Ravenloft

A campaign set in Damara.

The party is lead by the NPC Geyven Tallmer.

Geyven is in search of some relics.

From the write up:

*They had been hired by the scholar Gevyen Tallmer to help get him to Damara. They wished me to join
them. Tallmer was a tall, gaunt and thin man with glasses. He explained that he had learned from
ancient texts of some relics of the Morning Lord (the god Lythander) that were in a remote region
of the land of Damara. They were guarded by two sects, the  Ecaterine monks and the Knights of the Raven.
He wished, more than all things, to set his eyes on them. These relics were, apparently, a Holy Symbol
that shined like the sun and a weapon known as the Sunblade.*

Party members: Rollo, Yli, Sylvia, Tie-Pie

The Party arrive at the Weary Horse Inn.

**Campaign**

Then they move on to Barovia.

They are attacked by zombies and other undead.
At the town square they meet Ashlyn while fighting the zombies.

Next they go up to the church and fight the Dannovich the evil cleric. Sadly, Badger dies. Ashlyn's companions gear is found and they are assumed dead.

Rollo summons a new companion : Fluffy the Direwolf.

The party then kill some more zombies, the check on 'Mad Mary' and then Ireena. They help bury her father. Ireen joins the party.

They then travel out into the forests. Find a dead messenger with a message.

Are attacked by dire bears in the night and Fluffy looses an eye.

**Letter**:

(Note: the PCs got this due to GM error :P They should have got this: Letter)

Letter from the Vampire, delivered to the gang at the Weary Horse Inn:

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 wrath 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 the castle Ravenloft. They came with
a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both.

…

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 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 that 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 to hate
death, my death. My hate is very strong: I would not be called “death” so soon. I made a pact
with Vol, a pact of Blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My pact was
sealed with his blood, his…divinity.

I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the Chapel. She fled from me. She would not 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 Ravenloft and I watched
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 to 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 light I fear the most.
But little else can harm me now. Even a stake through my heart 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 learned much, too, about this land of Barovia. Ancient are its ways, ancient beyond the knowledge
of the simple folk of the valley. A ancient saints dwelt in this valley long before my coming, and three
hidden fanes still give tribute to their memories. I visited the Swamp Fane, the Forest Fane, and the
Mountain Fane, and claimed their power for my own. Their servants now serve me, and thus I have become the Land.

…

I have often hunted for Tatyana. I have even felt her within my grasp, but she escapes me! She taunts me!
She taunts me! What 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.

## Danovich's Journal

This is Danovich’s journal. At first it details mundane things from the town, but turns into notes about secrets in the town. After Doru died, the writings turn to mad ramblings.

Text

There is a book, the Tome of Strahd, that might shed light on the steps necessary to destroy the monster of the castle. It is well known that Strahd kept meticulous notes from ancient times on all he did or said. Perhaps some weakness of his could be found there. This tome was once located in Ravenloft’s library, but now I’m not sure where it is. I asked Madam Eva about it, and she mumbled something indecipherable. Why do seers always speak in riddles?

Ireena Kolyana is not the natural daughter of Kolyan Indirovich. Ireena never knew, but old Kolyan found her one day at the edge of the Svalich Woods near the very foot of Ravenloft’s crag. Kolyan adopted her as though she were his own and loved her dearly.