Curse of Strahd

Session 005 - Funeral of the Burgomaster

18 min read

Details

  • Confidence: sourced from GM Assistant data
  • Date: 2026-06-10
  • Previous: Session 004 - Death House
  • Next: Session 006 - The Reading
  • GM Assistant title: ‘S5 Funeral of the Burgomaster’
  • Source: exports/curse-of-strahd/sessions/005_2026-06-10_s5-funeral-of-the-burgomaster.json

Summary

In the early hours of the morning, Ismark Kolyanovich roused the party to escort his father Kolyan Indirovich’s coffin through the fog-choked streets of Barovia to the Church of the Morning Lord. The procession arrived at the battered, neglected church, where a weary Father Donavich reluctantly revealed that his son Doru had returned from a failed march on Castle Ravenloft as something inhuman, locked beneath the floorboards. The burial service in the cemetery was interrupted by the arrival of Rahadin, Chamberlain of Castle Ravenloft, who coldly demanded Ireena accompany him to dine with Count Strahd. Ismark defied him, and Rahadin attacked with terrifying speed, unleashing a psychic wave of screaming souls that struck down both Chrystandar and Ireena. The party rallied fiercely — Mortimer healed the fallen, Lucien revived Ireena from a distance, and Leoberos delivered a devastating radiant blow to the chamberlain before defiantly flipping him off. Rahadin retreated into black mist, wounded but threatening vengeance, and as the mists parted, the party caught their first ominous glimpse of Castle Ravenloft looming on the hillside.

After the burial rites were completed, the party returned to the church to investigate the screaming from below. They forced open a chained trapdoor and descended into a wretched undercroft, where they found Doru — now a feral vampire spawn driven by an insatiable hunger for blood. A desperate, claustrophobic battle followed, with Lucien blinding the creature, Mortimer searing it with radiant fire, and Ysarissa famously connecting with a thrown crowbar before the party finally subdued and bound him. After a brief but heavy debate, the group concluded Doru could not be saved, and Leoberos staked him with a broken arrow. Father Donavich descended to find his son dead and grieved openly, but accepted Leoberos’s honest explanation with broken resolve. The party returned to the Burgomaster’s mansion as morning settled over Barovia, where Ismark and Ireena offered them food and shelter — small comforts in an unforgiving land.

Recap

At three in the morning, Ismark Kolyanovich roused the party from their uneasy sleep in the Burgomaster’s mansion. He introduced three older men — Korgan, Kobal, and Damir — friends of his late father who had come to serve as pallbearers. The body of Kolyan Indirovich had been laid into a simple wooden coffin, and Ismark made clear the weight of what lay ahead: grave robbers, ghouls, and the devil’s own agents might seek to desecrate his father’s remains or seize his sister Ireena during the procession. With grim resolve, the party fell in step behind the pallbearers and made their way through the dark, fog-choked streets of Barovia toward the Church of the Morning Lord.

The church itself was a sorry sight — a gray, sagging structure of stone and wood, its heavy wooden doors scarred by claw marks and scorched by fire. Father Donavich, a fragile and weary priest, welcomed them inside with a trembling voice, though the chapel beyond was strewn with debris and reeked of mildew. Almost immediately, an inhuman scream erupted from somewhere beneath the floorboards, rattling the nerves of everyone present. Donavich dismissed it as nothing, but under the party’s persistent questioning, he finally admitted the truth: his son Doru had joined a march on Castle Ravenloft the previous year and had returned deeply changed. The priest insisted that only faith and time could restore him, refusing all offers of aid, and ushered the group outside for the burial service.

The neglected cemetery behind the church was a somber place, its graves marked mostly by wooden stills engraved with the blazing sun of the Morning Lord. Father Donavich stood before a freshly dug grave bearing the inscription “Kolyan Indirovich, 682 to 735 — a good man burdened by his time,” and began to recite a moving eulogy, speaking of the Burgomaster’s warmth and his unwavering light in the face of unrelenting darkness. As the coffin was being lowered, a pale dawn crept in from the east — not enough to banish the dark, but enough to cast long, cold shadows across the mourners. It was in that fragile moment of grief that the cemetery gate creaked open.

Through the gloom strode a tall, thin figure — a dusk elf with a smug grin and a scimitar at his hip. He introduced himself through his reputation alone: Rahadin, Chamberlain of Castle Ravenloft and the count’s adopted brother. He delivered a chilling invitation on behalf of Count Strahd, demanding that Ireena accompany him to dine at the castle. Ismark drew his blade in fierce defiance, declaring that Strahd had already stolen his father and would not take his sister. Rahadin’s response was cold and swift — he teleported in a flash of mist directly to Ireena’s side and drew his weapon, and the air around him filled with the psychic echo of thousands of screaming souls, the voices of all those he had slain. Both Chrystandar and Ireena were struck down in the opening moments of the chaos that followed.

Leoberos threw himself between Rahadin and the fallen Ireena, grabbing hold of her to prevent her from being taken. Mortimer rushed to Chrystandar’s side and, through sheer force of will and divine power, restored him from the very edge of death with a surge of healing energy. Lucien used a whispered word of healing to revive Ireena from a distance before teleporting to her side to shield her. Father Donavich, despite his frailty, called down a blessing upon the party to steady their aim and bolster their resolve. The village guards, however, were less courageous — one by one, they broke and fled into the darkness.

Mortimer called upon his sacred connection to life and death, marking Rahadin’s very life force for termination and leaving him vulnerable to the next blow. Leoberos seized the moment, channeling radiant divine energy through his blade and striking the chamberlain with a devastating blow that left the dark elf visibly staggered. In a moment of pure defiance, Leoberos slowly raised one hand and flipped off the sneering chamberlain, drawing a flash of fury from Rahadin before the elf retaliated with a flurry of vicious strikes. Father Donavich was knocked unconscious in the melee, and Leoberos broke away just long enough to press his hands against the old priest and restore enough life to keep him breathing. When Rahadin finally spoke his parting words — “Savor this victory while you can, fools, for the wrath of Ravenloft shall soon be upon you” — he vanished into a cloud of black mist, wounded but unbroken. As the mists momentarily parted, the party caught their first clear view of Castle Ravenloft looming on the northwest hillside, dark and immovable as a promise of doom.

Father Donavich completed the burial rites in shaken silence, and the coffin of Kolyan Indirovich was finally lowered into the earth. But the party could not forget the screaming from beneath the church, nor the word that Ysarissa had heard buried within it — blood. Leoberos led the group back inside, and after a search of the church’s private rooms turned up little more than a strange book mixing theological logic with lurid descriptions of fiend-worshipping cults, Ysarissa discovered a heavy wooden trapdoor in a moldy room, sealed with a chain and padlock. Kaelis made short work of the lock, and Leoberos wrenched the swollen door open to reveal a stairway descending into darkness.

The undercroft beneath the church was a wretched place — rough-hewn walls, damp clay floors, and the stench of blood and mildew hanging thick in the air. Rotting pillars and mounds of disturbed earth turned the space into a disorienting maze, barely lit by candlelight filtering through the cracks above. In the far corner crouched a gaunt, fanged figure who whispered a chilling greeting before vanishing into the shadows. Doru, Father Donavich’s son, was no longer the young man who had marched on Ravenloft — he was a vampire spawn, hollow-eyed and ravenous, driven by a hunger he could no longer control. He scuttled across the walls and ceiling with unnatural speed, screaming for blood, and launched himself at Ysarissa with claws and fangs before the party could react.

What followed was a desperate, claustrophobic struggle. Lucien blinded the creature with a burst of mystical energy, sending it into a shrieking panic, while Mortimer called down radiant fire to sear its flesh and halt its unnatural ability to heal. Chrystandar hurled orbs of thunderous force, and Ysarissa threw daggers, then ran out of daggers, and then — in a moment of inspired desperation — flung her crowbar at the creature crawling across the ceiling, and somehow connected. Doru grappled Mortimer and sank his teeth in, but Leoberos pulled him free and poured healing energy into his wounds. Lucien climbed above the trapdoor and uncorked a vial of holy water, pouring it down onto the thrashing creature and watching its skin burn with radiant light. At last, the combined assault brought Doru crashing down, and the party bound him tightly with rope, wrapping him like a mummy to prevent any further violence.

The debate that followed was brief and heavy. Doru could not be saved — he was a creature of hunger and darkness now, and every moment he lived was a danger to his father and the village. Leoberos took one of Ysarissa’s arrows, snapped it over his knee, and drove the jagged wooden shaft through Doru’s heart. The vampire spawn went still. When Father Donavich descended and found his son dead, his grief was raw and immediate. Leoberos spoke to him quietly and honestly, explaining that Doru had been beyond saving and that freeing him would have meant more death. The old priest, broken but not entirely without faith, accepted the truth. The party made their way back to the Burgomaster’s mansion as a pale morning settled over Barovia, where Ismark and Ireena offered them food and shelter — small comforts in a land that seemed to offer very few.

Scenes

1. A Midnight Awakening

The party is roused in the middle of the night to begin the funeral procession for the late Burgermeister.

  • At 3:00 AM, Ismark rouses the party to prepare for his father’s burial.
  • Ismark introduces three family friends—Korgan, Kobal, and Damir—who serve as pallbearers.
  • The party observes that the Burgermeister’s body has been placed in a coffin.
  • Ismark expresses his fears regarding grave robbers, ghouls, and the devil’s agents targeting his sister, Ireena.
  • The procession leaves the mansion and begins the trek toward the village church.

2. Arrival at the Church of the Morning Lord

The party reaches the dilapidated village church and meets the local priest, Father Donavich, who is hiding a dark secret in the basement.

  • The party arrives at a sagging, gray stone church scarred by claw marks and fire.
  • Ismark knocks on the heavy wooden doors, which are opened by Father Donavich.
  • Inside, the chapel is strewn with debris, and the air reeks of mildew.
  • An inhuman scream erupts from beneath the floorboards, startling the group.
  • Father Donavich dismisses the scream as nothing, but eventually admits it is his son, Doru, who is unwell.
  • The priest claims his son recently returned from a journey and that only faith and time can help him.
  • Leoberos offers to heal the son, but Donavich refuses, insisting on the Morning Lord’s restoration.
  • Donavich reveals that his son Doru joined a march on Castle Ravenloft the previous year and returned changed.
  • The party briefly explores the church’s private quarters before being ushered out for the service.
  • Ysarissa hears what sounds like the word ‘blood’ mixed in with the screaming from below.

3. The Burial of Kolyan Indirovich

A somber funeral service in the village cemetery is interrupted by a sinister messenger from Castle Ravenloft.

  • Father Donavich leads a funeral service for the late Burgomaster, Kolyan Indirovich, in the neglected cemetery.
  • The party notes the cemetery is swollen and neglected, with most graves marked only by wooden stills engraved with a blazing sun motif.
  • A freshly dug grave bears a tombstone reading: Kolyan Indirovich, 682 to 735, a good man burdened by his time.
  • As the coffin is being lowered, Rahadin, the Chamberlain of Castle Ravenloft, arrives through the cemetery gate to deliver condolences from Count Strahd.
  • Rahadin delivers a forced invitation for Ireena to dine at Castle Ravenloft, which Ismark fiercely rejects.
  • Rahadin reveals a connection to Mortimer, mentioning his father Draven and calling the party the master’s latest playthings.
  • Ismark draws his blade in defiance, and Rahadin draws his scimitar in response.
  • Rahadin uses magic to teleport next to Ismark and Ireena, initiating combat.

4. The Battle at the Cemetery

The party engages in a fierce combat against Rahadin, the Chamberlain of Castle Ravenloft, during the funeral service.

  • Rahadin unleashes a psychic aura of screaming—the voices of thousands he has killed—affecting those within ten feet of him.
  • Chrystandar and Ireena are knocked unconscious by Rahadin’s initial assault.
  • Leoberos interposes himself between Rahadin and Ireena, grabbing hold of her to prevent her abduction.
  • Mortimer uses his Circle of Mortality ability to fully restore Chrystandar from the brink of death with maximum healing.
  • Lucien uses a healing word to revive Ireena and teleports to her side to provide protection.
  • Father Donavich casts a blessing upon the party to aid their accuracy during the fight.
  • Mortimer uses his Path to the Grave channel divinity to curse Rahadin, making him vulnerable to the next attack.
  • Leoberos delivers a powerful divine smite against Rahadin, dealing massive radiant damage while the elf is vulnerable.
  • Leoberos defiantly flips off Rahadin when the chamberlain taunts the party.
  • The village guards flee in terror as the battle intensifies.
  • Father Donavich is knocked unconscious during the fray; Leoberos uses Lay on Hands to restore him.
  • Rahadin, wounded and defiant, warns the party that they are merely playthings for his master before vanishing in a cloud of black mist.
  • The party observes Castle Ravenloft looming in the distance on the northwest hillside as the mists momentarily clear.
  • Father Donavich completes the burial rites for Kolyan Indirovich, and the coffin is lowered into the earth.

5. Investigating the Church Undercroft

After the burial, the party returns to the church to investigate the source of the blood-hungry screams heard earlier.

  • Leoberos leads the party back into the church to find the source of the ‘blood’ screams heard earlier.
  • The party explores the church’s interior, searching private rooms and an office for clues.
  • In the office, a wooden cabinet is found containing candles, hymn books, and a strange book called the Blade of Truth—a volume mixing logic exercises with descriptions of fiend-worshipping cults.
  • Ysarissa discovers a heavy wooden trapdoor in a moldy room, held shut by a chain and padlock, with squeaks of anguish audible through the door.
  • Kaelis successfully picks the padlock on the trapdoor.
  • Leoberos forces open the swollen trapdoor, revealing a stairway leading down into the undercroft.
  • The party descends into the damp, clay-floored basement, catching sight of a gaunt, fanged figure in the far corner.
  • The creature, identified as Father Donavich’s son Doru, whispers a chilling greeting before disappearing into the shadows.
  • The party prepares for a confrontation, spreading out in the dark undercroft.

6. The Undercroft Confrontation

The party battles Doru, a vampire spawn, in the claustrophobic church basement as he desperately tries to escape and feed.

  • Doru exhibits supernatural agility, crawling along the walls and ceiling while screaming for blood.
  • Doru attacks Ysarissa, attempting to bite her and drain her life force, reducing her maximum hit points with necrotic damage.
  • Chrystandar strikes Doru with magical missiles of force, while Lucien attempts to illuminate the creature with mystical fire that misses.
  • Leoberos tries to reason with the creature, urging him to stand down, but Doru is consumed by hunger.
  • Lucien successfully blinds Doru with a spell, causing the creature to thrash about in a panic and attack at disadvantage.
  • Mortimer uses sacred flames to sear the creature with radiant energy, preventing its unnatural regeneration.
  • Doru attempts to flee the undercroft by climbing the walls and ceiling toward the trapdoor.
  • Kaelis secures the trapdoor from above, standing on it and using the chain to prevent Doru’s escape.
  • Doru panics and attacks Mortimer, successfully grappling him and biting him.
  • Leoberos uses his celestial power to heal Mortimer’s wounds during the heat of the fray.
  • Lucien strikes Doru with radiant energy from a Starry Wisp cantrip, causing him to glow and preventing him from turning invisible.
  • Ysarissa throws daggers and even an improvised crowbar at the wiry creature to keep him at bay.
  • Chrystandar launches a powerful orb of thunderous energy at the vampire spawn.
  • Lucien pours a vial of holy water onto the bound creature from above, searing its skin with radiant energy.
  • The party successfully knocks Doru unconscious through a combination of radiant magic and physical strikes.
  • Ysarissa and her companions bind the unconscious vampire spawn with rope, wrapping him tightly to prevent further violence.

7. The Mercy of a Broken Arrow

Realizing the danger Doru poses and his state of eternal hunger, the party decides to end his suffering.

  • The party debates whether Doru can be saved or if he is beyond redemption.
  • Leoberos snaps one of Ysarissa’s arrows and uses the jagged wooden shaft to stake Doru through the heart.
  • The vampire spawn is permanently slain, ending the threat he posed to the village.
  • Father Donavich discovers the party in the undercroft and mourns the loss of his son.
  • Leoberos speaks with Father Donavich, explaining that his son was unsalvageable and a danger to others, and eventually convinces the grieving priest that the party had no other choice.
  • The party leaves the church and returns to the Burgomaster’s mansion, where Ismark and Ireena provide food and shelter.

Memorable Moments

  • [dramatic] “He has already stolen my father, Rahadin. He will not take Ireena.” (Ismark Kolyanovich; Ismark drawing his blade in fierce defiance as Rahadin demands Ireena accompany him to Castle Ravenloft)
  • [dramatic] Rahadin reveals to Mortimer that his father Draven will be glad to hear of his presence in Barovia, implying the vampire lord already knows his son is here. (A chilling personal revelation dropped mid-confrontation, connecting Mortimer’s dark past directly to the dangers of Barovia)
  • [funny] Leoberos slowly raises one hand and flips off Rahadin after the chamberlain taunts the party, drawing laughter from the table. (A moment of defiant irreverence from the paladin in the middle of a deadly confrontation with the devil’s right-hand man)
  • [epic] Mortimer uses his Circle of Mortality ability to restore Chrystandar from zero hit points with the maximum possible healing, pulling him back from the brink of death. (Chrystandar had just been knocked unconscious by Rahadin’s psychic assault; Mortimer’s timely intervention saved him)
  • [tragic] Leoberos snaps one of Ysarissa’s arrows and drives the makeshift stake through Doru’s heart, permanently ending the vampire spawn’s suffering as his father waits unknowingly above. (After a long and desperate struggle to subdue Doru, the party concludes he cannot be saved and makes the grim decision to end his life)
  • [funny] Ysarissa, having run out of daggers and arrows, hurls her crowbar at the vampire spawn crawling across the ceiling, and actually hits. (A moment of improvised desperation that somehow worked, drawing cheers from the table)
  • [dramatic] “Savor this victory while you can, fools, for the wrath of Ravenloft shall soon be upon you. We are nothing more than the master’s playthings, and he shall have his game.” (Rahadin; Rahadin’s parting words before vanishing in a cloud of black mist, wounded but unbroken, leaving the party shaken)

Session log

From the GM Assistant session lists. GMA doesn’t distinguish visited/met/found from mentioned, so these lists can include things only talked about.

Present in this session

Quests & Threads touched

Also noted (no wiki page)

  • Spells & abilities used: Bless, Blindness/Deafness, Chromatic Orb, Cure Wounds, Dissonant Whispers, Divine Smite, Eldritch Blast, Faerie Fire, Guiding Bolt, Healing Word, Lay on Hands, Magic Missile, Misty Step, Path to the Grave, Ray of Frost, Sacred Flame, Spare the Dying, Starry Wisp

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