Investigator’s Journal #2 — Barovia Assignment

Upon waking at the nursery’s threshold, further observations were recorded. The master bedroom was noted to contain a double bed, side tables, a poorly maintained hearth, a wardrobe, and an intricately carved full-length mirror depicting vines and berries. Double stained glass doors led to a balcony. The nursery held a cradle draped with a black shroud, concealing an empty mass of bundled cloth; no evidence of a newborn was present.

The balcony was lined with dead plants beneath a rusted dark iron railing. The balcony was covered, and no additional information regarding the fourth floor was obtained.

A bathing quarter was discovered by Nyx, containing an iron pot-bellied stove, spigot, and basin. No remarkable items were found.

The northern bedroom contained a rotting tiger skin rug and a family portrait depicting the mother, again, scornfully observing the baby. The room was in poor condition, with a mirror, bed, drapes, and matching wardrobes all deteriorated. A silver-adorned jewelry box was opened by Amanodel, revealing three rings and a necklace. Amanodel removed a platinum necklace with a topaz pendant; Atwaad took two gold rings; this investigator took the third ring and logged it in the Group Treasury.

A dusty closet was opened by Karku, yielding no further leads.

An empty dumbwaiter was found, with gears above and lines running vertically to the home’s base. It appeared non-functional and did not service the fourth floor.

Atwaad confirmed the existence of a fourth floor via a patio.

One unexplored door remained on this floor. Amanodel proceeded through it, discovering linens, soaps, and a neglected broom. Upon inspection of the broom, this investigator was rendered unconscious. Upon awakening, it was reported that Atwaad had also been struck unconscious by the broom. The party took a short rest. Amanodel remarked on the party having been “swept up” in the proceeding events, which I record here only due to her seemed amusement at this statement.

Finding no further significance on this floor, the party investigated the layout for negative spaces utilizing Amanodel’s cartography skills, which immediately revealed a hollow area shared between bedroom, hallway, and bath.

A secret passageway was soon after discovered behind a carved mirror in the southern bedroom and an opposing passageway on the landing. Simple alarms were set using wardrobes and discarded armor at each passage entry.

Returning to the second-floor landing, decorative suits of armor were confirmed by Nyx. Sister Sunfall inspected carvings depicting children terrorized by bats, contradicting initial assumptions of play. Karku noted the carvings were unlikely the work of the home’s matriarch.

To the south, an elegantly appointed conservatory contained crystal lighting, a harpsichord, harp, alabaster figurines on a mantle, and well-appointed furniture. Sister Sunfall approached the harpsichord with no notable result. Atwaad discovered hooded skeletons among the carved revelers on the mantle figurines.

To the north, a library contained an exquisite mahogany desk and chair, a framed picture of a windmill above a rocky crag, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with a rolling ladder. On the desk sat a letter kit, red wax candle, wooden seal bearing the Durst family insignia (a windmill), and several blank parchments. This investigator retained the writing implements. Nyx found an iron key in the desk drawers.

A mechanism discovered by Karku revealed another secret door, triggered by the volume “The Lover and the Stream.”

The revealed area contained another bookshelf and a skeleton seated before a chest. The skeleton bore three darts, two embedded in armor and one lodged within. The left hand held a crumpled note sealed identically to a previously received letter from The Lusty Strigiforme. Books on fiend summoning and necromancy lined the shelves, including three blank black leather-bound volumes, three scrolls, and legal documents.

Atwaad read aloud the sealed letter:

“My most pathetic servant, I am not a messiah sent to you by the Dark Powers of this land. I have not come to lead you on a path to immortality. However many souls you have bled on your hidden altar, however many visitors you have tortured in your dungeon, know that you are not the ones who brought me to this beautiful land. You are but worms writhing in my earth. You say that you are cursed, your fortunes spent. You abandoned love for madness, took solace in the bosom of another woman, and sired a stillborn son. Cursed by darkness? Of that I have no doubt. Save you from your wretchedness? I think not. I much prefer you as you are. Your dread lord and master, Strahd von Zarovich”

Legal documents included the deed to the home, deed to a windmill, and a will signed by Gustav and Elisabeth Durst, bequeathing all properties and chattels to Rosavalda and Thornboldt Durst.

The three scrolls were identified as Bless (Cleric), Protection From Poison (Druid), and Spiritual Weapon (Cleric).

A review of the main floor confirmed a kitchen where all food and drink had perished to ash. Silverware was removed from counters and retained.

With lower floors fully investigated, the only accessible route appeared to be upward.

Group Treasury:

• 1 Gold Ring
• 2 Blank black leather books (25g)
• Silverware from the Durst house