Gustav's Journal

## Summary

A journal that Equuleus found under the bed in the master bedroom of the Durst Manor. It belongs to Gustav Durst.

## Contents

“These mists are very unusual, several of our traders report not being able to travel out of the Svalich woods towards Vorgshire due to the fog, having gotten lost several times and simply not being able to find their way or not having enough supplies to finish the trip. Some even report having turned up in completely other sides of Barovia.”

“This fog situation has continued to get worse, we’re about 2 months without sun, our traders still can’t make commerce. Most the crops are beginning to wilt and perish. We all fear for the future.”

“6 months with quickly dwindling resources, we learned to ration well but it’s simply not enough to stave off this famine. Tonight, a few other noble houses, Elizabeth and I will congregate to find a solution, we have to find a way.”

“Madness I fear has taken all of us. Though I’m ashamed to say, none of us could bring a resolution any of us could agree upon until unexpectedly Liz spoke up with a dastardly plan that repulsed everyone. She proposed we waylay wayward travelers and consume them and keep their food for the children and Anya. As dreadful a proposition, the more she spoke the more it seemed the only logical conclusion. By morning it was the general consensus to go with her idea. May the Morninglord watch over us.”

“We set out to have the basement excavated to have room for our new…dining arrangements. It should be done within the month.”

“I’ve come to speak to some locals and Vistani, it may seem far fetched but I strongly believe this mist came to be because of Strahd. When he first came here and made his castle, all was well. Until his mother, brother, and bride to be all died, then the mist? It’s all too coincidental.”

“I’ve been hearing talk of undeath recently, ghouls, ghasts, vampirism even. Has Strahd brought more than just famine? I will have to dig deeper and get to the truth, it might be our salvation.”

“I’ve begun to leverage our fortunes to amass information and items of magical import to stave off Strahd should it come to it. All that I will amass I will store downstairs in the basement. It seems this new ruler is darker than he first impressed upon us.”

“Rumor has been going around, Strahd is evil... but not just that, I hear he is not of the living any longer. In fact , there is word he is a vampire. There is talk of sightings of him feasting on villagers of Barovia.”

“I’ve come across an amazing revelation. If true, it might be the leverage we need to fight off Strahd. Apparently there’s 3 things he fears: his missing Tome, a sword that belonged to his brother Sergei, and a pendant or symbol of holiness. I must find them at all costs.”

“It’s been almost 2 years since the start of the famine, and as I peer out my window in this morning, I noticed the first signs of crop life since Strahd arrived. This must be the turning of a new leaf for us.”

"Finally word of further information on those items the Devil hates so has fallen into my hands. Apparently the missing Tome is his personal journal, which may give some information on how to combat him properly. The sword is indeed a blade that belonged to his brother, though it is broken and must be reforged somehow. And the pendant is called the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, said to have magical properties specifically tied to Strahd. We must seek these out to combat the devil."

“Though we have new means of food sources, we can’t shake off our newfound diet. Though I detest it, it has become insatiable otherwise. Liz has seen what immortality has done for Strahd and I fear she seeks it for herself. Her and a few others have gone to studying the occult and worshiping Lorgoth for similar immortality.”

“Liz has started to grow apart from me, and from pushing me away she has pushed me into the arms of our nursemaid Anya. Sweet innocent Anya, she knows not the horrors we brought. And she loves me for who I am.”

“Anya is pregnant, and though i told Liz the truth, she accepts us both and Anya still maintains her residences as well as occupation. Perhaps Liz still has her humanity after all, and her newfound faith must be working.”

“Anya has given birth today! Joyous day, a healthy baby boy, we named him Walter. He will grow to never have learned the hardships of the famine or the wrongs we suffered. I will end Strahd and make sure the children and Walter have a life worth living out of Barovia!”