Investigator’s Journal #3 — Barovia Assignment

After dismantling previously installed alarm traps, the group ascended the narrow stairwell to the fourth floor. Nyx conducted a preliminary auditory check at the landing door; no activity was detected. The hallway beyond contained significant dust accumulation and extensive cobwebbing, indicating prolonged disuse. A window provided visual access to the lower balcony. Four closed doors were present.

Nyx inspected the southern door first; no sound or movement was detected. The remaining doors produced identical results. The southern door was opened, revealing a bedroom. A doll positioned at the window exhibited a fixed smile and was covered in spiderwebs. Karku examined the writing desk; Atwaad inspected the nightstand. No actionable findings. The doll and room yielded no additional data. Sunfall removed the doll. The group proceeded counter‑clockwise to the next door.

The subsequent room contained dust‑covered, discarded furniture. An unlocked chest near the stove contained a blood‑soaked cloth bundle enclosing a partially decomposed humanoid skeleton. Residual flesh and clothing were present. Sunfall identified the clothing as belonging to the nursemaid. Multiple stab wounds were visible on the remains. Attempts to ignite a fire in the stove were unsuccessful.

The final door was locked. The iron key previously recovered by Nyx was used to open it. The room contained two dust‑covered children’s beds and two child‑sized skeletons clothed similarly to Thornboldt and Rosavalda, previously encountered outside. Apparitions of the children manifested and identified the room as their bedroom. They advised against touching their toys. The toy chest contained wooden toys. Nyx observed that the dollhouse was a structural representation of the current residence, including a concealed passage in the furniture‑storage room. Sunfall returned the smiling doll to the toy chest.

The apparition identifying itself as Rosa directed the group to the secret passage in the southern room. As Atwaad attempted to exit, Thornboldt vocalized distress (“Don’t leave us!”) and vanished. Atwaad collapsed. Upon engaging the female apparition, this investigator experienced immediate incapacitation.

From a dissociated vantage, this investigator observed the party attempting communication. Verbal responses produced by this investigator did not align with personal intent, indicating external influence. Atwaad displayed similar symptoms. Sunfall approached; auditory input was muffled. Normal cognitive function returned abruptly.

The passage opened into excavated tunnels extending north and south. A continuous chant was audible throughout the area. The group advanced northwest following the established counter‑clockwise pattern. A chamber containing a central well and surrounding alcoves was reached. The chant shifted to: “Empty beds and empty tables, where those who slept will sing no more.”

This investigator maintained position at the well while others inspected adjacent rooms. Amanodel exhibited a brief emotional reaction. Atwaad insisted on being lowered into the well; chants of “Sail Away, Sail Away” persisted at depth.

The chant intensified as this investigator fell through compromised floorboards. Injuries were sustained. Spike traps were neutralized before rejoining the group approximately ten feet above. The group proceeded east.

A banquet room containing numerous humanoid bones was encountered. Two animated corpses advanced toward Nyx from the southern hallway. Combat sounds indicated arrows, corrosive substances, and melee weapons were employed. This investigator entered the hallway and neutralized the final visible undead before sudden loss of consciousness.

Upon regaining awareness, another ghoul was eliminated by Nyx. Atwaad retrieved a silver short sword. Returning to the banquet hall, a tentacled creature emerged from an alcove. Is this the right word ‘alcove’? Atwaad engaged following this investigator’s initial strike. The creature remained active until the subsequent coordinated assault. The silver weapon demonstrated effectiveness, though Atwaad appeared uncertain regarding its properties.