Difference between revisions of "Curse of Strahd/Tome"
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== References == | |||
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Revision as of 21:21, 17 May 2023
The Tome of Strahd is an ancient work penned by Strahd. The book is bound in a thick leather cover with steel hinges and fastenings. The pages are of parchment and very brittle. Stains and age have taken their toll, but some of the first section is readable.
You parse through the book and find the majority of it written in cipher or notes in a curious shorthand that must be unique to Strahd. The readable beginning section looks to be a key with the title "War & Peace" that may contain clues to deciphering later chapters. Later sections of the key are blurred as if water damaged, and are unreadable.
Note: Any Dark Gifts granting intellectual abilities or Investigation bonuses are ineffective when deciphering the Tome of Strahd. Disregard any such advantages.
Investigation Check
- DC10: You determine that the cipher of the first two chapters are the same. The first chapter is titled "War", the second "Peace". The latter two chapters are titled "Love" and "Power" but the key sections for those are blurred with water stains.
- DC17: You feel the water stains of the key section, and can feel crisp lines of ink that do not match the visible texture. The stains appear to be an illusion hiding the written text underneath.
GM Notes
The first section of the book, “War & Peace” contains hints for the cipher for both the chapters “War” and “Peace”. Players can choose either chapter to start attempting to decipher, and they can choose the chapters “Love” and “Power” when the respective key sections are unlocked.
The key sections “Love” and “Power” are indecipherable due to a 4th-level equivalent spell that's something between “Programmed Illusion” and “Illusory Script”. The magic can be detected with Detect Magic and if dispelled, the sections are wiped blank for 24 hours (or you can allow it to unlock the key sections). The key sections “Love” and “Power” are unlocked upon reading key words in the respective chapters, such as “Tatyana” in Andral IV/Souls II, or “Amber Temple” in Andral V/Peace IV. They can also be unlocked if players have the book open and speak the key words.
Unlocking a section requires an Investigation check and at least 4 hours of dedicated time for Research. Players can choose which available chapter they want to roll for. One player can assist another in the attempt, granting advantage if they Help. Any player who investigates the book or Helps has a -5 passive perception for the duration of the four hours.
Higher rolls can succeed for up to two sections of one chapter, provided they have the same tile (Andral IV & Andral V can be unlocked together, but Andral V and Markovia cannot).
- Source for entries is from this reddit post.
- The interpretation of the history between Strahd and Andral/Markovia is from this post.
- More on the fanes here.
Introduction
War & Peace
Visible
I am the Ancient. I am the Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior, I was good and just. I thundered across the land like the wrath of a just god, but the war years and the killing years wore down my soul as the wind wears stone into sand.
All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley, renamed for my father as we took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice.
I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in the castle father and I built for them. Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei, nearly grown, and I had never known him. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both.
Love
Blurred by age and water.
Unlocked if players get Andral IV or Souls II; getting both reduces DC of all Love entries by 5.
Unlocked if the tome is open and the words "Tatyana, my beloved" are spoken.
From the families brought to the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called “perfection,” “joy,” and “treasure.” Her name was Tatyana and I longed for her to be mine. I loved her with all my heart. I loved her for her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me!
“Old One” was my name to her— “elder” and “brother” also. Her heart went to Sergei. They were betrothed. The date was set.
With words she called me “brother” but when I looked into her eyes, they reflected another name: “Death.” It was the death of the aged that she saw in me. She loved her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine. The death she saw in me turned her from me. And so, I came to hate death—my death. My hate is very strong. I would not be called “death” so soon. I made a pact with death, a pact of blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My pact was sealed with his blood.
I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the chapel. She fled from me. She would not let me explain, and a great anger swelled within me. She had to understand the pact I made for her. I pursued her. Finally, in despair, she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft, and I watched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever.
It was a thousand feet through the mists. No trace of her was ever found. Not even I know her final fate.
Arrows from the castle guards pierced me to my soul, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I became undead, forever.
Power
Unlocked if players get Andral V or Peace IV; getting both reduces DC of all Power entries by 5.
Unlocked if the tome is open and the words "Amber Temple, the repository and jail" are spoken.
I have studied since then from the scrolls and tomes I obtained from the Amber Temple of Mount Ghakis. I have learned much about this land of Barovia. Ancient beyond the simple folk of the valley, with hidden powers. I visited the three fanes and claimed their power for my own. Their servants now serve me, and thus I have become the Land.
I still lust for life and youth, and I curse the living that took them from me. Even the sun is against me. It is the sun and its light I fear the most, but it cannot harm me now. The dark power I made a pact with blanketed this land in mists. Little else harms me. Even a stake through my heart does not kill me, though it holds me from movement. But the sword, that cursed sword that Sergei brought! I must dispose of that awful tool! I fear and hate it as much as the Sun.
I have often hunted for Tatyana. I have even felt her within my grasp, but she escapes. She taunts me! She taunts me! What will it take to bend her love to me?
I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of the hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me.
Chapter 1 - War
Andral I
- DC10
When I brought my father’s armies to this land, among them was a bright young acolyte of the Morninglord named Andral. His sermons inspired the troops and boosted their morale as well as their faith. As we subjugated the native druidic and barbarian tribes, he sought to spread the worship of his god amongst the nature-worshipping primitives. He was a kind soul, often advising me to temper my wrath and show mercy toward our enemies. In him I found a trusted confidant and advisor.
Andral II
- DC15
Andral trained a protégé to succeed him, a fiery young woman named Markovia. She found herself on the front lines with my men, healing and supporting them in battle. Whereas I was hardened, even sharpened by the prolonged campaigns, she seemed to grow more and more horrified with the suffering and injustice of warfare. She questioned my methods and motivations in the war effort. At first, privately. But when I would not back down against my enemies, she openly criticized the war and my command. “Monster, predator” were the words she used against me. For this open defiance I could have had her executed. But I stayed my hand and reminded her that her service in my army was voluntary. Though Andral sought to mediate our dispute, she abandoned her commission and founded an abbey near the camp in Krezkov.
Due to the mention of "Markovia" the players notice the similar word in a later section. Allow them to roll again for "Markovia".
Andral III
- DC20
- DC15 if Andral I & II are obtained
When I pacified the heathen wood elves, Andral believed they needed to be shown the light of the Morninglord and abandon their primitive practice of abstract nature worship. When I felled the mighty silver dragon Argynvost and slaughtered his entire order of loyal knights, he was profoundly silent. Shortly thereafter, he too abandoned me. I hear he has settled in the developing hamlet named Vallaki.
PC are able to roll again for Peace for the Silver Entry:
The name Argynvost... you’ve seen this elsewhere in the book. Flipping back and forth, you are able to compare it to a later entry in the Chapter "Peace". Roll investigation again.
Andral IV
- DC20
- DC15 if Andral III is obtained
Neither Andral nor Markovia, nor any of their followers, have indicated they would attend the wedding of Sergei and Tatyana. I admit I find myself wanting for their wisdom and counsel in this trying time. Rahadin, loyal he may be, makes for a poor conversationalist.
Andral V
- DC20
I saw my old friend again. Age had weathered his face, and there was a deep sadness in his eyes. He had secretly organized a group of druids and shapeshifters and angry young men to resist me. How dare he defy me, the rightful ruler of this land by succession? He claims to know my magic, ignorant of the vast wealth of lore I have discovered in the Amber Temple. His followers attacked me in a cowardly ambush, and made frighteningly short work of my spawn and guards. He held me in place with an ancient holy symbol, and not yet fully accustomed to my new body and powers, I struggled to resist. But when he hesitated to deal a fatal blow, I became as mist and escaped. My vengeance will be swift. Even now my werewolves and spawn and undead are assaulting the remnants of his forces. Your days are numbered, old friend.
Markovia
- DC20
With the forbidden lore of the temple on Mount Ghakis, I have become an unpredictable foe indeed. Yet it was this hubris which led to the humiliating wounds I received at the hands of Markovia. Apparently incensed by Andral’s death by my hands, she marched with a small force of clerics and armored champions and broke through the gates of Castle Ravenloft. Never have I seen such zealous ferocity in battle as when that woman wielded her mace against me. Channeling the burning anger of her god through her martial instrument, it was all I could do to parry her blows and survive the onslaught. Had she accosted me anywhere but inside this lair, I must admit she may have been victorious. Unbeknownst to her, the castle is a creature of chaos which bends to my will. Calling upon its dark powers and my unnatural regeneration I was able to outlast her. Her burning flame nearly extinguished, I granted her a hero’s death. As a gesture of respect I have interred her bodily remains in the crypts below Ravenloft.