Episode 2: The Banishing Grief

This episode guest-stars Jason Carl @vampiresnvino as Strahd von Zarovich.

The third episode of the Black Dice Society is actually titled The Banished Grief. B. Dave explains the meaning of the title in the second aftershow episode. Youtube's "Banishing Grief" title is an error.

**Act I.**

Our story picks up where we last left off, with Valentine casting Arms of Hadar on the zombies and skeletons attacking the party. As the black tendrils crush their foes, the familiar voice in Valentine’s head asks her if she enjoys her power and craves more. She says she does. The voice replies that in time, she will burn its name across the lands. Valentine asks what name that is, and the voice replies that if she has to ask, she’s not ready to know. It offers her a gift, a helper to watch her back. When Valentine accepts, she feels a pressure at the base of her spine and an alien–though not unpleasant–sensation through her entire body.

Now a new voice speaks in her head. It greets her and introduces itself as Tregrum. Valentine confirms Tregrum is the gift the first voice spoke of, and Tregrum tells her to duck as a sword just barely misses her head. Suddenly the undead army is completely defeated by Valentine’s spell. Tatyana is disappointed at first, but then Uriah announces that they’re still surrounded by undead.

Nahara asks if the undead followed Desmond, Tatyana, and Valentine from Koshmar. But Uriah says there’s no shortage of undead in the Mists. He asks permission to heal Fen, and casts Cure Wounds with her leave. Seeing a few of the zombies Valentine just put down rising again, Desmond dispatches them with his sword. He notes that some of the zombies are wearing his house colors from Koshmar, but most of them aren’t. He points this out to the others, and Uriah offers his condolences to Desmond on the loss of his friends.

When Fen’s wounds begin to heal, Uriah is relieved to see she’s not fully undead. He remarks apologetically that she, Nahara, and Valentine bear the mark of undead. Nahara asks if that alarms him, and when Uriah says yes, Valentine laughs. Fen tells Valentine to be nice. Tatyana points out that the three may be undead, but they have fought side by side with him, so Uriah should count them as friends.

Uriah admits Fen, Nahara, and Valentine are all familiar to him and mentions his dream. Desmond, Tatyana, and Valentine find him familiar as well. Uriah urges them not to tarry, and reminds Fen she was leading them to the Carnival when they were attacked. As Fen begins to track her way back to the Carnival, the Mists rise up and deposit them just on the edge of the Carnival. Uriah explains to the outlanders that the Mists sweep people up all the time, and Fen says the Mists take her where she needs to go.

Tatyana hesitates to approach the Carnival, saying they need to avenge their friend. Fen offers them food and rest at the Carnival, but Tatyana says it’s up to Valentine and Nahara if they go. Nahara takes the opportunity to introduce herself to Tatyana. Valentine shakes Nahara’s hand and remarks that they seem to have something in common. Nahara winks. After apologizing to Desmond for his tragedy, she points out that he might be alarming to some people right now, as he’s covered in blood. Desmond claims he was just injured in battle. Suspicious, Tatyana asks him how Voronika died. Desmond says he doesn’t know, and Tatyana asks him if it’s possible that he killed her, perhaps in an altered state. She offers to watch him at night for his own safety.

**Act II.**

On the way to the Carnival, they pass a motley collection of booths and tents called Litwick Market. With Tregram’s help, Valentine eavesdrops on Fen and Uriah catching up after so many years. She can also hear whispering and activity in the market as they approach, the proprietors preparing for them. Mysterious voices begin to call out to the party, offering each of them something they desire: what happened to Desmond’s mother and brother, Nahara’s memories, Tatyana’s future, who killed everything Valentine ever loved, who Uriah really serves, and who really rules the Carnival. As they all react in disbelief to these offers, Uriah offers Valentine condolences on the loss of her family.

Nahara expresses interest in the offers, and a nearby stall lights up. A hag comes forward, offering to answer Nahara’s questions for a price. When Nahara asks the price, the hag says she usually asks for memories, but Nahara doesn’t have any to give. She asks what brings Nahara joy, and Nahara is able to summon up a memory of feeling the sun on her face. The hag says it will do. Inside the hag’s stall, she says Nahara’s skin is a tapestry of scars and trauma, and asks if she wishes to know who pursues her.

Outside, another stall opens and a tall, beautiful tiefling-like fae approaches Tatyana and offers to answer her questions. She becomes nervous and tongue-tied at the sight of him.

Inside the hag’s stall, she accepts Nahara’s payment and takes her hands. A third eye opens in the hag’s forehead, and she sees Nahara falling as in her dream. She asks how many times Nahara has done this; she loses count at 13. She says this could be Nahara’s final incarnation. She is only a piece of herself, but she must find a way to reclaim the others. Then the hag suddenly stops, saying, “He knows,” and lets go of Nahara. Hurriedly giving Nahara her memory back, the hag says she wants no part of this and pushes her out of the stall, abruptly closing shop.

Tatyana’s fae tells them he’s never seen the hag react that way, and creatures lean out of other booths to look at Nahara. Saying their deal is still on, the tall fae disappears into his tent with Tatyana. Tregrum takes the opportunity to talk to Valentine, who asks if it knows anything about the fae who just left with her friend. Tregrum says she should ask Fen about Litwick Market, so she does. Fen tells her that the fae flirts with anything that moves, but he’s not a danger to Tatyana. Fen adds that if he harms Tatyana, he’ll answer to her. She knocks on the tent to remind him of that, and the fae backs down a little. He promises to give Tatyana “the first-timer treatment” if Fen tells “the boss lady” that he was cooperative and gentlemanly.

Meanwhile, Uriah approaches Desmond to heal him and notices Desmond’s wounds are already closing on their own. He asks if the blood covering Desmond is from a foe. Desmond says he’s not sure, and that’s rare. Uriah warns him that lycanthropes rarely maintain control of their bestial nature in the Mists, and Desmond thanks him for the warning. Uriah says he can help Desmond more after he rests, and offers Desmond a handkerchief to wipe up the blood. Desmond declines.

Valentine speaks to Desmond in his head, telling him if he killed Voronika, she will find out. Desmond urges her to do so, because he would love to know. Thinking Desmond has fallen silent, Uriah asks him awkwardly about the wedding. When he offers Desmond congratulations, Valentine says “condolences” is the right word.

Inside the fae’s tent, he and Tatyana flirt and bargain for the information she wants. He says his name is Carrador, and asks for a favor in the future in return for the information now. She accepts on the condition that she can turn down his request twice before having to accept the third time. Carrador also makes her promise not to tell “him” that he’s the one who gave her this information. He tells her Lord Soth is the darklord of Sithicus and his weak point is his tender heart. She may find something in Sithicus to use against him, but he recommends she run from Soth whenever she can. Carrador says the darklords usually can’t leave their domains, and Soth didn’t leave his on his own. Then the flirtation amps up, ending with Tatyana sucking all the smoke out of his hookah to blow a tunnel of heart shaped clouds at Carrador. She casts Levitate on him to lift him off his feet, and we cut to outside the tent.

The stalls of Litwick Market close hurriedly as something large heads toward the party. Everyone is nervous, but Fen assures them it’s just a friend coming to check on them. Hermos the Half Giant strides into view and introduces himself to the new party members. When he slaps a nervous Uriah on the back, Fen says he’s the boy she told Hermos about years ago. He observes that Uriah’s all grown up, but looks to have missed a few meals. After shaking Desmond’s hand, Hermos says they’re missing one, and Tatyana stumbles out of the tent, apologizing for having missed the introductions.

As Hermos leads them toward the Carnival, Fen perched on his shoulder, the show goes to break…

**Act III.**

As they approach the Carnival, the sight of the faded and stained big top, the House of Horrors, fire eaters, jugglers, and food stands begin to trigger Uriah. Seeing this, Fen does a showy flip off of Hermos to check on Uriah. Failing a wisdom save, Uriah begins to relive his childhood memory of the Carnival. A little girl asks him to come with her into the nearby woods to get candy. When Uriah hesitates, she takes his hand and begins to tow him away. Fen sees a little boy being pulled away from the Carnival by something invisible and grabs Uriah by the collar. As she does so, the little girl turns back to Uriah with a too-wide smile and glowing eyes, telling him, “Almost got you!” In the present, Uriah thanks Fen again for saving him. He shudders to think how many children were not as lucky as he was. Fen says more than she would care to know.

Valentine eavesdrops on the entire exchange. Just then, they hear Tindal the Barker, “the Amazing Soul-less Man” announcing some of the Carnival’s attractions: Alti the Werehare, Amelia the Vampire acrobat, Charlotte the Fire Eater, the Organ Grinder, Silessa the Snake, dancer and animal tamer extraordinaire, the House of Horrors, and Pacali’s Pickled Punks. Nahara asks Tindal about his claim that he was born without a soul, and he says that his mother traded his soul for dark, infernal power before he was born. When Nahara says she doesn’t believe him, he shows her that he casts no reflection in a mirror. She says it’s a fine trick. Tindal says he doesn’t know how else to prove to her that he’s telling the truth, but she can ask Fen.

He becomes distracted when he sees Valentine. Tindal says he’s never seen her like before and asks where she’s from. Valentine replies that she’s been traveling for a while now, but there’s nowhere she considers home. Tindal implies that all three of them are Reborn. When Valentine says she wants to see the Hall of Horrors, Tindal offers her his arm so that he can escort her, and she takes it. He calls to Uriah to accompany them, but Uriah says he doesn’t want to see the Hall of Horrors. He reluctantly agrees to come along and provide assistance if needed.

Tatyana asks if the Carnival is all smoke and mirrors, if they should trust it. Hermos tells her not to trust it but to enjoy it. He urges her to come by his booth later to test her strength, and Tatyana says she wouldn’t want to embarrass him. Hermos tells Fin he likes that one.

Uriah grasps his holy symbol and mutters a prayer to prepare for the House of Horrors, and Valentine tries to speak in tongues inside his head to mock him. To her surprise, she finds she can suddenly speak and understand Undercommon. Uriah hears the words in his head but knows it’s someone else playing a trick on him. When he says he’s ready, Nahara reaches for his hand, trying to reassure him.

Desmond, Fen, and Tatyana follow the others on their way to the Hall of Horrors. As they walk, Desmond’s mind is still reeling from what happened the night of the wedding. Though he doesn’t trust the Carnival, he finds himself letting his guard down in spite of his instincts. He asks Fen why his guard keeps going down. She tells him to be mindful, that this is a tactic of the Mists. She says she’s keeping an eye out, and he should be on his guard here. Fen tells him not to sign anything in blood, and that her name does carry weight here; if anyone gives him a hard time, remind them that he’s her guest. Valentine eavesdrops on this conversation as well, and Tregrum compliments her on choosing her party well.

**Act IV.**

Tatyana catches a glimpse of Amelia the Vampire inside the big top and leaves the group to have a closer look. Desmond follows her, and Fen tells the rest of the group the three of them will catch up with them before also following Tatyana.

The tent for the House of Horrors is ⅔ the size of the big top, and is all black but worn and frayed. A sign outside says “Professor Pacali House of Horrors.” Uriah recalls that there was a Professor Pacali at the Brautslava Institute in Darkon who was forced to leave in disgrace by Azalin Rex himself. Intrigued that it might be the same professor, Nahara asks to go inside. As they enter the tent, Nahara catches a glimpse of something small that giggles and runs away. She tells the others, who say it can’t be anything good. Nahara jinxes them by saying it’s probably nothing. As they move in further, they’re confronted with cases and cages and jars full of all manner of grotesque creatures, some taxidermied, some living, some preserved in liquid. Something in a jar opens its eyes to look at them.

Over at the big top, Fen gets Desmond and Tatyana seats up front without having to pay. Inside, a small woman with ashen white skin and black hair is doing acrobatics 50 feet in the air. She looks down at them and hisses, and Fen hisses back. Amelia misses her first swing on the trapeze and begins to fall, screaming. At the last minute, she spreads bat’s wings and goes right back into her routine. Tatyana had run out to catch her, and is embarrassed. Amelia throws her a black rose.

Desmond watches, interested but not impressed. A stranger in the next seat presses up against him and begins to flirt. He turns to see a beautiful half elf with curly hair. She says she can be whoever he wants her to be and whatever he wishes will be his. She says Isolde doesn’t like when she does business inside, but if he’d like to take a walk with her, he’ll discover something unforgettable. Desmond declines politely. She says she likes a challenge and asks his name. When Desmond asks hers, she says, “Call me Rose.”

**Act V.**

As Uriah, Nahara, Valentine, and Tindal enter the House of Horrors, a voice warns them that the creatures can smell fear. Nahara says they also just smell, and the voice apologizes, saying he tries to air out the tent after hours. Uriah guesses that the voice belongs to Professor Pacali. Tindal warns Valentine not to get too close to the creatures, because they bite. He tries to get to know her better and suggests she has skills that could apply to work at the Carnival. Valentine turns him down.

They go further into the tent and see even more creatures, most small but a few large, being kept in filthy cages. A man wearing a dirty, patched Brautslava Institute uniform comes out and says something about the group is agitating the creatures. He asks where Uriah is from, and is very nervous to hear he’s from Darkon. Pacali says he’s on sabbatical from the Institute, and a voice in Nahara’s head whispers that he did it, he’s guilty. She asks out loud if he’s running from something, and the professor denies it.

As Uriah and Nahara question him about his collection and how he acquired them, something small crawls toward Valentine. She casts Friends on it and picks it up. It’s fleshy and veiny with no eyes and extra teeth. Pacali tells her not to touch the specimens, and Valentine shoves it toward him. Pacali seems afraid of it. Nahara rolls insight on the creatures and feels that they’re impure and make her hair stand on end. She urges Valentine to put the creature back in its cage as the professor asked. Valentine is enjoying making the professor nervous, but she does so. Right before he shuts the cage, the creature leaps at her, trying to bite Valentine.

Uriah asks how Pacali acquires his creatures, and he says he sets traps in the Mists. Uriah can tell he’s lying. Thinking Uriah is an agent sent from Darkon, Pacali offers to bribe him. Uriah says Darkon has fallen on dark times, and he will accept the money on behalf of the Church of Ezra, to aid the poor. Pacali asks what has happened in Darkon and Uriah says Darkon has become fractured since the Hour of Ascension. Pacali is very excited to hear the Hour of Ascension has come, and makes plans to return to Darkon and continue his experiments.

Valentine sees a mass moving on the professor’s lower back and grabs onto it, asking what’s hiding. The professor says he’d like to return to Darkon and continue his real work. Valentine asks what that is.

Back inside the big top, Isolde messages Fen to ask about her guests. Fen tells her she had an adventure out in the Mists, and one of her guests is someone she thinks Isolde would like to meet, a man touched by the wolf who’s seeking revenge for murdered family. Isolde seems excited at this news and asks if any of the others are seeking revenge or angry. Fen tells her Tatyana seems ready to fight at a moment’s notice, and the other three are enjoying the House of Horrors. Isolde admits she doesn’t trust Pacali but he has his uses. She asks Fen to bring the visitors outside so she can meet them in person. Fen mentions the boy she saved at the Carnival years ago is one of those in the House of Horrors. Isolde remembers Uriah and is surprised that he returned.

When Fen tells Tatyana it’s time to leave, she doesn’t want to go before the show is over. Amelia abruptly ends her performance. Desmond notices Rose is gone, and he didn’t see her go. Tatyana talks excitedly about the show and seeing “a real vampire” as they leave. Fen shows her fangs and Tatyana says Fen has secrets and she likes it. Fen warns her not to prick her finger on the rose Amelia gave her, and Tatyana drops it.

In the Hall of Horrors, Pacali says his real business is experimentation, which requires sacrifice. Valentine asks if that’s how he got the friend in his robes. Pacali says he found a way to purge himself of undesirable traits. Then he asks them to leave; Uriah makes him nervous and stories told about the professor in Darkon are unflattering. Uriah admits the stories mentioned abominations and crimes against nature. Valentine casts Mind Sliver on the professor. He falls to his knees and a second head bursts out of his robes, screaming.

Uriah tries to politely take the coins and leave, but Pacali says they will not be leaving.

**Epilogue:**

We return to Barovia, as Azalin Rex and Strahd von Zarovich continue their conversation. Azalin says he walks free because he voluntarily put down the burden of rulership to seek greater truths. Strahd doesn’t know what Azalin is looking for, but he guesses Azalin has not found it yet, or he would be here in the flesh to finish what they started. He asks if Azalin has abdicated his throne, and Azalin says it’s more of a working vacation. But Strahd sees Darkon as a leaderless land ripe for the taking. And with this temptation set before a conqueror like Strahd, B. Dave tells us it’s a good place for us to stop.

Next Episode: 3 - The Banished Grief (part 2)

Previous Episode: 1 - The Hunt for the Raven Crown

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