The Echoing Choirs of Ravenloft

Characters:

• Malron Lichtstrahl: Reborn Cleric of Lathander. A spirit medium who shares his body with an ancient elven soul.
• Shabasta: Porcupine Bard. A dramatic performer whose prickly exterior matches his biting wit.
• Aera shan Ravanór: Wood-elf Rogue. A deadly archer and expert scout wielding a “turbo bow.”
• Crusty: High Elf Sage Wizard. A brilliant scholar and archer who relies on his owl familiar and arcane intellect.
• Emil: Werewolf NPC. A powerful but cautious ally who assists the party with physical challenges.

Summary:

The party continued their tense exploration of the catacombs beneath Castle Ravenloft, moving toward their primary objective: Crypt 40. They reached the tomb of Saint Markovia, where Aera, with help from Emil and Malron’s divine guidance, managed to heave open the heavy stone door. The effort triggered a mechanical trap, raining poisonous darts upon the group. Despite the stinging needles and seeping toxin, they pressed inside. Malron investigated the Saint’s remains and discovered the Icon of Dawn’s Grace hidden within the dusty robes.

Note: [Before the session began, the players shared a long discussion about Stephen King’s 11/22/63 and the musical transitions of Sturgill Simpson (aka Johnny Blue Skies). During the door-opening sequence, the group joked about their collective lack of physical strength, noting that the Rogue was actually the “strongest” member of the party with a +1 modifier.]

The Icon immediately revealed itself to be sentient, speaking telepathically to Malron. It identified itself as a shard of the divinity of Ethereal, an angelic servant of the Morning Lord. The statuette explained its history with Saint Markovia and its current purpose: it must be returned to the Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk to cleanse the corruption and madness of the Abbot. The party realized this statuette was a powerful weapon and a key to curing the rot they had witnessed in Krezk.

Note: [The DM provided a lengthy lore dump regarding the Icon’s history, spanning 400 years, and its connection to the Abbot’s descent into madness. The players briefly debated the merits of Fortnite and the value of eating a dead gecko for $20 (a story Crusty shared from his past).]

Continuing their search, the party investigated Crypt 37, the tomb of the wizard Growmor Nimblenobs. After using the wizard’s own brass-knobbed staff to trigger a hidden mechanism, the marble slab lifted to reveal a leather case containing potent spell scrolls: Fireball, Lightning Bolt, and Cone of Cold. Nearby in Crypt 31, Malron navigated a pit trap disguised by a tarp to recover a scroll of Magic Circle. Feeling battered and low on arcane reserves, the party decided to take a long rest. Crusty conjured a Tiny Hut in a dark corner of the catacombs, and Malron cast a powerful Aid spell to bolster their vitality before they slept.

Note: [Malron upcast Aid to 4th level, providing everyone 15 extra maximum hit points. The players discussed the efficiency of various healing spells, leading to the “Chicago” joke where Malron confused Cure Wounds with Healing Word.]

The rest was short-lived. As they prepared to leave the catacombs to find Gertruda, a “deathly choir” of a thousand screaming voices began to echo through the halls. Malron recognized the sound instantly: it was the signature of Rahadin, the Chamberlain of Castle Ravenloft. Rahadin emerged from the shadows, demanding the party surrender the treasures they had “stolen” from the crypts. When the heroes refused, the Chamberlain attacked with terrifying speed, his saber flickering like a dark wind as he ran through the party’s ranks.

Note: [Upon realizing they were facing a CR 14 opponent while still depleted, the players scrambled to coordinate a “cheese” strategy involving Hold Person, Polymorph, and a “Captain America” style volley of Fireballs. The DM noted that the encounter was “very hard” for a group of their level.]

The battle was brutal. Rahadin’s presence alone caused psychic agony, and his saber strikes nearly felled Malron multiple times. Crusty and Aera coordinated their attacks, with Crusty eventually casting Haste on Aera to allow her to pepper the Chamberlain with arrows from her “turbo bow.” Despite their best efforts and the deployment of a Guardian of Faith, Rahadin remained a spectral, deadly threat, zigzagging through their defenses and leaving the party fighting for their lives as the recording ended.

Key Locations:

Crypt 40 (Saint Markovia): The final resting place of the Saint, guarded by a poison dart trap. Contains the Icon of Dawn’s Grace.
Crypt 37 (Growmor Nimblenobs): The tomb of a wizard extraordinaire. A hidden compartment beneath the slab contains three powerful offensive spell scrolls.
Crypt 31: A crypt filled with gold-painted walls and a pit trap. Contains a skeleton holding a Magic Circle scroll.
Strahd’s Tomb: A grand, blood-stained tomb the party identified but wisely chose not to enter.

Encounters:

Poison Dart Trap (Crypt 40): Social/Trap. The party triggered darts while opening the door. Most saved, but significant poison damage was dealt.
Rahadin (The Chamberlain): Combat. A high-stakes battle against Strahd’s right hand. Rahadin utilized his “Deathly Choir” and high mobility to strike multiple targets per turn. The fight remains unresolved.

Loot:

• Icon of Dawn’s Grace: Sentient lawful good statuette. Grants Protection from Evil and Good once per day. Currently held by Malron.
• Growmor’s Staff: Wooden staff with brass and marble knobs. Used to open the secret compartment in Crypt 37.
• Scroll of Fireball: Taken by Aera (for one-time use).
• Scroll of Cone of Cold: Held by the party.
• Scroll of Lightning Bolt: Held by the party.
• Scroll of Magic Circle: Recovered from Crypt 31 via Mage Hand.

Notable NPCs:

Icon of Dawn’s Grace: An angelic shard of divinity. It is polite, sentient, and determined to be returned to the Abbey in Krezk to save the Abbot.
Rahadin: Strahd’s loyal chamberlain. Cold, efficient, and surrounded by the screams of those he has killed. He views the party as common thieves.

Plot Points:

• The Abbot’s Cure: The party now possesses the literal divinity needed to potentially cure the Abbot of his madness.
• Rahadin’s Vigilance: The party is no longer moving through the castle unnoticed; the Chamberlain is actively hunting them.
• Strahd’s Resting Place: The party has confirmed the location of Strahd’s personal tomb but opted to focus on their current objectives.

Session Highlights:

• The Gecko Incident: Crusty’s reveal that he once ate a dead gecko for 20 gold pieces.
• The “Chicago” Heal: Malron’s confusing attempt to name his healing spells, much to the confusion of the party.
• The Icon’s Plea: “The vampire must be destroyed. Use me as your weapon.”
• The Dragon’s Return: Aera utilizing her spirit dragon, Zora, to scout for Gertruda during the chaos.