Tome of Strahd
Major Artifact
I am The Ancient, I am The Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior called upon by the Gods, Goddess and Kings in the Last War. I thundered across the land, like the wrath of the just God, Comes, but the war's years and the killing 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 and I settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of the Hordes of Bool. I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones in the great white Northern Kingdoms of Greyguard, and brought them here to settle in my castle, Ravenloft. They came with my younger brother, Sergei. He was handsome, charming, youthful. I have contempt for him. For mother always favored Sergei more than me, and I think even father did too, even though I fought his battles, and bleed for him on the battlefield, and restored the name of our house.
…
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 with all my heart. I loved her for her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me! “Old One” was my name to her – “elder” and “brother” also. Her heart went to Sergei. They were betrothed. The wedding 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 old age, old skin, and old thinking that she must have seen in me. She loved her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine fighting for the Darkness, gold, and the thrill of battle. She turned her interest from me, and there was no hope in the life I had left to make her mine. And so I came to hate death, my death. My hate is very strong: I would not be called “death” so soon. I found a way, hidden within the secret Tomes of the Gods and Godesses of Zin, deep within the Amber Temple. There is a way to bend the forces of mortality, and become as equal as one of the Gods and Goddesses myself. Tatyana could not refuse a God, one who cannot die, who's body forged from perfection. It needed a pact with Bool, a New Goddess of a New World, a pact of blood, that she would find worthy to bind us together forever, so I could have my love, Tatyana. On the day of their wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother in his room, in secret. My pact with Bool was sealed with Sergei's blood, his… pure divinity.
I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the Chapel. She fled from me. She would not let me explain. She had to understand the sacrifices I made for her! Finally, in despair, she... cast herself from the walls of Ravenloft and I watched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever.
It was a thousand feet through the mists below. No trace of her was ever found.
Arrows from the castle guards pierced my soul, but I could not die. Nor did I live. I became unliving, forever. Bool gave me youth eternal, but took what mattered most... a great pain remained... emptiness... the nothing...
…
I have studied much since then. I still lust for life and youth, and I curse the living that took her from me. Even the sun is against me! It is the sun and light I fear the most. But little else can harm me now. Thousands of brave adventurers have tried, and failed, and I grow stronger from their blood; I have more vitality than Tatyana could ever dream of! Only if she could see me now! Even a stake through my heart does not kill me, for my spirit is held by Bool, across the planes of the vast void, out of reach of all creatures. I am a God.
…
I have learned much too about this land of Barovia. Ancient are its ways, ancient beyond the knowledge of the simple folk of the valley. Ancient dragons dwelt in this valley long before my coming, in the great temple, where I learned to reach her. Why did she come? Why did she leave? Why does she keep me here? I wander eternally and dominating and sacrificing those who come here. Mine. They are servants to me now, no one can escape, not even me, and thus I have become the Land.
…
I have often hunted for the echo of Tatyana. Souls are trapped here; she has not left, I know it to be true! I have even felt her within my grasp, I feel her soul, but she escapes me every time! She taunts me! She taunts me! It is her fault. What will it take for her to love me? To understand me?
…
I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live amongst the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls so that none may disturb me. For I can never leave... this is my curse... unless....…
Comments