Legends of Avantris - Curse of Strahdanya | Ep. 35 | Malediction: Part 2

Episode Date: December 2, 2025

With the culmination of their Barovia trials and tribulations looming large, the Azran Expedition shares a final meal in strange circumstances.    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/EX6murOtB64?si=BVIcPm5o2znsWivY

You are back in Castle Ravenloft and listening to Kursus Rodania, a Legends of Eventress broadcast. Last time, our protagonist faced off against my brides and scared them away by bringing sunlight to the catacombs. Not fair play, if you ask me. They then returned to their room where they had a long and uncomfortable parlay with my dear boy, Escher. They might actually begin to trust him, despite how treacherous he is. Then they were ambushed by witches. You hurt me. Let us see the massacre.

This episode is brought to you by our generous supporters on Patreon. We now also have a merch store where you can browse more than 20 amazing eventress-themed designs. You can buy a shirt or become a Patreon yourself by following the link in the show notes. We are eternally grateful for your support. With that out of the way, let us proceed with the conclusion of Chapter 17, malediction. You rush over and open the door and you see clambering out of a

trap door embedded in the floor of the closet. Four Barovian witches, I need your roll for initiative. Witches? So I'm assuming I didn't get a long arrest. Bitches got witches? Oh no. Do we all

for an issue? So far I just Clayton. Okay. Does that wake us up though? I would say, well, they him shouting. Yes, I would say him shouting, you guys easily wake up. I was just going to say it didn't set off the alarm because they're in the closet. They didn't come through the closet.

Okay, got it. What is going on? Riches! I'll start trying to heave Connor open arm. Oh, yes, the cute. Or her over and out of the bed. Thank you.

You squeeze my left leg over. Oh. Why didn't you take this? Oh. I can never take it off. I must always be prepared for danger. Hold on, I need to find out. You don't seem very prepared right now.

And you hear Clayton sadly say, I was hoping it could be another classic horror monster that starts with W. Yeah. Whoa. Exactly right. It's not a one. Wouldn't you all roll for an issue?

Okay, we all rolling. Yeah. You stare in as these four Barovian witches, three of them already in the closet shut up. in the third climbing her way out. They're covered in bits of twigs and skulls. Their skin, a dark, sickly green, their noses long, covered it in warts and marks.

They all look towards you. They're protruding chins, wobbling, as all four of them laugh in unison, one of their haggard teeth hanging slightly out of their mouth. As they are going to turn towards you, they're within melee range right now. So, the professor, yeah. Actually, the one towards the back is going to,

I need you to make a wisdom saving throw for me, please. Oh, yes. This is... 14 is the DC. Not what I expected. You've subverted my expectations yet again, Megan. 14 of the DC? Yeah.

I think I pass. Yeah, I pass. You watch as one reached out with her gnarled hand. She points her finger at you. and she begins to say this strange incantation. All four of them begin to laugh and they stare at you excitedly, but you seem to shrug it off. They look back and forth at each other angrily

as you appear to have resisted Tasha's hideous laughter. The other ones are going to attempt to make a claw attacks at you. This music. I know. What's odd there. This is some bullshit. Are you going to find this crap? Crazy.

The lowest is a 17 to hit you. Hold up. Nicky. Would I still have... Would I still have Major Armour on? Yes, right? It hasn't been eight hours since... Yeah, not half of been eight hours. Uh, no, those mess.

All of them? My age is 20 right now. Oh, my God. No, one of them hits. Because I got an natural 19, so one of them hit. I will... Reaction Shield. Oh, Mottis, or whatever the fuck I say, or shield, and I will catch you.

Oh, dear. Aresi is 20 with Major. You don't say it a 20 with Major. I thought Major ever couldn't go up 16. The staff of Powell gives me two A-C. Oh, Morgan Voss gives me a third. That makes sense. Okay.

Okay. Okay, Tanky Wizard. Yeah, so all of their fails mess, or all of their, all of their hits mess. Good Lord. And with that, it is now your turn. My case will fly open, and he'll fly open, and he'll loadstone and a pinch of dust will pop out. And I will shoot

at the one right in front of me. And I will say, DeCrusto! And it needs to make a deck saving throw. One or two. Let's say one. 18. That fails. What?

How's an 18 fail? What's your DC? I hate you. I hate it's little 17 pieces of shit. You do. Stanley power. It has to be. Yeah, now I know how Mikey feels against Sylvie. Has to be staffing power. It's unfortunate.

Uh, basically standard monsters can't. Right, right, nothing. Right, yeah. I have a very powerful staff. It's very strong. It's very polished, especially the tip. Yeah. Yeah, yikes.

21, 26. 27, 28. This is number one. Yeah, sorry, 28, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 84, 84 damage. Fucking nice. What do you cast? And if it gets up, drop to zero, it gets disintegrated into dust. Oh, you cast a second grade. I guess disintegrated at an eighth level. What did you say for that?

The crusoe. The crusoe. Yeah, you point your finger out and you, watches as it's disintegrated into dust in front of you. The three of the witches, the other three of the witches, turn and look as they begin to yell and look around. And I'm going to back the fuck up. They're trying to hear me. The one that's still trying to come up out of the thing, well, it's not her turn yet.

It's Shepard's turn. Watching the professor back up out of this, of the doorway, I'm going to like basically run around him, tuck and roll to his left side. side so that I'm lined up in the doorway. And I'm gonna see number two is gonna be closest. And I'm gonna slayer spray has my bonus action and fire off two shots. Okay. The one is going to be a,

I apologize for now, I remember my pulse to hit because I'm playing a 19 and a lot more than that. Yes, those hit. It's gonna be all of this damage. That was pretty cool for once. One, two, three, four, five. plus 14 is going to be only 19 points of damage. Okay.

Unfortunately. On number two. Okay. You let loose force blast from judgment or redemption, and you do a significant amount of damage. You watch as bits of the bone and wood that are layered on the outfit of this witch or blown away, but she is still standing. Is my turn?

Strong? So I'll stand up on the bed and I'll raise my hands up and I'll have just a warbling mass of energy in both of my hands and I'll cast it out, twinning the Chaos Bolt spell at the, let's see, number two and number four. That's spicy. So number two will be 29 to hit. And number four would be 14 to hit. that misses.

That misses. Okay. So that would be eight damage. And it can either be cold damage or... Hold on. Wait, how do you... Oh, here we go. Cold or poison.

Let's make it be no cold damage. So eight cold damage. So eight cold damage to number four. She takes it and she likes it and she likes it. She looks at you, her face wrinkles up, and she shivers, but she just keeps eye contact with you and takes the damage. She seems to be fine. Is that all for you? I'm going to, yeah, that's fine.

Okay. So next. I am going to use a bonus action to, uh, I'll wake up and I'll see everything. I mean, my, my hood's down. I look, I just see that, like, that there are witches pouring into a room. And I'll say, help me, Avatar. And I will bonus action to summon him into the room. Yes.

So they need to make a dexterity saving throw. Or they take some damage, right? Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep. 11, 12, and 14. They all fail. D.C. I think it's 19, right? It's much else save D.C. Probably.

So it's 2D10 plus the extra fire damage. Oh my God. where the fuck are my D-10s. 19 points of fire damage to all of them, I think. Yep. All of them as they do that. And then I'm going to step forward

and say, this is the night before we end it's all. Garrick's keep us safe. And I will flame strike at an eighth level. Damn! They need to make, they need to make,

they need to make all make a, it's exactly the size of the room as I would like to have them make a... The class that I have to, The closet, yeah. Oh, thank you. The closet.

As they need to make a dexterity saving throw. Not a dice you roll there, Mike. 11D6. 15, 12, and 7. They all failed. So does fire damage versus, it doesn't matter. Okay, I figured not.

And then I need to add. They're just witches. Yeah, I did not roll very well. Just witches. That's gonna be six, 10, 14, 14, 14, 18, 18, 19, 19. 19. 22, 26, 27, 30,

33, 34, 39 points of radian and fire damage to all of them. You watch us, Sarnax opens his lantern and sends out the flame prints. Is that what you call him flame or fire? Fire prints. And you send out the fire prince. And in a wave of flame, you watch as all Three of the remaining witches are incinerated before you.

The one that was climbing out of the closet is her charred bones are still holding on to the edge. There's nothing left of the rest of them. Her skull tilted back in a scream of agony that you never even heard before her entire body was wasted. Boy, I soften that one up for you. Victoria, are you all right? Are you so... And she got into you? No, I'm fine.

God! quick luck of them. Is everybody all right? Oh, I was just getting out of bed. I guess I can lay back down now. I don't accidentally hit anybody, did I? No. I'm still half asleep. I'm glad I noticed them. Yes.

By the God, so I didn't... What are they trying to do? There's some sort of trap door. Maybe kill us. I'm going to open the trap door and look down. The trap door is open. I'm going to look in. But they're trying to get to us with a drift. Give me a moment, because I don't...

Well, there's some sort of old, creepy. man here. How's the dress looking? Is it still hanging on the back? What? The dress itself? You look and it was in that room. It was in that room. There is just embers and pieces of the dress. You see bits of melted plastic bead on the floor and you notice that the metal hook that the dress had originally been hanging on is now tilted. It looks to have been a lever. Wow. For you're welcome for saving all you. Yeah. Thank you. I mean, I'm appreciative. Yeah, I am as well. It's just a dress.

That's right. And worst case scenario, we could always just tell Stradania that we were under assault and we needed to defend ourselves. Protecting ourselves exactly right. Especially Victoria. That is why I rushed to such extreme measures. Also, I'm at my wits end today. We've been up for many, many, many hours. Don't even get me started. Professor, what do you see? What do I see in the trapdoor? You look down, torn and broken couches, lie in heaps, haphazardly strewn about.

Deep claw marks cover the hardwood furniture and the once lush upholstery has been sliced to shreds. From the dark shadows amid the rubble, three pairs of glowing green eyes stare back at you. Are you weros? Professor, what's the point of me to talk about? Oh, my God! down there.

What the fuck does that even me? That's impossible. The eyes blink up at you almost in unison, but they did not move from the shadows. Do I have anything to love? Saunax, please join me. Yes, Professor. Shine your light into the darkness.

Of course. And I'll tilt my lantern down. Please let this be where else. I'll tempt to illuminate the room. I pull out my notebook. There's no way worlds are in the castle, so I've Nikki put these marbles here, it's too. It's pure.

to appease the professor. Mickey's best of him. So I'm shining the light into the darkness below. You move your lantern. You shine it around. The shadows hit the haphazard furniture and make the shadows larger and more imposing as you finally find the area

where the three green shining pairs of eyes were staring back at you. Three black cats skull. out of the darkness. They arch their back. Their tails puff out as they however cats make noise and skinner off in the other direction

down a long, dark hallway. That's not even close. Is everybody all right? Cats, that's not even clear. We should go see where the hells they came from. Yes, what is this? Shepard, why don't you jump down and take a look? He's so tired.

Would you like me to go and search, Shepard? Without saying a word, I'm shuffling my feet with my hand on my forehead. Did you let you go? As I walked out. No, I say nothing. Like, you don't even ready. I'm just like, I just like shuffle over towards the trap door. I put my hands on my knees.

I looked in the trap door. And I just jump in. Before you go, chef, being a good sport. And, like, has secure wounds on. No, fuck! He clatters on the side of the trap. Oh, he's such a good sport. Oh, and you get extra healing because Zookos out.

Fantastic. For Zugo, you must try this cake. So, you find yourselves in the room closest to me on that board. I do not have my hat with me. They fell off and still sitting next to the duvet or whatever you call it. Shepherd, what do you see? It's a lot of busted up furniture. I'm taking it.

Taking a look now, I think we're all right. If y'all want to come on down, we just got to make sure we can get back up. I'll just join him. I'll follow. I'll hop down as well. You won't hop down. You find yourselves in the room. It looks exactly as it had looked previously.

I'll be while they're jumping down, like, digging through the broken furniture and just taking a look and seeing what I can find. Are you jumping down as well? Yes. I stay up here. Someone should probably stay here. I will then to stay up here if you all are jumping down. Stay vigilant. I'll stay up there and I'll put a rope down if everyone's jumping in.

You look around, you knock over pieces of furniture looking through it. You're investigating the room swiftly. There doesn't seem to be anything to find in this particular room. All right, a couple of doors. Let's each take one. Just take a quick peek. I would like to go back to sleep. As would I.

need to find where these wishes came from. All right. You take that one, I'll take this one, and I'm going to add towards Nicky. Wait, Jeff. What? Keep an eye out for witches. It's just all werewolves, but mainly witches.

But there are many claw marks in these and there may be a werewolf to. Not to scare you. I definitely don't want werewolves to be. Without breaking eye contact from the professor, I put my hand on me. that door, and I open. And I walk in.

And I literally just walk away from the vestige. You should all go together, and I'm going to follow. Yeah, I'll follow. Heavy beams to support the ceiling of this large room, the outer wall of which curves, oh my God, the werewolves are how like, the outer wall of which curves to follow the shape of the tower.

Dim light filters into the room through the steel lattice squares of two leaded glass windows. Several tables stand throughout the room, weighed down by stacks of green, glass jars, and bottles, all of them bearing labels. I'm going delirious. That's what's happening now. Fun.

And I'm talking to myself as I begin to, like, look over the tables and just take a look at what's there. Yeah, and just kind of rummage through it. You begin to rummage through it. You find bottle after bottle, I've newt, hair of bat, snail hearts, frogs breath, dragon's teeth, werewolf bones. I'll be fresh. I'm going to just make my way around the room

and point some things out to the professor and be like, I sure you can't use this as I make my way to the other door. Can I ask a question? No. Are you there? To you. Are you there? As a player, too, playing. Yeah, of course.

I should read. What? I wasn't sure. I had in my head for some reason that he. come to read. Yes, Sheppard can fucking read. I've never learned how to make my mark. Hey. He knows like three languages. Sounds with an X. I wasn't sure. Yes, Shepherd can fucking read. I wasn't sure. I just didn't know.

I added in my head for some reason that he couldn't read. Unbelievable. Reading. I now, a reading. My name is me in my lowest. I'm a fucking sitting. Riding and making beans. and ain't one of those three. He just didn't seem like a learning boy, you know? What is wrong with you? I just wasn't sure.

I read every single fucking... This says werewolf bones you didn't tell me. I pointed everything out to you, professor. I've got about this much patience, all right? This much. Well, you're being a great sport. I'm just saying if you need help.

Are you patronizing me? No, I'm not patronizing. You're doing a wonderful job continuing, and I'll take the, the, where we're off. Again, without breaking eye contact, I put my hand on the next door and I push it open. Thank you, you, sir, but then you see that it says

pull clearly written on the door. Well, yeah, yes, if it doesn't go away, I'm scared off the pictures with my old, like, strength. And then I beat Victorian Dutton. I love that. Yeah, without. And that is where we'll end the campaign. Shepard rips the door from the hinders and kills

every single one in the end of the end of the end of the end of your name. Without breaking eye contact, the door goes. I open it and I step in. You do. Because I'm extremely frustrated with the professor. You say this is you grab the handle and you try to pull it open

but it doesn't budge. You are, you feel uncomfortable as you look over and you realize the hinges, it turns in. You push it open and you step into the room. As you are, your nostrils are assailed with the scent of something bubbling, something brewing,

green glowing wisps of steam. bubble up from a fat black cauldron in the center of this dark oppressive room surrounding the cauldron are several gaunt women in soiled black robes these witches sit hunched on tall wooden stools your tangled hair tucked under black pointed hats they take turns tossing ingredients in the cauldron uttering fell incantations and cackling maniacally green glowing whipses, the steam bubble up. And as you look around, they all turn to you. And begin to chant.

I don't mean to fall into your party here, but, uh, professor, we got a fucking situation. Oh, hello ladies. Do you have a deed? This is our room. We have a reservation. Are you renting the space from the countess? They continue to chant.

As you watch as they pull from different packs and satchels more and more pieces, you see human fingers tossed into the sack, a large bloated dead rat that's tossed into the cauldron. One of them reaches around and pulls out a festering eyeball, licks it and tosses it into the cauldron as they continue to chant. Like classic hags. Having shouted over to the professor and him like talking to my ear, I will have picked the one that just looked at the eyeball.

and tossed it into the cauldron and like slayers pray. You slayers pray, and as she feels whatever, whatever power this is over her, you watch as she licks her lips, her tongue, a putrid green covered in pustules and boils. As she licks her lips, the chapped skin pops open and begins to bleed as she smiles at you. What are you doing here? Does your D'SRDAIA know you're here?

Slowly going for judgment. they continue to chat. Will any of you answer me? Professor, give me the word. Do I get a sense of what magic they may be casting? Oh. I say you could roll an Arcona check. Ooh.

Ooh. That's a good question. I have a one, so that's a... Well done. Let me just check real quick. Well done. You got a one. It's still 13.

No, you have no idea with her casting. Do you mean? as harm. Four of you attempted to kill me. You notice that there are seven in total. You have three seconds to stop tenting. I can't do it. They continue to chant. I'm going to count. We're all for initiative.

Connor, please join us. I'll say, I must insist you stop whatever you're doing. Animatus, and I'm going to animate all of the components that they've been throwing in. So rats and eyeballs and newts and bat wings and everything. And I want to try to animate 10 of the things that I see them trying to throw into this cauldron. And they will rip out of their hands and they will all trade spaces across the room

and attack all the witches. Okay, so are you gonna tell me what the 10 things are? Yeah, so we'll have like a batwing, an eye ball. Maybe a tooth. A tooth, some sort of like long tooth. A bow, maybe a toad. A toad. A...

A... A... What else would have they have? I don't know. Ratch, why don't you tell me your animal... You see them. You see them. Yeah, perfect. A werewolf bone.

A werewolf tooth. A wolf tooth. Maybe like a... A rat tail. An owl talon. I already said a whole rat. So there's a little rat flannel. A red rat.

A raven hat. A raven head. A little raven. Okay, perfect. That's good ones. I mean in reverse and fucked up. And what's your last one? You've got one more. My last one, ooh, what's a really good? A dead man's fingers.

Reverts red. How about a whole hand? A whole like mummified hand. Perfect. Good. Good. Thank you. Yes, you do that. So they'll all float up. And then they're all going to fly across the room and they're going to attack. They're each going to attack as an individual witch.

How many? So you've got 10. I need you to roll 10 d8s. If you get an eight, re-roll it. and tell me what those are. Oh, shit. 10. 8.

8. 7. Okay. 5. 7. 5. 3. 2.

6. 2. Say 10? Or two more? Literally no one was gone. 5. You're the only one playing your character. I don't know what she's doing.

Why I'm doing that. The. The owl, talon, rushes towards the seventh witch and begins to claw at it. And you watch as it bursts into dust, nothing there. You hear a tackle from the corner of the room. You watch as one of the others move towards number five, and it rushes at it. And number five bursts into nothing in the room. You then watch as one of them moves towards the third witch.

and it begins to it begins to lash into it please roll damage oh shit well I need to hit or do it so does it on that the hit? Huh? Should I roll damage or make an attack?

Oh yeah, make an attacker I'm telling you do what you would do if it would hit. Got it. That's a 26 to hit to it for an attack. That does hit. And the damage is eight. All right. The damage sinks into it and you see as the witch fully materializes in front of you The cackling from her or the chanting from her seems to have stopped.

You then sees another one rushes towards number two and embeds itself into it doing damage. Please. Roll it to hit and tell me. Oh, it actually misses. Roll the one. It is not able to find purchase. Another one moves directly towards number six and it sinks into it and needs you to roll to see if you hit. That's a hit for six damage.

Another one makes its way towards number two again. Let's see if you hit it. Ooh, probably gonna miss, 12. That misses. Another one moves towards number three. We'll just see if you can hit it. Another one. That's...

All right. And that is your turn. Okay. But you have dispersed two of the witches. So do they seem like illusions or like... It's hard to see it's hard to tell. You see all seven of the witches there, but as you came into contact with numbers two, three, and six, you notice that they're first.

form seem to become more substantial. When you attempted to attack five and seven, those ones dispersed into particles and just no longer seem to exist. All right. I'm going to raise my hands up, and you'll hear the sound of a shattering mirror, and I'll cast shatter in the 10 by 10 area right here. So it'll hit.

Which number is. Two, four, and the cauldron. if it is not. So is the cauldron a non-magical item? We can find it up a cast of chaper. I mean, it appears to me it's a cauldron. It's more than like the magical item.

Okay, I wasn't sure if it was like the material in the cauldron is magical or if the cauldron itself is. I mean, you can just cast it, you'll find out. Okay, yeah, I'm going to cast it there either way. But, um, so. It's a 10-foot square. Constitution saving throw from the two witches.

Two-by-two, I should say. Two-by-two. I forgot. Oh, fuck me. Oh, wow. That is bullocks. That's minimum damage. That's minimum.

So they take two damage. Or one damage if they pass. Oh, what are they trying to? It's a common saving throw. And it was two, three, and four, you said? Just two and four. Oh, two and four. Two passes.

So it takes one damage. Which is like bad. And you notice that four. that its form had already been substantial from Clayton's attacks, but as the shatter affects number four, you watch as the actual form of it cracks and shatters and disappears. Number four, number four. And does anything happen to the cauldron?

That depends. What is shattered due to magical items, et cetera? A non-magical item that isn't being worn or carried also takes the damage if it's in the spell's area. Oh, no, it doesn't seem to take the damage. Okay. It looks pretty magical Shep

Shepard If the one that was licking the eyeball I'm throwing in the thing that I hunt that I Slayers parade is still alive I would be aiming for that one

I'd be taking three tax I don't Roll a Roll a D8 If it's an 8 Rroll it It's a seven Rroll it

Six Okay You aim towards one of them Go ahead and make your text Uh A fuck a lot like 30. It's AC is 16.

Okay. Minimum damage. Hold on. No, that's a third attack, right? 70? All three? Uh-huh. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. 13 plus 21 is going to be

34 points of damage. Yeah. With a significant blast from your guns, one, two, three, you send force blasts into this witch, watches its tongue blasts from its mouth. One of its arms flies off, spirals into the air, and actually plops into the cauldron. It looks like it is having a very rough time. I don't move. Yeah, that does not seem ideal. No, it wouldn't be for which.

Kana, you are making your way there. You'll be there next turn. Sarnax. I am, so how many are your left? There's four all around the corners. I am going to look at all of them. And I'll just look around and I'll say, well, it worked well the first time. And flame strike. Oh, I can't, can only hit three of them. I'm going to hit these three, I guess. Okay.

So everyone but six. Everyone but six. So dexterity saving throw, DC 19. And that is going to be just a straight flame strike. So that's going to be eight D six. One, two, three, four, five. They all fail. Wow.

Six. 7, 8. And then I also do an extra D8. Thank you, Zuko. You must try this cake. Ooh, not bad. 9 plus 15, 15, 21, 26, 30, 34, 30, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, my God, 36. More than my eighth level one did.

42 for all of them? 42 for all three of them if they failed, or half if they succeed. Yeah, well, I did one damage. Oh, I only rolled first. Of radiant and fire. Radiant fire. It was 17. Did you see?

So two of them passed, one of them failed. Okay. So half of that's the case. And then my bonus action is going to be, I think, I can do That's going to be 21. Oh, sorry about this. Oh, gosh, oh, gosh, oh, gosh. I need to have a little cheat-chee for my avatar.

Is the bonus action? You must. He can teleport. Oh, yeah. So then Zuko's going to fly in, and he's going to go into the center of the cauldron and just teleport five feet next to himself. and it's a massive explosion.

Anyone 10 feet from the... Actually, I'm just going to do it from here. Actually, I'm just going to do it here, so Sheper doesn't get hit. So these two have to make the clarity saving throws. It's cute. Nice. Okay? One of the passes, one of the fans.

So they're going to enjoy... Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so... Um, what's our proficiency? Oh, never mind. This is just straight. So a nine points of fire damage. If they failed, half if they passed. And that I'll put my little Zuko token. Yeeh, how's Zuko?

Wow, doing a significant amount of damage to them. You watch is one, the moment your first blast hits, it shimmers and shatters its form not actually corporeal, the other two and three taking significant amounts of damage. The only ones that are alive or two, three, and six. One is dispersed. They all turn to look at you, Clayton. And in unison, their voices completely together.

Don't make us run. We have information you could use. Yes, spare us. We're old. We're weak. Spare us and we'll tell you anything you want. We know so much. Spare us, kind one.

What do you know? We see it in your eyes. The secrets of the bubbling coldren could be yours. The contents of the box you look for could be yours. When to make your final strike could be yours. Did you kill the one that was were weak that I had attacked? I'm not sure. No.

That one was the one you had hit and she wasn't hit by his stuff. Okay, that's fine. That's fine. I wanted to know. Oh, yeah. Do I discern that she's telling the truth? You could roll a perception check. Insight? Yeah, that's why I said.

I will roll an inside check. Thank you, Dungeon Master. You're welcome. Insight, please. Insight. Oh, wow, that's actually not terrible. Insight. Insight is 30.

I would say there's a little truth mixed in with it. Um, they, saying it in unison, you can see that they're, they're haggard, they're broken. You've done a lot of damage to them. Um, they, you don't know if they necessarily have all of the answers that they claim that they can give you, but they definitely want you to stand down and they're willing to do. I'll begrudging to lower my lantern and step and lower my, my biz. Do you say anything to maybe? to call us some other standing down. I will

I'll stand down and say there may be as with all witches and hags a little truth and lies. I would say at this point, Connor, you've definitely arrived. I heard shouting, I was screaming. Witches, Hulk, it's fine.

Oh, okay. That was Sarnax's turn? Or the Monsters' One turn? No, that was Sarnax had just gone. That was the Monsters' One's turn. They do not attack. Oh, so it's Clayton's turn. Yes.

I'm looking for danger. All right, I will tell my expedition to stop. We will spare your lives. How can you help us? Good. We'll answer whatever questions you have, yes. Ask them, and we'll give you the secrets to the cauldron. And as a peace offering, we'll give you these.

And all three of them reach into their packs and pull out these dark, bubbling red potions of healing, and they chuck them directly at you. Only three? They chuck six at you in total. Each one of them chucks to it. Wow. Can I inspect it or like uncock it and smell it and see if it's,

if it in any way doesn't seem like a healing potion that I've had before? Sure. Roll a perception check. 11. It smells like a potion of healing. It seems like a self-made potion of healing, but it definitely seems like a potion of healing. as soon as all right, I think they've probably concocted this themselves, and I've got a cocked, or corkid cocking.

Is it greater? It's a superior. What is the secret of the cauldron that you speak of? Gurra, gra. Gura. Is that a name? Is that a substance? What the fuck does that mean? He knows the smudge one. Yes, he knows.

What is gra or gron? Garon. I don't know, do you? Gura. She's saying you to. Can I make a check? Can I see if I know it? I would say you would understand that they are telling you the command word for the cauldron.

The command word is gara. Yes. You can take it with you. The cauldron if you want it. What the fuck? We're going to take a whole cauldron with us. Is Tridanya your enemy? No.

Why are you here? What spell were you cast? It's a warm here. We're making potions, like the one we gave you. Can you tell us what you know about Shudanya, how we can defeat her permanently? Oh, permanently, he asks. It will be tough. Can you handle it?

Yes, that is our fate has decided that we are the ones to be. The crystal in the top of the tower whispers to us. at night when we sleep. The crystal. It begs for blood. Fucking nightmare. That is the crystal my secret, the crystal of us.

The crystal at the top of the tower is, do we need to destroy it somehow? Can't you hear it? Beating. Feeding on the life within the castle. Can you hear it? Can I hear it? She quiets herself, and you all listen.

And at first, you hear nothing. Then you feel it before you hear it. The rumming in the very stone of the castle. A soft, gentle heartbeat. Oh, fuck. I do hear it. Sounds like a dog. Do we destroy it?

She doesn't keep werewolves here, but she doesn't. No, there are no werewolves here. here. The whisperer in the crystal. Does it have a name? Not that I know of. Do you see visions? How does it present itself to you?

If you get close to it, which I don't suggest, look deep into the ruby mist, the swirling, undulating tide of blood within. Sometimes, if you're so, unlucky, the shrouded face of a woman. What do you know about the blood queen? A name we do not speak, a tale we do not know. Whispers in madness.

When should we strike? When should we fight her? When she least expect at the altar. Seems like your intuition might have been right. That's right. Well, we're on the right track. right track. On a approach, like, stepped into the room, having never seen these witches before. And I want to face them and say, it looks like you're quite comfortable here. We are happy to leave you to return to your duties at your cauldron and not give you any further

harm, not do any further harm. But the information you have will be incredibly vital to us. and we ask as part of our cause, please tell us what you know about the bloodline. We don't speak her name. The hag in Bres knows all there is to know. Oh, boy. The Blood Queen's madness overtook her. Who else would know about it?

Just the Baba. Ask her, and she will give you all the answers. If you provide that which she seeks the most, the love of her foe child. I'm sure that if we ever meet her we'll have a lovely conversation. Yes, yes.

Holy. No, you can ask me that question when we get back to our quarters and we are ready to go to sleep. Oh, boy. Understood, Sonics. You hold your lizard tongue. Is there another way

with the buzzards that you have? I don't understand. Let Kahn ask her question Is there no other place? That tongue could be used in potions. Yes, best keep it safe. You were saying I was saying is there no other way

Perhaps with the use of this cauldron that you could safely impart that knowledge onto us We don't require you to say her name. The box you seek, the key you have stolen, you'll find in the Countess's study where books of knowledge of ancient lore may be found weak

unless others like yourself have taken them in ages. All right. Professor, can you lift that with magic in some way? I walk over and try to like pick it up. How big is it?

It's a big, it's a big, yeah. It's a big cauldron. So it's not like, it's not like a magically loud. It's full. imagine that if you were to dump out the contents, you would be able to carry up, but it would be difficult. You'd be at half speed while you carried up.

I'm going to look at it and say, go-rah. The contents inside of the contents inside of the cauldron begin to bubble and boil. Do I get a sense of what's happening? Do I understand how to use it? No. Imagine you would have to spend an hour with it. We may take this. You spared our life.

We keep our problems. Tonight. Do they seem trustworthy, yeah, in what they're saying. Roll an insight check. It's the time to roll a natural one, I guess.

Natural fucking one. Yeah, they're really super trustworthy. You want to be best friends with them. You think they'd make great slumber party. Professor, you said, you said take it. You gave us the information we wanted, we should leave. Take it with us.

You don't mean out of this room. I do mean out of this room. And who the fuck do you think's going to carry it? I could put it on my case and maybe float it. Do I feel like I can put it on my case and they would float? Yeah?

Yes. Sonax. You all right? Is there something you want to whisper me, maybe? And don't share with our new friends here. I think... I think that he intends for you to carry it. Maybe several of you for carrying.

Thank you. Perhaps you could open your case in one of your many servants could do so. I wouldn't want to put it in the mansion. I agree with that. I would agree with that. Well, we could lower it into the bag of holding. It might be able to fit.

It fits a gigantic dragon skull. I'd rather not. Could Howard or one of your other servants come out and help me, Carrie? No, if they leave, they evaporate into nothing. Is the cultured over a fire currently? No. How about Lucas? I mean, I could summon his gigantic hand to carry it, but that would last about a minute.

It's fine. It's fine. And I go to position myself on one of the sides of the coulter, and I roll up my sleeves, and I shove them up, and I just kind of like hunker down. I look to the rest of the group and say, I certainly hope someone's going to volunteer. All right, helper.

Thank you, Kana. One more, anybody? I'll stand by finally by now. So next, Nick, you're going to be strong. It's difficult for me to get a grip will I hold the lead? Sarnak, get the fuck over here. They'll walk over at all. on the count of three.

One, two, three. And we're going to try to pick up the whole culture. You are able to pick up the whole culture. All right, now, now, now, now, lead us back to the room, and then I hope by the time we get there, you come up with a fucking plan to get us through the trap doors. I just don't. You're really going to carry this up through a trap door?

Yes. That's what I was just saying, Victoria. It's not even going to fit through. I'll make room. Don't worry. All right. And through the door. No, to the left.

Nope. Okay. Okay. Pivot! Mind your finger, Shepard, on the doorframe. Damn it! You're right, you're right.

Damn! We tilted this way. You got me. Put your damn lantern down. Some of it spills out and singes your skin. All right, all right. Now come this way. We're going down the hallway here and we're walking down here.

Yeah. All right. All right. Now through this doorway, all right, be careful. Be careful. Be careful. Shut up with you first. Fuck.

All right. You walk backwards. All my word. You come off. Not too quick. I'm walking backwards. All right, almost through. Oh, no, no, no, stop, stop, stop, stop.

Stop. Just slightly to the left. All right, come on. Okay, go. No, no, dude. All right, leave. Sit down and rest. Take a rest.

Oh, God. That was tough for my one arm. Oh, God. That was tough for my one arm. All right. Well, thank you for walking back with Shepard. You know, that is the honest job. I don't want to go to sleep.

Almost. We're almost there. I will continue. I think I'm delirious. I just need a little bit of rest. Are you feeling regenerated? Good hustle. Regenerated. I mean, like, are you ready to pick this back up? I look at the dingy little rope that she's just hanging from you.

I told you when I picked the fucking thing up that you had better had a plan by the time we got here. I do. I do. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. If you cast Levitate. No, that's not what I will cast. Lucas's hand just pick it up and carry it up. That is exactly my plan.

My case will open up, and an eggshell and a snake-skin glove will come out, and the glove will sort of fill and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow, and I'll say, oh, Lucas, and then the hand will kind of swirl into existence. and I'll say, all right, I think you've done enough. Thank you. And it will, the hand will reach and just pick up the cauldron and lift it up the trapdoor. If it will fit. It'll move the rope out of the way.

I only have a minute, so just keep going, all right? So decide within this minute where you want it because we ain't moving. That's right. Okay. Well, can someone like carry me? I have to concept. Oh, my gosh. Yes.

Hop on my back. Hop on my back. I literally scrambled up the rope. And I'm like the whole time, I'm like, fuck you. I need to concentrate on this. So, kind of I'll just grab on your back here. That's fine. And I'll just scurry up with like, no problem.

Oh, yeah. And I'm lifting the hand up just kind of lifts me up. I'll hurl him onto the next platform. So I will bring the cauldron. I will slowly float it back in and I'll just plop it right here on the rug. Oh, here. In the middle of the room. I put that little circle there so you use that.

The strange weird couch. pronounce. DeVon. Devon. That was my sleeping. You make your way back up into the room. You all spill out into the closet. The cauldron is pushed off to one side of the room. And all of you turn towards the bed. Uh-oh. Lying on the bed in pristine condition.

His Victoria's wedding dress. Oh. Well, a replacement. How convenient. That was awfully quick. That was awfully quick. Sarnax, I know what is precisely going through your head. That if there was a second, there must be a third.

Or that if we don't hang it up right now, look at wrinkled. Okay, channel. N. You have the... He's a big hand right now. Leicester. I'm going to walk in my bed and just put my home this horrible, horrible, horrible, fucking...

Professor just pulls out his blackenedcker steamer and plug the end of it all. Oh, we can't have this. Steam them. So I will take the archie hand and this gigantic hand will danger and fly it into the closet and hang up where the island was.

It closes it and everything's sealed up and you... It's beautiful. Exactly the same as before. It is exactly the same. You look at it and you notice that there might actually be even more intricate details than there had been before. More gems, more sequins, more legs. Oh, my God, you guys are great.

More beads. Oh, I want you guys. It's almost more beautiful than it was before. Well, that's why we must take good care of it. A lesson. It is a good lesson. A good lesson before it gets written. For you, Victoria, a lesson for you as well, Kana.

Even for the hand created, the mind created, there is a renewal, an improvement for the destruction of the old with fire. Very wise. So what you're suggesting is if you burn the dress again, it'll come back even better at the third time. I would gladly do it if asked. I'm not asking. I'm not asking.

Well, just some sleep. I will continue my watch, and then we'll keep the same order. I think we must all have a conversation before we retire for the evening. We've invited a witch's cauldron into our sleeping quarters. I think we should have a conversation. We must learn of the properties of this cauldron. But if it takes me some time, an hour. It will take an hour.

But if the wedding is tomorrow evening, we may not have, if we cannot be. If we cannot push it off, we may not have another night to rest. So we should do what we can to prepare entirely. Yeah, this is it. I get the feel. And so is me that we have, that means all day tomorrow, we need to maintain our resources and try to use as few as possible. Which is another question. While we are all tired and weary, there is still.

more I can expend. Is it worthwhile for us to press onward and try to at least learn of this crystal in the spire tonight? Perhaps you're right. God's damn it. What's to say she doesn't attempt to disarm us before the wedding tomorrow?

I don't think she would risk that. Yeah, she can fucking try. Well, she would... Is she smart enough to know that she would be her most vulnerable on her wedding day? I think we give her the benefit of the death, and we assume

that she's 10 steps ahead of us at all times. But we still try to execute a plan that we think is best, most beneficial. But I agree with you. I think it would be awfully foolish for her to just let her guard down. And I'm not expecting her to. I don't think you should either. But we don't know. We just don't know.

Look, I'm going to leave it up to the professor. If you're all right and you think we can carry on, then so be it. I'm not going to be the first one to put my foot. down and say no, especially when there's shit we have to see. Well, let's take count of our resources. How are we all feeling if we did decide to press on and investigate the spire? I think we should. We should at least take an hour to rest and for the professor to gain the insights of this cauldron, and then we can make our decision. Perhaps that knowledge will give us additional context.

I'm going to pop out one of the weapons and look it over and give it a couple spin and a wipe down and say, yeah, I'm a little sore, but you never stopped me before. I'm ready. I'm ready to push on. I agree we should spend an hour to at least rest and take a breather, and I'll learn what I can from this cauldron, but you may be right. I mean, if we're going to take an hour, is that what you said? Yes, we need at least an hour. Oh, look, are we sure that's what we want to do?

I could go on ahead. No. I don't know. Now, especially you, little miss, wet and dress. I don't care for your tone. And what are you going to do about it? Wait till you fall asleep from exhaustion. Fine. I've stayed up. I'm not even going to address that.

But if we're going to be up for the next hour or so, just hanging out and resting, Conn, I've noticed you're quite skilled with your, what'd you call it? It's my nagina. Naginata. strong, strong. I hand it to her. No, no, no, please. I couldn't begin to wield that the way that you do, but maybe

you would regale us of the tales of how you maintain it. Oh, yes. Absolutely. I would be just absolutely honored. I'm sorry investigating the culture. I am perplexed. I imagine it takes quite a bit of polishing.

I kind of scoot everyone closely together. I'm trying to fucking concentrate. I forgot. Sirgay. I forgot about 30. Please do not spare us a single detail.

Yes, Sirgay. I'm so sorry. I was saying it would take quite a strong grip to polish a rod quite. Is it a rod? It's a whole arm.

Well, what's what they say? Long as an arm, you say. That's kind of rare. Yes. If it was a very long long. It must take quite a bit of constitution to learn to wield the arm length. Rob. No, please don't spare us a single detail.

No, please. I would like to hear. I practiced for as long as I've known with Master Gentec. And his rod. Well. Not well, he gifted me his rod. Oh. Special occasion.

Well, no, it is custom to, is an honorary custom to pass down your rod from previous generations. Oh, my God. My goodness. The heresy. No, please, go off. I position the blade on the ground, and I just start drawing a circle around everyone,

kind of going backwards as I do my... That's fine hard one. What are you doing? I don't know I damaged the rod I have no intention of damaging the rod it would be a great disgrace if I did Master Gintechi would never forgive me for damaging his rod correct

you'd be very upset surely when it comes time to make sure that it's in tip top shape you must use some sort of sticky polish or some sort of something you really give it some elbow that's an oil

I use I mean I use the oils on the others. Oh, go on. They're very similar to... Are those Chentec's letters? You know, I actually, I'm not sure of the origin of these letters, but you might be right. They very well could have come out of his own personal stock. Connor, you mix.

I don't think I understand shit. Oh, don't let me stop you. Please, please. Keep telling us. It's a great honor to be gifted such an excellent polar. I will never part ways with it. And when you clean the pole arm, do you start from the tip or the base? Great question. It is customary to start.

Would you mind, would you demonstrate the strength of your grip? Well, I would start from the blade, which I suppose in this instance would be the tip. Oh, yes, start with the blade. So I will... Are you more gentle or more rough around the tip or the base? And I take out my, like, sharpening stones. Oh, yes.

Yes. Wait, so there's two of it. The stones? Yeah, two stones. I have two stones. I keep in my packet all times, and I kind of like blade, I kind of straddle it between my knees, and I like, sharpen it.

First about the base, I believe. And then I start sharpening it. Well, you all can't tell, but I'm blushing. I've had this really heats up the rod. I'm so sorry. I've disturbed you. I mean, I do this before. I mean, no offense.

To you, Connor. I do not find this. interesting when thralling at all why does everyone seem to be so entrenched and enthralled I think it is because that... In the upkeep of a simple tool It is not simple at all.

It is part of who I am and how I was grace to wield this blade by Master Gentecchi and by the Masters before him. Yes, we... And it's quite odd that you have no weapon, but it's merely a lantern, lit by fire a small

candle that I now understand is a small dragon. He's quite cute. Sorry, she said you don't have a pole arm. Oh, absolutely enough. My God is my pole arm. Well, you know what? All well and good. I believe there was a famous man

that said sometimes the Naginata is just a naginata. Thank you, Andy. You are too nice. Gansuz. Is this Coldren Hart or is that just me? Oh, I'm sorry. No, did I say, well, I can either continue sharpening the tip

or I can continue with the thing. have that is excellent, that my DM has gifted me, that is absolutely gorgeous. Your short rest? My ring of peace by the made. Draw it without damaging the hard word this time. Oh, how often can you do that? Once a day. Once a day.

It will still take me an hour to investigate. I'd say, save it. In case you get into trouble later. I thought that is what you were asking me. Oh, no. That was weird. I'm just going to say it. I don't know what came over me.

It doesn't matter. Thank you. I'm going to be sitting here in the court, mine my own damn business, while the professor does what he has to do with that culture. And I'm sorry for anything I may have said while I was in that trance. No, not at all. It's fine. And I go back to, like, sharpening my blade,

and I occasionally, like, look up and make eye contact with Sergei, and I just, and I go back down. He's watching interested, but. Oh, yeah, he's interested. He's interested. And at some point, the oils will come out for the lovers and the rest is history. Yeah, and it was. And that was how we're going to end.

campaign. I have to admit, having a moment alone with Sergei earlier while I was going, chicken go cluck, cluck, cow go moo, makes me a little... Yes, it was incredibly uncomfortable. I was standing here, reminding my own business, and you kept clucking like a chicken, staring down into the trap door. I had forgotten that you were nearby, quiet, like a soft breeze. I keep to myself when I can.

I will make sure not to disturb you. your piece with such clen. Enjoy the sharpening of your blade. I'm enjoying it very much, thank you. Now, these, these golden, you have looked at, yes. God, Sergey, shut the fuck up! Mung your goddamn mouth shut! Yes!

We just talk! I don't do that. What do I even have a golden? Oh, oh. Oh, God. What the... What is wrong with you guys today? Everybody got problems.

Everybody got it. Sorry. What did you learn? You spend an hour with the cauldron. You learn that the magic command word is grot, and that this cauldron will heat any liquid placed inside of it and remain hot for three hours. Oh, my fucking guy. Are you kidding me? No fucking way.

Are you fucking kidding? kidding me. I learned that the mandolin was a garage. That's an interesting, very new fact that I did not know before. And secondly,

when I say garra it can keep any liquid warm for three whole hours. That's exactly five fewer hours than a thermos. And what else?

I stop talking. What do you mean what else? What else does the cauldron do? I don't know why you're presumably does anything else. So let me get this fucking straight. Yeah. Because a cauldron

with a magic word that you already knew before you spent a fucking hour looking at it. Exactly right, yes. He heats up liquids for three hours. Yes, or I could keep our tea very, very hot. Yeah, you love tea. Well, yeah, or your cowboy coffee, we know you love cowboy coffee very much indeed

shall I make it a pop now I'm going to bed I'm going to bed and if any of you say another fucking word to me I will not be held accountable for what I do we're going to stay for many more hour, Shepard. No, no, no, no, no that's it. I'm putting my foot down. No, no

Crystal, no nothing. We're going to bed. Are you sure? Are you very sleepy? It is as you say this, that you notice the boiling of the water begins to get more turbulent as a small leather corner pops out of the inside of the thick, almost gelatinous soup-like contents.

As you see, what appears to be a spellbook rise to the top and flute. See, it was all of wood. Professor, don't do model or whatever. No, my name. You see melting flesh and bone. This is so good. Oh, my God.

What is it? What is it? I fish it out with me, Jam. Can you do that? What does it look like? It appears to be a very old and weathered spellbook. This appears to be a very old and weathered spellbook. What's in it?

Read it. I don't know. You take it from your mage hand? No. Lucas, open it for me. It's one hand so it can hold it, but I can't open it and turn pages. Because it's on the ground. Can you just blow up?

No, don't. No, don't do it. Lucas can embarrass in your stuff. This is how Clayton starts to become a cool list. He's always red. And he burns his hand off. Oh, my God. He's all his way.

I take the book from Lucas. What's your alignment? What? What's your alignment? Oh, my. Neutral. I don't know. Yeah.

How do you not know? How do you not know? I don't know, because mechanics, it's, I don't know. I would say I'm somewhere between neutral, good, or true neutral. There's a few chaos in there. Okay. Talk amongst yourselves. Oh, you don't fuck that boy.

I can't wait to shoot the professor in the face. Clayton dies for the sake of the joke. I hope. Oh, no. I hope. I hope you're finally fucking graced. Yeah.

Oh, I'm already. I'm basically cursed for eternity. That's so many dice, Nicky. Like, come on. No, I need real punishment. Are you wounded? Are you wounded?

Are you at full HP? We would have finished a short rest, right? Yes. Yeah. So I would spend the hit point, the hit die to you get to full health, yes. Okay.

Brace for impact. You reach out and you grab for the book in the moment you feel it in your hands your mind becomes numb with the pain as the evil entity that resides in this book

begins to reach out towards you racking your mind, taking 82 points of psychic damage as you feel your mind shake you can hear the screaming and cries of children being tortured as you hold this book

in your hands it feels like forever all of you watch as Clayton's eyes pop open, they begin to get bloodshot. His nose begins to bleed his tongue lost to the side as he begins to repeat these chants from this book. Professor! Do I have a second and knock on my leg? I'm not. As this happens, it eventually subsides and you hold this book in your hands. Oh, no.

No, it's a... You idiot. This is how you open a good. Professor? Are you all right? Record a few spells in here. I'm sorry, can you just pass something and that's what happened? Professor.

You think you became possessed. You got a little something. You're bleeding. Oh, my. For apologies. What are you saying? You were chanting something. No, I just picked up the book and I'm holding it.

No, I begged to differ. You were chanting something. It was horrible. I was chanting. What was I said? You look like absolute hair. I know. I do feel my head.

Does her the bit? Professor, are you well? Looking through the book, you find burning hands, charm person, detect magic, find familiar, fog cloud, maid armor, protection from evil and good, rave sickness, sleep, tosh's hideous, hideous laughter, unseen servant, witch bolt, alter self, arcane lock, cloud of daggers, darkness, and large reduce, invisibility, knock and misty step. I guarantee you none of that was worth it. So all of them. Knock's good. Knock is good. Arcane lock is decent.

and which ball might be okay. All right, well, this is, uh, these are more spells, certainly. Um, and I believe now I know how to get in that room. Professor, can I put a quick at you just to make sure you're okay? Yes, of course. Who's roll a D20 for me and tell me what it says? Me?

Yep. Fuck. Mattful 20. No fucking way. We don't know that that's good. That would be a bad thing. Thank you. I don't know.

You may continue. Oh, no. Jesus. I put my blade down and I walk over and I'm like, kind of like checking his eyes and nose and I just want to like check his pulse and stuff and see how he's doing. If there's any, like, if I can tell that he's like. We're all missing, check. Lost significant health and all that.

15. I would say you can definitely tell that he looks wounded. His eyes are severely bloodshot. There's still, uh, what are the song? I'll play this one. his nose is still faintly bleeding. And I'm pulling the day I cough, a bunch of blood. Oh, I'm so sorry.

Oh, geez. This has never happened before. I'm so sorry. And I wipe your face off. You don't have to wipe that on it. If you roll a D20 for me and tell me what it says? 18. Oh, thank you.

Sorry, next. What do I feel about it? What do you mean? Like, how do I feel? You don't feel anything? Feel fucking wounded. I mean, you feel like you're wounded, you feel like you just took a fuck ton of damage. I'm not feeling too great.

I mean, Tom X could you. If you have the resources. I don't know if we carry on. If you're going to expend resources to make sure that the professor's in tip top shape, I don't necessarily know you're going to be up to full strength then. And do we feel comfortable leaving this cauldron in our room knowing what we just pulled out? I mean, it was just a spell book, but look, I'm not for you. Roll a D20 for me and tell me what it says.

13. I'm going to reach out I'll put my hand on your shoulder or on your head and cast heel You need to wait until after this is done How are you? Do you need to sit down Professor here and I'll like take something

You see the bad news? Look there's no shame in calling it a night And then we get up right in early tomorrow morning Are you still holding the book? I mean I guess theoretically yeah he's just old He didn't say I put it away I put it down I drop it I can have, I can take this watch.

You can have, if she feels it's appropriate, maybe you can spend the night. I feel like you need to lay down. You do look a bit in. I suppose you're right. Let me take this from you. Yes, please. Sit down. You take the book?

I take the book. Give me a moment. You absolute fool. Do you want you to put it on the nightstand? Oh, what's your alignment? Keatuck neutral. Okay. Thank you. Give me one.

This is going to be the rest of our night. You must never read from the book. We definitely can't get T.P.K. By a book because I'll never fucking think of it. Yeah, that would be embarrassing. You couldn't. You couldn't be. Crazy.

I just wanted to take a risk. You take 84 points of psychic damage? I'm unconscious. Professor. So now would you have taken the book from him after you'd have taken? I would have taken it, but when I see him drop unconscious, I would put the book down and, like, go to his aid. I assume that I will take some damage.

You want to get... I'm going on in this vile. The fuck? I'm going to go up to Clayton, and I'll say, Victoria, put that down. And I'm going to drop a hand to cast... cast, what am I doing here?

I'm doing greater restoration on Clayton first and then I'm going to do I'm going to do, what am I doing here? I'm just going to cast cure wounds at a first level, and then I'm going to go up

to Victoria, and as I see her, and I see that she's, I've seen that you touch the book, right? Yes. I've touched it, yeah, but when you, I'm assuming I'm taking some but when I see him go down and when you tell me to drop it, I would just throw the book to the ground. And I, as soon as I have...

You take 75 points of damage. What have you done? And I'm going to use greater restoration on you as well. Okay. At a sixth level, not like it matters. So he heals me and just greater restoration. Yeah. I understand.

As you continue to hold the book, you feel occasionally the tugging of the screaming and the torture at your mind. Eventually, your surge, you, you, you feel like this surge of psychic energy shoots through you is once again you feel this damage overtake you. You fall unconscious to the ground toward you. You reach and grab the book as it touches your hand.

Your mind is racked with the screams of the innocent. You can feel the moment they lost their lives, hundreds of thousands of innocent children losing their lives at the same time as you feel this pain rack you. You take a significant amount of damage. You drop the book. Your sense is overcoming you. Sarnax. You do what you're doing.

So I will have run up, igniting you to heal you, geared a restoration, greater restoration, be cleansed in fire, and we must purge this book. Damn. What the fuck? It's cursed.

Hope lets me. Everybody, everybody stop for one fucking second. It's horrible. No one touch it. Jesus. All right. I can hear them dying.

All of them. I've had enough of. this lamb. I almost died. I'm going to I'm going to run to where the professor is and kind of like scoop an arm up underneath of him and basically drag him over to like the wall

so he can least like sit up against the wall and I'll just kneel him down next to him while we like look at the book on the floor. I'll like prop Victoria on the bed and like the cushions behind her and make your feel comfortable. I'll do that. All right. All right, everybody take a deep breath.

You could have warned me, Lucas. Don't touch it. Nobody touch it. We're not going to touch it. Does it have any text on it? No, not on the outside. Are you sure that learning this thing is the best case scenario? We've talked about this several fucking times.

This is where we draw the line and we let it rip. Whose book is this? I don't fucking know you're the one who opened it. Because I was reading through it. I was not. You didn't see a name? It was no name. What about in your vet?

You said screaming children? Was there any... I could hear them. I could hear them all dying. Thousands of dead. Godday! Did you hear it? Did I hear it?

Did you hear things? Did you have any visions? No, just the... Auditory. Yeah, auditory. It was horrible. It was. Is this Shudanya's book?

I don't know. She doesn't seem like a type. Well, if you give me 10 minutes and professor, I need some incense. And I will... Strips. My case will open. That'll be...

I already give you ivory chips. I already used it. Wait, is it consumed? No. The incense. So I need the incense. So I need the incense. I pull out, however much incense you need, how much gold should I strike?

$250. That's $250? That's expensive, fucking incense? Or the ivory strips? Ivory strips? I already have provided. So I pull out the ivory strips. And I'll reach into my little pack.

It's been dwindling quite a lot of the, uh, the stick. the sticks, and I'll throw in a twig of Edelwood, and I will hold it, and then throw in the incense, and place the ivory strips I need all four sides of the lantern, and I will say,

Gerricks, Fire Lord, I call on you, tell me the lore of this horrifying, cursed book, and I cast legend more. Great. You begin to lay out the incense, your ivory shards

or whatever they are. And you begin to cast strips. You begin to cast legend lore. As the words slowly come to you, a book bound in skin spells found within, held by evil's hand, the words to command. Let madness consume

those that enter her tomb on their blood they will feast, the queen and the beast. Well, fuck. Holy shit. Can we get that wonderful? more time. A book bound in skin spells found within.

Held by evil's hand, their words they command. Let madness consume those that enter her tomb. On their blood, they will feast. The queen and the beast. I relay that. I relay the entire thing, the best of my ability. Well done.

Thank you. That was very impressive. The queen and the beast. We know who those are. the blood queen and Shradanya. So this is her book? This is Shradanya's book. And we know that her... We know that the...

the crystal heart is hidden in her study. So this might be a warning. That we may be consumed by madness once we enter it. The tower with the crystal hanging in it. Is it a warning? is Garrett's warning me not to tread there. And we know

that from our readings of the cards, they refer to her as the beast. Yes. Yes. Either way, we need to get some sleep. So we're calling. Yes. Call in here. We have to. After, there is no

other choice. But I think we have not eaten. You ate? You had a fancy huge buffet dinner. I was your don't know. morning. Right? Yeah, but probably the evening. I do not want our last supper

to be the treacherous wicked feast of a vampire. I would like our final meal together to be won on our turns.

Shall we retire to the mansion then? I think we should. I think we should. Is it safe? One last night. will anything come upon us. I'm so worried about Ether? Esher. Asher. Like MC.

M. Z. Escher. There are two letters. MC Escher. What is M.C. and Escher? Did he introduce himself as that? Why don't you read a goddamn book? Is his name Marius? Not this book.

This is name. Marius Cornwall, Escher? That's exactly right. As you know. Wow. I write that down. Maybe right in that skin covered tom. Oh, yeah, oh. Fool me one, shepherd.

I would die. It's like good. I'm going home. Is there any concerns going into your case, knowing that her other consorts are nearby? I could cast alarm again. We'd be able to escape the case quickly, heard it. We'd have to run outside. It would take some time, but...

I think perhaps we should just sleep in the room, cast your alarm again, and be ready. Mr. Shepard, what do you think? I trust you in these matters most. This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash Legends of Aventras 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 tome 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. We haven't really had any problems being inside the case. We've talked about security measures previously stated. I think as long as the things that we're worried about are the vampires. We've got our truths. They're not going to intrude. I don't think they will.

And if they try to, we'll know, right? If anybody tries to open up your case while we're inside, we have to know. Could they even? Can anyone open your case, but you? Not normally. I believe he had said it would take some pretty powerful magic. It would. So I feel all right.

Given the nature of this book, the nature of the crystals, the nature of the curse on this land, the power of Tridonia is not of the Strudania. It is of the Blood Queen. Garrick's has confirmed that. Yes. You're right. And who knows what sort of powerful magic. could be used at a whim.

So what's your recommendation? I think we should not presume that the case cannot be opened, but perhaps we put the case in a safe place where it's not immediately visible. And then the alarm will give us enough time to get out before it is detected. Well, the case isn't invisible once for all. It's not, remember? That was the difference with yours as it just turns into a briefcase on the... Stick it into the bed. Stick it somewhere where people...

won't see it immediately. It's fine. I think it'll be totally fine. You're right. We can still take shifts here to make you feel more comfortable. Let's enjoy a meal. Very well. Are we going to enjoy the meal out here in this room? No, in the case. I will sit up alarmed and then perhaps we have one person on watch. I am feeling weary. I would like to join you, if I may. Yes, of course. It was implied.

Well, not always. You are one of us now. Sergei, you have been since the moment you rejoin this world. I'll open the key. I'll put the keys on the ground. He smiles at you, a warm, a warm smile. Well, first I'll cast alarm on the room. You do? And then I'll set the case on the down,

Magnificus, and it will open up, and there'll be stairway, stairway, stairwell leading down, and all. Motion. I'll leave, I'll walk in. You walk in, and you're met with a strange scene. Black tapestries hang all along the walls. the carpet dark dark black metal candelabras

blazing candles strange cobweb string this way and that this is unlike anything you've seen inside of your mansion before and a noise crashing coming from the dining area

Arabel and I'm immediately shouting for her and running in as fast as I can. I'll be the last one in, and I'll have the mage hand pull the case under the bed, and then I'll shut the case. Okay. And you're running towards the... I'm running towards the clashing. I'm serving.

Arbel, Arvel, and I'm just... You run directly towards the dining areas. You wrench open the door. You are met with a site unlike any that you've seen. Red velvet hangings, large black velvet tapestries everywhere, and sitting at the table on a plushableness. cushion in a dark black dress frills her hair in ringlets down her back. A crown of bones atop her head is Arabelle. And sitting next to her, sir Clutz, adorned. He has eyeliner beneath his eyes. His hair matted and caked is hanging down around his face. He looks

emo, A-F, as they're sitting there. His t-shirt says, rock and roll. The as they're sitting there enjoying a nice cup of tea. I'm going to kill you. I... Arabelle, what is this? I immediately run over and... What is what? What is all of this?

What is all of what? This is this gothic scenery. What is this? I don't know what you're talking about... Look at you. Last time we were here, you had unicorns, practically. Stripping from the ceiling. What is this?

I wanted to be a skeleton-like cluts. There is no... attire for a lady. This is no decoration for a mention. I have lots of frills on my sleeves. I'll blink and she will poof into a nice pink frilly dress and all of the decoration will get removed and replace the exactly how it was. I'll take her back. I'll take her back. Oh look, I'm so pretty. Oh my. I immediately went over and I just sink to my knees just catching my breath and I

I just like hold her hand in mind. Arbel, what, are you? Welcome to my castle. This is called Arabelle's mansion and I am a Dracula. Do you say that, Herb. I don't know what you mean.

I mean, do not say it. Does Trudanian been here? What? Has Trudania been here? No, but I'm like this Drodana of this little inside the case. No, I don't know. Because Clatsley used to live,

did you know he used to live in her the combs and he was in there for like a long time before you came in and you got him out he threw it on his own swords and he died which was like totally emo cool i want to like check her pulse and just like make sure she's okay and like not i don't know the best that she bites you i allow it to happen you're like super salty gross who wants to be a vampire yuck this is not like you are about you put you put blooms on me and made me wear that ridiculous outfit and sit at the the table in these neon colors. What has changed about you?

Has Stradanya been here or not? Like, no, totally not. I want, can I answer to her? I'm hanging out with the really cool skeleton die. I'll stand, walk up behind Kana and I'll say. I would like to inside check her for 13. She seems like she's

totally being honest. Like, she likes the skeleton guy a lot. This seems to be, rest easy. This seems to be exactly in character from a wild of whim. Well, it's inappropriate. You sent the clucks guy to me.

Arabelle? He's good. He got rid of all of the bees, too, because he's a bones, so he can't be bitten by bees. There is nothing cool. Did you know that the bones can't be bitten by bees? Because I didn't know that. Yes, that makes sense.

And he's, like, made of ghost biz. What? He's a ghost. Of course he can't be stung by a bee. He's a venom. I don't know. And I really like that. I get it so cool.

You don't need to... No, there's nothing cool about undepath. I'm apologies. There's nothing cool about vampires. There's nothing cool about it. I don't know because, like, it's just been really nice now that everything's like a black and dreary and stuff. And, like, we sit there and we talk about our feelings. Erbil, you don't know what you're saying.

I even wrote a song. Professor, please tell her it's just a phase. It's not just a phase. It will be nothing in this house. I know this is not my house, Professor, but... Yeah, no, like, this totally isn't your house or your house or your house or your house. It's kind of yours, but you're not here nearly as much as I'm here. Arabele.

What? Now, I know you and I have a couple conversations. Yes. And you know. You like the other kids more than you like me and I know. I've never raised my voice to you once. There's a first time for everything. I'm not doing it yet.

But I am going to tell you. You hear that yet. Hey, hold on. Sorry. You smell like you're going to get married to a vampire. And you're going to be the fifth favorite. You scared me. This child.

How come for why? You scared everybody here. And most importantly, you scared the professor. But how come? Are you okay with that? But I don't understand why I would scare you. Because of what we're dealing with here, all right? We're dealing with some pretty messed up stuff, and we were worried about you, most importantly.

We thought something had happened to you. Do you want to be worrying the professor like that? Well, I don't know, because, you see, if I make him nervous, it means he likes me. Out of that? He brought you on this adventure. He looked at you like someone who was an adult and could handle an adventure like this. Because I am an adult and can handle this adventure. That's why I made sure that Sir Clutz did not feel like he was alone and the only bone daddy in the whole place.

I understand. Maybe you should talk to the professor. You need to go to the library and study. Study. Because you've already had dinner. You need to learn. Not a bird. Just like vampires is for losers.

Go read a book. Fine. I don't. like you, I hope you die and I hope you die and I hope you die and I hope you die and I hope you die and we can all be dead together

bye and she just sits there you can leave my room now this is not your room, this is the living room this is the dining room this is the dining room would you like to join us for dinner? Are you hungry?

You could have ice cream. No, I don't want ice cream I want the beast to sting me again because at least they were fluffy and you're scaly and you have like dark hair and I don't like it. And you're pink kind of but like less pink and more red whatever. And you don't need to read and you are stinky. Are you done? Yes. Now would you like to join us for dinner?

You can have to zip. I'm going to know. She can have to set. You can have toffee. Toffee? This type of behavior gets toffee. Do you want some brandy as well? My daddy is becoming bones, and I wanted to know what it was like, so Surplus was telling me.

And I was trying to be closer to him because I know that he is no longer here with us. But since I can't do that, I will go to my room and I will read your dumb book. Do you know why he's not here? Yes, I know why. because you came to Borovia on his stupid mission and ruined everything No, because the vampire that you think is cool You made her so mad that she killed everyone in Volaki

And she killed my daddy on purpose Just because of you And I'm here in this case To make you safe So that no other little Aurobells Will ever have to go through what I have to go through I'm sorry, I'm bad, I'm going to my room Orabel

No, no, lizards, no I'm bad Yes, yes, you are not bad No, I did bad because I don't want you to die I don't want you to die Or you to die Maybe a little bit you, but only right now

You don't mean that No, I don't But her I do kind of Because... I don't I think everyone... I just want you to be safe Erebelie

But I was safe for real Because Clutz told me that he would never leave my side, not even for a single moment, because he saw that I was scared. And he said he likes being a skeleton, and it makes him happy, and that nothing can harm him. And I thought, well, maybe one day my daddy will be a skeleton like that, and he will still be able to have fun and sit at a table and wear pretty dresses.

But if that happens, then you want to be you. You want him to come back and see the beautiful daughter that he left. Not a terrifying vampire woman. If I may... You have to be strong for your family. It's not okay. I disagree with that sentiment. And I'll kind of step forward a little bit.

I'll place my lantern down on the table. All of you, I think a child, being of imagination, unspoiled innocence, to be fascinated with the concept of death. Death is an inherent part of life. Destruction is critical for renewal, young child. My name is Aurebel. Aurebel.

I understand how you feel right now. I have the appearance to some as a horrible man-eating monster But you are not that, though I am not Shepard here as the appearance of a vile scheming demon Does he have never seen a demon before?

The devil, okay, easy, easy, sorry, X. Come on, I am making my point. But he is not mean, no, and the devils are mean, and he can be a little bit cranky and he is tired every time I see him to the point he looks like he's going to punch someone in the face. It's accurate. In many circles,

we would be shunned, reprimanded, scolded, even, simply for looking different than what is to be expected and not, none of that appearance matters. What makes Stradania vile and evil is not the aesthetics of her castle?

It is the evil in her heart. And for that is the only thing that matters is the intent and the will of the hearts of men and women of all sentient creatures. And so there is no reason to be enraged. by this display. As I said earlier,

it is simply to be expected. However, Orabel. But you must understand. We have had a very long day. The professor, Miss Isaacs, almost died several times.

Shepard himself did as well. So tensions are high. You are not bad. They are frustrated because of the situations. Not because of them. But if you were scared that I was hurt, then I am sorry. I turned seven today. But I was alone, and I thought you sent clutch to me to make me feel better.

Today's your birthday. Yes, I made two seven today. Well, happy birthday. I know that. Thank you. Happy birthday, and we accept your apologies. I eat a lot of cakes, so my tummy hurts a whole lot, but Lucas was really nice until he left and turned into a giant hand.

I'm squatting next to her and I offer her a birthday hug. Okay. She's willing to take it. Yeah, she'll hug you. A benevolent hatching's day to me. I don't know what that means. But you know, I was reading a book about the birds and the bees, and they didn't say anything about birds or bees,

but they did talk about hatching and something called birth. And then I realized, oh, it's my birthday today. Well, I rebel. Yes. I'll lean down and just take her hands. I want to apologize to you. No, I won't let you apologize to me because I was being a mean and kind of a brat. And my dad told me not to be a brat ever because it made him sad.

And I think that sometimes because it is really hard now that he has gone, I forget that I still shouldn't be a brat. Because though he is not here next to me, wherever he is looking down at me, he knows. And he would not be happy. Well, I still apologize because my father said that I was a brat all the time. And he yelled at me, just like I yelled at you. And he thought I did evil things. My dad didn't never yell at me.

Well, you were very lucky for that. But I treated you unkindly like my father treated me. And I'm very sorry. And I hope that you have a wonderful birthday. And I bet that if you told the professor anything, you want him. He would make it happen to you. Is that true that you would do that for me on my birthday? In this case? What would you like for your birthday? I want the rhinoceros. What you'd like in name? Um, Brody. What color?

I don't know, aren't they just gray? But they could be any color. But then it wouldn't be a rhinoceros named Brody. It would just... be a multicolored animal that looks like a rhinoceros named Brody. All right, well, here you are, and I'll blink, and a big, huge stuffed rhinoceros. I can't believe me! I'm just going to hug it. And embroidered on his, like, tail or something, says Brody. I love him.

He's my sleepy time, Brody. Happy birthday, I'll rebound. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to you. Also, you know, I feel like so much more. powerful now that I'm seven. Really? Yes, like a lot more powerful.

That's wonderful. Do you want this is only cool? Certainly. She snaps and goes invisible. Oh. Well, this is not me doing this. Look, I'm going to move and carry Brody and you'll know it right. No, there Brody goes, yes.

You are very powerful. And that's why you must keep up with your studies. Oh, God. You could become the most powerful wizard in all of the ventress. I've been keeping up with my studies. I was in the library earlier today. That's why I found the book about the birds and the bees. I know, yes.

That's also where I learned to do that trick. It's very good. Well, it is quite late. Why don't you get in bed? I have a present for you, Maribel. Okay. Don't give her a knife. It is not a knife.

If you remember, I spent all by gold on a number of orders, and I'll reach into my purse. pack and I'll kind of reach in as I kind of open it you'll see that there's a number of parcels. There's a good number of parcels. You were able to get a hold of Blinsky, I was going to say I knew you gave all your money but I didn't know you

ever got anything in return. The delivery was made and I retrieved it before we left the Abbey. Well, shit. And I'll pull out a little box and it's, I imagine it's probably wrapped and how would it be wrapped. It can be wrapped however you would like. It probably

wrapped in like a, you know, kind of simple white, like, parchment paper and then tied together and then, you know, is no, Blinsky is no fun or whatever it is. Or he's no fun, is no Blinsky. And I'll hand... This isn't Shradan Nassan. I'll hand her the bottom. Oh, my God. Is that everyone? My is the legend.

I was like, again. The toy. I did not know it was your birthday. but no better time to provide this to you than now. Can they open it right here? Of course. Okay. And she like tears it apart.

And as she tears it apart and opens it, inside she will find a clockwork creature of an approximation of what Blinsky would have as a Tyrannosaurus Rex. And it can probably do fun, Whenever Blinsey fun stuff, I was thinking like kind of walk back and forth and do the tail head thing. No. And it probably has a little tiny arms. It's like one of those punching machines or it's trying to punch but the tiny arms won't fully punch.

But you do notice that occasionally it will lean down and bite the head off of a commoner that's on its base. Oh, that's cute. I love him. I'm going to call him Trevor. Oh. That is an excellent name for a dinosaur. Trevor and Brod in my two new best friends. I was under the impression that young human children of Borovia's enjoyed these creatures

and referred to myself as one of these creatures multiple times, so I thought it'd be appropriate. This kind of creatures don't live in Borovia, but we've heard tales that there are jungles outside of Borovia where these kinds of things live a lot. An amazing place to travel once you leave. Yeah, sure, I would like that a lot. Um, Shepard, can I talk to you really quick in private?

Yes, you may. Okay, everybody don't listen. So, Shepard, I wanted to say to you that I had a vision about Thomas, the little kid, that you like so much. All right. And it was like coming through like 90% of the time. And so it was essentially that for the wedding, he was going to be the flower boy, you know. Is it the flower boy or a ring boy? I don't know.

I mean, but he's at the abbey. Yes, I know. All the children are safe. I'm like 90% sure that Stradania sent an invitation and someone to retrieve him. Yeah, but the abbey wouldn't have let them. Yeah, but you know, sometimes things happen and kids, like, can get out of places. But anyway, you're cutting me off, and that's rude. So what I'm trying to say is I became seven today, you know, and with it came some really cool things.

So I just kind of let the ravens know what was happening and they kind of killed the messenger, so he won't be coming. Good. And I just wanted you to know that I know that you like all of us the same and that I'm just kind of mean sometimes. I like all of you the same exactly true. And I would not have done that if I thought you liked him more than me. Well, you did a very good thing. Yeah. All right?

You're welcome, and you might want to let Irina know that just because the wereholes of them been taken care of, it's still not safe for them to go on techniques. That's all I'm saying, I don't want to be rude. I'll let the professor of Sarnax know, and I'm sure one of them will let Irina know. That's so great. Okay, you cannot listen again. could have sworn. It felt like someone said

that one was present. Oh, are you going to sing the birthday song to me now? The hell is the birthday song. It's this song that you sing on birthdays. I never got one of those. I can't go to sleep until you sing the birthday song for me, and then once you do,

I'm going to go to bed. I can't sing a song, I don't know. Join me. Someone's got the birthday. I want to. Someone's got the birthday. I want to. Someone's got a birthday I wonder

Who Someone's got a birthday I wonder Yeah and it just goes on I love it so too much Because you know what The birthday is fun Yeah It's going to go too bad

It's your birthday, exactly right there's everything I was going to sing for my childhood It starts with Okay good night bye She runs off She happens dead Y'all have some words It's great tradition.

Oh, never mind. I suppose it's not relevant for you, that ones. All right, well, you can't say you don't learn something new every day, I guess. I like... Damn. Well, Neville and Hatching Day, whoever the fuck would have. I need some, like, monk shit going on there. Yeah, right.

Your talents And your talents are wasting Dave Your talents are wasting awesome That is absolutely tight And you Survive All right, son

That was a movie Well done See the devil and hatching One more time, motherfucker! I hope you sing that to me I don't know. So you have eaten, and you had lots of cake. She's left.

Oh, so she's gone. She's gone. She's gone. She traipsed off to her room. So when she gets to her room, I want her to be, like, tons of presents. Okay. And then everyone has a little tag that says, like, make sure to keep this in the mansion. But there's lots of stuffed animals from, like, jungles and from all my adventures,

I want to, like, have lots of stuffed animals and toys and candies and stuff like that. Yeah, big hippo. You know, so. It's a big hippo. It's a big purple hippo. All right. We should have the meal you were suggesting. Yes, would you care to provide me a bowl?

Jam and crusted bowl worth about 1,000 gold pieces. Oh, gold. Well, that certainly rings a bell. So we're going to write this off, and the university will cover our dinner, right? All of the grave robbing you've been doing will... All right, all right. I'll open my case and I'll pull out a bowl. and

I guess encrusted in rubies and pass it to Sarnax. I will take it and I will place it down and I'll reach it in my pack and I'll pull out looks like a very old

but preserved egg that's large and it's got a few spots on it and I'll place it in the bowl. This is the egg of a giant great horned owl.

It is my favorite meal. I wish to share this. It is my last bit of food from home. A home I perhaps will never return to. I'd like to consume it with all of you, my colleagues, and my friends. Thank you. It's very honored.

I would like to take requests of what you would care to eat from your respective homes. And I will do the best of my ability and the ability of Garrick's to replicate that. For we all may not be turned home. You guys don't want to eat that. It's a lot of hard tack, a lot of meat, some coffee. We didn't really have much. It sounds very hearty. It's more just hard.

I would love some roast beast with a side of, of bogged pudding and some roast potatoes. I have these crispy little almond butter cookies that I just love. I would absolutely love some angry edamale. What makes it angry color? It's spicy. Oh, but we call it angry back home. We hardly ever have anything spicy in brief.

Wait, well, I just, we may have a fight fish and milk. As long as we have... Anything milder than milk. We're lucky a dry potato. If it's angry, that sounds like it might make a rumbly in my tumbling. I'm sure there are some ways that's

that does not happen. We can tone it down a little bit of spicy. No, please. It is divine food. I pray it will see us through rather than impede us mid-combat. With diarrhea. I failed that

I failed that consterns I spend my action to squat from the corner Oh my God I hold true with my action And I just shit in my pants Oh my God Jesus my Christ

Thank you Donny Shepherd The little shit in my pants Won't stop me, Sir Daniel Oh my God It's why I thought Rewin'I

And so goddamn Louvre. Oh, my God. Can't see. Shepard. Everybody keeps. Okay. What do you request?

The best food from your home that you can imagine. What would you eat at the time of a great festival or a Erykokron sacrifice? Ericokra. I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, but actually, one of the best things I think I ever had was, was, I haven't thought about this. years. There would be knots where we were done. We get done our chores early. And the dock wouldn't make me do any extra work.

And down the road, there was a saloon. And there was this lovely woman. And she always made the best peach cobbler. And I haven't thought about her in forever. But the piece of cobbler was fantastic.

And it was very rare. We didn't have it often. God. That's a great memory. Thank you for helping me remember that. I'm happy to, Shepard. Memories of home and where we come from are important, despite the need to burn the old and bring about the new.

Thank you all for sharing this meal with me. And thank you, Saunachs, for providing such a divine meal. It is not me. It is Gareks. And I will cast Heroes Feast an attempt to have Garek, makes his worldly knowledge, recreate these things to the best of his ability. I would say it's easily enough that you're able to do that.

A huge feast emerges. And there's a whole section beyond what you guys, I would imagine, have said. And there's stuff from Bargis, there's stuff from Yona, there's stuff from Inari, there's stuff from Striga. And, you know, there's even stuff that, like, there may be cooked dishes for me, like roasted birds and also just raw eggs and the life. And what do we get for? from here, cease.

Don't get fucked down a shit. You. I forget what it was. I was cured of all diseases and the points. You're immune to poison and being frightened. All wisdom saving throws are made at advantage. Oh, maybe. Point maximum increases by 2D 10.

So I can roll that now. So yeah, why I can roll that? Immune to. Should I roll that? And frighten. Advantage on wisdom saving throws? Oh, I missed that up. Amune to what?

Poisoned and frightened. Not diseased. Okay. Poison and frightened. advantage on saving throws? 11 temporary hit points. Or no, hit point max when increases by 11. Right.

Well, yeah. It's not temporary hit points. No, it's max HP. So it's maximum to make sure to uncheck the don't or reset. It's always 24 hours. And it's advantage on saving throw? Is there any way to notate advantage, like custom advantage on saving throws on here? Yeah, go to your saves.

Who else, Dean, Deep Beyond? Dean, Beemio. So, yeah, Wizz, go to... Give me that with biz. Wies, Biz. Customize. Yeah, I don't know how to do... Proficient?

No, no, not proficient. Just remember. Yeah, I think that's the only way you can do it with D&D Beyond. But it's immunity to frighten poison. Yeah. Uh, yep. Yep. Well.

So, Nex. Thank you so much. He's very kind. And thank you all. I think that this, even if this is our last evening together, all of us together. Fate has led us here. It's in the cards. It's in the tea leaves.

It's in the fire. It's in the fires. It's in Arabelle's visions. Everything has been leading us to this moment. We're certainly on the precipice of something. Yes. Yes. So to the Asran expedition and to us.

To us. It's in that moment that you see a tiny pair of bouncing bunny ears. Skirting by the top of the table, small hand reaches up and grabs a little glass of milk. Can you see Arabelle's head peek over? She's in bunny footy pajamas, pink ones with a big fluffy tail. Of course, she is. To your survival in the freedom of Borovia.

Also, thank you for the presents. I love them so much. And you look down and she's got a little red wagon that's just piled full of stuffed animals. You deserve it, Arna. I love them so much. Brody is right on top. Cheers.

Cheers. Cheers. To us and to Barovia. Cheers. For the destruction of this place and the renewal that will come from it. So an ex if it wouldn't be inappropriate for Garrick's, I had some choice words I had picked out for this evening in light of your beautiful feast. This evening is for all of us, and especially Arabelle.

You hear the wagon wheels creak as she slowly makes her way back out the door and heads back to her room with her wagon full of toys. I'll push my chair back, screech, and stand up again holding my cup. I'll say, I'll face the group and say, Sergei's with us too, I imagine. He died. Thank you. We have endured much. Many have fallen by our blades.

This land has lost many innocents of the hand of evil, corruption, temptation, and lust. Those painful memories are what help us make it to tomorrow and become stronger. I am stronger today because of all the strength you have given me. I always tried to make myself seem strong, so I locked my own heart in this suit of armor. Master Gentecchi always taught me,

if you truly desire greatness, you must first know what makes you weak. We're alive, aren't we? We have weathered many a storm, the maelstrom. we have the strength to overcome the weakness and the fear and that's what it means to be alive and I'll look at Sergei and Victoria and Sir Flats and I will say let us wake from death and return to life. Cheers.

Cheers. Well said. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Chis to you. Kana, you are the strongest among us. Cheers. I wanted to read that because I did. just ruin it. I didn't want to trump on the cheers that you have. I just spend all this time writing in and I'm going to see. Once all is setting done and we're all home, safe and sound,

I will make sure that the university takes care of all of you, each and every one of you. the proceeds of whatever papers or books I write about this and we'll go to all of you we'll all be comfortable this will all have been worth it

we will all have lives outside of Brovia I swear this to each and every one of you we just need to survive you understand everyone we're going to survive and we will we're going to do what we can to survive to survive. That's our number one goal.

And if we need to just kill her and reset the cycle, so be it. So be it. And then when we're all long dead, some other band of adventurers can take care of her again. You know, poor bastards. That's not going to happen. I hope not. We're all together and we stay together. Fate did not bring us here just to survive. There are some things that are more important than survival.

Where I come from survival is a day-to-day challenge. It is a constant part of life. I understand its importance. But I will do what I can to ensure that the cycle is broken. Tomorrow is when the cycle breaks. And we may not all survive. But I will do everything in my power to ensure that all of you, do. You will all survive, Sonics.

Yeah, we're all getting out here. That includes you. Agreed. Do you understand? I understand your intentions, Professor. And I thank you for everything. For providing the funding and the guidance here to where I'm meant to be. Well, we're going to survive. I feel it.

In my third eye, I can see it. It is fate. Come on. This isn't, uh, it's our first hunt. Certainly not mine. We've survived everything that they've thrown at us so far. We're not just going to roll over and die tomorrow of all days. Please, we're going to be fine.

All right? Let's see some smiles. You're right. We'll be fine. We'll be fine. And worse comes to worse, Shepard, you're going to pull out those two things and you'll shoot her right in the face. That's all it will take. That's all it will take.

Shall we retire? I think we should. Yeah, it's about that time. It has been longer than a long day. Don't hesitate to wake me up, all right? Any of you. I'm going to bed. Why walk up in your room?

It is with that that you all retire to your rooms. You do anything that you need to get done this evening, and you lay your heads down to rest. And for the first time, in the long time, you have a peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. I will have spent probably an hour or two inscribing. I trust you. Whatever you guys need to do before bed, you may do mechanically.

When does a ritual, does a ritual spell take up a spell spot for cast as a ritual? No. No. Not if you have ritual casting. And is a clarity. Yes. Wow. Good.

I've been playing for Dungeons Dragons this whole time. And I, yeah, that's like, I think I knew that. But like, I was like, wow, that's fantastic. No, I'm that stupid. So we were probably awake and have breakfast. So when you guys do long rest, because it's always checked, but just make sure, uncheck the reset max, or just add the 11 to your modifier.

I always fucked that up. I just fucked that up. Or a single time I fucked that up. Oh, single time. I would like to wake up if I can. wake up early if I can. I like to wake up with the sun. If it's been,

if the sun's up like when we go to sleep, then whatever, but I would like to wake up early. Okay. I will say you do. It's easy. I'll stretch out and kind of enjoy the warmth of the fire of the huge fire pit in my room.

And I'll look out the windows to the, even the fake sun of this false city of Brieg is far more pleasant than the gloomy, storms of Borovia over Castle Ravenloft. And I'll put on my robe and I'll grab my lantern. I'm going to head to Shepard's room. Okay. And I observed that it looks like an Outback steakhouse.

Or a longhorn. A Texas road house. Peanut shows. All of the floor. I am hanging for a blooming onion. Yeah? Me too. And I will.

Not really cognizant of the hour, I would like to knock on the door. Yeah, yeah, what's up? Shepherd, are you awake? Yeah, I'm up. Door's not locked. Come in? I'll open the door and I'll enter. What's up, Sarnax?

Shepard, the sun rises as we all must. on the final day, the day at all ends. I hope so, yeah, yeah. Are you feeling restored and rejuvenated? I feel pretty good. Yes, thank you for asking. How are you doing today, Star Nix? I am feeling better.

Rest, even in this place. Goet has restored me. Good. I want to ask you this whole time we've been traveling together. You've seen the power of Garex. Yeah. And you've seen that he has chosen you to be the shepherd. He keeps saying that, but all right.

But now I have been waiting this entire time to ask you, do you believe in the power of Garex, truly, deeply, holy? Look, Sarnas, you got to understand what. coming from here. I've never been religious, all right? You know that. I've told you this. But what I saw, when Shredaughna stabbed you in the back, when I saw what I saw, there's no mistake. I know what I saw. Yeah. You saw what we all saw, and you heard his voice, spoke to me. You saw his flames. I looked him in the eye. I couldn't believe it. You saw his power. So I ask you again, do you truly believe?

I do. Do you wish to accept your role in all of this, the shepherd of lost souls in the forest of darkness? I'm going to do what I can. If that's a yes, then fine. But yeah, I care about the people. I care about our friends. I care about the kids.

I care about everybody getting home safely. And I hope that's good enough of an answer. To be a yes, I'm willing to accept it. I can't fight it anymore. You haven't stopped talking about it. I have not. But it is for a reason. If you truly wish to dedicate yourself to Garek's,

would you mind if we did a sense? Ceremoving. I mean, we don't burn down the professor's mansion and sure. Yeah, I'm in. The structural will remain home and unsinged. All right. I'm trusting you. What do you need me to do?

Are you prepared, Shepherd? What I'm good. Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready. Sure, sure. Whatever you want. Let me just put my hat down and give me a second here. Yeah.

What are we doing? I'll raise my lantern. So it's eye level for both of us. Shepard. Yes, Sarnax. Do you see and believe the power of Garex? Stare in to the flame and answer. Do not stop looking at the flame.

Yes, Sarnax. I believe and I have witness and feel the power of Garex, the fire lord. What does the fire in your heart desire? and desires the death of Stradania, the protection of my friends, and most importantly for everyone to get home safely. And that means you too.

What do you seek to destroy evil? And I don't just mean that in a blank statement. I mean real fucking evil. Like, whatever the fuck took over Stradania and has cursed this fucking land. and what is the renewal that you will bring about from that destruction? The renewal? Well, I mean, we can bathe this place in cleansing fire.

Then the renewal is no more repeating, no more rebirth of evil. It's a permanent end, a break of the chain. Silas Shepard Morgan, stare into the flame and recite the simplest and most sacred of our prayers. Garrix grants me the power to destroy. Garrix, grant me the power to destroy. And I cast a ceremony, dedication to a god. And I'll look at Shepherd as the flame would whip out of the lantern and surround me and surround you. And I'll say, now, rise.

Accept your role and walk forward. Destroy the evil of this land and renew its people. Be the shepherd. I will always light the way. All right. And then the fire will die down. And for the next 24 hours, you add a D4 to all saving throws. Hell yeah.

Holy shit. Beautiful, that's awesome. That's awesome. That's job, buddy. Well, that's how you do a ceremony. That's very consensual, very well done. Very well done to you as well. That's great.

That's beautiful. I appreciate you. Now that is one consensual. I don't know what to say, but thank you. It's one consensual. Sarah. You're welcome, Shepard. And I thank you for doing what must be done.

and for all, and I apologize for everything that is to come. But we will be victorious. I have seen in the flame, and I believe it in my heart. Good, good. I agree. Good. Well, I'm going to go finish getting ready.

Yeah, I'm going to go rustle up some breakfast. I'll see you soon. All right. And I'll leave. Why? Sorry, I said one of these as he walks out. Yes. Another one.

I'd take another 15, 20 minutes to get ready and then head to the dining room. Everybody else? I would have done some writing in the morning, and I would write, at least they have a letter, and would write a letter out. And while I'm writing, I have a portrait, a small portrait of my wife and daughters. in a little frame as I'm running. Jesus. And I will fold it up once I'm done.

I will put it in an envelope, pour a hot red wax. And then I will stamp a sigil. And in the sigil is a kind of a frilled top hat with an A, a very fanciful A on the top hat in the seal. And I'll put in my coat pocket. or I'll go down to the breakfast table. Anyone else do anything for you me to breakfast? I would like to go and check on my master.

Okay. So I walk, I knock on his door to see if he's awake. You knock on the door and it opened shortly after, but he's not the one who opens. One of the invisible servants that man's the mansion opens it. And you see that your master is fast asleep. still overcoming his wounds, laying in the bed, but he's been changed into silk pajama top and bottoms, and the hearth is roaring in the fire. You see to the side of him, a tray with breakfast foods,

partially eaten. He has been conscious this day, and as you begin to walk in, the sound of your armor clangs against your will a little bit, and you see as he rustles, and he turns to look at you. I immediately a full 90-degree bow. You bow, you look up and you see a faint smile in his face as his weak arm motions you to get up. I walk over. Connor sit on the bed and I hold his hand.

My young one, you've traveled far. And he clasps your hand. I am feeling weak. But I knew of anyone. I owe you my life. And I owe you mine. I'm glad to see that you are doing well. I'm glad to see that you have survived thus far,

but the trials are ahead. It will be difficult, and I will not be able to follow you. I cannot help you in the way that you have helped me. You see as he looks at you, and though he's weak and he's still malnourished and exhausted, I trust that you have learned everything you could from me. and I will sink of you every day for the rest of my life. And I hope the breeze will draw you back to me.

I know it will. He looks up at you and he raises his hand and he puts it on your face and a sign of affection you have never felt from him before. You can do this. You will do this. You are strong. You are. You feel as his hand drops and his eyes begin to lull as he slowly makes his way back into a peaceful rest.

I wait for him to fall asleep before I break down. Quietly, I'll leave and find the nearest bathroom. And I'll do my final cleansing ceremony with the ladle he gifted me in Inari. And I will fill a basin with water. And I will allow the water to flow. fill my ladle, pass it cleansing over left hand, fill it and over my right. And then I will take the last ladle, pour it in my hand, rinse out my mouth, and spit it into the basin. And I'll cleanse my ladle one last time, dry it and return it to my pack. And I'll allow the water to drain and

completely cleanse and purify myself one last time before we head out. You do that. And I will join everyone for breakfast. Do you want to do anything, Victoria? I think that I would pray in my room, light a candle and sit on the floor and just kind of strike my hand again like I have before and draw some blood and draw like the class symbol of like the praying hands, which is all my prayer beads, just sort of holding my beads above it, spinning it in a circle, trying to get a feeling of, you know, which side it may lay on. Just pray over it and have it stopped dead in the center. You've all eventually meet up for breakfast.

You eat. You enjoy your morning. Is there anything else you want to do before you disembark from the chest? I would, in my morning ritual, I would be reviewing my spellbook and kind of preparing for the day ahead. And in that crucial cup of tea, I will savor it slowly knowing that what the tea leaves will tell me at the bottom of that cup will be vital for the day ahead. And I will roll my final port. Oh, my God.

Oh, I don't want to make you to say it. I don't want to do. That's right. That's right. Yeah. I mean, I could look away. Look away. Let chat.

See. Here, hold on you. Chat, don't say what they are because I will have to say. No spoilers. None in the chat. No spoilers. No one. So I'm doing a big die, a little die, and then a regular die. Oh, you get three.

Yeah, he's up to three. Yeah, he's been up in three for a little bit. Oh. Interesting. What's that back one right there? Interesting. Can you see this color? Can you tilt that?

It might be tough to see. Don't say the number. I almost that up. Okay. Okay. Okay, writing it down. Very interesting. Remove them from the camera.

Oh, alright. I couldn't even see them on the camera, but it was terrible. Yeah, all set. You roll a 69 on a D20. Exactly. Very carefully. Yeah, very, very carefully. I'll look at the tea leaves and I'll say.

God damn, that's good. All right. I've all set it aside for Lucas to take. Well, all you ready? Ready? War ready. Absolutely. Let's go.

This is the judgment today. I will walk out and then I will open up the lid of the case and I will use May Pan to pull us out. From under the bed? Under the bed. And then I will ascend the staircase. You all step out. You all step out of the case into the room. And it is different than it had been before.

as you look towards the bed, a golden chest lies nestled in the very center. The symbol of House von Zarovic etched right below a small keyhole, and on top of it, a single

piece of parchment. I'll read it. I believe you were looking for this. The ceremony begins promptly at eight in the chapel on the main floor. We will find Victoria's gown in the closet. I will send

the bride's father to collect her at seven until this evening, Stradania. She'll say eight or seven, sorry. So the ceremony begins promptly at eight in the chapel on the main floor. You'll find Victoria's gown in the closet, and she will send

the bride's father to collect her at seven. This is PM? Okay. I mean, if PM existed in a ventress, yeah? I'm just making sure it's not like in 30 minutes. Oh my God, relate! Yes, it speaks of your father. My father.

Yes. How is that possible? Well, perhaps you're some shambling zombie. We've seen for ourselves that in this land, Shadanya is able to defeat death itself. That's right. Death. Even death is subservient to Stradania in this dark land. My father was not dead.

Did we not find evidence that he was dead in the ashes? Oh, that father. Maybe. I thought you met the shitty one. The duskow? Or am I thinking of the world? The one that we found with a sword wound through his entire torso. I'm thinking the other one of the like raised father. Oh, the one from home.

Yeah. The not really your father, father. I was going to say, I don't fucking see you. It'd be interesting if she managed to get him to Barovia. That'd be a whole fucking twist. To say he wouldn't even come to my birthday, This is curious. Perhaps he's been raised as a vampire. Maybe a new consort? That would be disgusting, vile, wicked.

She must know that that would displease me. Maybe he didn't die. Or perhaps he brought him back, just like he brought you back. completely whole regardless I believe you have the key to this box and I'll just kind of motion to it to Victoria I'll take deep

before we take one more step I just want to make sure we're all on the same page here and when push comes to shove especially at this fucking ceremony if we think for a moment that Victoria's life is in danger

we're springing into action we're making our move right then and there Exactly right Making your move to what? In Stradania forever We haven't discussed this But If the chance is there for you all

To escape this place Would you take it? Now, without confrontation If the chance presented itself If you all could go on Are you suggesting you would sacrifice yourself To allow us to leave That you would ask for our safe passage

so that you could stay here and be her bride. That's my sentiments, exactly. It would depend on the price of that passage. I know that, ideally, we would stop the suffering in this land. But if it were not to be that way, if we could not stop the suffering here, if we could only escape it, to send you all home, you with your master, you to continue spelling your good word

and you and you just continuing on. While I appreciate the sentiment and the hopeful words, if you will, I've had a scaly fellow won't stop whispering in my goddamn ear about how it's my responsibility

to get everybody the fuck out of here in one piece. Yes. And it seems as though this morning and I may have been permanently bound to the cause, so to speak. So from what I understand, is I'm either drawing my last breath or Stradania is. And there's no other way around that. And I'm sorry if that upsets you, Miss Victoria,

but you don't get a choice in a decision that I'm making. Certainly not, but I just think that now before we go any further I should say that if the chance presented itself I would give myself to protect you all

to send you on your way you back to your children your child you back to your doctor on with your master to spread your fire I'm glad you brought that up Victoria That was precisely my contingency plan.

I would take that opportunity if we had to leave. I would never ask it of you, but if you could find happiness in this land, it would grant the rest of our salvation. Perhaps no moment arrives when we pull the trigger, so to speak. Whether it's happiness or not, of a rather torturous life, things that I've

done I've not been proud of and if this is my final sacrifice, my final blood debt to repent for my sins, then I should do it for all with you. What you offer is a noble sacrifice and I thank you for offering it.

But I must decline. I do wish to spread my fire but my fire must spread here in Barovia in Castle Ravenloft it is where I'm meant to be this evil this curse is beyond Stradania it lingers

festers and grows stronger and who knows how long it will be until it spreads to a ventress it threatens to destroy Striga Bargist Inari, Yona, all of our homes and everything. My life is insignificant compared to the will of the gods.

I would never sacrifice my destiny to save my mere mortal life. I got to side with Sarnax on this one. Professor, if anybody were, no one were to blame you to take that bargain if you got the opportunity. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm here with Sarnax to end this permanently. then I will stay with you. I would only take that offer if I could guarantee the safety of my master back home. But I would not leave these lands alone with you.

Too many innocents have fallen because of Stradanya. Justice needs to come down on her. I do think we can save her. perhaps with Sergei's help. But I am not willing to let her to continue to corrupt these lands and to continue to allow the blood queen to corrupt her.

I think if we can fight this at the core and eradicate the blood queen, Stradanya might be saved. My desire is not to seek vengeance, but more justice for those innocents lost for the children that have been screaming

in your head. heads when you touch that book. I sympathize with everyone here that is born without a soul. And those that have now, worry. Nothing but a target for the likes of her and her kin.

You are a noble warrior. If we do not enter the tiger's cave, we will not catch the cup. I'm here to stay. Settle sit then. Should see what's in the box. When you're ready. I'll just look around

for a... Not an approval. Yep, I will not. So I'll take the key on the chain around my neck and just take it off and approach the box and see if the key fits. You place the key into the lock, and it fits perfectly.

Twist to a lock. You begin to turn it until you hear a click. The lid pops open a slight amount. As you flip the lid over, you see lying on a plush black velvet interior. a large leather-bound book emblazoned into the front as the crest of the Vanzarovic family. You lift it out, there's a weight to a heaviness. You recognize this tone.

This is the journal of Shredanya Vanzarovic. Clayton, you reach into your briefcase and realize that the tome is not the tomb. there. And as you hold this, you begin to flip through it and you see the entries that you had seen before. And now new ones, ones from the days that you have been here, tales of the things you've done, her eyes lingering upon Victoria. Entries about the whispering of madness, the woman in the shroud, the beating of the heart of the castle. as you get to an entry. Top of it, scribbled, in what appears to be her own blood.

The blood queen calls to me. The end is near. You begin to read the passage, and that is where we'll end the session. Fuck, Nikki. How sweet. One last supper to prepare them for the end. Their end. It may have been heroes.

feast, but no amount of medical food will help them survive the culmination of my dark machinations. With a small human girl and a sickly old man now mixed up in their affairs, just how much collateral damage will the Azran expedition cause? Find out in Chapter 18 of Kursa Stradania, the thin line between love and hate. In the meantime, if you wish to watch Legends of Adventress tell similar stories of Dungeons and Dragons every week, you can follow us on Twitch. You can also enjoy our many campaigns on YouTube, shop at our merch store, support us on Patreon, and join our community on Discord. All links are in the show notes.

We welcome you to our Ventrus family.