The Pretty Blerd Guardian!

Session 1 – 8 Recap

As promised, I’ve finally moved my TTRPG nonsense to the blog and my stream! Keep in mind, despite being a lover of all things fantasy and roleplay based, this is my first time playing D&D and there are a lot of things I’m still learning. Thankfully my GM Berrod is both gracious and patient with his knowledge by hosting small in-between sessions to go over our stats so improvements are constantly behind made! He hosts two games for my group, The Princes of the Apocalypse and Curse of Strahd, and I’ll be posting a small summary of each campaign thus far so it’s easier to follow on stream!

The PotA campaign is already an entire year into the story and I wasn’t smart enough to write down anything until this month. Nienne’s also not the sharpest shed in the tool when it comes to memorizing anything so a thousand pardons ahead of time when you catch a glimpse of the summary. Thankfully it’s Curse of Strahd day today! Agnes has documented everything thus far in character so I hope you’ll enjoy:

DM – Berrod/Jude.
Agnes (druid of the stars) – Sugarbat.
Kanga & Uhl (artificer) – Mero.
Drake (samurai fighter) – Bran.
Artem (wild magic sorcerer) – Jace.
Aelius (clockwork soul sorcerer) – Sun.
Fyriliht – paladin ????) – Deke.
Fakhiri (death domain cleric) – Wil.

Ch 1 – Wary Providence

Our story begins with Fyr and I taking residence in a tavern, away from the impeding chill outside. The rest of our destined party trickles in one by one, unknowing their arrival was foretold by my cards. One by one they were drawn as thus:

II of Swords – Drake
The Devil – Konga & Uhl
The Magician – Artem
The Star – Fyr

“A couple are sitting at the table beside us. They tug upon the curious thread of attention from others and eventually their words are heard, speaking as they stare intently into each other’s eyes:

“How can you be so beautiful?” He says.
“How can you be so cruel? How can you be so sadistic?” She answers.

The stalwart Fyr assists Uhl to surmise what they say to each other, visibly concerned when they realize the couple mimics everything they hear. I’m not, their purpose has been fulfilled in bringing us together.

Aelius and Drake speak with an elder woman sitting in the corner, her name is Rheya, also touched by the powers beyond to see far in time. She explains how the tavern keeps to its warmth and light, fearful of what remains outside, as it desires to hurt us and others whoever it comes into contact with.

“Should we..?”
“No, we wait for one more.”

My last card is drawn when a man enters the tavern, the Knight of Wands. His name is Aelius, brother to Artem and friend to Drake. Now we are complete. He knows this too, for he speaks through the fated couple unable to tear their gaze from one another..

“He is the ancient, he is the land.”

Ch. 2 – House of Moribund

The tavern moves and we along with it, transporting us to our first trial as the destined party to face the Undying One. The Death House, a living carcass hidden beneath rotting wood and gilded curtains. Lost souls remain inside as a warning to any soul alive who dares to explore its halls, leaving behind traces of sacrifice and false promises in the form of letters and shifting portraits. No matter what foe we’ve encountered, be they made of metal, bloodstained cloth or energy from the thereafter – they all whisper the same: One Must Die.

“I will not leave until this house is defeated,” Fyr states firmly.
“Then understand that we are pawns from the moment we stepped into this house.” We could not rewrite the fate of all who passed here but through Fyr’s determination, I could only give but a warning and follow the party to the darkest recesses of the house.

Our entourage barely escapes with their lives when we destroy the root of this evil, our lives were promised by Kanga. Their decision to remain behind as the last sacrifice gave us the opportunity to leave, unknowing its terrible foundation was cursed to rebuild itself the next day. Where our last member will soon meet an untimely tragedy with their party..

Ch 3 – Behind the Veil

We depart the foul grounds in search of sanctuary, finding a tavern ravished by time and decay in the village of Barovia located just nearby. It only takes a moment for us to realize it was the very same that tied us together but when our eyes meet with the bartender, his eyes are distant and only speak from memory. He does not remember us, only the wares which he sells.

A man with sensitive eyes approaches us, his name is Ismark Kolyanovich. Despite being surrounded by miserable company, his smile arrives easily and bids us follow him when realizing we were in need of shelter. Our wounds weren’t deep but our minds demanded rest. He takes us to his estate to meet his beloved sister, Ireena. She behaves more properly around strangers and regards us with wariness, all until we cross the blessed threshold that protects their home.

“It’s them! It must be.”

Ismark

Ismark and Ireena speak behind doors but their words rattle the walls, they are anything but quiet. Soon they will discover my abilities and ask for salvation through my drawing. I must be ready, whether I truly feel that way or not. So as the party sups on warm food and comforting spirits, Ismark finally asks me – the hope in his eyes makes me compelled to feel the same as my fingers slowly draw cards of five.

Card 1: “This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy.”
STRENGTH: REVERSED

“To move forward, we must look back. We are not ready as we are now, no. Insecurity defiles the gut and weakness makes the flesh soft. The ancient one. We must find the ancient one and sup upon his knowledge for only He understands the history and will relieve us of the shame of failure.”

Card 2: “This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope.”
EIGHT OF SWORDS :

“We are powerless against The Undying One. I feel them.. His cold, dead fingers tightened around our throats. Slowly, patiently – he will squeeze us to the very last drop. Use the sword to cut through the ropes of oppression and look towards hope, for there is a holy symbol awaiting us in the dark.”

Card 3: “This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight.”
QUEEN OF CUPS:

Someone of loving virtue and pure heart will find a cherished gift. One of sunlight. Yes, a treasure of warmth. Of kindness, of compassion. The Undying One will be cast down by what he lacks most.” (edited)

Card 4: “This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.”
PAGE OF SWORDS:

“Full of energy and good cheer, there is a glimpse of a soul who has not fallen to the sorrows of this wretched land. They will aid us in this battle and seek to chase away the darkness for good. We will cross their path but only the truly discerning eye will find them.”

Card 5: “Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him!”
QUEEN OF SWORDS:

“The Undying One is not a fool. His cold heart has forged a mind of sharp wit and immense power that none could ever hope to defeat but.. should the foolhardy be ready, we shall know where to find him. With a clear mind, even he cannot hope to hide from us long.”

We end the evening with a renewed sense of purpose; the siblings seem more comfortable and with full bellies, we are all called to rest.

Ch. 4 – A New Dawn

We rest in groups to keep each other safe, despite being promised safety by the siblings of this estate. In silence, we each consider what the reading foretells of our adventure before exhaustion settles and claims us to the land of slumber. The only reason we awake is by the sound of our door knocking, when I answer, there is but a kindly old man standing there with the claim upon his lips: the father of Ismark and Ireena.

He wished to view the faces within his home but with my companions still resting, I did not permit him a long audience and he soon took his leaf. During this visit, Drake dreams of an eerie forest and of someone who is observing him from the distance. A reassuring feeling that only lasts as long as his rest, when his door is knocked as well, revealing that same kindly old man. I’ve learned that Drake did not allow him to linger long either..

Perhaps it was luck that bade us behave so cautiously, for when we explained this encounter to the siblings their resolves were shaken to the very core.: their father had passed away only days ago from exhaustion. Suspicion settles in our blood and some part of me laments why the heavens guided Fahkiri to approach our party at this very hour, now torn from their party. Was there no other way? I consider this question often, pitying the souls who journeyed with them as they ventured to certain death. From the moment they breached the barrier, their fates were sealed..

Uhl builds loudly in the bedroom and I explore the halls as the group speaks to the newcomer, our Heirophant. Beasts see many things, even those small and considered pests, so my attentions fall upon a rat to find the truth: “This corpse, where did it come from?”

“Castle Ravenloft.” It hissed.
“How old is it?”
“Old as the land. He is the ancient, he is the land.”

In this moment, I only trust Fyri with this knowledge of being observed.

“Why not tell them?” His answer isn’t untoward.
“We cannot afford to have them panic and should move on.”

We do not remain very long after as the siblings accompany us, realizing their home is but an unguarded ruin of once was, and seek the Chapel. Perhaps the Undying One wishes to mock us because our path is again accosted by a new encounter but from a warm, sickeningly sweet. A smell of meat and spices so potent, it burns my nose. Hiding. An elder woman towing a cart filled with meat pies approaches door to door, smelling of spices and secrets…

I know this smell. I know this smell from every nightmare staining my soul but the most I can do is beg Uhl and Fyri to not purchase her expensive wares, they cannot know the truth. Yet despite my word the rest give into curiosity and the unfortunate Fahkiri samples this meat pie. One bite, then their eyes grow distant and slip away into a euphoric stupor. Poor soul.

With their curiosity sated we finally arrive at the Chapel to greet the secretive Father Donavich with the intent of burying the siblings’ true body in its respectful grave, ignorant to the scratching and starving soul that rests below the floorboards. It doesn’t take us long to find Doru chained and ravaged with hunger in the cellar, covered in his own filth with only bones to serve as a company. His father begged, Uhl questioned but

A part of me believes that Doru was given swift rest and despite Fyri’s terrifying blows, that he took pity on this soul made to survive through his heartbroken father. But what was it that summoned His carriage? Doru’s anguished scream? Father Donavich’s wailing cries? Or the scent of death in the air..

He’s here.

Ch. 5 – The Face of Evil

We watch helplessly when the carriage bearing Strahd’s symbol arrives at the church. I think of misery in store for us and when my eyes finally meet he does I finally understand the loss we will experience. Ignorance? Nay, pride. I’m but a shell but my heart couldn’t deny this feeling hammering in my chest. I was afraid.

Beauty and savage desire made flesh, more than a simple nightmare. We are spared by denying his entry to the church but are now given the Undying One’s full attention, leaving us with an invitation as my mind desperately clings to what sanity is left.

Ismark and Ireena pay little mind to His arrival because of Father Donavich, a man now crippled with grief as he lies upon the ground. He had lost his way from the moment he agreed to help his son survive yet we cannot help but feel pity for a father who had just lost their son. Fahkiri attempts to comfort the priest with more compassion, now sobered by Strahd’s presence with Uhl to approach the priest as well when we continue to the ceremony.

“I hope you feel better soon.”

Uhl

Though fleeting, I take a moment to enjoy this warmth as we all stand among the graveyard to overhear the ceremony. Many come to join the seance but they were not mean yet bats and ravens. Strange. One of them is not what they appear to be..

Keep the sword ready.

Father Donavich was moved by Uhl’s kindness to not attack us but he wishes to quit this mortal world by pleading with the party to end his life. Fyri remains behind to perform the killing blow and what mortality once existed inside his body departs as something more sinister replaces it, whispering to them. “Your gods are not here.”

As the ravens fly west and the bats to the northeast, our party returns to the city but not without incident. Ismark is bitten, his flesh claimed by Him when we were distracted by the unwelcome visitor. Ireena doesn’t hesitate to protect her brother against our party’s wary suspicions and it warms my heart still; to have someone by your side even in such toil.

Eventually, we reach an agreement and make haste to the estate so that we may pack, for it is no longer safe. To Vallaki.

No…

Ch. 6 – Courage

The undead marches and continues to ravage Barovia’s citizens. We bring an end to them and their organized numbers but are left with few answers, only more questions.

“Praise be our god.”

If none exist, whom do they mean? Dead men tell no tales, they say, yet they leave behind memories and mementos of who they once were. Many of our enemies tonight wore clothes of silk and tattered rags, all the same when they embrace death. Fyri swells with pride as they die all the same to his blade and seeks to send a message to Strahd with bravery – could I ever possibly feel as certain as he does?

Ch. 7 – The Black Parade

We take to the open road in search of Vallaki and the hidden group of nhamdi. Despite knowing it is our destined path, I do not refuse our wish to visit the nhamdi camp first to assist Artem and Aelius to explore their people yet the venture is treacherous. Every path we are observed by Him and unable to see ahead without his shadows forcing our feet and eyes to only glance forward.

“They may serve him, wait until they name him first.” Ireena gives us a reasonable warning to consider when we finally reach the nhamdi camp but are caught off guard when we’re welcomed so warmly: food, shelter, and information given to us freely. Omalaade is one of the few who stand out before me, wrapped with empathy but also experience – she is like me too. She says I am much stronger but she is blessed with so much more than I..

And in this camp do we find proper answers. They serve Strahd out of convenience and are given many splendors to properly survive on this land, so long as they carry out his bidding. Stories are shared of how many heroes before us attempt to sway their minds, one, in particular, being an old wizard, but their decision remains steadfast. I do not blame them. With each other can, they truly find peace in this cursed land..

Yet no amount of delicious food or dancing could chase away the chill of what came next. As if stepping from the very pages of Omalaade’s story, the dead rise from the forest and make their solemn trek down the empty roads in numerous lines. They all journey to Strahd’s castle, having lost to his might and now doomed to repeat the same path over and over again.

One of them must be familiar to Fyri for he is suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. When I reached to comfort him, he denied my touch and spoke with unsettling fury. “I’m going to kill him.” Did his ally perish? Another one lost.. and now I’m left to wonder how many before me predicted this same destined path, the same which led all of these souls to their restless prison. Will my sight truly bring us to Strahd’s end?

“I am not the only one.”
“The stars have sent others like me.”

My heart is heavy with doubt and loneliness. Omalaade keeps me company still..

Ch. 8 – Fear & Duty

Our party slumbers when Drake slips into another dream once more but the warm smell of breakfast brings everyone awake. I’ve been attentive since dawn because my heart longs for guidance so I look to the skies for answers as my fingers draw the card. The breeze caresses my veil and flows to the west…

The Ten of Wands.
Accomplishment. Responsibility. Burden.

Yes.. you would have me return to Vallaki. And other things, too. Our entourage is given letters by the Lord of this land by someone unknown and though everyone hesitates to read, I do not. He will not possess my fear.. my duty remains as it should and so I read. He spoke of longing for my company, for the word of my siblings…

“You always were my favorite.”

Strahd

Old wounds, crusted with old blood. Dark memories and sorrow. He remembered me? The rest keep their letters but every expression appears the same – he’s angered them. Taunted them. Now we are instilled with something beyond sadness but defiance: we deny his invitation and will not go to his castle. Instead, we seek the open road once more and must pass the accursed windmill that is the Old Bonegrinder.

No, I won’t go back to this place.

Fyri yells, the smell of spices stain the air, a familiar song – I can’t breathe..

I put my hands over both ears and my words ring loudly to drown out everything. Everyone is fighting, the song is only getting louder, we can’t stay here. I can’t go back!

Witch, old witch, how do you fly?
On a broomstick going by.

Witch, old witch, what do you wear?
Black old clothes and uncombed hair.

It’s an old song we used to sing as children, my sisters and I, when we wanted to scare each other during our walk home from the bakery. We longed for adventure but did not brave to venture beyond the gates of Vallaki – knowing who lurks in the forest..

Witch, old witch, what do you eat?
Little green bugs and pickled pigs feet.

Witch, old witch, what do you drink?
Apple cidar vinegar and midnight ink.

It’s too late. They come! Uhl’s small body is carried in my arms and I clutch onto her so tightly, desperate to keep her safe. They won’t take her either. I won’t let them. The mist surrounds us and their shrill cries pierce whatever resolve was built inside of my fragile heart; there is nothing left but fear.

I don’t want to go home.