Campaign Notes
Session 1
The party enters Barovia and is attacked by wolves. They arrive at a village where two children beg for their help in the cursed Durst Manor.
Session 2
The party begins to explore the Durst Manor, encountering strange phenomena and uncovering secrets of the house's dark past.
Session 3
As the party ventures further into the Durst Manor, they face disturbing hauntings and lethal traps, pushing them deeper into danger.
Session 4
The party faces the chanting cultists at the altar and is forced to make a grim sacrifice, culminating in an encounter with a terrible beast.
Session 5
The party meets Ismark Kolyanovich in the Blood on the Vine Tavern and learns about his sister Ireena's connection to Strahd. They agree to help transport Ireena to safety but must first lay their father to rest at the village cemetery, setting the stage for a deeper confrontation with Barovia's dangers.
Session 6
The party assists Ismark in burying his father in Barovia, where Elora has a brief but chilling encounter with Strahd at the cemetery gates. Afterward, the group rushes back to protect Ireena, only to discover strange happenings at the mansion.
Session 7
The party visits Madam Eva at Tser Pool and receives a cryptic reading about their future. Later, they reach the Old Bonegrinder windmill, where they encounter strange happenings, leading to a tense exploration as they uncover dark secrets within.
Session 8-9
The party explores the Old Bonegrinder windmill and discovers disturbing details about its residents. Their investigation leads to a dangerous confrontation with the hags inhabiting the windmill, marking a significant turning point in their journey through Barovia.
Session 10
Following their confrontation at the Old Bonegrinder, the party reflects on their decisions while tending to the children they rescued. With renewed focus, they begin their journey toward Vallaki, navigating through the foreboding wilderness and preparing for the complexities awaiting them in the mysterious town.
Session 11
The party arrives in Vallaki, where they encounter Rictavio and the locals at the Blue Water Inn. After a night of intrigue involving the Wachter brothers and a runaway tiger, Rictavio reveals his true identity as a spy and hands over the Tome of Strahd, providing vital insight into Strahd’s past and future plans.
Session 12
After investigating the missing bones at St. Andral's Church, the party heads to the orphanage, where they discover that a demon has possessed one of the children. After an intense battle, the group successfully traps the demon, but not before uncovering several disturbing truths about Vallaki's vulnerabilities.
Session 13
The party uncovers the location of the stolen bones, leading them to a tense encounter with Henrik van der Voort at the coffin shop. Meanwhile, Pelanil and Bardolf disrupt an execution in the town square, creating chaos as they face off against Izek Strazni. Strahd’s influence looms as the party navigates these converging events.
Session 14
Chaos erupts in Vallaki as Elora and Shalooti battle vampire spawn to recover St. Andral’s bones. Strahd arrives, manipulating events and charming Elora into almost handing over the relic, only for the party to regroup and narrowly escape the growing danger.
Session 15
Strahd kills Pelanil after he mercy-kills Ireena, leaving the church in chaos as the vampire spawn rampage through Vallaki. The party fights to save as many lives as they can, with Father Lucian offering a valuable gift in gratitude for their heroism.
Session 16
Pelanil mysteriously returns to life, though drastically changed in appearance, unsettling the party and casting doubt on his state of mind. Meanwhile, the Keepers of the Feather reveal their true nature, and Izek shares the tragic history of his family with Elora, deepening her understanding of their past.
Session 17
The party departs Vallaki, encountering a celebration in the distance that sparks concerns about their past actions. After reaching the Luna River Crossroads, they face off against berserkers and discover that vampire spawn have been tracking them, revealing vital information about Ireena’s fate at the Abbey of Saint Markovia.
Session 18
The party encounters giant spiders in Argynvostholt, leading to a fiery confrontation. Afterward, they explore the castle and meet the ethereal dragon Argynvost, who reveals the castle's tragic history and his desire to rekindle the beacon to help his lost knights find peace.
Session 19
The party encounters Vladimir Horngaard, who expresses disdain for Strahd and warns against interfering with Barovia's fate. Despite his madness, they manage to surprise him in combat, ultimately defeating him and claiming the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, although his spectral warriors remain as a lingering threat.
Session 20
The party faces the undead Vladimir Horngaard in a battle for his sword, leading to the arrival of Sir Godfrey Gwilym, who reveals the history of the Order of the Silver Dragon. As they learn about the missing skull and the beacon's significance, the party agrees to help restore it, setting the stage for their next quest.
Session 21
The party stealthily navigates through the Wizard of Wines vineyard, evading a horde of needle blights before bursting into the winery. Inside, they confront a mysterious Forest Folk woman and a deranged man wielding a cursed staff, leading to intense battles and new discoveries as they fight for control over the situation.
Session 22
The party enjoys a brief rest at the Martikovs' winery, where they share a meal and hear tales of the forest folk and the challenges facing the vineyard. Meanwhile, Pelanil discovers a hidden cave with a familiar face, leading to shocking revelations and the acquisition of the Gulthias Staff, which grants him control over the blights threatening the winery.
Session 23
Pelanil recalls a pact with the dark power Menigal, receiving an ominous offer. Meanwhile, the party explores Yester Hill, discovering the Blood Spear of Kavan and facing off against a ritual to summon Wintersplinter.
Session 24
The party engages in a fierce battle against the Forest Folk while attempting to destroy a cursed statue. After a chaotic encounter, they unwittingly awaken the massive tree creature, Wintersplinter, but quick thinking and a clever spell transform it into a small crab, allowing them to reclaim a glowing green gem and defeat the threat, sending the Forest Folk into a panic.
Session 25
The party encounters a man with wolf pups on their way to the winery, leading to a deadly battle with werewolves and dire wolves. Afterward, they return to the Martikovs, uncovering dark truths about lycanthropy, and set plans to find a cure for Bardolf's newfound curse.
Session 26
The party secures Bardolf in the cellar for the night, but chaos ensues when Pelanil finds him missing and a gruesome scene in the cellar. After encountering a mysterious woman named Muriel, they set out to confront Baba Lysaga, facing dangerous challenges as they navigate the swamps toward her hut.
Session 27
The party wraps up in Berez, Bardolf takes his medicine, and the group relights the beacon at Argynvostholt As they exit, the party encounters a mysterious black carriage waiting for them.
Session 28
The party arrives at Castle Ravenloft where Strahd hosts an extravagant meal, revealing his motivations for pursuing Ireena and his regrets about killing Pelanil. He offers a proposition to the party, inviting them to hunt down Rudolph van Richten in exchange for their freedom from Barovia.
Session 29
Pelanil receives a divine vision, while Elora meets with Strahd, who tempts her with an offer of alliance. The party leaves Castle Ravenloft with weighty decisions ahead.
Session 30
The party arrives in Krezk, meets the Burgomaster, and uncovers the town’s troubles, including mysterious livestock disappearances. Meanwhile, Pelanil ventures to the Abbey to confront the enigmatic Abbot, setting the stage for future challenges.
Session 31
Pelanil receives healing from the Abbot, severing his connection with Menigal. The party learns unsettling truths about the Abbot’s creation of Vasilka and his gruesome plans for Ireena's body.
Session 32
The party shops at a quirky thrift store in Krezk before delivering wine for the Wizard of Wines. They meet Ezmerelda, who reveals her connection to van Richten, while Pelanil resurrects Blinsky, leading to an unexpected birthday celebration.
Session 33
The party reaches Van Richten’s Tower, solving puzzles, exploring its enchanted elevator, and uncovering shocking truths about Van Richten’s past. Tensions rise as they navigate the dynamics between Van Richten and Ezmerelda, while preparing for their perilous journey to the Amber Temple.
Session 34
The party leaves Van Richten’s tower, navigating treacherous mountain roads toward the Amber Temple. Along the way, they fend off wolves, face animated gargoyles at a portcullis gate, and spot a mysterious black-cloaked rider guarding a bridge ahead.
Session 35
The party rests in a guard tower near Tsolenka Pass, hearing tales of the Roc of Mount Ghakis. At the Amber Temple, they battle flaming statues, uncover secret passages, and encounter a mysterious fox-like creature hiding inside the colossal statue’s chest, leading to a chaotic clash.
Session 36
The party meets Neferon, a forgetful arcanaloth who warns them away from the dark powers sealed in the Amber Temple. After tea and cryptic insights, they uncover an ancient library guarded by a lich and finally recover the Sunsword from a vast trove of treasure.
Session 37
The party consults the lich and discovers a scale model of Castle Ravenloft, gaining valuable insight into its layout. On their way down the mountain with a chariot full of treasure, they fend off wolves, survive a Roc attack, and are rescued by a drunken, broom-riding Mordenkainen.
Session 38
After escaping the Roc thanks to Mordenkainen’s wild broomstick flight, the party regroups at the Wizard of Wines for five days of rest and preparation. With allies gathered and strategies set, they share a somber, joyful final meal before their assault on Castle Ravenloft begins.