A Genealogy of the Durst Family
This small, faded and dusty tome details the history of an important family in Barovia. On its cover is a faded image of a windmill.
A Genealogy of the Durst Family
by Cressida Durst, 366 HR
It is hoped that this book will preserve the history of my family - the Dursts. We have lived in this valley for time immemorial, since before the Kingdom was conquered by Strahd von Zarovich only 10 years ago.
Our family has long worked the land, but over the centuries we came to prominence in the Kingdom. We possessed numerous fields around Tser Pools and what is now called Barovia village. But our proudest possession was the Durst Mill. Our Mill was blessed by the Forest Fane, whose shrine was at the edge of our lands, and our family prospered. She granted us a great weapon, the Hammer of the Kindred, with which to guard our domain. The wielder of this Hammer was granted the power to smite foes who harmed those dear to them.
The book then details an extensive family history, detailing the lives of dozens of Durst family members who were merchants, travelers, and nobles in Delmor - the land that is now called Barovia.
But all this is gone, I am ashamed to say. In my lifetime, my family turned to dark arts and founded a warlock coven. And when Strahd came, our family were among the first to turn their backs on the rightful King, and they sided with him. My family has now sank to worshipping evil powers and consorting with devils. They constructed a mansion in Barovia village where they carry out their barbaric practices. They helped Strahd when he desecrated the Fanes, and leased our Mill out to a coven of night hags. They now call it "the Bonegrinder".
Before they did so, I stole away our family's most precious heirloom and gave it to the Forest Fane to protect. The Hammer now awaits a hero who shall drive away the evil from this land and restore our family's honour.
Type
Manuscript, Historical
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