Ox --->Tiger --->Rabbit --->Dragon --->Snake --->Horse Campaign Session #226

Gugula Honors Theodora's Request

 

 

 

Session 226- A Return to Barovia Part 76; Borca 3

6/21/2026

• While finishing the sandwiches, Team Rams listen to Dmitri’s account 

  of his and Aurek’s time in Richemulot.  They learn of the dangerous 

  Wererat control of the Domain.

• Dmitri takes a sandwich to Aurek in the parlor.  Aurek is working on 

  setting up a second seance.

• Team Rams and Dmitri continue their exploration of the House of 

  Lament.  They begin by taking the staircase in the foyer up to the 

  second floor landing/hallway.

• The first room explored on this floor is a guest room.  Tim sees the 

  pillow on the bed form a monstrous toothy mouth out of the corner 

  of his eye.  Gugula has a vision of a hand holding a candle 

  somewhere on the roof or exterior of the house.  They explore a 

  second guest room and have no visions or hauntings.

• In the Morning Room, Fecus picks up a tea cup from the tea set on 

  the table and thinks he sees the dried tea leaves at the bottom of the 

  cup forming the shape of a screaming face missing an eye.

• Instead of going back into the hallway, Team Rams take the door from 

  the Morning Room to the Master Bedroom.

• They don’t find anything of interest in the Master Bedroom, although 

  they notice the smell of ammonia or medication.  They take a door to 

  the east into the Master Bathroom.

• In the Master Bathroom, Fecus scrapes some mold off the surfaces 

  for his collection of moisture.  Elise discovers a bottle of perfume 

  labeled “Boritsi”.

• They exit the Master Bathroom into the wrap-around hallway of the 

  second floor.  The next door they find has a flight of stairs leading up.

• The next room they explore is the Office.  Fecus finds important house 

  related documents.  Wills, deeds, and business files.  In addition they 

  find a Silver Chain Necklace 40 GP and a Wand of Magic Missiles.

• They open the doors to the Exterior Balcony.  It’s large and ivy 

  covered.

• Completing the exploration of the second floor, they take the stairs to 

  the third floor.

• They explore the Family Room and Nursery before returning to the 

  parlor for the Second Seance.  They find the treasure in the 

  Family Room.

• Aurek leads the participants through the Second Seance.  Gugula is 

  given a more detailed vision of the spirit of Theodora Halvhrest’s 

  request.  The spirit wants someone to go up to the roof and chimney 

  and light a candle and place it on the architectural feature on the 

  chimney known as the Witch Stone.  Then the spirit board 

  communicates a new message, “RESTORE HER SHIELD”.  After 

  that message, Aurek asks if the spirit can communicate with his wife 

  Natalia.  The spirit board abruptly says “NO” and “GOODBYE”.

• Team Rams and Dmitri go up to the Widow’s Walk and Gugula 

  scrambles across the roof successfully and places a lit candle on 

  the Witch’s Stone.

• Going back inside and to the Nursery, they discover the incomplete 

  “Shield” of Ezra and ponder what to do next.

• Tea Set 200 GP = 200 XP

• Boritsi Vanilla Perfume 50 GP = 50 XP

• Wand of Magic Missiles

• Silver Necklace 40 GP = 40 XP

• 9 pieces of Silver Jewelry 90 GP = 90 XP

• Mark of the Raven Amulet 25 GP = 25 XP

• House of Lament documents

• Total XP = 405 XP

• XP carryover from Session #225 = 135 XP

• Combined XP from Sessions #225 and #226 = 540 XP

• Tim and Fecus each receive 180 XP

• Gugula and Shelby each receive 90 XP

Ox --->Tiger --->Rabbit --->Dragon --->Snake --->Horse Campaign Session #225

 

"That's Not A Cat!"

 

  

Session 225- A Return to Barovia Part 75; Borca 2

6/14/2026

• Presented with the choice of exploring upstairs or down, 

  Team Rams choose the basement option.

• The kitchen stairs lead to a wine cellar where Team Rams 

  encounter 5 cat-like creatures that seem to be attracted to 

  the Arcane and Divine casters of the party.

• The 5 Gremishkas attack Team Rams, doing severe 

  damage to Victor and injuring Tim, too.  Team Rams along 

  with Dmitri kill the creatures.  Victor and Tim require healing 

  by the end of the fight.

• After the fight they explore a storage room past the wine cellar.  

  They don’t find anything of interest and go back upstairs to 

  recover a bit more.

• Dmitri shares excellent sandwiches with Team Rams.  His 

  equipment in the foyer included several well packed picnic 

  baskets.

• 5 Gremishkas killed = 125 XP

• Silver Tastevin 10 GP = 10 XP

• Key to footlocker in Room 21

• Total XP = 135 XP

Ox --->Tiger --->Rabbit --->Dragon --->Snake --->Horse Campaign Session #224

 

House of Lament

 

 

Session 224- A Return to Barovia Part 74; Borca 1

6/7/2026

• Fecus finds an under-the-seat trinket.  A tiny spool of black thread 

  that never runs out.

• Tim finds an under-the-seat trinket.  A bottle of invisible ink that can 

  only be read at sunset. 

• Nola ushers Team Rams past the Concession Stand and into the 

  Theater Gift Shop where Rennas sells Tim Lady Fern Plush Dragon  

  Grants Magic Aura once per day. And Fecus Lady Fern Plush 

  Dragon Grants Spider Climb once per day.  Tim buys 10 tins of 

  Darcalus Rex Mints.

• Rennas stamps the programs of everyone but Elise.  He leads them 

  into the Portal Room.  The portal is seemingly an Ivy Arbor filled with 

  mist.

• They walk through the Portal and arrive on a bald hilltop that has a 

  grim black tower and 3 story manor house standing upon it.  It is 

  weather beaten and covered with ivy.  The front door stands open 

  with a light flickering inside as 2 men move equipment in from the 

  porch like they just arrived as well.  Dmitri calls out and identifies 

  himself as the team approach.  He welcomes them and introduces 

  them to his older brother Aurek.

• Aurek tells Team Rams he needs their help with holding a Seance 

  with the Spirit Board.  He explains he is searching for magic to 

  release his wife from her statuette.  Tim provides a Planchette that 

  he found in his hand after the Portal transit.

• Aurek offers payment for exploration of the House of Lament and 

  Seance participation. 200 GP/Day per party member for exploration.  

  100 GP/Seance per party member for participation.

• Seance 1 Theodora introduces herself.  Her message is Seek the 

  Witch Stone = planchette moves to candle image.

• Afterwards they leave Aurek alone in the parlor while they explore.

• Gugula begins experiencing haunting visions in the ballroom and 

  conservatory.  In the ballroom, she joins the side of Lady Silvra.

• In the conservatory, the old implements and pots fly around the room, 

  but don’t hurt anyone.

• They find a doll in the dining room.

• The session ends with the party in the kitchen.  Fecus found a vial of 

  poison in the pantry.

Sagittarius Full Moon Is Over, Now What?

Feed Cat, Carry Wood, Then Roll Dice

 

 

 

 "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water." 

-Zen Proverb

 

"Before DMing, chop wood, carry water.  After DMing, chop wood, carry water."

-DM Bast Proverb

 

The Zen version reached my awareness when I was just a shaver... now as a more grizzled version of myself I have adapted it.  So what am I trying to express to you today?  Everyday life happens before and after the game, and it is even happening while the game is being played by you.  And sometimes it intrudes on the magical and liminal space you created within the ritual of the weekly game.  

 

So one of us in the group celebrated a birthday (Happy Belated B-day to you, player of the Mighty Tim!), one of us got sick (me), and now that I am physically recovered I get to go back to handling the wood (get your mind out of wherever it is, lol;).  I'm not the chopper, but I do cart it around and stack it to great effect! 

 

The main campaign should resume this Sunday, barring any unforeseen circumstances.  I think the party's intention was to travel to Borca to locate a Vorpal Sword. 

 

Summer this year might have fewer sessions of the main campaign on deck.  The time for real life adventures is bubbling up.  Thank you for your continued readership.

 

Have you caught up on my Substack, yet?  It is where I post the actual play reports for my solo game(s) and the Year of the Goat Campaign. 

Ox --->Tiger --->Rabbit --->Dragon --->Snake --->Horse Campaign Session #223

 

Front Row Seats to Lady Fern Tenebre's Puppet Show

 

 

Session 223- A Return to Barovia Part 73; Darkon 10

5/17/2026

• The 2nd Strahd Puppet contains “Who’s Your Darklord?  

  Puppet Show presented by Lady Fern Tenebre” tickets.

• They beach their canoes and hike towards Lady Fern’s lair, 

  using the provided map.

• As they move through the last mile of foggy forest, they 

  encounter spider webs and trapped small prey.  Eventually, 

  the last quarter mile yields an audience of Giant Spiders 

  whispering about Arach Nacha and Tiamat forbiddance against 

  touching Team Rams on their approach to Lady Fern’s lair, 

  for now.

• Approaching the pool and waterfall, they see a ticket booth 

  at the top of the path that winds behind the middle of the waterfall.

• They recognize Rennas Quillhand, apprentice librarian, as 

  the ticket taker.  He waves and asks for them to present their 

  tickets. 

• Team Rams walk up to the ticket booth and give Rennas 

  their tickets.  He stamps everyone' s hand or wrist with a 

  green leaf stamp.  Or is it a dragon scale?

• Nola, the housekeeper from Riverview Rest Inn, meets them 

  at the waterfall and ushers them into the main chamber of this 

  cave complex that is large enough to have a pool with an island.  

  The island is somewhat obscured by a green and gray patchwork 

  stage curtain.

• There are theater seats at the edge of the pool.  They have 

  snack bags sitting on each seat.  Nola gestures for Rams to 

  seat themselves.

• A light shines from a balcony upon the island and the curtain 

  disappears, revealing Lady Fern.

• She presents the following puppets in an extended and mocking 

  show:

• Elise and the Infinite Mountain, left pinky claw

• Dr. Viktra Mordenheim, left ring claw

• Azalin Rex, left thumb claw

• Darcalus Rex, right thumb claw

• Ivan Dilisnya, right pinky claw

• Vana Boritsi, right ring claw

• She offers the adventuring party the opportunity to travel to Borca 

  through a portal she controls.  She mentions something called the 

  Game of Domains….

• She throws the Elise Puppet to Elise, followed by the Dr. Viktra 

  Puppet.

• When they ask about Patrina, Lady Fern says she’s unimportant 

  and is a pawn to vampires.

• Someone asks Lady Fern about Elyra, she gets very intense and 

  tells them that Elyra is HERS.

• When the offer to allow transit to Borca is presented, Lady Fern 

  explains she will allow Team Rams to re-enter Darkon when they 

  are finished in Borca, except for Elise, who she seems to dislike.

• Lady Fern reveals that she killed Patrina’s brother Kasimir.

• Her puppet show wraps up.  End session.