Eberron campaign log

June 14 - October 25, 2006 (The hunt for Lucan)

November 8, 2006

The last adventure concluded, we were paid in full, and took the opportunity to stock up on new equipment and upgrades.
- Aimi purchased a magical rapier, and a better-quality longbow.
- Dorius disappeared into the lab for a few days and came out with a metal dog companion.
- Neraya got improved body plating and a shield.
- Lesta received a mysterious letter, which she wouldn't tell us about, and disappeared for several days.
Viorr from the Dark Lanterns then contacted us with another mission.

The Tome of Strahd

"It has come to our attention that the Emerald Claw is seeking the Tome of Strahd, an ancient book which dates from the days of Karrn's conquests, before the formation of Galifar. This tome is believed to lie in Barovia, a remote county on Karrnath's eastern border, and it's said to contain necromantic secrets unknown to modern spellcasters... not something which we want the Emerald Claw to get their hands on."

"Barovia is remote, even for Karrnath. Getting there won't be easy. It's nestled in the mountains between Karrnath proper and the Mror holds. We don't know much about it. It has been ruled by the von Zarovich line since Karrn's days, and while it's technically a part of Karrnath, in practice it has been independent and rarely visited."

"I should warn you that the Emerald Claw might not be the only ones who are looking, or who will start looking soon. It's not clear just how widespread this knowledge has become, but the tome's value should be obvious, as should its danger."

"I can arrange for your travel to Karrnath, at least as far as the eastern border along the lightning rail line. From there you'll have to walk, or ride if you can manage it, although the mountains aren't a good place for horses."

"While we don't know much about Barovia or its current conditions, Karrnath's reputation as a hotbed of necromatic power isn't entirely undeserved. If you're willing to go, I'll give you a few things to help you deal with the trouble you might run into there... although in all honesty I don't know if Barovia shares the rest of Karrnath's nature on that count, although the rumors certainly suggest it."

"I'll also issue you a disbursement to cover any expenses that arise along the way, or to equip yourself before you leave. The sooner, the better."

"I'll make you the same offer as last time: Two thousand gold each to return with that tome. Agreed? I'll also issue you traveling papers so that you can move through Karrnath. Make sure that your own papers are in order. Karrnath is still under martial law, and you don't want to be caught without proper identification. As for right of marque, I can't grant you that within Karrnath's boundaries, but if you manage to profit within the bounds of the law there, that's not my concern."

We left Sharn on the lightning rail, to Flamekeep in Thrane, then on a ship to Karrnath. Another lightning rail route took us east toward the Mror Holds. Eventually we left the train at Irontown in eastern Karrnath, from which we needed to proceed on foot.
Enjoying a meal in the Weary Horse inn, we were interrupted by the arrival of a large human, seemingly Karrn but a little more foreign than the others around, colourfully dressed and outfitted for travel. He dropped a letter on the table, announcing that Barovia needed heroes and we would do, then departed while we read it.

The letter

Hail to thee of might and valor:

I, a lowly servant of the township of Barovia, send honor to thee. We plead for thy so desperately needed assistance within our community.

The love of my life, Ireena Kolyana, has been cursed by the witches of Lysaga Hill, and even the good people of our town are powerless to free her from this enchantment. She wastes away under the witches' curse and I would have her saved from this menace.

There is much wealth in this community. I offer all that might be had to thee and thy fellows if thou shalt but answer my desperate plea.

Come quickly, for her time is at hand! All that I have shall be thine!

Kolyan Indirovich, Burgomaster of Barovia.

The next day we enquired of the route and learned the way, warned against camping in the Svalich Woods which surround Barovia and are apparently not safe at night. As we were about to leave, though, a middle-aged Karrn woman approached us and asked if we were really going to Barovia.

A missing husband

"I'm sorry to trouble you, but my husband, Jeref Maurgen, went to Barovia three months ago to..." she pauses, as if uncertain whether to speak it, but then presses on.

"He went there after hearing rumors of beasts in the woods, and he went armed with silversheen and wolfsbane. I care not for the rumors, but please, if you would, find my husband, or at least find out what happened to him. If he lives no longer, then please return his wedding ring, so that I have something to remember him by."

"I know, I shouldn't give up hope so easily. But it has been three months with no word, and Barovia is so ill of repute. I fear that there will be no return for him... but I must know the truth."

"I don't know where he is now. He was always a bold one, like yourselves. There were rumors of beasts in the woods, even of dark shapeshifters, which is why he went armed as he did. All the same, that land is cursed, and there is no telling what he might have met there.

We promised to ask of this man, at least; without a clue to his whereabouts, we couldn't exactly search the whole woods.

November 15

Mist blanketed the village, smothering the streets and marooning the buildings, forming an archipelago of crumbling masonry in a gray, hopeless sea.

At the village's lonely edge, most structures were abandoned, burnt-out hulks. Charcoal was thick on the air, but that choking odor couldn't overpower the underlying, sickly sweet smell of carrion and spoilage. Claw marks raked some of the vacant homes, ominous not merely because of their presence, but because of the five-fingered, handlike shape they suggested.

Farther inward, most buildings survived. Doors were barricaded with tables, broken carts, and smashed furnishings. Windows were shuttered and planked. But had anyone been saved? Silencewas thick in the fog-bound streets, as though from cotton stuffed into the ears. Nothing living stirred, nothing breathing walked the streets.

But where the living were absent, the newly dead shambled. And hunger, too, raw and unstoppable, stalked the village, multiplying with each new corpse that kicked and shuddered its way back toward animation.

A hunger that could never be slaked. An infection that could never be stemmed.

As we travelled the path into the Svalich Woods, a fog set in. The forest path was broken at one point by tall iron gates on stone pillars; these creaked open at our approach, and closed afterward, although we could easily have walked around if needed.
We arrived at the village edge to find buildings barricaded or burned out. Moving forward to investigate, the sound of slamming doors heralded the halting arrival of several zombies from up the street. Two foul dog/rat things bounded forward to attack. And the sound of dire chanting echoed from an alleyway.
Lesta pushed into the alley to blind and missile the caster - a skeletal, dried corpse - to his eventual redeath. Meanwhile Neraya, Aimi, and Dorius's dog faced the main onslaught, quickly finding themselves outnumbered.
After a long and somewhat inglorious battle, we finally defeated the last zombies, leaving the street lifeless (and thankfully unlifeless) and deserted.

November 22

Nothing significant on any of the corpses identified them as the missing husband. We progressed toward the centre of town, where a dead body lay in the middle of an intersection. Aimi moved forward to investigate and zombies emerged from doorways all around.
Joining the zombies, giant worms that had been feeding on the corpse slithered out from beneath, and flying human heads on batlike wings swooped down. Eventually we managed to defeat this group.
Dorius pronounced that Aimi, who had been wounded, now carried the same magical infection that had created these zombies in the first place. Lesta suggested trying the silver necklace we found on the dead man (whose identity papers we also discovered; his name was Viktor Litmunova, town carpenter, and his wife was Stara). The necklace appeared to work to cure that infection, although Dorius suspected its powers were limited.
We pressed on, eventually reaching the town square.

Rough barricades block most of the access to the town square; however, the eastern barricade has been breached, and zombies are swarming through the opening. A woman in half-plate armor which bears the insignia of Dol Arrah is near the center of the town square and valiantly fighting the zombies, but she is heavily outnumbered. Lights can be seen within one of the nearby buildings, through heavy shutters and a stoutly-barred door.

We bravely joined the battle, rushing the zombies who attempted the eastern barricade. Hard fighting ensued. The woman (we later learned that her name is Ashlyn) used her god's power to turn the zombies a couple of times... then, just as we broke through towards her, one of the remaining zombies literally hammered her right into the earth.
After we finished those last, she managed to claw her way back through the dirt, with our help, climbing back into the now-clear town square.

November 29

While some others began to repair the barricades, we asked her what was going on.

"I and my two companions arrived not long ago ourselves. We'd heard that Barovia was thick with the undead, and as Lightbringers we're sworn to destroy them wherever they're found, but this was beyond our imaginings. The townspeople believe that the zombies are coming from the village church."

"Thendrick and Mathilda, my companions, went to investigate. Everyone told them to talk to Madam Eva first - she's some sort of wise woman who lives west of town. But they wouldn't listen, the arrogant clods. They went to the church, confident that they could handle whatever they found inside. That was three days ago. I haven't heard from them since, and I haven't been able to venture beyond this square."

We asked more questions about the situation. The Burgomaster had died, and his son, Ismark the Lesser, was staying in the Blood of the Vine inn on the square, along with most of those who survived. There was little hope of external assistance, especially as the mists that surround Barovia were apparently magical and sometimes refused passage in (or out). The Lightbringers had been seeking a Sunsword, and Ashlyn requested that we ask Madam Eva about it if we met her.
The inn was full of depressed villagers. We got drinks from the stressed-out barman and found Ismark in a corner, less than inclined to talk. Lesta handed him the letter we'd received from his father...
...Except that it wasn't. The burgomaster had, apparently, died ten days ago before the plague began. The man who'd handed us the message seemed, by dress, to be a Vistani; a people who are loyal to Madam Eva and not under the Burgomaster's control. They are, apparently, best left alone.

Ismark's story

"The priest, Danovich, has long used his power to ward the village against evil, but his vigil lapsed when his son Doru was slain by brigands on the Old Svalich Road. No one knows what became of Danovich, but the zombies began to walk soon afterward. That's why the Lightbringers went to the church. The zombies came from there to begin with, though they rise all around us now."

"So the zombies didn't get my father, and he has not risen as a zombie... or hadn't last I knew. My sister remains at our home, guarding his body. She won't leave the manor, and won't let anyone in for fear that the zombies will invade."

"Though I fear that she is in danger from another source. My father did not die naturally. The master of the castle, or his servants, were the ones who slew Kolyan Indirovich. A few months ago, that devil Strahd tried to pay us a visit. I don't know why."

"My father bravely stood up to him, using the holy symbol of Ravenkind. It hurt Strahd and drove him away, but one morning we woke to find our father dead from poison, and after that, the power of the amulet faded. It no longer worked for me or for my sister, else we might have wielded it against the zombies."

"The devil Strahd is the lord of Castle Ravenloft. He is a powerful man, and a wicked one, but he holds this town in his sway. His servants are everywhere in this land, and what he desires, few dare deny him. My father dared, and paid the price."

"Speak with Madam Eva if you would help us. She is a wise woman, and perhaps she'll read your future."

'That probably won't take long,' Aimi mutters, but nods. 'We'll try.'

"Follow the road west out of town. When you get to the crossroads, take the northern path. Or you may follow the river west once you cross the bridge. Either will take you to the encampment at Tser Pool where the Vistani and Madam Eva make their home."

We slept the night in the crowded inn, which found itself visited by bats (outside, thankfully) at around midnight. In the morning we set off westward through the thick mist, reaching the village edge without incident.
At a bridge we decided to follow the river to Tser Pool. We found a small lake at the foot of the mountains. Wagons and tents circled a bonfire in a western clearing. Vistani - humans and halfling - sat by the wagons. One invited us to enter Madame Eva's tent; she had been expecting us.

The woman before you is enormous, for a moment seeming more like an ogre or a small giant than the ancient, wrinkled human she is. She hunches over a table that is dwarfed by her bulk, and her black eyes gleam as she shuffles a deck of weathered playing cards. Her hands are bony and spotted with age. When she speaks, her voice crackles like dry weeds.

She had us shuffle the deck and drew cards about the village problem.

'Put an end to the blasphemy of the death that refused to die, and the plague will cease. You must visit the church in the village, which is desecrated by its presence.'
Lesta asked about finding more like a mysterious item within a silver pendant she wears, but Madam Eva claimed not to be able to give advice on that, since Lesta would have to find them her own way.
We then enquired about Strahd, who she claimed had drawn us here by his desire (rather than our mission). She had us shuffle cards again, then drew.
'He who dwells in Castle Ravenloft is apowerful man whose enemy is light and whose powers are beyond mortality. You will seek him in the castle, and though he might find you many times, you will find him only once.'
'You will find him among his riches, hidden away from sight. There is a good influence here that will guide your blows when they are finally struck.'
'The darkness desires a light; death seeks warmth from the living. Yet the darkness fears a greater dark, and it strikes out against those who would replace it.'
Lesta thought to ask about the Sunsword. Again Madam Eva drew cards.
'The Sunsword is a blade of light, a weapon of vengeance for crimes long past. But you need to know where this sword may be found before you can claim it.'
'Seek it where the river flies.' (Lesta broke in, saying it 'must being waterfall'; 'Yes, pet. This is a card of water and air. The sword should be near the falls. But the sword's light sleeps.')
'Your path will not be an easy one. To wake it, you must bring it into the heart of darkness. Take it to the home of the castle's lord, his source, his life.'
Eva then mentioned something which the group recognised. 'Indeed. The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind is a powerful force for good and protection against the forces of darkness. It is the symbol of the Knights of the Raven, of whom but one yet lives, though you may still meet another who does not.'
'Seek it in the heart of the wilds, far from human lands.'
'You must reunite it with the one who carried its name.'
She asked, and we eventually decided to tell her of our search for the Tome of Strahd. 'The tome you seek will not leave this valley so long as its lord holds sway. You will seek it regardless, for it holds knowledge of the ancient and knowledge of the land, and with that its lord's power may be broken.'
'Seek it in the place of blasphemy, where humans plumb their darkest nature. If you find the tome and delve into its secrets, you will discover the source of the lord's strength. If you read it carefully, you may also discover how to rob him of that strength.'
'You must first find the three holy relics hidden deep beneath the castle. Then bring the relics to the three defiled places described in the tome. You must consecrate each one anew with the relic of its proper saint.'
'You now have all of the pieces of the puzzle. Consider them carefully as you return to the village to deal with the first and most pressing of those matters, but know that all will come to matter if you ever wish to leave this valley, let alone with that which you came to find.'

December 6

We asked Madam Eva about a few things with which she couldn't help us with (including a veil tastefully drawn over Neraya's love prospects) but then enquired as to the whereabouts of Jeref Maurgen, the lost husband we had promised to seek.
"We have seen this sign before. Seek him where the river flies and where the Sunsword waits. This man remains in Barovia still, but what has become of him?"
"Alas," she sighs. "The hunter became the hunted. This is a card of the grave. He lives no longer, though you may find him still."
With that we took our leave and returned, by the river again, to town. Aiming for the church, we decided to circle the fog-shrouded village rather than venturing into the streets more than necessary, in order to reduce the chance of zombie attack.

The minutes seem to drag on to hours before the gray, sagging edifice of wood and stone looms out of the mists before you, squatting atop a slight rise on the very roots of the great pillarstone which crests far above, with the castle unseen atop its pinnacle. Light flickers through holes burned through the roof shingles, and the sound of hoarse chanting can be heard within.

Aimi peered through cracks in a boarded-up window. The church looked a shambles within. Disturbing chanting seemed to emanate from the north end of the church near the altar, the floor before which had collapsed into a gaping hole.
We entered through the church front door, which was open. A short hall emerged onto the main worship area. From behind the altar a wild-haired man (Danovich, the priest) popped up, screamed something insane about his son, and cast a scroll.
Lesta's spell singed the priest, beard and scroll alike, ending his spell; unfortunately, four doors burst open, allowing forth zombies (one of whom was the dessicated type that Lesta had engaged in the alley, and who evidently had magical powers).
Midway through the battle, the old priest bizarrely jumped into his own hole, leaving us to fight the four zombies. We eventually defeated them.

December 13

In a cupboard we found various alchemical substances which Dorius identified as involved with preservation and reanimation of flesh - but more complex than would be needed to create a zombie. Dorius worked on the substances to turn them into something with the reverse effect - an enchantment against the undead on Neraya's weapon.
Aimi and Lesta looked down the hole to see a cellar below, shrouded in intense darkness. Something large clomped about below. We ventured down the stairs to find the crazy old priest, a hulking skeleton, two zombies that used to be the Lightbringers who'd come here... and a huge monstrosity that had, once, been Doru the priest's son, now brought back to vile unlife.
We finally managed to defeat the once-Doru, in the nick of time; most of the group were seriously wounded and Aimi lay on the floor, bleeding toward a rapid undeath. Once Doru was vanquished, however, the zombies dropped to the ground; that plague was cured. A healing potion brought Aimi back to some semblence of waking life.
Looting the church, we found the dead Lightbringers' equipment along with the priest's battle gear and alchemical tools. By the defiled altar we found a golden chalice, two silver bells, three potion vials, a worn, leather-bound book, and a fragment of an older-looking work, in a strange and disturbing hand.

December 20

We headed back toward town, eventually to overhear a conversation between a pair of hungry ghouls. Seeing us, they burst out of a building to attack, along with one other. Lesta and Aimi fled like the scurvy cowards they are, leaving the other two (and Dorius's pet) to fight and - at some risk - defeat the nasty things.
Everyone made it back to the inn, some earlier than others and all, except for the suspiciously unwounded Lesta, grievously injured. We collapsed at a table with food and drink. Ismark the Lesser asked what had happened, then went to fetch Ashlyn; she was able to heal some of our wounds before leaving to grieve for fallen colleagues.
While the party sorted through looted items the next morning, Aimi skimmed the leather-bound book: Danovich's journal. Two entries were of interest.

"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. She was but a girl then and had no memory of her past. Kolyan adopted her as though she were his own and loved her dearly."

The rest of the journal descended rapidly into madness, including ravings about something called the Liber Blaspheme, and his 'success' with the manuscript. Aimi felt uncomfortable reading it, as if the words could drive her to madness too.
Ismark then asked us to take on another, more dangerous task. While he wasn't all that forthcoming as to its content, he told us it involved his sister Ireena and 'what Strahd is doing'. (We mentioned the journal entry; he knew that she wasn't his real sister, but asked us not to tell her.) He asked us to visit her, and so we set off to do just that.

January 17

On the way we heard sobbing from inside a barricaded house. Aimi climbed in at the second floor, letting down a rope for everyone else to follow. We found an old woman inside a bedroom that had been beautifully decorated for a little girl.

(Seeing Neraya.) 'One of Gertruda's knights... you know she was safe here. Safe in this room her entire life! She was happy here, had everything she ever wanted! Why would she run away!?'

(Asked who Gertruda was.) 'Gertruda... my daughter... my only child. Oh, my poor Gertruda! The master of the castle has you now, I know it! I know the worst has come to pass!" she wails, then falls back into mumbling. "The real world was too harsh, too dangerous. I had to keep her here... keep her safe. Oh, my poor Gertruda!'

After that, the woman seemed incapable of any communication, relapsing into inconsolable wailing. Lesta even tried slapping her face, which resulted in the woman launching a crazed attack and accusing the kobold of being an agent of Strahd sent to torment her. We pulled her away and left, checking the rest of the house. It contained the items you might expect for the old woman to live there, supporting a young child. Entertaining dark ideas of a teenage girl trapped with an overprotective madwoman, we left the house behind, planning to ask about it later.

An aged and dilapidated mansion squats behind a rusting iron fence at the far end of the road, where it turns west and curves back towards the north. The gates have been twisted open - one lies torn from its hinges, while the other swings loose, squeaking and squealing with every small motion. The house beyond is marked by claws, fires, and ominous stains. Every window is boarded, but the front door has recently been unbarricaded.

It's the largest building you've seen in Barovia thus far, though it also seems to have suffered from the attacks more than any other. Only the fact that it was once of fine quality has preserved it from utter ruin.

You wait a few moments before the sound of the door being unbarred precedes its opening. A haunted-looking young woman stands within, regarding you respectfully despite her distress. "Come in," she bids you. "We need to talk."

Neraya mentioned the old woman and her 'Gertruda'; it turned out that the woman is Mad Mary. "Mary loved her daughter wholeheartedly, and her mind shattered with grief when Gertruda vanished. It..." Ireena hesitates again, seeming briefly troubled. "Gertruda's fate isn't known, but many suspect that Strahd took her. And she's not the only one he may have his heart set on."

"Ismark told you about my father? Strahd came one night, not long ago. I didn't know what Strahd wanted at the time, but my father resisted his commands and held him off with the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind. It drove Strahd back, hurt him... but ultimately, my father paid with his life. He was poisoned soon after. It had to be Strahd."

Neraya asked about a 'nasty night bitey man'. "Strahd is a vampire, yes. He has been the lord of Barovia for generations, the last of the von Zarovich line as far as I know. He's more than a vampire, though. He seems to be part of the valley, and the valley part of him. I don't understand it, but I know that he has powers beyond those of an ordinary vampire, and he doesn't suffer the same weaknesses."

Lesta asked why Ireena stayed in the house. "I remained here while the zombies were about. My father died of poison, not at the hands of the zombies, so he didn't rise as one. But I kept vigil, just to be sure... Now, I find that I have another reason to worry."

"It is me that Strahd wants, or so he says. I've had awful dreams where he chases me, and when he catches me he kisses me and calls me Tatyana. [She doesn't know the name, but we suspect it's the name she was given at birth.] At least, I thought they were dreams, but I'm not so sure that they are. When I wake, I find these..." She pulls back the collar of her shirt to reveal two marks on her neck, clearly made by bites. "It seems as if I'm dreaming, but how could these be the result of a dream? I don't know what's happening or why he seeks me, but I know that Strahd wishes to claim me for himself. And he'll stop at nothing to do so."

She straightens, seemingly resolved to something despite the troubled look. "Do you intend to challenge Strahd?" she asks directly.

Lesta said we did. "Then I'm going with you," she says, as if it's already decided. "I can't hope to resist him on my own. The Holy Symbol ceased to work for us when my father died, and something evil slipped in and stole it in the dead of night anyway. But you stopped the zombie invasion. No one else in Barovia could. Strahd is more dangerous than any number of zombies... but you're the first glimmer of hope we've had here since his reign began."

We sort of left this open while Lesta explained that we didn't intend to charge toward Strahd right this instant. Ireena mentioned Madam Eva and we told her about the Holy Symbol reading.
- "The Knights of the Raven... yes, there's one who goes by that title. Sir Urik. He's not in the village often, but he patrols the woods and roads west of town, carrying on his war against the evil of the land. Many think him mad, but he lives still, and though he has the zeal of a paladin, there is no madness in his eyes."
- "Strahd's mother was Ravenovia, and the Knights of the Raven carry her name. If we're to find Sir Urik, we should visit the crossroads west of town, south of the Vistani encampment. He may not be there, but it's the most likely place to find him."
- "In the heart of the wilds..." she echoes. "Within the Svalich woods is my guess. Somewhere in its depths. There are beasts there. Foul, unnatural things which are drawn to the taint."
We explained some of the other information we'd received from Madam Eva. After that, Ireena asked about the forged letter and told us there really is a coven on Lysaga Hill. She speculated that Strahd might have forged the letter.
We passed on Madam Eva's readings on the Tome of Strahd and the Sunsword.
- There is a waterfall, Tser Falls, northwest of Tser Pool, where the Vistani have their camp. It sounds as if the blade is there." She pauses. "Strange... the way you describe it, it sounds as though the coven may have the tome."
- "Lysaga Hill has long been a place of ill omen. Even in ancient times, evil cults used it as a place to practice their profane rites. For a time it was sanctified by the efforts of Saint Ecaterina, who built a monastery there. But the monastery was short lived, and Saint Ecaterina fell with it. Since then, it has been unhallowed once more."
We agreed to accept Ireena into the group, and she suggested that we begin by heading to the crossroads to see if we can find Sir Urik. It's on the way to the waterfall and Lysaga Hill. After obtaining provisions, we set off.

January 31

We set out through the fog-dulled countryside, eventually reaching an old wooden gallows set at a road junction (with signs to Barovia, Tser Pool, and Castle Ravenloft) beside a small plot of graves.
There we saw an armoured man - Sir Urik - suffering assaults from a number of insubstantial creatures.
Lesta blasted three of them with a lightning attack as the others charged into battle. We defeated them with relative ease then engaged Sir Urik in discussion, enquiring about the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind. Agreeing it Madam Eva's reading suggested that it lay in the Svalich Woods, he told us about the ritual needed to awake it. Sadly, we had misunderstood the comment about reuniting the symbol with the one who carried its name.

"Alas, I think you've misplaced my importance. The holy symbol of Ravenkind must be woken by performing a special ceremony, but not one easily met. Whomever is to awaken it must first slay a vampire whilst wearing the symbol, then conduct a prayer vigil to the gods of light and good, including an offering or sacrifice."

"Slaying the vampire, I'm afraid, may be the easiest part of your task. The prayer vigil must be conducted in the depths of Castle Ravenloft itself; Ravenovia is the one who bore its name, for she was the one in whose name our order was founded. Her tomb lies far beneath the castle, now shrouded by the evil which claims it, yet still it remains holy."

About the Sunsword:

"I have heard mention of the Tome, but I know little about it save for its vile nature. The Sunsword... a tragic tale lies behind that, but in truth it is the other relic of this land which might challenge Strahd's power. It has long since been lost, and Strahd took care to destroy its power in the mists of the past. But a prayer vigil and offering might restore it still; the lore of my order suggests that platinum is the most appropriate offering, though not required. Its hilt, you see, was once wrought of platinum, and has since been shattered and lost."

(Aimi suggested involving the Lightbringer if we get to the point of that prayer vigil. Ashlyn seemed devout enough to give good vigil!)

About Lysaga Hill:

"Lysaga Hill is a place of evil, that much is true. Saint Ecaterina sought to sanctify it, but ill took hold of that dream and all that remains now is the shattered husk of the monastery she had built. While there are dark-hearted souls who gather there on certain nights, and they are certainly a danger, the place is haunted always by the souls of those who died there. Tread carefully."

We agreed that we would call on his assistance when we were finally ready to venture into Strahd's castle. That settled, we continued westward toward Lysaga Hill, or Tser Falls further on.

February 7

Lysaga Hill

The forest parts around the peak of a large hill, a spur of bare rock jutting up from the earth. Near the hill's highest point, you can see a blackened tower of crumbling stone, the ruins of some ancient site. Angry-looking storm clouds churn in the sky overhead, as if spurred by your approach towards this landmark.

The burned out tower is a husk of a building, with only three portions of its tall outer wall still reaching some twenty feet off the ground. Within their bounds, shorter stone walls, about ten feet high, delineate the chambers of the ancient site, while piles of rubble choke much of the open space. A sensation of grief and loss emanates from these forlorn ruins, threatening melancholy beyond what the physical disrepair would engender in you.

We searched the area, finding nothing except a relatively clear area of stone in the southwest, bearing an unbroken runic circle. This didn't seem to do any harm beyond a light tingling sensation, but it also had no other obvious effect - until both Lesta and Aimi had entered and left the circle, at which point a stone reliquary faded into existence inside it.
Entering and opening it, we found four bundles of cloth, and a letter in old but standard Khorvairean script.

"Hail and good fortune, you for whom this discovery is destined. I will not trouble you with the details of my coming, or my likely death, but know that I have been moved by the hand of gods and prophecy alike to bring these relics to the place where Ecaterina's dream lies dead, slain by the taint which clouds this land."

"Though I know you not, nor your natures, one whom I trust and faith which I hold lead me to believe that these four items shall match your needs and natures as you take part in the events which swirl around you, events writ bold in the language of prophecy."

"For the Queen of Swords: A crown in the image of the sacred raven of this land."

"For the Queen of Coins: A weapon against the darkness."

"For the Queen of Wands: The Skin of the Dragon."

"For the King of Wands: A tool after his namesake."

"May the Nine and the prophecy guide and protect you. Farewell."

As we took our gifts, we could sense their purpose. Neraya got a Scholar's White Raven Crown. Dorius got a Wand of Dehydrate. Aimi got a +1 Flaming Rapier made of Flametouched iron. Lesta got a Glamered [sic] Twilight Mithral Chain Shirt +1.
New toys unwrapped, we got back to searching the ruins. It didn't take long to find a trapdoor which led to a deep shaft. We climbed down the ladder into a large cave with two tunnels out (northwest, southwest).
Taking the northern tunnel, we found that it opened onto a large cavern, which had some kind of circle scribed on the floor in its centre - but with a twenty-foot drop. We decided to try the other way first.
That led us into another wider cavern, down a gentle slope. Multiple natural columns in the cavern seemed to soak up the light and cast unnatural shadows. The stench of decay grew stronger; we began to fear ambush...
...which duly came, as we ventured around the side of the cavern. Two fearsome humanoids emerged from the darkness, horned and clawed with many needlelike teeth and skin that oozed acid.
Aimi, reacting fastest, valiantly charged at one - a move which, though successful, proved somewhat foolhardy as the creature soon exacted serious revenge. The battle continued and we looked to have the upper hand.

February 14

The creatures were tougher than anyone had expected, and the group's weapons did little damage save for Aimi's new rapier. Aimi's sneak attacks finished both creatures. After the battle, what little healing items we possessed were useful to reduce Aimi's critical wounds and Lesta's.
We continued through the cavern to find that it abruptly ended in a natural ramp dropping north and east, which opened into the floor of the larger cavern we'd seen earlier from above.
This cavern remained deserted. We were able to determine that the runed circle in the centre (large enough for the entire party to occupy and then some) gave a rush of energy [various bonuses] to all within; that the circle was at least as old as the monastery above, but perhaps older, and designed to draw power from the hill and beyond and focus it for use elsewhere; and that some person or creature spent time in the area, mainly in the circle, not quite human but not quite animal either to judge by the faint musk we could scent around the circle.
Since nothing was happening now, we decided to return to town, rest up, and see if we could get more information. We sensed wolves, or something like, creeping after us on the trail back, watching... but we made it back safely.

February 21

Lesta went shopping and found a place called Bildrath's Mercantile, with a wide selection of goods but at a high price. She considered trading a jewelled bracelet for jade pieces, but wasn't happy with the offer of only one piece. Jade might be of use because it protects against corruption gained in close encounters with evil.
Aimi tried to get information about Lysaga Hill. She learnt that a coven of witches is reputed to gather there on the nights when Lharvion is full, especially during certain conjunctions. (Next full moon night is in a few days.) The leader of the coven isn't human, and the name Chernevog is occasionally associated with the cult.
The name struck a chord in Lesta's memory. She thinks it's either a Rakshasa or a servant of a Rakshasa. If the group are followers of Chernevog then they are from the cult of Dragon Below; 'big-time evilness'.
We sold Danovich's gear in order to buy a piece of jade each and rested for another couple of days, recovering from our injuries. The jade might have been a little late for Aimi; disturbing images interrupted her sleep, of Danovich's journal one night and evil rites on Lysaga Hill the next.
Since it still wasn't time to catch the witches at their evildoing, we set off instead for Tser Falls to hunt for the Sunsword.