Yegar Eposab: Complete Campaign Summary

Through Chapter 3: The Long Peace

CHARACTER SHEETS

Player Character

Yegar Eposab

Race: Stout Halfling Class: Ranger, Monster Slayer (Level 4) Background: Folk Hero Age: Adult Home: Briarhollow

Ability Scores

Level 4 ASI: +2 Dexterity (18 → 20)

Combat Stats

Proficient Skills

• Animal Handling (+4)
• Perception (+4, +6 in forests with Ring of the Verdant Path)
• Stealth (+7, Advantage with Cloak of Dampened Sound)
• Survival (+4, Advantage tracking undead)

Racial Traits (Stout Halfling)

• Halfling Luck: Reroll natural 1s on attacks, checks, saves
• Brave: Advantage on saves vs frightened
• Stout Resilience: Advantage on saves vs poison; resistance to poison damage

Class Features

• Favored Enemy: Undead (advantage on Survival to track, Intelligence to recall info)
• Natural Explorer: Forest (travel benefits in forests)
• Fighting Style: Two-Weapon Fighting (add ability modifier to off-hand damage)
• Spellcasting: 3 first-level slots
• Monster Slayer Archetype
  • Hunter’s Sense: As bonus action, learn damage immunities/resistances/vulnerabilities of creature within 60 ft (2/long rest)
  • Slayer’s Prey: As bonus action, designate creature within 60 ft; first hit each turn deals extra 1d6 damage (no concentration)

Spells Known

• Hunter’s Mark: Bonus action, +1d6 damage per hit, concentration, 1 hour
• Cure Wounds: Touch, heal 1d8+2 HP
• Find Traps: Sense presence of traps within 120 ft, learn general nature

Special Abilities

• Heroic Surge (PERMANENTLY EXPENDED): Once per lifetime, can take one action while at 0 HP. Used during the assault on the Sanctum to throw the countermeasure pouch into the ritual focal point.

Personality & Traits

• Folk hero of Briarhollow, protector of the village
• Former field medic in a halfling ranging company
• Tendency to seduce enemies and NPCs (running theme)
• Believes in infinite love and chosen family
• Answered the Shepherd’s question with “love” - this is his core truth, what he carries that he cannot set down
• Deep-seated fear of abandonment, of not being worthy of love (revealed in Valley of Echoes)
• Rarely speaks of his parents, but misses them and wishes they could see who he’s become

The Blood Bond

Yegar is blood-bonded to all three of his partners (Vaela, Tessa, Helena). Effects:

• Emotional awareness of each other within approximately 1 mile
• Strong emotions (fear, pain, joy) transmit regardless of distance
• During feeding (when Vaela was vampire), complete openness with no secrets
• Bond transformed but persists after Vaela’s cure - now warmer, softer, but still present
• Can use the bond to support each other (granted advantage on Wisdom saves in Valley of Echoes)

The Polycule

Vaela Dunmire

Race: Human (formerly Half-Elf Vampire) Age: 312 years old (physically appears ~25) Former Title: “The Bride” - Malachar’s servant Status: MORTAL (cured at the Pools of First Light)

Background

Vaela was born a weaver’s daughter in Thornbury, 312 years ago. When she was dying of a wasting sickness, the necromancer Malachar offered her eternity. In her fear of death, she accepted, becoming his vampire servant for three centuries.

The Secret Truth (revealed at the Pools): Vaela chose to become a vampire. Malachar turned her violently, but afterward, when he offered to let her die as she was meant to, she begged him to keep her. She has never told anyone this, letting them believe she was only a victim. This shame has haunted her for three centuries.

Physical Description

• Raven black hair
• Dark eyes
• Pale skin (now with living warmth and color)
• Beautiful in an ageless way

Personality

• Three centuries of survival instinct; tendency to plan and calculate
• Learning to trust, to lean on others
• Fierce protector of those she loves
• Carries guilt for her centuries as a predator
• Experiencing mortality for the first time: hunger, fatigue, cold, warmth
• Overwhelmed by sensory experiences (taste of food, warmth of sunlight, feeling her own heartbeat)

Current Combat Capability

• Severely Limited: Has been mortal for less than a week
• No training in mortal combat; body doesn’t respond as it did when undead
• Attempted to use a longbow in combat and missed repeatedly
• Knows she is a liability in a fight and struggles with this
• Retains three centuries of tactical knowledge and vampire lore

The Blood Bond

• Blood-bonded to Yegar, Tessa, and Helena
• Bond formed when she fed from each of them (while still vampire)
• Bond transformed but persists after her cure
• Now feels warm instead of cold through the bond

Relationship to Yegar

• Yegar offered her freedom when he could have staked her
• She fell in love with his capacity for infinite love
• Blood-bonded; they share complete emotional awareness
• He is her anchor to hope and redemption

Arc Through Campaign

1. Encountered as “The Bride,” Malachar’s servant at Hollowspire
2. Seduced by Yegar’s offer of freedom and belonging
3. Revealed true name: Vaela Dunmire
4. Helped destroy Aldric Vane (first time) and Malachar
5. Established blood bond with Yegar
6. Received partial blessing from Pelor via Brother Aldous
7. Extended blood bond to Tessa and Helena
8. Journeyed to Pools of First Light seeking cure
9. Confessed her secret truth: she chose vampirism out of fear
10. Cured by the Pools; now fully mortal
11. Experienced sunlight without burning for first time in 312 years

Tessa Allred

Race: Human Age: Mid-20s Background: Farmer’s daughter from Briarhollow Status: Alive, healthy

Physical Description

• Chestnut hair
• Green eyes
• Farm-strong build
• Kind face, brave bearing

Personality

• Yegar’s childhood friend and first love
• Practical, grounded, the anchor to “normal life”
• Fierce when protecting those she loves
• Dreams of children, a future, growing old together
• Sometimes feels like “the ordinary one among extraordinary people”
• Manages anxiety by keeping her hands busy with practical tasks

Combat Training

• Trained in quarterstaff (improved significantly over campaign)
• Trained in bow (hit the killing shot on the second vampire spawn)
• No longer desperate flailing; developing real muscle memory
• Still telegraphs strikes but learning economy of motion

The Blood Bond

• Bonded to Vaela (and through the bond, to Yegar and Helena)
• Feeding occurred during Chapter 3 preparation for journey
• Can feel the others’ emotions; still adjusting to the sensation
• Used the bond to support Yegar in the Valley of Echoes

Relationship to Yegar

• Childhood friend; has loved him since she was sixteen
• First person Yegar confessed romantic feelings to
• Represents his connection to home, normalcy, the life he’s fighting for
• Wants children and a future with him

Valley of Echoes Fear

• Saw Yegar, Helena, and Vaela dead in the snow, killed by something she couldn’t stop
• Fear centers on failing to protect those she loves

Helena

Race: Human Age: Early 30s Background: Widow from Fenwick, chapel keeper Status: Alive, healthy

Physical Description

• Auburn hair
• Blue eyes
• Gentle, reverent bearing
• Wears a wooden holy symbol of Pelor at all times

Personality

• Deep, quiet faith in Pelor
• Expresses love through service and small daily kindnesses
• Lost her first husband to sickness years ago
• Grateful for second chance at family
• Established healthy boundaries and communication within the polycule
• Spiritual anchor of the group

Combat Training

• Trained in dagger (surprisingly vicious when cornered)
• Trained in crossbow
• Footwork surprisingly good (years of chapel ritual gave her a foundation)
• Won’t seek a fight but will make someone regret cornering her

Divine Abilities

• Received a powerful blessing at the Pools when healing Seren
• Can cast Cure Wounds (healed Yegar during spawn fight)
• Carries the Litany of Restoration (prayer text for divine healing rituals)
• Her prayers seem to resonate with Pelor; golden light manifests

The Blood Bond

• Bonded to Vaela (and through the bond, to Yegar and Tessa)
• Prayed extensively before accepting the bond
• Trusted that Pelor’s partial blessing of Vaela meant it was permitted
• Provides faith without reservation for the ritual at the Pools

Relationship to Yegar

• Met during his investigation in Fenwick
• He kissed her and invited her to Briarhollow
• She is his spiritual partner; her faith grounds him

Valley of Echoes Fear

• Saw her first husband, dead these many years, asking why she moved on
• Answered with silent prayer; her faith was her shield

Extended Family

Seren Ashwood

Race: Human Age: Approximately 50 Background: Grieving mother, former pilgrim Status: Alive, grief healed, permanent frostbite damage to fingers

Physical Description

• Grey hair, weathered face
• Pale blue eyes
• Deep lines from sun and wind
• Blackened, frostbitten fingers (will lose at least two)
• Pilgrim’s mark tattooed on forehead (teardrop inside circle)

Background

Seren came to the Pools of First Light eleven years after her daughter Lily died of fever at age seven. She carried grief so heavy it defined her existence. She wanted to wash it away, to finally breathe again.

The Shepherd asked what she carried. She answered “grief.” The path rejected her, turning her back repeatedly. She nearly died of exposure before Yegar’s group found her.

Realization: Grief was her incomplete answer. Grief is just love with nowhere to go. Her true answer should have been love - the love she still carries for Lily.

Pilgrim’s Stone

• Received from the Shepherd (separate from Yegar’s stone)
• Original answer: “Grief” (incomplete)
• True answer (found with help): “Love”

The Pools Ritual

• Approached alongside Vaela
• Guardian appeared as Lily, her daughter
• Blood freely given: Bit her own frostbitten fingers
• Truth never spoken: “I was relieved when Lily died. For one horrible moment, I was glad it was done.” She has hated herself for eleven years for that moment.
• Faith without reservation: Faith that Lily loved her, forgave her, knew how much she was loved
• Result: Not physically transformed, but healed. The pain of eleven years is gone. The weight is lifted.

Current Status

• Joining the group as family
• Coming to live in Briarhollow
• Hands damaged but no longer in pain
• Found new purpose: honoring Lily’s memory by finding a family

Relationship to the Polycule

• Not a romantic partner, but family
• Walked the Old Way with them
• Faced the Guardian together
• “Family” in the chosen sense

Key Allies

Brother Aldous

Race: Human Age: 50s Role: Veteran priest of Pelor from Whitehaven Status: CAPTURED BY KAEL VANE - will die at moonrise on winter solstice

Physical Description

• Scarred from 23 years of hunting undead
• Weathered, experienced bearing
• Wears vestments of Pelor

Background

• 23 years fighting undead as a priest of Pelor
• Recruited Yegar to investigate after discovering the letter in Ser Aldric’s tomb
• Discovered evidence of coordinated cult activity (letters signed “M”)
• Blessed the polycule in Pelor’s name, including Vaela (partial blessing)
• This blessing was controversial - may cause political problems at the Temple

Current Situation

• Captured during Temple convoy attack three nights before Yegar’s return
• Being held by Kael Vane as hostage
• Will be killed at moonrise on winter solstice unless demands are met
• Kael demands: Roderick, Yegar, and “his brother’s killer” (Vaela)

Sir Brennan Cole

Race: Human Age: 40s Role: Paladin of Pelor Status: Alive, currently in Briarhollow

Physical Description

• Stern-faced
• Silver-streaked hair cropped short
• Lines around eyes from 20 years of fighting
• Wears armor bearing golden sun of Pelor

Personality

• Stern but not unkind
• 20 years fighting undead
• Would kill Vaela without hesitation if he believed she was manipulating Yegar
• Trusts Brother Aldous’s judgment
• Respects Yegar more than most paladins he’s served with

Role in Campaign

• Led Temple reinforcements to assault the Sanctum
• Escorted Yegar’s group to the Greymoor border
• Provided supplies and Sir Brennan’s Hunting Journal
• Currently in Briarhollow with 4 Sunguard soldiers
• Brought news of Brother Aldous’s capture

Resources

• 4 Sunguard soldiers under his command
• Sent word to Whitehaven for reinforcements (won’t arrive before solstice)

Sister Mira Vance

Race: Human Age: Young adult Role: Temple healer Status: Alive, in Whitehaven

Background

• Skilled in divine medicine
• Young, kind
• Corresponded with Vaela about potential cures
• Researched the Pools of First Light
• Sent the letter that guided them to the Pools
• Provided the Vial of Blessed Sunlight

Elder Thistle

Race: Halfling (or elderly human) Age: Ancient Role: Village elder of Briarhollow Status: Alive

Background

• Sharp-eyed despite extreme age
• Gave Yegar his silver shortsword +1
• Gave Yegar the Ring of the Verdant Path
• Gave Yegar the ancient map of the Greymoor Passes
• Received instructions on vampire defense before Yegar left
• Currently helping protect Briarhollow

Roderick Vance

Race: Human Age: Adult Role: Merchant, Vane bloodline descendant Status: Alive, in Briarhollow, having prophetic nightmares

Physical Description

• Bears the ouroboros birthmark (Vane family mark)
• Pale, anxious, haunted by sleepless nights

Background

• Distant descendant of the Vane family
• Unwittingly broke the seals on Ser Aldric’s tomb
• Nearly used as vessel for Vecna’s fragment in the Becoming ritual
• Carries the “purest” Vane blood according to Kael

Blood Connection

• Has prophetic dreams/visions of Kael Vane
• Can see Kael waiting in an underground lair
• Connection goes both ways - getting too close lets Kael track him
• Believes he can find Kael’s location through the blood connection

Current Status

• Trained in basic swordsmanship by Yegar (rudimentary)
• Taught to sense vampires by Vaela
• Contributed 30 gold to the expedition
• Primary target of Kael Vane’s hunt

Torgan Deepdelve

Race: Dwarf Age: Very old (attempted pilgrimage 40 years ago) Role: Failed pilgrim, hermit, source of information Status: Alive, living in cave on the Old Way

Physical Description

• Grey beard braided with metal rings
• Weathered face
• Pale, sharp eyes
• Wears furs over ancient chainmail
• Carries staff carved with unknown symbols

Background

• Former thane’s son of Deepdelve Hall (mountains to the east)
• Family killed by orcs while he was away on trading mission
• Carried the guilt of failed duty for years
• Came to the Pools seeking to wash it clean

Failed Pilgrimage

• Shepherd let him pass (answered “duty”)
• Reached within sight of the Pools
• Guardian asked the three questions
• Had blood freely given
• Spoke a truth never spoken
• Failed: Could not provide faith without reservation
• Could not believe in gods who let his family burn
• Guardian turned him away, said he could try again when he found what he lost
• Has watched the path for 40 years since

Information Provided

• Three requirements are one circle, not separate things
• Blood must come from truth, truth spoken in faith, faith sealed in blood
• The seeker must be the center - others support but cannot do it for them
• Valley of Echoes: don’t speak fears aloud or they take form
• Path from crossroads to Pools is ~3 days if mountain allows

Potential Future

• Yegar invited him to Briarhollow
• He declined but remembered the offer
• Asked about Briarhollow’s location
• Said “maybe someday, when I find what I lost”
• May appear in future chapters

Old Mira

Race: Human Age: Elderly Role: Beekeeper, friend of Yegar’s grandmother Status: Alive, in Briarhollow

• Makes honey cakes and healing honey
• Provided Old Mira’s Healing Honey (3 doses, 3d4+3 HP each)
• Told Yegar to bring all three women back safe, “especially the pale one”
• Sees that Vaela has a good heart under the darkness

Old Willa

Race: Human Age: Elderly Role: Tavern keeper at the Broken Barrel Status: Alive, in Briarhollow

Old Pemberton

Race: Human Age: Elderly Role: Former clerk, decoder of documents Status: Alive, in Briarhollow

• Decoded the cult journals in Chapter 2
• Researched the Pools of First Light (found three references)
• Provided crucial intelligence about the Guardian and the stones that weep

Old Garrett

Race: Human Age: Elderly Role: Village blacksmith Status: Alive, in Briarhollow

• Built the polycule’s custom bed with carved headboard
• Headboard features: Pelor’s sun, apple blossoms, ranger’s arrow, crescent moon, heart where all symbols meet
• Provided crampon spikes for mountain travel

Enemies

Kael Vane

Race: Vampire Lord Age: 300+ years Role: Primary antagonist, brother of Ser Aldric Vane Status: AT LARGE - has captured Brother Aldous

Background

• Ancient vampire lord, over 300 years old
• Brother of Ser Aldric Vane
• Former leader of the Eternal Covenant cult
• Spoke directly with Vecna through the Eye of Vecna
• Planned “The Becoming” ritual - placing a fragment of Vecna into a mortal vessel of Vane bloodline

The Becoming (Failed)

• Ritual was to occur on blood moon at the Sanctum
• Required Vane bloodline vessel (Roderick was primary target)
• Yegar disrupted the ritual by throwing countermeasure pouch into focal point
• The Eye cracked, ritual collapsed, Vecna’s attention turned away
• Kael fled through hidden passage rather than face the assault team

Current Plans

• Second Becoming planned for winter solstice (9 days away)
• Hunting all Vane bloodline descendants
• Map shows 6 farmsteads; 3 already crossed out (families killed or captured)
• Wants descendants ALIVE for the ritual
• Roderick is the “purest vessel” but any sufficient bloodline will serve
• Has captured Brother Aldous as hostage/leverage

Demands

Carved into dead Sunguard’s chest:

• Bring the merchant (Roderick)
• Bring the ranger (Yegar)
• Bring his brother’s killer (Vaela)
• Brother Aldous dies at moonrise on solstice

Forces

• Rebuilding spawn and thrall network after Sanctum’s fall
• At least some spawn and thralls operational (three encountered at farmstead)
• Unknown total strength
• Has a new lair (location unknown, possibly discoverable through Roderick’s blood connection)

Intelligence on Party

• Knows Vaela has been cured (“the cured vampire”)
• Has servants watching the roads
• Letter instructed: “Report their movements. Do not engage unless certain of victory. I will deal with them myself.”

Ser Aldric Vane

Race: Vampire Status: PERMANENTLY DESTROYED

• Cruel mercenary captain buried alive 200 years ago
• Rose when Roderick accidentally broke tomb seals
• First major enemy faced by Yegar
• Fled first encounter, returned for revenge
• Kidnapped Roderick, demanded Yegar come to old mill
• Final Death: Beheaded by Vaela with Yegar’s blessed blade, Ring of Covenant removed to prevent soul escape

Malachar

Race: Necromancer (undead) Age: 300+ years Status: DESTROYED

• Lord of Hollowspire Keep
• Servant of Vecna
• Created Vaela (“The Bride”) 312 years ago
• Built army of 52 undead in coffin chamber
• Destroyed: Killed by Yegar and Brother Aldous, body burned

The Guardian (Sanctum)

Type: Bound spirit Status: DESTROYED

• Anchor was skull with gemstone eyes in the Reliquary
• Vaela shattered the anchor, destroying Guardian forever

CURRENT INVENTORY

Weapons

With Slayer’s Prey: +1d6 damage on first hit each turn With Hunter’s Mark: +1d6 damage per hit (concentration)

Ammunition

• Standard arrows: 16
• Silver-tipped arrows: 8 (used 4 in spawn fight)

Armor

• Leather armor + Hardened leather vest (AC 17)
• Cloak of Dampened Sound (Advantage on Stealth, muffles sound within 5 ft)

Total AC: 17 (11 base + 5 DEX + 1 vest)

Magical Items (Attuned)

Magical Items (Not Attuned)

Consumables

Adventuring Gear

• Hawthorn stakes: 4
• Dried garlic: Quarter sack remaining
• Hand mirror (steel): 1
• Grappling hook: 1
• Rope (50 ft): 2 coils (100 ft total)
• Healer’s kit: 8 uses remaining
• Explorer’s pack (bedroll, mess kit, tinderbox, rations, waterskin)
• Torches: 9
• Caltrops: 1 bag
• Smoke sticks: 2
• Crampon Spikes (advantage vs slipping on ice/steep terrain)
• Hunting knife (good quality) - from farmstead

Documents/Special Items

• Sir Brennan’s Hunting Journal (monster weaknesses and tactics)
• Ancient Map of the Greymoor Passes
• Research Notes on the Pools of First Light
• The Litany of Restoration (prayer text)
• Vane family genealogy chart
• Map showing 6 farmsteads (3 crossed out)
• Letter to “Cousin Roderick”
• Kael Vane’s sealed letter (orders to servants)
• Vial of vampire blood (“For the Gifting”)
• Iron ring with Vecna’s symbol
• Silver locket (heirloom from farmstead)

Currency

• 102 gold pieces (82 original + 20 from farmstead)
• 25 silver pieces

LOCATIONS

Briarhollow

Yegar’s home village. Small farming community known for apple orchards and honey mead. Protected by Yegar. Contains:

• The Broken Barrel tavern (Old Willa)
• The polycule’s cottage with custom bed
• Chapel (tended by Helena)
• Smithy (Old Garrett)
• Old Mira’s beekeeping cottage

Fenwick

Village two days east of Briarhollow. Helena’s former home. Suffered attacks from Malachar’s forces.

Hollowspire Keep (DESTROYED)

Ruined fortress north of Fenwick. Former seat of Lord Malachar. Burned to ruins.

The Barrow Hill

Located in the Grimwold Forest near Briarhollow. Tomb of Ser Aldric Vane. Resealed and consecrated by Brother Aldous.

The Grimwold Forest

Dense forest near Briarhollow. Yegar’s favored terrain.

The Sanctum (DESTROYED)

Fortress-monastery forty miles north, built into mountainside. Former headquarters of the Eternal Covenant. Tower cracked, Eye chamber ruined, cult scattered.

Whitehaven

Large town with Temple of Pelor. Brother Aldous and Sir Brennan’s base. Source of Temple reinforcements (won’t arrive before solstice).

The Greymoor Mountains

Harsh mountain range north of Briarhollow. Contains:

• The Old Way - Pilgrim’s path to the Pools
• Weeping Stones - Trail markers that drip warm water
• Valley of Echoes - Speaking fears aloud gives them form
• Torgan’s Cave - Hermit dwarf’s home
• The Pools of First Light - Sacred site of transformation

The Pools of First Light

Natural amphitheater in the Greymoor mountains. Contains:

• Three pools arranged in triangle, glowing with golden light
• Stone dais at center (focal point for rituals)
• Massive relief of Pelor’s sun on far wall
• The Guardian appears here to ask the three questions

Kael Vane’s New Lair (UNKNOWN)

• Underground location
• Old, with dripping water and chains
• Roderick sees it in blood-visions
• Location discoverable through Roderick’s blood connection

CHAPTER SUMMARIES

Chapter 1: The Beast of Briarhollow

• Yegar returned home to investigate creature attacks
• Discovered Ser Aldric Vane, a vampire risen from the barrow
• Nearly died fighting Aldric; saved by Holy Symbol flare and villagers
• Brother Aldous arrived to consecrate barrow, recruited Yegar
• Reconnected with Tessa Allred (childhood friend, first love)
• Encountered ghost of Elara, learned of Malachar at Hollowspire
• Investigated Fenwick, met Helena (widow, kissed her)
• Discovered cult connection through Vecna symbol
• Infiltrated Hollowspire Keep with Brother Aldous
• Seduced “The Bride” (Vaela) with offer of freedom
• Destroyed 47 of 52 coffins containing undead army
• Killed Malachar, burned Hollowspire
• Returned to find Tessa, Helena, and Vaela waiting
• Delivered speech about infinite love; all three accepted
• Brother Aldous blessed the unconventional union

Chapter 2: The Hunter’s Moon

• Ser Aldric returned, kidnapped Roderick
• Vaela revealed true name: Vaela Dunmire (312 years old)
• Yegar and Vaela formed blood bond
• Used “Traitor’s Gift” spell (cost: secret never spoken)
• Destroyed Aldric at the mill
• Discovered Kael Vane leading Eternal Covenant
• Scouted the Sanctum (fortress-monastery)
• Destroyed dark artifacts (ring, blood vial, grimoire)
• Temple reinforcements arrived (Sir Brennan, Sister Mira, Sunguard)
• Decoded cult journals revealing Kael’s prophecy and plans
• Received Pelor’s blessing; Vaela partially blessed
• Assaulted the Sanctum
• Destroyed the Guardian’s anchor
• Vaela killed Aldric permanently (beheaded, ring removed)
• Reached Eye chamber, faced Kael and inner circle
• Yegar used Heroic Surge (now permanently expended) while dying
• Threw countermeasure pouch into focal point
• The Becoming failed; Eye cracked; Kael fled
• Returned home to tearful reunion
• First night in the custom-carved bed

Chapter 3: The Long Peace

• One month of domestic peace in Briarhollow
• Vaela hadn’t fed in a month; condition worsening
• Yegar convinced Tessa and Helena to accept blood bond
• Group feeding created four-way blood bond
• Letter arrived from Sister Mira about Pools of First Light
• Sir Brennan escorted group to Greymoor border
• Encountered the Shepherd of the Stone
  • Asked: “What do you carry that you cannot set down?”
  • Yegar answered: “Love”
  • Received Pilgrim’s Stone
• Found Seren Ashwood dying in snow; saved her
  • Fellow pilgrim who answered “grief” (incomplete)
  • Path kept turning her back
• Met Torgan Deepdelve (failed pilgrim, 40 years watching)
  • Provided crucial information about the ritual
• Traversed Valley of Echoes
  • Seren nearly spoke (saw daughter Lily); Helena saved her
  • Yegar nearly spoke (saw partners leaving him); reached through bond
  • All passed through safely
• Reached the Pools of First Light
• Day of preparation; discussed ritual requirements
• Final night of bonded intimacy
• The Ritual:
  • Guardian appeared as two figures: Vaela’s mother, Seren’s daughter
  • Vaela’s requirements:
    • Blood: Bit her own palm, offered tainted blood in hope
    • Truth: “I wanted him to turn me. I chose this out of fear.”
    • Faith: “I have faith in love. In the people who carried me.”
  • Seren’s requirements:
    • Blood: Bit her frostbitten fingers
    • Truth: “I was relieved when Lily died.”
    • Faith: Faith that Lily loved and forgave her
  • Both transformed: Vaela became mortal; Seren’s grief healed
• Blood bond persisted but transformed (warmer, softer)
• Vaela experienced mortality: warmth, hunger, fatigue, sunlight
• Journey home
• Visited Torgan (witnessed Vaela in sunlight; considering Briarhollow)
• Ambushed Kael’s servants at farmstead hunting Vane descendants
  • Destroyed 2 vampire spawn and 1 thrall
  • Yegar reduced to 10/28 HP
  • Found map of targeted families, Kael’s orders
• Returned to Briarhollow
  • Sir Brennan waiting with grim news
  • Brother Aldous captured
  • Kael demands Roderick, Yegar, and Vaela
  • Deadline: Moonrise on winter solstice (9 days)

UNRESOLVED PLOT THREADS

Immediate (Chapter 4)

1. Brother Aldous captive - dies in 9 days at moonrise
2. Kael Vane’s location - unknown, possibly findable through Roderick
3. Second Becoming ritual - planned for winter solstice
4. Three remaining Vane families - still being hunted

Ongoing

5. Vial of vampire blood (“For the Gifting”) - what to do with it?
6. Iron ring with Vecna symbol - evidence or danger?
7. Temple politics - Brother Aldous’s blessing of vampire-inclusive polycule
8. Torgan Deepdelve - may seek Briarhollow eventually
9. Vaela’s combat training - needs to learn to fight as mortal
10. Yegar’s “touched by conflict” blood - may have significance
11. Reinforcements from Whitehaven - won’t arrive before solstice

MECHANICAL NOTES

Resources Needing Restoration

• Yegar HP: 35/35 (leveled to 4, fully healed)
• Turn Undead: Available (1/day)
• Spell slots: 3 first-level slots available

Level Up Notes:

• Reached Level 4 after Chapter 3 events
• Used ASI to increase Dexterity 18 → 20
• New benefits: +1 to hit, +1 damage, +1 AC, +1 Initiative, +1 DEX saves

Party Combat Capabilities

Yegar: Full ranger abilities, dual-wielding specialist, monster slayer

Vaela: Severely limited; no mortal combat training; tactical knowledge only

Tessa: Improving; quarterstaff and bow; hit killing blow on spawn

Helena: Improving; dagger and crossbow; divine healing (Cure Wounds)

Seren: Unknown; damaged hands limit weapon use; determination but no training

Sir Brennan: Paladin of Pelor; full combat capability; divine magic

4 Sunguard: Trained soldiers; unknown individual capabilities

Elder Thistle: Silver-headed cane; limited mobility; village defense coordinator

Roderick: Basic swordsmanship (rudimentary); blood-sense for Kael’s location

Time Pressure

• 9 days until winter solstice moonrise
• Kael’s location must be found
• Travel time to location unknown
• Reinforcements won’t arrive in time
• Must rescue Aldous AND stop The Becoming

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS

The Polycule

• Yegar + Tessa: First love, childhood friends, anchor to normalcy
• Yegar + Helena: Spiritual connection, faith and devotion
• Yegar + Vaela: Blood bond, redemption arc, supernatural connection now mortal
• Tessa + Helena: Sisterly affection, mutual support
• Tessa + Vaela: Learning to love; Tessa no longer jealous of bond
• Helena + Vaela: Faith and redemption; Helena sees Vaela as Pelor’s project
• All Four: Healthy communication, major decisions require group discussion

Extended Family

• Seren: Adopted family; not romantic; “Aunt Seren” energy
• The Village Elders: Surrogate grandparents; invested in Yegar’s success

Key External Relationships

• Sir Brennan: Respects Yegar; would kill Vaela if she turned evil; trusts Aldous
• Brother Aldous: Mentor figure; took risk blessing vampire-inclusive polycule
• Roderick: Protected by Yegar; feels guilty about danger he brings; wants to help

Campaign run in D&D 5e, November 2025 Chapter 3 Complete Chapter 4: The Blood Moon - Pending