinning blades at any doorways. It was rough but the four of us managed to escape, although we were injured. We were outside, freed from the house, which turned back to normal. Strangely enough, we found a gift basket with a bottle of wine, welcoming us to Barovia.
My companions made the choice to take some of Titus’ belongings, as he had no longer needed it. Although I do not approve of taking what belonged to my former comrade, I did decide to grab a letter from the guild he served at. It was my intention to bring it to his family or friends away from Barovia to let them know what happened to Titus. Then, we set his body in the house, and set it all aflame. Although I thought Titus deserved better than to be among the ashes of a cursed house, I knew that a shadow would emerge from his body had we not done it. I took some comfort believing that the house was destroyed for good and that we were saving others from it.
We sought out the tavern so that we could rest and recover in peace. It was at the Blood on the Vine that we learned how terrible this land was. While we drowned out our sorrows with wine, two adventurers overheard us: Balli, a pragmatic dwarf warrior, and Kolkori, a half-orc of few words. They told us that they too had lost their companions to that house a month ago, and while they burnt it down to the ground, it came back. It tore me apart to hear not only that my efforts to keep others safe was doomed to fail, but that there was no escaping Barovia either, under the cruel rule of Strahd von Zarovich.
Another man, a native to Barovia named Ismark, told us that the letter that had sent us to Barovia was fake, and gave us the letter the real burgomaster sent for us. He tried to warn us away from Barovia, as his family was haunted by a vampire, but alas, it was too late for us. Ismark suggested we go to see Kolyan, as it was not too late to save Ireena, and gave us directions to his house before leaving. My companions and I decided to rest before going to see him, with Kolkari and Balli agreeing to join us.
We met later that night at the tavern, although we were now short two. I do not know where they went, but Len and the boy were missing. All that was left of my old group was Eliza. The loss of Titus weighed heavily on me still, even with Eliza to comfort me. Then, there was the idea of who would lead us now that he was gone. I do not think that Eliza wants to lead while I am still uncertain on if Kolkori or Balli will follow us. With that in mind, the duty of leadership may very well fall onto me, although how I will do with that is beyond me.
The four of us left for the burgomaster’s house, only to find it in shambles, as it had seemingly endured many attacks. We met Ireena for the first time, as she kept the doors closed for us, accusing us to be spies of Strahd. Our attempts to change her mind failed, and it was only by the intervention of Ismark, who revealed himself as her older brother, that we were granted entrance into the house. Ismark’s heritage wasn’t the only secret he kept from us: that Kolyan is dead within a makeshift coffin, as his heart couldn’t bear the constant assaults from Strahd’s minions.
They explained how Strahd had already bitten Ireena twice, and upon their next meeting, he would turn her into a vampire spawn. Ismark asked us to escort him and Ireena to Vallaki, a town which opposes the reign of Strahd. Ireena insisted that her father is buried before leaving, despite the threat to her life and Ismark’s comments that the church’s priest, Father Donavich, was quite mad. Although he couldn’t be buried until dawn, per the religion they followed, Ismark led the way so that we could carry the coffin to the church.
On our way, we met two strangers. The first, an old native to the land named Morgantha, was seen giving baked pies and taking children. There was some debate on how we should handle that situation, which I learned was normal in Barovia. While I wanted to strike her down for her evil ways, I was convinced otherwise, with Balli and Eliza coercing Morgantha to release the child. The second was a fellow adventurer, a half-elf woman named Stephanie who was “chosen” by her goddess. She was timid and easy to startle, and as she was on her way to the church as well, so she decided to join us.
We dropped off the coffin and entered the church together. I realized that Ismark was quite right with his assessment of Father Donavich, whose voice was hoarse from praying for his son, who was chained up in the basement, screaming. The priest explained that his son, Doru, joined a mage who attempted to overthrow Strahd, but returned as a vampire spawn a year ago. This led to a rather large debate among the group on how we should deal with Donavich and Doru. Balli and Stephanie thought that Doru could be saved, while I wanted to strike him down, for vampire spawn are evil, and my oath to Torm requires me to strike down any evil I come across. Eliza pulled me aside and convinced me to hold my blade for now, although I am not sure how intact my oath will be if I continue pushing aside slaying creatures of darkness.
Donavich promised that he would bury Kolyan come morning, and that we would come to the funeral. On the way out, Stephanie purposely sought out Morgantha, who she met prior. I stayed away from the conversation, as I did not want to have the conversation of whether I should act or not a third time tonight. From Morgantha, Stephanie learned of a temple in the mountains which held ancient lore, which could possibly have the secret of saving Doru. Stephanie agreed to join us to Vallaki, as it was on the way to this temple. We retired back to our rooms to sleep until morning.
I do not know where my path will take me, for I’ve been told there is no escape from Barovia. I believe this may all be a test from Torm, as to how my oath will remain in this land of darkness, as well as an opportunity to deliver justice upon the forces of darkness. Although I have lost many friends, I now have a new quest before me, and that is to protect the children of Kolyan. I just pray that when the time comes, I will be able to stand against Strahd himself.
Chance The Podcaster 