#mod escher

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Strahd has something to say as Pride Month is coming to a close.

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What do you do when you have to play hide and seek with Mod Strahd’s Strahd Bat for over 3 hours? Magic happens. And memes. It was the battle of the ages.

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Vasili has made a new friend.

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Some of the best memes I made for when I played in Mod Strahd’s campaign.

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Hey you! Yes, You!

You like vampires? You like D&D? You like trans rights??

Then you’ll LOVE Mod Escher’s upcoming Curse of Strahd campaign! The Roll20 version of The Ancient and The Land is starting on Friday, July 31st. I’ll be sharing what happens during on this blog in a journal styled format.

And don’t forget to check out Mod Strahd’s campaign on Twitch! His next session is this Thursday.

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The Ancient and The Land - Mod Escher’s Roll20 Curse of Strahd Campaign [Session 0]

Gather round, for a tale you won’t surely forget! Join my dear, dear players as they all embark on quite the adventure in Barovia!

Before we begin, some disclaimers are needed:

Outright, there are trigger warnings for implied abuse and graphic violence.

Now, to introduce my party (one player will be introduced next session, she’s still getting used to her new work schedule)!

Diane GoldenDew - Mastermind Rogue Diane is 13 year old high elf itching for adventure! She learned a lot about different heroes, and she wishes to go on one of her own, like her favorite hero White Glint! She’s traveling by herself, since both of her parents had tragically died of old age.

Ireena Kolyana - Duelist Fighter (Played by Mod Strahd!) Ireena is the adopted daughter of the late Burgomaster of the Village of Barovia. She was found by the Burgomaster and her brother Ismark as a young child, and they took her in as part of the family. However, due to red hair being a bad omen and unforeseen circumstances, Ireena was holed away in the mansion at the age of 15, never allowed to leave again. She tried running away with her family’s ancestral blade in hand on the night before her 20th birthday, but she was ambushed by wolves not too long after. She was saved by Vasili von Holtz, a young lord of Vallaki that frequently visited the mansion and had an interest in her. Her father took exception to her departure, but after dealing with his wrath, she confided in Vasili. Just days later, Kolyan passed away.

Mirthe - Witch, Covenant of the Wise (Mod Strahd’s homebrew class!) Accompanied by her familiar, Nadcasovy (a giant weasel), Mirthe is a Carnival Performer (and might I add the cutest pastel tiefling). Her act was as a hair hanger, instead with horns! She grew up with the matriarchs of her family in a forest. Her family never shunned her father, just said he had another calling. When she grew older, about 16, she decided to go seek him out with her familiar, feeling she was missing something in connection to her magical abilities. She found her father in a carnival show and took on that life ever since. Now, she’s traveling on her own to perform.

Savita Orelene - Light Cleric Savita is a fire genasi, cursed at birth by her mother’s family after her father left shortly after her conception. Savita and her mother were taken care of clerics of the sun god, Amaunator. Grateful for their help, Savita and her mother stayed with them, and Savita was eventually blessed by the god himself. Tragically, however, her mother was slain, drained completely of her blood.

Valarys - Blood Hunter, Order of the Lycan Valarys was found by an older couple as an infant, abandoned and left on the side of a beaten road. They’ve been taken care of by the couple and was raised as their own. However, Valarys was also half-lycanthrope. As they were coming of age, they turned on accident in public, which caused a panic in the village that soon turned into a full on mob. Their father was killed in the process of protecting Valarys, but before he told them to escape, he gave them a letter and told them of a name of someone that might be able to help them.

With that, let’s begin the story of their journey under the cut!

Diane, Mirthe, Savita, and Valarys all were in their own respective campsites the night before they all met, traveling who knows where to go ahead and do who knows what. It was starting to get a little misty while they were all resting. But when they woke up the next morning, they were all trapped in a fog. when they tried to get out, they couldn’t breathe, and they all ended up meeting each other within the mists. They all decided to move out of the fog and end up in strange, dark woods that they don’t recognize. They get to know each other in the woods.

Valarys is a bit standoffish when meeting the other members of the party. Diane, being a curious and rambunctious child, was more than eager to start on her adventure. She’d read stories about Barovia, a lost city of beauty, of flowers, and of the sun. Its radiance could be something like she’d never seen before. Savita was so confused at being in such a strange land. Mirthe was more than happy to introduce herself to the players (note: Nadcasovy is bigger than Diane).

In the woods, a letter gets delivered to them in the form of a breeze, as if they were expected. The letter was as follows:

Weary Travelers and Adventurers, Welcome to Barovia.

Do forgive me for such an intrusive fog. The Mists have their own way of welcoming new visitors. Allow me to offer a far better form of hospitality.

My home is your home, as the saying goes. Feel free to roam about and indulge in the bounties of my reign. Do be careful traveling at night. We would not want any... unwanted accidents, now, would we? Mind where you tread. If I were to enter your home, I would have limitations of where I may wander, would I not?

I do hope you enjoy your stay. So long as you all follow these specific guidelines and mind your manners, we will all get along just fine. After all, this wonderful land of mine is where you will stay for the rest of your life. Do not try to go back in the fog from whence you came. You may have survived the Mists for now, but you will never be so lucky again.

And do watch your backs.

Your new Lord and Master, The Ancient and The Land of Barovia

Valarys is distraught at the concept that they may never be able to go back again. Everyone doesn’t like that idea, but they know now that they have no choice but to continue forward. After several hours, they arrive at the Gates of Barovia, where they easily open for the party.

They walk through the forest, until they hear a strange noise coming from the woods. A wolf (which Diane insists is a horse) bounds out from the forest but doesn’t attack the party. Instead, they’re running away from whatever noise was just made in the woods. Out from there comes Vasili von Holtz, who was riding a mount while holding what he describes is a gun. Mirthe in particular wonders why he couldn’t just use arrows, after he describes what a gun does, and Vasili insists that he just likes using a gun better. Valarys doesn’t trust Vasili outright, given their lycanthropy and feeling a kinship with the wolves.

Vasili was there in Svalich Woods hunting before he would then go to the Village of Barovia. He offers to let them tag along with him. On the way, he tells them about the history of the Dark Lord of the land.

“This place was not always this closed off from the rest of the world. Centuries ago, there was an ancient Prince. He came to this land and fought many battles, turning this valley into what is known today as Barovia. Not everyone treated him with kindness, however. But, when he was wounded during a harsh battle, he was nursed back to health and protected by the people who wander the land after wrongfully being forced from their homes. They’re known as the Vistani, and after taking such good care of the wounded Prince, they now forever are free to enter and leave the valley. Only they can come and go as they please.

“The Prince became the Lord of the land, maintaining order from the Eastern territories of the Village to the Western outskirts of Krezk. But he was growing older. He called for his family to come to him, and through this came the answer from his youngest brother. This young man was described to have a smile that radiated like the sun.

“Just when the Lord thought all was lost, he met a beautiful woman with fiery auburn hair; a true treasure. He loved her with all his heart. But she was taken from him. His brother, in his youthful cunning, took the woman as his own before the Lord had a chance. Enraged, the Lord attempted to take back what rightfully was his, but not without consequences.

“A coup had been staged during the brother and bride’s wedding day. The brother was slain, and the Lord was inflicted with a dark curse. And this curse spread throughout the land. The Lord became a dictator, and almost no one was safe from his wrath.”

He insists that they should go to Tser Pool to see if they could end the curse, where Madam Eva, a Seer, would be able to tell them more.

Mirthe is very pleased to hear that there is a Seer. However, Valarys is aghast at the idea of Madam Eva knowing about their past, present, and future. Vasili insists that either way, she knows all, and she could help them.

Set on going to Tser Pool, Vasili first offers to take them to the Village of Barovia to see the late Burgomaster’s children, to which Diane eagerly asks why the “Burger Master” is late. That was when Vasili reveals that the Burgomaster died of a heart attack. 

Taking exception to the fact that the party let Diane, a child, walk on foot for over 5 hours, Vasili offers to let her sit on his mount. With that, they all travel as it starts to rain (Savita, being a fire genasi, is pretty disheartened at that).

At the Village of Barovia, they’re all greeted to the sound of sobbing as they reach the center of town. After the party fails to properly perceive where exactly the crying is coming from, they proceed to knock on every door on that street until they find the source.

The first house was answered by a disgruntled man, who tells them that Mad Mary was the source of the crying. During this, Diane shows off her master skills by speaking in a perfect Barovian accent (which Vasili kindly thinks “WTF” upon hearing her). The disgruntled man tells them that crying is coming from across the street. So, they go directly across the street, where a different woman answers and insists that the crying is coming from next door.

Mad Mary answers, completely distraught at the loss of her daughter, and she is dismissive of the players being able to help her at first. She is also initially scared shitless by Diane’s talking doll, after she shows it when seeing a doll in Mad Mary’s hand. She then cries that the “Devil” could possibly have her. Diane insists that this devil must’ve been a Bone Devil, after Mad Mary describes that the Burgomaster was publicly executed by being drained completely of his blood. Initially hopeless, the party manages to convince her that they would try to find her daughter, Gertruda.

With that, Mad Mary leaves them to their own devices, just as they hear a cart roll by and a withered voice shout “Fresh Pies, Fresh Pies, Freshly Made from Granny’s Supplies!”

Crowds gather to have a taste of her delicious food.

Diane manages to successfully steal a savory meat pie from her cart, just as Vasili also decides to come up to the cart. He and Granny know each other, and Vasili eagerly does business with her, buying three pies for the party. Savita eats a meat pie, Mirthe eats half of a fruit pie, and there was also a berry pie that was purchased. Granny notes that one of her meat pies is missing, but she doesn’t think too long about that. Granny also mentions that if they ever needed any more pies, they could always visit her at the Old Durst Mill, where she lives and works.

Vasili then takes them down to the end of the street, where the Burgomaster’s mansion was. They all go inside, and they’re greeted by Ismark in a drunken stupor. At the mention of his father, Ismark simply states, “Peace be upon him” and proceeds to belch.

Right away, Vasili is looking for Ireena, who has been sitting in the library. She eagerly greets him, as well as the party. Vasili leaves to find Ismark to see if they found Kolyan’s will. During this, Diane explores the library to try and find a book about heroes, but she doesn’t find exactly what she was looking for. See, she was looking for a book about White Glint, but instead she found one about the story of a hero named Ivan Denesch and his quest to defeat Koschei the Immortal. Ireena more than happily talks about the story with Diane, who enjoys it.

Valarys meanwhile finds a book about werewolves, in which Ireena tells them that it was written by none other than Rudolph van Richten, a legendary hunter of sorts.

The party takes time with Ireena to get to know each other, in which they point out that Ireena has several healing bruises down the left side of her face and on her neck. When asked, she insists that she’s fine and that things will be better now, but she secretly insists after Diane asks that her insistence is because of Kolyan being dead. They all continue to have heartfelt moments when interacting, one such moment including Ireena giving Nadcasovy the good scritches.

After a while, Vasili and Ismark return to the library after being in a room across the hall. In hand, Ismark has Kolyan’s will, and he gives it to Vasili to read. Ismark can barely sit down, let alone look straight to read a letter. Vasili begrudgingly reads ahead first, before reading aloud:

I, Kolyan Indirovich, Burgomaster of the Village of Barovia, hereby write my final will and testimony.

For my son, Ismark, as painful as it is for me to bequeath to you this, I leave you my title and the mansion. Never forget the responsibilities of maintaining such a village and the privilege that implies. Do not let the people down more than you already have. Straighten yourself out, and maybe I will look at you fondly from the afterlife. Do be the one to place me in my final resting place. You know why, my son.

Vasili von Holtz, my dearest friend, I know we have only known each other for a short time, but it is my dying wish that you look after my daughter. She is a bright young woman with ambitions that far surpass my expectations. Wherever she may roam off to next, please assure me that she will always be under your protection. Interpret that as you see fit. I know you won’t disappoint me.

For my dearest daughter, Ireena, I leave behind for you the knowledge that everything I have done, no matter how drastic my methods may have seemed, was for your protection and your own good. My reasons for worrying for you have been confirmed. You are a wise, determined young lady, but with hair as blood red as yours, my concern for you has been like a Plague. Heed the world with caution. Stay safe, and stay home.

Distraught, Ireena immediately leaves the library after punching a decently sized hole in the wall, and Vasili goes after her to console her. They both know that they need to act sympathetic to keep up appearances, but they know that this was something Kolyan did not deserve. Ireena hates the message for her that was left behind, insisting how horribly she had been treated. Vasili offers that she can stay with him, so long as Ismark lets her go (since he’s now in charge of the mansion and everything in it) and she wants to join him. Needless to say, they’re both glad that Kolyan is dead.

Ireena then reveals what the Dark Lord had said to her at the execution: “I will always protect you, my lovely summer rose.” 

She doesn’t understand how he was able to find out what was happening anyways, in which Vasili recollects that superstition says that he’s always watching, but his timing was impeccable. The two embrace each other. In the middle of the hallway.

Meanwhile, Ismark explains to the rest of the party how the Burgomaster really died. Mad Mary wasn’t exactly “mad” when it came to her claim. Kolyan was dragged out to the center of town for his crimes against humanity (which somehow was found out) and was executed by the Dark Lord of the land himself. He was drained completely of his blood in front of the entire village, and since then, no one wanted to go near the Burgomaster’s children or even try to help bury him.

Ismark also tells them that he’s not going to keep Ireena cooped up like it said in Kolyan’s will. He explains that the reason why Ireena was initially cooped up was that being a red-haired woman was a bad omen (or so they say, since he’s impartial to superstitions). He also puts to rest that the “devil” is not a Bone Devil, but a vampire. He also warns them of strange creatures that all want to kill you: “Wolves, werewolves, dire wolves... a lot of wolves. There’s men that look like trees. Scarecrows...” He’s too drunk to be coherent about what’s actually out there, but he does warn them seriously that they should watch out for fleders, an aggressive type of vampire that hunts ruthlessly at night.

Ismark then politely asks if they could help them bury the Burgomaster tomorrow, as much as he doesn’t want to do a proper funeral. They all agree.

The session ends when Ismark offers that he can ask Ireena to make them dinner and that they could stay the night at the mansion. Valarys offers their help, in which Ismark insists Ireena would appreciate that. Meanwhile, Diane interrupts Ireena and Vasili kissing in the hallway by swiftly moving passed them, with Nadcasovy following suit.

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“The Ancient and the Land” - Mod Escher’s CoS

In recent weeks, I’ve been preparing to run two separate, long-term Curse of Strahd campaigns! There will be one for strictly roll20 that I’m running with long distanced friends, and another will be for at a table that I will be starting once I’m settled in Maine! To avoid confusion, when I talk about brainstorming for my campaigns and progress as they begin, I will be using two different tags to split the two of them up.

“taatlroll” - for the roll20 campaign

“taatltable” - for the in person campaign

Most of the supplements that I’ll be using include, but are not limited to: DragnaCarta’s Curse of Strahd Reloaded, Guides from LunchBreakHeroes, MandyMod’s Fleshing Out, TheAciduousAdventurer’s Interactive Tome of Strahd, and more!

I will be also setting up my own custom supplement guidelines to run a Curse of Strahd campaign with more vampire and lesser vampire enemy encounters, which I’m currently calling “Muzan Kibutsuji - but Strahd!” where I’m marrying the aspects of KNY’s Muzan’s curse upon his demon regime and Strahd’s rule over Barovia. The goal is to make his “omnipresence” far more threatening and have more stakes for the party. I plan to use this in both versions of the campaign.

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My, My, My

It's been quite a while, hasn't it? Life most definitely has a way of getting away from us, doesn't it? Well, never fear little Mists-goers, for Escher is here to bring you up to speed!

The games we were playing when last this blog updated are no longer ongoing for various reasons. Currently, I'm the only one running anything but not for lack of effort on the part of dear Mod van Richten. We've seen many a hardship between the two of us.

I'll start updating with some old memes and a rundown of the game that I've been running for the past several months.

So sorry for such a long hiatus, and with no warning to boot. Rest assured, I'll try to keep a schedule of some sort.

~ Mod Escher

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The Ancient and The Land - Mod Escher’s Curse of Strahd Campaign [Session 1]

This session happened this past Friday, but Mod Escher got hit with a massive writer’s block and had a hard time piecing everything together. Special thanks to Mod Strahd for being super helpful!

Session 0

AND NOW.

Gather round, for a tale you won’t surely forget! Join my dear, dear players as they continue their adventure in Barovia!

Let’s start off tonight with another role call!

Diane GoldenDew - Rogue (3) Mastermind Diane is a 13-year-old high elf itching for adventure! She learned a lot about different heroes, and she wishes to go on one of her own, like her favorite hero White Glint! She’s traveling by herself, since both of her parents had tragically died of old age.

Ireena Kolyana - Barbarian (3) Path of the Depths (Played by Mod Strahd! [yes, Ireena’s class has changed]) Ireena is the adopted daughter of the late Burgomaster of the village of Barovia. She was found by the Burgomaster and her brother Ismark as a young child, and they took her in as part of the family. However, due to her red hair being a bad omen and unforeseen circumstances, Ireena was holed away in the mansion at the age of 15, never allowed to leave again. She tried running away with her family’s ancestral blade in hand on the night before her twentieth birthday, but she was ambsued by wolves not too long after. She was saved by Vasili von Holtz, a young lord of Vallaki that frequently visited the mansion and had an interest in her. Her father took exception to her departure, but after dealing with his wrath, she confided in Vasili. Just days later, Kolyan passed away.

Mirthe - Witch (3) Covenant of the Wise (Mod Strahd’s homebrew class!) Accompanied by her familiar, Nadcasovy (giant weasel), Mirthe is a Carnival Performer (and might I add the cutest pastel tiefling). Her act was a hair hanger, except with her horns! She grew up with the matriarchs of her family in a forest. Her family never shunned her father, just said he had another calling. When she grew older, about sixteen, she decided to go seek him out with her familiar, feeling she was missing something in connection to her magical abilities. She found her father in a carnival show and took on that life ever since. Now, she’s traveling on her own to perform.

Ritz Krakke - Fighter (3) Samurai [NEW RECRUIT] Ritz is a Drow raised by humans. Even with his martial training, he also longed to learn magic. He’s a young elf, but he hopes to find his calling someday. 

Savita Orelene - Cleric (3) Light Domain Savita is a fire genasi, cursed at birth by her mother’s family after her father left shortly after her conception. Savita and her mother were taken care of by clerics of the sun god, Amaunator. Grateful for their help, Savita and her mother stayed with them, and Savita was eventually blessed by the god himself. Tragically, however, her mother was slain, drained completely of her blood.

Valarys Bagge - Blood Hunter (3) Order of the Lycan Valarys was found by an older couple as an infant, abanoned and left on the side of a beaten road. They’ve been taken care of by the couple and were raised as their own. However, Valarys was also half-lycanthrope. As they were coming of age, they turned by accident in public, which caused a panic in the village that soon turned into a full-on mob. Their father was killed in the process of protecting Valarys, but before he told them to escape, he gave them a letter and told them of a name of someone that might be able to help them.

Now, let’s continue with their journey under the cut!

Continuing from where they left off, Valarys and Mirthe both accompany Ireena to make dinner. When they couldn’t get her attention, Valarys reaches out to touch her shoulder. Ireena suddenly turns and punches Valarys in the face, but Valarys takes no damage, instead showing their irritation through the bestial quality of their eyes and fangs. Ireena seemed shaken up, but it wasn’t from Valarys’ werewolf nature being revealed. After a string of apologies, Ireena soon is able to relax while Valarys and Mirthe help make dinner.

While this was going on, Diane ran around the house, just investigating different rooms throughout the mansion. She eventually winds up in the library again, after unnerving enough people by staring at them so much. She runs into Vasili down there, and she tries to sell him her flavored water. He overpaid her, let’s just say.

During making dinner, Ireena calls Valarys “miss,” which they told her they don’t identify with. They then continue to explain their gender to her, calling themselves a “threat.” That seems to set a lightbulb off in  Ireena’s head.

Ismark drunkenly had gone to his room, but Ireena took exception to this by bringing him into the den. He ends up passing out in there, instead. The party go about their shenanigans, which includes having a rather interesting encounter with Barovian black bread. They go about their business up until dinner, where the party exchanges in small talk that is rather awkward for everyone involved. Ismark is still so drunk that during dinner is when he tells Ireena that she was adopted. He tells her how he and Kolyan found her lost in the woods, and they took her in as part of the family. He then continues to ramble about a boy that he used to train years ago. This boy was so kind, and he’d prayed for Ireena’s scraped knee when she tripped while they were going to the mansion after church. Ireena doesn’t really remember him too well, but Ismark tells her that he remembers his last name being Angelovich. Ireena makes him go to bed afterwards, and she tells him that she wants him to stop drinking.

In a fit of anger, Ireena storms over to the door to her father’s study to kick at it as a form of venting. When she does, however, the door swings open. She cautiously enters the room, but very quickly she devolves into a panic attack that alerts the others. Vasili steps out of the dining hall to investigate, and he helps her settle down for bed while she was in tears and feeling sick. Before he goes to talk to the party, Ireena asks him if he could get Valarys for her before they go to bed.

Vasili addresses the party, apologizing for Ireena’s absence and offering to show them to the rooms they would be staying in for the night. He also finds that Ismark was in his own room to sleep, but moments later he assures the party that his room is indeed free for someone to sleep in. As they were all going to bed, Vasili hurries to tell Valarys that Ireena wanted to talk to them. When they were together, Ireena asks Valarys to chop off her hair.

That night, everyone has rather interesting dreams. Valarys has a dream about having dinner with their adopted mother. During it, though, their mother tells them to let someone in that’s been waiting outside for them. The person at the door is a blonde woman that outstretches her arms for Valarys, calling them by name and proclaiming that she’d waited so long to see them. Before they can interact with her, they’re back with their mother at dinner like nothing happened. Savita got to see her mother again in her dream, who wanted to hear about everything she’d been up to.

Diane’s dream was… colorful. She dreamt of standing on top of a mountain constructed from the bodies of her enemies, her dagger stained red. Mirthe dreamed about being with her father again performing, and her familiar Nadcasovy dreamed about improving its bond with Mirthe. Ireena dream was being in the company of two men at an inn she’d never been to before. She wanted to join them where they were seated, but she woke up before she really had a chance to.

The next morning, everyone meets out in the hall, and Ismark is extremely confused as to how he ended up in the den instead of his bedroom. He didn’t remember being out there. When Ireena steps out to hug Vasili, Ismark is the first to point out the haircut. Diane says out loud that she thought it looked terrible, and at that, Vasili just blurts out, “Children and their honesty.”

He’s immediately berated for making such a comment, since it implied that he, too, didn’t like her hair. This made Ireena rather upset. Vasili of course apologizes, blaming his ill-thought out comment on being distracted and having a lack of sleep. Diane fixes Ireena’s haircut, and Ismark assures her that he thought her hair looked great. During breakfast, someone else comes to the door. Vasili had sent a letter out to a young Drow named Ritz Krakke, an adventurer that had been alone in Barovia for a week before the letter was sent to him.

Ismark goes into his room from breakfast early and comes out plastered drunk. Ireena drags him out in the rain and pours well water on him to sober up. She tries to talk to him, saying that she doesn’t know what brought him to alcoholism but she wanted him to really stop drinking. She tells him that he has the makings of a great burgomaster. He officially promises her that he’s going to do all he can to stop.

Since they were both drenched, they go inside to change again. When Ireena steps out, she wears men’s clothes (that totally aren’t Ismark’s), finding that she felt confident wearing them. Ismark assures her she looks good in them before they all take the coffin to the church.

They arrive at the church, and Vasili tells them he’s going to check the grave plot while everyone else gets Father Donavich. When they do go in, they immediately notice something’s wrong. Several pews are destroyed. When asked about it, Father Donavich tries to blame the mess on rats. That was a terrible lie, of course. The party then hears strange noises coming from the basement. As the new Burgomaster of Barovia, Ismark demands the priest to really tell them what caused the mess. Father Donavich confesses that it was his son, Dorus. Ireena hadn’t seen him since being basically held captive in the mansion five years ago, but Ismark tells them all that Doru had disappeared a year earlier, and no one had heard from him since. Father Donavich reluctantly tells them that he had been turned into a vampire spawn, but he keeps insisting that he’d never hurt anyone. After all, he hadn’t had a lick of blood since being turned. 

Ireena intimidates him into taking them to the undercroft, and he’s forced to comply. Diane gets the locked trapdoor opened, and they all step inside. They first try to talk to Doru, but the vampire wanted none of it. He was starving, and the sight of everyone coming down to the undercroft put him into a feral frenzy. Ritz and Mirthe both had tried to be the rational ones of the group and tell them that they shouldn’t try to kill Doru outright. Doru, however, got to taste blood for the very first time after biting Ritz.

The party realizes that he can’t be reasoned with, and they continue to try and put him out of his misery. It’s Diane that delivers the killing blow, a rather gruesome act involving cutting the vampire’s tendons at the knees so that she can stab him in the back of the neck. Needless to say, Father Donavich is devastated that they killed his son.

Despite his grief, the priest carried on with the funeral rites for the late Burgomaster. Ismark, still a little drunk from earlier in the day, spat in Kolyan’s grave plot before it was filled. After the funeral, the party gathers their bearings to get ready to leave. Ireena makes sure she has her things together for the trip when they’d stopped at the mansion. Before they left town, Vasili gives Ireena a birthday present that he hopes will make up for what he said earlier that day. He gave her a special gun with a knife at the end of it, as well as bullets to go with it. When saying goodbye to the party, however, he almost gets thrown off his mount. He takes it without looking too embarrassed, though.

Ismark insists that he should accompany the party to at least Tser Pool. He doesn’t like the idea of Ireena being outside of the Village, after almost getting killed the last time she left home. So, he just wants to make sure she’s safe with her new traveling companions. He also gives the party a map of Barovia, pointing out the major towns and Castle Ravenloft.

The party and Ismark find a lost kitten on the side of the road after crossing the bridge at River Ilvis. Ireena tells them that the cat needs to stay away from her, since she’s allergic to them. Ritz agrees to hold onto the cat so that it doesn’t get too close to Ireena.

Ireena mentions aloud that she wants to take on a pseudonym, since she was an adventurer now. Ismark starts rambling at hearing that, despite being a little more sober. He talks about a halfling hero named White Glint, which Diane claims is an interesting individual. Ireena soon decides that she wants to have a male pseudonym, showing that she can pull it off by trying to speak into a lower voice to channel her “inner Ismark.” Her brother tells her that she’ll have a much better male voice if she didn’t try to emulate him.

Finally, the party arrives at Tser Pool, where Madam Eva’s tent as well as several Vistani campers have taken shelter for the day. One of the Vistani, named Mistress Kitt, tells them that they need to see Madam Eva in her tent right away. The party goes there while Ismark waits for them outside with the kitten.

Madam Eva is pleased to see them, and she addresses them all by name: Diane Goldendew, Savita Orelene, Valarys Bagge, Ritz Krakke, Mirthe, and… Ivan Denesch. Funny enough, Madam Eva calls Ireena by the name she intended to use as her male pseudonym, from the story that she told Diane the day before. She also knows some information about each person, since she is a Seer and has a gift for knowing such things. Madam Eva tells them that they all have a destiny here in Barovia that they can carry out so that they can lift the curse and free the Valley.

Personal Fortunes

Madam Eva gives fortunes using Tarokka cards. She gives them all their personal fortunes first, which are missions that each one should be responsible for making sure they’re carried out.

Diane GoldenDew Her personal fortune is given with a card from the High Deck - Tempter.

“My child, the path for you thus far has been dangerous, but remember that you cannot let that make you lose sight of what’s most important. Outsmart your enemies with what you do best - you may surprise yourself when coming face to face with something that you have already damned before seeing their face.”

Ivan Denesch Madam Eva still calls Ireena Ivan Denesch, but her personal fortune comes from the Three of Swords - Soldier.

“You, young one, have gone through so much and still have a long road ahead of you. Use that to your advantage. You can help light the way for all the wayward and tormented souls of Barovia, starting with the light at the dragon’s beacon.”

Mirthe Madam Eva tells her that her calling comes to her in the form of a triad of desperate pleas - akin to screams. Her card is the Five of Stars - Elementalist.

“Three ladies - one at the mill, one at the swamp, and one at the foot of a corrupted tree - are weeping at how toxic their domain has become. You can help restore the balance.”

Ritz Krakke His card is the Master of Stars - Wizard.

“An ancient wizard remains nameless, hiding in the depths of a tomb of darkness. Say his name, and he will provide for you knowledge beyond your wildest dreams.”

Savita Orelene For Savita’s fortune, Madam Eva warns her that the path to her god, who’s also called the Morninglord within Barovia, is fraught with danger. Her card will tell her how she can help a town that is shrouded from the Dawn’s Light. This card is the Two of Glyphs - Missionary.

“There’s a man who claims to be a faith that has long since been deeply corrupted, committing blasphemy behind closed doors. You must stop him.”

Valarys Bagge Madam Eva knows that they’re looking for answers that could be found here in Barovia. She implies that maybe they want to know about their biological family along the way. This card that tells them their fortune is the Five of Swords - Myrmidon.

“Your upbringing has been bleak, and there are many questions that remain unanswered. You will find what you seek in a high-up place of extreme cold. But beware - your path to this place is uncertain, and a beast that is not what he seems will try to lead you astray.”

The Main Reading

Soon, it is time for their fortunes on how they can all end the curse together. The fortune goes as follows:

“This first card here tells of history. Knowledge of the Ancient will help you better understand your enemy.” The card is the Seven of Stars - Illusionist.

“A man is not what he seems. He comes here in a carnival wagon. Therein lies what you seek.”

“The second card tells of a powerful force of good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope.” The card is the Nine of Stars - Philanthropist.

“Look to a place where sickness and madness are bred. Where the children once cried, the treasure lies still.”

“The third is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight.” They get the One of Swords - Avenger.

“The treasure lies in a dragon’s house, in hands once clean and now corrupted.”

“The fourth card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.” This card is from the High Deck - Broken One.

“I see an old, golden soul that once was blessed by the Dawn, plucked from this land too soon by a monster. He’s trapped, wandering endlessly and waiting in vain among a fallen dragon’s guard for peace. Find him, before the monster returns and sends him back to the Mists.”

They are then warned that their enemy is a creature of Darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. Their final card will be what leads them to him.

This card is from the High Deck - Artifact.

“He lurks in the darkness where the morning light once shone - a sacred place.”

The session ends as Madam Eva offers that they should stay at the encampment for a little longer if they choose, so that they could gain more knowledge through stories from the people that know Barovia the most.