%% parent:: [[62.02.07 Handouts]] campaign-description:: session:: [[S12_2021-10-03|S12]] %% # The Tome of Strahd The *Tome of Strahd* is an ancient work penned by [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]], a tragic tale of how he came to his fallen state. The book is bound in a thick leather cover with steel hinges and fastenings. The pages are of parchment and very brittle. Most of the book is written in the curious shorthand that only Strahd employs. Stains and age have made most of the work illegible, but several paragraphs remain intact and readable. --- The *Tome* was hinted at by [[Madam Eva]] during their [[Tarokka reading#^dorianTorturer|Tarokka reading]]. > There is a town where all is not well. There you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts. [[Arya Emberlight]] found the *Tome of Strahd* in [[Victor Vallakovich]]‘s room at the [[Vallaki Burgomaster's Mansion|burgomaster’s mansion]] in [[Vallaki]], and stole it when he wasn’t looking. She gave it to [[Rychell Qinrel]], who spent time with the *Tome* and attuned to it. The Tome was reclaimed by [[Strahd von Zarovich]] in [[S18_2021-11-14|S18]]. He targeted and tortured [[Rychell Qinrel|Rychell]] for having it in her possession. %% **Hidden Secrets.** Once attuned to this item, a character may attempt to find meaning in the illegible portions of the book. During a long rest you can research the book. At the end of that activity, the character may make an Investigation check, generalizing that time, to reveal a new secret. %% ## Main entry I am the Ancient. I am the Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior, I was good and just. I thundered across the land like the wrath of a just god, but the war years and the killing years wore down my soul as the wind wears stone into sand. All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice. I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in the castle Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both. ^SergeiIntroduction From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called “perfection,” “joy,” and “treasure.” Her name was Tatyana, and I longed for her to be mine. ^TatyanaIntroduction I loved her with all my heart. I loved her for her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me! “Old One” was my name to her—“elder” and “brother” also. Her heart went to Sergei. They were betrothed. The date was set. ^TatyanaLovedSergei With words she called me “brother,” but when I looked into her eyes they reflected another name: “death.” It was the death of the aged that she saw in me. She loved her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine. The death she saw in me turned her from me. And so I came to hate death—my death. My hate is very strong. I would not be called “death” so soon. I made a pact with death, a pact of blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My pact was sealed with his blood. ^SergeiDeath I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the chapel. She fled from me. She would not let me explain, and a great anger swelled within me. She had to understand the pact I made for her. I pursued her. Finally, in despair, she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft, and I watched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever. ^TatyanaDeath It was a thousand feet through the mists. No trace of her was ever found. Not even I know her final fate. Arrows from the castle guards pierced me to my soul, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I became undead, forever. I have studied much since then. “Vampyr” is my new name. I still lust for life and youth, and I curse the living that took them from me. Even the sun is against me. It is the sun and its light I fear the most, but little else can harm me now. Even a stake through my heart does not kill me, though it holds me from movement. But the sword, that cursed sword that Sergei brought! I must dispose of that awful tool! I fear and hate it as much as the sun. I have often hunted for Tatyana. I have even felt her within my grasp, but she escapes. She taunts me! She taunts me! What will it take to bend her love to me? I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me. --- ## Deciphered Content ### Entry 1 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S12_2021-10-03]]. Strahd is looking for someone to take his place as the leader of the land, in hopes it lets him leave.* > Perhaps I have been wrong. Perhaps it is not reunion with [[Tatyana]] that will be my escape. Perhaps it is replacement? Can I find another to govern this realm in my place? I must take care not to show weakness. I must take care not to show reluctance. No one must know how hollow I feel; how empty my omnipotence is in absence of satisfaction. My immortal, eternal image as the ruler of this dominion must never come into question. I must observe from afar. ^entry1 ### Entry 2 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] The great roc of [[Mount Ghakis]] remains a danger. I pacified it during my great campaign, but I fear it may soon prey upon my people if the lakes grow barren. That privilege is reserved only for me. ^entry2 ### Entry 3 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S29_2022-01-30]]* The witches of Barovia now come to me for their succor, rather than seeking the dangerous Dark Powers directly. I am as a god with supplicants, the likes of Kossuth or Kelemvor. Nothing can turn them against me now. They are fully under my thumb. Yet the hags have not submitted in this way. They are wiser, perhaps. ^entry3 ### Entry 4 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S30_2022-02-06]]* I cannot be sure, but I believe his life soul to be stored near his chambers. I could pry and find it, but I fear that would lead to hostilities, which aren't worth my time as it stands. Little remains of his memory. I must record the passwords of the [[Amber Temple]] so that they do not pass into the mists of eternity. Dhaviton Thangob Shalx Etherna ^entry4 ### Entry 5 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S31_2022-02-13]]* I was so close. She craved me. Pleaded for me to stay. Yet I returned to see Tatyana's blood had stained the earth before I could have it all for myself. I will spare the people of Berez, but the leadership responsible will have my undivided attention. I am the land, and I will curse the river valley they so treacherously stewarded. ^entry5 ### Entry 6 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S33_2022-02-27]]* [[Exethanter]]'s mind is eroding. On my most recent visit I found him delirious and distracted. He seems unable to remember much, not even his magic. I do not envy the lich, nor do I pity him. It would seem that I chose all the more wisely in the means of immortality. ^entry6 ### Entry 7 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S34_2022-03-06]]. ==She doesn't share it with the party.*== The [[Dark Powers]] have cursed me. Each time I am within reach of [[Tatyana]], she is met with tragedy. I must keep her safe this time — no matter what it takes. Perhaps I may yet unravel the black threads of fate. ^entry7 ### Entry 8 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S35_2022-03-13]]. ==She doesn't share it with the party.*== This foolish deva believes me the fool. This holy man seeks to free me of my sins through lust of the flesh. I will allow him to continue as long as I can hold his attention. He is no threat to me while he continues in his perverted folly. I have no interest in his depraved gift; it is wholly unnatural to desire such an abomination. Tatyana will free me. When she returns, she will have me. ^entry8 ### Entry 9 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S36_2022-03-20]].* I know I am not mad. I am seeing familiar faces reborn. Something in the mists is trapping the souls which would pass beyond — forcing some sort of reincarnation among my people. Do the Dark Powers mean to taunt me? Trap an entire people in an endless cycle of misery alongside my own? Perhaps they torment me with false hope — that my Tatyana will be reborn too. ^entry9 ### Entry 10 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S38_2022-04-03]]. Vladimir's accursed silver knights have slain another adventuring band. From what I witnessed while scrying, the knights slew them for seeking my destruction. I do not understand why my mortal enemies would defend me. I can only reason that Vladimir believes mere death to be too good of a demise for me. Perhaps he wishes to bear witness to my eternal sentence. ^entry10 ### Entry 11 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S39_2022-04-17]]. The Vistani and I have reached a place of mutual respect. They are content with my rule, and I do not trouble them. ^entry11 ### Entry 12 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S39_2022-04-17]]. The Heart glows with purpose. It has become living. The circles of masonry about its tower its ribs, the great bastion its chest. The tests on the condemned proved the heart will use the tower itself against invaders. My will sustains it, but it is mere glass, fragile, ironically mortal. With it, I am sheltered from the unthinkable. Yet, I cannot prove reckless. The antimagic field around [[Khazan|Khazan's]] tower separates me from the Heart. I must be cautious of such places. ^entry12 ### Entry 13 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S40_2022-04-24]].* The dark cycle of reincarnation has reached its limits. Across my realm are children born hollow. These subjects have but a scrap of the soul necessary to a mortal. Though otherwise ordinary, they are especially dour, fearful, and unimaginative. But of greatest interest to me is that I find no sustenance in their blood. Some vital essence is lacking. It is no more nourishing than sand to a thirsty man. I will study this to pass the time. I am certain there are many disappointed and hapless parents in Barovia who can be convinced to surrender their hollowborn children to my care. ^entry13 ### Entry 14 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S40_2022-04-24]]. It stands out as it's separate from everything else and seems important.* Stellar. ^entry14 ### Entry 15 *Deciphered by [[Rychell Qinrel]] in [[S43_2022-05-22]]. It stands out as it's separate from everything else and seems important.* Khazan's ambitions have claimed him. The Dark Powers never share their gifts easily. His body now lays headless upon the temple floor. I know not where his head has gone, but I must find it. As my architect, the remains of his memories hold value. ^entry15