Session 27: A woman scorned, a man brotherzoned
General Summary
Strahd's a fucking incel. I quit.The Wandering Apocalypse did some unspeakable things today. Just wizard napalming a pack of innocent werewolves wasn't enough. No, they just had to go to their home and murder most of them in cold blood. In fact, they even went ahead and chased a fleeing mother and child, forcing her to send her cub off into the wilderness of Barovia by himself. Even that was not enough, as what was clearly a holy treasure lying at the feet of a shrine to the Nightmother was pilfered as well.
The Wandering Apocalypse continued inside the wolf den outside of Lake Baratok, where they beat up some werewolves who had the audacity to live there. They continued, and chased a fleeing mother and cub, cold-bloodily murdering the mother as she bought time for the cub to get away. They then spoke to a werewolf who's name they do not know, but who's mate used to be the pack leader. This werewolf was however not as bad as the others, and wasn't murdered in cold blood. The same can't be said for the current pack leader, as well as some of the pack. They lie strewn across the cave now, leaving the remainder survivors both shell shocked and in a power struggle.
They also pilfered the shrine, as was indicated by their card, and found the Tome of Strahd. Otherwise known as Strahd's diary. Turns out, Strahd von Zarovich liked a girl named Tatyana, but she liked his brother Sergei von Zarovich. Strahd von Zarovich couldn't really handle this, and murdered Sergei von Zarovich. Tatyana did not see this as a true declaration of love, and instead opted to kill herself by throwing herself from Ravenloft. Strahd von Zarovich instead decided to become a vampire.
I am the Ancient. I am the Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior, I was good and just. I thundered across the land like the wrałh of a just god, but the war years and the killing years wore down my soul as the wind wears stone into sand. All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice. I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in łhe castle Ravenloft. They came wih a younger brołher of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for bołh. From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called “perfection,” “joy,” and “treasure.” Her name was Tatyana, and I longed for her to be mine. I loved her wiłh all my heart. I loved her for her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me! “Old One” was my name ło her—“elder” and “brother” also. Her heart wenł ło Sergei. They were betrothed. The date was set. With words she called me “brother,” but when I looked into her eyes they reflected another name: “death.” It was the death of the aged thał she saw in me. She loved her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine. The death she saw in me turned her from me. And so I came ło hate death—my death. My hate is very strong. I would not be called “death” so soon. I made a pact with death, a pacł of blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My pact was sealed with his blood. I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the chapel. She fled from me. She would noł let me explain, and a great anger swelled within me. She had to understand the pact I made for her. I pursued her. Finally, in despair, she flung herself from the walls of Ravenlofł, and I wałched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever. It was a thousand feet through the mists. No trace of her was ever found. Not even I know her final fate. Arrows from the castle guards pierced me ło my soul, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I became undead, forever. I have studied much since then. “Vampyr” is my new name. I still lust for life and youth, and I curse the living that took them from me. Even the sun is against me. It is the sun and its light I fear the most, but little else can harm me now. Even a stake through my hearł does not kill me, though it holds me from movement. But the sword, that cursed sword that Sergei brought! I must dispose of that awful tool! I fear and hate it as much as the sun. I have often hunted for Tatyana. I have even felt her within my grasp, but she escapes. She taunts me! She taunts me! Whał will it take to bend her love to me? I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me.
The Wandering Apocalypse freed the children, then took them to the Vallaki Orphanage. Is it here, however, that they learned that Father Donavich had been taken.
Missions/Quests Completed
Obtained the Tome of Strahd and gained a level, reaching level 6.
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