In the cold, shadowed hallways of Castle Ravenloft, where the line between the living and the dead is as thin as a spider’s silk, our intrepid adventurers found themselves once again in the catacombs. Despite their varied skills and magics, the history and secrets of Sergei von Zarovich eluded them, leaving more questions than answers. Seeking solace in the sanctified room, they fortified their position against the night, hoping to ward off the malevolent forces that roamed the castle. The night passed with whispers of unseen creatures and the fluttering of distant wings, yet the dawn greeted them unscathed, their spirits and strength renewed for the trials ahead.

Their journey through the castle’s dark corridors led them to a crypt, its door bearing the name “King Troisky, the three-faced King.” With a display of brute strength, Maledurk pried open the crypt, revealing a room devoid of remains but holding a helm of peculiar design. This steel helm, adorned with visors depicting a range of emotions, sparked intrigue and caution. A trap, cleverly hidden beneath the marble slab, was disarmed with cunning and care, revealing the dangers that lurked even in death’s domain.

As they delved deeper into the castle’s heart, they encountered a room that mirrored the darkness of Strahd’s soul. A black marble staircase descended into a tomb, its coffin and alcoves shrouded in conjuration magic and malice. It was here, amidst the disturbed earth, that they faced the spectral brides of Strahd. The battle that ensued was a testament to their courage and resolve. With spells and steel, they stood against the unholy might of the vampire brides. The Sun Sword’s radiant light, Tempest’s crackling bolts of lightning, and the strategic might of their allies turned the tide, though not without cost.

As the last of the spectral brides fell, a moment of respite allowed them to catch their breath, their spirits buoyed by the victory but weighed down by the knowledge of battles yet to come. Thus, the adventurers, bound by fate and forged in battle, stood ready to face the darkness that awaited them. The path ahead was fraught with peril, but in their hearts burned the unquenchable flame of hope, a light that Strahd von Zarovich could never extinguish.

Notes
  • The session begins with a casual greeting and a brief mention of the group’s previous decision to sleep in a stairwell.
  • During their rest, a floating candelabra, seemingly carried by an invisible entity, startled the group awake when it was hit and fell to the floor.
  • The noise attracted the attention of a man in a nearby jail cell, who called out to the group. Upon investigation, they found him to be Emil Toranescu from the village of Barovia, who had been captured by castle guards after being chased by dire wolves.
  • Emil agreed to join the group in their fight against Strahd after they decided to release him from his cell.
  • While exploring the jail cells, the group found platinum coins with images of Castle Ravenloft and Strahd on them, which they collected.
  • They discovered a secret door in the northeastern cell, which Maledurk managed to open, revealing a secret passage they had previously encountered.
  • The group ventured into a well-maintained white marble room containing a large coffin with the name Sergei von Zarovich. Upon magically opening the coffin, they found a man in shining armor but decided against taking the tarnished sword inside, feeling it would be desecration.
  • Elora felt a strong sense of goodness and holiness in the room, unlike anywhere else in the castle, leading to discussions about the room’s significance and Sergei’s identity.
  • The group speculated about Sergei’s possible holy status, considering the presence of angel statues and the overall sanctity of the room.
  • Despite having various skills and spells, the group realized they lacked the ability to directly learn more about Sergei’s history or communicate with him.
  • They noticed a black blob near the coffin but dismissed it as a drawing error.
  • The group contemplated exploring further areas of the castle but decided to complete their rest in the sanctified room, theorizing it might ward off evil.
  • They took precautions for a secure rest, including lowering a portcullis and setting up a watch.
  • During the watch, Elora heard occasional shuffling and the fluttering of wings, suggesting the presence of creatures in the catacombs, but the night passed without incident.
  • After completing their rest, the group felt rejuvenated, with all hit points and spell slots restored. They prepared to explore another area of the castle, specifically interested in a location they believed might be central to the castle’s secrets.
  • The session concluded with the group preparing to investigate further, with all members fully rested and ready for the challenges ahead.
  • The group discusses an upgrade to their character sheets but notes it’s not implemented yet.
  • They encounter a crypt door identical to others they’ve seen, labeled “King Troisky, the three-faced King.”
  • Using a crowbar, Maledurk opens the crypt without needing to roll due to his strength.
  • Inside, they find a 10x10 room with a marble slab but no remains, only a steel helm with a visor shaped like an angry face.
  • Emil, accompanying the group, does not recognize the helm or its angry face design.
  • The design of the helm’s face is noted to be exaggerated, likely for visibility from a distance.
  • Upon closer inspection, the marble slab has tiny holes in a grid pattern around where the helm sits, suggesting a mechanism or trap.
  • Maledurk’s perception reveals the holes are too small for most to notice and lead to an empty space beneath the slab.
  • The group speculates on the purpose of the holes, considering possibilities like poison gas or darts.
  • Maledurk recalls similar traps from past adventures, suggesting the helm might be a trigger for a trap.
  • The group plans to replace the helm with sand to avoid triggering any potential trap.
  • They decide to use a rope to remove the helm from a distance, considering the use of clairvoyance to observe the room safely.
  • Upon removing the helm, dark green gas fills the crypt, observed through clairvoyance, but dissipates without spreading outside.
  • The group retrieves the helm without triggering further traps, noting it appears unchanged.
  • Maledurk attempts to wear the helm but finds it does not fit his non-human head shape, indicating the helm does not magically adjust to the wearer.
  • The party examines a three-faced steel helm, noting its sturdy construction and minimal scuff marks, suggesting recent dragging across a stone floor.
  • The helm features three visors that can be pulled down to reveal different expressions: angry, happy, and sad, reminiscent of drama masks representing tragedy and comedy.
  • The inscription “king choice key the three-faced king” is recalled, linking to the helm’s three expressions.
  • The helm fits over the head but is uncomfortable for elf ears and significantly reduces peripheral vision, making it impractical for combat but still protective.
  • The party discusses the helm’s potential magical properties and decides to test if changing the visor’s expression affects the wearer’s emotions, but no effects are observed.
  • A Detect Magic spell reveals no magic emanating from the helm, but its unique three-visor design is noted as unusual.
  • The party explores further into Castle Ravenloft, deciding to investigate the southern area after considering other directions.
  • They encounter a portcullis leading to a room with black marble stairs descending into a dark tomb, contrasting with a previously encountered room of white marble.
  • The room contains a shining black coffin with brass fittings and three empty alcoves, with conjuration magic detected in two side alcoves.
  • Elora senses a strong presence of evil in the room, and the party debates how to approach the coffin and alcoves, considering the use of Dispel Magic and physical investigation.
  • The party notices disturbed dirt in the room, indicating potential grave sites, and decides to investigate, leading to the emergence of three spectral brides from the ground.
  • A battle ensues with the spectral brides, involving the use of weapons and spells, with the party strategizing and reacting to the threats posed by the brides.
  • The session includes tactical combat decisions, character interactions, and the exploration of magical and physical challenges within the context of Castle Ravenloft.
  • The players are engaged in combat within Castle Ravenloft, facing off against Strahd’s vampire brides.
  • A player character uses the Sun Sword to attack a vampire bride, successfully hitting with both attacks. The sword’s light seems to have a greater impact on the vampire than non-magical weapons.
  • Tempest, another player character, decides to use a Lightning Bolt spell, aiming to hit multiple enemies while avoiding hitting an ally, Maledurk. The spell hits three vampire brides, causing significant damage but not defeating them.
  • The vampire brides retaliate, with one managing to hit Maledurk. However, due to Maledurk being in a rage, the damage received is halved.
  • Elora casts Enlarge/Reduce on one of the vampire brides, successfully shrinking her. This reduces the damage the bride can deal.
  • Emile, an NPC ally, transforms into a werewolf and attempts to attack a vampire bride but misses.
  • Grestkrendreghk Elassayl Thorn (referred to as Storm in the transcript) uses a Firebolt cantrip against a vampire bride, dealing damage but not defeating her.
  • The shrunken vampire bride attempts to attack Maledurk but misses due to its reduced size.
  • Maledurk decides to perform a reckless attack against the shrunken vampire bride, hitting with both attacks due to the advantage granted by the reckless attack feature.
  • Tempest uses a spell with a careful spell modification to avoid hitting allies, managing to defeat two of the vampire brides with lightning damage. The remaining bride appears affected by the brightness of Tempest’s spell.
  • Elora attempts to finish off the last standing vampire bride with a quarterstaff attack, taking advantage of the bride’s blinded state to gain advantage on the attack roll.
  • Throughout the combat, the players utilize their abilities and spells effectively, managing to deal significant damage to the vampire brides while coordinating to minimize harm to each other.
  • A critical hit was achieved, but the damage rolled was only one.
  • The GM announced they needed to leave due to having a movie to catch, suggesting the players could continue to play and resolve the battle without them.
  • The players decided to continue the battle, with a character named “the meal” (likely a typo or nickname for a character) taking their turn.
  • “The meal” successfully hit their target and attempted to bite it.
  • Following this action, “the meal” managed to finish off the last enemy, concluding the battle.
  • The players took a moment to breathe as the three enemy bodies fell, marking the end of the combat encounter.
  • The session was called to a close at this point, with acknowledgments and farewells exchanged among the players and the GM, identified as Brian.