M2S2

## A Cursed Family

The depths of Durst Manor contain a dark, deep secret.

“
*I've lived for 700 years. Do you know how many things have tried to kill me? Things greater than you, even dragons. All of them are gone now, but I'm still here. You're just a minor mention in a late chapter. Now let my friends go!*
”
— Aellun, to the accursed remnants of Elizabeth Durst.
**A Cursed Family** was the 2nd session of the Strahdborne campaign. The session covered the characters' escape from Durst Manor, as well as the circumstances in which they met the Vistani.

## Summary

The party forages deeper into the dungeons under Durst Manor. After Aellun destroys Elizabeth Durst's horrific remnants, Death House begins collapsing upon itself, trying to trap the party within. The party rushes to escape, but the house traps several characters. Lautrec and Arbrek give Rigvald a proper burial, finally lifting the curse. After receiving an unusual gift basket from the mysterious ruler of Barovia, the party finally meets Madam Eva's promised "people," led by Stanimir. After trading tales, the party and company arrive at the village of Barovia, a dead, oppressed place. At the local tavern ("Blood on the Vine") they are greeted by Ismark Kolyanovich, who claims to have a proposal for the party.

## NPCs

* Madam Eva: Sent Stanimir and company to find the party.
* Count Strahd von Zarovich: Sent the characters a welcome basket and the deed to Durst Manor.
* Elizabeth Durst: Was, along with Rigvald, at the epicenter of the dark curse affecting the Durst family.
* Rigvald Durst: The young and illegitimate son of Hovarth Durst and Ilse, little Rigvald was given a proper burial outside of Durst Manor by Arbrek, which, along with the destruction of Elizabeth Durst, led to the end of the curse.

## Inventory

* Deed to Durst Manor, given to the party by the ruler of Barovia, perhaps as a twisted joke.

## Quests

### New

* **A Dangerous Journey (Everyone):** Listen to Ismark's proposal.
* **Hopeless Gestures (Everyone):** Investigate the source of the mysterious sobbing in Barovia village.

### Ongoing

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

### Completed

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

## Reflections

* **Aellun:** "It is done. The curse about that place is no more, and the spirits of the Dursts and their victims are finally laid to rest. I saw that vile woman through, she will not torture encroaching souls any longer, as she tried to do to us. Not that she didn't make a good show of trying to keep us in, thank Arbrek for his good sense and honest kindness to the lost child seeing us through. That poor child. Praestella would have been about that old when I had to leave... have I really let myself get so far gone that I didn't think of that? I fear I will soon find out, and I will not like the answer. That Stanimir was a good sort, a bit too inclined to guilty pleasures but none I'd hold against him. His people's story struck a tone with me. One doesn't need to live centuries to feel the pain of something that far back, or indeed the influence of people long gone. Strahd... it seems your Barovia was indeed founded, but if it allowed the Dursts and such fear of men into people's hearts, and birthed a lord who can move and see via such magics yet did not raise a finger against the madness of the - place, I refuse to call it a house - I can only hope you never got to see your legacy. At least, it seems, you kept your word to my companions. I am surprised Stanimir knew of the Owlguard, old as they must be. Maybe at last my journey will not be in vain."
* Arbrek: “Ha! To think she could beat us and trap us in that accursed place. What a fool she was. It is good to see the curse lifted from this place. No doubt the children's souls have moved past and are no longer trapped in that foul house. And now that we have received the deed, there is nothing better to do with it than burn it down. There is no sense in keeping such a place standing. And Madam Eva’s folk are strange fellows. At least the son was serious. He seemed to be the only reasonable one. And the old man Stanimir … I have sympathy for his people, but there are no tales to tell. Who knows what is lurking about and listening in. Even then, until the Smith Guild Longbeards find my deeds impressive, no story is worth sharing. And now we make our way to the inn. Blood on the Vine. A fitting name I would say considering the amount of blood we have encountered. I hope they have some Troll-Blood ale! Ah, and a smithy nearby. Brings a tear to my eye thinking it's been left cold for so long, but that will be fixed soon enough. I can almost feel the fire on my back and smell the burning coal … What a relief that will be. And now to see about repairing our equipment. By Ysenunde It will be perfect by the time I am through working on it.”
* Lautrec: "This cursed place just got worse and worse. I've seen some sick things but a bloody sacrificial temple in the basement, that's just diabolical. And the lady of the house turned into cannibal shrubbery, that's a new one. After enough time, in war or on the streets, you get to recognize when someone's too far gone, when they can't be reasoned with and no imprisonment and mercy will do any good. And...well, cannibal shrubbery, that line got crossed light years back. Least she had old lady Durst's temper intact, and after enough goading she tossed me down her gullet. Nasty business that, but it worked like a charm - she should have focused on the orc and the old man. Maybe if I tell it that confidently, they'll believe it was all part of the plan. It certainly wasn't part of the plan to have the house nearly fall down on top of us and trap Lo-thak and Gromash in it, but Arbrek was bright enough to end the curse by putting the little one to rest. Wish I hadn't had to give up the silver sword, but well, the poor little blighter deserves a proper headstone, and a silver sword is a headstone worthy of a warrior. One way or another, this case has been closed. Next case, who the bloody hell is Strahd von Zarovich?"
* **Gromash:** It's finally over after Smashing that green mass of corpses and getting trapped in the hunted manor the suffocating cursed is gone. Mia got injured by an invisible wall that blocked our escape I taught we were goners for sure, thankfully the curse was lifted before we suffocated to death at last those poor souls can rest in peace, we finally found Madam Eve promised people or to be more precise they found us. Among them we met Stanimir a well-mannered old elf with a really interesting story about their tribe and how they lived as nomads on Barovia throughout centuries, apparently he had heard something about Bartabras 300 years ago! none the less that night I had another weird vision this time all I saw was Mia getting struck by lightning and glowing bloody red when I woke up, I felt my soul marked, blessed with Tempus name and a newfound power. This hunt started out of nowhere but the struggle haven´t been for naught each step I take gets me closer to Tempus will and my ancestor’s legacy. “Don’t trust water”.

## 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 ·