Diary

Lovina Wachter Fivral 12, 347

I met Leo Dilisynya von Zarovich at a

party in Vallaki. He took a fancy to
me. He has an aquiline nose, dark eyes,
and inherited too much Vistani for my
taste, yet he seems kind. He is the only
Vistani allowed in Vallaki, to think, the
bastard son of the King is half Vistani.
No one dare say anything about it.
 Apryl 4 347 However, his brother Sergei is full of love and
joy, he is a wonderful dancer. Sergei is
Leo has asked me to accompany him to betrothed to a local villager, Tatyana. She is
Ravenloft for a Royal Ball. It will be lovely and I can see how much they love each
my first time to Ravenloft, to see the other. There is hope, you do not need to be
royal family in person. I am having a royalty to become royalty. I must keep Leo
special gown made for the affair. Castle happy and perhaps win his hand.
Ravenloft is far from finished, as it is
being rebuilt, but it is still a real castle.
An amazing evening, the food and wine
were exquisite, the art and stained glass
magnificent, a truly royal affair. I know
where I belong. I met Leo’s half-
brothers, Strahd and Sergei. Strahd is a
tall, dark, stoic man, you can feel his
presence when he enters the room.
 Eyune 7, 347
Leo and I have spent many days
and early evenings together, but I
have kept my chastity at bay, my
only power over Leo to win his hand.
I will give myself to him, but only
if he betroths me, securing my place
at the Royal Court.

Avgust 15, 347

I have not seen Leo in a few weeks,
I fear another may have stolen his
heart and my chance of becoming
part of the royal court has faded.
 Neyavr 1, 347
Leo arrived in the cover of darkness. He
has shared with me a horrible story. His
half-brother Strahd is in love with
Tatyana, his brother Sergei’s fiancé. He
mentions Strahd had plans to do something
horrible to his brother Sergei. Leo said he
confronted Strahd, but Strahd grew angry
and ordered the guard to arrest him. Leo
fled, here, to my home.
I cannot have Strahd, the prince and now
Lord of Barovia, become my enemy. For
I have no ill will, but only respect and
loyalty to the von Zarovich family and the
Royal Court.
Leo is half Vistani, I knew, as I am sure
others have, a Vistani will lead to no good.
I fear Leo was trying to divide the brothers
and seek fortune for himself and Strahd
caught Leo and banished him from the
family.
I will send a personal letter to Strahd and
explained the situation, for I wish to remain
in his good graces and to be a part of the
Royal Court, to serve the von Zarovich with
respect and my loyalty.
 Neyavr 4, 347

A black carriage arrived with a private

hand-delivered letter and a small wooden
box. The von Zarovich Royal seal.

I was flush with excitement to receive a

handwritten letter from the Prince and
Lord of Barovia.

I shall keep his letter, for it may be

the only letter I receive from the Lord
of Barovia.
Dearest Lovina Wachter,
My poor half-brother Leo has taken advantage of the family since our father’s passing. He secretly
aligns himself with those who oppose the family, and we fear the worst.
I knew when we first met, you were special, your beauty and grace deserve to be among those at the Royal
Court. You are well-loved; Tatyana speaks of you often. Unfortunately, Leo is no longer welcome to
Ravenloft and has been stripped of his title. He accosted me and the royal guards search for him
throughout Barovia to answer for his deeds.
I know you love him and perhaps there is some good in him, but I fear your relationship and allegiance to
my half-brother and Vistani, have placed you in a precarious position of harboring an enemy of the
Royal Court. Of course, if you could see to rectifying the situation privately, ensuring the von
Zarovich and the Royal Court’s safety, you would certainly be rewarded with a seat on the Royal
Court as a sign of your loyalty.
I know this must weigh heavy upon you, but I know in your heart you will do the right thing for
Barovia.
With respect and gratitude,
Strahd von Zarovich.
 The small wooden box is decorated with
the Royal Seal. I eagerly opened the
box; it contains a small glass vial with a
green potion. Etched into the glass is the
word “Lover’s Sleep”. I know of it, the
Tser Flower’s potion of everlasting sleep.
Neyavr 18, 347
Leo has not slept in days. I drew him a
warm bath and poured him a cup of tea. I
know he means well, but his actions and
treachery have brought shame upon me and
caused harm to all Barovia. I poured the
Lover’s Sleep into the tea and left it by the
bed. I informed Leo I was not feeling well
and slept in the guest room.
I found him the next morning, in ever-
lasting sleep. A smile on his face, he will
rest in peace forever.
I sent a message to Ravenloft, it is done.
 Neyavr 20, 347

A black carriage arrived at the

house. Two men collect Leo’s
body. Not a word was said, and
they leave as quickly as they came
 Yinvar 1, 348
It has been weeks; I have not heard from
Prince Strahd von Zarovich. A large black
carriage arrives with the royal seal on it. It is
Prince Strahd and I welcome him into my
small home.
My servant brings us some tea and leaves us
in the study. I am alone in the presence of the
Lord of Barovia, a strong towering man, but
I feel there is sorrow. Prince Strahd begins to
speak with a heavy heart.
“Your deed was great, but it may have been
too late. Our enemy hunted down and killed my
poor brother Sergei. We believe this was Leo’s
plan all along. I fear another light has been
extinguished, for Tatyana, upon hearing the
tragic news of her betrothed, leaped from the
Pillar of Ravenloft to her death.”
I am shocked and grief-stricken; I do not
know what to say or how to console the Prince
and Lord of Barovia.
Prince Strahd assures me Leo’s treachery will
remain a secret and news of his disappearance
will be connected to a hunting accident. My
poor Leo had strayed into darkness. It has
been so hard on me, alone these last days.
Prince Strahd looks upon me and smiles, “At
least you are with us and will bring hope and
light to Ravenloft.”
He hands me a royal decree, the Lady Lovina
Wachter, member of the Royal Court of
Ravenloft. It is official, I am now a noble
and member of the Court of Ravenloft. I grow
flush with pride and almost faint.
As soon as I am about to thank Prince Strahd, He releases his grip, stands, and turns
his servant enters with a large, locked iron chest. towards the door. His voice and manner have
changed back to the friendly prince.
The servant bows to Prince Strahd and exits.
Prince Strahd leans in closely, grabs my hand, “Thank you for the tea, Lady Wachter. I
and I feel darkness penetrate my very being. He expect you will grace us with your presence at
stares at the locked chest slowly turns to me; his the ball this month.”
eyes fill with darkness.
With that he leaves my home, I suspect we
“You have your seat on the Royal Court for will never have a private conversation again.
killing your lover. Your lover’s cursed remains are
locked in the chest, to never be buried or
reanimated. They are to remain with you and your
legacy, a reminder of the sacrifice you have made
in service to your Lord and Master. You are now
a member of the Royal Court, you will have a
manor built, and you will forever keep the court
informed of those who oppose Ravenloft and your
Lord and Master!”
 Mari 8, 348

My manor is built with funds paid from

Ravenloft. News of Leo’s disappearance
has subsided, many believe he had died on
one of his famous hunts, he enjoyed the
moniker Leo the Lion. I have locked the
chest with Leo’s remains in my closet, never
wishing to open them and hoping to forget,
but it haunts my dreams. Some nights I
hear Leo’s voice calling to me. I know it is
nothing more than tricks and silly dreams.