Session Six: The Tragic Fight Beneath the Church and the Ghostly March of Barovia

A Father’s Plea and a Vampire Spawn’s Threat

The session begins in the Church of the Morninglord, where Father Donavich kneels in anguish, praying for his son, Doru, who has been turned into a vampire spawn. Despite Donavich’s desperate pleas for mercy, Ismark insists that Doru is no longer the boy he once was but a creature of pure evil.

As Doru mocks them from beneath a chained trapdoor, his inhuman hunger palpable, the adventurers realize they must act. Valen’eir searches the church, finding little more than a holy symbol in Donavich’s bedchamber. Empowered by new magical abilities, Radley casts Light on his sword to illuminate the dark path below. The group descends into the church’s undercroft, knowing the battle ahead will be a brutal test of their resolve.

The Battle in the Undercroft

In the dim, oppressive undercroft, the adventurers fan out in search of Doru. The vampire spawn strikes from the shadows, using supernatural speed to attack Valen’eir. His fangs pierce the elf’s throat, draining both blood and vitality.

The party rallies to defend their wizard, but Doru’s resilience proves formidable. He evades strikes with uncanny agility, and when injured, his wounds begin to close almost immediately. Traxidor and Ismark are both viciously bitten, their strength faltering. Radley and Valen’eir, keeping their distance, unleash ranged spells—Fire Bolt, Magic Missile, and Witch Bolt—to wear down their foe.

After a prolonged struggle, the gravely wounded Doru retreats, using his spider-like climbing abilities to escape through the church above. The adventurers pursue, only to find him perched on the roof, hurling masonry down upon them.

The Final Confrontation

The battle spills outside as the party splits to surround the church. Doru ambushes Ismark and Valen’eir, his wounds partially healed. The young Burgomaster, bloodied and weary, fights with diminished strength. Radley and Traxidor rejoin the fray, and after a pitched melee, Valen’eir delivers the final blow with a precise Magic Missile.

As Doru collapses, Traxidor moves to aid the fallen Radley while Valen’eir decapitates the vampire spawn. Seeing his son’s head severed, Father Donavich collapses in grief, cradled by Ireena, who tries to console him.

Burial and Ghostly Revelations

Despite their exhaustion, the adventurers solemnly undertake the burial of both Doru and Kolyan Indirovich, Ismark and Ireena’s father. Traxidor presides over the ceremony, filling the role of the priest while Donavich is too stricken with grief.

That evening, the group barricades the church for safety. As they rest, a green spectral glow outside catches their attention. Against Ismark’s warning not to look, the adventurers peer through the windows. They witness a procession of hundreds of ghostly figures—fallen adventurers and mercenaries—marching from the graveyard toward Castle Ravenloft.

Among the apparitions is the unmistakable figure of their former companion, Skalt, slain in an earlier encounter. His expressionless visage briefly faces them before rejoining the ghostly march. Ismark explains:

• “These are the vanquished foes of Strahd. They rise each night to tread the path to his castle, a grim reminder of his unrelenting power.”

Session Six Journal

Below is the cleaned-up transcript of the DM’s notes for Session Six, presented as a journal for those who wish to experience the events in greater detail.

Session Six - January 25, 2025
Players: Sean D. (Valen’eir - Elf/Wizard), Chris (Radley - Human/Fighter), Carey (Traxidor - Half-Elf/Cleric)

Ismark beseeches the adventurers not to leave Donavich alone with his son. He argues that Doru is no longer the boy who went to overthrow Strahd a year ago but is now a creature of darkness. Leaving him alive would endanger the village. Doru’s cruel voice echoes from below, demanding blood. Donavich pleads with the adventurers to spare his son, but Ismark insists that they “know what must be done.”

Valen’eir searches the church, finding an office, two bedrooms, and a ruined chamber. Beneath a chained trapdoor, Doru taunts the party, daring them to face him. Radley casts Light and descends into the undercroft with the others.

The undercroft is dim and foul-smelling. Doru attacks Valen’eir from the shadows, draining his blood and life force. The party discovers Doru’s uncanny speed and regeneration make him a formidable opponent. Traxidor is bitten and severely wounded, while Ismark falters under Doru’s relentless assault. Radley uses Fire Bolt and Magic Missile to keep his distance, while Valen’eir supports from afar.

When Doru retreats to the church above, the adventurers pursue. They find him on the roof, hurling masonry down on them. In the final battle, Valen’eir deals the killing blow with a Magic Missile. Doru collapses, and Valen’eir severs his head, ending the vampire spawn’s threat.

Despite Donavich’s despair, the adventurers bury both Doru and Kolyan Indirovich in the graveyard. As night falls, they witness a ghostly procession of fallen adventurers, including their former companion, Skalt. Ismark reveals the grim truth: these spirits are bound to walk to Castle Ravenloft each night, eternal victims of Strahd’s tyranny.

Conclusion

Session Six serves as a stark reminder of the perilous reality of Barovia. The adventurers confront not just physical dangers but also the emotional and moral challenges of a land under Strahd's shadow. Resting in the desecrated church, the looming presence of Castle Ravenloft reminds them of the trials that lie ahead. Session Six encapsulates the gothic horror and moral complexity of The Curse of Strahd. From the tragic battle with Doru to the ghostly procession, the adventurers are reminded of the high stakes of their journey. The interplay of light and darkness—both literal and metaphorical—shapes every encounter in Barovia.

With new challenges on the horizon, Session Seven promises to delve even deeper into the mysteries and dangers of this iconic campaign. Stay tuned for Session Seven as the adventurers delve deeper into Barovia, facing new challenges and uncovering more of its grim secrets.

Barovia: A Domain of Darkness

Barovia is a place of mystery and despair, shrouded in an eternal fog that traps its inhabitants. In Session Six, Valen’eir, Radley, and Traxidor confront the horrors of this cursed land, battling monstrous foes while wrestling with their own survival and morality. The events of this session highlight the bravery needed to stand against the relentless darkness of Barovia.

The Curse of Strahd: Context Without Spoilers

Barovia is more than a land—it is a realm of fear, overseen by Count Strahd von Zarovich, who is as much a part of its landscape as its forests and mountains. His influence touches every corner of the domain, and the ever-present fog serves as a barrier, both physical and psychological, for those trapped within.

The Curse of Strahd campaign is renowned for its gothic horror and narrative depth. Players are not just challenged by the enemies they face but also by the moral dilemmas woven into the story. At its heart is Strahd, a villain whose tragic past and terrifying power make him one of D&D’s most iconic adversaries.

Key Characters

Valen’eir (Elf/Wizard)

• Role: The tactical spellcaster of the group
• Strengths: Precision in ranged combat with spells like Magic Missile and Witch Bolt
• Challenges: Vulnerable in close combat and emotionally worn by Barovia’s horrors

Radley (Human/Fighter)

• Role: The stalwart front-line defender
• Strengths: Blends melee prowess with newfound arcane abilities, such as Fire Bolt
• Challenges: Grappling with Barovia’s unrelenting despair

Traxidor (Half-Elf/Cleric)

• Role: The moral compass and healer of the group
• Strengths: Divine healing and anti-undead powers, such as Turn Undead
• Challenges: Maintaining his faith in a land bereft of light

Barovia’s Grim Setting

• The Village of Barovia: A desolate settlement filled with fear-stricken inhabitants, living under Strahd’s rule.
• The Church of the Morninglord: Once a beacon of hope, it now stands desecrated, its priest broken and its walls scarred by Strahd’s assaults.
• Castle Ravenloft: Perched high above, the castle looms as a symbol of Strahd’s dominance, its shadow a constant reminder of his influence.

Session Six Highlights

• The Fight Against Doru: The party faces the tragic vampire spawn of Donavich, whose supernatural speed and regeneration make him a formidable foe.
• Graveyard Revelations: The haunting sight of a ghostly procession, including their fallen comrade Skalt, underscores the cost of defying Barovia’s ruler.
• Moral Dilemmas: Deciding Doru’s fate tests the party’s resolve, forcing them to confront the blurred line between mercy and necessity.

Barovian Glossary

• The Morninglord: A deity symbolizing hope, worshipped by Barovia’s faithful despite his perceived absence.
• Castle Ravenloft: Strahd’s fortress and a constant presence over Barovia.
• Burgomaster: The village leader tasked with protecting their people from Barovia’s horrors.