M2S1

## The Gates of Barovia

The dark, misty road to Barovia...

“
*So, your dad was sticking it to the nursemaid, eh?*
”
— Lautrec, on Hovarth and Ilse's relationship.
**The Gates of Barovia** was the 1st session of the Strahdborne campaign. The session covered the characters' entry to Barovia as well as their foray into Durst Manor.

## Summary

Strange forces transport the party to a lost and mysterious realm. Pressed by a pack of wolves, a raging storm, and an eerie, unnatural fog, the party takes shelter in Durst Manor. However, they soon discover that there is more to this manor than meets the eye. After braving deadly dangers, the party lays the Durst patriarch, children, and nursemaid to rest. However, many dangers yet lurk within Durst Manor. The party must defeat the dark fount of the curse before they can hope to escape with their lives...

## NPCs

* Madam Eva: The Vistani diviner, Madam Eva, claims that she knows how you can achieve your deepest ambition. Where is she? Who knows. Cryptically, she said that "her people" would "find" you. Verily, she must be a diviner..
* Hovarth Durst: The deceased Durst patriarch.
* Elizabeth Durst: The Durst matriarch. Elizabeth, "Lisbet," is alleged to be responsible for the curse affecting Durst Manor.
* Rosavelda Durst: "Rose" Durst is one of the Durst children. Fastidious as a child can be, Rose must have her way no matter what. Her remains were finally left to rest by the party.
* Thornboldt Durst: Thorn Durst was a shy and timid little boy. He was laid to rest by the Shelby Party.
* Ilse: The household nursemaid, Ilse tended to the Durst kids. Ilse and Hovarth had an affair that led to the birth of young Rigvald.

## Quests

### New

* **The House of Horrors (Everyone):** Escape Durst Manor (Optional: Lift the curse of Durst Manor).

### Ongoing

* **The Deck of Fate (Everyone):** Find Madam Eva and obtain a reading of the future.

## Reflections

* **Aellun:** "Of all the places I'd have to see before I die, I'd rather hoped I'd miss one like this. Foul it is, every bit of it, and it's getting under my skin in ways I thought I'd shielded myself from long ago. These folks about me are keeping their heads, gods bless them, but they're still too green for a nightmare like this. I can't really blame those poor children for how they felt about us or what they did. Half of us were downed to one specter in a matter of seconds, and there's still the matter of whatever it is that's drawing us here. Considering the children had us wrapped about them without ill intent, what's the true spirit of the house like, or the wraith that guides the wind and wolves further in this realm? I'll have to harden these men's skins, or they won't fare for days or years more here. With any luck, my omen is off and my companions have not had to deal with such far longer. One thing's sure in my mind though, I'm now entirely confident this Madam Eva truly exists somewhere, whether she's some master illusionist, or the thrall or projection of one. The question is, what could such a figure want from us in a place like this?"
* **Arbrek:** "This is an accursed place. All sorts of magic about possessing statues and creating illusions. Seems to have gotten to some of the group too, talking to paintings and dolls. I reckon be a weight off our shoulders once we are out of this place. No doubt the mother’s spirit made that storm and conjured the wolves to corral us in. Ha! To think we could be ensnared in such a trap. It’ll be the last foolish thing this spirit does. There's nothing more accursed than kinslaying and the way for the children to go … No time to dwell. Their spirits are long gone now, and there's still a foul corruption lurking in this house. By Ysenunde the curse will be lifted and this evil spirit banished to whatever hell it deserves!"
* **Lautrec:** "Nightmare, a bloody nightmare this is. Chased by wolves, haunted house, a murder mystery straight out of one of my old cases, getting possessed, and now ghouls! I've seen my fair share of murder scenes back with the Roulan Guard - and at least half the time it was because someone was caught sticking it to the wrong person. Having a baby with your nursemaid and making your wife sit for a family portrait with the kid? Seriously, it's no surprise this ended in murder, only that it didn't end that way sooner! Usually though, the house ain't actually haunted after the tragedy, just rumored to be. Combined with the unnatural fog and bloody wolves and getting bloody possessed, I'm sure this is some kind of nightmare. Madam Eva or whoever she really is didn't really give me a card, it's all part of the same dream and now it's a nightmare...and something tells me it's only gonna get worse. Bloody hell..."
* **Lo-thak:** "This place is terribly unnatural. The shifting mountains, the blankets of fog, the dead refusing to stay dead - I don't like any of it. Some foul magicks are at play here, though it seems we are able to dispel the worst of it. Though, my companions seemed to have much trouble with some long-dead children and their nursemaid. Two of them fell to the touch of but one spectre, and the two children seized their minds with ease. I was impressed, however, when the old man set his sword aflame to strike the spectre. It may not have been useful, but it was impressive. I'll have to watch him closer - he may be hiding some real strength under that frail demeanor of his."

## Appendix

Strahdborne Sessions
**Chapter 1: The Gates of Barovia**
 **Session 1** · Session 2 · Session 3 · Session 4 · Session 5 · Session 6

 **Chapter 2: The Fall of Vallaki**
 Session 7 · Session 8 · Session 9 · Session 10 · Session 11 · Session 12 · Session 13 · Session 14 · Session 15 · Session 16 · Session 17 · Session 18 · Session 19 ·

 **Chapter 3: The Muster at Krezk**
 Session 20 · Session 21 · Session 22 · Session 23 · Session 24 · Session 25 · Session 26 · Session 27 ·