Story Information

[Zyraen]

STORY SO FAR
from Session 4.1

The adventurers have been called to Winterhaven in Nentir Vale to deal with a kobold and goblin problem. Following the threads, they learn that an archaeologist was kidnapped by cultists of Orcus in collusion with kobolds to try and unearth some shadowfell tainted artifacts. Though most of the cult has been dealt with, their leader who is a priest of Orcus, is in the (supposedly haunted) Keep on the Shadowfell trying to open a rift to the dark plane for the glory of Orcus.

=====

Religion Crit by Giorno

Orcus is the demon prince of the undead, and a bitter enemy of the Raven Queen who has dominion over the Shadowfell. However, it is little known esoteric lore that Orcus once ascended to Godhood for a short while, before his divine aspect was defeated and severed from him. This entity was known as Tenebrous, and is rumoured to be sealed away somewhere within the Shadowfell.

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Sir Keegan's Information

Sir Keegan was a paladin of the Raven Queen who sealed the rift to the Shadowfell a century or so ago. The blade that was given to Giorno is a shard of a sword named Nightstar, which was wielded by a paladin named Sir Siegfried.

Siegfried and his party clashed against the waking Tenebrous - the vessel and aspect of Orcus' divinity - before it fully awakened, managed to defeat it. Only Siegfried survived, and Tenebrous' body remained in the Shadowfell. There was a part of Orcus that perished however as a demon, not fully incorporated into the waking entity, and eventually formed again in his layer of the Abyss.

Sir Keegan and his guards were re-animated by the energies of the Shadowfell, but not that alone - it is probable what lies on the other side of the rift that the priest of Orcus seeks to open is the realm that holds the body of Tenebrous.

[Zyraen]

OOC: there might be small snippets below not mentioned clearly (or simply player talked over) during the session, you can treat them as mentioned during the session.

=====

INFORMATION DURING GAME
ie during session 6.1

These are symbols found on the segmented stone archway over cave entrance, leading to the dark pool area with stepping stones that run up to the cave mouth which nearly chomped up Lissandra. The heroes discerned that the symbols on relate to parts of a body, seemingly, which also seem to imply the cave they had escaped from might be alive in some way.

Blood, Bones, Breath
Octopus with 6 Limbs
Heart, Mouth, Senses

======

The burgomeister commented that gypsies are werewolves when Maul mentioned them. He also mentioned the realm is cut off from all else by the swamp, and that the mansion in town is dangerous. He finds the name Tenebrous vaguely familiar but cannot exactly recall when or what he heard of it.

The heroes learned from the burgomeister that he is really the acting burgomeister. His father is too old to keep watch over the city, and the burgomeister trained up the guards for the city and does his best to keep the town safe.

They learned that the ruler of the land is one Lord von Zarovich, who takes up residence in a dark castle. He does not seem to think well of Lord von Zarovich, implying that he is responsible in some part for all the undead around especially in the forests, and trusts that the heroes will not wish to meet Lord von Zarovich.

After Maul told the account of how they got here, the burgomeister mentioned that no one has ever left the cave alive, and repeatedly warned that it is evil. He directed the heroes not to cause trouble, especially not in Mordavia. He tells them that the people of Mordavia are "honest folk" who farm, and implied if they wished to confront Lord von Zarovich, they're on their own. But they are welcome to stay at the inn as long as they do not cause trouble.

======

The Staff of Erana was placed there to protect the town. Legend says that a great hero returned with it, and planted it in place. Arcana reveals that it has a powerful warding effect against evil, and radiates both strong arcane and divine power. It feels like stone, but looks like wood, and there are invisible names carved upon it, one on top of the other, twelve names in all. The first name is Tatyana, and the last is Ireena.

According to the "Faithful", who is the (sole) worshipper of "Latino the Sunflower God", the great Erana was the former owner of the staff, and one day the staff will be released and will herald the return of the sun proper to the realm. But this can only happen when a sacrifice has been made, and someone must die for the dead to be restored.

The "Faithful" recognises the name of Tenebrous as that of the evil sealed away, and requested that it not be mentioned. At his suggestion the heroes generally agreed to use Orcie as the name to refer to the dark entity, to which he agreed pointing out that orcs at least could be easily felled.

[Zyraen]

Semi-Transcript of Pandora's Chat with Igor the Gravedigger
Streetwise 20 without any racial penalties
between sessions 6.1 and 6.2, thanks to April for arranging it

Pandora comes across an ugly looking hunchback in a green outfit that is hammering / chiselling some stones that she sees are gravestones. His large eyes make him look bug eyed and give a toad-like appearance.

"A fine morning to you, good sir. My name is Pandora, and I'm new to Mordavia. Pleased to make your acquaintance." She waves at him merrily.

He looks up from the stone tablet he is chiselling, and his bug eyes look bigger as he stares at Pandora. "Oh, me Igor." He sounds younger than he looks.

"Hello to you, Igor. I hope I'm not disturbing you, but might I ask what is that you're working on?"

"Igor working on headstone. Igor is gravedigger."

"I see. And who might this stone be for?" Pandora casts her gaze about the gravestones. "Did you make all these, too?"

"This stone? Not yet fixed, just get into right shape." He nods. "Igor is gravedigger in town."

Igor is squatting outside a building with his stone tablets at the side of the road. The roof of the building provides shelter against rain, not that much, but it is not raining right now. The stones are blank, but chiselled into a good shape. The piece he's working on is basically turning a good sized rock into a headstone.

"Igor dig graves in cemetery. Igor put dead person in grave. Igor cover dead person with dirt. Igor put headstone on grave." He nods and gestures to the headstones to one side. "Plenty job security around here, business is piling up. Little graveyard humor there."

"What's been making the business pile up, Igor?"

"Igor not know much. Igor not know bad things happen if people are out after dark." He nods and looks at a fairly ominous building off to one side. "Igor not know mansion is bad. Igor not know strangers in town. Igor not know there's business if strangers go to mansion."

"What else does Igor not know about strangers who go to the mansion?" Pandora gives Igor a reassuring smile, a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. "Don't worry. If Igor wants, maybe Pandora not know that she talks to Igor about mansion too."

"Igor not know building bad. Igor not know door is bad bad bad... no go near door!" He warns.
(OOC: If you want you can go look at the door later, from a safe distance.)

"Who brings business to Igor, when strangers go to mansion? Be it Burgomeister, maybe?"

"Burgomeister not bring business, sometimes doctor bring business. Igor help to find things for doctor." He looks at Pandora uncertainly. "Pandora not take business from Igor?"

"How Igor wants Pandora to take business from Igor?"

Igor shakes his head. "Igor not want Pandora take business, Igor help doctor!"

"Oh no, Pandora hears Igor wrong. Of course Pandora not take Igor's business!" Pandora chuckles softly in embarrassment. "But Igor most kind to share with Pandora what he not knows about town. Pandora wants to visit doctor maybe, and graveyard to admire Igor's works maybe. Does Igor know where Pandora can find them?"

"Oh, graveyard not in town, graveyard in forest. South until go east, then go north where able. There Pandora find cemetery. Doctor house just need ring the door bells, haha."

"Does Igor visit cemetery to bring Igor's works there? Be it safe?"

"Igor knows forest okay at noon time, only animals. Igor skinny, animals not eat Igor, good for working graveyard shift. Haha, little graveyard humor there."

Pandora chuckles at his graveyard humour. "Igor funny man. Pandora likes Igor, thinks humour be good for place like Mordavia. Pandora comes from faraway place, beyond mists and shadows. Much humour there. Igor will like it, maybe."

Igor shrugs. "Igor not know what's beyond mists and shadows. Igor not know Mordavia. Igor not happy here." Somewhere in between, he presumably changed the usage of the not. He looks thoughtfully at Pandora. "You come to cave from faraway place. You adventurer? Owner of big walking lizard?"

"Yes, Pandora is adventurer who came to cave, but Pandora not knows how. Friend of talking lizard, not owner. How Igor knows?"

"Igor not hear rumours. Igor not know about strangers in town. Igor not know funny man in inn not funny. Igor not know many things."

"What funny man in inn Igor not knows about? Is it gnome stranger that Pandora not hears rumours about?"

"Igor not know is gnome stranger who searches forest, not know what he's looking for."

Pandora smiles. "Thank you, Igor. Maybe we talk about something else, now. Does Igor not know about staff on mound in centre of town?"

"Igor not know staff is good, staff keeps bad bad things away. But not always work, not everyone know."

"How Igor mean, not always work?"

Igor points at the spooky creepy looking mansion nearby, and then the shop of the blacksmith not far away, opposite to both the buildings. This north side of town is the furthest from the staff that is at the entrance to Mordavia, which is the south side of the town. "Igor not know staff not cover all the way here. Igor not know blacksmith is stranger in Mordavia, but not many know."

"Oh! Stranger, like Pandora? Does Igor not know when he come to town? Or where he come from, maybe?"

"Igor not know he come less than two days ago. Igor not ask. Some ask, then remember he's been blacksmith long time in town. Igor not know any rumours about blacksmith."

Pandora leans in closer, her voice hushed in an almost whisper. "Ooh. What rumours Igor not know about blacksmith?"

"Igor not know blacksmith only open at night. Igor not think blacksmith bad, bad! But Igor not go visit to see."

"Pandora not meets man who worships sun god who talks about staff. Pandora not hears something about staff having sun god's blessing. Something about sun god coming back one day, maybe. Something about sacrifice. Does Igor not know any rumours?"

"Igor not know Harold is crazy. But Igor not know anything."

Pandora motions as if about to rise. "Pandora wants to visit blacksmith, buy goods from him maybe. And then visit..." Her voice trails off, but she sweeps a hand towards the mansion. "Does Igor not know rumours about what is inside?"

"Igor not know mansion is bad place, because bad people, bad cult, long time ago. Igor not know door is bad, be very careful of door!"

Pandora turns back to face him, a look of intense interest on her face. "Bad cult? Igor not knows the name... Orcus? Tenebrous, maybe?"

Igor shrugs. "Igor not know, too long ago."

"Oh! Pandora just remembers. Does Igor not know name Erana? Ireena, maybe? Pandora not sees names on staff, most curious."

"Igor not know staff belonged to Erana. Ireena... Igor not know Burgomeister's sister is Ireena."

"Ooh... what Igor not knows about these women? Be they not related?"

Igor shakes his head. "Erana from long, long, long, long, long time ago. Ireena just Burgomeister's sister." He explains patiently.

"I see. Maybe Igor not knows Tatyana, too?"

"Igor not know Tatyana, too."

"Very well. Pandora thinks she asks Igor too many questions now, not want to trouble Igor. Maybe Igor wants to ask Pandora questions too? Or maybe Pandora helps Igor with work." She peers closer at his chiselling. "Pandora not strong like Igor maybe, but she gots nimble fingers and sharp eye."

Igor shakes his head. "Pandora is not gravedigger in town! Igor is gravedigger in town. Pandora is adventurer."

"Yes, Igor right. Pandora not wants to get in Igor's way, go back to adventuring now. Take care, kind Igor."

He waves goodbye, and goes back to chiseling.

[Zyraen]

INFORMATION AFTER GAME
ie after session 6.1
Streetwise overall 15 19 20

Olga Stovich is a chatty, almost gossipy shopkeep who is somewhat naggy also, and the store is full of cats. She sells mainly household goods, such as a small broom stick, pans, cooking equipment, as well as some food for various purposes, such as garlic and sweets. Her main bestseller are her avocado and garlic sandwiches which she assures you make the best sandwiches, and even her husband found them interesting.

She is a widow whose husband passed on some years ago. The shop had belonged to his family, and now she tries to keep it busy in his memory. She always has a ear for anything interesting (ie gossip) and is quick to give a piece of her mind about everything.

The heroes also learn from her that the burgomeister's name is Ismark Kolyanovich, and the three peasants who spend more time drinking together in the inn (who Giorno had approached menacingly if it were not for the intervention of others) are named Hans, Franz and Ivan.

=====

There is a mad doctor that lives in the town, in the house with the multicolored bells. No one knows what he does in there, and his only relatively frequent visitor is Igor. Most who have interacted with him believe he is quite mad.

Despite this, he is tolerated in town because he had some amount of coin when he first arrived about 20 years ago to purchase the house, and also because he happens to be actually good with healing potions and can concoct cures to all sorts of maladies some have faced in the past. Sometimes he takes a while to research it, but he generally manages to. But there are also those who have died waiting for him to research it, and he never apologises sincerely, only mentioning there were more urgent things to attend to.

=====

There is an old man who constantly wanders around the east side of town, not too far from the doctor's house with multicolored bells. He frequently asks anyone - even Wyrdra if he passes by - "Have you seen my Anna?" "I cannot find Anna, where could she be?" "Where is Anna, can you help me find my Anna?" It is possible he is not as old as he looks, but the strain of losing his loved one - and his mind - might have affected that.

The heroes learn from the burgomeister that almost a decade ago, the old man Nikolai lost his wife when she stayed out too late in the woods a long time ago. He and his son went to the woods the next day but couldn't find any trace of her.

The heroes also learn the back of the town is against the mountainous sheer cliffs that head up into the dark misty heights above. The burgomeister mentioned that the castle Ravenloft, where Lord von Zarovich is said to have his residence, is somewhere up in the mountainous areas to the north of town, but the terrain is impassable. There are gates in the forest to the west, and beyond lies roads by which one may reach the castle, or at least so it is said.

=====

In the north part of town, not far from the blacksmith, is the sinister tall mansion. Couple of blocks further from it, is a two-storey manor with its own grounds that are fenced up, which is the residence of the burgomeister, presumably the Kolyanovich family.

In the stretch of buildings between the deserted mansion and the burgomeister's manor, is a brown slightly longish building where the hunchback bug-eyed gravedigger Igor squats by the roadside to chisel his stone. His stone tablets are propped up against the side of the building, and the roof provides shelter from the elements. Igor seems to be quite an outcast from the rest of the town, but quite knowledgeable from the conversation that follows.

Pandora decides to talk to Igor, and learned from him that the mansion is bad, really bad, and past strangers to the town might have died visiting the mansion, and to be wary of the door. Apparently it once belonged to bad people from a bad cult a long time ago.

Igor does some business for the doctor, which he does not elaborate, and for them to meet the doctor all they need to do is to ring the doorbells. He also mentioned (when asked) about a gnome in the inn who is not funny, and spends most of the day out in the forest, seemingly searching for something.

He also provides direction to the graveyard, which is south from the town until one can go east, then to go north where possible from there until one reaches the cemetery. He says he only makes the journey to the cemetery at noon time, where there are only animals and he is too scrawny to be worth eating.

When asked about the Staff, Igor reiterates that it once belonged to someone called Erana, and it has protective magic to keep bad things away. However, its coverage is limited and does not reach to the north side of the town. Igor mentioned that the real name of "Faithful" is Harold (and he's crazy), and that Ireena is the name of the burgomeister's daughter (presumably Ismark's sister), but he has no idea who Tatyana is.

Igor mentioned that the blacksmith only moved in less than two days ago, and only opens after night. Those who questioned him came out believing that he had been here all along, so Igor believes he is bad, bad news, but hasn't gone in to see the blacksmith himself.

=====

Note Passive Perception 20

Later when Pandora goes to check the door of the mansion - from a safe distance - she can see that while most of the mansion is made of wood and stone, first level of the three-storey mansion seems almost entirely made of grey stone similar to that from the cave. And then she realised an odd marking that looks like a faded coat of arms above the mansion door really resembled an octopus-like creature, except with six arms.

As she was observing this, she noticed a movement within the windows from the upper floor. From the second floor, the face of a dark-haired child seemingly on tiptoes to look over the window sill, peered from behind the transparent shades. The darkness of the room beyond makes it hard to make out the pallor of the child. The child looked surprised when Pandora looked back and quickly disappeared.

[Zyraen]

INFO ON HEXTOPUS SYMBOL
Mid/Post-Session 6.2
Lissandra Intelligence Check 16 + 3mod + Assist from Parry

She recalls the cave that the characters had first entered this realm in, which she had surmised was the belly of the beast.
She recalls the valve requiring blood to open, leading the six valve-sealed pathways.
She recalls the cave entrance, full of stalagtites and stalagmites, that almost devoured her.

All this within a cave, an entrance with an arch, the Hextopus symbol between symbols that were not arcane on their own but which resemble various body related functions.

Now the same symbol as a deadly, brutal construct guardian, powered by the bronzed Hextopus symbol within, in an evil mansion that once had unknown cultists, possibly dedicated to Orcus, with rooms having chandeliers framed in the shape of the same Hextopus spread.

It occurs to Lissandra that the Hextopus symbol, while assuredly not a symbol of Orcus, might possibly be a symbol of Tenebrous. Who in turn might just happen to be that cavern.

And of course, from their sojourn there, it wasn't dead. It was just not awake.

[Zyraen]

MAUL'S MEETING WITH STRAHD IN THE DURST MANSION
Mid Session 6.5

Count Strahd von Zarovich is the current Dark Lord of the realm of Ravenloft, with Tenebrous - better known as the Dark One - being presumably the previous. Although Tenebrous slumbers, Strahd is yet concerned about if he should wake again, and intends to destroy him.

Erana the great, mighty, powerful, divine, beautiful archmage, who Strahd had yet the pleasure to meet in person, was the key to sealing Tenebrous, and might yet be the key to his destruction. Erana is constantly reincarnated in this domain, ever has Strahd sought her love, yet always has been denied. The current incarnation of Erana is Ireena Kolyanovich, sister of Ismark Kolyanovich. Before the heroes' arrival in Ravenloft, Strahd wrote to Ireena's father, Burgomeister Kolyanovich of Mordavia, seeking Ireena's hand and that she be sent to his castle, but his request was rebuffed. The heroes should seek to change the Burgomeister's mind, including conveying Strahd's sincere apologies for his choice of words in his follow-up letter, and secure Ireena as Strahd's bride, and carriage will be arranged for them Mordavia to his Castle Ravenloft. Strahd believes once Ireena truly accepts him as her beloved, together he will be able to restore to her the memories of her past as Erana and return to her the power that she wielded ages ago. Together, Strahd and reborn Erana will be able to destroy Tenebrous once and for all.

Separately, in order to defeat Tenebrous, one has to stir him once more back to life. To this end, there are six rituals that Strahd are aware of, but he has no idea where each one of them individually is. The wise woman of the gypsies might know more, but Strahd only knows that somewhere within this mansion, lies the Blood Ritual. He said once the adventurers have found the Blood Ritual, they should have no problems destroying the mansion, and with that the townsfolk - notably the Burgomeister himself - should be better disposed to the heroes and they might better be able to request Ireena's hand from the Burgomeister on his behalf. He did also imply that if courteous reason were not to work, the Burgomeister should know better than to try his patience.

In addition, the forests of Mordavia are extremely hazardous after dark. Strahd said that since the heroes are now considered his guests, if they were stranded in the forest at night and had issues gettin back to Mordavia, they can come to the Gates leading to the road to his castle after dark. His carriage will be at the Gates, which can then bear them through the forests and mountains beyond to his castle for shelter for the night until the next morning. As for the location of the Gates, once out of Mordavia, the heroes just needs to head west as much as they are able to and they will come to the Gates.

Regarding Giorno's brother, he said he knows where he was last seen, and that information can be discussed in Castle Ravenloft over dinner after the heroes have brought Ireena to him.

When asked by Maul about Nightstar, Strahd was annoyed and said that if he was with the heroes in standing against Tenebrous, not having that sword was of no consequence. And if they were foolish enough to face Tenebrous without Strahd, then their destruction was assured whether or not they had the bauble.

Strahd also used his blood - and Maul's - to feed to the fitful Pandora in order to wake her from her epileptic visions after drinking the wine found near the Durst couple, and in so doing turned the cloth that was used to prevent her from biting herself into the Blood Ritual. When Pandora thanked him and asked for what was the Amon Tillado, he believes it is a vineyard near an abandoned windmill to the south east.

( Info relating to Rosavalda and Thornboldt has been excluded as they have since been laid to rest )

[Zyraen]

Madam Eva's Card Reading
Session 7.3

This card tells of history. Knowledge of the one you face will help you better understand your enemy.


The Thief - Those who steal or burgle; loss of property, beauty, innocence, friendship or reputation.

What you seek lies at the crossroads between life and death, within the great cross.

(Extra Info
At the crossroads of life and death, look unto the great cross. )

=====

This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope.


The Shepherd - Those who protect others ; one who bears a burden far too great to be shouldered alone.

Find the mother, she who gave life to he who lives dead.

=====

This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance - a sword of light. I sense you already have part of it with you, but where is its blade?


The Hooded One - Bigotry, intolerance, xenophobia; a mysterious presence or a newcomer

I see a faceless God beneath the depths. He waits within the domain of the dead, watched over by the black sun.

=====

This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.


The Broken One - Defeat, failure, and despair. The loss of something or someone important, without which one feels incomplete.

I see a woman on the precipice of life and death, the strands of her soul torn to shreds. Only a selfless sacrifice like her own can make her whole once more.

=====

Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This card will lead you to where he must hold his own.


The Executioner - The imminent death of one rightly or wrongly convicted of a crime; false accusations and unjust prosecution.

I see a dark figure standing upon a balcony, looking down upon this tortured land with a twisted smile.

=====

Card Arrangement

[Zyraen]

Of Theurgism, Erana and the Kolyanovich Line
Late Session 7.3

Maul examines the Staff of Erana and learns it is at least semi-aware of what is going on around it. He makes sense of the book of Theurgism to try to uncover clues as to what happened in the past (Arcana 19)

Maul notices a bit of text that draws his attention. It seems that in a time when arcane seal is unable to be completed - due to unforeseen, likely tragic reasons - the one attempting the seal can call upon the blessing of divine in a desperate, ultimate sacrifice. This is no mere death - the theurge offers up his/her soul to complete the seal. In so doing, the theurge condemns his/her soul to an unending struggle and torment, typically by the being that he/she so sealed. The seal and unbreakable thusly, unless the divine investiture is withdrawn or renounced.

During the meeting with Indiro Kolyanovich, the Burgomeister of Mordavia, the heroes learn of something that Indiro had not yet told to his son Ismark. Every few generations, the womenfolk of their family would be pursued and tormented by the devil Strahd, and they all die a tormented/horrible death due to his pursuit of them. Such was the case for the sister of Indiro's father (ie his aunt and Ismark's grand-aunt). Indiro himself notes that if the Kolyanovich line had ever resisted Strahd, it seems strange that their family line has continued as Burgomeisters ever since Piotyr Kolyanovich (founder of the Adventurer's Guild). After learning of this, the party confirmed - much to Indiro's surprise and chagrin - that the names of his tormented aunt and great-grand-aunt were indeed the last two names of those carved upon the Staff of Erana above Ireena's, although Indiro does not recognise the other names that came before, including Tatyana.

After/while learning of all this, Parry concludes with reasonable certainty that if Erana's soul is used to seal Tenebrous, she can't possibly be reincarnated again and again... unless it is Tenebrous who is releasing her soul for reincarnation. Assuming the card reading refers to Erana as the Broken One, it seems that Tenebrous' intention is for Erana's soul to experience torment and horror again and again, and eventually break and shatter like glass.

[Zyraen]

Edit on 13 Nov 2020 : Added in section 25, where it is stated the time frame for the journal. Also indicated the Order of the Dragon marched north from Barovia towards Mordavia, for clarity.
Edit on 27 Jan 2021 : edited section 23 to remove the multiple "They mention", which is needlessly repetitive and jarring. Thank you James C Washington!


Journal of Strahd
found end of Session 7.4

The following entries are more notable, and together give an idea of what has happened in the past. The brackets make reference to the previous entry, or if they surround the body of the text, indicate a summary of events. The entries have been labelled with numbers so that players can more easily refer to them when talking to each other, but these numbers do not exist within the journal. For sake of expediency, no years have been provided in the below, though they are mentioned in the journal.

OOC: It is a long read so feel free to jump to the last and second last entry (ie 23-24) should suffice.

=====

1. ( in childish hand writing )
My brother is the bestest brother there ever will be. When I grow up, I want to be just like him.

=====

2.
Siegfried has done it! He has been elevated to a paladin, an esteemed officer of the Order! I have never seen father so delighted. Glorious is this day of honour for the family.

=====

3.
I cannot believe it. After years of training and dedication, I am ready to take the test to become a knight of the Order. Soon father will see my worth also.

=====

4. ( four years from previous )
I despair, my soul is crushed, and this seems the darkest day of my life. The Prelate has deemed me unworthy to be a knight of the Order and cast me out. What have I done to deserve this? All because during the test of purity, some old man saw in me what he claimed to be a shard of darkness!? But NO, I will not accept this! I will show them, I will prove that I, Strahd, am above and beyond their reproach! They expect me to wallow in filth and sorrow? Never, I will uphold myself to finer standards yet and put them to shame!

=====

5. ( few years from previous )
Father requested that I be a suitor and seek the hand of some fair maiden to continue the family line, especially since my brother was devoting himself so much to the Order. Today was the first time I stood before him in court and opposed him, but I daresay I acquitted myself well. After all, if I the younger were to have a family before the older brother, would my doing so not have selfish repercussions, especially for the stability and succession of the kingdom? Perhaps it can be considered after Siegfried has at least found one who would be his queen. It is fitting that father was struck speechless, for who would have known I had such noble wisdom in me? I haven't felt this good about myself in years. Perhaps some more intense fencing practice will serve even better.

=====

6.
A dark shadow has fallen over the land. The Order is hard-pressed against what they claim is the walking dead, whose ranks swell with every battle. Father does not approve our direct involvement yet, but I will lead a contingent to aid them. I may not be a knight of the Order anymore, but I am still a fighting man and I will not stand idly by while others risk themselves in defense of the people.

=====

7. ( next entry )
The horrors I've seen today... but they are nothing before the light of the Order and the strength of our steel! With sword and shield we drove them off, and cut them to ribbons! Perhaps they were once men, but they are men no longer, and it is fitting that they be laid to rest. I demanded to know where Siegfried was in all of this, and they tell me as the only remaining paladin, he has left in search of the Prelate and his company, for they have not been heard of since they rode north to confront the source of this darkness. I fear for him, but I have faith in his valour and sword arm. If I, his lesser brother, have stayed the course, I am sure he will also.

=====

8. ( weeks after )
All seems lost. Most of the kingdom is overrun, and the remnants of the Order have come under our flag. Only the capital Wallachia remains, under siege, and our supplies run low as the countryside is crawling with undead. Father is deathly ill, and mother tends to him. As a soldier and commander, I think the food should be reserved for the fighting men and their families, but mother insists otherwise, and the knight that I once was agrees. Only the Raven Queen knows if this is the right choice. Sister says it is clear that Siegfried has failed, but I do not believe so. If he is too late to save us, then so be it, but he will succeed. I believe in him.

=====

9. ( few days after )
Sentries report that the bodies have fallen unmoving outside the walls, and I have rode out myself to see that it is indeed so. I knew he could do it! Katarina has never been happier to be proven wrong, and for once I believe her.

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10. ( weeks after )
Father has just passed away, may the Raven Queen guard his soul, but Siegfried has not yet returned. I have not doubted him in the darkest of nights, but for some reason I fear the worst. Traditions require that I accept the crown, but I cannot, not while he, the rightful king, might still be alive. Mother has granted me leave to depart and search for him, but insists that I return within half a year. Katarina will accompany me, claiming that her divination and scrying will aid our search. Together, we will return the triumphant king of Barovia to his throne.

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11.
( based on the coming entries, it seems Strahd and his sister Katarina travelled north based on what they were told by the remnants of the Order, and after crossing the mountain range, arrived through forests into Mordavia )

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12.
I feel weary, even more so than in the war against the undead. Listlessness gnaws at me in this idyllic town. I know Siegfried is near, I have seen his name in the book, but I can find no trace of him. Katarina tells me there is a wise woman in the woods, whose powers exceed her own, and that she will be able to tell me about Siegfried. However, she is a witch, so there will be a price to pay. Well, one way or another, I will make her talk.

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13.
The old hag had the temerity to ask for my soul in return for my heart's desire! Perfidious creature, a few sword strokes and then she begged to talk lest she was unmade. She claimed I would find Siegfried among the outcasts and beggars of Mordavia, and I promised her a painful slow death if she was toying with me.

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14.
I cannot believe it. I have found my brother, but woe is he. I have never seen a man more miserable and broken. Truly, if I had not been told to seek him among the dregs, he would have passed beneath my very nose and I would not have recognised him. Alas, my brother, what has befallen you? You once said you believed in the Morninglord, yet how could he have abandoned you so?

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15.
I had my misgivings, but Katarina pointed out we don't have many other choices, and might as well return to the old hag in the woods. There I made a bargain, promising her that if only Siegfried could be restored once more, I would pledge my soul to her patron. I have my doubts, and to be honest it seems strange she seems so forgiving. But my sister is watchful with her warding spells, so I doubt she can secretly curse me or what not. If only Siegfried would get better.

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16.
I'm in love! I beheld the most lovely girl that I have seen, but voice failed me and I could not speak! I do not know who she is or where she is from, but I will find her and love her the way she should be loved, with all my heart and all my soul and all of my being! Katarina has agreed to help me find her while I watch over Siegfried, her sketch was reasonably accurate and the divination magic will work, I'm sure of it.

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17.
I am most pathetic and wretched, among all men. This angel who has stolen my heart, this beautiful Tatyana, had come to the tavern at Katarina's behest, but she had no eyes for me. Instead, she was drawn to Siegfried, beggarly and haggard though he was, and he in turn seemed to recognise her and called her his lost love Erana. I know I should be glad to see the spark return to his eyes, but at what cost?! My heart is shattered into pieces, for my one true love has been lost... to him, of all people!! I should rejoice but yet I can only feel my own pain and loss, sleepless nights of maddening dreams that torment me with visions of their coming together.

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18.
( Entries where Strahd learnt that Tatyana had been found wandering the woods a few months ago, without any memory of how she had got there, and was adopted by the recently widowed wife of the Burgomeister. He also writes of Siegfried becoming himself again, recognised by the town as the hero who brought back the Staff of Erana, and promised to come back and wed Tatyana. Siegfried returned to what remains of Barovia and decided to relocate to the Castle Ravenloft above Mordavia, where apparently the local lord had fallen to madness about the time that Tenebrous rose, and where Siegfried with his adventuring group discovered what was left of the Order's Prelate and his company. The next thing was to arrange for Siegfried and Tatyana's wedding, and even the normally aloof Katarina seemed caught up in their joy. No one seemed to notice Strahd's increasingly tormented expression, and how he was maddened by all of this, and the dreams that haunt him )

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19.
I visited the hag today. I had promised her my soul in return for my brother's restoration, which has been fulfilled. My family and kingdom - and the one I loved - were settled down, and with my last vestiges of honour I returned to give up my life to her patron, hoping to find an end to my torment. Instead she told me that her patron had already received my soul with delight, and he wishes to offer me power, all the power I need to get my heart's desire. Anything I want can be mine, as long as I am willing to take it. Then she brought me up the mountain in her home, to a monastery next to a small lake, and the guardians let us through. There I sealed the pact with my blood, and I knew truly then that power beyond what I had could be mine... but at what cost? How can I destroy all that I once held dear, in order to gain the only one I now desire? Can I sacrifice all that I would have died for, in return for that which I cannot live without?

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20.
Tomorrow is their wedding day. She calls me brother now, and the word rankles in my heart. I see the look in her eyes and I know she knows what I have done. I can see the accusation from her, questioning my deal, as if asking me how dare I deal with the dark powers. How dare she!? Does she not know my sacrifices were all for her, and for him!? If not for me, Siegfried would be no more than an pathetic nobody in Mordavia! Yet she dares to judge me, berate me? No, I cannot stand it, I will NOT stand for it. It is time for me to make a stand - tomorrow either my nightmares will become reality, or I will take what I have rightfully earned.

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21. ( the next entry )
Siegfried is dead, by my hand. He seemed to know I would be coming, and he was armed, but he hesitated. I suppose he knew deep down within, that without me, he would be nothing, and I will always remember how he died as he lived, with honour. But Tatyana turned out to be a childish ingrate, weeping in the garden of the chapel, and fled from me. She would not let me explain that I had given up everything, even my family and my dearest brother, all for her sake! I pursued her, and in despair she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft, and I watched all that I had ever wanted fall from my grasp. It was a thousand feet drop through the mists, there's no way she could have survived... Then arrows pierced me, from the castle guards, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I gained the power promised to me, and became one with my realm, now and forever.

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22.
( Further mention as an after-thought, how Strahd learnt his mother had collapsed on the spot and died of grief, and how Katarina was the only one who accepted him for who he was. Together they defeated those who still opposed them, and took charge of the rest. There is also mention about sparing his illegitimate younger brother Gunthar who had offered to help them atone to the Raven Queen, even after Strahd pointedly explained that they had nothing to atone for. Strahd also mentions searching for what remained of Tatyana, but he could find no trace of her )

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23.
( The later entries relate to the state of Mordavia in later years.
They mention how Strahd hunted and preyed on the next incarnation of Tatyana.
There are notes on how a knight lord named Argynvost, who had sought to restore the Order of the Dragon in Barovia to its former glory, marched north from Barovia and set up a keep on the southwestern slopes of the mountain range between the two areas, and how Strahd made preparations to face off against him.
Then is recorded the entry of the Durst family to Mordavia and how the cult sought to restore Tenebrous.
The later entries relate to learning from the wise woman of the gypsies that to secure his grasp on the realm and put Tenebrous down once and for all, he had to gather six rituals to restore him.
There are pieces of parchments from other books bound into the journal, that detail the following )

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24.

A Ritual shall be placed within the halls of the mad monk, there to be forever guarded

A Ritual shall be placed in the Stone of Squids, and revealed only by the light of a dead child's soul

A Ritual shall be placed in hollow of the Hangman's Tree, guarded by the spirit of the dead that remains there

A Ritual shall be concealed within the mansion, and only he who willingly seeks dark visions shall find it

A Ritual shall be placed in the great arch itself, under the Dark One's sign.

A Ritual shall be given to Gregor for safekeeping.

( then written below the page with the last line, in a crisp cursive handwriting you recognise as Strahd's )
Gregor has gone missing in the forest and is probably dead, but where is the Ritual?

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25.

( The time frame of the journal began when Strahd was six years old, to when he was twenty six and slew his brother, then for another thirty years after that. There is no mention of the outcome of dealing with the Order of the Dragon, no mention of the swamp, no mention of presumably the implosion of the Durst family, nor of any further efforts to recover the Rituals, since the journal stopped there.

For OOC Ref, the journal would have stopped about 370 years before the present )