Curse of Strahd; his POV

[cosblogs]

Mental Check of the Party Members

Marius: Wracked with Guilt and Self-Loathing

Marius is in a state of severe emotional distress. He carries the psychological weight of being the one to kill Ireena, an act she begged him to perform to save her from a "fate worse than death," but one that has left him "bloodied in spirit". He is further destabilized by Strahd’s personal curse that he will remain "unloved, unwanted, forever". His mental landscape is dominated by the fear that he is becoming the very monster he hunts.

Izek Strazni: Instinctual, Feral, and Fragile

Izek’s mental status is precarious and animalistic. Following his transformation into a vampire spawn, he has been reduced to a "skeletal," rasping creature driven by a predatory "Thirst". He suffers from a loss of identity and recognition, showing no sign of knowing his sister, Celeste, yet he retains "flickers" of his former self through his obsessive protective instincts and a youthful, competitive rivalry with Elrohir. He is currently hiding from social interactions, choosing to "lock himself in a room with a stray cat" rather than face complex emotions.

Celeste: Resilient but Haunted by "The Darkest Gift"

Celeste is determined but burdened by immense trauma. She is plagued by grief over the death of Karl Watcher and the realization that she "fell" when she chose to consume the tongues (souls) of her enemies for power. While she has chosen to "rise again" under the guidance of Uno, she is still followed by the "terrifying" psychological presence of Nibble, whom remains on her mind. Her mental state is currently focused on the "weight of broken promises" and the desperate need to save her brother.

The Mad Mage (Kain): Fragmented and Terror-Stricken

Kain is psychologically unmoored and suffering from "nightmaric" insomnia. After permanently sacrificing his memories to save Riley, he is "done with chasing the past" but has no foundation for his current identity. He is paralyzed by a nightmare where black sand pours from Riley's eyes and mouth, representing his failure to protect her. His trauma has caused his magic to "backfire" and "twist into horrors" like suffocation and sinking sand, leading him to refuse to sleep entirely.

Elrohir: Detached and Increasingly Corrupted

Elrohir’s mental status is defined by emotional detachment and creeping corruption. As a being of the Feywild, they lack the emotional framework to understand human love or grief, leading to a sense of isolation within the party. More concerning is the loss of control over their own magic; their echoes have become "malicious reflections" with blackened eyes that act with independent violence, such as when one stabbed the Mad Mage.

Merlin: Vigilant, Predatory, and Deeply Lonely

Merlin is hyper-vigilant and anchored by ancient loneliness. While he maintains a mask of "surgical precision" in controlling his thirst, he is secretly terrified by a "clicking" stalker that follows him, fearing it reflects his own growing bloodlust. His mental stability depends entirely on his hope that Caelum is the reincarnation of his husband, a fixation that mirrors Strahd’s own obsession with lost souls.

Vestri: Steadfast but Guarded

Vestri remains the most mentally stable, acting as a spiritual anchor for the group. He is focused on building bonds through "simple company," specifically attempting to reach Izek by validating the boy's anger toward Ibrynn. However, he remains an outsider in a group of "Replaceable Strangers," navigating a city where he is viewed with "thinly veiled hatred".

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An atmospheric podcast-style discussion between two hosts analyzing Kain, also known as the Mad Mage—a brilliant archmage whose power, memory, and identity have been fractured by the horrors of the campaign. Parts 1 to 5.

[cosblogs]

The bells tolled. The Stunorians thought nightfall meant safety. They were wrong.

Vestri—arms linked with two ladies, falling through a weak door—blended in. Merlin—silent, unseen, observing.

Quintess de Clemence took the stage. The crowd answered her ritualistic calls:“Who hears the silence?” — The Prophet. “Who carries the horn?” — The Prophet. “Who shields us from the night?” — The Prophet. “And who grants us this day?” — The Shadow.

Then the confessions began.

Deviances, suspicions… then serious accusations. Three were taken. Merlin’s eyes never left Bethany.

“Shadow upon horn. Horn upon us. Prophet before us. Prophet within us. We breathe as one. We speak as one. And in silence… we are safe.”

Bethany pulled Merlin to the teahouse. Spiders, whispers, rumors. Caelum Emberthane was discussed in detail—hair of flame, amber eyes flickering blue, blacksmith and collector of stones. Merlin suspected reincarnation… of his lost love. He would have to see him.

Meanwhile, Vestri returned—and nearly became Izek’s next victim. A knife stopped just in time. Apologies given. Trust tested.

Elrohir explored the church: burned books, a holy text of the Morninglord tainted with aberration magic, an immovable piano, and a peculiar artifact—the Cup of Borrowed Memory.

Drink from it, and live another’s memory for a minute.

Vestri stayed awake, talking with Izek—trust, betrayal, what it means to rely on others. They found kinship in blunt, honest exchange. Elrohir quietly took over watch.

Marius crafted bolts with grim ingenuity: feathers from a fallen nest, twine, and arrow shafts. Merlin returned, producing more bolts, and shared gossip from the sermon and teahouse.

Then the Mad Mage awoke.

Panic, nightmares of the Infinite Staircase. Memories of Riley twisted into horror. Sand poured from her eyes, ears, mouth. He refused sleep. Spells became terrors under his mind’s eye. Merlin suggested drawing.

The Mad Mage’s hand took over, sketching Riley’s black-sanded face—haunting, unrelenting, impossible to ignore. And in the darkness of the church, surrounded by the dead and undead alike, one truth remained: Barovia does not wait for you to be ready. It consumes everything you are—and everything you love.

[cosblogs]

In Vallaki… you don’t stop the horror. You watch it.

The party splits.

Vestri gathers whispers at the Blue Water Inn—and finds only grief. Urwin has lost everything. Elsewhere, walls are climbed. Rules are ignored. The city is entered anyway.

Inside, the Watcher house breathes death. Karl waits. Preserved. Not gone. A fake mark is stitched into flesh.

Because in this Vallaki—you are what the system says you are.

Then the screaming starts. A market. Broken stalls. Panic. Children in red lotus robes. A stag. Not dead. Not alive. Suffering. They chant. They carve. They offer it up to Ibrynn. “Bear witness. Do not intervene.” The stag breaks free.

Not violent. Desperate.

The guards arrive. Order is restored. The stag is killed. Because pain doesn’t matter. Only obedience does.

Merlin sees the truth. And does nothing. Because sometimes survival means letting the wrong thing happen.

The children are taken. Still chanting. Still believing. The city closes in again. Questions. Marks. Weapons.

Elrohir talks fast. The Mad Mage talks nonsense. It works.

(It shouldn’t.)

Refuge is needed. The inn is unsafe. The streets are watched. So they choose the worst option: The desecrated church.

Inside—faith is gone.

Zombies work as slaves. A monument to Bane rises from stolen labor. Oleg leaves. The dead are dropped beneath the floor. Waiting. The party remains. Above ground. Below them—something stirs.

And in Vallaki, for the first time— they understand the rule completely: If you see something wrong… you weren’t supposed to stop it.

[cosblogs]

Welcome to Vallaki. You can’t just walk in anymore.

You sign. You bleed. You obey.

Unless, of course— you don’t have blood.

Half the party makes it inside. The rest? Locked out. Because in Barovia, even cities have rules now.

And they’re worse than the wilderness.

Contracts. Enchanted. Binding. Watching. Guards who don’t smile. A system that doesn’t bend.

But somehow— there’s still gossip.

Bethany appears like a breath of something almost normal. Romance. Drama. Scandal. For a moment, Vallaki feels alive again. Then reality returns.

Payment is collected:

— gold

— blood

Enough to survive. Not enough to feel clean.

Celeste—Julie now—glows wrong. Yellow instead of blue. A disguise that doesn’t hide what she is, only shifts it. Like a sunflower blooming in a place that forgot the sun.

Then the bells ring. And Ibrynn speaks.

Not as a man. As a prophet.

His voice fills the square. His presence bends the crowd. Hatred wrapped in faith. Control wrapped in devotion.

People cheer.

And the worst part?

Some of them mean it.

The party moves. Quietly. Carefully. Graveyard. Watcher house.

Inside— a body. Karl.

And more than just Karl. Death has already happened here.Now comes the harder question: Do you undo it? Because resurrection isn’t kindness in Barovia. It’s consequence.

And somewhere between decisions, deals, and disguises—

a new name surfaces.

Caelum. Familiar. Too familiar.

And for a moment— the past presses too close to the present. Something clicks. Something connects.

And the realization hits like a quiet horror:

Maybe this place hasn’t just been watching them. Maybe it’s been waiting.

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The woods don’t stay quiet in Barovia. Not even after you kill them.

The party stands over the frozen corpse of a Grave Behemoth—until it splits open and the dead crawl back out. The final moments are chaos: lightning misfires, bodies fly, and Elrohir’s echo returns wrong this time—black-eyed, obedient, watching. Celeste kills it by accident. Then the last zombie. Silence again.

For a moment. Sometimes the worst decisions start small.

“Hey, what if I just bite the snake?”

Reader. The snake was poisonous.

The party investigates the aftermath of the Grave Behemoth—no treasure, no answers, just rot and questions. The snakes look edible.

They are not.

Poison glands get harvested anyway. Because if Barovia teaches you anything, it’s that everything is a resource if you’re desperate enough.

Then the dead return. Again. Maddie answers with fire. Also with lightning.

Mostly to his own face. (Effective disengage, though.)

Elrohir’s echo? Still wrong. Still watching. Still copying—just a little too perfectly. Combat becomes a dance of not hitting your own allies while pretending to.

It works. Barely.

They move on.

And Barovia, as always, offers choices that aren’t really choices:

— a man bound to an infinite string (do not touch)

— a tree that isn’t a tree

— and Yarrow, who collects wanted posters like they’re art

Marius almost gets recognized as a murderer.

Solution?

“He dyed his hair.”

It works.

It shouldn’t work.

It works.

Yarrow is delighted. The party teaches him interior decoration.

He sells them substances that cause:

— spontaneous beard growth

— worms. Just… worms.

No one asks enough follow-up questions.

They steal herbs. They leave.

And somehow, despite everything— this still isn’t the worst thing waiting for them in Barovia.

The road to Vallaki offers no comfort.

And then Celeste speaks.

About the bracelet. About the boy she lost. About the hunger that followed. About Nibble. About Uno. About choosing wrong—and choosing again.

“Falling doesn’t make you evil. Choosing to rise again… that makes you good.”

She killed the thing that whispered power into her veins. She chose the voice that forgives.

And in return, she learned something far more dangerous: Strahd is the land. But he wasn’t always. And gods can be forgotten… or restored.

By the time the gates of Vallaki come into view, the horror has changed shape. No monsters. No claws.

Just a contract.

Sign your name.

Give your blood.

Surrender your gods, your voice, your thoughts.

The Horned Prophet is listening.

And in this new Vallaki? Obedience is mandatory. No one is surprised the paper is enchanted. The only question that matters now:

Do you sign… or do you resist?

[cosblogs]

Previously in Barovia…

some truths change everything.

Merlin isn’t dying. He’s already dead. No healing. No divine help. Just a body that keeps moving anyway.

Vestri learns it the hard way.

The Mad Mage gets a name—Hector. (Somehow, that makes it worse.)

In the house of Mordenkainen, a hidden bookcase screams. Demonic. Alive. Waiting.

They don’t open it. Not yet.

That night, something watches. Merlin’s stalker returns—clicking in the dark. No attack. No approach.

Just a reminder: You are not alone.

Morning comes. Plans are made. Ibrynn—the traitor—looms over every decision. Vallaki waits.

So they prepare lies.

New faces. New colors. As if Barovia won’t recognize them anyway.

Then the sky turns red. And Celeste disappears.

Not gone.

Taken.

Into something deeper.

A dream. A memory. A judgment. Nibble and Uno—no longer whispers, but gods. Fangs and feathers. Hunger and mercy.

They fight. And this time—

Celeste chooses.

Not power.

Not hunger.

Forgiveness.

Nibble dies. Uno speaks.

The truth is worse than Strahd himself:

He is the land. But he wasn’t always.

The Fanes—earth, forest, mountain—once held that power. And they can again.

Hope enters Barovia.

And immediately—

Everything goes to hell.

Celeste returns to chaos. A Grave Behemoth. Zombies. Fire. So much fire.

Elrohir falls. Celeste answers. Green light. Life restored.

Then— Ice.

One arrow.

One final blow.

The Behemoth collapses.

The dead stop moving.

For now.

Because in Barovia, even victory feels like something temporary.

[cosblogs]

Previously in Curse of Strahd...,

death didn’t stick. Kain hears the explosion long before he sees it.

Stone erupts from the earth—violent, deliberate—and when he and Merlin arrive, it’s already over. Elrohir and Celeste lie impaled, the forest still trembling from the force of it.

Marius stands. Next to him—someone new.

A dwarf Kain should remember. Maybe. But he doesn’t. His name is Vestri. A wandering priest. A Vistani. A man who deals in second chances.

And just like that?

The dead breathe again.

A ritual. No miracle. Just magic. Magic and a bargain that no one fully understands.

They move on. Toward Vallaki. Because in Barovia, you always move forward—even when you shouldn’t.

That night, they rest.

Kain opens the mansion. Because of course he does.

Inside, reality loosens its grip:

— a bag of holding spills endless mayonnaise

— magic candy appears

— and no one asks enough questions

Elrohir eats first. Fire pours from their mouth. They collapse. That should have been enough of a warning.

It isn’t.

Kain eats one. Power returns. Safe.

Merlin eats one.

Time stops. And when it starts again— Merlin is on the floor. Not dead. Not alive.

Something in between.

A body that forgot how to be a person.

A zombie.

Because in Barovia, even candy can take something from you.

[cosblogs]

A fallen world refracts its evil through two rulers. Strahd, the archetypal vampire, governs through primal fear—fangs, beasts, and brute domination—while Ibrynn, once a hero, enforces a colder tyranny of surveillance, contracts, and righteous certainty. Where Strahd is a monster, Ibrynn is something more insidious: a man who believes cruelty is necessary, and therefore makes it permanent.

Against this dual oppression, the surviving heroes fracture. Celeste, torn between celestial guidance and predatory hunger, descends into soul-consuming desperation before choosing redemption. Kain, having sacrificed his own memories to save a friend, unravels into sleepless madness, his identity dissolving into nightmare. Around them, others bargain, compromise, and blur the line between survival and corruption. The question emerges: what separates hero from villain when both commit unforgivable acts?

The answer lies not in purity, but in response. Villains justify and entrench their sins; heroes confront them. To fall is inevitable—what matters is the decision to rise again.

From this fragile moral ground, hope takes shape. The party learns that Strahd’s true power is systemic, bound to the land itself through three corrupted ancient spirits. Think about the geopolitics of tyranny. A tyrant needs to control the environment to maintain absolute power. Restoring them offers not just a tactical victory, but a philosophical one: freeing a world that, like its people, has been forced into submission.

Yet the story’s heart is quieter. Between horrors, the characters endure through small, human moments—shared watchfires, whispered plans, the crafting of weapons in the dark. These bonds, messy and imperfect, stand in stark contrast to the isolation of their enemies. Where tyrants rule alone, the broken survive together.

In the end, the tale is not about defeating darkness, but enduring it—about flawed people choosing, again and again, to be better than their worst decisions. And even as they fight to tear down a godlike tyrant, a final unease lingers: when absolute power is broken, something else will rise to claim its place.

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Betrayal and Resilience: Why One Hero Fell to Strahd and the Other Fought On (Part 2/2)

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Betrayal and Resilience: Why One Hero Fell to Strahd and the Other Fought On (Part 1/2)

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[cosblogs]

Individual Personal Struggles and Evolution:

Celeste's journey is marked by a deep sense of grief and a burgeoning protective instinct, particularly after the loss of Karl Watcher, for whom she chose to risk her life. This grief, coupled with the "heartbreak over her loss," led her to make a desperate pact, pressing on her bracelet to "release his seal at the Amber Temple," gaining a star-shaped, lizard-eyed emblem on her chest, which terrifies a voice from her pocket. She is also deeply affected by her family ties, forming a strong bond with her half-brother Izek, who becomes obsessed with her due to her resemblance to his dolls. Celeste is determined to help Izek recover from his "vampire spawn-ness," a mission Merlin also shares. The Voices in her head, and especially Nibble, constantly challenge her, preying on her guilt and pushing her towards dark decisions. Her acquisition of the Sun Sword solidifies her identity as a force against Strahd, a "weapon made of vengeance". In the final confrontation with Strahd, she charges him with "fury," demonstrating her unwavering resolve despite the overwhelming odds.

Ibrynn (Grey Tiefling Paladin of Tyr): Ibrynn undergoes the most dramatic shift in identity, from a "righteous paladin" and "loyal ally" to a betrayer who joins Strahd's side. This betrayal leaves the party with "anger" and a profound "sense of betrayal," unable to comprehend "How Dare he choose to join Strahd's side?". Earlier in the journey, Ibrynn viewed himself as "merely a soldier, and therefore expendable," willing to die "for the greater good". This self-perception is challenged by Marius and by his own actions, such as when he chose to save Riley over Celeste, leading to Riley's emotional distress. He also took on the responsibility of adopting Mathilda and Victoria, showing a surprising paternal side. During a surreal journey through Baba Lidia's orb, he experiences an identity crisis, temporarily becoming human and evading his reflection, asserting, "Not the real me, anyway". His magical sword, Otis, also plays a significant role in his identity, sharing his story and forming an alliance with Ibrynn.

Marius (Human Blood Hunter Rogue): Marius's identity is defined by guilt, resilience, and a deep connection to powerful entities. His near-death experience, where he was "murdered and hit with a lighting bolt from above" but "arose seconds after," leaving an impact on him. He is later revealed to be connected to a deity named Zrin-Hala, who urges him to "repay his depth by repairing their statue" and grants him immunity to electricity. This connection gives him a new purpose, a "mission" to "Find his lantern to purify his kingdom". Marius struggles with guilt after being dominated by Strahd and "forced to betray his own," nearly killing the Mad Mage. This act leaves him "wracked with guilt," highlighting the profound psychological toll of Strahd's manipulations. His relationship with Ireena is complex, as he spends her final moments with her before killing her at her request to prevent her from falling into Strahd's hands. Despite this, Strahd holds a personal vendetta against Marius, vowing to strip him of joy until he is "alone, unloved, forever". He also shares a "bro-hug" bonding moment with Ibrynn, discussing "handling heartbreak".

Riley (Aasimar Circle of Stars Druid): Riley's journey is one of disorientation, loss, and a search for purpose in a land that challenges her core identity. She was drawn to Barovia from the astral planes to "help corruption," initially seeing it as part of her destiny. However, the darkness of Barovia, where "Even the stars cannot save you," makes her question if she will "ever see them again". Her connection to the stars is a vital part of her identity, and the threat of losing it by shattering an orb presented by Strahd is a major challenge. When Kain sacrifices his memories to save her from this fate, it deeply impacts their relationship. Riley experiences trauma, including her own death and resurrection, which comes at a cost, making Marius unable to speak with his owl for a time. She expresses feelings of being "left out" from the group at times but also finds moments of camaraderie, appreciating her companions.

Kain / The Mad Mage (Human Evocation Wizard): Kain's identity is initially defined by his memory loss, which he is desperate to regain. However, a pivotal moment occurs at Strahd's wedding when he is given a choice: shatter an orb to regain his memories or protect Riley's connection to the stars. He chooses to shatter his own orb, seemingly "forever losing the memories of who he used to be, to save Riley from a fate unknown". This act redefines his identity, marking him as "done with chasing the things he lost from the past and will start looking to build a future with new memories". His magical prowess, though sometimes erratic, is crucial to the group, providing shelter with his Magnificent Mansion and aiding in combat. He is revealed to be Mordenkainen, a powerful wizard who once fought Strahd, adding another layer to his complex identity.

Elrohir (Echo Knight): Elrohir is a newer ally who quickly integrates into the party through their practical skills and combat prowess. They take on domestic roles, making "something special with the remaining rations" and later trying their best for dinner despite dwindling resources. In combat, Elrohir is a fierce fighter, capable of "obliterating" a vrock and showcasing resilience in dangerous situations. Their duel with Stefan, a revenant, further tests their combat abilities. Elrohir also demonstrates a protective nature, stabilizing the Mad Mage and dragging Celeste out of a Wall of Fire, even losing a finger in the process of grappling Strahd's sword.

Merlin (Dhampir Gloom Stalker Ranger Rogue): Merlin is the newest recruit and an enigmatic figure whose ancient knowledge of Barovia's past, including when "Delmore ruled it still" before the Zarovich family, provides invaluable context to the party. As a Dhampir, he understands "the Thirst for blood" and takes on the mission of helping Izek, showing a compassionate side. His personal identity is also shaped by a hidden "burden" and a deep-seated "fear" related to a creature whose "godawful clicks" he recognizes, hinting at a past trauma or foe. Merlin acts as a mediator in conflicts, such as the one between Cass and the Vistani gnomes. In the climactic battle with Strahd, Merlin's fear leads him to flee and be polymorphed into a rat, a stark contrast to the bravery of other party members. This highlights his individual struggle with fear and survival, even as he urges others to retreat.

[cosblogs]

“Blood, Vorpals, and the Wrath of Strahd”

Night tore open under the wings of a bat, and from the sky descended your tormentor: Strahd von Zarovich. His voice, like thunder, cursed Marius, defied the gods, and promised to strip you of all joy until you understood what it meant to be him: alone, unloved, forever. His final words—“Die screaming”—unleashed a torrent of black magic across the battlefield.

The fight erupted in blood. The Mad Mage fell under Strahd’s Finger of Death. Marius, constrained by dominance magic, was forced to aim his bow at allies, driving them perilously close to graves. Celeste, burning with fury, attacked with the Sun Sword, landing strike after strike, leaving Strahd with barely a chance to taunt. The vampire lord retaliated with his summoned Vorpal blade, turning steel against steel in a deadly dance.

Elrohir darted through spells and weapons, rescuing fallen comrades, even attempting to seize Strahd’s cursed Vorpal sword—losing a finger in the process. Merlin fled into the night, only to be mocked and transformed into a rat by Strahd himself.

Lightning, fireballs, and walls of flame tore through the battlefield. Rahadin arrived with a choir of screams, struck by Marius’ shadow magic as Strahd hurled him toward the cliffs above. And ever-present, Strahd’s laughter echoed—mocking, eternal, omnipotent.

The Mad Mage, repeatedly felled, rose again and again, until finally using his golden pipe to transform into mist, becoming an unseen cloud beyond Strahd’s grasp. But the vampire lord’s boredom with your defiance was palpable. With a surge of destructive earth, he tore apart your front line.

Celeste, grievously injured, fell unconscious. Elrohir, charred, splintered, and broken, collapsed beside her. The Mad Mage drifted away, ephemeral and unseen. Marius stood alone, bow in hand, tormented by the wounds he had inflicted on his own friends. Merlin, still running, urged retreat, a solitary witness to the carnage.

The battlefield lay in ruin. Strahd loomed above on the cliffs, Rahadin at his side, undead closing in from all directions. Celeste bled into the dust. Elrohir gasped for air on the brink of death. The night is far from over. The Count is not finished. With Rahadin at his side, eyes filled with scorn and hunger, Strahd waits for your final breath.

[cosblogs]

“Oaths, Swords that Talk, and… Someone Trying to Finger People?”

Ah, mornings in Barovia: dark, uneasy, and full of existential dread. I woke early, only to find Celeste staring off into nothingness in the living room. A quiet moment for reflection—or as quiet as it gets when your life is basically a horror-gothic rollercoaster. Two days of madness, loss, and barely any time to process it all.

We spoke of Riley and Ibrynn—members lost along the way. At least, that’s what I thought. Celeste had a dream about Ibrynn. Apparently, he’d decided that Strahd couldn’t be defeated, so joining him was the logical next step. Celeste, of course, refused. Interestingly, it seems one can swear an oath… to a bridge. Barovia is nothing if not creative in its rules.

Also, Celeste can now talk to her sword. And this all began with Ibrynn. The sword is apparently a reincarnation of Sergei—a cool guy, or so I’m told, though I fail to see the resemblance. Talking swords. Oaths to bridges. Reincarnated paladins. Normal Barovian life.

Before we moved on, Izek had to be locked in the dungeon, which Kain had delightfully spruced up with his chromonculus. Because nothing says “captivity” like bizarre magical decor.

Next stop: the Vistani camp. Our task: drop off a few goblins who’d apparently been simmering there for ages. Elrohir picked up a glaive along the way, presumably because no adventuring day is complete without shiny new weapons. Madame Eve then gave each of us a special reading—enigmatic, unsettling, and full of vague warnings, naturally.

And then… we encountered a figure dressed entirely in black. Their intent? To finger people. Yes. That’s the kind of normal Barovian menace we’ve learned to expect.

Thus, another day, another layer of chaos, horror, and eyebrow-raising events. Only in Barovia could mornings start with philosophical sword talk and end with… that.

[cosblogs]

“Kruthik Chaos, Gnome Negotiations, and a Rogue Golem Hand”

After a grueling fight through the Kruthik nest, the Stunorians emerged battered but victorious. Hive queen? Slain. Younglings and carrion crawlers? Eliminated. Consciousness? Mostly intact, except for Riley, who was found cold and lifeless under Merlin’s careful guidance. Gentle Repose was cast, and a makeshift shield crafted from Kruthik armor carried her form safely.

Along the way, the party discovered pods containing three prisoners: two gnomes, Sendra and Nickolai (vistani, unsurprisingly), and a blue-skinned, horned dragonborn named Cass. What began as a tense misunderstanding over lost luggage and a guitar-axe escalated into potential murder… until Merlin mediated. Agreement reached: the Stunorians would safely escort the gnomes to their camp as repayment for their lost equipment. The fate of Cass’s battle-axe guitar? Still under discussion.

Emerging from the hive, the group returned to the fresh, albeit misty, Barovian forest, traveling south toward the Vistani camp. Along the way, Merlin and the gnomes bonded: berries for future meals, small creatures tapped for blood to sustain him and Izek (still unconscious and tied to Celeste’s back). Resources dwindled, exhaustion mounted, but hope remained.

Evening brought respite in Kain’s Magnificent Mansion. Dinner was flat—limited ingredients—but the party made do. Celeste and Merlin worked to calm and communicate with Izek, making incremental progress, though his full recovery remains uncertain. Celeste, resourceful as ever, carved a wooden puppet of herself to aid in Izek’s rehabilitation, with Kain providing equipment from his unsettling, curiosity-filled laboratory.

Meanwhile, Kain experimented with raw elemental energy using the Echoes of the Elemental Choir, attempting to turn a fire bolt into an electric one. Predictably, chaos ensued: the spell misfired, animating a decorative golem hand. What followed was a frantic chase involving Kain, Merlin, Cass, and the gnomes. Eventually, the Mad Mage contained the rogue hand in a small jail behind the hearth.

Finally, after a day filled with battle, negotiation, magical mishaps, and creeping dread, the Stunorians retired to bed. The night was dark, silent, and—for once—free of unexpected visitors. For now.

[cosblogs]

“Celeste's Unending Hatred For Caves (And Now Kruthik)”

Caves. I’ve never liked them, and apparently, they’ve developed a personal vendetta against me. This time, our “cave” was actually a monster nest. Surprise! Our first encounter was with the Kruthik, insectile horrors that almost broke us before breakfast. Somehow, we survived. Again. Barovia logic.

Next challenge: a massive chasm. We had ropes, determination… and apparently, questionable coordination. A few dubious rope maneuvers later, we were all across—though I may have moved a little slower than I wanted. Marius wasn’t exactly graceful either, so I guess misery loves company. Meanwhile, the monsters weren’t exactly patient, chasing us as if punctuality was their only virtue.

Beneath the chasm: Kruthik eggs. We tried really hard not to wake them. Failed spectacularly. Cue chaotic, intense battle. The swarm pursued us relentlessly. At some point, one monster hit harder than I expected, knocking me out of the fray. Thankfully, the rest of the party handled the queen with aplomb while I… rested. Heroic naps, that’s my style.

Waking up, I found the group in panic mode. Riley was missing. Merlin tracked heartbeats but couldn’t locate hers. After frantic searching, we found her… but no heartbeat. Silence. Fear. Confusion. The quiet weight of Barovia pressing in.

So, once again, the Stunorians survive… just barely. With monsters crushed and heroes shaken, I’m left with one unshakable truth: caves are evil. The Kruthik nest has nothing on my personal hatred for tight, dark, and slimy spaces.