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.