Category: Campaign Recaps

Campaign Status (30 seconds to read)
Campaign: Curse of Strahd Highland Edition
Session: 5
Party Level: 2 (Achieved Level 3 Milestone at session end) [1]
Current Location: Death House (Ritual Chamber) → Preparing to enter Barovia [2, 3]
Status: Death House escaped after fulfilling the cult’s ritual sacrifice [4, 5]
Next Session: TBD

---

1. Session Summary

The fifth session picking up directly from the cliffhanger in Room 31 (the Strahd Shrine), where Valamir pried the smoky gray crystal orb from the wooden statue, summoning five shadows [6, 7]. The party survived the chaotic encounter through strategic spellcasting, Hellish Rebuke, and Daemon the Direwolf tearing down foes [8, 9]. Realizing their magical bread from the larder had turned to mold upon leaving its room, the DM allowed the battered party to take a Long Rest, fully restoring their health, spell slots, and drained Strength scores [10-12].

Fully rested, the party thoroughly explored the dungeon [13, 14]. In the Cult Leader Quarters, Kaelen and Jocelyn triggered two skeletal guardians (Tokka and Razar), destroying them swiftly and uncovering a rich cache of loot—including a Cloak of Protection, a Chain Shirt, a Yellow Leather Spell Book, and four Health Potions [15-19]. Moving to the cultist side-quarters, the party picked and smashed locked chests, gathering gemstones, a silvered shortsword, and a skin pouch of gold and silver [20-24].

Descending into the lowest level, the group bypassed cell traps, burned animated cell skeletons with Bonfire, and combined their Strength to force open a heavy iron portcullis into the flooded Ritual Chamber (Area 38) [2, 25, 26]. There, shadow executioners and Volsac the Master Torturer confronted them while chanting “One must die!” [2, 27, 28]. After a brutal battle featuring critical strikes, Flammable Tar, and Moonbeam, the party realized the house demanded a blood offering [29-32]. Working together, they grappled a cultist executioner, shoved him into the brazen bull, and lit a Bonfire beneath it [4]. As his screams filled the chamber, the chanting shifted to “He is the Ancient, He is the Land,” and the Death House released its grip on the party, allowing them to escape and reach Level 3 [1, 5, 33]!

---

2. Key Events

• Shadow Ambush Defeated: The party vanquished all five shadows in Room 31 and secured the smoky gray crystal orb (25 gp) [7, 34].
• The Long Rest: The party rested for 8 hours, recovering all HP, spell slots, and lost Strength points [11, 12].
• Cult Leader’s Foot Locker Looted: Defeated skeletal guardians Tokka & Razar to claim a Cloak of Protection, Chain Shirt, Yellow Leather Spell Book, Bullseye Lantern, and 4 Potions of Healing [15, 18, 19].
• Looting the Cultist Quarters: Unlocked 5 chests containing an eye patch with a carnelian (50 gp), an ivory hairbrush (25 gp), a silvered shortsword (110 gp), moss agates (30 gp total), and a skin pouch with 11 gp and 60 sp [20-24].
• Lifting the Portcullis: Valamir and Billy Bob combined forces to lift the heavy iron gate into the flooded ritual chamber [26].
• The Ritual Sacrifice: The party grappled a cultist executioner and sacrificed him inside the brazen bull using Bonfire, appeasing the house and securing safe passage out [4, 5].
• Milestone Level Up: The party successfully completed Death House and earned Level 3 [1].

---

3. NPCs Encountered

• Tokka & Razar:
  • Role: Skeletal guardians in the Cult Leader Quarters [15, 35].
  • Personality: Hostile and territorial [36].
  • Status: Destroyed by Kaelen’s Hellish Rebuke/Green-Flame Blade and Daemon’s bite [16, 17, 37].
• Volsac the Master Torturer & Cultist Executioners:
  • Role: Spectral executioners and cult leaders in the Ritual Chamber [2, 28].
  • Personality: Sadistic and demanding (“One must die!”) [27, 38].
  • Revelations: Demanded a sacrifice on the altar/brazen bull to allow the party to leave [38].
  • Status: One executioner was sacrificed in the brazen bull; the remaining spirits faded once appeased [1, 4].

---

4. Locations Visited

• Room 31 (Strahd Shrine): Site of the Shadow battle and crystal orb retrieval [6, 7].
• Cult Leader Quarters: Bedchamber containing an unlocked foot locker guarded by Tokka and Razar [13, 35].
• Cultist Quarters & Water Cistern: A central 30-ft deep well surrounded by 5 small rooms with locked chests [14, 39].
• Dungeon Jail Cells: Hallways lined with shackles and cell doors containing chained skeletons [40, 41].
• Area 38 (The Ritual Chamber): A 40×40 ft room submerged in 2 ft of murky water, featuring an octagonal dais, stone altar, rusty shackles, and a bronze brazen bull [2].

---

5. Combat Summary

• 5 Shadows (Room 31): Defeated using Hellish Rebuke (Kaelen), Chill Touch (Maritza), bow/sword strikes, and Daemon the Direwolf [8, 9, 42-44].
• Tokka & Razar (Cult Leader Quarters): Ambushed Kaelen at the foot locker; killed by Kaelen’s Green-Flame Blade and Daemon leaping over a kneeling Kaelen to crush Tokka’s face [16, 17, 37, 45].
• Cell Skeletons: Animated upon being poked with a staff; burned to ash using Bonfire [25, 46].
• The Ritual Chamber Executioners & Volsac:
  • Tactics: Kaelen landed a Natural 20 Eldritch Blast (10 damage) [29]; Valamir delivered a Natural 20 great axe cleave (14 damage) slicing a cultist in half [47]; Apple Bottomjeans sprayed Flammable Tar while Jocelyn ignited it with Alchemist’s Fire [30, 48]; Apple Bottomjeans cast Moonbeam (15 radiant damage) to disintegrate an executioner [31].
  • Close Call: Kaelen fell into a 10-ft hidden spiked pit trap while trying to flank, but Maritza threw him a rope and pulled him to safety [49-52].
  • The Finishing Combo: Jocelyn, Billy Bob, and Daemon grappled an executioner, dragged him to the brazen bull, and lit Bonfire beneath him to fulfill the sacrifice [4].

---

6. Player Character Highlights

• Valamir (Orc Barbarian): Lifted the heavy portcullis with Billy Bob [26], landed a Natural 20 great axe cleave to bisect an executioner [47], and served as a jumping ramp for Daemon [45, 53]!
• Kaelen (Shifter Warlock): Crushed enemies with Hellish Rebuke and Green-Flame Blade [8, 16, 37], claimed the Chain Shirt [54], picked cultist chests [20], landed a critical Natural 20 Eldritch Blast [29], and survived a tumble into a spiked pit trap [50].
• Jocelyn (Elf Ranger) & Daemon: Jocelyn claimed the Cloak of Protection [55], landed high-damage Hunter’s Mark shots [56], and threw Alchemist’s Fire onto tarred enemies [48]. Daemon was an absolute MVP—ripping faces off shadows [9], leaping over party members to execute Tokka [17, 45], and dragging the cultist executioner to the brazen bull [4]!
• Maritza Varga (Orc Cleric): Kept the party alive with Healing Word [57], cast Chill Touch [44], threw a rescue rope to pull Kaelen out of the spiked pit [51, 52], and Blessed the front liners during combat [58, 59].
• Apple Bottomjeans (Earth Genasi Druid): Burned cell skeletons with Bonfire [25], coated Volsac in Flammable Tar [30], and disintegrated a cultist executioner with a 15-damage Moonbeam [31]!
• Billy Bob (Goliath Rogue): Picked multiple locked chests with Thieves’ Tools to gather gold, silver, and a silvered shortsword [22, 24], helped lift the heavy portcullis [26], and helped grapple the cultist for the final sacrifice [60].

---

7. Plot Threads / Quest Hooks

• Resolved:
  • The Death House basement has been cleared and its dark cult appeased through sacrifice [4, 5].
  • The party safely escaped Death House and achieved Level 3 [1, 3].
• Active:
  • Step out of Death House into the gloomy, fog-shrouded Village of Barovia [3, 61].
• Unanswered Mysteries:
  • The true nature of the gaunt, pale man depicted in the statue (Strahd von Zarovich) [3, 6].
  • What awaits the party in the broader realm of Barovia [61].

---

8. Lore Revealed

• Barovian Nature: Barovia harbors no goodwill unless appeased; sacrificing a life satisfies the house’s ancient dark magic [5].
• Chanting Shift: The cult’s chant changes from “One must die!” to “He is the Ancient, He is the Land” once a blood sacrifice is made [27, 33].
• The Master’s Statue: The statue in Room 31 depicts the master of Barovia, a gaunt man holding a crystal orb with a wolf at his side [3, 6].

---

9. Funny or Memorable Quotes

• “Justin’s being kissed by a door!” — Reaction to the mimic attack [62, 63].
• “I need you to understand how I built this character, and it was not with strength in mind.” — Keri, when forced to lower her Strength score [64].
• “I feel like no one cares about me… I feel unheard.” — Kaelen, complaining about low HP while holding a loaf of moldy bread [65, 66].
• “Suck it, Dad! Here’s the foreskin bag for you!” — Billy Bob’s reaction to finding coins in a human skin pouch and pranking Valamir’s drink [24, 67].
• “Justin, all fours!” — Jocelyn commanding Valamir to act as a jumping ramp for Daemon [45, 53].

---

10. Rules or Table Issues

• Magical Food Mechanics: The DM clarified that the magical larder bread provides 10 HP of healing but instantly spoils if removed from the larder room [10, 68].
• Strength Drain Recovery: Confirmed that ability score reductions (like Shadow Strength drain) are fully restored upon completing a Long Rest [12].
• Holding Actions & Grappling: Handled mechanics for holding weapon swings and combined Strength checks for lifting heavy gates and grappling enemies into environmental hazards [4, 26, 69].

---

11. Next Session Setup

The Death House has been completed! Having appeased the cult with the brazen bull sacrifice, the party exits the estate unharmed and achieves a milestone level-up to Level 3 [1, 5].
DM Preparation: Assist players with leveling up their characters to Level 3 and prepare the introduction to the Village of Barovia, including initial encounters with local Barovians [3, 61].

---

Campaign Status

Campaign: Curse of Strahd, Highland Edition
Date: Sunday July 26 2026
Session: 4
Party Level: 3
Current Location: Death House
Status: Exploring the dungeon beneath the house
Next Session: Sun Aug 9 and/or Sun Sep 27 2026

DM Campaign Archive: Session 4 Record

1. Session Summary

The party officially transitioned from the upper floors of the manor into the dungeon level, descending a narrow, 50-foot spiral staircase into a dark, cobwebbed complex carved from earth and clay,. Early in the exploration, the group faced a terrifying swarm of centipedes after disturbing a sealed crypt. In a significant act of compassion, the party returned to the attic to retrieve the remains of Rose and Thorn Durst, properly interring them in their basement crypts to allow their spirits to find peace,. Pushing deeper, they survived a predatory Grick in a larder and discovered magical healing bread. The crawl continued through narrow halls where they battled four ghouls, and Kaelen narrowly survived a fall into a hidden spiked pit trap. The session concluded in a sinister shrine featuring a statue of a mysterious pale man. When Valamir seized a smoky gray crystal orb from the statue, five shadows manifested to ambush the party, ending the night on a high-stakes cliffhanger.

2. Key Events

• The Burial of the Durst Children: The party retrieved the bones of Rose and Thorn from the nursery and laid them in their crypts, causing their ghosts to peacefully vanish.
• The Larder Discovery: Finding fresh, magically restorative bread in an otherwise decayed dungeon.
• The Spiked Pit: Kaelen’s dangerous fall while attempting to navigate the narrow corridors.
• The Mimic Ambush: Valamir was grappled and bitten by a creature disguised as a wooden door.
• The Shrine’s Trigger: The manifestation of shadows immediately following the theft of the crystal orb.

3. NPCs Encountered

• Rose (Rosavalda) & Thorn (Thornboldt) Durst:
  • Role: Ghost children of the manor.
  • Personality: Peaceful and watchful; they appeared distant and non-hostile while their remains were handled.
  • Revelations: They confirmed they simply wished to be at rest.
  • Status: Spirits at peace; relationship resolved.
• The Statue of the Pale-Faced Man:
  • Role: A wooden effigy of the “Master” of the region.
  • Personality: Silent and imposing.
  • Revelations: Depicts a gaunt man with a wolf, holding a crystal orb.

4. Locations Visited

• The Dungeon Level: A subterranean network of 4ft wide tunnels and 8ft tall rooms supported by timber beams.
• The Crypts: Stone-sealed tombs for the Durst family and their former cult members.
• The Larder/Dining Hall: A room containing moldy bones and magical “healing bread”.
• The Shrine (Room 31): A ritual chamber containing the statue of the pale man and a mysterious orb.

5. Combat Summary

• Centipede Swarm: Triggered by opening Elizabeth Durst’s crypt. Defeated using Bonfire, Word of Radiance, and Holy Water.
• The Grick: Ambushed the party in the larder, knocking Apple Bottomjeans unconscious before being destroyed by an Eldritch Blast.
• The Ghouls: Four former cultists fought in narrow corridors. Daemon the Direwolf successfully ripped an arm off one of the creatures.
• The Mimic: A “door” that grappled Valamir, dealing significant piercing and acid damage.
• The Shadows: Five shadowy figures appeared in the shrine at the session’s end.

6. Player Character Highlights

• Valamir (Barbarian): The party’s primary shield, surviving both a centipede swarm and a mimic bite.
• Kaelen (Warlock): Delivered several killing blows with Eldritch Blast but nearly met his end in a spiked pit trap.
• Apple Bottomjeans (Druid): Provided essential tactical fire support but faced a brush with death after being downed by the Grick.
• Maritza Varga (Cleric): Kept the party moving through critical uses of Cure Wounds, Bless, and Healing Light.
• Jocelyn (Ranger) & Daemon: Jocelyn managed the party’s positioning, while Daemon proved to be a powerhouse in close-quarters combat.
• Billy Bob (Rogue): Successfully used his stealth and agility to deliver a decisive strike against the final ghoul.

7. Plot Threads / Quest Hooks

• Resolved: The ghost children, Rose and Thorn, have been laid to rest.
• Active: Survive the shadow ambush and escape the basement.
• Unanswered Mysteries: The identity of the “Pale-Faced Man” in the statue and the origins of the “Healing Bread”.

8. Lore Revealed

• The Atmosphere: The region is described as being in a state of perpetual dusk or gray light.
• The Cultist History: The ghouls in the basement were revealed to be former members of the manor’s cult.
• The Master: A mysterious, gaunt figure is revered by the cult and associated with wolves.

9. Funny or Memorable Quotes

• “We are in vampire country. We left Kansas.” — Maritza.
• “Oh you’re a tank too. Would you like to be touched?” – Kaelen, asking Valamir if he would like a light spell cast upon him.
• “Show me on this doll where you’d like me to touch it.” — Maritza, regarding the Light spell.
• “Valamir’s being kissed by a door.” — Reaction to the mimic attack.
• “It smells like cookies in the dungeon now.” — Reaction to using Druidcraft to cover the smell of burnt insects.

10. Rules or Table Issues

• Visibility: Clarified that Darkvision does not allow seeing around corners in the winding dungeon tunnels.
• Resting: Discussed the party’s low spell slots and the decision to push forward rather than take a long rest.
• Traps: Handled the mechanics of hanging onto a ledge vs. falling into spikes.

11. DM Notes / Future Foreshadowing

• Shadow Strength Drain: The shadows’ ability to drain Strength scores poses a massive threat to the Barbarian and Rogue in the upcoming fight.
• The Chanting: The “incessant chanting” originally heard in the dungeon has stopped for now but may return as they approach the ritual chamber.
• Milestone: Remind players that Level 4 is awarded upon escaping the house.

12. Next Session Setup

The party is currently in Room 31, standing before the statue of the pale man. Five shadows have just manifested to attack. The party is low on resources, and Kaelen is recovering from a pit fall. DM Prep: Prepare the “Escape the House” sequence for the finale and the stat block for the final “monster” in the basement ritual room.