Ag's Diary (19/4/735 - excerpt 1)

Excerpt from the journal of Joybringer Aghub Bazaap, written on the 19th day of the 4th Moon of the Barovian year 735.

We finally met Mr Zarovich, and he seems about as much fun as a hike through a swamp. That much, I expected. But he also didn't seem particularly… monstrous? Megalomaniacal? Invested in crushing the peasantry beneath his heels like the lowly worms he undoubtedly believes them to be? In fact, he seemed… bored? Tired? Disappointed? I got the impression that he'd invited us to observe us at close quarters, as though he's waiting for the right kind of traveller to appear - but he's been waiting so long that he no longer really expects it and just continues the search out of habit or obligation - and evidently we were not what he was looking for.

He also didn't really react in any strong way to any of the various provocations we attempted (some intentional, others probably not). The biggest rise we got out of him was an eventual attempt to correct our apparent misapprehensions about his name. I, of course, called him Mr Zarovich; Jerious seems to be under the impression that his name is "Lestrade"; Zynmar and Kromgarn, perhaps by mistake or perhaps to amuse themselves, referred to him as "Mr Strahd". Strahd himself gave the impression that he regarded all this as idiocy rather than impropriety.

He did seem a little annoyed at the dummy in his likeness (which, honestly, I thought was just a bit of fun) but barely even acknowledged the zombie. He made no attempt to deny his connection to the vampiric creature it used to be; but why would he when it appears to be common knowledge that they work for him?

Leaving the topic of Mr Zarovich aside for the moment, we also learned a little about various points of interest that may be worth following up. Of course, Kromgarn still wishes to visit the Wizards of Wine, and I suspect there may be something of import hidden in that vineyard so I have no objection.

There is also, apparently, a temple of wizards known as the Amber Temple somewhere in the vicinity. A curiosity to be sure. I would very much like to know what god is venerated there and why a group of wizards would set up a temple, especially in this remote place.

Finally, we learned of two things in which Zarovich has a stated interest - or rather, one thing and one person: the "sunsword" (supposedly a family heirloom - he claims to hold only sentimental attachment to it and know nothing of any special properties it may possess) and a Mr van Richten, whom Strahd evidently holds in great contempt. Naturally I cannot help but think that we should meet this man, and attempt to acquire the sword. Whether either will prove useful or interesting remains to be seen, but I see no motive for Strahd to send us on a wild goose chase, given that he does not seem to regard us as any kind of threat or particular inconvenience.