Journal of Rollo Lavius 2

Entry #340 - Madame Eva

(G340 30/12/2017 via Roll20 - AP(GM), JF) RL10

[Apologies once again dear reader for muddling up all my notes again, I really should sort them out at some point, but anyway, here is another portion of my adventures in the lands around Barovia.]

DAY 346 (13th Alturaik)(February) cont...

It was the morning after the attack of the Dire Bears. While the others packed up the camp I flew back to Barovia, purchased a couple of new magic bedrolls from the General Store (which did a small sideline in magic items thankfully!) and flew back.

They were still only half finished breakfast the lazy lot. I suppose the fact that this was all leading up to some big showdown with a powerful vampire was something that made people drag their feet.

We arrived at a junction in the afternoon and saw an armoured man with a silver sword and a raven charging into a graveyard to take on some undead shadows. He had long black hair and a short beard.

An amulet in the shape of a raven's head hung around his neck.

Well, the shadows were easily dealt with, in that Sylvia used her Turning powers and made them all run away. The man introduced himself as Sir Urik, a Knight of the Raven. He was devoted to battling undead and he had a celestial raven by his side.

Since he was alone it seemed logical he should join us. It appeared we were collecting up everyone that had a grudge against the undead in the while county. Just to recap incase you had forgotten, this was our line up:

Rollo - me! A druid and in theory the leader of this whole enterprise.

Sylvia - A cleric of Sylvanus and also my second cousin. Usually grumpy.

Yli - A scout and expert marksman along for the adventure. He is a xeph, a race known for their mental powers. I like him, except that while he doesn't want to lead our gang he does like to be highly critical of every decision that I make!

Tie Pie - Fairly annoying half-elf sorcerer. Friend of Yli.

Ashlyn - Cleric of Lythander. Pretty serious sort of lady.

Ireena Kolyana - Lady from Barovia, daughter of the dead Burgomaster. Handy with a sword.

Sir Urik - a Knight of the Raven, whatever that is.

And don't forget Fluffy the dire wolf and Rolanda the awakened rat!

Well anyway, later that day we arrived at our destination, the Tser Pool where the camp of the

people that Madame Eva lived with was. The place was a typical sort of 'gypsy' encampment. Covered wagons and large tents being much in evidence. We were ushered in to the one containing Madame Eva.

She was enormous, a hugely corpulent woman who took up half of the space in the tent.

I handed over the hamper of goodies I had taken as a good will offering but she didn't seem that bothered. I think it got handed out to the gypsies later on.

She told my fortune for ten gold(using cards) and among other things related information which I will now here record:

On Strahd:

'In his castle. You will find him on his throne, the lord of the castle seeks a lady - but he'll consume her.'

On the Sun Sword:

'Blade of light, a weapon for vengeance. Seek it in a place of commerce. In a shop of a merchant.

The sword's light sleeps, to wake the sword, take it to join the ancient lore of the castle.

The library is a place of wisdom, warmth and despair.

On the Holy Symbol:

'Find it from a place of death, the symbol is buried, entombed. The holiness needs hands of holiness to touch it. You must bring it to the other treasures of the castle. I see a blazing fire where the lord protects his wealth.'

On the Tome of Strahd:

'Holds knowledge of the ancient and knowledge of the land. The tome lies in the place of the officers of the king upheld his word. Look under the main floor of the castle in a place of shadow and despair.

If you delve into its secrets, discover the lord's strength, and how to remove it.

You must find the three defiled places in the tome. In each fane you must find the three relics - put together and destroy them.

On the Undead in Barovia:

'Death walks the streets of Barovia... Oh, I see by the cards you have already dealt with that!'

We spent the night at the gypsy camp.

DAY 347 (14th Alturaik)(February)

Here we are back at the 'Dead Dire Bear Camp'!

Before I sleep, just a few lines on today.

We went back to the crossroads where we met Sir Urik.

I looked over the gravestones here but nothing gave any clues. I didn't want to dig up every grave on the off chance there was a Holy Symbol in it, so we went on our way.

DAY 348 (15th Alturaik)(February)

It was dark evening by the time we got back to Barovia today. Nothing of interest happened on the road.

They seemed happy to see us back at the tavern.

Even though it was late me and some of the others went to the General Store and disturbed

Bildrath the shopkeeper. He told us he was shut for the day, but after I explained it was rather important he let us in.

The useless old git didn't think he had any magic swords for sale but after 20 minutes of turning the place upside down we found it, a bastard sword glowing with a dim blue light.

He then charged us 1335 gold for it! Greedy old bugger, remind me not to save his shop if I ever see zombies attacking it.

Next we went over to the graveyard. I remembered there was something about the grave of a personage called Mihail Latcu that had looked odd. Despite the fact that he had been buried years ago it looked freshly dug.

So, with some borrowed shovels we moved a bit of earth and found a tunnel under the gravestone.

The tunnel led down to an earthen chamber that had a few undead in it I could scarcely identify. A skeleton with big claws and teeth, another think that might have been an undead monk and yet another thing that had a siren's call that caused general confusion.

With so many clerics and paladins crowding into the place though they stood no chance and were swiftly dispatched, even when Sylvia bungled her attempted turning of the siren thing.

There were also three coffins, but none of them contained a Holy Symbol as I had been hoping.

Well, here we are back at the tavern and I am recording these lines before going to bed. I miss my wife terribly now. I am half tempted to leave them all too it, fly away and find her.