Legends of Avantris - Beneath Dark Wings | Ep. 47 | Loss of Innocence: Part 1

Episode Date: May 16, 2025

The party meets Count Escher in Castle Remornia...   Gain access to an exclusive campaign, Shroud Over Saltmarsh, over on Patreon: https://legendsofavantris.com/patreon The Crooked Moon, a folk horror supplement for 5e, is available for preorder! Get the Crooked Moon at: https://thecrookedmoon.com/ Watch more D&D adventures in the world of Avantris live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/legendsofavantris Check out our merch store: https://shop.legendsofavantris.com  Join our community on Discord: https://legendsofavantris.com/discord Watch our many campaigns on YouTube: https://legendsofavantris.com/youtube  All other links: https://linktr.ee/legendsofavantris   Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/bKkCYgLrfSs?si=SNOuYZk3lLI85VrK

Welcome to Legends of Evantris. I'm Iris and you're listening to Beneath Dark Wings. Here's what happened last time. Last time, on Beneath Dark Wings, you had been face to face with the Six-Eyed Raven of Virgil Zern, as he spoke through the bird to you about the plans that the seals were breaking at a rapid rate. allegedly the forces of Schethranel were behind some of it. And it wasn't much longer until the power would be lost

and the chain God would be unleashed. It was, then you all decided, rather than returning to Zentra, to meet with Zern, that you would just go to the front and make your way to a count that was allegedly a rebel of sorts, against the crown of Skethernail, the Shadar Khai, that ruled that kingdom. And he gave you the general location of this Count's castle, and you managed to sneak behind enemy lines, and you made your way through many days, travel over a very harsh

and treacherous land in the process of walking past a long-forgotten crypt. The shadows extended and slithered around Iris and knocked her unconscious momentarily where she had a strange vision where in a mummified pharaoh seemed to call out to her reach out to her and called her my ka. And as she regained her consciousness, she told us that she just had a drop in her blood sugar. Yeah, that's true. That's very true. Look at my hands. I got to get I get I get Dodging the Volter riders overhead through the dense forests and treacherous mountainous ravines and terrain, you came across a caravan of sorts, a what looked like a hearse, not being pulled by horses, the terrain much too treacherous for them, but pulled by a massive, undead,

ghoul-like ogre, flanked by shambling ghouls of of not just humans, but also Eric Okra, or Owlfolk, and an orcs. Very clearly enemy-slain, bodies taken and reanimated as ghouls. With a single Shadar Khai at the lead, you dispatched all of these, the individual, the Shadar Khai, unwilling to surrender, given her charge to bring what you then discovered was a child, a young girl, blonde hair, blonde hair in a coffin being carried in this hearse, brought north. A strange letter from the princess urging it to being brought

to a place called Zarakosa. And Iris then cast speak with dead. And they asked several questions of this slain Shad Archai. And they learned that, I forget what you guys learned. I don't know, I have the notes. I have the news. Yeah, why don't, why don't, You guys told him when you learn, so I don't reveal too much.

After you. Okay. Question number one. You know, I'd point in ladders. She's wrong. Will you answer truthfully if we help? Do you want to tag team it? I'll add.

Yeah. No, I'd like you to go. Okay. Yes. Aware of the scarab in chest? Oh. Yes. In her chest.

She had a scarab. Yeah. Let me pause there. as, this is an important bit, when they were rifling through the body a strange scarab with a lapis lazuli shell in the shape of a skull, skittered out, bored out of her chest,

and was captured, and then Caprice mocked it to death. I mean, that's probably fine. That's not bad or anything. No, I think that's pretty normal. Yeah. Who does it belong to? Oncat. Incotep.

Encapt. Yeah, tipped. Artapped. What is the Raven Child the key to the Carrying King's plan? Mm-hmm. And finally, what is the Carrying King's plan to take revenge against the Raven Queen? That's what we learned. Exactly right.

You learned that and took the child in some strange, incredibly powerful, magical stasis of sorts. And you travel several more days until you arrived at a very treacherous part of this kingdom. of jagged peaks and very dense forest, very tight winding roads. And many, many parts of it, you can only walk through single file. And you finally saw a huge castle in disrepair with a long stone bridge leading towards it, in the middle of a storm. And as you attempted to cross, you were met with incredibly deadly traps, and you managed to pass all of them, barely.

and encountered gargoyles that then descended from the castle walls to attack you, but then as soon as it attempted to attack, Felix, who was holding the child that stopped, and you called out for the Count Escher, letting them know that you were with from Zern, set by Zern. The doors opened, and a strange, small creature greeted you, a creature that seemed to be made of stone that looked like the combination between a gargoyle and a butler. Favorite little fella ever. A little fella named Brutus. He introduced himself as Major Domo Brutus, who served the master, the Count, Count Kreskov.

And he brought you through the castle. You saw an alchemical lab, a strange mechanical workshop, a grand hallway with a ruined statue of a young man on a brilliant stallion. And you then were brought to the audience hall where sitting in a large throne is a withered man with sunken eyes and deeply colored veins. as he stares at you through ragged, almost white, blonde hair. And he asked what... He flashed a slight smile, revealing a fang, and looked at you as he said, what can Count Escher Kreskov do for you? You all are standing in the cold, dimly lit audience hall

of Count Escher Kreskov, sitting before you a gleaming, silver rapier at his side, a golden goblet of some red substance in his hand. He flashes a fang and he looks at you and you've never met this person in your life. You are all very well aware that this is a vampire. You have never met a vampire. And all you know about them is that they drink the bloods of humanoids and kill the innocent. and you are faced with this vampire as he asks you what he can do for you. I take one step forward, hand on my hip, and I reveal my arcane piston.

I say, now, who the fuck is this? No shepherd, no chef a piece. Just kidding, I don't do any of that. What? What? I don't know you guys. When do we get a crossword? I'm still holding the girl.

Yes. Yep, yep. What would Toa know about, would he know anything about vampires? Like how oblivious would he be oblivious at the point of like not worried about it? Well, he just, yeah, he knows that they, we know that they have, we have not met one, we know that they have, they drink blood. I would say that you would have heard stories perhaps while you were in Corvacia like of the empire. It's a very common bookie man to be telling stories about. Iris would step forward and motion for everyone to stand behind her.

Be cautious. This is a creature of undead. What is it that you want with us? Don't think I don't know what you are. Well, I'm glad that you have eyes to back soon. You name is Iris, and you can call me as such. Very well, Iris. I would ask you why you are here.

Like he looks incredibly weary, as he's not even maintaining eye contact, really. You are the ones who sought me out in my castle. I did not seek you out. You're, no doubt, those dogs of Zerm, especially you, boy. I'm like peeking out from behind to a old girl. We were sent to you because we were told that you could help. Yes, we're trying to help. help you and maybe you can help us with your rebellion, I guess, against the Kirian King.

He takes a moment, and he takes a deep sip out of his goblet. You see a little bit of his brownish, red, a little too thick substance at the corner of his mouth. And he gulps deeply. And he puts his hand over his face and... Uh, Zern really is not as clever as he thinks he is. Is that what he told you?

That I have some rebellion. Look around here, Korovachians. Does it look like I have a rebellion? I have gargoy else and a major domo, and nothing else. We heard that there were maybe few other castles and lords that were part of your rebellion, or is that also misinformation? Will we let astray? Your master clearly has some sort of plan.

Yeah, I don't know that we would say he's our master. He just, you know, we're taking his advice. You've also got that unbelievable string of traps on the bridge. I mean, you've clearly got skills, or at least someone here does. Also, I'm not caravoc. I'm from Galica. My name is Capricio de Sesto. You can call me Caprizzis. It's the one for nature. Yeah, you know, we're being very rude. I'm Lufti. Hi. He is a vampire. We're all acting very casual. We're being in the presence of undefathe. Oh. Well, he seems to, he has killed and is probably currently drinking the blood of innocence. Yeah, but at least he's full.

Maybe they're not so innocent. Maybe he's like, Are you like a good vampire that uses your power of good? And who is he to choose when someone should die? Yeah, that's all. I don't think that's a thing. Oh, I thought it might become cool, you know, like a good vampire that, you know. Like a vampire that sustains off of ketchup? A ketchup vampire?

Clearly. Those do not exist. I can tell that you are a holy woman. I know the type. I've heard it all. Do you think I would look like this if I was drinking the blood of the innocent? Brutus, what am I drinking today? Oh, ah, Master, I'll believe, today's bottle is Wild Boar.

Then Brutus says, oh, maybe it was Wild Bear, and a spelling, oh, not great in reading still, I'm sorry, Master, and Escher waves his hand. It doesn't matter, does it? It all tastes the same. See, nothing to worry about. He seems, you know, mostly harmless. Would I know anything about vampires beyond their ability to drink blood, like their weakness or their magical powers, that kind of thing? Same question for me being from Fort Beck. I would say...

Same question for me. Okay, everyone more important. Tal and Guard in the house. Everyone knows everything about vampires. Oh, good. Yes. No, Toa doesn't. Okay, Toa.

I will say that people generally know the steaks, the garlic. They might know things that, like, there's garlic. They're all the cliche vampire abyss. I think that would be very classic. But not the actual D&D lore. Yes, not the actual D&D lore. You guys would know that there is garlic. There's the steak in the heart.

There's the coffins. There's the bats. That's all that. mirror out of my pack. Jokes on you. I don't know any of the damn you more behind bandbite. You know classic blah Dracula stories. Got it. So you're you're only drinking animal blood? That is what I just said boy. I step out from behind toe a little bit more fourth comic holding child. Why do you have a mirror, caprice? Well I was trying to see if I could see his reflection. You can not. I cannot feel his reflection. I cannot feel his

He doesn't is it like clothes and it's like empty or is it like this is totally it's just an empty throne Wow so that it is true. He's a vampire let me see that Oh, I don't I? Oh hello you oh sorry here Oh geez me you guys too much anything that's crazy Why, not that I'm complaining, but why are you only drinking, you know, animals? Well, my little morsel, and he kind of eyes you up and down all that. Because I haven't had visitors in weeks, and my supply has run out. I step back on to her.

Oh. Well. Yes, little more so why don't you step closer and ask more questions of the vampire? The vulture riders have learned, unfortunately, that the skies around my valley are not safe. And so I, from deer and elk and wolf and boasts of this forest, hollow. But I am a count that you stand before. Are you not basking in my grandeur? No.

I was a little bit. I did not think so. And he takes another seven. Um, so... Do counts usually have, like, lots of people around and, like, villages and... and subjects and things? Or is this sort of standard counts where you kind of, like, alone with some cool little stoneguise? Did you eat them all? Is that why there's nobody here?

I didn't want to consider that. Oh, gosh. Did you? Did you eat them? Do you think I would choose to be a count? I would eat my subjects. I don't know. I just met you. Do you think that I would let strangers who just barge up to my castle, unannounced, uninvited? Unless you were starving? And not devour you merely as delicious as you all look.

If I was that kind of vampire to be feared. But perhaps I am. Perhaps all my subjects were taken from me. What else has Zirme told you? Well, why don't we just forget what Zun told us? Maybe you tell us. Your story. What's going on here?

Is there anything that we can help you with? Why don't you start with, if we are so uninvited, why you allowed us in in the first place? We're not planning to eat us and you're not welcome you. He turns to... to you, Iris, and he smiles in the bloodstained fang from the boar or bare blood is glinting in the... Yeah, glinting in the torchlight, the candlelight.

He smirks a bit and says, do you really want to know the honest answer, Iris? Yes, I do count. I'm lonely, and I'm bored. Uffty? Not this one. In a pat around the shoulder. There's always a mother hen. Now I know,

my little morsel, that I look not in my best condition, but when I am at my 100%, you would not be able to say now. That seems concerning. Well, I think we just, like, put my arms behind my back and, like, twist my toe.

I'm going to push her closer towards him. Take her then. You're hungry. Have her. She's yours. No, wait. If she cares not... If she cares not enough for herself,

for self-preservation, then you might as well have her. You've got to her. You know, I've been lonely. I get it. So it's Caprice. I know, so let's just, you know. So is feelings.

How have you both been lonely? There's five of us. We're all friends. I'm not saying... You've not been here my entire life. You don't even know me. What I'm just saying is that you're, it's not like you're alone.

I don't know what you mean by you... I can say I'm lonely now. I said, they've been lonely now. see what I have to deal with. Oh, just like, in some point in time. We're standing in front of the vampire and were arguing about her sexual needs. What is it? The, uh, no, I didn't say anything about that.

That did you. No, you didn't have that too. Trevor. I know all about sexual needs and even more about how to satisfy those needs. I just like look at Toa disgusted, like, oh, what the fuck? How about you, big man? You're a tall drink. No, no, no, no.

Toa, Toan is an innocent in this. Drink of blood like as in I have blood and I mean I do have lots of blood I bet you have a lot of blood but I mean it's not like drinking blood it's more sort of my blood you know It's not stays in me kind of blood you know You're stupid. I like that Hey that's not very nice okay, you're stupid. I like that That's not very nice Felix his advantages okay

I'm trying to learn Felix is has been teaching me about things. No, I'm starting to believe you're all stupid. I'm starting to have flashbacks. Now tell me, before I question whether my mind is playing tricks on me or not, why are you here, why have you sought me out? What has Zern told you? What does he seek?

What do you seek? What do you wish from Escher, Krescott? Kreskov. Are there chairs? Counts of Castle Romonia. Castle Remonia, you said? How would you spell that? R-E-M-O-R-M-I-A. I did not get that. Ramonia? Ramornia. Rommonia. Sounds like a cough drum. So out of character, because I don't have it in my notes, I don't remember Zern telling us anything like super specific. He literally was just like,

this is a guy that might be able to help. Yeah. Yeah, and basically he, you, he, he, he, he, told you that he does not like the carrion king Vorok or the can't even mention his name but the carrion king and that you might be able to get his help yeah and that count would be the place to go right are there chairs oh you actually see you actually see that there are a number of of chairs where they're kind of like pushed out to the side and and scattered it out looking you know much of the upholstery is is torn and in disrepair. Do you mind if we sit? We can tell you all

all we know and you can tell us all you know and we can perhaps find some sort of alliance. Well, I don't think that you're going to leave any time soon, so Brutus. Oh, right away, master, let me know. You are honored a guest of the master here. I will go fix you some chairs. And he scampers over to one.

Seriously. Oh. Because he's so weak, but he's grinding. The chair is scraping against. And he doesn't, he takes about a minute to get one chair over. Okay, okay. I'm going to help him. But I'm going to give him a diminishing cat on his head.

I'm going to walk over two and just like grab like two or four chairs. And just like put him down. Thank you. I really appreciate your help. Okay, oh, thanks. Well, you know, I'm just the major domo, but we're one out. your sort of help. So thank you for being honored a guest of the master. And I will, do you need anything? Any snacks? Oh, if you have pistachios and also any kind of

alcoholic liquor or drink, I'm presuming that you have any of that's non-blood. That would be my preference. Oh yeah, no, we got, we got some of that. It's been a while since our the supply because we haven't had any gas that weren't, you know, in the dungeon for a while, and we only have one gas who's living in the traditional tense still, and he just gets well water and is a little dirty, and I don't care, but I will not serve you well water because you are on a gas of the master. I will fetch you some scrumptious snakes. Well, uh, domo arigato, uh, fruitis. No, it's Domo Brutish. It's not my name, it's just Brutus. No, no, a rigato or otherwise.

Thank. Oh, okay. And he, uh, he scampers out. You see his little wings are flapping and, like, brings him up a little bit with each kind of, uh, step that he does and his tail is flicking around. A picture him, like a stone filatidis. I don't want to picture. Uh, he is short and squat, for sure. And so there are chairs and you're all able to sit down and Xcher just watches the whole thing unfold. And he tapped on the side of his throne and he says,

now that that ordeal is over, perhaps you can all start with your story. I haven't heard a good story in a long time. Alvin Iris, do you trust the carrot? No. I don't know how many times I have to say the words he's a van der Lehmann. You're exactly right, I am. Do I scare you? No.

No, you don't. Not at all. What scares me is how willing those that are close to me are to become friendly with you. That scares me. How quickly Lufti would allow her parents. Guelfti would allow her passion to allow her near to a vampire. What scares me even more is knowing how weak that means she is. I mean, I don't think that's totally fair, really.

You know, we came here for a reason. He's got to help us, so I don't need to be rude to him. But you also don't need to... But you also don't need to not. She's a liability. Hold on, what I mean, we were told here... I knew. Zern gave her. And we don't trust Zern, do we?

That's true. I don't really like it. That is the first smart thing you have said. You're telling me that someone we don't trust told us to make our way to a vampire and that we should trust that vampire because Zern told us to? I don't care who tells me to. What if it's the enemy of my enemy? Shouldn't you this tell me to trust a vampire?

I would still question it. Well, oh, um, uh, do you like the Kery and king? No. How much would it? lightly. So you don't like him very much. Did you see how many heads I had on spikes and his vile birds chained up? Yeah, that's true. It was a lot. So, I mean, at least we know he doesn't like the guy that we know is bad. An enemy of my

enemy can still be my enemy. I'm also not trying to trust this guy 100%. We have to learn what he knows. And I mean, I'm gonna stay cautious. I'm with you on this. I rolled a one for my Arcona check on one vampire card. What's an Arcona check? And also I'm a teafling. I probably taste like pennies. It's disgusting. What's a penny?

It's like a cup. The bottom line is that we really don't have any other places to go, and this is really the only... I'm not saying we need to leave. I'm simply saying that I'm appalled by how wanton some of you are and your desire for the undead. You know me before we came. And you've been a liability since the day I met you.

I was hoping. You're never going to kick me out. Well, I'm questioning that currently. I know, but you always do and you always come back because you know you love me. We're not having this conversation. Escher looks at you, Caprice. I mean, and as you mentioned, and your blood would taste like pennies. And he says, you know what they say?

Hunger is the greatest spice. Wait, doesn't all blood technically taste like pennies? I'm still confused on what a penny even is. Well, if it's like a copper. Is that iron and metal? to it. Yeah, what she said? I mean, I understand that you're hungry, but you've got some fresh, more blood, or bare blood.

I imagine that that is also satisfactory in the spicy, hungry way that he was mentioned. Look at me, T.Flin. Does it look like it's satisfactory? Well, I don't know if you don't look the way that you normally look because you're having that blood. He points to the portrait behind him. Oh. And you see... Count, have a question for you.

Yes, Iris. If you were to drink, Lufty, would she succumb to your affliction? No. Even if I wanted to, I don't have that sort of power, so you can rest easy. So what would happen to her? Should you drink from her?

She would just die. Oh, you have no control to stop yourself before her life leaves her, or you would you choose not to? Trust me. Once I sink my fangs, begin to drink. There's nothing that's going to stop me until you are dry. So, as I said, turn your lustful eyes away, you harlot. So, what are we going to tell him?

Thank you. We haven't really discussed it. Well, I mean, I think that we just, we just tell you that we were told by Zun who we don't trust, that you might be able to help and you might at least be a safe place to, you know, in this land. What we've seen so far seems very dangerous. There's lots of scouts. We've already had a bit of... We've had a terrible time getting here. We had lots of violence and killing and murder.

It felt like we're being haunted the whole way. I personally am hoping that, you know, maybe he can just tell us as much about the carrying things as possible. So we know what we're dealing with here. We thought that maybe you were leading some kind of rebellion and whether that was bad intel or... Assumption. He was maybe misleading us or just bad intelligence.

This also was sort of the first, like, potentially safe house that we could come to after we rescued this young girl. Well, that is, I suppose, accurate. Your will be safe from the vultures and ghouls and gasts of the carrion king those vile dusk hells that follow them. Castle Ramornia is nigh impenetrable.

I've made sure of that. So is there anything that you would like to do to the Karean king yourself that maybe we could help you with in case maybe, you know, and then you could help us out in doing so. and does like the concept of a seal ring any bells to you? Not very. I just sort of like, I feel like just cringing a little like, oh, no, no.

He turns to you to and he see a flash of anger, flat, wash over him. And he says, if I could cut the bloated bald head of that bastard, right now I would. But what's the point? Look around. Do you think I have that kind of capability? So... Have you seen Zarragosa?

Castle Bloomvale. No. What is the Zaragoza? It is the capital city of Skethronil. Oh. Yeah. I think even your Virgil Zern would find that it's even more impenetra. But then again, I suppose Zern has always...

been arrogant, thinks he's far cleverer than he really has. So many of those times. Can he and he even though by any other names? His name is Vorok. Well, I'm talking about any other names. Not that I'm aware of. But he has been increasing his power, increasing the depths of the depravity he will go to,

increasing the darkness, the shrouds. this land every year is darker. Every year there's more corpses raised. I believe now there's more undead here than actual living beings. More rotting flesh to feed them. Well, if I may, you know, put on my soldier hat for a minute, if it were me, I would think that at the very least, we would start by potentially trying to gather some information and, you know, looking for what we might be looking for. And then we could work to try to destabilize this campaign. If, obviously, there's only a few of us and there's only so much that we can do, but you'll be surprised with a small group of rebels might be able to accomplish. And if we can strike at the right strategic points, we might be able to really shake things up around here.

And then from there, who knows? Yeah, that's true. We've been surprisingly successful at being able to turn the tides of political forces, military forces, and our travels. Perhaps, you know, I mean, this country has an undead problem. We could dress them up and call them fun debt. Cheap sorts of labor. The labor is what the carrion king already uses them for. He's always one step ahead.

And you're always, you really are so naive to think. Do you understand what I've been dealing with? These many moments. I do not know how you survive. Neither do I for the first time. I feel like I have. I can align with a vampire. But I suppose by the grace of God anything is possible.

Anubis too praised. I have seen that power. I have seen the power. What fire can do against complete tyranny. But I am old now. I am without hope. That was snuffed out of me ten years ago, and I just wish to wither away and die in my coffin, my tomb.

I tripped. I mean, if it's fire you're looking for, I mean, a little prestidigitation. I just like to make some flame dance for my finger. And we got that. We've got lots of things. I mean, we can do this. Very impressive. That was nothing.

The point is, look, you know, you saw as soon as I came in here that I'm from Centra. I mean, this is not an uncommon thing for the Talengarde to do. You know, we've done this before. This is raids on across enemy lines. We can do this. You'll have to forgive me if I'm not in doubtful. Five strangers sent to me by an who perhaps is even more untrustworthy than I am. You talk like you know this, this certain.

You had correspondence, yes. Just letters then? How do you know him? Does he know that you remember? Yes, of course. That's why he was... So intrigued by me, as well as my hatred of the Carian king. But you know that he enjoys to become friends with anyone who can destabilize opposing governments. What do you know of the name, Uncate? Ancate.

I have never heard of it. peculiar. And Brutus finally comes back in, and he's carrying a plate. of there's no pistachios. I want to hold an insight check on. Yeah, please. Oh. No.

On etcher. I don't really know pistachios. You're just going out of a pistachian. Go back and check again. He has a tray, and there's actually a... 26. No, sorry, 27. There is some sliced, salted meat on a plate,

and some biscuits or crackers of some kind. And you see that there's a bottle of wine. It seems to be very old. And he brings it over. Oh, well, I didn't find any cheese to go with this. I'll know that for a chertory plate of meat and cheese. A chitigree. All the cheese was moldy, and we haven't really had any in a while.

So you'll just have to deal with wine and meat and biscuits. She was mold. Ooh, crackers. I'll just pour a thing of wine into my own. Is there any cup or? Yeah, there's, there's, there's, there's, I'll grab him, being. He's standing it around.

Don't you very, we're all set. You did so good. Oh, okay. And Asher then turns to you, Felix, and says, how long were you going to wait before addressing the child in your hands? I was polite, because I didn't want to question what you had going on. Well, we don't really know. I just want to make sure that she's a,

and I'm just watching over her. Hey, she hasn't really stirred or anything. She's alive. She's under some sort of, not necessarily a hex, but some magical... Something. He quickly stands off and very quickly... Something.

Something. I'm really concerned with this small Danny DeVito-like creature. Despite how, um, how emaciated and withered he looks, he closed the distance between you two very quickly. Oh, I would think. almost the gliding. Closer to me, like, startled that he moves so fast. And he, his eyes survey her, and he looks at the dress,

and his eyes narrow. Where did you retrieve this child? I would briefly recount the encounter that we had, and then, you know, without giving too many details about the, you know. We believe that she may be the raven child, or connected to it on something. She was in some kind of like her swagger and we found her in a coffin Do we saw the letter? There were scrolls, right? Or something? No, there was the letter. Oh

letter. Yeah, I recall it. And we have found this letter on her To I I will probably have it. So yeah, I pulled it out into him. He grabs it. So this is what you're doing. You can see that his hand tenses up and he hands it back. What is it? Does that mean something to you? Your child must be exhausted. She must have gone through such an ordeal. She's at rest.

I mean, she's been in some kind of stasis. There's nothing that we've been able to do. I have a room. She can sleep in and she'll be very comfortable and safe. No offense, but... Now I kind of side with Iris. How do we know that you won't hurt her? Brutus, would you care to escort our friend here too? her sweet.

Yes, master, it's been a while since I've been up there. I don't know how tidy it is. It might be a little bit dusty. Should I go up? Just do it, Brutus. Okay, master, I will. I'm sure I'll be fine.

I'll get nice and comfy for the little one, eh? Is he looking to lead us? I guess I would look around and say, we can go check it out. You always just say no. One of us will have to stand with it. I will not relish the girl into the care of the vampire. I agree with ours.

Can you take a moment to stop eating pistachios so we can finish this conversation? The crackers. The crackers. The crackers. I don't know what you're saying. You know not that I that many salted crackers at one time. Oh, you were saying crackers. Yes, I'm saying crackers, thank you.

Yes, can you stop eating so we can get this conversation? Thanks. Switch over to the meat. No, put it down, you don't know what that gave from. What did she get on her? What did she run on her inside? I'm sorry. Yeah. What are you trying to insight?

So I asked him if he knew the name. And what did you roll? And I rolled a 27. You get the sense that... But he is also a Dracula. It's... You get the sense that it's actually genuine. Okay.

It's what? It's genuine. That he doesn't know. He doesn't know. He's never heard the name. You perceive that he was... truthful when he says he's never heard the name on the time. Okay, cool.

All right, Brutus, if you lead the way. Oh, all right. This way. And whoever would like to come? Well, goodbye, Felix. Oh, I'm not going by myself. Doe was coming with me. Yeah, I was going to come just in case.

You're going to leave myself in Lufty with Caprice and a Dracula. I mean, I suggested we all go. I was going to say, we should stick together. Yeah, I don't know that it's a good idea to split up until we... So we're just going to walk through this horribly decrepit castle and leave the vampire alone? Keep an eye on the ceilings and the walls. You don't want any bricks to crush you. Maybe you could give us a tour around while we walk to these chambers?

Yeah! Brutus can give you the tour. If you wish to speak, you can. If you wish to sleep on it, and... discuss in the morning we can also do that you must be tired after a long journey and barely surviving my traps I look at my health and it's probably pretty low we could use some rest yeah I wouldn't mind I will be here nothing that says we can't all stay in the same room with the girl yeah we are your guests now yes you are my honored guests you heard Brutus and with that we deserve a certain amount of

Yes. So you would respect me in not visiting Lufty or any of my friends at any point while we are presiding as your guests in your home. Make your response and check. Be-b-b-b-b-be-b-be-h. That's so good. At 22, you'll not. Boom, gone.

He thinks for a moment and says, you have my word. I will not visit anyone in the night there are gas quarters where you can sleep only the child may stay

a room that is fit for a child I don't know about that group can we keep guard on the room that is fit for a child we don't have to sleep there but if we swap a watch so to speak we just want to make sure she's

I will have two of my stone watch stationed at the door. Make sure that nothing mothold's her. I feel I've been tricked by things like this in the past. Do you think that I would harm a child? Yes. Am I that as a monster to you? You're a vampire, and I mean that with no disrespect.

I may be a vampire, but an old friend once told me that any soul can begin the path to redemption. the first step of doing the next right thing. And I have tried. I have tried so hard for 200 years to walk that path. You have no reason to trust me. And if you do trust Zerm,

then perhaps you are poor judges of character. I think what Irish, I'm trying to say is that we don't, we're here because we need to be. And we may have, received advice from Zern, but we certainly are not following his every word. We're doing what we need to do as individuals to save just people. And if you really do think that you're making a difference or walking some path to redemption, then you have to believe us that we're just doing the right thing.

Oh, I know. I know how to fix this. We have a mutual mistrust of each other. We don't know each other very well, So I promise that we will not do anything to harm you or your cause if you promise not to do the same thing. Pinky promise. Don't touch him. Just still me. With almost a gliding-like motion, he locks his pinky and yours, he pulls you in close. Oh, sweet.

And despite being an undead creature, you feel a warmth as he looks down at you and says, and he says, I pinky promise. That's so good to hear. And I'll do like a little hand thing. It's sealed. It's sealed. It's been. Ew.

Ew. Ewe. On taking care of, the bond is sealed. We are safe. He is safe. We can do this now. If you wish to save the children that are being taken to Zarakosa,

you wish to just to destroy the carrion king. I may be powerless and useless to help you. Please backtrack. The children is in more than this girl are being taken. Yeah, I'm going to need you to tell me everything you know about that. Oh, you... Your master has not told you that. I'm going to say this one more time before I start to get frustrated. He is not our master. We do not trust him.

We have our own reasons of being. They happen to align. And we choose our battles wisely. Very well. I'm convinced. Yes. Nearly a decade. Children have going in to Zarakosa, not returning. That ends now.

Well, you mentioned that something happened 10 years ago. Yeah. And then also that you mentioned that there was a room fit for a child, and I've seen that portrait there was a child. Did she stay in that room and did something happen to her? To her. Please. His eyes just glaze over and he stares off in the distance.

Oh, dear. It is all my fault, yes. I am responsible for everything. No matter how narrowly I walked that path, I could not stay on it. My best intentions. Brought all of this. And he points to me, child. The room that is prepared is my daughters.

She no longer resides in this castle. Your child is welcome to stay there. It is made for a princess. And he kind of like chokes up a bet. We can fix this. People make mistakes. It's... Trust me, I know. I understand that you may have slipped up and not stayed on your path, but we can fix this.

That's why we're here. Since the wound has already been reopened, told. Here, have some crackers. I hate to, but I shall try further. You said she no longer resides here. That does not necessarily indicate the means. Is there a child that she still lives? And besides also.

He looks at the child that you've all, and you can see that there's some tears welling up in his eyes. As much as it pains me to say it, it would be better if she did not live. But first, before we discuss in here with this, please, we should not discuss in front of a child, even in her spaces. I do not wish her to know of the horrors of this land Now that she has been freed and spared

Please Alright, let's go Brutus could you please leave the way? Thank you very much Yeah, I'm ready for the tour tomorrow I will be here this evening if you wish to speak I may be able to free the child of What afflicts her but I will require assistance

we can discuss tomorrow I will be awake all night I rarely sleep anymore there are quarters on the other wing of the castle enough beds for all of you

British will need to clear out some cobwebs but it should be comfortable enough I used to have guests I used to have friends used to have friends, and they're all dead. But I did take good care of them while they lived. And I hope to take good care of you.

You clearly care about what I do. And his eyes linger, you can, as it's on the dress of the child. And he goes back to his throne and he sits down, And he grabs the goblet of, not wine, of animal blood, presumably. He takes a big set and waves you off. And he says, Brutus, you may take them whatever they like. In the castle, you know, the rooms that are off of them. It's, oh, yes, ma's sure.

Which ones not to take or mention. Yes, sure. Yes, sure. I would like to walk forward completely ignoring through this and I'm gonna walk straight up to him sitting on his throne Yeah, standing very next to him. I'm going to extract my claws and I'm going to slice on my wrist and I'm going to drop some of my blood into his goblet for pain of the book calls the talk of your daughter I hope this will help you be more clear in your answers next we meet and then I'm going to cast cure wounds on myself and He'll do the moon and just like turn my

and join my friends. As the blood drops, you see his eyes go wide, and they flash red for a second. Oh, sweet boy. And he, you can see him like just clenching up. And I keep like complete eye contact with him the entire time. It swallows hard and he looks at you. And you can see as he regains composure

and his eyes return to that beautiful shade of blue as he just nods and says, I thank you, Miss June. Help a little. Enjoy your accommodations. I hope they are adequate. I have not had guests I haven't fed upon him in so long. And he takes a sip.

See a little tiny bit of vitality return as he takes a set. When he takes a sip, is it like, or is it like... Or his teeth straws? It's a little bit of both. No, for the nostrils. Pints of hibiscus, mango. And with that, you are ushered away. I'm asking Brutus lots of questions on the tour.

Do they have many tapestries? I assume that all the stairs sort of like Euclidean-style walk into different upside-down rooms and stuff. Oh, Escher! And then like that kind of thing. You look around and you, son of a bitch. The design. design of the castles very bizarre.

Seems to be, you do see that there, it doesn't seem to be fully symmetrical and it seems to be built in a way that is, that doesn't seem very quite logical. And you see that there are, that there might be like stairs going on the ceiling. Do we pass his mother at any point? No, no.

I, sorry, go ahead. I was gonna say just as he's giving the tour and I'm holding this girl I would lean in towards the rest of the group and just say I can't go to sleep tonight he said he's gonna be up I gotta find out what's happening to his kids I mean what if we find out something about my law I can't just like wait until morning I can go back and speak with him I mean I think we should get there settled yeah I think he would be out at night right as long as she's safe I have to go back I can't just leave this open-ended all right all right um then maybe I could stay with with her with the rest of you want to...

None of us can stay with anyone. That is what he told us. We are not welcome at all. Are we okay with that? We are choosing to trust him. Why do you think I did what I did? I think that the ladies did a really good job proving our intention and testing him.

And I think that what Irish did was incredibly brave. And I think that we can trust him, at least for now. If he had no control, if he truly meant to harm us, the smell of my blood would have set him off. He controlled himself. And for that, I respect him. I do not trust him, but I can respect him. Right, right, no, I think that's, I think that's perfect.

Well done. I was brilliant thinking. All right, well, then let's get here settled. Let's see what we'll sleep, and then maybe we could meet him. We should definitely have a conversation about what information we want to. We also should have a conversation about what information we plan on sharing with him. I think we should probably keep the light on the seals action. And he's been around for a long time, he might have some kind of insight.

What's going on? There's weird scarab things and seals. Well, if he does not know the name on the top, then I'm not sure how much he's going to know about scurrets. Oh, it's a good point. I want to find out what happened. He said 10 years ago. You're going to relay all of this, aren't you, a small little thing? Oh, to the mass, yes, I tell everything you're here. I assume. Yes, that's how it works.

And so over there is a tapestry that's also ruined. It was very beautiful once. and down that way is the window Oh, you're not supposed to go down that way And you hear these... Is it the third floor corner door? No, I think we're on a third and a half floor, actually. Oh, you're quelling me, I see this right up here. And so he takes you down to the main...

You had gone through a stairway in the main entrance hall and there were two staircases up and he takes you to one of them And you hear the... As you pass certain rooms, you hear the grinding of gears and cogs and machinery and you hear the bubbling of and strange glows from certain wings as you make your way up to, and the walls are incredibly dense as well.

You can tell that this is a very strangely designed, but also incredibly heavily fortified castle, despite its disrepair. And you make your way towards a door at the top of a stairwell that is, would have been once elegantly carved and designed with faded, gilded carvings, and an elaborate door handle. And you see that there is a, the symbol within is faded, but it looks to be a small bat, with a little crown on him.

And as Buddhist arrives, he looks up at it, and he reaches up and he kind of, he pulls back. And you see that on his stone face, he looks sad. And he says, okay, I haven't been here. And I'm so part of me if I get a little emotional. And he reaches up and pulls them. And there's a bit of dust that blast you. It's pretty terrible.

as you all make your way into what is a room that's covered in cobwebs and dust, but you see a large four-poster bed with a canopy, incredibly tall and plush with tons of pillows, and beautiful, beautiful comforters and blankets. And you see that there are rows and rows of shelves filled with all sorts of jewelry and trinkets and toys. This is a room that is, despite the cold, dusty, ruined veneer on this castle, Castle, Rumornia, this room, despite being filled with dust, it looks like it was not that long ago used.

It's kept in much better repair than much of what you've seen. And you basically see that there's a rug, there's a fireplace, On one side, there is, you see that there's a rug that's actually made out of a, seem to be a dire wolf pelt, right by the fire and a rocking chair. And there's a row of books that seem to have all sorts of colorful spines. And they seem to be a mixture of children's books, but also historical books as well. and Brutus reaches into a little satchel that he has, and he pulls out a feather dust there, he says, oh, part in a mess here, I'm sorry, I haven't bitten here in a while.

Oh, Brutte. And he's going around, you see him fluttering up, and it takes him a while to flutter up to the top of the shelves. I'm going to use my unending breath and just like, like with a powerful breath, like blow the dust around. I would say you're able to do that, and with like a gust of wind, you're able to blast that, and the dust is, and then it just whips out of the room with your mastery of wind.

And he said, oh, well, that took it a lot longer than I would have. Oh, thank you very much, thank you quietly. They gotta call you major double. Actually, no, please, this is all I have. I wouldn't dream of taking it. Oh, from goodness, okay, okay. Oh, let me get the fire going for the little one. And he very quickly, almost with this weird supernatural,

dexterity, grabs some dry looking logs that were still there covered in dust, and he throws it in and gets it lit immediately. And in an instant, the room is aglow with this warm fire. And despite this ruined castle, the vampire count, it looks like a room fit for a princess and a normal castle just with those few changes. I would very gently go towards the bed and pull back the sheets and you know upon looking and making sure that everything looks okay I would very gingerly lay her down and I tuck her in oh yeah she looks nice and comfy there um gosh I've been here in a while and he and he said and he uh he shambles over to her and he says oh I'll make sure we fetch here some some milk I think

there's some kind of animal in the stables like in milk kids like that I think she's not going to be awake I guess until the master you know, does this thing. But we'll make sure that she's all right. And I'll tend to her, and I'm going to get two of the blockheads to stand at either end at this door here. What potential milks are we talking about here? Well, I mean, we got some, uh, there are some brands. We've got some goats. Okay, and that's fine. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't like weird-ass milk. That's fine. What do you mean by, what is weird-ass milk?

I don't know. We're in an insane country with... Who would not know? Look at this guy. I don't know what guy, you know. Look at this guy. It's very intolerant, you know. When you come into somebody's house, if they're drinking, you know, I don't know,

dog milk or something, you just have to roll with it. Oh, so you're going to drink blood of animals? Because that shows drinking? I said milk. Come into his house? No. Maybe. I don't know.

I don't choose, you know. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't like undeading. milk or something. All right, that's fine. Oh, that's fair. This library has one my... No, the only undead were allowed in this castle are the master himself and nothing else. We got the block edge on it, we got all of the alchemical symbols, nothing is getting up the walls, nothing is coming down from the sky, nothing is coming through the gates, we are fully protected. What kind of our chemical symbols? Oh, the master has this place very well protected. is it my self-alchemist.

I mean, this is very important. Can you learn to like alchemy things? I don't know. I can learn anything. I haven't been stopped yet. Take a look. Can we see any of those? It's in a book. Speaking of which book or do you. Oh, if you give a rock a cookie.

I had this one. I wasn't, I was a kid. It's everywhere. It's just all over a ventras. It's so weird. I'll put it back. I'm sure it's disrespectful. Oh, I was saying, can you see any of the alchemical symbols? that they're talking about, is it visible within the room? No, no, it's not within the room. You saw some of them when you were making your way and just the crazy traps and the, you see that,

you get the sense that there's some sort of combination of machinery and alchemy that Escher has mastered and has used to defend the castle. Well, I guess I'll make sure the little one is okay. It's been so long since anyone is, set in this room, or haven't at any reason. to be here. Does Count Kreskov, does he have, like,

weakness isn't the right word. It's something that he really loves a lot, like that he gets in the form of a gift. Something that we can do to make him happy. Oh, the master says that he's incapable of love and the happiness doesn't exist, so no, no. Okay, answer your question now. now. So he would probably

enjoy something that resonates with his sadness? Resonate with sadness? I don't know what that means. I'll think about it. Thank you. Are you sad? Do you need a hug? I was also created to give very nice hugs. You look like you could give a great hug. I am fine for now, but I will know that

for ever. Okay. and make sure that I'll get two blockheads on the situation and I'll make sure that this little one is taking very well good well care of I'm not sure how to say that I might even read her a bedtime story oh my goodness I think that oh let's rub it's the favorite of no one of the mention and he reaches out and he pulls a book and he dragged over the chair one of the chairs to sit to have it be right beside the child that she she's tucked in and he puts the book on the on the bedside table and uh he looks at all and he says i can show you to your quarters and you can sit away and then meet the master or oh we can just i think it sounds nice let's do that does sound good everyone sure yeah sure i wanted to stay for the story but yeah no no let's go let's go let's go okay uh open one up back you one he puts the book down and he uh closes the door very softly behind him

And he guides you through the castle back down into the Grand Entrance Hall to the other side, the other wing of the castle. A grand staircase going up. And you see the similar kind of glow and you hear the machinations that are going on with in this castle. As you eventually arrive up a staircase to see a what looks like a large suite. There's a number of beds. There's a sitting area. There's actually three fireplaces. There's several tables. All the beds look very plush and comfortable.

There's plenty of closet space. And you see that there's a number of withered flowers for decoration. They look completely ancient. It's basically just blackened and almost dust at this point. And you see that there's a number of just tapestries that are covered in soot and ash, or not ash, but just soot and dust. And Brutus says, okay, make yourself comfortable. Just choose whatever bad you like. There's enough for everybody and more, I might say. I can bring, this is a little sitting area. If you care for snacks or beverages, I can regularly provide that for you.

I'll make sure that you are hydrated, fed and watered. And I guess I should get to work dusting on this. Unless, you want to take care of it again? Yeah, sure. Okay, this looks good enough. I'll make sure I'll finish up some of the spots that you missed. Speaking of water, these flowers, are you trying to see how dead they can be? No, I just haven't really honestly had any...

No one stayed here and caught the oil. Some fresh flowers in the morning, perhaps, always puts a smile on my face. I mean, I wouldn't say no, but, you know, no trouble. I'll go down in a valley to know what, and pluck some fresh flowers. Yes, yes. Yes, yes, exactly right. Great. Okay, well, settle in, you can leave your stuff.

Do you know how to get back to the master's welcoming hall? Yeah, we can find out there. Okay. You know all the places, a point of old places you're not supposed to go. And so I'm going to go take on the little one and get a couple blockheads on the situation. Okay? Call me, say, Brutus, I need something very loudly and I'll probably hear you. This castle is basically my castle, but don't tell the master that.

But I have to tell him that I said that because that's how I was made. So, um, and he, uh, he shuffled off. Was there anything, as he was pointing out the places we weren't supposed to go? Was there anything that stuck out, you know, strangely, bizarrely, or was it, you know, everything kind of same? Like the one hallway covered with like, it kind of looked the same, and there were some doorways that had a little faint glow underneath them. There was one that was maybe the iron and included barred. They looked, you know, but nothing was like, oh my God, there wasn't like a huge sign, like, oh, spooky room. Right, right, yeah.

So you are all, from what you can tell, alone in this large suite that, and I'll say that before he left, he set all three of the fireplaces go roaring. So the warmth is coming back in. You hear the sound of the storm outside of the castle dying down. You see that there are, you know, you have a few windows to look out as well, and the storm is starting to dissipate. The dripping from the water is starting to ease up, and the warmth is filling this space as well. This is not bad, huh? This is, I mean, this is honestly a lot better than I was expecting. It's very comfortable in comparison to the dirt of the realm that we just walked through.

Yeah. The horrible dangers and shadows and... It's pretty good. and... Unrelated. Did he mention his own countess? No? Well, I don't think he mentioned one.

Presumably there would be. I mean, he had a daughter. Yeah. Okay, carry on. Just curious. This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash Legends of Aventress

and gain access to tons of exclusive perks, including a monthly movie night and a weekly Patreon exclusive. campaign set on the high seas, shroud over salt marsh. You can also go to the crooked moon.com to pick up your own copy of our first published supplement, The Crooked Moon, a folk horror tone for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition. And don't forget to snag all of the extra goodies like dice, miniatures, plushies, a tarot deck, and more. Thank you. You are in your suite. It seems to be communal. There's a, there's a, there's a, there's a,

good number of beds here, couches, sitting areas, tables. The fires are roaring. And you see that Rudis will say that he left you another bottle of wine, and he brought the cured meat, the salted meat, and some more crackers and biscuits. Anyone want some wine? Yeah. And I'll just take the bottle of cork it and start drinking straight from the bottle. Glasses. Glasses. Oh, and I'll pour a little bit and hate it. end up to you and keep drinking out of a puddle. I'm fine, I don't need any. So are we, do we feel safe and comfortable with all this? No.

I agree, but we don't really, we don't have a choice, right? This is the best we can do right now. I mean, it's a lot safer than our situation in the last few weeks. Yeah, it's better than being in the woods, yeah. So, I mean, I think it's definitely an upside, and I will choose to believe that Count Kreskov, cough, who make the girl safe. He seemed very genuine in the daughter that he has lost. Yeah, did you see how sad he was? It was terrible. I didn't mean to stir up any emotions. I just didn't really think about that.

Well, now we know. And he seems to know pretty much, I mean, except for Scarab Jones, he knows pretty much everyone. We all tell us all sorts of information that will help us accomplish our goals here and your potential. Yes, yes, yes. We have to get back down there quickly. Oh, well, we just opened a wide. I can walk, I can walk and talk. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, we'll walk and talk. Top you off. Patience is about you, peace.

I, like, have, like, a shitty rucksack of, like, basically nothing. I throw on the ground, I go away by the door. I'll put the bag of holding down in my bed, and I'll lay down my toe up. A wardrobe or anything? Yes, yeah, there's a number of wardrobes. Can I open it up and, like, find some. something fancy? You open it up, and I will say that there's actually a large number of bustle dresses.

They are all very dark colored. They're of blacks and grays, dark glues, dark violets, dark purples. But there's basically full Victorian style in there. I mean, even all of these wear the schoolgirl uniform. You get the sense that these dresses were made for women that were taller than you are. Oh, man. Why this has always happened every time? So there's nothing that fits me.

I'm like four feet tall. It's not true. How tall are tall? Five foot tall. Is that a lie? I don't know. I think you're mine. I feel bigger than this.

I feel like I should fit in these dresses. You're like half of one of those dresses. Help me fit it. How? I don't know. Figure it out. That's not my job. I know, but you're my friend and you're supposed to help me when I feel sad. Is that how friendship works?

Yes. I should give in to your delusions. Yes. All of them. Yes. Okay, now fit it. You look great. I don't need to do anything at all.

Look at you. It fits you perfectly. Oh, damn it. You're supposed to step on it and trip like that. There's no way you are five feet tall. I'm like not just quite. six feet tall and you're like hero look we're among friends okay no I'm change back into my regular colors but I'll change you look so good I'll kick

the dress on the corner it fits you so well you don't know the robid in sure I'm not I'm trying to give into your delusions okay yes there's got to be a way for us to fix this magically. So I was out of character. Unfortunately, Transmute. It's transmute. Otherwise, I just... You could kill Brutus in one block.

Oh, no. I get so fucked up things to the people on his castle. But I choose not to, because I'm an evolving idiot. I could literally turn into mud. I get to see it. I get to see it. Welcome.

I could do some really egregious shit. to the denizens of this castle. You do pass actually one of the, what he called Stone Watchers, these large gargoyles, and they seem to have different, they seem to be all of the similar shape, a bit humanoid, a bit larger arms than legs,

very beefy and strong, and they, as they stop through the castle, there's a bit of a rumbling, and they're maybe try to squeeze past you and they just look down at you with those glowing, our chemical eyes. So are they processing, are they looking at this?

Do they know we're there and they're just doing on? Yeah. They're looking at you. And you remember that Major Dome Brutus had basically told them all of the blockheads he calls them, that you guys were cool. And so they look at you and they just walk past you. And you get a sense that there is some sort of intelligence there, but they're not speaking, but there is some sort of intelligence. Hello, we're just going to go.

We're just walking down that way. that way. Those guys are nice. That's pretty good defense. Those things look really strong. We almost got killed by a bunch of those outside. I feel kind of safe. While we're walking through the castle,

I'm going to look down the wings that he told us not to go down and see if I can kind of smell anything or hear anything. That may or something. might give me... I'd like to know in detail what you smell. Oh, yeah. I'm about going to know. Okay, 21.

As you look down, the several of the wings that he said to not go down, you see that there are wings going off into various parts of the castle. Definitely a larger structure than is needed for just Escher himself. The one, many of them that, or the several that he told you not to go down, you can get a sense that they're less musty. and they're less, they seem to be more heavily trotted, I'll say. And you kind of see some glow off to the side. The area where you hear the grinding of the gears and the glow,

those seem to be down those corridors. Where it's fine, you see maybe a little bit of a fire going that may not have been there before you got, may not have been lit before you arrived at the castle. Well, I guess the places that are off limits must be where he does his, how chemical things. I mean, it's certainly likely. Maybe he could show you around.

I know they're off limits, but if you want to learn more, I think that, you know, it might be worth a look. Yeah, I think that's a fantastic idea, but we have to find out about these children first. You're right, you're right. Yeah, and maybe if we just talk to him,

maybe they wouldn't be off limits anymore. Maybe we can spend a little more time on this relationship. I'm all for it. I feel like we're just expecting a lot. a lot out of him. You know, we just kind of barged into his castle and like run through all of his traps and, you know, would you trust us?

We're very nervous. We are. We're so nice. But we've only been here for just a little bit of time. We're just looking for information. We haven't really imposed upon him. And if he's going to save the girl, then that's good. And if he gives us information, then that's good. And we'll help him if we can.

I mean, we drank some of his wine and crackers. I guess we could get him a... This is why I'm going to wrap in my brain to get a gift. He's a vampire. He doesn't drink wine or eat crackers. That's a fair point. So it's not really anything for him. He's providing his things he's not used to.

And all of his little creatures are made of stone, so they more than nightly don't eat. He doesn't eat crackers? That's what I was done. That's what my is not done. Crackers made a cracker. Why wouldn't he eat crackers? Probably, potentially.

dried human flesh. Yeah, maybe you eat blood-dice. No, I think that's more of a Frankenstein thing. Have you heard of a Frankenstein? Some people like to say that it was the doctor and other people like to say it was the monster. Really, it's up in the air. I think if you... Are you all right?

If you read the novel, Frankenstein is Dr. Frankenstein. Oh, definitely. And that his monster isn't named Frankenstein ever in the book. The madness has also reached out. As I've said, it's really up for debate. Depending on who you're talking to, he said that the doctor are the monster. I wish I had any idea what anyone was talking about. Does anybody remember though?

Well, there was a Merod named Shelley. A married? Yes, married Shelley. Like, like, like a, like a, like a, like a, like a, like a mermaid person. Yes. Like a fish person. Yes. What I don't.

Married aren't very common around here. What does that have to do with anything? What? We have to get to answer. He's a lot of very important information. I'm like, Felix, sorry. I'm like, I'm like, stomping. And even though you slowed me for a minute, like,

Like, you gotta be, you're slowing me down a little, and I continue. You make your way through the castle, and you see that there's a little bit more life that's returned as you hear the rumbling of the stone watchers moving about. And you, as you make your way into the grand foyer, you see the crumbled statue and you actually see the little bit more. The back side of Brunus is he's going up the other wing to where the child is sleeping. And you're easily able to find that same grand entrance hall. And Escher is exactly where you left him, except this time he's, rather than sitting and leaning forward, he has a leg slung over one of the armrests, and he's resting his. back on the other one.

As he's as he's, as he has very clearly a refilled cup of whatever sort of beastial blood is in that goblet. And he's just kind of swirling it around and he just looks incredibly bored. Hello. We're back. Daddy. Oh, you did not need to rest so soon. We have a lot that we need to talk about.

I suppose that's true. And you see that although it's not a ton, there is a little. little bit of extra life on death in those eyes and a little bit more energy. Bumpf? A little bit more gumption. A little bit more gumption. Do we think it's because of Iris's blood maybe? Or would we not put that together?

I guess you'd have to guess. Iris would assume that. I think Iris would assume that, yeah. I don't know if Toa Wood. I don't know if Toa Wood. No. But I don't think Toa you can notice. When we isn't more general we, no.

It's very similar, the royal we. It's very slight. And I would say that, like, a vampire, when they feet, drains the blood out of a human, like, it's a ton of blood they drink. Oh. And he gestures dramatically to the six chairs that are pulled around his little elevated throne. He says, well, I don't have a seat and let's have a chat among new friends. I would immediately take the closest chair.

to him and as I sit down, my quill and book are already open. Eager, aren't you, boy? We, you have information that we need. And most importantly, about the children. I have to know where they're, where they're coming from, why they're coming to here, why they're not leaving and what the purpose is. You have to tell us everything. You're smart.

I don't like that a little bit less than dumb, but I do appreciate your gumption. That's what you want to know first. I want to know of my arrogance, my failures as a father that brought us here, that brought your dear child and stasis like a corpse waiting for burial. I wouldn't have put it like that. Again, I don't blame you. Let's not mince words, Felix. We're among friends, are we not? Yes, and do. I consider you all dear friends. Honored guests of Romonia.

No, thank you. The children. Children, children. Perhaps I should start at the beginning. That would make the most sense, would it not? And I need you to make a group persuasion check for just your whole time here. And vote all in advantage,

because I think you've handled yourself very well. And we're going to see... Basically what can happen to you. Two, 17, gotta give it up. Got to. Wow. That's my mind. Thanks, mine's pretty low as well.

At advantage, you're a 13, garbage. 12, 12. More garbage. Oh, that could be. 23. Oh, that's a 15 out of five. That's very good one. Persuasion?

Oh, it's persuasion. I have perception. Persuasion. Your persuade, if you're time here, how forthcoming? 21. An acrobatics, you say? 16. With a 31, I'm behind Lucy, and I've got the empty wine bottle, and I'm pointing at her and pointing into the wine bottle.

We did all right overall. Oh, yeah, no, they, I mean, terrible for all of us. I just give usher a wink, and that's the... His penis explodes. Can you imagine? You got two turn on, your penis just exploded. I don't want to write about that. I can't imagine.

That's what happened after four. hours of, you know, per-price. You have to talk to your doctor. That's why you have to talk to your doctor. Does that mean that when you get an erection, there's like a fucking 24, the TV show, like countdown to her. Yes. Yes.

And it's very loud. At the moment that it goes down to zero, there's a burst. Okay. I just wanted to check and make sure that we were all. Vaporized. Instantly. Fat penis. Atomized.

With that, I sure is like, I like all of this. I'm a feeling, I don't know why I'm getting a little bit more excited. He... A timer appears above Caprizzed. He takes a... He takes a sip from his goblet, and he grimaces slightly and he never gets any better, and I do never get used to it. If you want to hear the tale of Count Escher Krezko, buckle up and feel free to interject

you seem eager to take minutes and I'm sure that you're the type wizard you have a thirst for knowledge feel free to ask for clarification I am your humble servant and your humble host for hospitality

runs in the Kreskov line it all began about 200 years ago I moved here with my daughter. The human village where I came from was new to the area. And for a time, relations with the Shadakai were

quite good. For about a generation, there was peace. I was made a duke, a counselor, part of me. I was made a count. And I met with the horrific bloated Karying King. But once, he was so interested in my power where I had come from. He had made myself and one other count the only non-Shaddarqai to hold any kind of power,

any kind of land, any kind of title in Schethranil. But that piece only lasted but a generation. Every year that would buy the clouds grew thicker, the sky got darker. I had known that they had dabbled in necrimency, but there was a change. It became a way of life. Someone. Vorak became obsessed with learning the secrets that I held and the other count held, where we had been the powers that had surrounded.

founded us for so long. Both of us rightfully were skeptical of its intentions, and so we refused. At first, he was groveling and kindness, pleasantries, offering anything we wanted, just like he offered me, this castle, with the stipulation that my patron would give a general, this generous gift to the crown, and I had a patron who owed me a favor. He pulled through him. So I lived in this castle with my daughter. I learned the ways of alchemy, machinery, tinkering. I, unlike the other count, did not have people. It was the worst place you could have a castle.

This boat, valley, treacherous would want to live here. Not even the ghouls want to live in this treacherous place. And so I filled it with my own people. And my daughter and I were happy for a time. It wasn't long when the peace all but crumbled. And then, and then, just as quickly as the carrion king welcomed us into his land, he turned against us,

trying to force out both myself and my counterpart. But he is. far stupider than he thinks he is. And fortunately, your people, Coromarchia, Erios, as well, and Gron. They cannot pull enough troops away from the front lines to break through my defences.

And the defenses of the other count. May I ask a question? Yes. Who is the other count? I have had very minor, respondents with him, but I knew his ancestor very well. Currently, the ruler of the county of Barovia, is Alexei von Zarovich. How do you spell that?

Alex I. How do you spell von Zarifido? How do you spell Von Zoroavich? And he's the kind of this... The... Beno... Barovia? Yes.

That's... Castle Barovia and Castle Romonia. The only two strongholds of any kind of decency in this terrible land. And he's defended himself as well. He's resisting as well. I'm far better than I have defended my own castle. I mean, then it sounds like we've got another ally. Perhaps.

Why haven't you joined him? I am not welcome there. To walk on that ground pains me. Why? It is protected heavily. Powers that even the carrion king cannot pierce through. Is it a hallowed? And I've never understood what that quite meant, but is that...

No? No? The entire valley. Oh. Oh. Fallon. Nestled away in that forest. Nailed it.

They have stayed protected from the carrion king I offered to help. I had friends there for a time who would come and visit me, make the long journey until it became too dangerous. Men, one by one, they died or disappeared. For that's the curse of everlasting life. How far are we from Grovia County? Do you have your own county? Is this a county? Valley that you can see below my castle is technically my domain, but it is barely and it is filled with darkness even more than much of this dark land.

It's treacherous, unhospitable. creatures of the night that welcome these forests. But the upside is that that brings the reagents of great power that grows fuels my alchemy. So I stay in my exile,

my crypt, awaiting the end of time, I suppose. What's a reagent? Felix. I need to find out about the key kids first. I don't want to interrupt his story. Oh, sorry. Oh, continue. Continue. I brought my daughter here. Her home, like mine, was Borovia.

But it was no place for archived, especially as the protection increased. The light of morning, never leaving. It's far better in these gloomy hills. And she... So she was a vampire, too? I don't know how that was. Yes. She was. She is. A vampire. Well, I mean, then that makes sense. About you saying that she's not gone, we can get her back. I haven't finished my story, boy.

We were happy for a time and then complicated situation. But we received news of the passing of a dear friend whom my daughter viewed as a mother. A little bit more than decade ago. She did not take it well. She became more restless. She began to learn and study about her other mother. I didn't want to stifle my daughter,

tell her not to do what she wanted. After all, she was a child, but she was over a hundred years old, nearly 200. It is hard for an eternal child. I understand that. She got restless, and she learned about her mother, and I did not stop it. She learned about travels and deeds that her mother had done, about places she had visited.

She became more rebellious, more resentful. That mother had whispered things in her ear, heights she could achieve. They had called her my princess, my little bat. But she was merely that... daughter of the count. What is that compared to an actual princess? And so her aspirations increased and so did her coming. More than I anticipated, I still treated her like my little girl. That was my mistake. And then, about a decade ago, she was gone from the castle. I looked everywhere and finally discovered that she had returned not home but close to the place of the fall.

of her mother in a horrible ancient temple, more of a prison. She sought out of power and made a deal. As soon as I knew where she was heading, I flew as fast as I could there. But by the time I had arrived to that amber temple, I was too late. She had taken home a dark gift. And you see that there's horrible regret and sadness. in his eyes. As some tears start too well, in his eyes, and you see as he thinks for a moment, his eyes kind of dart back and forth, and he looks at all of you and says, I do not wish to

repeat its name. She was so excited. She told me that with the power that she had taken from Trislash, the nine-eyed spider. We could achieve greatness. Her and me, the powers she gained over flesh, sculpting it to her will in undeath. She had seen me sculpt stone and give it life, and she wanted to take it a step further.

When I refused and tried to reason with her, She was gone within week. She said if I was only a count, then with me, her father. Then she was only a princess in name. And there was a king of this land. If she went to him to become a real princess. And with that her power eclipsed mine, and she made her way north.

All she left was a note. saying where she was going, and then she hoped that one day I would join her and see reason. And she left me this. And he reaches down beside the throne, and he pulls out this little polished metallic looking box. And he opens it. The lid opens. the lid opens, and you hear the grinding of cogs and wheels within.

And you see a little, tiny little bat with a crown on. And it's flying around as strange song plays. It's actually quite pleasant. And you see the bat's actually quite cute, but then you see that its things seem to be dripping with blood as it swoops down on a bunch of peasants. You see on the one side etched, carved in, it says, is no fun, is no Blinsky. And Escher holds it open as a place in this room. She left me a music box that her mother gave her the day she was turned.

It was commissioned and offered as a wedding gift. Would DeBrease have ever seen something like a music box? Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, okay. As well, and this is all I have left of her. The next ten years, I heard whispers of a raven child, of dark rituals, horrible experiments, all in that dread castle. And I knew in my heart, my cold, unbeating heart.

This was my little man allied with that bloated monster. Whatever is she is doing to those children, I am responsible for. Do you understand? And you see that there are actual tears now falling down, his face. That sounds like you didn't endorse any of it. Why would it be your responsibility? Because I was a terrible father. How are you supposed to raise a child that is always a child? No hope of growing up. No hope of the sweet release of death. You live longer than all of your friends, all of your loved ones. All we had was each other.

I made Brutus, as she dictated and requested. He was made for her. But even a friend that gives good hugs not enough to keep the attention, adoration of a girl, I suppose. And so I do not know what the carrion king plans. do know that would have a darkness that has come over this land in the past two centuries is not from him. He's a very powerful wizard, I understand that. But it is not that powerful. The mastery of the death that he has has come from some sort of dark bargain, in the same way that it came to my little girl. Do you expect that he went to this antler temple? Temple?

No, I studied. I studied every single sarcophagus in that place. I heard the voices of each and every one. I heard the spider's voice. It was mocking. It had won. So has the carrion king. And so do you not see how hopeless at all is? How pointless you're coming here all was. To the help of it broke him.

Withered vampire long past his prime. Well, yes, which of saying does sound like that words of a failed father. The only father that you fail is the one that gives up one's child. That's exactly what you've done. A true father will let their daughter dance with death. It will be there to catch you when she falls. And in your weakened state you cannot do that. So what, you let your child deal with this carrion king,

Carrie and King and hope that she survives it with no support from my daddy. Do you watch to be the father or could be? That it is very clear that you can be and that you are. You know, the only really fault in you is that you've given up on the one you truly. The reason will give out a little whistle. You get an inspiration. And you keep a persuasion check. Had advantage because that was very good.

I think that it's rather, yeah, 15. Is it persuasion? Yeah. 22. Oh, actually, what's your inspiration? Oh, it's information that I have right off the top of my head. One D-10. I'm going to use that, too, because he's a vampire.

Doesn't really help. You're welcome. Thank you. Better than that. I mean, it does help. It's plus two. I said you're welcome. Thank you.

He wipes the tears from his littered the rain face as he looks at you and says, I have failed as a father. I have failed to walk the path to redemption and atone for the evil I've committed in my time. I have failed, my friends, who put me on this path. Now they are all dead or missing. And I still live. You're right, but if I do nothing, I am even more scum than the carrion king himself.

which is why I will help you. I cannot do much. I'm not as good with the blade as I used to be. My knowledge comes from tinkering potions. But I will help you save that girl that you brought. The least I can do to at home. I can tell you what I know, but I do not think I can be any use. battle for what can a withered wretch like me do?

But I will help you. Perhaps if you could help my daughter, I would like that very much. Even if the end just puts a stop to her doing whatever she's doing to these children. You have my word, I will help you how I can. And my word may not be much after everything, but it's all I have. I mean, this is good. No, this is, this is, this is great. You have nothing but knowledge that you can give us.

And that's all I need to have my buy it. And if this goes anywhere I think it's going to go, then toppling the carrying king might save your daughter. She's not gone. Not really. And if you can fix the girl that we brought here, then what's to say that we can't fix your daughter? and bring her home.

I know something about lost people, and I'm not going to give up. Hope. We can be very persuasive. We'll be able to assist you. It sounds like we have a common goal, a mutually beneficial arrangement type operation. That's right.

He slowly nods. Well, I suppose, at the very least, my loneliness and my boredom have been cured. Yeah, we might even be able to cheer you up a little bit along the way. I can tell you some jokes. I bet you never had a tiefling friend before. I have. He didn't care for jokes much, but he was a good friend.

I miss him very much. But enough about the musings of an old man. I will help you how I can. I may have withered away, but my mind is mostly sharp, and my alchemy is strong. Perfect! I will brew, a cure for your girl. But I am, unfortunately, woefully out of all the reagents that I need for my alchemy. I'm not even able to bring life to stone.

myth is read. All you have to do is teach me. Teach me about these reagents and what they are and what that means to help me. And we need more information about the children that are going into this stronghold, this fortress.

Teach me the things that you know and we can fix this. He, for the first time in a while, there's a hint of a smile. Perhaps you are right, Felix. Perhaps you are right. But for now, if we can just save one child, I will take that as the next right thing. You all need some rest. Tomorrow we will go into the valley. We'll gather the reagents and I will have the added benefit of testing you all as lab assistance. Don't expect my help down there. I will just...

walk through and surely be amused. Nerd stuff. It's fine. We can handle whatever he throws in us. I know. I just... One of these days, we all need to go back to Galtiga, where the worst thing is that there's a slimy salesman on the corner instead of like children filled with the dark power of some nine-nine spires or whatever. All right?

Sure. That would be nice. Great. I just want to help. I do have a question. What was your daughter's name? Ravano. Ravanovia von Zaravich.

Ravanovia or Aaliyah? Via. Raviola. And, uh, she was what age when she turned to, uh, when she stopped aging, I guess would be another way to put it? I honestly don't know. But, yeah. She didn't even know her own age. Her parents were terrible, terrible.

People who got what they did. deserved every biological pain. I assumed she was yours, I guess that... I was her guardian for many centuries. And you guys had to leave Borobia together? Yes, we did. Barobia doesn't welcome vampires? When we left, there was a time where vampires had done enough.

It was better for them to rebuild in peace, without fear. And then by the time, by the time it may have been a good time to return, the conditions of that valley were well protected but not fit for the survival of myself or my daughter. He stands up and he's a little bit of blood left in his goblet and he downs up. And he says, well, I'm going to account for all of the ingredients I'll be needing. to restore my supply. We'll be ready in the morning. We'll make sure we get rest, and I promise we'll be on our best...

Ah, student behavior. But I've got to ask one thing before we go. Yes, yes. The children, the potential Raven children. Are they all young girls? From what my stone watchers have been able to see, and it's not much, I hate to admit, seemed to all be children of young boys, young girls.

All 13 are young. Okay, I'm going to try to get some sleep. How old is my love? 13 when you went missing. I throw a handful of crackers in the nose to his mouth. My mouth is so dry. He hears that. He looks at you, tow off, and then looks at your reaction.

Did you lose someone to him? this. It's a very long story, but my brother was taken. And he was the age of 13. It's been one thing after another of him maybe being alive, or maybe not, or sacrifice to some dark gods or devils or demons. Or maybe not. Or maybe not, but I don't know. I wouldn't have hope. It pains me to say as well. If he is in that castle or blue-veil, then He is surely in the clutches of my little bat. Who knows what she has done to? No, we're going to have hope.

We've had hope this entire time. We don't know that he's dead. We don't know what's become of him. And I have hope that he's okay. That he's still Milo, that he's still alive, and that he still loves his brother. Yeah. No.

Felix, don't worry. We're going to find him. Yeah. No. Thank you. We're gonna find out one way or another. I just have to know. Well, at the very least, tomorrow is a new dawn for another step to do the next right thing. Good night. Everyone. Many places has gobbled down on the armrest of the throne and glides out. So we dreams.

Ashah. A sad, sad story. About the daughter, though. I guess, but she, you know, ran off and abandoned him, so that's not the greatest story. No, but it means somewhere in there. There's a big heart, you know?

Oh, yeah, for him, that's great. Oh. So you think maybe he'd like me? I'm adopted. I mean, I think it's trying to eat as much fruit as possible, your blood tastes. Gross.

Out of character. Fucking gross. Thank you so much for listening to the Legends of Aventras podcast. We hope you enjoyed the session. If you want even more campaigns to listen to, become a member of our Patreon at the Pearl Dolphin Tier or Higher to unlock Shroud Over Saltmarsh, a patron-exclusive campaign set on the high seas.

You can find that at patreon.com slash legends of Aventriss. If you want to chat about the episode with the Aventras community, join us on Discord at Legends ofaventras.com slash Discord. We also post content nearly every day on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. So make sure you follow our socials at Legends ofaventris.com slash social. And make sure you check out The Crooked Moon so you can terrify your friends with a folk horror fifth edition supplement published by us. Get your own copy at the crooked moon.com.

Thanks again and we'll see you next time.